The Phantom Apprentice

3RD Person

Axle and Ahsoka stood shoulder to shoulder facing Maul as he approached them. Mandalorian super commandos block the exits. Maul then spoke, "Axle....Tinguard. So this is the person Kenobi held in such high regard." Axle looked at him then to Ahsoka. "And...Ahsoka...Tano is it? I can't say yours is a name familiar to me." Maul finished. "Well I know you" Ahsoka answered. Maul started to circle them, "Yes I imagen we have...several mutual friends." Ahsoka and Axle slowly turned following his movements. "I wouldn't put it that way." Ahsoka responds. "Of course not. But I'm afraid your way of thinking is behind the times." Maul continues. Ahsoka quickly presses her commlink and nods to Axle understanding help is on the way. Maul continued, "I was certain that Kenobi would have come himself perhaps bring his loyal foal Skywalker, is it?" "Master Kenobi had a more important engagement." Ahsoka informs him. "Indeed. I wonder....if the moment may be upon us." Maul said, staring at the ceiling. Axle and Ahsoka looked at each other then back at him. Maul grunted, "Why you? Why did Kenobi send two young inexperienced children?" "I wouldn't say that." Axle replied. Maul nodded, "Yes. I have heard you have faced some, more powerful than I." "Why don't you surrender, and we can go talk to Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka said, still not letting her guard down. "My surrender? Well that would be pointless for if I'm correct, soon the Jedi and Republic will no longer be the controlling interest in the galaxy." Axle perked up. Ahsoka pointed her blades at him, "And who will be? You?" Maul hesitated, "No. Darth...Sidious." Axle's mind was racing. He started to take longer breaths. His heart was pounding. Maul sensed this, "Ah yes. You know what I mean. You have seen what is to become." Axle hesitated looking down, "No. It won't happen. Not if I can help it." now looking back at him. Ahsoka was confused, but sensing Axle's worry, she knew it was bad. "Maul, why don't you explain what is happening?" Ahsoka asked. "No. Why don't you ask your friend here as he may know more than I." Ahsoka looked at Axle who was still slowly freaking out inside.

Just then, clones started to open fire engaging the Mandalorians. Ahsoka and Axle took this moment to attack Maul who ignited his red blades. "Not yet." he said, pushing the two away and ran into the tunnels along with his commandos. "Come on." Ahsoka said to the men. "Weapons free." Axle yelled as they chased Maul through the tunnels. "Ahsoka, you and Rex cut him off. Chase and I will follow." Axle ordered. Ahsoka responded, "Got it." as she went through another tunnel with the 332nd.

After running through the tunnels, Axle almost had Maul until he turned a corner pointing his blades. Ahsoka also pointed her blades but Maul was gone. "We've lost them." Ahsoka said disappointed.

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The throne room has been secured and the command team gathered to talk to Master Kenobi over the holo-communicator. "There are a small number of fire fights happening in sector 11. But for the most part your clones have been effective as promised." Bo Katan reported. Axle spoke up, "Just one thing. I'd appreciate it if you don't address the men as.....our clones." Bo Katan smiled, "My apologies. Still without Maul in custody, this could all fall apart quickly. We must capture him before he escapes." "He mentioned a name. Darth Sidious." Ahsoka reported. Axle and Kenobi exchanged looks. "Who is this Sidious?" Bo asked. "Axle and I do not know much, but I will share what the council suspects." Kenobi said. The group then spoke quieter and tightened their circle. Kenobi spoke first. "Darth Sidious is the Sith Lord who orchestrated the Clone Wars and played both sides of it from the beginning." "I found out about Sidious about a year ago. I learned that if he completes his plan, the Republic and Jedi order will fall. That's why I froze up when Maul talked about it." Axle explained "I first learned the name from Count Dooku. Though any chance of learning more about Sidious from Dooku, has been lost." Kenobi informed. "Why?" Ahsoka asked. Kenobi hesitated, "Because Count Dooku is dead. Anakin killed him while rescuing the Chancellor." Ahsoka and Axle went wide eyed and looked at each other. Kenobi continued, "With Dooku gone we've lost a vital link to understanding the mystery of Darth Sidious. If you can capture Maul, he may be able to provide the missing pieces to this puzzle." "Then send us more men." Ahsoka said. "Unfortunately I cannot. I'm being sent to hunt down General Grievous on Utapau." Kenobi explains. "What about Anakin?" Axle asked. "Perhaps he can reinforce us." Ahsoka said, finishing his sentence. Obi-Wan hesitated, "Can I speak to Ahsoka and Axle alone for a moment?" The group then walked away. Kenobi then continued, "Anakin is on a special assignment by order of the Jedi council." "What kind of assignment?" Ahsoka asked squinting. Axle just folded his arms and listened. "He has been instructed to observe the Chancellor and report his findings." "Observe? You mean spy?" Ahsoka pointed out. Axle raised an eyebrow, "That's low. Even for the council." "They told him to spy on the Supreme Chancellor?" Ahsoka asked. "Why was he the one chosen for this assignment? This is wrong." Axle responded. "Why?" Ahsoka asked, "The Senate has allowed the Supreme Chancellor to remain in office long after his term has expired. The council wants to know what his true intentions are." Kenobi answered. "The Chancellor has been a great friend and mentor to Anakin. I can't imagine he is happy about this." Ahsoka responded. Kenobi Stroked his beard, "No he's not. So perhaps it's best that you do speak with him." Ahsoka spoke up, "And what? Defend the council's actions? I hardly think we're the best people for that." Axle got serious, "There is no way in the galaxy that I would defend those untrustworthy sorry excuses for Jedi." "Ahsoka, Axle, the council isn't always right. That's why I'm asking for your help." Kenobi responded. "If there's one thing I learned, is that the council is hardly ever right. You just started realizing this?" Axle asked.

Rex and Chase then walked in, "Sorry to interrupt, but there's been an attack." Kenobi then faced the two, "You had best go." They both started to walk away, "Tell Anakin..." Ahsoka started. "I will." Kenobi answered as they ran to the incident. "You think he knows about us?" Axle jokes.

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They soon arrived at the attack point. Bodies from both sides were everywhere. A clone came over to the, "We got ambushed on our way to reinforce the entry point on C-deck." Ahsoka then turned to Rex, "Rex, make sure C-deck is properly fortified." "Yes ma'am." He responded. "Chase that goes the same for E-deck. We can't leave out any weak points." Axle ordered. "Yes General." Chase said.

The pair then walked toward an injured trooper. Axle rushed to his side, "Easy trooper. Sterling right?" "Yes General." Ahsoka kneeled next to him as Axle put his hand on his shoulder. "Commander, Maul he went right through us. He was asking about you. The ARC trooper......Jesse. Maul realized he was older. Somehow looked in his mind. And he took him. He took Jesse alive." Sterling said, grabbing Axle's arm. "We'll get him back. Rest up my friend. Everything's gonna be fine." Axle said. "Thank you General." Sterling responded. Ahsoka and Axle stood up and looked down the tunnel.

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At the prison complex, Axle, Ahsoka, Bo Katan, Chase and Rex went to speak to Almac. "I'm flattered that you could find the time to see me." Almac taunted. "Just be lucky that we're not seeing you, at your funeral." Axle taunted back. Bo Katan spoke up, "What's Maul's plan? How is he going to escape?" Almac stood up, "Maul is not trying to escape because he sees no point in doing so." "So he believes he can defeat us?" Bo asked. "No that's not it. For weeks now he's been moved by a strange sense of dread." Almac answered. "Has he mentioned Sidious?" Ahsoka asked. "Not that I can recall." Almac responded. Bo started to ask more questions, "You said he wanted Kenobi here. Why?" Almac thought for a second, "It wasn't just Kenobi he wanted no. There was someone else he was interested in." "Who?" Axle asked. "If only I could remember the name." Almac smiled. "Bo help him remember." Ahsoka said. Bo approached Almac when he began to talk, "No wait. It was...." Several blaster bolts hit Almac in the chest. Bo turned and saw the shooter, "Saxon." she said and ran off to get him. "Rex we need a medic." Ahsoka said. Rex rushed off to find help. "Who was Maul interested in?" Axle asked again. Almac took a deep breath, "Sky....walker." The Prime Minister hit the floor dead. Axle and Ahsoka stood up, concern on their faces.

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Back at their temporary command center, the command team oversees the evacuation. They then started to walk back toward the throne room. "This occupation cannot last much longer. The people will not stand for it. I will not stand for it." Bo said. "You asked for our help. My men don't want to be acting as a police force." Rex responded. Ahsoka and Axle faced them, "The Republic will depart once we've captured Maul." Ahsoka explained. "Somethings not right. I feel cold." Axle said. Ahsoka then addressed Bo Katan, "You will have your opportunity to lead." The doors to the throne room opened and Maul sat in the chair, "I agree." Jesse was cuffed next to him. Bo Katan drew her weapons and attacked. Maul easily defeated her and force pushed her away. "My lady is that any way you treat your rightful ruler?" Maul raised his eyebrow, "And now as a show of good faith, I return your comrade in arms to you." Maul uncuffed Jesse, "Run along. There you go back to your brothers." Jesse faced the two ex Jedi, "Jesse, are you alright?" Rex asked, helping him stand. "I'm sorry, I told them everything." "Jesse it's ok. I'm glad you're safe." Axle responds. "Rex, get him out of here." Ahsoka orders as they leave. Explosions and blaster fire then shook the room as Maul's super commandos attacked the republic troopers on the ground. Maul spoke up, "Uh, one of you might want to deal with that." "You should go. Your people need you." Ahsoka said to Bo. "Don't stay on my account. We'll be fine." Maul said walking over to the windows. "We'll handle robo-legs." Axle taunts. "Go." Ahsoka says one last time as Bo Katan leaves.

Maul continues to stare at the battle, "Look at them, so blissfully ignorant." "Care to tell us what this is all about? Or would you rather save it for the council?" Ahsoka answered. Maul then turned to face them, "Oh no, you are the ones that I wish to speak with." "Yea? Then start talking." Axle says. "Were you not cast out of your order?" Maul asked. "We left voluntarily." Ahsoka answers. Axle started to feel anger rising in him. He hates when this subject is discussed. "Yes, but you were motivated to leave by the hypocrisy of the Jedi council." Maul continued. Axle gritted his teeth, "Yes we did. They have all forgotten what it means to be a Jedi." Maul continued to speak, "We were all tools for greater powers." Ahsoka interrupted him, "We are here to bring you to justice." Maul smirked, "Justice is merely the construct of the current power base. A base which according to my calculations, is about to change." "And Sidious is behind it." Axle said. "Yes, he is behind everything.... in the shadows always, but soon, very soon, he will reveal himself." "With your help, the Jedi can stop Sidious before it's too late." Ahsoka says. Maul then raised his voice, "Too late for what? The Republic to fall? It already has and you just can't see it. There is no Justice, no law, no order except for the one that will replace it. The time of the Jedi has passed. They cannot defeat Sidious. But together, you and I...can." Axle and Ahsoka stared at the ground then to each other. "Every choice you have made, has led you two to this moment." Maul said, outstretching his hand.

An explosion then destroyed the windows. Glass, sparks and smoke was everywhere, but no one moved. The two then looked back at each other sensing their ideas and thoughts. Ahsoka then faced Maul, "We will help you." "But you must answer one question." Axle finished. Maul cooperated, "You have but to ask." Ahsoka then looked back at Axle then to Maul, "What do you want with Anakin Skywalker?" Maul started to explain, "He...is the key to everything." "To bring balance to the force?" Ahsoka asked. Maul continued, "To destroy. He has long been groomed for his role as my Master's new apprentice." Axle and Ahsoka were in disbelief, "You lie." Maul started to explain, "I'm afraid not in fact I was so sure of his fate that I orchestrated this war to lure him here with Kenobi, to kill him, thus depriving Sidious of his prized pupil." Axle and Ahsoka felt anger. "I know Anakin." Ahsoka yelled as the two ignited their blades. "Your vision is flawed." Axle finished. Maul then felt anger as well, "I see the deserters need one last lesson." as he ignited his double bladed saber and attacked.

They dueled inside the throne room while Rex and Chase continued to battle the Super Commandos outside. If the goal was to kill Maul, Axle would have done so already with his training of his stronger powers and saber skills. Also, he has not faced someone that also uses a type of form 6 making it harder to predict his moves. Maul knew he couldn't defeat both of them at once so he would push one of them away while he fought the other. After a brief standoff, Ahsoka spoke, "Your lucky Anakin didn't show up. The way you're fighting, you wouldn't have lasted long." "Maybe it's the legs." Axle taunted. "You have Kenobi's arrogance." Maul said. "You'll find we have many qualities for you to dislike." Ahsoka said as she continued the battle.

Outside, the Night Owls came to aid the Republic soldiers, turning the tide in their favor. Maul then jumped on the duo. Ahsoka and Axle kicked him up the stomach and out the window. "Come on. We can't let him escape again." Axle said as they got up off the floor and jumped out the window.

They stared down toward the large battle. "Up there." Axle said, pointing toward Maul who is climbing to the top of the dome. "Let's go." Ahsoka says as he followed.

They managed to catch up to Maul who is about to make it to his ship. "Obi-Wan was right." Ahsoka says "You are difficult to kill." Axle finishes. They both charge him.

After fighting on the beams on the top of the dome, Maul pushed Axle back and managed to disarm Ahsoka and pushed her back as well. Maul's ship arrived overhead and Maul started to climb towards it, but Axle jumped up and kicked him down. He then stood in front of him. "Fool. No Jedi has ever truly defeated me." Maul said standing up. "I'm No Jedi." Axle said as he disengaged his shoto and connected it back to his single blade. He then got into his form 7 Vaapad stance. Axle could sense worry from Maul as he knew that form 7 was very hard to counter. Axle attacked and quickly put Maul on the defensive. This was a little dangerous because if Axle pushes too far into the dark side to aid his form 7, he could accidentally kill Maul. Axle got into a blade lock and moved his other hand to grab Maul's blade. Maul was then shocked as Axle pulled Maul's blade out of his hands and threw it to Ahsoka. Axle then quickly pulled himself back to the light, spun around and focused his energy shooting a force light shock wave, pushing Maul off the beams. Ahsoka then grabbed Maul with the force.

After Maul was captured by Rex, Chase and the men, Axle jumped down to Ahsoka who helped him stand as she understood Axle just released a large amount of power and pulled himself away from the dark. "We'll take it from here General." Chase says. Axle, still being held up by Ahsoka, felt something. He turned his head to Ahsoka and she felt it too as she stared into the night sky.