Chapter 22: The Dark Side
Barriss' Offee's POV
Barriss, for the past hour, had been wondering around the corridors and vast rooms of the Jedi temple. She had decided to go to her favourite place from when she was a Jedi, the room of 1000 fountains. That place had always soothed her whenever she was stressed out from not understanding a lesson her master had taught her or when she wanted to pace herself after an intense sparing with the other Padawan's.
But now as she walked in the room it was nothing like she had remembered. Parts of the roof had caved in causing hundreds of the breath taking fountains to crumble, the pipes that produced the water had broke and droplets of water could be seen on the floor that was covered in rubble. How could such a sick person do this? She thought to herself but that's when it hit her.
I'm just as bad. Here I am sickened at the idea of someone destroying the temple yet I did myself once, and not just blew up part of the temple but killed innocent lives just so I could get my message across. I framed my best friend for something I did. I mean, I still stand by what I said about the Republic and the Jedi but how could I have done such a thing. Oh force, what have I done.
As Barriss started to head out of the room, her comm started beeping and she answered it to hear Emperor Palpatine's voice. She had always been afraid of the Emperor like most of the Empire but after what she had just thought, she feared him even more...and hated him more.
"Assassin, so I hear your on the hunt for Darth Maul" Palpatine said, his cold raspy voice sending chills down her spine. How did he know about my mission? "Well don't bother anymore, he is captured and on his way to Coruscant. I do however request your presence. Come to my office immediately." He said, his comm cutting out right after he finished speaking not even giving Barriss a chance to reply.
Immediately Barriss thought to make a run for it but she knew better than to think that she could escape the grasp of the Emperor. Besides if I don't show up, he'll know something is up. Instead, she decided to go and see what he wanted to talk about and then after that she would leave the Empire and Sith behind forever.
Emperor Palpatine's POV
Palpatine stood in front of his large office window looking out into the hazy yellow sun that was setting on Coruscant. He watched as an Imperial shuttle emerged on the landing platform and out came five of his top Inquisitors and in the middle of them was a hand-cuffed Maul. After waiting several minutes he heard his door open and slowly turned around to create that menacing effect he was so well known for.
"Sidious" Maul spat, "I should have known your dogs were taking me here."
"Still as cocky as ever I see" Sidious said as he walked around his desk so he was in front of Maul who was kneeling on the ground and he signaled for his Inquisitors to leave.
"Is Vader really dead. I heard them talking about it on the way here" Maul asked as he watched the Inquisitors exit the room leaving former master and apprentice.
"That is a need to know basis. Something you lost when you deemed yourself unfit of being my apprentice after your failure on Naboo all those years ago." Sidious replied which earned him a growl from Maul.
"But thankfully for you, you have one last chance at redemption." Sidious started to explain, "you see, Vader is weak. He is not the apprentice he should be and will never be the ultimate Sith like I had hoped."
"Let me guess, you want me to fight him to the death and whoever wins is your apprentice. Well I've got news for you, it's never going to happen. Your more of a fool then I thought you were if you expect me to work by your side after what you've put me through." Maul said, snarling at Sidious.
"You may not realise it now but I know that deep down, you want nothing more"
"And what makes you think that"
"Because all you've ever wanted is power"
A bit of a short one I know but I've got exams this week so I won't be updating this week. So sorry but I hope you can understand.