Star Wars Rebels: The Rise of the Rebellion

Chapter 20: Twlight of the Apprentice (Part 2)

The inquisitors were standing across from the five force wielders and Maul as the Seventh Sister spoke up.

"So the rumors are true; Darth Maul lives." She said.

"Formerly Darth. Now, just Maul," Maul said approaching.

"Ezra, stay away from him!" Kanan said.

"Zalo, you too!" Darrel ordered.

"Kanan, I swear he's with us," Ezra said.

"I beg to differ. I don't trust him," Zalo said.

"Perhaps my actions can speak for me," Maul said as he detached the handle from his cane, revealing a double-bladed red lightsaber, a weapon he was an expert in using. The former Sith fought masterfully, engaging in a duel with the Seventh Sister. Kanan locked blades with the Fifth Brother, while Ahsoka and Darrel did the same with the Eighth Brother.

"The Holocron, do you have it?" the Eighth Brother asked Maul.

"You will find out soon enough," Maul said as he pushed the Seventh Sister back.

"Fall back!" the Seventh Sister said, and the inquisitors used their lightsabers like propellers to fly away. Darrel turned to Maul.

"Maul, what game are you playing?" Ahsoka asked.

"The end game, Lady Tano," Maul replied. "The end game. I am now the enemy of your enemy, and I have my own reasons for wanting the Empire to fall. But we have little time. The one they call Vader will be here soon."

"How do you know?" Kanan asked as all Force wielders sheathed their blades.

"His dogs will tell him where we are," Maul said. "Four Jedi and a part timer. He will come. He will not be able to resist us."

"Hold on, there is no 'us'," Kanan said. "Dealing with Inquisitors is one thing, but Vader is another. I'm not convinced we're on the same side."

"Kanan, we should trust him," Ezra said, pulling out the Sith Holocron. "Look, he, Zalo, and I took this from the temple together. This is why we came here, right? To find out how to beat the Sith. Ahsoka, you said we came here for knowledge."

"Ezra, there's no way a Jedi can unlock that Holocron," Ahsoka said.

"But it may unlock the temple itself," Maul said.

"How? Tell me how," Ezra said.

"At the top of the temple, there is a chamber. Place it inside, and you can unlock the ancient knowledge of the Sith," Maul replied.

"Why are you working so hard to keep us here?" Ahsoka asked.

"I cannot defeat Vader alone," Maul replied.

"Do you know who Vader is?" Darrel asked.

"What I should've been." Maul responded with a sigh.

"I say we stay with him," Ezra said.

"Yeah, well, I say we go," Kanan argued.

"I second that. So, that settles it," Zalo replied.

"Are you such cowards that you would run from a chance to defeat your enemies?" Maul asked.

"Kanan?" Ezra asked, looking to his master. Kanan looked to Ahsoka, then she looked to Darrel, who scowled and hesitated to answer.

"Consider this a temporary alliance. For now," Darrel said as Kanan turned on his comlink.

"Chopper, we're staying for a while," Kanan said as Chopper tried to communicate with him. "Yeah, I know it's a bad idea. Just scan the area for incoming ships and keep the Phantom out of sight."