What if?: One Death

Setting the plan

Maul looks over at the Nightsisters as they whisper amongst themselves. Obi-wan, Talzin, and the Jedi could all sense a shift within Maul. It placed Obi-wan on the edge yet not enough to worry about anyone's safety, or at least not just yet. Maul made no noise as he stalked his way over to the Nightsisters as they ignored his presence until he drew Obi-wan's lightsaber. He didn't ignite it, he just held it. His eyes scour over the Nightsisters, all of the Nightsisters eyes met his. The longer he held their sight, few turned away, others briefly looked amongst each other before returning to Maul. Once Maul blinked and turned the Nightsisters turned to Mother Talzin and nodded. Maul then had turned to the Jedi, placing the lightsaber back on his belt.

"There's no objection from the council, is there?" Maul inquired

"A question, wise you think it is for Master Windu to stay?" Yoda had gestured to Windu as someone had finally raised the question.

"He is a good fighter, besides, I haven't killed him yet. It is not about mine or Obi-wan's comfort, it is about our safety." Maul answered his voice almost monotoned. Yoda hummed at the response.

"Then I will need my lightsaber," Windu spoke up with his arms crossed. Obi-wan nervously walked over to the Jedi master, keeping his eyes on the ground.

"I apologize about the discolorment of the crystal," Obi-wan's voice was as quiet as a mouse constantly on the edge of running with residual anger.

"It is quite fine, Kenobi. I am sure I will be able to heal the crystal." Windu replies and Obi-wan quickly returns behind Maul.

"All you think you will need Young Maul?" Yoda asked taking a small step forward.

"I believe so." Maul replied with a small hint of a smile to the old force user.

"Then we shall take our leave, Mother Talzin." Yoda announced turning to the old witch. "Hopefully, all goes well."

Mother Talzin was silent for a moment. "As long as my son allows for your Jedi masters to remain on our planet, anyone from your council may return to Dathomir."

"Thank you, Mother Talzin." Yoda replied and begun to led the unwanted Jedi away, leaving only Qui-gon, Windu, Shaak Ti. Qui-gon had begun to approach Obi-wan, until Maul had reached Obi-wan first.

"How are you feeling?" Maul quickly asked his eyes studied Obi-wan's. His once pure blue and gray eyes now surrounded with the thinnest of yellow.

"Don't worry about me now, worry when we're alone." Obi-wan spoke softly as Mother Talzin led her Nightsister away. Maul walked right next to Obi-wan matching his steps, never walking too fast or too slow. The three Jedi followed close behind them unable to hear their soft conversation.

"I can have mother examine you and see if she can use her magiks to help you fight whatever Plagueis has done to you." Maul's mind rattled with worry and the rush to find a solution before Plagueis and the dark side takes another thing that he holds close to him.

"I think I will be fine for now Maul, Plagueis should be off planet by now. Even he knew facing against the entire Jedi council was a bad idea." Obi-wan commented "He didn't even dare to fight when I was attacking them."

"That's curious." Obi-wan heard Maul say as he felt him shift. "But why wouldn't he attack?"

"He has stayed close to the shadows, maybe he just knew that he didn't have the high ground, even with me." Obi-wan's reply was accompanied with great sarcasm causing both him and Maul to smile before Obi-wan sensed another shift in Maul.

"There must be a reason. Was there anything that he had said to you or to the Jedi that might have hinted to some sort of weakness of his?" Maul asked with a stern voice. Obi-wan knew that this Maul was overly protective, but this had felt like an interrogation.

"Hmm, none that I know of. The only thing of importance I can think of is that he's been seeking to extend his life and that so far he's only been able to create life using the Force. Whoever or whatever that is we must watch out for as well, they could be potentially dangerous." Obi-wan thought out loud as Maul shifted again and he looked back at the Jedi before they entered the village.

"Have any of the younglings ever became tired or weak after practicing in manipulating the Force?" Maul inquired the Jedi masters, with a softer tone than the one he had used with Obi-wan.

"When they practice too long it is possible that they can pass out." Windu had spoke up first.

"Especially when they try to skip ahead of the rest of their class." Shaak Ti added "I have seen a far share of ambitious younglings try to finish their training quicker than the others. They exert themselves too much and end up fainting or passing out."

Maul hummed in response as he turns back to Obi-wan and his personalities had shifted again.

"Come along Jedi, I am sure Mother wants to speak with you all in private." Maul spoke as he and Obi-wan led the three to where Mother Talzin was waiting for them.