Thank you to all those who gave me feedback. I understand the Gree speech is a problem, but I emphasised it like this "" ... "" to make it easier to skip, should you want that. This is the last chapter you will see this. I will change it from now on and italicise the writing.
I also hope that this chapter reveals the reason why we went through all of this.
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- 27 BBY -
- Planet Gree -
Jedi Master Yarael Poof follows the call of the Force. Something has been bothering him for a while now. He has used the Force to trace the origins of the mysterious box. And it has led him to a Guild building. Master Poof was renowned as legendary for his mind trickery skills. He uses them now to make his way into the convoluted building and find the origin of his feeling.
He follows the track through the Force and makes his way through the twists and turns until he reaches a door deep below the surface. The Jedi Master's senses are tingling, telling him that he has arrived where he wanted to go. He uses an illusion and walks in. As he takes his first step, the door shuts, alerting Poof. But he doesn't see anyone or anything attacking him. His precognition hasn't gone off. He ignores the strange feeling in his stomach and moves on, deeper into the peculiar room, with several separate rooms, until he reaches a wide open area. In the back, Maul is sitting on a large chair, with his eyes closed.
"Welcome, Jedi," Maul greets Poof and finally opens his eyes, looking right at him.
Poof doesn't answer, though, and takes a step to the side, wanting to make sure that Maul can see him. But Maul doesn't follow Poof and instead continues to look forward. This indicates that Poof's illusion is still working. So he does something else.
"Come now, don't be shy. Step into the light," Maul taunts, repeating the words of a good villain.
Then, as if the Jedi follows his command, Master Poof appears in front of Maul. Poof's 8'8" frame is silent and graceful, his robe reaching just above the broken floor. His bulbous head, with its moving eyes, scans calmly from left to right.
"Ah, there you are, Jedi in the shadows. Haha, ironic, don't you agree?" Maul chuckles.
"I don't believe we have met, Sith."
"Sith? How crude. I think we should exchange names before we insult one another, wouldn't you say? My name is Maul, and what is yours?" Maul asks.
"I am Jedi Master Yarael Poof."
"Poof? As in a fart? Seriously? So, you're a real poof? Hahahahahaha."
*ZZZZZ--brooom*
Lightning strikes for a second, surprising the Jedi and making him wary. Because as fast as it appeared, it has gone again.
"You were the one who created the mysterious box. Your attempt at taking over the Gree Enclave will fail. We have already taken the box away and know what it does," Poof says, moving on from his dumb name.
"Do you now? Then what are you doing here?"
"I am here to capture you and have you speak in front of the Jedi Council. So that you can finally reveal who your master is... Darth Maul."
"Uh, just Maul, formerly Darth. And, I have no master, Jedi. I'm a freelancer, if you will, here on my own accord, of my own free will. A rarity, I can assure you," Maul says.
"Your lies are pointless and will not save you."
"Save me? What am I in need of being saved from? You?"
"You will find that just because you knew I was here, it doesn't impress me as much as you might believe. However, I am curious how you did it. Naturally, you won't tell me, will you? Or did your master teach you to sense the light to exterminate it?"
"The door," Maul says with a deadpan expression.
"What?"
"The door, you pillock. You walked through the door, and it closed again afterwards."
"... right. Quite clever," Poof admits.
"Do you think flattery will keep you alive?" Maul asks.
"No."
"No indeed."
"My skills will keep me alive. You will not chall-"
*TSSCHHHHHHH*
Maul strikes hard, starting the fight without a warning. And why would he? He starts to increase his speed and strength, each swing a blur of focus and precision. But Poof flows, his double-jointed limbs coiling like vines, deflecting with minimal movement. He doesn't even ignite his sabre at first and just manipulates Maul's perception.
Maul slashes through the illusion. Suddenly, he is pushed forward telekinetically and hits the wall.
"You carry darkness inside you. You might try to hide it and have impressive control over it, but I still see it, lying deep within, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. And this darkness will bury you."
Poof uses the Force to conjure illusions of beasts and soldiers which Maul knows from his life. He has fought and killed every single one of them, and all of them now stand before him. They start shouting and attacking Maul. All admired Poof's connection to the Force. Using these skills, he was capable of resolving conflicts quickly by turning the fears of his combatants against themselves.
Maul slashes his lightsaber through all illusions, believing the Jedi to be hidden within one of them. He analyses the images and illusions he sees and uses the Force to focus his mind. His genius is working constantly. He is learning. He begins to harness his anger as a means to enhance himself and his power, but not in a way that overwhelms him and pulls him in. He needs to keep his focus for now.
Suddenly, Maul jumps back and pauses. He takes a deep breath and thinks. He has seen enough and analysed the Force technique for almost ten minutes.
*BOOOM*
One of his traps goes off, telling him that Poof was about to attack him. Good, he thinks; it's working well. Maul studies the space and feels Poof's concentration and his illusions flicker momentarily.
"You see into others' minds and manipulate them. You use their fears against them. But believe yourself superior, because you can pseudo-control the flow of the battle this way. But what if the terrain changes?"
Poof, who is still hidden through his illusions, hesitates. What does Maul mean?
Maul reaches out, and suddenly, from the surrounding space, one of Poof's illusions changes. It turns... into Darth Sidious. His face hidden beneath his cloak, only a sinister smile is visible. The illusory Sidious leans in close to Yarael Poof, voice a perfect echo of the real thing:
"Oh, Master Poof… Eight feet of neck, four arms of grace… and still can't reach the point."
He circles Poof like a vulture, red eyes narrowing. The Jedi doesn't speak and looks at the illusion with wide eyes.
"Did you truly believe peace was forged through dreams and speeches? You fought wars with mirages while real men bled. Tell me, when your illusions die… do they scream?"
He pauses, tilting his head.
"But chin up, old Jedi. In death, even you finally become useful. One last lesson for my former apprentice: how to bring a legend to heel."
The illusion of Sidious bursts into cackling laughter, distorted, and suddenly, pointing his hands forward, sending blue lightning towards the flabbergasted Jedi Master.
*ZZZZZZZZZZZZ*
"AAAHHHH!"
Poof screams as his nervous system lights up and his muscles convulse. He reels back, staggered for the first time in decades. The lightning wasn't coming from the illusion, but from Maul himself, who had found the Jedi Master amidst his illusions and attacked him. The fight turns brutal, as Poof uses Tutaaminis to absorb the lightning, combining it with telekinesis and sending it into the air, hitting the ceiling.
Poof uses Force combustion on Maul. Combustion, also known in High Galactic as Flamusfracta, is an advanced, telekinetic Force ability that allows users to cause objects to explode by sheer force of will. Maul senses the danger and counters with his full power, flooding his system and shielding himself with telekinesis.
*BOOOM*
However, the power is still immense, causing him to crash into the wall on the side. His skin is burned, smoking through the energy released. The Jedi Master charges forward, using his second pair of arms to pull Maul towards him and his other hands to swing his lightsaber forward. Maul uses the pull to his advantage and Force Chokes Master Poof, causing him to stagger momentarily and lose his focus. He pushes through and slashes his lightsaber across Maul's neck.
...
Maul's form dissolves into green smoke.
"Illusion?"
*ZZZZZZZZZZZ*
Force Lightning shoots through the air, hitting the lightsaber. Once more, illusions appear throughout the room, duplicating the form of Poof tens of times. Maul's lightsaber clashes with the Jedi's and causes them to engage in an intense lightsaber battle. Maul has been training for this ever since he was an apprentice to the most dangerous Sith Lord to date, and has only gotten more powerful and skilled. He matches the Jedi with each strike and finds the Master's rhythm and also a way to win.
His mind is the most dangerous thing that Maul has ever had since the moment he gained his Essence and memories. He moves between different Forms of lightsaber combat and keeps the Jedi on his feet, making him unable to accurately predict the next move and forcing him to rely on the Force entirely. But Maul also knows how to do that, and unlike what precognition does, Maul can read several steps into the future and knows what to do to overwhelm the Jedi Master. It just takes time. Time, Poof doesn't have.
Suddenly, Poof uses his second pair of hands to Force Push Maul backwards and disappears a second later. Maul stops and looks around, using Force Sense to feel the Jedi Master's presence.
"It seems to be working," Maul comments.
"Haa... haaa... what did you do?" Master Poof asks as he appears again, kneeling on the ground.
"The box," Maul says.
"The... box?
"Yes, the box. You have been stung, haven't you?"
"..."
"It took a while, but you are being affected. It's a virus I created. Rather than creating a poison, using viruses is better, since no one would think to consider that. I created it combining the little beskar I had, using mechu-deru to control it and make it resistant to Purify Toxins through the Force. You never know."
Master Poof was indeed losing strength. He looks at Maul and tries to use the last of his strength to contact his fellow Jedi, so he tries to get Maul to talk. But he won't have it.
"Ack...kkkakk..."
Maul Force chokes the Jedi until he passes out.
.
"Did you hear that? Master Poof is in danger," Master Inspra says to his friend.
"He must have found the one responsible for this. But if he is no longer answering, he is either captured, dead or fighting. We need to find him. I hope that it's not too late," Master Boda answers.
"But where is he right now?"
"The com he has with him is still sending a signal. Come, let us hope we aren't too late."
The two Jedi start running at their top speed. The box that the Gree are so interested in has been taken away from them, since it might be dangerous. It is their usual procedure to take what they believe is their 'right'. They rush through the streets, following the signal Master Poof's comlink is sending. Master Inspra moves his hand in front of the two Gree's faces, who are standing guard.
"You didn't see anything. We belong here, and you will let us pass."
""Observation: false. Our form aligns with this vertex. Obstruction is non-functional. Permit traversal,"" the Gree repeats the same thing, but in his own language.
"It seems not even the Mind Trick can get them to talk like we do," Inspra says, joking slightly as they move through the darkened halls.
After a few minutes of moving through the building furtively, they arrive at the same Guild Council's chambers. The two Jedi grab their lightsabers and nod at each other, signalling their readiness. Then, they walk into the room. The first thing they see is a red and black-skinned Zabrak sitting on the main chair, and Master Poof bound to the wall and looking worse for wear.
"Welcome, my dear Jedi. Welcome to the Council chamber. If you'd like to pull up a chair, we could begin," Maul's deep voice rings out through the room.
"Darth Maul. You are the man who killed Qui-Gon Jinn on Naboo," Master Boda says.
"You mean that Sith Lord whom Obi-Wan killed?" Master Inspra asks.
"Yes. How are you alive?"
"Grit, spit and a lot of duct tape," Maul jests.
"..."
"I used my immeasurable rage to pull through and make my way here. What do you think, you imbecile?"
"What did you do to Master Poof?" Inspra questions.
"I defeated him. I think that's rather obvious," Maul says, looking at the beaten Jedi Master.
"Why have you done all of this? What is it you wish from the Gree?" Master Boda asks.
"The Gree? Heh, no, I don't want anything from the Gree. Although I will most definitely take some of the common Gree when I leave, and most likely use the planet as a base at a much later date, other than that, I am not here for the Gree."
Maul looks at Ashka Boda, giving the man a bad feeling.
"You are the one I want," Maul says.
"Me? What do you want with me?" Boda asks, confused.
"Well, not you in particular, but something you carry. Something made through the Force. Knowledge."
Ashka Boda's eyes widen in shock. He knows what Maul is talking about, but neither Master Inspra nor Master Poof are aware of it.
"And what might that be? Are you after Master Boda's lightsaber?" Master Inspra asks. "You will find that we are more than capable of defending it."
Master Boda doesn't say anything and looks at Maul. His hand touches the cuboid shape hidden in his robes, assuring him and calming him down. Maul smiles, seeing this.
"No, something far more precious," Maul says.
"What could that be? Know that you will get nothing from us, Sith."
"A holocron. Or more precisely, the Jedi holocron outright. I have waited here and arranged for you to arrive, so that you can deliver it to me."
"Holocron? Master Boda, what is he talking about?" Inspra asks.
"The Tedryn Holocron," Maul reveals.
"WHAT?! Why do you have that with you?" Inspra questions Boda.
"..."
"Master Boda! Master? Are you alright?"
Boda doesn't answer. He is thinking. Nothing is lost, nothing. There are three Jedi Masters, and Master Poof, despite his look and current state, is a member of the Jedi Council. Together, they will be more than ready to deal with half a Sith Lord, won't they?
The Tedryn Holocron is a compact, luminous cube, small enough to rest easily in the palm. Fashioned from milky jade crystal, its smooth surfaces bear ancient inscriptions, while intricate metal embellishments hint at its deep antiquity. Though rooted in technology, its structure blends organic crystalline formations with subtle hardware, giving it a unique presence among Jedi artefacts.
[Picture]
Primarily a teaching device, the holocron serves as an interactive repository of Jedi wisdom. When touched on its side by a Force-sensitive individual, it activates, projecting a green-tinged hologram of its primary gatekeeper, a virtual manifestation of one of the many Jedi Masters who contributed to its vast knowledge.
At its most accessible level, the Tedryn Holocron functions like an encyclopedia, offering recordings and holographic teachings that can be consulted freely. Users can either explore this data directly or engage in dialogue with the gatekeeper for a more dynamic learning experience.
However, the true depth of the holocron's power is reserved for Jedi aligned with the light side. Its inner crystals acted as a key to more profound revelations—insights that can not be forced open or corrupted. Even Darth Sidious, who would have acquired it in later years and kept the holocron in his possession for three decades, would have been unable to penetrate these hidden layers.
Tailored specifically to aid Jedi Masters in their pursuit of deeper Force understanding, the Tedryn Holocron remains a beacon of light-side knowledge. Even seasoned Jedi find its teachings transformative, as it offers not only forgotten lore but also profound philosophical truths, passed down from the Masters themselves.
And now, Maul will take it.
"How did you know that I would have the Tedryn holocron? No one knew, not even Master Poof or Grandmaster Yoda. Only Master Baas and I know, and it was a spontaneous decision on his part," Master Boda says.
"Spontaneous, you say. Was it though? You see, throughout the past few Coruscanti rotations, I have spent the time to 'arrange' small 'things' we shall call it, in the vicinity of Master Baas. Nothing significant, but the name Tedryn was mentioned occasionally. Then, people approached him because of Master Baas' knowledge of the holocron, Count Dooku, and the word Gree was also mentioned. Additionally, words like 'darkness' and other sepulchral words were used. Then, when the moment came that you would have to travel to the Gree Enclave, because of Count Dooku having been spotted here, who might have turned to the Dark Side and requires knowledge, like a holocron... what do you think the venerated Jedi Master did?"
"..."
"He gave me the holocron," Master Boda concludes.
"How could you have possibly done this? The Force is strong in our Jedi Temple. There is no way you could have achieved what you claim!" Master Inspra is angry.
"I know. But you see, small pieces of technology go a long way in an Order that sees itself above such things. Even if you don't admit it."
"Why would Master Baas come to that conclusion? Your explanation is full of holes and lies, fitting for a Sith..." Master Poof says exhausted, but not dead yet.
"Haha, I know. But that's the most amusing aspect of the story. Drop a few sentences, words and meanings in the presence of a Jedi, and when the topic arises, he will think about those instances, yes? So when he concludes that he should get the holocron to Master Boda, he will think that it was the Force who warned him and prepared him for this moment."
"..."
"Hahaha, don't you see? You were manipulated with basic psychology, which you thought was the will of the Force," Maul laughs amused.
Maul employed a technique based on subliminal priming. When you're exposed to certain stimuli repeatedly, even without consciously noticing it, your brain becomes more likely to "select" or "recognise" that stimulus later on. And together with the arrogance of a Jedi, this was interpreted as the will of the Force.
*ZZZZZZZ-booooom*
Lightning flashes through the room.
"Very well. Let us not dwell on the past; instead, let us focus on the present. You are here now, have something I will take, and so we all know what will happen, don't we?" Maul asks and stands up.
"You will die, Sith. That's all that will happen," Master Inspra says and ignites his lightsaber.
*TSSCHHHHHH*
Master Boda follows his example, also igniting his lightsaber. The two Jedi are already planning on how to fight the Sith. One of them will engage Maul in a lightsaber and Force battle, while the other will use the opening to free Master Poof. Then they will contact the Jedi Council about the happenings on Gree and that the Sith Apprentice, Maul, has survived. After Master Poof is free, they will then combine his power in the Force and incredible skill in illusions to overwhelm Maul and capture him, getting him to Coruscant so that he can finally reveal the Sith Lord.
*beep*
Maul takes a small device from the table and presses the button. A second later, several blasters rise from the ground and come out of the walls all around them. It appears to be the simulation room that Maul demolished during his training. The weapons are set to stun and start firing. Several hundred shots fly through the air and force the Jedi to react and cut through them, but it is far too much. Both Master Boda and Master Inspra are hit and fall to the ground unconscious.
"Did you think this would be a fair fight? How very Jedi of you," Maul says and shakes his head.
He walks to Master Boda's body and takes out the Tedryn holocron. The holocron, he has worked quite hard to acquire. He had other methods in mind for obtaining this particular holocron and had created spy droids, miniature versions of his probe droids, which he used to spy on the Jedi Temple from afar. He would have been ready, had Master Baas left Coruscant and gone on a mission. But this was better for Maul, as it allowed him to capture a surprise guest: Master Poof.
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Please don't hate on this explanation. Maul used 'Priming via Repeated Exposure'. It's an actual thing, which I combined with 'artistic freedom' to create this.
I would still appreciate criticism if you have something to add.