Chapter Fifty-One
The Dathomirian leads the group of rebels toward the pyramid, everyone but Ezra still wary of working with Maul. Reaching the base of the obelisk, Keen glares at the top of it, then back to the ex-Sith. "Now what?" Maul places his hand on the stoney side of the pyramid. A mechanical whirring fills the air, as a large block lowers, revealing a lift leading to the next plateau.
"Wow!" Ezra enthuses, following Maul onto the lift.
Kanan steps forward, intending to climb onto the platform, but the Dathomirian pushes the Jedi Knight back. "Only two. No more, no less."
"Yeah, well these two come as a set." Kanan shoves the ex-Sith off the platform. "You okay riding with Grandpa, Ahsoka?"
"I'll be fine."
The lift powers up once again, Kanan and Ezra disappearing from view. Keen turns to look at the other three still standing around the tower. "Ahsoka, why don't you take Leia with you. I'll ride with Maul."
"If you're certain."
"Go ahead."
The ex-Jedi Padawan, and the Padawan take off around to the other side of the obelisk to the second lift. "Is there a third one, or are we waiting?"
The Dathomirian grumbles under his breath, truding off around the pyramid. Ari'abel follows directly behind him, her hands wrapped around her lightsaber hilts, just in case Maul decides to try something. The ex-Sith stops at the next corner, placing his hand on the wall, a third lift descending from the platform above.
Maul steps onto the lift, Keen following his lead. As it begins it's ascension, the Jedi Master asks, "What's your real goal, Maul. If you wanted to fight Vader there are many simpler ways."
"You shall see soon enough, Lady Quinara. Until then you must have some patience, like you Jedi are known so well for."
Leaning over, she growls, "If you do anything to hurt either of those kids, I will hurt you."
"Threats hold no meaning when I know you won't follow through."
"Yeah, and who says I won't?"
The Dathomirian chuckles, as the lift reaches the platform, both Jedi and ex-Sith igniting their blades as the Inquisitor comes into view. Her eyes land on Ezra holding onto the side of the pyramid, the Inquisitor's lightsaber, which has spikes sprouting from it, lowers toward the boys hands.
Ahsoka and Leia are fighting Seventh Sister, and Kanan is fighting Fifth Brother, both too far from the dangling Padawan. Maul launches himself at Eighth Brother, causing the Inquisitor to block his blade.
Keen lets the two Dark Side users battle, rushing over to pull Ezra back up onto the plateau. Maul flings his Inquisitor off the platform, Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother following suit. "And there go the Inquisicoptors once again," Ari'abel murmurs. Spinning quickly on her toes, she faces her friends. "Everyone okay?"
"Yeah," Kanan grunts, before turning to Maul, "Looks like they figured out your plan."
"Then we shall alter it. I recommend that we split up, and scale the pyramid from two sides. They will also have to divide their forces."
"And let me guess, Ezra goes with you? No thanks," Kanan grouses.
"It is the logical choice."
"Screw you, and screw your logic," Keen argues.
"Hmmm, maybe later, Lady Quinara, although I am all metal down there."
Ari'abel hears Ahsoka snort, but chooses to ignore the Togruta. "I find that you and I made a fine team, Maul, so why don't I come with?"
"I'm afraid Ezra has the holocron, and I don't trust you enough to give it to you."
"Feelings mutual." Keen turns, placing her hands on Ezra's shoulders, looking into his eyes. "Be careful, please. He can be very persuasive. I trust that you'll be mindful."
Ezra nods, "I promise I'll do my best."
Kanan stares at his Padawan. "That's all we ask."
"Excellent, excellent. You will find another lift on the far side, we will meet again on the next terrace."
The lift powers up, and Maul and Ezra vanish into the air. "He'll be fine," Ahsoka tells Kanan.
"Yeah? How do you know that?"
"Because you taught him."
"And you're a great teacher!" Leia enthuses.
Kanan pats the Princess on the clone helmet, "Thanks for that, kid. It doesn't always feel that way."
"It never will," Keen pats his shoulder, before wrapping her arm around Leia's shoulder.
They round a corner, finding another lift, resting near the level, waiting for it's passengers. About halfway up to the next terrace, Ezra yelling fills the air.
"Kriff! Doesn't this thing go any faster?"
"Ari, you seem stressed. You said to watch out for the others, make sure they don't fall victim to the Dark Side calling. I think you're too focussed on taking care of everyone else, and not worrying about yourself."
Ari'abel doesn't answer the statement, because their lift comes level to the platform, and they're immediately greeted by Eight Brother. Master Quinara immediately blocks the attack, jumping over the Inquisitor, who just follows the Jedi, leaving the Padawan at the lift. Keen starts and onslaught of quick attacks on either blade, giving him no warning. She parries a few of his attacks, but leaves him mostly on the offensive. "I'd always heard you preferred negotiation, and yet you fight better than most Jedi I've killed."
"I'm old, I've had plenty of training. And I find that negotiation doesn't work nearly as well on known killers."
She crosses her blades, as Eighth Brother pushes his blade down quickly on to her sabers. When he adds more force to the lightsabers, Kenn counter acts, pusing her blades up, diving into the Force for some extra strength, she tosses the Inquisitor over the edge of the obelisk, his lightsaber flying from his hand. The Jedi Master chooses not to watch as the Inquisitor falls, instead meeting her Padawan's eyes. "Wow! When do I learn that?"
Keen wipes an arm over her brow, shoving her hilts into her bag, "I thought you wanted to learn how to heal, now it's lightsaber training. Sounds like you don't want any downtime."
"Lots to learn," she shrugs.
The duo round the corner, spying Kanan and Ahsoka fighting Fifth Brother together. Maul drops from the sky, his lightsaber held aloft. He attacks the Inquisitor with a fervour, while Ari'abel fishes her sabers from her bag, passing the spare to Leia. "Just in case, Princess. Be mindful."
Maul makes quick work of taking care of the Inquisitor. After only moments of fighting, the Dathomirian stabs Fifth Brother through his stomach, the Inquisitor gasping, as he breathes his last.
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