Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul's posts as of late had been a bit more lighthearted as he tried to set up his brother on a date and spoke of a memetastic grumpy batcat. But he'd been waiting for this day to come and so his face was as grim as if he was at a funeral during this post. His followers had been on the alert, watching for the signs, and had come to tell him that what he'd feared most had come to pass: Sidious was back at full strength and starting to possess people again in Trench. He couldn't put it off any longer. He had to warn people of what was coming.]

I come to you with the gravest of news. My former master, Darth Sidious, also known as Emperor Sheev Palpatine to some, has arrived in Trench. Many of you already know what that means, either through viewing my memories or listening to me talk about him. For those who do not, he was the man who raised me and turned me into....this. [The one word encompasses all of Maul, his psychopathic personality, the anger and pain he'd held onto for so long, his life being completely ruined by his master, getting turned from a person into a weapon and now spending the rest of his life trying to heal from that.] If you think I am dangerous, he is ten times as worse. He is pure evil. There is no reasoning with him, no way to appeal to any goodness that might reside within him, for he has none. All he has ever wanted in life is to gain power and he doesn't care how many people he must hurt or kill in order to do that. He's destroyed entire planets and every living thing that resided on them in order to do so. A city full of people is nothing to him if he wants to ascend to ultimate power.

Only his spirit has arrived rather than his physical body, so he is currently traveling from one body to the next as he tries to find a form he can take over for good. I have yet to discover a permanent way to banish him but I am open to suggestions. In the meantime, take whatever precautions you must in order to protect yourself and others. Trust me when I say if death is the only option, we must take it. You cannot afford to give him a chance, for he will brutally kill you if you give him one. Better to kill someone then allow him to remain and tear Trench apart at his whim.

His eyes look like this. [Maul closed his for a moment and channeled all the old anger he felt towards his master. When he reopened them, they had changed from the grey-brown color they had been holding steady as for the past three months and were back to the Sith yellow color they had remained for so many years.] They remain that color no matter who or what he is possessing, so it is a way to track whose form he is in. Please let me know if you spot a person or monster that has those eyes and I will deal with it.

[That euphemism of course meant that he would kill Sidious if he had to. Maul had gone over a year without killing anyone in Trench but he knew he couldn't afford to use kid gloves on his master. He'd need to be brutal and swift. He went to turn off the Omni and then paused, remembering one last thing he wanted to say.]

Oh, and Anakin? --The annoying whiny older one that is, not the annoying weird younger one-- if you try to interfere with this? I will stop you. That's not up for negotiation or debate. I'll kill you if I have to and keep you as a squid in the ocean to keep your idiotic devotion to this man from causing this situation to get worse. That is all.

[Then he does go and turn off the Omni for good this time.]

[OOC: This is the kickoff post for the Palpatine in Trench player plot! Feel free to interact with Maul, threadjack others to talk with them, or just head straight over to the log post to get started. As a reminder, Maul doesn't necessarily need to be involved in exorcising an NPC or character if you just want to do to something among two of you.]

Comments

[dousedflame]

[Bluestar understands exactly enough about planets to know they're like stars, and exist in the sky. The idea of any one person being able to destroy them has her fur puffed up with anxiety. So she has to ask-]

Would your master think to attack a cat?

[And, as an afterthought...]

Are you alright, Darth Maul?

[survivalthroughhate]

I think he'll attack anyone if it will help him achieve his goals. But I mean no offense when I say he'd likely think a cat beneath him unless you could provide him with something he wants.

[He paused and his eyes drifted off to the side, looking pensive, sad, and fearful at once.]

......No. No I am not.

[He said in a quiet voice.]

Video; UN Bridger

[ezra_of_lothal]

He's arrogant enough some of my raven friends and my Omen got the drop on him, when he first turned up here. But - Sahar is Loth cat shaped.

[He turns his Omni to a figure that's about 25 lbs of white cat with feet that are more bird like than terrestial feline. Sahar chirps cheerfully at the screen.]

He may, in fact, have it particularly out for cats now.

Sorry.

Video; UN Bridger

[ezra_of_lothal]

Well, I helped boot him from Luke's body, which I'd hoped resolved the uh....issue. I might be able to do it again, with other hosts. I bet Luke and I together could, almost certainly.

And when he was in Luke, hmm. Luke's presence in the Force shifted and dimmed? Which is what clued me in that something was wrong. But I would not have been able to say 'yeah, that's a Sith' much less that it was him. Just looking at Luke, it was mannerisms that were off, until he lost his temper. So don't count on the eyes changing.

Also. [Ezra sighs, knowing this last part is not likely to go over well.] I completely agree the danger is real and severe. But I don't think...

I don't think he's real, exactly. I think he's a homebrew Trench construct, patterned off memories.

private to ezra

[dohaeris]

[it sounds like ezra is wrapped up in al this, and it scares sansa that he might be in danger here. nevertheless she wants to help him as she feels he's helped her. they could, at least, talk about it.]

Are you all right?

[Video] un: QueenCobra

[abornfighter]

[Tory listens carefully to Maul's explanation. Everything she's heard him and Ezra say about Palpatine in the past and everything she's seen in Maul's flashbacks mean she's already very well aware of how dangerous it is for even Palpatine's spirit to be here.

Before she clicks to reply, she thinks very carefully. Her understanding of what's possible has vastly changed over the past year, and so has her control over her powers. Technically, just about anything is possible - even things she once thought to be purely the realm of fiction and dreams.

When she finally does flip on the video feed to reply, some people from Earth familiar with a certain ghost-busting franchise might recognize the ghost trap and proton pack she holds up]

Well. No idea on how to deal with him when he's in someone's body, but I've got a couple of things in mind for trapping and containing him when he's not possessing anyone.

video | un: toguchi

[toguchi]

[ This is one of the best ideas Chozen has ever seen in his life. He flips on his camera and smiles into it approvingly. ]

An excellent idea, Tory-san. You would not happen to have any spares?

[ One should not bust ghosts alone, surely. ]

video: un; an.observer

[thisislife]

[Lexi looks like she wants to cringe all the way into next week, her brows furrowed and her nose wrinkled in distress]

I'd ask you to please tell me you're joking, but you wouldn't joke about something like this. And...I might be able to help. I can warp reality so that people see what I want them to see. I can also slow down time, though that's a lot harder. Maybe between the two, we can slow him down enough to, well. Take him out?

[survivalthroughhate]

Perhaps that would be enough. I don't know.

[Maul sounded listless and without any of his usual spark. He didn't make any mention about her offer to team up since he had no idea if he'd be strong enough for that kind of confrontation. Right now, all he wanted to do was hide in his bed with the covers pulled over his head the way he used to when he was a scared child.]

video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[Tinya looks grim, her blue eyes like two chips of ice]

Wait, someone here is already in league with him? Brilliant. How much harder do you think he's going to try and make this and don't pull any punches.

cw: physical child abuse mention

[survivalthroughhate]

Anakin Skywalker is a moron of the highest order. Simply because my master put on a kindly old man facade for him instead of ever showing his true self, he absolutely refuses to believe there could be a monster lurking beneath the surface, even after seeing a childhood memory of mine where he....hurt me tremendously, and many, many other people with firsthand knowledge telling him to the contrary. I don't doubt he'll choose Sidious over almost anyone else in this city.

[With Obi-Wan and Luke being the possible two exceptions but even there Maul had his doubts given what he knew of the future that was in store for all of them.]

un: kickflips, text, private

[strongroots]

[ ...he's not really sure that he wants to get involved, or not to any big extent, so while he might read some of the comments (maybe), Robby just decides to leave privately: ]

ill let you know if i see anything with those eyes

[ He's giving Paimon a chance. He can say this much to Darth Maul right now. It's important enough.

(totally wondering if Anakin is the type to listen to all that to even hear that last part, though.) ]

[survivalthroughhate]

Thank you. Robby, I know we have had our differences, but promise me you won't try to do anything if your father or sensei get possessed. This is far out of the realm of what you'd be able to reliably interfere with.

[But he also knew that the boy had a reckless streak within in him that might have caused him to do something impulsive and stupid if someone he cared about was in mortal danger.]

(VOICE) — UN: BOMBSHELL (a day later after this was posted)

[opheliac]

( will it be odd to say that jinx had been waiting for this exact thing to happen? after hearing stories of multiple people being possessed a year or so(?) ago and killing people at random, she's been on guard and preparing herself ever since. )

Dunno if this is still going on, but I can be the last resort if ya'll want me to be. If no one can came up with somethin' better or stop him from body jumpin' and controlling people, I'll do the thing that nobody will be able to do.

[survivalthroughhate]

Thank you.

[There was none of the usual lighthearted tone he usually used with Jinx. Maul was serious as a heart attack right now, solemn to an almost painful degree.]

Some here are too squeamish to kill when it is necessary but you and I both know that when it comes down to it, sometimes it is the only course of action.

video; un: lady

[dohaeris]

[sansa wears a charcoal linen dress embroidered with wolves chasing ravens. bits of raven feather and dark amethyst chips have been worked in the figures. lady wears a matching collar, her head in sansa's lap.

she looks sober, her eyes flat. ezra has told sansa of this man, and what maul says cements her belief that this is someone dangerous. she's not sure how a spirit ended up in trench without going through mariana, which is suspicious in and of itself.]

I will help, in whatever way I can, for whatever that's worth.

I can track a spirit outside of a body, if I know what I'm looking for.

[smelling for, honestly.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[He appreciated how many people were willing to step up for this. He didn't know Sansa well but he knew enough to know she was clever. He needed someone on his side right now who could think outside of the box.]

That's the main problem. I don't know what I'm looking for.

[There had been no rhyme or reason to who Palpatine was possessing. Maul wasn't even sure his master knew what he was searching for in a host. There was also no markers he'd found yet that allowed him to reliably figure out who was being possessed.]

[Video] [UN: JustLuke] [Private]

[faithfulson]

Are you okay?

[ Of course his first concern is Maul's wellbeing. He knew and understood how much Palpatine terrified him. There was no way he wouldn't worry about him first. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

...............No. I'm not.

[Knowing how often Maul simply automatically said he was fine no matter what happened to him, it was almost more worrisome to have him admitting he wasn't okay right now. Perhaps better than anyone else here, Luke knew just what Maul had suffered under Sidious, knowing firsthand however briefly how much of an unredeemable evil monster he was.]

video | un: sds

[fogsong]

[ Oh, this whole post puts Sharon on edge. The last month has been rough and it looks like it's not about to get any easier. ]

Is there anything he might look for in a person to possess?

[survivalthroughhate]

Power.

[Maul said bluntly.]

Everything he's ever done has been so he can obtain the goal of unlimited power. The more he can tap into the better. You'd honestly make the perfect host for him.

video ; un: a.solo

[hopesparks]

[ To say that Anakin Solo looks pissed would be a massive understatement. ]

How in the hell is his spirit here?

[survivalthroughhate]

Your uncle and I did something stupid and impulsive that backfired on us spectacularly.

[So basically completely on point for both Luke and Maul's personalities.]

Video | UN: jaya

[forcechanic]

[Jaina is attempting every dirty look she's ever watched Leia Organa Solo give people in her life at once. She is... not impressed. And also no one tells her anything.

But first priorities first.]

Has anyone at least tried shooting him?

Video; UN Bridger

[ezra_of_lothal]

Well, I didn't want to try shooting him when he was piloting Luke's body. So...

No, that probably hasn't been tried. [Ezra's pretty baffled by the suggestion, honestly.]

< ren >

[dyaddyissues]

Now you warn us. Wouldn't have gone amiss before.

[ you know, before Palpatine got the drop on him.... ]

[survivalthroughhate]

I was a bit preoccupied when he first arrived.

[You know, being filled with abject terror at his worst nightmare coming to life and completely losing his head with panic.]

video | un: deku

[wannasmash]

[ This is not the first time Midoriya has encountered a dangerous student trying to get out from under their more dangerous and rancid master. Trench is a nexus for a lot of things and people. Shigaraki, Paul... With Sidious, Trench may not have the luxury of a redemption arc. Midoriya always aims for that, but he has to accept the possibility there isn't. Emperors... ]

I have to prioritize life. As with Beasts, I won't risk going against the wishes of the innocent person possessed and unable to speak for themselves.

Anyway, I can't subdue someone just because they have yellow eyes. Is there anything else we can use to identify him?

[survivalthroughhate]

Do what you will. I've already warned you he will show you no mercy, so any deaths from here on out on your head when you try to interfere.

[Maul's voice and eyes were both ice cold. Normally, he was all for tiptoeing around and trying to preserve life if that was the best course of action, but this was not the time for it.]

I've been trying to figure out more identifying markers for some time now. Unfortunately, he's adept at wearing masks and manipulation, so he can fool those even close to those people he possesses and easily lead anyone around by the nose to do his bidding.

[That was all bitter personal experience talking right there.]

Video; UN: EternalMoon

[lightthedarkness]

I shall keep an eye out for him, then.

[survivalthroughhate]

.....Thank you. You know exactly what he's capable of.

[Usagi probably had the best secondhand knowledge of Sidious more than anyone else here with how much Maul had told and shown her over the years. Maul knew she was miles beyond the Sith Lord in power and could easily take him down. Maul would let her kill this monster again and again if that was what it took to solve the problem.]

[imaglyphwitch]

NO way.

He's...here?! In Trench?! How do you know?

[survivalthroughhate]

.......Because it's my fault he was brought here in the first place.

[Maul said morosely. He couldn't deny it, this was entirely his (and Luke's) fault.]

video; un: an.exorcist

[likethelight]

[ There is... a lot to potentially be said here. Maybe. But one very important question first: ]

Is he dead? [ Said softly but with a serious expression. With somber and clear eyes like someone very old who is very, very used to this sort of thing. ]

If his soul is here trying to find a body.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul gnawed on a claw as he thought of how best to answer the question.]

.....I'm not sure. It wasn't at the point that he...that he came from but he didn't come here in the normal fashion out of the sea. He's more of a memory made real than an actual spirit but the possession is very real nonetheless.

Text; un: Reaper

[no_reload]

His eyes may be one thing, but perhaps my abilities could assist in hunting him down. After all, spirits are just a different type of energy, and I have little issue sensing it.

Private Text; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

Perhaps that can be the advantage that helps turn this around. We always said you're one of the few things he can't predict or prepare for. You know better than almost anyone what he's capable of, starlight. Don't hesitate to kill him if you get the chance.

[How many times had Maul woken up thrashing around in the middle of the night from the nightmares that plagued his mind, even with the comforting presence of Reaper by his side? So often, Reaper would hold Maul there in the darkness and whisper words to soothe his troubled mind until he was able to go back to sleep. Maul had not spared Reaper the details of what he'd gone through in his life and the old soldier was quite aware of how monstrous Palpatine could be.]

video | un: graham crackers

[possessum]

( The horror that blossoms in Peter spreads like something rotting — eliciting familiar aches and pains, making them worse again. There's too many parts to this horror, too many layers. The horrible master that Maul's spoken of, the reason for so much torment.... a ripple-effect of terror and hurt that's spread to others over the years, long before Sidious actually made any appearance. Peter's seen that in the time he's known Maul, through all the complex nuance to his relationship with the man, from being terrorised by him, to Paimon's power being sought by the Sith Lord, to all the people who've been hurt....

....and then to learning how traumatised, how broken Maul was made, to the things he's lost, the horrors he's known. Reflections of the man echo within Peter as well, and sometimes looking at Maul feels like looking at a version of himself (or Paimon, or the amalgamated mixture of both), carried out further, nightmarish. Something utilised for another's purpose. Something twisted, made wrong.

It takes him a few moments to be able to reply to this, and when he finally turns on his feed, Peter's complexion is paler, a cold sweat at his brow, voice a barely-controlled tremble. Alarm rings like a siren within him, an odd chill that touches to his core, something too familiar. A thing looking for a permanent host. Hunting, stalking, pursuing. Looking to force its way inside and take everything from you. )

Do you know.... what kind of people he might try to... take over? The kind of people he's most drawn to?

( He's since learned some things about Paimon, about his preferred hosts. Maybe that's how it is for this... entity, too. )

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul knew that this would hit Pater and Paimon hard given what he knew about their history. They had been through something just as complicated and terrifying with the way the possession had started off unwilling. While they had now grown into one another like the roots of two trees that had become intertwined, tangled until it was hard to see where one started and the other stopped.

With Peter's finely-attuned empathy, he knew this was going to hit the young man hard. While Maul wanted to spare him the details, he knew that he couldn't, not where Palpatine was concerned. Downplaying what his master was capable of would just make it easier for his master to achieve his twisted, evil goals.]

He will seek out those who have immense power, preferably with extrasensory powers like those similar to the Force. That has always been his ultimate goal. He has nothing else in his life. He is incapable of feeling love, compassion, kindness, or happiness, so this is all that motivates him.

[Video] un: justanadventurer

[aetherweaver]

... Could you just shoot him? - While he's not in a body, I mean. The spirits I know of at home have enough solidness to it that you can simply fight them.

[He's only half-joking. Look, Maul is under enough stress at the moment that he could use a laugh.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul unfortunately wasn't in the mood to so much as smile, let alone find amusement in Nara'a's words.]

I don't know enough about this sort of thing to say whether or not he could. The last time I encountered something like this, the spirit could not be harmed until she took her own physical form again. Even when she was in another's body, she couldn't feel pain.

[He didn't mention that spirit had been his own mother. There was only so many forms of pain he could focus on at one time.]

text - UN: IceCream

[threelayers]

[...]

Let's hope you and that one don't have to fight again.
But you're serious about this bastard showing up around here?
Well, I remember how we handled Salem even if I didn't help.
I'd say it's the same rule here.

What do you need?

[Yeah, she was going to trust him on this one. She'd heard just enough about them to believe him implicitly when it came to Palpatine.]

[survivalthroughhate]

If you can find a way to slow him down or prevent him from possessing bodies to begin with, that would help immensely. If we can keep him as a spirit only, that will prevent most of the strife that he is capable of causing from ocurring.

video: un; just.rey

[makesrocksfloat]

[her eyes are flashing with determination and no small amount of anger]

Right. How do we kill him once and for all?

[survivalthroughhate]

[He'd been preparing for Rey to answer this post. How could she not? She was a Jedi and couldn't stand back while the Emperor went around causing havoc. He reflected how much irony there was in that, the granddaughter of the most powerful Sith Lord in a thousand years choosing instead to walk in the light.

They were going to need to have a serious conversation. She couldn't be left in the dark, not with the very real possibility of how Palpatine would seek her out as the perfect host.]

I'm not sure. Maybe there isn't. Maybe he's gotten what he's always wanted and become an immortal spirit.

[It was Maul's greatest fear about the whole thing. That by becoming a spirit, Palpatine was going to end up functionally immortal.]

voice: un: vi

[faceblocks]

Whatever body he's in, maybe I can punch him out of it.

[she's speaking before she's thought about the many ways that could go wrong, but ...what else is new? she's seen enough memories of this asshole she's not inclined to think very rationally about it. that'll come later, probably. maybe.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Normally, I would be very tempted to recommend such a method of dealing with such a vile person, but I fear he might kill you for such an act.

[Though the idea of a good beating getting Sidious to leave a body was a rather amusing one.]