(Darth) Maul (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
survivalthroughhate) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deernet2022-05-23 06:55 pm
survivalthroughhate) wrote in deernet2022-05-23 06:55 pm
Accidental Video; un: darkness
[CW: There is canon-style violence in the clips linked, which include a fight which ends in an implied beheading (not shown directly on-screen) and a character being impaled on a lightsaber.]
[The memory begins as Savage, Maul, and a purple-eyed man walk into a throne room. Maul, in all his dramatic glory, challenges the leader of Death Watch to a fight to the death, something he knows Pre Vizsla can't refuse. Maul is given his lightsaber, gives out an inhuman roar like a big cat would, and the fight begins.
For a while, it seems like Maul has bitten off more than he can chew. Vizsla is giving him a challenge and he's on the defense for a good portion of the fight. But Maul isn't stupid and this has all been planned out. He refrains from using his Force powers and even switches to his right hand, his non-dominant one several times in the fight, to make it a more even playing field. He's deliberately holding himself back. When the Death Watch leader shoots off tiny blades at hi, he laughs and it's clear Maul is enjoying himself. This fight is a lot of fun for him, and while Pre Vizsla may be a tough opponent, he's no match for the Sith Lord.
When Maul decides enough is enough, he grabs hold of the man's arm and brutally breaks it, making him drop his weapon. Then the Sith Lord brutally beats him down, kicking him so hard at one point that a tooth goes flying, until it's clear Maul is the winner. He calls the Darksaber to him. Vizsla, surprisingly, takes his impending death well. "Like you said, only the strongest shall rule," he says just before Maul slices his head cleanly off. He looks up and sees Savage smiling proudly at him, a rare expression to see from the younger Zabrak.
Half of Death Watch is quick to follow but the other half, lead by Vizsla's second-in-command Bo-Katan refuse. Maul orders them executed and the two sides begin to fight. As for Maul himself, he sits back on the throne. He is in command of Mandalore now, and by extension, his power in the galaxy has grown.
As the memory fades out, Maul's voice in the present can be heard as he talks to his Omen.]
Venge, what is that? What are you doi--
[And then it cuts out again as the second memory starts. Maul's in the same throne room but now it's night. He seems a little distracted. "Hmmm, I sense a presence. A presence I haven't felt since--" Then his eyes grow wide as he realizes who has arrived. "--Master!" There's more fear expressed in that one word than two years of living in Pthumerian-run towns could ever produce in Maul.
Then Darth Sidious strolls on in like he owns the place, casually strangling two Mandalorian guards as he does so. It's tempting for anyone who's heard about Sidious to be a little confused. This is the man who inspires such fear in Maul? This little old man wearing a dark robe who isn't even as tall as his adopted son? Maul immediately starts in about having done everything to make his way back to his master's side, hoping to buy time. Unfortunately, Sidious knows Maul far too well and can tell he's lying.
He starts in by using the Force to pin Maul and Savage to the windows before letting them go. Maul glances at Savage. This is going to be their toughest fight ever and they'll need to do their best if they want to have a hope of surviving it. When the three start dueling, it becomes apparent that Sidious has outclassed Maul and Savage just as much as Maul had outclassed Pre Vizsla in the last clip. He's enjoying this fight, smiling and laughing as he toys around with the brothers like they're a pair of novices.
At one point, Maul gets knocked out of the fight and he loses consciousness for about twenty seconds, the screen going dark before he staggers to his feet, his sight blurry and not quick to come back. Unfortunately, this costs him everything he holds dear. Sidious quickly gains the upper hand and impales Savage through the chest. Maul's face is one of devastation. "Brother...." He ignores Sidious and leaps to his brother's side.
Savage gasps out his last words. "Brother...I am an unworthy apprentice....I'm not like you....I never was...." Some people think Maul is a heartless bastard but that is proven incorrect as he looks like his hearts are breaking when his brother dies. All he can do is hold onto him as he slips away, knowing there's nothing he can do to stop it. He can't even bring himself to say how much his brother means to him, struck dumb by grief.
There's no time to mourn, however, for Sidious start taunting him. Maul turns back to his brother's killer and he's shaking with rage. This time when he goes after Sidious, the old man isn't smiling anymore. He's not just toying around as Maul fights him, he's actually having to put forth effort. He's pushed his former apprentice over the edge and this time Maul's determined to make him hurt. Those who know lightsaber forms will realize Maul's style of Jar'Kai, using two lightsabers at once, mirrors of that of Sidious' exactly. It was where he learned it, after all.
But his advantage doesn't last for long as Sidious overwhelms him once again. "Have mercy! Please! Please!" For those who know Maul, they might find it odd he's begging for mercy, his tone like that of a scared child. It's unlike the Sith Lord to ask an opponent to spare him. But that's not what he's asking. The mercy he wants is for Sidious to kill him, for he knows that anything the Sith Lord has planned for him is far worse than the sweet release of death would be. But he doesn't get it as Sidious tells him there is no mercy and continues to torture him with Force Lightning. The memory ends with Maul screaming in terror and pain.
Once again, Maul's voice in the present speaks up. This time, he's more aware of what has happened.]
What. Was. That?! Venge, how did that even happen? What did you do? Turn it off! Turn it--!
[And finally the feed cuts out.]
[OOC: An opening post to get the ball rolling for the player plot going on right now!]
[The memory begins as Savage, Maul, and a purple-eyed man walk into a throne room. Maul, in all his dramatic glory, challenges the leader of Death Watch to a fight to the death, something he knows Pre Vizsla can't refuse. Maul is given his lightsaber, gives out an inhuman roar like a big cat would, and the fight begins.
For a while, it seems like Maul has bitten off more than he can chew. Vizsla is giving him a challenge and he's on the defense for a good portion of the fight. But Maul isn't stupid and this has all been planned out. He refrains from using his Force powers and even switches to his right hand, his non-dominant one several times in the fight, to make it a more even playing field. He's deliberately holding himself back. When the Death Watch leader shoots off tiny blades at hi, he laughs and it's clear Maul is enjoying himself. This fight is a lot of fun for him, and while Pre Vizsla may be a tough opponent, he's no match for the Sith Lord.
When Maul decides enough is enough, he grabs hold of the man's arm and brutally breaks it, making him drop his weapon. Then the Sith Lord brutally beats him down, kicking him so hard at one point that a tooth goes flying, until it's clear Maul is the winner. He calls the Darksaber to him. Vizsla, surprisingly, takes his impending death well. "Like you said, only the strongest shall rule," he says just before Maul slices his head cleanly off. He looks up and sees Savage smiling proudly at him, a rare expression to see from the younger Zabrak.
Half of Death Watch is quick to follow but the other half, lead by Vizsla's second-in-command Bo-Katan refuse. Maul orders them executed and the two sides begin to fight. As for Maul himself, he sits back on the throne. He is in command of Mandalore now, and by extension, his power in the galaxy has grown.
As the memory fades out, Maul's voice in the present can be heard as he talks to his Omen.]
Venge, what is that? What are you doi--
[And then it cuts out again as the second memory starts. Maul's in the same throne room but now it's night. He seems a little distracted. "Hmmm, I sense a presence. A presence I haven't felt since--" Then his eyes grow wide as he realizes who has arrived. "--Master!" There's more fear expressed in that one word than two years of living in Pthumerian-run towns could ever produce in Maul.
Then Darth Sidious strolls on in like he owns the place, casually strangling two Mandalorian guards as he does so. It's tempting for anyone who's heard about Sidious to be a little confused. This is the man who inspires such fear in Maul? This little old man wearing a dark robe who isn't even as tall as his adopted son? Maul immediately starts in about having done everything to make his way back to his master's side, hoping to buy time. Unfortunately, Sidious knows Maul far too well and can tell he's lying.
He starts in by using the Force to pin Maul and Savage to the windows before letting them go. Maul glances at Savage. This is going to be their toughest fight ever and they'll need to do their best if they want to have a hope of surviving it. When the three start dueling, it becomes apparent that Sidious has outclassed Maul and Savage just as much as Maul had outclassed Pre Vizsla in the last clip. He's enjoying this fight, smiling and laughing as he toys around with the brothers like they're a pair of novices.
At one point, Maul gets knocked out of the fight and he loses consciousness for about twenty seconds, the screen going dark before he staggers to his feet, his sight blurry and not quick to come back. Unfortunately, this costs him everything he holds dear. Sidious quickly gains the upper hand and impales Savage through the chest. Maul's face is one of devastation. "Brother...." He ignores Sidious and leaps to his brother's side.
Savage gasps out his last words. "Brother...I am an unworthy apprentice....I'm not like you....I never was...." Some people think Maul is a heartless bastard but that is proven incorrect as he looks like his hearts are breaking when his brother dies. All he can do is hold onto him as he slips away, knowing there's nothing he can do to stop it. He can't even bring himself to say how much his brother means to him, struck dumb by grief.
There's no time to mourn, however, for Sidious start taunting him. Maul turns back to his brother's killer and he's shaking with rage. This time when he goes after Sidious, the old man isn't smiling anymore. He's not just toying around as Maul fights him, he's actually having to put forth effort. He's pushed his former apprentice over the edge and this time Maul's determined to make him hurt. Those who know lightsaber forms will realize Maul's style of Jar'Kai, using two lightsabers at once, mirrors of that of Sidious' exactly. It was where he learned it, after all.
But his advantage doesn't last for long as Sidious overwhelms him once again. "Have mercy! Please! Please!" For those who know Maul, they might find it odd he's begging for mercy, his tone like that of a scared child. It's unlike the Sith Lord to ask an opponent to spare him. But that's not what he's asking. The mercy he wants is for Sidious to kill him, for he knows that anything the Sith Lord has planned for him is far worse than the sweet release of death would be. But he doesn't get it as Sidious tells him there is no mercy and continues to torture him with Force Lightning. The memory ends with Maul screaming in terror and pain.
Once again, Maul's voice in the present speaks up. This time, he's more aware of what has happened.]
What. Was. That?! Venge, how did that even happen? What did you do? Turn it off! Turn it--!
[And finally the feed cuts out.]
[OOC: An opening post to get the ball rolling for the player plot going on right now!]
no subject
He always had Vader do his dirty work.
I never thought of him as being as strong.
Strong in the Force, I mean.
Why did he call you?
sudden accidential video
Palaptine, looking free of corruption and putting on the nice old man front.
"I know who you are. And what you are," Ezra snaps, before Palpatine lays out his case and they go back and forth a little.
"As for your parents, allow me to offer what might have been. And what yet may be," the Emperor intones. Ezra eyes Palpatine more and slowly edges his way into the corridor of the remnant of the Lothal temple.
"You know it is possible to change fate. There are infinite paths and infinite possibilities. But you must open the door." Here and now Ezra, Ezra of Trench is struck, anew, by how Sidious had lied with the truth. The multiverse truly is like that. And yet, the Sith had artfully dodged addressing any consequences.
Ezra in the memory wavers, as Palpatine coaxes him with gentle promises, while his parents seem to be searching him. Eventually, the young Jedi reaches one hand toward the portal and one towards the controls.
"Mom? Dad?" he calls out. "You'll always be a part of me. But - I have to let you go," he sobs, before he gathers power from the Force.
The Emperor shouts in rage. Mira and Ephraim Bridger call back We love you, Ezra! before the portal winks out and the stones of the temple start coming down.
Ezra bolts clear of the wreckage, and turns back to the hologram of the Emperor, which has had the illusion shattered, and revealed Sidious's wizened, hooded face. "You're wrong," Ezra tells the Sith Lord, grim but triumphant. "I have a family. I don't need anything from you."]
That...works as an answer, I guess. [Although Ezra's visibly deeply unnerved by the timing.]
I was going to agree that I don't think Sidious isn't as inherently strong in the Force. Worked really hard on adding control and skill to his natural talents, I bet.
Master Kenobi's antithesis, sort of.
video
Palpatine haunts them even now, galaxies away. Even beyond the grave.
He tries to follow the conversation again, but he seems to be looking at Ezra without seeing him. ]
He had time.
[ More time than anyone knew. An army of clones and ancient Sith rituals to extend his lifespan. ]
video
Anakin?
no subject
Sorry. Seeing him in people's memories is strange and... heartbreaking. The ways he broke or tried to break people.
[ For a moment, he looks like he's about to continue speaking, but seems unsure and stops instead. ]
no subject
[Gently-]
There's another thought, there.
no subject
Seeing him brought back bad memories too. I had nightmares about him and Vader when I was really little. I worried that he would come to claim me for the Dark, like he said he would.
no subject
That sounds...beyond terrifying. How did you even- [Know enough about them to have those sorts of fears? He assumes Anakin means very young indeed, like younger than when Ezra lost his parents.] Were you picking up memories of them off adults?
[Sure, very little kids often know more than they let on, or the adults around realize, and Force sensitives even more so. Ezra can't remember how old he was when he figured out the Empire was horrible. He's just always known, as long as he can remember. Part of that was his parents were far more open in talking about than many, many parents would be, and he's actually grateful for that. But that had been present reality, with increasingly imminent and real danger. Surely Luke and Leia didn't give their children lectures about dead Sith and the Dark, while they were barely past the cradle?]
no subject
Possibly.
[ Anakin checks his omni for a moment, ensuring the connection is private. ]
Do you know what happened to Palpatine?
no subject
no subject
[ Anakin looks a little uncomfortable for a moment, the way he does when he has bad news. ]
He didn't actually die then, though. His body did but he had... a backup plan. Some lost Sith skill and a batch of clones.
no subject
...what?
[Slow deep breath.]
Ok. Ok. There's more, yeah?
no subject
Sorry.
[ Quickly, trying to reassure Ezra: ] He's definitely dead in my era. He ran out of clone bodies and his backup backup plan failed.
It's just... one of his clones came into contact with my mom when she was pregnant with me. He claimed me for the Dark. I don't remember anyone telling me about it, so maybe I picked up the memory from her? My uncle confirmed that it did actually happen, so I didn't just imagine it.
no subject
You're not Dark, Anakin.
[Softer-]
But that is...yeah. Rattling.
no subject
I... I know. How I choose to use the Force is up to me.
[ Still, it troubled him as a child. Sometimes, when he thinks too much about the war, it still does. ]
I'm sure it was even more rattling for everyone who thought he was dead.
no subject
It just never occurred to me something along those lines could be used to body hop.
no subject
[ A humorless smile. ]
I wonder if he thought everyone was greedy like him.
[ Clearly he expected Ezra to accept his offer. To want more. To deny death.
It still saddens him to think of the lives destroyed. ]