; degradation and not in the sexy way, reader gets fucking rocked and socked in the head, Maul is a sweetheart at the end

•–•

Master Kenobi constantly told me stories about Sith lords, how they were controlling, cold, vicious beasts that withheld no emotions, only pain. And sometimes, beasts wasn't a lie. Such as the story of Darth Maul, Darth Sidious' apprentice. Master Kenobi told me how he chopped the zabrak's knees off, sending him tumbling into black space. The story always scared me, the fact that somewhere in the pits of space, there was a dead Sith Lord.

I was older than most padawans for only being one for about 3 years. I was a young adult, but a quick learner. My master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, was an amazing teacher, so that also helped me with my learning speed greatly. I knew how to fight about any living organism two years into my training, I could wipe out a whole squad of droid in less than 5 seconds, and I had once defeated my Master in a battle. I was a strong girl, fueled on a burning passion for praise. There were times where I believed I could defeat a Sith Lord if it ever came to that, but Master Kenobi refused to allow me that confidence, warning me it would get me killed.

"Master, I'll be fine, you worry too much," I complained, looking at Obi-Wan, fire kindling in my eager eyes. The cross of his arms was intimidating, I will admit, but it wasn't convincing. I knew a trip to one of Mandalore's moons, Concordia, was dangerous, the knowledge that some members of the Death Watch may still reside there, but I was ready if they were there.

Obi-Wan gripped my arm, a stern look on his face. "You need to be careful, I should be coming with you, young one. You're overconfident, you'll get yourself killed with that attitude of yours." I swatted Obi-Wan's hand off me, anger boiling in the pit of my stomach.

"I'll keep myself safe, I promise. If I don't answer my comm at any given time, I grant you permission to come after me. Gosh, you're like a dad." Obi-Wan finally loosened up, laughing at my comparison. I gave him a warm hug before making my way down the halls of the Jedi Temple.

•–•

I landed my ship on the moon of Mandalore, snatching my lightsaber from the co-pilot's seat next to me. I hooked the hilt to my belt, quickly covering myself with my brown cloak.

I made my way out of my ship, beckoning my yellow and white droid, R3-D8, to follow me as I made my way onto the hard group. I stared off at the abandoned Death Watch camp. Some of the tents were ripped to shreds, not in amazing shape and definitely not livable for a human. The weather wasn't warm, so I didn't have a reason to believe people were living in this specific camp. Droids were scattered, broken or uncharged. A few guns were placed on the ground, pointed at the camp in an eerie way.

Arthree followed me, mechanical noises coming from him as we made our way into the Mandolarian camp. I ignited my lightsaber, the f/c blade aluminating onto the black tents, showing some of the contents inside. Tables, chairs, cots, broken artillery. They left everything in it's place, but seeing the condition, they never came back. I sighed, failing to find what I came here for. I wanted identity cards, names, something that connects with family or friends. The council requested that we figure out who these people are, if all of then are actually Mandalorian.

But, the harder I looked, the less I found. For once in my life as a padawan, the sound of my lightsaber was unnerving to me. It was the only noise I could hear, the planet was a ghost town. I knew this gave me better advantage to listen for footsteps or jetpacks that may tell me if anyone was still here, but in all honesty, I didn't want to hear the footsteps coming. Along with the dark eerie feeling, the moon was already enough for my heart to race quicker than ever before.

With my heart pounding out of my chest and my lightsaber humming into the cold air, I didn't hear the faint noises of footsteps coming up behind me. I sensed another presence, a strong presence. I tried to wip my head around, but before I could even react, cold metal hit my temple, most likely bruising it and my vision was splotched with black.

•–•

I woke up from my unpeaceful slumber with a long groan. My head hurt, a pain beyond getting accidentally cut by a lightsaber. I was in a clear blue box, alone in what seemed to be some sort of prison. I rubbed my head, flinching as I touched the spot that I'd gotten hit with. There was definitely a purple bluish bruise there, marking my face with defeat.

"You're awake," a smooth, deep voice asked. I looked up again at the clear glass. A red zabrak stood there, black tattoos covering his face and chest in patterns from what I could see with his v-neck robes. Small horns poked from his head and his eyes glew an intimidating, but warm, yellow. His hands were clasped behind his back and he opened the door to my cell. A Death Watch guard stood behind him with a yellow zabrak, also tattooed.

The door closed, refusing my escape even though the pain in my head was so unbearable that I probably wouldn't be able to stand on my own. The zabrak stared down at me, a frown on his lips.

"When I heard that Kenobi had a padawan, I didn't expect someone like you, someone so.. small," he sneered, croutching down and holding my chin. I snapped my head away with all the strength I had, which wasn't a lot. My head tried pulling away, but him keeping me staring at him was as easy as picking up a pebble. "You're weak, a very weak girl for someone so.. confident. Would you like.. this?" The zabrak asked, holding out my lightsaber.

I nodded weakly but the zabrak 'tsk'ed. "Foolish. Weak. What a Jedi you are." I whined out, the strength for a comeback leaving me. Obi-Wan would come looking for me, he always did. The red beast struck a blow to my face, "Stop whining like an animal. What are you, a lost puppy? That's I should call you, huh? A filthy dog."

I watched the rage burn through him as he put me down, tore my hope right out of my body, told me how it was. My head was throbbing even more, taking in his insults. I wanted to sleep again, maybe never wake up to see the light of day again. I closed my eyes a tear dripping from my eyelashes and down my cheek as I gave up trying to even stay awake.

"What do you think you're doing? I never told you that you could sleep," the zabrak hissed. I didn't have the strength to open my eyes. My headache was pounding now, my whole body was throbbing. The beast sighed and opened the door, whispering something to the guards.

I didn't know the difference between reality and a fever dream as I was lifted off the cold tile floor, heat filling my body by some sort of source. Metal walking could be heard, it was surrounding my body, forcing into my ears and making me whimper in pain.

"Shut up, puppy," that same soothing voice from the zabrak warned. The sound of a door opening was heard and then I was set down in something much more comfortable. I could feel something cold pressed against my temple, what I guessed was an ice pack that rested on the bruise. "Are you hungry?"

I hummed, my speech failing me before I tried again. "Y-es, please," I begged in a groggy voice. The dip in the bed disappeared. Wait, bed? I sighed deeply, opening my eyes with weak effort. I was in a dark red and black room, maroon colored sheet surrounding me. "Where a-am I?"

"You're in my quarters, there's no use of having a prisoner that is too weak to stay awake." Quarters. His soothing voice was slowly bringing me back to the reality, the deep pit of his vocals chanting a matra in my head for me to speak.

I looked down at the blanket that covered me, bringing me warmth. The cold ice pack nipped at my bruise, making it feel a bit better. "Who are you..?"

The man turned around, some sort of green burrito in his hand. He walked towards me, not as menacingly as before. "I'm Lord Maul, but you know me as-"

"D-Darth Maul!" The Sith groaned, shushing me. The burrito was held up to my mouth, Maul coaxing me to eat it, and I did. If it was poisoned, oh well, I would die here anyways, might as well make it quick.

Maul just watched me eat, seated next to me on the fluffy bed. I swallowed my first bite, ready to ask another question, but I was interrupted before I could even try. "Good girl, such a good girl," the zabrak praised sending blood to my cheeks. My face was flushed as he encouraged me to eat more. For some reason, I almost felt cared for in this moment, though I knew once it was over, I'd be a prisoner again. Maul just wanted me to regain energy so he could torture me more.

I finished the burrito after what seemed to be an hour. On the last bite, the Sith Lord held my face and praised me again. "Very good girl, you'll be better in no time," he said. I blushed harder, feeling tired.

Why did he want me better when he could just kill me now and break Obi-Wan's heart? I didn't know, but the zabrak rubbed my cheekbone with his thumb and then left me. I closed my eyes, cuddling into the musk-smelling blanket. I drifted off with no problem, though I should've had a problem after just getting praised by a Sith Lord and liking it. I knew his praising was just an act, soon enough he'd be insulting me again. My unconscious body didn't mind though, getting snug into the warmth.

It was the nicest bed I'd ever slept on, so I was glad that it would probably be my last instead of the cold tiled floor. Wherever Darth Maul went didn't bother me, I felt content now, my blaring headache more soothed than before and my body warm as can be.

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