Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars Rebels. Those rights go to Disney and Lucasfilms. However, I do own the OC's in this story...mostly. I will give credit to any OC's developed by other authors when they appear in my story.

A/N: This begins during the episode "The Holocrons of Fate."

"He lives," Maul repeated as he rushed through the corridors. It was all falling into place at last. The catalyst of his downfall, revealed to him at long last. So he survived, Maul thought. Now, I may have my revenge. As the former Sith entered the hangar bay, he stopped in his tracks as a white shuttle bearing the Imperial insignia appeared.

The Imperial shuttle silently docked not far from the Ghost. As the door opened with a hiss, the lone figure aboard the ship stepped out. He casually glanced in the direction of the rebel freighter. I'll deal with them later, he thought to himself, before turning his attention to the Zabrak in front of him. Neither said a word, and only the mechanized breathing of Darth Vader could be heard.

"So, the Emperor has sent his workhorse to deal with me." Maul hissed with a sinister grin. "Such a shame; I was expecting him to come deal with me himself."

"The Emperor has more important matters to deal with," Vader retorted. "And I have my orders to retrieve the holocron."

Maul sneered. "So it seems you have. Get out of my way, Vader. I don't have time to deal with you." The crimson blades of the Zabrak's Lightsaber snapped to life, casting an eerie glow on his already monstrous face.

"Nor do you have the strength, Maul." Vader replied, igniting his own Lightsaber. Maul snarled and rushed forward, launching into the air as he slammed one of his blades into Vader's.

"You will fall just like those pathetic inquisitors," Maul growled. "They brought shame to the ways of the Dark Side."

"You're one to talk, Zabrak." Vader retorted, effortlessly pushing Maul back, before swinging hard and aiming for Maul's left shoulder. "You failed as an apprentice, and now you will die at the hands of a true Sith."

"The Sith did nothing but take everything from me!" Maul hissed. "But I'm sure you know what that's like."

Vader hurled Maul across the room with a force push. Maul attempted a Saber throw, but was surprised when Vader effortlessly dodged the attack, somersaulting through the air and hammering his saber down. Maul had just enough time to jump back and recall his lightsaber before Vader's blade struck.

The armored Sith reached out with the Force, intrigued by what Maul was thinking. "So, it is as I already knew," Vader stated. "He is alive. And you know where he is hiding." Before he could extract the knowledge from Maul's mind, the Dathomirian charged again, nearly slashing Vader's right shoulder. "I will not let you stop me from having my revenge against Kenobi!"

Vader blocked, swinging at Maul's head, and replied, "You will have to wait your turn, Maul. The Jedi will be mine to destroy."

Maul ducked and aimed a strike at Vader's legs, but was deflected. "And what reason would you possibly have for wanting Kenobi dead more than I do? Unless..." Maul reached out with the Force, and attempted to enter Vader's mind. He was met with some vivid images.

Smiling, Maul noted, "Ahh, I understand now. So the Sith have robbed us both. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Wouldn't you agree, Skywalker?"

Vader launched Maul away with another Force Push, but Maul was ready, and landed softly. "That name means nothing to me!" Vader yelled, hurling himself at the Zabrak again.

As the two Darksiders clashed, the crew of the Ghost arrived in the hangar, noticing the unoccupied Imperial shuttle. Ezra and Kanan sensed the presence of the Sith, but couldn't see Vader anywhere. As the Ghost fled, Vader and Maul paused in their duel as the Force told them of the two Jedi who were fleeing.

"So you feel it as well," Maul sneered. "The Jedi and my apprentice have fled with the holocron. The Emperor will not be pleased."

Vader glared in Maul's direction and scoffed, "Your apprentice? You are hardly strong enough to be a Sith. The boy would never learn the true power of the Dark Side from you."

Maul glared daggers at Vader and grinned, "Like you could be any better? You couldn't even properly train her when you were still a pathetic Jedi. What chance would-" He was cut off when his throat was caught in Vader's grip. He was slowly lifted off the ground as Vader growled, "How dare you speak of her? You know nothing of her strength."

Maul was thrown across the room, but got up almost immediately. He brushed himself off and smirked. "So you admit it, then." He reignited his blades and rushed forward. "You are Anakin Skywalker."

Vader stepped forward, swinging his lightsaber at Maul's chest, growling "I've told you already, that name means nothing to me." Not anymore, he thought. "Anakin Skywalker was a weak Jedi. He had once been a slave, as well."

Maul gave Vader a glare and smirked. "Not much has changed, then." Vader paused, confused by the Zabrak's words. "It would seem you have returned to the life of a slave. And you did it willingly, no less." Beneath his mask, Vader's eyes widened. He paused to try and make sense of what he was hearing. It was the opportunity Maul needed.

He charged at Vader, who was too trapped in thought to see the blow coming in time to defend himself. The blade of Maul's saber struck the Sith Lord across the face, slashing away part of his mask, and quickly sliced at one of Vader's legs before the Sith sent him flying yet again with a Force Push. And I just had this mask repaired, Vader thought.

He went down to one knee, as his damaged leg could no longer completely support him. He could only watch as Maul got back up and strode over to him casually. Maul ignited one of the blades of his lightsaber and grinned. "Now you shall die, I will have my revenge against Kenobi, and then, the Emperor will fall."

Vader would have lowered his head in defeat, but something suddenly tugged at him, like a voice calling his name. Maul raised his blade, ready to strike Vader down, when something gripped his entire body in the Force and pinned him against the wall. This time, though, he didn't get back up right away.

Vader opened his eyes to see someone standing in front of him. Even though he couldn't discern his savior's features, the Force told him exactly who had saved him, not that he immediately believed it.

Maul stood up, brushing himself off and glaring at the stranger. He smirked when whoever it was tossed their cloak to the side and ignited a pair of lightsabers. A pair of white lightsabers.

The former Sith chuckled and said, "Well, well. The apprentice lives."

Vader blinked, as if expecting this to be a trick. Of course, she had survived the explosion, but there was no way she had been able to live long enough to leave Malachor alive. But those thoughts were interrupted when she glanced back at him. He couldn't quite discern what she would have said, but that didn't matter at the moment.

"So, it seems you're harder to kill than I thought, Lady Tano." Maul sneered, waving his saber staff casually. "And it would seem that you have made your choice."

She turned to stare back at him as she replied, "So what?"

"Tell me, Lady Tano," Maul inquired. "Why is it that you wish to defend someone who tried to kill you?"

For a moment, no one spoke. Ahsoka closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she answered, "Because I am a Jedi, like my master before me."

Vader's eyes widened slightly at hearing this. What did she mean?, he thought.

Maul considered this and said, "Well then, I suppose there's not much that I can do..." His expression grew more sinister as he pointed his blade at her and added "...but to kill you." He ignited the second blade of his weapon and adopted his ready stance.

Darth Vader couldn't believe what he was seeing. Not only was his former apprentice alive, but she was willing to fight to defend him. Realizing he was in no state to deal with Maul alone, he slowly forced himself up. Maul noticed this and stated, "And it would seem your "master" agrees with me."

Ahsoka glanced at Vader, confused, as he stood up and ignited his lightsaber. Then he did something that neither Maul nor Ahsoka expected; he locked eyes with her and nodded. Ahsoka felt old emotions begin to swell, especially when a voice very much like her former master's called out to her. "Just like back then." She smiled, though she struggled to keep it together, and nodded back.

Maul's smile faded as he sneered. "So be it..." He growled. "Jedi." He launched himself forward.

Ahsoka rushed to meet him, blocking his first strike and somersaulting over him. He followed her movements and blocked a strike from her, before pushing her away so he could deflect a blow from Vader. The Zabrak Force Pushed Vader away and aimed a kick at Tano, who ducked and used a sweep kick on Maul's leg, knocking him over.

She attempted to slash his legs away, but he rolled out of reach, leaping to his feet and pushing her away. She stumbled and fell back, and he leapt at her. She brought up her lightsabers and prepared to defend against an attack that never came.

Vader had Maul suspended in the air, and used the force to pull Maul closer. In midair, Maul got ready to strike at Vader, but the damaged warrior sidestepped, hurling Maul past him and back down the corridor to the hangar bay. Vader looked back to see Ahsoka get back on her feet, already rushing towards him, as they gave chase.

She remained behind Vader as he clashed with the Zabrak, pushing him down the corridor. As they stepped into the hangar, Ahsoka launched herself over Vader, landing between the two Darksiders and slashing at Maul repeatedly. Vader lunged, but Maul stepped out of the way, and used the Force to launch Vader to the other end of the hangar. Ahsoka pounced, locking blades with the Zabrak.

Vader slowly got to his feet. He looked in the direction of the fight, then saw the ship Ahsoka had apparently used to get here. An idea formed in his mind. No, he scolded himself, that would be reckless and foolish. A second part of his mind argued, So it wouldn't be anything new.

Perhaps sensing what Vader was about to attempt, Ahsoka Force Pushed her opponent and pinned him against the wall. Vader reached out with the Force and grabbed the old ship. He hurled it at Ahsoka, who instinctively leapt into the air, and safely out of reach. Maul had just enough time to see the ship flying at him and brace for impact before it slammed into him, knocking him out.

Ahsoka landed and turned to Vader, who was struggling to stand. She wasn't sure what it was at first, but she rushed over to him to help him up, and they hurried back onto the Imperial shuttle. Ahsoka set Vader down as she rushed to the controls, and the ship slowly rose and exited the hangar. If only this thing had weapons, Ahsoka thought. Then we could strand Maul here. She didn't even think twice about the coordinates she was entering in until the white specks of distant stars merged into the blue streaks of hyperspace.

Ahsoka leaned back in her chair and sighed. She should have followed her friend's advice and stayed put. But of course, she had a reputation to hold up. And that meant not staying put. And now that one demon was far behind her...it was time to face the other one.

A/N: So, that happened. Ahsoka lives, and Vader has begun to question his choices. But many questions remain unanswered: How did Ahsoka get off of Malachor? What will happen to Maul? Where are Ahsoka and Vader going? Stay tuned for the next chapter.