When Ahsoka had learned of Maul's presence on Mandalore, this was the last outcome she could have anticipated. As she stood in the Mandalorian throne room, eying the zabrak's outstretched hand, a terrible dread fell across her face. It couldn't be true. But when she reached out with the Force searching for any signs of deception and duplicity, she found none. Maul was telling the truth. The fiery embers of battle blew in from the shattered window to her left, accompanied only by the cacophonous noise of the conflict below. Ahsoka had grown accustomed to the brutality and horror of a warzone such as this, though she'd never truly understood what all the bloodshed was for.

Her mind mulled over his words, again and again, wondering if there was any other way to stop what they both feared was coming.

"The time of the Jedi has passed," Maul had said. "They cannot defeat Sidious… but together, you and I can."

Was this her only option? To work with evil in the hopes of destroying a much greater evil? And what of the Jedi? Surely an order which stood for over a thousand years could not be undone in a single day… right?

But as much as she wanted to ignore it, she felt something coming. A terrible, swirling darkness, threatening to consume the Jedi entirely. But at its centre, she did not see the Sith Lord that Maul had been so frightened of. She saw her master. She saw her friend. She saw Anakin Skywalker. Maul had sensed it too, that much was certain. But why? Was Anakin in danger? The very thought was enough to make Ahsoka's hands tremble imperceptibly. Gently gripping the lightsabers at her side, Ahsoka spoke with a tone that concealed the unease within.

"I will help you. But you must first answer one question."

The former Sith extended his hand out further towards her.

"You have but to ask."

Taking a deep breath, Ahsoka voiced what had been on her mind ever since hearing Almec's last words.

"What do you want with Anakin Skywalker?"

Maul's expression shifted into a cold rage. Ever since he'd realised Anakin's role in Sidious' plans, a fury tempered only by fear had awoken in him. Sidious had promised Maul that he would be his successor, and would rule over an Empire as vast as the galaxy itself. It was only recently that he'd learned the truth. Like Dooku, Maul was but a tool to be used and cast aside. It was this "Anakin Skywalker" whose power Sidious sought above all- a prospect that infuriated Maul beyond reason itself. Concealing the anger behind his voice, Maul responded to Ahsoka's question.

"He is the key to everything."

Ahsoka's eyes widened.

"To bring balance to the force?"

"To destroy. He has long been groomed for his role… as my master's new apprentice."

Maul's eyes shifted to the lightsabers at Ahsoka's side, watching her grip on the weapons tighten as she prepared to draw them. This was not good. If Ahsoka turned on him now, he would lose the only ally that stands a chance of besting Sidious alongside him. Her eyes narrowed into an almost spiteful determination as she spoke.

"You lie."

"I'm afraid not. In fact, I was so certain of his fate that I orchestrated this war to lure him here with Kenobi… to kill him, thus depriving Sidious of his 'prized pupil'."

Drawing and igniting her brilliant blue blades, Ahsoka adopted an offensive stance. It was only a matter of time before she struck.

"I know Anakin. Your vision is flawed."

The zabrak paused to consider his next move. He could draw his own weapon and coerce Ahsoka into joining him, but quickly dismissed the idea. If she did not join him of her own volition, her effectiveness would be severely diminished. He could attempt to flee to his inbound shuttle, but that would leave him without a valuable ally in the imminent chaos. That meant his only option was to change Ahsoka's allegiance through cunning and rhetoric. Luckily, these were two areas in which Maul excelled.

"You are no longer a Jedi... yet you act like one. You still seek to stay true to their hypocritical ways, do you not?"

"…yes. I may not be a Jedi, but… I will uphold my duty. To my Order, and to my master."

Maul smiled inwardly- he could use this.

"The bond between a master and student is strong… that is true of both the Jedi and the Sith. But it is not the Jedi way to let attachments cloud your judgement, is it? Search your feelings. You know I speak the truth. And I know that you fear the darkness surrounding Skywalker. Ask yourself what your own 'Jedi Code' would have you do in this situation. As apprentice to Sidious, the destruction and pain and suffering Skywalker will inflict-"

"STOP IT!"

Ahsoka's scream had betrayed her true feelings. Her stance, once formidable and fearless, had weakened. Her hands began shaking as an overwhelming sense of despair threatened to consume her.

"Anakin wouldn't- he would never turn to the Dark side! He may be reckless and impulsive but- he- he cares about his friends more than anything! He's more than just my master, he's like a brother! This has to be some kind of trick! Anakin wouldn't- he couldn't-"

"Like a brother," Maul echoed almost inaudibly as his eyes widened in understanding. And somewhat inexplicably, the former Sith's voice shifted into a tone of… Sympathy?

"…Skywalker is like a brother to you, as Savage was to me. But Sidious was content to slaughter my brother, and for your master he seeks an even more terrible fate. Eliminating Skywalker now would be a mercy. Perhaps there is even a chance you can turn him to our side… but if you refuse to help me, any chance of defeating Sidious... of avenging them... will be lost."

Ahsoka paused, gazing silently at the weapons she held with an unbreakable grip. Her sabers, which Anakin had tirelessly maintained in the hopes of her eventual return. The subtle modifications he'd made to the blades' emitters, producing a pair of vibrant blue blades as opposed to the green and yellow blades one would expect from the kyber crystals within. Surely, Anakin would rather die than allow those he cared about to suffer. Ahsoka thought back on the countless battles she'd fought by his side, the countless more hours they'd spent sparring to hone her abilities. And she remembered Anakin's promise- that he would never let any harm come to her. All of a sudden, there was not a doubt in her mind. Maul was wrong. He had to be.

The former Sith watched as Ahsoka readied her sabers. And from her, he sensed a newfound determination and resolve. She would not join him. Not without force. Letting out a slight growl, Maul drew his own weapon- a saberstaff- and ignited the twin crimson blades.

"I see the Padawan still needs one… last… lesson."