Embers danced in the air of the throne room of Mandalore, accompanied only by the cacophonous noise of the conflict below. In any other battle- on any other day- Ahsoka would be leading her legions from the front, an impenetrable shield for the soldiers behind her. But this time, there was much more at stake. As she stood in the Mandalorian throne room, eying Maul's outstretched hand, a visible dread fell across her face. A man as brutal as him- a former Sith- was the last person she'd ever trust. Yet there were no signs of deceit or duplicity. She sensed Maul's fear- anger- hatred- but none of it was directed at her. 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."

The Jedi Order had endured for over a thousand generations, the one constant in an ever-changing universe. The idea that a power so venerable- so formidable- could be undone so quickly was unthinkable. But she could not ignore that terrible premonition. There was a storm coming, its swirling black clouds threatening to blot out all the galaxy's light. And 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.

"I will help you," Ahsoka said, careful to conceal her growing unease. "But you must first answer one question."

"You have but to ask," said Maul, further extending his hand out towards her.

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

"What do you want with Anakin Skywalker?"

Maul's expression turned to embittered spite. 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 the galaxy. Only recently had he learned the truth. Like Dooku, Maul was just a tool to be used and cast aside. It was Skywalker's power Sidious sought above all- a power that may reshape destiny itself.

"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. A scowl flickered across her face, and he realised his mistake. Ahsoka, it seemed, was loyal to a fault. Just like Dooku was.

"Just like I'd been, all those years ago," Maul thought.

"You lie," said Ahsoka with an unwavering confidence.

"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'. The lengths I've gone to- the risks I've taken- surely they demonstrate my conviction."

"I know Anakin," Ahsoka replied, drawing and igniting her cerulean blades. "Your vision is flawed."

Maul took a deep breath to quell his growing frustration. As much as Ahsoka's ignorance infuriated him, the impending upheaval left him little choice. In the coming conflict, there would be few better tools than the apprentice of the Chosen One.

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

"...I will uphold my duty. To my Order, and to my master."

"Hypocrisy!" exclaimed Maul incredulously. "Though I suppose I should expect nothing more from you."

"You call me a hypocrite for staying true to my word?"

"You know as well as I that it is not the Jedi way to let attachments cloud your judgment. Search your feelings. You know I speak the truth," he said, a growing desperation in his voice. "And I know that you fear the darkness surrounding Skywalker. Consider the tenets of your own Jedi Code! 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 voice became venom as her eyes narrowed.

"Anakin wouldn't- he would never turn to the Dark Side! He may be reckless and impulsive but- he cares about his friends more than anything! He's more than just my master, he's like my brother! And you?! You're just a liar... and a monster."

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 iron grip. Her sabers, which Anakin had tirelessly maintained in the hopes of her eventual return. She remembered 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. And despite her fears- despite Maul's insistence- a single truth was clear. 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. How could she have allowed herself to doubt what she knew was true? 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."