They stood overlooking Mandalore, watching as her division led angry Mandalorians towards ships so they could flee the planet. It was evident they didn't want to, however. Who would? Being forced from your home was never a good foundation of trust.

Bo-Katan shook her head and turned, "This occupation can't last much longer. The people will not stand for it. I will not stand for it."

Rex and Ahsoka shared a glance as they followed suit. This occupation was the last thing she had hoped for but she didn't know any other way to get people out of the line of fire. Until Maul was captured, the planet would have to deal with their unwelcome visitors.

"You asked for our help," Rex said sharply. Not fully understanding Bo-Katan's bitter tone. "My men don't want to be acting as a police force, either."

The three of them came to a stop before the throne room's door and Ahsoka tried to be diplomatic. "Republic forces will depart once we capture Maul. Then you will have your opportunity to lead." They continued forward again and the doors slid open, the trio oblivious to the Dathomirian sitting on the throne.

"I agree," a rough and deep voice echoed through the room and they froze in shock at the sight of Maul in front of them.

Ahsoka's eyes trailed to the person kneeling beside the throne and her chest tightened at the sight of Jesse who was restrained, but alive.

Before Ahsoka could come up with a plan, she heard Bo-Katan grab her blaster and the Mandalorian took off running towards Maul in a rage. The woman's efforts were useless however as she shot at the Sith. Maul remained lounged back and waved his hand lazily as he used the Force to deflect her blasts. He then raised his hand and Bo-Katan's arms flew black as she was raised in the air.

"My lady, is that anyway to treat your rightful ruler?" Maul hissed out.

Ahsoka reached for her sabers, ready to join the fight but not a moment later Maul let her go and Bo-Katan dropped to the floor. Ahsoka and Rex ran to her aid, helping her stand from the floor as she tried to shake off the feeling of being powerless.

"And now, as a show of good faith I return your comrade in arms to you." With another flick of his hand, the cuffs on Jesse fell to the floor with a clank. Rex looked rageful as he watched his brother struggle to stand. "Run along. There you go, back to your brothers." He taunted, as if the clone was a dog.

Jesse limped towards them and just as he was near enough, he stumbled and Ahsoka reached out to steady him. He gripped her shoulders and he was shaking, "I'm sorry, Commander." His voice was rough and there was some dried blood caked around his nose. "I couldn't help it. I told him everything."

Ahsoka squeezed his shoulder and tried to give him a smile. Maul was one of the most powerful Force users she knew so she wasn't necessarily shocked but the blow still hurt. "It's okay. Res, get him out of here." The ground beneath her suddenly began to tremble and explosions blitz outside of the floor to ceiling windows, making the throne room flash in and out of light.

"One of you might want to deal with that," Maul said as he tilted his head toward the window. Acting casual as ever and Ahsoka rolled her shoulders in annoyance as she turned to Bo-Katan.

"You should go. Your people need you."

Maul sighed and stood up. "Don't stay on my account. We'll be fine."

Bo-Katan narrowed her eyes at him but her focus pulled away again at the flash of another explosion.

"Go," Ahsoka said despite the fact that she knew Bo-Katan wanted to see the man's head on a spike. But after a moment the woman clenched her jaw and put on her helmet before running out of the room.

Ahsoka's brows set as she turned to Maul, who was now standing at the windows with his hands clasped behind his back and he sighed as he overlooked the battle that was unfolding beneath them.

"Look at them. So blissfully ignorant."

She eyed him carefully as she slowly walked towards him, her hands at her sides in case she needed to draw her sabers. "Care to tell me what this is about? Or would you rather save it for the Council?"

Maul turned his head to look at her, his brow raised and a dry laugh left him. "Oh no no. You're the one I wish to speak with." He began to walk towards her, his steps silent and precise as if he was an animal stalking his prey. "Were you not cast out of your Order?" He came to a stop in front of her and she clenched her jaw.

"I left voluntarily."

"Yes, but you were motivated to leave by the hypocrisy of the Jedi Council."

Pursing her lips, she looked away from him. Hating how he was right. Ahsoka had disagreed with the Council on numerous occasions, but what they had done to her was unacceptable and it would've only held her back if she stayed. No matter how much it hurt to leave.

Maul sighed, his voice coming out empathetic. "We were both tools for greater powers."

She didn't care what he had been through, she wasn't about to let him weasel his way out by being understanding. "Cut the sob story, I'm here to bring you to justice."

He leaned his head back as he looked at the ceiling, not seeing her as a threat in the slightest. "Justice is merely the construct of the current power base." His glowing yellow eyes then cut to her and she felt her breath catch in her throat at his intensity. "A base, which, according to my calculations, is about to change."

A cold feeling suddenly filled Ahsoka and the Force began to prick at her skin in an uncomfortable way. Something was wrong. "And this Darth Sidious is behind it?"

Maul's voice went quiet. "He is behind everything ." His eyes began to flick around, as if he was seeing things and he looked frantic as his voice wavered. He looked scared which sent alarm bells ringing in Ahsoka's head. "In the shadows, always. But soon, very soon..." he exhaled and looked at Ahsoka. "He will reveal himself."

An idea then popped into her head and she knew it was a longshot. Even if he agreed she doubted the Council would ever agree with it, not to mention how Obi-Wan would act. Regardless, she marched on and her voice was more confident than she felt. "With your help, the Jedi can stop Sidious before it's too late."

Maul's brows furrowed and his voice was in anguish. "Too late for what? The Republic to fall? It already has and you just can't see it!" He stepped closer with each word, "There is no justice, no law, no order, except for the one that will replace it! The time of the Jedi has passed. They cannot defeat Sidious."

There was a pause and Ahsoka was breathless, not even realizing her hands were resting on her sabers. If Maul noticed he didn't seem to care and now he was staring at her quite intently before he continued. "But, together, you and I can."

Ahsoka froze, the realization of what he was asking of her came crashing down in waves of ice. Maul wanted her to join him? To her, it didn't make sense. What could she possibly offer him that he didn't already have at his disposal?

"Every choice you have made... has led you to this moment." His voice wasn't frantic or hushed like it had been earlier. It was sharp and rough and it echoed around the room, making Ahsoka feel like she was surrounded.

She didn't know what to say, but the fact that no wasn't one of them was concerning. 

Maul raised his arm, reaching his hand out to her. Just then there was an explosion that rocked the building and the windows shattered, sending debris and glass flying into the room but neither looked away from each other.

Ahsoka ran through many scenarios in her head about how this war could pan out. And if what she heard about Sidious was true, she needed all the help she could get and Maul already knew who he was. Bo-Katan nor Obi-Wan would like this but she felt she had no other choice. There was just one thing, however.

She straightened her shoulders. "I will help you." Relief flooded Maul's features but Ahsoka continued. "But you must answer one question."

He bowed his head, "You have but to ask."

"What do you want with Anakin Skywalker?"

Maul's head tipped to the side, "he is the key to everything."

Hope sparked in her chest, "to bring balance to the Force?"

He shook his head, curiosity blazing in his eyes. "To destroy. He has long been groomed for his role, as my Master's new apprentice."

She stepped back from him as her fear returned tenfold, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. "You lie."

Maul laughed though she knew in her heart it was out of pity and it felt like she was about to crumble into the floor. "I'm afraid not," he said. "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."

Ahsoka froze. He wanted her to help him because he knew she was close to Anakin. Despite rules Jedi had to follow, they had a connection and she was a weakness of her Master's. Hell, she had left him and hadn't reached out in ages yet the second she asked for help he went above and beyond to give it.

Maul wanted her help in killing Anakin.

Her heart broke at the thought, even entertaining the possibility that Anakin would turn to the darkside seemed ridiculous. He was the most wonderful man she had ever met. He had such capability for kindness, but... she hated thinking about it.

She knew Anakin was capable of much, much darker acts as well.

Her mind wandered back to a bad night they had had. She couldn't recall what exactly led up to it, but Anakin had snapped and he told her about the village. The one he slaughtered and how he didn't have any remorse for it.

Despite his easy going bravado Anakin was a very angry person, which often led him to butting heads with the Council. She didn't blame him, the Council's ways were severely outdated and dogmatic. Regardless, his anger made him unbalanced.

Still, this was Anakin . Her Skyguy... she could never kill him.

"You don't know what you're asking of me."

Maul clenched his jaw. "Don't get sentimental. By killing him, billions of lives will be saved."

"And is that why you're doing this? To save lives?

He ignored her. "We can destroy Sidious–"

"And what? You take his place?"

Maul sighed, his patience wearing then. "If we don't take him down we are all going to burn, Tano. We are all going to die. What aren't you understanding?"

Ahsoka bit the inside of her cheek and began to pace. "This doesn't make any sense. There are prophecies about Anakin, he's the one to bring balance."

"Then perhaps his death is what brings peace forth. By ensuring his death, Sidious doesn't have a puppet to do his dirty work anymore and he will become vulnerable."

"There has to be another way. If I could just talk to him, maybe he'll leave Sidious willingly. We can explain–"

"We don't have time."

Her eyes narrowed, "if you want my help, this is the way it will be. I'll help you kill Sidious but I am not killing Anakin."

Maul seemed to contemplate this for a moment. "And in that time perhaps you're proved wrong about him. What then?"

Ahsoka raised her chin. "I know Anakin."

They stared at each other for a moment and she wondered what would happen next, maybe he'd draw his double bladed saber and try to kill her. They'd fight and Ahsoka would capture him, fulfilling her orders to do so and life would go on.

The trance was broken as Maul lifted his hand to her again and she stared at the gloved limb, trying to fully wrap her head around what he was offering and what she would be giving up. But if it saved Anakin, it would be worth it.

Ahsoka took Maul's hand.