She released his hand and turned her gaze to the war outside. "If this is going to work, we need a plan."

Just then the comm link on Maul's wrist buzzed and a frantic voice cried out. "Lord Maul! We need backup. Our forces are failing, we need your support."

Maul's eyes rested on Ahsoka's as he raised his wrist to his mouth as he spoke. "No. I think not. Plan's have changed. Die well, Mandalorian."

"No! Wait-" the voice cut off as Maul ended the call.

Ahsoka's throat felt tight. Sure, the one's following Maul were committing awful acts but just leaving them here to possibly die? She could only hope they'd come to their senses and surrender. Enough Mandalorian blood had been spilled.

"Do you have any loyalty?" She asked as she crossed her arms.

Maul raised a shoulder in a partial shrug. "I have yet to meet someone who deserves it."

Ahsoka scoffed but she supposed this would work out in her favor if it was just him she was dealing with. "I have an idea, but you have to trust me."

Despite his talk of not having loyalty, Maul nodded his head without hesitation. Biting the inside of her cheek, she thought it over for a moment before continuing. "This war is about to end and Bo-Katan will be victorious. Your men will surrender. And I have orders to bring you to the Council."

Maul raised a brow, none of this was new information. "And?"

"And you're going to let me."

"I don't think that's necessary, I have a ship–"

She raised her hand to stop him. "No, if this is going to work we need to do it right. If we want to take down Sidious and get to Anakin as soon as we can. Once we get to Coruscant I'll release you and it'll look like you escaped."

"What if it looks as if I took you hostage, would your dear Master not try to come and find you?"

Part of Ahsoka knew he would, Obi-Wan would probably try to join him as well. But she wasn't a part of the Order anymore, she wasn't a priority or a tool the Jedi found valuable. They'd never be allowed to come and find her.

She shook her head, "he wouldn't be able to."

Maul thought it over for a moment before sighing. "Very well."

Ahsoka didn't waste a second as she spoke over her comm link. "Rex, I need you in the throne room immediately. I have Maul."

"Right away, Commander!"

She didn't bother correcting him this time. She lost her rank when she left but none of her troops seemed to care. Which did mean the world to her, they respected her and were like her own brothers. That didn't change the fact that she didn't feel like she deserved it.

"Alright, give me your saber." She held out her hand and Maul bit the inside of his cheek before dropping it into her hand. It hit her then of how desperate he must be to be willing to do all of this. She then ignited her own blades and smiled at him ruefully, "get on your knees."

"I think you're enjoying this too much," he said. But barely a second passed before Maul lowered himself to the ground, Ahsoka's blue sabers reflecting in his yellow eyes.

Using the Force, Ahsoka summoned the cuffs that had previously been on Jesse and secured them over Maul's wrists.

"Do you really believe these would hold me, Lady Tano?"

"No, so I apologize for this." She spun her saber around and slammed the hilt of it into the side of Maul's head, knocking him out cold. Ahsoka stared down at his unconscious body and sighed, "I don't need you causing chaos I'm not aware of."

...

Ahsoka stood next to Bo-Katan as they overlooked the burning and smoking city. The war was over but she knew it would leave a lasting imprint.

"You actually captured him. I'm impressed." Bo-Katan said.

Ahsoka's voice fell flat, "that is what the Council wanted."

"Still, you succeeded where many failed."

"I've learned from the best." Her heartbeat stuttered at the thought of Anakin and what she had planned. "Including you."

Bo-Katan gripped her helmet and her eyes flicked down to the ground. "I wish I was good at something other than war."

Ahsoka gave her a sympathetic smile, "your people need a new kind of leader."

Their attention flicked to the clones along the bridge, some having their wounds attended while others marched along with captive Mandalorians.

"My sister tried that. I never understood her idealism."

"Commander," Rex called out and the two women turned to the approaching clone. "I have the Council waiting."

She couldn't help it as her eyes widened. "And Master Skywalker? Were you able to contact him?" Ahsoka felt almost frantic at the prospect. The sooner she was able to talk to him, the quicker this whole mess would be over and she could be rid of Maul.

Rex nodded, "he was at the meeting when I left to get you."

Ahsoka entered the room with Rex, seeing the holographic of Windu, Yoda, Mundi and Secura. She straightened her shoulders as Master Windu turned to her. They never got along well.

"I understand your mission was a success?"

She looked up at him, annoyed at the surprised tone in his voice. "Yes. I have Maul in custody." Ahsoka then turned to address the other Council members. "I will escort Commander Rex when he delivers him to Coruscant."

"A great service to the Republic, you have done." Yoda said, he was the only one there who actually looked pleased to see her.

She sighed, "I did my duty as a citizen."

"Not as a Jedi." Yoda's shoulders deflated.

She looked down and shook her head. "No." The room filled with tense silence as the Council stared at her and she cleared her throat. She wasn't here to get into an argument with them. "Actually, I was hoping to speak with General Skywalker." She knew she could tell them of the Maul's vision but she was wary. With how they tended to react she was almost certain they'd execute him.

Windu shook his head. "I sent him to inform the Chancellor that General Grievous has indeed been located on Utapau."

Her brows furrowed, "Master Kenobi?"

"Engaged the enemy, he has." Yoda said.

Relief flooded her. Once Obi-Wan dealt with Grievous and she was able to take down Sidious, life could go back to normal. "Then the war could be over soon."

Windu crossed his arms and cast a glance at Yoda, "that depends on the Chancellor."

She raised a brow, "what do you mean?"

Windu looked at her for a moment before he spoke, he practically dripped condescension and she tightened her fist. "I'm sorry, citizen . These matters are for the Council to discuss."

She took a steadying breath, being reminded why she left in the first place. "I understand."

Slowly each Jedi left except for Yoda, who peered up at her. "Ahsoka. More to say, have you? A message for Skywalker, perhaps?"

She bit the inside of her cheek. As much as she respected Yoda, she couldn't tell him of Maul's vision. Nor her plan. She needed to tell Anakin herself and alone for that matter.

"No, Master. Thank you. I'll tell him myself when I see him."

Yoda nodded. "May the Force be with you, Padawan." With that he left the call.

Rex walked up to stand by Ahsoka. "What's wrong, Commander?"

She bit her lip and looked at him. She hesitated for a moment before her eyes flicked down to his helmet. She remembered how he had had his men paint theirs to look like her. "Maul had a vision about Anakin."

"A vision?"

She nodded and crossed her arms. "A vision that he would bring destruction instead of peace. That he... that he's been groomed for the role for years by a Sith called Darth Sidious."

Rex's brows furrowed. "And you didn't tell the Council?"

She shook her head and began to walk away. "No. I didn't."

She watched as Bo-Katan neared her, flanked by other Mandalorian as Maul trailed behind them, held captive in an archaic device that prevented him from using the Force.

As if sensing her his eyes snapped open and she could tell he was pissed with the current situation. She could only imagine what he must feel like, not having any power to tap into and being alone with yourself. Being cut off from the Force felt as if air was ripped from your lungs.

Her eyes tracked him as he was loaded onto the ship. "Impressive. I suspect even Maul couldn't get out of there."

Bo-Katan hummed. "A relic of a bygone era when Mandalorians had a reason to imprison you Force-wielding maniacs."

Ahsoka couldn't help the amusement that tugged at her lips. "I thought your sister outlawed such devices."

"She did. This is the last one."

She moved to stand in front of Bo-Katan and the two women offered smiles before the latter held out her hand. Ahsoka took hold of her forearm and they shook once.

"Goodbye, Ahsoka Tano."

Rex and Ahsoka entered the bridge of the star destroyer. She should feel victorious in the fact that Mandalore was secured and she had Maul. If she really wanted to, she could keep him locked up and hand him over to the Council like she had originally intended. But as she thought about his vision of Anakin... dread filled her. She couldn't risk being wrong about this and losing her Master forever.

As they walked, the men on the bridge saluted her and all she could muster was a few short glances before her and Rex came to a stop at the front. Clasping her hands behind her back, Ahsoka watched as the stars began to stretch and they jumped into hyperspace.

What would she even tell Anakin when she saw him? That there was a secret plot by a Sith Lord and he was merely a pawn? She couldn't imagine that it would blow over well. He would either be offended by her lack of faith in him or worse, Maul's vision was right and maybe it was already too late.

She wished she could go back to when she had first met him and became his Padawan. They didn't get along very well, Anakin hadn't even wanted a Padawan in the first place and all they did was argue. Regardless, times were simple and they eventually got along. Growing stronger together and Anakin knew her better than anyone else. She loved him, even though Jedi were meant to turn their backs on such a notion. It was dangerous, emotional connections made one unbalanced but she couldn't help it.

She loved Anakin Skywalker and a part of her knew he loved her as well.

Ahsoka wondered how he never left the Order. He never agreed with them. Not to mention he was a very passionate person. Despite Obi-Wan's teachings, Anakin more often than not let his emotions guide him. The biggest tale of all being his secret relationship with Padme. When she had found out about them, she was happy for them but concerned. If Anakin had no intent of leaving the Order she couldn't imagine how a relationship like that could survive. Always in secret and never being able to be free.

He was at an impasse. He'd never walk away from the Order and he'd never walk away from Padme. The fact that he even had to choose was infuriating and Ahsoka wished the Jedi Council would be more understanding. At least some of them had to know how difficult it was. Even Obi-Wan had loved, but he chose the Order instead and she could often see the turmoil in his eyes.

Being a Jedi was supposed to be different, she was supposed to feel like she was accomplishing something for the greater good yet in her experience it felt as though all she saw was anguish. Instead of bringing forth the light, all she had been trained to do was fight for whatever was voted upon as necessary. Merely a pawn for a greater power, as Maul had said and a weight landed heavy in her chest.

"Something on your mind?"

Rex's voice roused her from her thoughts and she sighed. "As a Jedi, we were trained to be keepers of the peace, not soldiers. But all I've been since I was a Padawan is a soldier."

"Well," he let out a heavy breath. "I've known no other way. Gives us clones all mixed feeling about the war. Many people wish it never happened. But without it, we clones wouldn't exist."

Ahsoka turned to look at him and gave him a somber smile. She couldn't imagine a life without Rex and the clones by her side. They had been through so much together. "Well, then perhaps some good has come from all of it. The Republic couldn't have asked for better soldiers, nor I a better friend."

Rex smiled and she returned it ten fold, raising her arm to salute him and he followed suit.

"Commander Rex, the latest briefing has come in." A clone spoke from behind them and Rex turned to look at the man.

He eyed Ahsoka and gestured towards the back room, "Want to have a look? It might have an update on General Kenobi's efforts."

She shook her head. "You go. I'm sure it's more good news." Ahsoka watched him go and turned back to the window, watching as space warped around them and she tried to slow her heart but her efforts were halted almost immediately as the Force suddenly surrounded her and it felt as if she was being dragged to the floor. Her head began to pound as a voice echoed in her head, sounding sinister.

You must choose!

Windu's voice tore through her head, Don't listen to him Anakin!

Anakin's voice then spoke and she couldn't breathe anymore. It's not the Jedi way. He must live.

Windu cried out, he's too dangerous to be left alive!

The dark voice yelled again , Please don't!

Anakin sounded desperate, I need him.

She realized who it was, the dark voice. Sidious screamed, Unlimited power!

Mace Windu's screaming tore through her brain and her hands shot up, gripping at her head. The sound of lightning crackled all around her and silence followed before Anakin spoke again, sounding heartbroken.

What have I done?

Ahsoka was trembling as she tried to stand up straight. "Anakin? No no no no," her voice was hushed and panicked and she turned to run towards the room Rex was in. She couldn't be too late, there must be some misunderstanding.

The door slid open and his back was to her. "Rex! It's Anakin. I feel like something terrible has happened."

He didn't respond to her but he was shaking violently. His hand trembled and he dropped his helmet and radio chatter began to echo around the bridge.

Ahsoka took a cautious step forward, "Rex?"

She heard metal click and she glanced over her shoulder, shocked to see her company pointing their blasters at her.

"No!" Rex said, his voice rough and he turned around. A dark look in his eyes that she had never seen before. "I'll do it."

"Rex, what's happening?" Panic seized her and it still felt as if the Force was trying to drown her, choking as darkness began to overpower the light. It was so strong.

Ahsoka took another step forward but Rex threw up his blasters, still shaking and she noticed how his eyes began to fill with tears. "Stay back!"

She raised her hands, her concern for her friend overpowering her fear.

Rex choked his words out. "Find him. Find him. Fives. Find him! Fives!" He shook out of his trance and began to shoot at her, the rest of the clones following suit and she jumped into action, grief yanking at her insides as she dove forward and slammed Rex's head into the glass table.

She ignited her sabers and jumped up on the table, deflecting the clones' fire and made it shoot back and hit them in the chest. Using the Force, she shut the door and tried to catch her breath as Rex began to wake up.

"Rex!"

The doors behind her slid open and more clones began to fire at her, Rex joining them. Anakin had trained her for this exact moment. At the time she thought learning how to defend herself against the clones was a stupid idea but now she was beyond grateful yet saddened at the fact this was now a reality.

As she fought, she used her blades to cut a hole in the ceiling before jumping up and disappearing into smoke.

Her heart was racing but adrenaline was keeping her mind clear. She needed to find Maul seeing as their plan was being kick started much earlier than she anticipated. She knew he was in the detention level, it was just a matter of getting there unnoticed.

As she navigated the ship, she stuck to the shadows. Only tripping up once or twice but she managed to avoid another fight when she reached the hall that Maul was being kept in. She noticed the two clones who were supposed to be guarding the entrance were gone, and once she got close enough she saw them inside and opened the door to Maul's prison.

The Sith looked up and made eye contact with her, which caught the clone's attention and they whipped around. Using the Force, she threw one of them to the side and he slammed into the wall and fell unconscious.

Marching into the room, she swung her saber and cut the blaster in half and threw the second clone up into the ceiling. She choked him through the Force, just enough to make him fall under as well before letting him go and he fell to the floor in a heap.

Ahsoka stalked forward and raised her saber to just below his chin, panting and her anger began to grip her. This was an absolute mess.

"Don't make me regret this."

He watched her curiously and even held a bit of wonder in his gaze as he watched her reach forward and press a button. His restraints made a hissing sound before they unclamped and he fell forward onto his knees in front of her.

"You–" he coughed and tried to get air into his lungs. "You survived."

Her eyes narrowed. "Disappointed?"

"Hardly." He began to stand up but she held her blade to his throat again. "Did you know about this?"

"No no, I had nothing to do with this I merely suspected... but it all makes sense now. I don't know what has occurred, but, surely, you have felt it. The voices crying out. The death."

She bit her cheek before lowering her blade, letting him stand. "The clones turned against me. Even Rex. I don't know why, they just suddenly weren't themselves."

Maul chuckled dryly. "Brilliant. Brilliant ."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you want me to lock you back in there?"

He ignored her threat. "I was not privy to my Master's plan, but now, now I see it. He turned the Jedi's own army against them."

Ahsoka's eyes widened as realization hit her. The call Rex took must've been from Darth Sidious, but how could one person manage to turn thousands against their own friends within seconds? She thought back to Rex's last warning. Find Fives.

"Well, you've done the right thing by coming to me–"

Ahsoka clenched her jaw. "Don't get cocky. I need you to do something for me while I figure out how to save Rex. He told me something that might be a key to getting him back to normal again."

Maul blinked at her. "We don't have time for this."

"I am not leaving him."

Maul clearly wanted to argue with her but relented. "Only him. You can save the rest of your little friends later if they don't kill you first."

"I need you to cause a distraction while I find a file on a clone who had died a while ago. If I figure out what's wrong, I'll try to fix Rex as soon as I can. If not I'll knock him out and bring him with us. Meet me in the hangar and don't leave without us."

Maul flicked his eyes up and down her body, eyeing her sabers and he smiled at her. "I wouldn't dare."

"Good. Now go cause some chaos."