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Chapter Text

Ahsoka suddenly didn’t know what she was doing here. This was such a bad idea. Even worse than that time Anakin had them jump out of a starfighter mid-battle.  

“Please leave all weapons, communication devices, and metal objects in the tray provided,” the security guard drawled from behind a thick blaster-proof sheet of transparisteel.  

She sighed and dropped both lightsaber hilts, her private commlink, and her metal headpiece into the tray. The security guard’s eyes widened as he stared between her and the lightsaber hilts.  

“Apologies, ma’am, I wasn’t informed we had Jedi visiting the prison today...” he spluttered, looking anxious. 

“You don’t,” Ahsoka replied softly. “I am no Jedi. I am Ahsoka Tano; the special advisor to the Clone Federation senate representative, Cody Kenobi.” 

He visibly relaxed and nodded. “Ah, of course, the senate office did call ahead. Welcome to the Citadel detention centre, Special Advisor Tano. Although, I’m afraid this is likely to be a wasted journey.” 

“Oh?” She asked, frowning. 

He nodded. ”Prisoner 4007278 is highly uncooperative; at best he will remain mute. At worst...” 

“I assure you, I am well acquainted with his worst side.” Shrugging, the guard accepted Ahsoka's tray of items and provided an identity card, waving her through. Another guard met her the other side of the double ray-shielded entrance gate and led her through the maze of corridors towards her meeting room. Ahsoka looked around, trying not to think of the last time she had been inside these walls. That mission to save General Piell when the Citadel had been under control of Osi Sobek had been an utter clusterfuck, never mind the horrendous experience of losing Echo.  

She failed to suppress a shiver, wishing she still had her comm link so she could give Echo and Fives a quick call. It had been almost three weeks since she’d last seen her Torrent brothers, and she was missing them all desperately. But she had to do this. She had to get these answers.  

“Stay behind the yellow line at all times. Do not under any circumstances touch the transparisteel barrier. Do not attempt to pass the prisoner anything. You will be observed and listened to at all times. There are panic buttons in the room if you need assistance. You have a maximum of ten minutes,” recited the guard.  

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. “Anything else?" She asked sarcastically.  

“No.” The guard buzzed open the door, not so much as cracking a smile.  

“Ok...” she murmured to herself before entering the room. She stepped up to the yellow line and crossed her arms, surveying prisoner 4007278, who was sat on the floor the other side of the transparisteel. “Hello, Maul.” 

Maul raised his head slowly, black and red markings glistening under the artificial lights. “My my. This is a surprise. Is it my lifeday already?” He hissed, tilting his head and baring his teeth at her.  

Snorting, Ahsoka shook her head. “You should’ve said, I would have brought you a cake.” 

Maul stared at her before frowning slightly. “Let’s see... why could the failed Jedi Padowan be here to see little old me? Has she been shunned by her former Master because he’s too busy with his parasitic brood? Have her pet clones turned on her? Or has Kenobi decided locking me away here to fester wasn’t enough? He wanted to torture me too?” 

“Which Kenobi do you mean?” She asked innocently before grinning, showing her sharp canines. “You know he’s married now, right? Your obsession with him is getting kinda weird...” 

Maul snarled at her, rising from the floor. “Ask your question or fuck off, Ahsoka.” 

She met his gaze, turning serious. “I want to know how to contact the Nightsisters of Dathomir.” 

--------------------------------------------------- 

Striding out of the Citadel, Ahsoka smiled as she caught sight of Rex leaning against their ship. He smiled back, waving as she walked up. “Did he talk?” 

She grimaced. “Uh, kind of. But obviously he wants to make a deal before he spills all his secrets.” 

Rex growled and gave her The Look. That same look he had been giving her since the day they met, whenever the clone disapproved, disagreed, or was otherwise worried about her life choices. Not a look from Captain Rex, but The Look her big brother gave her when he thought she was being unfathomably stupid. “Ahsoka? Vod'ika, we talked about this! You can’t trust him!” 

“I know!” She wailed dramatically, flinging herself around Rex’s shoulders. “But we’ve been looking for Ventress for kriffing ages and she sure as shit doesn’t want to be found! We have to admit we need his help!” 

“Bloody Sith hells you’re heavy” Rex growled at her, snorting in amusement when she tried to pinch him beneath his armour. “C’mon, let’s get back to Coruscant, see our brothers and report back to Obi-Wan and Anakin.” 

She released him and huffed a sigh. “Fine. It’s not like Maul is going anywhere.” 

The journey home was uneventful, and when they landed, Ahsoka went with Rex directly to the Negotiator, which was currently docked and acting as a home for the majority of the 212th and a large proportion of the 501st when they weren't off-world on contract jobs.  

Almost as soon as they’d stepped foot on-board, Ahsoka and Rex were set upon by Torrent Company. Fives and Wrecker were leading the pack, closely followed by Jesse and Kix. Giggling as she extricated herself from their exuberant hugs, Ahsoka gasped as a much smaller blonder clone jumped on her. 

“Omega! Hey little sis! These boys been behaving?” She asked Omega, grinning as she caught Hunter’s amused expression.  

Omega sighed and frowned around at the rowdy group. “Well, Fives and Jesse stole Cody’s coffee and replaced it with Mustafarian curry powder...” She began. 

“Oh, come on! That one’s a classic!” Exclaimed Fives, Jesse just cackling as he watched Echo grabbing his riduur in a headlock, muttering about teaching him a lesson.  

“Wrecker and Shadow rigged the door to the freshers with a bucket of paint,” Omega continued as Wrecker started laughing so hard he leaned on Shadow for support.  

Stumbling under his weight, Shadow grinned. "Took Shriek three rotations to get the blue tint out of his skin!"

Omega winced at Shriek's unimpressed expression and turned back to Ahsoka. “Also, Tup misplaced Dogma when they went on a walk because Tup got lost and Dogma wandered off and was found in the botanical gardens six hours later...” 

“I wanted to see the flowers... they're in bloom this time of year,” Dogma said in confusion, Tup looking guilty and throwing an arm around him. 

Ahsoka blinked in disbelief and looked back to Omega, who clicked her fingers. “Oh, and Crosshair got in a fight at 79’s with Fox.” 

“Wait, what did Fox do to piss you off?” She asked Crosshair in confusion.  

“I didn’t fight Fox. Fox backed me up when some di’kut insulted Keeli,” Crosshair replied nonchalantly, rolling a toothpick between his lips.  

Keeli rolled his eyes. “It took me and Hunter to drag Cross off the guy, and Cody and Wolffe to get Fox to calm down.” 

“And where we you?” Ahsoka asked Kix expectantly, who smirked.  

“I threw the first punch,” he crooned, placing a kiss on Keeli’s cheek. “No way some drunk asshole gets away with insulting our beautiful cyar’ika.” 

“After punching the man in question, our esteemed chief medic vomited in a bin then dragged me and Jesse onto the dancefloor and completely ignored the rest of the fight,” Tech piped up, regarding Kix with a look of disdain. “I hate dancing.” 

Ahsoka couldn’t keep a straight face any longer. She burst out into laughter, gasping for breath, enjoying her brother’s hugs and revelling in their positive energy. It was heaven. The Jedi had been her only family for so long; being asked to leave the order had left Ahsoka feeling utterly adrift. At least, until she realised her brothers were still there for her, no matter her complicated relationship with the force. Her vode were her family now; they never failed to surround her with their love and make her feel like she was home, no matter where in the galaxy they found themselves.

When they had finally completed their greetings and Rex had given them a half-assed bollocking for their exploits while they’d been gone, Ahsoka went to go meet with Obi-Wan, Cody, and Anakin, the boys and Omega insisting on coming with her.  

“Hello there!” Obi-Wan greeted as Ahsoka entered the conference room, amusement crossing his face as the whole of Torrent followed. She ran to hug Anakin, her former master smiling broadly and his familiar force signature wrapping around her.  

“How are the bubbas?” She asked, wondering when she would next get to see Luke and Leia.  

Anakin gave a half smile. “They’re amazing... but also the worst thing ever. Absolute stuff of nightmares.” 

“Oh, they’re not so bad,” Cody interjected, grinning. “Uncle Cody is always happy to babysit.” 

“Careful, vod, if Padme hears that you’ll never get rid of them!” Anakin said, chuckling. He turned back to Ahsoka. “So? How was your meeting with our prickly friend?” 

“Oh, he’s still totally obsessed with you Obi-Wan. Better watch out Cody, he be after your man,” she answered with a sigh, sniggers rising around the table.  

“Will he help us?” Anakin asked after the laughter had died down.  

Ahsoka pulled a face. “He’s smart. Gave me enough to suggest he can help, but not enough to suggest he will... unless we make a deal.” 

“Go on?” Obi-Wan prompted gently.  

“Well, he confirmed he has met Mother Talzin; the Nightsister’s chief matriarch. She was the one who restored his body after Savage found him,” Ahsoka explained. “But they were pretty much wiped out by Dooku. Oh, and apparently, the cost for resurrecting the clan is flesh and blood.” She paused and nodded at their faces. “Yeah, ominous, right?” 

Anakin crossed his arms. “I’m not sure the risks are worth the benefits, Snips. I know you want to find an alternative to the Jedi, one that doesn’t involve falling to the dark side. But I know what Maul is going to want. Release from the Citadel?” When Ahsoka sighed and nodded, Anakin huffed a sigh of his own. “He can't be trusted.” 

“I sense conflict in you,” Obi-Wan said to Ahsoka gently after a few moments of silence.  

She nodded, biting her lip. “I know the facts, I know his track record.” 

“But?” Obi-Wan prompted.  

“Being in that place, talking to Maul... I don’t know. He felt different.” She tried to summon that feeling she’d gotten from him. “He felt... lost.” 

“Lost?” Cody repeated, frowning. 

Ahsoka nodded. “When I fought him on Mandalore he was all hatred and anger and desperation. And that is still there but... now he just feels lost and... lonely.” 

“Ugh cry me a river,” Jesse growled. “So he should. That shabuir hurt a lot of people ‘Soka.” 

Wincing, Ahsoka sent him an apologetic glance. “I know Jess, believe me, I know. And I’m not trying to say we should forgive and forget. But maybe he should be given a chance to make up for it?”  

“A lot of people in the clone wars didn’t get another chance,” Fives piped up, voice gravelly with emotion. He exchanged a look with Echo. “We lost so many. And I don’t know why some of us got that second chance. But I am forever grateful for it. It showed me how precious our time in this galaxy is, how we shouldn’t waste a moment of it.” He looked around the table. “I get the feeling a few of us here were given another chance against all odds. So why not him?” 

Ahsoka blinked rapidly, genuinely touched by Fives’ words. She looked back at Anakin. “Is there any way you think we can make this work Skyguy?” 

He snorted and looked to Obi-Wan. “What do you say, old friend? Up for the challenge?” 

“If we do this... And it’s still a big if!” Obi-Wan started, rubbing at his temple. “We would be accepting full responsibility for Maul under the Clone Federation. We need agreement from the Clone Council as well as approval from the Senate. Before that happens, we need to provide absolute assurances that Maul will not be able to escape his parole conditions or be able to harm anyone; we’d need to use a force-nullifying collar on him as a minimum at all times...” 

“Excellent!” Anakin interrupted. “You get started on that. Cody, if you could schedule a meeting with the Clone Council, and Snips, you see if Maul is agreeable to our terms.” 

“And what will you do Anakin?” Obi-Wan asked testily.  

Anakin grinned. “I’ll get to work with Padme on lobbying the Senate. You know she’s the one to get on side if you want anything done with those stuffy old farts!” 

“Well, if that’s all sorted...” Rex began, clapping his hands hopefully. “I’d really like to get drunk with our vode now.” 

“Yes Captain!” Whooped Wrecker, instantly standing and making towards the door, high-fiving Jesse who stood along with him.  

Pretending to look irritated, Cody huffed. “They’re children, not brothers, children,” he muttered to Obi-Wan, who smiled in response.  

“Will you not be joining them darling?” Obi-Wan asked innocently. 

Cody smirked. “Course I am. Don’t wait up.” 

--------------------------------------------------------- 

Ahsoka nodded at Rex and he pushed the doors of the meeting room open, leading her inside. They took a seat beside each other at the end of the table, Cody sat across from them down the opposite end.  

“Ok, the meeting is now in session. So Bly, if you could stop sexting Aayla for just a few minutes we’d all be so very grateful,” Cody suggested, completely deadpan.  

Bly looked up from his datapad and frowned, the yellow tattoos on his cheeks standing out against the spreading blush. “I wasn’t...” 

“Oh for the love of the galaxy, can we just crack on and get this over with?” Fox snapped, groaning and resting his forehead in his hand.  

“It’s your own fault you feel like shit,” Wolffe growled, crossing his arms. “No-one made you go out last night.” 

Fox snarled back at him across the table as Cody rolled his eyes. “I’ve warned you about challenging Fives and Jesse to drinking games, vod.” 

“It’s Rex’s fault. He adopts all the feral strays. Torrent is a fucking menace,” Fox spat. 

Snorting, Rex shrugged. “Those feral strays helped bring down Palpatine. Plus we all know you adore every single one of them Fox. It’s why you always come out drinking with us.” 

Ahsoka exchanged an amused glance with Rex. Cody had warned them that the clone council meetings often devolved into whinging and complaining, the commanders taking any opportunity to wind each other up.  

“I have to say though... and I’m surprised as anyone... I agree with Fox. Some of us do actually have things to do,” Bacara piped up, his holoprojected image flickering slightly. 

Neyo nodded, scratching a finger absently along his cheek tattoo. “True, although some of us actually completed the action points from the last meeting...” 

Bacara huffed as Bly and Faie sniggered at Neyo’s sarcasm. “I’ve been busy with the whole Pyke thing!” Bacara growled, pouting a little.  

“Well I’ve been busy with the banking clan and yet I also managed to sort out all of our contracts on time,” Neyo retorted.  

Gree cleared his throat. “Well, don't forget I am meeting with Yoda tomorrow to discuss our request for diplomatic immunity and Jedi backup when we confront the slavers on Kessel; I need those numbers from you today...” 

“Yes, we are all very busy and important, now can we please just get back to the point of this sodding meeting,” hissed Fox.  

“Alright, alright, simmer down, the lot of you,” Cody said loudly, waiting for Wolffe and Fox to stop growling at each other, and Neyo and Bacara to break their staring contest and look back at him. “Rex and Ahsoka have requested to discuss an important matter, and we will listen to what they have to say.” He nodded at them and all the commanders turned to face them, with varying degrees of interest (Bly), disinterest (Neyo), and mild hostility (Fox).  

Ahsoka stood. “Thank-you. You all know me, I think. I am Ahsoka Tano. I was a Jedi Padowan to Anakin Skywalker, and I fought alongside the 501st battalion during the clone wars. I was a Jedi since I demonstrated force sensitivity as a child not much older than three years old; the day after the Jedi came to take me from my family and induct them into their order. I was taught that I must give myself to the force if I was to harness the light side, and that if I didn’t do this, I risked falling to the dark side, to the Sith.” 

“We gonna get her whole life story?” Fox muttered to Faie, whose reaction remained hidden by the hood of his cape.  

Smiling, Ahsoka shook her head. “I promise it’s relevant. See, I did everything the Jedi asked of me. But when I needed them, when I was framed for murder, the Jedi Order abandoned me. Cast me aside. When Anakin showed warning signs that he could fall to the dark side, they turned their back on him too. Now Obi-Wan is married to Cody, they insisted he stepped down from the council.” 

“We know the Jedi are di’kute, what is it you want to ask us for?” Bacara asked in a bored voice. 

“Not all the Jedi are stupid or short-sighted,” Bly replied. “Aayla is the best person I know.” 

Ahsoka nodded. “She is a good person. But what will they do if she chooses to attach herself to you Bly?” 

He shrugged while Gree sat forward. “The Jedi have their reasons for their rules Ahsoka. It’s not for us to question.” 

She nodded again. “And I am not suggesting they must stop doing what they’re doing. I’m suggesting supporting a new faction for force-sensitive beings that gives them the choice of whether to join. That doesn’t simply restrict itself to dark or light.” 

There was a pause as they considered what she had said. “No offense Ahsoka, but what the hell does that have to do with us?” Wolffe asked suspiciously.  

“Well...” Ahsoka started. This was going to be the hard bit. “To do so, I need to find a way to contact the faction of force-sensitive beings known as the Nightsisters. And to our knowledge the only two beings alive who can help me are Asajj Ventress, who I haven't been able to find, and Maul, who is currently incarcerated in the Citadel. I would like to ask the Clone Council for support in lobbying the Senate to release Maul to the custody of the Clone Federation.” 

There was a moment of silence before the room erupted and all the commanders started talking at once. Ahsoka gave Rex a sidelong glance before looking to Cody for help. Cody heaved a sigh and stood up. “Alright! Shut the hell up or we’ll never come to a decision. Thank-you. Here’s what I think. We’re not force-sensitive, I get that you’re gonna feel like it’s nothing to do with us. But Ahsoka is one of our vode. She risked her life over and over again for clones and now she needs our help. Because if we don’t, she’ll probably try and do this anyway.” 

“Yeah well, you’re biased,” Bacara said, crossing his arms. “The 501st are pretty much yours as well as the 212th. You may as well make them the 713th.” 

“The 713th?” Neyo repeated in confusion.  

Bacara nodded. What do you get if you add together 212 and 501? Thought you were good with numbers, Neyo?” 

Before another argument could break out, Cody held out his hands. “Alright fine, I’ll abstain from the vote. But before we do, Rex? Anything to add?” 

All attention turned to Rex, and he jutted his chin out a little, putting on what Ahsoka recognised as his game face. “We were created to serve the Republic, to fight alongside the Jedi. But we were created as slaves; our autonomy reduced to little more above a droid. What made us better than droids is when we fought not only to follow orders, but for what was right. When we stood alongside our brothers, our lovers, our friends; those Jedi, clones, Republic citizens... force-sensitive or force-null beings are who we fought for. And when we won, we promised ourselves we would make our own choices, decide to help when we felt it was right. And helping Ahsoka create a safe place for people who would otherwise be shunned, forsaken, or worse? That feels right. All we ask is for the backing of the clones to help us do it.” 

“Bloody hell vod, you’re getting good at that,” Bly spoke first with a grin. “I vote in favour. I know Aayla would want to help Ahsoka keep force-sensitive beings safe. And it’s not like we even have to do very much,” he added with a shrug. “I’m guessing Torrent will be on Maul-watching duty.” 

“Yeah sure, whatever. I vote in favour because those crazy di’kut Torrent boys will only help ‘Soka break Maul out of the Citadel anyway. May as well do the whole thing legally. With all of us that can back them up if needed, there’s no way Maul will cause any trouble. No doubt they will fix up some kind of force-negating Jedi osiik,” Fox said with a shrug.  

Gree shook his head. “I’m sorry Rex, Ahsoka. I don’t see how introducing a third force faction could possibly benefit the clones, or the Republic. We’d risk push-back, sanctions, or even war with the Jedi. I serve the clones first and foremost, but I’m loyal to our Jedi too. I vote against.” 

“I’m with Gree. I’m loyal to the vode but also to Plo. I don’t want to risk clashing with the Jedi. You’re talking about releasing a former Sith apprentice and I don't think the end justifies the means. I vote against,” Wolffe said, sitting back and crossing his arms.  

“Well, my Jedi General is a stubborn asshole and after this damn mission I can’t wait to see the back of him. They’re a bunch of child-stealing, cult-ish, pompous space monks. I say good on you Ahsoka for wanting to make a change. I vote in favour,” Bacara stated, Fox snorting at his description. 

Neyo pulled a face. “There are serious risks to consider here. It is a simple case of the cons outweighing the pros. By my calculations this endeavour is far more likely to end in a rogue ex-Sith, dangerous consequences of trying to use the force in a way that shouldn’t be done, or the Clone Federation becoming pariahs of the senate. We have fought too hard for our freedom. So I vote against.” 

Cody nodded. “That’s three votes in favour and three against. Faie? You have the deciding vote.” He turned to the quiet clone hidden under the hood of his cape.  

Faie slowly raised his hands to lower the hood, revealing long wavy hair so blonde it was almost white, and extensive symbols tattooed across his face, multiple piercings around both ears, eyebrows, and one stud in his nose for good measure. “I found your points all very interesting, brothers. But there is one aspect that we haven't yet mentioned,” he said quietly, grabbing everyone’s attention effortlessly. “What, I wonder, is the best thing to do for Maul?” 

They all looked around at each other in confusion. But Ahsoka couldn’t help smiling at him. Faie was renowned for being a little eccentric and unpredictable; utterly fearless during the war, but famously gentle and carefree off the battlefield. Of course he would be the only commander to wonder what the best choice would be to benefit Maul.  

“I suspect if we leave him to rot in the Citadel, we would be sure he could hurt no-one ever again. But he would never be redeemed, never have the chance to be more than the failed Sith. I think he could do better than that. And I think Rex's feral strays are the perfect group to help him.” Faie flashed Ahsoka a grin. “I vote in favour.” 

“Then that’s settled,” Cody stated, clapping his hands together. “The Clone Federation will lobby the senate to release the prisoner known as Maul on parole to our care.” 

Rex raised an eyebrow at Ahsoka. “Well then. I guess this is where the fun begins!” 

Chapter Text

Maul breathed out slowly, concentrating on the sensation of the force around him, the breath passing from his lungs through his airways and out of his nose. Familiar feelings of rage and fury for his predicament allowed the darkness to flow through him, and Maul struggled to keep the thoughts of his betrayal by the Sith and defeat by the Jedi from his mind. The meditation worked best when he didn't focus on the individual thoughts, only on the force. Not that he could wield the force within these walls. And force knew; Maul had tried. But this place had been crafted specifically to hold fallen Jedi. Maul could no sooner use the dark side of the force here than he could pop outside for a stroll.

Frustratedly, he did his best to let the furious thoughts leave his mind, while allowing his emotions to guide the force, letting the dark fill the void created by his hate for, well, pretty much everyone. It fortified his resolve and staved off the hopelessness that threatened to encroach. Slowly expanding his awareness back on his entire body, Maul tried to ignore the bitterness that it was only really half a body, before becoming aware of his surroundings again. Opening his eyes to regard the same blank walls and ray-shielded doorway, Maul growled a noise of disgust low in his throat. 

It had been driving him to insanity to be stuck here. Well, perhaps not quite as insane as he'd been driven on Lotho Minor.  

“Prisoner 4007278, move to the back of your cell and sit on your bunk,” a guard called, rapping his electrostaff on the wall. Hissing through his teeth, Maul did as was asked of him, as much as it chafed his sense of dignity. “Hold out your wrists.” 

The first time they had attempted to transfer Maul to a different room, asking him to hold out his wrists for the security droid to attach specialised wrist restraints, he had ripped the thing apart with his bare hands. That choice didn't end up going so well for him. It had taken a long time for his security precautions to be relaxed back down again to the point he wasn't immobilised in a goddamn cage like an animal. Maul wasn't above learning his lesson and making his life easier while he continued to be stuck here. And stuck, he genuinely was. Maul was not a stranger to breaking into or out of tricky places, and he certainly was not intimidated by the prospect of a fight. But the Citadel was simply not a challenge even he could surmount. Not alone, anyway.

He waited for the wrist restraints to be locked in place, but was taken by surprise when a collar was also snapped around his neck as well. “What the fuck?” He spat, spinning to face the guard. A sickly sensation was dripping its way down his body, leaving him feeling empty and cold.

Maul took a step back as the guard brandished their electrostaff in his direction. “Necessary precaution,” the guard growled, not giving any more information.

As his rage swirled in frustration, Maul realised. He couldn’t feel the force at all. Not a whisper or a murmur, nor the lightest caress of darkness was available to him. He swallowed against the discomfort rising through his chest. “May I ask where I am being taken? Bit early for afternoon tea isn't it?” Maul sneered in an attempt to hide his unease.  

The guard stayed silent. Obviously. Maul tried to take note of where he was being led, but the Citadel was a labyrinth for a reason. This was either very bad or very good news. They never just moved prisoners around for no reason. He was deposited in a blank room and his wrist restraints attached to the table. Maul tried to focus on his mindful breathing again, but without the embrace of the force he couldn’t quite focus long enough to empty his mind of the jumbled thoughts racing through his brain.  

“Maul, hello again. Told you I’d think on your request.” Ahsoka entered the room, the Togruta female taking a seat opposite him. He hadn't even felt her approach. It was such a disconcerting loss that Maul took a moment to recover his mask of impassiveness.  

“What a pleasure,” he drawled. “I wondered when you’d be back.” 

She smiled wryly and Maul cursed again the loss of the dark side. He’d have been able to read her intentions in a moment without this goddamn collar. “It took a little while to make some arrangements.” 

“Arrangements? Like this disgusting collar?” He snarled, fury bubbling. The stupid girl was not even a padowan anymore, let alone a Jedi Knight, and she was stood there with all the same arrogance and selfishness of that bastard Kenobi. Thinking of Kenobi never failed to bring forth those comforting feelings of hatred, but Maul was keenly aware of the lack of darkness that usually accompanied it. The darkness empowered, guided, and comforted. Now there was nothing.  

Ahsoka pulled a face. “The collar isn't pleasant, believe me, I know. But it really is necessary if this is gonna work, Maul. In the end, the choice is still yours. Either you keep the collar on and you will be released into the custody of the Clone Federation, or you decline my offer and return to your cell, collar off.” 

He narrowed his eyes, searching her calm expression. “Go on.” 

“If you choose to accept my offer, there are a number of conditions.” Ahsoka crossed her arms and Maul barely restrained himself from baring his teeth at her. “The first is the collar. As you are no doubt aware, it nullifies the force completely. I am the only one who is able to remove it; the collar is linked to my force signature. If that isn't enough motivation to stick around, the second condition are those wrist restraints. They can and will be locked to durasteel surfaces if you attempt to attack anyone or attempt to escape. Oh, and there is a rapid tranquilisation mechanism in the collar too, I forgot to mention!" She grinned in amusement as Maul curled his lip in disdain.

"You will be supervised by at least two of my troopers at all times. If you exceed the minimum proximity sensors, or if the collar or handcuffs are tampered with, or if any of my men activate their alarms, you will be injected with a fast acting tranquiliser, got it?" Maul glared at her. "I'll take that as a yes. Lastly, should you fail to provide helpful information, lead us knowingly into dangerous situations, or otherwise attempt to bring about your escape, we will tranq you, lock you in a cage, and bring you straight back here. If you help us to contact the night sisters and learn how to use the force in the grey, however, we will discuss options of ongoing parole.” 

Maul thought it over for all of about five seconds. The collar was vile, yes, and her list of ridiculous conditions were hateful, but his chances of escape were infinitely better outside of this damn prison. “I accept your conditions.” 

Smiling broadly, Ahsoka rose from the chair. “Excellent. I’ll see you on the other side.” 

-------------------------------------------------- 

Looking between the two clone troopers who had been assigned as his first guard, Maul sighed. Fucking clones. Hateful insignificant creatures that shouldn’t even be classed as sentient. He could crush them. Could squeeze the air from their lungs. At least, he could've done if not for Ahsoka and her pathetic rules to enforce his compliance. Maul could’ve crushed both of them in an instant had the collar not been in place. Could have reached out with the force, felt their flesh and tendons crushed and ripped in his hand... the breath and life forced from their throats... 

“I’m Rex, clone Captain of Torrent Company. We will be acting as your guards throughout this mission,” Rex stated.

How did they even decide which clone was in charge? Weren’t they all essentially the same damn person? Maul seethed about the fact that the assholes hadn't even removed their helmets. Who did they think they were, playing Mandalorian dress-up? 

“And I’m Jesse. I suggest you acknowledge the Captain when he’s talking to you, chakaaryc darjetii,” the other clone growled. 

Maul raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “And why would I acknowledge such insignificance?”  

Rex held out his arm across Jesse’s chest, stopping the clone advancing angrily. “Jesse,” he said in a warning tone. “He might indeed by a low-life Sith, but Ahsoka needs him in one piece. Quit letting him rile you up.” He turned back to Maul. “Enough of your mouth. Let’s get moving to the ship.” Rex stepped forwards, clicking the wrist cuffs securely into place to the heavy durasteel band locked around Maul's waist. If they thought that would keep him from being able to murder them in less than ten seconds, they had another thing coming. 

But no sense in killing them just yet. Growling under his breath, Maul followed the two clones out of the small room he’d been assigned to change out of prison clothing and into his robes he’d been arrested in. As doors and ray-shields buzzed and beeped out of the way Maul couldn’t help feeling hopeful, even with the ongoing and highly disconcerting lack of contact with the force. It had been like a blanket of familiarity for so long, Maul was left feeling adrift. 

Ahsoka was leaning against the wall in the entrance foyer, pushing herself up and grinning at her pet clones when they arrived. Jedi fool. Her smile turned frosty when her gaze slid to him, but she simply turned and led the way out to the landing bay.  

He was led to a modified Consular class space cruiser, with an unusual grey and blue paintjob, before being prodded by Jesse to board the landing ramp. Maul looked covertly around himself, trying to take in as much information about his new captors as possible. More bloody clones was about as much information as he could gather.  

“Alright, take a seat Maul,” Rex barked as they reached a sort of conference room.  

“Yes sir,” Maul purred sarcastically in Jesse’s direction, hoping to piss him off further.  

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and sat, as the two troopers took off their helmets and sat either side of him. Maul was a little surprised to find that Rex had short blonde hair, while Jesse was bald with a huge Republic insignia tattoo. “What, no army crew cuts?” He asked, looking between them.  

Jesse actually snorted in amusement. “We might be clones genetically, but believe it or not, darjetii, we actually have separate personalities... legends say that some can even tell us apart...” he added, sarcasm dripping from his tone.  

Smirking, Ahsoka shook her head. “Enough teasing Jess.” She focussed back on Maul. “Now, spill. How do I contact the Nightsisters?” 

Maul pretended to study his fingernails. “I find it interesting that a Jedi wishes to contact a group of force-sensitive beings that even the Sith felt were too dangerous to leave alive.”  

“Answer the question,” Rex snarled, but Ahsoka held up her hand, shooting him a look.  

“It’s ok, Rex. It’s only natural he is curious.” She looked back at him, and Maul once again wished he could choke the breath from her pathetic patronising expression. “I am no Jedi. I thought you knew that.” 

He shrugged. “You’re a force-sensitive being obsessed with fighting for the greater good, defending the Republic like a good little girl, and using the Jedi ideals to justify a war. If it walks, talks, and fights like a Jedi...” he trailed off. 

Far from being annoyed, she just smiled. “Well that’s precisely why we are here Maul. I don’t want to be a Jedi, and I don’t agree with their ideals. I don’t like that they take children away from their families, teach them to suppress their emotions, pressure them into fighting, and stop them from living a life they would like.”

Maul lifted his lip in a snarl, but kept silent. The Jedi didn’t take all force-sensitive children. He would know. The force only knew how different his life might have been if that were the case.  

Ahsoka ignored his reaction and carried on. “I was once told only Sith deal in absolutes, but the Jedi are simply the other side of the same coin. Life isn't black or white, dark or light. The Nightsisters are the only faction I have heard of that reject both of them, that work in the grey areas. I want to learn how they do it, not necessarily to restore the Nightsisters, but to create a new faction that doesn’t seek to suppress and control, but to support and allow it’s members to flourish as the people they were truly meant to be. Not an emotionally constipated warrior cut off from their support network spouting extreme beliefs about the dark or light side of the force.” 

Maul stared at her in surprise. That was not what he’d expected. He still thought her endeavour was foolish, but he could let her find that out the hard way. Perhaps it would even serve him quite well. “Hmmm. Well, Mother Talzin is most easily contacted by a Nightsister. So I suggest you find the last Nightsister we know of left alive.” 

“Ventress. I know that; I've been looking for her for months,” Ahsoka sighed irritably.  

“Not with my help you haven't. Last I heard, she had become a bounty hunter,” Maul replied, as if he were talking to a child. Because clearly he was.  

“We know that too. Tell us something useful,” snapped Jesse.  

Maul gave him a look before idly scratching his scalp. “Well, then. I’m sure you’ve already tried asking one of her bounty hunter friends where she was last seen?” There was silence and Maul smiled knowingly. “Seems you really are in desperate need of my help.” 

“What would you suggest?” Ahsoka asked patiently, not rising to the bait.  

“We go to a bounty hunter hotspot, steal their guild comm device, go after the biggest paying bounty and if Ventress herself isn't there, any hunters who are should be able to point us in the right direction,” he replied with a shrug. He was more than happy to help them find Ventress. The woman was his best bet at getting free of these fucking clones.  

Ahsoka exchanged a glance with her two men and smiled. “Sounds like a plan. Where are we heading?” 

“Tatooine,” Maul replied. 

-------------------------------------------------------- 

Surprisingly, Maul was led to a small canteen and given some actual decent food to eat, his wrists unlocked from the restraints. He had expected ration bars at best, or maybe the same kind of shit they served at the Citadel. Wonders would never cease. 

Two new clones entered the hall. One, with an aurebesh 5 tattooed on his temple, high-fived Jesse and slapped Rex on the back before coming to sit down. But Maul was much more interested in the other. He was pale for a clone, but the most striking thing about the man was his prosthetics. His right arm had clearly been amputated at some point above the elbow, the prosthetic smoothly whirring and clicking as he moved. But Maul could also see the tell-tale signs that his legs were also prosthetic, perhaps from mid-thigh. The strangest thing of all was that the clone also had metal ports sticking out of the sides of his head. 

The two newcomers came and sat with him, as Jesse and Rex left without so much of a backwards glance. “Change of the guard is it?” He asked irritably, still eyeing the one who seemed like he could contain more metal than him. Which was no mean feat.  

“I’m Echo, this is Fives,” the one with the prostheses said by way of greeting, sounding neither pleased nor displeased to be stuck baby-sitting him.  

Looking again at the 5 tattoo, Maul snorted. “Fives? How quaint. Is that in case you forget your name?” 

Instead of getting angry, Fives just looked bored. “You gonna eat that bread roll?” He asked, pointing at the roll still wrapped up on Maul’s tray.  

Maul glared at him. “Yes,” he hissed, not intending to eat it at all.  

“Alright, just asking,” Fives replied, shrugging. Snorting, Echo gave Fives an amused glance. It made Maul’s very fucking blood boil. What in the galaxy did the stupid clones have to be happy about? He embraced the anger, channelling it through his veins before remembering there was no dark force to respond to his summons. The fury dissipated as quickly as it came. What was the point in holding onto it? Without the force it was just that: an emotion. Useless.  

Maul sighed and stared openly at Echo. “What happened to you? Idiot Jedi with a lightsaber get you too?” 

Raising his eyebrows, Echo stared back at him frostily. “Not even close.” 

“You don’t have to tell him your life story Ech’ika,” Fives murmured to him. “You don’t owe the asshole anything.” He grasped Echo’s hand and squeezed.  

Frowning, Maul looked between them. “I really have seen it all now. A clone couple?” 

Instead of being offended, Echo chuckled. “You poor sheltered Sith. Yes, we are a couple. Far from the only clone couple. Not even the only clone couple on this ship.” 

“But... you’re clones... doesn’t that make you brothers?” Maul asked, the word feeling like slime in his mouth. Brothers. He pushed whatever emotion was trying to claw up into his brain back down where it belonged. Hidden.  

Fives wrinkled his nose in obvious disagreement. “Our relationship to other clones is pretty varied. There’s many I don’t have any attachment to, some just feel more like friends, Echo is my riduur; my partner. And yes, many are like my brothers. The fact we are genetically cloned doesn’t really factor into it.” 

“But you’re all basically the same person!” Maul spluttered. It didn’t make any sense. “Why would you have a different relationship to any of them?” 

Fives pulled another face. “Do we look or act the same to you? Do we even seem the same as Jesse and Rex?” 

“Wait... those two are a couple as well?” Maul asked in disbelief.  

Echo and Fives both burst out laughing, properly cackling at him, while Maul bristled in rage. He resented the two for their happiness. And yet again, Maul struggled to maintain the same level of loathing he would easily have managed previously. Damn collar. Echo regained his composure first and shook his head. “Of course not! Prime, can you imagine?” 

“Whatever,” Maul growled, glaring at his bread roll, deciding to eat it just to spite Fives. The two clones started chatting inanely among themselves, Maul’s temper merely simmering beneath the surface. He wished again he had access to the force. He could have rifled through Echoes memories and torn the answers out. He wanted to know why the clone had such extensive prostheses, what the metal ports were from. He supposed it was morbid curiosity given his own prosthetic from the waist down. His own pride stopped him from asking again, however, so Maul spent the next few hours trying to get some rest instead of just sitting there in furious silence.  

When the next handover came, Maul was lying on a bunk in a private room trying to meditate. It wasn’t as fulfilling without the force, and he kept getting distracted, even after Fives and Echo had stopped wittering on. He heard them mutter greetings, and another clone voice respond, but he ignored them completely. It was abundantly clear to him that he could gain nothing from talking to the clones.  

The tapping of fingers on what was presumably a datapad was driving him slowly insane, however, so Maul silently cracked open an eye to survey the newcomers. He was surprised to find these two didn’t look like clones in the slightest. Well, not entirely true. They had the same eyes, similarities in the facial structure. Despite having made no obvious movement to give away he was watching them, the guard with long hair tied out of his face with a bandana and a huge tattoo covering half his face looked up from his datapad to meet Maul’s gaze.  

“Something you wanted to say?” The man asked, the other one looking up as well.  

“Oh, so you are awake,” the second stated, adjusting his ridiculously large orange tinted goggles. “I have some questions about the dark side of the force.” Maul huffed a sigh and laid his arm over his eyes. Unfortunately, this didn’t seem to deter the man. “I am Tech, and this is Hunter. Ahsoka informed me you would be able to answer some questions about the force that I have not been able to establish through my research.” 

“You don’t look like clones,” Maul grunted in response. What did Ahsoka think he was, some kind of font of dark-sider knowledge? Some kind of performing Kawakian monkey-lizard? Just because he'd agreed to lead them to Ventress, didn't mean he had to answer their idiotic questions all hours of the day and night. 

The scrape of a chair against the floor told Maul that Tech had brought his closer. “Despite our disparate appearance, we are in fact an experimental unit of clones that the Kaminoans used to introduce potential advantageous traits.” 

Maul turned his head to glare at him. “Congratulations.” 

Hunter snorted. “Not exactly advantageous for us.” 

“Hunter is referring to the Kaminoan’s methods. Our mutated genetic profiles required in vivo surgical and behavioural modifications that were not always entirely pleasant. But enough about us. At what age did you manifest the force?” Tech asked, abruptly changing the subject.  

Vaguely wondering what surgical modifications the clones had gone through, Maul rolled his eyes. “I don’t know, I always felt the force. It just... called to me.” 

Tech hummed. “Called to you how?” Maul glared at him again. Tech shrugged and tapped something on his datapad. “When did the Sith take an interest in you?” 

Letting out a humourless laugh, Maul closed his eyes. “As soon as they realised they could exploit my anger, my potential power.” He hadn't thought of his introduction to the Sith in many years. For a good goddamn reason. He wasn’t about to start dredging it up now.  

“Move on Tech, he clearly doesn’t want to talk about it,” Hunter murmured. Maul was surprised and looked back over at the clone suspiciously.  

“Fine. Can you described how you experience and harness the dark side of the force? Before the collar, obviously,” Tech said easily, not apparently caring he wasn’t getting the answers he wanted.  

Glaring at Tech some more, while the man met his stare unflinchingly, Maul sat up and leaned forwards. “The rage I feel right now at your inane questions, I could have focussed into a hate so potent it would be minimal effort to use that emotion to draw on the dark side. It would be calling to me; singing in my veins, itching to be wielded to exact vengeance. It would be the work of a moment to reach out with the force, to curl its dark tendrils around your throat and squeeze, simply like flexing a well-practiced muscle, using it like an extension of my own mind. The dark side would wrap around me like a familiar embrace, and it would feed my fury and my contempt for you until it was intoxicating, until it was the only thing I could feel. It would whisper and encourage me to choke the life from your feeble useless body. Your death would be like the greatest and sweetest taste of power and satisfaction I could possibly feel, and the dark would be singing in my bones.” 

Tech blinked, face impassive. “How interesting.” He looked down and tapped something on his datapad.

Maul couldn’t help but frown a little. That was all the reaction he got?

“And were other emotions similarly intense and dysregulated?” Tech asked, not even looking up. 

“Other emotions?” Maul repeated blankly.  

“Yes. For example, happiness?” Tech asked in that infuriatingly patronising and matter-of-fact tone.  

“I know what other emotions are,” Maul spat, baring his teeth.  

Hunter folded his arms. “So? You feel happiness too?”  

Scoffing at him, Maul crossed his arms as well. But did he? When was the last time Maul felt happy? Did he know what happiness even felt like? Satisfaction; sure. He'd felt it whenever he vanquished some pitiful enemy, or when he successfully completed his plans. But happiness? He was saved from having to answer by the ship unmistakably jumping out of hyperspace.

Tech glanced towards the door. “Ah, we appear to be approaching Tatooine. We had better prepare for landing on the planet surface.” 

Disappointingly, Maul was not taken off the ship with the others to go and seek bounty hunters to rob. He was however present during their briefing, albeit back in the wrist restraints, easily recognising the clones he’d already met; Rex, Jesse, Fives and Echo. He was a little surprised to find that all the remaining clones indeed looked completely different from each other, especially a huge clone that he guessed might also be part of the experimental batch that Tech had spoken of. When Ahsoka sent them off in two groups of four, plus herself with another pair, Maul fought to hold in a smile. He’d be surprised if any of them returned alive. Stupid fools, thinking they could just simply steal something from the bounty hunter guild. His plan seemed to be progressing quite nicely. 

Chapter Text

Much to Maul’s ongoing disappointment, not only did all of the clones return to the ship alive and without so much as a scratch on them, but they also had achieved their objective of commandeering a bounty hunter comm device.  

With Tech’s help (no surprise there... some of the clones’ names made Maul wonder who the fuck had named them using such basic monikers), the group had not only cracked the access code, but identified the next target Ventress herself was likely going to target.

No matter. There was no way in hell the prickly bitch would ever help Ahsoka.  

“Alright Tech, great work,” Rex said warmly, clapping a hand on the clone’s back after they had wrapped up the meeting. Maul had been astonished that he had been privy to their little debrief, but he supposed since Tech was baby-sitting him currently and they needed his help, it was easier than swapping them out with another pair of guards.  

He was distracted by what looked like a human child entering the room, seemingly doing her best to do so undetected, her eyes going wide as she noticed him. Ahsoka almost immediately sighed and looked around at the interloper.  

“Omega, what did we say about keeping away from Maul?” She asked, some of the other clones similarly regarding the girl with disappointed expressions.  

“You told me I wasn’t to approach him and his guards. But all of you were in the meeting together so...” Omega replied, jutting out her chin a little and moving to sit on the huge clone’s lap. 

Ahsoka exchanged a look with Hunter. Was the clone her father or something? Hunter sighed and crossed his arms. “Fine. Omega, this is Maul. Maul, this is our sister Omega. I will warn you in advance that the others will not take kindly to you treating her with anything but utmost respect. So, if you feel unable to do so, I suggest you keep you mouth shut,” Hunter growled at him. 

“Hi Maul!” Omega trilled cheerfully, waving at him.  

Maul stared at her and kept silent. Hunter's instructions had been clear, after all.  

“And on that note, let’s end this meeting here,” Ahsoka said, interrupting the awkward silence. 

“Shadow and Shriek, if you could relieve Hunter and Tech while we get some rest on the way to this bounty?” Rex asked as the clones all stood and milled around, chatting and laughing and being generally irritating.  

Two clones nodded and made their way over, both striking in appearance. “I'm Shriek, he's Shadow,” the one with extensive scars and tattoos across his face barked without preamble, indicating another clone with lines shaved through his hair, tattooed across his lips, and covering his armour.  

“Charmed,” Maul snarled waspishly, standing to follow them. He was led back to the small room with the bunk and left to do what he wanted, which consisted of fuck all. The clones sat just inside the door, and instead of starting with the pointless chatter of the others, these two started using their hands to sign to each other, Shadow smirking at something Shriek had said, before Shriek huffed a sound of amusement at whatever the man’s reply was.  

“You know it’s rude to talk in a language someone in your company cannot understand,” Maul bit out, sure the two were trading insults about him or something like it.  

The two looked over at him, unimpressed. “Shadow doesn’t speak,” Shriek finally said. “We use sign language to communicate. Not our fault you don’t understand it.” 

Maul frowned. “Why doesn’t he speak?” 

“Now who’s being rude?” Shriek asked, raising a scarred eyebrow at him.  

Fine. Not like he really gave a shit anyway. Maul grabbed the paltry blanket from on top of the bunk and lay down to face the wall, moodily flinging the soft material over himself. Fucking clones. 

------------------------------------------------------ 

With nothing to do, Maul heaved a bored sigh. He had briefly felt a twinge of excitement when the whole group left the ship with him included, thinking he might stumble upon a chance to escape. But he had been dragged away with his ever-changing babysitters to watch from afar, the manacles having been reattached, limiting his movement and still tracking his proximity to the two current clones.

Crosshair, a tall not-clone looking clone with white hair and an attitude almost as shitty as his own, was glued to a rifle scope, watching the team’s progress and ignoring him completely. When he’d had his helmet off before they left, Maul had noticed tattoos around his neck, on one side what looked like lightning, the other a large spider. Keeli, who had seemed a more clone-like clone, also with a spider tattoo but on his scalp, turned his head to watch Crosshair, before looking towards Maul, who found it beyond irritating he was unable to see the man’s expression with his helmet on.   

“What?” Maul hissed at him, glaring with what he hoped was intimidation.  

Keeli shrugged, annoyingly unphased. “It must be quite a shock to the system to go from being by yourself for so long, to suddenly being surrounded by all of us. I wonder if it is a little overwhelming?” 

“I’ve always been by myself,” Maul growled. “And I am certainly not one of you, so nothing has really changed, has it,” he pointed out grumpily.  

Keeli hummed but didn’t sound convinced. “I’d hate to be without the vode. I was sorry to learn you lost your brothers.” 

At hearing the word 'brothers', that sickening feeling attempted to engulf him again, like sludge dragging his thoughts to a stop. “I didn’t lose them like a set of fucking keys,” he spat, voice much raspier than he had intended.  

“No. They were ripped away from you,” Keeli agreed softly. “It is an unimaginably painful thing to watch a brother die.” 

Feeling like his breathing was constricted, his very lungs trying to cringe away from the words and hide deep in his chest cavity, Maul forced himself to inhale in and out through his nose once before answering. “Savage was my apprentice. It was extremely inconvenient for Sidious to kill him.” 

Crosshair snorted but didn’t turn from his rifle. “You aren’t fooling anyone Maul. I could smell your banthashit from ten klicks away.”  

Before Maul could come up with a retort, Keeli cleared his throat. “Shadow mentioned you were a little annoyed you couldn’t understand him when he signs.” 

“I couldn’t give less of a fuck,” Maul retorted, grinding his teeth. “How does he even communicate when you’re all on a mission like this?” 

“It might shock you to learn that we all know Galactic Basic Sign Language,” Crosshair drawled. 

“And he uses a tone code over the comms if needed,” Keeli added. “Anyway, Shadow is never left by himself; Rex is careful to group us up based on our abilities and limitations.” 

Maul looked Keeli up and down. “Why are you stuck up here with the sniper arsehole then?” 

Far from being offended, Keeli burst out laughing and even Crosshair huffed in an approximation of amusement. “Yes, Cross can be a bit of an arsehole, but I love him anyway!” 

“High praise, Keel’ika, my darling,” droned Crosshair flatly, still not looking away from his assigned task.  

“Ah... the other clone couple I take it,” Maul guessed, disdainfully.  

“Not exactly,” Keeli replied with a shrug, not expanding. “And that's not the reason I’m up here with Cross. I have PTSD that still gets triggered in hand-to-hand combat so I’m retraining as a sniper.” 

Maul glared at him. PTSD. What the fuck could Keeli have been through that was so bloody awful? Maul had been through enough shit he could write a whole damn book on it. He didn’t complain about having PTSD.  

“You know, if you wanted, I could start teaching you the sign language we use: GBSL? I’m sure some of the others wouldn’t mind carrying on when we switch shifts either. Would give you something to do and mean you could talk to Shadow properly?” Keeli asked, looking ridiculously earnest.  

Before Maul could tell him to fuck off, Crosshair abruptly reloaded his rifle, clicking off the safety. “Eyes on Ventress.” 

Keeli tensed, flicking some kind of viewfinder down from his helmet and turning away to watch the scene below intensely. Neither of them said anything, and Maul huffed in annoyance. Hearing him, Keeli spared him a quick glance. “Uh, Ventress just pulled up on a speeder and is talking to a market vendor. The target is heading in her direction... looks like she’s gonna tail him until he gets somewhere quieter...” Maul appreciated his running commentary. He still doubted whether the clones would even get close to the former Sith Assassin. “And... Ahsoka has made contact... that's the signal, fire on bounty when ready.”  

A moment later Crosshair fired a stun bolt. “Bounty down. Standing by for order on Ventress.” Maul eyed the clone with begrudging admiration. He must be at least eight klicks away from the market square they were spying on.  

“Standby,” Keeli murmured in confirmation he’d heard, watching the scene intently. “Looks like Ahsoka and Ventress are still just talking.”  

Maul silently calculated the odds that Ventress would come quietly. “Bet she needs persuasion from Crosshair’s stun gun to come with us,” he muttered. 

Snorting, Keeli shook his head. “I put my credits on ‘Soka getting her to come peacefully. You underestimate her persuasive power.” 

“And you underestimate Ventress’ power of being a pain in the arse,” Maul replied.  

“Huh,” Keeli said, ignoring him. “Would you look at that. All clear signal Cross; stand down. Looks like she’s coming in.”

Maul kept his surprise to himself. Wonders would never cease.  

Crosshair clicked his safety in place and sat up, stretching. “Now for the hard bit.” 

They made it back to the ship first, Crosshair and Keeli taking Maul to the large conference room. They’d barely sat down and removed their helmets before the rest started to file in, Ventress sweeping past Rex and Ahsoka to sit directly opposite Maul.  

“Well. Look what the tooka dragged in,” she purred, narrowing her eyes.  

“Ventress,” Maul greeted stiffly. “You’re looking as terrible as usual.” 

She bared her teeth at him. “I’m not the one wearing a force-nullifying collar, darling. Didn’t take you for a turncoat. Spilling all the Sith secrets now?” 

“I owe the Sith nothing,” he hissed, temper rising. “They took everything from me!” 

She nodded. “We have more in common than you think, Maul. The difference between you and me, is that I have been able to move the hell on. They’re all gone. You’re wasting your time pursuing pointless revenge.” 

Maul shook his head. “The Sith may be gone, but the Jedi...” 

“The Jedi are old news, force, grow up sweetheart,” Ventress interrupted, rolling her eyes. “I know all about your little obsession with Kenobi, but you really need to get over it. Yeah, he tried to kill you, but you had just murdered his master and were literally working on the side of evil. What the fuck do you expect?” 

Maul bared his teeth and snarled but she just exchanged a long-suffering glance with Ahsoka before staring back at him. “Let me give you some home truths dear. You see Kenobi here? No. Ya know why? He couldn’t give less of a shit about you. He has no interest in continuing your imagined feud. He’s getting on with his damn life, which is what you should be doing. Instead of sitting there like a feral nexu whinging and hissing and spitting at everyone feeling so hard done by, you should do the smart thing and grab this opportunity with both hands. Force only knows why you’ve been given this second chance, so don’t be a fool, Maul.” 

The room was silent as Maul glared at her speechlessly. This was not the Asajj Ventress he knew. She adjusted a bangle around her right arm and crossed her arms. “Now that is out the way, shall we get down to business?” 

Ahsoka nodded. “We’ve stowed your bounty in the hold. You’ll be free to redeem your pay-out in return for information.” 

“Sounds fair,” Ventress nodded calmly. Definitely not the Ventress Maul knew. “You said something about a new force-sensitive faction and wanting to know more about the Nightsisters?” 

“Exactly. I want to find a way to use the force somewhere between light and dark. I don’t want to have to give up my emotions or lose control of them. I don’t want to forgo attachments or risk falling to the dark if my attachments are broken. I want to be free without losing myself.” Ahsoka cocked her head. “Do you know anything of the way the Nightsisters used the force that can help me?” 

Ventress gave a rare smile. “Perhaps I can indeed be of help.” She looked around the room. “Settle in boys, it’s story time.” She wriggled around in her seat, folding her feet up beneath her body and getting comfortable. “There was once many clans of witches on Dathomir who were taught to use the force, as set out in the Dathomiri sacred text; the Book of Law. Our legends say that it was written originally by an exiled Jedi named Allya... although I don’t know the exact truth about that. But some members of those clans discovered an alternative; they discovered the dark side, but shunned the idea of having to choose good or evil. They were more like Shamans, using the force via the Spirit Realm by calling upon the Winged Goddess and the Fanged God. But they were branded heretics and exiled. These witches were united into the first Nightsister clan by mother Gethzerion.” 

In spite of himself, Maul was hanging on her every word. He’d never heard the legends of the Nightsisters actually told by a Nightsister. 

“Anyway, there continued a load of in-fighting, clan formation, reformation, and breakdown, and so eventually the disparate Nightsister clans were reunited by Mother Talzin, who saw a good business opportunity when it presented itself. She made them into more of a mercenary society and trained them as bodyguards, assassins and soldiers to hire out to the highest bidders. I for example, was sold off as little more than a slave. And that was still better than the fate of some of the Dathomirian males.” She glanced at Maul but didn’t elaborate. “The sisters that remained on Dathomir used the magical ichor flowing through the planet itself to harness the force. That’s why they never really went off-planet. They mostly also had to use spells, potions, or incantations to use the force. Not all of the Nightsisters were truly force-sensitive.” 

Ahsoka sighed. “So they weren't really using the force between the dark and light?” 

Ventress cocked her head. “Well, I believe some of the early force-sensitive Nightsister clans did. They wrote in the Book of Shadows of rejecting the light and the dark; they simply formed no empathy, compassion, or attachment to anything. Because of that they were able to use the dark side without succumbing completely to it.”  

Grimacing, Ahsoka sighed again. “That’s not exactly what I was going for. Do you think their techniques could be adapted somehow? Where is the Book of Shadows?”  

“I think perhaps it’s worth pursuing,” Ventress said after a moment’s thought. “The Book of Shadows remains in the Nightsister’s temple on Dathomir, as far as I know. But perhaps more helpful even than that would be talking to a force-sensitive Nightsister from one of the earlier clans. You could contact Gethzerion.” 

Ahsoka exchanged glances with a few of the clones. “You could do that?” 

“I said you, not I,” Ventress corrected. “I will not go back to Dathomir.” 

“How do we know you aren't trying to lead Ahsoka into some kind of trap?” Rex growled at her, Ventress looking highly amused.  

“Darling, if I wanted to lure Ahsoka into a trap I wouldn’t have played so hard to get all this time. Or have waited for you to have a powerful Sith with you,” she said, glancing at Maul.  

“I am no Sith,” Maul spat at her.  

“Why did you avoid Ahsoka if you knew she was trying to find you?” Keeli asked Ventress, with less hostility than Rex had managed.  

Ventress levelled a look at the clone. “I heard that a Jedi was after me. What in the galaxy was I supposed to think? That she wanted to sit down with me for tea and cake?” 

“I am no Jedi,” Ahsoka said softly, looking a little amused. “Why don’t you wish to return to your home planet?” 

Ventress sighed, interlacing her fingers. “I watched my sisters murdered there. Thanks to the force energy suffusing the planet, to return would be nigh unbearable. To feel their pain, their last moments...” she swallowed, Maul surprised by the fact she looked genuinely affected. “I can't.”  

“Well, if I had to re-experience all of my brother’s last moments, I think I'd feel pretty shit too,” piped up Fives with a shrug. “’Course, a lot of them were killed by you, so...” 

Maul made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a hiss, Crosshair raising an eyebrow at him. “Well, fuck me. It has a sense of humour," he said silkily, as Maul narrowed his eyes at him. 

“For what it’s worth my dears, I do regret my actions under Dooku.” Ventress pulled a face. “I regret everything about Dooku. Really, he was just awful. No class.” 

“So what... you think you’ve earned our forgiveness, just like that? Some nice words and a crap joke and you expect us to forget the atrocities you committed?” Jesse growled. 

Ventress turned to him, expression turning serious. “Absolutely not. But as gorgeous as you are darling, I am not looking for forgiveness from you.” Despite his hostility, Jesse blushed slightly at her words. “I am looking to forgive myself. And only my actions I choose to take now I am out from under Sith control will help me with that.” She turned to Ahsoka. “I will give you full instructions on how to find the Book of Shadows, and how to contact Mother Gethzerion. But you need to let the force guide you; you’ll need both the dark and the light,” she gestured at Maul and Ahsoka in turn as she spoke.  

“You would be a fool to trust her word,” Maul warned, grinning nastily. “She may only have reached the title of Sith Assassin, but she is a Master of deception.” 

“Oh Maul, sweetie, you really need to find a way to process that bitterness. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to work through some of that anger? I’m guessing it’s already feeling less than usual with that collar huh?” Ventress smirked knowingly at him as he bared his teeth. “I know you don’t want my advice, but you sure as hell need it. Use this chance. You can be so much more than what they made you.” 

As Maul and Ventress glared at each other, Ahsoka clapped her hands. “Ok... let’s have a little break and Ventress come tell me more about Dathomir? I’m sure these boys don’t wanna hear all the details.” 

Breaking eye contact first, which Maul was claiming as a win, Ventress pouted. “Shame. These boys of yours are just so adorable.” 

She stared at Fives as she spoke, who just laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m spoken for.” 

“Of course you are, all the good ones are,” she replied with an exaggerated sigh.  

“Jesse is single though,” Fives added with a shit-eating grin, the clone in question spluttering as he turned bright red.

Maul bit back a growl of irritation. Foolish clones. 

------------------------------------------------------ 

The rest of the rotation consisted of Keeli repeating everything everyone said in sign language, as well as going through some basic words, even when Maul refused to copy him. He was still fuming about the things Ventress had said.  

How fucking dare she sit there and tell him he could be more... like she was all bloody knowing and bloody perfect. Stupid clones and their blind trust. It was going to get them killed. Not that Maul cared. In fact he hoped he was right; hoped that Ventress had laid a trap on Dathomir for them. Then they would regret not heeding his warnings.  

“And then moving your hand like this basically means thank-you,” Keeli said cheerfully, as Crosshair chewed on a toothpick with disinterest.  

Maul sighed at Keeli’s expectant and hopeful expression and did a half-assed attempt at copying the hand sign. The man smiled as if Maul had just given him the gift of immortality or something. “Yes! You nailed it!” 

Crosshair huffed and reached over, grabbing Maul’s right hand. “Nope. Not even close. Your thumb needs to be...” He gave Maul’s hand a jiggle. “Would you kriffing relax? Ok, your thumb needs to be like this,” he pointed Maul’s thumb more upright and moved his fingers slightly before letting go. “Do it again.”  

Maul was too taken aback to do anything but obey, repeating the movement Keeli had showed him, while Crosshair scrutinised. “Better,” Crosshair sniffed as there was a knock at the door and two new clones appeared.  

“Kix’ika! Hey beautiful!” Keeli greeted, jumping up to plant a kiss on the clone’s cheek who had lightning tattoos across his scalp. Maul looked back at Crosshair, studying his tattoos again. When Crosshair stood and gathered the same clone into his arms and squeezed before letting go and immediately disappearing out of the door without so much as a backward glance, Maul put two and two together.  

“What are you three? Some kinda weird threesome couple?” Maul asked, frowning up at them.  

“They’re a thrupple,” another clone with a large facial tattoo answered, striding past Kix and Keeli to stand in front of Maul. “He’s Kix, I’m Dogma.” 

Maul said nothing and glared up at him. Not that he was actually really angry at him. Or actually angry at all, really. He attempted to rearrange his face into something less hostile, but judging by Dogma’s confused glance he didn’t exactly succeed.  

“Alright Maul, get your ass up. I’ve got work to do, so you’re coming to the med bay to help,” Kix said as Keeli left the room. “Dogma, vod’ika, translate everything into GBSL. Maul is learning.” 

Dogma immediately turned to Maul and signed slowly as he spoke out loud. “We are going to the med bay to help Kix.” 

Maul’s furious glare was back. This was going to be a long journey to Dathomir.  

Chapter Text

After dropping off Ventress and her bounty, the ship was headed towards Maul’s home planet. The very knowledge he was returning to Dathomir had settled like a stone in the pit of his stomach. He appreciated the fact that Dogma was almost as silent as Shadow, leaving him alone to complete the inane tasks that Kix had them do, when it was clear Maul had no wish to engage with him.  

Kix on the other hand, was not nearly as easy to avoid.  

“So when was the last time you were on Dathomir?” Kix asked, signing the sentence as he spoke. 

Maul scowled at him. “Are we really doing this?” He asked, pointing at Kix’s hands. 

“You want to learn, don’t you?” Kix asked breezily, continuing to sign. “So. Last time you were on Dathomir?” 

“The last time I was on Dathomir I had been driven insane and in constant pain after being left for years in a literal pile of trash missing half of my body,” Maul hissed. 

Kix just nodded. “Mother Talzin healed you?” When he got to Talzin’s name he spelled it out letter by letter, Maul rolling his eyes.  

“In a manner of speaking. She replaced the crappy replacement body I had crafted using the dregs of my contact with the dark side of the force, and pulled the madness from my mind.” Maul paused, trying not to think about how wretched that portion of his life had been. “It was hardly from the goodness of her heart. She sent Savage for me because I could be useful to her. Ventress had already failed to kill Dooku for her, so she called in a favour from her dear son instead.” He couldn’t hide the venom in his voice as he spoke, watching Dogma translating his side of the conversation into hand signs.  

“Mother Talzin was actually your mother?” Kix asked softly. Maul couldn’t bear the clone’s sympathy in his eyes, so watched his hands instead.  

“Yes.” A familiar fury rose in his chest. “Not that she ever earned such a title. And before you ask, no. I do not wish to talk about it.” Memories tried to spill unbidden into his mind, the lack of the dark side to wrestle them back into that dark corner he was used to keeping anything too painful. Memories of a mother sending him for his first Zabraki tattoos the day before his first birthday. A mother who was hardly there, who left Maul to take care of his younger brother Feral. A mother who was more interested in nurturing her relationship with Darth Sidious than her own son. A mother who willingly gave him away at the age of eight to strangers. Those strangers who beat him, starved him, and nurtured nothing but his hatred.  

Maul had always been aware of the force; had been drawn to the forests and nature as a kid. But his blossoming hatred had led him closer to the dark. Maul still remembered when Darth Sidious arrived for some kind of a selection ceremony. He wasn't sure how many years at that point he had been under control of the men who abused him. Consumed with rage, that had been the first time Maul had allowed the dark side to fully flow through him and gave into it completely. The presence of the Sith had seemed to feed his fury and multiple his hatred. So he grabbed the dark side with both metaphorical hands and used it to choke the life out of the three strangers who had tormented and abused him.   

And where had that got him? Under Sidious’ thumb. He had been chosen. Taken from Dathomir and made apprentice to the most powerful being in the galaxy, destined to become... so much more than this.  

“You look sad,” Dogma said, still signing as he spoke.  

Maul couldn’t even bring himself to come up with a scathing retort. It was like the thoughts of his shitty childhood had drained all the venom out of him. Instead he sighed. “No, I am not sad,” he said slowly, absently attempting the hand signs he had picked up. “I am...” he didn’t know the sign for how he felt. He barely knew the words. “I feel regret.” Dogma nodded and repeated his statement with the correct signs, Maul copying.  

Both the clones were silent for a moment until Kix came and sat beside him. “We never had a mother. The Kaminoans were little more than our owners, and we had one Jedi and a few bounty hunter trainers. No-one truly cared for us growing up except we did have each other. We had our vode. I can’t begin to understand or even guess what you’ve been through Maul, but it’s not fair you had to do it alone.” 

Wanting to come up with a fierce and scornful reply, the words he wanted to fling at Kix withered and died in his throat. Instead, he clenched his jaw. Weakness was not tolerated. 

“Are these the prostheses Talzin gave you?” Kix eventually asked, changing the subject and pointing to Maul’s legs.  

“No,” Maul grunted. “These were from Mandalore.” 

Kix hummed. “I have a little experience with lower limb prostheses. You’ve seen Echo’s, I take it?” When Maul nodded, Kix did too. “Yours give you any problems? Pain? Limited or delayed movement?” 

Maul looked down at the legs. They were, by and large, completely adequate. Nowhere near the range of acrobatic ability his original body could give him though. And they were actually pretty painful. The whole attachment module fused to his torso ached a lot of the time, and the bio-systems were fiddly and cumbersome. But he refused to reveal such weakness to a clone. Medic or not.  

Kix just shrugged at his silence. “Well, between me and Tech, we could definitely help improve them. If you wanted.” 

Staring at him incredulously, Maul was unable to see what Kix's ulterior motive could possibly be. “Why?” 

“Why what?” Kix asked in confusion.  

“Why would you help me?” Maul asked, narrowing his eyes. Did the clone think it would work as some form of bribery? 

“Kix helps people,” Dogma interjected. “It’s what he does.” As if that explained everything.  

“Uhm, sorry to interrupt...” Omega was back, poking her head around the door. “Ahsoka needs everyone in the meeting room now.” She stared openly at Maul until Kix cleared his throat. She jumped, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. 

“Got it. We’re on our way.” He motioned to Maul to stand and follow, Dogma moving to walk behind them.  

When they reached the room, Rex immediately raised his hand and the clones hushed. He pressed a button on the holotable and another clone appeared. “Cody, we’re all here. What’s this about?” 

“I’ll cut right to the chase. Bacara sent an emergency transmission to the clone council a short while ago. Rex and Ahsoka, you are already aware he was on mission to Kessel with Ki-Adi-Mundi to investigate the Pykes for charges of slavery and spice trafficking. His last transmission was a call for aid as their meeting with the Pyke administrator of the spice mine, Quay Tolsite, had gone seriously wrong.” 

“Shit,” Rex breathed, as all the clones exchanged worried glances. “Is he still alive?” 

Cody hesitated a moment. “I don’t know. I’ve mobilised all available units; you boys are one of the closest.” 

“Tech, set coordinates for Kessel,” Ahsoka said immediately, the clone in question nodding and standing to leave the room straight away. “Cody, we will go immediately and request a peaceful resolution to try and get our men back. How long will we be waiting for backup if they do not comply?” 

“Plo and the Wolf-pack, Bly and Aayla's squad, Anakin and Appo’s men, as well as some of the 212th all deployed and will arrive shortly after you,” Cody listed. “I’ve transferred the intel on the Kessel mine to your datapads.  

Rex nodded, expression pinched in an attempt to conceal his anxiety. “Alright, I’ll keep you updated.” 

Cody signed off and his holographic image disappeared. Maul sighed. “So we’re off on a rescue mission now? Is it really worth pissing off one of the biggest crime syndicates in the galaxy?” 

“It is absolutely worth it,” Rex growled, Maul not needing the force to sense how angry and worried the captain was. “Bacara is not just another number. He’s not even just another clone commander. He’s my brother. He and his men need our help and it is not within our nature to ignore a plea for help from the vode.” 

“Worth risking the lives of your own men?” Maul replied smoothly, gesturing around the room.  

“We’d follow Rex anywhere. It’s called loyalty,” Jesse retorted. “Although I don’t expect you to understand it.” 

Ahsoka laid a hand on Jesse’s forearm, the clone immediately sucking in a breath, his shoulders visibly relaxing. “Calm yourself, ori’vod. We have much to discuss before we arrive on Kessel. Who is due to take over watching Maul? Perhaps you can take him to get some food,” she suggested evenly, nodding at the large clone and another who stood. 

“It’s our turn ‘Soka. We’ll keep him outta the way!” The large clone said cheerfully, while the other clone with long hair motioned for Maul to stand and follow them.  

Maul obliged, irritation building. Taking on the Pykes with a group of less than twenty clones and one ex-Jedi was suicide. Just to free some other clones and a Jedi who in all likelihood were already dead? As soon as he sat in the dining room he turned to the new clones. “You must see how foolish the captain’s endeavour is? He is putting your lives at risk.” 

The long-haired clone raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “I’m Tup, this is Wrecker, pleased to finally meet you,” he said sarcastically. “Since when do you care so much about our safety?” 

“I... I don’t care...” Maul spluttered. “But if you twats all die, I’ll be stuck on Kessel with this fucking collar still around my neck.” 

“I’m sure you’d find a way out. I hear you’re very resourceful,” Tup replied, smirking. He suddenly looked confused. “Uh Wrecker? Was there something we were supposed to be doing?” 

The huge clone nodded, a kind look on his extremely scarred face. “Don’t worry, I got it. Food for Maul, remember?” He plonked a tray of food in front of Maul before sitting opposite him. “And Kix asked us to teach him sign language.” 

Damn clones. Maul munched through the food as Wrecker laboriously went through as many random words as his tiny brain could think of, signing them out for him. When Maul had finished, Tup removed the tray of dirty utensils, making it as far as the cleaning station before pausing and looking lost. Not skipping a beat, Wrecker glanced over. “You’re doing good pal! One thing at a time.” 

Was Wrecker being serious? A fucking child could have managed such a simple task. Yet there was no trace of patronising tone or sarcasm, and both clones looked genuinely pleased when Tup cleared the waste food, set the dirty utensils and tray in some sort of machine and set a cleaning cycle. When he sat back down Tup grinned at Wrecker. “I’m definitely getting quicker!” 

Wrecker nodded and slapped Tup’s hand in a high five. “No prompts either!” 

“I presume I am missing something here...” Maul drawled, watching Tup expectantly. 

Tup pulled a face and nodded. “Oh, yeah. I’ve got brain damage. My chip malfunctioned and caused ischaemic brain injury, seizures, and cognitive dysfunction of my frontal lobes,” Tup recited. At Maul’s blank face, he grinned lopsidedly. “It fried my brain. I forget stuff, struggle with tasks when there’s lots of steps, can’t plan for shit, and get wicked bad migraines sometimes.” He shrugged. “Can still shoot a blaster in the right direction though, not completely useless.” 

“Tup,” Wrecker admonished. “Remember what Kix said? Your worth is not simply defined by your use as a soldier.” 

Giving a little smile, Tup nodded and then looked to Maul. “So, let’s practice signing the words Wrecker showed you.” 

Maul nodded slowly, regarding Tup thoughtfully. If he wasn’t very much mistaken, he had found the weak link in the clones’ happy little family. And Kessel might just provide exactly the opportunity he needed.  

---------------------------------------------

Unsurprisingly, the Pykes had declined to release their clone prisoners. Rex and Ahsoka had met with Tolsite on the planet surface, the rest of Torrent Company holding back for their signal. When Rex’s order came through on Keeli’s commlink, the usually relaxed and playful clone seemed to slip straight into some kind of serious commander mode. Maul wondered if all the clones had it. Was it something programmed into them? Did they have to train in special commander-class clone school? Keeli gave his orders, clear and concise, small teams of them peeling away to infiltrate the spice mine. Tech and Echo had already spliced into the compound’s security systems and the whole group advanced relatively easily through the access tunnel they had identified earlier.  

Yet again, however, Maul was kept out of the fighting. He was still with Wrecker and Tup, Wrecker clearly vibrating with the desire to be out helping the others, while Maul was back in the restraints. They were situated in a control room, Keeli and Echo also having stayed behind so Keeli could watch all the security monitors and Echo could stay plugged into a scomp outlet. Nifty prosthetic. Maul wondered if Kix had come up with that one. However, the more he thought about it, the more Echo’s modifications reminded him a little of the Techno Union experiments he’d heard about.  

“Echo, open access doors to level six?” Keeli murmured. “Hunter and Jesse, your way forward is clear to the cells, once you’ve freed them let me know,” he said into his comm link, the clones in question showing up on the security monitor displaying the detainment level. 

Keeli leaned forward. “Ok, Shadow and Shriek, set the distraction... now!” There was a distant rumble and a slight tremor in the floor as the ARC troopers blew up part of the managerial upper levels. It indeed appeared to have worked to draw security guards from across the compound.  

Maul watched the clones successfully making their way out of the cells, following Hunter and Jesse down the maze of corridors, passing across several monitors as they went, when he noticed a rogue group of guards heading straight for them. “Keeli,” he growled, pointing at the screen in front of him.  

“Shit. Hunter, incoming!” Keeli managed to warn via the comms, before the display lit up with blaster fire. “Fuck. Crosshair, circle round to six with Fives and the others, they’ve been discovered.” He watched the screens anxiously before swearing again as more enemy reinforcements arrived in Hunter and the others' location. “Echo close down the East corridor!” 

"They are vastly outnumbered," Maul commented, keeping his voice free of triumph. 

Wrecker leaned over his shoulder and grimaced. “We gotta get down there!” 

Glancing at Maul, gaze calculating, Keeli nodded. “Tup, you good to stay with Maul? We need as many as possible helping the others.” 

Maul couldn’t believe his luck as the strongest clone, the clever captain, and the experienced ARC trooper all left him alone with the brain-damaged Tup. “Perhaps you should be there helping too?” He suggested softly a few minutes later, as Tup watched the screens with dismay.  

“Keeli said to stay with you,” he replied firmly, biting on his fingernails as chaos reigned between his brothers and the Pyke guards.  

Maul grit his teeth. He should've expected the man would be sticking rigidly to rules when he didn’t trust his own decision making abilities. A different tact then. “Ok then, why don’t we go help them together? He said you need to stay with me, which, I get.... but I can be useful. I can help protect your vode,” he urged, dropping his voice to a low and reassuring purr. “Just undo the cuffs and the collar and...” 

Looking around at him sharply, Tup glared. “I may be brain-damaged, but I’m not stupid. And I can't take the collar off. I don't have the security clearance.” 

Fuck. Maul sighed. “Then just undo the restraints. Even without the force I can fight,” he glanced at the screen. “Oh dear. Is that Jesse down?” 

Tup swore unintelligibly under his breath, fingers tapping urgently on the counter he was leaning on.  

“Hey, you! You’re not supposed to be in there!” A guard yelled from the doorway, raising his blaster. Maul instinctively rolled himself to the side, Tup doing the same, yanking out his blasters and squeezing off two shots in quick succession, both finding their mark, head and chest shots.  

“Damn. When you said you can still shoot a blaster in the right direction, you weren’t kidding!” Maul said, a little amused when Tup glanced around at him. They ducked as return fire came from the doorway. Growling and shuffling to a more secure piece of furniture to hide behind, Maul growled in impatience. “Tup! Come on, just undo me and I can help us get out of here! I can help the others!” 

Tup squeezed off a couple more blaster bolts before huffing and staring at Maul. “You promise you won't just run off?” 

“I promise,” Maul said, pouring every ounce of sincerity he could muster into his expression.  

“OK.” Tup reached over and tapped a code into the wrist restraints, the uncomfortable metal falling away.  

Maul stared with a beat of surprise. It had actually worked. Another load of blaster fire was sprayed into the room and he grinned with feral pleasure. He had quite the store of rage to work out on these irritating guards. Maul vaulted over the table they were crouched behind, landing in a crouch and dodging blaster fire to skid out of the door and into the guards. He lashed out hard, using his unforgiving metal legs to land devastating kicks, grabbing a Pyke’s electrostaff and jabbing it expertly into its owner’s face before sweeping the legs out from beneath the other guard. Almost too easy, it was over before he’d even relaxed into it. Still holding the electrostaff, Maul gave it a twirl. Not exactly his lightsaber, but it would do.  

“Nice job. Now let’s go help the others,” Tup said, having joined him in the corridor and making towards the detention area where his team had been ambushed.  

Maul almost automatically followed him. But this is exactly what he had hoped for. He was free of restraints, he was armed, his babysitters were almost completely preoccupied. With the electrostaff in his hand Maul could easily take out the unwitting Tup and be on his way, commandeer a ship and be off this shit-hole before the others knew about it. Or before their clone and Jedi reinforcements arrived. In fact, not only that, but there was a very good chance that if he left now, the whole of Torrent, including Ahsoka, would be exterminated. This was better than he could have ever hoped for.  

Realising he wasn’t following, Tup paused and turned back. “Maul? Come on!” 

Maul raised the electrostaff.  

---------------------------------------------- 

Ahsoka sprinted down the corridors with Rex close behind her. Polsite, the slimy bastard, had refused to free their allies and done his darndest to prevent them getting back to the compound to help the rest of Torrent from freeing them. She and Rex had heard Keeli’s orders over their commlinks, and redoubled their efforts to get to level six.  

Frustration started to leak into her awareness, and it was habit to try and push it away; give it out to the force, as Obi-Wan had tried to teach her. Instead, she drew it into her, let it sharpen her reflexes and focus her power. She let her thoughts of her brothers wash around her, anxiety and panic flooding her as Keeli reported a man down. They were taking far too long to reach them, and not for the first time she wondered if her choice to keep Maul away from the fighting was the best use of his skills.  

Over the last few rotations, after each shift of guards had finished, Ahsoka tried to meet with them soon after to hear feedback on what Maul was saying and doing. Initially, she had meant to provide psychological support for them; it had been a very real concern that Maul would try to manipulate them and tear rifts through their group. Indeed, when Jesse and Rex had come off the first shift, both barely restraining their disgust and hatred, she had still been concerned. And yet...  

Fives and Echo had been entirely unaffected either way. They had shrugged and agreed that Maul was pretty unpleasant, but reported he had just ignored them or slept through most of their shift. Echo had brought up Maul’s interest in his prosthetics and had felt bad for not talking to the ex-Sith about it. Honestly, Echo was just too pure for this galaxy. Only he would feel bad for not dredging up his worst memories and most difficult journey of self-acceptance to a man he not only barely knew, but who was objectively horrible to talk to at the best of times. She had gently reminded Echo that it was his decision whether to talk to Maul about his legs and arm, and that she would support his choice either way, Fives positively beaming and throwing an arm around his partner. They were kriffing adorable.  

Tech had tasked himself with trying to find out more information from Maul about the dark side of the force. She had agreed it could be helpful, although wasn’t surprised when Maul had not been particularly forthcoming. Tech hadn't even given an opinion either way whether his time with the ex-Sith had been unpleasant. It had been Hunter to explain with an incredulous laugh that Maul had described in detail how satisfying it would be for him to force-choke Tech to death. Tech had shrugged and declared Maul’s emotions to be intense and dysregulated, with a minimal capacity to experience positive emotions. His theory was that the collar was tamping down his current emotional experience significantly and he’d gone immediately to Kix to theorize further.  

What had been extremely interesting to learn next, was how Maul reacted to Shadow. Well, not during their shift anyway; he’d almost completely ignored both Shadow and Shriek, which the two were more than happy with. Shriek, very much like Jesse, could probably have murdered Maul, if she’d ordered it, without losing a subsequent wink of sleep. Shadow, on the other hand, was a little more reflective. He had insisted that Maul wasn’t only interested in why he didn’t speak, but seemed genuinely annoyed he couldn’t understand sign language.  

Keeli had taken that fact as a challenge. Ahsoka very much liked Keeli. As a trained ARC trooper and clone captain, he was a brilliant asset to the team, even while still recovering from his PTSD. But more than that, he was one of the kindest and most cheerful clones she’d ever met. Seeing him bring out Crosshair’s playful and tender side just warmed her heart, the two of them and Kix just seeming to suit each other perfectly, fitting together in their beautiful relationship. It didn’t stop Crosshair giving an utterly scathing and scornful report of Maul, ending by stating the man had an even more shittier attitude than he did. Although the man had also conceded that Maul had sort of talked about losing his brothers. It had only been a moment of minimal vulnerability, but it was there, and it was genuine.  

Kix and Dogma’s reports had been even more interesting still. She and Rex had strategically kept their mind-healer until a few guard rotations in, hoping that Maul would have started to let his guard down a little. And boy, had he. Kix told her how Maul had spoken about his mother, had likely been abused and abandoned by her, although Maul hadn't actually been comfortable enough to tell them that. Dathomir was clearly not filled with happy memories for Maul, and Kix had agreed with Dogma’s tentative assessment that Maul seemed filled with a lot of sadness. Maul had even identified regret. On top of that, Kix reported that Maul just seemed incredibly lonely, corroborating what she had felt at the Citadel.  

Ahsoka focused back on the battle as she and Rex skidded around a corner. If she didn’t do something quick, she would be the one filled with loneliness after losing her brothers. Her stomach lurched to see what looked like Jesse on the floor unconscious, Kix next to him and doing what he did best. Crosshair and Keeli were both perched out the way, firing off rifle blasts whenever a Pyke reared their heads high enough. The ARC troopers were up front, holding off any Pykes who were trying to push them back. She allowed herself a moment to admire her brothers. Torrent worked together like a seamless machine.  

But it wouldn’t be enough. As Ahsoka sprinted in front of the group to deflect blaster fire, she could see they were heavily outnumbered, and also trapped. Most of Bacara’s men were in no fit state to fight, and none of them would leave Jesse. They had promised long ago they would live and die together. A fierce pain gripped her heart tightly enough for her breath to catch as she chanced a glance around at her family. She wouldn’t stop fighting for them. If this was their last battle, she would go down knowing she had done everything she could.  

Chapter Text

Maul didn’t know why he did it. He was used to having the dark side whispering to him constantly, sowing seeds of resentment and hatred. Now that voice was gone he felt adrift, unsure. While it was not a comfortable feeling, it was beginning to feel strangely freeing. Instead of acting rashly and impulsively, trusting his connection to the dark side to lead him where he needed to be, Maul was having to think things through for once; having to use logic, and consider the full range of his emotions. While the anger and hatred was still there, it was no longer overpowering.  

So when he was in that moment with Tup, brandishing the electrostaff at the man, the echoes of the dark side whispering to kill the clone and make his escape, Maul hesitated. He considered everything he had learned about the clones since being under their care. He considered the mind-blowing fact that he simply did not want them to die.   

He didn’t like them. And they sure as shit didn't like him. But Ventress’ words, Ahsoka’s words... they clamoured around his skull, a tiny spark of something that he didn’t know what to name making him think that possibly... things could be different. That things could be better. That he could be better.  

Maul dropped the electrostaff to his side. “Try to keep up.” 

He sprinted through the complex without bothering to check Tup's reaction. The guy was following him, so for the moment, that told Maul enough. When they reached level six, Maul launched himself among the Pykes, using the element of surprise to his advantage. He caught Ahsoka’s shocked expression that lasted only a split second before she grinned and chucked one of her lightsabers, pushing it with the force for him to catch it easily in an outstretched hand.  

Maul smiled. This would be when the funs begins. He drove the electrostaff fully into the chest of a Pyke before igniting Ahsoka’s blue lightsaber. It was so foreign to wield a lightsaber without the force, but Maul quickly fell into his usual form, adapting it slightly for the lack of his double-sided saber, as well as to ensure he was shielding the clones behind him from wayward blaster fire.  

After several exhilarating minutes, the Pykes surrounding them had been taken care of. He was panting slightly, unfit and unused to the physical demands of a decent duel. Ahsoka came to stand in front of him and crossed her arms.  

He flashed her a sharp toothy smile. “You’re welcome.” 

“Impressive show Maul. Though, you seem a bit rusty...” she said, a smile quirking the corner of her lips. “Didn't fancy running off?” 

Maul shrugged. “I fancied some fun. And I figured I’d never get this collar off if I ran.” 

Ahsoka hummed, still smiling. “Whatever you say.” She glanced vaguely upwards. “Anakin is here. The others are close.” He held out her lightsaber but she didn’t take it. “We’ve still got the rest of the mine to overthrow, if you’re not already too tired?” She asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge. 

“Lead the way, Commander Tano,” he replied. 

------------------------------------------------ 

When most of the fighting was won, Ahsoka finally took back her lightsaber, Maul missing his own more than ever. Ahsoka had disappeared off with the other Jedi to discuss important Jedi things, and Maul had been put back under the care of the clones, although they didn’t bother putting him back in manacles.  

Echo walked over to him, a small smile on his face. “Thanks for your help back there.” 

Maul shrugged off the thanks. “I did it for entirely nefarious reasons, I assure you,” he drawled, Echo chuckling. Maul glanced over to where Kix was still kneeling beside Jesse. 

“Kix says Jess is stable, but he caught a vibroblade to his leg and a head injury,” Echo explained, following Maul’s gaze. 

“Wonderful,” Maul replied flatly. It wasn’t like he cared or anything.  

A small group of clones burst into the room, one with odd yellow markings on his cheeks, making a beeline for the rescued clone commander Bacara and giving him a hug, much to Bacara’s apparent displeasure. 

“Oh look, not dead,” another clone with a large scar across his milky white right eye said loudly, sparing Bacara a smile and also giving him a brief hug.  

“Nice of you to show up Wolffe. And you even cared enough to leave Aalya’s side for two minutes? You must have been worried Bly,” Bacara replied with a degree of fondness. 

Another clone snorted in derision. “Are you kidding? It was all Plo and Aayla could do to keep them both focused on their actual mission they were so worried about you.” 

“Complete lies, Appo, don’t know what you’re talking about,” huffed Bly, crossing his arms.  

Wolffe slapped Appo on the back, grinning. "Yeah Appo. Watch your mouth and focus on the unruly 501st.” 

“Hey! I’ll remind you the 501st are just as well behaved as your 104th. It’s Torrent Company that sully our reputation,” Appo replied with a laugh.  

“I’ll remember you said that, Appo, when you next ask for our help,” Rex growled without any real hostility, the two also sharing a brief hug.  

Maul frowned back to Echo who was watching the group’s conversation with amusement dancing in his eyes. “These are your commanding officers?” Maul asked with disdain. 

“Yup!” Echo replied, watching them with pride. “But more importantly, they’re family.” 

Maul rolled his eyes. Clones. 

-------------------------------------------- 

Echo led Maul back to the ship while the rest of the clones were busy in the aftermath of the uprising over the Pykes. A relieved Omega met them on the landing ramp, hugging Echo tightly before waving at Maul. He spared her a nod and stalked onto the ship, Echo following a few steps behind to his small room. Shadow was leaning against the wall of the corridor and turned to watch them as they approached.  

“Hello Shadow. Is it your turn to babysit me again? ” Maul asked slowly with GBSL, the clone’s eyebrows rising in surprise, a small smile growing across his lips. He started signing rapidly back, going too quickly for Maul to follow. He grimaced and shook his head. “Slower.” 

Shadow’s smirk grew. “You are learning very quickly; I am impressed.” 

When Maul repeated the last sign with a questioning frown, Echo grinned. “He is impressed. As am I. When Keeli said he’d started teaching you, I didn’t think you’d pick it up so fast.” 

“What, like it’s hard?” Maul scoffed, much to Echo’s amusement. “Not like I’ve got anything else to do,” Maul huffed, entering the room and sitting heavily on the bed, his prosthetics starting to ache with all the physical exertion from earlier.  

Echo hadn't failed to notice, and hummed thoughtfully, drawing Maul’s attention. “You tell me about yours, I’ll tell you about mine? ” He asked, talking as he signed, before pointing at both their legs.  

He had intended to tell Echo to piss off, but something gave him pause. Maul told himself it was because he wanted to know more about Echo’s prosthetics, but that wasn’t the whole truth. He'd never talked about what had happened to him, because it was his rock bottom; his ultimate moment of weakness. Not only had he never had anyone that wanted to actually listen, but he'd never had someone in front of him who might actually understand. 

“I fought Kenobi and lost. He cut my body in half and as I fell, I remember that for a split second I was relieved.” He signed slowly as he spoke, pausing here and there for Echo to fill in any words he didn’t know how to translate, until it was only the odd word here and there he needed to speak aloud. It was easier, somehow, that their attention was on his hands and not his words.

“I was relieved that the pain would be over. I was ready to give up, ready to rest. But the dark didn’t let me. It called to me; screamed at me to keep fighting. I managed to grab one of the vents, dragging myself into what turned out to be a trash container that dumped me out onto Lotho Minor. I gathered the darkness like a cloak, enshrouded myself in my agony and my rage, the force keeping me alive and creating some semblance of legs for me to stay alive. But the cost was great.” Maul shifted on the bunk to relieve the pressure of the metal on his torso. He looked to Echo. “Your turn.” 

Echo nodded giving his reply in GBSL. “Ok. I was on a mission, to the Citadel, coincidentally. We broke in; me, Fives, Shadow and Shriek, Rex, Ahsoka and Anakin, as well as Obi-Wan and a few of the 212th.” Maul bristled at Kenobi’s name but said nothing except to check the occasional sign he didn’t know. “It went wrong. The escape shuttle was blown up with me in it. I don’t really remember very much after that.” Echo swallowed hard, his look becoming more distant. Maul could tell he was lying but didn’t push.  

“The Techno Union found me and took me away to experiment on. They added all this hardware in order to access my mind. They called me their algorithm; they used my memories and my knowledge to formulate specific counter-attacks to clone army tactics, especially against Rex, who was and still is one of the best clone tacticians ever to have commanded in the GAR. Thanks to me, hundreds... maybe thousands of clones were killed,” Echo finished, avoiding eye contact, jaw clenched.  

Suspicions about the Techno Union confirmed, Maul simply nodded. He wasn't doing this for comfort from the others, and he strongly suspected that Echo did not want sympathy or comfort from him either. The man had his lover and his brothers for that. Echo looked to Shadow, raising an expectant eyebrow.  

Rolling his eyes, Shadow shrugged. “It was right at the beginning of the war when my battalion was deployed to a fight we could never win. My company were decimated, and for some reason, General Grievous gave the command that I was to be taken prisoner. I was told later they had me for a few weeks.” Shadow signed, Echo providing translation when Maul copied a sign he didn’t recognise, Shadow pausing each time to allow him to follow. “They asked me questions in the beginning, but, believe it or not, I actually had a bit of a mouth on me when I was younger.” He grinned ruefully. “All they got out of me was some creatively colourful language. But then they started the physical torture, followed by psychological. My tongue got me punished, so I stopped speaking.” 

They both looked to Maul again. This was some kind of fucked up story-time, but for some reason Maul felt compelled to continue. “I existed on Lotho Minor for years. The force helped me create my first prosthetics which were more like some kind of fucked up spider legs. I was half-mad by that point; I’ll be honest I don’t know what I was thinking most of the time. And then one day, my brother found me.” Maul stopped, dropping his hands into his lap for a moment, gritting his teeth.  

“Savage took me back to Dathomir, and our mother helped heal me; replaced my poor excuse for limbs with something at least resembling legs. As bulky and restrictive as these ones are, I can at least pass as near-human. The Dathomirian ones were weapons in their own right. Because that’s all I was to her.” He laughed, a short angry sound. “For a moment I thought my brother and my mother had found me because they wanted me. Talzin just wanted a weapon,” he spat bitterly, speaking the last bit out loud before going still and silent, looking to Echo's hands expectantly. 

Echo took a slow breath through his nose. “Rex came for me. He recognised our strategies and he came for me.” He swallowed hard twice, clenching his jaw. “When I’m having a really bad day I wish he hadn't.” Maul looked up from Echo's hands in surprise, noticing Shadow frowning. This was not common knowledge then. He wondered if Fives knew.  

Echo ignored them and changed the subject. “My first prostheses were clunky, painful, barely adequate; mobility was far from the Techno Union’s priorities. Between Tech and Kix they removed quite a number of the original implants.” Echo smiled widely at nothing in particular. “These legs are version four; Tech keeps wanting to make improvements, and Kix is never entirely satisfied because he’s a perfectionist so...” he chuckled and shrugged. “It won't be long before they’ll be turning their attention to yours, Maul.” 

Shadow sighed quietly when Echo indicated it was his turn again. “It was Keeli and his troops that found me, although I was so out of it I don’t really remember. Shriek was the only other prisoner they found still alive. We’d been in the same battalion but apart from a passing acquaintance I didn’t really know him before we were captured. But afterwards, he became my closest friend. I’m not sure I would have survived without him.” Maul frowned in confusion, biting his tongue to stop himself interrupting. Shadow met his eyes and answered his unspoken question anyway. “When clones are no longer able to do the job they were created to do, they are decommissioned. When I no longer spoke, my fate was decommissioning. Execution.”  

Shadow looked back down at his hands. “Shriek was the one to think of using sign language, not only taught himself and me, but convinced Keeli as well. After Keeli transferred us to his battalion, Shriek was the one to push for ARC trooper training. He was the one to get me through.” Shadow gazed at him. “We’ve all been through shit. Our trauma is all different. But I can tell you Maul, having others around you to get you through makes the difference between life and death, no matter how strong you may be.” 

Maul scoffed half-heartedly. “Easy for you to say. You’ve got a family of millions,” he said out loud, pausing to glare at the floor. “I have no-one.” 

Exchanging a look with Shadow, Echo shook his head. “Not true Maul. But sometimes accepting help is the hardest thing of all.” Before Maul could work out what Echo had meant, the clone carried on. “Anyway, best get some rest. We’re headed back to Coruscant; Jess needs treatment at the medical centre there, and you know what a stopover at Coruscant means?” 

Maul stared up at him in confusion as Echo smirked. “79’s.” 

-------------------------------------------------- 

Staring around at the clones, Maul shook his head in incredulity. They had just escaped near death, paused their primary mission that had been important enough to release him from prison, and the first thing they wanted to do next was go to a bar. Feckless fools.  

They had all changed out of armour into civilian clothing, and it was somewhat unnerving. With all their different haircuts, clothing, tattoos and scars, they all just looked like... well, different people.  

“You’re really wearing that?” Fives asked, crossing his bare arms, not a single un-inked patch of skin to be seen.  

Maul looked down at himself. “Oh, I do apologize, is black not the correct aesthetic of this evening’s activities?” He drawled, pointedly staring at Fives’ bright pink top. 

“You look like a Sith,” Fives replied with an eye roll. “At least swap out the extreme V-neck death robes for something less conspicuous.” 

“I don’t exactly have an entire wardrobe of choice,” Maul bit out. “And my outfit is hardly the most conspicuous thing about me, is it?” 

Dogma shook his head. “No. Your tattoos are certainly the first thing one notices. The red and black is really quite striking,” he mused seriously. “I would also wish to display as much of them as possible. Perhaps I can talk Fox into a Zabraki inspired tattoo next?” He said to Fives, who grinned.  

“I’m sure I can get him drunk enough; challenge accepted!” He laughed gleefully. “Alright, your choice Maul, no costume change, but let’s get going!” 

The group led Maul to a nondescript bar below the planet surface, and he quickly noticed almost all of the patrons were clones. He earned several dirty looks within seconds of them entering, before three men strolled over to their table, glaring down at him.

“You boys are looking for trouble bringing him here,” the leader snarled, his hair flecked with orangey-red streaks.  

“That so?” Rex asked, standing in the newcomer’s personal space, staring him down.  

Maul glanced around the table, mentally working out how easily the group could take the hostile clones, when both men broke out into grins, pulling each other into an aggressive hug. “Thanks for saving Bacara’s ass again, that di’kut is always needing our help, eh?” 

“Yup. Bly had a field-day rubbing it in his face,” Rex agreed with a laugh, greeting the men who were stood behind. 

“Uncle Fox!” Shouted Omega, running to give the imposing clone a hug. 

“You been looking after these boys like we agreed?” He asked after lifting her up, a smirk lifting the edge of his lips. 

She saluted. “Of course!” She wriggled out of his grasp to stand by Maul’s side. “Maul, this is Fox, Thire, and Stone. They all pretend to be grumpy serious Coruscant guards, but they’re really just big softies.” 

“Slander,” Fox declared, returning Maul’s frosty nod. “Seriously though. What the kriffing hell are you doing bringing him here Rex?” 

“’Cos you owe us a drink and we were in the area,” Fives said, throwing an arm around Fox. “And he’s with us. He won't cause any trouble.” 

“Oh no...” Fox said, narrowing his eyes at each of them in turn. “He’s exactly your type... feral broody loner with a tragic backstory and barely housetrained. Don’t tell me you’re adopting another?” He asked Rex with dismay.  

“I have no idea what you mean,” Rex said airily. “C’mon, let's get a drink.” He led Fox and his men to the bar, Fives and Shriek going with them.  

“What did he mean?” Maul growled to Crosshair, who was sat next to him. The man slipped a toothpick into his mouth and shrugged wordlessly. Sighing, Maul watched as Wrecker pulled Keeli, Omega, and Tup onto the dancefloor. “So what do we do now?” 

“Do?” Tech repeated in confusion. “We’re not here to do anything. The purpose of this excursion is simply for fun.” 

Shadow nudged Maul’s leg with his foot. “You know what fun is, right? ” He asked, eyebrow raised. Maul glared at him in reply, to which Shadow responded with a shit-eating grin. “Is that a no? ” 

“Fuck off,” Maul spat. 

“It’s ok. Apparently, I’m not very good at having fun either,” Dogma stated.  

Far from being reassured, Maul just frowned. When did he ever do anything just for fun? Had he ever had fun? Maul sat in moody silence while the clones around him chatted and laughed as they became steadily more drunk and more irritatingly cheerful by the minute. Kix left to go join the dancefloor with the others already up there, while Shadow, Tech, Echo, and Crosshair started playing sabacc. Hunter and Dogma were deep in conversation with Fox and Fives, probably about tattoos judging by the way they were gesturing at each other. Rex and Shriek were still chatting with Thire and Stone at the bar.  

Maul took the opportunity to slip away. It was too loud, too much going on, too fucking happy. He wasn’t looking to escape. Not while the collar was still on. He just needed some damn space. Melting into the shadows, Maul noticed a rusted ladder leading up the side of the building. He scaled the ladder, finding himself on a balcony above the club, the noise from the street below suddenly a little less. This would do. He settled down to meditate, at least, as much as possible without access to the force. 

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been up there before soft footsteps distracted his concentration. “Before you throw a shit fit, I wasn’t trying to escape, I just needed air,” he sighed without even opening his eyes. 

“Do I sound like a man about to throw a shit fit?” Crosshair drawled calmly, his voice alone enough to tell Maul who it was. Maul looked around to find the tall clone had sat himself beside him. “Just needed a break from their disgusting happiness hmm?” 

“Are you not happy then?” Maul growled back. 

Crosshair shot him a smirk. “Oh believe me, this is my happy face. I’m just a little less... exuberant than the rest of them.”  

They sat in silence for several minutes before Maul broke it. “They accept you like you’re one of them?” 

Crosshair raised an eyebrow at him. “Despite what? Being a miserable bastard?”  

Maul shrugged. “You seem different to the rest.” 

“Different,” Crosshair repeated softly, nodding. “I used to think so too. That I was too different to fit in with the clones; I looked too different, sounded too different. Too independent, too mean, too serious.” 

“What changed?” Maul asked, frowning. 

Crosshair turned to smirk at him. “Nothing. Nothing about me, anyway. What changed was that me and my batch found these guys. They accepted me for exactly who I was, nothing more and nothing less. I haven't changed to fit in with them, they just bring out the best in me.”  

Maul looked away, considering his words and feeling irrationally annoyed. “And Kix and Keeli? They love you as much as they love each other do they? You seem a bit like the odd man out.” 

Recognising the flash of hurt across Crosshair’s face, Maul felt a wicked surge of triumph, but the man just shook his head. “Smart. Points to you for picking up on my possible weakness. But I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than that, Maul. I’m a master at pushing people away; I recognise someone with abandonment issues when I see ‘em. Anyway, I’ll leave you to your contemplation. The boys wondered where you were, but I’ll let them know you just needed a moment.” 

He got up to leave and curiosity got the better of Maul. “You’re just leaving me up here alone?” 

Crosshair paused to look back and shrugged. “You’ve had plenty of chances to give us the slip. If you wanted to, you would’ve done it by now. So don’t worry, I trust you.” We winked and disappeared over the side of the building, leaving Maul to stare after him in bafflement. He tried to concentrate on meditating again but his mind kept wandering too quickly. 

“Fuck it,” he hissed, getting up to stomp back over to the ladder. Forgoing it completely he vaulted over the side of the building, flipping in the air to land in a crouch, somewhat more clumsily than he would have done with his real legs, but it wasn’t like anyone was even watching. Re-entering 79’s, Maul glowered, seeing most of his stupid clones still dancing. 

“Maul!” Screeched Fives, draping an arm around his shoulders that Maul reflexively attempted to shrug off. “Where have you been?” He pouted.  

“What, you missed me?” Maul growled back, still trying and failing to remove Fives’ arm from his shoulders.  

“We’re doing shots!” Fives replied happily, dragging Maul along to the bar where some of the others were waiting.  

Maul was finally released and caught Shadow’s eyes. “What are shots?” He signed, Shadow just smirking in reply before a small glass of liquid was shoved into Maul’s hand by Fives. Maul eyed it suspiciously before looking around at the others. Rex and Fox held their glasses up, tapping them together before drinking them quickly in one gulp, the others following suit.  

“You drink it,” Dogma said flatly, holding up his own glass, tapping it against Maul’s and holding it near his lips, raising an eyebrow expectantly. Maul huffed and did the same, tipping the glass and swallowing the liquid.  

Before coughing in disgust. “What the fuck was in that?” He spat, glaring at Fives. 

“Don’t worry, the next ones will start tasting better,” Dogma muttered. 

“There will be no next ones,” Maul snarled back. The next morning, Maul would wonder how he could have been so wrong. 

Chapter Text

Something was very wrong. Maul’s head was pounding, and his throat ached like he’d been swallowing knives. He groaned painfully and rolled over, taking in the room. He was back on the clones’ ship, in the conference room by the looks of it, the table having been moved to the side and what seemed like mattresses having been placed on the floor. He glared at the pile of clones sleeping in the middle of the room as he desperately attempted to remember what the hell happened after the shot last night. 

Stumbling away through the ship, Maul headed for the dining hall to find some water, discovering Tech was sat tapping away on his datapad.  

“Oh, you’re awake. I would recommend water, caf, and a protein and carbohydrate heavy meal,” Tech stated without looking up.  

“Care to explain what the fuck happened to me last night? Some kind of poison in the drinks? A force-wielder or bounty hunter trying to attack us?” Maul rasped, reaching for the water.  

“Nope,” Fives said from behind him, looking as shit as Maul felt. “Shots.” As Maul angrily watched him stumble over and help himself to some food, Fives managed a grin. “You were more fun then I expected, Maul. We’ll do it again sometime, perhaps when we’ve finished Ahsoka’s mission on...” 

As Maul let a snarl rumble from his already painful throat, Fives stopped talking in confusion, and Tech finally looked up with a long-suffering stare. “What happened last night, is that you accepted shots from Fives. You had quite a few drinks containing a high percentage of alcohol by volume and became intoxicated. While pleasant at the time, it results in a hangover, which is what you are experiencing now. I presume your memory of last night is also impaired, which is not unusual and nothing that you need to be overly concerned about.” 

“But what can't I remember? What did I do all night?” Maul growled, sitting and accepting a plate of food from Fives, who shrugged. 

“I don’t know. I can't remember. Tech?” Fives asked, seeming more interested in preparing a mug of caf for himself. 

“Maul you spent quite some time discussing a plan to take over the Jedi, which Fox and Stone seemed exceedingly interested in and attempted to demand tips in killing Jedi from Dogma. Keeli became upset because he thought you were going to hurt the Jedi, and Crosshair had to be talked down by Kix from challenging you to some kind of duel for upsetting him. Echo and Wrecker spent much of the night finding ways to trick you onto the dancefloor and Shadow made it his job to thwart them. He enlisted Hunter, but the most they did was end up on the dancefloor with them. By this time, you had gotten into an argument with Thire and Shriek and were demanding Rex and Fives back you up in a fight. Fives was too busy sneaking everyone more drinks, and Rex was too busy trying to choose his karaoke song.” Tech paused and glanced over. “There’s more, but you may feel better off not knowing.” 

Feeling rather sick, Maul just held up his hand. “You’re right, that’s already more than enough.” He focussed on keeping down small bites of food when an unfamiliar clone wandered in, his strip of hair bright orange, scalp covered in tattoos of flames. 

“Morning darlings, your Captain or medic up and about yet?” The clone asked brightly.

“Doubt it, they were just as wankered as the rest of us,” Fives replied with a grin.

The new clone raised an eyebrow at Maul. “And this must be the ex-Sith I’ve heard so much about...” 

Fives nodded. “Maul, this is the Coruscant chief medical officer, Ash. Ash, this is Maul.” 

“Charmed,” Ash chirped, snagging a bite of Fives’ food. “Well, I dropped by to say Jesse is all set for discharge later, but he needs ok-ing from Kix and Rex. He’s gonna be pissed he missed a Torrent night out, as am I my dear,” he said, pouting at Fives who chuckled and pulled him onto the bench next to him to ruffle his hair. 

“And we missed you too! There’ll be more Ash, don’t you worry. I’ll let the others know about Jess,” Fives said reassuringly.  

Maul narrowed his eyes. “The chief medical officer came all the way down here just to tell us Jesse could be discharged later?” He asked suspiciously.  

Ash snorted. “Nope. I came all the way down here for breakfast. And to say hello to my favourite little sister!” He crooned as Omega ran into the room, jumping onto his lap.  

“Ash! I’m your only little sister, silly,” she laughed, much too loudly for Maul’s comfort.  

Remembering having seen Omega at the bar with them last night, he turned to Tech. “You allowed a literal child out with us in that state?” He asked incredulously.  

Tech rolled his eyes. “Obviously we did not allow Omega to drink. And she had constant supervision from myself and Tup, neither of us being intoxicated. Tup brought her back here before the rest of you started shots.” He exchanged an odd little smile with Ash before going back to his datapad. “Good to know you care about her welfare though.” 

Maul’s spluttered sounds of objecting such a notion were drowned out by more of the clones having woken up and stumbling their way towards the smells of caf and food. Rex came and sat heavily on Fives’ other side, holding a hand up to Tech begging him not to tell him anything that happened last night, stating he was better off not knowing. Hunter slouched into the corner, resting his head face-down on the table as Wrecker grabbed him some food. Kix went straight to Ash and leaned on his shoulder, chatting about Jesse, while Keeli still managed a cheerful wave before sitting on his other side, Omega crawling into his lap instead.  

“You.” Crosshair snarled, sitting opposite Maul and Fives, a furious expression on his face. 

Maul winced, remembering what Tech had told him about the man having challenged him to a duel. “Look, I don’t even remember what...” 

“Not you,” Crosshair growled at him before pointing at Fives. “You, and your kriffing shots. You know getting Fox pissed always leads to fucking karaoke.” 

Fives held up his hands and stuck out his bottom lip. “But Cross, you gotta admit... it was good fun!” 

After a few more moments of glowering, Crosshair gave him a smirk. “Maul? Did you experience this thing he calls fun?” 

Maul bared his teeth. “Nope, no idea what he’s talking about.” 

“Well, there you have it. No fun had by either of us,” Crosshair said with a shrug.  

Fives hummed thoughtfully. “I wonder if Tech’s recall of the night would shed a different light on that account...”  

“Oh... no, you better not...” Crosshair hissed, rising as Fives started to stand, moving towards Tech. Crosshair tackled him half-heartedly, both landing on the floor and groaning, the rest of the room totally ignoring them. Maul shook his head in disbelief. 

“I know what you’re thinking. I’m thinking it too,” Rex lamented. “Bloody clones.” 

------------------------------------------------------ 

Maul watched out the cockpit windows impassively as Dathomir materialised in front of them when they left hyperspace. It was a strange feeling to see his birthplace again, especially when his expected rage was so restricted by the collar. It left him feeling defenceless. Without the shield of his fury, he was vulnerable to every other emotion the place dredged up.  

He stayed silent, observing the clones as they prepared for landing, Ahsoka wittering on about the plan again. “So, Rex and Keeli will stick with you, Maul, as we follow Ventress’ coordinates to find the Book of Shadows. She said that we’d need it to contact Gethzerion, so it’s imperative we collect it first before heading to the Temple of...” 

“I know,” Maul growled. “You told me this already.” Perhaps he should be flattered she had stuck him with the two clone captains. They were the most experienced of the lot, after all. He held out his wrists to Rex expectantly.  

“No handcuffs today Maul,” Rex said, as if it were against his better judgment. “Apparently Ahsoka thinks you can be trusted not to run off now.” 

As Maul dropped his arms in surprise, Keeli grinned at him. “If you were gonna run off, you’ve had plenty of chances already.” 

“You’re not worried I’m going to attempt to join forces with the Nightsisters? Run back to the Nightbrothers?” Maul goaded in disbelief. He threw a sharp look towards Echo and Shadow. Had they run back to the others and spilled everything he’d told them? Was that why they suddenly trusted him?

“Don't look at us. Our conversation remains private,” Shadow signed at him. Maul narrowed his eyes at the clone for another few seconds, Shadow merely meeting his eye contact and smirking. “If it makes you feel better, the rest of them don’t know the stuff I told you. You can be sure I won't tell them your shit, otherwise you’d tell them mine.” 

Coming closer to Shadow, Echo nodded. “None of the others know that there are some days I wish Rex never found me,” he murmured only loudly enough for them to hear. “I wouldn’t want them to find out, so believe me, your secrets are safe with me too.” 

Maul cocked his head thoughtfully. “Why did you both tell me such things in the first place?” 

Shadow nudged him gently with his shoulder. “We agreed remember? You told us your tragic backstory, so we shared ours.” 

“Did it help?” Echo asked softly. 

Considering the question, Maul shrugged noncommittedly. Had it helped? It dredged up painful memories that Maul had spent years locking carefully away. But with the collar, the emotion was not nearly as unbearable as it would have been. It was the first time Maul had been able to examine those memories with a semblance of safety; an opportunity to make some sense of them. Not that it solved anything or changed anything. But did it help? Did it help that there were now two people in this galaxy that knew at least a fraction of what he had been through? “Honestly, I’m not sure. But I suppose it isn’t completely terrible that you do know about some of my experience.” 

Smiling, Shadow reached over to squeeze his shoulder. “I look forward to our next sharing session then,” he said with a wink, Maul huffing an amused sound in response, Echo also grinning.  

“Ok Torrent, let’s move out,” Rex barked as the ship landed, he and Keeli moving to stand with Maul, as Shadow and Echo joined the others.  

Ahsoka led the way down the landing ramp and into the barren landscape, all of them on high alert for any potential threats. Maul suppressed a shiver as they passed a cluster of Nightsister burial pods, knowing that he would have been able to sense their moments of death had he not been wearing the collar.

Keeli moved closer to him, following his line of sight. “What are they?” He murmured. 

“The Nightsisters buried their dead in them, ready to raise as undead warriors when needed,” he replied flatly. “These ones are empty, the undead forces were exhausted by Talzin against Dooku. And even they weren’t enough.” 

Keeli nodded grimly and didn’t ask anything further, the group continuing in silence through the creepy undergrowth towards a dilapidated city entrance. They were besieged by several wicked looking spiders and a few Nydaks on the way, although Maul observed the group’s fighting efficiency with begrudging admiration. Between the clones and Ahsoka, the hostile wildlife was relatively easily taken care of. He nodded in approval at Rex after he took out a Nydak solo, the captain smirking in response.

“I’m more than just a pretty face,” Rex muttered, Maul snorting in amusement.  

When they reached the tomb in which Ventress had told them the Book of Shadows would be found, Ahsoka followed Ventress' instructions to enter. They spent a few minutes searching, before Maul huffed in annoyance. “Well well. Looks like the deceitful bitch spun you a lie after all,” he hissed, crossing his arms.  

Ahsoka was about to respond, no doubt with a scathing retort, if her expression was anything to go by, when she froze, her attention clearly elsewhere. Maul, recognising the expression of a force user who had sensed something of note, glanced uselessly around the room in frustration. Rex had clearly recognised her state too, quietly unholstering his twin blasters. 

Without warning, Ahsoka leapt into the air towards one of the dark corners of the tomb, igniting her lightsabers and pointing them at a huddled figure. They shrunk away with a small cry of fear, and Ahsoka immediately relaxed her stance into one that was somewhat less aggressive, as it became clear that the figure was no more than a child. “Who are you and why are you hiding?” Ahsoka asked firmly.  

“I... This is my home... I must protect my sisters!” The child squeaked, gazing up at Ahsoka’s lightsabers in horror. 

It was Hunter that stepped forwards, holding out an arm to encourage Ahsoka to lower her sabers, kneeling so he was at eye-level with the girl. “We are not here to hurt your sisters, little one. We have come here because we had hoped to talk to the Nightsisters. These men are my brothers. My name is Hunter, and her name is Ahsoka. What is yours?” 

In the lights of various clone helmets pointed towards her, the girl looked fearfully between Hunter, Ahsoka, and the rest of the group, staying silent. Her pale skin was marked across her cheeks and forehead setting her apart as Dathomirian, Maul edging closer in interest. When she noticed him, her eyes widened. “Brother?” 

Grimacing, Maul shrugged. “I was a Nightbrother, yes. Tell them your name,” he added gruffly.  

“Merrin,” she whispered, as Omega stepped forwards beside Hunter.  

“Hi Merrin. My name is Omega. These guys wont hurt you, I promise. Are you here alone?” Omega asked gently.  

Merrin frowned in surprise at Omega, but shook her head. “The Nightbrothers are nearby.” She raised her chin a tad defiantly at Maul. “They answer to me.” 

As Maul snorted, so did Jesse who was stood nearby. The clone caught Maul’s glare which only made him snigger more. Maul huffed and looked back at Merrin.

“Do they now?” Hunter asked in amusement. 

“I highly doubt it,” Maul growled. “With Talzin gone they probably rejoiced not having the Sisters breathing down their necks. But I’m guessing you haven't survived here alone?” He asked Merrin, who glared at him defiantly.  

“Do you know where the Book is?” Ahsoka asked, in an attempt to change the subject.  

Merrin’s expression turned calculating, at least to Maul’s eye. “It is in the Temple. I can take you there.” 

“I suggest you do not trust her,” hissed Maul, Ahsoka rolling her eyes.  

“Maul, she’s a child. A scared child. What do you expect she is going to do?” She asked in exasperation. 

“She may be a child, but she is still a Nightsister,” he spat. “She owes you no loyalty.” 

A few of the group nodded, Shadow tapping his armour to get their attention. “Asajj warned us about entering the Temple without having obtained the Book first. She said the magic could be dangerous... ” 

“Without a Nightsister,” Ahsoka finished, nodding. “But now we have one.” 

Omega held out her hand to Merrin. “Do you think you’d be able to lead us safely to the Book?” She asked.  

When Merrin nodded and took Omega’s hand, Maul narrowed his eyes, clearing his throat. “We cannot trust her. Be ready for anything,” he signed in warning at the men that did glance over at him. He felt a slice of relief when Rex nodded and gestured at the group. Crosshair immediately readied his rifle and moved back to the tomb entrance to survey the exterior courtyard, Shadow moving with Shriek to clear the outside area.  

They followed Merrin through the ruined village, having to take a winding path to avoid broken bridges and collapsed tunnels. Their path to the Temple of the Winged Goddess and Fanged God was unimpeded, and Merrin stopped as they reached the huge stone doors. She held out her hands, muttering some kind of chant to herself as a green mist seemed to appear between her fingers and curled towards the doors. Some kind of internal mechanism clanked into place as the doors creaked open, the way beyond shrouded in gloom.  

“Well, that’s not at all ominous,” muttered Fives. 

Wrecker sighed dramatically. “I hate magic!” 

“Don’t worry Wrecker, I’ll hold your hand,” Shriek said, smirking as the group moved into the large chamber, flicking on their helmet lights.  

Maul watched Jesse limp forward over the threshold, Kix leaning in close, checking discretely whether the recovering clone was managing ok. Maul missed his reply, but it was clear from the way that Jesse shoved Kix away playfully, the medic grinning in response, that the man did not appreciate the concern. 

Lingering behind the others, Ahsoka turned to Maul and held something out to him. He took his lightsaber hilt from her, staring at it in confusion. “This is mine... how... why...?” 

She grinned. “The Citadel had it in a lock box and released it to me when we took on your probation. I figured it might come in useful.” 

He nodded in shock, moving out of the range of accidentally skewering Keeli and Rex with it, before igniting, the familiar red double blades appearing with a reassuring thrum. Maul grinned and nodded at Ahsoka before flicking the switch back off again, and hooking the hilt to his belt. “Thank-you.” 

Ashoka hummed in amusement. “Don't make me regret giving it back eh?”  

When they were gathered in the entrance chamber, Merrin pointed to a corridor leading away and around a corner. “The main Temple Room is through there. The Book of Shadows is on the main dais.” She led the way, Rex asking Crosshair and Tech to remain just inside the main door with Omega, and Fives and Echo to stay in the corridor and guard their exit. The remainder of the group moved through the ancient building into a cavernous room, the ceiling high above them held up by gigantic stone pillars and imposing marble statues, presumably of the Winged Goddess and Fanged God.  

Rex and Keeli went with Maul closer to the main dais, Ahsoka following Merrin to the altar. The rest of the clones spread themselves throughout the room, checking the hidden alcoves and dark corners for any surprises.  

“Ok, so where is the Book?” Ahsoka whispered, as Merrin approached the altar, the green vapour reappearing from her fingers, seeming to bleed out of her eyes as she muttered something and reached out to touch the altar.  

“What are you...” Ahsoka managed, before the altar seemed to light up, and tendrils of green magic unfurled, reaching out towards her.  

“Ahsoka!” Rex shouted, jumping forwards, no doubt with the intention of yanking Ahsoka out of the way.  Maul didn’t need to have access to the force to get the feeling something was very wrong, as both Rex and Ahsoka were enveloped in the Nightsister magic. Muttering, whispering, and chanting filled the air from unseen voices, as Rex and Ahsoka's eyes seemed to turn cloudy and unfocussed, both of them murmuring the words of some unknown spell. Maul’s heart sank; he recognised a Nightsister possession when he saw one. 

“Get out,” he yelled at the others, turning to pull Keeli away from the dais. “All of you!”  

Keeli shook his head, expression aghast. “We can’t leave them like that!” 

“If you want to save the rest of your men, you will get them the hell away from this cursed stone right now!” Barked Maul. “Save the others now, we’ll deal with Rex and Ahsoka later! The Nightsisters already have them; Captain, as of three seconds ago, you are now in charge.” 

Swallowing hard, Keeli nodded curtly once, turning to gesture at the others. “Retreat!” 

Chapter Text

Keeli and Maul made it far as the nearest column before a blaster bolt punched into the stone by Keeli’s head. Night-Rex had turned, aiming his blasters for the group, Night-Ahsoka similarly having ignited her lightsabers to jump after them. Stun blasts were shot at the duo, Night-Ahsoka distracted by deflecting them away, Night-Rex advancing towards Maul. Jesse, who was taking cover in a nearby alcove, rushed forwards to stun Merrin. For a moment, Maul thought that by taking out the source of the magic the possession would end, but it became abundantly clear that it had unfortunately made no difference on Ahsoka and Rex. Even worse, Night-Rex changed his course to grab Jesse by the throat, lifting him bodily to smash his head into the stone wall behind.  

Watching Jesse land heavily on the ground with a groan of pain, Maul grit his teeth. If something happened to the damn clone, the whole group would be insufferably upset. He jumped out of his hiding place, Keeli shouting something after him. Ignoring the man completely, Maul took a running leap, flipping in the air to land in front of Jesse, lightsaber stretching in front of them protectively as Night-Rex aimed his blaster.  

“Why are you protecting them, brother?” Night-Rex hissed with the voices of the Nightsisters, lowering his blaster after Maul deflected his shots easily. “I could set you free. Together we could rule them all!” 

Maul glanced between Night-Rex and the scene over his shoulder of Night-Ahsoka cackling as she deflected multiple stuns from the surrounding clones. “Maul, don’t listen to them!” Jesse rasped from the floor, reaching out as if to physically pull Maul away from Night-Rex. “Please...” 

Backing away from Night-Rex, Maul grabbed Jesse’s hand and yanked him upright, steadying him with an arm around his waist. “Would you make yourself useful and get out of the line of fire,” he growled, giving Jesse a gentle push in the direction of Keeli. “And you,” he snarled, pointing his lightsaber at Night-Rex and Night-Ahsoka. “You wanna set me free? Come and get me!” 

At his words, Night-Ahsoka smiled maniacally and joined Night-Rex in attempting to get close enough to him. Maul drew them away from the clones, back towards the altar, hoping that Keeli would have enough sense to take the rest of the men and get them out. And soon. Because fighting Ahsoka at the best of times was a difficult match, and without the force Maul was seriously handicapped, as well as needing to deflect blaster fire from Night-Rex too.  

A blaster bolt from the said clone hit Maul in the leg as he met a furious parry from Night-Ahsoka, the combined force of both of them sending Maul to his knees. Night-Ahsoka triumphantly skipped in close, bringing her two weapons down at his head. Maul brought his lightsaber up to block her, but the distraction was enough for Night-Rex to jump in, adding his strength to one of the lightsabers. As Maul's arms started to shake with the effort of holding them both back, he gave one more push, lurching his saber to the side, successfully throwing Night-Rex backwards. But in the moment he needed to recover, Night-Ahsoka had lunged forwards to press her fingers to his collar, the thing unlocking with a loud click.  

Night-Ahsoka and Night-Rex both stepped away and lowered their weapons, grinning widely. “At last, brother, join us!” They chorused.  

As the collar fell to the floor, Maul at first didn’t feel any different. He reached out tentatively with his mind, feeling for the force as one might feel their way in the dark. And then he felt it. The darkness whispering to him, caressing his skin, his nerves, and his very bones as it washed over him and he drew it in like a long lost friend. He tipped his head back in relief and let out a soft laugh as the power of the dark side thrummed beneath his finger tips, feeding on the emotions that Maul hadn’t fed to it in so long.  

“Come, brother. With both of us, we can let our sisters free,” Night-Ahsoka breathed, eyes glassy and unseeing, as she pointed Maul towards the huge stone altar.  

Having the dark side back simultaneously felt as natural as taking a breath of oxygen, and as foreign as if everyone had started speaking Shyriiwook. Maul knew the dark side intimately and felt like part of himself that had been missing was finally returned, but it also felt... different. Where before he stoked his anger and rage into hatred, now he suddenly felt it less... overwhelming. He was still angry, yes, but the act of giving it to the dark side of the force to fuel it’s power just seemed... wrong. As terrible as it was to be cut off from the force, Maul had actually experienced something closer to a normal spectrum of emotions for the first time since he was a child and found that he had liked it. 

Looking away from the altar, Maul eyed Night-Ahsoka. He wasn’t here to reincarnate the Nightsisters; he suspected the price of such an act would be flesh and blood. Their lives in exchange for the sisters; a price much too high to pay. But just as he was about to refuse, Night-Ahsoka grabbed his hand.  

The force flowed unbidden around them, his darkness and her light pulsing around them and intertwining, pulling something with it from the altar in front of them. Maul was compelled to his knees as the force grew stronger, ripping power from him to feed whatever was happening in front of him. As Nightsister magic enveloped them, Maul could do nothing to stop it as it seeped into his mind and everything went black. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 

He wasn’t dead. He opened his eyes to find himself a long way from the altar room in the Dathomirian Temple, however. Maul’s best guess was that his consciousness had been ripped into another plane, while his body was drained of the force in order to feed the Nightsisters’ resurrection. Wonderful.  

“What did you do?” Ahsoka asked from his side, eyes back to her usual blue.  

“I didn’t do anything,” he hissed. “Except protect your clones for you, so, you’re welcome. You overpowered me and released my collar. And then started draining our force into the Nightsister altar. So, all in all, it’s not going so well. But that’s your fault, not mine.” 

Her expression filled with trepidation as she looked around. The landscape was reminiscent of the Dathomir planet surface, but the ethereal quality to everything suggested this was indeed something in their mind, rather in reality. “How do we get back?” 

Maul sighed. “We don’t.” 

A laugh sounded from behind them, both of them spinning into battle-ready positions.

“Correct as usual, my son.” 

Mother Talzin was stood before them, a self-satisfied smile on her face. Maul’s immediate response was fear. A bone-deep dread; completely reflexive and uncontrollable. She represented everything painful and terrible that had ever happened in his life, memories that he had tried for years to lock away. In order to siphon off fury and hatred to the dark side, he had needed to keep them hidden and rotting away where the pain couldn't touch him.  

But those memories were out. Over the last week or so, Maul had released them; searched them and prodded them as one might pick at a scab or squeeze out pus from an infection. The rotted festering wounds had been unwrapped and were leaking agony, throbbing with regret, dripping with guilt, and burning with shame. It wasn’t as simple as hatred anymore, and Maul no longer felt that he could direct that hatred to anything and anyone. Because it was all for her.  

“Talzin,” he spat venomously. “Don't you fucking dare pretend to be anything other than an evil selfish self-serving bitch who never felt anything close to motherly affection for me, or my brothers.” 

She laughed, the sound making Maul flinch. “Oh my dear, don’t be such a stupid naïve little fool. Affection and attachment is for the weak. It is what lead you to the dark side.” She turned to Ahsoka, completely ignoring him. “You child, you wish to know the Nightsister secrets, but you can never hope to harness our power. You too are weak and foolish; I can feel your love and attachment to your men that will always get in the way of controlling the dark.” 

Before Ahsoka could respond, they were interrupted by another voice behind them. “Talzin, you never did understand that true power is not about control.” 

Whirling around, Maul’s eyes widened as a regal looking Nightsister appeared through the haze to stand before them, her body adorned with gold chains and charms, her clothing suggestive of an era long ago, the rich reds and purples indicating her status.  

“Gethzerion,” Talzin spat, narrowing her eyes. “Your idealistic way of thinking is what got you killed, as I seem to recall.” 

“Yes, child,” Gethzerion replied coldly, Talzin visibly irritated by her condescending tone. “And yet your blind reliance on power did not seem to go so well either...” 

“Mother Gethzerion... is it possible to wield the dark and light together? To avoid falling?” Ahsoka interrupted breathlessly, clearly keen to get an answer before the two Nightsisters became too distracted by their own dislike for one another.  

Gethzerion fixed an impassive gaze on Ahsoka. “The force is not an entity that is split into the light and the dark. The force simply... is. The force is not evil or good. It is only the being that makes a choice to lead them down a certain path. Love is the key.” 

“Love,” spat Talzin, “is for the foolish! It only leads the weak to the dark side.” 

Humming, Gethzerion tilted her head. “Love does not lead to the dark side. It is uncontrolled passion that can lead to fear, and then to anger and hate. But when you truly love, passion is only natural; if you wish to yield the dark and the light then you must learn to control that passion. It is love that can save you, not condemn you. Remember that, my dear,” she said to Ahsoka. “But I fear the longer we debate such things, the less of your lifeforce remains. I think you already know the answers to your questions. So now, you must focus on returning to where you belong.” 

“As should you,” hissed Talzin, reaching out with her hands, sending a burst of magic into Gethzerion. Instead of fighting back, Gethzerion just smiled, dissipating in a purple flare of magic. “She was too weak, and so are you!” She snarled, pointing to Ahsoka and Maul.  

Maul felt familiar resentment and rage building in his veins. How dare she ignore him, disregard him like he was just another disappointing acolyte. He bared his teeth and snarled. “Talzin! If I am weak, then it is because of you! You made me into this!” He screeched angrily, advancing towards her.  

Laughing again, Talzin shook her head. “I made you into exactly what I needed you to be. And shortly, you will have served your purpose. Can’t you feel it? Your body is being drained of the force as we speak. Thank-you son,” she said with a sickening smile. “You always were one of my most useful creations.” 

He paused, staring up at her with a devastated kind of understanding. “I was nothing more than a bartering chip to be used to gain favour with the Sith, a weapon, a tool. And now you will simply use me to bring you back,” he said, bitter resentment lacing his voice. When she nodded, he smiled humourlessly. “Well, not if I can help it.” 

Maul reached into the depths of his reservoir of hatred. Every moment of physical pain, every insult, every criticism, every moment of his life that he’d been hurt and abused and manipulated, Maul dredged up. The time she had encouraged the local children to gang up on him, whipped him when he brought home a flower he’d found in the forest, the times he’d been forced to punish his brother... everything that he’d kept hidden from himself to avoid the pain of the emotions flowing forth. When he’d been sold to Sidious, punished and berated as never being a good enough Sith apprentice, when he’d lost the duel with Obi-Wan, the years he’s spent in isolation, the agony he’d endured... all of it.  

Instead of focussing it into hatred and giving it to the force to let the dark feed on it, Maul just let the memories flow over him; let himself feel the myriad of emotions. Agony unlike anything he’d ever experienced, even when his body had been sliced in two, ripped through him in order to hold onto the memories and intensity of the emotional responses. It was if he was trying to hold onto a fire so hot it was searing through his soul and leaving it in shattered pieces.  

When he thought he couldn’t bear to hold onto it anymore, Maul focussed it on the spiteful woman in front of him. “Goodbye, mother.” 

Maul released it. All of it.  

Screams tore through the air and Maul wasn’t sure if it was Talzin’s, the Night-sisters, or his own. The hazy Dathmir landscape bled from existence and Maul found himself back in front of the altar in the Temple of the Winged Goddess and the Fanged God. Instead of feeling like the darkness was ripping the force right out of him, Maul was sending all the darkness he could muster at the source of Talzin’s power; the altar. He was vaguely aware of Night-Ahsoka and Night-Rex writhing in agony nearby, but he didn’t dare break his concentration.  

He would finish this. Maul thought of Savage and Feral, his little brothers he’d never gotten to know before their bodies and souls had been corrupted by Talzin. He thought about Savage’s last moments. 

"Brother, I am an unworthy apprentice. I'm not like you. I never was."  

Maul felt wetness on his cheeks, hoping he would find his brother again in whatever world awaited him beyond this one. As he gathered up the grief and regret and gave one last push towards the alter, Maul imagined the words he wished he had said to his brother.  

“I am proud to see you never became like me. You were worth everything, and I am sorry I couldn’t see it. Goodbye, brother.”  

Maul smiled as the altar split with an almighty crack, the smile remaining even as he collapsed to the floor. He’d done it. 

---------------------------------------------------------------- 

Ahsoka stirred, groaning painfully as she peered through the gloom of the altar room, the altar itself smashed into pieces by some unknown force. The sickly green residue of the Nightsister magic had gone, the feel of the room no longer sinister or threatening. Rex was a few feet away, also stirring and coughing, obviously alive, she noted with relief. On the other side of her was an unconscious Maul, a surprisingly peaceful expression on his face. 

“Rex? You ok?” She rasped, mentally checking herself for injuries and finding none.  

“Feel like I’ve been chewed up and spit out by a sarlacc, but otherwise just brilliant,” Rex moaned croakily, his sarcasm informing Ahsoka he was just fine.  

She crawled to Maul instead, gently taking his wrist. He was alive; she could feel his pulse, but more alarmingly his force signature. “Maul?” She asked tentatively, shaking his shoulder carefully. 

Gasping a breath and coughing immediately after, Maul abruptly woke, sitting up and blinking around in confusion before noticing Ahsoka kneeling next to him. Wary of him lashing out, attacking her, or attempting to escape, she watched him closely. What she hadn't been ready for, was for Maul’s eyes to fill with tears and for him to start trembling. 

“Is it over? Is she gone? I thought... I thought I would be free... see my brothers again...” Maul rambled disjointedly, as Ahsoka noticed with surprise how the force felt very different around him than it ever had done before. Previously she could feel him a parsec off; a menacing kind of darkness that felt full of rage and hatred. In the prison he had still felt that way, but also lonely. But now? Now he felt lost. He felt like grief.  

“It’s over, I think,” she whispered. “Maul, what happened? Are you ok?” 

He turned back to her from where he’d been staring at the ruined altar. Tears were cascading down his cheeks, his eyes filled with anguish. In reflex, Ahsoka held out her arms and pulled him in. Even more surprisingly, Maul not only allowed it, but held her back and heaved greats sobs of sorrow into her shoulder. More than a little astonished, Ahsoka didn’t know what else to do than to rub soothing circles into his back, and whisper gentle words of reassurance, as one of the most fearsome Sith warriors she’d ever encountered held onto her like a lifeline and cried his heart out.  

Rex leaned over to catch her eye, looking equally nonplussed. “You need help?” He signed, as she shook her head.  

“Check on the others,” she signed back to him. 

She wasn’t sure how long it took before Maul’s sobs became quieter, his distress easing into calm again, but eventually he pulled away from her, wiping at his face. She said nothing, a little fearful of breaking whatever spell was over them in this moment.  

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he finally murmured.  

She nodded, tentatively reaching out to his force signature, finding it still tinged with anger and grief and darkness, but also roiling with uncertainty and confusion. “Thank-you for saving us,” she breathed back. “It was going to consume me and Rex, I could feel it, but couldn't do anything to stop it.” 

He hummed in reply. “I might have ruined your chances to contact Gethzerion again. She wasn’t exactly forthcoming...” 

She snorted softly as the corner of his lips lifted in a small smirk. “Maybe not. But I think I’ll forgive you, given the circumstances.” She stood, dusting herself off before offering him a hand. “C’mon, let’s go check on the others.” 

He stared at her hand only a moment before accepting her help to pull him up.  

----------------------------------------------------------------- 

Maul had not planned on having a minor breakdown on Ahsoka’s shoulder. But force, did he feel better for it. It was bizarre, the calm that followed. Well, calm for him. He could still feel it; the residual anger and loathing for Talzin, the grief for the life he’d been forced to live. But it felt like he’d walked straight through that particular shitstorm of emotion and come out the other side. Drenched and wind-swept, but still in one piece. He could still look back and see the storm and feel the occasional emotion churned out by it, but he was no longer lost and caught up in it.  

He could also feel the force. But without his rage it was merely a gentle caress, or an occasional whisper. He thought back over Gethzerion’s words. The force just is. Was it truly under his own control what choices he made? That he could simply choose not to surround himself in darkness and avoid the frenzied desperation dragging him into the next act of manic violence that he had been used to? Now a huge chunk of his hatred had finally been dispelled, the force didn’t seem to be feeding off it. He had sat and explained this to Tech and Kix with Ahsoka sitting with them too, the medic having checked him over for any lasting physical injuries, and Tech insisting they needed to document his experiences for future reference.  

“So on a scale of one to ten, if one is the happiest and calmest you’ve ever been, and ten is uncontrollable ferocious violence that tore the Nightsister altar in half,” Tech began, completely serious, “where would you rate yourself right now?” 

Maul exchanged a small smirk with Kix, who was measuring his blood pressure. “I guess, a two or a three?” 

Tech nodded. “Fascinating. And before?” 

Maul shrugged. “Before all of this... after Lotho Minor, I was probably running at a seven or eight as a baseline.” 

“Hmm. Well that doesn’t surprise me. What about with the collar?” Tech asked with interest.  

“Oh... well less because it dampened it down. But perhaps a six and it had been gradually reducing,” Maul replied thoughtfully. “Maybe a four or a five.” 

Tech looked up from his datapad and gave him a small smile. “If you could perhaps give us some warning if it gets above a six in the future?” 

As Maul nodded, Ahsoka grinned. “We don’t want to use the collar again, so this way you’ll hopefully be able to give us a head’s up if a situation is gonna make you lose your shit.” 

Maul stared at her in surprise. “You’re not replacing the collar?” 

“Nope,” Ahsoka replied, stretching her hands behind her head. “How’re we gonna practice using a mixture of the dark and the light if you can't use the force at all?” 

“We?” Maul narrowed his eyes. “You expect to rope me into your little force experiment? I thought you just wanted me to help you contact the Nightsisters.” 

Ahsoka shrugged. “I don’t expect anything. It’s an invitation.”  

Maul schooled his face into one of boredom, but underneath, his mind was reeling. “An invitation to do what exactly?” 

“We contacted Gethzerion; that’s you officially done. You’ve held up your end of the bargain. So the Clone Federation will be discussing your ongoing parole with the Senate. They will perhaps look more favourably on your options if you have plans to continue working with us.”  

He continued staring at her, unsure of what to say. He was out of handcuffs, no more force-negating collar, and he had his lightsaber back. And yet the group of clones were sat around him quite happily, not one blaster trained on him. Even more surprising yet, was that Maul had no intention of harming a single one of them. “Well, perhaps I will consider it,” he sniffed, looking over to the groggy Merrin, who had just started to wake up, Omega sat beside her. “More importantly, what are we doing about her?” 

Ahsoka hummed. “Good question.” She stood, walking over to crouch in front of Merrin. “Care to explain why your sisters possessed me and Rex, and attempted to drain my force to reincarnate themselves?” 

Tears sprang to Merrin’s eyes and she gazed fearfully around at them. “Mother Talzin promised me Illyana back... she said you wouldn’t be harmed... she didn’t tell me it would hurt you... I’m sorry!” she mumbled desperately.  

Maul could feel the fear coming off the girl in waves, her force-signature flaring in shock and regret. “I think she tells the truth. She is lonely and afraid and Talzin corrupted her,” Maul muttered to Ahsoka, who nodded.  

“I agree. We will not punish you, little one. The altar has been destroyed, Talzin’s power along with it.” She paused, watching Merrin’s expression of sadness. “You can feel them still? Your sisters?” Merrin nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks, as Ahsoka hummed. “I wonder if you would like to come with us. I know a Nightsister who escaped the war on Dathomir; her name is Asajj.” 

“Asajj Ventress?” Merrin asked, eyes wide, before looking around herself. “But this is the only home I have ever known...” 

“Home is a people, not a place, little one,” Ahsoka replied softly. “This place is filled with much pain and suffering. Time to find a new home.” 

Glancing at Maul, Omega, and the rest of the clones, Merrin bit her lip. “I don’t want to feel my sisters' pain any more.” 

When Ahsoka smiled kindly, Maul turned in exasperation to find Dogma sat nearby. “I suggested she needed to do something about her, not adopt her!” 

Dogma glanced over at Merrin before raising an eyebrow. “Bold of you to assume Rex or Ahsoka would not adopt her. It was an inevitable outcome Maul.” 

“What, they adopt everyone they come across? Including lonely dangerous magic children?” Maul huffed in disbelief.  

Giving him a rare smirk, Dogma crossed his arms. “They’ve adopted you, haven't they?” 

Chapter Text

“Are you really wearing that?” Fives asked, scrunching up his nose. 

Maul looked down at his robes. “I always wear this.” 

“Yeah but... this is a meeting with the Clone Council and the Jedi Council,” Fives implored. 

“And what?” Maul didn’t see what the big issue was. What should it matter what he was wearing? “This isn't a fashion show, it’s a meeting to try and reassure everyone we don’t intend to destroy the galaxy.” 

“Exactly,” Fives replied. “And right now, you’re giving me intent to destroy the galaxy vibes.” 

“Nah, that’s just his usual face,” Shriek piped up, crossing his arms.

As Maul gave Shriek a glare that had made lesser men cower in fear, Jesse snorted. “Shriek has a point. I’m not sure changing his clothes would necessarily make all that much difference...” 

Fives sighed. “Ok, but hear me out. I’m talking just a normal looking shirt... it can even be black! Just something less...” 

“Murdery,” Asajj supplied. “Honestly, darling, the boy is correct. First impressions are important.” 

“No-one asked you,” muttered Maul. “What are you even doing here, anyway?” 

She grinned, throwing him a shirt that Fives had picked out. “Moral support. Isn’t this going to be the first time you’ve seen Obi-Wan Kenobi since...” 

Interrupting her by growling and muttering insults under his breath, Maul yanked off his robes and pulled on the shirt. “Happy?” 

The group studied him for a moment before Jesse made a small sound of surprise. “Alright, I’ll admit it, Fives. You were right. It does help.” 

Smiling cheerfully, Fives patted Maul on the shoulder. “See? Not so bad, huh?”  

The group started to head out to join the others, Maul following them. It had been a few rotations since the events on Dathomir, and following the presumably large blip in the force that it took to destroy the Nightsister altar, the Jedi had requested a meeting to find out their intentions. Anakin and Padme had offered their home on Naboo as a neutral sort of territory, although given Anakin’s history with the Jedi, Maul was not entirely sure of the man's neutrality. It was also not entirely neutral for Maul to be back on the planet where he nearly died, but he didn’t exactly have much choice in the matter. Some of the Jedi Council would be there, including Mace Windu, Plo Koon, Luminara Unduli, Aayla Secura, and Yoda. As well as the Clone Council, Torrent Company, and Obi-Wan Kenobi himself.  

Still getting used to his new relationship with the force, Maul was feeling a little nervous. Following their conversation with Gethzerion, Maul had been working with Ahsoka to practise meditation and exploring his choice in how and when to wield the force. But it wasn’t exactly plain sailing. Literally earlier that morning, Maul had force-thrown a chair across the room in anger when they had told him Kenobi was coming.  

“Number?” Shriek asked after nudging him gently, having fallen back to walk next to him.  

Ah yes. The clones’ wonderful number scale of murderous intent. “Four.” 

Shriek raised an eyebrow. “Will you tell us if it gets to a seven?” 

Managing a small nod, Maul sighed as they approached the moderately sized room that Anakin had found for them to use. They were among the last to enter, and Maul sat down next to Ahsoka on one side and Rex on the other. Already seated were some of the clone commanders Maul recognised from the mine on Kessel, Anakin and his wife Padme, a group of Jedi across from him, staring over with poorly veiled distaste, and there, just entering the room was Clone Commander Cody Kenobi and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maul was only vaguely aware that he had balled his hands into fists and narrowed his eyes. 

“Did you hear that Bly asked Aayla to marry him?” Rex whispered abruptly to Ahsoka, leaning across him and interrupting Maul’s view of Kenobi.  

Ahsoka gasped and swivelled in her seat to face them. “No! Oh wow... what did she say?” 

Maul huffed a sigh. “Very subtle distraction.” 

“Not everything is about you!” Hissed Asajj, on Ahsoka’s other side. “Did she say yes? It’s blatantly obvious how she feels about him.” 

They all glanced over at the clone commander with yellow tattoos on his cheeks, gazing at Aayla. He draped an arm around her and said something to Luminara whom she had been talking to, and Aayla giggled, leaning into his touch. “Course she did. But do me a favour and keep it quiet... I think she is waiting to see the outcome of this meeting before making it common knowledge.” 

“You think they’ll invite us to the wedding?” Asked Jesse in a loud whisper from the other side of Rex, grinning hopefully.  

Rex snorted as Asajj tilted her head in interest. “I didn’t take you for a romantic.” 

Jesse blushed, and shrugged. “I’m not, but weddings are just... I don’t know, just a really happy atmosphere, ya know?” 

“How many weddings have you even been to?” Maul asked incredulously.  

“Well there was Anakin and Padme’s vow renewal...” Ahsoka said, as Jesse nodded.  

Rex hummed in agreement. “Plus Fives and Echo had their proper riduurok ceremony.”  

Jesse snorted. “That was less a ceremony, and more a huge excuse for a piss-up!” 

As the clones and Ahsoka giggled to themselves, Cody had risen from his seat and cleared his throat, most of the room immediately falling quiet. “Welcome, everyone. Thanks for coming. A gentle reminder to all present that any aggression or violence will not be tolerated. This is Anakin and Padme’s home and they have been extremely gracious to host us,” he began, a few of the clones and Jedi staring over at Maul and Asajj pointedly.  

“As you all know, the Clone Federation recently acquired custody of Maul on probation from the Citadel Prison. He has been working with Ahsoka to investigate the feasibility of setting up a new faction of force-sensitive beings, and we are here to gather an update on their findings. We will hear concerns from the Jedi and the clones, so that we can ensure a safe and agreeable way forwards.” As Cody paused, Maul watched Obi-Wan give him what seemed to be a reassuring nod. “You will all get a chance to speak, please allow all others to have their say. Ahsoka? Please take the floor.” 

Ahsoka nodded, taking a deep breath and standing. “Thank-you, Cody. With significant help from both Asajj and Maul, I have indeed made much progress in identifying a feasible alternative to the Jedi and the Sith, simply only for those who may seek it. My aim was, and always will be, to exist peacefully alongside the Jedi to support force-sensitive beings in managing their difficulties with the light or dark sides of the force when the Sith and Jedi are not able to meet their needs. We have successfully contacted Mother Gethzerion of the Nightsisters to this end, and are in the process of testing and practising various techniques of the force in ways that minimise risk of harm to anyone."

She fell silent. Short and sweet, Maul supposed. Cody nodded and stood again. “Thanks Ahsoka. The floor is open to questions and comments.” 

Yoda raised his hand and jumped onto the table. “A large anomaly in the force, we sensed. Due to you, it was?” 

“Technically, Master Yoda, it was due to Maul,” Ahsoka replied, a murmur rising around the room. “While on Dathomir, the Nightsister Mother Talzin attempted to drain our force in order to resurrect herself and her clan. Only thanks to Maul was the altar destroyed, and Mother Talzin defeated. It took a large sacrifice and much self-control on Maul's part, and for his actions, I will be forever grateful. He saved my life, and the lives of my brothers.” 

“And whose decision was it to remove his force-negating collar? I presume the Clone Council approved such action beforehand?” Asked Mace, raising an eyebrow.  

Neyo cleared his throat, levelling a disapproving look at Rex. “The clone council was not consulted on this matter.” 

“But it was a condition of Maul’s release, was it not? For his capacity to use the force to be nullified at all times?” Asked Luminara sharply.  

Gree nodded, sending Rex and Ahsoka an apologetic glance. “Correct, Commander. As was supervision at all times by at least two clone troopers.” 

“I’m not your commander anymore Gree,” Luminara replied softly, with a hint of amusement, before turning back to Ahsoka. “Then how was it that we received reports of Maul left unattended on Coruscant? Specifically... at a bar?” 

Jesse huffed in annoyance, rolling his eyes, Rex glaring a warning at him, before addressing Luminara's question. “Sir, it is correct we accompanied Maul to a bar...” 

“You let him off by himself Rex, what in the galaxy were you thinking?” Wolffe burst out furiously, Plo giving his old clone commander a calming pat on the shoulder, Cody raising an eyebrow.  

“Wolffe, need I remind you of our policy on aggression? That includes verbal hostility?” Cody warned. “Rex. Perhaps you could give us an account of the incident in question?” He suggested, looking to Maul anything but angry. He almost seemed vaguely amused by the whole conversation. Maul wished he could share the clone’s outlook. It sounded to him like both the Jedi and the clones had an axe to grind.  

Sighing, Rex stood up. “Following a successful rescue mission to Kessel, where Maul was again instrumental in saving the life of our brothers, I might add,” he growled at Wolffe, who pulled a face and looked away. “We did indeed take Maul to a bar. The reasons for this were two-fold. Firstly, I am sure I needn't explain the advantages of downtime on troop morale, especially after a difficult mission. Secondly, it was imperative that we formed a connection with Maul if we were to have any chance at forming a relationship based on trust and mutual respect.” 

Faie raised his hand. “Is that an eloquent way of telling us you boys wanted a night out and got Maul drunk?” 

Fives turned a snort into a cough, as did a few others around the table, Ahsoka also struggling to hide a smile. Gree, however, was among those unimpressed. “Regardless of the reason, were your men in no fit state to supervise the ex-Sith, and did you leave Maul unsupervised?” 

There was a beat of silence until Fox stood up. “I was there, impartial witness and all that osik.” Cody valiantly kept a straight face as he motioned for Fox to carry on, as Aayla hid a grin behind her hand, and Ahsoka bit her lip to keep from smiling. “You seem to forget, Gree, that among Torrent company are five ARC troopers, two captains, four genetically enhanced clones, one of which has exceptional eyesight, another who can track better than a nexu, and a force-sensitive ex-Jedi. Assuming every single one of them were so blind drunk they couldn’t see a foot in front of their face, you still have our little sister with an uncanny ability to find the most miserable bastard in the room and fill their life with sunshine and rainbows. Do you really think that there was any chance that Maul could have escaped completely undetected?” 

When Gree just levelled a long-suffering look of exasperation at him, Fox nodded triumphantly. “I’ll take your silence as a no. Added to that, at no point did Maul show any inclination to bugger off. Instead, he very appropriately took himself off for a little break, engaging easily with support when offered,” he added, gesturing to Crosshair who nodded in agreement, “and then returned to the group and took part in their team-building exercises.” 

He sat down with a flourish, as murmurs broke out again. Maul raised his eyebrows at Rex who just smirked in response. “Well you must have made a good impression on him,” he murmured under his breath to Maul, as Cody cleared his throat again.  

“All right, settle down. Thanks Fox for your enlightening account.” Fox waved his hand imperiously as Bly sniggered and elbowed him good naturedly. “Any more questions?” 

“What of the collar?” Asked Obi-Wan, speaking for the first time. Maul felt himself tense at the familiar voice that had plagued his dreams in that trash field on Lotho Minor. “I understand that you were put under extreme circumstances on Dathomir, but are we given to understand you do not feel the collar necessary any longer?”  

After he asked Ahsoka the question, Obi-Wan's eyes flicked over to meet Maul’s for a long moment before he looked away again. Maul clenched his jaw, feeling his breathing quicken as his familiar rage built.

Rex nudged him gently. “Number?” He signed.  

“Six,” Maul replied, looking back to Kenobi as Ahsoka began to answer.  

“The short answer, Master Kenobi, is no. I do not feel the collar is necessary, and in the five rotations since we returned from Dathomir, Maul himself has proved this conclusion correct.” She turned to the clones. “Our mind-healer and battalion’s chief medical officer, Kix, has prepared a short report for you.” 

Kix stood, smiling reassuringly at Maul before turning to the room. “Before I begin, I would like to remind you all about the issue of confidentiality. I will not be disclosing any private information Maul has chosen to disclose to me, or anyone else from Torrent Company,” he started sternly, looking over to Maul, and holding his eye contact. Maul nodded in understanding, beyond grateful, although still nervous of what the medic was going to say. “However, I would like to share some observations on his character and behaviour throughout his time with us, which you may find helpful in forming an idea of his progress.” 

“Over a surprisingly short space of time, Maul has opened up to various members of the team about his life experiences that made his fall to the dark side almost unavoidable. It was a way to protect himself when no other option was open to him; a choice which saved him many times in the past, but which he has now realised is no longer serving him well. He has demonstrated a great capacity for change, and a sincerity in his intent to put himself on a different path. If he had wanted to, Maul could have attempted to escape us, attack us, or simply leave us to be killed on Kessel or on Dathomir. But he has chosen time and time again to not only continue helping us, but to protect us. Most importantly, he has chosen to help himself. I do not doubt this will be a difficult journey for Maul; change does not happen quickly or easily. But all of my brothers have unanimously informed me that they want to help him try.” As Kix sat down, Maul couldn’t help staring at the clone in shock.  

“Told you they’d adopt him,” Fox whispered loudly to Bacara, who nodded, smirking.  

“Thank-you Ahsoka and Kix,” Obi-Wan said calmly, smiling serenely. “You have been most illuminating. I should say that this meeting has been rather productive. We have an explanation for the blip in the force; a clear danger thankfully averted. We also have received rather convincing assurances that Ahsoka, Rex, and the rest of their team have mitigated any possible ongoing risk that Maul may present. I for one suspect that this risk is negligible."

Obi-Wan turned to the Jedi. "You can all feel Maul’s force signature as well as I can.  While it remains volatile, it is certainly not that of a Sith.” He paused, as the Jedi all nodded, albeit reluctantly in some cases. “Besides, I can’t imagine the man having been able to sit in the same room as me for more than half a minute without threatening to kill at least three separate people prior to his work with Torrent Company. It seems to me he has already made great progress in managing his anger in a way that doesn’t lead to death and destruction.” Maul frowned at him, noting Obi-Wan's amused expression.  

“Perhaps hear from Maul, we should?” Yoda asked softly, all heads turning to Maul.  

That was not part of the plan. His explicit instructions had been to sit still and don’t speak. Ahsoka turned to him, placing a hand lightly on his arm. “Maul? Would that be ok?” 

“Are you sure it is wise?” He murmured, holding up six fingers.  

She shrugged. “At least you’re not a seven. It’s your choice,” she whispered softly.  

Maul huffed and glanced around at his clones, all of them sending nods and smiles that he supposed were reassuring. Standing slowly, he cleared his throat. “I’m not sure what else to add to what has already been said. But perhaps I’ll be honest.” He looked to Ahsoka who nodded, then to Rex who grimaced. 

“I initially accepted Ahsoka’s offer because I thought I’d have more chance of escaping her than I did the Citadel.” Rex groaned quietly next to him but Maul pressed on, keen to make his point. “My whole life I’ve been used to relying on no-one but myself to look out for me. And suddenly I was among this strange group of irritating clones who kept trying to worm their way in. Suddenly, I found myself among a group of people who were attempting to look out for me.” 

He took a breath, resisting the urge to fiddle with his hands. “Trust does not come easily to me. Nor does kindness. Why would it? No-one showed me how.” He swallowed hard. “For reasons I am unable to fathom, they did. They trusted me and showed me kindness. They showed me a different way. And now, against my better judgement, I actually like them,” he sighed, hearing Jesse snigger in amusement. “I think Ahsoka’s plans for a new force faction are good, and I wish to help her, assuming all of you will continue to let me.” 

Sitting down quickly he gritted his teeth, accepting a squeeze of his shoulder from Rex. There were a few murmurs and whispers around the room as the Jedi and the clones briefly discussed their thoughts. “Ok, if there are no further comments or questions, let’s hear the conclusions of the Clone and Jedi Councils,” Cody suggested, holding out his hand to Bacara, who happened to be sat in the middle of the clones.  

Bacara nodded and stood, clearing his throat. “We continue to accept responsibility for Maul’s parole, including the change in circumstances regarding the fact the collar is no longer needed,” he stated formally. 

Jumping back onto the table, Yoda tilted his head. “Accept the ongoing research into a new force-sensitive faction, the Jedi do. Oppose this development, we will not. Hope Maul continues this path of change, I do,” he finished, with what passed as a smile for the guy. Turning to Ahsoka, Yoda leaned on his staff. “But you have more disciples than only Maul, I think?” 

Ahsoka pulled a face. “I would not refer to them as disciples, Master Yoda, but Asajj and Anakin have both expressed an interest in assisting us, yes. And we also have the Nightsister Merrin in our care” 

Humming thoughtfully, Yoda turned back to his chair. “An interesting team, indeed, you will be.”  

“Agreed,” Cody chirped, grinning. “And on that note, I will draw this meeting to a close. Let’s go eat!” 

-------------------------------------------------------

Maul avoided the gathering of Jedi and instead moved towards the gardens. Pausing before his clones would lose sight of him, he waited out of habit for his guard to catch up. Not that they were still assigning guard duties. Most of the time he had been around at least a couple of the clones anyway, and if not, they seemed to have some kind of agreement that they would just decide between themselves who was free and willing to tag along with him.  

It amazed Maul that any of them would be willing in the slightest to choose to spend more time with him, but here Jesse and Shadow came, striding down the lawn waving at him. 

“Hello there,” Obi-Wan said from a few feet behind him, smiling serenely at him before studying what looked like a climbing rose that was curled around a nearby fence-post. 

Maul turned slowly, wondering how in the galaxy he had missed bloody Kenobi’s damn force signature creeping up on him. “Kenobi,” he bit out, reflexively reaching for his lightsaber that was safely locked away on their ship. It had been a condition of them all descending on Anakin’s home that he and Padme had insisted all weapons be left behind. 

“I must say, I am very pleasantly surprised at Ahsoka and Rex’s reports,” Obi-Wan mused, tone remaining light. “I had feared that you would not be able to leave your anger and hatred behind you.” 

Maul was at a loss for words. The man stood not five feet from him who was gently reaching out to smell the fragrance of a rose bloom, was the same man that had sliced him in half and left him for dead. “Wanted a reason to finish the job you failed to complete on this very planet?” Maul hissed, narrowing his eyes.  

“Maul? Buddy, everything ok?” Jesse asked him cautiously, having finally reached them, Shadow joining him on Maul’s other side.  

Ignoring him, Maul continued to glare at Obi-Wan. “Is everything ok, Kenobi? Or are you waiting until I fuck up somehow, merely biding your time to make my life a misery again? Did you come here to congratulate me, or to simply goad me into something I’ll later regret?” He snarled.  

He felt Shadow’s hand on his forearm, wrenching his gaze away to look at him. “Number?” Shadow asked, a frown on his face. 

“Eight,” Maul growled, taking a step towards Obi-Wan, who was merely watching them with a vague interest. But before he could get any closer, Shadow had stepped into his space, blocking his path to Obi-Wan. 

“Move,” demanded Maul, attempting to push Shadow out the way.  

Shaking his head, Shadow stayed firm as Jesse reached out to grasp Maul’s shoulder. “Think this through Maul,” Jesse murmured. “You have a choice, remember?” 

Although none of the clones were force-sensitive, Maul could nevertheless sense their presence in the force. With the additional body contact, their calming presence was even stronger than usual, and Maul swallowed hard before nodding and stepping away from them. “Fine. Get me away from Kenobi.” 

Shadow grabbed his wrist, immediately pulling him away from the Jedi and the rest of the gathering, further into the gardens, Jesse close behind. “Sorry sir, Master Kenobi... just going on a quick walk, we’ll be right back!” Jesse called cheerfully back to Obi-Wan, who inclined his head, wearing a bemused expression.  

When the path opened out into a small clearing next to a pretty little pond fed by a small waterfall, Maul yanked his wrist from Shadow’s grasp and turned to stalk around the space, breathing deeply to calm his temper. “Fucking Kenobi, just stood there like the smug bastard he is, like he wasn’t the one to cut me in half!” Maul spat at neither of them in particular, welcoming the caress of the force as his rage was allowed to breathe. Just sensing the Jedi’s force signature again sent him straight back to that fateful day in the generator complex.  

The emotions of hopelessness and mind-numbing fear washed over him in a mere echo of what he’d felt that day as he’d fallen into that reactor shaft, constricting his chest and causing his breath to come in shallow ineffectual gasps. Sinking to his knees, Maul tore at his chest as his fingers started to tingle and his vision blurred and swam. Hands were on his arms and face, words being murmured soothingly as Maul struggled to draw a breath, pitiful whimpers of terror ripped from his throat.  

“Maul? Listen to me pal, slow your breathing down, it’s a panic attack, you can get through it ok? In through your nose, out through your mouth... In and out... that’s it, nice and slow...” Jesse was instructing soothingly as Maul did his best to focus on the clones’ calm presence, one of them drawing a finger up and down his chest to help time his breaths. As Maul managed to suck down enough oxygen to get his brain working again, he realised he was leaning heavily on Shadow, the man being the one to add the tactile feedback alongside Jesse’s verbal instructions.  

Although it quickly started to help, Maul was left blinking back tears of shame and self-pity. But despite his own abhorrence, Maul couldn’t quite bring himself to push either of them away, Jesse now rubbing steady circles onto his back. He was grateful for the fact neither man said anything else, simply sitting with him as he dredged himself back together.  

When he sensed Ahsoka and someone else approaching, Maul heaved a sigh and rubbed his face, sitting up. He looked around the clearing, noticing with dismay that he had cracked several rocks, destroyed a small tree, and apparently shredded a few plants. He stared at Jesse and Shadow in concern. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t uh, hurt you did I?” He asked worriedly.

Jesse smirked and shook his head. “Nah. We’re good. Very dramatic though, making everything fly around and explode like that.”

Dragging his eyes over them, Maul didn’t smile. He could have seriously hurt both clones while his emotions were out of control like that. He wasn’t entirely sure how in fact he hadn’t hurt either of them. 

Shadow tapped him on the arm until Maul looked at him. “We were never in danger, don’t worry. Number?”

As Ahsoka and Anakin appeared, Maul sighed again. “Three, maybe four.”

“What happened?” Ahsoka asked calmly. “You felt angry but then… scared,” she added carefully.

“I didn’t feel scared,” Maul spat in irritation, glaring defensively at Anakin whom he’d never really spoken to properly before. 

She hummed thoughtfully. “What triggered it?”

“Kenobi,” Maul growled.

“Ah,” Ahsoka replied. “It must be really difficult to see him and not get all those old feelings about him.”

“I don’t have feelings about him,” hissed Maul, drawing his knees closer to his chest. The whole conversation made him want to tell all four of them to fuck off. 

“Obi-Wan has a way of getting under my skin too,” Anakin supplied thoughtfully, before Maul could speak. “I don’t think he does it on purpose, but sometimes I find it very difficult to be around him because I just know I’m going to let him down sooner or later. And that feeling of fear is… uncomfortable.”

Maul stared at him, surprised he was admitting something so personal, before looking at Jesse. “What did you call it? A panic attack?” He muttered, as if saying it out loud confirmed the fact that he was broken. How was it he could barely be around Kenobi for more than a minute without falling apart? The cracks of his broken soul were jagged and splintered shards that could hurt anyone that came too close. And yet, here they were, Shadow still kneeling so close their knees were touching, Jesse’s hand still on his back. 

Shadow nodded. “You’re not the only one who gets them. I can’t be by myself. It reminds me of… bad experiences. When I do find myself alone I get an uncontrollable feeling of panic and fear that no-one is coming to find me and they might come and take me again.”  

He didn’t elaborate on who ‘they’ were, although Maul suspected Shadow was alluding to his experience of being imprisoned and tortured.

“What helps?” Maul asked quietly.

“We know Shadow hates being alone,” Jesse supplied. “It’s an easy fix. We keep him company.”

Ahsoka nodded. “Knowing one's triggers is one thing. Dealing with the effects is another.” 

“And Obi-Wan isn’t exactly easy to avoid,” Anakin added, grinning ruefully. “But look on the bright side Maul. He pissed you off and yet you didn’t murder anyone! The only thing that suffered is a couple of Padme’s plants, and she loves an excuse to spend time in the garden.”

Jesse snorted in amusement, patting Maul's back, as Shadow grinned too, nudging his arm with his elbow. Ahsoka’s force signature flared cheerfully as she smiled warmly at her former master and then over at Maul. It struck him how none of them were disappointed in his moment of weakness, not one of them even a little bit angry or upset by his show of emotions. They unflinchingly met his bitter broken self with kindness and positivity.

Examining the warmth in his chest, Maul allowed himself a small smile of his own.

Chapter Text

With relief, Maul adjusted the collar on his shirt after the ceremony was over, and they were able to spill out into a larger, more airy room. However, even he had to admit that the words both Aayla and Bly spoke to each other were somewhat moving. Their promise to love and cherish each other was touching, as was their overwhelming feelings of joy pulsing in the force, entwined and interwoven, bathing the whole room in their happiness. 

“Sickening, wasn’t it?” Crosshair spat, slipping a toothpick into his mouth and glaring over at the couple currently laughing and hugging various clone commanders. 

Maul snorted and nodded. “Simply awful.”

“C’mon then, ya miserable bastards. Let’s go get some food,” Echo interrupted with amusement, draping an arm around both their shoulders. His scomp had been replaced with a prosthetic hand a few weeks ago, both his and Maul’s legs also having received an upgrade thanks to the combined efforts of Tech and Kix. Maul was able to enjoy a significantly greater degree of flexibility, as well as much less discomfort. He was still working out how to adequately express his thanks to the two clones.

As the guests milled around, Maul skirted away from the crowds. He had been entirely gobsmacked that he had even received an invite. But apparently his involvement with Ahsoka’s grey force faction meant that he qualified, along with the rest of Torrent Company, to an invite to the highly anticipated wedding. 

Perching himself on a barstool out of the way, Maul noted where each of his clones were. Fives was predictably at the bar, giggling at something Jesse or Tup had said, his arm around Echo’s waist. Rex was chatting with a handful of the commanders; Maul recognised Fox, Bacara, and Faie, and another captain that had been introduced earlier named Howzer. Kix was dancing enthusiastically with the medic named Ash that Maul had met before, as well as a couple of others he didn’t recognise, while Keeli and Crosshair were both watching him, curled up together in a little loveseat. Hunter, Shriek, Dogma, and Tech were over by the food, inspecting a gigantic cake, and Wrecker was chasing Omega and Merrin around the dancefloor. 

Frowning, Maul realised he was missing one. Wandering to the edge of the large tent-like room, he spotted Shadow sitting by himself, staring out across the water of the nearby lake. Maul moved to sit beside him. “Thought you didn’t like being alone?”

Shadow spared him a glance. “Hard to feel alone with this racket going on next to me,” he replied, jerking a thumb in the direction of the music, his general mood seeming anxious to Maul. “Number?”

Maul raised an eyebrow. “One. Speaking of, where’s your plus one?” He asked. The smiley slightly younger looking clone medic named Sunny, who had barely strayed more than a foot away from Shadow all day, was nowhere to be seen. 

“He just went to get us some drinks,” Shadow replied, quickly looking away again, his leg bouncing with nerves. 

Maul rolled his eyes. “Shadow,” he said firmly, waiting for the clone to look at him properly. “What is wrong?”

Shadow swallowed hard, and seemed to ignore the question. “Ever wonder if you’ll ever find anyone who cares for you as much as Bly cares for Aayla? Or like Fives and Echo? Or Crosshair, Kix, and Keeli?”  

Frowning, Maul considered the question. “I suppose I always assumed the opposite,” he eventually replied, switching to GBSL. 

“What do you mean?” Shadow asked, raising an expectant eyebrow. 

Snorting, Maul gestured at himself. “You’ve met me, right?” He said incredulously, Shadow smirking in response before shaking his head.  

“Sometimes I think I’m too damaged for someone to love...” Shadow signed hesitantly. “I guess that doesn’t make sense...” 

Maul shook his head. “It makes perfect sense. I know exactly what you mean.” He sighed quietly. “My mother never cared for me. The Nightbrothers she sold me to actively abused me. The Jedi never came for me and the Sith used me. Even when my brother rescued me, Talzin had taken too much of him away for him to care about me. I could've connected with him, shown care for him but I didn’t. To be honest... I don’t think I know how. I’m too damaged to love anyone else and so I couldn’t expect anyone to love me.” He let out a bitter laugh. “And that’s including my physical inability to love anyone...” he added, gesturing vaguely to himself.  

Shadow didn’t laugh, staring at Maul seriously. “Love and sex are not the same thing. You can love someone romantically and not ever want to have sex with them.” He paused, blushing a little. “Like me. I am asexual. But I would still like to have a romantic relationship with someone. And besides...” he pulled a face. “If you really wanted to have sex, you don’t need a dick to do so.”  

Maul barked out a surprised laugh, Shadow silently chuckling with him. “No, I suppose you are correct,” mused Maul aloud. “Although the whole appeal disappeared along with my lower half,” he admitted silently. “When did you realise you were asexual?”  

When Shadow stared down at his hands and began fiddling with his nails, Maul wondered for a moment if he’d overstepped their tentative boundaries, but eventually Shadow sat up straighter and answered. “I always knew. Sex just never appealed to me; I’ve never been able to imagine ever wanting that sort of intimacy with another person.” There was a long pause that Maul just let carry on, since Shadow looked like he was thinking hard about his next statement. “My opinion was solidified when my first experience of sex was as Grievous’ prisoner. When physical torture didn’t give the desired effect, they turned to other means to break me.”  

Maul’s stomach lurched as he flicked his eyes up to Shadow’s face in horrified shock. The clone had gone still, jaw clenched tightly, hands balled into fists in his lap. “You don’t have to talk about it,” Maul breathed, unsure how to proceed.  

“I’ve never told anyone,” Shadow signed slowly, still avoiding eye contact. “Too ashamed, in all honesty. I don’t want the others to think less of me. So I just told them I stopped speaking because I was tortured and leave out the rest. Shriek knows because he was there. I think Keeli knows too because he was involved in my recovery, but he’s never mentioned it, thank Prime.”  

Taking slow breaths, Maul attempted to process the fact that Shadow had trusted him with something he’d never told anyone else. He tried to think of something to say. It wasn’t your fault? You have nothing to be ashamed of? Not one of your brothers would think any less of you? All true, and yet Maul knew painfully well how such things were easier said than believed. “Can I put my arm around your shoulders?” He asked instead. Perhaps he could show, and not simply tell the man that he didn’t need to feel ashamed.  

Shadow nodded, leaning into Maul as he wrapped an arm around him, resting his head against his neck. It struck Maul how nice it was; how comforting and soothing, much how it had felt when Ahsoka held him after the debacle with Talzin.   

After a few moments they pulled away from each other, Maul clearing his throat in embarrassment. “So, are you going to tell me why you’re so worried about Sunny coming back?”

Shadow fixed him with a surprised stare. “How did you know…?”

“I happen to be very observant,” Maul replied frostily. 

Shadow smiled before biting his lip. “I…I really like him. A lot. But he doesn’t know that I’m ace, and doesn't know any of my history. I wanted to tell him, at least some of it, but…”  

When Shadow dropped his hands, still worrying his lip between his teeth, Maul cocked his head. “You’re scared he’s going to run.”

Shadow nodded miserably. “The last time I thought I’d found someone… trusted someone… it didn’t end so well. Shriek warned me about trusting Sunny just because I like him and he’s nice.”

Maul sighed. He was really not the right person to be giving out relationship advice. What was it Bly and Aayla promised each other in their little speech? Honesty. “You have to be honest with Sunny about what you need, Shadow.”

“I know. I just… I don’t want to lose him,” Shadow signed dejectedly.

Maul nodded and patted Shadow on the shoulder. “Well, no matter what happens, we’re not going anywhere. You’ll still have your family.”

He got up to leave, Shadow watching him with a look of surprise on his face. “Thank-you, Maul. I appreciate that.”

Maul shrugged and moved away, passing Sunny on his way back. Sunny nodded in greeting, smiling somewhat nervously as he approached with a drink in each hand. Maul gave the man an appraising look before smiling back, maybe showing a few too many teeth. 

As he looked away from Sunny, Maul almost walked straight into Shriek, who was standing in his way with his arms crossed, glaring at him.

"What?" Maul snapped.

Unperturbed, Shriek moved so he was stood by Maul’s side, surveying the crowd instead. "Is Shadow ok?" He asked gruffly.

"How should I know?" Maul replied petulantly. He didn't really begrudge Shadow's closest friend for asking, and he regretted the attitude almost as soon as the words left his mouth.

Shriek fixed him with a cold glare and snatched his wrist, yanking him to the nearest exit, the music miraculously quieter outside. "Stop being a prick. You got to him before I could, and were talking to him for ages. I could see his anxiety from across the karking room. So I'm going to ask you again. Is Shadow OK?"

Maul didn't even bother to pull his arm free, such was his surprise at Shriek's outburst. He was easily the least friendly of the clones, tending to loom menacingly rather than engage in conversation. And from Maul, that was saying something. He knew Shadow and Shriek were close, but the protective reaction from Shriek made Maul wonder if there was something more there.

"Are you in love with him?" Maul asked.

Shriek actually bared his teeth before swinging at Maul with an efficient right hook, Maul just about able to block it before his fist connected with his jaw. 

“A simple no would have sufficed,” Maul drawled in amusement as he took a defensive step backwards.

“Then, no,” growled Shriek, fury still across his face. “He’s my closest friend. I care about him, seen him hurt enough kriffing times, and promised him I wouldn’t let him suffer again. Doesn’t mean I'm in love with him.”

Maul held up his hands in placation. “Alright. I believe you. Just wondered if that was the reason you don’t like Sunny. Because you were jealous of him.”

Although he looked like he might attempt to hit him again, Shriek just narrowed his eyes. “Oh? Does that mean you don’t like Cody? Because you’re jealous of him?”

“No! What the hells… I don’t, I’m not…” Maul spluttered in confusion. 

Shriek smirked triumphantly. “You’re not what? Not in love with Obi-Wan Kenobi?”

“I don’t love him!” Maul hissed. “I hate him! He cut me in half in case you forgot!”

“Mmhmm,” Shriek replied, tone suggesting he disagreed. 

They glared at each other a few moments before Maul looked away. Shriek sighed. “How are you coping with him being here at the wedding?”

“Oh, about a seven,” Maul spat.

Shriek winced and stayed quiet for a few seconds. “I’m sorry for pissing you off. I don’t really think you’re in love with him.”

After a few moments of tense silence, Maul huffed. “Yeah, well, I’m sorry for pissing you off too. I don’t believe you’re in love with Shadow either.”

There were a few more moments of silence. “Are you really a seven?”

Rolling his eyes at his own dramatics, Maul shook his head. “No. A three at most. And Shadow is ok, by the way. He’s just worried about telling Sunny he is asexual.”

Shriek’s eyebrows nearly reached his hairline. “Shadow told you that?”

“Yes, of course. I’m a very good listener,” Maul deadpanned. 

Shriek snorted. “For the record, I do like Sunny. I have eyes; I can see how happy he makes Shadow. I just don’t want Shadow to get hurt.”

Watching Shriek for several moments, he detected no hint of jealousy or deceit. “You’re a good friend to him,” Maul eventually said quietly. Meeting his gaze, Shriek stared back. 

The moment was interrupted when Jesse and Fives burst out of the tent. “What’re you doing out here?” Fives whined, resting his head on Shriek’s shoulder and linking an arm through his.

“Yeah! You’re missing shots!” Jesse lamented, wrapping an arm around Maul’s shoulders. 

“However will I survive?” Maul drawled, smirking at Shriek who grinned back.

He allowed himself to be escorted back towards the bar, to a loud cheer from a few of the clones gathered there. Fox handed out the shots with a fierce grin before holding his aloft. “To Bly!”

“To Aayla!” Bly slurred, his face rather rosy.

“To family!” Rex added.

Maul couldn’t help smiling at his ridiculous clones. “To family!”

If you were to ask Maul the following day what the group had gotten up to after the shots began, he would have groaned in regret. He would not have told you he joined in singing with Rex, Bly, Fox, and Cody. He would certainly not have described dancing a dramatic Nabooian Waltz across the dancefloor with Asajj. Or with Aayla. Or with Jesse. And he would absolutely not have told you how he insisted on hugging every one of his clones at least twice. Or that Omega and Merrin got double hugs. And the story of him crying on the way back to their rooms because there was no more cake was utterly preposterous. 

So don’t ask him. Ask Tup instead. 

------------------------------------------------------------- 

Maul breathed out slowly, concentrating on the sensation of the force around him, the breath passing from his lungs through his airways and out of his nose. Familiar feelings of rage and fury flowed through him, and tendrils of the dark reached for his mind. He concentrated on forging a path to another tether, keeping the dark from overwhelming him. He concentrated on the force signatures he could sense, and the positive emotions they evoked. Maul latched onto them, anchored his mind to stop him losing his way.

Breathing in, and out. Concentrating on the force. The dark and the light. The serenity he found in between, and the…

“Uncle Maul!” 

Sighing heavily through his nose, Maul cracked open an eye. “What.”

Leia was standing there, her brother’s hand clasped tightly in hers, a look of hopeful excitement in her annoyingly earnest eyes. “Do the thing Uncle Maul!”

“Pleeeease?” Luke added, stepping closer.

“I’m busy,” Maul hissed, crossing his arms. 

“But Uncle Maul, you said…” Leia began. 

“I am not your Uncle,” Maul growled, baring his teeth. Luke took a step back, but Leia grew more obstinate, if that was even possible. 

She crossed her arms to mirror Maul, dropping Luke’s hand and frowning. “You said after we finished our lessons with Ahsoka we could come to you and you would do the thing.”

“You did say that,” Omega chimed in from where she was sitting on a nearby wall with Merrin, shit eating grin on her face. Bloody clone. 

“Maybe he’s too tired from meditating ,” Merrin goaded, wicked little smile on her face too. Damn Nightsister. 

“Fine,” he huffed, both Leia and Luke screeching enthusiastically.

He glared at them until they were ready, both practically vibrating with excitement. Clearing his mind again, Maul focussed on his tether. He was about to perform a relatively easy task that didn't need Maul to locate and draw on his favourite tether. So he focussed on Omega instead because she was closest. 

Maul could sense all of his clones from here, and pick and choose the best tether for the task at hand. That’s why he liked this spot. That and the fact the waterfall nearby provided a soothing background noise, and it was far enough away that there were rarely distractions. 

The discovery of tethers was made by Ahsoka when she was deciphering the Book of Shadows. The idea had been sort of like an anchor stopping a boat drifting away in waters that were too deep. The job of a tether was to keep a force user centred and able to draw on the dark and the light. It was particularly important when they had been experimenting with the dark side; stopping the person from drifting too far into dangerous territory and losing themselves. 

The tether just had to be someone or something that would keep the force user remembering who they were and what they were trying to do. After much experimentation, Maul had found that the clones were his most effective tethers. Most of the time the clones didn’t even notice when he tethered himself to their presence in the force.

When he'd told them, they'd been insufferable. Apparently they had found it adorable . Stupid clones. It had surprised Maul when all of them had given him unconditional consent for him to tether himself to them temporarily for his experiments, usually undertaken when in the presence of Ahsoka, Anakin, or Asajj. There was very little risk to the tether, even if Maul was to lose himself to the dark. At most, the Book of Shadows described draining of energy, and so far, only Jesse had reported feeling even a little bit tired after being used as a tether. But, to be fair, by his own admission, Jesse had skipped his morning caf that day. 

After many hours of practice, Maul was now able to recognise the auras of each clone and tell them apart by little tiny details. Rex felt the strongest. Not in the same way as Wrecker felt strong; Rex just felt authoritative. Keeli felt similar to Rex but softer, if that was a thing. But they both made good tethers. Jesse and Fives were also both strong, but felt willful and impetuous too, except Fives’ aura was also linked inexplicably to Echo’s, which felt a little prickly. But not quite so prickly as Crosshair. Maul could mostly tell if Crosshair was around Kix or Keeli, however, especially Kix, since the medic’s aura was easily the most soothing, even managing to smooth out Crosshair’s. Dogma’s was a close second. It felt the most straightforward of all the clones, and he and Kix were also sturdy tethers. Tech was similar to Dogma but more complex somehow. There was something difficult to fathom about him. Maul felt a related sort of perplexity from Tup too, although they were easily distinguishable. 

All three of Hunter, Shadow, and Shriek felt like a prowling presence, almost like the feeling you’d get from a caged animal. It made Hunter a tad unpredictable and unstable as a tether compared to the others, whereas the feeling Maul got from Shadow depended on what mood the clone was in and could vary from bright and stable to dark and erratic. Although Shriek had one of the most secure auras of the lot, his was probably the closest to the dark too, in many ways. Not that it was a disadvantage; Maul found that Shriek was his most reliable tether for the more dangerous experiments with the force they had attempted.  

It was interesting, since Ahsoka also used the clones as her tether. But her experience and description of them was slightly different. Ahsoka described Rex, Echo, Wrecker, and Keeli as the ‘lightest’, although she could easily use any of the clones as tethers. Anakin used Padme or sometimes Rex, and Asajj used Merrin. Merrin had practised a couple of times and always used Omega. Maul wasn’t surprised; Omega’s aura felt like joy. But if he had the choice, Maul commonly tethered himself to Jesse, Kix, or Dogma. But his preferred anchor was Shriek. 

“Uncle Maul!” Luke and Leia implored, and Maul rolled his eyes, his mental connection to Omega secured.

“Ok, fine. Are you ready?” He drawled.

“Yes!” The kids chorused in reply. 

Maul lifted his hands, Luke and Leia both floating upwards into the air with identical looks of exhilaration on their faces. With a flex of his concentration, they were both holding illusions of lightsabers, and with a flick of his wrists, both of them were whirling and twirling through the air in a complicated choreography of lightsaber forms. 

Luke was giggling and squealing with elation, while Leia was whooping and making lightsaber sound effects. Even Omega and Merrin looked amused by the theatrics, despite the fact, according to Hunter, both girls had entered their ‘moody teenager’ phase. 

A clearing of a throat from behind him nearly made Maul lose his concentration, but he held the twins still before looking around. Anakin was standing there, eyebrows raised. 

“Ya think you could put my kids down, Maul?” He asked, amusement evident in his voice and in his force signature. 

Maul nodded, lowering the twins to the floor, much to their disgruntlement. “Dad! No fair! We were only just getting to the good bit!” Leia moaned, frowning. 

Luke ran over to his father, who hoisted him up into the air. “Cheer up love. Maul isn’t going anywhere,” he replied cheerfully to his daughter. “Right Maul?”

Grunting in response, Maul got to his feet. “Something I can help you with?”

Anakin nodded. “Ahsoka has called a Torrent meeting.”

“Can we come?” Omega asked hopefully, dragging Merrin after her by the hand. 

Maul shrugged. “You’re part of Torrent Company aren’t you?”

She beamed at him and skipped ahead as Maul turned and walked past Anakin, who gave him a respectful nod. 

When he reached the house, finding Ahsoka and the clones already milling around, he gravitated towards Shriek, who was leaning against the wall glowering at everyone. When Maul glided in next to him, Shriek turned his head to look at him, the tattoos around his eye wrinkling a little as his lips curled up into a smile. 

It occurred to Maul in that moment that Talzin couldn’t have been more wrong. Attachment wasn’t for the weak, and it wasn’t what would lead him back to the dark side or get in his way of using it. Attachment… attachment was love. And that’s exactly what the tethers were. 

Maul finally understood what Gethzerion had been talking about. Love was the key. And it had set him free.