Disclaimer: I do not own this universe or these characters. This story is created for entertainment.

Chapter 1

Ezra

I woke up feeling cold and uneasy. I felt a disturbance in the Force. I couldn't explain it, but I felt an unbelievable level of anxiety. Where was this coming from? Most of the time, I'm never scared. Sure, I've had close calls with death but this was something completely different. I sensed darkness…

I shook my head and tried to forget about those thoughts. Maybe I'm just a little stressed. When Kanan and I came face-to-face with that Sith Lord, I thought I was a goner when the Sith Lord used the Force to try to kill me. If Kanan hadn't helped me, I would have been decapitated. I shivered at the thought of what would have happened. The Ghost crew and the Rebel Fleet fought against the Sith Lord, but we still don't have any answers to our questions: Who is this Sith Lord? How is he so strong in the Force? Kanan and I felt the cold… the effects of the Dark Side of the Force.

Ahsoka's reaction was very different. She completely lost consciousness when she reached out through the Force. I have a feeling that Ahsoka knows a little more than she's letting on, but doesn't want to share it. I respect that. She may not know his name, but could it be someone from her past and she's not sure who it is? That would explain why she fainted after sensing him through the Force. When I asked her if she knew who the Sith Lord was, I sensed remorse. She was in so much pain for some reason, but I don't understand why.

I feel connected to Ahsoka. She is a good leader and she is strong. She earned my respect when I first met her. At first, I knew her as Fulcrum. Now she has revealed her true identity as Ahsoka Tano. She sent the Rebel Fleet to save the lives of the Ghost crew, my family. I don't know her very well, but she earned my trust because she was once a Jedi of the Old Republic. How didn't she escape Order 66? What exactly happened at the time?

Kanan had told me a little bit about Order 66. When we met Rex, Kanan didn't want to trust him at all. Despite the fact that Ahsoka told Kanan to trust Rex, Kanan had a hard time accepting the Clones. When Kanan told me what happened during Order 66, I sensed deep sadness and loss through the Force. I felt sympathy for Kanan. He lost his home, his master, and his whole way of life was suddenly over. In a way, I understand how he's feeling. His master was the closest thing he had to a parent. I lost both my parents when I was seven years old. I've hated the Empire more than ever since then. If I had the power to save my parents, I would have done whatever it took. I would do the same for Kanan too. In a way, he is like a second father to me. Kanan and Hera both took me in when I had no one left to care for me. Kanan has looked after me as if I were his son. For that, I owe him so much.

"Ezra," Zeb called. "Hera has called everyone for a meeting."

"I'm coming," I said. Zeb and I walked to the kitchen in silence. I felt the same anxiety that I experienced when I woke up, except now it was stronger.

"You're unusually quiet," Zeb pointed out. "Who are you and what have you done with Ezra?" Zeb joked.

I wasn't in the mood for joking. I decided to be honest with Zeb. "I have a feeling…" I started. "Something's not right."

"Kid, I was joking," Zeb rolled his eyes. "You're getting feelings through the Force?"

I nodded. Zeb tried to appear indifferent, but I could tell that he's concerned. He's known Kanan and I long enough to understand what warnings through the Force means.

"That's never good," Zeb said, quietly.

We got to the kitchen where Hera was sitting in front of the holoprojector and everyone else stood in front of the table. Kanan was standing next to Hera. I walked over and he acknowledged me with a small nod.

"I already pre-recorded this message as instructed by whoever sent it," Hera said. "Everyone needs to hear this."

Hera played the message. A man's voice started speaking immediately. "To the Rebellion, I have information that is crucial to the Empire. I have a list of Rebellion sympathizers. Most importantly, I know the location of the Emperor's apprentice."

Hera paused the message. "This is huge. We can't pass this up."

Kanan spoke up. "I don't like this. If this informant is on our side, he would have revealed his identity at the beginning of the message."

"Kanan, we need this information if we are going to tip the scales in our favor if we are going to win this war." Hera argued.

"We should listen to what he has left to say," Sabine interjected.

Hera resumed the message. "I will give you this information if you follow my instructions exactly: you will send one of your own to meet with me on Lothal where Tarkintown used to be. Send Ezra Bridger to the rendezvous at nineteen hundred hours."

"What?" I was alarmed. "Why would he ask for me?"

Kanan looked suspicious. "Good question."

"We have to take this to Commander Sato. Only he can approve the mission," Hera said, worried.

"We're not sending Ezra to the rendezvous by himself," Kanan said.

"Kanan, if Sato approves the mission, we don't have a choice," Hera told him.

Kanan growled in frustration. "Fine."

"I'll take this message to Sato," Hera said.

After Hera left, Kanan reached out to me through our Force bond. You sensed something, didn't you?

I reached out too. I felt that something was off this morning, but I'm not sure what it is. I felt anxiety and… cold.

It's the Dark Side. I don't like the idea of you going to meet this person alone. I'm not willing to risk your safety. Kanan sighed.

I tried not to feel frustrated. I know. I feel uneasy about this, too. That can't stop me from taking risks. We put our lives in danger everyday.

I could sense impatience coming from Kanan. The difference is that the crew and the fleet are working together as a team. If something happens, we won't be able to help you.

I've lived on the streets for eight years. I can protect myself. I argued.

I'd feel better if you had someone to go with you. Kanan defended.

Let's wait for Sato's orders before we think about that. I reasoned.

Kanan didn't respond. I could tell that he was not happy about the situation. He could be protective at times, but it doesn't bother me. I guess that's what it's like for masters to send their padawans on missions.

"This is a great opportunity, but why Ezra?" Sabine asked. "No offense."

"None taken," I assured her.

"That's the million credit question," Zed said.

"If Sato says 'yes', are you up for the task, Ezra?" Sabine questioned.

I sighed. "Yes."

Hera returned. She waited a moment before speaking, "Sato approves the mission. However, he asked someone to volunteer to go with Ezra. Ahsoka offered to volunteer."

I was surprised by that turn of events. "That makes me feel better." I replied, honestly.

"Good," Ahsoka appeared in the doorway. "I'm glad you trust me."

"Ezra, take your comlink with you and your light saber just in case this goes wrong," Kanan told me.

"Already got it," I revealed.

Kanan put his hand on my shoulder like he always does. "Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, Kanan. He's in good hands," Ahsoka reassured him.

"Thank you, Ahsoka," Kanan said.

"Let's go," Ahsoka told me.

"Right," I said.

"Ahsoka, take the Phantom to the rendezvous," Hera said.

Ahsoka nodded. I followed her to the Phantom and she took the pilot's seat. I stood behind her. I wanted to talk.

"So, have you ever been to Lothal?" I asked her.

"No. This is the first time I've gone there," she told me. "You grew up there, right?"

"That's right," I said. Memories of home came to mind, painful memories.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"It's just that the Empire took my parents away when I was living on Lothal. That's how I ended up on the streets," I revealed.

"I'm sorry," Ahsoka's voice was sad. "That must have been hard. I've lost people I care about, too."

"Order 66?" I asked.

Ahsoka nodded. "All I know is that Emperor Palpatine turned the clones against the Jedi and most of them were wiped out."

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you survive?" I was curious now.

"I wasn't living in the temple when the Jedi Purge occurred. I chose to leave the Order," Ahsoka said.

"How come?" This is getting really interesting. Ahsoka is a really mysterious person and this is the most she has ever told me about herself.

"I was falsely accused for murder. A former friend of mine framed me by making it look like I killed a woman who was under arrest for bombing the temple. No one, except my master believed me when I tried to tell them what happened. I escaped prison, only to be caught by my master. The Jedi Council determined that I was guilty and stripped me of my status as a padawan. Then I was put in front of the Senate for trial. A man named Wilhuff Tarkin tried to convince the Senate that the penalty should be execution."

"Wait. Tarkin? As in 'Tarkintown'?" I said, shocked.

"Yes. My master found the perpetrator and cleared my name. The Jedi Order asked me to go back, but I couldn't. Not after what they put me through. They didn't trust me and turned their backs on me when I needed them most. My master begged me to stay, but I had a lot that I needed to figure out on my own."

"What was your master's name? What happened to him?" I asked.

"His name was Anakin Skywalker. I never heard from him again after I left the Order," Ahsoka said.

"Can you talk to him through the Force?" I was confused.

"No. Our bond was severed when I left," Ahsoka said, sadness in her voice.

"I'm so sorry," I said, sincerely.

Ahsoka smiled. "You and Kanan remind me of my relationship with my master. I was a lot like you when I was your age."

"Really?" I asked.

"My master and I went on a lot of missions together. I'm surprised we survived some of them," Ahsoka said. She was happy to relive old times.

"When I first met my master, Anakin was assigned for a mission on Christophsis. He thought I was Obi-Wan Kenobi's new padawan, but Yoda had assigned me to Anakin," Ahsoka smiled. "When we were going to destroy the enemy's shield, Anakin was surrounded by droids and I used the Force to break down a wall with a hole in the middle in order to crush the droids and save Anakin's life."

I chuckled. Her stories are very funny. "Sounds like something I would do."

"I had a tendency to be impulsive back then," Ahsoka added. "We're on Lothal." Ahsoka landed the Phantom near Tarkintown. "Let's go."

I followed her out of the Phantom and onto the familiar hills of Lothal. I stayed close to Ahsoka. Her eyes were completely focused on her surroundings. She looked around carefully for the informant. I looked around and saw a dark figure walking towards us. Ahsoka stepped in front of me and gave me a look that told me to stay behind her. I relented and watched the mysterious figure come closer.

"Who are you?" Ahsoka demanded.

The figure regarded Ahsoka and then me. "I told the boy to come alone."

"You didn't say who you were in the message. For all I know, you could be working for the Empire," Ahsoka said, sharply. I never heard her talk like that before.

"Is that any way to treat an old friend?" the figure said, mock-offended.

"I'll ask you again, what is your name?" Ahsoka's voice reached a dangerous tone.

The figure took of their helmet and revealed a bald head and pale-gray skin with red lines next to the eyes. "Surely, you remember me." The voice was that of a woman.

Ahsoka's eyes widened slightly. "Ventress," she gasped.