Chapter 1: Vivid
There was the bone-chilling sound of someone breathing through a respirator. It was cold and dark. Suddenly, there was the sound of a lightsaber activating and a red glow lit the area. The scene came alive as the tall figure clad in black walked with heavy, yet swift steps towards the group of five, two of which had blades of their own drawn. They fought valiantly, but they were nothing but bothersome insects to the man and were defeated almost instantly. The figure made quick work of the others, and the two could only watch as their friends were cut down in front of them. Then, the man, no, the Sith, moved to stand in front of the two. The younger of the two was helpless and could do nothing to aid his friend. The boy was silent, speechless as the older man was killed. He squeezed his eyes shut as tears began to fall past his long lashes, despite his best efforts. He waited for death, but it never came. Instead, he felt a cold, gloved hand wrap around his throat and hoist him three feet in the air. He opened his eyes and came face to face with the figure.
"I have plans for you, boy," he said.
Ezra screamed.
With a strangled cry, Ezra jolted awake. He heard Zeb stir in the bunk below his. His face was damp with sweat and tears. He panted heavily, trying to slow his breathing. It was all a dream. Just a horrible, terrifying nightmare.
"Kid, you have five seconds to explain why you woke me up before I…," Zeb started as he stood up. He trailed when he saw how shaken the boy was. "What's a matter kid?"
Ezra looked up. "Nothing. I-It's nothing," he replied quickly.
Zeb looked at him skeptically, but let it go, laying back down. Ezra climbed down and exited the room, making for the kitchen. He splashed some cool water on his face and looked in the mirror. He looked terrible. His hair was a mess, and he looked as though he hadn't slept in days. That was probably because he hadn't. Every time he'd fall asleep, he would have a nightmare. It had started with the usual, the night in the old clone base, the visions from the temple, but they were getting progressively more vivid and more and more frequent. It was starting to become a problem. Not just to his mental and emotional state, but to his physical condition as well. He felt horrible. Not like when he had been sick, but it was a close second. He knew he should tell Kanan, but he didn't want a fuss. Kanan had bigger problems than his petty nightmares right now. He plopped down on the bench at the table. Sleep began to tug at his eyelids and he couldn't fight the blackness. His eyes slipped closed and he let sleep take him.
"Lord Vader. Have you dealt with the rebels in the Lothal System?"
"Yes master. They are broken,"
"And yet I sense in you something…more to your victory,"
"I believe the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker lives, and is in league with these rebels,"
"Are you certain?"
"It was her,"
"This is an opportunity we cannot let pass. Skywalker's apprentice could lead us to other lost Jedi,"
"Such as Kenobi?"
"Perhaps. IF he lives. Be patient my old friend. For now, dispatch another Inquisitor to hunt them down,"
"As you wish, my master,"
Ezra gasped as his eyes flew open. His knee hit the table when he jumped.
"Ouch!" he grunted. He surveyed his surroundings. He was still alone in the kitchen. He blew out a shaky breath and ran a sweaty hand through his hair. He stood and grabbed his jumpsuit out of the closet. After he took a shower in the Fresher, he changed into it from his plain white shirt and shorts. He jogged to the Phantom and ran a diagnostic on it since their last mission hadn't been exactly gentle with the little ship. He found no major problems, but the engine needed fixing, and he had to vent the Life Support. Chopper suddenly came in beeping in annoyance.
"What Chop?" the boy asked the droid. Chopper let out a series of inaudible beeps. Well, inaudible to the untrained ear anyways. But Ezra had been living with the droid for nearly a year now.
"What do you mean I woke you up? You're a droid, you don't sleep!" he replied, gathering his tools.
Chopper grumbled some excuse. Ezra rolled his eyes, jumping down into the crawl-space and beginning his work. He had been tending to the engine when a sudden spark jumped towards him. He yelped, jerking backwards. He heard fabric rip and a searing pain on the outside of his forearm. He felt a warm, sticky liquid run down his sleeve and down the palm of his hand. He heard Chopper's frantic beeps and grumbles from above him.
"I'm fine Chop!" he called, finishing his work. He climbed out and vented the Life Support, feeling glad Zeb hadn't been there to let Chopper gas him. That stuff was nasty. He grabbed a rag and wiped the grease off his forehead and cheek. Then, he trotted towards the med-bay. The place was newly stocked and modified to handle larger scale injuries, fully equipped with a respirator. Of course, it was nothing compared to the ones on the larger ships, with Republic medical droids. He cleaned his cut and surveyed the damage. It was about two and a half inches long and it was fairly deep.
"Aw Karabast!" he exclaimed quietly. This would most definitely need stitches. It wasn't that he wouldn't be able to handle that himself, he had done it himself many times before, with and without painkiller. But the cabinet containing the needed supplies was locked. The key was in Hera's room. He sighed and made his way there. The door hissed open and he looked to Hera. She was fast asleep. He tip-toed over to the chest of drawers and opened the first one, rummaging through it. He soon found the key and turned to leave.
"Hold it right there, bucko,"
A/N: What is this? I'm not dead? Impossible! Lol. But seriously, school has started and I've been too busy to type. I'm also writing a book! It's called the Spectacular Secret of Kyla Greene. Name may change to Return of the Renowned Rogue if I get a reply from a fellow author who started a Ni No Kuni story of the same name and abandoned it. Well, until next time, May the Force be with you, always.
-SWMCDC227
P.S. – AHSOKA KNOWS! SHE KNOWS! AHHHHH! *has seizure* *dies*