Hey guys! I hope you enjoy the new story 'There is No Death, There is the Force'! I think (/hope) you'll like it! :D
Q/A's and Reactions (For the last chapter of 'Test of Strength, Test of Mind.)
Silver's Dream1- Well, he doesn't really have an age since he's dead.
PsychJediPirate- Sorry! It's nothing personal, I swear! :D
Guest- Don't worry, you'll find out Ezra's plan soon enough! :D
CupCake- I'm glad! :D Hopefully you enjoy!
Ichichi05- You're right about one of them! ;D
DeviLau Hills- And so you shall receive! :D
EzraSWrebels- I waited longer than usually because tomorrow I'll be heading off for camp and won't be able to update for 6 days! :O
Azulablue- :'D That was so touching. Thank you. It really means a lot to me. It's you guys that keep me going, and I want you to know that I really do appreciate all of your support! You guys rule! May the force be with you, always!
Anime Angel- True. When I was writing the last chapter, I was listening to 'Little Wonders' by Rob Thomas.
Kazie- Hope is a powerful thing, but he is dead. He'll still be mentioned though as like a 'force spirit' but he won't be coming back physically.
Coral Iturbe- espero que está emocionado ! : D
Starwarsrebels- XD I'll watch Markiplier play it instead. It's heaps funny when he plays.
Warrior Angel- I'm glad you enjoyed, and hopefully you'll like the sequel too! :D
Paint the Wolf- Awesome! My fangirl is usually contained because there's no one for her to talk to. :( (Fangirl: I'll get out eventually!) XD
NOOOOOOO- Sorry, but I don't think that's possible.
Midnight Luna- Well, I hope this story heals your heart! (And I think you're on the right track with your idea ;D)
A M3mb3r123- That's okay! :D We all get busy sometimes.
SWFangirl- That's such a sweet message. :D Enjoy the chapter!
Swr Guest- The force shall always be with Ezra! :D
Kanan's POV
I sat in the common room, staring at the painting of Ezra on the other side of the room. His hair was frozen, getting combed through by an invisible wind. His electric blue eyes full of hope and joy as a small, mischievous grin pulled at the corner of his lips. In one hand was his lightsaber, the blade held gracefully by his side. Under his other arm was his modified cadet helmet. He stood tall and proud as the Lothal sun set in the background.
He was standing on a hill, but I knew which one it was specifically. It was where he was buried. Sabine had gone to the effort of adding an extra little touch that could only be picked up by the members of the crew. Under Ezra's feet, the soil was fresh as little green plants sprouted from the dirt. Under one of his boots lay a broken slab of stone, crumbling and cracked. His grave headstone.
I sighed and shook my head. It was my fault he was gone. It was my fault everyone was so broken. If we hadn't gone into that cave…
"Hey," Hera greeted, snapping me out of my thought.
I looked up as she walked over. Shooting me a weak smile, she sat down. "How you feeling?" she finally asked.
I shrugged. I didn't really feel like talking. Especially since in one week, it will be a full year since Ezra's death… since his sacrifice. She leaned her head on my shoulder. "Can't sleep?"
I nodded. Every time I closed my eyes I saw flashes of Ezra's pale, bloodied face, his vacant eyes draining of life as he fell limp in my grasp. Hera's mortified expression as I walk out of the shadows carrying my dead padawan. Sabine's haunted but determined mood as she painted Ezra's memorial.
I looked up at the painting again. Why did it have to be you? Why was it not me?
"How's Sabine?" I asked quietly.
"Not bad, but not good either," Hera sighed.
Ezra's death had effected everyone. Zeb would purposefully try agitating the others to start a playful battle of words, but no one ever joined in. Chopper was less grumpy and actually listened to orders. Hera always tried to bring us all together, but she rarely succeeded. Though she was the luckiest out of all of us, she seemed broken on the inside. Sabine couldn't be left alone for long periods of time without having a panic attack and me… well… I became claustrophobic. It felt like the walls would close in or the roof would cave. At some point it got so bad I had the top bunk removed from my cabin, afraid I would suffer the same fate as my deceased padawan.
I rubbed my face as a wave of weakness and exhaustion hit me. "And you?"
She pulled back and looked at me with wide, empty eyes. "Could be better," she replied, her voice a hoarse whisper.
I let out a yawn, unable to conceal my tiredness. "Maybe you should get some rest hun," Hera suggested.
I was about to protest, but found myself nodding and following her advice. Before I walked out of the room, I said "Make sure you get some sleep too."
She gave me a weak smile. "Of course."
I left the common room and headed for my cabin. Once inside, I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath. My heart ached, bleeding like a fresh wound. Walking up to the bedside table, I picked up Ezra's old lightsaber. I had kept it with me, along with his cadet helmet. They were the only things I had left of him to hold on to. The object still carried many memories…
"Thought I'd let you check it out first," Ezra grinned, handing me his new weapon.
I examined it in my hands. It was definitely unique, with what looked like a guard around the base. "Well it's… different. But that sounds about right for you," I chuckled. "Go for it."
I handed it to him as he activated the lightsaber, a blue blade jumping to life. His eyes widened with pride and joy as he stared at his creation. Then, he looked at me and gave a small nod of gratitude. I smiled back. I was proud of him…
I shook my head and placed the sword back on the table. Sitting down on the edge of my bed, I hung my head and sighed. Why'd you have to go Ezra? We need you… I need you…
As if he'd been summoned, an unmistakable presence descended upon me, pumping hope into my heart and warmth into my body. "You called?" Ezra chuckled tauntingly.
I closed my eyes and basked in his presence. When things got really bad, he would come to me from beyond, giving me the strength to continue. But I felt so weak, so vulnerable at the moment. "Ezra," I whispered. "What do I do? The crew is falling apart."
He didn't reply at first. A moment of silence passed before he said caringly "I know. I've been watching you all lately, and things are going terribly… But… I think I have a solution."
I perked up, my eyes widening. "What?" I pleaded.
He sighed thoughtfully, before explaining "Something is coming that will fix the crew. It will save you all from your pain and fears, but, you must be willing to accept it… to let go."
"Let go of what?"
"Of your fear… your pain… your memories… of everything you once had. You need to move forward, because there's no going back," he said wisely.
"B-But-"
"No buts," he intervened. "You have to do this. For everyone."
"I'll try," I sighed.
"Do or do not," he echoed. "There is no try."
I don't think I'd ever hated my own words so much. The energy escaped my veins as I leaned back on my bed, my muscles refusing to move. "Wait," I yawned. "W-When is this 'thing' coming?"
My eye lids became heavy as I struggled to stay awake. "Within the next week," he replied, voice fading. "Now sleep."
Knowing that something could save my crumbling family, I smiled. I stopped resisting and fell into a deep slumber. I'd never had a better night's sleep…
Hey guys! How was the chapter? Are you glad the sequel is finally up? What do you think Ezra has planned? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, because it's going to be the last one for a week while I head off to camp! ;D Tell me what you thought of the chapter, I'd love to hear your opinions! :D Have a great day and may the force be with you, always!
-Superherotiger
