One hour after Ezra's meeting with Ahsoka, he is in the hangar of the rebel base with Kira, Ben, and Kyle. They are gathered in a large, open area near the Ghost.
"Alright, Ezra. We're here, just like you asked. What's going on?" Kyle asks.
"We have two students who need to be trained. Or, in the case of one of them, retrained. I think we should start with saber practice." Ezra answers.
"We'll see if I can finally kick your ass." Kyle asks.
"Still the comedian, I see. Maybe you and I can spar later. Right now, this is for the kids." Ezra says.
"You worried that you're too old and slow now?" Kyle asks.
"Keep it up, Mister Wren." Ezra says.
"Mister Wren, huh? Wait until I tell Sabine. Maybe we'll fight you together." Kyle says.
"I'm sooo scared." Ezra says.
"You should be. A good ol' Mandalorian ass kicking." Kyle says.
What have I gotten myself into? Ben thinks.
They could go on like this all day! Somebody needs to put a stop to this so we can get some work done! Kira thinks.
"I know that you two are in love with each other, but aren't we here to train?" Kira asks. Ezra, Ben, and Kyle look at her in disbelief.
What the hell? That...sounded like something Juno would say if she was here. Damn, I miss her. Ezra thinks.
Man, she's got a mouth on her. That's Juno's kid alright. Kyle thinks.
"Did you just...say what I think you said?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah, I did. I know you two love the sound of each other's voices, but we're here for a reason. Lightsaber training. Which is pretty important last time I checked." Kira says.
We do need to stop playing around. Although you could be a little less snippy about it, young lady. Ezra thinks.
"Kira's right. We have work to do." Ezra says.
"Alright. Let's get to it." Kyle says.
"Kira, give Ben his saber." Ezra says. Kira takes Ben's lightsaber from her belt, and offers it to him.
"I don't think…" Ben says.
"Go ahead and take it. You do kind of need a lightsaber for lightsaber practice. I'm not going to make you practice with sticks. You're not children." Ezra says.
"What about the Alliance leaders? I don't think they'd want me having a weapon." Ben says.
"Technically, you're in my custody. If I decide to give you a weapon, that's my right. Now, I'm choosing to trust you. Don't make me regret it." Ezra says.
"I won't." Ben says. He accepts his weapon from Kira, who smiles at him.
"Alright. Now, we're going to split into pairs. The rules are as follows-no direct attacks with the force, no hits to the head, and no blasters, Kyle." Ezra says.
"What are you picking on me for?" Kyle asks.
"I know how much you love that bryar pistol." Ezra answers.
"It is a pretty handy weapon. I mean, who expects to get shot in a saber fight?' Kyle asks.
"Good point. Maybe I'll let you use it later." Ezra says.
"I'll hold you to that." Kyle says.
"I bet. Ben?" Ezra asks.
"Yes, Master Bridger?" Ben asks.
"You'll be sparring with Kyle. Kira, you'll pair up with me. We'll begin on my signal. Now, Kira, come with me. We'll leave these two enough space to fight." Ezra says.
"Okay." Kira says.
Ezra and Kira walk several feet away, to the other side of the Ghost.
"Assume ready positions!" Ezra shouts.
All four force users prepare themselves for their practice duels by activating their lightsabers. Ben's unstable red bladed weapon contrasts sharply with the blue and green blades of the others.
Not a fan of that blade color, Ben. We're going to have to get that fixed. Ezra thinks.
"Begin!" Ezra shouts.
The force users begin duelling. Whereas Ben and Kyle fight conservatively, Ezra and Kira fight with great speed and intensity. At this point, Ezra is only using his green bladed saber, with his secondary saber still on his belt. Kira seems to be gaining the upper hand, and sees an opportunity to defeat her father.
He's keeping his left side exposed. If I time it just right, I can win this! Kira thinks.
As Ezra swings his saber back to strike, Kira aims for his neck, only stopping an inch or so from touching the skin.
Yes! He fell for it! I win! Kira thinks.
"I got you. Yield." Kira says.
"You sure about that?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure! I tricked you, and I won!" Kira says.
"Try looking down." Ezra says. Kira looks down, and sees the blue blade of Ezra's secondary saber aimed at her abdomen. She notices that the weapon is floating, with no one holding it.
Damn. I need a lot more training! Kira thinks.
"So, you can do that too." Kira says.
"Yeah. Ahsoka's not the only one with tricks up her sleeve." Ezra says.
"Alright. I yield." Kira says. Ezra and Kira deactivate their weapons.
"Let's call this one a draw." Ezra says.
"Agreed." Kira says.
Ezra and Kira watch as Ben and Kyle duel. They both seem to match each other, hit for hit, with neither gaining any ground. Eventually, Kyle scores a hit on Ben's arm, and Ben drops his saber. Ben attempts to use the force to call his weapon back to him, but Kyle uses the force to push it away. He then aims his weapon at Ben's chest.
"Not bad. You yield?" Kyle asks.
"Yes. I yield." Ben answers. Kyle steps back, and shuts off his saber. Ben goes to retrieve his weapon, and returns several seconds later as Ezra and Kira approach.
"Kira, Ben, not bad. You both have some skill with a blade. In a real fight, you'll face opponents with different skill sets and tactics. To better prepare you for this, we're going to switch partners now. Kira, you'll be facing Kyle. Ben, you're with me. Now, let's pair up. We'll begin on my signal." Ezra says.
The force users split into their assigned pairs, and ready their weapons.
"Begin!" Ezra shouts.
Ezra quickly overwhelms Ben, and knocks his saber out of his hand.
Pathetic! Didn't even compensate for my change in forms! Ezra thinks.
"Damn!" Ben says.
"Not the best I've seen. Do you know what you did wrong?" Ezra asks.
"You switched forms. I should have taken a defensive stance, but I didn't." Ben answers.
He admits that he didn't do what he was supposed to do? Does he even give a damn? Ezra thinks.
"That's right. I know from records of you in combat that you seem to specialize in aggressive attacks, but hardly ever go on the defensive. Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense. Now, do you know the defensive forms?" Ezra asks.
"Yes." Ben answers.
"Good. Pick up that saber. We're doing this again." Ezra says. Ben retrieves his saber, and readies himself.
"Begin!" Ezra shouts.
Ezra and Ben start duelling again. This time, when Ezra changes to a more aggressive attack, Ben goes on the defensive, and is able to block Ezra for the most part. However, he has difficulty keeping up with both of Ezra's sabers, and soon finds himself knocked to the ground. Ezra points both of his sabers at Ben's chest.
"I yield." Ben says. Ezra and Ben shut off their sabers, then, Ezra helps Ben to his feet.
"Better. You actually tried this time. I noticed that you seemed to have trouble keeping up with two blades." Ezra says.
"I never fought a dual wielder before. Never even trained for it." Ben says.
Are you fracking kidding me? How old are you, again? Ezra thinks.
"That's...disappointing." Ezra says.
"Luke wouldn't allow it, and all the Knights of Ren use a single blade, except for Vastia, who uses that blasted whip, as well as her ancestor's double blade. The rest of us thought the one blade was good enough, and never bothered to train to fight against any other weapons." Ben says.
"That's a bit...ignorant. A true knight of the force should study all that they can. Learn all that they can. A proper teacher would have encouraged you to learn as much as you could. Skywalker always was a bit too timid for his own damn good." Ezra says.
"He was afraid that he'd accidentally create another Vader. That's why he only trained me at first, and only after my mother begged him to." Ben says.
"He let himself be controlled by fear. That...is why he failed." Ezra says.
"So, you'll teach me anything that I want to learn?" Ben asks.
"Yes, I will. I won't hold you back. Knowledge itself doesn't make you good or evil." Ezra says.
"Only our own choices determine that." Ben says.
"Exactly. Now, let's watch Kira and Kyle." Ezra says.
Ezra and Ben observe as Kira and Kyle continue to duel. They seem to be just about equal in skill, blocking each other's attacks with ease. However, unnoticed by Kira, Kyle activates the seemingly decorative vambrace on his right arm. Before she can react, he fires a grappling line that wraps around Kira's legs, and she falls to the floor. Kyle aims his saber at Kira's throat.
"What the hell was that?" Kira asks.
"Improvising. Do you yield?" Kyle asks.
"Bloody cheating! So, no, I don't yield!" Kira shouts.
"Kira!" Ezra shouts, as he approaches with Ben.
"He cheated! Look what he did to me!" Kira says.
Oh, Kira. We really need to work on that temper of yours. Ezra thinks.
"He didn't cheat. He used a tactic that any foe could use against you. Remember that anything at your disposal can also be a weapon, and you must learn to expect the unexpected. Now, apologize for your little tantrum." Ezra says.
"I'm sorry, Kyle. I yield." Kira says.
"Don't worry about it kid, no harm done." Kyle says.
"Now that that's settled, Kyle, help her out of that. We wouldn't want her walking around with her legs tied together, would we?" Ezra asks.
"No, I suppose not." Kyle says. Kyle helps Kira get out of the grappling line wrapped around her legs. Kira stands up.
"That vambrace, that's...Mandalorian tech, isn't it?' Ben asks.
"Yeah. A wedding present from the wife." Kyle answers.
"It seems to be very effective." Ben says.
Probably not the best thing to say, Solo. Ezra thinks.
"No chit." Kira says.
"Kira, I didn't mean to…" Ben says.
"It's alright, Ben. I lost. I need to get over it, and move on." Kira says.
Good. She's learning. Ezra thinks.
"Alright. That's enough talking about Kyle's pretty bracelet. We're not done with training yet. Kira and Ben, you face each other. Kyle and I are going to take a break. Now, assume ready positions, and begin when I give the word." Ezra says. Ezra and Kyle walk to the Ghost, and sit down on the boarding ramp.
Kira and Ben ready their sabers, and prepare to duel.
"Begin." Ezra shouts.
Kira and Ben begin fighting, but seem to not put forth any effort, as they simply circle each other, and only use, slow, basic strikes. This continues for a few minutes, with neither gaining the upper hand.
"They're holding back." Kyle says.
"I know. They're afraid to hurt each other." Ezra says.
"It's just practice." Kyle says.
"These two have history. They fought each other. For real. She gave him the scar on his face. He kidnapped her, and interrogated her. Now, they've forgiven each other, but they're afraid of ruining the growing bond between them." Ezra says.
"So, you're going to let them keep playing?" Kyle asks.
"No." Ezra answers. He stands up, and shouts "stop!"
Kira and Ben stop sparring, and look at Ezra.
"What did you do that for? We're not done yet!" Kira says.
"You were playing. You were holding back. Both of you. This...is not a game." Ezra says.
"I've already hurt her enough. I'm...not ready to do this." Ben says. He tosses his saber to the ground, and walks away, heading toward the base's exit.
"Ben!" Kira shouts. Ben keeps walking. Kira picks up Ben's saber, and goes after him.
"Kira, wait!" Ezra shouts.
"Let her go, Ezra. This...needs to happen." The disembodied voice of Kanan Jarrus says.
"What needs to happen?" Ezra asks.
"You'll see." Kanan answers.
"Is he even allowed to leave the base?" Kyle asks.
"Nope. Not without one of us. He'll get himself arrested if someone catches him." Ezra answers.
"Hopefully Kira catches up with him before that happens." Kyle says.
"So much for saber practice." Ezra says.
"Yeah. The kids ran off on us." Kyle says.
"They have some things to work out. They'll be back later. Just in time to clean the Ghost." Ezra says.
"Still making your students clean things, I see." Kyle says.
"It's a good workout." Ezra says.
"Unless you're the one doing it." Kyle says.
"Speaking from experience." Ezra says.
"At least I didn't have to do it after you knighted me." Kyle says.
"I don't seem to recall ever making you a Jedi Master, so I still outrank you, Katarn. I could have you help the kids clean the Ghost. Make sure they do it right." Ezra says.
"Go right ahead. I'll call Sabine. She'll probably put a bounty on your head." Kyle says. Ezra laughs.
"Oh no, Kyle's gonna tell his wife I'm being mean to him!" Ezra says. Kyle laughs.
"Katarn and Bridger, together again. Damn, I've missed this." Kyle says.
"Me too, and it's Bridger and Katarn." Ezra says.
"Says you. Now, I think I'm going to see if I can get a hold of Sabine." Kyle says.
"Sounds good. You going back to Mandalore?" Ezra asks.
"Nope. My place is here. Sabine and I already discussed it. We both think that I should be with you, helping you train these kids, and fighting at your side." Kyle answers.
"I appreciate it, Kyle. I know I've been a pain in the ass for a while, so thanks for sticking around." Ezra says.
"The past is the past, Ezra." Kyle says.
"I know. I've got to let go. What matters now, is that Kira came back. She needs her father, and she needs a master." Ezra says.
"You're my master, too." Kyle says.
"I haven't been your master for over twenty years, Kyle." Ezra says.
"I don't know everything about the force. Not like you do." Kyle says.
"I don't know everything." Ezra says.
"Aren't you starting a new order anyway? I guess the old Jedi ranks won't matter. You'll be the master, and the rest of us will be students." Kyle asks.
"I'm still figuring things out, Kyle. I haven't even decided what to call the new order yet." Ezra answers.
"Coming up with a name seems like a good idea. Just don't let that Dameron kid anywhere near it. He can't name things worth a chit." Kyle says. Ezra laughs.
"I've got a few ideas. Why don't you go talk to that wife of yours, then swing by my cabin? We can talk about it while the kids are goofing off." Ezra says.
"Sounds like a plan." Kyle says.
On a hillside overlooking the Resistance base, Ben is alone, seated on the ground. He looks toward the well hidden entrance to the base, as well as the deep canyon surrounding it.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?" Kira asks, as she approaches. Ben continues to look toward the base, keeping his back to Kira.
"I'm not ready to go back, so don't try to talk me into it." Ben says.
"That's not why I'm here." Kira says.
"Why are you here?" Ben asks.
"Why am I here? I came to see if you were alright! I came to see what was bothering you, and whether or not you wanted to talk about it! In case you haven't noticed, I care about you!" Kira answers.
"You care...about me?" Ben asks.
That was stupid! Obviously she cares! Why can't I just say the right thing? Ben thinks.
"Of course I care, and you already know it! So, stop being a stubborn nerf herder!" Kira says. Ben stands up, and turns to face Kira.
"So, I'm a stubborn nerf herder?" Ben asks.
"Yes, you are. That isn't always a bad thing, though. Sometimes it just means that you know what you want, and you won't back down." Kira says.
She's right. I am being stubborn. Ben thinks.
"I don't know what I want, Kira! It's been so long since I've been able to make my own decisions. I just...don't know what to do." Ben says.
"That's because you're overthinking. So, don't think at all. Just...feel." Kira says.
"Not so good at that." Ben says.
He's afraid. I sense his fear so clearly. Kira thinks.
"I think you're just afraid." Kira says.
"Afraid of what?" Ben asks.
"Afraid to give in. To let this bond between us become something more. Maybe you don't think you deserve to be loved, but you do." Kira answers.
"I don't deserve you, or anyone else." Ben says.
"You're making excuses. I know you care about me, and you know how I feel about you. I think...that you just don't know what to do. Neither do I. Not really, but, I am certain of one thing." Kira says.
She's right. I do care about her. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and she cares about me. Me! A human failure! She could do so much better. Ben thinks.
"What are you certain of?" Ben asks.
"When I want something, I take it." Kira answers. She suddenly kisses Ben on the lips, then, backs away almost immediately. She hesitates for a few seconds before saying "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
I'm afraid too. I have no idea what I'm doing! Am I really ready for this? Kira thinks. She starts to walk away, when she feels a hand on her shoulder. Kira turns around, and Ben slowly takes his hand from her shoulder. Once they are facing each other, Ben kisses Kira on the lips, and the two passionately embrace.
