Um, really quick. Probably should put in a trigger warning for slurs. (transgender slur and specie slur)
Chapter 10: Don't Piss off Space Mom (Vision of Hope, Age: 15)
Ezra and Hera approached the giant fan blocking their way, while the Senator waited behind them.
"That's far enough rebel scum." Senator Trayvis spat. He was aim the blaster Hera had gave him at them. "We aren't going anywhere."
"Whoa, what's going on?" Ezra asked. "Senator?"
"Put your lightsaber down boy." Senator Trayvis ordered. "Now!" The blaster was fixed on him so Ezra did as he was told.
"You're with the Empire?" Ezra asked in disbelief.
"All your transmissions?" Hera asked. "Those planets you had visited. They were traps. How did word not get out about this?"
"No one ever knew. Not even my droids." Senator Trayvis smirked. "Rebels are not arrested they are identified and put under watch. The ones that cause trouble have accidents. After I leave of course."
"But you're not a traitor!" Ezra didn't want to believe it. "You're a voice of hope, of freedom. A light in the dark, like my parents were!"
"Parents?" Senator Trayvis asked. "No one has spoken out on Lothal since, the Bridger transmissions." He smirked. "You're their child. But they didn't have a son; no they had a daughter."
Ezra took an involuntary step back.
"I remember your parents: the original voices of freedom." Senator Trayvis continued.
"Why, why would you do this?" Ezra asked finding his voice.
"I joined the Empire, like your parents should have." Senator Trayvis explained. "For their lives. You're parents were really brave. And incredibly foolish."
Ezra's world was slowly falling apart. He didn't want believe that Senator Traybis was really with the Empire.
"Where are they now?" Senator Trayvis started to gloat. "I'll tell you girl, they're gone. Like you should be, you tranny freak."
Ezra gasped and stepped back, nearly falling over himself. If there was one thing worse than getting misgendered it was getting called that word—that slur. Tears started springing to his eyes.
Hera stepped forward, protectively in front of Ezra. She didn't know what that word that Trayvis called Ezra was, but judging by Ezra's reaction it wasn't good. "They're not gone."
She continued to walk towards the Senator.
"Stop right there." Senator Trayvis ordered.
Hera didn't listen and continued her approach. "As long as we fight, all that they spoke out for lives on."
"I said stop!" Senator Trayvis repeated.
Hera did stop, right in front of the pointed blaster. Senator Trayvis pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.
Hera smirked, "A true rebel would know if he's hold a charged blaster." She tore it from his hands. "And don't misgender my son." She pulled her arm back and gave him a strong right hook, knocking him out.
She turned and walked back over to Ezra.
"You knew?" Ezra asked.
"He tried to get us to surrender and he wasn't tired when he stopped he was waiting for Kallus to catch up. Plus he wanted our secrets." Hera sighed. "I didn't want to believe it either."
Ezra whipped away the last of his tears as Kanan, Zeb and Sabine ran in. "What happened to the Senator?" Sabine asked.
"He's with the Empire." Hera explained.
"Isn't anyone on our side?" Sabine exclaimed.
"Later, we have bucket heads on our tails." Kanan cut in. "How are we going to get through?"
"We were going to stop the fan." Hera explained.
"Ok, but how do we stop our friends from following?" Sabine asked.
"We only stop it for a second," Kanan explained. "Ezra, help me out."
Kanan and Ezra focused on the fan and it started to slow and then was brought to a halt.
"Okay, get it." Kanan ordered. Everyone jumped through before it started back up.
After jumping through Ezra saw the Senator starting to get up, he gave him a death glare. The young teen didn't notice that behind him, Hera was doing the same.
Back at the Ghost Ezra sat on the ramp.
"Is everything okay with him?" Kanan asked Hera.
"Some things that Trayvis said to him must be getting to him." Hera explained. Kanan was about to walk over to him, but Hera stopped him. "I was there, I think I'll handle this."
Kanan nodded and headed towards his cabin.
"How could I let him fool me?" Ezra asked, knowing that Hera had sat down next to him.
"He had us all fooled." Hera replied.
"I wanted to believe that he knew what happened to my parents." Ezra said.
"I know," Hera answered. "Anyone in your shoes would."
"Empire has so many followers, how are we ever going to stop them?" Ezra asked hopelessly.
"We have one thing they don't." Hera replied. Ezra looked at her with his question in his eyes. "Hope."
Ezra smiled.
"We also have each other." Hera added.
Ezra leaned into Hera's side. She wrapped her arm around the too skinny teen.
"Can I ask you something?" Hera asked.
"Sure," Ezra responded.
"What was that he called you?" Hera asked.
Ezra sighed, "Tranny is a slur used to like dehumanize transgenders like me." He explained. "Similar to like people calling Twi-Leks," he paused, unsure if he should say it.
"Head-tails." Hera said it for him. She sighed, "Yeah I've been called that a few times."
"In my opinion," Ezra started. "Being called, well that, is worse than being misgendered."
"I bet." Hera said.
Ezra gave a light laugh, "It was funny how you punched him out cold though."
"Hey, I'll punch anyone out who intentionally misgenders you." Hera promised.
"You mean that?" Ezra asked.
"Of course," Hera smiled, tightening her hold for a moment. "Now, how about a hot drink."
"That'd be great." Ezra responded. They stood and walked into the Ghost.