A/N so I decided to skip the new two shows in the series and get right to the start of it all. The academy chapter will happen later.
Thank you to The Sapphire One For the comment that gave me the motivation to begin working on this fic again.
I don't know when I'll be updating any of my fics again with the Net Neutrality issue looming over us, but I hope to upload more chapters in the future.
Acquaintance
So without further ado, Let the chaos ensue.
Ezra stands in the vast field of Lothal, Kanan in front of him with the vast fields stretching out behind him. Kanan throws a stone out into the grass, and a startled Loth-Cat pounces out. "Now, see if you can form a connection."
Ezra holds out a hand and tries, he knows it's possible, he has done it with the creatures that infested the slave barracks late at night to keep them away from those close without knowing it. Now it's a struggle just to form one simple connection. When he fails to form one after a few minutes, he looks at Kanan with downcast eyes. "Can we not do this today?"
Kanan is surprised by the question, but nods. "Yeah, let's meet up with the others, and go over the plan for later."
Ezra attempts a smile, but Kanan can sense the sadness, and fear surround the young teen. They walk side by side into the capitol, and Kanan can't help but notice that from all the times Ezra lingered a few steps behind.
The two meet up with the others at Jo's Tavern where Ezra sticks by Kanan, not wanting to be left alone at the moment. Kanan takes a seat at the bar and Ezra sits next to him, keeping his head low and hiding the marks on his neck with the collar of the top. Sabine and Hera are seated at a table close to the bar, and Zeb has Chopper over at a corner table.
Two storm troopers barge into the area and begin to man-handle any Rhodinian in the bar, comparing them to a picture of one Ezra hasn't seen since his family was taken away, and his nightmare began. "Zeebo?" The former slave whispered in disbelief. Kanan heard him and looked over the young males shoulder at the Rhodinian the troopers were currently harassing.
Another Trooper is harassing Jo about the lack of Imperial broadcast being shown.
As the broadcast plays Ezra can't help but glare at the screen, the look softens and Exile makes his claim on avoiding the parade celebrating Empire Day.
The rest of the Ghost crew take notice of Ezra's need for close proximity, yet his flinches have never been more violent He's standing next to Sabine and Zeb when they set off the fireworks.
From the corner of his eye he can see Kanan approached by a Trooper after setting the firework device right underneath the newest model of TIE. Once the detonation happens all hell breaks loose. When Zeb takes aim at Kallus with his Bo Rifle and switches to the Inquisitor, Ezra pulls him away before he can fire. "We need to go, They can't find us."
The Lasat takes account of Ezra's words and knows the boy is right, "There'll always be another chance, but not if we're caught." And those words truly make the final decision.
As they run, Ezra takes the lead and leads them to his family home once again, still in the condemned state they first saw it in. Ezra is pacing, mumbling to himself, before he goes over to a sitting area with a table melded into the floor. At least that's what they all thought before he lifts the center piece effortlessly and peers down.
The others keep their distance one, to allow Ezra space to do what he thought needed to be done, and two, they honestly were too shocked at the secret tunnel. Ezra whispers down into the hole, but his words are urgent, and within seconds a Rhodinian makes themselves known to all within the room without paying a single on any attention.
Ezra flinches when the Rhodinian crashes into a wall, mumbling in their native language.
"Ezra, who's that?" Sabine asks before following after the alien and translating what they were saying.
"He's name is Zeebo, he was a friend of my parents."
"Like those farmers?" Zeb asks and Ezra nods trying to ignore the complicated tech jargon he had no hope of ever understanding.
When Sabine begins to explain what is happening, the former slave slips down the tunnel to check on his parents recording equipment. He'd never been allowed down here growing up. After a while Sabine comes down to get the boy.
"Hey Ezra, we need to discuss something, would you like to come back up?" there's that new treatment again. Ever since he joined the crew officially, the others have taken to asking his opinion before starting something.
He nods, sparing one last look at a data chip set on one of the machines. Sabine is aware of this and makes sure to grab the chip before following him up.
After the discussion a plan is decided. Hera with Chopper are to meet them outside the capitol where Kanan, Zeb, Sabine and Ezra will try to find a way to bring Zeebo to the rest of the rebellion.
Sabine is the only one in the galley when Zeebo finally has a moment of lucidity and brings about the fact that his parents are alive.
When the mission is over she goes to comfort Ezra, and slips him the data chip, instructing him on how to use it before slipping away.
The image on the chip is one that was long since forgotten, staring a happy family with a small boy of five on his mother's back, and his father's hands on either of their shoulders. Tears come unhindered, but silently.
Kanan is able to find the boy hiding on the top turret gun staring sadly at the image. Kanan smiles sadly at the image of a happy family broken apart.
Kanan hovers a hand over Ezra's shoulder silently asking for permission, only to have the boy hug him of his own accord. Kanan smiles at the Ezra gives him at the moment and returns it, the two illuminated by the warm orange glow of the past.
A/N sorry this was shorter than the others, but I was having a lot of trouble with putting everything into words, hopefully the next chapter will be better with some re-introductions.