The time has come to save Ezra!
But will they make it in time?
Will they succeed?
Am I going to leave you on another cliff hanger?!
Probably. ;D
Anyways, thanks for all your support on this story guys, and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter! Hopefully you've been enjoying the Super Bomb so far, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
May the force be with you, always!
-Superherotiger
Kanan's POV
"Kanan careful!" Ephraim hushed, grabbing my collar as I almost lost balance on the thin pole.
"S-Sorry," I stuttered, feeling a bit light-headed. He pulled me back till I was stable and rested his hand on my shoulder patiently, giving me a moment to collect myself. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand.
Ephraim and I were travelling along the pipelines of the Space Port, giving us an aerial view of the ground without being easily spotted. Sabine had suggested it as it would mean we could slip by the Imperial defence without any trouble. Jai and Ace had already informed us that the Empire had arrived, and as we headed for the meeting place, Sabine would warn us when the bounty hunters got here. Then we'd swoop in and grab Ezra once everyone started their distractions.
I tried not to think about what condition we'd find the boy in. Ever since that final blow in the Phantom I couldn't sense him anymore, and I got a feeling Ephraim couldn't either. The place where a fierce and strong presence should be was absent, the force stilled. Ezra's light… had been extinguished.
Whether that was just to us, or for real, I couldn't tell.
I released a strained sigh and nodded at Ephraim, signalling for him to continue forward. He turned around and started off again, using the maze of pipes we crawled along to keep his balance. I followed in suit and kept my hand readily on my blaster, just in case we ran into trouble.
After about five minutes, we came to an intersection below, where four corridors met in a large clearing. Ephraim nudged my shoulder as we shifted to get a clear view of below, but I had already seen who stood on the ground underneath us. A female in pitch black armour and a concealing mask waited with four trooper escorts, the metal of her lightsaber catch the artificial light.
"Seventh Sister," I whispered, clutching onto my shoulder with a quivering hand.
I remembered what she did to me last time. She carved me up, left me injured for weeks, and only now when I was just starting to recover would I have to face her again.
A shiver ran down my spine, and in realising this Ephraim placed his hand reassuringly on my arm. I glanced over at him as he murmured with confidence "You've got me now… We'll do this. Together."
Taking comfort from his now friendly presence, I nodded sharply and turned back to the scene below. But my attention was suddenly caught when a new figure stepped into view.
He was tall and bulky, with reptilian skin and shark-like teeth. His pale, milky eyes were fixed on the Seventh Sister as he approached casually, said Inquisitor twisted around and scowling "It's about time you got here."
"I will arrive when I please," he spoke, his voice having a slight hiss to it.
The Seventh Sister didn't seem impressed, waving her hand around dismissively as she spat "You're lucky the bounty hunters haven't arrived yet. They're just as slow as you."
"And yet, they caught the boy, when you could not," the male remarked as he took his place beside her.
She growled in frustration, defending fiercely "I could've caught him if I really wanted to!"
"And yet, you haven't," he stated sarcastically.
Ephraim leant forward, his eyes narrowed on the newcomer as he whispered softly "Inquisitor."
"Are you sure?" I asked nervously.
"No," he replied, until indicating to an object on the creature's back. "But that looks like a pretty gnarly lightsaber if you ask me."
I noticed the weapon soon after he'd said it, the base large and metal gleaming as I took a shaky breath. "I don't know if I'm up to this," I admitted shamefully. "I can't even face one Inquisitor, let alone two."
"But you won't be fighting them alone this time," Ephraim spoke, his darkened blue eyes watching me sympathetically. "I'll have your back… I promise."
I hesitated at first. It wasn't that long ago when I used to hate the man with every inch of my life. When I used to pin the blame for all of my torment and loss on him, wishing he'd never come into our lives. And yet, within the past 24 hours, we had become friends almost, with Ezra as our common goal and not as our divider. Our bond, if there was such a thing, was still fairly shaky and unrefined. Maybe with more time we'd be able to work out our issues.
But right now I let his words reassure me, mustering all my courage for the events that would soon ensue. We'd fight. And this time, we'd fight as a team.
"Spectre 5 to Spectre 1," Sabine voice suddenly chimed over the com.
I had been sure to turn to volume down, just enough so that those below wouldn't hear as I raised the device to my mouth and whispered "Spectre 1 here. What your status?"
"Night Runner's ship has just docked. Estimated five minutes until he reaches you," she stated.
"Can you see Ezra?" I asked, returning Ephraim's anxious gaze as we awaited an answer.
There was a small, tense pause, before the teen spoke softly "No, not from where I am. Sorry."
I sighed deeply, before replying "It's okay Spectre 5, you handle the ships. We'll take care of Ezra."
"Alright Spectre 1. Awaiting your signal," she spoke, before adding vacantly "And… bring Ezra back… please…"
"No need to worry about that," I assured. "He'll be safe and sound before you know it."
"Good luck guys," Sabine finished off before the com was silenced.
I glanced over at Ephraim as he stared at the two inquisitors with ghostly eyes. "It's almost time," he murmured, his tone darkened. "I… I hope he's alive…"
"Me too," I replied, shifting a little closer to the edge of the pipe to get a better view. "But there's only one way to find out."
And there, the both of us stilled, waiting. The next few minutes were excruciatingly long, but neither of us dared move. Didn't even breathe at some points. We just watched. Staring below with unwavering focus. The silence between us was not one of tension, but of unease, and dread for our boy. We knew what was to come would be unpleasant, but still we waited…. Waiting…. Waiting…
And then, the four troopers straightened as the Inquisitors perked up. They stared down one of the corridors intently while Ephraim and I held our breath in anticipation.
A male, adorned in black armour and a horned, polished helmet strolled into view. "Night Runner," Ephraim growled, his expression immediately twisting into one of rage.
I continued to watch as the man announced clearly "Forgive us for being so late. I hope we didn't keep you waiting."
"Not long enough to make a difference," Seventh muttered, before asking sharply "Do you have the boy?"
At this I sensed the hunter's satisfaction swell. "One Jedi Rebel, as requested," Night Runner laughed, stepping to the side as two guards with electric rods entered the clearing. And in their arms, a limp, bloodied, Ezra.
I felt my entire world shatter as I stared at his body in horror, his usual tan skin pale and lifeless as he was dragged across the floor, blood smearing along the metal. He was unconscious, cuts, burns and bruises lacing the skin under his tattered and torn clothes.
Ephraim's face had become petrified in shock as watched his son get shoved onto the cold, hard floor, just in front of the two Inquisitors.
We both stared, frozen in fear as the Seventh Sister bent down beside Ezra and inspected his condition. She tilted his head slightly, the boy unresponsive as she ran her fingers along a deep, fresh wound on his cheek. She hummed in thought, questioning "I assume this is your work?"
"My finest," Night Runner mused.
"Why you little-!" Ephraim snarled, about to jump down with his lightsaber in hand before I caught him by the jacket and restrained him before he could do anything drastic. "Not yet, not yet!" I hissed as I struggled to contain his fury.
"That bastard's going to pay for what he did to my son!" he snapped ferociously, hatred seeded through his tone.
"He will Ephraim! Just wait!" I grunted as the male grew more aggressive, still trying to leap off the pipe and throttle the monster below.
Glancing down at the others, I was relieved to see they hadn't heard Ephraim's little outburst. "Well you certainly live up to your reputation bounty hunter," Seven said as she rose back to her feet, wiping off Ezra's blood as if it were dirt.
"Yes. Feared leader. Infamous crime lord. And now," he chuckled sickly. "Jedi Slaughterer."
"I can't take this anymore!" Ephraim growled, pulling out his comlink and ordering "Now! Start your distractions everyone!"
It was too late to stop him, the command had been given. And not a few moments later there were two gigantic explosions at either side of the space port, sending shudders through the remaining corridors.
"What was that?!" Seven barked.
She lifted her wrist-pad and snapped to whoever was over the line "Lieutenant, repeat! What's going on?!"
"Rebels are attacking the ships!" someone yelled in response. "Bombs are going off everywhere! And there's a black ship shooting at our air defence!"
I glanced over at Night Runner as he too was being informed by his men of attacks. He glanced over at the Inquisitors and demanded "We held up our end of the deal! Now pay us!"
The male Inquisitor signalled two of the escort troopers as they ran off the get the reward, dragging four crates of what I assumed were credits over and handing them to the guards. They took it without hesitation as they twisted around and ran down the corridor.
"Wait! That's it?!" Seven barked.
"The deal is complete! He's all yours now!" the hunter's voice echoed off through the corridor.
In my moment of distraction Ephraim squirmed out of my grasp and clutched onto my wrist. With fiery blue eyes and a hardened scowl, he nodded and said "We do this together."
It took me a second to collect my thoughts, before I gripped onto my lightsaber and agreed "No turning back now."
Our signatures synced, we leapt off the overhead pipes and landed just behind the Inquisitors and their escorts. The six Imperials twisted around in utter surprise, before Ephraim and me thrusted our hands into the air, doubling the force of our push as the figures went flying across the clearing. Each one slammed into the thick wall with a satisfying crack, the troopers falling unconscious, and the Inquisitors distraught and confused.
We took this opportunity to scramble to Ezra's side, both of us skidding down beside the injured teen helplessly. His wounds were worse than I could have imagined, and I wondered how he had been able to withstand such an onslaught of beatings as he had.
I was the first to make a move, pressing my two fingers against his neck, which to my dismay, was laced with purple and black bruises in the shape of fingerprints. "Come on Ezra…" I muttered as a cool sweat broke on my neck. "I know you're in there…"
Then I felt it. Faint, unsteady heartbeats.
I sighed a breath of relief, pulling my hand away and saying "He's alive… barely."
But when I glanced up at Ephraim I realised his expression was on of great sorrow and guilt. "Oh Ezra," Ephraim wheezed, his voice catching as tears welled in the corners of his eyes.
He was almost reluctantly to touch the boy at first, afraid he'd only worsen his condition, before with wavering hands he pulled Ezra close to his chest. "My little boy," he sobbed, resting his forehead against his son's as he cradled him gently in his arms. "I'm so sorry… I'm sorry I didn't protect you…"
The man kissed Ezra's forehead as his emotions finally flooded out, and he cried inaudibly while whispering reassuring words to his son.
I rested my hand on Ezra's knee and gazed upon him with wide eyes, silence consuming the area around us aside from Ephraim's gentle weeps. He was so cold, and I almost couldn't bear to look upon his battered body. Reaching forward I ran the back of my two fingers against his blood stained cheek, where a deep wound rested deep in his flesh.
"We're here now," I soothed quietly to him, fully knowing he wouldn't hear me. "You're going to be okay now…"
Ephraim slowly collected himself, his sobs morphing into a ragged growl with each exhale. He raised his head, eyes narrowed into slits with his teeth pulled back into a vicious snarl. "Kanan," he spoke, his voice cold and monotone as his grip began to loosen on Ezra's body. "Watch."
"OUT!"
Suddenly his hand was on his lightsaber and he'd shoved the injured teen into my arms. There was the hiss of a lightsaber and a tremendous clash, ducking my head instinctively while wrapping Ezra in my hold. After a moment I dared glance up to see two lightsabers, green jarring against red as Ephraim and the unnamed inquisitor growled at each other.
They pushed against the blades, their muscles shuddering with each second. "That filth is gonna pay for what he did to my son," the former-Jedi seethed, his fingers tightened around the blade. "But for now… your life will be enough."
"Try me Jedi," the reptilian hissed.
Ephraim roared, shoving against the blades to be freed before slashing relentlessly at the Inquisitor. The creature was forced to move backwards under Ephraim's vicious barrage, the two moving away from me and Ezra in a ferocious battle.
I felt the figure in my arms stir, whipping my head around to face the fragile youth. Ezra coughed weakly, spots of blood lining his lips as he groggily came back to reality. His stagnant eyes were misty and glazed, and gently, I took hold of his icy hand in mine, trying to rub some warmth back into his skin. "Ezra," I whispered, trying to hold back a sob. "Ezra it's me."
He blinked once, his expression ghostly.
But after a long moment, his bloodied fingers curled around my palm.
"Kah…nan?" he slurred with a course voice.
A grin immediately broke out on my face as I answered "Yes! Yes it's me Ezra! I'm here, I'm really here…"
But relief was not what I saw in his face as he bit his chaffed lip and released a ragged sob, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes. "D-Don'… let hi-im, g-get me again Kanan…" he pleaded. "D-Don't let him f-find me… I-I beg… you…"
"He won't, he won't Ezra, I promise," I spoke soothingly, giving his hand a brief squeeze as I stared into his fearful blue orbs. My expression softened at the sight of Ezra's vulnerableness, and taking a deep breath, I assured him "He can't hurt you anymore Ezra… we're right here… we're here now."
And then, like a loth-kitten cuddling into the warmth of its mother, Ezra nuzzled into my chest, hiding his black and blue face away as he cried "I d-don' wanna hurt any m-more…"
"I know kid… I know…" I murmured with guilt, not knowing any other way to help ease his pain other than softly stroking his head.
He was shivering under my touch, but whether that was because he was cold, or afraid, I couldn't tell. I just enclosed him in my embrace, holding him tight to my chest as I mumbled words of encouragement to him, reminding him that he was safe, and that I'd protect him…
That I'd always be there…
Sabine's POV
"Okay Zeb, that's all the support ships done," I congratulated my team mate.
"I do love an explosion," the Lasat chuckled as we watched the smoke rise into the Garelian air.
"Don't we all," I smirked. Reaching into my satchel of explosives, I handed Zeb an armful of powerful grenades and instructed "Go plant the rest of these in the rear engine of the main ship and I'll plant this one, ready for Night Runner when he comes back."
I patted the bag with a wink, a deadly, custom mine inside that I'd made specifically for the bounty hunting scum. Zeb immediately got the idea and nodded, before sprinting off to the back of the head-ship while I split off to the entranceway.
When I ran up the open ramp I was welcomed to a large and roomie cargo hold. There was no place to put the trip mine that guaranteed a boom, so I continued further until I could find the appropriate spot. At the end of the bay was a door, leading into a long hallway that eventually broke off into other parts of the ship. I grinned beneath my helmet.
This seemed like the only way into the rest of the ship, meaning Night Runner would have to pass through here at some stage. And once he hit my tripwire, then he, and all his other mindless drones would get the surprise of their life.
I wasted no time once the plan was set, pulling out three sets of laser censors and planting them in three different sections of the hallway. Carefully, I took out my masterpiece and planted it underneath the floor panels, fitting it back in nicely so it was hidden.
Once finished, I stood up and admired my work.
I glanced down the end of the corridor, where from the position the bomb would go off you could just see the far wall, and I was suddenly hit with a new idea.
Swiftly, I raced over to the barren space and pulled out my paint-gun. "A gift from me to you, Night Runner," I scowled, before proceeding to spray on my famous phoenix symbol. As I worked I could only imagine how his face would look when he saw my art, realisation hitting him the second he goes boom. The thought made me smile in glee.
I was almost finished, about to adjust the right wing, when suddenly I was tackled from the side.
I yelped in distress and lashed out at the figure, punching them square in the jaw. They jolted backwards, allowing me to kick them out from under their legs and proceed to flip the tables, jumping atop of them instead. I used one hand to keep them pinned to the floor while whipping out my gun and aiming it to their forehead.
The figure didn't fight back once they realised they'd been defeated, staring up at me with their masked face.
But my expression twisted into a scowl as my memory rekindled. "You," I spat, fiddling with the trigger experimentally. "You're Night Runner's pet, aren't you?"
At my comment the girl scowled, replying defiantly "I'm not his pet! I'm his sister!"
I scoffed lightly. "Don't act like it…"
"Pfft. What would you know? You're just a terrorist!" she fumed under my hold.
"Oh yeah, and you're just a bounty hunter," I growled.
The girl went rigid, before turning her head away and muttering "I'm not… but I could be…"
Rolling my eyes, I got to my feet, dragging her along with me as I retorted "Look, I'm not interested in any sob story. I've got better things to do."
"Wait!" she spoke, trying to pull away as I cuffed her hands behind her back and began pushing her down the branching corridor, the pistol to her head. "We don't have to be enemies!" she cried pleadingly. "If you help me I'll help you!"
"Oh yeah? And why should I even consider making a trade with you?" I replied sarcastically.
"But I can help you-"
"Sure, sure, pipsqueak," I dismissed her with ease. "You can tell the closet door in just a sec-"
"Listen!" she roared, suddenly jumping away with an unexpected amount of force. She was stronger than first appeared, turning to face me with her now exposed face. Her helmet had slipped off in the escape, her hands still bound together as she panted, glaring at me with pale green eyes. Shoulder-length, golden blonde hair fell down the sides of her pale face, and she flashed her teeth in a menacing growl.
I pulled out my second gun and aimed at the unhinged teen, but she didn't attack like I expected her to. She just stood there. Staring.
"I can help," she snarled, her voice course.
"Oh please, enough with the-"
"Shut up and listen to me!" she barked ferociously. "Do you have any idea what he does to us here? What Night Runner did to your friend?"
A fire arose in my chest as I replied bitterly "I can guess…"
"Well I don't need to guess!" she snapped, shaking her head and causing her hair to sway hypnotically. She continued on in a pained tone, her voice like venom as she explained "He… my brother is ruthless… to all of us…"
"You were right when you called me his pet," she admitted shamefully. "That's all I am to him. A nuisance, a pest, a servant… and I'm tired off it!"
Slowly, I lowered my guns and continued to listen intently as she added "I'm done following him! I wanna take over the gang, and if I do, I'll certainly treat everyone better than how he does!"
"So what, you want me to help you?" I quipped, unconvinced.
"Yes! The soldiers are only loyal to my brother. If I killed him the others would execute me for treason," she spoke. "But, if he's killed by an outsider, I can take over his place, and everyone would follow me instead!"
"Oh yeah? And what do I get out of it?" I quizzed suspiciously.
A grin slithering onto her pale lips, she breathed "If you kill him, me and the gang will never chase after you and your rebel friends again."
"Who's to say I can't kill all of you now and save that problem myself?" I tested.
"Because," she growled throatily. "No matter how many times you kill our leader, there'll be a new one that comes in. One that will gladly come back for your precious Jedi with what the Empire are offering. But. Help me now, get me into power, and I'll never take the job. While ever I rule, your crew will be safe…"
At her words I paused. It did make sense, and if I could guarantee the protection of Ezra, just like he'd done for me, then why wouldn't I?
Glancing up at the girl, I stared deep into her eyes, seeing the shattered soul who laid beneath. Her expression was raw, and from what I could tell, I didn't see a single seed of deceit in her face. Sighing, I holstered my guns and crossed my arms.
"Fine. What do I have to do?"
Her face brightened, and she exclaimed in glee "Perfect! All you have to do is shoot him in front of his guards as witnesses. Then you're free to go."
"Wait? So I can't just blow him up?" I questioned.
"No, no. We need witnesses. And if I come over and act like I'm trying to protect him, then I can also lie to the others and say he said to put me in charge. It's flawless!" she announced with pride, jumping from foot to foot in excitement.
I groaned, knowing that if I agreed to this plan I'd have to rip up my masterpiece. But, it was a better plan for the long run. And it would protect Ezra… And that's all that mattered.
Reaching for my com, I spoke "Spectre Four, new plan. Take out all the bombs, our new target is Night Runner."
"What? But what about this ship?" he asked uncertainly.
"Leave it. Go take those bombs and help Jai and Ace with the Empire," I ordered. "I'm going for Night Runner."
"Alright," he grumbled. "What's with the change in plan?"
"I've made a deal," I replied while walking to behind the girl and shooting at her binders, allowing them to fall off her wrists. She stared at her hands in awe, before turning to me and grinning deviously.
"With who?" Zeb asked.
I tilted my head slightly at the teen, before she offered her hand and introduced "Bell. My name's Bell."
I gazed at her offer questionably at first, before taking her hand and shaking it fiercely.
"Bell," I answered into the com. "My temporary partner in crime."
Super Bomb #4
The Light in the Dark
Remember Me
Lost Chapters
O' Family of Ours
There is no Death, There is the Force
To Mend the Bond
Beasts of Legend
Family Ties
