The Apprentice
As the blade sailed downwards everything seemed to slow down. She watched as the burning plasma seared into her old friend, her agonised scream muted in the numb world she found herself in. Then the cold hit her, like a wave it crashed into her leaving her covered in goose bumps and shivering. Her breath hung before her in clouds as she stared at the young man that she had once hoped would help bring light and love to galaxy. Her eyes wide and a single tear running down her cheek as she saw the monster he had become, the creature that Starkiller had turned him into. As Barriss slumped to the deck, her eyes blank, her senses began to return to her and she managed to get to her feet and summon her lightsabre. The hilt flew to her hand and quickly grew sweaty in her grip. Ezra for the most part didn't even acknowledge she was there, as he turned away from the dead Inquisitor he deactivated the strange new lightsabre he was holding and scanned the ships controls.
"Well you certainly made a mess of this" he tutted as he stared disapprovingly at the destroyed controls. "We can't change course or drop out of hyperspace from here". Still not even looking at the stunned Togruta he dialled a few commands into a functioning console "If we kill the hyperdrive we'll stop, but we'll be stranded and we're way too far off Atollon to radio in for a pick up." Ezra looked up at Ashoka for the first time "any ideas?" For her part the Togruta stared at the young human, her eyes wide and distrusting.
"Remnous?" Was all she said, her eyes fixed on his, and the golden glow that shon from them.
##
"Sabine?" She was pulled from her sleep by the sound of her own name. Her eyes flew open and she hurriedly sat up. She'd forgotten she wasn't wearing anything, and as she sat up the blanket covering her fell to her waist.
"Har'Chaak!" She cursed to herself in Mandalorian and grabbed the blanket pulled it back up to her shoulders and turned to see Hera stood in the open doorway of the Shadows interior. The Twi'lek was deliberately looking away, with a look on her face that Sabine couldn't recognise. "What?!" She snapped irritably as she felt her cheeks flush, she was probably orange again. Sabine hurriedly tried to her to her feet, but found Hera's hand on her shoulder before she could.
"Hera, you're not about to give me 'the talk' are you?" Sabine rolled her eyes as Hera sat down opposite her.
"No" The Twi'lek shook her head. Sabine readjusted the blanket and sat up. "Sabine, I now about that night in the Phantom" The Mandalorian looked away and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "Sabine, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Turn around" Sabine said simply, glaring at the Togruta. After a moment Hera nodded and stood up, turning her back. Behind her she heard Sabine scramble for her clothes. "Sabine, you know Ezra isn't in the best place right now, right?"
"I know he's changed if that's what you're saying" she heard the Mandalorian say behind her.
"That's not what I meant" Hera said patiently as she examined the Shadows controls. 'Starkiller must be a hell of a pilot if he could work these' she thought to herself, thinking about the poise and grace the ship had flown with all those months ago when it had disabled them in space. Why Ezra had kept the ship after he'd stolen it was beyond her.
"What do you mean?" Sabine worked her legs into her armours one piece under suit.
"Do you remember what Kanan said?" Hera said, her back still turned. "He said the Ezra we found wouldn't be the one we lost and, he isn't."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Sabine, you grew up in a military society" Hera said gently "you were a warrior before you were a person"
"And what's that got to do with Ezra and I?" Hera could hear the annoyance in the Mandalorians voice.
"I think" Hera said slowly "you grew up in a passionless life, one dedicated to honour and the reason you're so drawn to Ezra now is because he's so free with his passions after what happened to him"
"Is that your official diagnosis doc?" The Mandalorians voice was teeming with sarcasm. Hera turned around to see Sabine stood behind her in her armours under suit, her arms crossed across her chest.
"Sabine, you're being so reckless, it's not like you"
"If Ezra can be free to feel why can't I?" Sabine snapped back
"We don't know what this is doing to him!" Hera cried out "He's changed so much already, we may never get the old Ezra back"
"Is that what this is about?" Sabine tilted her head to the side "You miss your little boy?" Sabine shook her head "Hera, our Ezra is long gone, the best we can do is learn to love the one we found. If I can why can't you?"
"This isn't about acceptance Sabine" Hera sighed. Before she could continue Tandi appeared in the doorway, her rifle was strapped to her back and her face was red from running. "Tandi?"
"What is it?" Sabine rolled her eyes and didn't even look at the other woman.
"The Inquisitor's escaped" Tandi panted
"What?" Hera turned to Tandi, a horrified look on her face
"There's something else, Ezra, Galen and Ashoka are missing and one of the blockade runners was stolen."
"Har'Chaak" Sabine murmured quietly.
##
"I have no desire to fight you." Ezra said simply as he strode past Ashoka to another panel. "This isn't the time, neither is it the place"
"Oh, it isn't the time?" Ashoka glared at the young man "I can sense it Ezra, the Dark Side" a shiver ran up the Grey Jedi's spine and she shuddered "even the cold is enough of a give-away"
"It's complicated" Ezra said, still not looking at Ashoka as he worked on the few functioning controls.
"Complicated?!" Ashoka was beside herself. "You killed her!" The Togruta pointed at the still warm body of the Grand Inquisitor.
"She deserved to die!"
"The Ezra Bridger I knew would never take a life."
"Ezra Bridger is dead!" the Dark Apostle roared suddenly, he turned on Ashoka, his fists balled "He died alone, cold and afraid three months ago!" he turned away from Ashoka, his head bowed. The Togruta stared at him, for the first time since Ezra had been taken from them, she truly felt remorse.
"You've been lying" Ashoka said, her voice hollow and her heart cold "About Galen, you, have you told us the truth about anything?"
"That doesn't matter now" Ezra said
"And what makes you say that?"
"Because, we're locked on course, in four minutes we'll arrive at Malachor and when we get there, Vader will be waiting." Ashoka glared at Ezra, then nodded.
"If and when we get through this, I will tell the others"
"If we both make it, I'll gladly tell them myself" he returned the Togrutas glare "I'm sick of hiding anyway."
"Do you have anything resembling a plan?"
"I've got something" Ezra said as he held his hand out and summoned the Inquisitors fallen sabres. "Here." He tossed her one and clipped the other onto his belt "You're better with two". Ashoka caught the hilt easily, she considered telling Ezra to keep it, then decided against it, she was better with two.
"So, what is the plan?" she asked cautiously
"We rig this ship to explode, slip aboard Vader's Star Destroyer, fight our way to the hanger and hope there's something there with a hyperdrive"
"That's not a plan it's a death wish!" Ashoka said, appalled.
"I said something, not a Machiavellian Scheme" Ezra shrugged as he crossed over to the Grand Inquisitors body and fumbled with her belt, quickly retrieving his Guard Shotos and sliding them into their holsters.
"We're both going to die" Ashoka said grimly.
"If I'm lucky" Ezra muttered darkly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ashoka snorted "the Dark Side is nothing new to you."
"And I'd rather not be driven mad by it" Ezra snapped at the Togruta "My soul was enough of a price, I'll keep my mind". The decking beneath them rocked as the ship dropped out of hyperspace. A grey planet hung in space, the two stared through the bridges viewport. Even to Ezra, there was something foreboding about it. "Can you feel it?"
"Yes" Ashoka said quietly "So much death"
"Do you know what happened here?" Ezra stared, his eyes wide and unnerved. "I read about it in the Imperial records on the Rogue Shadow, but reading about it and seeing it, they're very different."
"Yes, I've heard about it. But it's mostly lost to Legends" Ashoka said quietly "but it is said about four thousand years ago, a fallen Jedi Knight turned Sith used a terrible and powerful weapon to end a battle in the Mandalorian Wars. In Mandalorian they call it "Ani'la Akaan"- "the Great Last Battle"".
"No" Ezra shook his head "You've got it wrong, Revan hadn't fallen yet, this was what tipped him" The Dark Apostle glanced at the Grey Jedi "the decisions, the sacrifices…. all the things we do to protect others, innocents, enemies and the ones we love". The Togruta didn't respond for a moment, then sighed.
"Ezra Bridger died a hero"
"He deserved better"
"You're right on that one" Ashoka glanced at the twisted mirror of her absent friend and to her surprise, felt, pity. Cautiously, she reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry".
"Someone has to be" Ezra shrugged her arm off "Let's go rig the hyperdrive"
##
"Long range scanners can find no trace of the blockade runner" Commander Sato said gravely
"And with all the new stealth upgrades we can't track it" Kanan said bitterly as he paced the length of Chopper Bases command centre. Sabine was also pacing on the other side of the room, Zeb was shuffling restlessly and looked about ready to join them. Kota and Hera were sat together with Commander Sato, you could slice the tension in the air with a knife.
"How'd she take three Jedi prisoner?!" The Lasat snapped suddenly "Galen's fought Starkiller! How'd an Inquisitor get the better of him?"
"I can vouch for my Apprentices ability to match an Inquisitor" Kota said firmly "however, I'm unsure about Commander Tano's competency. She's been emotionally compromised"
"Commander Tano is a professional" Commander Sato snapped, "I can assure you she would approach any combat situation with a cool attitude."
"Tell me Commander" Kota said coolly "Did Commander Tano ever tell you about Barriss Offee?"
"The terrorist from the Clone Wars?" Hera asked
"I suppose you could call her a terrorist" Kota shrugged "To cut a long story short, Commander Tano was removed from the order after Offee framed her, even after her name was cleared she left willingly. Everything that's happened to Commander Tano over the last seventeen or so years was shaped by Barriss Offee's actions"
"The Inquisitor" Hera's eves grew wide as the realisation dawned on her.
"She must've been after revenge" Zeb muttered "Never knew Ashoka could blow her cool"
"Revenge is not the Jedi way" Commander Sato said slowly
"Ashoka's no Jedi" Kanan muttered darkly.
##
An Imperial Star Destroyer orbited the dead planet, as the smaller Blockade Runner appeared on its sensors a communications officer sent a message to a Arquitens Class Cruiser that was leaving the planets atmosphere. After a brief exchange the Destroyer continued its orbit as the Cruiser glided towards the disabled ship. There was no need to risk damage to the Destroyer, the personnel aboard the Frigate would be far more than sufficient to deal with a single, albeit powerful, child.
##
"He's coming" Ezra said simply. "Can you feel it?" The two of them were crouched in the engineering section of the frigate. Ezra had pulled panels and control stations apart and was busily pulling cables loose and turning dials.
"No" Ashoka shook her head "All I can sense is you." The Togruta shivered violently as another wave of cold rushed over her. "How can you live like that?"
"You get used to it" Ezra muttered as he pulled a cable loose from the hyperdrive and plugged it into another socket. "There" he sat back and wiped his human hand off on his coat. "That should create a power loop, once we turn the reactor back on we'll have about ten minutes before it overloads and blows.
"Not a wide time frame"
"Best I can do with the time we've got" Ezra reached behind him for his lightsaber, his head still buried in an open panel in the hyperdrive. His metal fingers groped in the air for a few moments before he turned to look for it. Unable to see it he turned to Ashoka. "Have you seen?" He cut off when he saw her examining the weapon in the dull emergency lighting.
"To be honest, I've never seen anything like this" She said calmly as she turned the hilt over "multiple blade emitters. I recognize the cross-guard element, but the knuckle guard? That's new."
"Thanks" he held his hand out firmly, metal palm open.
"It wasn't a compliment" Ashoka shot back sarcastically. The Togruta ignored the outstretched palm and continued to study the weapon. "Something this specific couldn't have been built as an improvisation, no, this was built from a plan, or an image." She looked up at 'Ezra' "But it's unique, so where did you get an idea this detailed?"
"Is this really the time for this?" Ezra glared at the Grey Jedi, his yellow eyes shining in the low light.
"We might die in a few minutes" Ashoka said calmly "I might not get the chance to ask later." After a pause, Ezra sighed.
"It was in a vision" the Sith Apprentice raised his hand, the hilt caught the low light as it was plucked from Ashoka's grasp and flew towards its master. For an instant, the hilt shone red in the light, and for a moment, it shone sinisterly in the darkness, just like its Masters eyes.
"'Remnous'" Ashoka echoed darkly as Ezra neatly caught the hilt in his right hand, the metal fingers wrapping tightly around the new weapon. "That's where you got the design, and the Sith name." The Togruta shook her head as she stood. "You've seen the future"
"I've seen pieces" Ezra rose to his feet "Fragments. But the future is the future, here and now? That's something we have to worry about" He glared at Ashoka for a few seconds before begrudgingly muttering "I can't take Vader alone, I need your help"
"I don't know if I can either" Ashoka said tersely.
"An Alliance of convenience then?" Ezra crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrow. "If it comes to it I'd like to avoid an actual fight. For now.
"Ah, I see the way of the Sith is still the coward's way" Ashoka snorted as she raised her hands and summoned the two lightsabers from her belt.
"Your arrogant self-righteousness blinds you" Ezra retorted snidely "There are times to fight, and times to be smart."
"A good offense is often the best defense" Ashoka shrugged
"I think he of all people would expect that". The ship rocked slightly, the two stumbled as the deck-plate shifted.
"They haven't locked on to us with a crane arm" Ashoka said quietly "They've only docked with a frigate"
"I'm almost insulted" Ezra muttered dryly. "We'll have an easier time taking it though"
"It'll have minimal crew if they're running a standard boarding operation" The Togruta nodded
"So, we play this smart?" Ezra cocked his head to the side as he strained to hear the sound of metal being cut through echoing through the ship.
"Sneak aboard and cut them off" Ashoka nodded begrudgingly. "Light the fuse, let's get this suicide mission over with."
##
The sun was beginning to come up as he trekked back to the base. Galen had spent all night talking with the Bendu, he had a lot to think about. He'd expected the base to be quiet at this time of the morning. But instead he could hear a thrum of activity as he ascended the hill side, the base teamed with life as dozens of personnel scurried about the landing strip. Bleary eyed and caught unsuspecting he searched for familiar faces in the crowd. He quickly spotted Juno talking with Hera Syndulla and Kota, they all had their backs to him as they surveyed the landing zone.
"What's going on?" He asked as he jogged up to them, taking them by surprised they jumped slightly.
"Where've you been?!" Juno demanded, shoving Galens chest with both hands. "We thought you'd been taken prisoner!" Still glaring, she suddenly threw her arms around him and pulled him close a moment before letting him go.
"Prisoner?" He said numbly "What are you talking about?"
"The Inquisitor has escaped" Hera said gravely "Ashoka and Ezra are gone along with a Blockade Runner. We have to assume they've been taken prisoner." The Twi'lek hugged the data pad she was holding to her chest.
"Do you have any idea where they've gone?" He was awake now, adrenaline had surged through his system as his mind raced.
"All we have is the bearing the frigate was on when it jumped to hyperspace, we've checked the areas of space the course will take it through but there are no known Imperial facilities in those regions. Without a solid lead to follow, Commander Sato has ordered the base to emergency protocols, all the frigates are ready to go and the base has been warned to evacuate at a moment notice until we know the base's location isn't compromised."
"So, you aren't going to look for them?" Galen asked incredulously
"I tried to persuade the Commander to let the Ghost look for them, but he insisted we were needed here" The Captain bristled with annoyance.
"Can I have a look at the bearings at least?" Galen sighed.
"Here, for all the good it will do you" Hera sighed, holding out her data pad. Galen quickly took it, his eyes scanning over the bearings again and again as his mind raced.
"Where have you been Boy?" Kota said suddenly as he 'stared' at Galen with his blank eyes.
"It's a long story" Galen said, not looking up from the data pad. What's out there?! Then, he realized, the solution immediately visible. "I think I know where she went."
"What? How?" Hera was immediately alert at the news. "Where are they?"
"It's complicated Galen said slowly.
"It's complicated?" Hera sighed "Galen I can't authorize a departure based off a hunch". Galen opened his mouth to protest but Hera raised her hand. "But I can turn a blind eye to an unauthorized take off. No offence." The Twi'lek glanced at Kota.
"None taken." The blind man shrugged "I'll be going with you boy."
"No" Galen said quickly. "With Ashoka gone they'll need you more here Kota"
"Your experience will be invaluable" Hera nodded sagely.
"Alright boy" Kota nodded
"Bring my boy home" Hera said darkly
"I promise you I will" Galen nodded "come on Juno" the two turned and ran for the Rogue Shadow
"So where are we going?" Juno asked as they ran
"Malachor"
##
They crept through the dark corridors silently. Occasionally, if Stormtroopers passed, they would freeze, hiding in the shadows and dark alcoves dotted around the corridors. Most of the time the Troopers would pass them by and continued on their search, each time the footfalls of a patrol faded Ezra would offer a silent thanks to the incompetency of the Imperial soldiers. If they were spotted Ezra would wave a hand in their face and they would simply fall over, unconscious. Stepping over a third patrol, Ezra peered around a corner before nodding at Ashoka and beckoning her forwards. Together they slipped around the bend, the corridor split into a junction, they could see the light from the airlock connecting the ship to the Imperial frigate shining through into the damaged vessel.
"Come on" Ashoka whispered as she hurried towards the light, Ezra close behind her. They were almost there when Ezra stopped dead in his tracks. His face contorted with horror he turned around, as a deep, foreboding sound filled the ship.
"He's here" Ezra whispered as Ashoka finally felt the cold. The rasp of Darth Vader's artificial breath was soon joined by heavy foot falls and the hum of a lightsaber as the Sith Lord advanced on them from the darkness, bathed in the red glow of his lightsaber blade. Ashoka glanced behind her only to see a slender figure in jet black armor wielding an Inquisitors lightsaber standing in the light of the airlock, barring their escape.
"Damn, so close" Ezra muttered as he and Ashoka instinctively moved to stand back to back as they drew their weapons.
"It did not expect you to be here" Vader said casually as he came to a halt about six feet away from Ashoka. "But I am glad our long-awaited meeting has come at last"
"I'm glad I've made things more interesting for you" Ashoka drawled sarcastically, behind her she heard Ezra chuckle before he stepped away from her and advanced on the Inquisitor.
"We need not be adversaries" Vader lowered his blade "The Emperor will show you mercy, if you tell me where the remaining Jedi can be found"
"There are no Jedi" Ashoka snapped as she raised her lightsabers and activated the white and red blades. "You and your inquisitors have seen to that." Behind them there was the sound of a lightsaber swinging, them a grunt accompanied by the sound of a fist connecting with armor.
"Then the Empire has of no need of you. But if you will not tell me what I wish to know, perhaps another will." Ashoka turned, Ezra was stood over the new Inquisitor, the Imperials lightsaber in hand.
"I will never give you anything" Ezra growled as he jabbed the blade downwards, stabbing it into the Inquisitors back without even looking at the groaning Imperial. "But I'll take everything from you"
"I see Starkiller has finally made himself useful" Vader remarked simply as he regarded Ezra curiously.
"What?" Ezra raised the Inquisitors blade "What are you talking about?"
"I had hoped to overthrow the Emperor with Starkillers aid, but he has proven himself to be weak and corrupted by the light." The Sith raised his hand, a metal finger pointing at Ezra. "I needed a new disciple and I knew you would be the perfect new Apprentice. I sensed the potential in you on Lothal"
"Did you order Starkiller to turn Ezra to the Dark Side?" Ashoka's eyes narrowed as she tightened her grip on her lightsabers.
"I didn't even have to" Vader's voice glowed with smug pride. "My former Apprentice is untalented in the art of deception. I knew he was plotting against me and knew he would try to take an apprentice and since I had tasked him with infiltration the Rebellion I knew he would choose Ezra Bridger."
"Bastard." Ezra growled.
"I was beginning to think I knew who you were beneath that mask" Ashoka glared at the remains of the man before her "But I was wrong, my Master could never be as vile or cruel as you."
"Anakin Skywalker was weak. I destroyed him" Ashoka closed her eyes as she accepted the final conformation.
"Then I will avenge his death"
"Revenge is not the Jedi way" Vader took hold of his lightsaber hilt in both hands and raised the blade.
"I am no Jedi" The Togruta spat as she leapt at the Sith Lord. Vader raised his blade to block hers and the two locked their lightsabers as they stared into each-others eyes for an instant. Ashoka was the one to break the lock as she ducked under Ezras blade as it sailed through the air the meet Vader's. The two-clashed back and forth as Ashoka darted behind Vader to strike at his back. Caught between the two Vader was forced to thrust his hand out at Ezra, sending a telekinetic push at the boy which threw him backwards and into an opposite wall. As Ezra slumped to the floor groaning Vader turned to face Ashoka's strike head on his red blade blocking her white one. As Ezra climbed to his feet he noticed something strange on Vader's belt, it was a small pyramid crafted with gold and a strange red crystal. Shaking his head Ezra forced himself to focus on the fight at hand. Vader pressed forward with his assault, pushing Ashoka back as his brutal strikes quickly wore down her strength. With a flick of his hand he sent the worn out Togruta tumbling backwards, slowly the Sith Lord turned to face the Sith Apprentice.
"As you can see, the way of the Jedi cannot give you the power to defeat me, and Starkiller is too poor of a teacher to guide you" the Sith offered a gloved hand "Join me, and I will complete your training! With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy!"
"I'll never join you!" Ezra snarled "You have nothing to teach me!"
"Do I not?" Vader advanced, his sabre humming menacingly. "I felt your potential across the galaxy moths ago when you turned onboard that station." The Darth raised his hand to chest height and Ezra choked as he felt a hand close around his neck. "You should have won this duel single handedly, you have more then enough power. Your time spent with the Rebels has made you soft" Vader shook his head and sighed "You must know that Starkiller's ridiculous plan to use the Rebels to bait out and defeat the Emperor will fail. Following it is a waste and disservice to your potential." Ezra spluttered as his empty lungs burned, he dropped to his knees gasping weakly. "Pathetic" Vader scoffed as he released the boy, who fell to the deck-plate, coughing and spluttering as he fought for breath.
"I will kill you!" Ezra glowered up at Sith as he weakly tried to get to his feet, the Inquisitors lightsaber still in hand.
"You can't" Vader gloated "Not until you truly allow Ezra Bridger to die."
"Ezra Bridger is dead!" The Sith Apprentice snarled.
"Is he?" Vader mused "For one who is not Ezra Bridger, you fit into his life remarkably well." The Apprentice grimaced as he finally rose to his feet. "You sleep in his bed, dine with his family and lie with his love." With a howl the Dark Apostle lunged at the Sith, swinging his blade up at his opponent's head. Vader blocked the blow and stepped back, keeping the blades at arms distance, the glare of the blades reflected in the eyes of his helmet. "There it is! The fire and the passion of a Sith Warrior! Let the boy die! Unleash your true rage and strike me down!" Snarling the young man shoved hard against the older Sith's lightsaber, forcing Vader to take a few steps backwards. "Kill the boy!" Grunting the Apprentice snarled as felt the cold spread over his body, numbing him down to his bones. He could feel himself slipping into the bitter darkness, the light and warm of Ezra Bridger he carried in his chest was fading away. Ahead of him, beyond Vader, he could see a massive, dark silhouette.
"Ezra?" The voice cut through the icy darkness, warmth came with it, filling his chest and sending life through him. "You're such an idiot" Sabines voice said softly
"I'm sorry Sabine" he whispered. "I can't hold on to Ezra anymore. I have to kill the past, it's the only way to become what I was meant to be."
"You are Ezra Bridger" Sabines voice whispered in his ear "and you're staying with me"
"I can't" The Apprentice breathed. "It has to be this way" The cold began to invade his fractured soul once again as he eye began to twitch.
"Stay with me" The cold faded away and he gasped as he was brought back into the moment. His blade was locked with Vader's, his arms ached and he was exhausted. Slowly, Ezra closed his eyes and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry Sabine." He sighed, then he brought his foot up and slammed it hard into Vader's chest. The sudden blow sent the Sith stumbling backward. Grimacing, Ezra raised his left hand and summoned all the power he had left through his arm and into his fingertips. Lightning tore through the air and struck the Sith Lord. His animatronic breathing reduced to a wheezing hiss Vader stumbled backwards, right into the path of Ashoka's saber blades as the Togruta leapt through the air at her former Master.
"Argh!" Vader cried out as he sunk to his knees. In a split second of instinct Ezra thrust his hand out and summoned the strange device on his enemy's belt. The small golden pyramid flew through the air into Ezra's battered metal hand. Ashoka landed beside him and turned to glare at the beaten Sith Lord as Ezra advanced, activating his lightsaber.
"I've waited a long time for this" Ezra panted as he lowered the blade to Vader's throat. The Sith Lord kept his head lowered as he breathed heavily, his respirator wheezing. A long gash ran along the front of his mask, an eye piece and chunks of the cheek and forehead had been taken off. Burned and ran skin was just visible as Vader looked away. "I'm almost disappointed" Ezra smirked "I didn't think it would be this soon, or that you'd be a coward in the end." The Apprentice raised the trophy blade. A hand seized his wrist.
"Ezra, no." Ashoka said sternly as she glared at him.
"You want to spare him?!" Ezra spat with disgust as he turned to face the Togruta. "Him! Of all the people in the Galaxy?"
"Not for his sake" Ashoka said simply "For yours, if you strike him down in anger, it will be the end of Ezra Bridger for good"
"How many time do I have to tell you!" The Sith Apprentice snarled "Ezra Bridger is dead! And I have no interest in bringing him back!" Taking the lightsaber in both hands he raised the deadly plasma blade above his head.
"No!" Ashoka yelled. She thrust her hands out and sent him flying backwards towards the airlock. He landed hard on the deck-plate, sprawling out in the light from the Imperial ship.
"Ashoka" Vader's voice was fractured, half artificial and half human. Frozen in place, Ashoka turned to look at the Sith. "Ashoka" the voice was fully human now. He raised his head, giving her a clear look at the gash in his helmet, the eye, blood shot and yellow stared at her. She instantly recognized it.
"Anakin" She whispered, as she starred back into the tragically familiar eye she was overwhelmed with grief. Maybe Starkiller was right, maybe if she'd stayed with the Order she could have saved her Masters soul. "I won't leave you!" She said firmly as the Sith rose to his feet. "Not this time." Vader regarded her coldly.
"Then you will die" the glow of the Sith's lightsaber light up his sickly yellow eye as he advanced on the Togruta. Ashoka grimaced as she raised her lightsabers to block Vader's assault only to have Ventress's lightsaber plucked from her hand. She turned and watched it land in Ezra's outstretched hand.
"Good riddance" The Sith smirked as he stepped through the airlock to the Imperial ship and pulled a lever on a panel next to the doorway, shutting the connecting door and separating the ships. The frigate rocked as it was separated from the Rebel vessel and its doomed passengers. As the deck shook he clipped the stolen lightsaber to his belt next to its twin. "My kill, my Trophy." He muttered.
##
The Star Destroyer had broken its orbit and was making its way towards the Rebel ship and the friendly Arquitens Class Cruiser. They had been ordered to wait for the Frigates return, but sensors had detected the ships had separated and a garbled transmission had been received. Even the ineptest Imperial officer could pick up on the signs that the impossible had happened and the Rebels had taken the Imperial vessel. As the Destroyer loomed over the smaller ships the Frigate suddenly banked away from the Blockade Runner and the Destroyer as it flew away into open space. As the Destroyers crew scrambled to react a handful of escape pods ejected from the frigate and before the Destroyer could be brought about the smaller ship had shot away into hyperspace. On the Destroyers Bridge a communications officers nervously said.
"Captain, the Frigate is gone".
"No matter lieutenant" The Captain gnashed his teeth together in frustration "We still have the Rebel ship, we can use its flight records to find the location of the Rebel base." The bridges viewports were lit up with red and orange light as the Blockade Runner exploded, rocking the Destroyer and sending the tiny escape pods flying through space.
"Captain, the Rebel Ship has been destroyed!"
"I can see that Lieutenant!" The Captain roared "Where is Lord Vader? Was he onboard"
"There are a number of escape pods in the surrounding area sir, he may be aboard one of them" A sensor officer said quickly as he stared at his instrumentation.
"Open a com channel to all of them" The Captain snapped hurriedly. A communications officer tapped a few buttons then nodded at him "Lord Vader?" The captain said loudly "Are you there?" There was a long, tense moment of silence. Then a familiar voice answered.
"Yes Captain. I am alive, prepare to bring me aboard and have a medical team ready."
"Yes, my Lord, it will be done" The Captain sighed with relief "Are you injured my Lord?"
"No"
##
On Atollon Sabine sat on a rock away from the base, watching as the sun sank into to horizon. Kanan slowly walked up beside her and sat next to her, admiring the view with her.
"He's gone again Kanan" Sabine whispered as she stared ahead of her at the sunset.
"I know Sabine" Kanan sighed, his heart was heavy. "But you have to believe he will come back." Slowly, Kanan reached to his belt and unclipped the lightsaber Ezra had thrown away. "Here" he held to weapon out to Sabine and pressed it into her hands. "I want you to have this, and I think Ezra would want that to. Remember him by it, remember how much you love him and he'll be home soon". The Mandalorian stared at the Jedi's weapon in her hands, then she turned to Kanan with determined eyes.
"Kanan? Will you teach me to use it?"
##
"I'll see you soon, I'm sorry" Ezra paused "Remember, I love you." Heavily he flicked a few switches and ended the recording. After a long moment, he pressed another button and transmitted it to Chopper Base. Exhausted he slumped down into a chair on the Frigates Bridge. The crew had quickly abandon ship once they realized who they were trapped aboard it with and he had almost instantly found himself alone. Sighing, he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, then he opened the again. There was an itch, something keeping him on edge. There was someone else on board, as he got to his feet something leaning against a console caught his eye. It looked like a walking stick, but half of it was fashioned from metal, it almost looked like an Inquisitors lightsaber hilt. Cautiously he picked up the stick and examined it. If someone is aboard this is probably there's. He thought to himself and if they're still aboard they're probably locked in the brig, which makes them no friend of the Empire. Stick in hand he left the bridge and made his way through the brightly lit corridors of the Imperial Frigate. He checked the locks on each brig cell until he found the one that was locked, eyes narrowed he raised his metal hand and swiped two fingers through the air. With a hiss the door opened, wearily he peered into the cell. The Zabrak that gazed curiously up at him, blinking with surprise certainly did his best to look unassuming and Ezra did silently admit to himself that if he'd met him in low light and he hadn't been able to see the dark tattoos on his red skin he may have bought the act.
"I know this is yours" he sat flatly as he raised his arm and showed the Zabrak the walking stick. "I know what it is and if Vader kept you alive, you're not a Jedi." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Who are you?" The look of curiosity on the Zabrak's face swiftly switched to a look of cold calculation, then a smile spread across the marked features.
"Very well, we shall speak plainly" The Zabrak chuckled as he rose to his feet, as his foot set down there was a loud clank as if metal was striking metal. Taken aback, Ezra glanced down at the Zabrak's foot and gasped when he saw that the Zabrak's lower half had been replaced with a droid pelvis and legs. "I am Maul and I take it, since we are having this conversation I assume you have taken control of this ship?"
"Yes, I took the ship when the Empire boarded mine" he paused, "I left someone behind, she stalled Vader. Maul?" Ezra starred at the Zabrak as he began to remember, yes, PROXY had used a combat module of a much younger Maul a few times, even as the memories returned he was struck by the likeness and he subconsciously scolded himself for not recognizing him sooner. "Darth Maul?"
"Formerly Darth, now just Maul" Maul shrugged "and you are?"
"I'm, Ezra Bridger" Ezra said cautiously
"You look like you're on a dark path Ezra Bridger" Maul inspected the young mans face, his own yellow eyes lingering on Ezras
"I'm no stranger to the Dark Side" Ezra said carefully
"But I sense frustration about you" the Zabrak cocked his head to one side as his eyes traveled to the young Siths belt and all the trophy blades that decorated it. "There is more you wish to learn" Maul frowned "And you carry something very interesting with you." Slowly, Ezra reached to his belt and from a pouch, withdrew the small gold pyramid he had stolen from Vader. "Ah" Mauls eyes widened with delight "Very interesting and very valuable"
"What is it?" Ezra frowned "it looks kind of like a holocron."
"It is a Sith holocron" Maul grinned "It contains the forbidden knowledge of the Sith! It is the key to true power in the Dark Side!"
"You don't say?" Ezra raised his eyebrow as he glanced at the holocron, "so you were on Malachor looking for this?"
"Indeed, I was captured by the Empire and forced to show them the way to the holocron" Maul clenched his fist as he gritted his teeth.
"Well I stole it from them" Ezra smirked as he tossed the holocron into the air and neatly caught it
"Indeed, you show much promise young one, there is much I could teach you, if you would allow me."
"I'm not kneeling for you if that's what you're asking" Ezra scoffed as he stored the holocron in a compartment on his belt.
"No, no" Maul shook his head "There's no need for anything so formal, I only wish to share my knowledge, I am no Sith."
"Alright then" Ezra ran an eye up the Zabrak wearily.
"Where is the ship going by the way?" Maul queried "I assume we are at lightspeed"
"Yeah" Ezra paused, he had been in such a hurry to get away from the Destroyer when he had set the ships course, without a plan he'd simply picked a random planet. "Someplace called Dathomir"
"Dathomir?" Maul looked taken aback "That is some coincidence Ezra, Dathomir is my home". Ezra paused for a moment, considering the Zabrak's words.
"In my experience there's no such thing as a coincidence."
Authors Note: And so, concludes the now three-chapter plot line I originally planned to make one chapter. This is what I like to consider the end of the first act of this story, this is going to be a long one.
So, until we meet again
Regards
Nighttrek