A/N: It was so very hard to write this chapter. Who would meet Ezra and Kanan in the temple? What kinds of tests would they face? I hope what I wrote will satisfy the story and you, my friends. On to the action…

21.

Nara Prime was a lush green planet, with huge swaths of forest covering its surface. The Jedi Temple was located at the bottom of a rocky-sided gorge, formed by a river that had cut its way through the rock. Luckily the settlements on the planet were few and far between, and none were near the area Hera picked to shelter the Ghost. The sparse population had led the Empire to believe there was nothing of value on the planet; therefore, the Imperial presence was minimal. The Ghost had been planetside for two days to allow Kanan and Ezra some time to prepare before entering the Jedi Temple. During the downtime, Sabine and Zeb had taken the Phantom to a nearby planet for supplies including climbing equipment.

The Jedi and apprentice began to descend midmorning, and Ezra was the first to reach the bottom of the gorge. He detached the safety rope he was using and peered up to see Zeb, who had been monitoring them, looking down from far up. He waved. Returning the gesture, Zeb disappeared above them.

Ezra looked around, absorbing the beauty of the place. The river was clear; its bed was spotted with stones of various colors, shapes and sizes. There were the soft sounds of birdsong in the trees that lined the river's edge, casting cool green shadows. He turned to watch a purple bird that resembled a convor soar over, and discovered Kanan had landed silently behind him.

"Pretty peaceful place." Ezra murmured, reaching idly down to pick up a rock and toss it into the river.

Kanan worked on releasing the catches on his safety harness as he spoke. "It is." When he was free, he approached Ezra where he stood on the edge of the platform.

"Were you sca…um…nervous when you did this with your Master?" Ezra asked, turning red when he realized his slip wasn't missed by Kanan. He avoided his Master's gaze when suddenly, Kanan put a hand on his shoulder in reassurance.

"Yeah. Of course," he answered softly. "But you push forward anyway."

Ezra nodded. Turning, he looked up at the archway in front of them, feeling the Force seem to flow out from the temple. "The Force is really strong here, just like you said."

"Yeah. It is." Kanan followed Ezra up to the entrance. "You're closer to the Force near a vergence. It's a nexus point…like a well of Force energy. Strange things can happen to Force-users in places like this, so be prepared for anything."

Ezra nodded, scanning the area. "So how do we get in?" he asked.

Kanan watched amusedly as his Padawan walked up to the two towering doors leading into the side of the rock. Ezra was so like he himself had been at this age, and it caused a bittersweet ache in his heart. But it was a good ache, and he wondered if his Master had felt much the same way watching him take his first steps. "It's your job to figure that out for us."

"Oh." Ezra removed his gloves and placed a hand between the two doors, feeling the weight and coolness of the metal against his palm. Then he pushed with the Force. "They're heavy. And there's something else…keeping them closed." He closed his eyes to concentrate as he struggled to try and move them, but they were as solid and unmovable as stone. "Kanan? I think…I think we need to try it together."

Kanan stepped up behind him and they both raised hands together to move the doors. The Force flowed out, and the doors swung soundlessly inward on their concealed hinges. "Good job, kid," Kanan said as he followed his student inside. The doors swung closed behind them with a metallic clunk.

"Why do I get the feeling you knew how to get inside all the time?" Ezra asked.

"Because I did." Kanan answered. "Quite a few temples were built that way." He placed his hand on Ezra's shoulder as they took their first steps through the hallway.

It should have been dark within, but it wasn't. There was a soft glow from recessed areas in the ceiling that they noticed as their eyes adjusted. The room they were in was large, and open, but there was still a heavy sense of the tons of rock above them. There were two more doorways coming off from each side, in addition to the three ahead of them.

"How far do you think these passages go back?"

"A long way. There are stories of Padawans getting lost in Jedi Temples, never to be seen again."

Ezra looked over his shoulder at Kanan, a silent question in his eyes: What if I don't make it?

"Ezra…If you fail, we both fail." Kanan answered. "It takes two Force users to open the door."

"You…" Ezra's mouth was dry. "You trust me that much?"

His answer was simple, accompanied by Kanan's unwavering gaze. "I do."

For a moment, Ezra wrestled with the revelation, dropping his eyes. Threads of worry were quickly weaving themselves into a smothering blanket of panic. He took a deep breath, trying to control himself and glanced over to the door. "Um…okay. So which way do we go?" he asked, peering through one of the doorways in front of him. They were all dark inside, and he felt his panic intensify. Get a grip, he warned himself. It didn't seem to help.

"'We' aren't going anywhere. You are. One of the tenets of the Jedi is self-reliance." He watched as Ezra's face went another shade of pale. Kanan softened his voice until it was encouraging, stuck between scaring Ezra and impressing upon the boy that this was a serious, possibly dangerous, undertaking. "Ezra, which way you go is up to you. Look into the Force and see what it tells you." Kanan said. Ezra needed to walk the line between worry and confidence…too much of either could cause him to fail.

Ezra closed his eyes and opened himself to the Force but it was moving strong and fast, too fast, like a swift river. "I…I'm not sure," Ezra said, his anxiety causing him to struggle, until he felt a touch on his shoulder. He opened his eyes to search Kanan's face. "What happens if I don't know what to do?"

"Take a seat." He gestured to the decoratively tiled floor and they sat. "Center yourself and just flow along with the Force. Your mind isn't settled, so the Force is reflecting your panic. You have to let that part go and eventually, you'll know what to do. Just breathe slowly and evenly. When you're ready, reach out."

Long minutes passed before Ezra could calm himself enough to be carried along in the warm current of the Force. He reached out, just like he'd done that first time and felt the Force purr like a warm Lothcat. He let it surround him and flow through him, soothing his senses. When he had achieved the level of calm he needed, he opened his eyes.

Kanan was watching him. "Better?" he asked.

Ezra nodded, then turned his head as something caught his eye. "I see a light in the middle door."

Kanan saw nothing, but knew that the indication was meant for Ezra and Ezra only. "Then you know your path." Kanan said.

Ezra's sense of calm had remained, and it seemed as if the Force was urging him toward the doorway. Come, youngling, it seemed to call in many voices. "Master…I'll do my best," he said, turning to give Kanan one last look.

"I know. The Force is with you, Ezra. Listen to it and let it guide you."

Ezra nodded, then turned back to the light, which seemed to shine silvery blue and gold at the same time. He entered the doorway and was gone.

Kanan remained sitting in the semi-darkness, feeling the emptiness of the temple, as Ezra left the central area. He grew even more motionless, his open eyes unseeing as he slipped further under the surface of the Force. The current carried him deeper than he'd been able to reach on board the Ghost, or anywhere else for that matter.

The temple brought back a lot of painful memories. From the pillars that supported the roof to the scent of the place and the patterned tile on the floor, it was an echo of the temple in Coruscant, and that struck his heart deeply. He let the pain of the past sweep over him and pass through him and away. He had thought that he'd been able to wipe the past away, but it had been a lie. The past had been waiting, all this time, safely stowed in his memory.

Time seemed to dilate, and his breath slowed. He could feel the beats of his heart grow sluggish to match the pace of his respiration. Something was happening, and he welcomed the end to his indecision. He needed to know if he could still be a fit teacher for Ezra…and if he was on the right path to redemption for his mistakes. Being able to even enter the temple was a good sign, but he had to know for sure.

While he was meditating, his other senses expanded with his sense of time. It was as if he could feel the particles of the Force within each cell of his body, tiny sparks of life that spread outward from him to the universe. As he stayed motionless, he began to sense a cascade of golden, glowing atoms which manifested itself and twirled lazily with each whirl of the air currents as if they were mere dust motes.

This beauty of the Light made him realize all he'd so carelessly placed in jeopardy. He'd risked any hope of a future with Hera and Ezra when he faced the Pau'an and accepted the Dark greedily in order to defeat his enemy. His failure hung in the forefront of his mind, a contrasting inky blackness that threatened to block out the golden Light altogether.

What do you seek? the Force asked in the voices of all the Jedi he'd ever known.

He looked up wonderingly into the golden-flecked darkness as he replied: Guidance. Redemption… Forgiveness if possible. I failed my principles and my teachers. I failed as a Jedi, and I'm sorry.

So. Only perfect beings, Jedi can be, hmmm? Now the voice of Master Yoda rose to the forefront of the voices. The diminutive Jedi was certainly long dead, now, but apparently a part of the Force like his master was.

I…I need to know. If I'm lost. Try as he might, the right words would not come. The dark… has a hold on me that I can't break. I need to know how to defeat this shadow inside me.

This is not all you wish to know, Padawan. You want to know if you can still teach that youngling how to be a Jedi. If you can pick up the teachings that you so carelessly tossed aside…hmmm?

Yes. He bowed his head.

What does the Force tell you? Ready to take on the responsibility of a Padawan are you, Caleb Dume?

"The Force has warned me about the consequences if I do not train the boy. He…he will join the dark side."He spoke out loud, shaking his head. "I can't accept that and I must stop it from happening, Master Yoda."

Know that you do because of your own experience? Yoda's voice came to him through the Force. In his inner eye, he could still see the wizened teacher, a hint of amusement in his voice. But this time, heavy seriousness layered his tone.

Kanan nodded.

And learn from the dark side, did you, youngling?

"I learned nothing but hatred, anger and fear. I tried to save Ezra and the others that way, but it was wrong. So…wrong."

Yet, accept the dark side to gain personal power you did not. You erred by trying to save others, and perhaps less blameworthy that is.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, Master Yoda. I had lost my way for a long time." His voice began to shake with emotion on the last words. "I forgot my purpose."

And yet, here you are with your student. Found your way, I say you have. There was a hint of affection in Master Yoda's words. The shadows around your heart will fade. You will find your own path with those you have drawn to you. Follow the Force, you must.

Kanan bowed his head again. "I will," he promised. "I won't lose my way again."

Know this, I do already, the voice replied.

"The Ashla runs strong here." Zeb said, sitting on the loading ramp beside Hera, who was worriedly watching the sun go down behind the trees in a brilliant show of pinks and yellows. They had been sitting silently for a while watching the sun set. She couldn't enjoy it, however, knowing that some of her crew…her family…were down there, facing things she couldn't imagine.

So, she turned her attention to Zeb. "The Ashla's like the Force for your people, right?" Hera thought she had heard Zeb praying to the Ashla from time to time, and had once asked Zeb about it.

"Yeah. I can feel it sometimes, but not like Kanan and Ezra. My people's relationship with the Ashla is different." Zeb had his bo-rifle on his knees and both of his hands rested on it. He seemed oddly at peace, eyes half closed in the brilliant light of sunset.

"So you can't tell what's going on down there." Hera said, disappointedly. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them.

"No. But it's definitely the Ashla here at work." The Lasat sat in quiet for a moment, then looked sidelong at Hera. "Something's changed between you and Kanan."

She blushed a little, but then met his eyes squarely. "Things have gotten…a bit more serious." She leaned to the side, resting against his strong shoulder. "I never wanted to…to fall in love. I've got our fight against the Empire to think about but…" She shrugged.

"Hey, things happen. We never planned to take two kids on board ship, either, but it happened. Everything with Kanan and the kid and now Sabine…it's right. You're not making a mistake. Kanan's pretty solid. I know he didn't seem like that at first, but…he is."

Hera smiled sidelong at Zeb. He could read her so well. "Jedi…they weren't allowed to fall in love, were they?"

"No, but it's not like there's a Jedi Council to come put a stop to it." Zeb said. "I always thought that was a stupid rule anyway. And when you look at the change in Kanan from the first time we found him-that's all you, Hera." He ran his fingers thoughtfully along the wrappings on his rifle. "I know because Kanan's a lot like me."

"What do you mean?"

"He's gotta have people to watch over. People to care about. It's who he is. You remember me, when you first found me. Guys like us don't do well alone. We're protectors at heart. With nothing to protect…things go bad pretty quick."

Hera did indeed remember. Zeb had been in bad shape, not taking care of himself or eating right. He'd been drinking far too much far too often. Once he'd come on board, though, he'd begun to change under her gentle care for him. And when they had rescued Ezra it was like Zeb completely turned around. Having her and Ezra to watch over had made all the difference in Zeb's life. What he said made sense.

"Zeb. You've gotten wise in your old age."

Zeb chuckled, then wrapped his arm around her affectionately. "Not that old." He reminded her. "Kanan said it might be a while before they returned, so maybe we oughta go find Sabine and make some dinner. It's gonna be a long night, and we don't wanna go through that unfortified. Plus, the kit's too skinny. Reminds me of Ezra when we got him. She's gotta eat."

"What would all of us do without you?" She actually leaned in and placed a kiss against the side of Zeb's head. The Lasat stood up and reached a hand down to pull her to her feet.

"I guess you're right. I am pretty amazing." Zeb grinned at her.

"Now if you could only learn to cook…"

Ezra blinked, then opened his eyes in the white hallway of an Imperial star destroyer, exactly like the one they'd rescued Kanan from. And exactly like the one he'd been held on before Hera and Zeb had found him, he realized with a sinking feeling. He stepped backwards until he hit the hard, metallic wall behind him. "This is kriffin' crazy…" he breathed, his eyes widening as he looked from side to side, expecting troopers every moment. He felt confused. Hadn't he been in some sort of cave? The Jedi Temple? Or was he still rescuing Kanan? Everything was jumbled up in his mind. Was the Inquisitor on his way? He tried to cast about to feel the creature, but sensed nothing. Maybe this was just a bad dream.

He chose a direction and made for the end of the hallway. Turning the corner, he saw that the next hallway was empty. Echoing footsteps alerted him to a presence, so he darted into the nearest room, closing the door behind him. He was just taking a deep breath when he heard a snap-hiss sound. Ezra turned with dread.

The Pau'an regarded him, a glowing firewhip in one hand lighting up the shadows of the room. As the creature snapped it, Ezra felt his blood run cold. "Apprentice. We have some unfinished business." His sharp teeth showed when he smiled; it reminded Ezra of the evil toothy grin of a nexu he'd seen in a book when he was a child. "Your master has fallen, and you are next."

"No! Kanan didn't fall…" Ezra shook his head, fumbling for his blaster, refusing to take his eyes off of the Grand Inquisitor. This was the creature that had hurt him so badly. This was the monster that had hurt Kanan. His fingers shook with fear, but he yanked the blaster/lightsaber off his belt. The lightsaber part hadn't been finished and wouldn't work, but the blaster would. He fired four quick shots which were easily dodged by the rapid movements of the evil creature.

"He was such a weak Jedi. It was only a matter of time before he fell. Become my apprentice and I'll spare his Twi'lek bitch. However, the Lasat's life is mine." He punctuated his words with a blow from the firewhip. Ezra caught the edge along his forearm with a hiss of pain. "Afraid and helpless. I can smell it on you, brat!" He slashed Ezra along the leg as well, a streak of burning pain. Ezra backed away, putting distance between them. "So helpless against the dark side. Unable to save anyone you care for. I will make you watch the rest of them die slowly."

Ezra was gritting his teeth through the pain. As he hit the wall there was a flick from the fire whip that just struck his left cheek, as he watched the Pau'an close in. "Your parents were killed by soldiers under my command. Your Jedi master fell to the dark side before I ended him. I will kill them all before I'm done."

"No…" Ezra shook his head, fear and pain cutting a jagged path through his center.

The Inquisitor pointed to a heap on the floor that Ezra hadn't noticed before. "Your Master…what's left of him. Have a good look." It was Kanan's lifeless body, leaning against the wall, head lolling to the side. The Jedi's eyes were half closed, and the lifeless blue-green irises were unfocused and staring. The Pau'an had cut out his heart; leaving a ragged, yet burnt wound in his chest. Ezra approached the body and fell to the floor. The tears came like they would never stop, and Ezra buried his face against Kanan's shoulder, not caring if the Inquisitor cut him down when his back was turned. A wail of hopelessness rose in him. The dark side was pressing into him, trying to gain entrance any way it could. He cried out, his grip twisted into Kanan's bloody sweater as his grief helplessly overwhelmed his senses for a time.

The Inquisitor fisted a hand in Ezra's hair and yanked him to his feet. "I will take the rest of them from you, boy, and you can do nothing to stop me. Unless you become my apprentice. Only by embracing the dark can you grow strong." He threw Ezra against the wall and used the Force to pin him there by his neck.

Embrace the Dark. Ezra let out a strangled sob, struggling to control his emotions. The void that was the dark side was thrumming within his reach. Rich waves of power pulsed, power that would mean neither he nor those he loved would ever be hurt again. Power that meant he could defeat his enemies. He could save them… he would do anything to save them…

but in doing so he would lose everything.

He had watched Kanan struggle with what had happened on the star destroyer. The black rage inside of his master had made him almost unrecognizable as he had attempted to squeeze the life out of the Seventh Sister. Kanan's dark eyes had been full of a madness. It was a greedy nothingness that wanted to swallow up everything it could. It was the same look that was now on the Pau'an's face.

"Are you ready to see reason boy?" the Inquisitor sneered.

You can't be dead…oh Master, no…please… Ezra's eyes stayed fixed on Kanan's face. From this angle, it appeared that his eyes were closed in peace.

Not that way, Kanan's voice spoke in his mind. Not by the dark side, Ezra. Use the Light.

Only the Light. Ezra closed his eyes, feeling the Force radiating calmness and peace. When he opened his eyes, he fixed them on the Inquisitor's gray face. "Do whatever you want; I'll never turn to the dark side." The Force moved the fingers on his blaster to the right position without his even being aware of it. A brilliant blue blade shot from the emitter, and the Pau'an jerked back, startled as he dropped his hold on the Force.

Ezra was just as surprised. He tried to catch his breath while the fullness of the Force built in him, brightness upon brightness-like a star to match the lightsaber that glowed in front of him. Now that he'd chosen his path, there was no more room for fear. "The Force is with me. I am one with the Force, and I am not afraid of you." He couldn't begin to touch the edge of his grief over Kanan, so he pushed that into a deep spot in his mind. He would have time to mourn later. Revenge and fear couldn't be a part of this, or he would falter. He wouldn't disgrace his master's sacrifice by forgetting the lesson he'd been taught at such a steep price.

The fire whip was thrown to the side; the Inquisitor drew his red lightsaber and attacked with a scream of frustration. Ezra blocked, letting the Force guide his body into the right position. As he gave over his conscious mind to his trust in the Force, his movements grew more purposeful and sure and he countered every stroke. One of his ripostes left the Inquisitor off-balance, and he took advantage of the weakness, planting his blade squarely in the middle of the Pau'an's chest.

The Inquisitor vanished along with his glowing red-blade. Ezra blinked in confusion, his empty hand falling down from guard position. The destroyer, Kanan, the Inquisitor…it was all just gone…What was going on? He looked around in the semi-darkness, then collapsed to his knees when they refused to hold him up anymore. The test! Had he passed the test? Had he failed?

A universe of blue and gold stars lit up the darkness around him. His head was bowed, but he lifted it when he saw the tiny pinpricks of light, swirling around. The gold and silver sparkles drew close, dancing in the air around him. "That…that was the test, wasn't it? My master…he's not…he's not…"

The light coalesced into a tall form whose features grew more distinct as it spoke. He didn't have to see to know who it was.

"No, youngling. He is fine. Better than when you left him, even." Master Billaba reached out and placed a hand on Ezra's head where he knelt. Ezra felt it, but only faintly. Wherever Master Billaba was, she wasn't entirely here like she'd been in his vision. "And you. You have passed your ordeal."

He looked up at her bluish, ghostly transparent form as she continued to speak. "You saved your master as you were charged to do. You didn't falter when faced with the dark side. You are worthy of your kyber crystal, Padawan." She lifted her hand and made a "come here" motion over her shoulder. Ezra looked up as a blue crystal floated from across the cave. It shone like a tiny blue star as it floated into his hand. He cradled it and looked into Master Billaba's eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered, getting to his feet.

"Of course, Padawan Ezra Bridger." She paused, gazing on him for long moments. "My time is over and your time is beginning. We shall not meet again until your time in this universe is over." She tilted her head as she looked at him. "I know Caleb-Kanan…is in good hands with you. Take care of each other, and walk the path the Force has put in front of you."

"I will." Ezra whispered, looking up in awe. She smiled in return. And with that, her shade exploded into a cloud of thousands of tiny lights that flew outwards into the cave like a kaleidoscope of butterflies, and faded gently back into the darkness.

Ezra looked down, feeling the living warmth of his crystal in his clasped hands. It was singing to him, just like Kanan said it would. "Goodbye," he called softly into the darkness. Then he stood and made his way to the doorway, using the light of his crystal to guide him.

A/N: It's me again. How did that go? I wrote it several ways (including one with Mace Windu questioning Kanan!) but I felt that Yoda was the only way to go there. I felt like Yoda had the depth of experience and understanding to help Kanan in his situation. He needed that kind of support because of what he'd gone through. Then with Ezra…I struggled to choose who would give him his crystal. Master Billaba to the rescue again. I felt it nicely rounded off Ezra's vision of earlier when he was sent to help get Kanan back. I hope you agree, or at least that you enjoyed it. One or two more chapters and this story will be a wrap!