Author's Note: Here it is! The long-awaited finale!

Chapter 21

Ezra

I felt relief when Kanan and Ahsoka came back from Dagobah. Kanan told everyone to have a private meeting in the Medbay. Ventress was there, too, much to my dismay. After the stunt she tried to pull, I couldn't help feeling mistrustful. She tried to kill me (the Son, actually) with her new-found powers.

Hera seemed to be even less trusting of Ventress, since she often sent Ventress brief glares if she stood too close to me. Hera was being even more protective than usual. Not that I minded. It's nice having a mom who cares.

Kanan started his explanation. "Master Yoda said that he's willing to help. He said that Ezra has to go to Dagobah and pass a test."

"What kind of test?" Sabine asked.

"I don't know. Master Yoda said he would explain when we take him to Dagobah," Kanan said.

"Why is Yoda so vague in his explanations?" Sabine asked, rhetorically.

Kanan sighed, looking older than he actually is. "Come on, Ezra."

Kanan unstrapped the restraints. I rubbed my wrists without really thinking about it. The restraints weren't tight enough to hurt. I inwardly revelled in being able to use my hands again.

"Let's go," I said.

Kanan nodded and walked towards the Phantom. Ahsoka looked at me with a concerned expression.

When we got to Dagobah, I instantly did not like this place. There was so much fog and a creepy swamp that had Force knows what kind of creatures living in it. I shivered, not by feeling cold, but by the uneasy feeling I got from this place.

"Where is he?" I asked as we started walking away from the ship.

"Here," an aged voice said from behind us.

I whirled around, startled. "Thanks for the miniature heart attack." I said, sarcastically.

"Yoda," Ahsoka acknowledged the green Jedi calmly. Her voice had an undercurrent of relief.

"Ahsoka," Yoda greeted her. "Kanan." he greeted my master. He turned to me. "Ezra Bridger." He studied my face. "On your neck, what is that?"

"A Force Suppression Collar," I told the little green Jedi. "I chose to wear it."

"Take it off, you must. Need the Force to banish the Son, you will," Yoda instructed.

"Kanan, help me get this off?" I asked.

Kana nodded and used the Force to help me remove the collar. I could feel my connection to the Force come back. I enjoyed it before I started sensing the Son's presence. My jovial mood faded.

"What do I need to do?" I asked, trying not to sound impatient. The Dark Side has that effect on me.

"Go through the swamp, you must. Find a cavern, you will. Face their fears and overcome them, every Jedi must. Or rule your destiny, your fears will," Yoda said. "Go alone, you must."

"Which way?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Yoda pointed to a path on his right. I followed his gaze and I held my breath briefly. The trail looked pitch black. There was no light or fog to illuminate the way.

"The cavern is at the end of that trail? What exactly am I supposed to look for?" I asked.

"Find the cure, you will, if you pass the test. Go through many trials, you will. See the depths of your soul and test it, the Force will," Yoda said. "Tempt you to darkness, the Son will."

"Well… I guess I better get moving," I said.

Kanan put his hand on my shoulder. "Good luck."

I gave him a half-smile, hoping to reassure my obviously worried master. "Thanks."

"Be careful, Ezra," Kanan sighed.

I secretly wish I could have Kanan and Ahsoka go with me. As much as I hated to admit it, I did not want to be alone out there.

"You got this, Ezra," Ahsoka said, softly. She gave me a friendly and encouraging smile.

I smiled back. I turned to the path Yoda pointed out to me. I took a deep breath and started walking.

The more I walked, the more I started wishing I could leave. I felt uneasy before, but travelling alone made this planet downright eerie. The noises of strange animals, the thickness of the dark, and being ignorant of what I would face didn't help that feeling. I tried to remind myself of what Yoda said. He said that fear will control my destiny if I don't learn how to overcome it. I will not let myself become a slave to my emotions. Kanan told me once that anger, fear, hatred, jealousy, and greed can cause a Jedi to fall. I won't let that be me.

You are fooling yourself if you think that you can change how you feel, the Son spoke to me.

Just because I can feel these emotions, doesn't mean I will act on them, I said. That's the difference between us. The Sith give in to their passion and use it to feed their power. A Sith's lust for power is insatiable and corrupt.

You think the Jedi are any different? The Son pressed. Jedi are obsessed with the power to destroy the Dark Side.

No. Jedi use the Force to protect innocent people from the Empire. I would know how corrupt the Dark Side is. The Empire is the reason I was living on the streets after my parents were taken away. There's nothing you can say to convince me that anything good can come from the Dark Side. Besides, Darth Vader is living proof that the Dark Side will break even the best of people if given the chance.

I met him once. His real name is Anakin Skywalker. My father wanted Skywalker to replace him to balance both sides of the Force. I killed his padawan in retaliation for not joining me when I warned him of what would happen if he defied me. The Son said.

That's exactly my point: When the Sith don't get their way, they kill people out of spite. That's why the Sith are evil. You even killed your sister. Your sister is the reason Ahsoka is alive.

You can't protect her. You can't even protect yourself. Otherwise, you wouldn't be standing here now. The Son retorted. You must know by now that if you and friends continue to fight the Dark Side, you will all die horribly.

You don't know that! I snapped.

I came to the giant cavern that Yoda told me about. The cavern was so dark. I literally couldn't see anything.

I kept going. The sooner I get this over with, the better.

I waited a few minutes before the first vision appeared. I was honestly caught by surprise when I saw a torch around the bend of the cave. This cave appeared to be more like a maze the further I walked. I picked up the torch and followed the cave to the other side.

I kept my eyes peeled for anything that may decide to show up. I was starting to think that maybe nothing would happen and I would just find the cure. No problem. Or so I thought…

A vision appeared before my eyes. Darth Vader appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He didn't say a word. He activated his lightsaber just as I activated mine and struck aggressively. I fought back with as much strength as I could muster. I could feel myself tiring as I continued to use Form III: Soresu to defend myself. There's no point in trying to kill him, because he's a vision and not the real thing.

Before I knew it, a flash of light flew above me and landed behind Vader. I knew those white lightsabers anywhere. Ahsoka. Why is she here? What is she doing?!

"Ahsoka!" I cried in horror.

She ignored me and slashed her lightsaber at Darth Vader, who immediately fought back. Vader's fighting was wilder and more aggressive than ever. Ahsoka had to duck frequently to doge his attacks. Ahsoka turned to face me.

"Ezra, go! I'll hold him off," Ahsoka ordered.

"This isn't real," I told myself. I talked to the Fake Ahsoka. "No, I can't go back. Ahsoka, I need to find that cure."

"Ahsoka…" Darth Vader said. Without warning, Darth Vader thrust his lightsaber through Ahsoka's abdomen. Ahsoka's face turned pale as Darth Vader just as quickly pulled it out.

"Ahsoka!" I cried. I caught her as she fell.

"Ezra, run!" she frantically tried to say with each breath becoming more and more labored. I deactivated my lightsaber and laid her on my lap with my right arm supporting her head and my left hand held hers. I felt my eyes sting and a large lump formed in my throat. This felt so real. But this is a vision. Visions can't hurt people physically.

I didn't say anything. I continued to hold her as I listened to her desperately try to hold onto life for just a moment longer. Force, watching this hurts! It's like my brain knows it's all fake, but my body doesn't understand the difference between fake and real. Watching this happen brings a morbid feeling that even though this isn't really happening to Ahsoka, it can still happen in real life. No… I can't think like that. That is exactly what the Son wants.

Ahsoka stopped breathing and went limp in my arms. I couldn't help the tears from pouring out now. Even though it's not really her, I could still feel her in my arms. She's my friend. If this is the Force's way of testing my reaction, then I hope the Force is satisfied. The Force is testing me to see if I will get revenge by killing Darth Vader. I will not fail this test.

I let go of Ahsoka's body and stood up. "Your tricks will not work on me."

I looked up and Darth Vader was gone. I picked up my lightsaber and followed the tunnel, which has now become illuminated by an unknown source. I put my lightsaber back on the clip of my belt and started walking. After about five minutes, I came to the end of the cave tunnel. Near the exit, my mind registered the sight of a pedestal and a golden chalice standing on top. I reached out to the Force for warnings of danger. The Force responded with sympathy and reassurance. This must be the cure!

I walked towards the chalice and held it in my right hand, ready to drink it.

Wait! You could have so much power! The whole universe can still be yours. Don't drink it! The Son begged.

Good riddance! I answered. I drank the liquid quickly. It tasted good, but I didn't bother to take time to enjoy it. I drank the whole cure to the last drop. I instantly felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. The cold feeling of the Dark Side within me evaporated. It was over. I'm free.

I walked back to where I last saw my friends. They were sitting there, waiting. Kanan looked as worried as I've ever seen him. Ahsoka kept her attention to something in the distance. No one noticed me yet. I sent waves of reassurance to Kanan and Ahsoka to let them know I was here. Kanan's and Ahsoka's heads perked up as they felt my Force Signature. Kanan smiled brightly. Ahsoka put her hand over her heart in relief.

"Are you okay?" Kanan asked me.

"The Son is gone. It's all over," I confirmed.

Ahsoka walked up to me and gave me an impressed look. Yoda approached me.

"In order, congratulations are, Ezra Bridger. A great Jedi Knight, you may yet become," Yoda praised me.

"Thank you, Yoda," I said, sincerely.

"Come on, kid," Kanan said, gently. "Everyone's gonna be happy to see you."

THE END