Star Wars Rebels: The Journey Part 1 (Short Story)
Introduction:
Sacrificing himself to remove the Imperial threat off Lothal, Ezra remained on board the Chimaera and as the Purgills dragged it away. The pain in his shoulder from Thrawn's Blaster Shot no way matched the one in his heart. The sudden acceleration of the Purgills dragging the Huge Ship into Hyperspace, slammed through him. The Inertia Dampeners of the Chimaera could not compensate and Erza was pushed back against the Bulkhead Door of the Bridge. Straining to keep his eyes open under the pressure, he watched as Thrawn slumped within the Purgills tentacled grip. Clearly unconscious. Darkness flooded over his eyes as he too passed out. What seemed to him that no time had passed a Force projected voice echoed in his mind. "AWAKEN FRIEND! REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THIS NONLIVING THING!" Ezra swallowed and tried to obey the voice of the Purgill. His eyes felt heavy as he forced himself to open them. "YOU MUST AWAKEN!" It repeated and Ezra tried to inhale, finding the air to be thin. With a groan, Ezra slowly climbed to his feet. The pain in his left back shoulder blade throbbed and allowed him to fully awaken. Feeling exhausted, he stumbled towards the Command Level Escape Pod situated in the Port Side of the Bridge. Still trying to inhale deeply but finding the air stale and almost non-existent. But it was improving, glancing over he saw Thrawn still sprawled out on the Deck. The Purgills Tentacles were gone and the Emergency Shields were replaced with replacement Viewports. The Ship also was pumping new oxygen in so it was getting easier to breath. Stepping up the Pod's door, he tried to open the access door. It would not budge.
"It...It requires my Palm Print and Retinal Scan to access that Pod." Thrawn's weak voice said from behind him. Ezra turned to see Thrawn forcing himself to his feet. Then he too stumbled over over to the Pod Door. Placing his hand onto a flat Palm Reader and a light underneath blinked green. Leaning towards a light, it flashed into Thrawn's right eye and the Pod Door Whooshed open.
"What are you doing, Thrawn?" Ezra asked and Thrawn smiled at him.
"Allowing for you to escape. What does it look like?" Thrawn glanced upwards and around him. "With the apparent damage from your...creatures, I suspect the Security Surveillance Systems are no longer functional, so I am able to assist you for the moment." Ezra did not understand, as he stared at the Chiss Imperial Grand Admiral in Shock. "It is simple Ezra Bridger, I may serve the Emperor. But I do not follow his agendas, I have my own that I need to accomplish and to that end I need you to escape." Stepping back he sat on the floor near the Pod's Access door.
"Why?" Ezra asked and Thrawn chuckled, shaking his head.
"You better leave, before long others of the Chimaera's Crew will be awakening and they will not be so indisposed to shoot you." Thrawn advised sliding further on the floor and closing his eyes. With a painful shrug, Ezra stepped into the Pod. "Oh by the way, the activation code for the Pod is 4-3-7-Delta-9." Then Thrawn shut the door. Once the Pod ejected Thrawn exhaled slowly in relief. Adjusting himself so that it would appear that he was dragged over to the Pod Access Door and summarily dropped still unconscious after the door opened. He would also ensure that someone would awaken him and be able to testify that fact to the Emperor if asked. Watching as the Pod streaked away, he felt the Creatures pull his Ship once more into Hyperspace. Knowing that it would not drag them far into the Unknown Regions. Though to Thrawn it would be the Known Region for the Chiss had explored much of it already. "One day Ezra we will meet again and after I tell you my reasons, you will accept my request to join me." He whispered and then went to sleep to await for someone to discover and awaken him.
The Pod: Border of the Known Regions of Space
Leaning back in the Cushion Restraint Seat, Ezra inhaled deeply. The air was extremely better and it seemed to clear his head. He was still in disbelief that Thrawn actually allowed and assisted him to leave. Gazing out the only Veiwport of the 20 Meter Pod, he watched as the Purgills dragged the Small Fleet of Star Destroyers back into hyperspace. The Purgills would not deposit them too far into the Unknown Regions and nowhere too hazardous. Reaching forward with his left hand, he grimaced. His left shoulder sent a wave of pain that made him exhale sharply. "Well first thing first. Got to fix this." Ezra said aloud. Reaching under his seat for the Med Kit. Opening the Kit, he thumbed through the contents and winced. "Of course no Pain Medication." He grumbled, actually knowing that there would not be. To the Empire Pain Reducing Medication was a luxury and Imperials were supposed to be able to endure the simple discomfort of pain. Pulling out the Cauterizing Sealant, a tub of Bacta Cream and a Self Adhesive Bandage. Taking off the Bike Trooper Armor and tossing it aside. He removed a scalpel from the Kit and with the help of the Refresher Mirror cut away the Material around the now Oozing wound. Picking up the Cauterizing Sealant he aimed it right handed towards the Wound and breathed in and out several times. Closing his eyes, he pressed the nozzle and sprayed over the wound. At first it did not hurt, then he heard a sizzling sound and a searing pain screamed from where the agent now was cauterizing the wound closed. After a few seconds the pain began to reduce. "Kalabast that hurt worse then being shot." He commented returning to the seat. Smearing a good amount of Bacta Cream over the now seared closed wound, he then placed the Self adhesive Bandage over it. "I guess now I can see where they have left me." Looking at the Instruments he wrinkled his brow. There was only one Planet nearby enough for the Pod to reach, thankfully the Pod did detect a Landing Pad Beacon. "Landing Pad means civilization and that means Transport or me Calling Hera to come get me." He said with a smile, immediately thinking of his reunion with his friends. Though mostly he was thinking of his reunion with Sabine. "No more being a Dikut. I will tell her..tell her that I want to know if there can be a future for us being together." Ezra stated with renewed determination. Several times in the past year he had wanted to confront Sabine and wanted to do that. But each time he was about to something came up. Mostly he was afraid she would laugh in his face and tell him no there was no chance. For a time when she was back with her Family and after he helped save her Father, he wanted to tell her to ask her. Unfortunately once again he lost his nerve. "I am going to ask." He declared, looking forward to going home to Lothal.
"I wish you could go home my Friend." A familiar voice said sadly and Ezra turned his seat around to see a transparent Kanan sitting behind him.
"Kanan." Ezra smiled as he looked at his Friend, Master and surrogate Father. "Why can't I go home?" He asked confused and Kanan shook his head.
"I am sorry Ezra, but not yet. There is something you must do first and it is down on that Planet. Believe me this is vastly important and if it was not then I would not ask this of you." Kanan advised and Ezra exhaled sharply. "I told you once, sometimes a Jedi must follow the Force when it guides you and my friend you are a Jedi. Unfortunately there is more and this part will be difficult for you. You must not contact or let anyone know your whereabouts. It could prove disastrous to them and to you. I know this much to ask, but trust me Ezra it is necessary." The Image said mournfully and Ezra fought back the tears.
"But...I want to see...to ask Sabine..Don't I deserve to be happy after all I have gone through." Ezra stammered in exasperation and Kanan reached out with his Ghostly hand touching the others shoulder. Ezra could not feel the hand only a slight tingling sensation.
"I know my friend and if it any consolation I wish you could. Later if it is within your Destiny it is possible. But now you must trust in the Force and in me." Kanan said then looked over at the Navigation System. "You will have to change your directional landing coordinates to 14-78-94 by 78-09. There you will then find your path and your destiny." His friend and Master told him and Ezra reluctantly turned around and typed in the numbers. The Pod adjusted it's course a good distance from heading towards the Landing Beacon. The Time of Arrival also changed from 3 Hours 27 Minutes to 4 Hours 5 Minutes. Turning his seat back around.
"Kanan that puts me landing at least 50 Miles from the Beacon and Landing Pad. What will I find when I get there and what do I do?" Ezra asked and as he finished turning his seat back towards where the Force Image once was, Ezra noticed that Kanan was gone.
"Trust in the Force." Kanan's voice said from nowhere. "Let it guide your path, Jedi Knight Ezra Bridger." Exhaling sharply Ezra leaned back and shook his head.
"I hate when you do not ever give me a straight answer." Ezra mumbled and then his eyes widened. "Wait did you say Jedi Knight?" Once again no reply to his question, but for some reason Ezra knew he was a Jedi Knight now. He could feel it. Remembering that Kanan had once told him that when a Pattawan passed their trial. That Student became a Jedi Knight. With a shuddering tired breath, he leaned further back. First setting the Chrono Alarm for 4 hours then he fell blissfully asleep to dream at least of Sabine.
Lothal: Exact Same Moment
Growling, Sabine slammed her padded fist into the Hovering Punching Bag. She had left the Celebration five hours ago and found herself in the one time Imperial Exercise Room. To her it felt good to punch something. She was angry, sad and frustrated at the same time. "Dikut! Feir'Feking Dikut!" She snarled hitting the bag with all her pent up rage. "Why? Why? didn't you get off that Ship?" She asked the Bag she was now hitting harder and harder. "Why did you leave me?" She asked mournfully. With shaking arms she wrapped them around the Bag and hugged it. Wishing it was Ezra. Tears began to mix with the sweat, squeezing her eyes shut she held the bag tightly.
"Are you alright Sabine?" Hera asked from the door, startling Sabine. She quickly released the Punching Bag and took a towel to wipe the sweat and the tears she did not want Hera to notice.
"I am fine." Sabine stated evenly and Hera shook her head, her Lekku swung back and forth.
"Sabine I know you are not fine." Hera said and then stepped closer. Putting her arms around Sabine's back and pulling her into a hug. "Let it go Sabine, I know your secret so let it out." She whispered and with a sharp inhale, Sabine started to cry. Tears flowed from her eyes as she cried. "It is okay. It is okay." Hera whispered while Sabine wept. After several moments, Hera led Sabine over to a nearby bench. Sitting she held the younger girls hands.
"How did you know?" Sabine sniffled and Hera smiled.
"Me and Kanan knew long ago. Ever since you two came back from Concorde Dawn, we started to suspect something had changed between you and Ezra. You were looking at him differently. No longer looking at him as...I do not know like a sibling but as a young man." Hera told her and Sabine bit her bottom lip. She had tried to hide it, not wanting anyone to notice that her feelings had changed towards Ezra. But they had, she found herself admiring him and relying on him more. Not just during missions, no times when they sat together and just talked. She was not even that close to her Mother, Father or Brother. Though with him she could and now after she finally realized his importance to her, he was gone.
"I was going to tell him after we won." Sabine whispered with tears beginning to reform in her eyes. "I needed to tell him. Why did he have to...why did he leave me?" She asked her voice catching in her throat.
"Damned if I know. Perhaps he believed he needed to, to keep us safe. Think about this Sabine, if he came back the chances are the Emperor would have sent additional Ships here. We could not hope to be ready for that yet. Even with the Destruction of that Planet Killing Death Star, if the Emperor suspected Ezra was still here he would send a Fleet and that would be the end of Lothal." Hera told her and Sabine closed her eyes. It made sense and for her right now she did not want it to make sense. She wanted him back.
"I know you are right Hera. But right now all I can think about is him, it feels like a part of my heart and soul are missing." Sabine placed her hand over her heart and it felt empty.
"In time we will search for him, though right now we need to get Lothal ready. The Empire will be coming and if we are to keep Lothal free we need to be prepared." Hera stood and after a second Sabine did as well.
"First thing is first. I think we need to get those Turbo Lasers back on line, then think about converting the TIE FIGHTER Factory into making X-Wings and Y-Wings." Sabine stated and she followed Hera out of the room. They needed to get to work. Though what she wanted to do was commandeer a Ship and search blindly for Ezra, to confront him and tell him that she wanted a future with him in it.
Following the Path:
Awakening just as the Pod touched down, Ezra took in his situation. The Pod had basically landed in the middle of nowhere. From what Ezra could tell it was within a deeply dense Forest and there was no Path in any direction. "Sometimes I think Kanan likes to keep me in the dark." Pulling out a large Backpack from one of the storage bins, he checked the contents first. It contained all types of Survival Equipment, including Blankets and a Sleeping pad. Along with another Med Kit. Collecting all of the Water Packets and Food Ration Bars, he packed the Bag and after strapping on a Weapons Belt with a Blaster Pistol he opened the Door. Briefly stopping to remove an all condition Jacket from a closet. He hated the idea of leaving the Escape Pod without a thorough inventory, but he felt a sudden urgency that made him want to leave. Once outside he glanced about. "I do not see a Path Kanan." He mumbled and knew what he had to do. Closing his eyes, he let the Force guide him in which direction to go. He now was on his way.
After an hour, Ezra stopped and pulled out a Water Packet. Drinking thirstily. It was not hot or humid, but the terrain was not exactly easy to navigate. He still felt an urgency to move faster, but he had to make his way around huge trees that seemed to block him in every direction. With an audible exhale he hiked onward. When he reached where he could see a small clearing, he heard a familiar sound. The Sizzling and Hum of Lightsabers. Walking towards that direction, he then heard and felt a Male scream in anguished pain. "Someone just died." He whispered, moving faster. A few meters from the clearing he dropped his Backpack and rushed forward. Just in time to see what he did not expect to ever see again. Four Dark Clad Armored Inquisitors. Off to the left of him as he stepped into the clearing from what he could tell was a blue Pantoran male. and he could tell the Man was clearly dead. Next to the Man's right hand was a hilt of a Lightsaber. Glancing back at the Inquisitors, he saw a Human Man and a Human Woman not much older then himself, each had a Lightsaber in their hands. Further on an extremely Old Woman faced off against one of the Inquisitors. Before Ezra could react, two of the Inquisitors stabbed their Red Blades into the Man's chest. "DURISK! NO!" The woman screamed in anguish just as the one she was fighting cut her down as well. Suddenly a blaster began to fire at the Inquisitors and Ezra as he ran forward saw a Pantoran Female fire at the Three Inquisitors, missing them completely. Behind the Blue Skinned Woman were three Children. All this happened within seconds and Ezra tried to run faster. Reaching down to his belt and realizing he did not have his Lightsaber. Reaching behind him right handed, he called the Pantoran's Man's Lightsaber to him. It landed in his hand and he activated it. The Sound alerted the Inquisitors of his arrival.
"Oh look Brother another one." The Inquisitor to the left said casually and the Largest Inquisitor opened his visor. From what Ezra could tell the Man was hideous, scared lined his face and his yellow eyes gleamed with psychotic anger.
"The Report said there was only Four, three Whelps and One Pantoran Slut! Where did this one come from." A slim Female Inquisitor asked and the Large one shrugged.
"Who cares. This one is mine. I have not made a kill yet." The Larger Inquisitor stated, back handing a blaster bolt with his double ended lightsaber and it impacted with the Pantoran Woman right in her chest. She dropped to the ground face first. "The Slut does not count." He declare, stepping towards the approaching new arrival. Ezra looked at the Hideous Man and exhaled. Stepping into a classic fighting stance. The Man sneered and swung his Lightsaber downward and after Ezra blocked it, he pivoted and tried to cut Ezra with the other end. Ezra blocked that one too, then slashed sideways from the right. Cutting the hilt of the Double Lightsaber in half. Along with the Inquisitors right hand. Returning the Slash back he decapitated the Large Man head from his shoulders. The entire battle lasted only a second. The other Inquisitors all stared at Ezra in shock. The old Woman smiled, dropping to her knees. That is when Ezra noticed that the Old Woman was missing her left arm below her elbow and it was laying on the ground a meter away from her.
"Thank the Force. A real Jedi Knight has come." The Old Woman whispered just loud enough that everyone in the Clearing overheard her. This rattled the other Inquisitors. From what they had found they did expect to find a better trained Jedi then what these other were. Even the Old Woman was not really a threat.
"There are three of us and only one of him. I say Kurge we strike all together and take him down." The Female Inquisitor suggested and the other snarled.
"No Hiseet! Burrack let his guard down. I will not." Kurge stated casually walking forward holding his Double Lightsaber loosely in his right hand. "Come boy, let us see how you fair against one that is ready for you." Slashing around and downward, he was not expecting the other to simply step aside and evade the blow. Then catching the Red Blade on the Green one. The Inquisitors watching stared with fear as Ezra jumped upwards and flipped behind their Companion. Stabbing backwards and slightly upwards into Burrack from behind. The Green Blade sliced through Burrack's back and straight up through his chest. Dropping his Lightsaber, he slumped to the ground and died a second later.
"I would suggest you both just leave." Ezra said calmly and turned towards them. Holding the Lightsaber in an en-guard position before him. The Two Inquisitors charged together and Ezra easily deflected both their cuts. Force pushing the Female away, he at the same time slashed the Green Blade downward through the Male. Cutting him completely in half from the top of his head down through his groin. Then spun and extended the Lightsaber towards the Female just as she accidentally stabbed herself on the Blade. It seared through her stomach and she dropped down to her knees. Ezra pulled the Blade out and stared down at her. "I am sorry." He whispered and she looked up at him with pain in her eyes. Both knew the wound was fatal and it would take her about an hour to die. A very painful hour.
"Finish it." She pleaded in pain. Then before he did. "First tell me, who are you?" She asked her voice etched with agony. Before Ezra stabbed her in the heart.
"My name is Ezra Bridger, Jedi Knight." He stated and then mercifully stabbed her. Deactivating the Lightsaber, he walked over to the Old Woman who was now lying down on the ground.
"Thank the Force you came." The Old Woman whispered. She looked over at the others. "I failed them. I knew I was not able to teach them properly, but I did anyway and that led to them being Murdered." Tears streamed down her lined and crinkled face. Ezra knelt besides her and she smiled weakly. he then heard the Children begin to mourn. Each one calling for their Mommies and Daddies. Crying loudly as each went to their parents and Ezra knew they were hoping that their parents were alive. But he had felt each of fall within the Force. Each died defending each other and their Children. "Might I also know your name?" The old Woman asked.
"I am Ezra Bridger, Maam." Ezra told her and the Old Woman sighed slightly. Then coughed.
"Twilight is upon me Ezra and soon I will join my Children in the Force. For that was what they were. I am Orsa Orchast and I was a minor functionary at the Temple on Jakku. When the Purge came, I took Durisk, Avania and Ilast and left. Each was no older then those three when I came here. I tried to teach them, but I never was capable as I should have been with the Force." She wheezed and tried to sit up. "Aseena, Corvin, Mavisee. Come here." Gesturing with her right arm to the three grieving Children. They walked slowly over and she smiled at them. "I...I must go soon and be with your Mommies and Daddies. This is Ezra he will take care of you, teach you to be better then I could ever hope to teach you." Orsa said and Ezra shook his head.
"Wait. I am not...I do not know how to teach anyone." Ezra stammered out and Orsa shook her head, releasing his hand.
"You are a Jedi Knight Ezra, you will learn." Orsa looked back at the three younglings. "I beg your forgiveness my Little Ones, I should have not have tried to train your Parents. Otherwise they might not be...I failed them." Her voice sounded even weaker as she slumped back onto the ground. The Blue Pantoran knelt and took the old woman's hand.
"Please do not leave us too Granny Orsa." The Pantoran girl wailed and the other two dropped down besides her. Also pleading that the old woman remain. But she closed her eyes and passed into the Force. Lightly placing the Old Woman's hand back onto the ground, the Girl looked up at Ezra. Then at the Lightsaber in his hand. "That is my Daddies." She stated firmly. Ezra smiled and after switching the Safety catch so that it could not be activated he handed it her. Ezra knew that the Three Children wanted to mourn and he knew they did not have the time for them to do that. Eventually the Empire would send Stormtroopers or more Inquisitors and then all would be truly lost. Standing he looked down at the three Children.
"Okay. I am sorry but we do not have time for you to grieve right now. I want each of you to go into your Homes and pack a bag. Bring undergarments, socks, one more pair of Shoes, clothes and..." Ezra inhaled as they stared up at him with reluctance. "Any Holopictures of you and your Parents during happier times." He told them with a smile. The Blue Skinned Pantoran shook her head.
"But this is our home." She stated with tears running down her small cheeks.
"The Empire knows this place and as much as I know you want to stay here. We cannot. So please go pack." Ezra said soothingly and the Three Children did as they were told. When they entered their Domiciles, Ezra looked upwards towards the Sky. "Kanan I will get you for this." Then he became more somber. "I wish you would have told me, I could have not wasted time back at the Pod and perhaps their Parents would be alive now." Though Ezra knew that even if he did run the whole way, he doubted he would have arrived in time or in shape to do anything. It had been at least five miles and through wilderness. With a heavy heart, he began to drag the Inquisitors Bodies into a pile. Stacking wood from a Wood Pile, onto them. He found a bucket of Alcohol and dumped it on the Black Clad Men and Woman. The next thing he did was gently carry the Bodies of the Children's Parents into the Dwellings. Laying each in the Larger Bedrooms. The Children watched him from outside when they finished packing. Pouring more Alcohol in each Dwelling. He lite the places on fire. The last thing he did before leaving the Small Clearing was set the Inquisitor's funeral pyre. Leading the sniffing and crying Children into the Forest.
To be Continued
Translation:
Dikut - Idiot
Feir'Fek-Fuck or Shit
Ez'ika-Sweetheart, Darling.