Darkness.

The Spectre of the former Sith Lord Darth Maul loomed in Malachor, for he was alone once again. After his duel with Kanan Jarrus and Ahsoka Tano, Maul was left all alone and he felt Ezra Bridger's presence leave the planet. He finally found the TIE, the ship that the Eighth Brother had come in and his ticket off that dastardly planet. Now, he was making his way to Dathomir, the home planet he came from. The place where his mother and clan died.

As he flew the Eighth Brother's TIE, Maul's anger raged through him once again as he let the Jedi escape him one last time. The Zabrak felt Ezra's pain and sadness that his master was gone. The Force-bond formed when they found common groundto the Sith temple, Ezra and Maul were connected through the Force. The former Sith Lord knew that just because they had this connection didn't mean Ezra felt like he did: a strong master-apprentice Force bond. However, he knew Ezra had one with Ahsoka Tano as well, as it came to be when Jarrus died.

That boy didn't deserve Kanan Jarrus or Tano as his Master. Of course, Maul refused to acknowledge that he wasn't either. Ezra's lost his way for now and his relationship with Tano would not last long. Perhaps Kanan's death was mean to be. And Ezra was meant to be alone for a while. However, Maul was rushing into it. He'd wait to collect Ezra when the time was right. Ezra would come with him one day. He will take Ezra, whether he came with him willingly or by force. Either way, the boy will accept his fate. No matter what.

Ezra stood in between Hera and Ahsoka. With his mother figures present, Ezra felt a little at ease with sharing what happened. Hera placed a hand on his shoulder, encouraging her friend to speak. As Ezra finished his story, Ezra was surprised he could stand and tell the story without crying. Sato must have seen the way Ezra faltered throughout the whole report and decided to speak with Ahsoka alone and to give the crew a couple of days to grieve for their fallen comrade. Hera and Ezra were dismissed. Meanwhile, Commander Sato knew that this must have been hardest for Ezra because he lost someone who was like a father to him. As Ezra went to leave with Hera, someone put a hand on his shoulder. At first, the former Padawan hoped it was Kanan, who always put his hand on Ezra's shoulder whenever he needed guidance. To his surprise, it was Sato, looking at him at a fatherly and sympathetic gaze.

"I am sorry for your loss of your master, Ezra," Sato said. Being an uncle to a teenager, Sato remembered his own nephew feeling this sad when his father died. Still remembering the night Mart fled to lead his brother's squadron at Mykapo. This whole situation was familiar to him. "Kanan was a good man."

"Thank you," Ezra muttered, looking away so Sato wouldn't see a tear shedding. Quickly, he wiped it away and couldn't help but think back at all the good and bad times he and Kanan had. He looked away, shedding a tear and quickly wiping it away so no one would see. In that moment, Ezra just realized he didn't just lose a Master. He lost another parent.

Just as Hera walked, she noticed that a certain teenager with black hair and blue eyes was not right beside her. She looked back and saw that Ezra was lagging. He was looking absent-mindedly away from her, his arms crossed and tears peeking through Ezra's eyes. Now that Kanan was gone, Hera had to look after everyone. She lost the man she loved, so damn she was not going to lose her son too nor let him go through this alone.

"Ezra, come on," Hera said, going next to him and putting her arm around his shoulders. "Come on, love. You're better off on the Ghost." She began leading him to the Ghost and up its ramp.

"Hera, I'm sorry," Ezra said again. Hera looked back and noticed he was still feeling guilty for what happened on Malachor.

"Please, stop apologizing," said Hera. "Why don't you go into the common room where Sabine and Zeb are and rest up? I'll be in there in a few minutes after dinner's ready. Eating will make you feel better."

Ezra shook his head. "I...I can't..."

"Please, do this," Hera said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "For me and more importantly, yourself."

Ezra pondered before he nodded, going to the direction where Zeb and Sabine were sitting, talking to each other. They looked at Ezra in concern.

"Ezra, you alright?" Sabine asked, her voice full of concern, also known as the side of Sabine when she really wanted to take care of her friends."

The boy shook his head, still standing.

"Kid, you should sit down," Zeb said, standing up to let Ezra sit down next to Sabine.

"No, I don't...I can't" He looked anywhere but at Zeb and Sabine.

"Yes, you can," Sabine said. The boy stood there for a few minutes before Zeb took Ezra's shoulder and gently guided him down on the seat next to Sabine. However, he didn't say anything or do anything.

"Ezra, we know how you feel," Sabine said. "We all lost Kanan too," she began crying.

"Because it's all my fault," Ezra interrupted her. "If I hadn't trusted Maul, then Kanan would still be here. Because of me, he's gone."

He began breaking down again. Sabine couldn't help but wrap her arm around Ezra's shoulder.

"No Ezra, if there's anyone to blame, it's Maul and Vader," the older teenager answered. Ezra couldn't take it anymore. He turned around and hugged Sabine. At first, she felt a little uncomfortable. Of course, she did hug him with Zeb, but that was of her own accord. Ezra doing it felt strange to her at first. However, the next minute, she had returned the hug. Zeb didn't know what to do with the two teenagers. He couldn't help but place his hands-on Ezra's shoulders and shared a glance with Sabine that they both agreed to do: to comfort their mutual younger brother. No matter what, they were going to look after him now.

Ahsoka watched Ezra walk away in despair. He just needed some time to himself or with his family because she knew what it was like to lose a Master. Her worst nightmare came true: Darth Vader was Anakin Skywalker, as she feared. However, after everything that happened, Ahsoka was going to teach Ezra the ways of the Force, so he wouldn't end up like her. They were both Apprentices who lost their Masters. She wouldn't let Ezra walk through the Force alone. She would protect the last of the Jedi, whether it is Darth Vader or that scum, Maul. But for now, she just needed to think, most importantly, what to do with the Holocron that she held in her hands and if Ezra's ruined lightsaber made it to Hera. She retreated to the middle of the desert where no one would bother her, keeping one of the thumpers that kept the spiders away.

She closed her eyes to meditate, to clear her mind. However, she felt something, a presence that was almost calm. A presence that nearly felt like something about it was familiar to Ahsoka. Like the power she encountered on Mortis all that time ago.

"I see youi," said the voice. Ahsoka jumped up in alarm, activating her white bladed lightsabers, unsure of what was calling her. "Come to me..."

Ahsoka stood up, noticing an Atollon owl nearby. She took her thumper and began following it when it took her to an empty cove. Going towards the piles of rocks, she wondered who was trying to contact her. Suddenly, she felt something huge moving from behind her. Ahsoka looked back and saw a gigantic creature. One she had never seen before. Ahsoka was utterly -or he- smiled at her.

"Hello there," the creature said. Ahsoka blinked and stared at awe.

"Who are you?" Ahsoka said, finally breaking the silence.

"I am the Bendu, child," said the creature, Bendu, Ahsoka noted. "A being between the Ashla and the Bogan.

Ahsoka smiled proudly and she wondered. "So, you are like me? Neither Sith or Jedi?"

The Bendu hummed. "Yet, you draw from the light side of the Force."

"Yes, but I am no longer a Jedi," Ahsoka spoke calmly.

"Yes," Bendu said before laughing, much to Ahsoka's curiosity and bewilderment. "I've told you who I am but who are you?"

Ahsoka bowed her head at her fellow Force wielder.

"I am Ahsoka Tano, former Padawan."

"Well, Ahsoka Tano, former Padawan," said Bendu, "I feel that you are sadden, feeling like despair towards this peaceful planet. Why is that?"

"Because," Ahsoka began, she nearly cried but took a breath or two before continuing. "Because, I have lost a friend. Me and a comrade have both lost a friend. And he left behind an Apprentice, who now has no one to teach him of what the Jedi stood for."

"Ah ha," said the creature. "And what is it you plan for your friend, Ahsoka Tano?"

"To guide him the rest of his way. I hope to teach him the ways of the Jedi. I won't let him fall. Not like I did when I left the Jedi Order."

"Hmm," muttered the Bendu as he thought of a solution for her."You plan to teach a Jedi Padawan though you are not a Jedi?"

"As far as I know," Ahsoka began, "Ezra is one of the last of the Jedi and part of the hope of the should not walk through this alone." She took out the Sith Holocron, "and to do that, I must keep this from him, for if he falls to the Dark Side, then he will be lost forever."

The Bendu hummed, taking the holocron. Ahsoka tried stopping him from opening it by claiming it was pure evil. However, she noticed that she was too late. .

"Careful its dangerous," Ahsoka said.

"It cannot be dangerous if you are careful with it."

Before he could answer, Ahsoka heard her comlink calling her back to base. She answered it, Sato's voice calling her back to base. The former Jedi Padawan acknowledged she would be there soon. However, the Bendu began handing her back the Sith Holocron. Ahsoka shook her head, grabbing her thumper.

"Please, it is safer with you," Ahsoka said. The creature looked at her with curiosity.

"Yes, but do not forget this meeting, Ahsoka Tano." said the Bendu. He put it in his hands. "And whenever you are available, I would like to meet this apprentice of yours one day."

"Of course," Ahsoka said with a smile as the Bendu looked at her curiously.

"Such a strange child," the Bendu said, as he looked down at the forbidden artifact one last time. "Yet aren't we all a little strange?"

Somethings never would change.