Afterlife
Ezra was trying to focus, but that task was proving futile. Sabine had been constantly trying to get him to help get her pregnant again. As much as he enjoyed their time together, he needed time to meditate. He wanted to see if he could feel what the force wanted him to do, but Sabine was…, for lack of a better word, distracting.
"Come on, Ezra." She whined as she sat on the bed.
"I know you want me around Sabine. However, I don't see how me getting you pregnant again will change the outcome."
"It may persuade Skywalker to not take you away from us."
"Or it will persuade him to take you and our children to the temple for training. Mothma would keep you in a cell until our child is born, then have you executed along with me." He stood up. Looking down, Ezra saw the hurt on her face. "I'm sorry, Sabine. I just don't want to put you in danger if I can help it. I know you can fight, but if both of us get killed who will look after the girls? If Skywalker does come, I will stall him long enough for you to get away from here."
"I-I…" She started to cry as he reached over and held her. He muttered comforting things to her.
At some point, Anna poked her little head in the door. "Momma, what's wrong?"
"Mommy is just worried about me sweetie. It's nothing, I promise." Ezra tried to coax his daughter into leaving. He didn't like the thought of lying to them, but he didn't really lie. Anna seemed satisfied for now and left to relay the news to her twin. "Sabine, you have to understand. I don't want to leave you ever again, but if he comes here, I may not have much choice."
"I know, its just that the girls need a proper teacher and…" She paused to wipe her eyes. "And I need my husband."
"I know my love, I know." He held her until she had managed to cry herself to sleep. Gently laying her down, he went back to meditate on the matter. As he kneeled down, an old friend came to him. Ezra greeted him without even looking up. "Hello Kanan, it has been some time."
"Indeed, it has my friend. I have felt tremors through the force of you, and your stint in the dark again." Kanan wasn't scolding but acknowledging the fact he knew of the recent events.
"Yes, master. I was worried I could not save Sabine from Ori'dush. I don't know what I was thinking." Ezra shook his head. He sensed a new presence. One he didn't know. He looked up to a familiar face.
"I understand that side of things young Bridger." A new voice called out to him.
"Wait, I know you. Ahsoka spoke of you very often." He smiled now recognizing the face.
"Yea. Snips never would stop telling her friends about me." The force ghost of Anakin Skywalker chuckled.
"Master Skywalker, why are you here?" He asked the at one time Jedi.
"I have heard from Jarrus of your predicament and thought it wise to offer my advice." Anakin said kindly. "You know I was a Jedi knight turned Sith, but were you ever told why I turned?" Ezra shook his head no. "Well, throughout the Clone Wars, I was married to Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo. At that point the Jedi were not very accepting of the idea of emotional attachments. Because of that, Padme and I were married in secret, and kept it that way until the end. I believe my master, Obi Wan, knew though. Near the end of the war, I was plagued with nightmares. Horrible dreams of Padme dying in childbirth. I was angry. I felt cheated by the Jedi Council that I wasn't strong enough to find a way to save her. Once I was desperate and vulnerable enough, Chancellor Plapatine made his move. He told me that he was the Sith lord we were hunting and that he had the power to save her. Once I had betrayed all I ever held dear, he then told me that he did not know how to save her, but we could find out together." He looked down on Ezra and sighed. "I was foolish enough to agree to become his apprentice. After I had fought my own master and almost killed my own wife in anger, I was left as half the man I used to be. Literally and figuratively. Sidious had given me a new body, but it was Hell to be in."
"Why would he give you a suit that hurt you?" Ezra questioned "Seems counter intuitive to me."
"He wanted to keep me from overpowering him. If he kept me angry, in pain, uncomfortable, he knew that I could never really be strong enough. He lied, he took my body, he took my mind, he took my love, and he almost took my children. In the end, Luke was able to succeed where Ahsoka had failed on Malachor. He managed to bring me back to the light." Anakin stopped and looked over to Sabine as she was sleeping. "She loves you very much Ezra. I can feel it and so can Kanan." The other man, who had been silent as Anakin spoke, nodded his head. "So, allow her to help you with this. She wants you to stay and be with her. My son will realize that he cannot take you prisoner, let alone beat you in a duel."
"Sabine thinks that me getting her pregnant again will convince Luke to not to take me into custody. I want to stay here with them, train my daughters and maybe have another child. But I feel that if it comes to fighting a friend and going in peace, that I will have to choose." Ezra sighed in doubt of his own decision.
"Only you can decide your fate Ezra. I can only offer my experience as advice. Luke saw how I could be redeemed and saved me. Who's to say he won't do the same for you?" Anakin smiled as he placed a hand on Ezra's shoulder.
"Thank you, Master Skywalker."
"By the way kid. I was never a master. Master Windu thought I wasn't fit." Anakin laughed as he faded.
"Kanan, what do you think I should do?"
"It may sound pretty cliché, but listen to your heart." Kanan smiled as he too faded away.
"Well, that leaves me with no better ideas than I had." He stood for a moment and sat on the bed. "Wait, maybe that's why. I don't have any better ideas because my initial idea will work." Smiling he laid down next to his wife. It wasn't long before she had managed to get herself on top of him and was sleeping on his chest. Ezra just lay there, holding her close. He had a plan in mind to put an end to all of this, but he was going to need help.
Chandrila
Luke was still pondering what to do about Ezra. He didn't want to capture a friend, but he also wanted to keep good relations with the New Republic. He had spoken to Leia and she offered no helpful advice, mainly because her water broke at that exact moment. Luke and Han had rushed her to the hospital wing of the senate building and were now waiting outside. Mara had been informed but was staying in her room due to her own pregnancy. "Han? Do you think we should go after Bridger?"
"Well kid, I don't think it would be worth it. He is surrounded by Mandalorians that would protect him with their lives. I see no way you can pull that one off without a blood bath." Han stood and paced about.
"I don't want to have to kill him, but Mothma was pretty strict about her orders. Bring him here for trial, don't let anyone stop you." Luke stood too.
"You could always just ask him to come back to Lothal and hold the trial there. You said that was his only term, not the judge, jury, or witnesses. Just that it be held on Lothal. Surely Mothma will agree to that." Han walked over to the refresher door, leaving Luke alone in the waiting room.
"Hmmm, maybe I should try and reason with her about Lothal. It might help if Ezra was in a comfortable place and with his family." Luke grinned at his own idea. He was about to leave when a nurse came in.
"You and Mr. Solo can see them now." She said kindly as Han stepped back in the room.
"Bout damn time. I wanna see my kids." Han grinned as he and Luke were led back to see the twins. When they got there, Leia was resting in the bed and the twins were by her side.
"Congratulations, general. A healthy boy and girl." The doctor walked over and shook his hand.
Han walked over to Leia while Luke stayed put by the door. "Hey sweetheart. How ya feelin?"
"Like I've pushed out two babies." Leia laughed and looked down to the infants.
"Picked names yet?" Han smiled picking up the girl.
"Yes, her name is Jaina. His is Jacen." She smiled at Han. He was so happy to be holding their children. The day was perfect, but Luke still dreaded the conversation with Chancellor Mothma about Bridger's trial.
Well Leia and Han's kids are here, the story won't show them that much, however. How do you think Luke will deal with this trial situation? How does Anakin's advice help Ezra? How is Chewbacca not in the story yet? All your questions and more will be answered next time, on Dragon Ball Z! Jk Tb out!
