How It Happened - Part 4

Hera Syndulla had to give it to Ezra. He was persistent in just about everything. He'd fought for their crates, been willing to face off a TIE-Fighter, tried to find a way off the Ghost by going through the air vents, warned the others of when they'd walked into a trap, found a way out all by himself after he'd been captured by the Empire, and then helped them rescue the Wookiees.

He just didn't seem to give in no matter what!

When they dropped him off back on Lothal after it was all over, Hera knew what she needed to do. The opened holocron in Kanan's hand decided her even further.

The boy was special and she realised that they needed to help him. It also worked the other way: Ezra was special and unique and had many talents that could help them in the fight against the Empire.

As Ezra ran off through the grassy plains and endless fields of Lothal, Hera noticed that he'd also managed to take Kanan's lightsaber while they were distracted. With a smile, she pointed it out to him.

"Well, now I'll have to go after him, won't I?" he grinned in the direction of the retreating figure.

"But not just for the lightsaber," Hera stated simply.

"No. Not just for the lightsaber."

"He's strong in the Force, isn't he?"

Kanan sighed. "Yes. He needs someone to train him... but not me. I never even competed my own training - I wouldn't be able to help him much."

"Something tells me that you don't exactly have a choice, love," Hera said softly, aware of what was going through his mind right now, aware of the pain he must be feeling deep down inside. "We can help him," she continued," you can help him. He needs us and truth be told, we need him. We could do with someone as skilful as him on our crew."

Kanan still didn't look decided. He was worried he would mess everything up and ruin Ezra'a training. Hera tried one final time.

"It's better than him living out on the streets all by himself, you know."

Kanan looked at her in surprise, eyebrows going up and eyes widening fractionally.

"He doesn't have parents?" he respected quietly. She shook her head sadly in response.

Kanan stood there feeling bad for every bad thought he'd had about the kid and regretting how he had initially treated and talked to him. He didn't have parents! He lived on the street! That explained why he'd stolen from them in the first place and why he had been so desperate to hold onto those crates! It all made sense now when Kanan thought about it: how skinny and pale Ezra was, how he was also kind of dirty, how his clothes were all patched up and ragged and only just fit him, how nervous he'd been around them all.

"Go after him, love," Hera prompted gently. She gave him a little nudge in the direction Ezra had gone and Kanan needed no further encouragement. He set off after the young boy before he fully lost sight of where he was going.

Ezra felt that presence again. He knew who it was this time, though.

"What's the Force?" he asked before the man behind him could get any words in. He made sure to listen to Kanan - something he never really did with anyone. But he did with Kanan. He listened to every last word he had to say, somehow knowing it was important, that this man had the answers he was looking for.

He was surprised by his offer, though. He had thought that Kanan would say whatever he came here to say, ask for his lightsaber back and then leave. But he didn't! He offered to train him! Ezra thought about it for a few seconds. He would finally have somewhere to live and people to live with. He would be able to take hits against the Empire like he'd never been able to do before. He'd have food and a warm place to sleep. Even though he didn't know the Ghost crew all too well and was still a little wary of them (especially Zeb), the idea of it all sounded appealing to him.

He turned to reply to Kanan, but he was already gone. Ezra knew he had to hurry if he didn't want to want the ship to leave without him. Again!

Kanan looked up as he felt the young Force presence he was so used to now enter his room. Ezra was stood against the door, but started to walk over to him when he saw he had the man's attention.

They stood there for a few seconds in silence before Ezra held out Kanan's lightsaber for him. The former Jedi reached out and took it, smiling kindly at the blue-haired child in front of him.