Thanks for the support of the last chapter, I'm glad you guys like Able. I'm not sure what other character like him I should bring in next.
Ezra pulled back the lever and the Tempest left hyperspace, at first you wouldn't notice anything about where he and Able were. It was just stars and space, but if you take a closer look, you could see Phoenix home, but before he could think of anything else, another ship entered his field of vision. It seemed a new ship as joined the squad, a big ship. That thing was huge compared to the others, if his memory was serving him well, then it was an small scale imperial transporter ship, it was basically a giant flat triangle with four hangers attached to it. What the hell happened on that mission he missed?
It seems he would get his answer soon. A small smile appeared on his face when he saw the figure of the Ghost stationed inside one of the hanger's, good thing Sabine was back and they were done with their own mission "Phoenix Home, this is lieutenant commander Ezra Kryze of the Tempest requesting permission to dock with Home. Sending codes now" he said into the com.
Not a moment later, he received a request, and he pushed a button. Immediately after the holographic image of Sato appeared on the small terminal in-between both pilot chairs "Kryze, it's good to have you back. We've received your mission report. A whole team is ready to search every nook and cranny of the Tempest for any type of tracking device. Every droid we have is also on standby to break open that black box" he informed, standing straight with his hands behind his back "come aboard our new command ship"
He nodded back towards the hologram "understood commander" he nodded "commencing docking sequence now" the hologram switched out and Ezra began the docking sequence.
Able was standing behind him when Tempest's ramp lowered, when it did, he was met with at least a dozen different technician's. Sato was standing at the front in a professional manner, behind him Ezra could recognize a dozen different people from around the squad, a couple of others he didn't. Though he smiled when he looked at the back of the large group and small the colourful hair of Sabine and beside her looked to be Rex, no doubt here to meet his fellow clone "commander sir" Ezra said stepped forward, carrying the black box under his arm.
Sato nodded at him "it's good to have you back lieutenant commander, you've missed quite a bit" he nodded gesturing to the large hanger they now found themselves in as he turned around "you all know your job, we cannot afford to have a tracker on the Tempest, see that it doesn't" the gathered team all nodded before walking forward past him, Ezra and Able. Making their way inside.
Ezra took a step forward and handed the box to Sato who quickly took it and the three started to walk back into this ships control room. The smile on Ezra's face grew when he neared Sabine, she smiled back before walking forward and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into a big hug.
He wasted no time in hugging her back, when they pulled away, he leaned in again and gave her a kiss that lingered longer than usual "So you've been busy" she smiled.
He let out a small chuckle "not as much as you"
"Sir!" they were interrupted by the voice of the new clone trooper, they both turned to see him saluting Rex "Able One Seven Zero Seven of the 117th Legion, reporting for duty sir"
Rex returned the salute "at ease Able" he said sternly before turning around "come on trooper, we've got the medical bay set up to remove your control chip. After that I'll start filling you in what you missed" before leaving Rex turned and gave a nod to Ezra "thank you sir, for bringing back one of my brothers" with that the captain left with Able close behind him.
Sato walked forward until he stood right next to Ezra and Sabine "it's a shame we won't be able to use that world as a base but I'm glad you didn't leave empty handed" he walked forward into Home with the couple behind him "though those new Storm Troopers you encountered are worrying. What do you believe they are?" he asked.
The trio entered the ships command room to see it full of personal, he held a smile as he saw Hera and Chopper in front of what looked like a full squad of droids "they were good, based on what I saw they seemed to be trained to fight Jedi" he informed as Sato placed the Black Box on the central table, which it seemed to connect with based on all the holograms of the box that appeared in the air. When that happened, all the droids moved to the table until they completely circled it, at once they all plugged in a no doubt began decoding the box.
"How long do we think this will take?" Sabine asked crossing her arms and leaning into Ezra slightly.
"A couple of days" Hera said with a small shrug "assuming this is well protected"
"And if it is, then we'll get a lot of good info out of it" Sato added with a nod "for now, we'll keep on moving at sub-light speed. Until we're certain that there are no trackers on-board, then we'll move to a new system and continue to search for a suitable planet that we can plant a base on" he informed everyone, who all nodded, and Ezra had to admit, it was a solid plan.
When everyone went to go back to their own jobs, Hera decided to walk towards the couple "you can never have a normal job can you?" she said with a smile and he couldn't help but smile back, he was happy that she still treated him the same, at least to his face. He didn't want to know what she said and acted when he wasn't around.
He gave her a shrug "I'm not complaining, strength is bred in adversity, and I've had a lot of that" he added and he didn't even try in order to feel the pride Sabine was giving off.
Though Hera seemed to get closed off at his words "you err... you've really started to care about strength... power" she added with a lot more edge to her tone.
He looked at her passively, though he could tell that she was uncomfortable, and he wanted to change that. He didn't want to lose her as well "yeah" he nodded quietly "but not for the reason you think" he took a step forward and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder "Hera, I know you don't like this. What's happened to the crew, I know you want to go back to how it used to be" it really did hurt to see the pain in her eyes, he really didn't like causing Hera any type of pain "but that can't happen, not because it's impossible but because in order that to happen I need to back to what I was before. I can't do that" he admitted.
His hand dropped and he placed it around Sabine's waist "turning away from what Kanan taught me about the Jedi may end up being for the best. I've realized something, I think that in the thrill of learning about the Jedi, I overlooked something important. What good is a peacekeeper in times of war?" he let that question hang in the air for a moment, allowing everyone take in it "I don't need to be a jedi in order to be a rebel and being a Jedi may hold me back" he reached behind his back and pulled out a familiar black light sabre "I killed that inquisitor, and I did it because I had the strength to do it. All I need to have in order to complete my missions, power and the warrior mind in order to use it" He placed the sabre back onto his belt.
"I really am sorry Hera, but this is how it has to be" with one final sad smile he turned and left the bridge.
Sparks of light filled the small workshop; the Tempest didn't have the room for a workshop or anything like that and even if it did, it was still crawling with technicians. So, Ezra sat calmly in one of the spare rooms of the new command ship. The goggles over his eyes protected them from the bright sparks, in front of him on the table was the half-assembled inquisitor lightsabre. He knew that he couldn't let this weapon go to waste but being honest he didn't really know what to do with it. He doesn't have any training in the form of duel wielding so using them at the same time isn't just a bad idea it's wasteful. He could turn his sabre own into a double bladed one using the components, but he'll face the same problem.
So, he needed to think outside of the box, something that wouldn't need training to use per say. Because he'll already have a good understanding of how to fight in this type of style. Which is what has led him to what he's doing now. He asked Sato for two arm guard armour pieces, something that wasn't hard to get his hands on. His plan wasn't to use the sabre as a weapon, not really. It was more of a last resort when backed into a corner or needed in order to surprise an opponent.
Ezra's worked on for the next four hours, he didn't know where everyone else was or what they were doing but he wasn't called on so he would assume that everything was ok. Over those hours the Inquisitors sabre was completely taken apart, only a couple of base components left over and small pieces here and there that he didn't need.
Placing the tools down Ezra leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relaxation. He was done, now he needed to test them to see if they could work. Standing up, the chair being pushed back as he did so. Moving forward he grabbed the two armour pieces and slid them onto his arms, the top holding tightly around his wrist and the bottom stopping just short of his elbow joint still allowing freedom of movement. What makes this different from the other everyday armour was the short rod-shaped compartment that rested at top of the amor placed on the side facing away from his body.
As of the moment they were both plane white in colour and a dirty white at this point, he gave a shrug. He's sure Sabine would be happy to paint them later. Taking a couple of steps away from the table, he moved around the room. Testing his movements with the new pieces of armour, making sure they didn't catch his body as he walked, which didn't seem to be the case. Lifting his arms up in a fighting stance, he gave a couple of japs, hooks and blocks. There was an added weight to them but that wasn't unexpected, and it wasn't big enough to make a real difference.
'Now for the main event' he thought to himself, there was a very small switch on the underside of each arm guards. With a flick of the force, the switch moved and the room glowed as two small red blades shot out from the armour pieces. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in, being honest he was surprised that they worked, he was expecting trouble the first time but it seemed like that wasn't going to happen.
He waved his arms around and the red blades 'CLAWS!' he yelled in his head 'I'm calling these claws' he added. These would be amazing at surprising his enemies, he took a fighting stance and made a couple of jabbing motions with the new weapons, testing them out and getting a real feel for them.
The blades themselves where about half the size of the blue one on his cross-guard sabre, not something he had a problem with. If they were too big then they would get in the way of each other, not to mention that he would have to learn a new fighting style just for them. This way, at the smaller size they were, he could quite easily incorporate them into his already known hand to hand fighting style. Being truthful he didn't even know if it would work but by the force he would try.
This would have to be kept secret for the moment, there was no point in hoping to surprise an enemy with these if he was just going to come and tell everyone and he didn't want to give Kanan anymore ammunition to use against him because of course using the colour red is enough for him to be evil.
The knock on the door caught him by surprise, he switched the claws off and moved towards it. When he opened it, he came face to face with the much cleaner and shaved face Able "Sir" he saluted, Ezra feeling that he should saluted him back "I was wondering if I could have a word" he spoke.
"of course" he said moving outside the workshop "what's on your mind?" he asked as the clone walked beside him.
"I've been speaking to Rex" he started "well, he's been talking and I've been listening while they were removing my chip. A part of me hoped that you were wrong or lying" there was no mistaking the sadness in his tone of voice, not that Ezra could blame him.
"I wish I was" he said back calmly.
"Once he caught me up to date, I've been thinking about what to do next" Ezra gave him a sideways glance "Sato made the offer for me to join the squad but..."
"You don't know if you want to fight anymore?" Ezra asked not knowing what he was going to say.
Able shook his head "it's not that, I don't mind fighting, it's what I was created to do, and this empire seems far worse than the separatists ever were. I just don't know if I can follow Sato, nothing against him but I don't trust him just yet" raising a hand, he grabbed Ezra's shoulder and stopped him from moving onwards. Turning around to face the clone he raised an eyebrow "Sir, I saw how you fought, from what I've been told you're a great leader, planner and a fighter. I would like to request that I join the Tempest and serve under you"
Now that was a surprise, sure he was hoping that Able would join the squad but he didn't see this coming. In truth Ezra didn't know what that would mean, was he even allowed to do that? Would Able not listen to Sato if he did join the Tempest?
Giving a shrug Ezra nodded "well, I've got no reason to say no. I'd be happy to have you along for a couple of missions and see how things go, if it goes well then, I'm sure we'll be a good team" reaching forward Ezra grasped the clone's hand "welcome aboard Able"
The clone smiled back "good to be here sir, I'm looking forward to working under you"
Two days later
He let out another sigh, he just couldn't help it. Being such a high member of the squad, second only to Sato gave Ezra perks, there was no doubt about that but there was also no denying that it also gave added responsibilities. One of which was helping Sato with the logistics of leading a squad of this size, another was the after-action reports that were submitted to command.
"More bad news?" a voice in front of him said.
Looking up from the tablet, Ezra looked at the commander sitting across from him. The two had spent the last couple of hours in Sato's quarters going over different reports and future plans they had "we're not gonna last much longer" he said back as he placed the data-pad on the small table between them "eighty percent of the very limited funds we have are spent of fuel because we have no were to land. And that percentage just went up with this new ship"
The commander hummed with a frown as he stroked his chin "we're searching for world's that are suitable, I don't need to tell you how difficult that is" he spoke with a calm voice, but Ezra could tell there was a strain within it.
And that was true, despite there being hundreds of thousands of habitable worlds out there in the vastness of space. It was a lot harder to find one that could be used as a base was a lot harder than one might think. Though that was mainly due to factors that the squad need to follow, one and the most obvious being that the empire must know nothing about it, a very hard thing to find when they have millions of probs and drones out there hovering around planets waiting for something to report. The second is that the world must be close to an active hyperspace lane, they couldn't just find a random planet so far out of the way that it would take weeks to get back into the fight.
People tend to forget just how big the galaxy was, it was BIG. You can't just get a hyperdrive and say you can go anywhere, it takes days to travel between systems, sure if they're closer then it wouldn't be as long, but the squad would be traveling everywhere. So, they would need a central location that could be used to travel to wherever they need to go within reasonably the same time.
"If we don't find what we need then we may have to start acting as mercenary's" he raised the idea calmly. Even if Ezra didn't really like the idea of the squad acting as hired guns, he could bear it if it meant that the ships had fuel.
"Absolutely not!" the idea was quickly shot down by the one in charge "we are not mercenary's; we are fighting for a cause" he leaned back and let out a large sigh "we just need one planet to use"
Ezra gave the man a respectful nod "then we're gonna need to try something else, this" he reached down to grab the tablet he was looking down "just isn't working"
Sato nodded "times like this I wish you and Kanan were more experienced Jedi. It was said that the masters of the order would just need to close their eyes and the answers would come"
Ezra didn't say anything to that, even if word had gotten about his fight with Kanan. The fact that he didn't even consider himself a Jedi anymore seemed to stay within the Ghost crew. Though that thought didn't matter at the moment, Sato's words began to echo in Ezra's head. Could they do that? He didn't know but it would be a stretch, meditation was a useful thing. He's done it himself in the past and even tried it to look for another world to use with meditation but that didn't seem to go anywhere.
Was there a master they could use? No. Kanan was an Padawan when the order fell. Ashoka was a complete badass but she herself said she left the order, so she was a no.
Obi-Wan?
The thought entered his head for a second and just as quickly it was pushed out again, it would be harder to find him then it would be a planet. Who else was there? The only other Jedi Ezra has spoken to would be Yoda.
He froze, Yoda. He could speak to Yoda "maybe that's an option" he whispered but based on the way Sato looked at him, he had heard "back on Lothal, there's an ancient hidden Jedi temple. When I last went there, I was given a vision, it was about what happened to my mother. It was months before I left to prevent it from happening and I've never had a vision that clear since"
Based on the realization in the commanders' eyes, he understood where he was going with this. Crossing his arms and placing a hand on his chin, it was clear that he was considering the words carefully "I don't like the idea of sending you on another solo mission" he said calmly.
"I won't be" he was quick to say "I'll bring Sabine with me... and Able too" he added and when Sato raised an eyebrow he continued "he's said that even though he'd join the squad, he wants to serve directly under me and I didn't really have a reason to say no" he explained.
It seemed the commander didn't either "very well. Make haste then" he ordered when the two stood up "we cannot afford to wait much longer" Ezra gave the commander a nod before turning to leave. It wasn't too late just yet, find Able wasn't hard as he seemed to spend a lot of time with Rex, no doubt being the most comfortable with the other clone. Sabine was with Hera in the cafeteria, telling both the situation they were quick to get what they needed to in order to start the mission.
Ezra sat side by side along with Sabine as the two piloted the Tempest towards Lothal. Behind them, he could hear Able going through some weapons he was given by the squad. Nothing to special, some updated clone armour from Rex along with a plaster pistol and a rifle, though it seemed that he was keeping the knife he had one him when Ezra found him based on the sheath he had strapped to his leg.
He spoke briefly with Sabine about the idea of Able being a part of the... well he guessed he could call it a crew now, couldn't he? She didn't seem to have a problem with it, it's not that either of them thought they would have the ship to themselves forever. But from now on, it was clear that they would need to be careful about who they allow to join this crew. The Tempest could only house six people and if they did have that many it would be very cramped.
The Tempest and the same ships of its design were meant as support craft for larger ships, they would protect the larger ships in the fleet by scarring off and easily beating the smaller fighter craft of other fleets. Long range missions where not in the mind of those who made them. If they ever did get a larger crew, they would need a bigger ship.
But that was a problem for another time "home sweet home" he said as he pulled the ship out of hyperspace and the orange planet of Lothal came into view.
"At least this time we can avoid the city" Sabine added with a small smile as they entered the planet's atmosphere.
"If everything goes well, we shouldn't have any trouble" he added back calmly.
"What's the plan sir?" Able asked as she stood up walked behind the two.
There was a moment of silence before he answered "we shouldn't have any trouble. We'll be out of the way of the cities and villages by thousands of miles. If all goes well, I'll be going into a meditation within the temple. While I'm out of it, you guys are gonna stand guard and maybe do some sparring or something. Get to know each other better" he added with a shrug as they flew over the large desert towards the hidden temple of the ancient Jedi.
Setting the ship down to land in front of the large rock that stood alone, like an upside-down cone with the tip pointing up into the sky. The three disembarked and started to walk forward "is this it?" Able asked.
"This is it" Ezra nodded as he stopped, the other behind him.
"Err..." Sabien looked around looking very confused "am I missing something?" she asked.
He turned to her and gave her a smirk "just watch" he added with a smirk. Taking a couple of steps forward, he raised his hand, closed his eyes and reached out with the force. Honestly, it took a lot more effort than he would like in order to do this without Kanan here. He didn't even know if it was possible to do this on his own but regardless, he was going to get there, one way or another.
Reaching out with the force, he could feel it all around him, doing what he's been trying to do for the last year. Ezra's hand turned and opened up as if it where grasping something that no-one could see. The exact same as the last time he was here but one thing was very different from the start and he was quick to find it. It was heavy and he didn't just mean from the weight, the last time he did this, it was like the temple itself was trying to rise up with him.
Now it felt like it was trying to keep itself down, did not having Kanan here with him really make this much of a difference? 'No!' He shouted in his head. He refused to believe that he couldn't do this. Gritting his teeth at the strain he felt, his anger began to rise. Rising his other hand, he gripped the temple in both and started to will the force into action.
A loud grinding sound hit his ears, but he didn't let that stop him, he couldn't fail. The entire squad was counting of them to successes, he wouldn't let them down just because he wasn't strong enough to lift a damn rock. Lifting his arms in one final motion he didn't even know he needed to do, and a loud bang hit his ears. Opening his eyes, he saw a foreboding door starring back at him, a black stone corridor behind it, inviting them in but Ezra could tell this was going to be an issue.
Feeling a hand landing on his shoulder, he turned and saw Sabine looking at him with worried eyes "what is it?" he asked quickly with concern in his own voice. She didn't answer him immediately but looked at the ground instead, when he followed her eyes, he let out a tired sigh. The stone pattern that wrapped the ground around the temple, which up until now was marble in colour now glowed with a red hue "that's a bad sign" he added before turning back around and starring into the door "that's different door from the one I went into last time" he announced.
Reaching to his waist he grabbed his sabre in hand, though he didn't activate it "I don't know if that means anything, I'm hoping we can just find a room somewhere and that will be enough" turning around to face the others he gave them both a look "Honestly, I would feel better if you both waited outside" he warned.
"Not a chance" Sabine was quick to say.
Before they could even turn in his direction, the clone spoke "first thing we're taught, never abandon your team. I've got your back"
He gave him a nod before turning back to the entrance and walking forward "fair warning, I don't know if this place has any kind of defences in place but if it does it will be mind related" he stopped just before the threshold of the door, turning around he looked at the two "don't trust your eyes" he warned before turning forwards and stepping into the temple.
The group had walked for around five minutes in the dark hallways, only illuminated by the small torches that Sabine and Able held, along with Ezra's lightsabre. As they walked Ezra couldn't help but shake the feeling of foreboding and based on the way the others looked twice at every shadow, they felt it to.
It didn't seem to get any worse until they reached a bigger atrium type area, it reminded Ezra of the place that Kanan waited for him when he first went into the deeper parts of the temple and got his crystal. When the trio walked in, there was a loud banging behind them, signalling that the door was sealed. The darkness that covered it seemed to evaporate at their presence. He was about to put his sabre away when I familiar figure in mando amour was seen standing at the far end of the room, immediately taking in a fighting stance at first sight of the figure a woman it seemed. The others immediately aiming their blasters at her as well.
"What the fuck" Sabine whispered, clearly even more on edge at the sight but it got worse when the woman raised her arms and lifted her helmet. Revealing a very familiar face.
"Mother" Ezra gasped at the sight of Bo Katan "how are you... no" he shook his head and lowered his fighting stance "you're not here, you're just the force messing with me" he started to walk forward again and he hoped that Sabine and Able where with him but if they weren't then he's just going to have to prove that this isn't real.
When he started to walk forward, the image started to walk as well "you're pathetic" she snarled.
"Oh, am I?" Ezra nodded sarcastically.
"Not worthy of your weapons, losing your armour, betraying your people, colluding with the Jedi, fucking a traitor" she added with a nod in Sabine's direction. A small frown did come onto Ezra's face at that 'why couldn't the force just be a dick to him? it just had to bring her into it' he thought to himself.
The force image smirked at him "you're so weak, getting emotional about a woman. You really think you can..."
She found herself cut off when Ezra just calmly walked through her "Nah" he said, and the image just vanished once Ezra hit her. When she was gone the darkness completely left and a small light from the roof illuminated the whole room. Turning around he was thankful that he could see that the other two were still relatively calm despite seeing a force ghost for the first time, he knew he freaked out when he first saw one. After a moment they moved forward and soon stood in front of him in the centre of the room. When he looked around, Ezra gave them a nod "this should do it" he said before getting down on his knees.
"What are you doing?" Sabine asked looking at him strangely.
"The last time I spoke with Master Yoda, it was like a dream, I think I'll have to go into a meditation in order to do it again" placing both his hands on his legs and took a couple of deep breaths.
"Is there anything we can do?" Able asked as he started to look around the room.
He slowly shook his head "no, just try and keep things quiet. Don't disturb me unless you have too" he instructed. Without another word he closed his eyes and began to lose himself into the meditation he's done a hundred times before.
He breathed in and out, he shut out all the sounds from around him. He allowed the force to fill him up, he reached out with it, felt his surroundings, felt the primal force energy of the temple. When he would ask Sabine what happened later, she would say that it was only the prior warning that stopped both her and Able from panicking when they turned away only for a second but to turn back and find him gone without a sound.
When Ezra next opened his eyes, he found himself somewhere else completely "wow" he couldn't help but say, he was still in a kneeling position but in was resting on a small circle of glowing blue runes that where in a language that he won't even try to understand but he will make a mental note to look at them closer later. Around him was nothing more but the endless void of space, countless stars all around him "I know this place" he whispered to himself as he stood up.
"Special to you, it is hhmm" a very familiar voice spoke.
Quickly turning around he felt a smile come onto his face when he saw the small green alien, he's been told about so many times in the past "Yoda" he said as he kneeled down in front of the old master who wore tanned robes and seemed to be sitting on a wooden log "it's good to finally meet you in person" he added.
"Oh, in person, we are?" he spoke back with a small smirk.
A small chuckle left him at those words "well, it's close enough, I guess. Last time you were just a voice in my head"
"hhhmmm, yes. Growing your abilities are and with them danger" he said with a strong sense of foreboding coming over them.
Not being able to help himself, Ezra let out a sigh and rolled his eyes "come on, I don't need to hear this from you as well" it almost sounded like a whine, even to him.
"Oh, hear this before, have you hhmm?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, I heard it from Kanan, I've seen the looks from Hera and Zeb, I'm no doubt going to hear from Ashoka next time I see her" he listed "I don't need another lecture that I'm abandoning the Jedi path, what I need is a way to defeat my enemies" he said, almost sounding like a rant with his tone of voice.
Yoda's face didn't change but his head did tilt to the sight "oh, power it is, you seek hhmm?" He asked.
He let out a small sigh before speaking "yes, I seek power" he admitted "and not just power but ability and skill. We're at war, encase you didn't notice from whatever hole your hiding in" the insult came out before he could stop himself, truth be told this frustration has been building up since his blow out with Kanan.
"from the path, wondered you have" the old Jedi said, ignoring the insult "a strong Jedi, you could have become I said" Ezra did remember that, back when he had been captured and he was on the bring of breaking under the pain, that was when he heard Yoda's voice "not possible that is now" he continued .
Ezra shook his head "no" he agreed "I can't go back to that, not anymore. But I think that's for the best" he admitted
"Oh" Yoda nodded "know this, you do?" he asked pointing his walking stick at his nose.
"no" he admitted "I don't know anything for certain anymore" looking into Yoda's eyes he started to speak "but what I do know, is that we're at war. The time for dogmatic ideals is over" he was really going to feel bad about this but now was not the time for tact "the Jedi failed because they were unable to adapt to the changing environment, I won't make that mistake. I'll keep training, keep growing stronger and keep beating my enemies" the determination in his voice was strong and Yoda seemed to understand that at least.
He sadly shook his head "young Ezra, much left to understand you do. But wrong you are not" he had to admit, he never thought the aged Jedi would agree with him "so set on our way we were. Unable to see what was right in front of us. Thousands of Jedi once there were, then came war" raising his cane yet again and pointed off into the distance. Though when Ezra looked, a great fog seemed to overtake the countless stars and from that fog images began to form. He couldn't help it, Ezra his jaw dropped at the sight. An entire legion of clones stood at attention, he's seen the vids and heard the stories but to see it with his own eyes. And if that was just one legion, he didn't want to think about the battles that required more than one "and in our arrogance, joined the conflict swiftly we did, fear, anger, hate. Consumed by the dark side we were" the voice of Yoda grew shallow and a look of sadness came onto him, Ezra couldn't help but pity him.
"But that's the difference" Ezra pointed out "you had a choice; you could have stayed out of clone war, but you chose to enter it. There is no choice here" he looked to the ground and sighed "I don't know what happened in the last days of that war. All I know is that the Jedi didn't survive it and the rest are being hunted because of it. We have to make a stand and I can't do that as a Jedi, as a peacekeeper, as a monk. I need to be a fighter, the squad needs me to be a fighter, the galaxy needs me to be a fighter! Why can't anyone understand that!" he started to yell.
"Oh, understand that we do" Yoda countered "but fear remains, you're master, you friend. Fear of what you can become he does, the trauma, lingers it always will. Your crew worried you'll lose yourself they do" he listed.
Ezra was quick to shake his head "no, it won't happen" he denied stubbornly.
"Oh, something special about there is hhhmm?" Yoda asked looking him up and down "have something to save you from the lust for powers that others did not?" he asked again.
He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words, Yoda the smug basterd he was just sat there and waited "I don't what to say, I've used to the dark side before. I've never let it consume me, I always come back from it. I just need to think about Sabine and I'm fine"
"Ah, love. Think save you it will" the old master shook his head "no, the reason for the Jedi's fall, love was. The thought of loss, fear, comes with it, it does"
Ezra once again looked confused "how could... how could love be the reason for the purge?" he asked.
For a moment Yoda looked like he was about to answer but stopped himself, he even seemed to want to tell Ezra something but was being stopped "hhmm, love Sabine you do?" he asked.
"Of course" he quickly said back calmly.
"Do anything for her you would?" he asked pointing his walking stick.
"I'd die for her" his voice full of determination and his mind just saying what the heart told it to.
Yoda tilted his head to the side "and what rage would follow, if something happened to her, I wonder hhmm?" his eyes opened wider slightly making the question seem rhetorical.
Not wanting to prove his point, he tried to keep his face neutral but was unable to stop the frown appearing on it "that's not going to happen?" he said.
"Have a choice in that you will?" he asked "someone who wants felt the same thing I knew, led to the end it did"
Quickly ignoring Yoda's words, Ezra instead focused on the point he was going to make "you cannot ask me to give her up. I refuse"
"Give up" Yoda chuckled "give up, not possible that is now hhmm. To far in you are, to many emotions you feel. To compromised you are. A danger to all others you may prove to be" his voice started to turn serious and stern "Too great a danger you are. Know of her, the enemy does. As long as she lives, as long as you love, control you Vader always will" he warned.
Ezra frowned even more "Vader is not unstoppable, he can be killed just like anyone else. All it takes is the situation, the plan and the skills in place against him"
"hhhmmm" Yoda hummed "and have those skills, you do? have the power you do?" he asked rhetorically.
He gave the aged Jedi and exhausted sigh "well, maybe I would if people would keep training with me. But no. When I start to show that I may have a chance against him. Kanan gives up and I know Ashoka is going to as well"
"Powerful in the force Vader is" Yoda warned "the most powerful he could have become. Your place to stop him, it is not. Fall to another that destiny will"
He didn't know how it was possible but he was starting to get even angrier "and who are you to decide what my place in this galaxy is?" he challenged "who do you think you are to say what my destiny will be. Because I will tell you right now. Nothing. There is no destiny. Your faith in the force has blinded you, there can be NO chosen one, there can be NO divine saviour" he looked right into Yoda's eyes "Only we can save ourselves!" he yelled. He opened his mouth to speak but was stopped when he felt the ground rumbling underneath him and could see specks of dust falling around him, breaking the illusion that he was in space "what's happening?" he asked calmly.
"Found you, the enemy has" Yoda informed, looking around as well.
He didn't respond immediately, instead he reached out with the force trying to find out just how fucked they were. Though he was surprised when instead of just sensing what was around him, a fog engulfed both him and Yoda and they soon found themselves outside of the temple. Quickly looking around he frowned in anger at the sight, his two favourite inquisitors were outside, forcing the temple upwards. But it was just them, no a small army of troopers, not a fleet of destroyers, not those new purge troopers, just the two of them.
He frowned at the sight "Let them come" he snarled standing up grabbed his sabre and looked down towards Yoda "this is happening, one way or another. Will you help me?" he asked.
The old master looked at Ezra closely for a moment before he looked down and sighed. After a moment of silence, Ezra got the hint. He looked disappointed himself before he turned around and would just start walking forward until he was out of this illusion "find Malachor" Yoda said.
His eyes widened at the words but when he turned around to ask further questions, he found himself back in the atrium "Ezra" Sabine's alarmed voice reached, turning around again he found Sabine and Able looking at him, both looking really alarmed "what's happening?" she asked.
Using his instincts to his advantage, he put what Yoda just told him on the back burner for now "we have incoming, two inquisitors" this is why he liked Able, he had his weapon ready and aimed at the entrance before Sabine had hers out of the holster.
"Do we have an escape plan?" she asked taking her blaster pistols out of the holsters and holding them tightly.
"We don't need one" he stepped forward until he stood in the middle of the two "we have the advantage; we're going to use it and we're going to kill them. Here and now" his voice offered no room for argument and maybe it was his own confidence, but he could feel Able and Sabine growing confident at his words.
"what's the plan sir?" Able asked, his voice firm but calm.
Ezra didn't answer immediately, he needed to get this right. Sabine and Able where both great shots but that didn't mean much to a light sabre, not in the hands of a force user at least so how could they help? By not getting directly involved. Glancing upwards Ezra could see that the ceiling seemed to made up of a very ruff type of rock, no patterns, no processing into art or murals, it's like the ancient Jedi couldn't be bothered to shape it at all "how goods you're grip?" he asked.
Before either of them could answer, Ezra stepped back and raised both his arms. Using the force, he seized both of his teammates and started to lift them off the ground "Ezra, what are you doing?" Sabine asked calmly as they started to reach the ceiling.
"we're going to take them by surprise" he said as they reached the top "both of you, grab onto something" he ordered and within the minute, the two had managed to hang on, though they did it loosely "ok, you guys stay there. I'll keep them busy; you will have one chance to put them down with blaster fire but wait until they're staggered or on the ground. Don't just shoot when they're backs are turned, they'll know if you do. Able, wait on Sabine's word, she'll know when" he ordered.
"Understood sir" he nodded before turning to Sabine who was hanging next to him "on your go ma'am"
"Fair warning Ezra" Sabine adjusting her grip "not going to be able to stay up here forever"
"Are you sure?" Ezra asked with a smirk and a tilt of the head "it's a great view" he commented starring directly at her pointing rear.
"Not the time sweaty" she calmly said back though he could see the small smile on her face.
Before he could respond, the sound of stepping feet caught his ears and looking down into the dark doorway. The smile on his face went away instantly and was replaced with a look of anger. Stepping back into the direct middle of the atrium he waited as he looked coolly at the door. The footsteps intensified and soon the silhouettes of two different body types became visible "well, isn't this a surprise" a familiar womans voice said. He frowned in annoyance at the sound and soon the two inquisitors came into view completely "my favourite target, all alone" she taunted.
"Arrrr" Ezra cooed "I'm your favourite?" he asked coly, slowly starting to walk back and forth "I'm sure the other one thought the same. What was he called again? Oh yeah, eighth brother? Was it?"
Unfortunately, his own taunting didn't seem to have any effect. The larger male, fifth brother if he's remembering correctly simply shrugged, activating his sabre "no one liked him anyway"
The woman let out a sigh "so it was you who killed him? Now that was a mystery we wanted solved" the woman's mask sealed shut and she activated her own sabre "you've just made us want to get you more"
"Alive right?" he was quick to say back as he bent his legs and activated his sabre, the red and blue glows of the weapons filling the room "I can't say I'll return the curtesy" he added when he stopped walking.
The woman let out a chuckle "well then, let's see how much stronger you've became" without another word, she charged in the larger male right behind her.
Taking a couple of steps forward Ezra readied himself, the woman lunged for him, both feet off the ground. He side stepped the attack blocking the improvised side slash and moved to face the fifth brother, rising his sabre to block the first incoming attack Ezra quickly moved to attack again. He was only able to get one slash out before he had to turn around and block the new attack from the sister who had caught up to him.
Feeling the force warn him of what was coming behind him, Ezra used the cross guard of his sabre to lock the sister's weapon in place and drag her a few steps forward and used her own sabre in order to block the brother's retaliation. Having the sister momentarily off guard, he raised his hand and punched her in the face momentarily stunning her, which was enough for Ezra who still held in the cross guard, spinning around and dragging the sister with him. Ezra let go of the grip he held on her and span, when he did, he raised his leg and kicked her squirrely in the face.
Raising his sabre he blocked an attack from the brother Ezra was quick to launch a combination of different attacks at the larger male, and while he was able to block most attacks, he was being pushed back due to the sheer fury of the attacks. Soon enough the brother found his back hitting one of the several stone pilers that decorated the atrium. With some very quick thinking and a warning from the force, Ezra could see that the sister had recovered from the kick and was moving around the two and made a jabbing motion aimed for Ezra's side.
Being unable to block the attack, he was forced to take a step back. Preventing him from continuing his onslaught on the larger male, making the blind attack on the sister. He almost didn't notice the brother quickly spin and slash the piler he was being pushed up against. There was a great groaning that came from the aged stone and started to fall towards Ezra and the sister. Having no choice, both of them moving to the side in order to avoid the stone.
Which proved to be the best thing for Ezra, now he had a good couple of second in end the sister who didn't have the back up of her brother. The sister raised her sabre to give her next attack more power and Ezra let her, instead of blocking the attack. He moved closer towards her, dodging the attack by just an inch, he loosened his grip in the reverse bringing it upwards with the main blade pointing downwards. Blocking the blind attack that the sister threw towards him.
Now he knew that it was time to use his new weapon, with his sabre busy blocking the inquisitor's red blade. His left hand was now free left hand, his jammed it forward. Using the force to activate the wrist guard blade, the inquisitor had only a fraction of a second to widen her eyes before she found a smaller blade jammed into her shoulder "AAAHHH" she screamed in pain and just when Ezra felt the force warn him of what was coming from behind. He jumped upwards, doing a well-planned flip over the staggering inquisitor.
As he flipped, he could see the red blade of the brother slash sideways just where he was standing 'thank you force' he mentally thought as he landed behind the sister who had her back to him, unable to concentrate on anything other than her pain. She had no defence against Ezra who force pushed her right in the back, she flew through the air. The brother not even trying to help her, he simply leaned out of the way. Which proved to be a mistake as when the sister found herself on her back, directly under Able "NOW!" he heard Sabine shout.
The two Tempest crew mates fell from the roof, Able landing directly on the downed inquisitor with his large knife drawn. Before he even hit the ground, the tip of the knife started to pierce the inquisitor's neck. Ezra didn't need to be a genius to figure out what happened to the top of her spine when the rest of the knife disappeared into her body.
The brother on the other hand didn't seem bothered by her death in the slightest, as Ezra stood there with his sabre in one hand and the claw in the others starring down at him. He just looked on impassively at him "I must thank you" he said turning over her shoulder and looking at the dead body, along with the clone that started to pick himself up off of her "all of you, she was why biggest compotator" turning back to Ezra, completely ignoring the blasters pointed at his back "when I kill them and bring you to lord Vader, there will be no denying that I am the only one who may take the mantel of Grand Inquisitor" he stated.
"Is that right?" Ezra asked "well then, let's see if you're stronger then the last grand inquisitor I killed" without waiting for response he lunged forward. This was a new experience for him, Ezra would be the first to admit that it is not the best idea to fight with a brand-new style when your life is on the line.
Which is why he didn't, he used his regular form seven fighting style, the difference being that he used it with one hand and when the option was made available, he made a jabbing motion with the claw. With an upwards slash, the inquisitor used his bulk to push Ezra to the side and he quickly joined him, using one blade to back him and the other in order save himself from the Sabine and Ables blaster fire.
Ezra had to struggle to stop smirking at the Inquisitor, he may talk a big game but at the end of the day, he was a BIG target as well. Now that the sister was dead, he had no back up to help him. Sure, his sheer muscle is causing Ezra problems on the attack but not enough to stop Ezra from attacking completely himself.
This went on for three minutes, three minutes of the group slowly moving around the atrium. But that was all it took for Ezra take have an opening, slamming his hand to the right in order to block the next attack, instead of jabbing forward with Claw, which is what he's done before, he reached out with the force and grabbed the whole body of the Inquisitor who was unable to overcome the power Ezra was using and for a few critical seconds and that was all that was needed. Ezra wouldn't be able to push him away or even hold him for long but for a few seconds he was completely unable to defend himself from the dozens of different blaster bolts that both Able and Sabine unleashed.
As Ezra held him tightly the inquisitors body lurched with each bolt and as he took a final breath he was pulled towards Ezra who slashed sideways and cut the body clean in half from hip up to shoulder. For a few moments there was no sound apart from the deep breaths from Ezra as he stood still recovering from the fight.
Though after a few moments he was able to collect himself and deactivated his weapons with a hiss "huh, so that's what you did with the inquisitor's sabre" Sabine asked as she walked over towards him, no fear or worry on her face, just intrigue "not bad" she reached out and grabbed his arm and looked at the guard more closely "not bad at all" she added.
Ezra found himself smiling at her "I'm glad you approve" he said before reaching out with the force and pulling the downed brothers sabre towards him "cause now that I think about it" he started before taking a couple steps backwards until he walked past Able and stopped in front of dead sister. Using the force with his other hand he grabbed her sabre "I'm starting to think our new crew needs a stable, something that makes us stand out from others" he shrugged "you know, apart from us being the best, most unstoppable, Inquisitor killing MONSTERS that we are" he couldn't help but notice Sabine smirking as she crossed her arms and even Able had a small smile as well "you two" he pointed a sabre at each of them "you two are getting your own Claws" he announced proudly.
Able and Sabine both looked at each before turning back to him "what?" they asked confused.
"Claws" he said again this time bringing his arms back and gesturing to his arm guards "I... I've called them Claws, kind of a surprise, last stand kind of weapon. I mean, it worked on her" he waved to the dead sister "I mean look, she's got a burning hole in her shoulder" he said with a kick, ignoring the scene of most of her neck missing, due to Ables large knife.
Sabine tilted her head to the side with a frown "and you called them Claws?" she asked.
"What's wrong with Claws?" he asked with a small tone of hurt in his voice.
"nothing" she was quick to say "there's nothing... wrong with it, It's just... err" she quickly glanced to Able for help.
The clone coughed into his fist "a great weapon sir" he was quick to say "it's just that the names quite bland" he admitted.
Ezra took a step back as if shot "bland?" he asked horrified that they would discredit his brand-new custom weapon "well, what would you call them then?" he asked challengingly.
Able gave him a small shrug "well, off the top of my head I would say talons" he added.
Ezra didn't say anything back, just stood there thinking about it "Damit, that is better" he muttered to himself before shaking his head "you know what, let's not get bogged down by the name. Do you want a set of lightsabre bracers or not?" he asked.
"Yes please" Able and Sabine both said at the same time.
He smiled at the two "great" he turned, and the trio made their way out of the Temple "let's head back to the squad, search the Tempest for trackers..." he started.
"Should we get the Black Boxes from their ships?" Able asked clearly remembering what Ezra the last time did they killed an Inquisitor.
Ezra stopped walking when he stepped outside and turned to the right, seeing two special Tie fighters parked nearby, he shook his head "no, they're too small to have one" he informed as the group started to walk towards the Tempest which was parked off in the distance.
"at least when we get back there's a good change the droids may have gotten through the box you already brought back" Sabine said as the three made their way over to the ship.
"that's true" Ezra agreed "there should be a lot of different pieces of info on that bad boy. And hey, dead Inquisitors is always a win" he added.
"So" Sabine started as the trio reached the ramp of the Tempest "did you find a planet we can use?" she asked.
"Huh?" Ezra asked looking his shoulder at her, that was when he remembered why they were here in the first place. The realization dawning on his face "Oh, right. That was why we were here" he mused, sitting down in the pilot's chair.
"Wait, you didn't get anything from that?" she asked a frown of anger appearing on her face.
"No" he was quick to deny "I spoke to Yoda" he added.
The anger on her face lessened as she heard that news "great, so you have a planet we can use as a base?" she asked.
He didn't answer immediately, though that proved to be a mistake when she started to look angry again "well err... it didn't come up" he admitted.
"What!" she shouted "you where kneeling down in that chamber talking to an ancient Jedi master for two hours and you didn't get to the whole point we were here for?" she asked.
"Well, when you put it like that it sounds bad" he admitted but started before she could "but for record, we only talked for like ten minutes. And I got some stuff out of it, it was a very enlightening conversation"
"great" Sabine nodded sarcastically as the two started the ship "that's fantastic, have you been enlightened as to how our squad is going to survive without a planet to base on?" she asked.
Ezra was silent as the Tempest began to lift itself up off the ground "maybe" he admitted "Yoda did tell me to go somewhere, but I'm not taking anyone there until I know it's safe" he added as the ship left the planet's atmosphere.
"What place?" she asked pulling the lever back and they entered hyperspace.
Looking over towards her, he answered "he said that I need to find Malachor"
"What!?" she quickly asked turning in her seat to look at him "he wants you to go there?" she asked to which he nodded.
"Malachor" the voice of Able came in from behind them "where do I know that name?" he asked.
"Malachor V" Sabine started "was a planet where a stronghold was built during the Mandalorian wars. It was used as a headquarters for the conquest of the Republic and was the place where Mandalore the Ultimate was killed" she informed.
"Which we now know came at the hands of Revan" Ezra added "who led a massive army of not just Republic soldiers but Jedi as well. Said to be a very bloody battle. Though not a lot is known about the planet itself due to it being off limits to just about everyone" he said remembering what he's learnt from the data stick he got from the Protectors "and for some reason, master Yoda wants me to go there"
"And you're going to do it aren't you?" Sabine asked.
"Yep" he admitted with a nod.
"And you know that I'm not letting you go alone?" she continued.
"Yep" he simply added.
"so, you're not going to try and convince me to stay behind becuase you promised you wouldn't do that again" her voice had a certain heat to it, like she was challenging him, daring him to try.
He let out a small sigh "no" he said.
Then she smiled brightly at him "good"
"I hate to interrupt" Able spoke "but I don't think you're going to be allowed anywhere until we have a planet to land on" he said bringing them back to the topic at hand and the reason they were out here.
"You know" Ezra mused "I've got a good feeling that the Ghost crew are gonna have what we need" he spoke suddenly.
"What makes you think that?" Sabine asked.
To which Ezra could just shrug "just a feeling"
Ok guys, we're going to call it here. Sorry for the long wait but I promise I've got a good reason... it's called Elden Ring and that's all I'm going to say about that.
Let me know what you think in the reviews down below and hold your breaths, we're nearing the end of season 2. I got to say I went back to change the conversation with Yoda like 9 times, I still feel like it's missing something but I think this is the best we'll get. I'll see you all in the next chapter.
