Chapter 16

Chapter Prologue

Ezra and his team manage to call in a medevac for the wounded Mandalorians and begin their journey back to the Stronghold. (There was no room in the ship for them and their speeders... because Plot Reasons) When they're halfway home, they were suddenly attacked by an unknown assassin, which Ezra was barely able to defeat.
Later in the Stronghold, Derrick keeps challenging Ezra to a duel for Sabine's hand, which causes him to ask about Sabine's past with Derrick.

"Alright, you almost have it. Keep it coming!" Jax called through the comms of the Mandalorian Gauntlet fighter. (It's not the Starbird)

They were able to call in a ship to pick up the wounded warriors, but there wasn't any room for Ezra's team or their speeders, so they will have to drive back to the Stronghold.

"Alright, you have it!" Jax said. He turned around and waved the others to help bring the wounded Mandalorians on board.

Jill, of course, was watching the perimeter, but Max, Coren, and Ezra were helping the Mandos. One of them had gotten an infection in his leg during the night so they had to get him out fast if they were to save his leg.

After about 10 minutes, all the Mandalorians were on board the Gauntlet ship, and they were thanking Ezra for his help. The ship took off with the casualties, leaving Ezra and his team alone again.

"Alright, we should get moving," Ezra said.

Everybody packed their equipment and started up their speeders. Ezra took one last look at the abandoned outpost and has a bad feeling about something.

"Ezra, let's go!" Max called to him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Right, sorry," he said as he led his team back to the Stronghold.

Sabine was looking out the windows of the main room of the Stronghold, watching a Kom'rk ship land on the pads. There were medical teams already waiting outside for the ship so once the doors opened, the wounded Mandalorians were helped into the medical bay inside for treatment. Sabine looked in the direction of the fallen outpost, straining her eyes for any sign of the speeders. She didn't see anything but she wasn't too worried. He was about 20 klicks away so it would be a while still.

Tristan walked into the room, then.

"Sabine?"

"Hey, Tristan," Sabine said, a sad tone in her voice.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm just worried for Ezra... he's never fought Mandalorians like this before," she said.

Ezra had contacted them and let them know there were indeed Imperial Mandalorians at the outpost, but when that happened they were calling in for the ship which was about an hour ago.

"Well, last I heard he's on his way back. Also, Hera's doing much better, though Kanan will not stop talking..." Tristan said.

"Sounds like something Kanan would do with everything he's going through. I don't think anybody knew Hera was..." Sabine said, but felt a pretty strong kick.

"Sabine! Are you alright?" Tristan asked, worried.

"Yeah... that was... a very strong kick..." she said, then she shuddered as if cold. "Something's wrong, Tristan... Something's terribly wrong..."

"With the baby?" he asked.

"No... Ezra..." she turned around quickly just in time to see a small flash and black smoke rising in the distance.

Ezra stood up and looked around. His helmet was thrown off of him by the explosion, so he couldn't get detailed information on his surroundings. His team was also searching for whoever set off those charges. If it weren't for his Force abilities, him and his group would be dead right now. Ezra quickly turned around, pulling out his lightsaber and deflected a blaster bolt. He stood in his normal ready stance, keeping his blade up, as he stared into the visor of his attacker. Whoever this guy was, he was dangerous and he doubted his unit could take him one on one.

The dark cloaked figure charged Ezra with what looked like a knife. He tried to stab Ezra, but his blade only disintegrated once it hit the lightsaber.

"Who are you?" Ezra asked.

"It's not important who I am," the figure replied.

Ezra turned back to his unit, "Go! Get out of here!"

"We're not leaving you!" Max said.

"Don't worry about me, I can hold him back while you escape!" Ezra said, not taking his eyes off his attacker.

"You can't be serious..." Jax started, but Ezra snapped.

"GET OUT OF HERE!"

They drove off, leaving Ezra to face this guy alone. They circled each other, trying to find an opening to attack. Ezra blinked, and the assassin jumped at him.

Before Ezra could do anything, there was a flash of blue, and the all too familiar hum of a lightsaber. He raised his blade in time to block the attack, but he was caught off guard by the sight of the lightsaber, so he almost ended up losing an arm.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Oh, you mean the lightsaber? I bought it off the streets in Denon. But I didn't come here to talk," the assassin said.

"Of course you didn't," Ezra said, waiting for the assassin to make his move again.

The assassin charged Ezra again, but not head on. He was jumping side to side, trying to throw off Ezra's concentration. He swung the lightsaber at Ezra's left arm, but it was an attack that he and Kanan practiced a bit more than the others. He easily deflected it, but the assassin didn't back down this time. Instead he just kept swinging his stolen lightsaber at Ezra, who was almost all defense. He couldn't get an opening to switch to offensive maneuvers. The assassin was fast, for a non Force sensitive being. Eventually, the assassin knocked Ezra's saber to the side, leaving him wide open. Before he could recover his stance, the assassin swung his lightsaber for what would have been the last time, but Ezra backed up a bit, however not enough to avoid injury. The lightsaber cut the bridge of his nose, just below his eyes. Ezra cried out in pain, his vision blurred momentarily. The assassin took this chance to attempt to run Ezra through, but a sniper shot saved him. The assassin fell to the ground, the sniper round flying clean through his skull, completely dead.

Ezra fell to his knees, covering his face with his left hand. He still held his lightsaber in his right, holding it horizontally in front of him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he swung his lightsaber wildly, his focus on the Force broken.

"Woah, calm down, Al'verde Jetii," Jill said. Her hands were over Ezra's as she deactivated his lightsaber. She let go then, and helped him up.

(Al'verde Jetii = Commander Jedi)

"What... What happened?" he asked.

"I told the others to go. Max explained she was supposed to be here to protect you for Sabine's sake. However, she wouldn't have lasted very long against that assassin, and I am a marksman so... it's self explanatory sort of," she explained.

"Sabine... Kriff she's going to kill me," Ezra said.

"EZRA!" a voice called.

"Max? I told you to go with the others!" Jill said.

"That doesn't matter right now. What's wrong with Commander Bridger?" Max said, shrugging it all off.

"Max, you were supposed to..." Jill started, but Ezra interrupted.

"The guy had a lightsaber, caught me off guard," Ezra said, still covering his face.

"Here, let me take a look at it," Max said. She was the squad medic after all so Jill couldn't do anything to stop her.

Ezra lowered his hand so Max could inspect the wound. Sure enough there was a cauterized gash across his nose, from under the right eye, across the bridge of his nose, to just under his other eye. It wasn't a deep cut, but it definitely will leave a scar.

"You're lucky you evaded that blade when you did, otherwise you would be dead," Max said.

"I've noticed. How bad is it?" Ezra asked.

"Try to follow my finger," Max said, holding up her hand. Ezra looked at it... or tried to. His vision was still a little out of focus. She moved her hand to the right, and Ezra barely followed. Then she moved her hand to the left, getting the same result. She centered her hand and raised it, same thing. Then she lowered it, deep in thought.

"Well, that lightsaber cut is messing with your eyes, but they should go back to normal by tomorrow morning if not tonight," she said.

"Thanks... I suppose I would need help getting back to base?" he asked. He could still see for the most part, but it hurt to do anything with his face. (Obviously)

"If you can't see straight, then I'll drive," Max said. "Besides, it's best for a medic to drive her patient back to the nearest base right?"

Sabine was really worried to see only two of the original five man team return from their mission. She ran to meet Coren and Jax, who both had grim expressions on their faces.

"Where's Ezra?" she asked.

"We were attacked by some assassin or bounty hunter... likely from the Empire but we don't know. Ezra said behind to hold him off while we escaped. Jill and Max turned around to help," Coren explained.

Sabine's eyes widened, "You left him?"

"He told us to... we couldn't stop him... he's a lot like you, Sabine. Stubborn for your friends..." Jax said. "And family."

Sabine heard more speeders approaching the hangar. She saw Jill driving one, and Max the other, but she didn't see Ezra until they pulled up. Ezra jumped off the speeder just to get a huge hug from Sabine.

"Woah...!" Ezra exclaimed, surprised from the sudden hug attack.

"Are you alright?" Sabine asked frantically. "Are you hurt?"

Max started talking, but Ezra raised his hand to silence her. He then pulled off his helmet, revealing the fresh cut on his face. Sabine's eyes filled with tears, her hands flew to her mouth.

"E-Ezra..." she murmured.

"I'm alright, Sabine. If it weren't for Jill and Max, I wouldn't be standing here..." he said.

Sabine gently traced his new cut with her fingers, causing Ezra to wince slightly. Sabine was about to pull her hand away, but Ezra held it close.

"I can still see... mostly," he said.

"His vision should clear up by tomorrow if not tonight," Max said. pulling out a Bacta-coated bandage.

"How did this happen?" Sabine asked.

"The assassin had a lightsaber... that alone caught me off guard. I didn't know other people had lightsabers other than you and Kanan..." Ezra explained.

"I'll go explain everything to Countess Wren," Jill said.

Max stood with Ezra and Sabine, but kept trying to spray some Bacta onto his nose since he tossed the bandage almost as soon as she pulled it out.

"Max... please just stop..." Ezra said, but Sabine protested.

"No, Ezra. Let her do her job," she said.

"Besides the Bacta could spread to your eyes and clear them up sooner. Plus it helps with the pain," Max said.

"Fine," Ezra gave in.

"What happened to the assassin?" Sabine asked.

"Jill shot him just before he could run him through," Max explained. She saw it from a distance, waiting for an all clear before moving up.

Sabine just about choked up, "He... Ezra was going to..."

"Sabine, I'm alright. I'm still here and that's all that matters now," Ezra said, not wanting Sabine to worry anymore.

While Sabine and Ezra talked, and while Max was working, Derrick was in the far side of the hangar, standing in a dark corner. He did not have a happy expression on his face. He walked up to Ezra and made it clear he wasn't happy.

"So I see you made it back safely. Now could you stay away from Sabine?" he snapped.

Sabine, Max, and Ezra stared at him surprised.

"What?" Ezra asked.

"You heard me, Jetii," Derrick growled, making it sound like an insult. "I heard Jedi aren't supposed to have attachments like this, so back off."

Sabine glared dangerously, as did Max, but before they could do or say anything, Ezra activated his comm for good measure and spoke up.

"In case you haven't noticed, Derrick," Ezra growled back. "The old Jedi Order is dead. There's nothing that can stop this."

"What about your Master?" Derrick said.

"He doesn't follow that old code anymore either," Ezra replied in a defensive tone. "What is your problem with me being with Sabine?"

"She doesn't belong to you!" Derrick snapped.

"Chit chat," Ezra said. "I've heard that before. You don't scare me."

"You should be scared, Jetii," Derrick growled. "I officially challenge you to a duel to the death for Sabine."

"What are you talking about? Me and her are already planning to get married!" Ezra shouted.

"Ursa never verified the engagement, so I still have a say in it," Derrick said.

Sabine frowned, "He's right... my mother still hadn't verified it... but I don't care!"

"You're turning your back on our tradition?" Derrick asked.

"The only thing I've seen out traditions bring us is pain, and hardship!" Sabine protested.

"We're Mandalorians! Nothing's ever easy for us!"

"My daughter has a point!" Ursa said as she walked into the room. "However, the challenge has already been declared. I'm afraid I can't stop it."

"Mother, please! Ezra has already saved our people!" Sabine said. "More than once!"

"I understand, and I accept your engagement, but the challenge is declared... I'm sorry Sabine, but Ezra will have to fight to the death tomorrow," Ursa said, her voice full of regret.

"I wish to fight him now," Derrick said.

"Not with his injuries so fresh, Derrick. Give him time," Ursa said, authority in her voice.

"Countess, if he wishes to fight now... I'd rather get this over with now," Ezra said, his voice showing almost no emotion.

"Ezra... please don't do this..." Sabine said taking his hands.

"When and where?" Ezra asked.

"In the training room, 30 minutes. Don't keep me waiting," Derrick said getting in Ezra's face.

"It's settled then. The duel will take place there. What duel did you say it was Derrick?" Ursa asked.

"To the death," he replied.

This even surprised Ursa, "You can't be serious."

"I'm all serious, ma'am," he said, his voice confirming everything.

By now there was a small crowd, and the entire thing was being broadcasted to the entire Stronghold.

"Very well... to the death it is," Ursa verified.

20 minutes later

"Ezra..." Sabine sobbed quietly on his shoulder.

"I have to do this, Sabine," he said. "I'm doing this to protect you and our daughter. I'll be fine."

"But your eyesight..." she began.

"I don't need eyes to see. Granted I can still see just not straight yet," he said.

Sabine choked back her sob, "Please, love... be careful."

"Ugh it disgusts me that you even care for this, Jetti!" Derrick spat. "Calling him 'love' and all that bullshit."

He started laughing, but before Sabine could do anything, Ezra spoke.

"It's Mandalorian custom that opponents only meet in the battle after a duel is declared," Ezra said calmly.

"What do you know of our customs?" Derrick shot back.

"I'm not stupid you know," Ezra said. That calm tone really pissed Derrick off.

"Why you little..." Derrick started, but he didn't finish as Ezra threw him out of the room with the Force.

"You get so calm in these situations it actually scares me a little bit," Sabine said, trying to stifle a laugh at Ezra's performance.

He smiled, "Just wait for the main event."

Ezra was standing on one side of the arena, and Derrick the other. He thought back to those last ten minutes with Sabine; He asked her what his problem was.

"He wanted to marry me while I was here, but I declined. My mother has never really been fond of him either, so she denied the claim. He's been after everybody that tries to have me," she explained.

Ezra stared grimly at Derrick, "Just like Delphine: Willing to kill whoever gets in his way for Sabine." He spoke so quietly, but just loud enough for a few Mandalorians to hear. Those few have heard enough about Delphine that an official order was given to shoot on sight if not capture her.

"The rules to this duel to the death, are slightly different than just trial duels. The Jetii may use any offensive or defensive action he sees fit, as long as it stays a fair fight. Which means no wrist breaking, Bridger," Ursa said. She had been told about that encounter with Delphine.

Ezra nodded, "Wouldn't dream of it."

"Start the match!" Ursa demanded, and a gong-like symbol was hit, starting the match.

Ezra kept his helmet out of this fight so he could see better. The visual assist would just get in his way at that point. He walked to the center of the arena and knelt, closing his eyes, confusing many Mandalorians watching this as well as Derrick, who started pacing around him, his pistols charged and his vibroblade at the ready. Ezra just sat in the center, his lightsaber laid on the floor, nothing touching it. Though his eyes were closed, he could 'see' where Derrick was.

He stood behind Ezra and readied his blade, "If you want to die, at least fight first!"

With that he ran at Ezra and right when he was about to stab him, Ezra lept into the air over Derrick's head. His lightsaber flew into his hands and he landed on the ground, igniting his blade just a second afterwards. He glared at Derrick, waiting for him to make another move.

Derrick pulled out his second vibroblade and charged Ezra again, this time Ezra didn't jump out of the way. Instead, when Derrick was about to slash at him, he angled his blade to block the attack. Derrick's use of a blade was flawless, and the two clashed so fast, people barely knew what they were seeing.

Derrick was able to keep Ezra's blade at bay above him as he kicked him in the stomach, making him stagger. He managed to throw Ezra's lightsaber out of his grasp, and attempted to slash his throat, but his attack was blocked by Ezra's own armored hands. He twisted Derrick's arm behind his back, and kicked him in the back, making him stumble forward.

Ezra stretched out his hand and his lightsaber flew back, igniting as soon as it was back in his grasp.

Derrick glowered at Ezra, "You fight well, for a Jetii."

"You forget, I train with the best Mandalorian fighter I know," Ezra replied, talking about Sabine.

A few people looked at Sabine, even her mother. Sabine was blushing and her hands were resting on her heart, her eyes sparkling.

Derrick sheathed one of his blades and pulled out a blaster, he used his jetpack to get an advantage over Ezra and started firing. However, Ezra had already defended himself from that kind of attack the day before and even had Sabine do that during their sparring sessions back on Yavin.

Ezra started running towards Derrick and used the Force to jump behind Derrick and then up. As he did a backflip over him, Ezra slashed at Derrick's jetpack, causing it to overload and blow a fuse, putting him back on the ground. Ezra landed in a crouched position, but quickly stood up to block an attack with the Vibroblades.

Derrick glared at Ezra but was surprised to see his eyes were closed again. Suddenly, felt like something was pulling him away from Ezra. His back hit the wall, hard, but it only stunned him for a second before he shook his head, bringing his focus back to the fight.

Ezra had just Force pushed him away, just so he could have some breathing room.

"You're tough, I'll give you that," Derrick spat. "But your simple tricks won't save you for long."

He fired a couple darts at Ezra who only cut them down easily with his lightsaber. Derrick charged Ezra again, and feinted an attack to the head. While Ezra moved the blade to intercept the fake attack, Derrick used his other blade to stab Ezra in the side, right between his armor.

Sabine's face paled at the sight and just about screamed in horror, but she stifled a scream, though tears started streaming down her cheeks.

"Ezra... no..." she said quietly. Her baby started kicking, a reaction from the stress and fear her mother was feeling.

Ezra about blacked out from the pain as Derrick left the blade in Ezra's side. He staggered back, clutching the handle of the blade. His eyes settled on Sabine, who gave him a fearful look. He looked back at Derrick who grinned wickedly. Ezra's calmness changed a bit, not quite anger or hatred, but determination. He pulled the blade out and used his lightsaber to cauterize his own wound. He stifled a scream and everyone watched amazed. Derrick's face paled slightly, as he has never seen this sort of thing before.

"Is he insane? What the kriff does he think he can accomplish with that?"

Ezra stood up, putting Derrick back to reality.

"Just because you cauterized a wound, doesn't mean you can still beat me!" Derrick said.

Ezra closed his eyes again, his lightsaber now deactivated.

"You will die in this very room, and Sabine will be rightfully mine," Derrick spat. "And as for your unborn child," he continued. "I'll make sure I take very... good... care of it." His mouth formed an evil smile and Ezra opened his eyes, they had a blue fire in them.

"You... wouldn't... dare," Ezra said.

"Oh but I would. I'll make sure your child has a horrible life!" Derrick said, not realizing what he's getting himself into.

Sabine paled, "Oh kriff..."

"What is it, daughter?" Ursa said.

"We need to activate the shield... NOW!" she answered.

"What why?" Max asked.

"You'll see in a second," Sabine said. Just then, all the rocks in the arena started floating and the lights in the arena started to spark.

"You..." Ezra growled, his voice adopted a tone he's only used once before... the day Delphine last tried to steal him from Sabine. "Have made..."

Derrick stared, surprised.

"The worst mistake in your life!" Ezra finished.

"I don't think so, Jetii," Derrick said as he tried to run at Ezra again... but he was suddenly thrown violently into a wall.

"What the kriff?" Derrick asked, struggling to stand up.

"If there's one thing you should never do," Ezra said activating his lightsaber. "Is threaten MY FAMILY!"

He jumped forward with so much power, the ground cracked, and there was a small boom heard. His figure seemed to teleport all the way to Derrick's position, but he was able to jump out of the way in time... barely. Ezra then Force pushed Derrick to the other wall then, breaking some of Derrick's armor in the process.

"Finally! A challenge!" Derrick exclaimed. He pulled out a vibrosword then, and stood at the ready. Ezra walked forward to meet Derrick.

Their blades crossed as some pieces of the floor floated again. Ezra jumped back and threw the debris at Derrick, who activated a shield to block all of them.

The tension in the room was so intense, people started to think you would be able to feel it from across the galaxy. Derrick and Ezra continued to connect their blades countless times before Ezra had enough if Derrick. When Derrick tried to jab Ezra, he knocked it out of the way with so much force that it flew out of his hands. Derrick pulled out his vibroblades again and the fight continued.

After another 10 long minutes of the dueling, Derrick lost one of his blades and was down to one. Their blades crossed for the last time when Ezra angled his blade down and cut off Derrick's hand. He picked up the fallen blade and held it at Derrick's throat.

"Yield!" Ezra shouted. Derrick was on his knees at that point, but he refused to yield to him.

"No. You're going to have to kill me!" Derrick spat defiantly.

Ezra stood still for a few moments, but the light returned to his eyes when he saw Sabine's expression. He could feel her fear and he didn't want to sink below what he was trained for. He didn't want to kill, in fact he despised it, but if it was necessary then he would. Right now he didn't feel it was necessary. The duel was over.

"No," Ezra said. "I will not become what I despise."

"And what would that be?" Derrick asked.

"I don't kill unless it's necessary. Right now," Ezra said deactivating his lightsaber and throwing the vibroblade to the ground. "I don't find it necessary to kill you."

Derrick's mouth was open in shock, as the entire room cheered and clapped for Ezra. Even Ursa started applauding him.

"Ezra Bridger," Ursa started. The room fell silent. "I believe you have proven yourself enough when you brought our people home from that outpost. And now I will accept your victory."

Derrick shouted in response, "NO!" He picked up the Vibroblade, "THIS IS NOT OVER! YOU WILL DIE EZRA BRIDGER!"

He lunged forward in a last attempt to win the fight, but Ezra reactivated his lightsaber, spun it around, cutting off his last hand, and decapitated Derrick.

He watched the headless body in horror as it fell to the ground. He dropped his lightsaber, deactivating itself as soon as it hit the ground, and fell to his knees.

The room fell silent as everybody comprehended what had just happened. Ezra had killed a member of Clan Wren, despite his attempt to spare his life.

Ursa stared at the body of Derrick and thought a moment.

"Mother...?" Sabine started.

Ursa raised her hand, "I know Sabine... I know."

She stood up, "Ezra Bridger!"

Ezra looked up at Ursa, regret in his face.

"Even though you have indeed killed a member of my Clan," she began, "He has threatened the safety of your unborn child and my daughter, Sabine, which is a threat to my family also. I declare Derrick a traitor to Clan Wren, and all of House Vizsla."

She then walked out into the arena and placed a hand on Ezra's trembling shoulder.

"You will not blame yourself for this. He wanted a duel to the death and he received his wish. You will marry Sabine whenever you feel ready. Do not let Derrick's death haunt you, for you have done him justice."

A Mandalorian security officer walked up to Ursa and Ezra then. "Countess, we found this in Derrick's quarters." He handed her a holodisk, which she activated. There was a message transmitted to a dark, cloaked figure. Ezra's eyes widened, which Sabine and Ursa noticed.

"Ezra, do you know him?" Sabine asked, her arms over his shoulders to comfort him.

Ezra nodded grimly, "That's the assassin that attacked us when we were coming back."

"I have reason to believe Derrick hired the assassin to kill Bridger," the officer said.

"Which means not only is he branded a traitor to Clan Wren, but also hut'uun," Ursa concluded. (Hut'uun = Coward)

"Using others for his own works is a cowardly act, right?" Ezra asked.

"Very much so..." Ursa said. She then nodded to him, "You have fought well, Ezra Bridger. You have my full blessing to marry Sabine."

"Thank you, Countess. It's an honor," Ezra said. Sabine threw her arms around Ezra and gave him a passionate kiss.

"I thought I was going to lose you..." she cried.

"I'm never going to leave you Sabine. I'll be here for you and our daughter," he said.

Ezra was taken to the medical bay to get his injuries treated properly. Sabine never left his side the entire time.

This was a fun chapter to write, honestly, but also a very... dark one as well.

Next chapter will be the wedding and Ezra will know what happened to Hera and Kanan.

If you want to see what Ezra's Mando armor looks like, PM me if you can. If you can't PM then let me know and I can think of something.

Also for ODST Ezra B, one last question for your story suggestion: do you still want Ezra to be with the ODSTs or can I do something different? Keeping the ODST idea, but I feel Ezra should stay how he is. If you want him to be ODST then I'll do that.

One more thing: If anybody is interested in doing a DBZ / Rebels storyline, or if you have any ideas I could use, feel free to do so.