A/N: Set during Star Wars: Rebels, Season 3.

This chapter is also written in first person POV as it just naturally flowed out that way.


Mandalorian Armor

Mandalorian armor protects and my armor is more than physical. It keeps me safe, but it also hides me, just like my personality. Sometimes I want to be different, to take it easy, but I can't. I stay hidden. It's the only thing I know how to do.

But then, Kanan hands me the Darksaber, tells me to use it. I have no choice, but I'm scared. The Darksaber can't pierce beskar, but it might just pierce me. I can't hold back if I'm going to use it. I can't hide anymore. I have to remove my armor for Mandalore.

...

Finders Keepers

The Darksaber is heavy in my hands and heavier on my heart. Could this really be the thing to unite Mandalore and encourage them to stand against the Empire? Kanan wants me to be ready to face all-comers, I'm not sure I'm ready to face anyone.

The Darksaber is supposed to be won in combat. I just picked it up off the ground. I didn't earn it. Whatever power it might have isn't mine to wield. Ezra said finders keepers. I found it. Once all Mandalore knows I have the Darksaber the keeping is going to be the hard part.

...

Hesitation

Kanan tells me I have to let go. To show myself. To give it my all. It feels impossible. Mandalorians wear armor for a reason, we don't want anyone to get in. The world out there is dangerous, but I can't keep hiding either. I'm stuck. My choice is be safe or fight.

I made that choice before for the Empire. I've regretted it ever day since. I made that choice again for the Rebellion. It's come with a heavy price. Now I must make the choice for Mandalore. Can I do it? Am I strong enough? I don't know.

...

Goodbye For Now

Kanan isn't good at hugging, neither am I for that matter. When you live your life in armor there's always a barrier there. When I decide to stay with my mother, I know it means goodbye for a while. I'm going to miss him and Hera, and the others.

He puts his arms around me for the last time before leaving. I know he loves me and is proud of me, I hope my real father, whenever I see him again, feels the same. Even if he doesn't feel that way, I know Kanan does, and that's enough for me.

...

Homeward Bound

It's amazing really, how sometimes a path that you think will lead you away from home forever manages to turn back on itself and lead you home again. Kanan and Hera found me during the most difficult time in my life. Now, because of them, the prodigal daughter returns to where she started.

I guess all of us are going home in some way or another. Kanan became a Jedi again. Hera reconciled with her father. Ezra wants to free Lothal. Zeb reconnected with the people he thought were gone forever. The universe is sending us home and I'm ready.