The Rebel Twins

by GradGirl2010

For 15 years I was alone. Fixing spacecrafts to numb the pain. The Clones' betrayal of the Jedi stole my brother from me. At the time, it seemed as if it would be forever. Reunited through this war of Imps and Rebels, Caleb...huh...Kanan wants me by his side again. The problem is...the idea of fighting again terrifies me. The screams...they won't stop.

22. Bad Breakfast Run

Bad Breakfast Run

Moving on

xxx

Two and a half weeks ago feel like a distant memory. A lot was going on back then. Ezra and Kanan went off on a Jedi based mission to see if Ezra would make it or tank it in his path to become a Jedi, while Hera and the others sabotaged a major slave and mining operation. That was about all the excitement to hit them so far this month. After Kanan and Ezra returned to the ship hours after Meelo took the prisoners home, those two astonished the Hell out of everyone when Ezra showed what their little excursion produced. A Jedi Kyber Crystal! Right there on this little backwater planet. Don't be mistaken. Finding a Jedi Temple in the middle of Lothal was amazing in itself! Beyond amazing! The odds of a temple being there...Luck really does love them. But back to the crystal - Ezra was deemed worthy of having one of the most esteemed artifacts of the Jedi bequeathed to him, and Kanan ascended another pedestal in his role as his master. Both grew tremendously that day. Now comes the hard part - building the Lightsaber that fits Ezra.

Naturally, Ezra wasn't sure how to proceed building his lightsaber. He asked Kanan and Katerina what he was supposed to do. What should he use? How should it look? The two put their heads together and said, in their own unique way, "Build the lightsaber how YOU want it to be. Make it unique like you." Which didn't help him in the least...but it did give him something to think about. Which brings them to waiting nearly three weeks while Ezra held himself up in his room. Honestly, The Ghost crew was getting restless.

They were sitting around the lounge, just listening to him going to town on the lightsaber...and getting frustrated her and there from time to time. Kanan sat with Hera on the couch, bouncing his restless knee. Her fingers was drumming on her arm. Zeb was grumbling to himself on a stool, Sabine was leaning to the small storage unit, and Katerina and Chopper were pacing past one another. The suspense was killing them.

"He's been workin' on that thing for weeks!" Zeb broke the stiff silence. "What kind of lightsaber could he possibly build with the junk we have lying around?"

"I don't know, but it's going to be awesome when he's finished!" Katerina squealed, prancing animatedly. "I haven't been this excited since Kanan was building his! Took him nearly two months to finish." She added with a snarky grin.

"HEY, I wanted it to be perfect!" He defended himself. "And besides, that two months didn't go to waste. The spare parts I kept for another one over the years just went to Ezra." Katerina always wondered why he had a junk drawer. "What did you give him?"

"A spark adapter similar to the one inside my staff. That way Ezra's saber will have a 10% absorption increase for electrical discharges."

"And I had some bits and pieces that might work." Sabine threw herself in. "Modulation circuits, and energy gate. Even Chopper donated a power cell." The little robot warned Ezra that he better take care of it.

"I gave him some additional tech." Hera proudly announced. "He was pretty specific about what he was looking for."

Specific and hand me downs seemed to do the trick. After being a literal ghost for the past few weeks, Ezra finally came sliding down into the lounge. All eyes were on him as he showed off his brand new lightsaber. And he didn't disappoint in the least. He outfitted the hilt with a handguard. Looked more like a small pistol than a lightsaber. Guessing that was the intention. Let's him carry it around more freely without someone eyeballing it.

"Thought I'd let you see it first." Ezra handed it to Kanan.

Kanan inspected it thoroughly, his hands roaming over the fresh alloy. "Well it's...different." To say the least. "But that seems about right for you." He chuckled, handing it back. "Go for it." Ezra held his new lightsaber upright, even took a deep breath. He pushed the button. The oomph it used to ignite startled him. But when that blue beam unsheathed, Ezra and the others were immersed in awe. He gave it a few swings, his mind racking around the fact that this was his lightsaber. He...he had done it. He was a Jedi.

"YES! OH-HO!" Katerina threw herself to him, strangling him in a bear hug. "Ezra, I'm so proud of you!" She kissed his cheek a dozen times. This insurmountable panic flooded Kanan as Katerina fawned all over him. "Do you know what this means?! You're meant to be a Jedi! THIS IS SO GREAT!" She spun him around, getting a round of laughs from the crew. Except from Kanan.

In a flash of hysteria, Katerina resembled one of the clones. Only instead of a hug...she was strangling him. This...anger Kanan's never felt boiled his insides. His body moved on its own. "Okay! Okay! Let the kid breathe!" Kanan barreled his way between her and him, actually pushing her back. He was very aggressive about it. Even had his hand on his lightsaber. Katerina was a little hurt by him pushing her. The Crew was more shocked than anything. Kanan began to realize how he must have looked, and started coughing. "I-I mean, let's not make the kid's head swell!" He shoved a hand to Ezra messy hair, ruffling it up more. "Getting the lightsaber is half the journey. Now you gotta train not to accidentally cut off your arm while wielding the thing."

"Come on! You think I'm dumb enough to do that?!" Chime in Sabine, Chopper, and Zeb humming skeptically on the subject. "I officially disown you guys!"

Kanan laughed at him, pushing him along. "Alright, that's enough excitement. Time for you tow rest. We got a full day of training tomorrow."

"As you wish, Master." Ezra moseyed to his room.

Kanan walked by Katerina. She raised her hand to talk to him...he jerked himself away, then broke into a brisk walk. Like he was...running from her? A chilling breeze washed down her skin, sending needles into her chest. He escaped into his room, locking it...and keeping everyone else out. "That was weird...right?" She checked with the crew. Hera remained silent. Mostly because she was biting her cheek to not scream.

"Very. Wonder what that was about?" Sabine huffed, really starting to get irritated. Kanan's been acting weird around her for days now.

"It's like he didn't want you near Ezra." Zeb added. "Did you do something?"

"Not that I know of." She shrugged.

Hera's brow knit angrily. You didn't do a damn thing! And it's high time she reminds Kanan of that. "Kanan and Ezra had a rough time in the temple." She quickly elucidated, pretty confident what she was saying is a half truth. "Might have fried something in their brains." She dug a finger to her skull. "He's just being overly jumpy."

"That makes sense." Katerina scratched her skull. "When Master Windu's Padawan went through her trial, she was all sorts of shaky." Not something she thought she'd ever see from the Padawan Hunter. "From what I've heard, old temples are overflowing with force energy, bringing to life spirits of Jedi past and the anxieties of the jedi inside."

"So the place plays tricks on ya?" Zeb summed up curiously. "No wonder Kanan's jumpy."

"Guess that makes sense." Sabine won't pretend to get it. She'll settle for this right now. "Alright. Time to follow Kanan's lead and get some Z's. Riina?" Katerina arched a brow. "You and me work on those transports we smuggled tomorrow?"

"You're on. I was actually hoping you could help me modify that fertilizer oil." The two meandered for their rooms. "I can put it to use." Zeb bid farewell to Hera, heading off to bed next. Hera waited for Chopper to go plug himself in, then slipped away toward Kanan's room. A grim glare shadowed her face.

xxx

Kanan pounded his fists viciously at his wall, growling animally in heated self-loathing, and writhing in discord. He clutched at his knotted stomach, biting harshly into his lip. He wanted to choke on what just transpired before. He was on the verge of vomitting, so why not choke on his idiocy. As if he wasn't trying before to hide that something was wrong. Now everyone, especially Katerina, was suspicious of him. But that wasn't the worst part. Before...he shoved Katerina away from Ezra...this urge to grab his lightsaber was still fresh on his fingertips. "She...she looked like-"

A locked door is no match for a skilled rebel like Hera. She masterfully willed that lock unhinged and proceeded to storm inside of Kanan's room. He accomplice in willing that door open wheeled off, laughing in his usual mechanical beeps. "Kanan Jarrus, have you lost your mind?!" She barked, making sure to close the door. She has never been so furious with him in the years she's known him.

"She looked like them!" Kanan whipped around to her, fury burning in his aquamarine eyes. "For a brief SECOND...I saw her as one of them! I can't stop!" He clawed at his head.

"Kanan, easy…" She tried to console him. This isn't like his previous worries. Something in that temple completely sent him over the edge. He isn't being rational about this. "It's going to be-"

"No! No it's NOT going to be alright! It's never going to be alright again!" And he won't sit there and let her pretend that it will be. This won't blow over, this won't go away anytime soon, and it sure as Hell won't be forgotten. It's going to come out one day, so he might as well get it off his chest. "She's...she's one of them! How did we never see it?! How did the masters never see it?!" He stared horrifically at his hands. The very blood pumping in his veins is the whole reason why she's here. "She's me with female skin!"

"That may be, but you seem to keep forgetting something!" Hera pried his attention from his hands, making him see the fury burning within her. "She wasn't there! She didn't join the Kill Jedi spree! She was planets away!"

"She wasn't able to get there in time!"

"Kanan, listen to yourself!" She can't believe this! "Are you really saying Katerina would have killed the Jedi?!"

Does Kanan really need to remind her of the overwhelming evidence? He'll list it out slowly so she can keep up. "Her fighting skills - how she took to Jedi training and Clone training so easily! Her knowledge of our ways and their combat style!"

"She grew up with you guys!" Hera stressed. She would know this stuff too if the roles were switched.

"A lot of kids grew up with us! None of them were prodigies like that!" Katerina was given the same time and training as the younglings and the young clones. Her nitch just happened to be mechanics. "I'm not even a prodigy when it comes to engines and tech!"

"I can't believe what I'm hearing!" Hera rubbed her temples. "You honestly think your sister-"

"SHE'S NOT MY SISTER!" Hera was frozen in place, the hate filled claim ricocheting from her ears to her soul completely decimated her. She wasn't visibly shaking, but her insides were buzzing like crazy. Kanan, realizing what he had just said...lost his breath. In his shock he raised a hand to his lips, a foul taste plastered to them. No...no I...I didn't mean that. The forefront of his mind quaked. No, he couldn't have meant that. Yet...deep in the darkest recesses, nestled amongst his most heated of suppressed thoughts...he knows he meant it. And Hera...knew it as well. He lowered head - how she was forcing herself to not even look at him - spoke volumes with how disgusted she was at him. "Hera-"

Hera silenced him with a raised hand. "I'm going to end this conversation...right here...right now." She slowly turned away. Kanan opened his mouth to stop her. She lost herself and punched his in the face. He didn't fall over, but his head was nearly turned right off his shoulders. He touched his cheek, fearing she knocking his jaw out. He glanced back at her in pure shock, terrified by her shaking that she was going to hit him again. Her teeth were bared like a wild animals, and her green eyes were more frightening than bloodied daggers. "Say another word and I will crack your skull on the floor!" Her voice cracked in her scream. "I have a question for you before I leave you in your wavering fortitude." And this will be what decides Katerina's future on the team. "What would you have done if Ezra turned out to be a Sith?"

Thunder reverberated his bones whilst lightning decimated his soul. Kanan was rooted by Hera's blunt question, left trembling until he dropped to his knees. Hera didn't give him so much as a glance as she exited the room, leaving him alone in the dark. Kanan pounded his fist into the cold steel, cursing himself. What if Ezra turned out to be a Sith? The Sith - an ancient, despised, and feared enemy of all who call themselves Jedi. Wielders of dark red sabers, dabblers in the dark arts of the Force, The Sith are a miasma upon the universe that Kanan's fore-masters have never been able to remove. Jedi amongst their ranks have fallen victim to the darkness in their hearts, inevitably aligning with those monsters. Ezra...Ezra would never become one of them. Never! He's nothing like a Sith. Just like...Katerina...isn't...like...like...

"Katerina...Katerina...I...I can't…" His chest was torn asunder with guilt. She doesn't act like the clones...or the Jedi! Her personality, her skills, her heart...all of it is hers! But...the clones had their own personas as well. And it didn't stop them from betraying The Republic. "It hurts! Why does this have to hurt?!" Tears trickled down his cheeks. "Why...why...why…" He sobbed, punching away at the floor until his knuckles split. Why, Universe? Why give him back his sister if he's just going to lose her again?

xxx

It was so early the next morning the sky was still dark. That didn't affect Ezra at all. The spry 15 year old was wide awake like a bright eyed Loth Cat. The same can't be said for Katerina who he dragged out of bed from a dead sleep. She was trudging out of The Ghost half dead and ready to keel over. Her hair was a disheveled mess. She let out a loud yawn, stretching until her bones cracked. Needless to say, when he hauled her onto a speeder, with not a single word of explanation, he had to keep looking back and forth to make sure she was still there. She had to be the person who leans back when she falls asleep. Normal people lean forward and hug onto things. Oh well. Not like the ride was long or full of dips and turns. It was just a jaunt to the outskirts of a nearby town. A small watering hole was nestled in the middle of some boulders and a little ledge. Sort of like a tranquil garden in the middle of a wasteland. It was pretty serene. Hopefully Katerina doesn't pass out on him.

"Sorry to drag you out here so early, but I really needed to talk to you." He lent her a hand off the speeder. She was slightly more awake than before. "I figured it was the best time since Kanan isn't a morning person."

"No worries." Says the girl letting out another huge yawn. She collapsed against one of the boulders, relaxing into the surprising comfortable rock. "Kanan's never been a morning person. Would have slept through training if I hadn't woken him up." Ezra had to laugh at that. It doesn't sound like Kanan at all. "Why the secrecy, though?" She pat the spot beside her, inviting him to sit.

"Because there's no way I can talk with you openly without Kanan going nuts on you." He said out right, no filters or hesitation. Katerina was still partially sleepy. He startled her. Although, in spite of her shock, she tried to play dumb. "Riina, I'm not stupid." Ezra sighed heavily, sitting beside her.

"I'm sorry if I ever gave that impression of you." She played off with a grin.

"You haven't." He raised a hand, assuring her he's never gotten that impression from her. "But I haven't missed that he's acting weird around you, and gets upset when you're near me." Katerina's breath hitched in her throat. A protest was trying to form...but her tongue just tied itself. She sank somberly, slouching to the rock with a solemn smile. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing! I'm just as confused as you!" She didn't mean to shout, but he sort of brought out how frustrated Kanan's making her. She put an elbow to her knee, propping her cheek to her knuckles. She picked up a rock and threw it into the pond. "He's been acting weird since we dumped Tseebo with...Fulcrum…" Tseebo...A red flag was beginning to plant in her head. She nearly forgot, she was awkward with Kanan after talking with Tseebo. Did Tseebo say something to Kanan?

"Riina…?" Ezra called to her. She grew silent all of a sudden. She had him concerned.

"No, it's nothing. Nothing yet, anyway." She fanned it off.

"What's that mean?" He pressed heatedly. He's getting sick of the secrets around The Ghost.

"It means we can put that conversation on hold while we talk about why you brought me all the way out here." She redirected sternly. She locked furrowed brows to him. He may be the Jedi, but she's been reading people longer than he's been breathing. By the way he was shying away, she was putting him on the spot. "Your first trial as a Jedi and you pass. Not without some heartache, I'm guessing."

Ezra sank miserably, finding his own rock. "Heartache is only part of it." He threw it, finding some sort of peace in watching it splash in the murky water. "That whole temple messed with my head. I saw things that weren't there, was in places that I shouldn't have been." He was getting dizzy just thinking about it. He was questioning if he was really sitting here with Katerina. "The Inquisitor even showed up as an illusion."

"He did scare you pretty bad." She shuddered at the thought of being trapped in a small space with that guy. "Those old temples are rife with force energy. They feed on Padawans like you with too much on their minds, and uncertainties in their hearts."

"That described me to the letter when I went in there." He moaned. "I was so scared that I would fail Kanan. Fail myself." His stomach was churning. "Then I was scared that...even if I passed, it wouldn't be enough to keep any of you safe! The Inquisitor killed you guys in front of me!" He grabbed at his head. One by one...he killed them! The Inquisitor killed them...and Ezra was helpless. "I couldn't stop him! I wasn't strong enough! I was so scared!"

"Ezra, Ezra, easy! Calm down!" Katerina wrapped him in a tender embrace, running her finger through his hair. "Ssh...ssh...easy now." She ran a hand up and down his back, the rhythmic pets calming his hysteria. He gradually relaxed in her embrace, tapping her arm to assure her he was fine. She steadily released him, watching him intensely in case he has another attack. "It's normal to be scared in places like that. Facing your subconscious demons is never easy." She would know better than anyone.

"It wasn't...just the Inquisitor." He responded hesitantly, throwing another rock. "You guys were there too. You, Hera, Zeb - everyone."

"We were?" There was a tremor in her voice. What sort of nightmare did that temple force onto him. "What happened?" A deadly question. Ezra curled into himself tightly in order to guard himself, burying half his face into his folded arms to keep himself silent. "Ezra...what happened in there? You can tell me."

Ezra sighed heavily in defeat. He knows he can talk to her. But can he talk to her about this? "When...when we got to the temple, Kanan and I opened it and I had to gone in by myself. He said the temple would test me." Katerina nodded, knowing the gist of what temple trials are. "I must have been in there for hours, just walking around this maze, not knowing where I was going or what I was even supposed to do." He was tightening himself in his ball, sinking his face further into his knees. Katerina moved closer to him, placing a hand at the small of his back. "As I went deeper inside, Kanan showed up out of nowhere, told me I was taking too long." He rolled his eyes there. Sounded just like something Kanan would say to him. "I followed him in and that's when we met up with The Inquisitor." A very convincing phantom bred by his own head. "He...Kanan fought him...and ended up losing...bad." Katerina felt a powerful pang in her chest. She doesn't need Ezra to say more. Kanan died in that illusion. Ezra was irresolute in pressing on, too scared to go any further. He doesn't want to remember anymore. It wasn't until Katerina moved closer to him, embracing him gently to her that he felt his wavering nerves steady. He looked up and saw she was scared to hear more, but wants to be able to help. "After Kanan...well...I ended up in The Ghost, and I heard everyone talking about what I burden I was. Hera was mad that my skills couldn't be put to use, Zeb was happy to have his own room back," Katerina deadpanned grimly. She doubts that's an illusion. Zeb talks about the days of solitude all the time, "Sabine was pitying me. And they wrote me off as a nuisance. But...when I confronted them about it...things started to get weird. Everyone got hostile, The Inquisitor came in and killed everyone. It was so sudden. Like the illusion was losing stability."

"You were breaking through it, that's why." Katerina explained gently. Ezra ogled her, wanting to know more. "Illusions aren't unlike brainwashing. When you start noticing inconsistencies in the illusion, your mind starts fighting it off and causes it to attack harder." In other words, the more Ezra realized something was amiss - that the events taking place weren't natural, and everyone was acting weird - the temple put on the pressure by bringing in The Inquisitor to scare him back into its clutches. "Hold on…" Katerina missed something here. "Hera, Sabine, Chopper, Zeb, and Kanan. Where was I?"

"That's where…" He trailed off, curling into a tighter ball. He went a little pale. "That's where things got even scarier." Katerina swallowed a large lump.

xxx

The illusion spat Ezra back to the beginning of the temple where he parted with Kanan. Fresh in his marred heart were the images of his friends being slaughtered by The Inquisitor. There was minor relief though. It was an illusion. He wasn't on The Ghost. He couldn't have been. And since he's in the temple, that means Kanan was there waiting for him. It means he passed! Or...or...could it mean he failed? He...he doesn't see Kanan anywhere. He called for him, but he wasn't answering. Panic gripped Ezra as he remembered him dying. The Inquisitor stabbing him in the heart, sending him plummeting into a hole somewhere. But that could have been an illusion too! None of it could have been real! Kanan can't be dead! He's just injured...or he's looking for him. Or he could be here waiting. Then...if that was the case...why wasn't Kanan here?! Why wasn't he waiting for him like he said he would? Because...because...no! No, this couldn't be happening! Kanan! He was dead. Hera, Zeb, Chopper, Sabine - THEY'RE ALL DEAD!

"I'm...I'm trapped!" He shouted hysterically. "There's no way I'm getting that door open on my own!" The door that needed him AND Kanan to open. And even if he did get out, what then?! Kanan is dead! So what if the guys at the ship are alright, there's no way they'd take him back with Kanan gone. Hell! They might be dead right now! The Temple could have showed him what happened while he was gone. There's nothing...no one outside waiting for him. It was hopeless. "I'M ALONE...ABANDONED…" Ezra dropped to his hands and knees, hanging his head in sound defeat, "Again!" Ezra wasn't getting out of that temple! It was over...it's all over!

From within the shadows of a support pillar, a figure meandered for the sobbing child. Their electrified lance staff fully charged, and surging violently. They came right behind the quibbling boy, their gloves fingers tightening to the staff and into a fist. "What a pathetic sight this is!" Their voice was full of hate and disgust.

Ezra's tear filled eyes shot wide. He whipped around, shocked to find Katerina standing over him...with the most malicious expression hiding her face. "Riina?! You're here!" His voice cracked in relief and fear. He scrambled as he stood to his wobbling feet. She has to be another illusion. She can't have gotten in. She doesn't have the power to. Then again, Katerina has proven to be amazing in the face of adversity. She took on The Inquisitor and Kallus like a true champ. Something Kanan could hardly do. Maybe all isn't lost after all. "Riina, I need you help! The Inquisitor is here! He killed everyone on The Ghost!"

Her bangs hid her grim leer. She crossed her lance to her other hand, drawing it back. "And now you're going to join them!"

"Huh? WHOA!" An electrified breeze tickled the hairs at the peak of Ezra's head as he dove last second, narrowly escaping a vicious swing of her lance. A pillar took the brunt of the swing. Ezra gaped in nausea. The rampant blade tore a chunk from the pillar, the jagged edges hissing with static. "WHAT-" The staff itself connected with his ribs, sending him falling to the side. Before he could hit the ground, Katerina practically materialized right there. He aquamarine eyes sharp as blood lusting daggers. She jabbed her knee into his cheek. His body flipped violently back in the other direction. Chunks of the pillar met his head as he fell. He coughed on bits of blood leaking from his mouth. He pushed himself up onto his hands and knees, feeling with his tongue that a tooth might have come loose. If this was an illusion...it's a damn painful one.

"Flawed casting from a perfect mold." Katerina growled in a menacingly low tone, trudging up to him. "I know masters don't normally choose who their Padawans will be," She swung her foot into his stomach, then stomped on his back, grounding him into the dirt, "But Kanan sure got the bottom of the barrel on this one."

"RIINA! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!" Ezra coughed up blood. He fought against the foot pressing on his spine. His muscles were splitting with white hot pain. 'What's going on?' He wheezed mentally. 'Why is she doing this?' Katerina angled her lance above his head. Ezra thought fast and swept his foot, ripping hers out from under her. Katerina, unphased by the attack, slapped her staff and palm to the stone floor, stopping the fall. She curled herself in, lunging with both hands free. Ezra flipped backwards, getting to his palms and springing out of her reach. It wasn't long before she caught up to him and drove a devastating punch into his stomach. Ezra coughed up blood and spit, his vision blurring. He growled animally, surprising her with a suckerpunch to the cheek, and simultaneously unleashing a force push that sent her halfway across the room. She skipped on her back, but was able to shift herself and slide to a halt with her hand clawing the ground. Ezra staggered to stay standing, holding his throbbing abdomen. "STOP IT, KATERINA! Why are you attacking me?!" He barked through the pain.

Her face twisted with rage. "Why? WHY?!" He scream echoed piercing within the high ceiling. "My brother is gone forever. Taken from me again! And you're asking me WHY?!" Is he trying to insult her?

"K-Kanan?! You saw him?! HOW?!" There's no way. But it makes sense. She must have found another way in...and found him.

She sat kneeling, bracing herself against the grief that begged her to crumble to nothing. "I came here hoping to be of some help to you guys, ended up coming in here a completely different way." Just as he had guessed. "I wish I had come in a different way...because…" Her voice quaked. Her body was shaking. Her teeth bit into her lip, drawing a thin trail of blood. "I saw his body...a lightsaber wound in his heart." Tears ran down her cheek.

"Riina…I...I'm so sorry." Ezra wept, bowing his head.

"SORRY DOESN'T STOP THE PAIN!" She roared readily. It can be seen in her eyes that her mental state was shattering. "I tell my brother to pursue training you! I urge him to take you under his wing, to invest everything into turning you into a new brand of Jedi!" It is because of her that Kanan broke past his stubbornness to take on a pupil. To what end? To wind up leaving her alone. "And this is how you repay him?! YOU GET HIM KILLED!" She found her second wind in an instant. She charged at him at her top speed, becoming a blur before his eyes. The musty air of the temple wrapped to her balled fist, the pressure mounting as it drove for his face. By some miracle, Ezra was able to dodge it. Her fist cracked the solid stone wall just an inch from his head. She glanced sharply to him. Her bending elbow darted for him. Ezra dodged it again. He wasn't so lucky when she wrapped her leg to his, then planted a palm to his face and smashed him hard to the floor. His whole world cascaded in pitch black for a mere moment, then came back in a haze. A weeping Katerina was mounted on top of him. One hand gripped his collar, the other was hovering in a fist.

"Riina...please…" He begged her.

"My boyfriend!" She punched his face, jerking his head sideways.

"Riina!" He looked up at her with a swollen eye. She had to see how sorry he was.

"My brother!" She punched his head to the other side.

"STOP!" This is wrong! It's all wrong! She wouldn ever hurt him like this! She wouldn't! This can't be Katerina!

"And now the others are dead!" She punched him two more times. "EVERYONE IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!" She pummeled him with both fists. A barrage of punches flailing one after the other.

Ezra caught her fists in rapid vice grips, surprising himself that he was able to hold her off. "RIINA! PLEASE CALM DOWN! I'm sorry!"

"Again, little boy, SORRY DOESN'T CUT IT!" She spread his arms, then brought her head down hard. Her forehead bashed into his. A vibrating gong sounded in his skull, taking him further from consciousness. He can't take much more. He wished she would stop. This WAS his fault. He knows it is. He wants to make it right. But he can't. Can't she see that?

A throaty chuckle sent chills scrolling down their spines. Ezra's insides churned. His day just keeps getting worse. Footsteps drew closer. A grey skinned figure emerged from the shadows, approaching the pair as he applauded sardonically. "Such a vicious young thing, aren't you?" Ezra, in his wavering consciousness, and Katerina stiffly looked behind her. Their eyes widened with horror, the sweat at their backs turning to ice. "We meet again, my Young non-Jedi."

Katerina grit her teeth, shoving herself away from Ezra. "Shut up with that!" She scooted her toe under her staff, kicking it back into her grip. "I'm going to make you pay for taking my brother from me!"

"Your BROTHER?" He feigned ignorance, stroking his chin with intrigue. He stared her down hard, studying her up and down, not neglecting an inch. From the well done skin tan, to the sheen or her chestnut hair, to the gleam in her aquamarine eyes. There beside her did The Inquisitor align her attributes with that of the late Jedi. He was in awe, and started to laugh. "Ah yes, how have I not seen it up until now? You both do look remarkably alike. Though it is clear who got the skills in the family." He bowed to her, recognizing her skills.

"And now I'll use it to kill you! TO AVENGE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!" She roared boorishly, darting straight for him. Her staff was lengthened like a jousting lance. The Inquisitor just stood with a smug grin on his face. She came within feet of him, and with all her strength she thrust the staff. Miraculously, in spite of her rampant rage, she was able to aim straight and true for his vacant heart.

The Inquisitor's piercing gaze had her blind attack going in slow motion. In the blink of an eye he had ripped her staff out of her hands, and rammed his knee between her ribs. Katerina buckled under the splintering agony, spitting up blood. "KATERINA!" Ezra cried, forgetting his injuries and scrambling for her. The Inquisitor never looked from Katerina when he used the force to shove Ezra to the opposite side of the room.

"Katerina…" Her name was a venomous purr on his lips. He relished in the sweet and sour taste that prickled his tongue. "Quite the noble name for a Rebellious Rodent."

Katerina dropped to her knees, clutching at her stomach. Dry heaves of coughs wheezes from her throat. "Kill...you…" She hissed through gritted teeth, sitting up the bile snaking up her throat. Her eyes glossed with hate lifted to him. "I'll kill you!" She roared.

The Inquisitor chuckled at her bravado. Always able to be tough in defeat. "Are you sure your anger is properly directed?" He brazenly knelt to her, curling a finger and thumb to her chin. Ezra propped on his elbows, gawking in dismay of a helpless Katerina. "Because from where I am standing I was merely following orders."

"What's that got to do with anything?" She defiantly barked.

"Come now, you're a smart woman…" He moves hairs from her face, tucking them behind her ear. "As well as pleasing to the eye." Ezra's stomach churned. He's hitting on her after crippling her? Really? "Surely you've known it deep down. But fear just keeps you from acknowledging it."

"A...acknowledging what?" She wavered.

"Hey! Get away from her!" Ezra shouted, hoping to dissolve the mind games. He tried to get up. The bruises Katerina dealt were starting to hurt.

"You've known it for years, yet a piece of you has been too terrified to let it surface." The Inquisitor pressed further. He leaned in closer, swallowing her in his golden eyes. The rage in her eyes was steadily chilling to anxiety. "I'm not the villain here. Neither is The Empire." Katerina grunted confused.

"OF COURSE THEY ARE!" Ezra clumsily shot to his feet, grabbing hold of the nearest wall to steady himself. "You Guys make others suffer for personal kicks and giggles!" He howled. He was getting irritated by how The Inquisitor and Katerina didn't seem to register he was in the room. Like he was screaming at ghosts invented by the air. "Anyone who questions you is killed!"

"The Empire is not to blame for the current suffering of the universe." The Inquisitor continued with his lies. Katerina was fully engrossed in his words, trapped in a trance she lacked the will to break. "The Jedi are to blame for this." Katerina gasped as if a horrible truth had been pried from the shade of mystery. Her slackening jaw and trembling figure confirmed she was buying that dribble. Ezra could hardly believe it. She was hooked so easily by his words. Why? Why would she believe a word he said? The Jedi...The Jedi help people. They keep the peace. They would never cause others to suffer. "Remember, The Empire's existence wouldn't have even been brought to fruition if the Jedi merely remained as peacekeepers. Instead of butting into Military affairs." Katerina's mouth was closing. "If the Jedi didn't exist, your brother would still be alive. Your Lasat lover and yourself would be cozying up together somewhere warm and beautiful." Her lowering head cast a spirit damaged hue over her eyes. "You yourself would be a chief engineer somewhere." He dream occupation that has been forever sidelined because of this fight. "Instead you are forced to run from one planet to the next, barely scraping by, dodging bullets and nearly losing mobility in your legs." She went rigid. Her toes curled. Her whole person crumbled before him. The Inquisitor grinned maliciously, moving in closer. "And it is all…" His lips brushed her ear, "Their fault!"

Katerina didn't move. She didn't speak. She didn't even appear to be breathing. She just sat there, resigned to what he had said. Ezra knows he was screaming at her to wake up, that The Inquisitor was lying. But she didn't hear him. She was lost in her own decimated mind. "He's right." She spoke after a long while. Her voice was void of all emotion. "The Jedi did cause this. It's their fault." Then her hand started to move, running on the ground as if looking for something. "What's the point in fighting? The Empire is too powerful for us." Her fingers found what they wanted. They wrapped to the handle of one of her pistols, taking it from its holster. "We kill one...thousands more just take their place. And without Kanan or Zeb…" Ezra's veins filled with ice. She put the barrel to her head, "There's nothing left for me to fight for." Ezra screamed at he top of his lungs. Katerina pulled the trigger. There was no blaster sound. Just a blinding flash. And then...Katerina falling to the floor with blood leaking from the hole in her skull.

xxx

Katerina sat there in petrified silence. Her mind was cleaved from any sort of thought or retort. "Ezra…" Is he...is he scared that she would really turn on him. On the others? The Inquisitor? Does he fear she would take his side? The Empire's. She can't bring herself to fathom this tale's dark conclusion. Suicide...what a way to leave the world. She's never thought about it. Not even in her darkest of times. In her mind, suicide is a cowards way to escape hardship. It serves no purpose except for hurting those you've left behind. But apparently, Ezra is terrified that that will come to pass. And that she would turn on him. Katerina massaged his back, encouraging him to go on, regardless if she was shaking in her boots right now.

"After I saw you die," He had to clear his hoarse throat, "The Inquisitor came for me, telling me that there was no way out, no hope, and asking if I was ready to die." That's always pleasant to hear. As if anyone is ready to die. Ooh, makes one consider if The Ghost Crew is truly ready to die when they go out on missions. "Eventually, after I broke through the grief, and listened to how The Inquisitor was speaking, I began to realize that it...it wasn't real." In other words, a voice in the back of his mind told him that the shadow was a figment. "Everything I had been seeing, feeling, and experiencing was just...off in a way. When I called The Inquisitor our, calling everything that I've seen just a trick, it started to lose stability." Katerina's lips curled into a smile. "Next thing I knew, I was in this black space with a little green guy who talked funny."

Katerina's face went straight with shock. A little green guy that talks weird. There's only one person who fits that description. She squished his cheeks, gazing into his eyes with a childish excitement. "You saw Master Yoda?!" She squealed.

"That's Master Yoda?!" He retorted with a broken voice.

"Yeah! How was he?" She has to know. Oh, she's so glad that he's still alive.

"I...I can't really say." Ezra faltered with red cheeks. Being put on the spot like that kind of tripped him up. "He seemed okay. Alive." That's always important. "I thought all the Jedi were supposed to be dead."

"A few escaped. They're hiding out somewhere."

"Do you know where?"

"Nope. And I plan to keep it that way. The less I know the better." She winked impishly. Ezra can respect that. "He gave you your Kyber Crystal, didn't he?" Ezra pet his unique lightsaber, feeling honored that such a great Jedi entrusted him with it. "Master Yoda sees great potential in you. Just like Kanan and I do." She kissed Ezra on the forehead, making him blush crimson. "You're going to be a great Jedi, Ezra."

Ezra was overflowing with glee to hear her say that. And it made carrying his lightsaber around less of a burden. He'll keep this to himself, but it always bothered him that Kanan hides his lightsaber. Her understands why, but he doesn't accept it. The Empire knows he's a Jedi. Why bother trying to hide it? 'It's the Jedi's fault.' Came The Inquisitor's voice. Ezra was suddenly overtaken in horror. He glanced from his lightsaber to Katerina, feeling that the blame issued by the shadow...wasn't off base. As if it was drawing on an issue lying deep beneath the surface. He sank somberly, twisting away partially. "I...I know you would never hurt me, or betray us in anyway...but…" Katerina leaned forward, trying to see what was up so abruptly, "Riina...you don't...you don't blame the Jedi for all of this...do you?"

That was a serrated dagger that just plunged itself right into her heart and then ripped itself out. "Ugh…" She groaned at how perceptive he was. Ezra, appalled by the reaction, turned to her with a mix of anger and shock. Katerina propped an elbow to her knee, propping her cheek dismally to a knuckle. "I'd be lying to you if I said I don't feel that way." Ezra felt pieces of him crack. He opened his mouth to yell at her. Katerina clamped a hand to his mouth. It's her turn to speak. "When the universe started being torn apart, a huge piece of me blamed the Jedi for the longest time. Sometimes I still do." She bobbed her shoulders indifferently. How can't she. In a way it is their fault that this is happening. If they hadn't existed, maybe none of this would be happening. She lowered her hand from his mouth, continuing on. "But that doesn't mean I hate them. How can I hate people who looked after me and my brother?" The answer is: she can't. The smile she put on caught Ezra off guard. "That being said; just because they existed, that didn't give The Empire the right to make everyone suffer." No one asked for them, no one wanted them, and no one needs them. "Those monsters had a choice and they chose wrong. Now we're here to make them realize it."

"Won't people blame us for their pain and suffering if we screw up?" Ezra voiced a fear rendered by her own admission.

"Most likely. But that's a bridge we cross when it comes up." She shrugged it off, leaning back with her hands folded behind her head.

Ezra slapped a hand to his face. What a two dimensional response. "Only YOU can make a potential disaster have a positive spin."

"That's why I'm kept around." She smaehed a hand to his head. "And I can apparently bring teenagers out of funks too."

"Yeah!" Ezra swatted her hand away. "You do that pretty good too." He laughed. Katerina grinned impishly. "I'm glad you came along, Riina."

"I'm glad too." That's one decision she'll never regret. "One thing has me curious."

"What's that?"

"Kanan's strange mood." Ezra knew the one. He's been acting weird around Katerina for a while. Last night he seemed like he wanted to pounce on her. "I wonder what happened while you were inside."

"Dunno. He won't say. He does that a lot."

"Don't expect it to change. He's been like that since we were kids."

"How'd you put up with it?"

"Kanan's stubborn, but he isn't unreasonable." Sometimes. Takes a bit of coaxing to make him act mature. "He'll come around when he sorts it out himself. Until then," She curled her feet under and sprang zealously to a stand, stretching herself out to the morning that crept up in their conversation, "What say you and I get breakfast?"

"Now yer talkin'!" Ezra jumped to his feet. His stomach was in dire need of some food. He raced her to the bike, almost about to take off before she could sit down. Katerina held on tight, and off they were to the nearest town for breakfast.

xxx

Meanwhile, back at The Ghost, Kanan racked himself to an early grave over Hera's wrenching words the entire night. He wasn't even sure he went to sleep. He knows he was tired. He definitely woke up exhausted. He just lied there in a daze, opening and closing his from time to time. Before he knew it, morning was already there...and he was feeling worse than he was last night. More beat up. His head pounded as if lightsabers were clashing relentlessly. The worst part is, it was entirely due to him circling the drain on Hera's question about if Ezra became a Sith. No. It was...because...Ezra wasn't the only one who encountered nightmares in the temple.

xxx

Flashback

It couldn't have been ten minutes after Master Yoda reached out to him from within the force. Kanan was wrought with self doubt in his ability to teach Ezra. His abilities are growing faster than he or anyone can prepare themselves for. He's impulsive, reckless, emotional, and absolutely stubborn. Much like his master. But Ezra possesses a raw talent unlike anything anyone - or Kanan - has seen. And each day they grow more powerful, and Kanan remains unsure if he can train him fast enough to manage them. Let alone control them. Not because Ezra wasn't a capable kid. But because he got himself a master that lost his way for the longest time. So convinced that he would never find it again. Then this hapless boy drops into his life, shows a potential unlike anything he's seen, and finds himself back on track. From there, he swore that he would not let Ezra his way like he did, and he would train him beyond what he considers the best of his abilities. There's really no one else who can...and Ezra might very well be the last chance the Jedi have. The last chance Kanan has to make up for his mistakes. And he won't sit in this sacred temple and lie to himself by saying he hasn't made that many. With that on his mind...he can't help contradict his newfound resolve by wondering if sending Ezra into this temple was a mistake.

"It must really scare you." Kanan jumped out of his skin at the malignant chortle. He snapped his lightsaber together, spun around rapidly, and lost his footing at the intruder behind him. A hand on a slender him, a smug smirk on tan cheeks, and glistening aquamarines rooted Kanan in shock. "Little Boy Wonder is about to either become a Jedi, or a major disappointment." The other gloved hand flipped the messily hanging chestnut hair. "Sort of like me, eh, Big Bro."

"Katerina...what…" He has to be seeing things! Hearing Yoda is one thing, but there is no way Katerina could have gotten into the temple. It's impossible unless you possess the force. "How did you...get in here?!" He sheathed his saber, storming up to her. She nonchalantly ogled him, her head tilting as he towered over her. She quirked her brow at him, snickering at how stupid he looked. "Wait." Kanan's senses caught up to him. He studied 'Katerina' intensely. What he was staring at looked like her. But the ESSENCE was completely wrong. A figment with no substance. "You're not her."

"Her?" She crooned mockingly. "Was there ever really a 'HER' to begin with? After all," She took two steps closer, bringing her sinister smirking face inches to his. He flinched in a shudder, "I wasn't even a real person to begin with, was I?"

Kana's heart skipped a beat. "Of course you were! ARE!" He cringed at his slip of words. His hands hovered near her, fingers wiggling like worms as he ripped at what he wanted to say. "You're a real person! You have your own feelings, thoughts, likes, dislikes-"

"BAH! WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO CONVINCE?!" She shoved him away, storming past him. Kanan shook his head, gawking at the shadow. "A droid can be given those same qualities! Doesn't make them any less of a scrapyard project!" She scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "Yippie, I can fight, build engines, perform daring feats of gymnastics, and play Mother Mable to a bunch of rats hiding in a junk heap of a ship!" She snarled venomously at him, making him gawk in a stupor. Her snide grin came back, "Doesn't change the fact that I'm one of the same beings that killed you entire order! That I'm YOUR clone!"

Kanan's fingers balled into fists. "Stop it…" He rasped broken, closing his eyes to this heartbreaking illusion. "Just stop." He fanned a hand, turning to walk away. He doesn't want to hear this again.

"Nuh-uh!" Kanan was dumbstruck by a finger pressing into his chest. Katerina was in front of him. He glanced to the empty space where she was, then frighteningly confused back to her. "You don't get to run this time, CALEB!" A minor push of that finger sent him falling onto his butt.

"Run? When have I ever run from you?" He growled, quickly getting back up. 'She's not normally that strong, right?'

"You've been running from me since Tseebo told you where I came from! What I am!" She stalked closer with her hands on her hips. Her face re-molded itself into his, then returned to its shape. Kanan was backing away, rubbing his eyes in denial of what he saw. "And now you want to run because being Master is too scary for baby, Caleb." She cooed in a taunting baby voice. She threw her head back in a hateful cackle. "You're really a pissant of a master!"

Kana stopped retreating. His blood started to boil. "What did you just say?!" He boomed.

"What can Ezra possibly learn from someone like you?! How to avoid situations he doesn't like?" Like how he avoided accepting that Ezra possessed the force. Or how he avoided training Ezra for his own selfish reasons. Or how he tried to dump Ezra on someone else because he's so inadequate. "I've never said it to you before, but Ezra's far more emotionally mature than you are!" Katerina pretended to be interested in her gloved nails, pursing her lips. "When something bothers him, he finds a way to come to others!"

"Are you forgetting about his birthday?" Kanan mounted his defense in a huff.

"That's different and you know it!" She barked at him. "Having your birthday on Empire Day isn't something you celebrate! It's mortifying!" It should appaul anyone to admit that the day they were born was the same day tyrants tore worlds apart for sport. "And Tseebo?" The crown jewel of that mess. "I wouldn't want to acknowledge the guy who likely got my parents killed, or ditched me because he couldn't hack it as a guardian!" Katerina immediately stopped her fuming, taking a second to contemplate the irony of that. "Huh...now that I think about it…" He traced a finger on the air, connecting some very intriguing dots, and following them all the way to the haunching Jedi across from her. "You already tried to ditch him once. Even avoided training him. All because you were scared!" She teasingly hugged herself, putting on a little quake for him.

"Shut up! I wasn't scared! I didn't think he was ready!"

"Bull shit!"

"Bull shit, nothing!" He closed the gap this time, towering over her with fire in his eyes. "I knew he wasn't ready! He was reckless, impulsive, pigheaded-"

"Everything you were growing up! Who would know that better than me?"

"If you think you're so much better, why don't you train him?"

"I would! But you've become so terrified of me that you won't let me be alone with him!" Kanan's breath hitched in his throat. He paled at her claim. His eyes darted side to side, recalling how he's been intervening on Ezra and Katerina. "Uh-oh. Big brother is coming to grips with it." She teased him. He bit on his lips, squeezing his eyes closed. Katerina leaned in, stretching her neck so she can relish in his writhing. "He's scared I'll take his precious little Padawan away." His fingers returned to fists. "Get it through your head, Big Brother. I don't have to take Ezra." She put her lips in his ear. "He'll come to me like the lost puppy he is." Kanan grit his teeth.

"SHUT UP!" Kanan can't quite comprehend what happened in the next few seconds. His adrenaline was running at max, his blood boiled over the brim, and every vein was pulsing. He went completely numb. He didn't feel his body moving. He was rooted in place, almost watching himself move on his own. He saw his fist stretching, twisting into Katerina's cheek. In slow motion she was sent flying to the ground. On her thud was when Kanan's sense returned. He panted heavily, a craze electrified in his eyes. He glanced at his sore hand in confusion, scrambling in rampant circles lost in what he had done. Groaning ahead of him churned his stomach. Katerina was on the ground, babying a swelling lump in her cheek. "RIINA! I...I'm so-"

"So what?" She spat blood at the ground. She turned her head to him. Her wiry hair draped to half her face. Her slipping insanity had Kanan shaking. "Sorry? No you're not." She emphasised with a venomous hiss. She got back to her feet like nothing happened, smiling wolfishly. "You enjoyed that." She purred.

"No...I would never…" He backed away.

"It's okay, Big Brother, it's just us here. You can admit it." She strutted up to him. Kanan moved away in tandem. "You want to hit me more."

"No…" He swept his hand. That isn't what he wants!

"You want to pummel me until I can't get up." She jerked her neck, earning a few pleasing cracks. She balled and loosened her fingers, cracking her knuckles. "To feel my bones break under your fists. To hear me scream for mercy."

"Stop it! That's not-" The wall met Kanan's back.

Katerina snapped a hand to his lightsaber, and he latched on to hers, firmly keeping the saber in place. "You want to take your lightsaber and cut me down for all the pain and suffering my kind have caused you!"

"Stop…" He hoarsely pleaded. Her hand wasn't leaving the saber. "Please stop! I'm begging you!"

"Because you know it deep down, don't you? That I'll turn on you." She partially lidded her eyes, absorbing his wavering constitution.

"No...you would never...would you?" That conviction he thought he had was melting away, turning into doubt.

"Deep down, deep, DEEEEP down, WAY DOWN in the darkest recesses of your heart," She snuck her free hand to his chest. Kanan was flooded with horror as her hand phased into his chest, "The place where all of our most shameful of stone cold beliefs are kept…"

"Don't! No more!" He choked on the hand rummaging inside of him. She was stirring the pumping organ about.

Katerina spared him the torture further, sliding her hand right out. "You know it will come to pass…" She drummed her fingers into her palm.

"Stop…" Kanan's knees buckled. He pressed himself fully to the wall, trying not to fall.

"That one day - one day soon…"

"Don't say it...PLEASE!" He put a hand out futilely to keep her from delving deeper in his head.

Her lips came right to his ear. With a malicious chortle she whispered, "I'll kill you all." Kanan went completely cold. The thin ice capping his subconscious shattered. He was falling into a bottomless despair, the jagged hole growing farther away. "I'll start with Chopper, then move to Sabine." Her voice echoed in his mind. The faces of his friend's lifeless and bleeding. "Zeb, I'll finish especially quick. Maybe from the back so he won't know it was his lover." She wouldn't do this. He refused to believe it. She wouldn't really...but she might...one day? "But Hera and Ezra…" Kanan's breathing stopped. "I'll make you watch as I kill them slowly. Let you see, hear, and feel their despair as the light leaves their eyes." No...not them! She can't! She wouldn't! He can't let her hurt them! NO! He can't think that way! This isn't Katerina talking! She loves The Ghost Crew. She...she isn't a monster. She's a...clone. "And finally, when I've seen your spirit broken, seen all of that fight leave your soul," She tightened her grip to his lightsaber, "I'll kill you with your own lightsaber, and throw your body to the feet of my new Master - The Inquisitor."

"NOOOO!" He clawed at her shoulder an pulled her in. A familiar shriek of energy made Kanan's blood run cold as Orto Plutonian ice. His whole body went numb. His heart and breath stopped. He quaked uncontrollably as he forced himself to look down. "Ah!" There, in her stomach, coming out of her back, was his lightsaber. His mind went blank. His skin prickling. This can't be happening. It really can't! He lurched forward, vomiting all over their shoes.

"Grr...ack...huh...egh-ha-ha-ha…" She latched onto his wrist, forcing the saber to slowly unsheath from her stomach. Her blood stained the pure blue, tarnishing it for eternity. "It's as I said, Caleb. So tell me...honest...ly..." She raised a grim smile at him a trails of blood spilling from either side of her jaw. Her aquamarine eyes were a sickening golden yellow, "Do you...feel...better…?" She strained her final breath. Her bangs obscured her now lifeless eyes. She fell forward. Kanan was still as stone, trapped in horrified shock. Her body hit the cold stone with a THUD, and Kanan buckled to his knees. His head was down, eyes still frozen open, shoulders and arms completely limp. His lightsaber rolled from his hands. Katerina's blood was...all over it. He was shaking...he couldn't stop.

'Do you feel better? Do you feel better?' It just kept repeating. Taunting him, torturing him. He squeezed his eyes closed, grounding his teeth together so hard blood was spewing from the gums. He leaned all the way forward, clawing at his scalp as his forehead touched the floor. 'Do you feel better? It seemed to taunt him in a slower tone, as if trying to drag a response out of him. 'Do you feel better?' Kanan's lips trembled. Rage boiled his blood. 'Do you feel better?'

Flashback End

xxx

Kanan clawed at his bedding. His teeth biting into his broke the skin. Grudgingly, and with the greatest regret, he growled, "Yes."

It was horrible to say...yet it was the absolute truth in the darkest reaches of his eviscerated heart. He smashed a fist into his wall, caving the solid metal in. He needs to get outside! He needs fresh air! Peering to the clock, he cursed himself for how late it was in the morning. "Dammit...what a sloppy mess I am."

Kanan missed his early morning meditation by a couple of hours. Whilst training under Master Billaba, Kanan developed an appreciation for greeting the New Dawn with calm body and clear mind. Shedding the aggravations of the previous day from his shoulders, and freeing himself of the burdens weighing on his shoulders. He woke up as aggravated as he went to bed last night. Possibly even more so. He wasn't sure he even fell asleep so much was on his mind. The Empire, The Rebellion, Ezra, Hera...Katerina. The whole night these troubles bombarded him, striking him when he was reaching blissful slumber and aggressively jolting him back to the awakened world every other hour. Sometimes every 30 minutes.

He lied in bed with his tired eyes partly opened, contemplating the misery he would face today. A migraine split his skull down the middle. He can already picture how the day will progress. He'll get up, be in zero mood for anyone from no sleep, try to avoid Hera and Katerina at all costs and fail and end up in a huge argument. And that was only the surface of his problems. The underlying trauma, the one that truly woke him throughout the night, was what he experienced in the temple.

Kanan gazed disgusted at his hand, longing to lop it off for the sin it committed in the Jedi temple. The Shadow of Katerina tempting the swelling rancor towards her blossoming from his resentment towards the clones. Inevitably...coaxing him...into putting his saber through her...and bringing about a wave of relief that he knows he shouldn't have felt. Killing his flesh and blood shouldn't bring relief. It should bring pain, sorrow, agony, anger...treachery of the worst kind. Instead he felt the same relief he did when he killed a clone or two back in the day. A danger to him and anyone like him was quelled. One less monster to threaten the future of the Jedi Order. But...Katerina was never a threat before. Well...save for when she became irrational whenever someone broke a project she was working on, or their sparring matches and she'd hate losing to him. That was a threat not even The Empire would be able to handle.

Why? Why would killing her bring him relief? Is it because...deep down...he's always hated her? No, no! That's impossible! He loved her...almost the day she arrived at the temple. A very suspicious circumstance that he, till now, never questioned. Ever. He just went with it. Assumed his parents dropped her like a bad habit like they did him. As shameful as it is, finding abandoned babies isn't uncommon. That's why a program was created to put the DNA of the child in the system and hopefully identify familial matches. A 91% success rate. The remaining 9% was because handfuls of people slip through the cracks and never allow their DNA to be put on file. They would be the criminal aspects of the universe that haven't gotten caught. Makes it too easy to identify them should they commit crimes. Finding Kanan was a snap because he's a Jedi. Their DNA is kept on file for numerous security reasons. The Masters confirmed as much. But, really, now that he's sitting there in bed, he was starting to think that he might have found her birth still suspect. Like, why wouldn't his parents just bring her to the temple? That's what they did to him since they lived on Coruscant. And...that reminds him...Katerina questioned why their parents would be out in the Kamino System anyway. Now that he's older, he's wondering that too. The Kamino system isn't bad, but it's not the ideal place to go live. Let alone leave a baby. He...never questioned any of it. He just...loved having someone to protect, and to love him. And now...its ash in his mouth. A lie governed and cultivated by those long necked freaks and their emperor. All to expand their cloning operation to bring the Universe under Imperial thrall.

"I need some fresh air!" He tore out of his bed. He isn't able to sleep, and he can hardly think. Meditation might do him some good after all. Upon exiting his room, however, he was greeted by a not so thrilled Hera. She was reviewing the schematics of what he was certain would be their next operation when she almost bumped into him. He opened his mouth to say something, but her discontented stare closed his mouth. There's nothing he can say. Apologizing would only insult her because, while he was sorry for losing his cool with her, he's not sorry for what he felt about Katerina. It was the honest truth.

"I see you still haven't come to your senses." She rumbled, sauntering off and returning to the tablet.

"Hera…" He grabbed her by the arm, "You don't understand!" He shook his head, sinking miserably.

"I understand perfectly, Kanan! I'm the only one here who CAN understand!" She ripped her arm from him, standing tall to him. "I know what the clones did, I know what made them do it..." Chopper came rolling by, heading for the cargo bay. Hera moved in closer, lowering her voice to an unnerving growl, "And I also know that they had no choice."

"So, what, are you expecting me to just forgive and forget what they've done?!" He snarled, whipping out a hand to emphasise the destruction they wrought.

"NEVER!" She barked. And she's insulted he would insinuate such a thing. "I'm expecting you to realize Riina never had a hand in what she is! She had just as little choice as the clones, or you!" There is a solid certainty in life that no one can ever escape. No one has a choice in the race, gender, parentage, or birth! All of that is decided by a tilt of the scale. As Rebels, they should be perfectly accepting of the fact that odds don't always fall in good favors. "And before you scoff and try to run away, take a bite out of this little fruit for thought." Kanan's nose scrunched. He mentally prepared for a verbal beat down. "If Riina is so much like the clones, why is she just as hurt by the death of the Jedi as you?" The haze that was shrouding Kanan dispersed by the lightning storm her question ushered. His aquamarine eyes running clear for the first time in a long while. Hera put herself in the tablet once more and meandered off, leaving Kanan winded. Katerina has been hurt by the Jedi death. It crushed her. So much that she harbors a hatred for clones too. But...does that excuse what she is?

Kanan is at war with himself. The images in the temple and the relief he felt when he...when he killed Katerina...are clashing ruthlessly with his unyielding love and devotion to Katerina. He loves her...with all his heart...he loves her. He always will. But...how can he ignore that she's...she's a clone. YES, OKAY, she had zero choice in the matter! But so what? She might turn on them one day. She's likely transforming and no one else can see it. The girl she was 15 years ago can't very well be the same person he's been living with now. Whoever that real person is. He doesn't know anymore. Honestly, was Katerina ever really a person to begin with? the personality she has, the interests she's developed, the skills she has in combat - can Hera honestly look him in the eye and say for certain that it is all hers, and not some preprogrammed skill? Oh man...Zeb! She might not even really love Zeb! That could all be a ploy too! She...she might be a plant by The Empire! Her not answering the call of Order 66 wasn't a design flaw! It was purposeful! In the event Jedi survived and they find her and she gives away their position! Or just assassinates them right then and there! That's why the Inquisitor seemed so fascinated by her! And why he tried to kill her? He must have come to eliminate her after the Clones got decommissioned. Figured she wasn't useful anymore and wanted to get rid of the evidence. Or before she had some sort of malfunction and spoiled their plans. It...it all made sense! It makes PERFECT sense. He needs to confront her about this...someday.

"Hey, Kanan," Sabine tapped on his shoulder, "You're blocking traffic." She sarcastically played with him, circling her blaster like she was going to shoot him.

"Oh, sorry." He scrambled off to the side. "Hey, have you seen Katerina?" NO! You don't want to see her! His mind screamed. Damn him for focusing on her too much.

"Yeah. I saw her take off with Ezra super early this morning." Kana's insides turned to Jelly. "Huh. They've been gone for a couple of hours." Sabine remarked, scratching her head.

"Where did they go?!" Kanan asked urgently.

"Breakfast, I think. Ezra mentioned it to me yesterday. He wanted to talk to Riina about something."

"But where did they go?!" He stressed, towering over her.

"The town just a few clicks of us! We just woke up and they were gone!" She responded rapidly, raising her hands so he'd take a step back. "Why are so huffy, anyway? Riina and Ezra are grown up…" Hold on. She has to ponder that one. "Well, Riina is. They can go out without telling mom and dad." Kanan shoved her aside, practically phasing through the whole gHost for the bay. "Hey! Kanan!" Sabine raced after him. Zeb came out to see what the commotion was about, bothered by Kanan throwing himself on a speeder. "Where are you going? KANAN!" Kanan took off like a bat out of Hell. Exhaust smoke clouded the bay area, and got into Zeb and Sabine's lungs. "Geez! I wonder what Riina did to upset him." This was getting ridiculous.

"Who knows." Zeb monotonously replied with a nonchalantly shrug. Sabine didn't have time for this nonsense so early. She has a new paint bomb to deal with. She went back to her room. Once her door closed, Zeb let a frightening theory loose. "Could she have told him about the Cadet incident?" The one where she went on a murder spree and killed one of the first of many future Imperial Child Soldiers. That would explain everything. But...if that were the case, Katerina would be acting awkward too. No offense, but unless the moment calls for it, Katerina has the worst poker face. Especially when it comes to looking impassive around the team. Baddies wouldn't know if she's mad or just thinking. "I have to ask Riina about this." He'll ask her when she gets back. She and Ezra are likely having a good time. Neither of them need this drama right now.

xxx

Ezra and Katerina stopped in at one of the Loth Town's popular eateries. Lateen's Waterhole - A misnomer for a place that serves breakfast. But it was a very bright, and very crowded place during a weekday. Must be a holiday. Wait. Does The Empire grant holidays? They'll ask when they aren't being shot at. They want some breakfast. And in spite of a couple of Stormtroopers passing by, the place felt real homey. Almost as if Katerina and Ezra could shoot the breeze here, talk about silly subjects, and go off to work or school in an hour. Sounds really nice. Maybe in another life where they aren't being hunted. Who knows. Play their cards right in this war, and that might be their lives soon than they think.

"Here ya go, kids!" Lateen, the Besalisk the establishment is named after, tossed four plates of food to Ezra and Katerina's booth. Waffles topped with a custard cream, ham glazed with pine-granite sauce, hash browns mixed with peppers and sausage, and bacon and eggs. Just...bacon and eggs. "House Special with a twist on the Meluuron juice." The twist being the juice was in mugs bigger than their heads...and came with cute little umbrellas.

"Thanks!" Ezra was already building his plate and shoveling his mouth beyond capacity. Katerina tried not laughing at him while casually making her own plate. Ezra is so adorable when he lets his teenage petulant side take over. "Oh man! I can't - munch, munch, munch - remember I had something this good!" A mistake to talk with his mouth full. It was the bacon and ham. They went down the wrong tube. He slammed a fist at his chest, fighting to wolf it down. Katerina ogled him deadpanned with pancakes in her mouth, impassively tapping her fork to his juice. Ezra took the juice and choked it down, groaning obnoxiously loud with relief. "That was close. Not how I want to go."

"Here lies Ezra Bridger - killed by pork. It's a strange sort of poetic." Ezra was still reeling from his near death, unable to reply. He gave her a sarcastic ha-ha for measure. "Take your time. No one's missing us at the ship." She got to her eggs and mixed them with the hashbrowns.

Mentioning the ship got Ezra thinking about Kanan. He might miss them. And he might not like that they took off without telling him. Sabine knows, that should be good enough. But with how Kanan is on edge, he might get upset. Especially with Katerina. "Riina, can I ask you something?" Ezra held onto his juice for emotional support.

"Of course." That's a silly thing to ask.

There was no real delicate way to ask, so he just came out with it. "Are you and Kanan fighting?" Katerina's fork of food stopped an inch from her mouth. She lowered it, resigned to that she knew that was coming. Everyone else has asked. "You both seem to - I don't know - not get along as well as you used to."

"To be honest, Ezra, I don't know what's going on." And it makes her sad. "Kanan acting weird around me - it's not like I haven't noticed. I just know I won't get a straight answer out of him if I ask." There's this wall there she never dreamed could ever exist. He's keeping her at arm's length. She and he should be able to come to one another with their problems. Unless they're mad at each other, in which case they wait till someone breaks. That was an even score. This time, Kanan's pushing her away. "I wonder...what Tseebo could have told him."

"Why are you thinking about Tseebo?"

"Because it was after Tseebo left that he started acting funny." Tseebo...his implant. He dug up information on Ezra's parents, and Katerina's strange birth. "Tseebo told me I was born in the Kamino System. That's where the Clones came from."

"The ones who fought side by side by the Jedi? Kanan doesn't really talk about them." Sort of feels like Ezra was hearing about them for the first time. "Why is that?"

Katerina ogled him astonished. "He really hasn't told you." She gasped. Ezra was shrinking slightly in his seat. He feels like he opened a can of worms. Katerina can see where she will be overstepping her boundaries, but if Ezra is expected to be treated like a Jedi, he has the right to know. "15 years ago, there was an order given for the Jedi to be exterminated. The clones carried it out." Ezra gaped in horror. The ones who the Jedi trusted...killed them? No wonder Kanan doesn't talk about the clones. They probably killed his master. And they left Katerina and him alone for so long. "Which is why I got scared when Tseebo said I was born in the Kamino System. Made me think...that I was a clone."

"That's ridiculous. You're not a Clone." Ezra scoffed, fanning that ridiculousness away. "You look like Kanan, sure! That doesn't mean you're his clone. It's because he's older. But it's not easy to see." Katerina arched a baffled brow. It's not? She always thought it was obvious. "We had to focus hard to realize how alike you look. It's mostly your expressions, and the way you two argue. Your personalities couldn't be anymore different." He have to wobble his hand in an ish. Katerina and Kanan tend to act the same from time to time. "Not everyone that works for The Empire is an Imperial, are they?"

"No." She moved her food across her plate.

"Not everyone we save is a rebel, are they?"

"No, they're not." A saving grace for their livelihoods.

"Not all the fleas on the ship are Zeb's, right?" He put on a cat like grin, bouncing his brow impishly.

"You know damn well they are." The two busted up laughing, then gave their heads a little scratch. Fleas jumping off them made them laugh harder.

"There you go." Ezra remarked, feeling accomplished for having gotten her to smile. "Riina, you're not a clone. You're our friend. And the closest thing I have to an Aunt/Sister."

"Still haven't decided if Kanan's a father or brother yet, huh?"

"No, but Hera is definitely Mom."

"I already see her as a big sister-in-law." She's earned that right. "You and Sabine are definitely a niece and nephew I would hazard seeing around holidays." But she loves them.

"Where does that leave Zeb? The grumpy grandpa?" Ezra snorted.

"He's not that old! He can fit into the Uncle Slot." An old uncle, is what Ezra added mentally. Katerina flicked a pepper at him, hearing his thoughts. "That just leaves Chopper as…"

"The stray pet we can't get rid of." Ezra plastered to a plaque in the air.

"I'm telling him you said that."

"And I'll tell him you're the one who downloaded that Adult Stuff onto his hardware."

"How do you even now about the adult stuff?" Ezra's face went stone serious. He sipped his juice, not diverting eye contact for a second. Katerina blushed with a feline grin. "Naughty boy, Ezra."

"Shut up!" He threw a balled up napkin at her. The two laughed in their table war, trying to eat while evading cheap attacks.

Unbeknownst to the pair, a black armored figure was glaring at them hard from a corner table. He used the morning tabloid tablet to hide behind, sneaking quick peaks here and there. All the while he was ensuring the camera on his helmet on the floor was running. The feed ran to a separate tab on the tablet. He knows he's seen those two somewhere before. He can't quite place them. The facial recognition was running excruciatingly slow because of the passersby constantly crossing. He couldn't' risk bringing the helmet from the floor to the table. One of those two might spot him and run. His long wait paid off when a positive ID came back on both. His face lit up realizing he's been staring at Rebels the whole time. "He abandoned his table, grabbed the helmet and took the tablet with him to the restroom corridor. "This is LRS-0112! Be advised: I have positively identified two rebels in Lateens Waterhole. Awaiting further orders." Ezra and Katerina continued laughing, none the wiser that they've been discovered.

xxx

Over on the stretch of road leading to Loth Town's Square was a blockade cutting off all flow of traffic. Stormtroopers and short ray shield barriers lined that whole road, leading toward a city hall erected so tall it was a beacon for the people to come toward. It's white coating made it out to be a palace from a story book. For the Empire, it marked to conclusion to their peacocking parade and the beginning of a rally Minister Tua had planned.

See, with what a disaster Empire Day was, Minister Tua devised a new means of rallying the supporters of The Empire and reinvigorating the morale of Imperial Troops. The people need to know that the Empire is a symbol of strength and hope for a brighter future, and will not kowtow to those that would see their efforts amount to nothing. That The Empire was a force to be reckoned with, and the only force in this universe. Nevermind that all of this support they will have for this rally and parade a threatened, frightened, and strong armed hostages in the tyranny of The Empire's hissy fits.

Minister Tua will be riding on a float down the strip, basking in the wealth of adoration for the adoring public before giving he speech at City Hall. Agent Kallus and The Inquisitor had the honor of being her escorts for the day. Glorified babysitters is more like it. Still, beats being stuck with Lyste and his simpleton job.

As Tua was filling in the troops about where she wants them positioned, in the even Rebels caught wind of this rally, a trooper came running up with a tablet in hand. "Pardon the interruption, Minister! You three need to see this." Tua, Kallus, and The Inquisitor leered at him, warning him this had better be good. He handed them the tablet, and they became ecstatic. "One of our men spotted them at a Diner not too far from us. We have yet to find others."

"This is the Jedi Boy and that Mechanic!" Tua snarled, snapping the backs of her fingers at their pictures. She snickered triumphantly. She's been wanting to run into these two. "Have them brought to me at City Hall immediately! We'll hang them for all the people of this town to see!"

"Yes, Minister!" The Trooper mobilized a team, signaling ahead to units in the area about the rebels.

Kallus and The Inquisitor were silently pondering the appearance of Rebels in this town. Not exactly one on the beaten path. And not one that they announced their appearance in. Could it be a coincidence? The Padawan and this Mechanic all alone? What would they be doing here? "Well don't just stand there! Both of you go too!" Tua's barking broke them from their train of thought.

"We have been asked to safeguard you." Kallus protested with a taunting croon.

"I have plenty of men here for that! We have a chance to nip a Rebel attack in the bud!" She will not have another catastrophe under her watch like Empire Day. "The less havoc wrought, the better this rally will go! These Rebels will be hung our martyrs!"

"Understood." The Inquisitor acquiesced, guiding Kallus with him to a TIE. The two were grinning to one another.

"A fortuitous circumstance these rebels appeared. I despise playing babysitter." Kallus snarled.

"Come now, it isn't so bad." The Inquisitor chortled. "We could be with Supply Master Lyste doing glorified inventory on medical supplies."

"Brr! Don't jinx us. Speaking of jinxing…" Better to be safe than sorry, he used his data tablet to issue an order across the coms for a signal jam. A small cage to trap their little birds in before they are plucked. "Why not make calling for reinforcements challenging for our little friends."

xxx

"Thanks for the food!" Ezra and Katerina chimed, paying Lateen.

"Not a problem. Hey, you two should head over to the square just east of us." He urged them with two thumbs. "There's this huge rally The Empire is putting on. Minister Tua herself is speaking."

"THE EMPIRE?!" Ezra's voice cracked worse than when he hit puberty. He clamped his mouth shut, unnerved when half the diner faced him. Thank goodness they returned back to their conversation and food. "The-the Empire is here? Having a Rally? Today?! Right now?" He was forcing the glee a little too hard. Katerina wants to smack him. Might as well jump out and admit they aren't fans of The Empire. But this does bother her. Hera usually is up to date about stuff like this.

"No surprise you guys don't know about it. Most who ventured into here just found out." Ezra and Katerina ogled him curiously. "The Empire decided to have a rally out of the blue a few days ago, inviting only people in house to attend." In house as in they didn't publicize it to where everyone and rebel mom would hear about it. "I've had troopers coming in and out of here for days." Troopers? In and out of there? Ezra and Katerina took a sheepish look around the diner. One, two...six, seven, a little over ten troopers just sitting around the diner, gorging themselves before having to go on patrol. And just outside the window...another dozen. How in the name of Pantora's moons did they not notice the abundance of Stormtroopers? It was the hunger. "It amazed everyone that, for the first time, they didn't announce to the whole universe that were peacocking somewhere."

"Not that you can blame them." Katerina smoothly inserted herself, sliding between her and Ezra. She was nudging him for the exit before someone recognizes them. "Empire Day was a very embarrassing time for them."

"Embarrassing for them, hilarious for us." He held his stomach and laughed. "I'd love to shake the hands of the Rebels that blew up that TIE." Ezra winced with dread, glancing at Katerina. That knife cut her deep. Her lower lip quivered and her eyes became teary. She really loved that TIE.

"WELL," Ezra smashed both hands to her face before she had a breakdown, "I'm sure they'd be happy to oblige, but they are likely off sabotaging more Empire Toys." He yanked Katerina in by the collar, shielding his mouth as he whispered, "Or are making a fast break for their ship before one of these guys recognizes us." Katerina snapped out of her pity party. That was a good plan. "Anyway, thanks for the food. But we should get going. Don't wanna be late for the...rally." He was the one leading her out of the diner, able to keep it casual.

"You kids take care." He wished, then went into the back of house for more supplies.

Ezra and Katerina made it outside, but that freedom made their causal walk go stiff real quick. Their shadow from the diner put on his helmet and followed after them.

xxx

For reasons like this one, Ezra and Katerina parked their Speeder a ways from the diner. It'd be too easy, should they get sucked into a firefight, for their only escape method to be blown up in their faces. They might as well have parked a thousand miles away. The number of troops that seemed to be appearing from the crowd was staggering, and really frightening. That speeder won't be enough to get them home. They'll need a lift.

"Specter 7 to Ghost! We've got a problem!" Katerina phoned in. She got static in response. "Specter 7 to Ghost? Hera, Kanan, Zeb?" The static got louder. She shook her comlink. "My com isn't working." He rumbled perturbed.

"Let me try." Ezra goto n his. "Specter 6 to Ghost. Anyone copy?" The same static came in on his com. "I'm not getting through either." Looking around, they weren't the only ones having trouble calling their friends. Except for the Troopers who were having too many conversations for their liking. There's only one time this happens, and it usually follows with abrupt orders to halt and willingly be arrested. "They can't possibly know we're here, right."

"There were a lot of Stormtroopers in that diner. One of them could have ratted us out." If that were the case, however, then they would have jumped them while they were eating. There were enough to overpower them. "Or another possibility is like the guy said. They wanted the rally to be on the DL, so knocking out coms is a sure fire way of limiting sabotage exposure."

"Let's take that one and get back to our Speeder." Ezra wanted to maintain some optimism and make it back to the ship, for once, without laser bolts as their company.

"Sounds good." Katerina agreed. They casually rounded into the alley where they hide their speeder. They stopped and dove into a hollowed doorway. Poking their heads out, the two were filled with dread by the three Troopers surrounding their speeder. "Of course."

"FREEZE!" The pilot trooper barked. Ezra and Katerina moaned in self loathing, rolling their heads at the trooper. His raised blaster caused the people close by to panic and run. Surprise, surprise, his shout got the attention of his friends. "Hands up, Rebel Scum!" The other troopers ran over, locking on target and practically daring either one to try and run. Ezra and Katerina came out with their hands up.

"Hey, Ezra."

"Yeah, Riina."

"I think they know we're here."

"Yeah, I think so too."

xxx

Kanan was driving the speeder at mach speeds, nearly killing Loth Cats in the process. If those little pests don't cleave the flesh from his bones, Sabine sure will if he fries the motor on that bike. She spent hours fixing it from one of their last fiasco missions. She finally got it to stop making that ear grinding sputter sound on start up. Kanan will apologize later to her and the cats after he finds Ezra and Katerina.

Loth Town was coming up and TIE fighters were soaring right over his head for it. Kanan knows not to be shocked by Imperial presence anymore. But four TIES heading for one location means a head honcho or two is in the area, and or they're gearing up for an assault. "Please don't let that be related to them!" Kanan begged. He tried to call Ezra and Katerina, getting nothing but static in return. He tried several times. Shaking the com, contacting the Ghost, diverting off course to a higher hill for better reception. "Dammit!" This wasn't a malfunction. "That's never a good sign!" And what a coincidence that their coms are being jammed and Katerina disappeared without a trace with Ezra! Her plan for her masters is coming to fruition. BAAHH! He smacked a fist at his head. He's getting ahead of himself. She isn't a plant by The Empire! She's just someone who absconded with his Padawan for Breakfast...and is going to get him killed. "What have you gotten him into, Katerina?!"

xxx

Katerina and Ezra are seriously considering never going out into the universe without masterful disguises. Their rebel infamy makes them too easy to spot in a crowd. "You two are coming with us! Try anything funny and you're dead!" The pilot hissed. Two troopers were moving in to confiscate their weapons.

Ezra sneered with gritted teeth, wishing their amor would spontaneously combust. He knows they'll be taken to that rally, and Tua's going to kill them in front of everyone to send a message. Too bad debris won't come crashing down on her head like it did on Empire Day. At least they'd be taken to a ship or something and have more time to plot an escape. Oddly enough, Ezra looked up for such debris. A funny idea was right over their heads. The Troopers anyway. "By funny," Ezra wiggled his fingers, curling them gradually. Katerina's back was tingling. She smirked knowing what was causing it. She heard the planks above clattering, "Do you mean...THIS!" Ezra swiped his hands down hard and fast. He and Katerina dropped and shielded their heads. The thick planks broke into dozens of pieces, raining down on the troopers. They sued their blasters as pitiful deflector. Katerina primed her guns, and each Trooper got a bolt in the chest. They dropped, Katerina and Ezra got on their speeder, and off they were for freedom.

One of the troopers survived his wound, using his last breath to call this in. "All...available units be...advised! Rebels have been sighted...and...are heading...south through sector 3-2B! Block them off!" A lengthy groan followed his last word, and he went limp. His blaster never to be used again.

xxx

Katerina used the back alleys for as long as they would run. She wasn't sure where exactly she was going. She just wanted to get as far away from the Troopers as possible. The alleys were a tight fit, but she was managing to race down them with little complications. Although, she needs to pay better attention before she turns one of the shady folks into street pizza. Sabine won't appreciate blood on the paint job. She'll need to break their trail and find a new direction. The air whisking by her ear didn't deafen the sounds of Troops homing in on their location.

The alley was ending up ahead. Nowhere to go but left into the busy streets. "LEAN!" Katerina howled. She and Ezra whipped their bodies to the side, veering the speeder to glide parallel to the incoming wall. She revved the engine, guiding it to begin its turn. The wall was coming too fast, and the speeder wasn't into the turn enough. Katerina and Ezra had to run along the wall to guide to speeder, jumping back on when they ran out of wall. They broke between two poor bastards drawing their carts of goods, causing it all to spill to the street. "SORRY!" She and Ezra shouted. Before the two men had a chance to be outraged, a speeder unit of trooper tore right through after them. Ezra tapped Katerina's shoulder, motioning to the tail they've picked up. "We have to get out before they block the exits!"

"That might be harder than you think! Look!" Ezra cried. Roadblocks were already being assembled on the streets. Roadblock was a kind way of saying there was a giant tank and five trooper guarding their exit. Katerina and Ezra lunged bodies to one side, wrenching the speeder for a lengthy glide sideways. The troopers opened fire on their approach. Ezra took Katerina's guns and returned fire. He got three of them in the arm. The other two kept shooting...and the tank was coming alive. Their speeder was in the next street. The troopers and tank mere feet away. Ezra dug more out of Katerina's sack of goodies and threw a sticky favorite at the troopers. The adhesive from Stygeon blew up in the faces, gumming up the troopers to the tank. Katerina and Ezra hooted victoriously, rearing on a wide turn into the next street. It was just open enough for them to safely return into traffic. If not freak out a few pedestrians. They veered left on another street, heading for their previous exit. That's if they had a previous exit. They aren't quite sure where they are right now.

A trooper managed to get his arm free. "They're heading for the city exit in sector 3-3C! Cut them off!"

"This is Agent Kallus. Lead them toward the Warehousing District and break off pursuit." He added a malignant chuckle, unable to contain his jubilation for what comes next."We have a surprise waiting for them."

"Yes, Sir!" Troopers confirmed, and were already mobilizing to begin Kallus's plan.

xxx

Kanan arrived less than half a mile from the town and was able to spot tanks at the entrances to the city. If there were doubts he was in the right place, they've evaporated. He put his binoculars to his eyes, seeing what else he can learn. The tanks at the entrances were just the start. Units were being sent into the city and blockading any way in or out. A Twi'lek woman made the mistake of trying to leave and was shot on site. The city is going into lockdown.

"I'm always late to the party." Kanan continued his approach, taking a side route to hopefully scout out a less guarded entrance. His luck held out when he saw some people sneaking away in a transport, getting as far away form Loth Town as possible. Kanan cautiously road his speeder inside, keeping far to the side to the rampant traffic wouldn't sweep him away. Being caught between these narrow walls when the bolts start flying is not how he wants to go out. He was able to escape the narrow passage and get a good distance away when troopers spotted the leak of people. A hunt was being initiated, but their primary objective had the flow of troopers heading inward. If he learns where, he can crash the party.

"Orders from Agent Kallus." Kanan was rooted with ice encasing his spine. He tried not to turn to make it obvious he was listening, but it was hard not to be terrified by the ISB Agent's name. "We're to lure them into the Warehousing District and then break off pursuit!"

"Roger!" The troopers broke apart.

The Warehousing District! That's where he needs to go! Ezra and Katerina are going to be boxed in like lambs to be slaughtered. Kanan stopped a civilian, bringing him into a doorway. "Hey! Which way is the Warehousing District?"

xxx

It was becoming increasingly more difficult to drive! Troopers were closing in abnormally fast, blocking every single road that forced them into turns that would have been disastrous crashes. Troopers appeared on either side of Katerina and Ezra, hugging their sides to drive them where they pleased. Ezra was feeling claustrophobic. He tossed his hands in the air with a howl. The front two speeders went flipping out of control, blowing up behind them. Ezra whipped around and shot the steering of the next two, sending them in out of control spins. Katerina had little choice but to keep driving forward, growing more paranoid when she heard alarms being raised. She'd catch glimpses of Troopers, tanks, and normal foot patrols. Whether or not they saw her and Ezra didn't matter. Because as soon as they thought they were in the clear, more speeders would show up. And Ezra won't feel right burning through Katerina's ammo.

"They're keeping tabs on every move we make! We have to lose them fast!" Katerina forthed at the mouth. And she didn't want to scare Ezra by mentioning that their speeder will run out of fuel sooner or later. That's if they aren't shot first.

"You're the daredevil! Start dardeviling!" Ezra tossed his hands to the abundance of city around them.

"That's not a word…" She trailed off, slowing her speed in order to study the terrain. Wouldn't you know it that this part of town had upper walkways that were virtually second streets. Easy way to access to the luxurious housing complexes. Some stone stairs on the street were at a nice enough angle too. "But you've just inspired me to take a new route! Hold on!" Katerina sent the speeder into overdrive, screaming at the people to move or get mowed down. They dove for their lives. The Speeder was launched in a magnificent arch. She and Ezra looked back and laughed at how the pursuit team didn't have the same fortitude. they landed bumpily on the upper walkway, but got into a clean getaway. The high ground was their safe stretch. However, the troopers were following close below for when they run out of road. "Daredevil enough for you?!"

"Landing could use some work!"

"Everybody's a critic!"

Katerina drove the speeder in turns that took them further into the housing, then would head right back ot the main street where she'd weave viciously into intersections. The oncoming traffic below wasn't as thick above. Katerina and Ezra were gaining distance. She doubled their distance by heading into the housing sector again. She and Ezra raised brows by the tacky lines of clothing stretching between the buildings. For luxury complexes, one would think they had dryers. Guess all the amenities aren't affordable. That's neither here nor there. Katerina was forced to go back into the open at some point, baffled that she wasn't seeing anymore troopers.

"Did we lose them?" Ezra hated to ask, but he needs some good news. Laser bolts shrieked past his head. New unit was right behind them. "Never mind! Punch it!"

"Can't! Out of road!" Katerina wailed. Fate hates them today. The walkway cuts off, leading into a bazaar full of people that will have a strip of dead bodies on Katerina's head. There was another walkway for the bazaar but she won't be able to jump the gap. And there were no turns out of there. Just one that goes in a U right back for the guys she's trying to run away from. "This might be our stop!"

"I don't think so! Full throttle!" Ezra ordered. Katerina gaped at him like he was insane. "Just do it! I Kanan level have a plan!" That tempted Katerina to slam her brakes and run for her life. Too bad she trusts Ezra, and the kid is coming through today. Katerina went full throttle. "Pull up!"

"THIS IS CRAZZZYYY…!" Katerina and Ezra threw their full weight back, bringing the nose up. Ezra lifted his arms, an immense weight bending the muscle, and with a grandiose push the Speeder rocketed off an invisible ramp, soaring high and far. The Troopers collided into one another on their abrupt stop, too amazed by the jump to really pay attention. Ezra had to pour more power out, lifting the speeder a little higher. The next walkway just HAD to be a whole 'nother ten feet higher than the last. They were going to make it. Not all of the troopers were impressed by the jump. The one fired two shots, landing both on the tail end of the speeder. Ezra lost his focus and they were coming down fast. The back of the speeder nicked the edge of the walkway wall, but they made the jump. Too bad the speeder caught fire and the back was breaking away. "Welp! That's our exit!"

Katerina and Ezra stood on the seats, riding the speeder like a hoverboard. Ezra put too much force in his jump and launched himself toward a roof. His stomach hit the edge. He still managed to grapple on. "RIINA!" Ezra cried, seeing her riding the speeder still. It moved for the side of the walkway. Katerina jumped and grabbed onto a cable line running between the buildings. The momentum sent her swinging hard. She propelled herself up, hooking the back of her knees to the next cable, and then flipped parkour style right to the wall of a stairwell into the bazaar fray. "Whoa…" Ezra was lost for intelligent words. If he saw Katerina's face, however, she was ready to puke. He didn't have time to be too impressed. Troopers were breaking into the bazaar. These guys don't give up. "RIINA! Hurry! Up here!"

"I won't make it! Just go! I'll follow you from here!" Ezra nodded and took to the rooftops. Katerina saw her stalkers coming. She dove into the bazaar jam packed with people, losing her tail in the crowd. The troopers were none the wiser that she was already leaving the bazaar, heading in the general direction of Ezra. They were scouring the people, bullying them for answers.

Ezra and Katerina didn't know where they were running, or how far from the bazaar they had gotten. They barely registered that the housing and shopping district had faded into these...old warehouses. Looked like they were used for storage once upon a time. A couple of shipping and receiving outposts. All Ezra and Katerina knew was that leaving wasn't an option anymore. The troopers had them boxed in. They needed to wait them out. Ezra peered over the side, spotting Katerina. He was about to call to her when he heard troopers, again, heading for her. She burst into the nearest warehouse she could find. Ezra scoped the leap from his roof to Katerina's. He was going to make it. He had to. He got in a running start and landed in a roll to the next roof. He went inside via the skylight. It wasn't a sheer drop inside, however. It dropped him into an attic. He'll take it. At least it hides him from the troops. He closed the skylight behind him, heading inside to meet up with Katerina.

xxx

Kallus and The Inquisitor had been watching the madness unfold from a neighboring rooftop, smirking at how easy it was to snag their prey. They walked right into their clutches. Now it was time to go collect them.

xxx

Ezra was choking up cobwebs maneuvering through the dusty, dilapidated attic. That place had seen better days. Ezra wishes he'd gone to dinner with Katerina instead of breakfast. The darkness would make this place seem new age condo different. He was scared to touch anything in there for fear the inches of caked dust would come alive and start eating him. He was relieved to have found the hatch out of there. Cringing, he knelt down and carefully opened the door, keeping anymore dust out of the air. He jumped down into a corridor, then used the force to close the door. If anyone happened to follow him on the roof, at least they won't know he came in through there. He made his way through the not at all creepy hallway, straining every one of his senses toward the front door and the attic door. The hallway wasn't long, but there were no other doors, not even a drinking fountain for him to hide behind should someone walk in. He wishes it was worker he was worried about. The hallway looked like the attic. Unused and abandoned. The walls had become so thin that he was able to hear the bustle of the bazaar. Now that was creepy. The stifling silence that surrounded him...that sensation of claws running down his spine would be more pleasant.

He moved to the side of the door, holding his breath as he took up his lightsaber. However, he had his finger to the trigger of a different surprise for anyone waiting for him. He used the force to slide the door open part of the way. He peeked inside, then moved into a large office space seeing no one was there but him. In fact, it's just as he discovered. This place was abandoned. Cubicles just void of any personnel for who knows how long. Abandoned tablets that didn't have enough charge to spark. Boxes of affects lying around, rolling chairs that were never pushed back in made a neat obstacle course. Ezra thought to himself, Sabine and Hera can make a mean training course here.

It was pretty dimly lit in there. No windows to the outside. But there were windows into a larger room next door. The high windows near the arching ceiling let in the sun there and it leaked into the office. Ezra went over to see where this wall of large pane window led to. His jaw dropped seeing this package assembly line of a place. As big as the garage Dominique ran, but with a lot more toys. And stuff hanging precariously on withering platforms. The ropes were frayed. Bless their hearts they were still holding. The hooks, and magnetic clamps looked like they were in good shape. Ezra was a little unnerved by the chemical stamps on the barrels sees inside warehouse. He was able to see past the grated walkway the packaging, and transports down below. But what he didn't see what Katerina. He knows she came into this one. Might have hit hallways like him on the way in.

Ezra headed for the door, wanting to meet Katerina below. Better to be together than apart when and if they get discovered. He stopped in place hearing clutter fall in a closet. His heart skipped a dozen or so beats, his lightsaber igniting prematurely. He froze like a Loth Cat busted for breaking someone's valuables. Lips pursued and eyes darting side to side to see if anyone saw that. That would have been embarrassing. He sheathed the blade. When he heard the sound a second time, he became convinced that Katerina must have found a way up.

"Riina?! Is that you?" He called in a whisper, tiptoeing to the closet. "Riina, it's Ezra." He knocked a couple of times. It was silent. He opened the door. "You in-" A first sprouted from the darkness and connected with his nose, knocking him against a cubicle wall. His saber bounced from his hand. He groaned dazed, massaging his throbbing nose. he was about to scream at Katerina for hitting him...he was filled with dread when it wasn't Katerina emerging from the closet. It was Agent Kallus.

"My apologies, Jabba." He so formally apologized, dusting himself clean of the clutter he brought out with him. "There is no one else here but us chickens." He teased, leaning forward with his hands behind his back.

xxx

Katerina only ever envied Jedi for their powers when it came to opening doors. She's had to use all 140 pounds of hers in order to wrench these rusted doors open. She raised a brow at the packaging facility she wound up in, sighing heavily at how she shouldn't be shocked anymore. She's starting to think she's meant to be in garages and industrial warehouses. Like a moth to flame she comes right back to them in some way. Maybe it's the Universe's subtle way of telling her to go back home. Not a bad plan...for later. Right now she needs to find Ezra and get out of here. The Troopers seemed to have given up the chase back at the bazaar, but that doesn't make them safe. Won't take them long to figure out which way she and Ezra went.

"Ezra?! Ezra, where are you?" She said loudly, but meekly on the side of caution. She doesn't need the whole place hearing her. Someone might be lurking. "Ezra! It's Katerina! You here?" Ezra might not even be here in this one. But she has to keep looking. The heat might die down after a while. She entered further, coming beside one of the old transports. She went to try the coms again. "Hera, Kanan...anyone hear me? Ezra and I are trapped in Loth Town in the Warehouse District! We need a lift!" In the midst of her trying to hear through the gargled static, The Inquisitor with his piercing gold eyes stepped through the door behind her. He fanned open his palm. The door didn't make a sound while closing. His sharp teeth shown in a ravenous grin. "Hello? Anyone? Grr! Nothing. Ugh!" She gave up. "If The Imperials didn't know we were here before, they're onto us now."

"More than onto you, I'd say." Katerina spun on her heels, fear riddled her rib cage with icy shards seeing The Inquisitor approach her. Her waist was going numb to the point her legs were about to keel. "You've fallen right into the trap we've set for you."

xxx

Ezra shuffled away until his back pressed to the divider. Kallus was reaching for is bo-rifle. Ezra brought his legs under him and dove to the side. He sprang off his hands and grabbed his lightsaber, landing in his fighting stance. He ignited the blue blade, putting on his most intimidating glare. He must have looked like a puppy trying to bare his teeth. Kallus was laughing at him, taking his hand back from the rifle. He decided he doesn't need it. "So the boy has a lightsaber now? Look who's become a full fledge Jedi. They grow up so fast." He mocking sniffled, wiping away that fake tear. "But it remains to be seen if you know how to use it."

"I can use it just fine!" Ezra got goaded into attacking. Kallus was able to steady his form within those few seconds, determining the boy had half a dozen openings. The first axe for his head was barely a registered breeze. Kallus, with minimal exertion, just inched his head sideways. The most aggravating part was that his eyes were closed. He opened them and smirked at the irritated Ezra. He tried his attack again and again, axing at him like a lumberjack. Kallus effortlessly weaved between the undisciplined strikes. Ezra changed it up and tried a few swings. Kallus was bobbing from those. The whole time he was keeping his hands behind his back, never going for his weapon. He'd skip back a few paces, then trip up Ezra by spinning past and around him. He'd flick him in the back fo the head to annoy him. Ezra kicked back once. Kallus just swiped the foot away. Ezra growing furious with him toying with him, lunged too far on a thrust. Kallus went to the side and jabbed a knee in his stomach. Ezra lurched forward and got a second knee in the mouth shot him up right. Kallus, maintaining his composed form, then jabs an elbow in his forehead. Ezra staggered but stayed standing. But boy was he dizzy. Kallus went on the offensive and dealt barrages of punches up and down his body. He proceeded to lift Ezra by the collar and belt, tossing him over his head. Ezra landed to harsh skips on his back, losing all his wind for a brief moment. "UGH! Man! Kanan…" He coughed as he forced himself onto his stomach, "And Riina...make this look so easy!"

"Is that truly the best you can do, Boy?" Kallus scoffed, growing really bored with this. "If so…" This time he took up the Bo-RIfle, "I should just kill you here and now." He activated the dual ended weapon, bringing the electrified prongs down.

Ezra huffed hotly. Not by a longshot! He lunged into a tumble right between his legs. The strike narrowly missing. He position himself on his palms and bronco kicked Kallus right square in the back. The ISB agent was so caught off guard he fell onto his stomach. Landing on that bo-rifle doesn't look comfy. Ezra ignited his lightsaber, going for the man while he was down. Kallus quickly recovered, flipping onto his back and catching the saber on the bo's end. "I'm just getting started!"

"Good to know!" Kallus kicked the boy away, springing back onto his feet. He spat at the floor. "Entertain me!"

xxx

To say she was terrified...she was on verge of vomiting. Stuck there in place like a frightened animal waiting to put down. The Inquisitor drank in her fear like ambrosia, chuckling darkly as she trembled before him. She was ensnared, once again, in his eyes. Trapped in their vice and unable to move. Her throat clenched so tightly she thought she forgot how to breathe.

"How fortuitous it is that you and I get to meet again." He purred, taking a step closer. Katerina didn't move. She couldn't move. "Something the matter, My Dear? You seem frightened?" He taunted her, taking one tortuous step after the other toward her. "Why? Do you fear death? Do you fear me?" Her legs were buckling like they always do when he arrives. Her legs were about to give out again. She can feel it. "Your fear...it is...delicious…" He reached a hand toward her. Her knees were bending. She's going to fall before him. Her head and shoulders fell. He's going to kill her...then Ezra.

Ezra! That's right! If he's here with her, Ezra was in danger! She needs to get to him and get out of there! The strength returned to her legs. She shook off terror, gritting her teeth definitely at him. She slapped his hand away, simultaneously drawing her staff. On its extension, the twirling struck the bulbs at the ground, sparking the lanceheads alive and getting The Inquisitor to take several steps back. She kept the tip aimed at him. Her harsh scowl warned him not to come any closer. "I won't lie. I am scared of you. But I'm more scared for my friend, right now."

"Should your focus really strain toward the boy?" He folded his hands behind his back, drinking up the fear percolating within her. He can sense she was posturing. Wanting nothing more than to run away. "I am your immediate concern, My young Non-Jedi."

Her fear, with that one nickname, completely evaporated and turned into absolute rage. "Stop calling me that!" She crossed her staff at her back, charging full speed at him. The Inquisitor simply stood there, eyeing her with intrigue and humor. He was ready for any blatant attack she had up her sleeve. Katerina's brow knit. She stopped abruptly several feet away. This confused The Inquisitor. She struck the bottom lancehead at ground. A blinding blinding flash flooded The Inquisitor's eyes. He flinched for a brief second, snarling at being caught off guard. He then drew and thrust her lightsaber in tandem to her next offensive. A premature attack. When the haze cleared, The Inquisitor's brow furrowed. The girl was gone. He thrusted at air. He sensed a disturbance behind him. But before he could react, an icy hot electrified slash ripped his back open. The flying sparks illuminated Katerina's aquamarine eyes with a storm. She sneered that it was the armor and suit that took most of the damage. His skin barely took a scratch. The impact is what had him fumbling forward. Katerina jumped safe distance away, taking this milestone. The Inquisitor hissed, turning to her. The smoke wafting from back reeks of humiliation. He has been fooled by her again. It is a fool's errand to underestimate her. In a strange way...it was alluring. "Ever meet a Jedi who did that?" She challenged him.

"If I...am to be frank…" He winced through the prickling. He can feel his skin blistering, "The Jedi...I've met...were never so underhanded." He chortled, taunting her with a gleam in his eye.

"I'll take that as a compliment." She flirted back. "And I'll take that to mean you haven't met many Jedi."

"Most of them were killed by the Clones nearly two decades ago. So I haven't had the pleasure." Katerina's fingers squeezed her staff. She bit the inside of her cheek. "Ooh. Did I touch a nerve?" He focused intensely. It was taking all her will to not lash out. her dilating pupils screamed she wanted to tear his neck from his shoulders. "You seem very attached to the Jedi for someone who isn't one. What were they to you?" He pried, brazenly moving for her. "What are that Padawan and his Master to you? Are they in the redactions of your file?"

Katerina whipped out her gun and shot him. No real shock he deflected the shot, diverting it into a wall. He was pleased. He was getting close. "You talk too much!"

"Oh yes, there is a deep attachment there." He pressed. "I can't wait to uncover your secrets."

"My secrets will die with me!" She declared, taking her stance.

"If that is what you wish." The Inquisitor raised his saber parallel to his erect form, then held it out to the side in his stance.

xxx

Ezra collected himself and remembered his training. Kanan let him train with his saber all the time. He has the timing and parrying...mildly down. Sabine and Hera help him with incoming fire, Katerina and Zeb train him in combat. Time to put that training to use here. As Ezra attacked him, Kallus's parries sent vibrations up his arms. Each strike was like being hit by a battering ram. The muscles in his shoulders would stiffen, his neck tensing. He was getting winded trying to keep up with Kallus. Muscle wise, Ezra was at a great disadvantage. He got in a couple of strikes that had Kallus on the run. But Kallus would come back tenfold, nearly breaking Ezra's arms as he blocked his blows. Kallus was clearly going easy on him. Purposefully leaving himself open to lure Ezra in and then attacking. But Ezra has his speed to compensate for his underdeveloped muscle. Kallus would swipe and axe for him. Ezra would stoop and dive away, connecting kicks and punches up Kallus. The armor hurts his knuckles, but it will hurt a lot more to die. Kallus dropped his bo at one point, getting Ezra to look down. Kallus then grabbed his head and brought his forehead for his. Ezra was faster and put his palms between their foreheads, then connected a knee in his stomach as payback. Kallus shoved him back then punched him, getting Ezra to stagger away. He caught himself by a cubicle wall.

"You're beginning to bore me, boy!" Kallus growled, rubbing off where Ezra hit him. "That is not a smart move."

Ezra growled under his breath. He won't lie. Kallus has a point. He knows he's not making much of a dent in him. Time to put the second portion of his training in effect. Using his environment. And there was plenty around him to use. Ezra sheathed his saber, baffling Kallus. He charged for him at full speed. Kallus naturally laughed at him, opening his arms for this pitiful display. Ezra flicked a finger. A tablet whisked from a desk, striking Kallus across the cheek. The opening let Ezra cartwheel and launched a two footed kick right into Kallus's torso. He went stumbling backwards. Ezra swept his hand again. A rolling chair came right behind Kallus, robbing him of his feet and toppling him hard to the floor. His head cracked on the floor. He saw shapes and stars. Ezra was consumed in the heat of the moment. He drew his saber again and slashed down. Kallus came to and split his legs on a flip backwards. The chair was sliced in half. Though Kallus shuddered at his near loss of his masculine bits.

"A lucky shot!" Kallus frothed at the mouth.

"And I'm just getting started!" Ezra declared. Ezra thrust his palms, launching the halves of the chair. Kallus lengthened his bo and swatted them away. He charged back in, upping his. his swings and jabs became more aggressive, coming hotter than what Ezra was able to keep up with. Kanan and Katerina never told him if it was possible for a lightsaber to break. Wit how hard Kallus was hitting it, that just might happen. Ezra had to use both hands to block his strikes. The ones aimed at his torso were especially aggressive. Kallus lunged in, getting Ezra to raise both arms up and punched him in the stomach, then elbowed him in the face again. Ezra recovered a lot quicker. He jumped out of the way of Kallus's next strike, vaulting over the cubicles into the next isle. He grabbed a handful of tablets and threw them like discs. Kallus dodged them, taking a couple in the face and chest. Ezra picked up a box of junk and threw that too. Kallus caught it, felt stupid and tossed it, then jumped over the dividers for him. Ezra dove under a desk and wound up popping back to the other side right as Kallus crossed over. He sheathed his saber again, then showed off his surprise. That little slingshot he had got an upgrade. Ezra fire two stun darts. He missed, but just barely. And just enough that Kallus finally put his guard up. Ezra tried again to land a shot. Kallus took a page out of Ezra's book and dove under the desks to the next isle, using the desks as cover.

"Aren't you just full of surprises?" Kallus mocking praised.

"I'm not finished yet!" Ezra scoffed and darted for the end of the isle. He used the long table running along the far wall and made a mad dash. He slid to a halt spotting Kallus, taking another shot at him. Kallus rolled to the next set of desks. He copied Ezra again and threw three tablets in one motion. Ezra ducked low. Kallus turned his bo into a rifle, returning fire. Ezra wasn't so quick with the counter and chose to run. Kallus kept his vollies going, shooting for Ezra's legs. Ezra jumped to one of the chairs, riding it with the backrest taking the shots for him. Pretty tough piece of material. He crashed into the wall. The chair slipped from under him. He used the force and pushed it at Kallus who just stepped around it. The laser bolts were shaving inches off his hair, and what remained of his life span. He ducked into what he assumed was the head honchos office, going under his desk. Big, thick slab of metal that was taking the brunt of Kallus's shots. He'd peer around the desk to return fire. Kallus was took quick. He never stayed on one side for too long as she made his way for the office. He had Ezra pinned. A mirror on the wall let Ezra see the agent get closer...and the broken glass everywhere from the windows he shot out. Another crazy idea came to that shaggy head of his.

"You Rebels always seem to know what we are planning!" Kallus snarled, reloading his rifle. "We thought we had the upper hand keeping the rally spontaneous and out of public eye. We even placed a planet wide gag order!" Explains Lateen's end when he said no one knew about it until a few days ago. The gag order, and likely The Imperials monitored and killed anyone talking about it. "How did you learn of our rally here in Loth Town? Did one of your spies reveal our plans?"

"We didn't know squat about your stupid rally! We came to have a meal and leave!"

"A meal?" Kallus had to stop and ponder that. He's never really considered that they have to eat. But to wind up in a town The Empire decides is a to pick the pieces from Empire Day because they were hungry? It is almost laughable how poor their luck is. "Well, if that isn't ironic." He hooted, slapping his knee. "The vermin scuttering about to save the galaxy can't even have breakfast!" He slapped a hand to his forehead, howling with laughter. Then he pressed on, aiming for the desk. "Truly there is no rest for the wicked."

"Now let's get something straight…" He waited for Kallus to get closer. He rushed and grabbed the mirror, flinging it like a disc. It missed Kallus by a long shot. Got him to snicker. It was a ploy for Ezra as he slammed a hand to the floor. The fallen shards of glass were tossed in the air, frightening Kallus. Ezra sprouted from hiding and shoved his hands with all his might. What remained of the windows shattered, hundreds of shards showered onto Kallus. His armor and face were sliced up. He raised an arm, protecting his eyes. "You're the wicked one, right?" Ezra jumped over the desk, landed on the new sill of the window. When Kallus looked up, a boot pressed to his face and kicked off him. Ezra landed on the wall dividers and ran on them, heading for the exit. He's done enough damage for the night.

Kallus snarled rabidly. He won't let that boy get away so easily. He picked up the mirror and threw it. Ezra was about to jump to the floor when the mirror hit him at the base of his skull, sending him skipping on the floor. His back rebound off the wall below the large pane windows. His consciousness was covered in a haze. He felt dizzy trying to get up. Kallus was stalking over toward him, fuming at the sting of his cuts. The boy was floundering, fighting his hardest to crawl for the door. He wants to get out. Kallus was happy to help him OUT.

xxx

Electricity and condensed heat clashed viciously. Sparks raining in every direction. Lance and saber cutting pieces from each other. Their hard tuned energy refocused to the damage and hardened as their assault pressed. The Inquisitor and Katerina matched one another step for step. Not a strike they lashed out with wasn't parried with abject ferocity. A waltz with two partners unwilling to let the other lead. Katerina didn't let up against The Inquisitor. She didn't let him make her doubt herself. The Inquisitor faced her one handed, implying he was using minimal amounts of his skills to fend her off. A ploy to play at her pride. It was working, but she wasn't slipping. They rebound one another a fair distance, then engage in a full throttle joust. Katerina and The Inquisitor ran right by one another, dealing glancing blows that they'd easily deflect. They engaged in this roundabout grudge match for a good while before The Inquisitor stopped suddenly. He flipped his saber and stabbed backwards. Katerina moved to the side and put her back to his. She spun to his front, hooking her fingers to his collar. She threw her weight into a crouch, using her body to flip him over her. The Inquisitor let himself slip over her, breaking the fall with his arms. He looped his legs to her neck and vaulted her. Katerina flipped around mid air, landing like a Loth Cat with her staff extended out to the side. She was losing patience with this. But The Inquisitor was having a grand old time. She was huffing and puffing after all.

"Tired already?" He taunted, approaching her.

"That's my line." She scoffed between pants, backing up. "I think you've broken a sweat."

"It is a little warm in here." He played off. His grin widened. Katerina wondered what had him so happy. Her back touching to a wall of crates answered her inquiry. She cursed herself for not paying attention. "But you're in the hot seat!" He thrust the saber. Katerina reached up and pulled herself high by the crate, splitting her legs. The saber pierced the crates. Katerina swung her legs, pushing her feet off The Inquisitor's shoulder. She lunged her body up into handstand. The Inquisitor tried again and sliced for her hands. Katerina sprang off, landing on his shoulders and stomped on him several times. He punched in the back of her knee. She was able to land on her feet, coming back with her staff. The Inquisitor latched hand to staff and dragged her in, raising her hands above her head. He drove a force filled punch between her ribs, then bashed their foreheads together. Katerina saw spots, stumbling in a pain filled stupor. Her staff was ripped from her hands. The Inquisitor levitated her clear off the ground, launching her with a flick of his wrist. She collided with the crates, toppling them over. She groaned dizzily, holding a hand to her head. She's sure the spinning was all in her head. She pushed a crate off of her, really hating that it was The Inquisitor looming over her.

"For a non Jedi, you are quite the irritation to deal with." She cringed when he raised his saber. She rifled in the styrofoam, searching for one of the hard objects she knows hit her. "But ultimately you are outmatched."

"I don't know." She found something. "I think I do just FINE!" She threw...a muffler? The Inquisitor cut it in half. Katerina drew her gun, firing relentlessly at him. The Inquisitor deflected her shots. He was edging back, her shots becoming less accurate. Katerina dug herself free of the styrofoam, running for the packaging line. She kept shooting at The Inquisitor. He was swatting her shot away, chasing her down. She stopped and continued her barrage, getting The Inquisitor to come closer. He was losing patience with this pitiful attempt. he raised a hand. Katerina shot an anchored cable, grabbing hold and getting a nice lift up. The Inquisitor watched her rocket, and dodged the heavy payload coming down on him. Katerina swung from the cable to another suspended load, landing by her staff and becoming properly armed again. She smirked at him, telling him she really can handle herself.

"A mechanic, a warrior, and tactician." The Inquisitor listed off in awe. "You would have made a fine addition to the Empire."

"Now I am insulted." She spat.

"Surely you don't see the rebellion as a future." The sheer foolishness of it all was enough to make him weep. In his eyes, she is wasting her potential. "The Empire can grant you opportunities you can only dream of with that rabble."

"Too bad I have a conscience." She snarled, spitting at his offer. "The Empire has too much blood on its hands for my taste." And she has enough for one lifetime. "I would never betray my friends for you."

The Inquisitor sighed disappointed, sheathing his lightsaber. Katerina was confused. Was he done attacking her? Was he going to let her go? "Then I will just have to convince you by another means." He stated, frowning darkly. He opened a palm at her. That familiar choking sensation crushed her neck. Her feet left the ground. The Inquisitor slammed her around. He yanked her in close, kicking her back, then yanked her in again for another kick. She didn't have a chance to land before he whipped her around, tossing her onto the assembly line. And no, conveyor belt wasn't soft. Katerina flipped onto her back, her chest rising and falling in her hyperventilating. She held onto her head. The red saber across her neck prompted her to keep her hands up. She sneered defiantly at him. If this is where she's dying, she won't show this freak an ounce of fear. The Inquisitor leaned in close with a devil's grin. "Do you see your folly now?" Katerina closed her eyes. Caleb…

xxx

A ways off, Kanan was entering the district when he heard a whisper of his name. "Katerina?!" He whipped toward a packaging warehouse, sensing Ezra, Katerina, and something sinister within.

xxx

Glass broke over the grate overhead. Katerina and The Inquisitor snapped their heads up, spying shards of glass sprinkling down. A THUD came from the grate. Katerina's heart dropped seeing Ezra tossed onto it. His lifeless face hanging over the edge. He was bruised, cut up, and barely conscious. "EZRA!" She screams desperately for him. Ezra heard her cries, coming back to life. His blurred vision cleared. He saw her pinned by The Inquisitor. He reached out for her, wanting desperately to help her. Kallus appeared over him and stomped right on his spine. "KALLUS!" Katerina cried in dismay. He's here too? What? Are Lyste and Tua hiding in the boxes? Kallus smirked down at her. He twisted his boot into Ezra, lavishing in his agony and Katerina being helpless to save him. Hatred bloomed in her eyes, washing down her whole being. "GET OFF OF HIM!" The Inquisitor sensed this overwhelming hatred, drinking it up in bliss. He has elicited all sorts of emotions from this girl before. Her hate is absolutely delicious. Katerina was propping herself to go for him. "Get off of him, YOU BASTARD!"

"Now, now, don't be rude." Inquisitor planted a hand to her neck, pinning her to the conveyor belt. "You and I haven't finished our dance yet." He angled his saber for her skull.

Katerina wrestled with his iron grip, pulling at it with one hand. Her other brushed a shard of glass. She was able to lift it. "I suddenly want a new PARTNER!" She snatched up the shard, stabbing it into his palm. He wailed in pain, staggering away. Katerina backhanded his saber from his hand, then added a swift kick into his throat. The Inquisitor tripped over crates, landing in a styrofoam bed. Katerina scrambled up the conveyor belt, keeping her eyes on Kallus.

Ezra was wrestling to get free, and trying to ward off the haze in his head. Katerina needs his help. Kallus effortlessly held him down with a foot while watching Katerina hobble up. The belt would bring her to the walkway, and Kallus would give her a special bolt to the chest. Ezra twisted partly, catching Kallus reaching for his pistol behind his back. His head darted about, searching for anything he can use. They're in a huge warehouse, for crying out loud! There has to be something he can use. That's when he spotted a lone hook dangling from the ceiling a ways off. Ezra staved off the throbbing in his head and focused the force hard on the hook. He jerked his arm as best he could. The hook came flying for Kallus's head. He managed to dodge the hook, but took his foot off Ezra. The boy pushed up and swept a foot under Kallus. He fell and hit his head on the grates. His pistol fell to the bottom floor. "You might wanna ice that!" Ezra taunted, crawling past Kallus, and running to meet Katerina.

The conveyor belt only went so high to the walkway. She saw Ezra racing over and leaped across the gap. Her hands gripped the walkway. She pulled up, grasping the bar. Ezra made it in time to pull her up onto the walkway with him. "Thanks! You okay?"

"That should be my line!" They were fine. Ezra's stomach flipped hearing Kallus getting back up. "Over there!" He saw a door behind Katerina. It doesn't say exit, but hopefully it takes them anywhere but there! They barely took two steps before The Inquisitor leapt into them path, blood leaking from the wound in his hand. Katerina and Ezra shuddered, shakily getting into their stances. Then Kallus appeared behind them, trapping them between an Inquisitive Rock and ISB hard place. The Inquisitor ignited his saber, and Kallus raised his fists. The way wasn't wide enough for his bo-rifle. Katerina and Ezra knew they weren't getting out of there that easily. Their dance partners had changed up.

"Think you can handle him?" Katerina quizzed, squaring herself to Kallus.

"Nope." Ezra drew his saber, earning a dark chuckle from The Inquisitor.

"Not confident on my end either." She tugged her gloves, tightening them.

"Seeing as you both are lacking in fortitude," Kallus spoke up cooly, "If you surrender now, we will be willing to take you alive and without inflicting further damage."

"We don't know the meaning of the word surrender!" Katerina barked. She went for him. Her first punch was deflected by Kallus's forearm. The punch her countered with for her ribs was diverted off side. Their fisticuffs dragged them away from the other pair, involving the wall and bars to cripple each other.

Ezra braced his saber in both hands. His spine was jelly in the presence of The Inquisitor, but it was either fight on his feet or die on his knees. The Inquisitor thought very little of Ezra's charge. Already did he have a dozen counters that would leave him immobilized. JUst like his master, the boy is impulsive, undisciplined, and predictable. Apparently he didn't consider Katerina as a teacher. Ezra ran at the wall at an angle. He ran up and pushed off in a side flip. Sheathing his saber, he swung with all his weight and manage to slip through the bars and deal a two pronged kick into The Inquisitor's hips. He packed the force into that kick, smashing The Inquisitor so hard into the wall he almost lost his breath. Ezra brought his saber back to life, slashing it for his neck. The Inquisitor ignited his saber downward, halting the premature attack. "It would seem you take lessons from two masters!" He cast a sly glance to Katerina. "The latter bringing out your potential." He returned a kick back to Ezra. He fell into the bars, choking on the bile that shot into his mouth. He yelped and dove when The Inquisitor brought the saber down. Those melted bars would have been him if he wasn't so fast. "A shame you won't reach the full zenith of it."

"You and Kallus must spend A LOT of time together, because he said the same thing!" Ezra went back in, swinging and flourishing his saber. The Inquisitor used only one hand to parry him, shoving him off in his onslaught. He let the boy attack to his heart's content. However, without so much as returning a strike, The Inquisitor had the boy on the run. He let him get the better of him a couple of times. A little treat to raise his ego and coax him to slip up. Then he was come back thrice as strong, forcing the boy to realize he was in over his head. Ezra wasn't deterred. He won't stop until the end. However soon that is. The Inquisitor dropped low, sweeping a foot. Ezra pulled on the support bar for the walkway, jumping to a crouch on the railing. The Inquisitor combined a quick thrust Ezra clumsily side stepped. He ran along the railing a short ways, running for a safe distance. The Inquisitor pulled a hand back. Ezra was ripped off his feet, flying for The Inquisitor's raised saber. He direly began firing stun darts at him. The Inquisitor dropped him in his need to deflect them. Ezra stumbled on the landing, but kept firing. The Inquisitor repelled the blasts, not at all humored. Ezra knew this wasn't going to work for very long, so her went back to the saber and held his ground.

Kallus had Katerina bend at her lower back on the railing, her feet off ground as he used his body to tip her. In her struggle, she caught Ezra's surprise stun gun mod on his saber. "Hey! My staff doesn't do that!" She jealousy pouted.

"Kids get all the fancy toys." Kallus playfully envied.

"HOLD ON!" Katerina's scream got Ezra and The Inquisitor to stop in mid strike, staring at her blankly. "You mean you had your own gun and you wasted my ammo!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise!"

"You are dead when we get home!" Ezra glanced from her to The Inquisitor, deciding he was the lesser of two evils and proceeded to fight.

"You make it sound as if we'll let you leave!" Kallus purred, pushing her past the thigh.

"Because we are." She spat right in his eye. He dumbly leaned his head in closer. She stretched her neck, biting into his neck. He wailed in pain, pushing her off and wrenching himself away. He felt to see if he lost a chunk. Katerina delt him numerous body blows, then a swift kick into his chin threw him off his feet. Honestly, that felt really good. Her heart snak hearing Ezra scream. The Inquisitor had his full palm on Ezra's neck, hoisting him well off the ground. He threw him over the edge. He bounced off hardware around the assembly line, rolled on and off crates, and crumbled to the ground. His saber left his hand. "EZRA!" They've had their fun! She needs to get him out of there. Kallus grabbed her ankle, dropping her on her elbows. Katerina kicked him across the face, scrambling back onto her feet. She jumped back to the conveyor belt, running at breakneck speeds for Ezra. The Inquisitor and Kallus met up, not in any rush to pursue. After all, those two weren't going to get very far now. Katerina dragged Ezra a short ways, flipping him onto his back. He was breathing, thank goodness, but not much else. "Ezra! Come on! Wake up! Open your eyes!" She pat his cheek, begging him to keep fighting. Ezra was barely conscious. He was in no shape to fight anymore. And Katerina knew it. "Dammit!" She punched the ground. She can carry him...but she'd never be able to outrun...them. The Inquisitor and Kallus approached in casual strides, already aware that their fight was done. Katerina, refusing to give in like this, stood between them and Ezra with her arms stretched out. "Stay away from him!" She'll die before she lets them touch him. She drew her staff, lighting up the lances. "I won't let you kill him!"

"That depends on you, my dear." The Inquisitor stated bluntly, and without his usual condescending tone. Katerina knit her brow harshly, demanding to know what he meant. "Surrender, and you have our word that your young friend shall not suffer further." She saw that coming. "Continue to resist," He nodded to Kallus. He had recovered his pistol and aimed for Ezra, "And you will watch him die. Listening to every scream for mercy as the life drains from him." Katerina is skilled, but he knows not even she can protect the boy and fend them off at the same time.

Katerina was shaking with fury. This was really it. They were out of options and out of time. And the others had no clue about it. Or wouldn't until Tua publically sends them to the firing squad. Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw hope. Kanan had snuck in from the door they've been trying to escape from. It took an enormous amount of effort not to react. Kanan used a finger to urge her to be quiet. He saw the situation and knew he had to act fast. A warehouse full of dangerous equipment...and chemicals that were suspended near Katerina and Ezra. He flicked his thumb, symbolizing a lighter. Katerina's eyes went up for a split second, spotting what was stewing in that head of his. She drummed her fingers into her palms, making fists for her captors, while confirming with Kanan that it was a crazy yet acceptable plan. He scurried along, not making a single sound as he got in place.

"I have your word…" Katerina laced her voice with defeat, practically begging, "You won't hurt Ezra."

Kallus and The Inquisitor smirked. She finally came to her senses. "We may be ruthless, but we are not without honor." Kallus assured him. Kanan came along the side, lining up with the chemicals. He put one foot to the bars, then pushed off. He landed to the cable, sticking his feet to the magnet. He slipped onto the platform, getting behind the two containers of questionable chemicals. He took off the lids. The fumes almost rendered him unconscious. His eyes burned.

"Fine...you win." Katerina shutdown her staff, throwing it and her guns to one side. She slyly slid a hand to her pockets, getting three of her little glue bombs ready. The Inquisitor and Kallus moved in, sauntering right under their trap. Kanan was in position with the payload, giving a thumbs up that he was ready when she was. "Just one quick question before you take us away." Her erected finger got them to stop. They would humor her in her defeat. "Tua still mad about Empire Day?"

"Steaming." Kallus rumbled.

"Then we can add today to her list too. NOW!" She threw the pods at them. The Inquisitor recognized those pods. Kanan shoved the container over, dousing Kallus and The Inquisitor head to toe in a steaming chemical. The pods exploded with gunk, gluing the two men securely in place. Katerina grabbed Ezra's lightsaber, wrapping her finger to the trigger. "DON'T MOVE!" She bellowed, realizing the pun. Kallus and The Inquisitor were furious, wondering where this liquid came from. When Kanan joined Katerina, it all became clear and they were livid. "I'd ask why you're here, but I'm too happy to see you."

"You might feel differently when we get home." Katerina groaned sickly. She's in trouble. The Inquisitor and Kallus found those two odd. "I have our ride outside." The Inquisitor and Kallus despise how they can joke at times like this.

"You both are covered in Nitroxoteen! A volatile chemical for reinvigorating metals to their pristine state. One spark, or just leave it in the sun," She chuckled darkly, licking her lips, "You better not be the poor sucker within ten feet of it!" Or soaking in it.

"You wouldn't dare!" Kallus challenged.

"You two have made me very desperate today! TRY ME!" She dared them, tightening her finger. Kanan was taking involuntary steps back, cringing at how close she was to firing. A bead of sweat was running down the side of his face as he glanced at her. The helmet of a clone placed itself to her head. Jus like them!

The Inquisitor should have been enraged. This is the fourth or fifth time he's been humiliated in battle. Outwitted by someone without force powers, or any real military experience. "So clever. So depraved. So steadfast in your resolve." He purred lovingly, opening his palms in surrender. "You would have made an excellent Imperial Officer." He said, still holding hope she will come to her senses one day. Kallus was neasueting by his praising. Even more so when he had to spread his palms to show he surrendered too. Can't have the service record detailing his demise.

"I hope you have a better escape plan. The whole city is looking for us." Katerina warned Kanan.

"Already planned." He went up to Kallus, putting on Imperial communicator in his face. "Tell your men to stand down! Once we're out of the town, we'll let them know where you are." Their faces scrunched. In other words, they intend to rub salt in their wounds by allowing underlings to see them in their humiliated state. "DO IT!" Kanan shoved it to his face, pressing the open channel button.

Kallus had no other choice. He swallowed what bit of pride he had left and spoke, "The is ISB Agent Kallus." His voice echoed across the channel. "Be advised: the Rebels have escaped. Break off pursuit and return to your stations." Troopers were looking at each other baffled. Tua heard the alert and was frothing with disbelief. The parade was over, and she was about to make her speech...and had no one to make examples out of? Not to mention those rebels got the better of her and her troops again. Governor Pryce is going to have her head. "I repeat," Kallus continued, "The rebels have escaped. All troops return to your stations immediately." Kanan took the com back, opening the one way to see if anyone adhered to the order. Victory was theirs when numerous confirmation orders shared from trooper to trooper. They were dispersing.

"Very good." Katerina mockingly cooed, patting Kallus on the head. Huh. He has soft hair."Let's get out of here." She told Kanan. She hauled Ezra onto his back, keeping him balanced as he stood.

"Katerina Dume." The Inquisitor's call stopped her, bringing her to face him anxiously. "That is your name, correct?" Her swallowing told him yes. "I look forward to our next encounter." He was baiting her again. She didn't give him the satisfaction of a reply, refusing to acknowledge he was getting to her. She pushed Kanan along, and they vanished without a trace.

"How are we explaining this one to Minister Tua?" Kallus brought the full curtain down on their situation. The Inquisitor rolled his eyes, not concerned a lick about that woman.

xxx

The return to the Ghost was met with gasps of shock, horror, and worry. And questions as to what happened to the other speeder. Kanan, having joined the party late, wanted to know where that speeder went too. Ezra was starting to come to by the time they arrived home. He and Katerina swore to explain...after they got some ice for their heads.

Adjourning to the lounge, Zeb and Sabine tended to Ezra and Katerina's wounds while they explained what all went down. To sum it up, they went to eat and learned too little too late that Tua was holding a rally to compensate for the disaster on Empire Day. Troopers were everywhere, one of them recognized them and they were on a race through the town to escape. The speeder got blown up, Kallus and The Inquisitor cornered them in that warehouse, they fought until they were on their last leg. Kanan showed up, and here they are thousands of bruises later. What really caused this whole mess was that Katerina and Ezra knew nothing about the rally. Lateen at the diner said The Empire kept it quiet. And that was pretty much it.

During their cliff note version of the tale, Hera was rummaging through her contacts and the net to confirm their story about the secret rally. There was an uncomfortable silence that was poked at by winces of pain. Zeb and Sabine did not have delicate touches. Hera groaned defeatedly. "I scoured the net up, down, and sideways. There really is no mentioning of the rally Tua attended." Which brought an air of failure around her too. "I asked Fulcrum to look into it, but so far nothing is coming up."

"What a stroke of bad luck." Zeb shook his head. He brushed Katerina's hair back lovingly. "I'm just glad you both are alright. All things considering."

"Thanks, Zeb." She hissed in pain when he wrapped her hand. She unknowingly cut herself grabbing that shard. "I'm just glad Kanan showed up when he did." She said graciously.

"So am I." His reply was accusatory and grim, taking everyone aback. Except for Hera.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Katerina asked hurt.

"Just that I hoped you would have exercised better judgement than engaging Kallus AND the Inquisitor!" He paced about, drilling fingertips into his skull with outrage. He jerked a hand figuratively at the aforementioned pair. Katerina gawked at him absolutely gobsmacked. He's really blaming her for this mess! "Did you really think you two could take them?!"

"First of all, CALEB," Katerina shot to her feet, shoving her way to him, "It wasn't my idea to fight them! We were chased all around the city and lured to that warehouse BY THEM!" Did he completely miss the part of the story where they were being boxed in? Because it sounds like he only heard what he wanted, and is now making her responsible for it ALL! The trap, the troopers, the Inquisitor and Kallus - all of it! "I was trying to get us to an exit!" She stressed, pressing her fingers to her chest.

"It's true, Kanan!" Ezra batted in her corner. "We were trying to escape! The Empire blocked us in!"

"You wouldn't have been blocked in if you had just stayed here!" He snapped. He acknowledged Ezra, but his sole focus of his anger was at Katerina. "Going off on your own?! Have you two forgotten that we're being hunted?!" Katerina grit her teeth, balling fists that were dangerously close to going off.

"Kanan, that's not fair!" Sabine stepped in. "Hera just said there was no way they could have known the Empire's presence would be so thick!" And who is he to get mad! They've all gone in without all the information in the past! How many of their missions ended up with them being chased by troopers they haven't noticed? Sabine will need a lot more than a week to compile that list.

"I'm not talking about that!" He dismissed her, towering to Katerina. "I'm talking about how you could have gotten Ezra killed today!" He jabbed two fingers at Katerina.

"I would never have allowed anything to happen to him!" She growled rabidly. How dare he assume she would have let him die?!

"Oh really?!" He scoffed with a malicious grin. "And what was your plan had I not arrived? You didn't have one, did you?"

"So what you're trying to tell me is," She closed her eyes, approaching him with drumming fingertips, "Because you're the big, bad Jedi Master," Which she said with flamboyant, sarcastic palm bobs, "The situation would have gone totally different!" She came within an inch of him, locking an electrified glare with him. "That you would have beaten the Anti-Jedi and Imperial Lap Dog without breaking a sweat!" She had to laugh too. "Do you have any idea how idiotic that is?!"

"Don't forget that I had to protect you as a kid!" He put a finger in her face.

"Don't forget that I survived 15 years without you!" She gripped his wrist, putting that finger in his nose. "Don't go assuming I'm still that small child that needed you every five seconds! And don't treat Ezra like one either!" Because she knows that where this is going. "We all outgrow our elders, Kanan!"

"Ezra's my student! I'll decide what's best for him!"

"A student you kept running from until Hera and I twisted your arm!" Hera and Ezra's jaws dropped eyes wide as their eyes. Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper cringed vocally, feeling that supreme burn. "I saw him tap into a potential he wouldn't have reached with your half assed teachings!"

Kanan hunched his shoulders, growling utterly enraged. He balled his fists. "You're not a real Jedi! So stop trying to be one!" He yelled at the top of his lungs.

"You're not a real Master! So stop trying to be one!" Kanan punched her across the cheek. Katerina didn't bother being shocked and returned one of her own to his cheek. Kanan shoved her by the shoulders. Katerina dug in her heels shoving back.

"WHOA-WHOA-WHOA!" Zeb bellowed. The entire Ghost Crew jumped in. "BREAK IT UP!" Zeb and Ezra pried Kanan off while Sabine and Hera dragged Katerina away. Kanan got in a last punch, and Katerina was able to kick his groin. Chopper got in the middle, spreading his electifired prongs. They come any closer and he's administering electroshock therapy.

"ALRIGHT! ENOUGH!" Hera bellowed, arms raised as she got in the middle. "Both of you need to walk away now, or so help me I will shoot both of you myself!" Katerina and Kanan were fuming like rabdi animals. Both heard her warning, but were out for blood. "GO! NOW!" She screamed one last time.

"Riina...c'mon." Sabine insisted, edging her for the door. Zeb had to break from Kanan cautiously in order to lead Katerina out the door. Chopper rolled backwards, guarding Kanan and Katerina from surprise attacks. He closed the door, letting Katerina get away a bit.

Ezra released Kanan, watching him fall to a chair in fury. "Kanan, none of this was her fault!"

"I'm not having this discussion with you!" He dismissed.

"You don't want to discuss anything with me! You want to treat me like a kid, yet always yell at me for not being mature!" And, guess what, after today, he's sick of it. "Riina treats me like the Jedi she sees me to be! And she nearly died today trying to make sure I grow into one!"

"Then why don't you go train with her, then?!" He blurted, sweeping a hand for the boy to take off.

"Maybe I will! She's not the one suddenly angry at our teammates for no reason!" He stormed off. The door slammed behind him.

Kanan's fury was subsiding at Ezra's words. No...reason. There...there is a reason...right? Yeah...she's...a clone. He stared pleadingly at Hera. She shook her head. She had nothing to say. Not to him anyway. It's time she got answers about Katerina, and Organa was going to give them! She took Chopper with her. He was happy to go. He had nothing more to say to Kanan either. Kanan reached for them, wanting to explain. He was left alone in the lounge, falling further into misery. "I'm...I'm not...angry at her…" He sobbed, tears running down his face. "I'm angry...at...at…" Who is he angry at? The Kaminoans for making her? The Jedi...because they must have known? The clones? The bounty hunter the clones are modeled after? ...Himself…? He should figure it out soon. He's falling into self-destruction. He's...about to lose his sister. If he hasn't already.

To be continued. The Lando Calrissian chapter is next!