Hey everyone. I'm going to keep this short and simple since it's midnight for me. Enjoy the new chapter, yada yada, talk with you all again once I get back from camp. ;D Enjoy!
Q/A's and Reactions:
Chiibe the Rebel- So much fluff! I think you'll like the end of this chapter then. ;)
Taylor Fireheart- I'm so glad you enjoyed it! ;D
Jessie KI- Thankfully I was in the mood today, so you didn't have to wait as long. :D
Jelsa777- I'm so glad to hear that! :D
StarWarsUnited- I know right. Kanan is such a space dad. ;D
Guest- XD Enjoy the chapter!
Azulablue92- XD I know right? He's like "DON'T FORGET MAH FOOD!" Don't worry, we'll have a Sabine and Ezra chapter soon-ish. And we're planning to travel Australia late January next year, and hopefully by then I have an Instagram so we can stay in touch man. ;D
DevilSPR- Totally. After being in a coma for 2 weeks, I think he'd be pretty hungry for some real food. ;D
Coral Iturbe- Me alegro de que estés disfrutando hasta ahora! Tendremos que ver qué pasa en el tiempo! :D
AnimeAngel- Don't worry, I totally understand. I've been really busy lately, but I'm glad I could get this chapter out before I leave for camp! :D
Fantasie Adventura Dreamwriter- This chapter is actually kind of like that, but I really like that idea. I think I'll use that in future chapters. ;D
Phoenix's Crystal Lightsaber- Yes! It is a miracle! XD
Rebels Lover- Wow… wow… *Brain explodes* I think you just broke the record for longest review ever. XD Don't worry dude, I love to read your reviews! As for all those questions… I might answer them in private messaging if you really want me to answer them, but right I really need to sleep. I promise when I have more time I'll answer this review in full. In the meantime, enjoy the chapter! :D
TheChosenjedi142- Aw, thanks so much for your support! I really appreciate it! :D
Midnight Luna- XD To clarify, when it says she cradled him, it doesn't mean she physically cradled him like a baby. Just like, you know, held him in her embrace sorta thing. ;D I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Guest- I'm so glad you like it!
Gracie- Awesome! Glad you're enjoying it so far! I can't wait for the 'Always two there are' episode. It's going to be amazing!
Sabine Wren 857- You'll have to find out if he remembers. ;D
Diamond Erosion- I hope you enjoy the chapter and… welcome to the fandom! :D
Trypy- Totally. It would be sooo much easier to turn him to the dark side right now. ;D
Chapter 5: Nightmare
Ezra's POV
Everything was dark, and eerily quiet. Thoughts skidded to a halt as my mind relaxed and slowed down after the day's busy events. It was only now and here did I feel a serene calm and peace wash over me, unlike everything else in reality which was confusing and confronting from ever since I could remember. Which in all honestly, wasn't very long.
I remembered the strange metal person check over me quickly and with little conversation, before handing me a pair of white shorts and a shirt and leading me into the next room. Then I remembered seeing Kanan, who seemed to be fast asleep on one of the chairs. So, I went and joined him, curling up next to his sleeping form and trying to sap some of his calming warmth. Then Hera came in and took me back to the Ghost, fed me a light snack and then tucked me into bed.
Solid ground formed under the soles of my feet, mist swirling on the floor of this strange place. I looked around cautiously, fear seeping into my system once again. After a moment of complete silence besides my thudding heartbeat, a dim light pierced the surrounding shadows. I squinted, the light burning my eyes. Once my vision adjusted, I stepped closer towards the warmth that was radiating off the strange object. It looked like a star, floating gently above the unseen surface.
Reluctantly, I reached out my hand, an invisible force enticing me to hold it. Though when my fingers touched the blistering hot crystal, my vision was engulfed in a bright light. I gasped, the air being sucked out of my lungs as I stumbled backwards. Voices started screaming in my ears, bursting my ear drums and making my head ache painfully. I groaned in agony, collapsing onto my knees and clawing my skull helplessly.
But as quickly as it had started, the voices ceased and the light dimmed. I panted heavily, glancing around slowly and taking in my surroundings. I was surprised to see Kanan kneeling beside me, ducking behind a stack of crates as red, blurry lines streaked through the air. "Go! Lead the TIEs away and leave yourself manoeuvring room!" he yelled into a device in his hand.
"I am not leaving you behind!" a different voice replied.
Kanan glanced up, teal gaze fixing on something in the distance. "No you're not," he continued. "We're running a 22-pickup."
"Are you crazy?!" a new voice snapped. I glanced over Kanan to see a girl with colourful, painted clothing, slowly realising it to be the girl from before. What did she say her name was? Sa.. Satine?... Sabine? Something like that…
"Do you have a better option?" Kanan said grimly.
"Jump into the pit and get it over with?" a gravelly voice answered from behind. I jumped slightly, turning to face the big, furry creature who they called Zeb. Cold chills ran down my spine as my body moved on its own, turning back to Kanan and saying sarcastically "22-pickup? Care to let me in on the secret?"
"Kid, I'm about to let everyone in on the secret," he replied, standing up and stepping over the crates. I peeked over our cover, watching him curiously as men in white, shiny clothes and big buckets on their heads waited in a line in the distance. The red lines of light suddenly stopped, everyone going still except Kanan, who pulled something off his waist and twisted two cylinders together with a click. Then, with a defiant hiss, a blue stream jumped to life from the base and shimmered brilliantly. Everything went silent again, until a man in the distance ordered "Storm troopers, focus your fire on… on the jedi…"
Suddenly, there was another bright flash, my eyes stinging and head pounding, the ground underneath me crumbling into an endless pit. I tried to scream but my throat closed up. The rush of wind pummelled my skin as the horrendous sensation of falling registered in my mind. After a breath taking moment, my back slammed onto a hard surface, spots dotting my already blurry vision. I moaned, clutching my chest and opening my eyes a crack.
Shadows danced across the rocky, jagged ground, that all too familiar mist floating absently above the abyss. As my eyes adjusted, frequent gusts of wind slammed into my face, sending chills all throughout my veins. I pushed myself up with my elbows, glancing around quickly for any signs of danger. And just when I thought everything was okay, a deathly silence filled the area, the air becoming dense and cold as ice. I swallowed the lump in my throat while sweat starting to sprinkle my forehead.
A pair of light and heavy footsteps echoed through the darkness, becoming louder and louder, closer and closer. My limbs went rigid, holding my breath and staring at the fog with a fearful gaze. Suddenly, two figures walked out of the shadows and into the dim light. I gasped. "S-Sabine? Zeb?"
The two stared down at me since I was still sprawled out on my back. Zeb folded his arms and grunted while Sabine walked over, expression sorrow. "You have to remember us… Tell me you remember us!" she pleaded, tears welling in her amber eyes.
My eyes widened, thoughts hazing over and words catching in my throat. "But… I-I don't," I stuttered nervously, unable to escape her desperate gaze. The tears finally spilled down her cheeks, a muffled sob slipping through her lips.
"Forget it Sabine," Zeb muttered, rolling his eyes lazily. "He won't remember. He's no good to us anymore."
It was like a knife had struck my heart. Why was he angry at me? It wasn't my fault I couldn't remember. It wasn't my fault I'd been in that accident… or… was it? I didn't really know. Sabine nodded slowly, eyes vacant as she stepped back towards Zeb. I reached out a hand and grunted "Wait!" But Zeb placed his large hand on her shoulder encouragingly, eyes narrowing in my direction. "He's not Ezra," Zeb growled. "And he never will be."
Before I even had time to react, a blood curdling scream pierced the air. Everyone froze. "D-Did you hear that?" Sabine mumbled nervously.
"Hera," Zeb whispered absently, staring up at the sky with a haunted expression.
Suddenly, Sabine gasped, her body lifting till she was hovering above the ground. She clawed at her neck helplessly, skin going pale and legs kicking furiously. "Sabine!" Zeb called helplessly, unsure what do to as the girl was choked by an invisible force. She let out strangled gasps until finally going limp, eyes rolling into the back of her head and releasing one final sigh. Her body collapsed to the ground, Zeb and I staring at her lifeless form in horror.
A familiar hiss sliced through the air, followed by Zeb's agonising cry. I glanced up at the beast to see a red, shining beam protruding out of his chest, his expression a mixture of pain and awe. My eyes widened in fear, mouth gaping open and closed like a fish. Suddenly, his muscles relaxed and eyelids drooped, his hulking body crumpling onto the ground in a heap. "Zeb!" I called desperately, voice hitching. I stared at him with wide eyes, my heart skipping a beat when he went completely limp.
"A shame, isn't it boy?" a cold, monotone voice taunted.
I looked up and past Zeb's corpse to see a tall, nightmare-like creature. He had white, pointy teeth that pulled into a cruel smile, black, empty eyes with sickly gold irises. Red tattoos laced his grey skin, shiny armour strapped across his chest, arms and legs. The man walked casually closer, stepping over Zeb's body as if it was nothing. "I would have expected more of a fight. Well, at least the Twi'lek was more fun to toy with," he snickered.
I scrambled backwards, breathing becoming rapid and sweat forming in my palms. "S-Stay back!" I stuttered.
He laughed menacingly, replying "Now, where's the fun in that?"
The fog that had been swirling at our feet suddenly slithered towards me, wrapping around my wrists and ankles tightly. The mist became solid, chaining me down to the rocky floor and restraining me from escaping. I panted, trying to yank my arms out of the strange hold but with little success. "Don't worry little Jedi, I won't kill you… yet," he smirked, bending down so we were eye level. I clenched my eyes shut and shook my head when he grasped my chin with bony, firm fingers and tilted my face so I stared into his hollow gaze. "I'll kill your precious Master first," he grinned.
I let out a whimper, eyes beginning to sting again as tears welled in my eyes. "Ezra!" a voice called through the shadows. Both I and the evil man turned towards the source just as Kanan burst into the light. He was quick to take in the situation, pulling the two cylinders off his belt from before and igniting what he had called the 'lightsaber'. From what he'd shown me, they were pretty deadly. "Step away from him!" Kanan snapped.
The stranger activated his own saber, the cherry red blade illuminating against my skin. He chuckled lightly, saying "Make me."
Kanan bared his teeth, roaring a fierce battle cry and charging forward. The man raised his own blade to attack, but suddenly, when the two colours collided, the darkness swarmed in and filled my vision. The voices started screaming in my ears again, my blood heating up until it burnt like lava. Sweat trailed over my skin, my stomach cramping and head pounding.
I gasped, jolting upright and slamming my skull on the roof. I moaned, rubbing my head and regaining my senses. Glancing around, I was relieved to find I was back in my room, safe and sound. 'Just a dream,' I reassured myself, though not completely confident. I clutched my chest, mouth dry and clammy while my bed remained drenched in sweat. Slowly, I pulled off my covers and climbed down the top bunk, my toes gripping onto the cold, metal ladder. I was about to head for the door, when I hesitated and remained still. What if I had never left the dream? What if that nightmare man lurked behind the door? What if he killed everyone again?
I stepped away, the shadows in the room sending chills down my spine. I jumped in surprising when hearing Zeb's snore, twisting around to see him lying on his side in deep slumber. Then an idea hit me. Cautiously, I crept up to beside his bed and slipped under the blankets. Zeb stirred slightly, but undeterred, I snuggled closer next to him, curling into a ball. Finally, he snapped out of his sleep and grumbled "W-What?"
He shifted around, lime green eyes staring down at me in confusion. "Kid?" he asked drowsily.
I didn't reply, afraid he would be angry like in my dream. But after a moment, I mumbled "I-I had a nightmare."
He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "It was just a dream. Now get outta my bed."
My eyes widened. "Please?!" I pleaded, one hand grasping onto the course fur on his arm. My cheeks flushed red, head bowing. After a quiet moment, I admitted quietly "I-I'm scared."
All went silent, until Zeb sighed in defeat and answered "Fine. But for tonight only."
"Thank you," I smiled, nuzzling my head into his chest. He stiffened at first, until slowly slinging an arm over my side and patting my back reassuringly. "It's okay Kid," he whispered, yawning slightly. "Just get some rest. You'll be fine."
I closed my eyes, a smile pulling at my lips. Wrapped in his embrace, I felt calm. Confident. Safe. His warmth warded off any chills from my nightmares, and his steady breathing reminded me I wasn't alone. And for the rest of the night, I slept safe and sound. And all thanks to Zeb. Yep. I was pretty lucky to have a big brother like him…
Hey guys! Wow, I'm really tired at the moment, but as some of my regulars might remember, it's that time of year again. I'm heading off the camp for a little less than a week, and I leave tomorrow. But I wanted to make sure I left you guys with a new chapter first. ;D I hope you enjoyed and may the force be with you, always!
-Superherotiger