Hey guys! Wow! Can you believe how long it's been? I haven't updated anything in AGES! Especially a certain few that I haven't done in 2-3 months. O.o
But, that's why I devised a brilliant plan! A few weeks ago, I told you I went to camp. I did, (and it was super fun!) but then I've been using every other day since to work on a new chapter for every story that I have in progress! Yep. Starting today, there will be a marathon of all my stories, a new chapter every day! That way everyone's happy! :D I really hope you enjoy the chapter guys, and if you read any of my other stories, I hope you enjoy the little marathon. ;D
Q/A's:
Is the Grand Inquisitor still alive in this story?
No. This story is at the most recent point in the time line. So, he's met the two other Inquisitors before, met Rex, and so on. I hope that helps! :D
Reactions:
Chiibe the Rebel- I'm glad you've been enjoying it so far! :D And sorry for such a long wait.
Ichichi05- Yeah, I love brotherly moments between those two.
StarWarsUnited- I feel you. I'm obsessed with star wars sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! I love it times infinity! :D
Fantasie Adventura Dreamwriter- Zeb's just a big softy on this inside! :D
Gracie- I'm so glad to hear you liked it, and yeah, I absolutely loved 'Always two there are'! I saw 'Stealth Strike' a few days ago, and that's honestly my new favourite episode of star wars rebels so far! :D
Azulablue- Thanks for your amazing support and patience my friend! I really appreciate it. Every time I see you review it makes me smile and brightens my day. So, I hope you enjoy this chapter and that it lives up to your expectations. :D
Hadesgirl015- Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!
DevilSPR- Brothers are pretty amazing like that. :D
Jessie KI- I had a great time at camp, thanks! :D I'm glad to get back to updating though.
AnimeAngel- Brother bonding is the best! :D
Zjhetalia1989- :D Glad you liked it!
Ezraismybae- Yeah, it was hard to write that scene. :(
Starwarsrebels- Me too! I love it when those two bond!
Rebels Lover- I'm so glad you liked it! And sorry for the long wait. :( And yes, Ezra's nightmare about Zeb and Sabine was because he felt guilty about not remembering who he was. Like it was all his fault and that they wouldn't want him anymore since he had amnesia.
Jesla777- I'm so glad you liked it! I love brotherly fluff as well. :D
Midnight Luna- XD Yeah, I was writing Sabine's name once and I accidentally used 't' instead of 'b' and I was like "Ha ha. I've got to use that at some point in one of my stories." XD
ElsaSkywalker- Thank you so much for your amazing patience! I hope this chapter can make up for the wait, and I hope you enjoy! :D
Mpathy- Yeah, he's so sweet! :D
FandomFanGirl4- Aw, thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you had a great birthday, and if you enjoy my other stories, you'll enjoy my marathon that I'm having, starting today. ;D
Coral Iturbe- Estoy tan contenta de que te haya gustado !
Thunder Angel13- So glad you liked it! Hopefully you like this one too! :D
Seems Pretty Legit- :D Awesome!
Alex Jarrus- :D Thank you so much! You don't know how much that review meant to me. I was actually feeling a bit down around that time, but then I read your review and now I feel motivated again! Thank you so much for your support, I appreciate it greatly! :D
DisneyandWildKrattfangirl- :D I'm glad you've been enjoying it so far!
Chapter 6: Morning
Kanan's POV
My eyelids slid open, a bright light scorching my eyes momentarily. I groaned, letting my vision focus and my mind register my surroundings. I found myself sitting inside the waiting room of the rebellion's med-bay, a blanket draped loosely over my body. Pushing myself up, my muscles ached and neck creaked, my mouth dry and clammy. Slowly, I remembered what had happened. How Ezra was getting a check-up, and how I must have fallen asleep…
Oh no! I forgot Ezra!
I quickly jolted up, sprinting into the med-bay and searching quickly for my padawan. But all I found was the medic droid who was charging up next to the wall. I sped-walked towards it, worry starting to settle in the pit of my stomach. "Hey," I said, nudging his metal shoulder gently. "Hey, wake up!"
The droid's eyes flickered and glowed yellow, body raising into an upright position. "H-H-Hello sir," he replied robotically. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Where's Ezra?" I asked hurriedly.
The droid didn't reply at first, numbers flashing across his screen before stating "Patient was assessed and released 11 hours ago."
My eyes widened. 11 hours ago?! "What?!"
"I said patient was assessed and releas-"
"Where is he!?" I cut him off.
He stared at me blankly, head lolling to one side. "No need to be rude sir," he said, a hint of annoyance underlying his tone. If that was even possible for a droid.
I groaned exasperatedly, my patience wearing thin. "Just tell me what happened!"
The droid waved his hand nonchalantly and answered "The boy's health was fine besides the wound on his head. After the examination, he entered the waiting room, where you said you'd be waiting. Technically, he became your responsibility the moment he exited the med-bay."
I frowned, frustration and guilt spreading within. "Maybe if you had been paying attention you wouldn't have lost him," he added sarcastically.
My lips pulled into a scowl, teal eyes narrowing. "It wasn't my fault!" I snapped defensively, twisting on my heel and heading for the door.
Just as I exited the room, I heard the droid scoff and mutter "Humans. Pfft. No respect."
I ran down the corridors, soldiers and rebels exiting their cabins and beginning their daily routines. My eyes scanned each face desperately, searching for the distraught and fragile teenager that was possibly roaming this vast maze of a ship. People stepped to the side whenever I bolted down the halls, pressing their backs to the wall and watching me with shock and curiosity. C'mon! C'mon! Where could this kid be!
I twisted around a corner and immediately slammed into someone, stumbling backwards onto the ground. My head was spinning, vision blurred. Propping myself up on my elbows, I glanced up to see who I'd collided into. My eyes widened. "Ahsoka!" I exclaimed, standing up and offering a hand. "I am so sorry!"
The Togruta rubbed her head, opening her eyes and staring up at me with disoriented blue orbs. She groaned, but willingly accepted my hand. "In a little bit of a rush I see," she chuckled.
I shot her an apologetic smile, making sure she'd regained her balance before replying "Sorry… I-I'm just looking for Ezra. Have you seen him?"
"He was lying down next to you last I saw," she answered casually. "Why?"
I wasn't around long enough to answer since I was already sprinting through the corridors again, and more specifically this time, heading for the Ghost. There was no way I could search the entire ship by myself, and Ahsoka had just confirmed that Ezra had wandered off somewhere. But Hera would know what to do. She always knows what to do.
As I bolted into the Ghost's docking bay and manoeuvred myself up the ladder, I yelled "Hera! Hera!" I ran down the hall and heard voices coming from the common room, immediately scrambling in and startling Hera and Zeb simultaneously. "Hera!" I exclaimed. "Ezra! He's-"
"Right here," Zeb cut me off, gesturing to the circular table in the corner.
I turned slowly, surprised to see the young boy sitting at the table and scribbling on paper creatively. He glanced up at me from behind his blue bangs and smiled weakly, giving a short wave. My mouth gaped open and closed in shock, staring at him in disbelief from the fact he was here the whole time. When I snapped out of my surprise, I face palmed myself once realising how stupid I must have looked to Ahsoka, the crew, the rebel fleet and even the medic droid.
"Is everything alright hun?" Hera giggled, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I sighed. "It's a long story. What have you all been up to?"
"Sabine is cooking breakfast at the moment, and she gave Ezra some pencils and paper to keep himself occupied," she explained, smiling softly.
I nodded, before asking quietly so only she could hear "And his amnesia?"
Her expression darkened. "I'm not sure… But he's still a bit jumpy and sensitive though so… just be gentle. Yeah?"
I nodded in understanding, turning back to face the boy and walking over to him. "Hey Ezra," I greeted. He glanced up from his drawings and blinked slowly, before flashing me a smile of recognition and returning back to his art. I lowered myself to sit down beside him, watching curiously as he scribbled away at a piece of paper. "What're you drawing?" I asked.
He bit the end of the red pencil, gnashing it gently in his jaws before glancing up at me. Slowly and reluctantly, he removed the paper from under his arm and slid it closer towards me. I examined the figure carefully, and even though it was crudely drawn, it was the unmistakable figure of the Inquisitor. My eyes widened as I took in all his features. Sharp, white teeth. Piercing, yellow eyes. Red tattoos burnt onto grey, pale skin… Everything was so… correct… But how?! Ezra had amnesia! There was no way he could have remembered the Inquisitor, could he?!
"H-How… W-Why… what…?" I stuttered awkwardly.
Ezra tapped on the paper a few times, shaking his head rapidly and saying "Bad man from my nightmare last night."
I immediately perked up. "Nightmare?"
He hummed a yes, nodding his head like a dog. I shifted in my position to face him more directly, probing "Tell me about your nightmare."
His eyes went vacant, and his lips pulled into a thin line. All was silent for a moment, until he turned back to the table and pulled out some other sheets of paper that he'd already drawn on. Shuffling closer towards me, he clasped specific pictures and placed them out in front of me. He pointed to one, which had a green, grey and brown man standing in the middle, a blue line streaking out of his hand. To the man's right were a wall of crates, with three shadowed figures watching from behind. And to the left of the page were white and black figures, crouching and watching the man intently. In the background, a gem shaped object soared through the murky, brown sky, pursued by rough outlines of TIE fighters. The scene was chaotic, but vaguely familiar.
Ezra poked my arm, then pointed to the green, grey and brown figure. "You," he explained.
Suddenly it twigged in my mind that the man in the middle was me, and the blue line was my lightsaber. The shadowed figures were the crew, and the others were Stormtroopers. "…What's all this?" I asked after a moment of astonishment and confusion.
He tapped his lip with a finger for a moment, before replying "I'm not sure. You used your light sword thingy and the bucket guys were firing red lines through the air. You told Mum to run a… 2… 22 pick-up? Or something like that."
I stared at the picture for a moment longer, until the puzzle pieces all snapped together. My eyes widened. The spice mines of Kessel? The Stormtroopers? My identity? How did he…?
"Your dream," I continued. "What else happened?"
His brow furrowed, reaching for another paper and holding it up. "Bad man hurt family," he muttered, pointing to a shadowed scene, a dim light cascading through the darkness. The Inquisitor was poised over Ezra, a cherry red blade shimmering from his lightsaber while the boy lay restrained to the floor with chains. A large, purple clump was sprawled behind them, and beside that was an orange and yellow blob. "So the Inquisi… I mean, the 'scary man' attacked you and everyone else?" I asked cautiously.
Ezra nodded slowly, expression glazed over and emotionless. "He hurt Mommy…" he murmured absently, eyes watering. "…And chocked Sabine… and stabbed big-brother Zeb…" His voice was hitching and with every word his breaths became strangled. The room became deathly silent. I could sense everyone's emotions like a flood pummelling down on me. Hera's sorrowful sympathy. Zeb's tense worry. Even Ezra's intense fear. Each emotion collided with the other forcefully, causing a hectic hurricane in the force.
After a moment, Ezra scrubbed at his eyes and shook his head. "But it was just a nightmare," he muttered. "Just a dream…"
I had to swallow deeply to moisten my dry throat, before replying quietly "Ezra. I think that was a lot more than a dream."
He glanced up at me, tilting his head slightly in confusion. I looked over at Hera, who was watching us with vacant eyes while Zeb paused from cleaning his bo-rifle to listen curiously. Sucking in a deep breath, I turned back to the waiting boy and started "Ezra… I think those dreams… were actually memories…"
His electric blue eyes widened. "W-What?" he stuttered. His anxiety spiked up through the force, making me realise that I was treading a thin line here.
"I mean… uh," I mumbled, before grabbing Ezra's drawing of us at the Spice Mines of Kessel and holding it up to him. "This. This actually happened. A few months ago, when you first met us."
"And the bad man?" he questioned, swallowing deeply as his eyes became hollow and cold.
I hesitated, before answering slowly "His name was the Inquisitor… he tried to hunt as down and… well…"
The colour drained from the boy's face, sweat forming on his brow. His hands were trembling and fear glazed over his eyes. "Ezra?" I asked, reaching a hand out. With one hand, the teen clutched his stomach and with the other he covered his mouth. "I don't feel well," he moaned, leaning over and resting his head on the table.
Hera was quick to strut over, grasping Ezra's hand and leading him away from the table. Ezra burrowed his head into the crook of her neck and sobbed, hugging his waist as he started to dry heave. "Why didn't… you tell me… he was real!" he wailed in distress.
"No, no, no Hun, it's not like that," Hera cooed, combing her fingers through his mop of blue hair. "It's okay. Just calm down. It's okay. You're safe. Shh."
I stood up and approached the two, Hera glaring at me for a split second before returning her attention back to the distraught teen. She had wrapped him protectively in her embrace while he continued to let out his emotions flood out. "Ezra, listen to me," she whispered into his ear soothingly, rubbing his back in comforting circles. "Yes, he was real. But he's dead. And he can't hurt you anymore… he can't hurt you anymore… you're safe…"
Slowly but surely, Ezra began to calm down, resting gently in Hera's warmth and care. The two stayed like that for a moment, before Hera pulled back and smiled encouragingly. "Better?" she asked, wiping the tears off his cheeks with her thumbs.
The boy nodded in response, eyes puffy and skin still slightly pale. "Sorry," he mumbled, bowing his head. "He was just so scary in my dream and… just the thought of him being real made me feel ill."
"I know Hun," Hera said, brushing stray hairs out of his face. "But remember, he's not alive anymore. He can't hurt you, and he can't hurt us. Everyone's safe."
Ezra stared blankly, but didn't respond. I walked up from behind, placing my hand gently on his shoulder and turning him around. Grasping his shoulders, I lowered myself onto my knee so we were eye level. We exchanged a silent gaze, concerned teal crossing with fearful blue. "Ezra," I started quietly. I held one of his hands, lifting it up to the side of his face where two scars still remained from our final battle with the Inquisitor. "You feel that?" I asked.
He nodded slowly as his fingers trailed over the distinctive marks. "Yes," he replied, voice hoarse and rough.
I smiled weakly. "Good. You may not remember these scars, but the day you got them, you fought right beside me against the Inquisitor. And you were so strong… so brave."
He bowed his head, scuffing the heel of his shoe on the floor. "I don't feel very brave," he muttered.
"I know you may not feel that way, but you are," I reassured. "I was so proud of you. And even though you were afraid, you still helped. So whenever you think you're scared, or not strong enough, just remember these marks…" I trailed off, an indescribable pain hitting my chest as memories of how he'd almost died flashed across my vision. How he'd laid limp on the lower catwalk, and his signature was slowly slipping through my grasp my like sand.
I took a deep breath, pushing the pain down before continuing "… Remember how you're strong in our eyes, and how you can come to us whenever you're afraid. You got that?"
His features brightened, a smile pulling at his lips. Life and electricity rushed back into his eyes, the fear seeping out of him and replaced with joy. He flung his arms around my neck, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. My eyes widened from shock, a muffled gasp escaping my lips. "Thank you," he whispered softly.
I seemed to be frozen in place, unsure what to do in this foreign situation. I glanced at Hera for support to see she was grinning gleefully, watching the scene with amusement. She did a hugging motion with her arms, gesturing for me to do the same. Reluctantly, I placed my arms around his figure, patting his back reassuringly. At first I wasn't sure how the boy would react, but he surprisingly melted further into the embrace, nuzzling his head up against mine. Hera giggled, Zeb smirked, and Sabine, who had just walked out of the kitchen, stared at us curiously. She cleared her throat loudly, saying "Am I interrupting?"
Blood rushed to my cheeks as I pulled Ezra back and stood up, rubbing the back of my neck bashfully. "N-No… is breakfast ready?" I asked, trying to divert the conversation.
The girl smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "In fact, it is. So hurry up before it gets cold," she stated, waving her hand and walking back into the dining area. Zeb was unsurprisingly first to follow, Hera leading Ezra over encouragingly. "Come on. Sabine made your favourite," she smiled as I trailed behind them.
Ezra's expression seemed to go blank again. "Favourite?" he repeated awkwardly, tension lacing his tone.
"Oh, sorry," Hera apologised as she gestured for him to sit down at the table beside Zeb. "Your favourite food used to be bacon and eggs. Sabine always makes it the best, so I think you'll enjoy."
His eyes were vacant, until glancing up at Hera and mustering a fake smile. "I'm sure I will," he replied joyfully, though his anxiety through the force told otherwise.
I raised a brow, but decided to not push him. He was still extremely fragile, and as evident from what happened when I talked about the Inquisitor, some things were just a bit too much at the moment. I slid into the booth beside Hera and watched him suspiciously, wishing I could tell him everything and have the old Ezra back. But the boy seemed to be aware of my watchful eye, staring right back at me with glazed over orbs.
"Ezra," Hera leant forward, breaking our unofficial staring contest. "Why didn't you come to one of us when you had your nightmare?"
"I did," he answered calmly. "Zeb let me sleep with him after I woke up."
And suddenly, all eyes adverted to the Lasat, who had wide eyes and a blank expression. He gulped, glancing at us nervously. "W-What?" he stuttered.
"You actually let the kid bunk with you?" Sabine asked in disbelief.
Zeb blushed, scratching his head and replying "Y-Yeah… what's the biggie?"
Sabine scoffed, bringing the freshly cooked food to the table and stating "Who'd have guess you had a soft spot, huh?"
Zeb slammed a hand on the table, protesting "The kid was scared! I couldn't not let him stay!"
"I think it's sweet," Hera smiled.
Zeb's face went bright red with embarrassment, Ezra smiling and adding "You're a good big brother."
The girls both giggled, Zeb's eyes widening in shock. "Kid, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm not your…" the Lasat trailed off, staring down into Ezra's innocent eyes. A mental war seemed to be raging on in Zeb's green orbs, Ezra staring childishly up at his thought-to-be-brother. The two stayed like that for a moment, until Zeb groaned and let his shoulders slump. "Never mind," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Sabine placed the bacon and eggs in the middle of the table, allowing everyone access to scoop some up and chow down. Hera made sure that Ezra got some first though, a hopeful glint in her eye as she watched him eat his breakfast. He ate it casually, before becoming uncomfortable when realising Hera's stare. I nudged her knee from under the table, clearing my throat loudly to get her to stop. Thankfully, she snapped out of her little trance and began to eat her own food. "So, what'd you think?" Sabine asked, though it seemed to be more directed at Ezra.
"It's good," the boy spoke through a mouthful.
Sabine frowned. "Not familiar?" she probed expectantly.
He swallowed deeply and stayed silent. Something was definitely off. His fear and anxiety seemed to spike up whenever someone mentioned his memories or anything related to his forgotten childhood. It was just so… off.
"I-I mean… uh… I liked it… a lot?" he said finally, though it came out awkward and strained.
Sabine's expression darkened, taking a seat around the table and grabbing her share of breakfast without another word. A deep seeded pain trickled into the bond from Ezra as he bowed his head and continued his meal blankly. I frowned, not fully understanding what was wrong. But then again, I would be pretty confused and afraid if I found out I had amnesia too. So, I decided not to look too deeply and instead just enjoy a full plate of hot, fresh food. Everyone was silent as we ate, no one daring to murmur a word. Once everyone had finished and the deathly silence still hung in the air, I glanced over at Ezra, who was staring at his plate with vacant, ghostly eyes. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to reach out to him again, brushing my signature gently against his through the force. The life seemed to poor back into his blue orbs as he blinked rapidly a few times and looked up, staring right back at me.
"Ezra. It's me. Kanan," I spoke through the force.
Ezra visibly flinched, but didn't reply. Good. At least I knew he could hear me. "Don't be afraid kid. It'll all make sense eventually," I reassured. "We'll all be here for you, no matter what. Trust me."
He sucked in a deep breath, releasing it slowly and giving a sharp nod. His nerves seemed to relax and his emotions shifted from fear to calm. I smiled, glad that my presence could sooth his troubled mind. And somehow, we were going to regain those precious memories again. I could just tell. If only there was some way for him to remember like he did in his dreams, then maybe…
An idea hit my mind, a mischievous grin pulling at my lips. "Kanan?" Hera asked with concern.
I simply smirked, standing up and heading for the door. "Oh no. What'd you have planned this time?" she quizzed sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
I glanced over my shoulder, smiling. "You'll see."
Meanwhile...
Kallus' POV
"Sir, scans are still coming up negative," a soldier reported.
I nodded, waving him away and staring out into the expanse of space blankly. What are you planning, rebels? No one had seen the Ghost crew for almost two weeks, with no reports or sightings since a transport incident. I frowned, stroking my chin and pondering to myself thoughtfully. This was very odd. Even for them.
"Lieutenant," I called.
A man quickly ran to my side, bowing slightly and asking "Yes Agent Kallus?"
"Give me that report on the last sighting of the rebels," I replied firmly. The man scurried away, returning a few moments later with a folder in his hands. I grasped the paper and scanned through them quickly, muttering to myself as I read. "Transport attacked… pilots dead… mountain collision… hmm… wait a minute… this is interesting. Lieutenant!"
The man nodded, awaiting my order as I whipped around and ordered "The report says the area in which the hi-jack occurred was under surveillance. Show me the footage."
He twisted on his heel, speed walking his way into the control room while I followed close behind. Typing something quickly onto the panel, a hologram image appeared of a burning wreckage of metal and equipment. Nearby, a small ship landed and opened up, a frantic, familiar Lasat and Jedi bolting out and towards the crash scene. "Ezra! Ezra!" They cried out between their coughs, searching desperately for something in the chaos. Suddenly, the Jedi lifted a large sheet of metal with his mystical powers and dumped it to the side, calling out "Zeb!" The Lasat barrelled over, gasping in shock before running forward and picking something up from under the rubble. "Pause," I snapped, the video freezing at my command.
I squinted, trying to make out the small, blurry figure in his arms. My eyes widened when I realised it was padawan 'Jabba', lying unconscious with blood stains all over his body.
And just like that, an unfamiliar joy filled my chest. I chuckled, stating "So the boy was injured. Good. The rebels will be weak now, just the way I want them."
I turned to the lieutenant and smiled a devious grin. "Set up more check-points and patrols. I want these rebels found, now!" I growled. The man nodded nervously, turning to leave. But not before I added "And if you find the boy, bring him to me. Alive."
Uh oh! The Empire's catching on! What will this mean for our rebels? And what does Kanan have planned? I guess you'll just have to find out in future chapters. ;D Thank you all so much for your amazing patience and support! I mean, over 100 reviews in 5 chapters? No words can describe how much I appreciate every single one of you! You're all amazing! :D May the force be with you, always!
-Superherotiger