Hello fellow rebels!

Oh my goodness guys! I'm so sorry for taking forever to update this one! I was having such writers block with all my stores, but especially this one. I think I've gotten over it though, and hopefully this chapter will make up for the excruciating wait! :D

I hope you all enjoy, and may the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger

Chapter 12: Sense

Ezra's POV

I stared blankly at the inky black expanse in front of me, marvelling in its beauty. Bright, dazzling stars twinkled far in the distance, while a huge, imposing ship called a 'Star Destroyer' glided past the glazed window. It was awe-inspiring watching the vessel slide by, it's movement so fluid and without flaw. A dark shadow cast over the Bridge for the slightest moment, before the ship finally moved from view and revealed the magnificent star scape beyond.

Suddenly there was a sharp pain in the back of my head, pressure building in my skull as I hesitantly clasped my hand over the wound. It stung at the contact but relieved the pounding headache that threatened to split my head in two.

The Imperial medics had tried their best to patch up the wound, but they explained that they couldn't do anything about the swelling or migraines. My best bet was just to take it easy, let nature take its course. Just like the rebel medics had told me…

I blinked rapidly a few times and scratched at my new clothes. A dark grey jumpsuit, shiny black boots and shoulder pads with the bold Imperial symbol branded onto it. The material rubbed against my skin uncomfortably and caused my skin to rash from time to time. Occasionally I found myself unbuttoning my collar so it wouldn't be so constrictive around my throat, only to be told off swiftly by other Imperial officers for my lack of presentation.

It had stung when they first told me off, but I was slowly growing more accustomed to their insults and remarks. Seven had been teaching me the art of thick skin, telling me to ignore their words and anything else that might cause trouble.

So for two weeks, or, maybe it was three, I felt my emotions stilling, features hardening.

I wore a scowl like all the other Imperials on this darkened ship, and when one tried to insult me they were rewarded with an equally sharp retort. No more being pushed around. No siree. I was no longer a fragile, incompetent boy, but a respected, powerful young soldier.

And oh, how amazing that power felt!

The whole galaxy was at my command, and those guilty and shameful emotions were no more. Ezra Bridger? No, I didn't have to be him any longer. What did it matter anyway? It was just a reminder of what I'd lost. But then again, was it really losing if you couldn't even remember what you'd lost in the first place?

It was freeing, not having to live up to that expectation anymore. But, I felt a strong shadow casting over my heart.

The need to understand and remember had not been satisfied, but temporarily quelled. Like just for a moment, it didn't matter.

But I knew deep down it did.

Raising my hand, I placed it gently on my chest with a strained exhale. I could sense an emptiness in me I'd never felt before. A swirling, endless pit.

It was missing the light. The light I had intentionally suppressed in the corner of my mind. I didn't want to remember, but I couldn't help the laughter from ringing in my head. Sometimes I still felt their warm touch on my shoulder, or the gentle brush of my hair. Sometimes I still saw him… still saw…

I shook my head abruptly and clenched my eyes shut. No! I need to forget them. Seven told me the truth, right? I'm on the right side now… I think? And what does it matter anyway? I'm here. I'm with the Empire now… And there's no turning back…

"Hey Ezra!" a warm voice chimed.

My eyes shot open and I twirled around with a grin, the weight lifting off my shoulders as I watched the approaching trooper. His armour was stark white like everyone else's, except for the fluorescent sky blue splatters on his right arm, shoulder and helmet.

I snickered. "I'm surprised you haven't gotten a new uniform yet," I spoke.

The trooper pulled off his helmet and glanced at me with cocky, hazel eyes, his short white hair standing out against his sun-kissed skin. "Nah, why would I change it?" he replied nonchalantly. "Besides, blue kinda suits me, don't you think?"

I laughed lightly, until both our gazes became entranced on the Imperial officer that stepped forward. The stuck up officer wore a deep frown as he addressed the trooper with a sneer "You don't have authority here, soldier RR-0K13. Get back to your station, before I report you to the captain."

"But-"

"Are you questioning me?!" he growled, causing the trooper to flinch slightly. "Maybe cleaning duties would be better suited to your skill set."

The trooper recoiled, but my brows furrowed, and I twisted the officer around abruptly and snapped "Maybe you should go shove a mop in your mouth, Sir."

He was shocked by my retort, but he didn't even have a chance to reply before I stood in front of the trooper protectively and stated "This one is with me. So if you've got a problem with him, you've got a problem with me."

His mouth hung open in awe, before he stuttered awkwardly "Uh… sir… please understand. W-We can't just let anyone into the bridge-"

"He's not just anyone, he's my guard," I spoke firmly. "And my friend."

"B-But-"

"Excuse me officer? Are you, questioning me?!" I snarled, jabbing my finger into his chest harshly. "Maybe I should tell the Seventh Sister about the disrespectful, arrogant officer on the bridge? Maybe she could solve the problem."

I could see sweat forming on his brow as he swallowed deeply. "N-No, t-that won't be necessary, Sir," he stammered nervously, fear prominent in his eyes.

"Good," I said, my words slow and deliberate as I explained "Now, my friend is going to stay here, and you're going to keep your mouth shut. Because if I hear a single murmur from you, I'll throw you in a cell for the rest of the day. Understood?"

The officer nodded blankly, before quickly scurrying away without another word.

I turned to the trooper who was watching me with an amused smirk, his gentle eyes gleaming in the artificial light. "Hey, remember when you used to be really shy and awkward Ridge?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes and punched his shoulder, replying light-heartedly "I just got you out of cleaning duty Rockie. You should be thankful."

"Oh, of course, your majesty," he mocked as he bowed down graciously. "How will this humble servant ever be able to repay your eternal generosity, m'lord?"

I tried hard to contain my laughter, but I still found myself bursting out as Rockie and I chuckled childishly. The other workers sitting at their stations all glanced at us from the corner of their eyes, confusion written on their faces. But the two of us didn't care. We just laughed ourselves into stitches as our joy radiated into the cold, stagnant air.

It took a few moments to recover, but once I was calm enough to look at the trooper with a straight face again I smiled warmly.

I had met Rockie on my third day in the ship. At that point I was still so confused and overwhelmed with emotion that I was hardly able to think straight anymore. My mind was racing and my heart was bleeding. And despite the fact I was supposedly 'back where I belonged' I still felt so… cold.

But then I met Rockie…

"This is the cargo hold," Seven explained as she toured me through the Star Destroyer.

I glanced around with wide eyes, amazed by how huge everything was. The cargo bay was bustling with activity. Droids rolled by as troopers raised large, heavy crates onto suspended platforms, with large clunky ships and mechanical cranes causing an almost rhythmic symphony of banging and crashing.

But, even the lively energy didn't stop the shiver from running up my spine.

I hugged my chest tightly and asked Seven "Why is it so cold in here?"

She glanced over her shoulder with a puzzled look, obviously not feeling the chilled temperate like I could. "Aren't you hot in all those layers though?" she asked in reference to the two imperial jackets I had wrapped around my torso and my double thickness gloves.

I shook my head and shuddered. "It's not h-helping. It's like I'm frozen… on the inside."

Her brows furrowed, but before showing her displeasure for two long she activated her mask and continued walking forward. "The cold you are feeling will not hard you child," she explained in her weird, augmented voice. "What you are feeling is natural. Good even."

I pressed my lips together tightly and bowed my head, trailing behind her obediently as I murmured "If you say so…"

As we continued on my mind grew adrift. And even though there were hundreds, probably thousands of people aboard this ship, I still felt incredibly lonely. No one really talked to one another, and people just had this robotic, emotionless attitude. Many of the ones dressed in white, called 'Storm-Doopers' or something like that, had their helmets on practically all the time. So sometimes I couldn't even tell the difference between a droid and a person!

My brows creased in frustration as my thoughts began to speed up again. Each question led to even more questions, sending my brain into overdrive. Like, if this was my true home, then why did people act like they'd never even heard of me before? And, if these people really did know me before, why weren't they actively trying to restore my memory like the Ghost crew had? And… if the crew had been the bad guys, and they were trying to trick me… then why did I miss them so much?

I grinded my teeth as I continued walking, not even focusing on where I was heading as sounds and voices began to blur out.

I missed the Ghost. I missed the crew. I missed my frie-

Suddenly I slammed into someone. There was a loud bang before I stumbled backwards, just managing to catch my balance before I fell. But my eyes grew wide in shock when I realised what I'd done. Two troopers had been carrying over a vat of some kind of bright blue fluid, but I had accidentally tripped one of them over in my moment of distraction, causing the vat to fall and its contents to be sloshed all over the floor.

The strange liquid spread like wildfire, covering the surface of the ground in a large puddle. But my attention was fixed on the poor trooper I'd knocked over as I quickly stumbled to his aid and pulled him onto his feet. "I'm so sorry sir! I-It was an accident, I swear," I apologised profusely.

The man rubbed his head with a groan, running his hand through his short white hair and opening his eyes slowly. He didn't look very old, maybe early twenties, with a broad figure and thick muscle set behind his armour.

I glanced around quickly before retrieving his helmet, lost during the commotion.

"Here's your helmet," I offered meekly, saying "Sorry. There's stuff all over it."

His disorientated hazel orbs finally focused on me, but instead of becoming enraged or upset like I'd expected, he just smiled warmly and took hold of his helmet. "It's okay. These things happen sometimes."

I shot him a guilty look, ashamed of the trouble I'd caused as I watched a set of troopers stepping forward to clean up the mess. Wincing, I turned back to the man as he quickly glanced over his stained armour, what once was polished and bright now splattered with fluorescent blue. "I'm so sorry," I repeated softly.

He glanced up and flashed me a cheeky grin, replying "Nah, I always wanted a paint job. White's just so bland, don't you think?"

Though shocked at first, I giggled at his joke. It was the first time I'd laughed since coming here.

"Ezra," a familiar voice interjected.

I quickly turned to Seven as she strode forward carefully, being sure to avoid any of the rogue trails of liquid that still lingered on the ground. She scowled slightly, spots of the liquid on her shiny black boots as she said "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I assured.

She nodded once before shifting her disappointed gaze to the trooper. "Did you cause this soldier?" she probed, her eyes narrowed into sharp slits.

"No!" I answered defensively, stepping forward and confessing "It was me, I accidentally bumped into him when I wasn't paying attention and made him trip. It wasn't his fault it was mi-"

Seven raised her hand calmly, cutting me short as she sighed with a shake of her head. "No matter then. The cleaning crew will sort out this mess. As for you trooper," she stated, shifting her piercing golden gaze back to the trooper. "I recommend you clean that coolant off quickly, before it permanently stains the armour."

He nodded sharply and saluted. "Right away ma'am."

I frowned, and just before seven walked off I called out "Seven… uh… um…"

She glanced over at me with an inquisitive expression, prying "Yes?"

Fidgeting awkwardly from foot to foot, I glanced at the soldier from the corner of my eye, who was watching me with just as much curiosity. "Uh… c-can this trooper stay with me?" I asked sheepishly.

She arched a brow. "You want me to make him your personal guard or something?"

"Um… does that mean he can hang around with me?" I asked.

She shrugged and replied "I guess so."

"Then sure!" I accepted willingly.

She shook her head with a flat sigh and started walking away again. "Do what you wish," she called out dismissively.

My face broke out in a grin as I turned to the trooper and announced "I guess you're my body guard now!"

The man scoffed, saying "Who'd have thought I'd get a promotion for dropping something. If I'd known that I would have dropped fuel coolant years ago!"

I snickered, before my cheeks flushed red as I spoke "Sorry, this is kind of weird. I don't even know you and I just made you my personal guard."

"Well, let's change that then," he smirked, offering his hand out as he introduced "I'm RR-0K13, but you can call me Rockie."

Smiling, I took his hand in a warm handshake and replied softly "I… used to be called Ezra. But… how about you just call me… Ridge."

He grinned. "Sir yes sir."

My face grew bright as I reminisced on the day we'd met. Ever since then he was allowed to hang around with me wherever I went, supposedly positioned as my 'body guard' but most of the time we just spent mucking around. We'd play cards or do pranks on uptight officers, telling stupid jokes and just having a fun time. He was like my one bit of sanity on this ship. The little flicker of light in a swamp of shadows. When I spent time with him I didn't question, or feel cold anymore. Everything was just a game. And that was a feeling I never wanted to leave.

Rockie snapped his fingers in my face, dragging me from my daze as he asked "Ridge, you in there?"

Blinking rapidly, I rubbed the back of my neck and replied bashfully "S-Sorry. Just drifting for a moment there."

"Well, you can drift on your own time. Because there's a game cube down stairs with our name on it," he grinned, showing off his pearly white teeth. "Come on. I bet we can beat the galactic high score before noon."

I smirked, about to follow behind him as he started walking away, until suddenly, I heard something. My eyes narrowed as I honed in on the sound, a gentle, mellow whistle soothing into my eardrums. Rockie's voice began to fade into indistinguishable murmurs, as did all the other noise in the Bridge. That sound, it was so familiar!

Was it a whisper? A song maybe?

"Ezra…"

I glanced around, searching for who had called my name, but finding no one. Confused, I pursed my lips and focused on the whistling in my head. Slowly, more noise began to drown out into silence, leaving only the gentle inhale and exhale of my own breaths.

"Hear… me…"

My eyes shot open in shock and I shifted my gaze to the ceiling, my disorientated blue orbs flickering around dizzily. I could feel my legs wavering under my weight as I blinked rapidly, a glazed layer settling over my vision.

"Ezra… it's me…" it cooed softly. "It's Kanan…"

I didn't register the voice immediately, almost losing my balance as the world began to sway. I could sense a sharp light, shimmering in front of me as it warded off the darkness that occupied my surroundings.

"Ka… nan?" I whispered to myself, trying to remember who it was in my out-of-body trance.

"You have to remember…"

I could feel something warm ahead, its light so welcoming I was tempted to reach out and touch it. It was stable and secure, coaxing me to step forward with its comforting waves. Through this strange state I raised my arm, my fingertips stretching out for this unknown being.

"…Remember…"

I glided forward, so close to touching it when-

Everything flashed white for a moment, my vision engulfed in a bright light.

And that's when I sensed him.

His warmth heated my frozen soul, curling around me as it held my body in a reassuring embrace. It was like leaning against a soft cushion, carrying the strain off my muscles and for the slightest moment, making me feel weightless. It embraced me tightly and without hesitation, ridding the chill from my bones and veins.

Until suddenly, there was a pang in my chest, and I felt all the air get sucked from my lungs as I crumbled to my knees. I felt a connection tremble, shaking so violently it almost snapped. It had laid dormant for so long I'd almost forgotten. Or maybe, I was being tricked into forgetting.

The presence loosened its hold on me, before completely pulling away, scared off by something dark and sinister. I clawed out for the warmth of its being as the shadows swarmed all around me again, my memories of its comfort getting dragged along with it. Then all I was left with was that cold, hollow feeling within, my muscles going rigid as my body temperature froze once more.

Two strong hands grasped onto my shoulders as I glanced up into Rockie's concerned eyes. "Ridge?" he asked nervously, being both gentle and firm at the same time. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

I withdrew a pained breath, shuddering under my friend's touch. Colours faded back into the bridge as I glanced around with blurry vision. I… couldn't remember what just happened. Was the light caring for me, or was it attacking me? I didn't know anymore. Nothing was making sense. Everything was just a blur in my mind, and the only thing I could remember was who the presence belonged to.

But I also remembered who I belonged to.

Glancing up at Rockie, I murmured wearily, drained of all energy "Alert the Seventh Sister…"

"The Ghost crew are on their way."

Super Bomb #3

The Light in the Dark

Remember Me

Lost Chapters

O' Family of Ours

There is no Death, There is the Force

To Mend the Bond

Beasts of Legend

Family Ties