GAHH!

Okay guys, I'm so excited to give you this chapter right now, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this! I think you're all going to really enjoy it, and I can't wait to hear what you think in the reviews!

I won't keep you waiting! Go on! Start reading! :D

May the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger

Chapter 13: Taken

Kanan's POV

"We're almost there everyone," Hera's voice chimed, sending an audible sigh throughout the cockpit.

The thick tension loosened ever so slightly, but I could see everyone fidgeting in the corners of my eyes. No one had been able to sleep, as much as our pilot had encouraged us to. But I knew that even she couldn't follow her word in a time such as this. I shifted my gaze to the speeding view outside, a blur of blue and white flashing across my vision.

It was almost time… we were finally going to get Ezra back.

It was both exhilarating and dreadful at the same time, and I couldn't help think back to when I last connected with the youth. I had grown tired of the never-ending travel, and in a one last ditch attempt to sense him I reached out, threw all my strength into finding him. It hadn't been in vein, as for the slightest moment we attached again, and I felt the bond, I felt its life. But something was… different…

Ezra's presence was, stilled, somewhat. And I couldn't help but sense the icy chill that encased his signature. He hadn't reconnected to me in return, just, drifted. Almost like he didn't know who I was…

I was snapped from my ever growing thoughts when Hera swivelled in her chair and instructed sternly "You know the plan everyone. From this vantage the Imperials shouldn't know we're coming until it's too late. Once I dock the Ghost, you three will rescue Ezra and hopefully get back before they even have a chance to initiate an attack."

"The 'hopefully' part doesn't sound very reassuring," Sabine murmured.

"Yeah. What's to guarantee they won't scan us when we get outta light-speed?" Zeb quizzed, his ear twitching nervously.

"Fulcrum equipped us with the code for an imperial supply vessel," Hera explained. "We'll be coming in from the back of the Star Destroyers, so when they read our code we should be able to slip by without them becoming suspicious."

"Not bad," Sabine admired, before asking firmly "But what's the plan with Ezra? I can't be the only one thinking about how many lies the Imps have fed him by now."

Hera shifted her crystal gaze to me, searching for some kind of support as I stared outside blankly. But I wasn't sure if I had any confidence to spare. Ahsoka had warned us of the dangers. The danger of losing Ezra in this battle over his trust. None of us knew what state the boy was in, or even who his allegiances were to anymore. All I could do was hope.

Hope he would remember…

"You two keep the Imperials away," I spoke, my voice subdued and vacant. "I'll handle Ezra…"

I wasn't sure of their response, but no one questioned, and no one challenged my word. If they did have doubts they didn't express it as the room went completely silent again. But maybe this quiet was what we needed in a time when things had fallen apart. When our family was on the brink of crumbling.

But after almost five minutes of the tension dragging on, the silence was finally broken by a beep on the control panel.

Hera swivelled in her seat and grasped onto the steering with twitching fingers, her lips pressing together in concentration as she announced "Exiting light-speed in five…"

Zeb cracked his knuckled and rolled his shoulders.

"Four."

Sabine slipped her helmet on, spinning her dual blasters before shoving them into their holsters.

"Three."

Chopper was abnormally calm, waiting for his next order obediently.

"Two."

Shutting my eyes, I ran my fingers along the length of Ezra's lightsaber, my fingertips brushing over the fine patchwork before I clipped it to my belt along with my own.

Here we go…

"One!"

The veil of hyperspace pulled away in a blinding flash of light, but when our vision refocused, what we saw made everyone freeze.

The Star Destroyers, the ones that were supposed to be facing away from us, were staring right in our direction. And shooting away from their ports were tens, maybe hundreds of TIE fighters, heading straight for us with blasters armed.

Hera was the first to react, her grip tightening on the controls as she barked "We've been ambushed! Get to the cannons! Now!"

"How're we gonna get to the kid when we can't even get on the ship?!" Zeb snarled in frustration.

"We'll think of something," Hera spoke. "But we're all going to be dead if you don't get to the guns! Now go!"

"Yes Hera," Sabine said as Zeb and her were about to bolt down the hall.

But an idea hit my mind as I stared at the trio of star destroyers, and I jumped to my feet and exclaimed "Wait! Let's use this to our advantage!"

"What are you talking about Kanan?" Sabine snapped.

"The Phantom. Sabine, Zeb and I can use the Phantom to dock onto the Star Destroyer," I explained hastily. "Hera just needs to fly the Ghost close enough to the landing bay so we can detach quickly without the TIE's even realising. Then we go in, get Ezra, than come back out."

"And what am I doing exactly while you're doing the rescue mission?" Hera questioned, raising her brow sceptically as the fighters grew ever closer, almost in range of firing.

"You'll just have to fly around until we can get him," I replied.

"Are you crazy?" she scoffed. "The chances of being able to stay alive in this battlefield is slim, even for me."

I bent down next to the pilot and gently placed my hand on her shoulder, staring up at her with wide, teal eyes. "Hera," I spoke, my voice a silent plea. "I can't leave him again… Not this time."

She shot me a sympathetic gaze, blending with her equal concern as she stared out at the swarm of TIE fighters ahead. I could see a battle waging in her darkened eyes, her muscles tightening under my touch.

She inhaled sharply and shut her eyes, before ordering "Get to the Phantom."

My face brightened as I pushed myself to my feet and ran down the hall, waving Sabine and Zeb to follow. We'd barely made it five steps when the sounds of blasters echoed through the metal halls, the ship lurching as we were thrown into the wall. I stumbled for a few moments, before propelling myself back in the direction of Phantom, my determination driving me forward.

Once the three of us had entered the ship, I sat in the pilot's chair and took hold of the controls fiercely. "Strap yourselves in," I warned to the others. "It's going to be a rough entry."

"Did you think about how we'd detach without them realising?" Sabine tested, though her voice hitched with genuine concern.

"No," I answered honestly. "But I'm sure things will work out. Hera, can you hear me?"

The com crackled, before Hera's voice rung loud and clear "I read you Kanan. Prepare to detach."

I glanced out the window, but what I saw sent my whole body into shock. Obviously the first wave of TIE's had made their attack as they were now behind us, but they were all turning around, coming from the back as they approached for another round.

I swallowed, trying to moisten my dry mouth as I numbly prepared the Phantom and my mind. Sharply I inhaled, releasing it in a strained sigh as I watched the TIE's coming closer and closer through the window. "Here we go everyone," I muttered absently.

The stars sped by as Hera increased the speed, and within a few moments the underbelly of the Star Destroyer appeared overhead. "Detach on my mark Kanan," Hera instructed as my muscles coiled around my bones.

My fingers twitched as I awaited her command, staring at the plague of TIE fighters that were slowly but surely gaining on us.

I just had to remember the mission. I just had to focus on our goal, then we'd be alright…

I just had to see Ezra... Then, I would know everything would be okay.

"Now!" Hera yelled.

And in a split second I flipped the switch, the Phantom jolting as it unlatched from its counterpart. I gripped onto the steering and pulled it into a sharp upward dive, spiralling for the docking bay directly above us. Things went by in a blur as I manoeuvred the ship into the hangar, slowing its speed before gently landing it in the empty space.

It seemed that all the Imperial ships had been sent off to attack us in the ambush, leaving the hangar a ghost town as I wiped the sweat off my brow.

I rose to my feet and exited the Phantom with Zeb and Sabine at my side, blasters ready and gazes sharp. Together, the three of us moved as one being, gliding through the hallways with ease and watching out for each other with laser precision. Nobody said a word, but there was no need to. We knew the plan. We knew our direction. And we knew the stakes.

And for that reason we were perfectly synced…

We paused at one of the deserted intersections, taking a moment to catch our breath as Zeb asked "Don't take this the wrong way, but do we actually know where we're going."

"It's most likely he's in the detention block," Sabine replied. "That's where they take all prisoners."

"But Ezra's not just any prisoner," I murmured, shifting my gaze between the three branching paths blankly. "No… he's not in a cell…"

"Where do you think he is then?" she quizzed as she stood at my side.

I didn't respond at first. I just waited, listening. Slowly, my eyelids slid shut and I reached my hand out, feeling out for Ezra's presence again. I was partly afraid of what I'd find, but I couldn't give up hope either. I sensed for his signature, patiently calling out for the child.

"Ezra…"

No reply.

"I know you're here…"

Still no response.

"Ezra," I whispered, my eyes stinging as I assured him softly "I'm here for you…"

Whether he heard my words or not, I couldn't tell. But regardless I saw a small spark through the darkness. It was quickly consumed by the shadows but I'd felt it. And as I latched onto that spark, I opened my eyes and pointed to the roof.

"He's in the bridge," I announced to the others.

"Are you sure?" Zeb said.

I nodded my head, my brows furrowing in concentration. "Definitely."

"Then let's go," Sabine urged as she started heading down one of the corridors.

The three of us ran with new spirits, our hope renewed with the thought of seeing the boy again. And this time, we wouldn't let him go so easily.

We twisted through the halls and travelled up the elevators, avoiding patrols if possible and if not, well, shutting them up fast enough they couldn't report us. Tension ran thick around us until, after one final turn, Sabine froze, raising her hand as a signal to stop. It didn't take Zeb and I long to figure out why.

Ahead, were two, large, reinforced doors, leading to the Bridge…

And Ezra…

Sabine glanced over her shoulder, and even through her helmet I could feel her patient gaze. She was waiting for me to take the lead. I nodded hesitantly, patting both their shoulders encouragingly before I paced forward, my lightsaber in hand. The entrance wasn't guarded, but regardless I could feel a cold sweat sliding down my back. My senses began to focus as I was able to distinguish the difference between Sabine's light breaths and Zeb's strained exhales. Our footsteps were synchronised in a hypnotic patter, and yet I was still able to tell the difference between each step.

As I prowled closer to the doors, I was able to hear voices faintly from the other side. They rose above the faint beeps and taps coming presumably from those piloting the ship, the voice sounding agitated and somewhat anxious. "I can't believe she told us to stay here!" it fumed as I leaned against the metal, trying to listen in further before rushing in to anything.

"This is all too risky! What is she even thinking!" it continued to bark.

But my eyes shot open when I heard the next voice, his tone so familiar and calming.

"I know Rockie," Ezra's voice chimed in my ears. "But orders are orders."

There was a groan, the first voice snapping "If it were up to me we'd be halfway across the galaxy by now."

A small scoff, before Ezra quipped "If it were up to you you'd have me wrapped up in bubble-wrap for the rest of my life."

"Ha! I'd wrap bubble-wrap around your mouth if it'd get you to shut up!" someone snickered, before both of them cracked out in laughter.

I glanced over my shoulder and signalled Sabine to open the doors. The mandalorian didn't hesitate, sprinting to the control panel and hacking in swiftly. Not a few moments later and the doors released a pressurised hiss, a metal groan sounding as it began to pull away.

The three of us stepped in front of the entrance, opening up the Bridge to us as the doors slowly pulled away.

But immediately, we all gasped.

I almost dropped my blaster when I saw him, the youth sitting on the edge of the master control table with his back to us. My lips were already pulling into an excited smile just at the mere sight of him, my heart overjoyed relief.

He hadn't realised we were there, but, the trooper standing in front of him sure did.

The moment the young male saw us his expression immediately flickered from a playful smirk to a fierce snarl. He grabbed Ezra's shoulder and shoved the startled teen to behind him as he pulled out his gun and shot with expert aim, just skidding past Zeb's arm. And while the Lasat jumped away in shock, the trooper pulled his blue stained helmet over his head with ease, Ezra still hidden behind him protectively.

"You stay back!" be roared, his finger testing the trigger.

"Wait Rockie!" Ezra's voice called as he peered over the trooper's shoulder, his stagnant blue orbs going wide at the sight of us. There was a tense moment when Ezra's gaze locked with mine, and that bond sparked through the force, his presence consuming my senses. We stared in a trance, only broken when the trooper shot another bolt, this time straight for Sabine's head.

The girl was able to twist away right at the last second, but this snapped Ezra and I from our connection.

The teen blinked rapidly, before grasping onto the man's shoulder and pleading "Wait! Don't hurt them!"

My face broke out in a proud, exhilarated grin. He was still on our side! He didn't want to fight!

"Ridge, stay out of this," the trooper growled, his arm raised over Ezra's chest like a shield. "My orders are to protect you, and a good soldier follows orders."

"But-"

The man didn't wait to hear Ezra's plea, pressing his fingers against the side of his helmet before ordering "Rebels in the Bridge! Requesting immediate backup!"

My mind switched into attack mode as I commanded to the others "Sabine, Zeb, lock the doors and keep any reinforcements from entering! I've got Ezra."

The two nodded, rushing to close the blast doors while I sprung into the air, jumping over the master controls and aiming at the young trooper. "Kanan NO!" Ezra screamed, but his cry went unheard. The soldier and I shot at the same time, my blast hitting the panel behind him while his grazed the edge of my shoulder.

I rolled when I hit the metal floor, about to jump to my feet when suddenly, the trooper pounced, tackling me in the waist and pinning me to the floor. The blow knocked the oxygen from my lungs, my head spinning as I tried to process my surroundings. But when my vision refocused, I saw a fist swinging straight for my face.

I twisted away and thrusted my hands forward, shooting the surprisingly tough male into the roof with a forceful thud. When he landed back on the floor rather painfully he moaned, slowly pushing himself up with trembling arms.

"Rockie!" Ezra called, but not in anger or fear, but concern.

I shifted my gaze to the teen as he stared back at me with wide, petrified eyes. His skin was paler than I remembered, enhanced by the dull, grey and black Imperial uniform he was adorned in. His once electric eyes were blank, like the soul that once danced behind his gaze had been shackled down somewhere deep within. And his presence… it was so much darker than before. His light had been suppressed, and the shadows consumed his core like a violent storm.

He didn't flinch away from my awe-struck stare, watching me cautiously while an internal war waged in his mind. But when he spoke, his voice was meek, and hoarse.

"Kanan?" he asked, almost a whisper.

My expression immediately brightened, and I stepped forward to reach out for the boy.

Until suddenly, there was a fierce roar and a sudden force from my side. The trooper had recovered swiftly as he tried to wrestle me to the ground again, but this time I kept my footing and stood strong. After his failed attempt, he switched to barraging me with punches and kicks, his style far more persistent and aggressive than I'd ever seen in a trooper before. He swung ferociously, showing no signs of mercy in each throw.

I kept my guard up and deflected his fists as well as I could, but I could feel my defences weakening under his vicious attacks. The sound of my racing heartbeat drowned out Ezra's feeble calls as the fight continued.

If things kept up at this rate it wouldn't be long till all my energy was completely depleted. So, I tried to take an opening when he swung a little too hard, countering with a wide swing for his head.

It would have been a direct hit.

Until expertly, he twisted away, grabbing my wrist and dragging me around in his spin. Not one moment later and I was suddenly slammed into the master control panel with a sickening crack. Spots danced across my wavering vision and I muffled a groan. My back ached from the impact and I could feel my feet slipping under my weight, raising my head in a daze to stare up at my opponent.

The artificial light shone against his stark white armour, the blue splatters becoming florescent from this angle.

I could see Ezra in the corner of my eye, sprinting forward with a desperate expression. He was yelling something, something along the lines of 'Stop!' or 'Don't!'

At first I didn't comprehend his words, but it was only when my throat closed up and I was deprived of fresh air that I realise what was happening. Weakly, I clawed at the trooper's hands, trying to pry his fingers away from my neck. But his grip was like iron as he refused to release his hold. I chocked for oxygen, my muscles shuddering and my vision darkening.

I could feel myself getting light headed, noises blending together as the corners of my sight faded into darkness.

But, my survival instincts kicking in, I remembered the one weapon I still had in my grasp.

Feebly I reached down for my belt, feeling around for the object as I slowly began to drift. My fingers coiled around the cylinder, and mustering the last of my energy, I activated the blade and thrusted my lightsaber into the trooper's waist.

"NOOO!"

The soldier's grip immediately loosened over my throat and oxygen flooded into my lungs, causing me to cough and gasped uncontrollably. I watched in a daze as the paralysed trooper stepped back shakily, his head tilting down to stare at the gaping wound in his waist. His breathing was uneven, and his legs crumbled under his weight, causing him to fall back onto the floor with a bang.

I leaned against my elbow and deactivated the sabre, trying to recover from the near-death experience.

But my head snapped up when there was another, painful "NOO!"

Only now did I realise that it had been Ezra's voice that had cried out as the teen ran towards me with tears in his eyes. At first I thought he was coming over to embrace me, grateful that we'd broken him free of his prison. But to my shock, he skidded on his knees to beside the dying trooper, muttering "R-Rockie?! C-Come on! Talk to me!"

I watched in both awe and confusion as the teen removed the helmet from the tremoring soldier, revealing his tanned skin and snow white hair. The man was sweating profusely, his eyelids half shut.

At the sight Ezra gasped, shaking his shoulders gently as he craned over the man. "Rockie w-wake up!" he pleaded anxiously. "C-Come on… talk to me!"

The boy tapped the side of his face lightly, causing the convulsing male to stir ever so slightly. His jaws clenched tightly together as one hand pressed into the sabre wound, blood staining his once pure armour. He hissed, trying to sit up before he fell back to the ground with a moan.

"Rockie… y-you're going to be okay," Ezra stuttered as he clutched his hand over the man's, the rich red substance staining the boy's skin. "I'm right here Rockie…"

Opening his eyes, the trooper stared up at Ezra with misty, hazel eyes. He raised his bloodied hand to the teen's face, gently running his shuddering fingers over his cheek. Tears swelled in Ezra's eyes as his palm pressed harder into his flesh, causing the trooper to grunt in agony.

With a wheeze the male managed a frail smile. His expression was a mixture of emotion, while Ezra was sobbing faintly under his friend's touch.

"You… be g-good… Ridge…" he sputtered, blood lining his lips as he spoke. And yet, somehow, he was still able to convey a sense of warmth through the dire situation.

Ezra's breath hitched, and he clutched the trooper's hand tightly in his own. "D-Don't leave me…" he wept softly, tears slipping down his face.

The adult smiled reassuringly, his eyelids beginning to flutter as he whispered "Be… good…"

"…Brother…"

There was one final breath, a final sigh.

Then everything was over.

The trooper's eyes rolled backwards and his body grew limp, the life draining from his skin. There was a moment of silence as everyone watched the scene solemnly.

But then, Ezra shook his body gently. "R-Rockie?" he rasped, his tone desperate and full of sorrow. "R-Rockie wake up… wake up…"

But his body stayed still, and it finally dawned on the boy what had happened.

"No… No, no, NO!" he barked, squeezing the man's lifeless hand while trying urgently to reawaken his friend. "Don't go Rockie! I-I still need you! Y-You can't leave me!"

It was too late now. We all knew it. But Ezra wouldn't let go. He pleaded with the lifeless figure to come back, yelling with all his might as tears fell from his eyes like waterfalls. "Wake up Rockie!" he ordered harshly. "Tell me this is a dream… tell me this isn't real!"

It was heartbreaking to see Ezra like this, but after many feeble attempts, the boy finally snapped.

"DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!"

His scream reverberated against the metal walls, silencing any noise that had once occupied the space. Hunching over with every weep, Ezra lowered his head against the trooper's chest. He hugged his friend's limp corpse like his very lifeline, his tears blending with the tainted blood of his comrade.

"Don't go," Ezra whispered, his tone reduced to one final plea.

"…Don't leave me alone…"

Tension coiled around us as the boy began crying, his signature even gloomier than before. His negative emotions swirled like a tornado within him. His guilt. His disbelief. His grief. They formed a perfect hurricane of emotion.

But as his sobs slowly began to fade, his feelings of sorrow forged something far worse.

Anger.

With ragged, strained breathing, Ezra slowly lifted his head. His eyes were stagnant and cold, staring down at the trooper's limp form as he began to bare his teeth.

"They were right…" he growled, his voice husky.

Guilt flooding over my system, I reached my hand out and started "Ezra, I-"

"They told me what you did," he snarled icily, his bloodied fingers curling into fists. "They told me not to trust you…"

"Ezra, I didn't realise he was your frie-"

"And they were right!" he roared, his hair hanging raggedly down the sides of his face. I recoiled at his voice, his hatred practically searing me through the force. But the boy didn't move, continuing to stare at the white, blue, and now red chest-plate with contempt.

"You took Rockie away from me," he hissed, his voice seeded with rage. "So now…"

He reached his hand out, and suddenly, his lightsaber, the one that laid attached to my belt, flew into his stained grasp. By the time I'd managed to process the event Ezra had risen to his feet, levelling his gaze with mine as he panted bitterly. But the blood smeared over his cheek only intensified his frozen blue orbs.

I could feel my body flinching under his penetrating stare, but I felt my face drop when the blue beam of his lightsaber suddenly sprung to life.

"E-Ezra," I stuttered, stumbling back into the controls nervously. "W-What are you doing…?"

"Now," he seethed, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"You will get your punishment, Master."

Super Bomb #4

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