Hera Syndulla stares in disbelief at Ezra Bridger, whose unexpected appearance has just saved her and a group of rebels from the ancient assassin droid, HK-47.
How? How is this possible? I thought he was dead! What if this is...some kind of trick? Hera thinks.
"Ezra! How did you? I thought..." Hera asks.
"It's a...long story." Ezra answers. He steps closer to Hera, who promptly embraces him.
He's really here! My boy is...alive. Hera thinks, as she holds back tears.
"I'm sorry, Hera. Sorry I left. Sorry I was...away for so long." Ezra says.
"You're here now. That's what matters." Hera says.
After a minute or so, Ezra separates from Hera, and is promptly embraced from behind by Zeb.
"Hey, Zeb." Ezra says.
"Ezra. Long time no see." Zeb says.
"I know. Couldn't be helped." Ezra says. Zeb separates from Ezra. Hera's astromech, Chopper, who is nearby, approaches Ezra.
/Ezra! Where the frack have you been? Mother said you were dead! Did you get rebuilt?/ Chopper asks. Ezra laughs.
"Something like that. It's good to see you too, Chopper." Ezra says.
/Someone explain. I was under the impression that meatbags could not be reconstructed in such a way./ Chopper says.
"We can talk about it later, Chopper. Just accept that Ezra's here, and he's alive." Hera says.
"I'll explain it later, Chopper. Let's just say...it's a Jedi thing." Ezra says.
"So, is it true, what Hera said, about you being...dead?" Zeb asks.
"Yeah, Zeb. It's true." Ezra says.
"How? When...did you...come back?" Hera asks.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you later." Ezra says. He looks toward the hangar, and observes Luke and Sabine fighting.
"Sabine's pretty good with that saber." Zeb says.
"Yes, she is. She can handle Skywalker just fine." Ezra says.
"You...know who Luke is?" Zeb asks.
"Yeah. I've been watching Luke Skywalker for some time. He could become a great Jedi someday. I just need to get him free of Thana's influence." Ezra says.
"Shouldn't you be...out there helping Ahsoka and Sabine?" Zeb asks.
"I will. I'm going to meditate for a bit, then I'll head out there." Ezra says. He closes his eyes, while the rest of the rebels observe as Jyn and Ahsoka continue to fight. Neither seems to be gaining any ground as they move to the outside of the base. A few minutes pass as the rebels continue to watch the fighting. Finally, Ezra ends his meditation.
"Looks like the fighting has moved outside. Good. That'll keep Thana from wrecking all of the ships." Hera says.
"Not really. She could burn down the whole base if she wanted to." Ezra says.
"Karabast." Zeb says.
"Is she really that...powerful?" Hera asks.
"I'm afraid so, Hera. In some ways, she's even stronger than Vader now." Ezra says.
"She doesn't look like it. Ahsoka seems to have things under control." Rex says.
"Ahsoka's doing her best, but she doesn't know Thana like I do." Ezra says.
"What do you know about her?" Rex asks.
"I fought Darth Thana, and I've been in her head. I know how she thinks, and I know what her plans are. Ahsoka's just keeping her busy until I get out there." Ezra says.
"So, Ahsoka knows about you?" Rex asks.
"Yeah, she knows. She helped me come back." Ezra answers.
"Ahsoka...brought you back?" Hera asks.
"It's a little more complicated than that, Hera. I'll explain later. Right now, it's time for me to get out there." Ezra says.
"What can we do to help?" Hera asks.
"Stay away from Thana. Ahsoka and I will take care of her." Ezra answers. He turns away from Hera to leave. Hera offers him her blaster.
"Thanks, Hera, but I don't need that." Ezra says.
"You need a weapon, don't you? Sabine has your saber." Hera says.
"I know. I made a new one." Ezra says, as he takes a lightsaber from his belt.
"How long have you been…" Hera says.
"A little over a day. We'll talk all about it later." Ezra says. Ezra embraces Hera, then steps away, and starts to walk toward the hangar.
"Ezra!" Hera says. Ezra stops, and looks at Hera.
"May the force be with you." Hera says. Ezra smiles.
"Thanks, Hera." Ezra says. He briefly looks at each of the other rebels, then walks into the hangar.
Welcome home, Ezra. The family's almost whole again. If only...Kanan were here. Hera thinks.
In an area just outside the main hangar of the Rebel base, Jyn is engaged in an intense duel with Ahsoka, with neither seeming to gain any ground. Jyn has both red blades of her saber ignited, while Ahsoka fights with one white bladed saber, and an ancient staff.
I've never fought anyone this good, save my practice duels with Vader! Fortunately, I am stronger with the force than this failed Jedi! Jyn thinks.
"Had enough?" Ahsoka asks.
"Not until you lie dead at my feet!" Jyn answers.
No more games! Time to put my new powers to the test. Jyn thinks.
"We shall see about that." Ahsoka says.
"Oh, yes we shall." Jyn says. She backs away from Ahsoka, and deactivates her saber. She places it on her belt, then, lightning begins to emerge from Jyn's hands, and is directed at Ahsoka. Ahsoka blocks the lightning with her staff.
"I can do that, too, Thana." Ahsoka says.
"I noticed, but can you do this?" Jyn asks. Her eyes change from their natural color to a sinister yellow as she stares at Ahsoka with every ounce of hatred she has.
Jyn's lightning changes from it's normal blue to red. Ahsoka continues to block Jyn's attack, but now does so with difficulty.
That crystal she found. It must have given her this ability. Her attack is much stronger than a normal one. I can't block this forever. Ahsoka thinks.
Time to change my strategy. Jyn thinks.
Jyn aims her lightning at the ground below Ahsoka. Within seconds, the surface begins to crack, and Ahsoka loses her balance. Jyn redirects her lightning to Ahsoka, who blocks most of the attack, but is hit in the left leg for a few seconds, leaving a severe, painful wound.
"Aargh!" Ahsoka screams.
Kriff, that burns! Almost to the bone! I can't fight her like this! You'll have to do this on your own, Ezra! I'll come back as soon as I can! Ahsoka thinks.
Ahsoka's staff begins to glow, and seconds later, she vanishes.
"Damn you, Tano!" Jyn shouts. She fires her lightning at a nearby a-wing, causing the ship to explode. Jyn stops her lightning, and closes her eyes.
Abeloth? What the hell was that? Where did she go? Jyn thinks.
"The crystal within the staff gives the user the ability of short distance teleportation." The disembodied voice of Abeloth says.
Teleportation? I thought that was only theoretical. Jyn thinks.
"In traditional science perhaps, but with the force, all things are possible." Abeloth says.
That power will be mine. I will find Tano, and I will destroy her. Jyn thinks.
"I cannot sense her, Thana. She has once again shielded herself." Abeloth says.
I will kill everyone on this base, and burn the whole structure to the ground if I have to! I will find her! No one escapes me! Jyn thinks.
With Ahsoka out of the fight, Jyn observes Luke fighting Sabine.
Luke will defeat her eventually, but this is taking too long. Time for me to step in. Jyn thinks.
Jyn starts to shoot red lightning at Sabine. The Mandalorian is unable to evade or block the lightning, and is hit by the full force of the attack. Luke deactivates his lightsaber, and stares at Jyn, in awe of her display of power.
"Aargh!" Sabine screams, as she drops her lightsaber, and falls to the floor. Sabine's screams of agony continue as Jyn's red lightning burns her. Nearly a minute later, Jyn stops her attack, leaving Sabine with numerous severe burns, and several deep, bleeding wounds. Sabine struggles to even move due to the pain, but manages to remove her damaged helmet and toss it aside.
Fracking hell! So...much pain! I can barely move, let alone fight! Come on, Ezra! Where are you? Sabine thinks.
"So much for Mandalorian strength." Jyn says, as her eyes return to their normal color.
Jyn's pretty powerful. I guess that's why she's the teacher. Luke thinks.
"What was...that thing you just did?" Luke asks.
"A more advanced Jedi power. You'll learn it some day." Jyn answers.
"Seems like it's pretty effective." Luke says.
"Indeed it is. By the way, you did well in your first fight, Luke." Jyn says.
"Thanks. Not bad yourself. Remind me to never get on your bad side." Luke says. Jyn laughs.
"I think you know better by now. Looks like we've just about gotten things under control. We just need to finish our armored friend here, then, we need to find Thana and take her out. After that, we can get out of here." Jyn says.
"Speaking of Darth Thana, what happened to her?" Luke asks.
"I wounded her, and she ran away. She's a coward. Couldn't handle a real fight." Jyn answers.
"Ugh. Ezra's...gonna...kill you...bitch." Sabine says, as she struggles to sit up. Due to her injuries, she fails, and falls back to the floor.
Damn. I can barely move. I've lost a lot of blood. I think...I'm dying. Ezra! If you can hear me, I love you. Sabine thinks.
"I love you too. Just hang on, Sabine. You're going to be alright." Ezra's disembodied voice says.
Obviously delirious. Bridger can do nothing for her, let alone kill me. He's just a force ghost. Jyn thinks.
"Speaking of killing. Luke, you know what needs to be done." Jyn says.
"She looks like she's about half dead anyway. Why not just leave her here?" Luke asks.
"Our enemies will show us no mercy, so we shouldn't show them mercy either. This woman is an assassin who works for the Sith. If you don't kill her, she will try, again and again, to kill us. So, kill her, Luke. It's what has to be done." Jyn says.
I have to...kill this Mandalorian. Jyn is counting on me. Luke thinks.
"You're right." Luke says. He activates his lightsaber, and aims for Sabine's head, only to suddenly find himself unable to move.
What the hell? Luke thinks.
Great. He's hesitating. I shall have to break him of that. Jyn thinks.
"Go on, Luke. Kill her." Jyn says.
"I can't." Luke says.
You will learn to obey me! I am your master! Jyn thinks.
"She's the enemy! She has to die!" Jyn says.
"I'm trying, but I can't move." Luke answers.
Chit! Force freeze! Tano! Where are you, coward? Jyn thinks.
"Tano! Come out here and face me!" Jyn shouts. Nearby, Sabine starts laughing, despite her pain.
"What are you laughing at?" Jyn asks.
"That's..not...Ahsoka. We...didn't...come alone." Sabine says.
Luke suddenly falls to the floor, and appears to be in a deep sleep.
"Luke? Get up!" Jyn says.
"Looks like...your...boyfriend...de...cided...to take...a nap." Sabine says.
A force induced sleep. He could be out for several hours. Damn! Now, I'm going to have to carry him out of here! Jyn thinks.
"Guess I'll have to kill you myself." Jyn says, as she reactivates her lightsaber.
"Not on my watch." Ezra says.
"Frack off, Bridger! Out of my head!" Jyn says. She hears the sound of a lightsaber being activated.
What the hell? Jyn thinks.
"I'm not in your head anymore, Erso. Turn around." Ezra says.
Jyn slowly turns around, only to come face to face with Ezra Bridger, in the flesh, with a white bladed lightsaber in his hand.
Impossible! Jyn thinks.
"Thana! Leave now!" Abeloth says.
I killed him before! I'll kill him again! Jyn thinks.
"You do not understand what you are dealing with! Bridger has used powers beyond your understanding to return to his physical form!" Abeloth says.
This is...actually him, back from the dead? Jyn thinks.
"Yes, Thana." Abeloth says.
Only the dark side can resurrect the dead. Even then, only in legend. I do not believe that a Jedi would use the dark side in such a way. Jyn thinks.
"Does he look like a legend to you?" Abeloth asks.
No, he does not. He obviously found some other means. Jyn thinks.
"Indeed. Perhaps something ancient, and long forgotten by most." Abeloth says.
Ancient and long forgotten? The two crystals that Tano found! Perhaps they aided in Bridger's return! Jyn thinks.
"Very good. Your intellect serves you well. However, acquiring the crystals will be difficult, and is likely impossible at this time. Your only option is retreat." Abeloth says.
The power of those crystals is rightfully mine! Jyn thinks.
"You are correct, but you will never possess that power if you are defeated by your enemies. Now, leave that place! You are in great danger! Heed my counsel, Thana!" Abeloth says.
Not this time. This Jedi scum isn't the only one who's gotten stronger since our last encounter. Jyn thinks.
"You! You're dead! I killed you!" Jyn shouts.
"Yet, here I am." Ezra says.
"How...did you return? I killed you!" Jyn shouts.
"I believe you already said that. I got better. Get over it." Ezra says.
"Damn you, Jedi! I will end you once and for all!" Jyn shouts.
"If you were so good at it, why didn't it work the first time?" Ezra asks.
Cocky little bastard! I'll wipe that idiotic grin off his face! Along with the rest of his head! Jyn thinks.
"I will kill you, and you will stay dead this time! I am more powerful than you, or any Jedi for that matter!" Jyn shouts.
"Power isn't everything." Ezra says.
"Frack you!" Jyn shouts.
"Give it your best shot." Ezra says.
"Ezra…" Sabine says, in a weakened voice.
"Sabine!" Ezra shouts. He looks at the wounded woman, and notices the lightsaber in her hand.
If I'd come out of the ship sooner, this wouldn't have happened! Now, Sabine could die, because I was busy meditating! Ezra thinks.
"Trust the force, Ezra." The disembodied voice of Kanan Jarrus says.
I will, Kanan. Ezra thinks.
"Sabine! Just...stay there! We'll get you help!" Ezra says. Sabine uses what remains of her strength to toss the lightsaber to Ezra, who catches it with his left hand.
"Kick...her ass!" Sabine says, as she struggles to remain conscious.
"Yes, ma'am." Ezra says. Sabine smiles at Ezra, then passes out due to her injuries. Ezra closes his eyes.
Just...hang on Sabine. I'll get you help. Ahsoka? You okay? Ezra thinks.
"I'll be back soon, Ezra. I'm still healing." Ahsoka's disembodied voice says.
Sabine's hurt pretty bad! She's...dying! She doesn't have much time! Ezra thinks.
"I'll take care of it, Ezra. She'll be alright. You worry about our Sith friend." Ahsoka says.
Okay. Ezra thinks. He closes his eyes, and meditates to center himself.
Is he really fracking meditating right now? I sense...concern for the Mandalorian! I sense...love! He...loves her! Interesting. I will use this to my advantage. Jyn thinks.
"Oh, how adorable! You and your Mandalorian, together again! Soon, you'll both be dead! Together forever!" Jyn says.
"Part of me wants to kill you for what you did to Sabine, but I know that I can't do that. You won't die by my hand. I have plans for you, Darth Thana." Ezra says.
"As if I will ever do anything to help the likes of you!" Jyn says.
"That remains to be seen." Ezra says.
"Oh, I know it for certain. I will never help you lightsider scum! I will kill you again, then, I will kill everyone else on this base! Starting with your precious little Mandalorian whore! I will kill her painfully, and slowly." Jyn says.
Damn you, Thana! You're making this harder than it needs to be. If it weren't for what I know about the future, I would kill you. You are my enemy, and you hurt the woman I love, but I need you alive. I...need to calm myself, and focus on the task at hand. There is no emotion. There is peace. Ezra thinks, as he enters into meditation again.
The fool is meditating again? Is he afraid to fight me? Jyn thinks.
"Do you sense any fear from Bridger? He is not afraid of you. Surely you sense that he is no ordinary Jedi. Yet, you wound the woman he cares for, and you continue with childish insults and posturing. Are you deliberately trying to provoke him?" Abeloth asks.
That's the general idea. Jyn thinks.
"That...is foolish, Thana. I...cannot be responsible for what transpires here. This is your doing. You must accept the consequences." Abeloth says.
Consequences? Are you implying that I'm...going to lose? Jyn thinks.
"It is a possibility." Abeloth answers.
Me? Lose to the likes of him? I think not. Jyn thinks.
"Do not let yourself be blinded by your arrogance or hate. It may be your undoing." Abeloth says.
Don't give in to hate? You sound like a Jedi. Jyn thinks.
"I'm not suggesting you abandon your hatred. Simply don't let it fully control you." Abeloth says.
I am the Dark Lady of the Sith! I will destroy this Jedi, and this rebellion! Victory will be mine! Jyn thinks.
"You do not hear. So be it. I will leave you to the fate that awaits you." Abeloth says.
Good. Last thing I need right now is a voice in my head telling me to run away. Jyn thinks.
"Thank you for coming back to life, Jedi. It gives me the pleasure of killing you again." Jyn says.
"How nice of you to say that. Now, where were we?" Ezra asks, as he ignites both of his lightsabers. One green blade, and one white blade.
"You were dead, and I had beaten you! It's time for history to repeat itself!" Jyn says.
"Bring it on." Ezra says.