Hey guys, it's been a long time. Sorry for taking so long, I've just been really busy and I have too many story ideas, go check out my stories if you want to understand. Also, I have some exciting news, as well as bad news. The exciting news is that in the next chapter of my Star Wars story, The Hope's Chance, Karma and Kanan will have a cameo appearance as Sabrina and Caleb! So keep an eye out for that chapter if you want to see how past Karma and Kanan will act around future Luke and Leia. The bad news, well there's two pieces. First, I am telling all of you this right now. I cannot update this story all the time and I'm sorry for that. If you all would just be patient, I will update this story when I can. Second, this chapter is dedicated to Monty Oum, who passed away a month ago at the age of 33. He was a huge inspiration for me in my writing so I feel as if every chapter I update should have some kind of dedication to him. Okay, so thanks to Guest (Sorry but I'm here now), Rebelliouswolfka (I think that is the direction this story is heading as of now so, most likely, this will end up being a Kanan/Karma or Caleb/Sabrina story), 129, , tails powler, TwipieAppledRarshy, mchap1154, NightOwlFury (Yeah, I know but I'm trying my best here), Stormcutter684 (I doubt you can be Spark of Rebellion deprived but I'm glad you like this story enough to want it so badly. Hope I don't disappoint), Daria (Sorry but updating one story repeatedly is not my strong suit since I have so freaking many.), Guest (Again, sorry.), AVeryWeirdGirlAppeared, ShiranaiAtsune, WoodElfJedi, Professional Procrastinator, Roseflame Crystalheart, Rychan6, sorceresstar, Joker's Lover, Reader103, Hamato Sakura, 2135, ChezaTakehashii, Sukila, ICrzy, AnakinandPadmesgalaxy, Empress Ada, GlitchInUrSystem, GamerGirl21, WolfWitchHuntress1318, tzu753, aireagle92, Brooke Vengence, Rychan6, pinkiceangelbaby, ShadowPhoenix34, vampirequeengoddess, WhiteLily.R, Isetba, DisneyCraze, aireagle92 and KaijudoFan101 for reviewing/following/favoring along with all 8,126 readers! Phew, that's a lot but that's what I get for putting this off for so long. Also, there is a brief new OC in this chapter, and he'll be gone after the next, and he belongs to tails powler. He is being brought in by request and his story belongs to tails powler. Now, I hope you all enjoy!
Karma sat on a building in Lothal, her hood covering her dark hair. Today was Empire Day, the day everyone was supposed to celebrate the formation of the Galactic Empire. But Karma never celebrated it, and neither did Ezra. Empire Day, for her, marked the day she lost Sabrina. That was the day she first became Karma and had to flee the Temple, leaving Masters Yoda and Obi-Wan to face the Emperor and him alone. She had felt guilty but, through meditation, Yoda had assured her both he and Obi-Wan were alright, though they had both lost in some way. Karma bowed her head and put her hands over her eyes, trying to block the tears. 8 years ago today, she found Ezra wandering the streets, lost and crying. She took him in, sang him a lullaby that she remembered her mother always sang to her and helped teach him to survive. Sadly, she had taught him too much and even though Ezra cared for her, he never allowed her too close because of the fear of losing someone else he loved ate at him all the time.
15 years ago…I'm not sure I could've imagined any of this. Of course, I also couldn't imagine what happened between Caleb and me either. I still don't know how many survived…did he make it out okay? Karma thought as a memory washed over her.
Sabrina and Caleb walked through the Jedi Temple silently, heading towards the library so they could study. Suddenly, Sabrina was knocked to the floor with a cry.
"Rina, are you okay?" Caleb asked worriedly as he helped her up.
"Yeah." Sabrina smiled before she turned back. "What about you, though? Are you okay?" The person she was talking to was a boy, around 8 years old. He had jet black hair and icy blue eyes. It was obvious he was a Youngling.
"Y-yeah." The boy stuttered as Sabrina reached a hand out to him. Tentatively, he took it and allowed her to pull him up.
"I'm Sabrina and this is Caleb. What's your name?" Sabrina asked, her head cocked to the side slightly.
"I-I'm Phil. Phil Zekor." The boy introduced nervously.
"Nice to meet you, Phil." Sabrina smiled.
"Who's your master?" Caleb asked curiously.
"Master Cid Quier." Phil answered happily as he took out his lightsaber. "He showed me how to make my own lightsaber! Isn't it cool?"
"Very." Caleb smiled approvingly.
"Well, Phil, we were just heading to the library. Would you like to join us?" Sabrina asked kindly. Phil nodded and followed the two Padawans.
Karma smiled a small smile. Phil had been a good student, always excited to learn something new and able to master it very quickly. He had looked up to Caleb because he wanted to be everything Caleb was.
I really wonder what happened to him. She thought as she bit her lip, her hand unconsciously coming up to pull on her purple streak.
"Rina…" Karma sat up straighter as she heard a voice call through a bond and it wasn't Kanan. "Rina…" Karma's eyes widened as she recognized the voice. Quickly, the Jedi jumped to her feet and followed the bond, trying to find the owner of the voice. She soon reached a warehouse that appeared abandoned. Quietly using the Force to unlock the door, Karma walked in and gasped. There, in carbon freezing, was a young boy, who looked to be in so much pain.
"Phil…" She whispered before she quickly tried to find a way to get him out. Once she found it, Karma activated the machine and watched as Phil was unfrozen. As he fell to the floor, she raced over and caught him. He was dressed differently then she remembered. Instead of wearing the robes of a Jedi, Phil wore a long sleeved light brown shirt, dark brown pants, brown shoes and a tan cloak. The boy, no older than 10, groaned as he came to.
"Where…where am I?" He asked.
"You're on Lothal." Karma answered quietly as she held him.
"Why can't I see anything?" Phil was becoming panicked, of course anyone would be in his position.
"You were frozen in carbonite." Karma explained calmly. "Your sight should return soon, just relax."
"….Who are you?" Phil asked, blindly reaching out to touch his savior's face. Karma chuckled slightly as she guided his hand over her face slowly before she set it down and answered,
"It's Sabrina, Phil. Though these days, I'm called Karma."
"Rina?" Phil asked, his icy eyes widening.
"Yeah…you were calling out to me through our bond and I followed it here, to you. Do you remember what happened?" Karma asked.
"…I….after the Jedi Purges…I managed to escape but I ended up crashing on this…swamp planet and found Master Yoda." Phil explained, "He called the planet Dagobah and….trained me so I could come back out here and find you and Caleb. I tried to find you guys but I ended up getting caught by Stormtroopers and a guy…he called himself the Inquisitor. He…well, Vader, ordered me to be frozen in carbonite. That's…all I can remember."
"It'll be okay, Phil, I promise. And look, you've found me now, haven't you?" Karma smiled.
"Yeah…Rina, what's the date today?" Phil asked.
"It's Empire Day, marking the 15th year since the Jedi were overthrown, in a sense." Karma answered, her voice showing her sorrow.
"So…I've been in there for 13 years…" Phil said.
"Yeah…and I've found Caleb already." Karma said, "Once your sight returns, we'll go join him, but you'll have to be silent, okay?"
"Okay." Phil nodded. Karma had always been his subordinate mother just as Kanan had been his subordinate father. He looked up to them when he had nobody else and trusted them more than he ever trusted anyone.
Hours later, when Phil's sight had returned and the parade had started, Karma led the way through Lothal, heading to where she knew Kanan was. She was dismayed, however, to see him talking to a Stormtrooper. Suddenly, Ezra ran in front of Kanan with Karma somewhat behind him.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Ezra said, "Sorry, mister, my dad's just so patriotic, you know."
"Empire Day! I love it! All hail our glorious Empire!" Kanan cried, exaggerating a lot. Rolling her eyes, Karma ran over and grabbed Kanan's arm, briefly giving Ezra a look that he had memorized long ago. 'Follow my lead'.
"Honey, we really should be going now." Karma said, giving the trooper an apologetic look.
"This your husband and son?" The Stormtrooper asked.
"Yes, sorry sir, my husband here just gets a little too excited and I lost sight of him. I sent my oldest here to find him and, as you can see, we need to get going now. Come on, guys." Karma smiled in a motherly way, something she learned when watching over both Phil and Ezra in two different times. The four walked away with Karma keeping a hand on Phil's arm.
"Thanks, where've you two been? And who's the kid, Rina?" Kanan asked quietly as they walked away.
"I'll explain later." Karma stated, sending Phil a look that said 'be quiet'.
"Making some connections." Ezra answered, "How's the plan going?"
"Just watch." Kanan smiled proudly. Karma shook her head as she reached over and squeezed Ezra's shoulder. She knew what today was, after all. She forced him to tell her the first year they met so she could understand. That was the night they started their tradition of her singing her lullaby every Empire Day. Karma smiled slightly as the TIE fighter exploded in fireworks before the four took off running. Soon, Sabine and Zeb met up with the four.
"Nice of you to join us, kid, Karm." Zeb stated, "Who's the kid?"
"I'll explain later, just trust me." Karma muttered as they ran.
"Hey, where were you two?" Sabine asked.
"Why, did you miss me?" Ezra asked cheekily.
"Yeah right." Zeb snorted sarcastically.
"Ezra, save the comments for when we're not running for our lives." Karma stated.
"Aren't we always running for our lives?" Ezra asked with a smirk.
"Not the point!" Karma snapped, though her face showed her happiness that Ezra was bickering with her, as usual. He was always in a funk on Empire Day, just like Karma was, and if they were bickering than it meant everything was going to be okay. The group soon came to a stop and turned around. Karma's eyes widened as she saw the Imperial Agent Kallus. Zeb took out his Bo-Rifle and aimed at Kallus.
"Been spoiling to finish things with Agent Kallus." He stated.
"Caleb, look." Karma whispered as she used her free hand to point towards the newest arrival: the Inquisitor. Phil's grip tightened on Karma's hand in fear. "Remember, fear is not a part of the Jedi. You can conquer your fear, Phil. We'll be fine and you'll never be afraid of him again." Karma reassured the boy through their bond. Phil nodded slightly, showing he heard her and new bravery glowed in his eyes.
"Hey, if you want to take somebody out, take that guy!" Kanan told Zeb as he pointed out the Sith. Zeb groaned,
"Fine." As Zeb fired, the group took off again. Karma was right in front of Kanan while holding Phil's hand tightly so he didn't fall behind.
"I know a place we can hole up until things calm down." Ezra said as Hera stated she couldn't reach the rendezvous. "But 'Shoulders' here might have a problem taking my route."
"Then we need another option." Kanan stated.
"Nah, its fine." Zeb said before he took out his comm and made a plan on where to meet Hera so he could get on. As Zeb started climbing the wall, Kanan said,
"Get back to the Ghost."
"Follow me." Ezra instructed.
"We'll signal a new rendezvous when we can!" Kanan added before they took off.
When the five reached their destination, Phil pointed at the symbol on the building, asking,
"What's that?"
"That's an Imperial warning declaring this building off limits." Sabine explained, "What is this place?" Ezra didn't answer, instead taking a key out and unlocking the house.
"You were coming here today." Kanan realized.
"This was your home, wasn't it?" Karma said.
"Where you grew up?" Kanan added.
"I grew up on the streets with Karm." Ezra corrected bitterly. With that said, the five went in with Kanan closing the door. As Sabine removed her helmet, she asked,
"Then, why here? Why now?"
"Had this feeling." Ezra answered as he walked over to a small table and knelt down. He gasped in shock.
"Ezra, what is it?" Karma asked as she walked over and looked down only to see a sobbing Rodian.
"Tseebo." Ezra called, "Tseebo, it's me, Era Bridger." Tseebo stopped crying and looked up before he climbed out. He stared at Ezra as the machine on his head beeped before he said something in Huttese…and walked into a wall.
"That's the Rodian the Imperials are hunting. You know him?" Kanan asked.
"Name's Tseebo. A friend of my parents." Ezra answered. Karma walked over and rubbed her hand along the boy's arm, trying to comfort him like she usually did. "But something's wrong." Ezra continued as he sat down. "What's that thing on his head?"
"Empire's been known to implant lower level technicians with cybernetic circuits. Personality sacrificed for productivity." Sabine explained.
"Tseebo's productivity is 19% higher than average Imperial data worker." Tseebo suddenly said.
"Tseebo went to work for the Imperial Information Office after the Empire took my parents away." Ezra elaborated bitterly.
"Your parents? You never told us." Kanan said, surprised.
"What's to tell? They've been gone for eight years. I've been on my own with Karm since I was seven." Ezra said, deep bitterness in his voice.
"Seven. Imperial…" Tseebo suddenly slipped into Huttese.
"What's he saying, Sabine?" Karma asked.
"He's detailing Imperial fighter deployments on Lothal." Sabine answered.
"That's it. Tseebo has intel the Empire doesn't want getting out." Kanan said, "Sabine, can you access it?"
"Uh, think so. I need a few minutes." Sabine said.
"Ezra, you okay?" Kanan asked, looking at his Padawan.
"I'm fine." Ezra stated before he started to climb down the ladder.
"I told you, sometimes you have to let your guard down." Kanan reminded quietly.
"I said I'm fine." Ezra repeated before he disappeared.
"Ezra Bridger. Son of Ephraim and Mira Bridger. Born 15 years ago today." Tseebo suddenly said.
"Oh. Empire Day. It's Ezra's birthday." Sabine realized.
"Yeah…it is." Karma agreed as she crossed her arms and sat down on the couch, Phil beside her. The room was silent until Kanan sat down next to the two on the couch.
"Care to explain who he is now?" Kanan asked.
"Caleb, I'd like you to remeet Phil Zekor." Karma smiled a small smile as she placed a hand on Phil's shoulder. "I found him in carbonite while I was off by myself."
"Phil…? Is it really you?" Kanan asked, his eyes wide.
"Hi Caleb." Phil smiled. Kanan smiled widely as he hugged the boy tightly.
"I'm so glad you're okay." Kanan smiled.
"I'm glad you two are okay." Phil smiled, "Master Yoda trained me so I could find you guys but that Inquisitor guy trapped me in carbonite before I could find you."
"Well, we're all together now and that's what counts." Karma smiled.
"Do you still have your lightsaber?" Kanan asked. Phil nodded eagerly as he took his pride and joy out of his pocket that he kept it in. It look as good as the day Phil first made it.
"Yeah, so I can fight with you guys." Phil smiled.
"No." Karma stated.
"No?" Phil asked, confused.
"No. You aren't staying with us, that'll only put you in more danger." Karma argued, "Besides, there are people out there who need a guardian to protect them. Once we leave Lothal, you're going to another planet to protect the people there."
"But-" Phil started.
"No buts, Phil." Kanan interjected, "Rina's right. You need to go somewhere else so if war does break out, we'll know you're out there keeping innocent people safe. That, not fighting, is the Jedi way." Phil thought about it for a minute before he nodded,
"Alright."
Once Sabine fixed Tseebo and got Ezra, the five stood and watched as Sabine activated Tseebo's device.
"What are we looking at?" Karma and Kanan asked in unison.
"It's, well, it's everything. Imperial specs on the new TIEs and new T-8 Disruptors. Schedules of troop movements, tactics and strategies. Half of it's encrypted, but it looks like there's a five-year plan for Lothal and every other world in the Outer Rim." Sabine explained. Tseebo groaned as it turned off.
"No wonder his brain's shorting out. All that data'd overload anyone." Ezra quipped.
"The secrets in his head must be damaging to the Empire. We'll need to smuggle him off Lothal." Kanan said.
"Gotta smuggle him out of town first." Karma corrected.
"You know the only reason the Imperials haven't caught him yet is because their forces were occupied with Empire Day. But the day's almost done." Sabine explained. Just then, Tseebo crashed into a closed door and fell to the ground.
"He isn't very coordinated, is he?" Phil asked.
"No, Phil, he isn't." Kanan agreed, "This will not be easy."
Karma extended her life force and used it to charge her punch, easily knocking out a Stormtrooper as Sabine took the other one. Holding her fist in pain, she said,
"I miss Zeb."
"Don't worry, we'll be back soon enough." Karma smiled as Kanan took care of another trooper and the group of six, including Tseebo, got onto the transport. Tseebo, Phil, Ezra and Karma were in the back while Sabine and Kanan drove. As they turned a corner, Karma sensed several people, and a transport, ahead and called, "Careful Caleb, Sabine."
"I have no plans on stopping."
"That's good to know." Ezra said, though his voice showed his nervousness.
"It's better than being arrested, right?" Phil asked.
"Still, it's scary." Ezra said, looking at the boy who appeared 10 but had an even older mind.
"I've seen way scarier things than you 15 years ago." Phil said.
"You were only 5." Ezra said, confused.
"I was 8 and I've been frozen in carbonite for the past 13 years." Phil explained as he supported Tseebo.
"Punch it!" Kanan instructed Sabine. "Everyone hold on!" The three in the back, not including Tseebo, did just that as Sabine crashed through the barricade.
"We've got company behind us." Karma and Phil whispered as they both sensed the enemies. Suddenly, the door sparked and a bike came up, empty. Ezra peeked out when a Stormtrooper jumped in, kicking Ezra in the stomach.
"Ezra!" Karma cried, kneeling beside the Padawan and using her life force to check out his injuries, quickly healing him. Suddenly, Kanan attacked the trooper but he was pushed to the ground with a blaster pointed at his forehead. Suddenly, the trooper who had attacked Kanan was thrown out and into the other trooper. Kanan looked up and smiled as he saw Phil lower his hands.
"Nice one, Phil." He commented. Phil grinned, happy at the praise, as Kanan returned to his seat and Karma finished healing Ezra, her life force fading from her eyes. Suddenly, the transport was pushed forward and Tseebo fell forward.
"We've got company." Karma stated as she stretched her senses out further. "Kallus…its Kallus."
"What do we do?" Phil asked as they heard Kallus jump on the transport. Suddenly, Karma smiled.
"The Ghost is here. We're covered." She stated.
"Spectre 5 to Ghost, we're coming in hot." Sabine said over her comm. Things were silent for several minutes, except for the blaster sounds outside until Zeb's voice came over the comm.
"Okay, you're all clear." He said, "Pull over and we'll-"
"Belay that. Have to be a scoop job." Hera cut in, "Sensors reading multiple TIEs incoming!"
"Everybody get ready!" Karma said as Phil and Ezra helped Tseebo. Kanan went up to the top of the transport first with Karma right after him. Phil and Ezra passed Tseebo up to Kanan and Phil then proceeded to climb up with both Ezra and Karma's help. Ezra and Sabine came up after that, once the auto pilot was set.
"Get in." Zeb said as the ship hovered near the transport. Karma and Kanan pushed Tseebo up the ramp and the rest of the group made their way up until Phil suddenly cried,
"We've got company!" A second later, Kallus fired and Kanan barely dodged.
"Go! Go!" Kanan cried, pushing the two Jedi, the Padawan and the artist up the ramp as he took out his lightsaber and blocked Kallus' shots. As he jumped, Karma reached out with the Force and got Kanan in as the Ghost flew past him.
"What do we do now, Rina?" Phil asked as they stood in the common.
"You stay here, I have to go to the cockpit to maintain an extra shield around the ship." Karma instructed before she took off. Once she reached the cockpit, she sat down.
"Hey, how are you?" Hera asked sarcastically.
"Been better. How you holding up?" Karma asked as she sat in Kanan/Ezra's seat, preparing her life force to create a shield. She and Hera had been working on the idea for a while and, as long as Karma could hold it, it would provide an extra protection for them.
"As good as a pilot in the middle of a sudden battle can be." Hera smiled, "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Karma nodded as Chopper reeled back from being shot at.
"And….now!" Hera cried. Karma clapped her hands together and light green light surrounded the entire ship. Her features were peaceful, however, she was already looking pale.
She wouldn't last for long.
There's the chapter! I wanted to end on a slight cliffhanger so there you go! Wish me luck in updating soon and review to let me know what you think! Again, all credit for Phil goes to tails powler. I'll see you guys later. Bye!
