AN: Your reviews make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. They definitely give me the push to keep going. You're all so sweet and I'll try to keep updating as soon as I can. I had a long weekend so this one came a bit early. Don't get concerned if updates stretch out, because it all depends on how busy the week is. Hope you all enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! Things are getting pretty stressful for the crew…

Chapter Five

"Mad Hatter"

Ezra wasn't completely positive if he was awake.

The room he was in was dark. Completely pitch black, as if he had been buried under piles and piles off dirt and he was now six feet under. He could move, which was the only indication honestly that he wasn't asleep anymore. But, still…He couldn't be sure. It was messing with his head, and maybe that was the plan. Disconnect him from the Force and put him in a box six feet under.

Ezra slid his hand across the cold metal. Pressing his forehead against the floor below him, he whispered, "Guys…Come on. Come on."

He pushed himself up, only able to get on his hands and knees before his back hit the hard ceiling.

He was able to crawl, to stretch out…But, he couldn't stand. He had been moving around, looking for any means of escape, however futile it had proved to be, he had hoped. He couldn't even seem to find the door, so how had they gotten him in here? Why was he in here? It was probably a mental torture of some kind. Isaac seemed like the type of guy to be entertained by such as that.

Ezra attempted to feel Kanan, but still he was unable to access the Force living within him. It was dormant it seemed. Asleep. Ezra knew it was still there, but it wouldn't obey his will, causing him to fret. Maybe it would never obey again.

"Guys, please," Ezra begged his distant crew members. "I promise I'll never screw up this bad again, you just have to come find me."

Ezra pressed his palms into the wall, pushing hard. He could feel the disconnect in the Force swallowing him alive. It had always been there. Even when he hadn't known what it was, it had always been there. And now some little injection can cut it off until it runs through his system completely? He was empty. Completely empty.

He let out an angry shout, slamming his fist into the wall as he yelled, "Let me out of here! I'll show you who the weak little padawan is!"

Ezra flinched at his own words and slowly moved to lie on his back. He could feel the darkness, and it was pressing into his chest. He was smothering. Smothering under the weight of it, causing him to begin to kick fiercely at the ceiling, letting out rage filled screams. Tears began to streak his cheeks, though he could only feel them, unable to see the blur of them. He sobbed angrily, kicking and kicking until he yelled, "Let me out!"

And then…He stopped.

Hiccupping quietly, Ezra shut his eyes tightly and murmured, "Please find me. Please find me."

"I can't get out of here alone."

Hera landed the Ghost right outside the city, the crew immediately exiting as soon as they touched ground.

Kanan was first, staring at the burning city with awe in his eyes. It had been so long since he had seen such devastation. Small encounters with the Empire, sure, but not a whole city falling victim. He hadn't seen such things since…

He shook his head, pushing the thoughts from his mind.

Kanan stopped a human male who was running from the city with a group of civilians. He held the man's shoulders, trying to ignore the fear and terror behind the man's eyes. Kanan asked quickly, "What happened?"

He knew…He just needed the confirmation. He needed to know for sure that the Empire had carried out their threat. He had to see the true evil.

The man coughed, his lungs recovering from the smoke of the city, "The Imperials…They just started to torch the place!"

The man then wrenched himself from Kanan's grip and continued to run with all the other fleeing citizens. Kanan's eyes moved to the crew who were viewing the fire in horror. Kanan shut his eyes quickly, trying once more to sense for Ezra…

He couldn't sense him…But, he could feel remnants. The path Ezra had taken…Where he had gone.

Kanan's heart fluttered with anxiety as he realized Ezra had been in the city. Running towards it, he ignored his crew mates' calls for him to stop. He could feel them following though, knowing they wouldn't let him go alone. He made no move to argue about them being safer behind him. They wouldn't listen to such things of course.

Kanan hurriedly entered the city, jumping the gates and avoiding people who were running in the opposite direction. Luckily, the remnants of Ezra's presence didn't seem to be where the fire was currently burning, but in the more charred part of the city. Kanan wasn't sure if that made him feel better or worse, but it was easier for him and the others to get through.

The ground was hot and black, soot flying up onto the Ghost Crews' clothing as they ran. He heard Zeb call from behind him, "Slow down, Kanan! I swear you're as bad as the kid!"

Kanan would have laughed. He could imagine Ezra elbowing Zeb for the statement, but he couldn't make himself feel amused. He just felt…empty at it. So he continued to run towards Ezra's remnants, praying he didn't find a body where he was going.

The Jedi knew the alley was familiar before he even approached the burned house. It was still standing as he skidded to a stop in front of the busted down door. The glass was busted out from the heat of the fire, but it was a shock the thing was still in one piece.

Ezra's old home…

Hera whispered quietly, "He came to say goodbye…Didn't he?"

Kanan nodded, giving no verbal answer. He could feel Ezra's solemnness still hanging in the air as he stepped over debris and entered the house further. The others followed and Kanan stopped in his tracks, feeling a coldness slam into his chest like a bullet. He pressed his hand to the wall, feeling Zeb quickly hold out a hand to stop him from falling backward.

"Woah," Zeb said. "You alright?"

Kanan breathed deeply, opening his eyes as he growled, "He was here too…The apprentice who performed the Reading."

"What?" Sabine gasped. He looked back at her, seeing terror filling her limbs. She was shaking heavily and Kanan couldn't help but feel awful for her. She was young too. Young like Ezra. What were he, Hera, and Zeb thinking? Doing this to children?

She continued, "How did he find him?"

"Probably sensed him out," Kanan guessed. "I've been keeping a block on Ezra…But, with him this far from the ship it might have failed and opened him to the Apprentice's search."

Suddenly, everyone's coms lit up in their ears with Ahsoka's voice saying, "Lothal Rebels, Commander Sato and I have landed outside of the city. There's an Imperial Ship in orbit of the planet…I suspect if Ezra was brought somewhere close that would be it."

Kanan responded, "That doesn't explain why I can't sense him."

"They wouldn't take him to kill him, so that's not my concern," Ahsoka whispered. "I believe they must be using some means to block the Force from him. I'm readying the fleet for an assault on the ship…We cannot let them escape with your padawan, Kanan."

Kanan's trust in the woman was wavering. There was something on the edge of her tone. Something warning. Like glass at the end of a table. Kanan gritted his teeth tightly and seethed, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Hera gave him a warning stare as Ahsoka explained, "It means…If we are unsuccessful in getting him back…Drastic measures will have to be taken."

Zeb's voice roared loudly, "Have you lost your mind!?"

Ahsoka was quick to elaborate, "Listen to me, you all saw his Count. In the wrong hands…That child could destroy the Rebellion."

"Then we get him back," Kanan growled. "End of story." Kanan then stormed from the house, leaving the others in a heavy silence as Ahsoka let out another sigh over the com…

"I'm doing what is necessary…For the future."

Ezra was blinded when the door of his tiny cell was opened.

He groaned loudly, covering his face with his hands as he was grabbed by his limbs and pulled from the hole. He hit another metal ground hard, grunting in discomfort as he blinked, trying to get his eyes to adjust to the florescent lights. He looked at the feet surrounding him…All white…Troopers.

Except one pair that was black.

Ezra lifted his eyes slowly and was met with Isaac's amber ones. Isaac reached down, yanking Ezra to his feet. He looked disturbed as he stared into the younger's face and he ordered, "Wipe the tears away, Little One. They will do no good here."

Ezra's hands flew to his face, finding the left over tears from his tantrum earlier. Quickly he wiped them away, hissing, "They weren't tears."

"Hm," Isaac humed, grabbing Ezra by his shoulder and beginning to lead him down the hall. Ezra glanced back at the many troopers that were following behind. His eyes then traveled to Isaac's belt where the Sith was storing his own lightsaber, along with Ezra's.

Ezra wished whole heartedly to be reconnected with the Force and for the injection to wear off.

The boy was beginning to wonder if the corridors were never ending until they reached two large doors. He had to be in an Imperial Ship. A high class one. They slid open and the troopers stepped back, causing Ezra's heart to stutter. Who was in there that they didn't think the troopers were needed any longer? Ezra looked up at Isaac who pushed him into the large room that was barely lit. Isaac entered also, the doors sliding shut behind them.

Ezra was entering the room further until Isaac gripped the back of his shirt, causing him to grunt and stop. Ezra gave him a confused look until a cold hand yanked at his chest suddenly. Ezra recognized it, immediately beginning to tremble as the sound of artificial breathing met his ears. His shoulders shook and his throat bobbed up and down as his eyes traveled to the small lit portion of the room.

He knew this presence. It was so heavy…So familiar…Deadly…

Ezra watched in horror as the Sith Lord he and Kanan had faced stepped into light.

Instinctively the boy stepped back, only to be pushed forward again by Isaac. Ezra swallowed hard and whispered, "The Sith Lord…" His eyes moved to Isaac and he continued, "He's your master?"

Ezra couldn't believe it…Kanan had said they were lucky to survive this guy once, and that was with the both of them. Ezra didn't stand a chance…He was going to die here. The Sith Lord was going to slaughter him like all of the other Jedi and Ezra suddenly realized…

He wasn't even a Jedi…He was a kid with a lightsaber.

"Darth Vader," Isaac provided. "But, yes…He is my master."

Vader spoke through his mask, "Kneel."

Ezra stared in surprise before glaring defiantly. No…No he wasn't going to kneel before this guy. Not this murderer. Even though Ezra's knees were quaking with nerves, he made no move to bow before the Sith Lord. Instead he continued to narrow his eyes on the man…Or whatever he was. Ezra recalled Kanan saying only organic beings were connected to the Force.

Once Vader realized the boy wasn't going to move on his own, he held out his hand. Ezra cried out, gripping his chest as he crumbled down onto his knees. Pain shot up and down his front and back. He continued to let out wails of pain until Vader stopped, lowering his hand and his hold on the child.

Vader said coldly, "Pain teaches obedience. That will be your first lesson."

"Lesson?" Ezra gasped, trying to catch his breath.

A cough interrupted him as he asked, "Why did you bring me here?"

Vader took a step forward, causing Ezra to instinctively try to crawl away. Isaac wouldn't allow it however, grabbing Ezra by the collar and yanking him onto his knees in a still position before the Dark Lord. Ezra grunted in frustration as Vader said, "My apprentice has informed me of your exceptional talent."

The man then held out a device for Isaac to take. Isaac took it, releasing his grip on Ezra before grabbing the boy by the wrist. Ezra made a sound of protest, wincing as his finger was pricked by the small device and his blood was drawn. Ezra yanked his hand away once it was finished, pulling the assaulted limb close.

Ezra watched as Isaac stared at the machine…His face suddenly become deathly pale.

He wanted to ask Isaac what was happening, but Vader beat him to it when he grunted, "Well?"

"The count is…near twenty-thousand…" Isaac whispered, shock in his voice. "Nearly surpassing yours, Master."

Vader hummed under his breath in interest, reaching out and grabbing Ezra's face. Ezra glared darkly at the touch as Vader said, "So you do have potential. You will make an impressive apprentice."

Ezra yanked his face away and snapped, "That position is filled, but thanks for the offer. I'm flattered."

The world spun suddenly as Ezra found himself on his side, his face stinging. He placed a hand over it, realizing Vader had slapped him across the cheek. He looked up angrily, sitting up on his elbows.

"Mind your tone, boy," Vader warned. "The burning of your city was the least of my work."

Ezra's blue eyes turned to ice at the words, "You'll regret doing that."

The child's eyes widened as Vader nodded, "Good. Let the anger fuel you."

Ezra's body began to shake, his eyes looking back and forth from Vader to Isaac while a realization suddenly hit him. This hate in his heart…The hate he had for these two…It was something dark. It wasn't moderation, it wasn't healthy. They had burned his home and he hated them. And he hated himself for hating them. Kanan had taught him better…He had taught him better than that.

His dream slammed into him hard…

"You can't save them without the Dark Side."

Ezra felt his anger dissipate, replaced by the fear of becoming like these…demons. The time he had allowed the Dark Side to enter him washed into his thoughts and he had despised that feeling. That cold. The cold he felt every time a Sith was near. He couldn't cope with it. How could he possibly survive being it?

No. No.

Ezra pushed himself to his feet, standing before Vader. He was trembling under the stare of the two black orbs, but he forced himself to say, "I'm not like you. I'm not like either of you."

Vader appreciated the boy's courage…Or maybe it was just foolish behavior. Either way the Lord explained, "The morals instilled inside of you by your master are worthless. I can show you the true power of the Dark Side."

Ezra shook his head hard, "There's nothing strong enough to make me turn against them."

Suddenly the scream of an alarm filled the room and a red light on the wall began to flash. Ezra looked around confused, the sound of a deafening boom echoing through the Imperial Ship.

Vader stated, "I sense your friends have arrived. Maybe different means will be in order to convince you of your true place."

Kanan sat in silence as Zeb piloted the Phantom. In front of him, Ahsoka sat with her eyes diverted to the wall and beside him Sabine was doing the same. An awkward pressure was in the small area, causing him to grip his fists tightly. He didn't quite feel uncomfortable. He felt angry.

Hera, who was stationed back on the Rebel Ship came over the com saying, "The fleet is in position. Once you're ready to board, we'll go in for the strike in order to cause a distraction. They'll think we're busy trying to board, not that you four have already managed to do so."

"Thank you," Ahsoka said into her com. The woman's eyes traveled to Kanan's, causing the man to glare. Ahsoka sighed deeply and said, "Kanan, I hope my words earlier did not anger you."

"You hope they didn't anger me?" Kanan asked. "After you threatened to blow up my padawan if we can't get him back?"

Ahsoka actually looked hurt by his words and he could slightly understand. The Jedi were so few now, meeting one was a rarity. You wanted to have the connection that had existed when other Jedi roamed the earth freely. It hurt when one resented you now.

"In the past several years I've learned that difficult decisions have to be made," Ahsoka explained. "I may not have known Ezra as long as the rest of you, but I don't want to see him die."

"And obviously not turn into a Sith," Sabine scoffed. "We're getting him back."

Ahsoka nodded, "I truly hope we do."

Kanan could sense that her words were sincere, however he was still frustrated. His mind drifted to the old Order. This was why Jedi weren't meant to make attachments, not even with their padawan.

But, this wasn't like that. Ezra was more than an apprentice.

Zeb cleared his throat suddenly, "Hate to interrupt this banter, but we're approaching the ship. Better get Hera to set the guns ablaze."

Ahsoka nodded and spoke into the com, "We're in position. Let it go."

The firing began, loud from the fleet as Zeb revved the engines and began to speed towards the ship. They were headed to the less populated hangar of the ship on the lowest level. Hangar thirteen. Kanan hoped it wasn't an omen.

As they landed, they all stood and prepared their weapons, beginning to exit. Zeb and Sabine rushed out first, beginning their assignment to cut the power in the main control room. Kanan then began to exit as well; glancing back at Ahsoka who he noticed had an ill look on her face, her eyes wide with shock.

"Are you alright?" Kanan asked.

Ahsoka swallowed, gripping her two lightsabers tightly…

"The Sith Lord…He's here."

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