AN: Was a little late with this one, but only by a couple of hours where I am. Today was super busy though so I know you will all forgive me. :) Enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think!

Chapter Eight

"My Sutures"

They were bright.

The stars on the ceiling were like fireflies illuminating every corner of the small bedroom. Ezra's eyes were wide with amazement, his tiny hands reaching up and grasping at the beams. They were chubby, small with just a few years of life.

Ezra looked over when there was shift on the bed and an older child than himself grinned at him. His front tooth was missing, but it didn't affect the radiance of the smile. The elder child said, "You see them, Ezie? I stuck them up there for you to look at since you keep crying about the dark. They're all suns, you know? Which means they all have planets, just like Lothal! We can go to them one day."

Nodding his head excitedly, Ezra squealed, "All?!"

"Yes!" The boy replied. "All of them! Mom and Dad can come too, of course. We'll be the greatest adventurers! Bridger Brothers, traveling the galaxy. Everyone will know us!"

"Yeah!" Ezra laughed, his small vocabulary pulled to the max with emotion.

The happiness was bubbling over like waves.

It was something so different.

Familiar.

Ezra flinched awake, his eyes snapping open to be met with the darkness of an unfamiliar room. The world came rushing back, first in the feeling of his aching body and then in the realization…It was a dream. He wasn't back in his childhood home in Lothal. And that had not been his memory…

Or, maybe it had…

Someone hissed in pain above him, and he looked up, seeing a dark figure holding the side of his head. Ezra came to the conclusion he was lying on a bed…He had been asleep.

And the person standing above him was Isaac.

Isaac didn't speak, but instead he moved back a bit more, cradling his head. Ezra wanted to jump up…To try and get away from the unfamiliar room and the darkness of the shadows, the only light soaring in through the nearby window. So dark…He was shaking.

He whispered frightfully, "What were you doing?"

Isaac remained silent and instead Ezra answered the question for him, "You went in my head."

There was a long pause. A very long one with Isaac still holding his head in what appeared to be pain and Ezra thought maybe he would never answer. But, he was pissed. Isaac had gone into his mind while he slept. It was…invasive and uncomfortable. It was untrustworthy, though Ezra had many other reasons as to why he wouldn't trust Isaac; this was one of the ones at the top.

But, the boy…The boy in the vision…Ezra had been young and he had never seen the boy in any version of that memory.

It had always just been him.

Alone.

"I had to show you," Isaac muttered suddenly, grabbing Ezra's attention. The younger wanted to hit him, but he was still unable to move from his spot on the bed. His head was already lulling with exhaustion.

Ezra was only able to whisper, "Stay out…"

He flinched when a door slid open and light flooded the room. A trooper appeared and said in an even tone, "We have arrived, Sir."

"No time for arguing," Isaac sighed, looking down at the child. Just as Ezra's vision was beginning to fade, the elder leaned down and lifted him from the bed, carrying him out of the room.

Ezra slipped into the soft, unrelenting darkness.

His ribs were black and blue.

Kanan sat idly as a medical droid worked slowly on changing his bandages. The machine had nearly finished rewrapping his chest and Kanan looked up to see a shocking image in the mirror across from his bed. His chest was many shades of bruises, his face marred and cut. He looked like he had just walked through hell.

In a way he had. The explosion had done him the most damage, besides Ahsoka's injured shoulder.

When the droid finished, it gave a slight nod, Kanan returning it. Just as the machine was exiting the room, Sabine and Hera entered. Their faces were grim. Mature. Upset…Always it seemed to be like that now. He couldn't remember a time when something wasn't wrong or being peeled apart by destiny's cruel hand.

"How is the meeting with Ahsoka and the rest of the fleet going?" Kanan asked, though he felt he knew the answer from the masks they wore on their faces.

Sabine sighed, glancing at Hera, "Well, they weren't exactly thrilled about risking the fleet for one boy. Ahsoka is still trying to convince them of Ezra's importance. I guess…Without seeing a Jedi in so many years, they don't know their power anymore."

"So they don't want to help get him back?" Kanan growled.

Sabine opened her mouth to speak, but Hera was quick to try and neutralize the situation, "Ahsoka is trying to convince them right now."

Both stepped back suddenly when Kanan pushed himself from the bed. It was surprising he could stand on his own without a fit of panic. They glanced at one another, watching as he pressed a palm on the wall to steady himself. It was a poor sight, honestly. But inspiring. Like a child taking its first steps.

"Take me to them," Kanan ordered and both women remained silent. They knew what he wanted…He planned to do something that would cause a scene. Kanan had a knack for things like that when he was pissed off.

Hera was the first to speak, "Kanan, I don't know if that's such a good idea."

Kanan gripped his hands tightly into fists and glared up into her eyes. There was an apology there in his features, but also rage. Something unrelenting and dark. He growled, "Take me to them. Now."

Hera looked at Sabine quickly, seeing that the younger shared a look of concern just like hers. When Hera finally looked back at Kanan she was convinced. She was completely and totally convinced his heart was shattering to pieces in his chest and he needed to let the rage out. It was destructive, and it was about to ruin them all.

Maye he lacked discipline, just as Ezra did.

"Alright," Hera whispered, hearing Sabine's sound of protest, though she did not voice it through words. Hera turned, exiting the room as she felt Kanan following at her heels. Moving through the fleet ship was silent and robotic. They were like machines on a mission.

Quiet.

Stopping in front of two large sliding doors, Hera stopped, holding out her hand. She said, "If you get us kicked off the ship, I don't want to be the one to get the blame."

Kanan sighed deeply, shrugging his shoulders, "I just need to chat."

"Doubt it," Sabine breathed.

Pressing the button, the doors slid open to show the commanding officers sitting around a circular table with Ahsoka standing on the side. She had her arms across her chest, and upon seeing Kanan enter, her eyes suddenly widened. She looked like she knew…She knew trouble was coming from the Jedi.

Kanan stepped into the room, causing Commander Sato to stand from where he sat in his chair. He gave Kanan a warning look and said, "This is a private meeting."

"It's not private when it concerns my apprentice," Kanan replied. His eyes narrowed on the occupants of the room as he continued, "Now…Tell me. Do you plan to help rescue him or not?"

All eyes fell to Ahsoka who was glaring darkly at Kanan. However, he managed to stand steadily under her gaze, his own eyes narrowing just as menacingly. A wave of rage filled the room and the small space had become very suffocating in all honesty.

Ahsoka raised her chin and glanced at the eyes on her before responding, "That's what we were discussing before you interrupted, Kanan. The others are…concerned that we are putting too many resources into the retrieval of one child."

"You gave your word," Kanan growled.

Ahsoka, for a moment, looked hurt. The anger dissipated and it was replaced by a look of sheer regret and apology. She was sorry…She was sorry that all of sudden, her promise had been taken away by the disagreement of others.

Kanan knew it wasn't her fault. She was fighting to help save Ezra. Her fleet was what was stopping her…

Commander Sato spoke, "She should not have given her word without consulting the rest of us. Your apprentice is valuable, yes. But, possibly not worth as many lives as his rescue will cost."

Kanan felt something build within him. Something he hadn't felt in many years. A pain…In the back of his mind and a swelling in his heart. An uncomfortable growth that wanted to eat him alive. Fear. Terror. Something he had been warned about when he was young. Something he had been warned to avoid in order to stay on the path of light.

Desperation.

Attachment.

Kanan held out his hand suddenly, causing everyone in their wheeled chairs to roll backwards towards the walls of the room. Commander Sato was pushed back into his own chair and Ahsoka stumbled into the wall behind her, her eyes growing wide with shock.

The man lowered his hand, glancing back at both Hera and Sabine who stared with dumbstruck expressions. He then returned his eyes to the room, explaining in a low tone, "Did you feel that? That unfamiliar power? Imagine that in an untrained child ten times stronger than me. An untrained child that is currently being taught the ways of the Dark Side."

He could feel Ahsoka's rage, but he didn't stop. Kanan turned and left the room without another word, moving past his crew mates.

Ezra was more important than dignity.

"Ezra!"

Ezra sat upright, breathing heavily. He gripped the sheets below him tightly, moving his eyes about frantically. He was shivering; his shoulders unable to remain still as he searched the room he did not recognize…Just like the last. But, this one was different. Sunlight was pooling in from a giant window across the room…And he was in a bed.

Not like the bed on the Ghost or any bed he had ever slept in for that matter. It was a four post bed, covered in the whitest sheets he had ever seen in his life. The room was large, a wardrobe in the far corner and drapes hugging the window.

It looked like something he had never seen before.

Carefully, Ezra scooted the blankets away and pushed himself to the side of the bed. His body was still sore, but overall felt a lot better than it had the last time he had woken to find Isaac invading his sleep. His bare feet hit the floor to find the wood to be rather warm and inviting.

The boy stood and approached the window, surprised to find a world of green before him. He was several stories up, overlooking endless fields of grass and a large lake in the distance. He stepped back, eyebrows furrowing in confusion at the sight.

Suddenly, he whirled around hearing a door opening. It didn't slide open…But, rather a knob was turned and the heavy double doors flew open harshly. He tensed when he saw Isaac enter, wearing his regular cloak and carrying both his and Ezra's lightsabers on his hip.

Isaac stopped, crossing his arms over his chest, "I sensed you were awake."

Ezra stared, swallowing thickly. He didn't want to speak. He didn't want to acknowledge him…So he simply stared silently in a revolt. The only revolution he could lead at this point. The only fight he had.

The elder sighed deeply, "Are you not going to speak to me?"

Again, Isaac was met with a silent stare. After a few more moments Isaac snapped, "Fine. I like it better when you're not annoying me anyway. I'm in no rush for you to accept the truth. You're only troubling yourself."

He pointed at the wardrobe and continued, "You'll find a set of clothes for you in there. I'll be outside the door. And do not try anything stupid, it's too early for such foolishness."

"Where are my clothes?" Ezra asked, his voice hoarse. He was surprised by how he sounded. He looked down at what he was wearing, finding himself in a large white shirt and white sleep pants.

Isaac hummed, "So you speak? Well, the orange things were thrown out way before we got here. They were absolutely disgusting."

He then turned, walking from the room and shutting the doors behind himself. Ezra felt his shoulders begin to shake heavily with anger and maybe even a bit of deep despair. His clothes…Just another thing that was ripped away from him in a short time. His mind. His family. His will. It was all being sucked out of him.

Now his clothes.

Ezra walked over to the wardrobe, opening in carefully. He was met with a pair of dark pants and a black shirt. He began to change, careful not to jostle himself too much in fear of making the pain return. He then put on the boots that tied up to mid shin.

Ezra stood a few moments, inspecting himself in the wardrobe mirror. It was stupid…He felt nauseous just looking at himself in the clothes. It was a miniature version of what Isaac wore almost. Traditional Sith apparel in all likelihood. Is this what they did? They stripped your entire identity down and turned you into something you weren't?

If what Isaac had said about being his brother was true…They must have torn him apart to turn him against his parents…

"No," Ezra thought to himself, shaking his head fiercely. "He isn't your brother."

He wasn't himself. If he wasn't himself Isaac wasn't his brother. End of story.

The teen turned slowly, walking to the doors and exiting the room. Isaac glanced at him slightly before beginning to lead him down the long halls lined with marble floors and ceilings. Ezra's eyes scanned the beautiful paintings on the walls and watched as a woman dressed in a maid's uniform began to pass, carrying a handful of towels.

Ezra felt her fear as she gave them a curt bow and went on her way.

He wanted to scream.

Instead though, he cleared his throat and asked, "Where are we?"

"Master sent us remote to keep us out of sight while he deals with Emperor business," Isaac said as Ezra moved to walk beside him in order to speak to him. "He asked me to begin your training."

"That doesn't answer my question," Ezra rolled his eyes. "Remote isn't an answer."

"We are on Naboo," Isaac snapped suddenly, flicking Ezra on the back of his ear harshly. Ezra hissed, glaring back at the other as he ranted, "Have you had no schooling? I saw you looking out the window. It has a distinct landscape. The planet is…of sentiment to Master."

"Why?" Ezra mumbled, rubbing his ear.

"I don't ask," Isaac groaned. "Not everyone is nosy like you are. The manor we are in now once belonged to a senator during the Old Republic. It's farther from the city, out of the public eye. And the many miles surrounding it will be beneficial to your training."

Ezra's eyes narrowed, but he fell silent. They continued to navigate through the large home before exiting out the giant doors into a large courtyard. Ezra glanced around at the extravagant plants growing around it and the colors of the cobble stone beneath his feet. It would be beautiful...If not in the hands of the Empire.

They walked slowly as Isaac explained, "Most of your training will take place here." He grabbed Ezra's shoulder to stop him once they stood in the center. He turned the younger around by his shoulders and said, "You swore you allegiance to Vader. That is significant."

"That was a lie," Ezra hissed. "A lie to save my friends."

"Still, your fear made you swear," Isaac mused. "It's a step forward. So, we can skip over that lesson and go straight to the first I was taught."

Ezra didn't get the chance to respond before Isaac held out his hand, causing Ezra's head to burst with pain. A scream left his lips as he grabbed both sides of his skull, tugging at his hair. Isaac's mind was intrusive. Always and always intrusive. Pressing into his brain like a brand. It was fire. Ablaze.

The boy felt hot tears of agony streak his face as he fell to his knees in front of the elder who continued to bombard his mind with invasive pressure. Then…It suddenly subsided and Isaac lowered his hand.

Ezra gasped loudly, his chest rising and falling as he sat on his knees, still cradling his head. He looked up at Isaac through his tear stained face, "What was that!?"

"Your first lesson," Isaac spoke. "If you recall, Vader used pain to push you into submission on the ship. And I just did the same. If you had the correct mental training, you would be capable of fighting us off before we get the chance to enter."

Ezra shook his head, "How is this training?"

Isaac sighed, "A body is only as strong as a mind. You can be the strongest man in the galaxy, but if you are mad, you are weak. Your thoughts aren't able to be processed, therefore can be overrun by mine. You are weak, Ezra. Your mind is wide open constantly. Which, is part of the reason the Reading was so easy. Among others…"

Ezra was quick to look away. He knew why. Deep down in his gut he knew why it was so easy. He just didn't want to face it. Maybe if he continued to ignore it…If it wasn't spoken about ever again…It would just go away. It wouldn't be true.

Isaac continued, "You'll learn to block other minds. But, in order for me to teach you that…I must break yours first…Then remold it."

He then held out his hand once more…pulling a scream from Ezra again.

Everything tore away.

Kanan sat on the floor, sinking deeper and deeper into his mind.

He heard when the door slid open to the medical bay and he felt Ahsoka's presence. But, he didn't open his eyes at first. Kanan had hoped maybe she would see him meditating and leave him be. But, that wasn't the case…

"What are you doing?" Ahsoka asked.

Kanan let out a sound of annoyance. Wasn't it obvious? His eyes opened slowly and he looked up at the other Jedi with a frustrated expression. He growled, "I'm sensing for Ezra."

Ahsoka shook her head, "You aren't going to track him. Especially if he's with a Sith. They'll be blocking him, just like you did for so long."

Kanan's chest and shoulders fell. He hated the fact that she was right, but it at least made him feel like he was accomplishing something by sitting there and feeling for Ezra's presence. It was enough…He could sense his life. So why not his location? Why did the distance have to be so great?

The man began to stand slowly, yanking away when Ahsoka attempted to assist him in his injured state. She let out a sigh and stepped back, allowing him to get up on his own. He mumbled, "You gave your word that you would help us find him. That the fleet would stand behind us."

"The fleet is…Unconvinced of one boy's importance," Ahsoka whispered. "But, I'm convinced. And I want to help you and your crew find and rescue him."

Kanan gave her a look of distrust…

"Why?" Kanan asked. "Why leave your fleet behind for Ezra when not long ago you were willing to kill him?"

Ahsoka let out a shaky breath and glanced around the medical bay. There was something idle on the tip of her tongue, refusing to be released, but wanting so desperately to be spoken. The will of the words must have won because she began to speak…

"Because he gave himself to Vader to save us. That is not the heart of someone who would turn against his family."

Kanan's chin set itself and became hard as he spoke, "Do you believe Ezra is as strong as the Chosen One?"

Ahsoka nodded, "I do. And I believe he can have the same fate my master was meant to have. The one that saves the Jedi. Revives them."

Kanan stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Then you help us get him back. And I promise to train him to the best of my ability."

She nodded…

"We will get him back."