Just wanted to clarify that I am not at all sorry for this. Also, to make up for the cliffie, review replies!

Lordandempressdoodle (this hopefully covers both of your reviews): I already have the next chapter prewritten but you'll see more of Vartoc's Vartocness soon though.

Future Teacher: Mwahahahaha!

Disney Syndulla: Wasn't Filoni. I am mostly self taught. :)

cassturn93: *Palpatine Voice* I can feel your anger.

Rebels-lover: I didn't kill Blueberry's neck. I just killed his windpipe.

Midnight Luna: He has grown so much. And thank you Midnight for stopping Inner Fangirl. Thiefy may be a crazy girl but I can't write when I'm dead. :)

Teenylambofgod: Thanks. I get the feeling that I will need this since I sense an angry mob currently approaching with pitchforks and torches.

Wisdom: Thanks! :)

sguti392: My story won't fit exactly anymore, but the reason I cut off requests is because of the trailer and because I have more ideas than Wednesdays left until October. Thanks for the support! :)

Starlight Moon Midnight: Have an infinite supply. :) Don't worry. My reviews acted up so I wasn't able to see them right away either.

mpathy: Kanan looks so cool!

Guest: *Hands you chapter* Hope this makes up for the wait. :)

Summary: When the mission takes a tragic turn, Kanan must do the impossible to save Ezra's life.

The second the Phantom docked with the Ghost, Kanan and Hera carried Ezra to the medbay. The others rushed forward, but Hera stopped them. "Stay out here. You too Kanan."

"But-"

Kanan was cut off by Hera. "Love, there is nothing you can do. Sabine, get the ship into hyperspace. Zeb, contact Commander Sato and ask for a medical team. Chopper, divert the power we don't need for hyperspace into the miedical equipment."

"What do you want me to do?" Kanan asked.

"Kanan, all you can do right now is wait. Maybe go into his mind or something. Keep him fighting."

Kanan nodded and sat down on the floor, his back against the wall. He centered himself and slipped away...

Something was very wrong. Kanan knew the second he entered Ezra's mind. Ezra's signature was floating and fading. He was surrounded in a red glow, which stemmed out into the infinite darkness. The more Ezra glowed, the more his actual signature faded. It was almost as if the glow was sucking the life out of him. Then, it hit Kanan like a ton of bricks. This was the bond that Ezra inadvertently formed with Maul on Malachor! And Ezra was dying because of it! Maul's rage was draining him!

"Ezra," Kanan said to the dying signature. "It's me. Stay with me. You can't die on me. Don't die on me."

Maul's bond was so cold it burned his hand at the touch. Kanan hissed in pain as he began to unravel it. It was a tiring and tedious process.

"Listen to me," Kanan told Ezra, even though he couldn't hear him. "Just hang on. I'll have you out soon."

Ezra continued to fade.

"Karabast! You can't die!"

Kanan unraveled the bond until his entire body hurt and there was one thread left.

"No!"

Kanan looked up as Maul decided to join the party. "You can't break the bond! You'll block me from his mind!"

"I think that's the point," Kanan retorted. "Goodbye Maul. And good riddance."

Kanan snapped the last thread as Maul cried out. The red glow faded from Ezra's mind and it was peaceful for the first time in months.

But Ezra was still fading. Kanan began to shake as he cradled the dying light.

"E-Ezra..." Kanan muttered, a great pain shooting through his chest. However, he could not cry to relieve it. He looked at the fading signature, and he realized that Ezra no longer cared whether he lived or died. Kanan wouldn't have that.

"Ezra, listen to me," Kanan whispered. "I know these past few months have been difficult for all of us, especially you, but we can push through. We've always looked out for one another and I'm not letting you go this easily. Think about Hera, Rex, Sabine, Zeb and Chopper! They would be devastated if you left! Ahsoka wouldn't want you dead! Your parents wouldn't want you to die like this! And the people in the galaxy that you inspired! They need you just as much we do! And me! I need you too! I'm so proud of the progress you've made! I'm proud of the person you've become. You're the most selfless person I know! You can't die! Not when you still have so much to offer! Stay, and we'll get through this together. Please!"

Ezra was almost nonexistent. Just before he faded away completely, Kanan heard a small voice speak up.

"Promise?"

Kanan nodded. "I promise."

Ezra's signature brightened slightly. Within a few seconds, while the glow was still weak, it was there. Kanan wanted to laugh in hysterical joy, but he toned it down to a smile.

"I have to go now. I'll see you when you wake up, okay?"

With that, Kanan withdrew from Ezra's mind.

Kanan was on the brink of exhaustion when he reentered the physical world. Sabine was slumped on the floor, her signature indicating that she was asleep. Zeb was pacing nervously. When he saw Kanan begin to look around, he sighed. "About time mate," Zeb softly as not to disturb Sabine. "You've been in Jedi land for nearly three hours."

"Three hours? H-how's the kid?"

"We don't know," Zeb replied. "Hera hasn't come out yet."

As if on cue, the door opened and Hera stepped out, exhausted. Sabine's eyes snapped open and she stood. Kanan also stood with a great amount of effort.

"He's not quite stable," Hera began, "but I've done as much as I could with what we have. He should hold out until we get back to Atollon, but he's going to need an operation for sure. Kanan, I don't know what you did, but it worked."

The memories came rushing back to Kanan, breaking the bond that Maul had formed, Ezra nearly fading away.

"What do you mean?" Kanan asked. "All I did was break the bond."

"Kanan," Sabine said softly. "You weren't awake when Ezra..." Her voice trailed off, her signature wavering in fear and sadness.

"For a few minutes," Hera explained, "Ezra was in cardiac arrest."

Kanan gasped. "You mean he...died?"

"For a few minutes, yes. I was able to resuscitate him, but I doubt it would have worked without you."

Kanan nodded slowly as the meaning sank in.

The ship lurched suddenly and Chopper wheeled in announcing that they were out of hyperspace and about to land.

As soon as they landed, Kanan was too exhausted to even use Force Sight. He slumped to the ground. The last thing he remembered was the sound of a gurney, a bunch of voices mingling together, and the sound of Hera calling his name...

Relax! Kanan is fine! He just broke a Force bond. Anyone would pass out from exhaustion after that! Did I make you cry? Did this make up for the cliffie? Good!

Now if you'll excuse me, I must fight off the angry mob that is currently at my door. *ignites darksaber* BRING IT ON!