Welcome Back Everyone!
I'm happy to see you here again :3
And, just wanted to share, I finally took the time to watch The Flash series (the new one from 2014) And... Wow! I. Just. Love It! Did some of you watch it? Each time I finish an episode, I just can't wait for the next one :3
Okay, enough blabbering, you're not here to see that, but the next chapter XD
I'll also skip Special mention time, But I want all of you who reviewed to remember how I love you all! You're the reason I continue to write :3 Each one of you, having name or not.
Have a nice reading time! :3
P.s. I own Nothing!
Chapter 12
-"Raise your guard. Higher."
The Inquisitor's strict voice was resonating above the blasters' noise.
Ezra, blinded by a helmet made to cover his eyes, felt a blast coming his way and raised the crimson blade he had in hands... the effect of an electric shock passed in his hurt shoulder, running across his entire arm. He tried to get himself together and raised the lightsaber again... too late. The blast grazed his neck and he yelled, covering his new wound with a hand.
-"You are not focused enough."
He felt more incoming blasts, dodging one only to be hit by two others.
-"Concentrate."
Ezra clenched his fingers around the hilt, so much his knuckles turned white.
-"I can't concentrate if you keep talking to me!"
The Inquisitor humphed. -"Then, don't listen and focus."
Ezra took back his fighting stance, grunting. This was useless.
-"You have to clear your mind, to let the Force picture the position of your enemies so you can feel the blast coming and reflect them at your foes."
Ezra was concentrating on hearing the breathing and movement of the Troopers around him and clearly showed he had stopped paying attention at the Pau'an's explanations. The Inquisitor Force pulled on the kid's ankle, making him loose footing and take multiple blast shots!
-"Argg! Why did you...!" Grunted Ezra, catching back his balance.
-"You weren't listening."
-"But you said..." Scowled the kid.
-"Always listen to me." Sermoned the Inquisitor. "If you can't concentrate while listening to my orders, you'll die on the battlefield at the first occasion. Now, if you don't want to be hurt again, you should focus." Ezra grunted again, more from frustration than pain, and the Pau'an's voice commanded again. "Stand up and do as I say."
Ezra obeyed, rising on his feet despite the throbbing he felt everywhere in his body.
-"Begin by clearing your mind."
Ezra took a deep breath, trying to control his panting respirations, focusing to clear his thoughts. Soon, he felt, perceived, the presence of the six Stormtroopers surrounding him. He also sensed the Inquisitor nodding and the boy moved his head just in time to dodge a blast. Somewhat, he also felt the Inquisitor's smile and he gulped, moving swiftly the crimson lightsaber shot after shot to stop just in time the six blasts!
Still panting, he heard the soldiers taking a stand by position with their weapon set aside them and he removed his helmet.
-"That's enough for today." Confirmed the Inquisitor. "Troopers, dismiss."
They did as said and exited the training room quickly before the Inquisitor could change his mind.
-"Can't they set their weapon to paralyze." Grunted Ezra while watching them go, letting himself fall to sit on the floor.
-"If they did, this practice would have ended an hour ago."
The kid rubbed his arm with the most wounds. -"At least, they should lower the intensity of the blasts..."
-"The fear of pain makes you surpass yourself. You would not put that much effort if it was easier."
The Inquisitor saw the boy clenching his hand on his arm. Was he not realizing all he had accomplished in such a short term? But, as he enjoyed sensing the anger grow inside his Apprentice, he knew the boy needed to be told so he would not get discouraged. It was easier to teach when the student was willing to learn.
-"You improved a lot in a week. You should be proud."
-"If you say so..." Retorted Ezra, looking away.
-"You don't seem to believe me."
-"I didn't touch any of them with the reflected blast as you ordered."
-"But you deflected them." Corrected the Inquisitor. "It's already an amelioration compared to yesterday."
Ezra couldn't refrain a smile on the corner of his lips. The Inquisitor's compliments were rare. He stood back, giving a look toward his teacher.
-"Good, you are starting to accept my teachings." Smiled in turn the imposing Pau'an. "It's becoming time for you to call me Master."
-"Master!?" Ezra was taken aback, disgusted. "Don't you own me enough?!"
First, he forcefully bonded the kid to him, then he forced him to follow his orders and teachings and now That! How much more humiliation would that man push onto him before getting satisfied!
The Grand Inquisitor approached, his face changing back to his normal expressionless display. He leaned a hand on the boy's shoulder and Ezra didn't even try to move away. By now, he knew it was useless.
Stooping to the kid's eye level, the Inquisitor answered, calmly. -"I am not your Master because I own you. I am because I mastered the topic I am teaching you."
The answer destabilized the boy for an instant. He didn't even envisage the situation on that angle. Plus, it had been some time now since he felt any pressure inside his chest. He was abiding by the rules of the Grand Inquisitor and, on his side, the man was giving him more space and more free time between the lessons and studies.
-"You should go now." The imposing Pau'an rose up, hands behind his back. "Or you'll miss your call."
-"Yes, you're right!" Realized Ezra, looking at the time. He ran toward the door, stopping only to turn at the last second to look at the Inquisitor. "Thank you... Master."
The Grand Inquisitor simply nodded, serious, to show his contentment. The boy was making progress in more way than just with the Force.
-'Soon.' Thought the Inquisitor. 'Soon, he'll realize which side he really belongs to.'
...
Ezra ran in the corridor unhindered. Troopers were moving aside to let him pass and somewhat the feeling it gave was... thrilling. To think, not long ago, he was the one hiding the second his sight met one of those men in white armor.
Well, not anymore. Now, they were the one to respect him. To fear him. All of them...
All... except the Imperial Security Bureau Agent.
Ezra slowed his course in front of Kallus, just enough to nod in his direction while passing beside him and see the man nod in turn. They were forbidden to speak again together, but he would not forget what that soldier did for him. His solidarity had moved the boy, creating a spark of respect toward him, toward his belief and... maybe even a little toward the Empire itself.
Continuing to run, he resumed his speed. He needed to get to his room before it was too late.
...
-"Hello, Son."
-"Hello, Father. Mother."
Hearing their son, hearing the sound of his voice calling them like that, was a joy they had thought to never feel again in their life. They smiled warmly, holding each other to find the courage to not burst into tears.
Since the first transmission, they received the permission to be contacted by Ezra for five minutes each day. Even though they were now accustomed, it still felt surrealistic to be allowed to see and speak again to their child. The first time the communication opened only with them and him, with no other spectator, all they could do was look at each other without being able to muster a word.
Ephraim talked again to disperse the tension in the air and, also, wishing to not waste their precious and short five minutes another time.
-"How was your day?"
-"Fine." Answered Ezra, not knowing how he should talk to them. He didn't have that kind of conversation with anyone in so long and, even after a few days, he still wasn't sure on the attitude he should use. He brushed his hair, looking away. "There's so much to learn, but the Inquisitor is making me work hard. He said I improved today again."
-"Ezra, is that a gash on your neck?!" Suddenly spouted Mira, the way Ezra had moved revealing the blaster shot.
Ezra looked at them again with surprise and covered the wound in an instant.
-"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
By chance, all the other shot he received were covered by the black uniform he had put on before calling them.
But, as Mira was dead worried in his arms, Ephraim raised his voice. -"Son, how could we not worry!"
-"I said it's nothing!" The boy yelled back. Then, seeing the fear and despair on his parents' face, he calmed down, feeling sorry. "I... I didn't want to yell at you." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I received worst wounds when I was in the streets. So, really, it's nothing. You don't need to give it too much thought... They'll get treated before the next session."
It was true. The Inquisitor always made sure he was ready before throwing another session. The only deep wound that kept giving him trouble was that stupid lightsaber's hole. It was like it didn't wished to be healed...
-"Ezra, why are you doing it?" Asked Ephraim without notice. "Why are you working with the Empire?"
-"As I said, I have to do it..."
-"Is it for us?" Inquired Mira.
-"I..." Ezra hesitated. Somewhat, he felt vulnerable under the worried look of his mother.
-"Ezra, you don't need to do it if it's for us."
-"We weren't cautious enough and got caught, but we didn't wish the same faith for you."
-"We worked hard to be sure you would grow happy, safe."
-"Well, that failed." Snapped involuntarily Ezra.
His parents looked at each other, sadden not to know what could have happened during their absence.
-"Didn't Seebo took care of you?"
-"Don't talk to me about that traitor!" Bursted Ezra again. "He did nothing! I had to survive in the streets for seven years because he betrayed you and abandoned me!"
-"Oh, Ezra..."
-"Time's up. I'll contact you again tomorrow."
Ezra turned off the communication. He sighed, looking at the floor.
He didn't want to yell at them. They were his parents... but, somewhat, they felt like strangers... strangers asking too much painful questions he didn't want to answer. And he ended up thinking...
... was he still doing it for them?...
...
-"Is the paint job finished?" Asked Hera.
-"Alllmosst... there!" Answered Sabine while giving the last paint brush on the little astromech.
Chopper turned on himself, beeping his displeasure. He was far than happy to be forced to wear the Empire's color.
-"You'll need it to pass incognito." Reminded Kanan, entering the room while putting back on the white bracers and gloves fitting with the trooper's armor he was wearing again.
-"Are you sure it's a good idea." Questioned Hera, her voice filled with worries.
-"It worked last time. No reason for it not to work this time." Simply said back Kanan.
-"Now, he'll be more cautious. Knowing you can do it." Hera tried to convince him.
-"And he knows we'll think that. He won't expect us to use the same trick twice." Reassured the Jedi, posing a hand on his dear friend's shoulder. "Plus, you won't do any diversion this time. No need to get his attention."
-"Do you think you'll be able to break the bond this time?" Asked Sabine, walking closer to them.
-"I know how to do it." He replied with assurance. "I just need one more chance and make it quick."