Welcome Back Everyone!
I know I should have been working on To Mend, but this story has received so many reviews/follow/favorite since the last chapter that I couldn't get it out of my mind and ended up planning for it instead :3
I hope you'll love this chapter too. Don't hesitate to show me your support, it motivates me so much! :D
Have a nice reading time! :3
P.s. I own Nothing!
Chapter 13
-"The angle you give to your blade is imporant, but anticipating the enemy's movement is also primordial if you want the reflected blast to hit."
Ezra grunted below the blinding helmet. He was still training, sweat having appeared on his skin under hours of intense practice, the vigilant stare of the Grand Inquisitor fixed on him.
The kid almost evaded every blaster bolt this time, but he still needed to make one of those kriffing shot hit back at least one Trooper. They kept firing at him endlessly, giving him no time to breath between each attack, draining him from his stamina and, ultimately, from his focus. The frustration was building inside him, making his every nerve, his every muscle, tense to the point he could nearly forget the stabbing pain in his shoulder. The adrenaline was flooding through his veins, filling him alongside an emotion he hadn't felt that often in his life. Filling him with a deep rage.
The crimson blade was shaken by another blast. Ezra felt it, sensed it, as it was flying towards the man who had shot and a suddent realization made his frustration boil like magma inside a volcano. He also felt the Trooper initiating a move to evade the shot! The Force overflowed from the fulminating kid inside the split second it took for the bolt to run the distance separating them, and Ezra mentally grabbed the wriggling man to project him in front of the blast trajectory!
As the piercing sound of the man's cry covered the blaster's noises, everything suddenly became silent. Everything, except the hurt Trooper rolling on the floor, lamenting.
Ezra removed the helmet, panting heavily. The other Stormtroopers threw looks between them, becoming more frightened if that was even possible and, when the boy frowned, they moved aside with fear to let him have a free way to look at his fallen, squirming target. The rage diminished inside him, slowly giving way to another strong emotion...
He felt over his shoulder the big hand of the Inquisitor. He was standing beside him, smiling... proud.
-"You did it, Ezra. You hit your target."
His tone was calm and deep as usual, but the now accustomed ears of the kid, forced to listen to this voice's commands for days, couldn't miss hearing in it a sweet pleasure and even... exaltation. Deep down, the man was utterly satisfied. A wicked satisfaction...
-"You earned a break. Go wash yourself and rest. " Continued the Grand Inquisitor, gently firming his grip over the kid's shoulder. "Tomorrow, we'll change practice. You showed me you're ready for some... Force Training."
Ezra gave for only answer a light nod, turning to walk away. He passed beside the Troopers, who moved swiftly aside to let him pass, without even looking at them.
The Inquisitor's eyes narrowed. He was indeed quite satisfied with the turn the Boy's training had taken, but something was changing in him, and the change was way too fast for what he had first planned. If things continued like this, the Inquisitor would only accomplish half of his goal...
Taking his coms in hand, he took it beside his wincing lips. -"Did you bring back what I asked you, Agent?"
-"Yes." Answer the voice of Kallus. "Do you need it now?"
-"Indeed. Bring it at once."
...
Ezra had just finished his shower.
He took way longer than usual, but, somewhat, he felt like he needed it. He needed to wash away that feeling he had felt and he childishly wished scrubbing more would cleanse it from its now redden skin. It was like it was oozing from every one of his pores...
Finishing dressing himself with the feeling this shower didn't change anything, he took the way to regain his room.
He was trailing off, trudging, not even really looking in front of him since he now knew the way by rote. It was no surprise when he bumped into something, but it was when that something bumped in him again as retaliation!
-"Ouch! What's the big deal, droid!" Snapped Ezra to the little astromech who was taking a step back to rush toward him again!
The Kid ducked the assault, turning to keep the stupid junk pile in sight, when someone grabbed one of his arms! He struggled, taking a glimpse of the white armor while the man dragged him to hide in a side corridor, until a familiar voice brought him back to his senses.
-"Hey, hey Kid! Calm down!"
-"K.. Kanan?" Asked Ezra unsure, trying to see beyond the helmet's black glass.
The Trooper nodded just before raising a hand toward the little astromech who had followed them, still on the verge of rushing them.
-"Could you stop it?! You'll alarm every soldier on this floor if you continue this racket!" Scolded Kanan.
-"Chopper?" Still asked incredulously Ezra, finally calm within the Jedi's grasp.
The little droid angrily agreed with a few beeps, turning to insert his mechanical arm inside a near door computer port, turning it to each side.
-"Are you trying to unlock it?" Questioned Ezra, walking toward the droid when he felt Kanan release his arm.
-"We should hurry in before someone spots us." Confirmed the man. "Do you have your lockpick tools?"
The kid posed his palm onto the computer scanning panel. -"Don't need them." And the door opened, surprising both rebels. "Since I've become more... compliant, I've been given more clearance." He simply explained before entering inside the small room.
Kanan and Chopper looked at each other before following, the man closing the door behind him before removing the helmet.
Ezra was turning his back, fidgeting a little. -"I... Sorry, I didn't realize it was you. I was thinking about something and didn't realize your warmth had come back inside me."
-"I know," Answered calmly the Jedi, approaching. "I felt how conflicted your emotions were." He walked around the Kid, trying to look at him in the eyes, but Ezra kept looking at the floor. "Did something happen?" Ezra made a step back, but Kanan was faster. He grabbed both of the kid's arms. "Did he do something again to you?!"
Ezra violently shook his head in denial, only making Kanan more worried. The Jedi swiftly moved a hand behind the kid's head, moving his to lean his forehead against the kid's and dive in his inner-self.
Inside, something felt odd... cold.
Looking around, Kanan realized some yellowish streams of mist were mixed with the blue surroundings and he had to make a few steps before he could be able to find Ezra. The Kid was surrounded by a blue cloud, tainted with yellow stripes, whirling around him.
-"Ezra?" When Kanan made another step, the kid closed his eyes tighter and the cloud spun faster around him, becoming thicker. And, then, the Jedi understood. He raised his voice to be heard above the wind. "Ezra, the Inquisitor isn't doing anything right now. You're the one doing it. Why are you shrouding yourself from me?"
He continued to advance, although his sight was hindered by the swirling mist, using the brief moment Ezra seemed surprised by his words to close the distance between them. He posed a knee on the floor, leaning a hand on the kid's shoulder to help himself stay steady, pained to feel him try to evade his touch despite the chains restricting his movement.
-"Ezra, stop fighting me, I'm here to free you!"
The Jedi raised his hand, ready to insert it inside the kid's representation and break the chain, when Ezra screamed and Force pushed the man outside of him!
Kanan landed on his back, surprised by the strength inside the push. Ezra hadn't done it unconsciously this time. He was fully aware and willing to use the Force to shove Kanan away!
Chopper beeped sadly beside them, breaking the awkward silence. Ezra made a few steps back, holding one of his arm with his hand like a repentant kid.
-"Don't waste your time. I'm not worth saving."
-"What?!"
-"Kanan," Ezra raised his distressed sight toward the man. "I hurt someone today... And I loved it!"
The Jedi gasped, opening his eyes wide.
Ezra turned his sight again. He knew telling it would hurt the man, but he needed to say it aloud. He needed to expel it from his system. -"He was there, rolling on the floor in pain, and I felt truly happy for having done it to him. I felt great and powerful to have brought him that pain!"
Kanan's mouth was opening and closing, like he wanted to say something, but it was stuck inside his dried throat.
Suddenly, Ezra clenched his hand on the black cloth before his chest! He had taken too much time and the throbbing pain around his heart confirmed the Grand Inquisitor must have started to wonder why he wasn't in his room...
-"I have to go, and you too! Return to your ship, to your rebellion!"
He turned on his heel to run away, but, before he could exit the room, Kanan's voice rose again.
-"I can't go away now! Not with you like that!"
But Ezra continued to run, quickening his pace, running as fast as he could, until he heard him again inside his head.
-"I won't leave this ship now. Not before speaking to you one more time. I'll hide, and I'll wait for you to tell me when the way will be clear. As soon as you're alone, call me again."
Ezra wiped away a tear that had felt on his cheek. Why couldn't he leave him alone? Why was he always showing him kindness when all he had done was endangering them?
When he reached his room, the Inquisitor was effectively waiting inside it for him, hands behind his back. He raised a brow, looking surprised by the boy's flustered face and red eyes, but Ezra quickly talked while holding his cloth tightly again
-"I'm here, now. Could you... release your grasp? I... I can't breathe."
The Inquisitor relaxed, releasing his hold with a light smile, -"I wanted to show you something." and moved to show a card box over Ezra's bed...
...
Hello dear Rebel and Imperial readers!
I have one question for you for the next chapter! :D
In chapter 14, will Kanan get caught by the Inquisitor or not?!
Like for chapter 3, I have ideas for both scenarios and I decided to let you choose! :3
So, tell me, what will happen to Kanan? Caught or Uncaught?