Note: Here are the incomplete plans for my Rebels "Expanded Universe" chronology: (BBY = Before Battle of Yavin/ ABY = After Battle of Yavin ). It is tentative and can change.
5 years BBY – "Star Wars Rebels season 1" (Disney XD series)
5 years BBY – "The Truth in the Lies" (In Progress - Part One of the Mandalore Trilogy)
4 years BBY – "The Loss of Hope" (Completed and Updated)
0 years BBY – "A New Hope" (In Progress part 1 of the Star Wars Trilogy)
0 years BBY – "Rogue Squadron: Blood and Water" (working title – coming soon)
2 years ABY - "Revenge of the Death Watch" ( working title - coming soon – Part 2 of the Mandalore Trilogy)
3 years ABY – "The Empire Strikes Back" (coming soon – part 2 of the Star Wars Trilogy)
3 years ABY – "Rise of the Duchess" (coming soon – part 3 of the Mandalore Trilogy)
4 years ABY – "The Return of the Jedi" (coming soon – part 3 of the Star Wars Trilogy)
5 years ABY – "In the End, At the Beginning" (Coming soon)
9 years ABY "The Thrawn Crisis" (Coming soon)
Note 2: This chapter contains a reference to the season finale of Rebels, a specific story arc of Clone Wars, as well as my other story The Truth in the Lies.
Star Wars Rebels
A New Hope
Chapter 3: Battle of Heroes pt. 1 Ezra Bridger's Knighthood Trial Begins
"Now that she is stabilized, there is something else we must deal with," Obiwan said, holding out his hand, and Ezra's lightsaber flew from his belt to Obiwan's hand.
"What?" Luke said, as he walked into the commons.
"You are no Jedi," Obiwan said, staring Ezra in the eyes, "Not yet."
"Ezra is a Jedi," Sabine said in his defense, as Luke helped her with some Bacta patches on her wounds, then pulled her black undershirt on. "At least he wasn't hiding under a rock when the Empire was overrunning the galaxy!"
"I had a specific mission, m'lady," Obiwan glanced to the Mandalorian, then glanced between Ezra and Luke, "The Force moves us all and each of us has specific parts to play. That includes your former master, young man. Trust in the will of the Force." The old master glanced to the lightsaber in his hand then back to its owner. "There is much anger in you, Ezra, much hatred. To be a Jedi you have to let go. You must find peace in all situations."
"Peace? This is a war, Master Kenobi," Ezra shook his head, and Sabine carefully climbed back to her feet and moved to Ezra's side. "I'm supposed to find peace? What they did… What VADER did… I can't! THEY TOOK HIM FROM ME! THEY TOOK THEM ALL FROM ME!" Ezra dropped his head and looked visibly defeated. "They've taken everything… how can I have peace with that?"
Luke's eyes widened and Obiwan frowned sadly at the mention of Vader's name. Sabine instead smiled softly and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "They haven't taken everything, Ezra, not yet," She said softly, squeezing his shoulder, "You still have me… and the others. You're not alone."
Obiwan glanced between Ezra and Sabine and sighed. "In the Jedi Order, emotional attachments were strictly forbidden."
"Attachment?" Ezra and Sabine squeaked as Luke blinked at the pair. "We're just friends!"
"Regardless of the relationship, you two have a strong attachment to one another," Obiwan nodded, "Should you have been a Padawan of the Order and a member the Jedi Council sensed the bond between you, you would have been given a choice between her and your role as a Knight of the Order." He then smiled slightly, "But the Jedi Council was not… always correct in their ways of thinking." He sat back and laughed lightly, "Back in the days of the Clone Wars, I'd probably be the first to …cause a scene… as hypocritical as that may be." Obiwan motioned for the seats, "Come, sit." Obiwan glanced behind them to Luke, "You, too, Luke."
"Ezra, before he died… did your Master ever tell you about a Jedi Knight by the name of Anakin Skywalker?" Obiwan asked, instantly gaining Luke's attention. But after a moment of reflection Ezra shook his head. "He was a great hero, particularly during the Clone Wars, one of the most heroic of the Jedi Order… and he was my best friend, my brother. I trained him from a young boy in the ways of the Jedi arts… but he was different. Most Jedi, your master included, Ezra, was taken from their parents at infancy upon detection of their connection to the Force. Anakin… he was older, nine years old actually… he was already attached to his mother… and then… to … others…"
"Others?" Luke asked, curiously.
"First to me, we were… brothers," Obiwan answered with an half fond half sad expression on his face, "And the other was to a young queen who was with me and my Master when we found him: Padmé Amidala." Obiwan sighed and shook his head, "Years after they first met, they reunited, she became a Senator in the Republic, and my ever charming Padawan was assigned to protect her. They were already close, but he and his ever annoying charm swept her off her feet."
"They fell in love and secretly married without anyone's knowledge," Obiwan continued, "I admit, I wasn't that gutsy to oppose the Order to that level but… he discovered something that the Jedi had long since forgotten… His relationship with Padmé helped him to increase in friendship, loyalty, and compassion, values that are core to knowledge of the Light Side of the Force."
"But Vader, who was a Jedi apprentice as well, also had an attachment to Padmé, but unlike Anakin his affections were twisted… selfish and inward thinking… He selfishly wanted to hold on to what he felt was his and damn the rest of the galaxy for it." Obiwan avoided any of their eyes, "Vader used Anakin's love for Padmé against him… and attempted to turn Padmé in his favor... she refused… and Vader attacked her. Padmé lived just long enough deliver… her child." He smiled up at Luke.
"So Vader murdered both of my parents… Why didn't Uncle Owen and Aunt Baru ever tell me about this…" Luke looked down sadly.
"As I said, they were worried about you following me off to fight in some idealistic war," Obiwan shook his head. "Perhaps not wishing you to seek vengeance, nor do I, as it will take you deep into the Dark Side of the Force."
"You said that you'd be the first to turn someone in for an attachment, why did you let Anakin go with his relationship?" Sabine asked curiously.
"Well, first was he was my brother, and I felt I was protecting him from the Council's disappointment, secondly… I had no room to talk," Obiwan glanced away. "Most Jedi… they draw their greatest strength from the Force, but like Anakin, I too was different… my strength came from an attachment… no matter how hard I fought it. Stubborn Mandalorian…" Obiwan paused to sigh, "It was a … rocky relationship to say the least but…"
"Your noble flaw is a weakness shared by you… and your duchess," Darth Maul sneered lifting Satine Kryze by the throat, her long blond hair waving in her face as she struggled against the Sith's grasp. "You should have chosen the Dark Side, Master Jedi… Your emotions betray you… your fear and… yes… your anger. Let your anger deepen your hatred!"
"Don't… listen to him, Obi…" Satine gasped.
"Quiet," Maul growled.
"You can kill me," The captured Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi growled, "But you will never destroy me. It takes strength to resist the Dark Side. Only the weak embrace it."
"It is more powerful than you know…" Maul sneered.
"And those who oppose it is more powerful than you'll ever be!" Obiwan replied, "I know where you're from, I've been to your village. I know the decision to join the Dark Side was not yours. The Night Sisters made it for-"
"SILENCE!" Maul snapped, "You think you know me? It was I who languished for years, thinking of nothing but you! Nothing but this moment… and now… the perfect tool for my vengeance is in front of us…"
Maul smiled as he drew his lightsaber, and brought Satine closer to him. "I never planned on killing you… but I will make you share my pain… Kenobi…" Obiwan's eyes widened and terror filled his heart as the woman flew toward the Sith Lord, and his lightsaber impelled her chest. Her eyes never left his, as she reached for him desperately. He withdrew the blade and let her drop at Obiwan's feet, and his guards released him. Maul smiled with sick pleasure as Obiwan carefully rolled her onto her back, the hole in her chest smocked as she struggled to breath.
"Satine…" Obiwan breathed, wishing to say something to comfort her. Instead the comfort came from the Jedi's Duchess as she reached up and cupped his cheek.
"Remember… my dear Obiwan…" Satine breathed softly, "I've loved you always… I always will…" She said with her final breath.
"Satine was my greatest strength…" Obiwan said, and Sabine stiffened in her seat.
Ezra glanced at Sabine as his mouth dropped. Could it be… Could it really be…
"What… what was her name again?" Sabine asked with wide, almost fearful eyes, and her hand desperately reached for Ezra's.
"Satine…" Obiwan replied, studying the girl, "Satine Kryze. Do you know of her?"
"She was… She was my mother…" Sabine said, pushing herself away from the table and started moved quickly into a side pathway into the ship.
"Sabine, wait!" Ezra started to follow then felt and heard in the back of his mind a countless amount of voices screaming, fear flooding through and then… nothing. He glanced to Obiwan and saw he was just as affected.
"Ben, what's wrong? Ezra?" Luke asked, helping Obiwan get stable.
"I felt a great disturbance in the Force…" Obiwan said, glancing from Luke to Ezra, "As if millions of voices cried out in terror…"
"And were suddenly silenced…" Ezra finished for him.
"I fear something terrible has happened…" Obiwan sighed, then glanced to Luke, "it'd be best you work on your lightsaber exercises."
Obiwan activated a small ball-like seeker droid that started to hover around Luke, as the young man drew his father's lightsaber and ignited it. A blue blade extended with the familiar pop hiss and he prepared himself to block the droid's low power stun blasts.
Luke yelped as he completely missed the blast and struck him in the side. After three blasts that he missed wildly, Ben Signaled for him to stop.
"Well you can forget those Imperial slugs. I told you I'd out run them," Han Solo said entering the room with Chewbacca, his second in command going to the chess table, and roaring a challenge to the astromech droid. R2 beeped his acceptance of the challenge, and 3P0 waddled over to watch. Meanwhile, Obiwan and Ezra coached Luke on lightsaber style. "…Don't everyone thank me at once…" He grunted at his lack of response. "Syndulla's scrap-pile even kept up with us."
"We'll be at Alderaan at about oh-two-hundred," Han said, taking a seat, "Syndulla said she'd dock with us in orbit so you and your Mando'ade girlfriend can get with your pals there."
"Got ya, thanks, Han," Ezra said, watching as Luke took a step back to the middle of the room to attempt to block the seeker droid again, and failed miserably.
"Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flow through him," Obiwan instructed.
"You mean it controls his actions?" Luke asked.
"Partially," Obiwan nodded, "But it also obeys your commands…"
Luke tried again, and yet again got zapped. His visible frustration earned a laugh from Han.
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match to a good blaster at your side, Kid," Han smirked.
"You don't believe in the Force, do you?" Luke asked the Captain.
"Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls my destiny," Han rolled his eyes, earning a soft smile from Obiwan.
"Well, my master actually carried a blaster and a lightsaber," Ezra spoke up, "And… my lightsaber is both. I installed a blaster in the hilt."
"You did?" Obiwan asked, lifting Ezra's saber and inspected it, "So you did…" he said, frowning, "So… uncivilized…"
Han laughed loudly, and winked at Ezra, "I knew I liked you and Jarrus for a reason, Kid."
Obiwan smiled as he stood up and approached Luke with a helmet. "Try it now…" He said placing the helmet on the young man with the blast shield down.
"This time, let go of your conscious self and act on instinct," Obiwan advised.
"With the blast shield down, I can't even see…" Luke complained with a laugh, "How am I supposed to fight?"
"Your eyes can deceive you, do not trust them," Obiwan stated as Luke took a fighting stance with his saber, "Stretch out with your feelings…"
"Don't get discouraged if you don't get it at first," Ezra spoke up, "It took me months…" He drifted off as Luke effortlessly began deflecting the blasts. "You know… I'm going to go check on Sabine…" Ezra frowned, turning and walking the way the girl disappeared, patting Luke on the shoulder as he passed.
Luke beamed at his new friend, then to Obiwan, "You see, you can do it." The old man nodded.
"I call it luck," Han crossed his arms.
"In my experience, there's no such thing as 'luck'," Obiwan replied.
"Is Ezra ok?" Luke asked, glancing to the hallway.
"He will be, with her help… and yours," Obiwan said, looking to Ezra's lightsaber in his hand, then to Luke. "He has his own battles to face, but I feel in the future you will aid each other in becoming powerful Jedi."
-SW-
Sabine sat with her knees pulled to her chest near the engines of the ship. Her mind raced with what she had learned. Sabine's Aunt Bo Katan had said her father was a Jedi Master and General during the Clone Wars. She had assumed he had been killed in the purge. But now… this old master just a short distance away, could she be with her family, her real family. It both excited her and terrified her. She had become a mercenary and done a lot of bad things, granted for good reasons most of the time, but still… would he be proud of the woman she had grown into? Would he accept her?
"Hey, credit for your thoughts?" Ezra said, sliding down the wall to sit next to her.
"Like you actually have a credit to your name," Sabine smirked.
"You ok?" Ezra asked, glancing to his best friend.
"No… not really," She shook her head, "Do you think…"
"Maybe," Ezra frowned, "It's possible… but we won't know for sure till you talk to him."
"I… I want to know but then again I don't want to know… I just I'm so confused…" She said, glancing away from him.
"I'm sure they'll be a quiet spot on Alderaan where you can talk privately," Ezra said with a smile, "Even if he's not, he was one the Jedi Council, he might know who your father was. You can at least have closure."
"Ezra…" Sabine asked, glancing to him, "Will you… talk to him with me?" she asked, taking his hand.
"If you want me there, I'll not leave your side," Ezra smile, "I'll be there for the truth, no matter if it's good or bad…"
"Just like on Mandalore…" Sabine smiled, looking up into his eyes.
"Just like…" Ezra nodded, and the two unconsciously started drawing their faces close together.
"Preferably without you almost dying on me…" She whispered, their lips less than an inch apart, letting her eyes flutter closed.
"Do my best, m'lady…" He whispered, closing his own eyes as his warm breath washed over her lips.
Just as their lips were about to make contact the Falcon shook violently.
"Karabast!" Sabine gasped as Ezra fell forward, missing her completely and tumbling to the floor. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Ezra said pulling himself to his feet, offering his hand to help her up. Sabine took his hand and pulled herself up when the ship shook again. "Feels like were hitting something…"
"Hurry, let's see what's wrong!" Sabine started toward the cockpit, holding his hand but he stopped and pulled away.
"I'll be right behind you, Sabine, just a minute…" He said, holding up his hand and giving a smile that did not reach his eyes.
Sabine gave a sadden look to her friend, before nodding and making her way to the cockpit of the Falcon. Ezra meanwhile, stood there and lowered his head, taking a deep breath. What almost happened cannot happen. He can't allow it… as he closed his eyes he could see Hera when she thinks she's the only one awake on the Ghost, Sitting alone either in the cockpit or the commons, draining a flask of alcohol, crying, and calling out for Kanan… only after a moment Hera was replaced by a young Mandalorian girl, instead of mourning Kanan, mourning him. "This is the only way I know to protect you, Sabine… I'm sorry…" He whispered softly, before following after her.
Ezra and Sabine entered the cockpit of the Falcon to find the rest of the ship occupants already gathered.
"What happened?" Sabine asked, looking out to see the asteroid field.
"We came out of hyperspace into a meteor shower, some kind of asteroid collision," Solo replied, as he and his wookie copilot worked at avoiding the space debris. "It's not on any charts…"
"So, where's Alderaan?" Ezra asked, frowning at the asteroids.
"You got me, Kid," Solo shook his head, "our position is correct, except no Alderaan!"
"What do you mean?" Luke shook his head in confusion, "Where is it?"
"That's what I'm trying to tell you, Kid," Solo glanced back to Luke, "It ain't there. It's been blown away." He then pressed a button, "Falcon to Ghost, confirmation, any signs of Alderaan with you?"
Hera's voice came through the cockpit speakers a moment later, "Ghost here, confirm, Alderaan is gone, no signs by sensors or visuals."
"What? How?" Luke asked, unable to fathom what had become of the planet.
"Destroyed…" Obiwan said, stroking his beard, "By the Empire…"
"The entire Starfleet couldn't destroy a planet," Han shook his head, looking at the swarm of rocks that was once Alderaan, as the Falcon and Ghost carefully maneuvered around the destruction.
"He's right," Sabine frowned, "It'd take thousands of ships with more firepower than I've ever even dreamed of…" The instruments began to go off again, and Hera's voice spoke through the speakers. "Heads up, Falcon! You have incoming on your six!"
Before the group could respond a fighter craft passed them from above.
"Maybe they know what happened," Luke suggested.
"I'm sure they do," Sabine nodded, "That's an Imperial TIE Fighter."
"They followed us!" Luke exclaimed as Han turned the ship to follow it.
"No, it's a short range fighter, no hyper drive," Sabine shook her head, leaning forward against Obiwan's seat.
"There aren't any bases around here," Han said, looking over the Falcon's instruments. "Where did it come from?"
"It's sure leaving in a big hurry," Luke noted, "If they identify us, we're in big trouble."
"Not if I can help it…" Han said, hitting the Falcon's accelerator, "Chewy, jam its transmissions."
"It'd be well to let it go," Obiwan stated, watching the distant TIE fighter. "It's too far out of range…"
"Not for long…" Han growled, pushing his prized ship after the small fighter.
"I have a bad feeling about this…" Ezra whispered, and Sabine glanced at her friend worriedly.
"A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own…" Obiwan mused as they closed the gap with the TIE.
"It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy," Luke guessed, "Or something…"
Han smirked as the fighter slowly grew into range, "Well, he ain't going to be around long enough to tell anyone about us."
"Look at him," Luke said, pointing toward the TIE as it turned to fly toward a moon in the distance.
"It's flying toward that small moon," Sabine frowned, watching the ship fly.
Han hit a few buttons on the control panel, "I think I can get him before he gets there… he's almost in range…"
"That's no moon…" Obiwan's eyes widened on the moon, recognizing the design from a Separatist design he had hoped had been lost at the end of the Clone Wars. "That's a space station…"
"It's too big to be a space station," Han said dismissively.
Luke paled as the monstrous battle station grew closer, "maybe we should go in the other direction…" Sabine offered.
"I think you're right…" Han hit some switches "Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary power."
Instead of stopping and going in reverse, the ship just began to shake and continue to go forward. "We're still moving toward it!" Luke cried out.
"We're caught in a tractor beam, it's pulling us in!" Han shook his head, as he frantically hit switches to try to counter the beam's effect.
Luke shook his head, "There has to be something you can do!"
"There's nothing I can do about it, Kid," Han said sitting back in defeat, "I'm at full power, and I'm going to have to shut down…" He then hit the com switch, "Falcon to Ghost, come in, Ghost, Syndulla are you there? Syndulla?"
"She's still out there, but the Ghost is in stealth mode," Ezra stated, "We're on our own… ideas?"
"They're not going to get me without a fight!" Han said, reaching for his blaster.
"You can't win," Obiwan stated, staring at the rapidly approaching Death Star, "But there is an alternate to fighting…"
Han looked confused for a minute before his eyes light up, "Everyone, follow me!" he jumped up from the pilot's seat and ran back into the bowels of the ship. Ezra and Luke looked at each other before nodded and the group followed behind. Han ran toward the rear of the ship, and pressed a button on his chronometer. A moment later panels on the floor lifted and slide away.
"Smuggling compartments scan shielded. Priciest upgrade on this boat," Han explained. "Me and Chewy will take this larger one, big guy can't fit in the others, Kid, you and the old man will take the middle one, Bridger, you and your girlfriend take the back."
"We're not a couple," Ezra and Sabine said at the same time.
"Sure whatever, just get in the hole!" Han said as he shoved the roaring, ungrateful wookie into the hidden smuggling compartment.
Ezra rolled his eyes and offered to help Sabine into the compartment, but she hopped in on her own. She took off her helmet and glanced up expectantly. Ezra sighed and started to jump in himself. As he was about to hop in, the ship shook again, and he fell face first into the compartment. Sabine's armored chest broke the fall.
He awkwardly pulled back as much as he could in the confined place, and the two young rebels awkwardly smiled at each other. "Sorry…"
"It's ok…" Sabine replied with an almost shy smile.
"Ok, everyone, time to be silent, these things aren't sound proof," Han said as the compartments started to close, "And Bridger, you and your Mando keep your clothes on. We are going into enemy territory!"
"Han!" Sabine and Ezra snapped as the panels closed.
-SW-
Lord Vader and Inquisitor Adeptus stood in the control room over the hanger bay that hosed the captured Millennium Falcon. "There's no one on board, Sir," an officer approached the Sith Lord and the Inquisitor, "According to the log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff." He glanced to the ship as a group of troopers pushed crates from the ship. "It must be a decoy, Sir. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned."
The Black Cybernetic Demon glanced to the officer, "Did you find any droids?"
"No, sir," the officer replied, "If they were on board, they must have also been jettisoned."
"Send a scanning crew on board," Vader commanded, "I want every part of that ship checked."
"Yes, sir!" The officer saluted, then turned and left.
The Dark Lord of the Sith lowered his head and turned toward the Inquisitor, "I sense something…" Vader mused, "A presence I haven't felt since…"
"I sense a presence as well, Lord, and it is evidence that he hasn't learned to shielded his Force Presence…" Adeptus stated.
"Kanan Jarrus' Apprentice is on the station," Vader stated, and Adeptus nodded.
"If you can bring him to the Dark Side, train him as I trained you," Vader ordered, "If you cannot then destroy him."
-SW-
Another Storm Trooper fell from a bolt from Han's blaster as he, Luke, and Ezra in Storm Trooper armor, led Obiwan, Chewbacca, and Sabine to a communications outpost.
"You know, between his howling and you blasting everything that moves it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here." Luke chastised the pirate.
"Bring it on," Han motioned, "I prefer a straight fight than all this sneaking around anyway!"
"Stealth hasn't ever been your strong suit, has it, Solo?" Sabine said as she removed her helmet and shook her hair loose.
Before Han could respond, C3P-0 spoke up, "We found the computer outlet, sir."
Obiwan and Sabine moved over and effortlessly worked together to pull up info on the layout of the Space Station. The Jedi Master glanced to the small astromech droid. "Plug in," he instructed, then glanced to Luke, "He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial computer network."
After a few moments R2's dome rotated and he beeped excitedly. "He says he found the main computer to the power the tractor beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor."
The group glanced up to see a digital map appear pointing to the computer console attached to a power supply. "Luke, remain here with Han, Chewbacca, and the Droids," Obiwan stated, "Ezra, Sabine, you're with me."
"Whatever you say," Han rolled his eyes and took a seat, "I've done more than I bargained for on this trip already."
"I want to go with you," Luke stepped up.
"Be patient, Luke," Obiwan smiled and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, "Stay and watch over the droids."
"But…" Luke tried to argue.
"They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Aldaraan. Your destiny lies along a different path than mine." He squeezed the boy's shoulder, "The Force will be with you… always."
The two parted and Obiwan led Ezra and Sabine from the room and closed the door behind them. Silently the trio made their way through the Death Star halls, being careful to dodge patrols, till they finally found the large central chamber of the station, particularly the power relay by a walkway. The three climbed down and began working on the computer controls. "Did you pack any miracles, Sabine?" Ezra asked, glancing to the Mando, who he could imagine the smile behind her helmet as she nodded.
Obiwan looked questioning at the girl. "Once we deactivate the tractor beam, and start to take off," She explained, "Then, we'll blow this thing to smithereens."
"You remind me of your mother," Obiwan smiled fondly.
"I do?" Sabine looked questioningly to the older man, "But Aunt Bo always said my mother was a bit more … stealthy."
"Your Aunt Bo? Ah, Bo Katan," Obiwan nodded oddly, "Yes, yes indeed. Satine was more subtle but still fiery… your 'Aunt Bo', now she was the one who enjoyed blowing things up and asking questions later. She reminded me a lot of Luke's father in that aspect actually…"
Ezra smiled at the interaction but suddenly stiffened. "Something… is coming…"
"It is your time, young one," Obiwan turned and looked sadly toward the young man.
"My time?" Ezra asked, and Sabine seemed to freeze and glanced to the two Jedi.
"You wish to be a Jedi Knight? Before that you must face yourself," Obiwan stated, "Your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your nightmares… the Force has brought this moment to you. I know not how long your trial will last, moments, years, but you must face the Dark Side. Should you come through remaining in the Light… a Jedi Knight you will be… now go."
"Ezra…" Sabine said worriedly.
"I'll be fine," Ezra forced a smile.
"You will need this, son," Obiwan said, removing Ezra's lightsaber from his belt, and handing it back to its owner. "Trust in the Force. Follow where it leads, remember the light will always drive back the darkness…" Obiwan advised, "May the Force be with you…"
Ezra nodded, and climbed back to the walkway and made his way to his destiny…
"Is he going to be ok?" Sabine asked in a small voice.
"No…"Obiwan shook his head. "There is little chance of him returning as he was. He will need you and your friends… more than ever."
-SW-
Ezra walked toward where the dark presence was drawing him. It made him feel cold. He hated that. So he tried to keep his mind on Sabine, Hera, Zeb, and Chopper, as well as Master Kenobi and his new friend Luke. He tried to keep his mind on the Light.
"You've grown up on me, Kid," a muffled voice spoke from the shadows.
"New Inquisitor?" Ezra asked as the cloaked, masked figure walked out of the shadows. "Do you have a name like a few I've taken on, or are you like the ones who just like to be called Inquisitor?"
"I'm one of a kind, Ezra," the Inquisitor said popping his neck, and pushing his cloak-like cape back to reveal his black and dark green armor. "I've been looking forward to this day since I found out you and the others were still alive…"
"Who are you?" Ezra removed his lightsaber from his belt.
"When I was reborn, my Lord named me Adeptus," Adeptus removed two pieces of lightsaber from his belt and put it together.
Ezra narrowed his eye on the blade. "That lightsaber… where did you get it?"
The Inquisitor laughed and activated the now red-bladed saber. "Come and see…" He took a familiar fighting stance, "Or are you going to run away again?"
Ezra activated his lightsaber and rushed the Inquisitor, slash for slash, parry for parry, move for move, the Inquisitor matched his every move, as if he already knew it. Ezra narrowed his eyes, and began to study the fighting style to see if he could catch any weaknesses. He caught something else entirely.
"No…" Ezra took a step back, shaking his head as he recognized the Inquisitor's fighting style. It was like a finger print. And this print was one Ezra would know anywhere. But it shouldn't be. It couldn't be. He was dead.
"It can't be… you can't be…" Ezra shook his head, "Vader killed you… I felt you die…"
"Just like you always did, you frustratingly failed me," Adeptus said with a sick chuckle.
"Why? You'd never … you would never fall to the Dark Side…" Ezra shook his head in disbelief, tears forming in his eyes as his heart broke into a million pieces.
The Inquisitor reached up and removed his mask. Ezra dropped to his knees and stared at the face behind the mask. "Please no…"
What's wrong, Kid?" the yellow-eyed Kanan Jarrus said with an evil smile, "Surprised to see me?"
To Be Continued…
Next chapter: The Battle of the Heroes continues with Ezra vs the fallen Kanan and Obiwan Kenobi vs Darth Vader. And Kenobi v Vader will be a bit different from the movie… more to come!
(Line repeat has been fixed)