It was eight in the morning when Ezra felt someone shake shaking his shoulder and forcing him out of his meditation. He then looks to his right to see the colorful mandalorian sitting next to him smiling. "Hey" said Sabine.
"Hey" replied the young jedi.
Ezra looked away from her and back at capitol city far away in the distance and sighed. She put her right hand over his scarred cheek forcing him to look at her. She looked into his hyperspace blue eyes, my favorite color, shaking the thought away, she simply asked "What's wrong?"
"Just thinking."
"Ez."
"Fine, something has changed, don't ask me what cause i dont know. All I know is that something has changed and we have to do the plan now and I'm worried something will go wrong and i-."
Sabine cut him off by putting her finger on his lips and saying "stop."
"But-."
"No just stop, everything will be alright, we'll make it through this fight Ezra and free your home."
Ezra began chuckling, causing Sabine to raise an eyebrow. "Sorry it's just now I know how Kanan feels with Hera." Sabine gasped, "I completely forgot why I was here, Hera commed us and wanted to talk about the plan." "Oh crap, we better get there."
On the way to the makeshift comms center of their camp Ezra stopped and turned to look at a distant hill which atop of it was the white loth-wolf which simply walked away back into the fog.
"Do you think they'll help," asked the mandalorian as they turned to keep walking to the comms center.
"I honestly don't know but whatever choice they choose i will respect, but i don't think we have any reason to worry cause in the end they do what's right for Lothal," Ezra said simply
"I hope you're right," replied Sabine right before they saw the holographic form of Hera standing next to Chopper.
"Oh look the lovebirds have graced us with their presence" chuckled Zeb that caused both of the teens to blush. "Knock it off Zeb," the Twi'lek calmly told the Lasat much to Chopper's enjoyment. "Ok now that everyone is here," said Ryder, eyeing Ezra and Sabine, "we can begin."
After Ryder had silently scolded the teens Hera took the spotlight "we've gathered as many people as we could to help, including Kat, "hey little bro" the clones, Kallus, iron squadron, Ketsu and-"
"Hondo!" said Ezra, interrupting Hera as the weequay was brought into the frame. "I knew you wouldn't let me down," Ezra continued. Before Hondo could respond, Hera took control of the conversation and started again "now that the pleasantries are out of the way, we can fine tune the plan." Before anyone could start Kat saw her brother's worried look.
"Ez, r u okay?" she asked her little brother. "Yeah it's just, there's no time to finetune the plan." This left all of them baffled by what they just heard. Ryder broke the silence and asked what everyone wanted to say but didn't, "why, what has changed in the hours since we made the plan and Hera left to get allies." Everyone looked at the young jedi who calmly replied, "Thrawn"
Before anyone could respond, Ezra continued and said "When I was meditating this morning I had a vision that Thrawn was leaving Coruscant and returning to Lothal, so if this plan is going to work we have to do it NOW." He looked at the others, leaned against the table, ignoring the look Sabine gave him for lying about what he told her this morning, and said "It has to be now or else we might never have another shot and the people of Lothal will never be free." He paused to breathe and finished with "MY people will never be free." Everyone was silent until Kat broke with a simple "what are we waiting for," followed by Zeb's response of "as long as I get to bash some bucketheads" causing everyone to get excited for FINALLY taking action. Sabine put her hand on the young Jedi's shoulder and said "let's do this."
Governor Pryce sat in her office in capitol city wondering how she could get back on The Emperors and Thrawn's good side. But her thoughts were interrupted by an imperial officer asking for permission inside, after granting his request the officer walked inside and in his heavy imperial accent said "i'm sorry for disturbing you governor but you have an incoming transmission."
"Who is it, officer"
"Please pardon my secrecy ma'am but I believe it is best for you to see for yourself governor."
"Very well" Pryce sighed as the officer pressed a button on her desk and walked out leaving her to deal with who was on the other end of the holo-call.
"Ryder Azadi" sneered Pryce "well this is quite the surprise"
The ex-governor was quick with a comeback "for both of us Arihnda"
"What do you want Ryder i'm in the middle of something and unless its the complete and total surrender of you and your comrades than i'm not interested"
"Your not that busy Ahrinda and now that you mention surrender"
"Excuse me!?" Pryce was shocked
"Not yours," said Ryder as if he was using one of Ezra's tricks to read her mind "my group's"
After regaining her composure Pryce simply asked "and why are you choosing to give them up Ryder, I've never known you to sell people out." Ryder had the answer out nearly as soon as she finished speaking "Because I'm tired of having to worry about when my last meal will be with the empire breathing down my neck" "So what do you want in return Ryder for selling out your friends?" Pryce asked him, genuinely curious about Azadi's intentions. After a minute of silence Ryder replied "I want a clean slate and the empire to leave me be for the rest of my days."
"Send me the coordinates of your camp and you will have your wish, old friend" said Pryce smiling as she received the coordinates and ended the holo-call. I believe I have my chance to fix things with the Emperor and Thrawn.
Nearly half an hour after the meeting Ezra was looking for Sabine since he was done helping Zeb and the others move things onto the mining crawler. Ezra found her leaning on the railing outside of the cave that brought them to the mountains they were hiding in.
"Hi" said Sabine as she saw her boyfriend walk up to her
"Hey" Ezra said as he walked up to her, leaned against the railing and wrapped his right arm around her shoulders causing her to ease into him and set her head on his shoulder.
Sensing something was wrong with Sabine, he asked her what was wrong. She let out a soft sigh and said softly "it's just we've been fighting this battle for SO long, it's all we've ever known and to think that in like two days it could all be over and we could have a normal life."
Surprised by her words, Ezra replied, "You say that like having a normal life is bad."
"That's not what i meant Ezra, it's just that something could happen and i-i" said Sabine choking back a sob. "I could lose you"
Ezra looked at Sabine And saw the pain and fear in her face and in the force. "Hey, hey 'bine look at me" said Ezra as he cups the right side of her face to look into her eyes, "everything will be okay, we'll get through this like always, okay?" "Yeah, yeah your right, thanks Ez"
Sabine puts her arms around his neck and he wraps his around her lower back, they rested their foreheads together before sharing a short, but warm and heart-felt kiss. When the two separated they turned back towards the capitol where they saw the worst thing that could have been there, 6 imperial patrol transports heading in their directions.
"Oh no!" Said Ezra as he backed away from the railing.
"How did they find us?" Sabine asked as she followed Ezra.
Ezra turned around to face the mandalorian "I don't know but i need you to go tell Hera what's happening"
"What are you going to do?"
"Im warning the others" said Ezra as he took off running towards the walker.
Zeb set down the crate he was carrying when he heard what sounded like engines. No no no thought the Lasat as he saw 5 no 6 black-ish gray specks getting closer and closer.
"Zeb!" He turned to see Ezra running towards the walker. "Zeb they found us" said Ezra as he doubled over and set his hands on his knees to breathe.
"How the 'ell did they find us!?" cursed Zeb.
After catching his breath Ezra stood up and said to his best friend "lets not worry about that right now"
"Why?"
"Cause we can ask questions after we bash some bucketheads." After Ezra finished Zeb began cracking his knuckles "I got you covered kid" chuckled Zeb as he pulled his Bo-rifle off his back.
"Good, guys" said the lothal jedi as he turned to the other rebels on the crawler "let's give them a fight they'll never forget."
Pryce was holding onto the handle in the roof of the gunship, she held her helmet in her left hand and her blaster in its holster at her hip. "Governor" said Thrawn's noghri assassin, "what are your orders?"
Pryce slipped her helmet on and pressed a button on the side of it and spoke clearly "I want the leaders alive, Wren, Syndulla, Orrelios, Azadi, and specifically Bridger, kill the rest"
After Pryce had finished she was replied with several "Yes Ma'am's" before they opened fire on the rebel base and were met with more resistance than they expected.
Upon exiting the transport, Ruhk set his eyes on the Jedi and charged, pulling his electro staff off his back. Ezra blocked almost all of the assassin's attacks until the assassin stabbed Ezra with the staff, shocking him and forcing the jedi to drop his lightsaber. Fortunately he used the force to push him back and caused him to hit the mountain with a thud dropping to the ground unconscious. Ezra picked his saber up and ran back to the crawler where Zeb and 4 other rebels were trying to prevent the transport from landing. He used the force to send two troopers off the edge and another 3 to get launched back against the transport where they slumped to the ground. After they caused the transport to fall back Ezra saw several troopers jump out and activate their jetpacks. "You gotta be freaking kidding me" the Jedi yelled towards Zeb who tried to shoot them with no luck, until the two of them heard the familiar firing of WESTAR-35 blasters aimed for the troopers. The two started cheering as Sabine chased the clearly inexperienced troopers away, or she's just that much better with a jetpack Ezra thought to himself, but was brought to reality by the transport firing at the crawler and damaging the thruster keeping them airborne and causing the crawler to start to drift and fall to the ground. Using the force Ezra pushed what was left of the rebels on the walker leaving him and Zeb left.
"Lets go kid, it ain't staying here for long" yelled Zeb over the sound of the wind and the crawler. Together the two of them jumped and landed next to each other and looked up to see all of the other rebels on their knees cuffed. Ezra's eyes drifted to Sabine who was almost in front of the group with the noghri assasin's hand on her forehead pulling her head back and his staff at her neck. The silence was broken by Pryce "your weapons please, NOW."
Ezra and Zeb knew they had no choice so they tossed their weapons into a pile, Zebs bo-rifle, and Ezra's saber, blaster and pocket knife, then one of the imps put cuffs on both of them and they kneeled down in the group, Ezra as close he could get to Sabine to check on her.
Seeing a small trickle of blood run down her throat he immediately asked her if she was okay. "I've been better," she whispered back.
The two were broken out of their conversation by Pryce's confidence filled words, "come stand with me Ryder, my old friend" as one of the troopers took the cuffs off of him.
"Why you dirty lit-" started Zeb but was interrupted by Sabine "Ryder you betrayed us?"
"Sorry for the secrecy, Sabine"
"What are you talking about Ryder," asked Pryce, her blaster raised at him.
Ezra took control of the conversation this time, "hey Ryder you wanna let her in on the secret," before he closed his eyes and focused on the force
"Of course Ezra," replied Ryder before he continued, "you see Pryce I made that deal with you because we knew that you wouldn't turn down a chance to take us out and repay Thawn for destroying the fuel depoy AND the tie factory."
"None of this matters, you are alone and cuffed and have lost, old friend."
"I wouldn't be too sure if I were you," said Ezra as he opened his eyes.
Before Pryce could ask what he was talking about, one of the transports had exploded causing all of the imperials to look at what had happened, Ezra took this chance and used the force to open everyone's cuffs.
"NO!" Yelled Pryce after she saw what happened, but then turned to see another transport explode and none other than the Ghost flying through the smoke.
Turning her attention back to the rebels fleeing into the cave she commanded the groundtroups to go after them while two of the four transports went after the Ghost.
Pryce led the troops into the cave, not seeing anything except total darkness. Until she heard the ignition of a lightsaber and saw Ezra standing there, the green blade next to his face illuminating the immediate area. And then fear struck her as she saw a set of yellow eyes nearly a foot above Bridger's head then three more sets of eyes, two on the right of Bridger and one on the left.
But then all hell broke loose when Bridger lowered his saber and pointed it at them and the creatures charged revealing three black loth-wolves led by a single white one. The wolves had cleared a path so the rebels could get out of the cave and clear out the imperials.
After the Ghost had taken out two of the transports, Hera lost the one that had been on her tail for now and opened the cargo bay door as quick as she could to let out Ketsu and the clones to go help ezra and the others while Kat, Kallus, and Hondo helped with keeping that transport off their tails. As soon as Gregor saw the massacre the wolves had caused, after getting off the ghost, he started laughing maniacally like the crazy old clone he was and said he said to his brother "look at that Wolffe you got your wolf pack back," Wolffe put his hand on the other clones shoulder and said "yeah they fight just like the boys don't they." Meanwhile on the other side of the base Ezra and Sabine were struggling with the assassin who had recently blocked Ezra's last attack and forced his lightsaber out of his hand, rendering him defenseless. After losing his saber the young jedi used the force to try and knock the noghri back who dodged it by rolling away, but rolled right into Sabines blaster fire knocking the staff out of his hands but that didn't stop him from grabbing Sabines second blaster and firing several shots towards the mandalorian causing her to duck behind some crates. Seeing his opportunity, Ezra put the assassin in a headlock but Ruhk slammed the back of his head into Ezra's nose knocking him onto the ground. After pinning Ezra, Ruhk began to punch him in the face until the Jedi used the force to push him away. Slightly dazed, Ruhk looked at the Jedi until he felt the pain of two blaster bolt's in his arm sending him over the edge of the railing and down the cliff. Sabine dropped both her blasters, walked over to Ezra who was wiping the blood from his nose.
"You okay?" Asked the mandalorian as she helped him stand up
"Yeah just got a lucky shot." Ezra replied as he pulled his saber to him and clipped it to his belt, and said "we should go check on the others."
As they were walking back the two of them saw the dead and unconscious troopers, either from blaster fire, or the wolves. "Wow, the wolves went all out didn't they" joked sabine
"Yup, they spared almost no one" said Hera as she hugged her two 'children.'
After separating from the duo the Twi'lek continued "Well ALMOST no one" gesturing to the governor of Lothal pinned beneath the white loth-wolf who was snaring and bearing its teeth above Pryce trying to scare the woman, but walked toward Ezra and lowered its head, we are departing young jedi, good luck and bring peace to our home, which the young jedi gratefully repeated, thank you for your help my friend and i will, and with that all four wolves walked into the distance. "And as for you" said Ryder as he cuffed Pryce and forced her to move towards Ezra.
Pryce spoke clearly trying to stand as tall as she could. "I will admit I am surprised with your victory here Bridger, but if you are naive enough to think that your ragtag group of traitors and liars will win against the empire then you are absolutely pathetic." Upon hearing her words Zeb snarled and moved closer, Sabine put her hand on her blaster, and Kat grabbed the handle of her saber. Feeling their tension in the force Ezra raised his hand to tell them to stand down and much to his surprise they did, so he asked Pryce a question "and why is that"
Pryce started almost immediately after he ended "because you have been working toward all of THIS for what nearly four years now and you had a chance with the help of the rebellion and two jedi on your side but you failed and know you think you have a chance with nothing more than what thirty to forty rebels and only one jedi who is inexperienced and weak."
But then a new voice took the conversation with great pride and confidence "I wouldn't be too sure about that governor." Having heard the voice everyone turned to where the voice was to see a man most likely in his late 30's with a pair of gray-ish tan pants and a dark green shirt, his face was completely clean-shaved, he had a similar haircut to Ezra's, and along the bridge of his nose he had a scar that ran across his eyes, but that didn't stop his eyes from almost glowing a bright teal.
"NO NO NO, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE!" yelled Pryce trying to get out of Ryder's grip as Kanan Jarrus walked down the ramp of the Ghost "HOW ARE YOU ALIVE, I SAW YOU PERISH!" "You saw what you wanted to see Pryce and you have Ezra here to thank for my return."
After Kanan finished Ryder took her away leaving everyone to clean up the base and get ready to execute the rest of the plan tomorrow.
Authors Notes
This is my first published fanfic, please note that the very beginning is rocky and I will include flashbacks explaining all differences from the show
Please leave a comment below so I know what was great about my pieces and what i need to work on.
Disclaimer, I do not own any characters in this story, all rights are owned by Dave Filoni and others.