AN: This long One Shot was a stress test for a new keyboard. The Keyboard failed the test.
Ciao for now,
ABSOL_ute
Sabine Wren, rebel, Mandalorian and ex-Imperial was normally seen as a very colorful person. Thn again, her armor was her canva. When you look at Sabine, you only see color. Or an explosive, but that's only if you made bad choices.
Sabine on the other hand, she has a knack to read people like an open book. Something she often uses to annoy Kanan. Kanan - she knows he used to be a Jedi, he is doing a bad job at hiding that from them - has a different reason to be annoyed right now, though.
The crew was watching a recording of an event on Coruscant, an event in which the Emperor himself is present. As well as his grandson, the imperial prince. Having her eyes on the young man in royal garb, Sabine said, "For a prince, he looks miserable."
"He stands right besides the Emperor, who won't be miserable?" answered her friend Zeb.
"I won't say he is miserable." said Kanan. "Just as apathetic to the civilians as his grandfather."
"I don't think that's it." said Sabine.
"What now, can you sense the feeligs of a hologram?" asked Kanan, just slightly mocking her. She replied with a glare. If the glare of a Mandalorian could kill, Kanan would hae been dead for a while now. "Anyway, Hera, you said something about rumors?"
"Yes. I heard rumors that the Emperor and Prince will come to Lothal for this year's Empire Day." said Hera. "I don't think they are true - despite coming from our most resputable sources - but I can't see why these two would visit Lothal of all planets!"
"Maybe we're so infamous now, the Emperor and his successor are after us themselves." guessed Zeb jokingly, crossing his arms ehind his head. "Or Kanan blew his cover as a Jedi on a mission."
"Even then, won't that attract his second hand?" wondered Kanan. "Not to mention, I got a hunch the Emperor is Vader's master."
"What if the Prince is Vader's apprentice?" wondered Rex, joining in.
"No Sith would allow an authority over them, that aren't their masters." said Kanan. He then pointed to the Prince on the holo, "The kid has no yellow eyes, i doubt he gets trained in the force." "But-" "Being force sensitive and being trained aren't the same, Hera." He looked to Sabine as he said that. "Albeit Vader could take him, when he fulfills the rule of two."
"Context, Kanan." demanded Hera.
"The Sith have a rule, the rule of two. Only a master and an apprentice can exist. The apprentice can only take their own apprentice when they kill their master. Rite of passage." explained Kanan, "At least this is what my master told me."
"Sounds like the stuff Skywalker and Kenobi said." confirmed Rex. "I can't believe only two people won over the masses of the Jedi."
"That's why it is important that Kanan rebuilds the Jedi." said Hera. Kanan rolled his eyes at that. "Now... should we stay away from Lothal for the time being? Just to be safe?"
"I still think that rumor is bogus, but I let you decide." said Zeb. "The Ghost is your ship after all."
They ended up being stuck on Lothal. Apparently the rumors were true. And for that, the security measurements were stregthened. In other words, they couldn't leave without being caught.
"Karrabast."
"Exactly, Zeb." agreed Sabine as they walked though Lothal to the parade. Time to just blend in, hide and wait for this to be over. Kanan hid in the cave system, to make sure Vader and the Emperor won't sense him. "Glad I am not force sensitive. Being able to be sensed sounds so scary."
"Not to loose your mind to the dark side?" asked Hera. "That is the scary part if you ask me."
"She has a point. Now at least." said Rex. "But when the Jedi still existed, I met some parents who were scared the Jedi would come and take their children. In hindsight, very unerstandable."
They arrived at the parade. Unlike last year, the civilians didn't cheer really - not even pretend to - they were unsure what to do. They never had the Emperor on their planet. Should they cheer? Tone it down? Just bow? What to do to avoid being executed for treason and disrespect?
On a stage, Minister Maketh Tua and Governor Arihnda Pryce - guess who is more disliked - were readying themselves to speak. Pryce talked to Tua, she was angry. Tua seemed to try to calm her down.
"Governor Pryce, I am sure my people aren't disrespecting the young Prince, they are just unsure how they should behave in his proximity." said Maketh Tua. "Especially since thye assumed the Emperor is coming as well. It is normal to be nervous and unsure around the Imperial Highnesses."
"I suppose... Minister Tua, please start the festivities and calm your people." demanded Arihnda Pryce. "Everything needs to be perfect for the prince's first outing outside Coruscant. Why did he want to visit this planet?"
"I was born here, Governor Pryce." answered a male young voice as a hooded figure joined them on the stage. He was notably shorter than the two women. "I just wanted to see my birth planet and home of my paternal family."
They froze as he approached despite him sounding neither angry nor annoyed nor threatening them in some way. If anything, he sounded bored.
"Ah, your Highness! I was not aware you're Loth!" Maketh was somewhat proud that the prince is from her planet. Maybe this means Lothal will get better treatment when he ascents to the throne. "Now that you're here, may we start?"
"Of course, Minister Tua." When he said that, Maketh was sure she saw him smile at her. He was - of course - young, but also quite... adorable. Not how she imagined the prince. She then turned her attention to the people and Lothal and started her speech, "People of Lothal! Welcome to the fifteenth Empire Day! Today, fifteen years ago the Clone Wars ended and the Jedi were destroyed, th Empire formed and held the galaxy together ever since! This year, we have a special guest to celebrate with us! I present you, His Imperial Highness, the Imperial Prince, Ezra Palpatine!"
Arihnda was sure she heard him sigh, but why would he be frustrated on this day? She saw how Tua gestured her people to cheer, which they did. But Arihnda knew most - if not all - just pretended. She chimed in, "Cheer a bit more for your future Emperor, people!"
The people cheered more. Minister Tua continued, "In fact, today also acts as His Imperial Highness' fifteenth birthday! So we will do a few thinks different to the last years. He was born a brighter future for Lothal and the Galaxy as a whole!"
Arihnda froze. At least she now knows why the celebrations on Coruscant and Naboo were so slightly different. How she never noted that the day is her prince's birthday, she can't fathom.
"So, Prince Palpatine is only fifteen?" said Hera. She thought he was closer to being twenty.
"But born a literal Imperial." said Rex.
"It must suck to have one's birthday on this day, or any holiday." mused Sabine. "Even if it is a holiday you stand behind."
"At least that explains why he looks so miserable." added Zeb. "Not as miserable as Kanan. It must suck to hide in a cave."
They continued to blend in with the crowd, mingle with the Loth's. There was quite a bit of gossip regarding the prince, rumors he was born on Lothal, smiled at Tua, full on ignored the Governor but also ploys to match one's niece or daughter with the prince. Every few minutes, they looked to the prince. He was mainly talking to the Minister and mostly ignoring Governor Pryce.
"You know, Minister, I plan to stay longer than just the Empire day on Lothal." Hera overheard him talk to the Minister. "It is nice to reconnect to my father's home world."
"That sounds wonderful, my prince. I would be honored to give you a personal tour of Lothal, at the very least the capital, Kothal." answered Minister Tua happily. Since the speech, she had become more comfortable around Prince Ezra. Unlike Pryce, who is still stiff like a cardboard.
"That would be too nice, Minister Tua. But not tomorrow." he said. "I plan to visit my parents house tomorrow, I would prefer to do that alone. Well, as alone as one can be with two bodyguards." Tua and Pryce haven't noed them much, but they know about thee two red guards following the prince.
"I understand. If you excuse me, I need to attend a few ministerial duties." She bowed to him and then left.
With the chatterbox minister gone, Arihnda saw a chance for herself to get into the prince's good graces. If it wasn't for the fac that he said, "Governor, enjoy the celebrations. Farewell." He left, his red shadows following him.
Arihnda also left, not noting that a Mandalorian watched their little talk. Sabine didn't mean to spy on the Prince's conversation, but when she saw the red guards, she just froze. She found Hera first, who was scolding Zeb at a food stand. "We need a few credits to bring Kanan a bit of food." being her main argument. Hera then noted Sabine. "Oh, Sabine! Where have you been?"
"I overheard something." She told them about the talk between Tua and Prince Ezra - pointing out he pretty much ignored that nasty Governess - and finished her tale, "In other words, we probably can't leave until the crown prince leaves."
"Well, at least we can get some shopping done." said Hera. "Kanan will be so annoyed."
"So will Chopper." said Rex, joining in. Chopper stayed with Kanan. Partly to give Kanan company... and partly because they didn't want that Chopper's behavior risks things. Like last year.
New day, new luck and new frustrations. Sabine ran out of paint, so she decided to fetch a few colors while being stuck on Lothal. As she passed and paced though a rather abandoned neighborhood, a low traffic area, she heard someone crying. She stopped and considered to check on them, maybe help them. Sabine made a detour, knowing she was on the right way when the crying got louder.
Turning around the last corner, she saw him. Sabine saw the pristine black garb only a prince could wear, she saw his perfectly kept hair covering most of his well tanned skin. But the image of the perfect Imperial prince was ruined that he was crying, while sitting on the stairs of a long abandoned house.
Sabine had no idea what she saw, if her mind was playing tricks on her. Why would the prince of the Empire cry? At the stairs of this house at that? Unless... she did overhear him talking yesterday, didn't she? But that house, the markings. The Empire won't arrest their own royalty, unless... Sabine really needs to stop to read Hera's royal intrigue novels.
As if Sabine could send his emotions - she sure felt a wave of sadness breaking over her - she approached the prince. Said Imperial started to calm down. He then looked up, seeing her in the process. She somewhat stopped, when she saw his mesmorizing bue eyes and their slight lilac hue. No yellow, no Sith if she remembers the talk right. "You-Your Highness, are you well?" She caught herself, before she called him by anything but a title.
"I am sorry you are seeing me like that, Miss." he answered and stood up. He started to smile, but Sabine just knew it was fake. Not the typical fake smile of a Politician, but of someone who just hides their true emotions. She also noted he stared at her, but the prince noted that, too. "Ah, I am sorry. I am just intrigued by your armour. It is like a piece of art."
"Well, it is." she said.
He then asked, "But do you not worry your art gets destroyed though wear?" He leaned his head while asking.
"It does happen, but that just means I can repaint it." she told him, "And I don't want that the armour stays the same all the time."
"Mm, I suppose that makes sense. Then again, I am not an artist." he said. He then took a few steps to her. "My name is Ezra Bridger-Palpatine... but I suppose you know that already."
"Well, I didn't knew you had a double surname." she answered, slightly laughing at his behavior. He is nothing like she expected. Not miserable for once. "Sabine Wren."
"Wren, like the bird? From Terra?"
"Seriously? That's what you ask?" Seriously, birds?
"Sorry, I have been studzimg birds the last few weeks." he said, "I'm somewhat of a birdbrain right now." That made her laugh. "Mm, I don't exactly act like a prince, do I?"
"Not really, but you aren't as miserable as you look on the holo broadcast." said Sabine. "No offense."
"None taken. I gave up to hide my misery." He then looked away. "I, um, should leave. I am not exactly supposed to roam around unsupervised." With that, he left, leaving Sabine... confused.
By the next day, Maketh Tua already planed a trip with the prince around Kothal and the surrounding area. They were accompanied by the Governor, Maketh was sure the prince was more annoyed then she was about this. She heard he had left Pryce standing after she left.
At the harbor, Maketh Tua waited for them to arrive. To her annoyance, Pryce was the first to come, but Ezra and his two body guards came not even two minutes later. He said, "I am sorry for coming late, but one of the guards overreacted over a Lothcat!"
"Well, Lothcat's can be very vicious, my Prince." said Governor Pryce.
While she said something about them transferring illnesses, Tua muttered in the language of Lothal, "They're just pets. Don't exaggerate."
To her surprise, the prince answered, also in Loth, "I know, I have a white pet Lothcat at home."
"You speak Loth?" she asked.
"Of course. Like I said I am born on Lothal." he explained, "And I lived here until I was eight."
"Oh, that explains so much.", said Tua. "Then I focus on what had changed since you left, Your Highness." She looked to Governor Pryce who was irritated that they switched to a language she doesn't speak. "Oh, it seems like we forgot Governor Pryce. She doesn't speak Loth."
"Despite governing Lothal?" asked Ezra surprised. "Mm, shouldn't governors speak the language of their planets?"
"I think so, too, but as the emperor doesn't see that as necessary..." said Tua as she looked to Pryce. She knew Pryce was worried about her position now. At latest when Ezra takes over if he implements such changes. "Well then, we should start. I planned quite a lot."
"Wait, wait, wait, you spoke to the prince?" asked Kanan in shock and surprise. "And he was crying?"
"Yes." confirmed Sabine, knowing what she said sounded so weird. "And he complemented my armor.
"Sabine! That could have been dangerous for you! What if he discovered who you are?" asked Kanan, worried for the crew's youngest member. "Have you gotten a good look at his eyes?"
"Actually yes. They were a very deep blue, light lilac even."
"Don't tell me you fell for the prince?" asked Sabine, half joking, half worried Sabine lost it. Chopper then beeped something. "What does the trash can go on about now?"
"Chop said maybe Sabine could seduce the prince and pull him onto our side. That, and he complained about the cave we're in." translated Hera, rolling her eyes. "Chopper, no."
"If the little prince joins us, I dye my fur blue." said Zeb.
"if that happens, I think Sato will get a heart attack." chimed Kanan in. "Now focus. Sabine, have you figured out who stole your explosives?"
"I think it was a different rebel cell." said Sabine. "But from what i've heard, they're more trouble maker pirates that just happen to hate the Empire."
"I doubt Sato would want that we recruit those." said Rex.
It was close to lunch time, when Arihnda gave up to converse with the prince. She also started to think he intentionally slipped into Loth when talking to the Minister. So she just focused on keeping an eye out for any danger, as at least one of the guards seems to consider Tua a potential danger. Tua! Who Arihnda Pryce considers the least dangerous person in the whole galaxy.
As they closed down on a crossing, a speeded dashed past thm, before exploding in colorful clouds. One of the Guards pushed Ezra down, out of the way of the color. Tua was mortified. She's dead when the Emperor learns of that.
She snaped out of her stupor, when Ezra asked, "Was that a colorful explosive?"
"Yes! And I know exactly the Rebel cell infamous for those!" claimed Pryce galvanized. "They will pay for this attempt!"
"I-I say we will return, that tour is off now." said Tua. "I am sorry this had happened. I assumed Pryce's safety measures were enough."
Sabine saw the explosion. "I hope he wasn't hit by it." She stopped in her tracks as she caught herself saying that. She just hoped the prince of th Empire wasn't harmed.
Ezra returned to the room he called his while hs stay lasted. "That much about exploring Lothal a bit more." At least then he can cuddle with his cat again. "Unless I..."
Sabine drove on a speeder over the planet's surface. She had to fetch a few things before they left Lothal. The prince will leave earlier than planned, but Lothal will be investigated. They need to leave.
She heard her speeder making that ping noise, a warning it will start to overheat soon. She saw an old communication tower. Judging by it's outdated desigh, it must be retired, potentially even abandoned. Parking there, she felt something wet hit her hair. Then she heard crying. Besides having a weird Deja Vu, she realized she got a tear on her head.
She decided to go up the tower, the crying got louder. Arriving on top, she saw him again. Prince Ezra. He looked miserable, more than normally. He said weakly, "Hello again, Sabine. We see again."
He didn't look to her. "How did you know I was there?" she asked.
He seemed to think, not knowing what to answer, before he answered carefully, "Do you know what the Force is?"
"Mm, only from the tales of the Jedi." said Sabine, "And my parents rants about Jedi disrespecting Mandalore."
"Didn't they free Mandalore from this Darth Maul?"
"How do you know about Maul?" He is seen as a dark, but short chapter of Mandalorian history.
"My grandfather told be. In general, I was taught a lot about the Galaxy and its past." replied Ezra. "For your information, drop that whole prince schtick. I did, at least."
"Oh really?" she asked, walking closer. "You didn't exactly strike me princely."
"I know, then again, I hate my life." he said, looking away. "Sabine, you're a rebel, right? Ghost crew? Governor Pryce told me bout you. That useless woman." Sabine froze, he knows? "For someone who fought with you a lot the last year, she didn't notice that the people behind the bombing acted so different. And were easy to catch."
She took a step back.
He stood up and extended his arm to her, "Sabine, I do not plan to harm you or bring you to the Empire. I... I... kinda ran away..."
Now her mind was totally blown. "You? But you're the prince! The future Emperor!"
"Not really. I will never ascend the throne." argued Ezra. "Remember Darth Maul? Or Darth Vader? I know your crew knows those names, there are rumours one of yours is a Jedi. My grandfather is also a Sith, Maul's and Vader's master, even."
"Oh..." She slowly had her hand closing in on her blaster.
"Well, Sith's aren't exactly family people, you know? Darth Sidious at least isn't. That may sounds crazy, but... a few weeks ago, I discovered he plans to take over my body with some Sith ritual. It is no secret he is old as dirt." explained Ezra. "Most Siths aim for immortality, he is no different. I won't be the next emperor, even when my body is on the throne."
"But why would he teach you and establish you?"
"To establish his own new identity. And according to some old Sith records, any knowledge I receive will be accessable to him when my soul leaves my body." he clarified. "It may seem redundant, but I don't want to be a tool like that. So I can away and try to flee. I... I know you and your crew hate me for things have not done, but I plead you, help me flee from the Empire. I-I can give the rebellion data."
"As the prince, you must know a lot." conducted Sabine.
"And I stole a bit." he said, showing her some data chips he snatched. "I... lived on the streets of Lothal before my grandfather tracked me down. My parents were hiding from him, they knew he would pull such a thing. I was a little thief for a year. Apparently the skills are there... then again I know a thing or two about the force."
"About the dark side, I suppose?"
He showed her a Jedi Holocron, one like she found in Kanan's things. "And light side. It was strange, grandfather banned it, so of course it was interesting for me."
"You're so dead when he figures out." she joked. Then her face fell. "No wonder you flee."
"Will you help me?" he asked.
"I will try." she said. "But first, we need to get you into less suspicious clothes."
He then threw her some money. "Just because I steal from my grandfather here and there does not mean I want to steal from honest people. Please nothing red, overly black or white, Sabine."
Two hours later, she gave up on her color refills. She returned to the tower with clothes for Ezra. "I hope you like orange."
"Thank you so much, Sabine!" he said. "I don't know how to repay you for your help."
"Support the rebellion and fight the Empire." she said. "You are trained, pretty smart and you know the Empire like none other."
"But I do't have much experience. Since I was eight, I had been locked in Coruscant and that palace on Naboo." argued Ezra. "Do you think the Rebellion will accept me and not kill me on sight?"
"If you talk to them and stay calm, I am sure." assured him Sabine. "Not to mention, you aren't the first traitor we recruit."
"But none of those came close to my rank." he pointed out.
"Come, I need to introduce you to my crew and family."
Not even an hour later, Sabine and Ezra arrived cose to the spot the Ghost was stationed. The closer they came, the more Ezra got nervous. Sabine understood why he was so nervous, his whole situation must be scary. As they approached the Ghost, Sabine wondered if Ezra would change his mind the last minute.
Hera was outside working on the ship, so she was the first to noticce them. "Sabine! There you are" she greeted the young girl, Hera then noted Ezra. "Who is that?"
Sabine explains, "I may not have gotten my color refills, but I found someone who would be willingly to join the rebellion."
Hera lookeed at him, Ezra tried to hide how nervous he is. "Isn't the kid a bit young?"
"So was I when I joined the crew." countered Sabine matter of factly. "And he is smart, he figured out who I am. And he managed to snatch data from the Empire." She showed the chip to Hera who looked wide eyed at the two. "Could you please get the others into the common room?"
"Of course! How did you find him? And where?" asked Hera impressed.
"If anyhting, he found me."
"Not really, Sabine." chimed Ezra tamely in. "You found me on the stairs and the tower."
Hera then left into the Ghost, to collect the restt of the crew. Sabine and Ezra followed her in. "I think she likes you."
"She likes the results i only got due to my position. That I lost." corrected Ezra. "The intel was just a peace offering, to show that I am not the enemy. Not a showcase what she can expect of me."
"I am sure you'll be useful to the cause either way."
"Your positivity is impressive, but I do start to worry." he said. following her into the mentioned common room. There saw Ezra hera talking to an old man in an equally old armor, probably a clone trooper, a Lasat - he was sure those got extinguished by the Empire - a man he can just feel the Force radiating from, an old Astromech and a Togruta woman who has an even stronger signature in the Force. Unlike the man, she is intimidating to Ezra.
"So, Sabine just found someone who wants to join the rebellion?" repeated the clone. He then saw Ezra. "Mm, a bit young."
"But he is good. Look at this!" said Hera, before showcasing the contents of she chip.
"Are that-Are that blueprints for weaponry?" wondered the Lasat. "We never saw those in action."
"That's because those have yet to be produced." chimed Ezra in. He added, scratching the back of his head, "I have a bit more of use for you..."
"Where did you find him, Sabine?" asked the Togruta.
"I found him crying on stairs, Ahsoka." answered Sabine happily.
"Do you have to mention that, Sabine?" whispered Ezra annoyed to her.
"Calm down, Ezra." she said, "We always joke about each other." Ezra just answered with an annoyed hum.
"Wait, Ezra?" said Ahsoka. She came closer to Ezra - which scared him pretty much - Kanan and Ahsoka felt it in his force signature. She looked directly into his face. "Wait a minute, Sabine, is that the prince?" With that realization, Ezra stepped behind Sabine.
"Yes." she confirmed, "It is a long story."
"Sabine, why - how - did you bring the Imperial Prince here, to the Ghost?!"
"He is a spy!" comcluded the Lasat wrongly.
"No, Zeb! Ezra betrayed the Empire and ran away!" corrected him Sabine as she stood protectively in front of Ezra.
"Why would the prince ran away?" asked Zeb. "He's just doing his grandfather's bidding!"
"Why would the Emperor send his normally very sheltered grandson go onto a angerous mission?" countered Sabine.
"Sabine is right, it makes no sense that the Emperor would risk his grandson." said Ahsoka, "Not to mention, the kid's pretty afraid of us and I can't sense any lies coming from him." She then turned to the attention, "And this data, it is to good and important to be just bait. Kanan, do you sense any lies from him?"
"No. Just fear." Kanan crossed his arms. "But one question remains, why would a pince, of the Empire at that, would flee and leave a life of luxury, safety and power behind?"
"Kanan has a point." said the clone. "The kid needs a good reason to convince me that he isn't with the Empire anymore."
"Rex, maybe he just runs from the responsibility." offered Zeb as an explanation, only partly joking.
Ezra just rolled his eyes. "I'm not necessarily run from responsibility, but more from getting my body stolen by a Sith Lord." He looked to Kanan and Ahsoka, "I know that you and the Togruta are Jedi, so I suppose you know what Sith are?ยจ
Kanan and Ahsoka looked at him in shocked surprise. "How do you know?" was all Ahsoka managed to ask.
"Besides that I was trained in the ways of the Force to some extend and can sense your signatures, you have your sabers hanging from your belt." explained Ezra, making her sabers swing bit as if they were moved by a breeze with the Force. "I build and dismantled enough sabers to know how they look."
"Oh... Dismantled?"
"Being stuck in the palace with a dozen guards gets boring, fast. So I rebuild my saber at least once a week - or once per day - often without changing a thing, even."
Kanan then asked, "Now... a Sith taking over your body... explain."
"I assume you're aware the Emperor is as old as dirt?" he started, earning laughter from the crew. "He only bothred with a family to have a young, male relative whose body he an tke over when his life is supposed to come to an end. Sith's aren't exactly known to be ethical."
"I didn't knew Sith's can do that." said the clone in shock.
"Believe me, my the galaxy sees only the surface of what the Dark Side enables one to." said Ezra. "Inquisitors are a joke. Like I, they only got taugh the basics of the Dark Side to be of use without being a potential danger to him. Not to mention, their sabers are garbage. Cheap and so easy to break."
"Okay... that explains your decision... but why aren't you knee deep in the dark side?" asked Kanan.
"Besides that I am only taught the basics? I may or may no have broken into some of his vaults and snatched a few Jedi artefacts." admitted Ezra as he was pulling a Jedi holocron out of his backpack. "It was strange, he banned it, so I had to see what it contains. The teachings of this holocron kept me somewhat out of the dark side."
"Mm, I believe him." said Ahsoka. "I think he is good to join us."
"Me, too, Ahsoka." said the clone. "But I will teach him how to shot, kid doesn't seem to be trained in anything much."
"Actually... I was taught a lot. Mainly things my grandfather had no much knowledge of as my knowledge would have become accessable for him upon the soul switch." revealed Ezra, "But I suppose some more training won't hurt. Thank you... uh... what should I call you?"
"Call me Rex, kid."
"Sith's are so creepy... Fine, the kid's joining us, but I'm not going to share a cabin with him." said Zeb. "I don't wanna deal with a spoiled little prince."
"I... I wait for what ever Sato and Mon Mothma say. I am not sure if this is a good idea." decided Kanan. "Until then at least, he's staying wth me, I want to keep an eye on him." He looked to Sabine. "And no, there is no way he's sharing a cabin with you." As he decided that, he saw that Ezra relaxed He apparently didn't want to stick with Sabine.
Hera's lip was a line. "Fine, but don't bully the kid just because he's the Emperor's grandson." she said. "ifyou do that, you can sleep on the c couch and he has a cabin for himself."
"Yes, Hera..." Kanan knew that wasn't a fight he could win, he he wasn't going to pick it.
"Good. Ezra, could you give me all the Imperial data you got?"
"And the Jedi artefacts, if you have any, besides the Holocron." added Ahsoka.
"Of course, um..."
"Ahsoka Tano." she said, introducing herself, "And I am not a Jedi... anymore."
"Okay, Miss Tano, I only have a few Holocrons..." He stopped his sentence when he noted the crew was laughing. "Is something wrong?"
Ahsoka laughted but tried to say something. She managed, "It is just, you're the first one to call me Miss Tano."
"Well, I don't know your rank in the rebellion, so..."
"Not that, Ezra! Just call me Ahsoka." she said, still laughing. She then took the Holocrons from him.
"I... i also have a few Sith Holocrons - that is how I discovered his plans for me, even - are those of use for you?" he asked, to change the topic.
"Not really, Ezra." she told him, "Mm, is there a reason you took more Jedi Holocrons?"
"They are more interesting, less secure and he didn't use them frequenty, unlike the Sith Holocrons." said Ezra.
"Now, Kanan, you show Ezra where he can store his stuff and I make lunch. Sabine, wanna help me?" said hera, adding a question for Sabine.
"Sure." The two left to the kitchen. Chopper followed them, beeping something. "Chopper!"
"What is the trash can beepin' about?" asked Zeb.
"He just asked about Sabine finding the kid crying on stairs." translated Kanan. "Ezra, follow me." Ezra did as he was told, he followed Kanan into the cabin. The room was small, had two bunks and nothing more, besides storage units. Ezra knew, that space was for sleeping only and if they need privacy, Ezra just goes somewhere else. "Now listen, kid. Now that you're with us, do not think that you're continued to be treated and pampered like before."
While Kanan ranted, Ezra just listened and waited that Kanan lost his energy. Ezra discovered his grandfather's plans months ago. He thought about fleeing for weeks. He is aware things will change. But the price is worth it to keep his body. When Kanan was done. "I know, I know that my life will be the opposite to what it was before... but I think that is a price worth to keep my body for myself." he said when Kanan finally shut up about his rant. "To run wasn't exactly a split second decision."
Kanan was silent. He didn't expect the little prince to just accept it. then again, the alternative is to loose ones body to a Sith who wants to avoid death. "I... good that we're on the same page in that regard." he managed to say. "Also... call me Kanan. Like Ahsoka, I do not want to be called 'Mr. Jarrrus' or something."
"Okay... Kanan." said Ezra. "That you're all so casual withyour names is so weird."
"Ah, you get used to that. Apropos names, you do realize you'll need a new name." said Kanan. "Running around as Ezra Palpatine... won't end well."
"Mm, Ezra is one of the mmst common names for my birth year. Not as common as Luke, but it isn't a name that catches interest. I... already know a fake surname." said Ezra. "I could just pretend to be a nameless orphan, but I won't act as such, that cover would be blown in no time. So I just say my name is Ezra Bridger."
"Good thinking, Ezra." Kanan praised him. "Now... I want that you know that, the explosion-"
"I know it wasn't your group or anyone from the rebellion, Kanan." said Ezra. "I got Governor Pryce talking about your acting patterns. Even that woman knew the actors were working not like you normally do. And Sabine told me about the thieves."
"Oh."
In the kitchen unit of the Ghost, Sabine and Hera were working. Cooking enough food for six - now seven - was a lot of work, so much Hera couldn't do alone. Sabine regularly helped - at first to assure that at least sometimes she gets to eat Mandalorian dishes - partly because Kanan and Ahsoka can't always help, Rex is a bad cook and Zeb is simply banned from the kitchen.
While Sabine was cutting vegetables, Hera asked, "How exactly did you meet Ezra?"
"The day after the Empire Day, I found him crying on the stairs of an abandoned house." explained Sabine, "We got to talk, he complimented my art on my armor. Then I found him today in an abandoned communication tower." She heard Chopper beeping. "Yes, he was crying again."
"It must be scary, the thought of a soul switch." said Hera. "No wonder he ran and decided to join us."
"Yeah..." he said, "I hope Sato and Mon Mothma agree to let him join."
"For now, I just hope Zeb and Kanan aren't mean to him." said Hera. "But you're right. Sato and Mon Mothma... even as he's just a kid, they will consider him the Empire's prince first and foremost."
"What if they don't let him join?" asked Sabine.
"Assuming they don't kill him on sight, we... we bring him to the outer rim, an area where the Empire isn't fully in control, maybe even close to the Unknown Regions, giving him a headstart to hide from the Empire." decided Hera. "And hope that this won't brand us as traitors. Mm, I never thought I would pity the prince of the Empire."
Ezra was sorting in his stuff. He was trying to store it as space saving as possible. He heard Kanan leaving the cabin after their talk when he get started, then he heard the door open again. "Mr. Jarrus?" Turning around, he saw the Lasat. "Oh, you are Zeb, right?"
"Garrazeb Orralis. Call me Captain Orralis." he demanded, unlike Ahsoka, he'll have the prince call him that. "Huh, didn't think Kanan would roll with that."
"He said I should call him Kanan, but I think I want to annoy him a bit." admitted Ezra. "So I will call him that. Sometimes."
"Huh? Didn't expect you to know fun." said Garrazeb.
"Why are you here?" asked Ezra.
"Hera wanted me to fetch you for lunch." said Orralis. "Listen, just because the food won't be to your standard, don't you dare to complain. In our situation, it is eiher any food or no food."
"Understood!" said Ezra. He then followed Zeb to the others. Ezra sat as far away from Ahsoka as he physicaly could. He ended up between Zeb and Sabine, the later noting his avoidance of Ahsoka.
"Don't tell me you already picked issues with someone?" she asked, gtting Zeb's attention, as well as Ezra's. "And with Ahsoka? I expected you pick a fight with Zeb or Kanan first."
"No... she's just scary." he answered, focusing on his food.
"Seriously, Ahsoka? Scary?" said Zeb. "Seriously?"
Ezra just rolled his eyes. While the three talked, Hera eyed his reaction to her cooking. "Ezra, how does it taste?" While she shares he opinion of what Zeb told him, she does try to make the best of it.
"Pretty good!" answered Ezra.
"Really? Even for your standards?" she asked.
"Eh, you see... due to my grandfather's demands, all the cooking done in the palace is so bland! You would think spices kill him." explained Ezra. "Then again... it probably does." That joke on the Emperor's expence got a laughter from Sabine and Zeb. "If anything, your cooking somewhat reminds me of my mom's cooking."
"Oh, so he let his daughter cook? From what you told us, he didn't consider your father spare parts." "Zeb!" "Sorry, Hera..."
"Eh... no. You see, I only meet him when I was eight. Before the Empire was formed, my parents fled from him and hid. Until I was seven. They... they actually rebelled - with rebellious broadcasts, I think - and got caught and jailed. The officials weren't aware who they were related to." explained Ezra, trying to collect any memory.
"How did you end up in your grandfather's care?" asked Ahsoka. She noted Ezra flinched a bit when she spoke up. Ahsoka wondered why.
"I suppose he must have been aware of me and looking for me... or he discovered my parents imprisonment data. Well, one day when I was eight, there were suddenly more Imperials around. They found me and brought me to Naboo. That was a total culture shock."
"So you lived on the streets for a year?" asked Hera.
"In a way. A friend of my dad was taking care of me, they prepared for this to happen... but he was very lack luster in that regard, so... yes."
"So you have expriences other then to be the Empire's prince." stated Rex.
"Yes... should that be an insult?"
"Rex, please don't drop onto Zeb's level!" demanded Hera.
"No... just pointing things out. Oh, and kid, call me Rex." said Rex. Choppr then beeped something, to which Rex replied, "His not calling you that!"
"What did he say?" asked Zeb.
Hera answered, rolling her eyes, "He asked Ezra to call him His Holy Astromech Overlord. Choppr, no!" Hearing the answer, Zeb lost it and laughed. To which Chopper replied by electro shocking Zeb. "Chopper! Stop it!"
Ezra looked to Sabine and Rex, his eyes asking for help. Sabine told him, "You better get used to this. This is our normal."
"At least your normal isn't as boring as being stuckin the palace until my grandfather dcides he needs a young body..." muttered Ezra, watching Hera separating the droid from Zeb.
It was time to sleep. As they walked into the cabin, Kanan said "You take the upper bunk."
"Understood."
"Tomorrow... we will introduce you to the rebellion, Commander Sato and Mon Mothma at least." explained Kanan. "Please do not make anything to anger them."
"So, I should leave the talking to you and Hera?"
"Well, you will need to explain your reasoning, but outside that, yes. Leave it to us. Now go sleep, Ezra." said Kanan. "Wait, what did Zeb tell you to call him?"
"Captain Orralis-"
"Zeb!" yelled Kanan, storming out of the cabin to confront his crew mate.
The next morning, Ezra woke up on his own. Knowing his grandfather's true intentions, he hadn't slept well in weeks. He didn't need the Force to know Kanan was asleep, so Ezra decided just to lay still until Kanan woke up. He realized today he will meet the Rebellion. 'No going back now.' he thought to himself.
An hour later, Kanan woke up as well. At first, Kanan forgot he now shares his cabin with someone. But then he heard his cabin mate say, "Good morning, Mr. Jarrus."
Kanan looked up. remembering yesterday. "Didn't I tell you-no, I am too tired for that so early in the morning." he answered. "Mm."
"What?"
"I suppose you really aren't deep entwined in the dark side, if I can sleep near you without being bothere."
Ezra really wanted o say, 'And I wasn't bothered by your snoring somehow.', but he didn't feel like arguing. "Like I said, I only received a bit of training, wide as an ocean, deep as a puddle. Not much to get entwined with."
Breakfast was silent - if you ignore Chopper annoying Zeb and Hera scolding Zeb for tricking Ezra to call him Captain Orralis. Ezra saw no issue with that, but Rex did. "You're not a captain in the Rebellion, so Mothma won't like it if you have him call you a rank you aren't."
"Where is Ahsoka?" asked Ezra, noting the gray Force user isn't with them.
"Due to her position, she already ate. 'Soka is an early bird... or nocturnal, sometimes." explained Rex to him. "Right now, she should call Commander Sato about our meeting."
"I am already done with that." said Ahsoka, as she was walking to them. "Kanan, remember our mission from last month? Apparently Sabine didn't delete the recordings thoroughly enough, the Empire knows we're Jedi, well, they think I am."
"Oh." was all Kanan said.
"Sato is aware, so he will demand we use those skills to our fullest." clarified Ahsoka, "So no hiding, Kanan."
"But-"
Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Kanan, I know you consider yourself not a Jedi-" "I failed my master." "So did I, but do you see me mopping around and being intentionally weak?" Ezra saw Rez and zeb laughing at that. "Your master would be disapointed seeing you do nothing."
"Fine..." Apparently Ahsoka gotthrough him. "What do you want me to do?"
"Reassemble your saber would be a start." she said to Kanan. "And practice your Force, you must be more rusty than Chopper." To that, said droid beeped offended. "Sorry, Chopper."
Ahsoka left again, so Hera said to Ezra, "Remember, leave the talking to us."
Before they docked onto Sato's command ship as the Rebellion didn't have one fix base yet, Hera gave Ezra a hood. "Before we discuss you, I think you should avoid attention. Stay close to Kanan."
"Understood..."
Like promised, Ezra kept close to Kanan - and avoided Ahsoka. Kanan wanted to ask why he keeps away from Ahsoka, bbt he thought that could wait until later.
Ezra saw they walked into a big room, many people sitting around. No exact order was visible. The meetings and discussions of the Empire - the handful he partook or watched - were stiff and nothing like this chaos. It felt nice, seeing the disorder made him less stressed.
"This meeting has been called on request by the Ghost Crew. Captain Syndulla, would you please?" said a red haired woman. Ezra assumed she was Mon Mothma, essentially the head of the Rebellion.
Hera stepped to a holo-caster table in the middle. She inserted the chip, revealing the data. We... got our hands onto a bit of data."
"A bit? This is, this is..." saidd a man, Ezra assumed him to be Commander Sato. "This is the most valuable intel we've ever gotten! How did you get that?"
"We... it is a bit complicated, Commander Sato." Ezra assumed right. "The thing is, we were given the data." explained Hera.
"Not only data, but also a handful of Jedi and Sith artefacts - mainly Holocrons - straight from the Emperor's personal collection." added Ahsoka. Sato and Mon Mothma looked at her in shock, while the surrounding rebels talked to themselves. "The person who gave us those betrayed the Empire and brought data as a sign that he's serious about it."
"A new recruit and data?" said Mon Mothma in shock. "That are great news! The best news since Ahsoka and Kanan decided to use their Jedi abilities."
"Is your new member - assuming he sticks with you, Ghost Crew - also a force user by any chance?" asked Sato hopeful.
Kanan answered, "Yes, but... he is - or was - a darkside user. We agreed he shouldn't use the darkside."
"Can't you or Ahsoka train him?" asked one rebel.
"Yes... but before we decide that, you need to allow him to join." said Hera unsure.
"Why would you worry about that?" asked Commander Sato surprised. "It isn't the first time an imperial traitor joins us."
"Yes, but they hadn't had such a high standing in the Empire." said Zeb.
"Who did you recruit? An Inquisitor?" asked one of the pilots, his voice made it clear he was joking. Then he asked again, more serious, "You didn't recruit an Inquisitor, did you?"
"Eh..."
"Syndulla." said Sato just so slightly threatenly. "Who did you recruit?"
"That would be me, Commander Sato." said Ezra, stepping out from his hiding spot behind Zeb and Rex. He put his hood down, revealing his face. "I suppose you know my name..."
Sato's shocked face revealed he knew who Ezra is. "Y-You are the prince..." He looked to Hera. "How? Why?"
"What makes you sure he isn't spying on us?" asked Mon Mothma. "Why would the prince of the Empire join our side?"
"Are you aware that... my grandfather is a Sith?"
"No, but we had a hunch." said Sato. "Why does it matter?"
"As a Sith, he aims for immotality. But that is just no possible. Instead he,", Ezra revealed a Sith holocron and opened it like it was nothing, creating a force hologram showing a Sith ritual and sketches of bodies in bloody red, "He opted instead to research an old Sith ritual to switch the body with someone. With me, as it requires a blood relative." Ezra closed the holocron and said, "I don't want to loose my body and essentially die..."
"I... can't argue that." said Sato. Sato looked to mon Mothma, who was shaken. Siths are something else. Hence why they try to get Ahsoka and Kanan to be proper Jedi. The average rebel has not the skills to handle an user of the dark side. "Mm... Mon Mothma, could I talk to you alone?"
"Of course."
While the other rebels talked about the prince being in their midst, Hera and Ezra were nervous how Mothma - and Sato to some extend - decide if he gets to join them.
"At least no one tried to kill the kid on sight." said Zeb, "That is good, right?"
"I suppose... things could have gone worse." agreed Hera somewhat. She then told Ezra, "I am not angry that you spoke up. Ezra, I think you should better stay in the Ghost until this is decided."
"Okay Hera." Ezra then took a Jedi Holocron. "I'm going to meditate, to loosen my connection to the Dark side." He then left to the cabin he shares with Kanan.
Kanan followed him a bit after and watched him meditate. He felt Ezra was trying to dip into the light side. "You know, I didn't think you would willingly meditate. When I was your age, I and the other Padawans hated to meditate."
Ezra opened an eye. "Well, you and your peers weren't in my situation, Mr Jarrus."
Kanan sighed, "Didn't I tell you not to call me that?"
"You did, but it annoys you." said Ezra. He then closed his eyes. "Anything else or can I return to my meditation?"
"Not sure if you can..." Then Kanan got silent and Ezra heard movement. He opened his eyes and saw Kanan was also meditating. "I hope you don't mind some communal meditation."
"I mind if you don't stop talking." said Ezra. After that, they just sat in peace.
Until Ahsoka came in and said, "Mind if I join in on your session?"
"No." said Kanan but Ezra disagreed.
"I... just meditate somewhere else, the cabin is too small for us three." So he left, leaving Kanan and Ahoka alone.
"Well, Sabine said he is afraid of me..." said Ahsoka, "Should I be insulted?"
"Eh... no." said Kanan. "He calls you Ahsoka like you asked, but he still calls me 'Mr Jarrus' in private, even though I told him not to."
"Sso, he is comfortable enough to annoy you?" countered Ahsoka.
"I suppose..."
Days later, Commander Sato called another meeting - he, Mon Mothma and a few others decided if Ezra joins them - while non but the Ghost Crew are required to come, all rebels that could - and were at the first meeting - came. They all wanted to see if the Prince joins... and if not, what happens then with Ezra.
Ezra was surprised to find that he wasn't the only one nervous about this. Even more so that one of the people nervous was Ahsoka. But that didn't change that Ezra was weary of her.
As they walked into the meeting, Ezra stayed close to Hera and Kanan.
sato was the one speaking, "We decided that you join us, but because of your position, we will keep a close eye on you and the Ghot crew, we will be stricter with you and you won't be send on certain missions for the foreseeable future."
Ezra relaxed, when he heard that. "Undestood."
"Well, we also would like if you would use your Force abilities and light saber like Kanan and Ahsoka." added Mon Mothma. "I suppose that won't be a problem, right?"
"It actually would be - I can only use the dar side effectively... which is something I want to avoid." answered Ezra. "And my light saber is red... I don't think that would be a good idea considering..."
"Considering what, Ezra?"
"There may be still some Jedi around, namely Sentinals, those could be scared off from the rebellion if they see that you are - from their point of view - working with a dark side user." explained Ezra. He then took a deep breath.
"Mm, I se..." said Sato, "Still, figure soething out... Maybe Kanan or Ahsoka could train you?"
"Uh..."
Sabine whispered to Zeb, "I think Sato broke Ezra."
Kanan and Ahsoka were also surprised with that. Kanan didn't think it was a good idea... then again he still isn't fully sure if Ezra joining at all is a good idea.
Back in the Ghost, Hera decided this needs to be celebrated.
"Does that mean I can make a Mandalorian dish?" asked Sabine.
"I thought more about making a cake, but if you do most of the cooking, sure!" answered Hera.
"Good, we need to introduce Ez to seasoned food." said Sabine happily, "Considering what he told us."
"Did you just call me by a nickname?" asked Ezra perplexed.
"But don't poison him with ya spices!" said Zeb, laughing.
"Zeb! I will train his spice tolerance slowly." assured him Sabine, slightly annoyed.
Ezra sighed lightly. Rex then told him, "You get used to our chaos."
"If you say so, I go meditating." he replied, before leaving them in the common room.
"Do you have any hobbies? You're so boring." said Zeb.
"Not really, besides pretending to be unaware of my grandfathers plans and annoying Vader, I hadn't much to do." replied Ezra. "Not to mention, I need to work on my force abilities."
With Ezra now part of the crew, they got used to him. It also reached the Emperor that his grandson vanished. As the Emperor killed the Red Guards tasked to protect Ezra, everyone assumed he had done that because he cares for the young prince. But Vader knew the truth.
"What now, master? You don't have any other relatives." asked Vader.
"We need to track him down!" said Palpatine angrily, lightning all around him. "I need to go through with the ritual when we find him! I should have done the ritual far earlier! Even if it had meant to pretend to be an easily influential teen."
"He never learned to pilot. Unless someone gave him a lift, he has to be on Lothal." conducted Darth Vader. "If he was recognised, someone would have asked for ranson or bragged that they had killed him."
"Find him, Vader!"
One day, not long after Ezra joined the rebellion, the Ghost Crew landed on a small farm planet called Razan, close to Lothal. While Hera, Rex and Zeb got some supplies in a nearby town, the rest of the crew enjoyed not to be couped up in the Ghost. Ezra even got the courage to approach Ahsoka and speak to her! For five seconds.
"A-Ahsoka, could I borrow one of the jedi Holocrons?" he asked her.
"Sure." she relied, adding her own question, "Which one?"
"The one containing the lightsaber basics..."
Ahsoka gave it to him and he left. Then Kanan came and whispered impressed, "Did he seriously talk to you?"
"Yes, but not much." answered Ahsoka, "He just asked or a Holocron."
"I suppose he wants to work on his light saber skills." concluded Kanan. "Should one of us supervise him?"
"Aw, are you worried?" asked Ahsoka.
"Hey, i don't think such a weapon is a good idea in the hands of an inexperienced teen." countered Kanan. "We should access his skills." With that, both Force users walked to the spot Ezra was training. they saw how he followed the Holocron though the basics. And that Sabine was also watching.
"A shame that saber is an issue, this is such a pretty shade of red." she said. When Ezra was done with the basics, he switched to more intense practices. Sabine told them, "Ez said he knows the basics by heart, but he still does them as a warm up. About the red... have you two an idea where Ezra could get a new kyber?"
"That is not needed, Sabine." said Ahsoka. "He just could cleanse his and make them white, that is what I had done with mine. But Ezra would need a good grasp at the light side and the Force in general to do that. Unless his crystal is not artificial... Mm, maybe I should train him."
"With his saber form, too. He looks too stiff." added Kanan, criticising the teen from afar. "He really isn't battle ready like that."
"Ahsoka, Ezra is afraid of you." said Sabine. "I don't think you should train him. Then again, Kanan probably won't but..."
Kanan looked at the two girls offended. "You say that as if I hate the kid!"
"I am not saying that you hate him," said Sabine, "I just say that you distrust him enough to keep him close in your cabin."
"if I would distrust him, I won't have demanded he's in my cabin." countered Kanan annoyed.
"What are you three arguing about so loudly?" asked Ezra as he approached them. "I can't focus."
"You need to learn to handle noise." said Kanan.
"Don't you think I don't know that?" said Ezra back, so lightly snappy.
"We argue about Kanan being an idiot." said Sabine.
"Oh."
Ahsoka then said, "Ezra, I think I have a solution for your saber. You can cleanse the blade."
Ezra looked uncomfortable. "Eh, that doesn't work with a natural crystal, at least not with a naturally red Dantari crystal."
Ahsoka was suprised he had such a rare stone. 'Why do you have one of those, considering..."
"I think my grandfaher let me get one either so that he doesn't have to do it or to dispell any theories about his true intentions." guessed Ezra. "Knowing him, probably both. Or my grasp at the dark side was so disappointing to him, he opted for a naturally red kyber."
"Okay, your stone is naturally red..." realized Ahsoka. "It can't be purified."
"Mm, when Ezra gets an hang on the light side... Illum is off limits, the Empire keeps a tight grasp on there." mused Kanan.
"Yeah... I better get working on my force abilities... albeit..." With that, Ezra lft to the Ghost.
"Should we be worried?" asked Kanan.
Soon Kanan, Sabine and Ahsoka returned to the Ghost as well. Walking into the Ghost, he saw Hera. "Have you seen Ezra?"
"He spend over half an hour in your cabin, working on his light saber." informed him Hera. "He asked me if I had a few spare parts he could use flying around."
"I wonder why he feels the need to work on his saber." wondered Sabine.
"Didn't the kid say modding his saber is a hobby of his?" chimed Rex in. "But I am curious, he asked me for parts too, pistol parts to be specific."
"Done!" said Ezra, suddenly joining them. "I modded my saber... essentially building a new one."
"About that, why did you need pistol parts?" asked Rex.
"And an essentially new saber?" added Hera.
"Simple... before I left, I had to coply to very strict rules how to buildmy saber. It was so boring." explained Ezra somber. "But now I have no limitations, so I experimented a bit." He then showed them the final saber.
It had a very bulky hand guard around it. Sabine just said, "Very square."
"I know, it looks weird, but that is because it has a blaster build in." explained Ezra, pointing as a tiny hole. "No one questions red bolts like a red blade."
"Okay, that sounds cool. And handy." said Rex. "But it also sounds like you need a bit of shootig practice."
Sabine watched Ezra train with Rex. She saw him learning fast. But Sabine saw him being stuck with his saber training. "Looks like a Holochron isn't a good teacher, eh?"
"Well, yes..." admitted Ezra as he deactivated his saber.
"Why don't you ask Kanan or Ahsoka to teach you?" asked Sabine. She then added, "Maybe not Ahsoka..."
"Eh, Kanan isn't exatly a goo option either. He still is skeptical of me..." said Ezra. "I have the feeling he doesn't even want a normal Jedi Padawan, so why would he teach me?"
"Just ask, Ezzy."
"What did you call me?"
"You need to get used to nicknames, Ezra."
Kanan enjoyed to meditate in his cabin alone, a rarity since he got a - sometimes annoying - room mate. What Kanan didn't enjoy was being ripped out of his focus, by rapid knocking on his door. He opened and saw Ezra. "I hope you interrupted my meditation for something important."
"Would you teach me a Jedi Light Saber form?" asked Ezra. "I do not want to be your Padawan, but I would like to know a saber form that doesn't require the dark side or pushes me there..."
"Why don't you ask Ahsoka-of course you don't ask Ahsoka." Kanan sighed. "Fine. But you listen to what I say without any arguing." Kanan was a thinking for a second. "Starting with: Don't call me. Mr Jarrus."
"Okay? I still don't get why you take issue with that." agreed Ezra.
"Secondly, we will try to get you a new kyber... maybe you could cleanse one like Ahsoka? Well, we will see. Now come."
Hera was relieved when she saw that Kanan trained Ezra. For her, it was a sign he was warming up to Ezra. Ahsoka on the other hand was starting to get bothered that Ezra avoids her. And that Sabine and Kanan seemingly add to that mindset.
"We're a team, he shouldn't be afraid of me." she said.
"Oh, relax. He will warm up to you." told her Hera, "Just wait."
Kanan and Ezra were sparing lightly. And they were talking. Ezra's task was to keep focus on the battle and not get distracted.
"You know, I won't be surprised if your new saber will be purple." said Kanan.
"JEdi sabers can be purple?" asked Ezra surprised.
"Focus, Ezra. But yes. Albeit those are extremely rare. The had only been one Jedi after centuries with a purple blade, Master Mace Windu. He died with the other Jedi. Purple is special as it doesn't symbolize one class of Jedi. And it shows that the user utilizes both sides and keeps a balance.
"There are only three colors truly common among Jedi, each matched to a class. Blue for the Knights, those Jedi focus on being protectors and fighting. Like mine. Albeit... my saber used to be green, but after a long meditation an rebuilding my saber as a Padawan, it became blue. My master was impressed. Color changes are also rare. Not as rare as purple sabers, though.
"Then there are green sabers, those are commonly used by counselors. Counselors focus on the force, diplomacy and are peaceful."
"You? A counselor?" said Ezra, smirking. "No wonder it changed."
"Mm, I think blue matches you well." said Kanan. "Apropos, did you know that Padawans tend to have the same color as their master?"
"Eh, that makes sense..."
"Focus, kid. The last class are Sentinels. They had yellow sabers and were rather detached from the order, but connected to the civilians. They were partisans and tended to go against the codex. Like you."
"Then again, I am not a Jedi." said Ezra, before making Kanan drop to the floor. "You need to focus, too."
Two years had passed. While the Empire never figured out what hapened to their prince, Ezra was thriving. And he stopped being afraid of Ahsoka. And something hapened with Ezra's saber. A year after training with Kanan, it overheated. After it was repaired, it was yellow when Ezra activated the blade.
"Yellow? Huh." was Kanan's reaction.
"I didn't knew Dantari kybers can change colors randomly." said Ahsoka more impressed.
After that, the Empire noted the presence of a yellow Jedi.
"A Sentinel?!" The Emperor may not say it out loud, but he is afraid of the Sentinel Jedi. "Lord Vader, stop looking for my body, find and kill the Sentinel!"