*Sees over 200 reviews*

Fangirl, don't, calm down, we-

Inner Fangirl: "OH MY GOSH WE GOT OVER 200 REVIEWS! GET THE CAKE WE BE CELEBRATING TONIGHT!"

*Inner Fangirl goes off on a tangent*

Alright, well while she's doing that, let me just take a moment to thank you so much for all the support! It really means a lot to me, and I hope this chapter can make up for the wait! It is pretty emotional everyone, just as a heads up. But trust me, it's nowhere near as emotional as the rest of them ;D

Anyways, I hope you enjoy! May the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger

.

…30 hours left...

Kanan's POV

"Thanks again Corey," I waved as the elderly man dropped me off.

The male was now sober, but still just as lively as when I'd met him the night before, grinning warmly and calling "Aye. Best of luck to ye and yer son!"

I inclined my head in gratitude, saying "Safe travels my friend."

"Always matey!" he cackled, before revving the engine and heading off back in the direction we came. "I'll see ye on the other side!" his voice echoed as he glided off into the distance on his land-speeder.

I waved slightly to the disappearing figure, before turning around and glancing at my new surroundings. It was only early morning, a small, dimmed sun rising on the horizon as the ice crystals that covered the ground sparkled in the light. To my left was a row of towering mountains, creating a valley sheltered from the blistering winds that still whipped around above. You wouldn't have guessed it though since the air was completely still where I was standing, but occasionally you could see snow getting tossed around on the elevated level.

Corey had been kind enough to give me a lift to the hunter's house, which I quickly realised was placed against the base of the mountains. It had a sloped tiled roof and sturdy stone walls, windows covered with thick cloth and the door a simple piece of animal hide. A fence of jagged ice surrounded the little house, and sharpened spears were propped against a weapons rack near the front entrance.

I tugged my jacket closer around my chest as I continued forward, making the small journey through the snow to the house.

As I approached I noticed a figure sitting in a chair by the side of the building, staring off in the direction of the barren, frozen horizon. The being was humanoid and feminine from what I could tell, but her eyes were closed, and she seemed undisturbed by the temperature as she sat in complete silence.

I finally came up to the ice fence, pausing momentarily as I weighed up what to do. Deciding it was better not to disturb the people within, I called out "Hello?"

My voice echoed against the crystal walls, and at this sound the woman in the chair opened her glazed opal eyes. She stared at me for a long moment, but she didn't make any attempts of responding. I was about to call out again when a new figure stepped onto the scene, walking out of the house with a harpoon gun held firmly within his grasp. He had a thick build with broad shoulders and a hardened expression, his short, blond hair matching perfectly with his pale skin and grey-blue eyes. The male was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a singlet, but then I quickly noticed the long, furry cape that fell from his shoulders. And something gave me the feeling that it wasn't from just any animal, but more specifically from the hide of a Kreptor.

"Who are you?!" he barked, voice loud and sharp as he armed his harpoon gun.

I raised my hands in a symbol of peace, calling back "I mean no harm sir."

"State your name and your purpose."

"My name is Kanan. I was told a man called Thomas could help me," I explained.

The man hesitated, before lowering his weapon and yelling "I am Thomas. What exactly is it you need help with?"

I sighed, my breath crystallising in front of my very eyes as I answered solemnly "I need an antidote, and its main component happens to be Kreptor venom. I've been told you could help me in acquiring some?"

Thomas puffed out his chest indignantly. "Well if you want to know about Kreptors, then I'm the guy you're looking for," he replied bluntly. "Come inside, then we'll talk."

Cautiously, I headed up the path, still aware of the sharp harpoon gun resting in his right hand. As I strolled forward I noticed the lady in the chair had closed her eyes again, the gentle breeze threading through her long, white locks. Her skin was fair like the man, but her expression seemed much more gentle and soft.

Turning my attention back to Thomas, I stopped before him and bowed my head slightly. The man did the same, before offering the door open for me and gesturing me inside. I walked into the small house and glanced around, immediately noticing the difference in temperature as I stepped into the middle of the room. A small fire was burning near the back wall, providing both heat and light to the surprisingly cosy room.

I pulled back my hood and slid the jacket from my shoulders as I continued to inspect the area. A little wooden table sat in the middle, and two rounded stones with cushions acted as make-shift chairs. Above the fireplace was a mantle-piece where different assortments of tools and weapons rested, as well as one or two picture frames and what looked to be ammunition cases.

"Sit," Thomas spoke, his voice rough as he pointed to one of the chairs.

Obliging, I lowered myself onto the shallow stone as the male sat cross legged across from me. "Now, explain," he said sharply.

Taking a deep breath, I figured it easier to get straight to the point by starting "I need an antidote extracted from Kreptor venom, but my search has been unsuccessful so far. I was told you might be able to help me."

His lips pressed into a thin line and his eyes narrowed into slits. "I do not have venom, if that's what you're thinking," he said coldly. "And even if I did, I wouldn't just sell it to any random stranger who strolled through my property."

"But surely you could tell me how to get some," I reasoned. "The town-folk said you know how to track Kreptors, so maybe you could just give me some tips."

At this Thomas scoffed. "Correct, I know how to track them. But tracking is far different to catching. That's something else completely."

"Please sir. I'm… I'm desperate," I admitted drearily.

He arched a blonde brow, quizzing "And why would that be?"

I hesitated slightly, something aching deep within as I answered softly "M-My son got poisoned… and he's going to die if I don't do something. The only thing that will save him is an antidote from that venom."

The man's expression softened, and something sparked in those vacant eyes of his. But what I wasn't expecting to kindle was anger. Scowling, his face twisted in fury as he pointed to one of the photo frames on the mantle and snarled "Kreptor killed my daughter."

I lowered my head sympathetically. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Thomas stood up and stormed over towards the fire, his cloak twirling gracefully as he did so. "She was only five," he spat. "She was sitting outside near the fence one morning when one of those devils snapped at her."

He raised his gaze to the glinting, sharp harpoon that rested on the ledge, treading his fingers gently over the gleaming blade. His eyes narrowed into piercing slits as he snarled "They told me it was my own fault. They said that if I hadn't had taken one of those demon's life in the first place then the gods wouldn't have struck her down, but I say it's even more reason to kill them before they get us."

"I'd shoot that mongrel if I ever saw 'im again," he seethed with pure hatred. "Blasted monster hasn't dared come back since. But oh, if I ever got my hands on it I'd..." His voice faded into the stagnant air, his expression going black.

But after a tense moment, he blinked rapidly and turned to face me again. His expression had returned back to its stoic, neutral gaze as he spoke "What do you have to trade in exchange for my service?"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the stash of credits Hera had provided me with. It was only a small pouch, but it must have held at least 5000 credits worth inside. "I have credits, and I will buy whatever necessary to get that venom," I replied with confidence.

Thomas' brows furrowed, and he crossed his beefy arms with what seemed like ignorance. "You are no-where near ready enough to catch a Kreptor," he spat. "You do not know what I know."

"Then teach me," I said as I pushed myself onto my feet. "Tell me what to do and I'll do it."

Thomas bellowed in laughter, smirking "It'll cost you."

At first I was shocked, but with great reluctance, I pulled a small amount of the credits from within the pouch and offered it to the intimidating male. A grin slithered onto his pale lips as he willingly snatched the cash and marvelled in its beauty. After a moment he shoved it in his pocket and started "Firstly, you need to know what you're hunting."

"If you want venom, you need baby Kreptors. They are slower. They are weaker. And most important, they don't have control of their fangs yet." Thomas pulled off a gleaming grey fang about the length of my hand from the mantle and held it up into view. "Adult Kreptors can regulate the amount of poison they create. They will only release venom when their teeth are sunk into their prey or by their free will. So if you don't quite get it yet, it means: dead adult = no venom."

I watched with wide eyes, my mind taking in every scrap of information as he continued "When you're hunting for these things, there's two things you need to do. One, always be aware of the adult, because when there's a baby, there's always a parent looming somewhere in the shadows. Immobilise them first and the rest should be smooth sailing."

"Two, don't kill the little demon straight away," he snarled, holding the tooth firmly in his grasp. "Pin it down and let it fear you first. Once it becomes frightened, it starts excreting venom."

"And that's when I collect it?" I asked.

"No!" he snapped, stabbing the fang into the wooden frame. "You kill it! The few drops you get from the tips of their teeth won't do you any good, so once you kill it, you can cut out the venom glands that rest just about their jaw bone. I recommend a harpoon gun to the head or ches-"

"Wait, I have to kill it?" I stepped in. "There's no other way?"

Thomas scoffed, muttering "You sound like my wife. Remember, they're just animals. Unthinking, unfeeling monsters who will kill you without hesitation. So don't hesitate when you get the chance to turn the tables."

"But, doesn't it just seem a little extreme to-"

"It's a dog eat dog world, foreigner," he spat. Prowling forward, he jabbed his finger into my chest scoldingly and hissed "And if you want to save your child, you won't get cold feet when the time comes."

I winced, my rational mind conflicting with my powerful emotions as they so often did. My brain told me there must be another solution other than violence, but my heart told me to do whatever necessary to save Ezra. Surely Ezra's life was worth more than a random creature living in a desolate, barren wasteland… right?

My expression hardening, I levelled my fierce gaze with Thomas and snapped defensively "Tell me what to do, tell me what I need, and I will handle things from there."

His brows furrowed, deep creases forming in his forehead as he stepped back and scowled "So be it. Let's make the trade first though."

Rolling my eyes, I said "What do you propose."

"How about this. I can tell you what to do, I can give you all the tips, I'll even sell you better snow gear and the best hunting equipment. It's a bargain, really."

My grip fastened onto the pouch protectively. "How much?" I quizzed, getting straight to the point.

Thomas pursed his lips, before grinning a devilish smile and replying "All of it."

My jaw almost slacked open in complete and utter disbelief, until a fire rose in my chest and I barked "Are you crazy? No deal."

"Well then," he smirked heartlessly. "Tell your son to say hi to my daughter for me in the afterlife."

My expression softened, and I glanced down hesitantly at the bag of credits. It was a lot of money. Especially a lot of money to be risking on a complete stranger. I rolled its weight around in my palm, trying to decide the best option. But once again, it was logic versus emotion.

And even though I had been trained for 14 years of my life to learn how to manage these feelings, they always seemed to overpower me.

I reluctantly handed Thomas the pouch, my grip loosening weakly and allowing it to fall into his greedy callused palms. His expression beamed at the sight and he strapped the bag to his belt, calling out "Sylvia! Go cook some tea. Me and this fine fellow have a lot to discuss."

Ezra's POV

I watched in a slur as Sabine painted against the med-bay door, what looked like the outline of two Loth-cats starting to take place against the metal canvas.

About an hour ago I had been awoken to sharp, stabbing pains in my stomach, almost as if someone had come in with a lightsaber and repetitively sliced and jabbed at my innards. Screaming was my first instinct, but because my throat was as swollen as a puffer pig I could hardly let out a whimper let alone cry out for help. Thankfully Sabine had been in the room with me when the experience struck, and soon I had both Hera and the mandalorian sitting by my side until I started to drift off again.

I had only woken up 5 minutes prior, and Sabine was yet to realise that I was her silent spectator as she continued away on her project.

Part of me wished I could get up and take a closer look, but I felt completely and utterly exhausted. My limbs were weak, my head was spinning, and worst of all, I was so hot it felt like I was about to have a stroke. I'd tried to kick my sheets off but for some reason my legs were completely numb. It's like they weren't even attached to me anymore…

Sabine suddenly sighed and placed her paintbrush to the side, turning around and heading back in my direction. Her vacant gaze lifted from the floor until it met with mine, and she almost screamed in shock as she jumped back in a startle. "Ezra!" she exclaimed. "Y-You're awake!"

I smiled weakly, replying with a hoarse voice "What else… would I… be doin'?"

Life surged back into her cold expression as she stepped forward and grasped my hand in excitement. Her touch was so warm, yet it only made me wince as the heat of her palm intensified the blood that boiled beneath my skin. But the teen was oblivious to my hesitation as she asked softly "How are you feeling Ezra?"

I blinked sluggishly, her figure wavering slightly. "H-Hot…" I finally managed to breathe through my intensified panting. "Burning, almost…"

She raised her hand to my forehead, her brows furrowing in concern, until just like Hera had said previously, she answered "You're cold to the touch though Ezra."

"P-Please…" I rasped, feeling the sweat slide down the back of my neck. "Pull the sheets off… I-I feel like I'm gonna faint…"

Sabine seemed conflicted. I could see it in the way her brow arched and she pressed her lips together in a thin line. I had come to learn it was her concentration face.

But finally, after a prolonged moment, she spoke "Okay… but only for a moment, got it?"

She reluctantly grasped onto the corner of the medical sheet and pulled it back in a graceful motion. But the moment the cool, fresh air hit my senses I moaned in relief. The scorching feeling was quickly tamed to a low simmer as I shifted in the bed ever so slightly, the discomfort of lying in one position for force knows how many hours finally catching up on me. I could feel every single knot that had bound themselves throughout my shoulders and the aching that spiralled up my back. The stinging in my throat. The pounding in my skull. It was illness of a whole new level.

Slowly, Sabine stepped back to my side with a sympathetic expression, her amber orbs clouded as she watched me carefully. I rose my gaze to meet hers, though my head couldn't quite register with my eyes.

The mandalorian smiled weakly, before explaining "I'm just going to check all your health levels, okay?"

She didn't wait for my response, placing the blanket to the side as she hastily started reading through different results on a small screen. It took me a moment but only now did I realise the circular censors that were connected to my body. Four were against my waist, five were on my chest, and I could feel three just above my forehead.

My brows immediately furrowed when this discovery dawned on me.

Whatever was going on with me, wasn't normal. It wasn't just the common flu or a bug I had picked up. There was actually something worse happening inside of me. Something the crew were aware of, and were unwilling to tell me about. Why else would they have me connected to different censors and pulse regulators? Why else would Hera have been so hesitant to tell me what was going on? Even now Sabine worked as if there was a bomb strapped to her back.

Something was definitely off, and I was determined to find out what.

Glancing over at Sabine, she was watching my pulse carefully on the computer with a stern expression. My eyelids were heavily, and my neck was still swollen, but I managed to murmur "Sabine…"

The girl immediately shot up, at my side in the blink of an eye as she asked warmly "Yes? Do you need anything Ezra?"

I waved my hand towards the small stool in the corner, gesturing for her to sit by me. Once she figured it out she grabbed the chair hesitantly and placed herself at my eye level. "What's up?" she asked, concern and fear leaking into her tone.

I turned my head to face her and sighed "What's wrong with me?"

"Well, you're sick-"

"No," I cut in, my voice cracking. "I've been sick before… I know what 'sick' is… And this, is not, sick…"

I could see her eyes begin to widen, her mouth at a loss for words as I added softly "Just tell me Sabine… tell me the truth…"

She stared at me with glazed eyes, fear seeping into her now hollow expression as the silence dragged on. I was about to continue prodding until I noticed the tears forming in the corners of her eyes and a heavy shift of emotion in the force. Sabine drew a shaky breath and tore her gaze away from me, instead focusing on my cold, pale hand. And after a long moment, she sniffled and curled her palm around mine, squeezing it tightly.

"Hera doesn't want you to know yet," she spoke, her voice a mere whisper. "She's only trying to help…"

My expression softened, and despite the pain it caused me, I entwined my fingers around hers in a reassuring gesture. "I can… handle it," I murmured, trying to lighten the mood by adding wearily "I'ma… big… boy…"

But my comment didn't seem to set off the spark that I was originally expecting. Her expression remained blank, her wet eyes just staring at my hand as she slowly rubbed her thumb against my skin. Silence consumed the space between us within moments, and concern really did start gnawing at my mind as I observed the girl's abnormal behaviour.

Pursing her quivering lips, a tear finally broke free and slid down her cheek.

"You got poisoned," she rasped, almost inaudible.

My eyes widened. "W-What?"

Her ghostly gaze flickered back towards my face, and a sob caught in her throat as she squeezed my hand fiercely and wheezed "You got bitten by toxic insects, Ezra… they poisoned you…"

It all hit me in a wave. The ditch. The bugs. The pain…

I glanced fearfully at the Mandalorian, stuttering "B-But there's an antidote, right? I'll be okay… r-right?"

Sabine's expression went dark, and an unseen tension began heating up between us. I waited expectantly for a reply. A simple 'Yeah, of course' or 'Sure! Everything's going to be fine'.

But silence was the only thing that could be heard throughout the now stagnant room.

Suddenly, all the heat left my body, replaced only with a cold, empty feeling within. Like a void slowly consuming my soul. My eyes grew wide, and my grip on the Sabine's hand loosened. She watched me with a breaking expression, hardly able to keep her façade of fake confidence on as the tears pooled heavily in her amber eyes. "I'm so sorry…" she whispered.

My heart sunk.

I almost didn't want to believe my ears. She couldn't mean… no, no, I'm not… am I…?

Reluctantly gazing back into her eyes, I rasped anxiously "Will I… a-am I…?"

I didn't need to finish my sentence for her to understand my question, but even then she didn't reply. The girl simply coiled both her hands around mine and squeezed it tightly. And yet that was all I needed to know what was happening.

I was dying…

The thought alone made my stomach churn.

I lowered my gaze to the censors strapped to my body, and it was as if everything just clicked into place. The extra equipment in the corner of the medbay. The dozens of wires and tubes connected to my veins. The sickening tingling sensation throughout my spine…

Turning back to Sabine, I murmured, almost hesitantly "W-What will h-happen to me?"

Her gaze flickered to the floor, and her brows furrowed in confliction as she muttered "It's not my place to tell you…"

Her lack of an answer made me weary, and I probed "I-Is it bad?"

There was a long pause, until in a subdued tone, she replied "It's best you don't know…"

It was like stabbing daggers into my chest. I couldn't tell what was worse; knowing that I was destined to die, or not knowing what was in store until that point.

I glanced up at the roof as my breathing intensified to a shaky pant. I tried desperately to steady my heartrate, but the adrenaline began flowing and my mind started spinning. The more I tried not to the more I thought about what could happen. The more I tried not to be frightened the more fearful I became. The more I tried to hold back tears, the easier they seemed to form…

Dying.

Gone. Forever asleep. Kicked the bucket. Sleeping with the fishes.

Me? Dead?

It was unconceivable!

It was unimaginable!

And it was…

True.

I was… I was dying…

My throat lurched in a ragged sob as a wave of nausea hit my body. I felt so helpless. So weak. Memories boiled to the surface as these new emotions conjured up my deepest fears. I remembered sitting all alone in that basement. Seven years old, cold, hungry, and alone, waiting for someone to come save me. I remembered the freezing nights I spent curled up in the darkness, weeping into my arms and wondering where Mum and Dad were. And then I remembered him…

The light…

"Kanan," I wheezed as the tears fell down my cheeks against my will. "I-I need to speak… to Kanan…"

"He's not here, Ezra," Sabine replied gently.

The room swirled as I turned my head to face her, hardly able to see the girl's face through the blaze of hot tears. "W-Where is he?" I gasped, panting for air.

"He… He's out looking for an antidote," she explained with great reluctance. "He's trying to figure out a way to save you."

'Karabast! Why didn't I think about that? I should have known Kanan wouldn't give up on me,' I mentally cursed to myself. 'Maybe there really is still part of us that are more than just Master and Padawan…'

But as soon as the thought passed my mind, I clenched my eyes shut and balled my hands into fists as a sharp pressure began building up beneath my skull. Through tightened jaws I grunted desperately "How… long… will he… be?"

There was a slight pause, until Sabine answered quietly "We don't know…"

Another sob escaped my lips. "Oh Ezra," she cooed. "I'm sorry… this is why Hera didn't want you knowing. I-It's going to be okay though, I promise."

I opened my eyes the slightest crack, getting a quick glimpse at her warm, sympathetic face until the corners of my vision began to fade. And as I stared into those eyes, those vibrant, gleaming eyes, it dawned on me that I may never see those eyes again. I'd never see Zeb's foolish grin. I'd never hear Chopper's triumphant snicker. I'd never feel Hera's loving warmth… I'd never get the chance to tell Kanan how much I loved him… how much I had craved a fatherly bond with him… how much I wished we could do it all over again and not grow apart by the responsibilities of the Jedi way.

Would that be a confession that stay locked within me even into the afterlife?

And then something strange happened.

I cried.

I cried my entire heart out. It hurt so much, and with each violent sob my enflamed throat burnt and stung. But I didn't care anymore. I was just so scared.

"I don' wanna die," I wept. "I don' wanna go!"

"No, no Ezra it's okay, please don't cry, everything will be fine," Sabine soothed nervously, raising her hand to my head and stroking my hair in gentle motions. "Shh… it's okay… just relax…"

I squeezed her hand fiercely for reassurance, but even then I could feel my energy stores depleting and my senses slowly fading. When I realised I was starting to drift into slumber, I immediately became concerned. I didn't want to go to sleep! What if I closed my eyes and never opened them again?! I wasn't ready to go… I wasn't leaving this world without a fight!

"Ezra," Sabine spoke, her tone smooth and rhythmic to my ears. I felt a wave of serenity resonating from her comforting touch, and as if reading my anxious mind, she added "You still have time, and I promise, we will do everything in our power to make sure you're still here… with us…"

At her words, my mind eased slightly, but fear still loomed heavily over my heart. The girl continued to comb my hair with her fingers while the other hand remained reassuringly curled around mine. "You should rest Ezra," she murmured. "You're wearing yourself out."

I blinked sluggishly, suddenly exhausted as I slurred "Stay… w-with… m-e…"

She smiled a warm, genuine smile and spoke "Of course."

I shot her a ghostly smirk, before my vision really did start wavering and my body grew limp. But just before the darkness completely took over, I murmured "I'm so glad… I raced… that pink armoured str'nger… a year… ag-oh…" My voice faded, eyes sliding shut.

And the last thing I heard before I fell into the arms of unconsciousness was Sabine's voice, with care and concern, whisper "And I'm so glad I met you, Spectre 3."

Super Bomb #4

The Light in the Dark

Remember Me

Lost Chapters

O' Family of Ours

There is no Death, There is the Force

To Mend the Bond

Beasts of Legend

Family Ties