(Ezra POV)
Ahsoka's gaze was sharp, prodding me as I stared at the plating of the durasteel floors.
"Ezra." I feel Kanan's hand on my shoulder. "Time to come clean."
. . .
. . .
I avoided Kanan's questions after returning to the Phantom.
I needed to make sense of it all first.
. . .
The trip back from Dathomir long, Kanan was content with the silence.
But now it's time to spill.
. . .
. . .
I raise my head and meet Hera's eyes, exuding calm, she tosses me a warm smile.
The others were sent to their bunks, making this a confidential matter.
Need-to-know basis.
. . .
It didn't matter, I could feel Sabine and Zeb on the other side of the locked door.
"Ezra, wherever it is, we can handle it." Ahsoka gestures to all of us huddled around the holoprojector. "All of us together. Just start from the beginning."
. . .
. . .
I take a deep breath, in through my nose and out through my mouth. "Well, Dathomir sucks for starters."
Kanan lets out a chuckle behind me as Ahsoka and Hera smirk. "It wasn't a pleasant setting." Kanan strokes his chin in thought.
. . .
. . .
"It's cold, and very dead. Nothing there seemed to be thriving, even the plants looked dead."
Ahsoka nods. "Dathomir has a dark history. But the planet emanates a strong presence in the force, the Nightsisters used that force presence as a means to produce their magic. Very powerful, and destructive."
. . .
"But extinct right?" Hera's question is met with a grim nod from Ahsoka.
. . .
. . .
I take a quick breath."There was a temple. At least I think it was a temple, near the ruins on the hillside where Kanan put down the Phantom."
Kanan raises an eyebrow. "A temple? Are you sure?" Kanan's tone is laced with skepticism.
. . .
. . .
"What did this . . . 'temple' look like?" Ahsoka questions, hands raised air-quoting.
"I followed the path through the ruins to the other side of the hill." I start, looking at each of them, ensuring their listening. "There was a small bridge that crossed a ravine. That bridge led to this massive door carved into the side of a mountain." I meet Ahsoka's eyes, clearly lost in thought.
. . .
. . .
"Looked like a temple to me." I shrug and look at Hera, who smiles.
. . .
"Did you go inside?"
Kanan the cynic. I can't help but shake my head.
. . .
"Yes. It looked like a sort of meditation chamber. At least that was my interpretation."
"Interesting." Ahsoka finally speaks. "I had heard rumors of a potential ancient temple on Dathomir."
Rumors?
. . .
. . .
Kanan's expression reveals that he shares my pessimism.
. . .
"An ancient species from long ago. Force users. Long extinct." Ahsoka continues, eyes unmoving from the still holoprojector.
Kanan nods, taking that in before turning to me. "Is that all? You were gone for some time."
"No. That's not all."
. . .
. . .
Ahsoka's head rises.
"There was this voice. At first I thought it was real, external, coming from somewhere in the ruins." Hera's eyebrows raise. "But I realized it was internal, in here." I tap my temple with two fingers.
. . .
"It spoke to you?" Ahsoka questions.
Here we go.
. . .
. . .
"Yes. It . . . knew me. My name at least. He claimed to know my 'deepest desires'." I air-quote.
Ahsoka nods, accepting my response.
. . .
"You're not surprised." I say more as a statement, rather than a question.
"No." Ahsoka shakes her head, headtails swaying against her shoulders. "The dark-side is . . . it's like a poison. It finds weaknesses, vulnerabilities. It whispers promises of strength and power, but all it wants is control. Control of this." Tapping her head.
. . .
. . .
"Wait." Kanan breaks his silence. "You said 'he'. You referred to the voice as a 'he'."
"Sounding like a dude to me." I shrug, not quite understanding what Kanan's getting at.
"How do we know this 'voice' isn't an actual being?"
Huh. I didn't think of that.
. . .
. . .
"We don't. But this encounter will only strengthen Ezra's resolve. That was the point of sending him to Dathomir." Ahsoka sums up before eying me. "There's more isn't there?"
I nod silently.
. . .
. . .
"The 'voice' called me Vader's 'puppet'." I look between Ahsoka and Kanan, trying to catch a glimpse of whether or not this claim has any significance.
"What do you think?" Ahsoka looks at Kanan whose jaw is clenched.
I'm fucked.
. . .
"It would explain Ezra's capture and sudden release." Kanan looks to Hera, whose expression is solemn. "He's been treading a fine line."
I make a noise which Ahsoka silences with an open hand.
. . .
. . .
"We know you're trying Ezra. But this could explain your tendencies." Ahsoka crosses her arms, before leaning against a terminal behind her. "In the short time I've watched you, your mannerisms, fighting style, intent . . . it all reminds me of someone I used to know a long time ago. He too struggled with the balance of light and dark." Ahsoka's train of thought lingers, clearly thinking back to another time.
. . .
Kanan rubs his brow as Hera moves to cling to his hanging harm.
"I think it's time you step back for a while." Ahsoka's tone was gentle but firm. "You need to find that balance within yourself before you can truly commit to helping the rebellion. If you don't . . . you could become a danger to yourself, and all of us."
. . .
WHAT! Kriff no!
. . .
. . .
Take a step back?
. . .
My expression betrays me as Kanan makes a face. "Listen Ezra. Time away will do you some good." Hera nods beside him.
Hera, you too?
. . .
. . .
I look them all in the eye before slamming my hands down against the holoprojector.
Calm Ezra. This is what they're talking about.
. . .
"Where am I supposed to go?" I raise my hands out to my sides with a shoulder shrug before dropping them. "Lothal is a hornets nest of Imperials."
. . .
Ahsoka waves a hand and the door to the holoprojector room slides open, Sabine and Zeb fall into the room, piling on top of one another.
"Oh. Hi." Sabine looks up behind her banes before smiling and climbing off of Zeb.
"Karabast." Zeb mumbles to himself, rubbing the back of his head.
. . .
. . .
"I think Sabine can help us there." Ahsoka nods to Sabine who looks mildly surprised.
"Um . . ."
"Take him to Krownest." Sabine's eyes go wide.
"But . . ."
"I've spoken with Bo Katan, your mother will welcome your return." Ahsoka nods leaving no room for argument.
. . .
I look at Kanan and Hera who seem surprised themselves.
Sabine has never mentioned her family.
. . .
. . .
"Ok then." Sabine's response is reluctant, hands fidgeting behind her back.
Ahsoka makes her way around the holoprojector before placing a hand on my shoulder. "It'll be alright Ezra. You take some time off, and I'll deal with the rest." Ahsoka's smile is genuine before she turns and nods to Kanan and Hera then pivots and slides past Zeb and out the door.
. . .
. .
Krownest?
. . .
(Sabine POV)
The sound of ice crunching echoed amongst the trees, a flock of birds squawk as they flee from nearby branches.
. . .
Haar'chak it's cold.
. . .
. . .
I pull my arms tightly against my chest and peer over my shoulder at Ezra.
At least he looks warm.
Ezra's nose glistens red from the cold as he wipes his face against the cryo-blanket he pulled out of the Phantom's storage unit.
Almost there.
. . .
. . .
I insisted we leave the Phantom a couple clicks from Clan Wren.
Might need a quick escape. You never know.
. . .
"Halt!"
The sudden command makes me jump.
Kriff.
. . .
Three Mandalorians dawning the colors of Clan Wren make their way to us, trudging through the soft snow.
"You there, aruetii! You're trespassing. State your business." The one in dark gray armor stepped up.
. . .
. . .
"I'm Sabine Wren of Clan Wren, House Vizsla." I move to take my helmet off, noticing the hands of the guards moving to their blasters.
. . .
"Sabine?" The leader takes a step back as I take my helmet off and hold it to my side.
I nod, glancing back at Ezra who has his hands up.
Goofball.
. . .
. . .
"Sabine, is that really you?" I turn to see the leader taking his helmet off revealing . . . Tristan.
. . .
Oh.
. . .
"Tristan, ner vod." I feel a smile grow as I look him up and down. "You look good."
"Sab'ika, what are you doing here? You can't be seen." Tristan looks back to the other two guards and sends them away with a wave of his hand.
. . .
"Mother should be expecting us. Bo Katan sent word." Tristan's eyes bore into mine, clearly still surprised to see me.
. . .
We need to move. Like yesterday.
"Who's the aruetii?" Tristan looks past me to Ezra, who is now huddled up against a tree.
. . .
I give him a thumbs up, which he returns.
He's cold.
My armor has a climate control system, but even that only does so much.
. . .
"A friend. Mother should know." I look back to Tristan who is already looking at me. I throw him a playful smirk before sliding my helmet on.
. . .
Tristan turns, putting his fingers in his mouth and releases a loud whistle. The two guards make their way out of the trees and flank the front and back as Ezra gets up and returns to my side.
"Let's go!" Tristan throws his helmet back on, nods in our direction then takes point, leading us through the forest.
. . .
Here we go.
. . .
. . .
. . .
(Ezra POV)
Krownest was cold.
. . .
Like, super cold. Basically freezing.
The exact opposite of Lothal, which was much more moderate, trending on the side of annual warmth.
. . .
. . .
And this place is nuts.
I shuffle my feet behind Sabine as we close in on what I assume is the Clan Wren stronghold.
. . .
And it's massive.
A large building made entirely of durasteel and glass, looks over a frozen lake. The structure is looming, seemingly fit to house the entire clan at once.
. . .
Sabine's brother, Tristan, navigates his way around the lake as the guards veer left, leaving us at the foot of a staircase.
I didn't know Sabine had a brother. She doesn't tell me those things. And I'm too cold to question it.
. . .
. . .
"You ready?" Tristan turns and removes his helmet, looking first to Sabine then glancing over her shoulder at me.
Sabine gives a firm nod while removing her helmet and grabbing my arm. "Let me do the talking." Her expression is serious, so I don't argue.
No objections here.
. . .
Sabine and Tristan take to the steps, leaving me to follow in their wake.
. . .
The doors of the stronghold swing open as we reach the top of the steps, revealing a massive hall, a large dining area in the foreground, and a throne situated in the back with a figure sitting upright.
"Tristan?" the woman calls out, voice echoing off the walls.
. . .
"I'm here Mother, and I have . . . someone here with me." Tristan apprehensively steps forward and makes his way around the long table. Sabine peers back at me before following suit, tracing her fingers along the back of the chairs as she makes her way around.
. . .
. . .
"Sabine." the woman frowns as Sabine stands below her. I sidle up behind her right shoulder, Tristan to the left.
. . .
"Mother." Sabine's expression is unmoving.
. . .
. . .
I feel tension here.
. . .
"What am I to do with you child?" her mother questions, pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes clenched. "You shame all of us, then expect to receive favors in return?"
Sabine glares up at her mother. "I saved us Mother. If you are too proud to recognize that, then you are the one who brings shame on us all." Sabine points to her mother strongly. "You."
. . .
. . .
She's rehearsed this. No wonder she was so quiet on the trip here.
. . .
"You abandoned responsibility Sabine!" Sabine's mother stands on her throne glaring down. "You've forced your Father to work for the Empire!"
Sabine's eyes widened. "What?" Sabine looks at Tristan who nods.
. . .
"It was that or imprisonment. For all of us." Tristan releases a heavy breath. "Father insisted that he would carry the burden."
Sabine shakes her head slowly, staring at her feet.
. . .
. . .
"We all carry the burden." Sabine's mother returns to her seat. "Now this." I feel my face go red as she gestures in my direction.
"We were told you were okay with it." Sabine's response is merely a mumble.
"Okay with it? Why would I be 'okay' with known traitors to the Empire seeking refuge at my stronghold?" Sabine's mother shakes her head. "Bo forced my hand."
Sabine nods.
. . .
. . .
Who is this Bo Katan anyway?
. . .
"Well, whose is the aruetii?" Sabine's mother places her hands in her lap, expression straightening diplomatically.
She's said her piece. And she is not happy with it.
. . .
"Ezra Bridger Mrs Wr-"
. . .
"Countess."
. . .
"Countess Wren." I bow my head as a sign of respect.
Remember Ezra, she's doing you a solid here.
. . .
The Countess nods to me before looking back to Sabine. "What is it exactly that you've done this time, Sabine?"
Sabine bites her lower lip. "We're in a bit of a tight spot. We just need to lie low for a while."
. . .
The Countess nods, seemingly accepting Sabine's response. "I've prepared rooms for the both of you. If you leave Krownest, I can not guarantee your safety."
"Of course. Thank you Mother."
. . .
I feel a wave of relief flood through me.
Things were looking tight there for a minute.
But the Countess backed down.
. . .
. . .
She is Sabine's mother after all. That bond is still there, no matter how thinned out it may be.
. . .
"Ezra, Tristan will show you to your quarters . . ."
"He's staying with me." Sabine grabs my arm before pulling me to a hallway to the right.
. . .
I thinly smiled at the Countess on our way out, receiving a grim nod, and a laugh from Tristan.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Sabine does not release my arm until we have already made our way up two flights of stairs and are firmly planted in front of a set of wide double doors.
. . .
"Home sweet home." Sabine forces a smile before quickly typing a series of numbers into the keypad on the door to the left, unlocking it.
. . .
Sabine pushes the doors open, giving way to a view of the frozen lake below.
Wow. Despite the serious need for a climate adjustment, this place is beautiful.
The treetops glisten with snow, casting faint shadows throughout the room.
. . .
Sabine flops on a large bed to our right, covered with some kind of animal coat.
"Not bad huh?" Sabine smiles up at me.
. . .
I shake my head. "This is great. Are you sure your mother doesn't mind this arrangement?" I gesture between us.
Sabine waves me off before sitting up and reaching for a remote on the nightstand next to the bed. "She can deal with it."
. . .
. . .
I hear a click behind me, and turn to see the soft glow of a fireplace. Another 'click' triggers the holoscreen on the mantle to glow to life.
Podracing. Of course.
. . .
The announcers welcome their viewers to the jungles of Felucia before Sabine mutes them.
"Music?" I turn to see Sabine leaning over a small stereo system on a dresser in the corner.
"Sure." I sit on the edge of the bed, running my hands along my legs then set my backpack at my feet.
. . .
. . .
I make out a subtle bass line vibrating along the floor under my feet before looking at Sabine who is now sitting cross-legged on the ground with a dresser drawer open.
She begins removing her armor plating before stacking them gently in the drawer.
. . .
. . .
Sabine meets my gaze. "You tired?"
"Very." I let out a long yawn as confirmation.
. . .
Standing, Sabine unzips her bodysuit and folds it neatly, sliding it into the drawer before closing it.
"Me too." Sabine ambles over to me and hops in my lap.
. . .
I wrap my hands around the small of her back and look up at her. "Nap?"
"Yes." I comply and fall back into the mattress.
. . .
. . .
. . .
(Sabine POV)
"What do you know about Sundari?" Ezra looks up from the massive book in his lap and peers at Tristan, slumped on the couch.
Tristan laughs. "What do you want with Sundari?"
. . .
The downside of lying low, out of sight from the Empire's prying eyes, is that it's pretty boring. So Ezra has been meticulously rummaging through the stronghold's library for days.
He's like a kid in a candy store. He finds Mandalorian society fascinating.
It's kind of cute.
. . .
I sit up in my chair and set down my cup of caf on the table beside me. "It's the former capital of Mandalore."
Ezra meets my eyes. "Former?"
I nod. "Keldabe was named the capital shortly after the Empire came to power."
. . .
. . .
"Sundari was war torn. Ever heard of the 'Siege of Mandalore'?" Tristan lays his head back against the armrest of the couch.
"I think Ahs- a friend mentioned it to me once." Ezra's eyes quickly dart to me.
. . .
Almost slipped.
I tilt my head and give him a look. Careful.
. . .
If Mother ever found out we were formerly a part of the Rebellion, she'd turn us in for sure.
No one truly likes the Empire, but everyone fears them.
. . .
. . .
Tristan didn't seem to notice the slip up, as he stares at the back of a bottle of ale. "Well that was the last major conflict on Mandalore before the fall of the Republic. No time to repair the city, so they just relocated the infrastructure."
Ezra nods with a thoughtful look. "Can you take me there?" Ezra's eyes are on me.
. . .
I jolt up, eyes wide. "What? Why?"
. . .
. . .
"Look at this." Ezra turns and raises the book, pointing to an illustration of the domed city. "I feel something. It's drawing me here." Ezra looks back at me.
. . .
"Legend has it, there's a dark jetii there. Something to do with the Siege. Rumour has it that he haunts the place to this day." Tristan's smile is playful, before he slurps down the rest of his ale.
I smirk before walking over to where Ezra is sitting. I step over the stacks of books he's set aside, and grab his wrist, drawing him to his feet. "What do you mean you 'feel' something?"
. . .
Ezra leans in close. "There's something there Sabine. I need to go see for myself."
. . .
. . .
"Aww, look at you two. So cute." Tristan laughs obnoxiously.
. . .
I raise my hand and give Tristan a good look at my middle finger, before turning back to Ezra. "Are you sure? You know what happens if we leave Krownest right?"
Ezra nods. "No protection. We don't need it. Right?" Ezra smiles, blue eyes glowing with anticipation.
. . .
"I guess." I mumble under my breath.
Why do Jedi need to make things so damn hard.
. . .
. . .
. . .
(Ezra POV)
"Why did I let you talk me into this?" I hear Sabine mutter under her breath as she brings the Phantom in closer to the massive blue dome.
There's a giant hole in the top.
. . .
"Because you love me." I quip. Sabine smiles thinly.
"Oh come on." I give her a small nudge. "Don't be like that."
. . .
. . .
Sabine shakes her head as she lowers the Phantom into the hole of shattered glass at the apex of the dome. Flipping a switch, the Phantom's external lights flicker on, revealing a rundown city below.
. . .
Damn. It's huge.
A whole city inside a giant dome. Just insane.
. . .
. . .
Sabine sets the controls to idle, before turning to me. "Where are we going?"
Patience Sabine.
. . .
"Just sit here for a bit." I close my eyes and send a force probe out. I feel a small ping below us.
. . .
. . .
"Down there." I point out, finger smashing against the plexi-glass windshield. "That building right there."
"That's the Royal Palace Ezra!" I feel Sabine's agitation grow slightly. "Why the kriff do you need to go there?"
I smirk, trying to elicit a little leeway from Sabine.
. . .
Lighten up a little. What's a little adventure?
"I don't know. But that's where I need to be."
. . .
. . .
. . .
The buildings around us are pitch black, most of them wearing damage, presumably from the 'Siege'.
Sabine sets the Phantom down outside of a long building made primarily of glass.
Or what used to be glass. The entire wall is blown out.
. . .
"Alright. Let's do this." I check that my lightsaber is on my belt, then hop to my feet.
Sabine snatches my wrist quickly before I can turn out the door. "Ezra, wait."
I look to Sabine, whose expression is solemn. "There's something you should know. Why I left the Empire."
. . .
. . .
I nod silently.
She's never mentioned why she left before.
. . .
I return to my seat in the co-pilot's chair, and swivel to face Sabine.
"During my time at the Academy, I worked on a special project. Sent directly from the higher ups." I nod for her to continue. "The Empire was afraid that Mandalore would eventually revolt against their control. I mean they sort of annexed us at our lowest." Sabine gestures outside to the structures around us.
If this was their capital at the time, the Empire probably thought this was easy pickings.
Kicking a man when he's already down. Classic Empire.
. . .
I shake my head, then gesture for her to continue. "Well . . . the project I was given was meant to provide stability here in Mandalore."
Makes sense.
"But I didn't know that at the time. I just saw it as an opportunity to work on something really important. I was worried about the potential consequences." Sabine searches my eyes.
I reach out and grab her hand. "That's not your fault."
. . .
"I know. Or, at least now I do. The project was a super-weapon. Meant to target Mandalorians." a couple tears leak from Sabine's eyes, I reach out my thumb to wipe them. "I created a weapon that was intended to eliminate my own people." Sabine shakes her head violently.
. . .
. . .
"Sabine." I cup her face in my hands. "You didn't know. It's ok."
That's some twisted shit right there. Using Mandalorians against their own people.
. . .
Sabine smiles, pulling away from me to wipe her face. "Well, you want to know what's worse?"
"Than potentially annihilating your entire species?" Sabine lets out a dark laugh. "Sure." I nod with a smirk.
"I named it after our last Duchess." Sabine nods her head in the direction of the palace outside the viewscreen.
. . .
. . .
It takes a couple seconds, but then it clicks. "Oh. Ohhh, shit. That's cold Sabine." I give her a mock serious expression before smiling.
I think this story ends well.
. . .
"Yeah well, I blew it up. That's why I ran." Sabine shrugs.
That'll do it.
I laugh before grabbing her and enveloping my arms around her.
. . .
. . .
"Silver lining?"
"Sure." Sabine giggles softly.
"It led you to me." I look down at her as her expression softens.
"True." She smiles before pecking my lips quickly and planting her helmet on her head. "Now let's go see about this 'feeling' you had."
. . .
I snap to my senses, before rising out of my chair. "Right. Let's do that."
Guess she just needed to get that off her chest. Explains why the Countess is giving her the cold shoulder though.
The Empire holds grudges.
. . .
. . .
The Phantom's back hatch lowers before we both climb out.
My boots crunch on glass as I make my way towards what's left of the wall that used to be a Palace.
Apparently.
. . .
I take point, leading Sabine through the dark corridor. I send my feelers out in an attempt to find anything living.
Oh. That's odd.
The force pushes back violently in response.
Somethings here.
. . .
. . .
Sabine clicks the light on her helmet to on, bathing the corridor in odd shaped shadows.
"In here." I decide on a large door to our right, partially open.
Sabine nods, drawing her blasters. I unclip my lightsaber from my belt.
I push the door with my left hand, raising my lightsaber in my right hand as the door swings open.
. . .
I take a couple steps into what seems to be a rather large room before I stop dead in my tracks.
. . .
. . .
No. It can't be.
. . .
A familiar presence looms, as the room seemingly grows colder.
"What the kr-" Sabine's footsteps suddenly come to a halt as a figure steps out of the shadows across the room.
. . .
. . .
"Ezra . . . Bridger." A familiar cackle sends a violent shiver up my spine, as the laugh echoes off the high ceilings. "I'm so glad you could join me."
. . .
. . .
. . .
(Sabine POV)
What the kriff is that?
The figure merely strode up to the long abandoned throne of Mandalore, lopping down nonchalantly.
Ezra took a step back, recoiling, presumably at the face on this thing.
One ugly motherfucker I'll tell you that much.
. . .
The man, for all intents and purposes, dawned a crown of horns contrasting hideously with his bright red skin and tattoos of dark ebony.
"Well don't just stand there young Bridger." The man sneered, sucking in air from between his teeth. "Come." Motioning for Ezra to step forward, before waving his hand, causing an overhead light to flare and turn on, flickering every few beats.
Ezra relents, cautiously moving forward. I raise my blasters out of habit.
Safety off.
. . .
. . .
"It was you. You're the one who spoke to me, on Dathomir." Ezra's voice wavers slightly.
He's scared. Who is this guy?
. . .
"Was this unexpected?" The man smirks, eyes glistening with an unsettling fire.
. . .
"Why are you here?" I look between Ezra and the man perched on the Duchess' throne.
Bastard.
"Why? This is my home you fool!" The man rises from his seat. "Your master tried to take it from me." Ezra flinches at the finger being pointed at him.
"Kanan? How-"
"Ahsoka . . . Tano." The man breathes out heavily, shaking his head. "I was building a kingdom! Trying to prevent the inevitable! Your master couldn't see what was happening before her." Gesturing in Ezra's direction the man takes a seat again.
. . .
. . .
"You knew Ahsoka . . . who are you?" Ezra ignites his lightsaber and levels it with the man's eyes.
. . .
It's him. The faux leader of Mandalore.
. . .
. . .
My mind swims to put all of the pieces together. "You're the Dathomirian. The 'Lord of the Shadows'."
. . .
The man smiles, revealing twisted yellow teeth. "Smart girl." He lets out a soft chuckle. "She's right."
Ezra looks at me, then back at the man.
. . .
. . .
"Darth Maul. That's his name." I pipe up, filling in the obvious blank hanging in the air.
Ezra needs to spend more time in those history books.
. . .
"Maul?" Ezra raises an eyebrow, clearly never having heard his name before.
"Yes." Maul glares at Ezra. "I hope you don't intend to use that." Nodding toward the lightsaber being pointed at him.
"It would be a grave mistake." Maul stands legs whirring with the movement.
. . .
He has bionic legs.
Ezra seems to notice glancing down quickly.
. . .
"Courtesy of Master Kenobi." Maul growls out.
Well his mood shifted quickly.
. . .
. . .
Suddenly a flash of silver flies overhead, Maul throwing a hand up to catch it. "No more games. Time for your first lesson . . . my apprentice." Maul grins before igniting two blood red blades and lunging at Ezra.
Shit!
I quickly ignite my jetpack, soaring up and over the two force users who are already locked by the blades.
Guess I can help from up here.
. . .
I begin firing down on them, trying to aim for Maul. They clash back and forth, switching sides of the room making it hard for me to get a clear shot.
"Good, my apprentice." Maul mocks, before letting out a roar and flying towards Ezra in a barrel roll.
That's Ezra's trick.
. . .
I attempt to catch Maul mid jump with a quick shot but miss. Dropping to the floor I make for the Throne.
High ground . . . sort of.
. . .
. . .
Looking back, I catch a glimpse of Ezra pushing Maul across the room with the force, revealing an opening for me to get a couple shots off.
Gotcha now bitch.
I fire a quick flurry before diving into a somersault in order to avoid the shots being deflected back at me.
"I've had enough of your petty games girl." Maul glares daggers at me before I feel a sudden clench around my throat.
. . .
. . .
I feel myself being lifted off the ground, catching a glimpse of Maul's dark yellow eyes staring back at me.
. . .
This is it.
. . .
. . .
This is how I die.
. . .
I claw at my throat, blasters discarded on the ground, my back being pinned against the wall.
. . .
. . .
Ezra. Please.
. . .
My vision starts blurring before I hear a loud yell and feel myself drop to the ground. Coughing violently I roll over to my side and see that Ezra tackled Maul to the ground and is wailing punches on top of him.
. . .
Maul growls before head-butting Ezra square in the nose, blood bursting everywhere.
No . . .
Maul stands, kicking Ezra down, and towers over him.
. . .
. . .
Get up Sabine. Come on.
. . .
"Kneel." Maul's command echoes across the corridor. "Kneel before me, apprentice."
Ezra looks up to Maul, glancing over to me and gives me a look.
Panic.
. . .
. . .
Don't you fucking dare Ezra.
Ezra gives me a short nod of acceptance before moving to kneel at Maul's feet.
. . .
Not in a million years my friend.
. . .
I scramble to reach one of my blasters. Feeling my hand wrap around the grip, I fire off a shot intended for Maul's head, missing by an inch.
Maul whips around snarling.
. . .
My distraction works as Ezra kicks at Maul's leg, bending it backwards and sending sparks flying.
. . .
. . .
Ezra stands, pulls his saber to him and ignites it, leveling it with Maul's head, who is clutching his bionic leg on the ground.
. . .
"I should kill you." Ezra's tone is dark, sinister even.
But he's right. Maul is too dangerous to be kept alive.
. . .
Collecting myself, I holster my blasters and make my way over to Ezra's shoulder.
. . .
"Are you sure?"
Ezra looks at me, eyes uncertain.
He doesn't want to.
. . .
. . .
"Do itttt." Maul drawls out.
. . .
I roll my eyes, quickly unholstering my right blaster and send a shot into the knee joint of Maul's other leg.
Maul cries out as I latch onto Ezra's arm. "Let's go." I begin walking towards the large hole in the wall, pulling Ezra with me.
. . .
. . .
When we reach the Phantom, I catch Ezra staring back at the way we just came.
"A problem for another day." I cup his face with both hands. "If he comes back, we'll deal with him. Together. Alright." I lift my helmet off my head in order to make direct eye contact.
Ezra nods slowly, clearly still dazed.
"Now let's get out of this shit hole of a dome."
. . .
. . .
. . .
Ezra's stare could burn a hole through the viewscreen as I take the Phantom up and out of Mandalore's atmosphere.
"You alright?" Ezra breaks the trance and looks at me.
"What am I going to tell Kanan and Ahsoka?" I laugh loudly.
"That's what you're worried about?" I can't help but smile. "Ezra, we just fought, and beat a kriffing monster back there." Gesturing behind us.
. . .
"How long can we stay on Krownest?"
His brain is going into overdrive right now. He needs to relax.
"A couple weeks maybe." I shrug, not knowing if there is any truth to that answer.
Who knows with my Mother.
. . .
Ezra nods. "I think I may need more time than I thought." He shakes his head at himself before looking over at me. I give him a small smile.
"That's ok. We'll figure this out." I reach out and run my hand through his hair softly.
"Part of me wanted to side with him, Sabine. I felt it."
With that guy?
I raise an eyebrow, prompting Ezra to continue.
. . .
"I really don't know how to explain it." Ezra mumbles after a moment.
This vibe is killing me. We just kicked that dude's ass.
. . .
"I think we just need to keep you busy for the time being." I glance over at Ezra, who is slumped in the co-pilot's chair.
Setting the navigation to take us to Krownest airspace, I look back over and am met with a goofy grin. "Busy huh?"
I push Ezra's face away with a laugh. "Not like that."
. . .
. . .
"Well maybe a little like that." I mutter under my breath, which Ezra still catches.
. . .
"We could paint the Phantom." I gesture to the ship around us. "Could be fun."
"For you maybe."
Party pooper.
Ezra notices my glare.
. . .
"What color?" Ezra relents a smile.
"Blue obviously." I quip, rolling my eyes.
That was an easy one.
. . .
. . .
"It's always blue with you." Ezra grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips.
I feel my face blush slightly.
"Blue is my favorite color." I smirk, punching him playfully in the shoulder with the arm he isn't holding captive.
. . .
"I know."
. . .
. . .
(Authors Note)
All good things come to an end my friends. Including this story (It was time I think). Thank y'all for sticking with me throughout. :)
Big shoutouts to 'A Plump Hutt', 'Rogue', and 'Eznf98'. Love y'all. I'll be back.