Hondo knows how eager you are for this one. And so all Hondo will say is this. He was as shocked as the rest of you will be.

Rise of the Old Masters

"Luck?" Zeb said. "We're gonna need a miracle."

"Don't tell Ezra," Kanan ordered her reproachfully. "That's an order, Spectre-5 ."

With that Sabine watched as her pseudo-father left to make his own preparations, leaving her alone in the middle of the corridor. Alone but for one bone chilling thought.

Ezra would be leaving. And there was nothing she could do about it.

Earlier…

"Focus," came Kanan's voice. "Focus on letting go."

"Letting go?" Ezra asked, spitting the words out with gritted teeth. "Rather hold on, if you don't mind."

"Enough jokes," Kanan said wearily.

Ezra gritted his teeth and listened to his Master's instructions. But never expected one of his first formal lessons would involve standing on his hands several kilometers in the air above Lothal. And the circular curvature of the Ghost's dorsal turret only compounded the difficulty as Ezra's gloved palms fought against the slope to keep his balance. Combine that with the wind and the sweat pouring from Ezra's brow, it was amazing he lasted this long.

"Focus," Kanan said for what must've been the hundredth time.

"I'm trying," Ezra bit back, only to struggle further the longer this exercise of 'concentration' played out.

"Do or do not. There is no try," Kanan lectured with his hands on his hips.

"What does that even mean?" Ezra asked, the confusing phrase not helping in the slightest. "How can I do something if I don't try to do it?"

Well," Kanan said and stroked his goatee in thought. "See-"

With clarity Ezra realized that his Master had no idea what that phrase meant.

"Sounds like something off a fortune cookie," Zeb spoke up from his place behind Kanan, sitting on the hull of the Phantom and watching the lesson with amusement.

Kanan sighed. "Actually, that one always confused me, too." The Jedi admitted, his voice turning from wise and all knowing to earnest dumbfoundedness. "But Master Yoda sure used to say it a lot," he added in an attempt not to sound like a complete idiot.

No one bought it and with Zeb's sarcastic yawn Kanan deflated, then turned to the Lasat. "I really thought this Jedi stuff would be more interesting," Zeb said. "No wonder the old religion died."

"Whaba, whampa, whub!" Chopper spoke up, albeit the only one who could understand was Kanan. Not that the stoic Jedi Wiseass gave any indication. Instead he looked at Zeb and gave the purple Furball a nod. A signal of some sort that Ezra was not privy to.

Zeb looked like he wanted to argue but off of Kanan's stern look he sighed and resigned himself. Pushing himself off his laurels he approached Ezra, who was still fighting for balance with his handstand. "Sorry, Kid," Zeb said and that was all the warning got before Zeb took the turret's laser cannon barrels in his massive hands and gave them a good shake.

The effect was immediate and Ezra lost all balance and tumbled backwards, away from Zeb and the others and landed on his back in a crate of empty milk cartons.

"Bah-haha!" Zeb laughed, unable to control himself, and while Ezra still had a long way to go to understanding droid he could tell Chopper was having a riot too. He almost wished he had landed on the harder surface of the hull. And when Kanan approached and began to help Ezra off the crate, Ezra felt himself doubly humiliated.

And so the Kid wrenched his arm out of Kanan's grasp and stood up himself. Kanan shrugged and walked to the forward section, staring out at the swirling golden clouds around him. Not letting Zeb or Chopper distract him in the slightest. Unlike Ezra.

"Do they have to be here?" Ezra demanded. As far as his first formal Jedi lesson went, this was not at all what he imagined.

"He's annoying, but there will always be need to learn to focus through them." Kanan said with his hands clasped behind his back. He turned and saw Ezra wasn't convinced, which was only natural. Kanan's eyes lit as an idea struck him "Here. Let's try something else."

The others watched in surprise as Kanan crossed back over to them, his hands going to his where he kept his lightsaber. Ezra's eyes opened wide as he saw Kanan assemble it. To this date he could count on one finger the amount of times he'd seen Kanan wield his lightsaber.

And then just like he handed it to Ezra.

Ezra held the fabled weapon of the Jedi with reverence. How light it felt and as he traced his fingers across the contoured hilt he felt a pang of envy hit him. "When do I get my own?" Ezra asked, his azure eyes still looking at the weapon longingly.

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say as Kanan roughly grabbed Ezra's collar and yanked him close. "Having a laser sword doesn't make you a Jedi," Kanan chided.

"Gets me closer." Ezra whispered and with a whoosh ignited the lightsaber - and nearly stabbed Kanan in the chest with it!

"Careful!" Kanan shouted and jumped back just in time.

"Haar'chak," Ezra muttered and immediately aimed the blade safely away from Kanan. He then let out a breath. Crisis averted, Kanan was fine, and he lifted the sword upward in a sorry excuse for a ready position. Kanan cautiously moved past Ezra and stood behind him.

"There's a control on the side that adjusts the length to your height," Kanan said and pointed to a small dial.

Curiously Ezra felt the dial and began to turn it. He watched as the blade shrink by a third, leaving Ezra a bit more comfortable with wielding such a weapon. Meanwhile Zeb couldn't resist.

The Lasat held up two of his fingers and carefully shortened the width between them, making for a smaller breath between the fingers. "I think it should be a little shorter," Zeb teased. Chopper added his own laughs.

Ezra wondered if he could manage a Force push again and launch Chopper off the ship. Would it really be so bad? The troublesome trash compactor had his own rocket booster or something. Instead Ezra took the higher path and ignored the droid and walked forward, eyeing the blade with respect. This was his chance to not only show his skills with a blade but to get some of his own back.

Once in position, Ezra looked to Kanan who now stood several meters away next to the crate of empty milk cartons. "Okay," Kanan instructed. "Close your eyes."

The recent memory of him and Zeb in that TIE together and nearly crashing into a mountain flashed in Ezra's mind. Unable to see through the cockpit's canopy, it was only the Force that guided Ezra to turning the TIE at the right moment and avoiding catastrophe.

With confidence Ezra closed his eyes and readied himself. He did this before, he could do it again.

"You sure about this?" Ezra heard Zeb ask. His voice that had been filled with merry laughter before had lost its enthusiasm. "It's a long way down."

"I got this," Ezra spoke. His Lasat friend was genuine in his concern. But that didn't mean it was appreciated. "Let's go, Professor," Ezra added, purposefully egging on Kanan. With how uppity the Jedi had gotten of late, 'Wiseass' no longer felt fitting.

But all Kanan did was look to Chopper and threw the droid an empty milk carton. "Let him have it, Chopper."

Warbling with mad glee, the astromech terror did just that. With a whirl of his servos, he spun his upper half and let Ezra have it.

Use the Force. Do or do not, Ezra reminded himself.

But a milk carton hit his face followed by raucous amounts of laughter from the others didn't help his focus. And it didn't end there.

Do or do not, Ezra repeated.

"Oww," Ezra grunted as the edge of a milk carton caught the corner of his eye. And then another one hit him square in the chest when Ezra failed to catch it in time with the lightsaber. More cartons pelted him and each time he either swung too soon, too fast, or never swung at all and was caught by surprise.

"Be precise." Kanan urged. "Keep the blade up."

"That's it, Kid," Zeb cheered as Ezra continued to fail, despite Kanan's words of wisdom. "Use your body to slow down that trash."

Ezra held his ground though at this point it was more about keeping his balance as Chopper alternated between hitting Ezra in the head and then the chest and then somewhere a bit more sensitive before hitting him in the head again. Kanan closed his eyes and shook his head in frustration.

"Can I at least open my eyes?" Ezra pleaded.

"No," Kanan said shortly. Chopper chattered something and Zeb laughed. Both Kanan and Ezra had missed that Zeb had increased the tempo. The Lasat handing cartons to Chopper at a much faster pace.

"No," Kanan said as Ezra continued to miss. "You're not focusing."

"Might want to open your eyes for this, Kid!" Zeb hollered as he uplifted the cart and Chopper began spinning so quick he had become a centrifuge.

With Zeb now pouring empty cartons to Chopper the little droid had become a repeating blaster of milk cartons.

With his reflexes kicking in and warning Ezra of the danger, he opened his eyes and just barely got his saber up to ward off the first of the incoming cartons. And to the boy's credit he deflected the first few. But the pace was just too much!

Left, right, high, low! Ezra tried to keep up but carton after carton hit him and gradually he felt himself being pushed closer and closer toward the edge of the Ghost. Kanan had ceased paying any attention and Chopper, in a spree of manic further, hurled carton after carton at Ezra's feet causing the boy to lose all balance and like on the turret earlier, fell backwards off his feet.

Only there was no crate to save him, there was nothing but the sloped transparisteel windshield of the Ghost's cockpit. And when Ezra failed to catch that he tumbled further to the bubble canopy of the front turret and managed to briefly catch hold and pinned as much of his body to the outside of the turret.

And for a moment he saw Sabine's amber eyes staring at him from inside the turret. She was in complete shock and horrified at Ezra's plight.

"Ezra!" she cried.

For a moment time stood still between the two and Ezra forgot all about the impending fall to his death. All he saw was her worry and so he fixed her the best smile he could manage and gave a slight wave.

And then he was gone. Sliding off the canopy into thin air, plummeting to the ground far below.

Inspiration, the word played over and over in Sabine's mind as she tried to imagine the scene Ezra had told her about. Him and Zeb fighting for control of a TIE fighter they had stolen and later crashed! What she wouldn't give to have seen it!

Still she wasn't trying too hard in particular, unlike her piece in the boys' room. But it was a fun way to pass the time while Ezra and Kanan did their Jedi training on the outside of the Ghost. In the middle of the sky no less, which she thought was crazy (even by Mandalorian standards) but Kanan had been insistent.

Zeb and Hera also weren't too keen on the idea but Ezra was desperate at this point. And Chopper? Well Chopper was Chopper. Zeb accompanied the three topside while Hera busied herself in the cockpit, claiming she was hunting down a few possible leads.

Sabine knew better and was thankful that the other female was ready at hand in case the worst should happen.

As in right now!

"Ezra!" Sabine cried as she stared transfixed at the sight of him planted on the outside of the bubble canopy. He managed a smile and then just like that and for a moment Sabine's world stopped turning, her eyes only for Ezra. But then as quickly as the moment had come, he was gone.

"Hera!" Zeb shouted, but the Twi'lek was already on it and the Ghost was dropping altitude as quickly as she could manage. The Lasat's feet pounded the decks of the ship as he raced down the corridor and to the ladder leading to the cargo bay.

Sabine however sat frozen in the gunner's chair. The image of Ezra's smile, his bright azure eyes, and wave flashing again and again through her mind. A silent farewell as her friend then vanished from sight. The last time she would ever see him alive.

More yelling with Hera and Kanan communicating with Zeb. About what though? In the span of seconds Sabine's mind from inspired clarity to a murky fog. But slowly the words of the others permeated her brain, especially when she heard what Zeb said.

"Got him!" Zeb shouted.

It was a jolt to Sabine's chest and her mind stopped spinning and reality took hold. Got him? Got Ezra? Well who else! Hope flared in Sabine's chest and with her sketchbook forgotten she sped out of the nose turret and raced to the cargo bay and where she heard Zeb's voice originate.

And when she arrived she saw a very freaked Ezra and an equally freaked Zeb. And there in the middle of the cargo bay was a laughing orange astromech. Despite being frazzled Sabine put two and two together.

"You okay?" Sabine said at last as she looked down from her perch on the observation platform that overlooked the entire bay.

"Fine," Ezra said, his voice clipped as he made for the ladder with Zeb following behind.

Sabine sighed and shook her head. She left the cargo bay for the common room and ducked out of whatever confrontation that was brewing. Whatever was happening with her space family she was sure she'd hear all about it in the coming days. More than once!

Taking a set in the corner sofa lounger, she decided a distraction would be in order. With practiced ease she switch the dejarik board to the Holonet and tuned into the latest Imperial news. She heard voices being raised in the corridor that led to each individual crew cabin.

"You wouldn't have been falling to your death if you were focused."

Silence for a moment, then Kanan continued his tirade.

"Your undisciplined and full of self-doubt."

"And whose fault is that, Master?"

Another long moment.

"It's difficult to teach," Kanan said and the next thing Sabine knew the Jedi left the crew corridor and was joining her in the common room.

Sabine sighed. So much for the first day of Jedi training. And Ezra had been so excited about it too.

"Anything good?" Kanan asked. He was looking for a distraction and Sabine continued to peruse the Holonet channels.

"Blah, blah, Empire great. All hail his Worshipfulness on Coruscant." She turned to another frequency and then something caught her eye.

"Kanan?" Ezra began as he and the rest of the crew entered the common room.

"Shh!" Sabine said, excitement bubbling up in her. "You made the Holonet."

And projected in the middle of the board was the town of Kothal and an enlarged TIE fighter in center focus. Sabine smirked and then recalled she still had a certain black fighter pilot helmet to decorate. She'd set some time aside for it later.

"Who made the Holonet?" Kanan asked and folded his arms across his chest, his chin tilted and waiting for an explanation.

Sabine, Ezra, and Zeb's eyes went wide.

Oops.

But before Kanan could press any further, the Imperial newscaster continued,

"The stolen TIE fighter was later used to attack a transport full of innocent workers."

"You liar!" Zeb snarled. "We set 'em free!"

Kanan shook his head in disappointment. "You were ordered to head straight back, and instead you attacked an Imperial prison transport?"

"Kanan-" Hera said and put her hand on his arm to calm him, which was when the holoprojection blurred and static hissed. In place of the TIE fighter and the town of Kothal was a familiar portrait of none of than Gall Trayvis.

A pirate broadcast, and one that wasted no time in getting to the point. Sabine set her chin in her hands and leaned forward eagerly.

"Citizens, this Senator-in-Exile Gall Trayvis. I bring more news the Empire doesn't want you to hear."

"What's a Gall Trayvis?" Ezra asked.

"The only member of the Imperial Senate with the courage to speak out publicly against the Empire," Hera answered, her voice filled with passion.

Sabine frowned. That wasn't entirely true. While not as radical as Gall Trayvis, both Bail Organa and Mon Mothma had levied some harsh criticisms against the Emperor recently. The holoprojector changed from Trayvis' portrait to a green skinned female Mirlian. Donned in an orange prison jumpsuit, the Mirilian walked under guard with a stormtrooper on either side of her.

"One of the Republic's greatest peacekeepers, Jedi Master Luminara Unduli, is alive. She has been imprisoned unlawfully somewhere in the Stygeon system. As citizens, we demand the Emperor produce Master Unduli, and grant her a fair trial before the entire Sen-"

The broadcast was cut and the Imperial emblem returned to the holoprojector, as well as the same annoying male Imperial newscaster.

"...marking another successful planetary liberation, utilizing the Base Delta Zero initiative."

Sabine turned it off as her Imperial Academy training kicked in. Base Delta Zero. Naval code used by the Empire to order the complete surface destruction of a planetary target, eliminating all life, industry, and natural resources on the surface. Tarkin's handiwork no doubt, and she didn't have the heart to hear it right now.

"This Master Luminara… you knew her?" Ezra spoke.

Sabine frowned and turned her attention to Ezra who was looking at Hera and Kanan, the latter of which was stroking his chin hairs deep in thought.

"I met her. Once." Kanan answered as he continued his ponderings. "She was a great Jedi Master. Brave, compassionate, disciplined."

Kanan opened his eyes, an idea taking root in his head.

"In fact, she'd make an excellent teacher for you." Kanan proclaimed and pointed a finger at Ezra. "There've always been rumors she survived the Clone Wars," Kanan said, only now directing his attention to Hera. "But they never came with a specific location before. We can't pass this up."

"Was hoping you'd say that," Hera said and fondly placed her hand on Kanan's shoulder. "I'll set course for the Stygeon system."

Kanan smiled at her and as Hera left for the cockpit he turned to us. "The rest of you, prep for an op," he ordered. Sabine knew what that meant, it was time to whip up some miracles. Only she didn't move like Zeb and Kanan did.

Instead her focus was on Ezra and the crestfallen look on his face. And no one else saw it but her. Well her and Chopper who gave a short warble and waddle.

"You hear that?" Ezra said, his voice absent of any joy. "He's done with me. He's gonna pawn me off on some stranger."

There was nothing Sabine could say. She didn't know all the ins and outs of being a Jedi. But she heard plenty of stories about the Clone Wars and the role the Jedi played. "I'm gonna work on some miracles," Sabine muttered and then got to her feet.

Ezra nodded and just stared at the deck of the common broom, his face uncharacteristically downtrodden. With words escaping her Sabine left the common room and managed to catch Kanan in the crew quarter's corridor.

"Hey, Jedi!" Sabine snapped and marched right over to Kanan.

"Excuse me?" Kanan said and narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"You heard me," Sabine retorted. "Look here, Jedi. Hera may not realize it yet but I do. You're not just ditching Ezra as a student. You're kicking him off the ship!"

"Whoa!" Kanan said and held up his hands in surrender. "I never said-"

"Jedi work in pairs of two you di'kut! You hand your Apprentice over to a new Master and this Luminara is the one who decides not only how Ezra will train but when and where! And I don't exactly see this 'disciplined' Jedi Master hanging out here on the Ghost while we pull job after job stealing and fighting the Empire."

"Sabine," Kanan began but when he caught the fierceness blazing in her eyes, Kanan couldn't hold it. He turned and looked away.

"You really don't care?" Sabine asked him.

Kanan's shoulders slumped and he balled his fists. Sabine tried to get a read on his face but he had hidden it in shadow.

"Of course I do. But it's not about what I or you or anyone feels. This is about what's best for Ezra. A Jedi-"

"He's not a Jedi!" Sabine exclaimed. "Ezra is a Rebel. A Rebel who happens to also have a connection to the Force. And for all your osik about him 'being undisciplined?' Maybe he isn't the traditional Jedi but Ezra can jump like no one else. He senses things before they happen. He's teaching himself to move stuff with his mind - not that you would know!"

Sabine stopped, taking a breath to try and calm herself. Time passed, neither looking at the other. Her mind rehearsing back the words the man had said, Sabine began to wonder if she would ever see Kanan the same way again. Doesn't he realize the impact of this to a boy like Ezra. A boy who lost his parents and nothing but the streets for the past however many years?

"You done?" Kanan said at last.

Wrong choice of words.

"He saved Zeb's life!" Sabine rebuked him harshly. "He took down a squad of stormtroopers with meilooruns and a kriffin' slingshot! He navigated that TIE fighter safely away from a mountain that Zeb would've crashed into, using nothing but gut instinct!"

"And he nearly died!"

"Ezra's family!"

Sabine paused as the weight of the truth in her words sank in.

Hands on her hips she shook her head. "Were you even going to tell him?"

"Are you done?" Kanan said, his voice turning frigid. "Because I think you have an op to plan for."

Sabine didn't think, her hand flashed out and smacked Kanan across the jaw. More importantly. She found she didn't regret it in the least.

Kanan brought his hand to his jaw, feeling the sting. She'd hit him. Sabine had actually hit him.

"You're unbelievable." Sabine said, her voice a bare whisper in the corridor.

If her words phased him, Kanan didn't show it. Instead he blew out of his cheeks and stretched his neck. The Jedi's mind was made up and his will resolute.

"Don't tell Ezra," Kanan ordered her reproachfully. "That's an order, Spectre-5 ."

With that Sabine watched as her pseudo-father left to make his own preparations, leaving her alone in the middle of the corridor. Alone but for one bone chilling thought.

Ezra would be leaving. And there was nothing she could do about it.

Sabine balled her fists, barely holding in a savage scream of anger at the unfairness of it. The injustice and now the sudden distrust she had towards Kanan. If he would give up on Ezra so easily after just one lesson? What else would he give up on?

Hera. Sabine didn't know how the Twi'lek Captain hadn't pieced this together herself just yet, but after the mission she'd corner her and demand she do something. Knowing how Hera felt about Ezra and was just as conflicted about Kanan's earlier training methods, Sabine didn't think it'd take much effort.

On the other hand she had never thought Kanan was capable of something like this either.

"Haar'chak," Sabine muttered and then turned to head to her cabin and work on the "miracles" the mission would need.

Neither she nor Kanan ever noticed the patch of blue hair, barely visible from the ladder leading to this deck down to the cargo hold. The blue hair of the boy who had overheard everything and with trembling hands held onto the ladder as if his life depended on it.

"Where'd you get that?" Zeb asks, eyeing the E-11 stormtrooper blaster that Ezra had jury-rigged a sling to.

"Last mission," Ezra said, his voice lacking its usual spunk. "My slingshot isn't doing the job anymore."

Zeb sighed and shook his head. "Shoulda said something earlier, Kid. Can't be running around and crawling through air vents with that thing and your pack. Too much. You'll get stuck on something. Or make too much noise."

"Thought we'd have more time," Ezra answered. "Maybe contact Vizago. Trade it for something smaller and - whoa where'd you get that?" Ezra asked when Zeb opened a drawer from his bunk and pulled out a blaster pistol of some sort.

"It's a long story. But let's just say you're not the only one that enjoys a good trophy," Zeb said with a smirk. The blaster was on the small side for the Lasat but it was a good fit for Ezra. More importantly the Lasat had kept the holster too. He handed Ezra the blaster.

"Wait," Ezra said as he studied it more. "I recognize it now. These are the blasters the Imperial officers carry."

"Yeah, SE something or another. A quick run down. It has a fully automatic capability there, a similar dial the bucketheads use for their E-11s rifles. But trust me, keep it set on semi-automatic. Thing will overheat otherwise and that's the last thing you want in a fight. Not mention you'll chew through ammo faster than Sabine does her spray paint."

"Yeah I remember," Ezra nodded. "I've been going through more of those training manuals. Wish I had time to test it but-"

"Yeah," Zeb said and took the E-11 rifle from Ezra. "Hopefully you won't need it, but storming one of the most heavily guarded prisons with no weapon doesn't sit right with me. Just promise me you treat this blaster as a last resort?"

"I promise," Ezra said with a smile, and Zeb was happy. Both to see that Ezra's earlier melancholy had lifted and that the Kid was treating the weapon with respect. Zeb figured he would. The Kid's been on the receiving end of Imperial weaponry enough times.

There wasn't usually much for the two roommates to prep for when it came to missions. Just double checking all their gear was in working order. This time the pair worked quietly together to fashion the holster to Ezra's utility belt, with Zeb humming parts of a tune every now and then.

Zeb could still feel the lingering vibe of tenseness in Ezra but chalked it up to him almost dying earlier. Something he had played a small part in. "Sorry," Zeb said. "About earlier. Shoulda known better."

Ezra shook his head. "I was the idiot who tried to block every carton. I should've powered down the saber. Instead I kept blocking until I fell of the kriffin' ship."

Zeb frowned as he thought over the events. He'd voiced his doubts to Kanan but was ignored. Maybe he should've been more insistent? He didn't recall Ezra training with the lightsaber before, in fact not ever. And he doubted the Kid knew the exact shape of the Ghost's outside fuselage. With his eyes closed how's he supposed to know where to step and where not to. Only so much ship to walk on.

"Maybe. But it's on the teacher to to know what their soldiers can handle and what they can't. Don't know how other Jedi train but I think Hera was right earlier. Maybe stick to the ground for a bit before wandering around the outside of a flying ship."

Ezra managed a smile but Zeb's words unintentionally reminded him of the impending rescue of Luminara, and the "conversation" between Sabine and Kanan in the hallway. He thought about mentioning it to Zeb but then recalled how distressed Sabine was. Knowing her she was still stewing over it across the hall in the privacy of her cabin.

No, Ezra decided. Best to keep Zeb in the dark. There'd been enough distractions and mess ups already for the day. If this was his last hoorah with his Space Family. He wanted it to go as smoothly as possible. Go out on a high note.

So Ezra kept quiet about his potential departure and instead focused on trading some stories and jokes with Zeb. The Lasat had plenty and so did Ezra. But eventually the ship's intercom buzzed and Hera announced for everyone to gather in the cockpit for the briefing.

"Come on then, time to hear what the Professor's grand plan is," Zeb said with a smile.

Ezra laughed, seeing that his latest nickname for Kanan appeared to be catching on. They exited their room and ran into Sabine. She was carrying a small bag, one that Ezra recognized she used for the carrying of explosives.

She wasn't happy. Both of the guys could see it, but only Ezra knew why. Her confrontation earlier with Kanan. He didn't think he'd ever seen her so angry before. But then her mood shifted as her eyes widened in surprise when she spotted the new accessory to Ezra's belt.

"Whoa," Sabine commented, her eyes focusing on the holstered blaster on Ezra's left hip. "Where'd you pick up an SE-14? You know those things have an overheating problem, right?"

"The Kid's slingshot isn't packing its usual punch," Zeb explained with a wry grin. "Found him with an E-11 he took off a buckethead."

Ezra shrugged. "Well you can only carry so many meilooruns into battle."

"How true," Sabine smirked and nodded at the blaster. "You know that model can be fitted with a silencer right? It'll take some adjustments but its doable and perfect for stealth."

Huh, Ezra thought. That he didn't know but it was definitely something to consider. Or maybe not. Not if this Luminara Jedi decides Ezra's days of solo assignments are over.

"Got some miracles for us there?" Zeb said, eyeing Sabine's bag of explosives excitedly.

"As much as I could on short notice," Sabine smiled and nodded to the door leading to the cockpit. "Come on. Let's hear what the Professor has to say."

Definitely catching on.

It was Sabine who kicked off the briefing to Ezra's surprise. Explaining the "Spire of Stygeon Prime" and its defenses and outlining just how impenetrable the prison was. Kanan shot forward idea after idea but each one was summarily shot down. Unlike other installations the Empire had put a lot of thought into the defenses of this place. Great for guarding a Jedi. Nearly impossible to free one.

"Look there," Kanan said and pointed to one spot on the prison's schematics. "There's only room for a couple guards, we take them down, make our way to the upper level isolation cells, free Luminara and come back out the way we came in."

Chopper wasted no time in warbling his protests.

"Yeah," Sabine said in agreement with the astromech. "You'd have to be crazy to try that lousy plan."

"Let's hope the Empire thinks so, too," Kanan replied smoothly, thick with the charm.

"Are we really in that much of a rush?" Ezra asked, his voice filled with skepticism.

Kanan frowned and gave Ezra a sharp look. "You have something to say?"

"It's not like Luminara is going anywhere," Ezra elaborated. "I think we should do some more recon before going in. Maybe there's something on the blueprints we're missing."

Not to mention the main reason Kanan was so eager to do this is to get rid of me. So eager he'd rush a job like this and risk everyone's lives on luck than spend another couple days with me as an Apprentice.

"Luminara's waited long enough. This is the plan, we're going." Kanan said and put an end to any further discussion on the topic. He looked at Ezra's new blaster and shook his head. "Be careful with that."

Ezra bit his lip to keep from lashing out. Kanan was lecturing him about safety when he's committing their lives to this half-baked plan on a prison guarded by an army of stormtroopers?

"If I'm so dangerous and your plan is so safe, why would I even need it?" Ezra asked defiantly.

It was a good question and one that caught Kanan completely off guard. Tension filled the cockpit and Ezra could see that Kanan was building up steam for another lecture. Well Ezra wasn't interested. With a dismissive shake of his head, the boy turned and left the cockpit. He'd said his piece and knew others agreed with him.

Whatever happened next was on his "Master."

Instead Ezra found his way to the galley. He wasn't hungry. Instead he took an empty bowel from a cupboard and sat down at the table. Setting the bowel on the table Ezra spent his remaining time concentrating on the bowel. He found he was able to wobble it and if he focused hard enough able able even to move it a little. It was a marked improvement from his attempt days before.

He wondered then about the first Force users in the galaxy, the ones without teachers. Had they taught themselves in similar ways.

'Do or do not, there is no try.'

Yeah. He still didn't get that one. Not that it stopped him from thinking it over, or from trying to get the hang of moving things with his mind. He'd done it twice before when his friends lives were on the line. He'd figure this out too, eventually.

An hour had passed by the time the intercom buzzed, alerting everyone to assemble at the Phantom. They were going in. Ezra gave the bowel one last look then returned it to the cupboard and joined the others.

They were tense. Far more tense than when he had left earlier. But whatever had been said after he left no one was saying anything of it now. So Ezra quietly climbed into the shuttle, waved goodbye to Chopper who would be remaining behind, and once everyone and their gear had been loaded Hera detached the shuttle and took control of the Phantom.

Both Kanan and Zeb leaned back with their eyes closed as Hera dove the Phantom through Stygeon's upper atmosphere. Sabine alternated between looking at her decorated helmet and Ezra. There was something on her mind, and Ezra wondered perhaps if she felt guilty for not telling him about not telling him what he had overheard between her and Kanan.

"Sabine?" Ezra asked and lifted an eyebrow.

"It's nothing," Sabine answered and forced a smile to her face. "I'll tell you after."

Ezra nodded and subconsciously felt his new blaster pistol holstered at his side. He still had his slingshot on his wrist brace, but the feel of the blaster and the knowledge he could truly defend himself was comforting.

Soon the Phantom entered through a bank of clouds, high above Stygeon's surface, and snooped their way past the prison's sensors, both long range and short. A credit to Hera's flying capabilities as well as Sabine's jammer she'd worked on for the mission. Ezra still hoped he'd get a chance to learn a few things from Hera someday. He had nearly mastered the turrets and cleaning the vents, and was now moving on to learning about the more complex starship systems. But still no flying.

"Thirty seconds," Hera said as she flew the Phantom through the narrow pocket of the Empire's sensors. "Good luck."

Sabine put on her helmet and together the Spectres got to their feet. Despite the high risk, no one was letting their nerves get the better of them. A testament to the team's experience. Still there was no way Zeb couldn't let a good jab go.

"Luck?" Zeb said. "We're gonna need a miracle."

"Here are three," Sabine said cheekily and held out two of her custom detonators in her left hand and another one on her right. Zeb and Ezra didn't hesitate. They smiled and felt a small boost of confidence as they each plucked one of her trusty explosives.

Kanan stood at the shuttle's rear exit, readying himself. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes finding Ezra. "Try to stay focused."

"Thought there was no 'try.'" Ezra replied glibly and felt a rush go through him when he saw that Kanan was once again stumped and had no witty reply. That sealed it. No witty comeback? Wiseass was out and the Professor was stuck.

The shuttle slowed and the exit door wooshed open. Kanan didn't hesitate. One moment he was still as a statue and then the next he was out the door, flipping through the air as he sailed down toward a small alcove roughly thirty meters down. From just inside the shuttle Ezra could just make out two stormtroopers on the tiny platform.

"Whoa," Ezra said as he saw Kanan land neatly and then, without wasting any movement, cleanly unarm and and dispatch the two stormtrooper guards.

No lightsaber required. And the drop wasn't much higher than the one from the TIE fighter to that troop transport back on Lothal. Still riding that surge of confidence Ezra followed Kanan's lead and jumped out of the shuttle.

And the moment his feet left the shuttle he knew he'd made a mistake. His body tumbled out of control Ezra flailed his arms uselessly and yelled wildly as he turned head over heels through the air. But luck was with him when he managed to land on the balls of his feet and then rolled until at last hitting the durasteel blast door that served as the entrance to the facility.

He didn't break any bones or hurt himself, but he was noisy and a loud boom resonated from the door when his body slammed into it.

Ezra froze at the noise and Kanan, standing in the middle of the platform, winced. Carefully Ezra edged back away from the door until he felt his body knock against Kanan's. Together the two held their breath, eyes staring at the door.

But it stayed closed. They remained undetected.

"What just happened?" Kanan whisper–yelled into Ezra's ear causing the boy to wince and step away. "You were supposed to exit with Zeb!" Kanan crossed his arms and Ezra, feeling like an idiot, looked away. "You're lucky every stormtrooper in the prison doesn't know we're here."

A sudden beep and the door opened, and standing ready were four stormtroopers. The troopers looked at Ezra and Kanan, disbelief written on the faces under their helmets. Then they glanced at each other. Ezra groaned. Kanan just had to say that, didn't he?

Fortunately the troopers' hesitation cost them everything as with the Force Kanan threw out his hands, closed the door, and wrenched the blaster rifles out of the hands of two of them. Which still left two armed and ready.

As Kanan continued to deal with the first two the others began to lift their rifles only to get pushed backward and stung as non-lethal but painful burst of yellow electricity slammed into their chests. More bolts of yellow electricity hit. With no blaster shot it was hard to pin down where the odd fire was coming from. But after a few moments of searching they spotted Ezra standing off to to their left, his slingshot up and shooting as fast as he could manage.

The troopers fought through the pain but by the time they readied weapons Zeb and Sabine had both jumped from the Phantom and rushed the two troopers. With stealth on everyone's mind, Sabine went for the trooper on the left and quickly and quietly disarmed him. Grappling the trooper into a shoulder lock, she then threw the trooper over the safety rail of the small platform and allowed gravity to do the rest.

The last stormtrooper had finally brushed off the pain from Ezra's slingshot when Zeb's large hand clamped down on the trooper's wrists. And then with one arm threw the trooper over the side of the platform and into the abyss below.

Likewise Kanan had dispatched his two troopers and had rounded fiercely on Ezra. "Stunts like that put us all in jeopardy." He took his hand and shoved Ezra back. "That is exactly why you need Master Luminara to teach you discipline."

"I was just following your example." Ezra tried to explain.

"Yeah?" Kanan said. "Well, try to stay focused and follow the plan instead."

A beep sounded from the door and Sabine turned her helmeted head and cleared her throat. "I hate to interrupt but we need the Kid to open the door."

"I'm on it," Ezra said and stepped back from Kanan, eager to get away from the irate Jedi and hurried to the door. Taking his scomp-link lockpick he found the port and linked in. The locking port squawked and beeped as Ezra worked but he was making decemt progress.

Only not fast enough for Kanan as a prison spotlight nearly spotted him, Zeb, and the two unconscious stormtroopers that hadn't been thrown over the ledge. "Ezra," Kanan hissed.

"Quiet. I'm focusing," Ezra replied. As Zeb finished propping the two remaining stormtroopers against either side of the door, arranging them just right so they were standing upright despite being unconscious. Ezra smiled as he broke the prison's lock and opened the door.

With the coast still clear the team quickly entered and the door closed behind. Ezra knew he screwed up, but he thought he still handled himself okay back there. As pitiful as his slingshot was, it was enough of a distraction to keep the other two stormtroopers occupied long enough for Sabine and Zeb to join and take them out.

No blaster fire. No alarms. Ezra was still doubtful of Kanan's plan but for the moment they were still good.

A shoulder slammed into his back causing Ezra to nearly lose his footing. He thought it was Zeb but it was Kanan who had puposefully knocked into him. And he never looked back. "You're welcome," Ezra shot at the Jedi's departing back.

"You did your job," Zeb said, his tone less severe than Kanan but clearly not happy with Ezra's reckless jump from the shuttle. "You want a medal?"

And that was enough to deflate Ezra's ego. He expected Kanan's disappointment. It felt like there was nothing Ezra could do that wouldn't somehow disappoint him, but it was different with the others. Or at least he had thought.

Zeb brushed past followed by Sabine, who paused and looked at Ezra. Paintbomb examined him quietly before making up her mind. "There's nothing for you to prove, Ez. Not to Kanan, not anyone. Now come on. Plan Crazy is still a Go."

Trust Sabine to see right through me, Ezra thought and fell into step behind her and Zeb. The three approached Kanan who was standing in the middle of the dull gunmetal gray hallway that was standard for every Imperial ship and facility.

"Luminara's here," Kanan said. "I sense her presence, but it's clouded."

The team pressed on and fortunately didn't run across any more stormtroopers. In retrospect as foolish as his leap had been it was possible Ezra had gotten the attention and drew out all of the troopers guarding this part of the prison. That or it was a trap. Ezra was beginning to suspect the latter.

If Ezra were to lay odds he'd say it was fifty/fifty. Maybe forty/sixty.

Sabine had found the terminal next to the turbolift and sliced her way in past the security. Ezra could tell she had found something but from her mannerisms she was confused.

"Where's Master Unduli?" Kanan asked.

"Uh. Detention block CC-01. Isolation cell 0169."

That wasn't what they had expected.

"They have isolation cells on the lower levels?" Kanan said, a frown on his face. He glanced down at the terminal to see for himself. "We planned off outdated schematics."

"What does that mean?" Ezra asked, saying the question on each of their minds.

"It means the plan changes."

No one liked that idea.

"You got a backup plan?" Zeb said, and looked at Kanan with doubt.

"Figuring one out right now." Kanan then walked to the opened turbolift. "Zeb, Sabine, you're coming along."

"Weren't we supposed to hold our escape route here?" Zeb questioned with arms held out in exasperation.

"Now the turbolift is our escape route. Let's go," Kanan ordered.

Gathered in the turbolift, the team waited as the lift ascended. Sabine groaned. "His plan gets worse all the time."

Zeb nodded in agreement and rolled his eyes. "Just hope he doesn't change it again."

"I'm standing right here," Kanan said to the pair.

"We know," the two responded, their answers perfectly choreographed as one.

Ezra would have smiled but all he could think of was just how desperate Kanan was being. Any other job and Kanan would've called it off by this point. So either he wanted to rescue this Luminara at all costs - including their lives - or he was just this desperate to be rid of me.

Ezra snorted. Given what he told Sabine back on the Ghost, it wasn't exactly a toss up.

The turbolift continued on and the uncomfortable silence persisted, but all had the presence of mind to ignore it. When the lift stopped and the doors opened Kanan reached out and pulled the two stormtroopers standing guard outside into the lift.

Trapped between Kanan, Zeb, and Sabine the pair stood no chance and were quietly knocked unconscious and dropped to the floor. Peeking out and seeing no one around, Kanan cautiously stepped forward out of the lift and determined which way to go. He looked back at the others.

"Maintain comm silence." Kanan said as Ezra followed him out. "And whatever you do, hold this lift."

"Hey, you! Stop!"

Two stormtroopers doing their hourly patrol had just rounded the corner and spotted Kanan and Ezra. They had their blaster rifles up and ready. Not that that helped any as Kanan lifted out both arms and Force yanked them toward him.

Flying through the air neither stood a chance as Kanan clotheslined each with an arm to their throats. They dropped to the deck, unmoving, with their blaster rifles fallen beside them.

"Wow. You're really not messing around tonight." Ezra said, impressed by the level of ability Kanan was showing.

"There's a lot more at stake than you realize." Kanan said and walked on without looking back, leaving the bodies for Zeb to hide away.

Ezra rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. All he knew was Kanan wanted him gone. Which left Ezra feeling less impressed and more angered. Sure Kanan was pulling out all the stops but the deeper they go the more difficult it would be for them to escape if caught. If he wants to risk his life like this so badly then fine. But Zeb and Sabine deserved better than this.

They navigated through a few more corridors and Ezra's instincts began to nag at him. As big as this place was there was supposed to be an army of stormtroopers here. There were two guarding the entrance. Four more and now that they reached the level this Jedi Master was on so far they ran into a grand total of four?

It's like Old Joe would tell him. When things were too good to be true, it's because they are.

Kanan said she was here but her presence was "clouded." What could do that to a Jedi Master? Ezra was about to speak up when Kanan held back his arm and peeked around a corner. He motioned for Ezra to look.

As Ezra did he saw two stormtroopers guarding a cell, the first two they had come across since the turbolift. "Ever seen this Jedi Master?" the one on the left asked.

"Don't have the clearance," the second one answered.

And then Kanan stepped out from their place behind the corner and walked forward, making no effort to strike them or hide. Instead he stretched out his arm. Then spoke. "Shouldn't you be guarding the Jedi's cell? It's on the next level."

"It's on the next level," the left stormtrooper replied, his voice becoming listless in its response.

"You better get moving." Kanan added.

"We better get moving," the right stormtrooper said, his voice as equally monotone. And then just like that both stormtroopers walked off. It was like they were under some sort of spell or hypnotised.

Ezra had seen Kanan do something impressive things before, but he'd never seen anything like this. He joined Kanan, excited, and pointed at the two mindless stormtroopers. "When I do I learn that?"

"Luminara will teach you," Kanan said and gently pushed Ezra aside. He then focused and used the Force to activate the security panel and opened the cell door. "Much better than I could," he added and stepped inside.

Ezra looked back at the two stormtroopers and a great sense of doubt filled him. He liked sticking it to the Empire. He liked his family on the Ghost. His hand touched the holster and his blaster. He liked being a Rebel.

Was becoming a Jedi really worth losing all of that?

Silently Ezra obediently followed Kanan into the cell and found him standing in front of a small and fragile looking older Mirilian female. Like on the Holonet she was in an orange prison jumpsuit. Only Ezra's instincts were once more screaming at him.

"Is it really her?" Ezra asked.

"Yes, but…" Kanan hesitated. "Something's wrong."

The Mirilian approached them worldlessly, and stopped before Kanan.

"Master?" Kanan asked.

But Master Unduli said nothing. Instead she turned and walked toward an unseen sarcophagus standing beside the wall, a small transparisteel window where a person's head would be. It looked old. And somehow frozen.

Then to both Ezra and Kanan's amazement they watched as Luminara stepped right through, almost as if she weren't there at all. And then settled inside. And then just like the illusion lifted and for the first time Ezra and Kanan saw the real Luminara.

Frozen and lifeless inside the sarcophagus. Kanan gasped and Ezra took a step back, unable to understand. "What happened to her?"

Ezra shook his head and looked from the sarcophagus and back to Kanan. "I don't understand," Ezra said.

"No?" a mysterious voice said. "It doesn't seem complicated."

Both rebels turned and saw that they were no longer along. Standing in the doorway of the cell was a tall, lean, looking humanoid type of alien that Ezra had never seen before. He was bald and his cheeks were skeleton gaunt. And he had pale gray skin with red tattoo streaks marking both his eyes. And his eyes?

Sunken and ringed with deep darkness, but they eyes themselves were gold. Gold and glowing. And that voice rang with Imperial authority, though he wore a uniform Ezra had never seen before. No not a uniform more like some sort of ceremonial armor gray like the color of his skin but black shoulder pauldrons, chestplate, and high neck collar.

When he spoke and it was with the accent of High Imperial. It drummed authority.

"I am the Inquisitor." He stated and in a flash he pulled a semi-circle device from behind him, only for it to flash a bright right light. And Ezra would recognize that snap hiss sound anywhere.

A lightsaber!

Without care the Inquisitor stepped down the few steps into the cell.

Danger. Danger. Danger!

Ezra wanted to run but the Inquisitor was blocking their only exit.

The door then slid closed behind him and the most creepiest smile Ezra had ever seen shaped across the Inquisitor's face. Wide. Wide with the promise of death for any who got in his way.

"Welcome," he said cheerfully, the unnerving calmness in his voice. The certainty. Like a shark circling a helpless bit of prey. That was more terrifying than anything Ezra had ever seen or heard.

He lifted his lightsaber, its red glow lightening the area around the door. Opposite it was the soft blue light casting of Kanan's lighsaber from the partition of the cell he and Ezra were standing. Ezra hadn't even realized Kanan had had his saber out until now.

The Inquisitor continued.

"Yes, I'm afraid Master Luminara died with the Republic." He explained, talking to them as a teacher would their students. "But her bones continue to serve the Empire, luring the last Jedi to their ends."

Kriff!

Ezra lifted his comlink. "Spectre-3, come in. It's a trap!"

Crackling static was the only reply. Ezra hit the SOS button Sabine had included on his comlink but whether that got past the jamming or not he had no way to be sure.

"There will be no reinforcements," the Inquisitor answered, a stern expression on his face.

Kanan lunged and the Inquisitor was ready. All Ezra could do was look on as his Master battled away at the enemy, this Inquisitor guy. But it only took a few short moments for all three to recognize that Kanan was outmatched.

While Kanan had the entire floor of the cell to work with and line up his attacks. The Inquisitor remained where he had been standing on the steps. And while Kanan used both hands for each of his swings, the Inquisitor calmly held his lightsaber with only one.

And while Kanan remained disciplined, Ezra could also see the desperation in his face. The Inquisitor's expression never faltered. When Kanan thought he had the Inquisitor pinned the tall lithe alien would calmly step aside and with precision shifted his guard from low to high.

Low to high. Left to right. Up and to the left, back and to the right. Nothing was getting past this guy!

Beaten back at every blow and deflection, Kanan was struggling to come up with any sort of attack. Meanwhile everything the Inquisitor did was measured. No movement wasted. No excess energy expended. Nothing but efficiency and a poise that never broke.

He was fighting Kanan with one hand behind his kriffin' back! And he made it look so effortless!

Kanan had his lightsaber batted away and the Inquisitor held his blade to Kanan's throat, but paused in his thrust. The point of the lightsaber mere centimeters away and Kanan winced in preparation, but the killing blow never came. Instead the Inquisitor just smiled and waited.

Like this whole thing was a game to him! Like it was a sparring session between friends!

He's toying with him!

Kanan didn't let the opportunity slip by and quickly backed off and took up his guard once more. Now it was the Inquisitor's to advance, and advance he did. With his masterful skill he drove Kanan further and further back. Although this time Kanan did appear to be doing somewhat better.

Ezra didn't get it.

"Interesting," the Inquisitor said when his strike was caught by Kanan and held in a lock. He smiled with gleeful wickedry. "It seems you trained with Jedi Master Depa Billaba."

"How… Who are you?" Kanan stuttered, his eyes widening with fear.

Blaster? No. Slingshot? Yeah right. Stunstick? No. Need a miracle right -

Ezra put his hand on Sabine's small detonator from where he tucked it on his belt.

Thank you Sabine!

Ezra watched the duel carefully but more importantly he felt his instincts. The Inquisitor was treating this like an exercise. Or putting on a show. Ezra timed it when the two broke out of yet another lock and took a step back, Ezra ran between them to the opposite side of the cell.

Yup. Neither one of them wants me dead.

Cautiously he edged his way closer and closer to the door, holding onto Sabine's explosive.

Please work.

"The temple records are quite complete." The Inquisitor explained, answering Kanan's question of how the Inquisitor knew so much.

With a speed unmatched he swung his blade around and Kanan only barely got his saber up in time to keep it from cutting his neck. The Inquisitor pressed, and Kanan had to give ground.

"In close quarter fighting, Billaba's emphasis was always on form three, which you favor to a ridiculous degree."

Form three? There are forms!

Kanan was cornered, his back nearly pressed up against Lumanari and her sarcophagus.

A bolt of yellow electricity burned through the air and the Inquisitor caught it only at the last moment. But as Ezra expected, the slingshot had too little energy compared to that of a blaster bolt. Instead of being deflected by the red lightsaber it just dissipated.

Which was good, because Ezra was pretty certain this guy could deflect any aimed blaster fire right back at him.

Besides the distraction worked, and with a wild yell Kanan slashed forward but missed as the Inquisitor leaped over him - his bald head nearly scraping upon the ceiling of the cell. And as he came down he delivered a sharp kick to Kanan.

The Jedi went stumbling forward and lost his grip on the lightsaber, deactivating it. Ezra rushed to his Master's side as he lied facedown in the cell. He looked up and back at the Inquisitor who was standing tall again.

"Clearly, you were a poor student," the Inquisitor informed him.

Ezra's response were several more shots from his slingshot, only for the Inquisitor to open his arms and embrace them - embrace their pain - and revel in it.

"Is that really all you've got, my boy?" the Inquisitor asked.

"Well, I've got that." Ezra said and gestured to the detonator he'd planted at the doorway.

Before any could move it a loud deafening blast and a powerful kinetic force slammed into all three of them. Smoke and debris filled the room, but Ezra wasted no time and grabbed Kanan by the arm and hauled them out of the and back into the hallway.

Disoriented from the blaster Ezra relied on instinct. He took a quick a left and began racing. He didn't need to look behind him to see the Inquisitor. Even with his ringing eardrums he could hear the steady human of the lightsaber chasing them.

They turned down another hallway and Kanan stopped, pushing Ezra aside he ignited his lightsaber just in time to block the Inquisitor from cutting them down. The fight resumed only now the Inquisitor wasn't interested in Kanan.

"Are you paying attention, boy?" he asked Ezra and then stepped back from Kanan. He held out his saber evenly and to Ezra's shock watched as the other end of the lightsaber ignited.

A second blade? They can do that? Wielding the lightsaber like one would a bo staff the Inquisitor went on the attack again, with Kanan doing everything he could to hold him back.

"The Jedi are dead, but there is another path," the Inquisitor grinned and pushed Kanan backward. "The Dark Side."

"Never heard of it!" Ezra snapped and fired off another bolt from his slingshot, which the Inquisitor easily parried and then reached forward. With one hand he wielded the Force and blasted Ezra with a force equivalent to one of Sabine's miracles.

Ezra was knocked against a bulkhead as he flew down the hallway from the power of the throw.

Stunned for a moment, Ezra shook his head.

Dark Side?

"Have you taught him nothing?" the Inquisitor asked, dissatisfaction in his voice.

Ezra picked himself back up and Kanan struck out in anger, the fight began again. And maybe it was just his head but the two looked to be moving faster than before. Fast. So fast. Faster than Ezra's eyes could keep up with.

"Do you really think you can save the boy?" the Inquisitor asked. He then narrowed his eyes at Kanan. "For his sake, surrender."

Kanan risked a glance over his shoulder and saw that Ezra was back on his feet. Unsteady but still standing. He then focused back on the Inquisitor, gripping his saber tightly.

"I'm not making deals with you." Kanan hissed.

The Inquisitor was amused by this response and dropped his guard and stood to his full height. "Hmm. Then we'll let him make one, shall we?" He reached out one arm and Kanan went flying backward, past Ezra and back into an entirely different hallway.

Ezra could only watch as his Master laid there outstretched on his back, unmoving.

"Your Master cannot save you, boy." The Inquisitor said from behind him. "He is unfocused and undisciplined."

Unfocused?

Undisciplined?

"Then we're perfect for each other!" Ezra yelled and brought up his slingshot, firing more bolts.

The Inquisitor blocked a few but then rushed and swiped his lightsaber down at Ezra. But for once Ezra was a step ahead and jumped over the blade and then pushed off the wall to dodge the followup strike.

Ezra regained his footing and faced the Inquisitor.

"I do admire your persistence." The Inquisitor complimented and began to twirl the double blade in a broad wide circle. "Ready to die?"

Cornered with nowhere to run, Ezra could only watch as the Inquisitor twirled his saber above his head and then rush forward with the weapon - poised to strike.

"NO!" Kanan shouted and suddenly the Inquisitor felt an invisible force grab him and then yank him upward. Ezra watched as Kanan used the Force to slam the imposing Inquisitor against the ceiling and pin him there.

"Run!" Kanan yelled. Ezra nodded and immediately ran past the pinned Inquisitor to rejoin Kanan. When he neared him Ezra found he was still holding out his arm outward and holding the Inquisitor against the ceiling. But as Ezra reached him Kanan dropped his arm and let go.

The Inquisitor was released but instead of just dropping, the alien twisted his body around so as to fall gently to the deck. Kanan's Force attack had bought them time, but little else.

The Inquisitor stood and held out his hilt. Both blades ignited and then, to his disbelief, Ezra watched as the blades began to spin. Spin! Not twirl like a baton or staff. But spin like a propeller!

"Does yours do that?" Ezra asked Kanan, his mouth agape.

"Come on! Let's go!" Kanan shouted and pulled Ezra along.

And they ran, but as they did questions confounded Ezra.

Red lightsabers?

Dark Side?

Why is this guy so interested in me?

As they ran for their lives it was that question that Ezra dreaded the most.

Officially the worst plan ever! Sabine thought as she and Zeb battled their way around stormtroopers in the maze of hallways.

With comms jammed and more stormtroopers alerted and redeployed to their position, the pair began a run and gun chase with the Imperials. They heard a distant explosion earlier and it was in that direction Sabine was trying to lead them.

And hope she ran into a Jedi with a bad ponytail and a blue haired street rat with a knack for getting himself into and out of trouble.

She came to a T-junction in the hallways and turned to see running down the hallway were none other than Kanan and Ezra! And behind them a tall person with a red lightsaber?

A red lightsaber with two blades?

Like the one from the story mother would tell.

"Guys!" Sabine shouted to them. "This way!"

And then she pulled on Zeb and they ran, slowing down just enough for Ezra and Kanan to catch up. All together again Sabine led the way.

The one with the red lightsaber chasing after. Sabine gulped away her fear, trying her best to focus and remember the way out. But the figure with the double bladed lightsaber...

Not good.

"You figured out it was a trap?" Kanan asked breathlessly.

"Yeah," Sabine said as they rounded another corner. "Luminara?"

"Long gone." Kanan answered grimly. "Our new exit?"

"Landing platform," Sabine replied, her voice equally grim.

"Thought it was impossible to get out that way."

"Well," Sabine said and tried to smile in spite of the looming terror. "Let's hope the Empire thinks so, too."

The one chasing them lifted his gloved hand up and spoke into a built-in wrist comlink. Across the prison's public announcement system all heard his command.

"Secure the facility. Full lockdown."

"Well that's not helpful," Ezra said and then the clear and open hallway before them began to change as a series of blast doors were triggered.

They were closing, slowly, and threatening to split the team apart and trap them for the Imperials. If they got trapped and separated there woudl be no way out. They would be doomed.

The team hurried but as seconds ticked by the space between the closing doors grew smaller and smaller. They wouldn't make it.

Sabine turned and fired a few shots at the lightsaber wielder. It was a fruitless gesture as blocked them effortlessly. And then he too began to run.

Focusing back on escaping the team was running and hurdling over the closing blast doors, the doors closed in from all sides.

But up ahead was one door, not a blast door, but a giant door the size big enough to fit industrial sized equipment and other large vehicles through. Large crates as another example. It was locked down but a door that big meant one thing.

The landing pad.

Zeb realized it too as he threw himself in between the final blaster door, right as it was about to close for good. With all his strength the Lasat held it open for the rest of the team. He grunted and pressed back against the hydraulic system that was slowly overpowering him.

"Can't do this all day!" Zeb shouted.

The team hurried and jumped over and under him, clearing the final blast door. Safely on the other side Zeb jumped clear too and smiled triumphantly as the door closed right in the face of their pursuer. The man had reignited his saber at the last moment but he had been too late.

Or so Zeb had thought, until the saber pierced through the door and nearly him with it!

Zeb backed away and fearfully watched as the red blade began to slowly cut its way through the door.

Kriffin' lightsabers!

The team continued moving on until they reached the large doors to the landing pad. Zeb unslung his bo-rifle and took careful aim then blasted the security panel of the last door between them and whoever was chasing them. Sabine figured it had to be a Dark Sider of some sort. And with Kanan running like he was, they were all in real danger.

Sabine wasted no time in accessing the door controls to the landing pad but banged her hand against it in frustration. "I'm locked out of the system. Ez?"

Ezra took out his scomp-lockpick and plugged it into the port, only to receive a nasty electrical jolt in response. The shock knocked the boy backward and his lockpick went flying.

Sabine knelt down beside him but Ezra pushed himself back up with the palms of his hands, wincing a bit from the pain. He was moving but he definitely suffered burns of some kind.

"Sorry," Ezra told her.

She fought back the urge to scream. Screaming and venting wouldn't help them now. Instead Sabine took a mental inventory of what the team had on hand. If not to unlock the door then what weapons or tactics they could use against that Dark Sider chasing after Kanan and Ezra. It wasn't impossible. After all situations like these were what her people dedicated their lives to!

Only the best thing she could think of was that Zeb should still have one of her detonators. If they could get it to detonate close enough, that should be enough to knock him down for a moment. And then they'd finished him off.

Still that was risking a lot on lucky, and Sabine had about as much trusting to luck as she could handle for one op.

"Ezra," Kanan said and helped the boy to his feet. Tilting her head Sabine watched as Kanan led Ezra to the middle of the chamber and stood right in the middle of the enormous door. "Together," he said, his voice hoarse and ragged with exhaustion.

"Seriously?" Ezra asked as he looked at the door in disbelief.

"Yes." Kanan said. He was winded and hurt - and Ezra had more than just electric burns. But they were both far from out of the fight. And in that moment she felt a swell of pride over her Space Family.

"Picture the locking mechanism in your mind." Kanan instructed.

Picturing a locking mechanism inside a door? But Ezra's never trained for anything like this before!

Still Ezra gathered up what strength he had left and mirrored Kanan, closing his eyes and reaching out with his arm. Theoretically Sabine understood what Kanan was trying to do, but she couldn't begin to imagine the strength it would take.

Still, if he believed Ezra could do it?

"Come on, Ezra," Sabine said quietly, hoping for a different sort of miracle this time. "You can do this."

The red lightsaber pushed through the final door, and began to cut. "Excuse me," Zeb shouted. "But can we train Ezra later?"

"Kanan knows what he's doing," Sabine said and glanced to the two Jedi. "And so does Ezra."

The Lasat gave the Mandalorian a doubtful look but Sabine stuck to her guns, literally in this case as she kept them trained on the lightsaber at the door. But every moment or so she'd glance at Ezra and after the third time she noticed something.

Even though both guys had their eyes closed Ezra's hand and arm were mirroring Kanan's exactly. Motion for motion. That was all the proof Sabine needed. It's been a rough start. But with the right support and encouragement Ezra has the potential. We just had to make sure he lived long enough to get there!

But as her attention returned to the door and the pathway the red blade was making, Sabine was beginning to share Zeb's impatience. Thankfully it was at that moment she heard something massive turn and a valve released. Steam poured forward from the hangar door as its locking mechanism was activated and the doorway opened.

Ezra had a look of triumph on his face. And so did she, only for it to sour when a squad of stormtroopers stood ready, blasters trained at them. And the stormtroopers had cover.

The Spectres did not.

The troopers wasted no time and opened fire while the Spectres did their best. Dog tired both of them, still Kanan drew his lightsaber and began defelecting blast bolts while Ezra drew his own blaster and added his own firepower to Zeb and Sabine's. But then Zeb lowered his rifle and reached for the detonator Sabine had handed him.

"One last miracle here," Zeb said and pitched it at the largest bunch of stormtroopers. It was a good throw and landed right at their feet.

A torrent of fire and pressure exploded at their feet. The damage to their enemies was extensive. Those not directly caught in the blast went scurrying for cover, and gave the Spectres the opening they needed.

With Kanan and his lightsaber at the front, he kept up the pace and deflected blaster shots that came at he group. Meanwhile she, Zeb, and Ezra all had their blasters up and were laying down fire. They had fought hard for fire superiority and they weren't about to lose it to a bunch of bucketheads!

She saw a black suited figure trying to get into a TIE fighter. Recognizing him for a pilot Sabine took careful aim with her blasters and squeezed both triggers. Her bolts hit home, dropping the Imp and keeping him from accessing the TIE and its powerful weaponry.

A TIE fighter was the last thing they needed right now!

Upon reaching the middle of the landing bay, Sabine took cover while the boys kept a handle on things. She activate her comlink and hoped they had gained enough distance from the facility to make a clear transmission.

"Spectre-5 to Phantom," Sabine called. "We're on the landing deck, ready for pickup."

To everyone's relief, Hera's voice came in over the comm.

"On my way, Spectre-5. And I'm bringing the fleet."

"We have a fleet?" Zeb asked over his own comlink.

Sabine could only shrug and return to the fight, joining the others in laying down blaster fire.

"We do now," came Hera's confident voice and just like that the Phantom appeared - along with six giant winged beasts of some type, seemingly following Hera's lead.

Somehow the beasts sensed the danger and swooped down and knocked down groups of stormtroopers left and right. The stormtroopers tried shooting at them but the blaster bolts that hit were ineffective and as for Hera, she let loose with the Phantom's own guns. Destroying one parked TIE fighter after another until four were nothing but fire and molten metal.

The path forward clear, Kanan pointed and the team ran for the shuttle.

A turret popped out and began firing green laser fire at the Phantom. Hera weaved the shuttle safely out of the way but Zeb's solution of blasting the turret to pieces with his devastating bo-rifle was a much more permanent solution.

And there it was, the Phantom on the edge of the landing pad with its rear door open. As the team began to get aboard Kanan turned and at the last moment got his lightsaber up to deflect a spinning lightsaber blade?

The team watched in amazement as the lightsaber, acting like a propeller, returned to the hand of the Dark Sider. And as the Phantom pulled away every member of the strike team kept their eyes focused on the strange Force user below who stared right back at them.

"Does yours do that?" Zeb asked Kanan, and Sabine found herself fighting the urge to smirk.

It was a good barb. But she was still pretty pissed with Kanan. As the arendaline from the fight wore off the exhaustion set in and her thoughts ended up drifting to Ezra. She could only guess at what the Kid must be thinking.

As they broke atmosphere and retreated into the vacuum of space, Kanan stood beside Hera at the controls to the Phantom.

"Master Luminara?" their fearless Twi'lek Captain asked.

"Gone," came Kanan's response. "We'll have to find a way to spread the word."

"How's Ezra taking it?"

"Not as bad as I am." Kanan answered. "I guess he's stuck with me. For now."

Behind the faceplate of her helmet Sabine scowled and balled her fists. After all that and still Kanan wanted to ditch him? What does it take? She glanced at Ezra who had his head tilted ever so slightly, his ear open to the conversation happening.

He heard everything.

Sabine tightened her fists, fighting back the rising anger inside.

Haar'chak.

"Hey Kid," Zeb said. Ezra lifted his head and looked at Zeb sitting across from him and Sabine. The Lasat smiled and nodded in approval. "You did good back there."

Damn right he did.

When the Ghost finally touched back down on Lothal, Ezra let himself out of his cabin and made his way to the cargo bay. When the landing ramp extended he took a seat halfway down. His knees hugging his chest he propped his chin up under his folded arms and searched the distant horizon. Searching for what? Who knew. He certainly didn't. But the warmth of Lothal and the smell of the wind rushing across the plains gave Ezra a sense of peace after everything he had just went through.

And what he was still going through.

Sabine had wanted to talk but he begged out of it. Said to her he needed some space. He had a good idea of what she wanted to talk about, and while it felt good to have her in his corner. Ezra didn't really think it'd do much good.

He tried napping but every time he closed his eyes he saw him. The gold glowing eyes. The creepy smile. And that red lightsaber. And how he wanted Ezra as his Apprentice. For what, Ezra could only imagine. And he didn't like what he saw.

Maybe it was that Dark Side thing. It certainly sounded ominous enough.

Ezra's eyes kept still on the horizon and the tempting plains of golden grass. It'd be so easy. And if this guy was determined to get his hands on me?

This crew had been through a lot together. But if Kanan was this desperate to be rid of me, to risk all of our lives like that. Ezra came to a decision. It wasn't the one he liked, but he had to do what was right. And with everything going wrong around him it seemed like the only sensible choice he had. He had to do what was right.

Someone had to.

And then he felt the steps of another on the ramp and Ezra sighed when the person drew closer. Ezra would recognize that long shadow anywhere. He knew what Kanan was about to say, but Ezra would rather just not bother with it at all. He didn't have any fight left in him at this point.

"Look, don't bother saying it." Ezra said. "I'm letting you off the hook."

"What are you talking about?" Kanan asked.

"Stop pretending. I know you wanted to dump me on Luminara," Ezra said. "And just 'cause she's gone doesn't mean you're stuck with me." Ezra sighed and shook his head. "I'll talk with Hera."

Hopefully I've done enough good that she'll still want me on the team. If not? Ezra looked back across the beckoning plains.

Kanan sighed and rolled his eyes. "I don't want to dump you," he said with aggravation seeping into his voice. He took a seat next to Ezra on the ramp. "Look," he said. "I just wanted you to have the best teacher."

"Well I don't want the best teacher! I want you!" Ezra exclaimed.

And as soon as the words left his mouth both guys grimaced at how that came out. On the one hand it was cool that Ezra wanted Kanan as his teacher. On the other hand Kanan's would-be student admitted that Kanan was far from the best teacher.

"Uh, not that you're not the best. I-"

"-Ezra," Kanan interrupted, putting off Ezra's attempt at damage control. "I'm not gonna try to teach you anymore."

Ezra had expected the let down, prepared himself for it. But it still stung. He looked away and back at the horizon.

"If all I do is try," Kanan continued. "That means I don't truly believe I can succeed. So from now on I will teach you."

Ezra looked back at his teacher, surprise on his face.

Kanan sighed. "I may fail. You may fail. But there is no try."

Silence descended on the pair as Ezra considered his words. They weren't what he had expected, but there was still one lingering doubt in his mind.

The one he overheard in Sabine's confrontation with Kanan. If Luminara had agreed to train Ezra with the condition of doing it elsewhere, a condition that Sabine had predicted was extremely likely. Would Kanan have agreed. Would Hera?

He desperately wanted to know but in the end Ezra was just too scared to ask.

"I understand… Master," Ezra said at last.

"Let's see if you do," Kanan replied and handed Ezra the lightsaber.

This time when Ezra held it, he didn't look at the "fabled weapon" the same way he had earlier. After everything he'd seen today, the novelty had worn off.

Like his slingshot. Like his blaster. It was just another weapon, a tool even. And maybe someday it could even be seen as a symbol of something great again.

Kanan got to his feet and headed off the ramp, then searched the ground around the Ghost for some appropriately sized stones.

Ezra did his part and after getting to his own feet he put some distance between him and Kanan. He took up the stance he'd scene Kanan do several times, or Form Three he guessed it was called. And ignited the blue lightsaber.

When he was ready Kanan threw the first stone. This time no closed eyes. No scared out of his mind going to fall to his death. No Zeb or Chopper there to distract him.

After five stones and five successful blocks, Ezra was smiling. Maybe he'd get the hang of this Jedi thing after all.

But he was still going to talk to Hera. She needed to understand him. Whatever direction this training took him, Ezra was a Rebel first and foremost.

And he wasn't going anywhere.

"Eavesdropping?" Hera's voice asked, startling Sabine from her place at the nose turret where she was currently overlooking Kanan and Ezra's training.

Not only their training but their conversation too. She didn't dare turn away, needing to hear every word.

"Tell me. If Kanan had said Ezra needed to go? Because Luminara thought it best that Ezra being trained someplace not here?"

"Kanan, and a Jedi Master, would know best how to train him," Hera said. When she saw Sabine about to protest, Hera raised her hands forestalling the Mandalorian's fury. "That said, Ezra's old enough to make his own decisions. The decision would have been his to make. No one else's."

"That's," Sabine said but then stopped, unable to think of what to say next. "That's good." Sabine said at last. "And he should know that."

"I thought he already did." Hera said truthfully. "After all - he's family." Hera waited patiently to see if Sabine would follow her advice and leave them be. Instead the girl pulled out her sketchbook.

Hera shook her head and smiled, leaving the teenager to it. She'd talk with Ezra later. Make certain he knew where he stood with Hera and his place on the Ghost.

Meanwhile with a careful eye, Sabine studied Ezra and his stance. How he held the lightsaber. How the wind flowed through his hair, and the color of his eyes out there in the brilliant sun. She settled with how he held his lightsaber high in the air when blocking one of the stones.

She began her sketch.

Another chapter of the true account of Ezra Bridger! Uncle Hondo has thought long about what to title this story, aside from the true account. After he wrote this chapter he decided on "A Rebel's Tale." There are many more trials and tribulations ahead for young Ezra and his companions. But Hondo feels this is the first subtle but true diversion from what many saw in the show. And so young Mira, Hondo dedicates this chapter to the crew of the Ghost. May they never lose their fighting spirit. No matter where the state of the galaxy takes them! Hmm… It appears Hondo's vocabulary may be expanding. If so, then great! More profit to be had! Now to the tedious work of editing. Mando Girl says I could use the experience. Who am I to argue with lovely Sabine?

Apparently also Hondo is creeping up on the one hundred thousand word mark! Hahah! Uncle Hondo is here! And he is not going anywhere!