Chapter 142: Rebels of Lothal Part 2: A Botched Mission
A moment later, after having escaped the Empire, the Ghost came out of Hyper space, floating in open space when Zeb brought Ezra into the cockpit, which the boy was fighting him to get free.
"Let go of me!" Ezra exclaimed. "You can't keep me here! Take me back to Lothal!"
"Calm down kid, that's exactly what we're doing." Hera replied.
"Wait, as in, right now!?" Ezra asked, surprised to hear that. "With Imperials chasing after us?"
"Relax Ezra, Tie Fighters don't have a hyper drive." Spyro replied. "They can't follow us."
"And the Ghost is able to scramble its signature." Hera added. "They won't recognize us when we return."
"That's pretty cool." Ezra said. "So drop me and my blaster outside of Capital City and-"
"They're not your blasters." Sabine replied, walking in.
"And we aren't going back to Capital City." Kanan replied.
"What job?" Spyro asked.
"We here hired to steal the blasters for Vizago." Kanan replied. "For a good sum of credits too. The other crates besides yours are filled with food for a town of refugees."
"Refugees?" Ezra asked.
Without answering, the Ghost made its way back to Lothal, Hera activating its scrambler to make itself invisible to Imperial sensors as they flew in. Pyro however got up and allowed Kanan to take his seat back, walking past everyone to head into the lounging area where his friends and daughters were, seeing Midnight was walking, but still seemed to be limping a bit as he walked over, sitting on the couch as they waited to land.
"How you holding up there Midnight?" Spyro asked.
"Eh, been hurt worse than this." Midnight replied.
"In her language, she means it hurts a lot." Rosy replied.
"It does not!" Midnight exclaimed, Rosy laughing. "Whatever that Bacta stuff was is doing the trick. The wound hardly hurts anymore."
"I should hope so." Spyro replied. "That stuff heals wounds upon contact with them. So, what do you girls think of the crew of this ship?"
"They're nice, I guess." Twilight replied. "But Ezra, he seems a bit... squirrelly."
"He's a street kid." Spyro replied. "Learned how to survive on the streets his whole life. But... there's something special about him."
"I noticed it too." Rosy replied. "I sensed it as soon as we met him."
"Sensed what?" Applejack asked.
"That's not important right now." Spyro replied. "They're taking us back to Lothal. Towards a refugee camp."
"Why go there?" Twilight asked.
"Because some of the crates have food." Spyro replied, surprising them as Zeb climbed down the ladder, listening to their conversation. "They're going to distribute some food to the less fortunate while Hera and Kanan go seek the blasters they stole. Once we're off, I'll contact my ship and we can begin loading our crates and be out of here. We also have a mission of our own."
"Yeah, the Wookiees." Twilight said, surprising Zeb. "We need to find them."
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but listen in on your conversation." Zeb said. "Did you say you're looking for some Wookiees?"
"Yeah, we are." Spyro replied. "A friend of ours told us the Empire has some as prisoners. We were asked to save them.
"Then we have a common goal." Zeb replied, smiling. "We're also wanting to save them. Helped us many times before, so I figured it's time to return the favor. We could work together and free them."
"Well, in that case, you got yourself some new friends. Spyro said, getting up.
"Glad to hear that." Zeb said. "We're about to land now. If you want, you can go with Kanan and Hera to deliver the blasters while your friends help us distribute the food to the refugees of Tarkin Town."
"Anything to repay ya for yer help." Applejack replied.
"Just tell us what to do and we'll help." Twilight said, smiling at him.
A little while later, the Ghost landed on the top of a hill and everyone got off, Kanan and Hera getting the crate full of blasters while Sabine and Zeb got a couple of crates of food, taking it down to the people as Spyro and Midnight came out, the dark purple unicorn limping down to help, but Spyro stopped her, making her look up at him.
"No Midnight, you stay in the ship." Spyro said.
"I'm not completely helpless you know." Midnight replied.
"You're still hurt honey and you need to rest." Spyro said, kneeling down.
"I can still walk and pass out food." Midnight said.
"I know." Spyro said, lifting her chin up to make her look at him. "But sometimes you can't do everything you want to do. You just need some time to rest and let the Bacta heal you. Don't worry, AJ, Twilight, and Rosy will be in the town below passing out food."
"But where will you be?" Midnight asked.
"I'm going with Kanan and Hera to sell the blasters." Spyro replied. "Plus I might get some information on where the Wookiee's are at. I'll be back shortly, I promise."
Without waiting, Midnight reached up and hugged Spyro, Spyro returning the hug, but being extra careful not to hurt her or touch her wound, the two hugging one another until Spyro ended the hug, Midnight limping back into the ship and allowing Spyro to walk with Kanan and Hera to get to their buyer, leaving the others alone with the rest of the crew.
"Hey, where are they going?" Ezra asked.
"If I told you, I'd have to kill ya." Zeb replied. "Which, I might do anyway."
"Grab a crate and pull your weight." Sabine said, walking with the second crate.
"Why am I stuck doing this?" Ezra asked.
"Because it's the right thing to do." Applejack replied, pushing the final crate. "Come on, ya might learn something about helping others."
A second later, she hit a low patch, preventing them from moving the crate and only got it out than's to Twilight lifting the crate. Ezra shook his head, asking over and activating the Anti-gravity on the crate, pushing it towards the makeshift town, the ponies walking with Ezra as he pushed the crate into the town.
"You really have a way with words." Hera said. "She seems to trust you."
"Well, she is my daughter." Spyro replied, making both of them look at him.
"I'm sorry, what?" Kanan asked. "Your daughter?"
"She and Rosy." Spyro replied. "Well, Rosy I adopted. Midnight just recently became part of the family."
"Wow, you got your hands full, don't you?" Hera asked.
"Trust me, this is nothing." Spyro replied. "You should see Pinkie Pie. She's a handful."
They continued to walk in the direction of their buyer, making sure they weren't followed while they went to sell the stolen goods. In Tarkin town, the group had just entered the makeshift village, seeing that some of the building's were made of whatever materials the people could get and finding many people suffering, some clutching their stomachs from hunger, others having lost loved ones crying, Rosy and twilight sensing their despair, which it was overwhelming for the lavender unicorn as she felt a tear roll down her cheek.
"I've lived on Lothal my whole life, but I've never been here before." Ezra said.
"These people..." Twilight said, seeing how unhappy they were. "Who would do something like this? How could their leaders do this?"
"The Empire doesn't care." Sabine replied. "They named this town Tarkin town. Named after Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Outer Rim."
"And it's not well advertised." Zeb replied. "Most of these people are farmers driven out of their land by the Empire. Anyone who fought back got arrested for treason."
Twilight was shocked, feeling her heart stop as they walked, stopping in place when she heard what Zeb said, lifting her hoof up and looking at it, feeling her rage rise up inside of her as she wanted to find the Moff and tear him apart. However, she suppressed these feelings and continued to walk with the group so they can give these people some food and hope. Else where, inside a circle of tall stones was a Devaronian, his robots moving cargo around when he looked up, noticing Kanan and Hera, but also Spyro, immediately raising his guard as he approached.
"Ah, my old friends!" The Devaronian said. "Welcome back! You get what I requested?"
"We did Vizago." Kanan said, presenting the crate and opening it. "It wasn't easy though."
"E-11 blasters." Spyro replied. "Imperial issued sub machine gun blasters. Basic weaponry, but effective in the right hands."
"You know your weapons kid." Vizago said, picking one up. "I hope you didn't go through too much trouble procuring these lovely ladies."
"Nothing we couldn't handle." Kanan replied. "Your intel was accurate, this time."
"We got the goods and took a bite out of the Empire." Hera said. "That's all that matters."
"Business is all that matters." Vizago replied. "But I'm glad you do not know that." Vizago then looked over to Spyro, instantly not liking him as he looked to Kanan. "Really Kanan, bringing in outsiders now?"
"His name's Spyro." Kanan replied. "He was a great help getting these blasters. And getting away from the Empire. Now, about what you owe us."
"Yes, yes, I know." Vizago replied, counting out the credits and handing some to Kanan before pausing, thinking about something. "How about, for the rest of the payment, I give you some... information. Information you've been begging for."
"The Wookiees!?" Hera asked.
"The Wookiees." Vizago said, looking to Spyro. "But, your friend... I don't really like him much. He gives off an... unpleasant vibe."
"Don't worry, he's alright." Kanan replied. "Now, what do you know about the Wookiees?"
Vizago looked over at Spyro, still not trusting him, but he walked over to one of his droids, picking up a puck before activating it, revealing a Gozanti cruiser.
"The Wookiee's are being transported by this cruiser." Vizago replied. "The Empire is planning on using the Wookiees as free slave labor for their war machines. The coordinates for the cruiser is on this puck, but due be careful, won't you? I'd hate to loose my favorite smugglers and thieves."
"We'll keep that in mind." Hera said, taking the puck. "Thank you Vizago."
"You're quite welcome." Vizago replied. "I hope we do business again soon!"
The three of them walked away from Vizago as he got busy loading up the blasters, Spyro turning back to look at him before shaking his head, looking back forward.
"Ugh, smugglers." Spyro said. "Don't get me wrong, you guys are good, but him..."
"Don't worry, we understand." Kanan replied. "Vizago's an interesting character. Gives decent intel, but not exactly the most reliable when informing you of dangers of the job."
"Hey, puts fuel in the Ghost and food in our bellies." Hera said.
"Speaking of, wonder how the girls are doing?" Spyro asked,
Back in Tarkin town, the group had reached the center of the town opening the crates to reveal an assortment of fruits, the people looking over to them and looked excited, walking over as they now had a glimmer of hope in their eyes as they saw their saviors.
"Who want's free grub!?" Zeb announced.
The people all gathered around, getting some of the food while also thanking the crew, Ezra seeing how happy it made them as they gathered food in baskets and in their arms, looking at the crew of the Ghost and even to the ponies, seeing how they were distributing food to some of the needy as a Rhodian walked up, grabbing some fruit before looking to Ezra with a smile.
"Thank you." The Rhodian said, walking away.
"But... I didn't do anything." Ezra said to himself, seeing how happy they made the people.
Ezra felt like he didn't belong, walking away from the group and heading back to the ship, Applejack noticing him and growing concerned, but decided to give the kid some space, having a feeling he wanted to be alone for a little while. At the ship, Ezra was sitting on the ground, his knees against his chest, his arms wrapped around his legs as he sat alone, having mixed emotions about everything as Midnight came out, sitting next to him while wincing, looking at the sad kid.
"What's a matter kid?" Midnight asked. "Don't like the company?"
"It's not that." Ezra said. "They're good people. They care and give people hope. But myself, I only look after myself. For over six years, I survived on the streets, stealing just to survive."
"I guess we have that in common." Midnight said, surprising him.
"You were a street kid as well?" Ezra asked.
"I was." Midnight replied. "Before I met someone who helped me."
"Spyro?" Ezra asked.
"No, not him." Midnight replied. "He was a leader, took everything seriously. He took me and a few others off the street, giving us a second chance in life. But... we had to earn our place."
"Earn it?" Ezra asked. "What do you mean by earn it?"
"I'd... rather not talk about it." Midnight replied, looking sad. "It's... not something I like to talk about."
Ezra could see how upset she was, noting how evasive she was to answer the question, but he then heard something, looking to the ship as he heard something call out to him.
"You hear that?" Ezra asked.
"Hear what?" Midnight asked. "I don't hear anything."
"It sounds like... singing." Ezra replied.
"Singing?" Midnight asked, confused about what he meant.
Ezra got up from the ground and started walking towards the ship, Midnight getting up, still feeling sore from the injury as she walked after him, following the kid into the ship and started climbing the ladder, making Midnight groan as she approached the ladder, climbing up slowly to catch up with Ezra until she came to a hall, seeing he was picking the lock on one of the doors to the sleeping quarters, which Midnight shook her head, limping over as Chopper strolled by, seeing Ezra picking the lock before strolling away as Midnight approached Ezra, who got the door open.
"We're in." Ezra said.
"Kid, you sure it's a good idea to steal from the people who saved us?" Midnight asked.
"Eh, what can I say, it's force of nature." Ezra replied. He walked in with Midnight shaking her head, limping in after the kid as he looked, trying to figure out what it was that was singing to him when he sat down on the bed, listening to the singing as it was talking to him. "Ok?"
He then knelt down and moved his hand along the bottom of the bed, looking for something when when his hand found a drawer, opening it to reveal a holocron, pulling it out for Midnight to see, which she was speechless when she saw it.
"Is that... a holocron?" Midnight asked.
"A holocron?" Ezra asked.
"Yeah, Spyro has one." Midnight replied. "I actually saw it once. They're pretty rare."
"Rare, huh?" Ezra asked, looking at it. "Must be worth something then." He then put the Holocron in his pocket, but before he could get up, he noticed something else, pulling the drawer back to reveal a lightsaber, which Ezra picked it up, wondering what it was when he pressed the activation button, the blade igniting revealing it was a blue plasma blade, taking him completely off guard. "Wow."
"A... a lightsaber." Midnight said.
"A lightsaber?" Ezra asked.
A second later, the door too the room opened, revealing Kanan, Hera, and Spyro standing there, neither of them looking pleased that they had broken into the room.
"Careful." Kanan said. "You'll cut your arm off with that."
"Spyro." Midnight said. "How did you know we were..."
She then got her answer when Chopper came up, instantly not liking the Astro mech.
"Look, it's not Midnight's fault." Ezra said. "She tried to talk me out of coming in here. And I know you're not going to believe me, but I think this thing was calling to me. Asking me to take it."
"You're right, I don't believe you." Kanan said. "Now hand me the lightsaber."
"But... I thought the lightsaber was the weapon of a Jedi?" Ezra asked. "How come you have one?"
"Give it to me." Kanan said, looking serious. "And get out."
Ezra then deactivated the lightsaber, walking over to Kanan and giving it to him before walking away, still holding the Holocron as he walked away as Midnight approached, looking to Spyro as she felt bad about breaking into Kanan's room.
"I... I'm sorry Spyro." Midnight said. "I... I tried but..."
"Don't worry Midnight." Spyro said, kneeling down and checking her bandages. "We'll talk later. For now, get some rest."
Midnight could tell she had disappointed him, walking away to get some rest as Spyro suggested, looking back at him before rounding a corner, leaving him alone with Kanan and Hera as the now revealed Jedi took the head off his saber and attaching both pieces onto his belt, crossing his arms as he watched Ezra.
"And now we wait." Kanan said, looking to Spyro. "You don't seem to angry with her."
"She's not use to being with others who care." Spyro said, standing up. "She use to work for someone cruel and vile, serving him without question. But she turned away from him, and I took her in at the request of Rosy. Now she's my daughter, and I want to do what's right by her."
"You're a good man." Hera said. "Better than most people in this day and age. Especially with the Empire out there harming people, enslaving them and ruling through fear."
"That's why you fight." Spyro said, looking to them. "To help those who can't help themselves. Just like the Jedi. Just like you."
Spyro then looked to Kanan, who seemed surprised that he figured it out, but then looked to his belt, finding he had a couple of sabers as well, realizing who he was.
"You're also a Jedi?" Kanan asked.
"I am." Spyro replied. "I was never trained in the temple. I learned from the Holocrons. But I hold their beliefs at heart and will continue to ensure the Jedi way never dies. And I shall do this by helping you to free the Wookiees."
"In that case, let's get the others." Kanan said. "Zeb, get Sabine and bring them to the common room! We need to go over what to do to free the Wookiees!"
"On it." Zeb replied.
"And if you can, can you bring my friends along?" Spyro asked. "I need them to hear what we have in store."
"Right." Zeb then walked off to get the crew and Spyro's friends, the three of them walking down the hall to get to the commons area.
As Spyro got into the Common room with Kanan and Hera, Zeb came in with Sabine and the ponies, though Midnight was still banged up, she walked in with everyone else, taking a seat on the bench next to Sabine while everyone else stood.
"Alright everyone, we have a new mission." Kanan said. "Vizago acquired the flight plans for an Imperial transport that is transporting some Wookiee prisoners."
"Most of these Wookiees were soldiers for the Old Republic." Hera added.
"I owe those giant fur balls." Zeb said. "They saved many of my people."
"Mine too." Hera said.
"Which is exactly why we are planning this rescue mission." Spyro said. "These Wookiees are strong warriors and have no love for the Empire, but because they resisted, many of them are being arrested and forced into slavery, serving a free labor for the Empire's war machine."
"Well what are we doin' sittin' here instead of freein' them fellers?" Applejack asked. "Let's bust them out."
"Easier said than done AJ." Spyro replied. "Gozanti Cruisers usually have a small battalion in it and even then they have a couple of Tie fighters that will make getting close difficult."
"Which is why I have a plan to get us in." Kanan said. "Now listen up, if we-"
He then stopped talking, hearing something crashing down and instantly looking to the room Ezra was thrown into by Zeb previously, Kanan walking over and opening the door to make Ezra fall down, looking up to see he was caught, so he got up and ran for the vent, trying to get away, but Zeb was quicker than the kid, grabbing him and throwing him into the Common room, everyone glaring at him.
"I ordered Chopper to keep an eye on him!" Zeb exclaimed, Chopper rolling in all frantic, which Zeb growled and approached the kid, cracking his knuckles. "Can we please just get rid of this kid already!?"
"No, we can't." Sabine said, making Ezra smile. "Kid knows too much."
With that sentence, Ezra fell back, hitting his head on the floor in defeat as he lost any sense of self esteem.
"Besides, we don't have time to drop him off on Lothal anyway." Spyro pointed out. "The more time we take to get to the transport, the higher the chance will be we'll loose the Wookiees. If we're going to free them, we need to do so, now."
"He's right." Kanan said. "We'll go over the mission as we head out. We need to leave, now."
"What about Ezra?" Twilight asked.
"He can sit with me." Hera said, taking Ezra away. "I'll keep an eye on him."
"Girls, go with Hera." Spyro said. "Keep an eye on Ezra."
"Seriously?" Rosy asked, raising an eye brow.
"Oh, uh, sorry." Spyro said. "Rosy, why don't you help Midnight. Make sure she's recovering."
"Sure thing dad." Rosy said, walking away.
"Wait, dad?" Sabine asked. "Am I missing something here?"
"That's a story for another time." Spyro replied.
"Spyro, you're with us." Kanan said. "Might need an extra set of hands for the op."
"You got it." Spyro said, walking with Kanan, Sabine, and Zeb.
A while later, the Ghost took off and was flying through Hyper space as the group got into position, ready to free the Wookiees while Ezra was in the cockpit with Hera, Applejack, and Twilight, leaving Rosy to take care of Midnight as she changed her bandage, sensing that the wound was almost healed.
"Feels like your wound is almost healed." Rosy said, getting a fresh bandage.
"Yeah, almost." Midnight replied, watching as Rosy used the Force to bring over some fresh bandages and medical supplies, smiling at her. "You sure you're not Spyro's biological child? You both have the Force."
"Everyone can use the Force." Rosy replied. "Even you. But there are a few who are naturally gifted to wield the Force. For others, it takes discipline, training, and a clear mind."
"Whatever you say 'Master Jedi.'" Midnight replied, making them both laugh. "So tell me, what's it like? Using the Force?"
"It feels natural." Rosy replied, applying the bandages. "I can feel something inside me all the time, reaching out, guiding me, speaking to me."
"Wow, kinda creepy if you ask me." Midnight said, whining as Rosy applied the new bandages.
"Eh, you get used to it." Rosy replied. "When I first started out, Twilight was the one who taught me."
"Wait, seriously?" Midnight asked. "Not Scootaloo?"
"Aunt Scootaloo was busy most of the time." Rosy replied. "Plus, she was still very young and not ready for a Padawan of her own yet. What little Twilight learned from dad and from the Holocrons, she taught me. She became my second mother, and my master."
Midnight was surprised, finding a new found respect for Rosy, wanting to say something to her, but lost the nerve, deciding to keep what she was about to say to herself, but Rosy could sense that Midnight was hiding something, the Force telling her that Midnight was keeping something from her, but decided to drop it, understanding that she might not want to share something if she didn't feel like it. In the cockpit, Ezra was spinning in the stair, obviously not happy about being forced to be on this mission.
"You know, this whole mission thing is completely nuts." Ezra said. "I'm all for sticking it to the Empire, but there is no way I would personally stick my neck out this far just to save someone. Who does that?"
"We do." Hera replied.
"As do we and Spyro." Twilight replied. "Spyro was the first pony I met-"
"Pony?" Ezra asked. "Um, dude doesn't look like an animal to me."
"Ezra." Hera said, warning him.
"As I was saying, he cared." Twilight replied. "He was always there for you when you needed a friend. He's also smart, loving, very caring, and wise. If somepony was in trouble, he helped them, no matter what. And he isn't afraid to stand up against those who would harm others or do wrong. Heck, he even saved my brother and sister-in-law from some shapeshifting bug, saving our home from certain doom."
"The point is Ezra, ya shouldn't be afraid to stand up against anypony if what you know they're doing is wrong." Applejack said. "Because if you're afraid to stand up to those who do wrong, then nopony is safe."
Ezra was taken aback, looking at the orange earth piny and the lavender unicorn, thinking back to the time of his parents, suddenly finding comfort in the current company he is in when the alarm sounded, letting them know they were coming out of Hyperspace as they arrived at the location of where the transport was, getting ready for the op as Hera got on the comm.
"Imperial transport 651, this is Starboard." Hera said, hailing the cruiser.
"This is transport 651, state your business." The officer said.
"Bounty." Hera replied. "We've caught an additional Wookiee prisoner and have transfer orders to bring him to you."
"We have no such orders." The officer said, two Tie fighters coming off the ship and heading towards them.
"That's fine by us." Hera replied. "We've already been paid by Governor Tarkin. If you don't want the oversized beast, I'll jettison here. Let you explain to your superiors why the Empire is one slave short."
They flew towards the ship, everyone remaining silent and hoping that they'd take the bait, not wanting to move or breath until they were certain they'd bought it.
"Starboard, you have permission to dock." The officer said, making them breathe a sigh of relief. "Docking bay 1."
"Copy that." Hera replied. "A few of my men will be waiting for you with the Wookiee. Over and out." She then ended communications with the ship and opened the intercom to talk with the team. "Alright love, you're on. Better make this quick, otherwise we're all in trouble."
"Copy Specter 2." Kanan said. "We'll make it quick."
Kanan then put his comm away as Sabine put her helmet on while Spyro walked up to the others, not carrying a blaster, so Sabine took out one of her's and presented it to Spyro, who looked at it and then to her.
"What are you doing?" Spyro asked.
"You'll need a weapon." Sabine said. "You can borrow one of my blasters."
"If I need a blaster, I'll pick one up." Spyro replied, waiting for the door to open.
As he waited, he heard the ships latch onto one another, meaning they were now attached when the door opened, two stormtroopers standing in front of them and looking at Zeb, sensing they were confused and getting ready for a fight.
"Uh, that's not a Wookiee." One of the Stormtroopers said.
"What, have you never heard of or seen a rare hairless Wookiee before?" Kanan asked.
Zeb then made a Wookiee call, attempting to sound like one, making both troopers look at one another in confusion, both knowing that Zeb wasn't a Wookiee.
"Oh forget it!" Zeb said. He then reared his arm back and threw a single punch, knocking both of them out in a single hit. "Told you they wouldn't buy it."
"You didn't exactly give them a chance to buy it." Sabine said.
"I'm actually with Zeb on this one." Spyro said, walking over the unconscious troopers. "I too would be hesitant to believe Zeb's a Wookiee."
"Alright, we all know our part of the plan." Kanan said. "Spyro, you're with me and Zeb. Sabine, Chopper, get to the engines and get our little surprise ready."
The group then split up into two separate teams, Spyro going with Kanan and Zeb to free the Wookiees while Sabine and Chopper rushed off to the engine room to get their little surprise ready for the Empire. Meanwhile on the Ghost, everyone was waiting to hear from their friends, patiently waiting for them as Rosy walked in, everyone turning to her to see what was up.
"Well, Midnight's doing much better." Rosy said. "She should make a full recovery in a few more minutes."
"That's good." Hera said. "Because we'll need help with transporting the Wookiees back to Kashyyyk once this is over."
"No sign of any troopers." Kanan said over the Comms. "Security seems pretty soft."
That was when they got interference, the Comms getting nothing but static as they listened.
"Specter one?" Hera asked. "Specter one do you read me? Specter four? Specter five? Spyro? Ugh, Comms are dead."
"Not dead, jammed." Rosy said, walking up.
"Something's coming." Ezra said, looking out the window.
They all looked out and a second later, an Imperial Star Destroyer came out of hyper space, shocking everyone.
"What the heck is that!?" Twilight asked.
"It's an Imperial Star Destroyer!" Hera responded.
"This whole thing was a set up!" Ezra said.
"It's beginning to look that way!" Hera said, everyone looking at the massive capital ship in fear. "Ezra, you need to go warn them about what's happening!"
"What, why me!?" Ezra asked. "Shouldn't you do it?"
"I need to be here ready to take off or else none of us will stand a chance." Hera replied.
"No, no way!" Ezra replied. "Why should I stick my neck out for a bunch of strangers?"
"Because Kanan risked his own for yours." Hera replied. "If all you do is fight for your own self interests, then your life means nothing. They need you Ezra. They need you right now."
Ezra looked back out the window of the ship, seeing that the star destroyer was right on top of them, descending to bring them on board and board their vessel to capture them all.
"Ezra, they need ya sugarcube!" Applejack said. "They have no clue what's happening!"
"She's right Ezra." Hera said. "Our friends boarded that vessel to put their lives on the line to save prisoners! No idea they walked into a trap and no idea what's coming! You need to warn them."
"No Hera, it's too late for them!" Ezra said. "We need to detach now and escape while we have the chance!"
"No way, I'm not leaving my father behind!" Rosy replied.
"You don't mean that Ezra." Hera said. "Do you?"
"I do." Ezra replied. "I swear I do. Which is why I can't believe I'm doing this!"
He then got up from his chair and ran out the room, leaving Hera alone with the ponies as they watched the ship descend upon them.
"I can." Hera responded.
Int he hall, Midnight just got out of her room to get to the cockpit when she saw Ezra running down the hall, heading towards the latch that connected the two ships together, wondering what was going on.
"Ezra, what's happening?" Midnight asked.
"This whole thing is a trap!" Ezra replied. "There's a Star Destroyer on top of us and our Comms are being jammed!"
"Oh no, Spyro." Midnight said.
"Hera's sending me to warn the others!" Ezra said. "Stay here!"
The kid then ran down the hall and to the ladder, sliding down to get to the airlock, but Midnight looked to the cockpit, wanting to see what was happening, but she then looked to the ladder that Ezra slid down, a determined look on her face as she ripped the bandages off and ran after Ezra, keen on helping however she could. Ezra had just gotten to the airlock and boarded the Gozanti cruiser, hoping to reach he others in time right as Midnight ran beside him, catching him by surprise.
"I'm coming with you Ezra!" Midnight replied. "And no, I'm not going back until Spyro and the others are safe!"
"Then we better move fast!" Ezra said. "I think the brig is this way! You find Sabine and Chopper, I'll warn the others!"
The two of them followed the direction Ezra pointed out, running towards the brig where their friends were at. At the brig, Kanan looked around the corner, finding there were no guards there, motioning for the others to follow.
"No guards are on the door." Kanan said, walking up with Zeb and Spyro close by. "This is it."
"Right, set the detonators and let's get the Wookiees out of here." Zeb said. Kanan then started to get his detonators out, placing them the door as he set them to explode. "At least things are going smoother than the last op."
"Yeah, too smooth." Spyro replied, looking down the corridors. "Something doesn't feel right. Gozanti's usually have a crew of at least thirty or more. Where are the guards?"
"It's a trap!" Ezra shouted, he and Midnight rounding the corner. "This whole thing's a trap!"
"Ezra?" Spyro asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Blowing our op, that's what!" Zeb replied.
"No, it's not an op, it's a trap!" Midnight said.
"Hera sent me to get you guys!" Ezra said. "There's a Star Destroyer here and we're being boarded!"
As Ezra said it, the door opened to reveal a battalion of troopers, their weapons ready, but Spyro opened his mouth and a gust of ice cold wind came out, freezing the troopers instantly as they ran away.
"We need to warn Sabine and Chopper!" Spyro said.
"They'll follow the plan!" Kanan said, everyone heading to the ship.
In the engine room, Sabine and Chopper were working on a console, reworking it as they were following the plan, Chopper grumbling as they worked fast.
"Chopper, stop your grumbling and work that gravity generator." Sabine said, making the droid grumble more.
"It's a trap!" Midnight said, rushing in as Sabine looked at her. "This whole thing's a trap! The Wookiees aren't here!"
"Wait, are you serious?" Sabine asked. "This whole thing was a trap to lure us here?"
"And capture us as well!" Midnight replied. "We need to get out of here, now!"
"Hold on, I'm almost done!" Sabine said, getting back onto the terminal. "Get ready to push off!"
"Push off?" Midnight asked. "What do you mean by that?"
"You'll see." Sabine replied, confusing her.
In the hall, everyone was running down the hall, making their way to the ship when a group of stormtroopers led by Agent Kallus rounded the corner, blocking off their escape.
"Keep going!" Kanan said. "Don't stop!"
"Are you crazy!?" Ezra asked.
"Just keep running kid!" Spyro answered. "And get ready to push off in three... two... one!"
A moment later, the artificial gravity was turned off, everyone floating in the hall as Spyro, Kanan, Ezra, and Zeb flew forward while Kallus and his troopers were suspended in the air, flailing around and trying to aim their blasters, but Kanan was quick on the draw, hitting the first trooper while the others flew forward, Ezra hitching a ride on Zeb while Spyro created makeshift thrusters using his fire magic, propelling himself forward and taking a blaster from a trooper, hitting him and returning fire on the others. In the engine room, Sabine was placing charges on the terminal while Chopper and Midnight were floating in the air, Midnight not being used to floating in the air as she flailed around, trying to grab something to hold onto when Sabine finished putting the explosive on the terminal.
"There, that should, do it." Sabine said, looking to the flailing pony. "Come on, we have less than two minutes to meet up with the others."
"Easy for you to say!" Midnight said. "I'm use to having my hooves on the ground!"
"Just push yourself off the wall and grab onto Chopper!" Sabine replied.
Midnight did just that, getting her hooves onto the wall before pushing herself off from it, grabbing onto the Astro Mech as he got his boosters to fly them out of the room, heading to the rendezvous point. With team one, Kanan an d Spyro were having no issue moving through the hallway while Zeb and Ezra fought one another to get ahead, avoid being captured.
"You doing ok back there kid?" Kanan asked.
"You kidding me!?" Ezra asked. "I'm floating in the freaking air! How do you think I'm WOAH!"
Ezra saw that Kallus was catching up, instantly swimming through the air to get further away as he caught up with the group. Further ahead, Sabine, Chopper, and Midnight reached the rendezvous point, floating in the middle of the air as they waited for the gravity to turn back on.
"Please tell me that the gravity is about to turn back on." Midnight said, clutching her stomach. "I think I'm getting sea sick. And we're not even on the freaking ocean!"
"Relax, the gravity will turn back on." Sabine replied. "It'll be back on in five... four... three... two..."
In a nearby corridor, the gravity turned back on and Kanan and Spyro landed on their feet without any issue, but Ezra fell to the ground, Zeb falling a bit as well, but he grabbed onto the wall and got back up, Zeb helping Ezra up as they ran towards the rendezvous point, finding Sabine, Chopper, and Midnight there, shocking Spyro.
"Midnight!?" Spyro asked.
"Spyro!" Midngiht replied.
"What the heck are you doing here!?" Spyro asked, everyone stopping. "Where's your bandage!?"
"Don't need it." Midnight replied.
"Midnight told me there weren't any Wookiees onboard." Sabine said. "That all of this was just a trap."
"Afraid that's all true." Kanan said. "Sabine, man the nose gun! Chopper, tell Hera to take off!"
"You got it!" Sabine replied.
Everyone then ran towards the ship, Zeb pushing Ezra to the ground, which got on the kids nerves, but before he could continue into the ship, Kallus grabbed him, making him yell in fear as Midnight and Zeb turned, seeing that Ezra was caught by Kallus, his troopers coming up behind him and firing their blasters, forcing Zeb and Midnight to find cover.
"Kid, get out of the way!" Zeb shouted.
"I... I'm trying!" Ezra shouted.
"Well try harder!" Midnight shouted.
Zeb couldn't get a clear shot, the troopers blasters making it difficult for him to get a shot at Kallus, which he had to make a difficult choice.
"Sorry kid!" Zeb said, surprising them both. "You did good."
"Wait, we're just leaving him!?" Midnight asked, a bolt passing over her head.
"We don't have a choice!" Zeb exclaimed. "If we don't leave now, we'll all be captured!"
Midnight was horrified after hearing that Ezra was going to be left behind, looking back to Ezra to see the fear in his eyes, dashing out from her hiding spot and firing a beam of red magic, hitting the trooper and knocking him down.
"Hang on Ezra, I'm coming!" Midnight exclaimed.
"Midnight, wait!" Zeb shouted. Before he could stop her, the doors closed and the ship started to disengage from the Gozanti, leaving Midnight behind to save Ezra. "Midnight, no!"
"Airlock closed!" Hera announced. "We're out of here!"
"Oh, Spyro's going to kill me for this." Zeb said, walking away and back to the cockpit.
In the cruiser, the other trooper was firing his blaster to try and hit Midngiht, but the dark purple unicorn used her magic to create a red force field that made the blaster bolts bounce off the shield, midnight calling her Keyblade and slashing upward and striking the trooper, pointing the blade to finish him when she was hit with a stun bolt, making her yelp as she fell to the ground, falling unconscious and lying on the ground.
"Midnight!" Ezra exclaimed, finally breaking free and running to her.
He knelt down and picked her head up, holding her while she was unconscious as the troopers got back up.
"Take them both." Kallus said, the troopers taking Ezra and picking him up, the young kid thrashing and demanding to be released while Kallus walked over to Midnight, looking down at her. "As for this one, put her in a separate cell and put her under double guard. I want to know who or what this thing is and where it came from."
"Yes sir!" One of the troopers said, walking over and picking her up.
"As for this..." Kallus said, looking to the Keyblade and picking it up. "I'd like to know what it is and where it came from."