A Different Path [UNFINISHED]

Unwillingly Evil

Ezra's most dreadful period of time was here. Night time. During the night, the devils were out to play with him and no one was awake to save him. He would feel guilty if he caused them to wake up to help him. Sleep was rare for him. Irrational thoughts were continuously growing in his mind. The Ghost was dark at night, whether they were orbiting a planet or not, and the only thing bright were the millions of stars in space--in the space between the planets. Every night, he would leave the room he shared with Zeb and wandered up to The Phantom to gaze up at the stars.

"Do you come up here often?" a tranquil voice asked from behind him.

Ezra was frightened for a moment but turned around to see Kanan. A wave of relief came over him as Kanan took a seat in front of him.

"What are you doing up here this late?" Kanan asked.
"I don't know," Ezra said in a very hushed tone.

Kanan shot over a smirk toward Ezra making his padawan feel warmer than he usually has been.

"So what's it going to take to make you feel like you won't lose us?" Kanan inquired.
"Nothing," Ezra simply replied. "There's no way we can be guaranteed to stay together."
"Listen, maybe a mission could help."
"The mission? How is that going to help?"
"Nothing will happen. It will just kind of prove to you that we won't be separated."

Ezra shrugged in disbelief.

"Well, what makes this so different? You've been on your own before."
"I...I don't know."

Kanan looked at Ezra with a doubtful expression.

"You do know."
"It's just, I have actual memories with you guys. I can barely remember anything between my parents that happened before I was seven."
"You don't remember...anything?"
"All I can remember was what they looked like, a few things they told me, and the day they were taken...and I can't forget it. But now I met you guys. You're the best family that I could ever have. I can't lose you guys."
"What would you do if we were lost?"
"I don't know what I would do with myself, to be honest..."
"Keep rebelling for us, okay?"
"Okay."

Ezra was drawn to silence.

"What do you remember from the other day?" Kanan changed the subject.
"Just...being cold and...nauseous."
"You don't remember who we were fighting against?"
"No? Who were--"
"It's not important. But you used the dark side of the force."

Ezra expressed no emotion except regretful guilt at the sound of those words coming out of his master's mouth.

"The dark side of the force is tempting, I understand. And for you, it can be hard with everything you've been through. The path of the Sith and evil is hard to avoid for people like you," Kanan said. "It's a way for people to get revenge for everything that has happened to them."
"But what if I don't want to be evil?" Ezra worriedly inquired.

And everything froze as the last of Lothal was engulfed by the shadows of the Empire.

****

Morning finally arrived and the Ghost crew were preparing for their last stop on Lothal before leaving for good. The crew would be heading back into the imprisoned Capital City. Who knew if there was still a way in and out? The crew was heading specifically toward the government building. Hopefully, the plans Minister Tua had promised were still in her office. Even though there were a myriad of amazing rewards if they completed the mission successfully, it still was a suicide mission. Ahsoka had advised Kanan not to execute the plans, but The Ghost crew was stubborn and they planned to complete the mission. Even when times were a little easier, the crew never dared to enter the government building and steal enemy plans. Anyone willing to do so now is pleading to be let go. But The Ghost crew is determined--whether they die or not. This mission is everything to the future of the rebellion. And the future of the rebellion calls for every person possible. 

So if they survive or if they die, that's all up to them...