Invaders of Darkness

Chapter 18 - In The End

Author's Note: Hopefully nobody's getting bored. :P

~ Tirana Sorki

The Seventh Sister reaches up, pushing the button on her helmet and visor snaps open. "Back here again, I see," she mocks.

Uncontrolled, blinding terror surges inside of him as he stares up at her, heart pounding wildly. If she plans to kill him, there's nothing he could do to stop her. To be fair, he almost wishes she would, because no matter what happens, he never ever wants to end up the way he was before. Will she try to take him back, or is he no longer considered useful to them?

He glares back at her anyway, refusing to show his fear, even if he knows she can feel it pouring off him. If nothing else, the least he can do is be defiant.

"Looks like I'll be able to complete your training after all," she drawls.

"I'll never work for you again," Ezra hisses.

"So, you said last time," She chuckles. "Well, after I kill your master, you'll be coming back with me. Or better yet, maybe I'll keep him alive for you to do it yourself."

His anger and fear all surge to a bursting point that he can't even contain, and all at once explode. Without even thinking, Ezra lashes out with the Force, hurling her backwards. He leaps back to his feet, calling his lightsaber back to him. "That will never happen," he snarls, adding a few words at the end that he picked up from living on the streets on Lothal – words that he'd never use against his adopted or real parents.

Something is shifting in the Force. He's pretty sure that's the only reason the Seventh Sister doesn't immediately react to his words, instead pausing for a moment, like she's also reaching out with the Force.

A coldness washes over him, like when he's around multiple dark side users at the same time, except it feels a lot stronger. He knows who it is immediately. Somehow, he knows, even if he only vaguely remembers their last encounter.

Darth Vader.

He's certain of it. But what in the world is he doing here?!

The moment of surprises seems to pass, and the Seventh Sister turns her attention back to him, smirking evilly. "I can your fear and your anger," she continues, "You're already drawing on the Dark Side."

"I'm pretty sure what matters is the intention," he snaps, and is about to charge again when the Force suddenly clamps around his neck, lifting him off the ground.

No, no – A blinding panic fills him, as his hands fly to his neck.

The light of a flying lightsaber flashes through the darkness surrounding them, as it arcs through the air, straight for the Seventh Sister. She starts to spin around but doesn't move fast enough. The blade stabs her in the back, and she collapses to the floor, her grip instantly easing on Ezra's neck.

He falls to his knees on the floor, struggling to catch his breath. The Seventh Sister lies motionless next to him. She's dead, almost instantly given the extent of the wound. It... hardly even feels like it can be real. Everything he's been through for the past many months might finally be over. Because even if the Empire and other Inquisitors are still out there, she seemed to be the one in charge of what happened to him. And even if there's a literal Sith somewhere else in the building, for the first time since everything happens, Ezra actually feels... free.

Ezra finally catches his breath, shakily pushing himself to his feet to see Kanan leaning heavily against the wall.

"Kanan!" Ezra exclaims, running over to him. Why is he even standing?!