Star Wars Rebels: The Academy (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 17

(Ezra pov)

"What?" I say, dumbfounded. Not even the lightsabers so close to my neck can compete with my surprise at this turn of events. "What?!"
"He is telling the truth." Standing in the doorway is the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. I've seen him on HoloNet broadcasts. He's covered in black armour and a helmet, and his breathing strikes fear through my heart. Ohh, ahh. Ooh, aah.
Darth Vader orders the Inquisitor. "Release him." The lightsabers deactivate and return to the Inquisitor's belt. He backs away, giving me space.
"I am Lord Vader," the black-armoured Sith says, striding into my cell. "And you are Ezra Bridger, the Padawan of Kanan Jarrus."
I nod, terrified.
"I trust that the Inquisitor has taken good care of you."
I gape at him. "I'm covered in knife marks and lightsaber burns. Of course HE didn't! I'm a prisoner." I clutch at my wounded arm, which has begun to severely burn again. Despite my fear, I still won't surrender to the Empire. Even when a Sith tries to make me.
"Not for much longer." The Dark Lord studies me through his black mask. "Are you afraid of me?"
"No," I reply, lying. He's reading my thoughts!
"He's lying," The Inquisitor says.
"I am aware of that," Vader turns his helmeted gaze on him. The Inquisitor shrinks back the tiniest little bit. Even the Inquisitor is afraid of him, a little bit, I think to myself.
The Inquisitor snarls at me, reading my thoughts as well. I glare at him.
"Get out of my head!" I yell. I grab my head as dizziness overcomes me. Vader is probing my thoughts. A blank look comes over my face as Vader appears in my mind.

What are you afraid of, boy? This is your destiny.

Never! I will never join the Empire!

Not willingly, perhaps. But why not? Everyone you loved is dead.

I know that! I don't need you and the Inquisitor to keep reminding me! The Inquisitor killed them. He killed them all. Inside my head, I hear my voice break.

Yes, he did.

But that doesn't mean that I would join the Empire! After everything that the Empire has done, everyone that it has taken away from me, why would I be a part of it? You kill people, thoughtlessly and without a care. You murder in cold blood.

It is necessary to keep the Empire safe from insurgents, such as your rebel friends. We tried to arrest them, but were forced to kill them when they would not surrender.

That's a lie!

But they would not surrender, am I correct by that?

Well.... Yes.... But-

I am correct. So tell me, Bridger, why are you afraid of me?

I'm not!

Yes, you are. The Inquisitor and I can sense it.

Ugh! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

Not until you answer my question: Why are you afraid?

I don't know.

Yes, you do. Search your feelings, boy.

I... I....

Tell me.

"I.... I'm afraid of being alone again!!" I shout. "I'm afraid of losing everyone that I care about! And I did! They're all dead! Just like my parents! The Inquisitor killed them all." Realizing I've spoken aloud, instead of in my head, I slide to the ground and sit down heavily. "They're all dead."

A mention of silence, then the Inquisitor turns to Darth Vader. "He is broken. What next?"

Darth Vader tosses my lightsaber, the one that was taken away from me when I came here, onto the ground in front of me. I stare at it in surprise.

"Do you want to kill me?" Vader asks.
Rage fills me. "I would most certainly like to!"
"Then try."
There is no hesitation on my part. I activate my saber and look blades with Vader. His red blade slowly pushes me backwards even further. But I kick and twist away.

This is wrong, I think. Kanan wouldn't want you to do this!

"But Kanan is dead," Vader says, knocking me to the ground. He pulls me up into the air using the Force and holds me there, his red blade relaxed at his side. He starts to Force-choke me. I grab at my neck and gasp for breath. "Or have you already forgotten about your Master?"
"N...never....Kanan...." I gasp.
"It is unavoidable. You belong to the dark side now." I fall to the ground. In the reflection of Vader's mask, I see my electric blue eyes turn a golden shade of yellow. That is the last thing I see before Vader's red lightsaber lightly touches my leg, activating pain all over me and causing me to sleep once again.