Returning Home

Chapter 9: A New Hope

Returning Home

Chapter 9: A New Hope

Ezra and Ahsoka stood behind Leia, as Han, Luke and Chewbacca walked towards them. The three stopped in front of Leia and bowed. Ezra smirked, watching them as they received their awards. After they received their awards, Chewbacca had received his earlier and Ezra and Ahsoka had refused any form of reward, despite the Princess trying to persuade them, the other Rebels cheered, until Rahm Kota, Ahsoka, Das Jennar and other Jedi Knight ignited their Lightsabers.

Ezra looked at Ahsoka, confused, while she just gestured him to look at Master Kota.

"Ezra Bridger." Said Kota, his blind eyes meeting Ezra's blue ones, "Kneel."

Ezra obeyed the command, while the other Rebels wondered what was going on and those who were alive during the time of the Republic had their hands over their mouths.

"After much deliberation and conversing with the Grand Master and the Force, we reached a decision." Said Kota, lowering his blade to Ezra's shoulder.

"By the Right of the Council, by the Will of the Force, I dub thee, Ezra Shan, Jedi Knight," Said Kota, "You may rise."

Ezra slowly rose to his feet, shock filling his body, "Forgive me, Master Kota, but I believe you said my name wrong, my surname is Bridger." Said Ezra, looking at the Blind Jedi.

"You are of the Shan Dynasty, your mother was a Shan, as you are now." Said Kota, smiling slightly.

Ezra looked confused and lost, Ahsoka walked up to him.

"You obviously need time to process this." Said Ahsoka, placing her hand in his shoulder.

"No, we have an opportunity and we need to take it." Said Ezra, "So who do you want to train, Luke, Leia or the red head."

"Mara seemed to only listen to you when we met, and you know more about Luke than I do." Said Ahsoka, looking Ezra in the eye, "I'll train Leia."

Ezra nodded and looked at the other Rebels, who were silently watching the exchange.

"Luke, come over here." Said Ezra, gesturing to the blonde haired male.

Luke slowly walked over to Ezra, who walked behind Luke and began fiddling with the hair behind Luke's left ear.

"Ezra, what are you doing?" Asked Luke, trying to look back at Ezra.

"Since Master Kenobi perished on The Death Star, you no longer have a Master," Said Ezra, "What I'm doing in putting a strand of your hair into a Padawan Braid, much like what I had before I landed on Tatooine."

Luke's eyes widened at what Ezra was implying.

"So why are you braiding the Kids hair?" Asked Han, looking at them.

"In the absence or death of their previous Master, another Master or Knight will take over their training." Said Ahsoka, "Ezra is taking Luke as his Padawan."

Ezra yanked some of his own hair from his scalp and entwined it with Luke's. Before finishing the braid off with a small knot and a bead.

Ezra stepped back and looked at Luke, "You need to know that the Path of the Jedi is not an easy one, Padawan."

Luke nodded as Ezra, Ezra smiled and clapped Luke on the shoulder.

"Come, we have work to do." Said Ezra, walking away from the others.

"Like what?" Asked Luke, following Ezra.

"Like rehabilitating an Emperor's hand that came to capture me." Said Ezra, smirking lightly.

For a long time Ezra finally felt hope once again.