Pacific Rim: Legacy

Chapter 23 - Ezra

"Gipsy Avenger, this is Ezra Beckett. Stand by for assist."

Ezra stood close to his parents, his heart aching as he watched the pain etched across his mother's face. Analia was struggling to stay upright, leaning heavily against Raleigh, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her eyes, usually so full of fire, were now clouded with worry and pain, and it made his chest tighten with fear. Seeing her like this—so vulnerable—was almost unbearable.

"Ezra, no!" she gasped, her hand reaching out as if to pull him back. Her voice cracked, filled with panic. "You are not getting back in there alone. It's too dangerous!" She fought to rise, wincing as a fresh wave of pain rippled through her side. Raleigh's arm tightened around her, holding her steady, his face a mask of determination and concern.

Ezra clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He knew this was the only way. "Mom, I have to," he said, his voice firm but full of emotion. "Amara's out of commission, and Gipsy needs a pilot. We can't let that thing reach the mountain." He glanced at his father, catching the deep worry in his eyes. "This is my chance to help, to make a difference."

Raleigh's grip on Analia tightened, his expression hardening as he nodded. "Ezra, you've never drifted with Jake before. The neural load—"

"I can handle it!" Ezra shot back, his voice steady but urgent. "I've trained my whole life for this." He looked back at his mother, who was shaking her head, tears threatening to spill. "I can do it, Mom. Trust me. You always told me to believe in myself."

Analia's hand trembled as she reached out, resting it on his arm. "Just... come back," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Promise me you'll come back." He could see the fear in her eyes, the same fear he'd felt every time she and his father had suited up, every time they'd gone into battle. The battlefield chaos seemed to fade for a moment, and all he could see was his mom—the woman who had taught him strength and courage.

His voice softened, filled with determination and love. "I promise." He offered a small, lopsided smile, trying to lighten the mood even though his heart was pounding. "Besides, you always said I've got your stubborn streak."

Raleigh gave him a nod, his eyes meeting Ezra's with a mixture of pride and fear. "Remember your training, stay focused, and keep your mind open to Jake's lead. You've got this."

Ezra felt a surge of strength from his father's words. He nodded, giving his mother's hand a squeeze before he pulled back. "I'll be back. I promise."

As he turned, he heard his mother's shaky voice behind him. "Ezra..."

He glanced back one last time, seeing the love and fear in both his parents' eyes. Then, he steeled himself, sprinting toward Gypsy Avenger. The smoke and ruins blurred around him, but his mind was clear. He was going to protect them. He was going to make sure they all made it out alive.

Ezra's heart pounded like a drum in his chest as he sprinted across the chaotic battlefield, the ruins of Tokyo stretching out before him like a war-torn maze. The city, once alive with neon lights and towering skyscrapers, was now a wasteland of fire, debris, and the constant, earth-shaking roars of the Kaiju. The ground beneath him quaked with each step, dust and smoke swirling in the air, making it difficult to breathe. But none of that mattered. His parents' voices echoed in his ears, urging him on, grounding him even as fear and adrenaline surged through his veins.

"Ezra, don't!" Jake's voice cracked through the comms, sharp and desperate. He could hear the panic, the desperation as Jake tried to stop him. "You won't make it!"

"Then you better fucking catch me!" Ezra shouted back, his voice tinged with defiance and adrenaline. There was no time for second-guessing. He spotted the perfect pile of debris—a jagged ramp leading up toward Gypsy Avenger's Conn-Pod, which was missing a panel. The wind whipped at his face as he sprinted up the rubble, each footfall sending small rocks scattering. The world seemed to slow for a moment as he launched himself off the edge, propelling his body into the air.