Ezra The Stray

The Jedi Temple

"Where are we going?"

"Just a little master and apprentice adventure."

"Yeah but to where?"

"You'll see, it's a surprise."

Ezra curiously followed Kanan to the Phantom and they took off, leaving the Ghost and the rest of the crew behind. Ezra knew he should be excited to go on a super secret mission after recovering, but he couldn't help shake the anxiety pricking at his nerves like needles. This wasn't a normal mission, he could tell from the way Kanan was moving and the look in his eyes. Ezra felt strange, worried, but he also trusted Kanan and knew he wouldn't let anything bad happen to him. They flew in silence for a while. Sometimes Ezra wanted to speak up just to break the monotonous quiet, he would open his mouth but no words would come out. He finally gave up trying and just closed his eyes, trying to meditate to pass the time and try to calm his mind. Kanan glanced back at him and smiled, sensing the change and growth in him. Finally Kanan landed the ship, Ezra opened his eyes and got up to look out the window. Ezra furrowed his brow as he looked around. He shot Kanan a glance as he stood up from the pilot seat and went to open the door. Ezra followed him and they both stood in silence, surrounded by nothing but open terrain and a cold breeze.

"Where are we? What is this place?" Ezra slowly walked around, his shoes crunching on the frozen dirt as he looked around in awe. "I've lived on Lothal my whole life, I've never been anywhere like this."

"I would think not. You're a long way from home, this is practically the edge of the world."

"Why did you bring me here? Are we looking for something? Is this some sort of training?"

"Kinda." Kanan walked over and put a hand on Ezra's shoulder. "I want you to close your eyes and tell me what you feel."

"I feel cold and confused."

"And close your mouth too." Kanan chuckled and Ezra frowned, pursing his lips together. "Listen with your mind. Focus on the energy of where we are." Ezra closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, letting it out with a heavy sigh. After a few moments of concentration, Kanan whispered, "Use the Force."

"There's, something here.... I can sense it." Ezra scrunched up his brow. "It's.... Under ground?" Ezra opened his eyes and looked up at Kanan as if to confirm he was right.

"Well, I guess that would make sense. It is very old after all." Kanan put his hands on his hips and glanced around thoughtfully.

"What's old?" Ezra folded his arms.

"Ezra, we're standing at the location of a Jedi temple." Kanan smiled as his revelation made Ezra gasp in shock. "I used the holocron to confirm it but based on the book we found in the library, Jedi presence on Lothal has been gone for centuries. The temple either fell or someone hid it to protect it."

"Well how do we find it, by digging? I don't see a door."

"Look at these markings on the ground." Kanan pointed and Ezra followed his gaze as he continued. "There's a long line coming out of the circle here, it leads to that large rock. Maybe this is the entrance?"

"I'm not a dog Jedi so I can't dig, but maybe we can use the Force to bring it up?"

"Good idea." Kanan nodded as Ezra stood next to him in this circle. "Now focus your energy with mine. I don't know if this will work or not, so we have to concentrate."

"I know we can do it Kanan." Ezra nodded with determination in his voice. "This world is my home, and as one of the last Jedi this must be my birthright."

Kanan smiled proudly at Ezra for taking this so seriously and for being confident, not in just himself but the acceptance of who and what he was. They both closed their eyes and held out their hands, channeling the energy thru the Force to connect to the temple. They could feel it. They could feel something down below the surface. Now to bring it up. They focused hard and the ground began to tremble, the small stone mountain rising up from the dirt to reveal a door. They both opened their eyes and stared in shock and amazement. Ezra turned to Kanan with a bright smile and large excited eyes at their accomplishment.