Star Wars Rebels: When Hope Is Lost

Chapter 41: Decisions and Choices, Good and Bad

Kanan looked around the command ship's bridge. Hera, Chopper, Zeb, Sabine, Ezra, Dev, Ahsoka, Rex, Kallus, and Commander Sato were seated, facing him, watching him intently. They all likely had guesses about what the meeting was for, thinking that it was a normal debriefing after a mission.

Only Ezra knew what is was really about.

"As you all know," Kanan began. He had rehearsed this many times. "The past few months have been.... life-changing, for some of us. A few days ago, we attempted a rescue mission for Ezra and Dev from Imperial captivity. Though successful, it had unexpected results. My crew destroyed the Executor, and Darth Vader may or may not be dead, and along with him, the high-ranking Inquisitor known as the Second Brother." Kanan shot a glance at his apprentice at this point, but Ezra remained emotionless. Vader had certainly taught him the art of masking emotions. Ahsoka, on the other hand, looked more stunned than everyone else. "This worries me. Not that these aren't all good things, but they could potentially cause more trouble. The Empire could come after the fleet in more force, because now, we have grown as even greater threats. Specifically, they will come after Ezra, Dev, and I."

"They've always hunted Jedi," Sato jumped in. "Why is it different now?"

Kanan sighed. "Has Ahsoka told you about how Ezra is basically the second Chosen One?"

The commander nodded.

"Well, if Darth Vader really was dead.... There would have been a significant disturbance in the Force signifying it. There wasn't."

"I would have felt it," Ahsoka cut in. "Because Darth Vader...." she sighed, knowing she had to continue on. "Was my Master. He was Anakin Skywalker. He isn't anymore."

Everyone else seemed surprised and murmured gasps were heard from certain rebels–an especially audible one from a former Imperial at that. Kanan, however, nodded. "I kind of thought that you two had a connection in the Force, though a fading one at that."

"Wait a minute...." Ezra blurted out, launching forward in his seat." Are you saying that Darth Vader–and my father—are ALIVE?!"

Kanan nodded solemnly. "I believe so, yes."

"No! I thought, I thought I killed him!" Ezra stood up angrily, eyes crackling, hands clenched into fists. Instantly, Kanan felt a surge of the dark side surround his Padawan. He's more vulnerable to it than I thought.

"Ezra! Ezra, calm down!" Kanan urged, holding out both hands to the teen. "He can't hurt you here! Neither can your father! You're safe!"

"You said we weren't!" Ezra screamed. "Even if they were dead, we aren't safe, you said! That's why you came up with the whole plan!"

The throes of power around Ezra ceased at the mention of 'the plan', and the boy fell to his knees. "Force, what I am doing? What am I becoming? What have I already become?" He covered his face with his hands. "No more dark side, there is no emotion, there is peace. Peace." Calming, he looked up at Kanan, eyes wet with tears. "I'm sorry, Kanan. I didn't mean it, honest. I'm just.... I'm just scared."

"It's alright, Ezra. It's okay to be scared. How about you go lie down in your room, okay buddy? I'll be there in a few minutes," Kanan said gently, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. Ezra nodded and quickly left. Kanan sighed, worried beyond belief about his Padawan, and everyone else looked at him expectedly.

"Like I was saying. This is why the Sith wants Ezra. Because he's prone to the dark side, even more so now that Vader was in his head before. Darth Vader is alive. The Force is still at a balance. The light didn't beat the dark. Ezra is still alive and on the light side. The dark hasn't conquered the light. The balance is contained. Vader wants to break the balance. He's already defeated Ezra before, he could do it again. And likely easier this time. So the answer is simple, I think." Kanan took a deep breath before continuing.

"Darth Vader must believe that Ezra Bridger is either dead, or he must not be able to find him until the rebellion is ready to take down the Empire–once and for all."

The rebels–Ezra's crew, his family–took this in and understood almost immediately.

"Ezra's leaving, isn't he?" Sabine asked sadly. Her pretty amber eyes were sorrowful.

"Yes. I'm sorry, but this has to be done. I don't see another way." Kanan sighed.

"Ahsoka said the fleet was going to move to Dantooine. Well, I think that would actually be a good spot for the boys and I, to go into hiding. There, I will continue Ezra and Dev's training in secret, undisturbed. We will remain in hiding until the rebellion is ready for a final strike on the Empire. Then we will come out of hiding to aid in the attack and hopefully, the Empire's defeat. I don't have all of the details planned out yet, and I can't speak for Ahsoka, but this is the way it must be. It's too dangerous to be out in the open anymore. The Empire will just continue to hunt us Jedi until we perish, if we remain with the fleet. We can't endanger the rebellion anymore. The risks are higher now. We have to disappear." He finished.

Silence from everyone. They were all surprised, and greatly saddened, by Kanan's announcement.

"Dev," Kanan said quietly. The boy looked up at him. "Do you understand why I'm doing this? Are you willing to come with Ezra and I?"

Dev didn't even take a moment to reply. "Everything I had on Lothal is gone. I lost my house, my belongings, the chest, my lightsaber, and Mel. But I didn't lost my last remaining family member. So heck yeah, I'm coming, because I already lost my father once, and I'm not losing you again. Besides, Ezra's going too. So I'm not going to be stuck with only you for the next however long on a giant hunk of rock." Dev grinned teasingly.

Kanan could only smile back in relief that Dev wouldn't struggle to leave the fleet. He hadn't figured he would. Ezra would, however, struggle to leave the family and crew that he had grown so close to over the past few years.

Suddenly, a so far silent Hera stood up and placed a hand on Kanan's shoulder. "We support your decision, Kanan. And know that we are always here for you. We'll win this war, so that you can come home." Her eyes promised silently.

"And I promise to come home, with both Ezra and Dev." Kanan took her other hand.

After another brief moment of silence, everyone turned to look at Ahsoka, to see her decision.

"I will remain here with the rebel fleet," The Togruta said at last. "To aid the rebellion, and to help lure Darth Vader away from you, as much as I can without endangering the fleet further. I support your choice as well." She smiled slightly.

"Then it's settled." Kanan took a deep breath.

"We leave for Dantooine in two days time."