Star Wars Rebels: Time Travel

Chapter 12

(Ezra pov)

I wake up on a cold metal bench. My first thought is that I'm in another Imperial cell, aboard one of their Star Destroyers. Panic floods my mind and numbly I sit up, swearing loudly. My back aches like nothing I've ever experienced before.

I glance around at my surroundings and as I do, my memory comes back to me briskly. Right. I'm in the Clone Wars era. But one thing is for sure: I'm still in a cell.

Flashbacks slam into my mind like bullets. Battleroom. Yoda. Jedi Starfighter. Breaching the Seperatists' Star Destroyer. Battling battle droids. Hera. Black. Now waking up in a cell.

I smack my forehead against my knees in frustration.

One of the droids must have remained functional and stunned me. It's the only possible explanation. Stupid Ezra! How could you have been so careless?

Suddenly, my cell door slides open with a swoosh. I gape at the menacing figure that enters.

"Karabast," I whisper.

It's General Grevious.

I've only read about this enemy, but I've read enough to know that I may well not get back to my own time alive now that he's here. He's a monster, and a murderer of thousands of people. And he kills Jedi for sport and takes their lightsabers as trophies. 

As the door shuts behind him, I feel the sensation of being trapped like ice water poured over my head and into my veins. I shiver before I can stop myself and gulp nervously.

"Afraid?" The mechanical monster asks. His voice is rough and threatening.

"No," I stammer, teeth chattering nervously, and instantly curse myself. Rule number one of captivity: Don't be afraid. I sit up a little straighter.

"A Jedi who lies?" The General sounds amused. "Of all the things in the galaxy, I've never met a Jedi who lies." His voice cracks and he sputters, coughing. As he strides forward, the claws replacing his feet slam into the floor, almost denting it with his footsteps.

A flash of my trademark sarcasm pops into my reply unexpectedly. "I've never met a General who was so short. Guess we're both surprised." I choke out a short laugh, but it's quiet and strained.

"And a sarcastic Jedi at that." Grievous launches into either a laughing or a coughing fit. I'm honestly not sure which. When he finally recovers, he eyes me menacingly. "Now, let's get down to business, shall we? Why were you attacking our ship?"

"We're kind of at war, in case you haven't noticed." I bite back a smile. "Why else do you think we attacked you? For your lousy, brain-dead droids?" Then I wince, remembering how a battle droid outsmarted me and put me in this cell.

Suddenly Grievous is in my face. I shrink back in fear instinctively before I realize what I'm doing. My eyes almost glide to the floor, but I manage to hold my gaze on the terrifying machine before me.

"Listen here, Padawan," he sneers. "Don't forget who's ship you are on, and who controls your lifespan. Soon, you will realize that I am in control, and I am your new Master, in a way."

Somehow, I glare at him in spite of my fear. I've always been more prone to anger than terror. "The Force controls me, not anyone else. And you're nothing like my Master!"

The General chuckles. "You ARE determined to defy me, aren't you? Such a feisty apprentice.  I'd have thought that your training would have curbed all of these bad habits you're displaying for me now. The standards for training Jedi must have dropped even further than they already have."

"If defying evil is a bad habit, then I don't want to know what a good one is." Probably wiser not to mention that I haven't exactly been trained traditionally. "And I'm just like my Master in this way: I will resist you until my end."

Grievous looks inquisitive. "Who is your Master?"

"None of your concern." I snarl. I wouldn't give Kanan away for anything, and not to anyone, especially a mechanical monster like the General.

Grievous inches closer. "Actually, young Jedi, it is. Now, answer my questions: Why were you attacking my Star Destroyer, and who is your Master?!"