Darth Minar

Chapter 15

It had been weeks since Minar had last seen the rebels, maybe months.  He wasn't certain.  In the empire, days ran together and nights went too quickly.  

He had memorized his repetitive, boring days and knew his schedule like the back of his hand.  His inner turmoil had gone down in past months, his older self starting to give way to the darkness.  He seemed to sense his master when they had been at the Rebel base; and being in the Empire frightened him.  

Though Minar was a sith; evil in the eyes of most people, he had kept his promise to the Rebels, though he didn't know why.  He'd given his master a completely random location in the folds of the Outer Rim, he wasn't exactly sure where.  And as his training progressed, his mental shields proved stronger.  

Every once in a while, his other self would attempt to break free, providing various memories from the past which itched to be let out.  A girl with vibrant hair; blues and purples, sometimes brown, sometimes white.  He recognized her at the base, although her hair at the time was a mellow orange was electric blue highlights.  A few memories with the Jedi, Kanan.  Some more recent from after he was blind, others older from when he was younger, more handsome.  Also, Hera, the twi'lek pilot occupied a few of his thoughts, along with a strange orange astromech he didn't come across.  The Lasat, Zeb, had fewer memories.  He figured they didn't get along too well.  An old trooper of sorts, Rex he was called, was in a few memories, not many.  Along with another force user he didn't recognize.  A togruta female with strange white sabers, named Ahsoka he was pretty sure.  She wasn't an orthodox Jedi, but wasn't anything like a sith.  But memories of her brought his other self sadness, he could sense it.  

But these thoughts and memories couldn't occupy his mind.  The more time he spent swimming in his thoughts, the higher the chance the Jedi could take back over.  His eyes had began to dull since he'd returned to the Empire.  The center of his eyes orangish-gold, while the middle was tainted green and the outsides blue.  He doubted his master noticed with the red tainting within his helmet, but he honestly couldn't tell.  It was all falling apart; his plans, his training, his feelings.  

The only thing he could do was meditate with the dark side, become stronger and keep his other self down for good.  

"Minar?  It is time for training."  The deep, artificial voice of Vader filled his mind, blocking out his thoughts of rebellions and his Jedi self.  

Yes, master.  He echoed, getting to his feet and grabbing his saber.  He exited his private chambers and made his way to the training center, where Vader waited impatiently.  

The Rebel base was bustling with life; just as it was almost every other day of the year.  Though, ever since the Sith Minar had visited; there was a solemn fear in the air.  No one knew whether he would return or not, keep his promise to hide their location or not.  Everyone was on edge, it had been a rough few months.

Kanan, alone, believed that he could sense Ezra in Minar.  He alone believed he would keep his promise.  Kanan was hopeful.  He reached out to Ezra everyday, though he never found anything but cold and darkness.

Everyone else was....okay.  Though, okay was a stretch.  Life on The Ghost was almost just as it was before that Lothal mission.  Hera kept busy with her work with the Rebellion most of the time.  Kanan knew, no matter how much he insisted and pleaded with her, she would always blame herself.  

As he approached her room that night, he stopped in his tracks as he heard it.  The message.  

  
"I'm resisting Vader." He heard the voice of his former apprentice.  Funny, he hadn't noticed how weak and faltering it was the first time.  "But, I don't know how much longer I'll last." He paused, taking a deep breath.  Kanan stood outside of the door, listening to the message along with Hera's faint weeping.  
"I'm on the Star destroyer as a guest.  But, I'm fading. I'm sure you can see it, I sure can. And I can feel it."   Ezra paused, taking a deep, shuddering breath.  It made Kanan's inside squirm a little.  
"Vader is inspiring my actions a little everyday. He told me I could leave, but I can't. He threatened Lothal and Chopper Base." Ezra says with a deep sadness.
"But, before I'm lost, I have to say I'm not sorry. Kanan, you're the closest think to a father I've got, and I'd do anything for you. The whole Rebellion is like a family I've never had. I overheard Vader talking to the emperor. He said something about something, I don't know what. But, if it doesn't kill me it'll turn me, I know it. So, goodbye." Ezra said. He stared for a second, a small tear forming in the corner of his eye. His face contorted to one of pain and he turned off the video.  Kanan opened the door, comforting Hera as she wept.