Vulnerable to the Force [Star Wars Rebels]{Wattys 2015}

Hidden Powers of the Force

(A/N: This is the concluding chapter of the fanfiction, but I do have a surprise for you all at the end of the chapter, so be sure to check it out!)

Ezra was lying on his bed, constantly thinking about the rebels and if they would come back for him--a second time. His worries made his heart beat faster and louder. He began to think that they won't be returning. That's when he heard a knock. He instantly sat up and looked at the door.

"Zeb?" Ezra asked.
"No, it's Sabine," Sabine answered.
"And me!" Chopper added in a loud series of computer noises.

Ezra limped over to the door and opened it. He was relieved to see his friends.

"Where's Zeb?" Ezra asked.
"Um...we had to bring Kanan to your friend's house immediatly. Kanan's in critical condition. Zeb brought him and Hera. Chopper and I were supposed to get you," Sabine replied.
"I like this plan!" Ezra smirked as Sabine rolled her eyes and began to make her way to the elevator.
"Don't get your hopes up, kid," Sabine laughed.

****

"Kanan...if you can hear me and if you're still here, I just want to let you know...no matter what we've done to you, we all love you and you're vital to us. Zeb and I admire you and your skills. Sabine and Chopper respect you so much. And Ezra, he told me you're inspiring...and wise...and...he said your the father he never had. Please don't go...we need you. I need you," Hera spoke to Kanan.

Hera spend every second of her recovery time with Kanan, but she knew he was fading. Zeb tried to keep a neutral and calm, but nothing could keep any members of the team from at least shedding a tear. Kanan was the backbone of their group, and without the backbone, everything falls apart. Zeb opened the door and saw a crying Hera.

"Um...I'll come back later," Zeb said as he began to leave.
"No!" Hera shouted. "What's going on? Where are the others?"
"They're only a few minutes away," Zeb replied. "How should we tell them?"
"Um...I'll pull Ezra aside and then you tell Sabine and Chopper," Hera said.

****

"Let's take another break," Ezra said as he pulled away from Sabine.

Ezra took a seat on the sand and held his head in his hands. Something wasn't right. He could sense it.

"What's wrong?" Sabine asked. "Is your headache getting worse."
"No...I feel like...there's something...something isn't right. Something is missing and what's filling the emptiness is sadness and despair, but scattered here and there are tiny specks of happiness. It's...wierd," Ezra muttered.
"I think the sun's getting to you...," Sabine said. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel empty," Ezra murmured. "Something isn't right."
"We're almost to your friend's house, so you can take a breath and calm down," Sabine said. Let's keep going."

Ezra stood up and wrapped his right arm around Sabine. Chopper continued to make a variety of noises.

"Shut it, Chopper," Sabine and Ezra yelled.

Morad Sumar's home appeared in the horizon and they saw Zeb and Hera outside the front door. Just as they planned, Hera asked Ezra to stay outside as Sabine and Chopper entered the home.

"Ezra, how good are you at handling bad news?" Hera asked.

Ezra leaned against the house looking down at the sand, thinking--more like sensing through the force. He knew what the emptiness was and it baffled him. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he had an idea, and didn't like it.

"Ezra?" Hera asked.
"Kanan's dead, isn't he?" Ezra inquired.
"How did you know?" Hera gasped.
"I felt an emptiness in the force. It--I need to see him!" Ezra said as he raced into the house.