Death of a Hero

Untitled Part 1

Vader swung his blade in a menacing arc at Kanan, who parried it, struggling against the power of his enemy. He managed to pull his lightsabre out of the lock and dash to the side to avoid another onslaught. Ezra was fighting the Seventh Sister whilst the crew were boarding the Ghost to leave a successful asset recovery mission. Zeb dragged the unconscious ally on board and called to the Jedi.

"We're leaving. Come on!" He roared.

"I'm a bit busy in case you didn't notice!" Kanan shot back as he parried yet another overwhelming attack from his combatant.

"We can't hold the ship anymore!" Called Hera who was rushing down the ramp.

Ezra's fight with the Seventh Sister had shown his rapid development in both use of the force and his lightsabre skills. He was beginning to overwhelm his opponent with the sheer force of his attacks, so he pressed the offensive. The Seventh Sister dashed backwards to a safe distance, ignited the second blade of her weapon and activated the spin function. The blades created a menacing arc as she walked towards Ezra, who prepared to deflect her strike. She thrust the blades at him and he dodged to the right, performing a flat strike at her chest. The blade connected, slashing a deep gash under her neck. She staggered back, and Ezra thrust his weapon into her exposed ribs. She doubled over in pain, and sagged to the floor, dead.

Ezra turned his attention back to the beaten and battered Kanan, who was cowering under the imposing Vader. Ezra realised he was almost defeated and rushed over to help his master. He threw his blade at Vader to give Kanan some time.

"Master, run!" He shouted.

Kanan staggered back to his feet and picked up the weapon next to him, watching as Vader knocked Ezra's weapon from his grip and forced him back. He advanced on the unfit Kanan and prepared to stab him.

"Kanan, NO!" Ezra screamed, jumping to his feet and rushing to help.

Kanan saw the blade coming in slow motion and closed his eyes to prepare for his death, but the blade never came. He opened his eyes desperately to see the horrific sight of the red lightsabre embedded in Ezra's stomach. Kanan jumped to his feet in rage.

"NOOOOOOO!" He screamed in terror as he forced Vader back into the shrapnel of exploded TIEs.

Not wasting a moment, he dropped on his knees next to the limp body of Ezra Bridger. Kanan felt for a pulse first on his neck then his wrist. Nothing. He scooped up his padawan in his lap and whispered in his ear.

"Ezra. Please. We need you. I need you." He sobbed.

"Spectre 2 to Spectre 1, where are you?" Scolded Hera. They had taken off earlier and circled the facility.

"Please... Come quick." Kanan said weakly.

"What's wrong?" Hera said worriedly.

"...Ezra." Kanan whispered back. He heard the comm drop to the floor.

Within a minute the Ghost was here. It landed and the crew rushed out no sooner than the ramp had opened. They sprinted up to Kanan and dropped to their knees beside him, staring at the lifeless form of their friend. Hera spoke first.

"He's not... is he?" She said timidly. Kanan's face answered it all.

She began to cry. First slowly, but the floodgates opened and tears were streaming down her face. Zeb was standing behind the stunned, unable to speak or move. Sabine was kneeling next to Ezra, cradling him in her lap and crying into his chest. Chopper was behind Zeb, making angry and confused beeps. This would always be known as the day they had lost a friend. A brother. A hero.