We don't know if Ezra's parents are force sensitive, or if it was one of his grandparents, but for the sake of what I have planned, I am going to have Ezra's grandfather be force sensitive. You'll see the reasoning behind this as you read.
As always, constructive criticism is welcome!
-Garyn
p.s.
Sorry for the reupload. There was a small error that was overlooked.
Kanan had stopped his attempts to reach Ezra through the force, which he was thankful for. Ezra hated keeping Kanan at arm's length, but he couldn't look at him. The sight of Kanan's injuries, even bandaged, made Ezra even more guilty and want to be sick that this was a direct result of his actions. The more he thought about Kanan's injuries and how it happened, the more Ezra remembered past events where he put someone's life at risk, willingly or unwillingly. Tseebo was the first to come to mind. Tseebo had risked his safety for Ezra in order to keep a promise to his parents. Yes, it was out of Ezra's control, but he still felt guilty. Him living is what put Tseebo in danger. Him living is why Tseebo now had to live underground, hiding away from the Imperials that searched for him. Ezra figured Tseebo would try to tell him otherwise, that he was happy to protect Ezra, but that couldn't be true. How could you be happy protecting some kid, putting you life on the line for them? 'Oh right. That's essentially what we do now.' Ezra was answering his own question, but it didn't help. This was different. Ezra and the crew were willingly fighting, willingly putting their lives at risk. Tseebo didn't volunteer. He didn't raise his hand and say he'd be honored.
-Flash back to the day before Ezra's parents were taken-
"What do you mean leave?" Ephraim asked, looking at his wife. Ephraim didn't understand Mira's sudden concern considering they had done everything possible to keep their location secret.
"We knew doing these broadcasts that we may eventually be found. Ryder even warned me the day may come where we'd have to flee Lothal. We are not invisible as we hope to be, Ephraim. We've used our real names on these broadcasts simply because we thought our location was safe. Ben told me earlier that a mistake was made, and our location may be compromised." Mira had already started packing her things, moving faster than she ever had.
Ephraim sighed, gently grabbing his wife into a hug. "We have rights, Mira. We have the right to speak out and speak our minds. They can't hold that against us."
Mira shook her head. "This is the Empire. They have killed simply because someone looked at them wrong. I'm not concerned about our safety, I could care less about me. It's Ezra I'm worried about. If they take all of us, they will find out he is force sensitive. My father told me time and time again growing up that anyone with the force always had to watch their back. Back then it was true, but now? Now it's way of life for anyone who isn't a Sith. Ezra may not be a Jedi, but he is still force sensitive. They will take him, and either turn him into a Sith, or kill him for being the grandson of a Jedi."
Ephraim kissed Mira softly. "I understand your concern, sweetie, but we are safe. One little mistake doesn't mean they will be able to find us. I'm confident in Ben's abilities. Please, just stop packing and come to bed."
Mira still wasn't convinced, but she knew she was working herself up over possibly nothing. She sighed, resting against Ephraim. "Alright. We need to start working on the speech for our next broadcast first thing tomorrow."
Ephraim and Mira had never known that little Ezra had been right outside their room, listening. He didn't understand any of what they were talking about, but he knew something was wrong.
Meanwhile, in the city, the Imperials had their targets. Ephraim and Mira Bridger.
-Flash back end-
It was a conversation that will stick with Ezra forever, as he now fully understood what his parent's meant. Anyone who was a force user had a target on their head, and anyone associated with them would die. Ezra just hadn't realized that HE would be the reason a friend lost their life, and another lost his eyesight. Ezra began shaking as he thought about it, tears still falling from an endless source. He would never be able to look at Kanan again without feeling guilt, and he could only imagine Hera looking at him with anger for what happened. Hera was normally the sweetest out of all the crew, but mess with someone she loves or her family, and she would be worse than a Rancor. Ezra smiled slightly thinking about it. Even the mighty Zeb backed down when Hera was mad.
Considering he had lost his first family, Ezra didn't understand why he had helped to almost lose another part of his new family. Despite hesitation, Kanan still agreed to take him in and train him, and this was his thanks? How could Ezra do that? How could he allow himself to help hurt his family. Ezra hugged himself, burying his face into his knees. What he needed right now, what he so desperately desired, was Sabine's embrace. He wanted her to just be here with him. She didn't have to say anything, just hug him and let him know she was there. He knew he could just go to her room and ask her for help, but he didn't want to see anyone else right now. He didn't want Hera trying to find out what was wrong, he didn't want Kanan trying to find out, and he didn't want Zeb asking, although Zeb was smart enough to know when to just keep quiet. It was probably for the best he didn't know where Sabine was. He wasn't even sure if she would try to console him. Lately Ezra was confused as to where they stood, if she was even interested. At times it seemed like she was, then other times not. 'Why did women have to be so confusing?'
Sighing slowly, Ezra squeezed his hand into a fist. What he was certain of, this situation was on him. The time they had spent fighting the Empire meant nothing now, as he had inadvertently betrayed his family. He didn't know what would happen next, or even if he would ever want to look them in the eyes again, but he knew he couldn't just give up. His parents had risked everything for him. Even locked up in prison they still fought for freedom, and they died helping others escape. It would be a slap in their face for Ezra to just give up now. It would be a slap in the face to Tseebo. It would be a slap in the face to his new family who relied and depended on him for missions. Finally, it would be a slap in the face to Ahsoka, who gave her life in order for them to escape. He wouldn't let the memory of those who had fallen be in vain. He would keep fighting, and he would try to make it up to Kanan. First, however, he needed to plan out his new lightsaber.