Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a Force-tastic day! This is going to be another episode based part. "A Princess on Lothal" (Season 2, Episode 12). Now, on with the show!

It was the night Ezra found out about his parents, and he was taking it pretty hard.

I can relate. Ezra is a strong kid, but it can be really easy to forget that he's just a kid...

"How's he taking it?" Hera asked on the hologram.

"As you'd expect. We all knew Ezra wasn't going to get the news he hoped for about his parents..." Kanan said.

Hera's face became very sympathetic.

"I feel so bad for him..." I said.

Ryder, Kanan, and Hera nodded in agreement.

"Governor Azadi, we're grateful you stood by them for so long," Hera said.

"Not sure what good it did. Things don't seem much better here on Lothal." Ryder said.

"At the moment, maybe, but we hope to change that in the future. Speaking of which, Senator Organa heard about our losses on Garel. He's sending us reinforcements. His agent is coming to Lothal with three cruisers."

My eyes widened.

"Really? That's amazing." I said.

"Three cruisers? That is good news. Maybe a mission like this is just what Ezra needs." Kanan said.

"I hope you're right. We'll be there as soon as we can to help." Hera said.

We nodded while Hera's hologram disappeared. I looked up to see the sun starting to rise. I looked at the ground and sighed.

"You okay, Zelara?" Ryder asked.

"Yeah, I'm just... hurting, for Ezra. I know what it's like to lose the people close to you, but Ezra... for him, it's different... The pain he's going through is nothing like what I felt when I lost my parents... It's more... sad, and sorrowful..." I said.

Kanan sighed and patted my shoulder.

"You two are more alike than you know." Kanan said.

I looked up at the Jedi and smiled. The three of us then walked out onto the cliffs where Ezra and Chopper were. My face was painted with concern and sympathy.

The poor kid...

"Ezra, we're going to miss our rendezvous, let's go." Kanan said.

Ezra looked up and nodded.

"If you're going into Jalath City, be careful. Imperial security is bound to recognize you." Ryder said.

"Maybe dressed like this, but who's going to notice two extra Stormtroopers and cadet?" Kanan asked.

Kanan then tossed over Ezra's cadet helmet.

"Great..." Ezra said sadly.

He then got up and walked back to Ryder's camp.

"They know our ship, too. Ryder, any chance we could-" I began.

"Borrow my bike? Take it, but I'm not getting involved any further," Ryder said.

"Even after what the Empire did to you? Come on, get back in the fight." Kanan said.

"I won't go back to prison, Kanan. Please don't ask that of me..."

Kanan and I nodded and went to go prep for the mission. After a while, we hopped on Ryder's bike and headed to the rendezvous. When we arrived, we quickly snuck in and hid behind a TIE fighter. We then saw three Old Republic ships beginning to land.

"Hammerheads?" I asked.

"Those are our reinforcements? Some old transports?" Ezra asked.

"In our position, you take what you can get, kid." Kanan said.

When they finally landed, we quickly ran to the back of a ship and stood guard. Then, the door opened, and a young woman with brown hair and fair skin walked out.

She looks like Ezra's age... Maybe a year or two older...

"Excuse me, miss, where's your Commander?" Ezra asked, removing the visor from his helmet.

"Not much of a welcoming committee. Troopers?" she asked, turning to Kanan and I.

We then took off our helmets and revealed our faces.

"Zelara." I said.

"Kanan. We're from Phoenix Squadron." Kanan said.

"I know who you are, and unless you want the deck officer to know too, I suggest you put your helmets back on and keep your mouth shut." she said, walking away.

"Excuse me?" Ezra asked.

I shook my head in amusement and put my helmet back on.

"You heard her; shut it." Kanan said.

Ezra rolled his eyes and covered his face with the visor. We caught up with the young woman and saw her talking with the deck officer.

"Deck officer, I'd like to start distributing my relief aid." she said.

"Standby. My orders are to inspect the cargo for contraband and detain these vessels before the Lieutenant arrives. Scanning crew, move out." he said.

The three troopers then walked away.

"Well, this plan's off to a good start." Kanan said.

"As a matter of fact, it's going perfectly. Where's the rest of your team?" she asked.

"They'll be here, eventually." I said.

"Good, then you can steal my ships."

"WHAT!?" we all asked.

We then saw an Imperial shuttle coming this way.

"I'll explain later, but first I have to deal with the Lieutenant. Follow my lead and try to keep up." she said, walking towards the shuttle.

"Wait, why does she get to give orders? I don't get to give orders," Ezra complained.

"Do you ever listen to yourself?" Kanan and I asked.

"Yes, and I happen to be very interesting."

The three of us walked up to her side and watched as the Lieutenant and two stormtroopers at his side walked out.

Lieutenant Lyste... Of course, it's Lieutenant Lyste... Why wouldn't it be Lieutenant Lyste...?

"You must be Leia Organa, princess of the royal house of Alderaan." Lyste said.

Princess...?

"And aid to my father, Senator Bail Organa. I come with relief supplies for Lothal's needy who are suffering terribly as a result of the Rebel insurgency here. Surely you don't want innocents to starve." Leia said.

"No, of course not. Lothal has indeed suffered, as has Alderaan. From what I hear your ships have an unfortunate habit of falling into rebel hands." Lyste said.

Leia looked at him with a questionable look.

"I assure you, that won't happen on my watch." Lyste said.

Then, three, giant machines rolled out and made their way to the Hammerhead ships.

"What are those?" Ezra asked.

The machines then clamped down on the ships.

"Gravity locks? This is hardly necessary." Leia said.

"I insist. Plus, a trooper detachment and for extra security..." Lyste said.

We all looked up and saw an Imperial ship release two AT-AT walkers.

Annoying things... I'm fine with AT-DPs, but I hate AT-ATs with a passion...

"Walkers will guard your ships from the Rebel insurgency. All for your safety, miss," Lyste said.

"It's Your Highness. As my ships are detained, I will require your shuttle to begin my work," Leia said.

"Oh... my shuttle. Certainly, I can arrange for other transportation."

"No, your shuttle. I need to leave immediately."

She does not sound happy...

"You three, bring those supplies and bring me to the format area at once." Leia ordered.

"Yes ma'am, right away." Kanan said.

We each took a crate and began making our way to Lyste's shuttle. Kanan took control and flew out of there.

"I don't mean to say it, but whoever came up with this plan severely underestimated the Empire's security." Kanan said.

"I'm sorry..." Leia said.

"Don't be, Your Highness. None of this was your fault." I said.

"Yes, it is. This was my plan."

"We need those ships. Why didn't you just hand them off to us in deep space?" Ezra said.

Leia sighed before answering.

"You don't understand, it's not that simple. If the Empire could prove that Alderaan was providing ships to the Rebels, we'd lose our seat in the Senate, and be charged with treason. If they're stolen from a planet controlled by the Empire..." Leia said.

"Alderaan would be blameless. Have to admit, that was a good plan." Kanan said.

"Well, now we need a new one."

Then, Chopper's warbling came through Ezra's comm.

"Yeah, what is it Chopper?" Ezra asked.

Chopper then buzzed and warbled.

"Stormtroopers...?" Ezra asked.

When we returned to Ryder's camp, we saw three transports a click to the east from Ryder's camp.

"Friends of yours?" Leia asked.

"Not for much longer by the look of things." I said.

"What are we going to do?"

"This time, we follow my lead." Kanan said standing up.

We followed Kanan out the shuttle and saw Ryder in the fray of stormtroopers and Chopper standing behind one of them.

"This is a secure site. State your business," the Commander said.

"I'm taking the Princess Ambassador here on a scouting mission for possible refugee relocation," Kanan said.

"This is not a safe area for you. There's a high level of Rebel activity at the moment."

"Well, we're finishing our survey; we can take these prisoners back to Jalath for you."

"That won't be necessary. We have orders to terminate one of them immediately."

My eyes widened under the stormtrooper helmet.

This is going to get worse before it gets better...

"Hold on, trooper. As a representative of the Senate, I demand to know what this man has done." Leia said.

"He's a fugitive from an Imperial prison. Now depart immediately for your own safety. Where you find one Rebel, there are usually more." the Commander said.

Then, Chopper became the center of attention by spinning and warbling.

"Chopper's receiving a signal." Kanan said.

"You know what that means..." I said.

"Hera's here." Ezra said.

A shadow soon cloaked over us and we saw that it was the Ghost. The Ghost then began firing and destroyed the transports.

"More friends of yours?" Leia asked.

"Yeah, I'm a likable guy." Kanan answered.

I led Leia and Ezra out of the line of fire and hid behind a toppled transport. Kanan then came running over with Ryder close behind.

This plan is going great so far if I do say so myself...

Then, the ramp lowered, and Zeb and Sabine appeared. Without hesitation, they began firing at the stormtroopers.

"Your friends might shoot you wearing that armor," Ryder said.

"That's not a bad idea, Governor. Take the Princess hostage." Kanan said.

"What?"

"If I'm seen leaving with you, I'll be labeled a traitor. You have to take me prisoner." Leia said.

"Well, you better make it look good. I'll warn Sabine." Ezra said.

The kid stuck up three fingers and pointed them outward. From the distance, I could see Sabine nod. Then, Ryder shoved Kanan and he landed on top of both me and Ezra. He then grabbed Leia by the arm and ran towards the Ghost.

"Help, help! Commander!" Leia cried.

The trooper was about to shoot, but Kanan quickly interfered.

"Hold your fire, she's my responsibility! I'll get her back!" Kanan said.

Kanan, Ezra, and I soon started running after Ryder and Leia. Before I knew it, Zeb punched Kanan to the ground.

"Zeb, wait!" Ezra cried.

Before he knew it, Ezra got knocked down as well.

"Ezra!" I cried.

Then, my vision became blurry and everything went black.

Ow...

After a while, I felt someone shake me awake. I slowly opened my eyes and rubbed my aching head and jaw. I looked at my side and saw Kanan and Ezra in the same condition.

"You alright, Zel?" Zeb asked.

"Yeah, just got a mild headache... and possibly a concussion..." I said.

"Well, you were wearing that junk armor and helmet."

"But did you have to hit us so hard...?" Ezra asked, rubbing his jaw.

"Hey, you wanted it to look good."

"Where's the princess?" Kanan asked.

"In the cockpit with Hera."

Shaking off the pain, we made our way to the cockpit and saw Sabine. Then, the door to the cockpit opened, and Ryder, Hera, and Leia walked.

"I owe you my life. You have my gratitude." Ryder said.

"It's the least we could do for leading the Empire right to you." Hera said.

As they walked past us, I saw Ezra's face grow grim.

"We heard what happened. Sorry kid..." Zeb said.

"Hey, at least now you know..." Sabine said.

"Yeah... I guess I just need some time..." Ezra said.

He then walked into the cockpit and closed the door. My heart ached to see him so hurt and sad.

"Is he alright?" Leia asked.

"Yeah, he just lost some people close to him..." Kanan said.

Leia looked at the closed doors with a sympathetic look on her face.

"It's a challenge being his age with so much responsibility..." I said.

"I know that feeling..." Leia said.

"Maybe he could use a friend...?" Kanan suggested.

Leia nodded and walked into the cockpit. I sighed and looked up at Kanan.

"Poor Ezra..." I said.

"Yeah..." Kanan sighed.

I stared at the metal and blinked back the frustrated tears that were welling up in my eyes.

"Come on, we're going to miss the briefing." Kanan said.

I sighed and nodded. When Kanan was out of sight, I stopped following and looked back at the cockpit door. I cast my gaze at the ground and headed to the common room. I leaned against the wall and sighed.

Hope the kid's alright...

A few minutes later, Leia and Ezra entered the room.

"We did a scan of the landing field, and looking at the Imperial security, I just don't see us living long enough to get near those ships." Sabine said, gazing at the hologram.

"Two Walkers are a big problem." Zeb said.

"Even if we do reach the ships, they're not going anywhere until we disable those gravity locks." Kanan groaned.

"Those defenses are formidable. Why?" Leia asked.

We all stared at her, waiting for her answer.

"Because the Empire doesn't underestimate you. They know how good you are." Leia said.

"We might be able to get one out, but we'll never get all three. It's impossible..." Kanan said.

Our faces darkened and became grim.

"I know you need those ships, so don't tell me how we can't get them, tell me how we will," Leia said, speaking up.

"Well, Kanan, Zelara, and I still have our disguises, but to get close to the ships, we need a distraction." Ezra said.

"I can help with that."

"The Ghost will act as air support." Hera said.

"And I can use detonators to blast off the gravity locks." Sabine said.

"Won't work." Ryder said.

Everyone then turned to the Governor.

"You can't forcibly remove the locks," Ryder said.

"You know this how?" Hera asked.

"In prison, I put them together, so I know how to take them apart."

"Ryder Azadi. Does that mean you're getting involved?" I asked.

"Just this once. It's clear that I can't stay on Lothal, so I'll help you, if you get me out of here."

We all looked at one another and nodded. Having put our plan into motion, Kanan, Ezra, Leia, and I took the Phantom and went back to the platform.

Let's hope this plan works...

When Kanan landed the Phantom, I put on my helmet and nodded to the others. They nodded back and we all walked out of the Phantom. Welcoming us were stormtroopers, ready to fire at us, and Lieutenant Lyste.

"I think you'd be pleased to see me safe and sound, Lieutenant." Leia said, putting her hands on her hip.

"Of course, Your highness. Very pleased, just... surprised..." Lyste said, forcibly pushing down the troopers' blasters.

Leia shifted her eyes to see Ryder, Sabine, and Chopper running up to one of the ships and its gravity lock.

"These brave troopers saved us all from those Rebels. They deserve medals." Leia said, walking past Lyste.

I then saw a shadow cloak over me, and I looked up. Hovering in the air was one of Leia's ships.

"As you can see, your ships are safe and sound. Right where you left them," Lyste said.

"If you're trying to impress me, Lieutenant, you're doing a miserable job of it," Leia said.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't know?"

Leia then pointed in the air at her hovering ship.

"I didn't authorize this! Who's piloting that ship?" Lyste asked.

Lyste then spotted Ryder and Chopper disabling another gravity lock.

"Rebels!" a trooper announced.

"Blast them!" Lyste ordered.

The stormtroopers obeyed and began firing at Ryder and Chopper. Seeing the commotion from the cockpit, Sabine began firing at the ground, giving Ryder and Chopper some cover. Because of this, one of the AT-ATs began firing at the ship Sabine was piloting.

Where's Hera when you need her...?

As if what I asked was a prayer, I then saw the Ghost appear from the clouds. Hera launched two sets of flares at the Walker and brought it to its knees.

Thank goodness...

While Lyste was distracted, I managed to knock out one of the troopers. Lyste fired at Kanan, but Kanan was too quick and knocked him out as well. Ezra jumped on the other trooper and began hammering his fists on his head.

"Sabine's away. Let's get out of here." Kanan said.

"I don't think we're going anywhere..." Ezra said.

When he said that, the AT-AT Hera knocked down started getting back up.

Karabast...

As soon as the Walker was back on its feet, it began firing at the Ghost.

The Walker's a big problem if it continues to try to shoot down our air support...

"Secure the third ship. We'll handle the Walker." Kanan said.

Kanan began running and I quickly sprinted after him.

"Handle the Walker? How?" Leia asked.

"Just trust us. Come on!" Ezra said.

Kanan and I ran towards the Walker, quickly grabbing our lightsabers. I saw Ryder pull out his blaster, but Chopper quickly stopped him.

"Unlock that ship!" Kanan said, running past them.

We then activated our lightsabers, picking up speed towards the Walker.

"They're Jedi..." Ryder muttered.

Nodding to each other, we split up and jumped to the AT-ATs knee joint level, slicing them in two. The two of us hit the ground and watched the Walker topple over and fall.

"Come on!" I cried.

We quickly got out of dodge as the other Walker fired at us. We ran up to Ryder who had just removed the second gravity lock.

"All yours, guys." Ryder said.

"Two down, one to go." Kanan said, removing his helmet.

"I'll stay and help the others." I said.

He nodded and quickly ran into the ship, took control of it, and lifted off the ground. I watched it go when the other Walker caught my attention. It was still standing and firing at the Ghost.

"Finish up here. I have to help them." Ryder said.

"I'll go help Ezra and the princess." I said.

I ran over to the others and quickly took out any trooper that stood in my way. I looked back and saw Ryder take out the last Walker using the afterburners of the ship.

Smart...

I then saw Ezra and the princess near a transport ship.

Glad they're alright...

I ran over to them, panting slightly.

"Time for us to go." Ezra said.

Leia then took hold of our hands and began tugging at them.

"Stop these Rebels! They're stealing my transport!" Leia cried.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"You have to make this look good."

"Oh... we have to make it look good." Ezra said.

Leia handed Ezra a blaster, stepped back, and smiled.

"You have my permission." Leia said with a quick bow.

"See ya later, princess." Ezra said.

After that, Ezra then stunned Leia and she fell back into my arms. I set her down on the ground before running into the transport.

"Let's get out of here." Ezra said.

I took control of the transport ship and began following the Hammerhead ship in front of us up into space. I looked back at the platform and could almost make out what was going on down there.

I'm guessing Lieutenant Lyste is getting an earful from Leia right about now...

We were soon in space, surrounded by the other Rebellion ships; the Hammerheads included. I was chatting with the others in the common room on the Ghost when Ryder and Ezra came in.

"Soon Governor, we'll find a safe place for you." Heta said.

"I already know where I'm going; back home," Ryder said.

"I knew you'd come around." Kanan said, sitting up.

"Of course, I've seen it before, but going to prison with the Bridgers started something. And somethings grow bigger than I've ever imagined."

He looked down at Ezra and Ezra smiled.

"I owe it to you, and I'll stick by you to see it through to the end." Ryder said.

Zeb placed a hand on Ryder and smiled; we all smiled.

"Welcome to the fight, Governor." Ezra said.

I stared into the distance, thinking about everything that just happened today.

Hope we get to meet Leia again. She's one royal Rebel...

Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed this part. Sorry I took so long to post. Next part is a surprise. May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔