Well, one possibility could be that Ezra returns with new Force powers. Maybe he has been on a journey to an ancient Jedi temple during his absence. He could use these powers to help the Rebels in a big battle against the Empire, like being able to sense the enemy's moves before they happen.
In fanfiction about Ezra and Darth Vader, their interactions could also be more psychological. Vader could try to tempt Ezra to the dark side. He might offer Ezra power, saying that with his potential, he could become a great Sith. Ezra, on the other hand, could resist and try to turn Vader back to the light, using his own experiences and the teachings of the Jedi he has learned. This back - and - forth of wills could create a really engaging and complex story line.
The plot could be that Ezra loses his lightsaber in a skirmish with the Empire. He then embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve it from an Imperial stronghold. Along the way, he teams up with some unlikely allies who help him infiltrate the base and get his lightsaber back.
One possible plot could be Ezra being lured to the dark side by a mysterious Sith artifact. He starts to have visions of power and control that the Sith offer. As he delves deeper, he begins to distance himself from his friends in the Rebels, causing conflict within the group.
A simple plot could be that Ahsoka returns to find the Rebels in a dire situation. She quickly assesses the situation and starts to train some of the Rebel soldiers in Jedi - like combat skills. This gives the Rebels an edge in their skirmishes with the Empire.
In one idea for a fanfiction, the Empire creates a false prophecy that convinces Ezra that he is meant to rule the galaxy as a Dark Lord. They manipulate events and his emotions to make him believe that the Dark Side is his true path. He then starts to build his own army of Dark Side followers. But as he rises in power, he realizes that he has been deceived, yet by then it may be too late to easily return to the Light Side.
The plot could be that Ezra loses his leg in a battle against the Empire. He then gets a prosthetic leg, but it has a connection to an ancient Jedi artifact. This connection starts to draw him towards a hidden Jedi temple. Along the way, he has to fight off Imperials who also want to find the temple because of the power it might hold.
Well, in a lot of Star Wars Rebels fanfic, Ezra being sick often serves as a catalyst for emotional moments. The other characters like Kanan or Sabine would be worried about him. It can also create some interesting dynamics within the group. Some might be overly protective, while others could be more focused on the mission but still concerned. And it might be a chance for Ezra to grow in his understanding of his friends' care for him while he's in a weakened state.
Well, that's a matter of personal opinion. Just because someone might think Ezra is stupid in fanfiction doesn't mean it's a universal view. In the official Star Wars Rebels story, Ezra has his own growth and development. However, in some fanfictions, the author might be trying to explore different aspects of his character or create unique storylines that could make him seem less intelligent, but it doesn't represent the whole view of Ezra's character.
Ezra being 12 in the fanfiction could lead to plots centered around his coming of age and facing challenges with a younger mindset. Maybe he has to prove himself despite his age.
Ezra could be lured by a Sith artifact. It emits a strong dark side energy that begins to influence his thoughts. He starts to question the Jedi ways he has been learning, thinking that the quick power of the dark side might be better. But his loyalty to his friends in the Rebellion holds him back from fully embracing it at first.