If It Ended Differently

Chapter 1

On a ship known as the 'Ghost', there were four people and a droid. Once of them was the Captain, a green female Twi-lek pilot named Hera Syndulla. And the other three were all male human Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Kanan Jarrus. The first two were indeed Jedi Master's whilst their friend was a Jedi Knight. And last but not least, the Captain's droid, Chopper. They were on their way to an outer rim planet named Lothal due to rumors of a violent gang that liked to call themselves 'The New Imperials' and were a dangerous threat; the Jedi Council had sent them to investigate ad try to put a stop to this gang. Although the republic and Jedi's won the first battle between the Empire and their plans to begin Order 66 were destroyed and stopped, some people still believed the Empire should be in rule of the Universe - none of them knew what was to happen during this Order 66 and they were mostly glad. "We'll be landing in three minutes so get ready to leave" Hera ordered over the com system; they all did as told and waited in the docking bay for the woman - Chopper would stay with the ship and watch over it...whether that was a good idea or not, they had yet to find out. The four began their search around Capital City, asking around and talking to the locals; they were all very sweet and helped the best of their abilities. 

All of a sudden, they saw five men harassing a couple that were attempting to sell food; Hera was about to step in with her friend when a young teenager boy wit navy blue hair in an orange dirty jumpsuit got himself caught up in the middle of it, asking for an item of fruit but was kicked away bu the men. "Sorry misters" the boy called as the happily walked away with a smirk and climbed up a few boxes until he was on a near by roof; the three Jedi and pilot shared a look as, unlike everyone else, had noticed the teenager subtly steal one of the men's com links from his belt. "All members return to HQ, this is a code red" what the teen said could be hear come through the four other men's com links "I repeat, this is a code red" and with that, all five men hurried off with wide eyes. The boy jumped down from the roof and onto the ground before making his way over to the couple; he helped them pick up their kicked over food which they thanked him for by allowing him some free fruit. Before anything else could be said or done, the kid quickly returned to his place on the roof and began to run and jump from building to building until he was out of sight. "Whoa...I didn't know kids did that type of stuff" Anakin was shocked but impressed, as were his three friends "that's because they don't....did you see how high the kid jumped??" Kenobi asked as he stroked his beard; he tend to do that when he was thinking...so a lot "only someone strong with the force would be able to jump that height". 

Storing the information in the back of their minds for now, the four continued with their search until finally, they discovered the Imperial's HQ - it was the old HQ for the Empire from when they had their moment of power of course. They sneaked up to the building, close enough to see groups of people enter and exit the building; Kanan felt the force suddenly call to him, telling him to look to the side. Of course, being taught to trust and listen to the force, the Jedi did as he was told; he scanned the area to the side before his eyes landed on....that teenage boy!? "Hey, isn't that the kid from the fruit stand??" Kanan asked , nodding his head in the direction he was looking; his friends looked over and were indeed surprised by the sight of the boy climbing down the wall before staying hidden...he was spying on the Imperials, just like they were. but....why was he?? "Should we....talk to him??" Anakin asked, even though he didn't actually wait for an answer and creeped over, careful not to be seen by the gang "Anakin!!" Hera quietly hissed "great, he's gonna scare the kid off". They hurried to follow the Jedi Master. Once near the boy, Anakin was about to speak but was beaten to it "can I help you??" the teen asked with a hint of annoyance, not even looking up from where he was looking at the building ahead of them; it was startling "em...sorry but...who are you??" the man asked. 

Before anyone could speak, the wind suddenly picked up as a strong and violent storm was threatening to appear "karabast!!" was all the teen hissed before beginning to rush away from the buildings; the four adults followed as fast as they could. The kid continued to run until he was about to cross a road when all of a sudden, he saw a woman trip up in the middle of the damn thing; a speeder was coming towards her full force and didn't seem to notice the woman. Following his instincts, the boy rushed over to the now stood up woman and pushed her out of the way of the oncoming traffic; the four friend watched with wide horror filled eyes as the speeder hit the teen, gasping with shock and worry as he rolled across the road. What was more shocking was how this kid had just risked his life to save some he most likely didn't know....not many adults would do that, let alone a child. Also, no one had stopped to help the poor boy!! They were about to scurry over and help the teen but watched as he slowly returned to his feet and began to limp out of the city and towards some parked up speed bikes. 

"Wait!! Kid!!" Anakin yelled as he and the other's ran over; the teen did as yelled - which was a surprise - and looked over his shoulder "what do you want?! Why are you following me?!". He had to yell due to the rain now in full attack upon the planet. Kenobi decided to speak this time "do you....do you know where any B&B's are??" he asked, even though they didn't need one; the kid shook his head however "there are none....but if you're that desperate then....you're welcome to stay at my place??" he offered, sounding slightly reluctant "until the storm passes". Hera smiled as she could see and hear in uncertainty "are you sure??" she asked "we can find somewhere else to stay if it's a problem" the boy slowly nodded "it's fine...grab a speed bike and keep up" and with that, they did as told before driving off. The Captain and Jedi noticed that they were heading straight towards an old Imperial communication tower?? Once they reached their destination, they climbed up the long ladder before entering the tower; they were shocked to see a make shift kitchen and living room which was most likely a bed room too, as well as a door that led to a bathroom.

"Welcome to my home" the boy stated "you guys can leave your stuff over in the corner if you want??" the kid suggested earning a few nods; Kenobi spoke up once again "thank you, I do believe introductions are in order" they all agreed on that. "I am Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is Master Anakin Skywalker, that there is Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus and this is our famous pilot, Hera Syndulla" they all shook hands with the boy, although he thought the man was joking when he said 'Master' and 'Jedi Knight' "the names Ezra, Ezra Bridger" he stated with a raised brow "and Jedi?? Really??". It was clear he didn't entirely believe them "it's true!!" Kanan insisted, followed by Anakin "here, we'll prove it" and with that, the two ignited their lightsabers. Ezra's eyes widened at the sight; he knew of the type of sword, has seen one even....he'd never forget them. He backed up and placed himself behind the table, furthest away from the two...Jedi. Both put their weapons away from seeing the kid's reaction - it was a first "what's wrong Ezra??" Hera asked with worry as she stopped next to him "keep those things away from me!!" he ordered before sitting down on the....sofa?? Bed?? "I'm confused, what's so bad about a lightsaber??" Kanan asked, although they received an answer that horrified them "they hurt like hell". All eyes widened with horror as Ezra rolled up the sleeve on his right arm to reveal a burn...several burns....lightsaber burns!! 

"Oh my god...who did this to you Ezra??" Hera asked as he allowed his sleeve to fall back into place "a Jedi....a bad one" he sighed "he...he liked the sight of me in pain...suffering...like he got off on it or something". The three Jedi's eyes widened "that's not a Jedi Ezra, what you're describing is either a Sith or an Inquisitor....they're dark force uses whilst Jedi's are light force users" Kanan explained "Jedi's would never intentionally harm someone" Ezra just shrugged "whatever you say, just...keep those things away from me" they agreed to do so "I'm gonna find some more pillows and blankets, there has to be some somewhere around here" truth be told....he had no idea. Whist beginning his search, a question popped into Kenobi's mind "where are you parents youngling??" he asked; the questioned startled the boy, making him return his gaze "pardon??" maybe he had heard them wrong....right?? "You're parents, where are they??" nope, it really was that question...that damn question; Ezra sighed as he looked down "I...I don't have parents" he admitted "they were taken away and killed in front of me when I was four years old" (I know it was when he was seven but I've changed it for this story) the kid sighed "...I've been on my own ever since". 

All four friends were shocked and regretted asking; how could a four year old child lived and survive on the streets?! "If you don't mind me asking....how did you survive for so long??" Kanan asked earning a shrug "my instincts I guess" was all Ezra said until he finally found some blankets and pillows - there weren't many mind you. The kid then rummaged through his bag before pulling out four pieced of fruit "here" he handed them out to his guests "thanks" they smiled before Hera realized something  "what about you Ezra?? Aren't you going to eat??" the woman asked but the teen shook his head "I only had four pieces of fruit...that was it" he pointed towards their handed out food "but I'm used to not eating so I can wait a few more hours". They hesitantly ate and spoke until it was dark outside "I'm heading to bed" Ezra stated as he lay down on the sofa/bed; they all said good night and followed suit. During the night, the teen didn't go straight to sleep - his trust issues refused to let him just yet; he soon saw Kanan begin to shiver - he didn't have a blanket as there weren't enough. With a sigh, Ezra sat up and silently made his way over towards the man and draped his own blanket over the Jedi "you guys might just be the death of me" he mumbled before returning to his sleeping spot and lay down; the humming in his that he called his instincts were going crazy by now. Little did Ezra know, Kenobi was still half away and smiled at the sight that he had just seen before joining everything in the land of dreams.