Hi everyone!

I was wondering 'What If?" and then I've had this idea. I hope you'll like it! :D

Sorry in advance if I made any typo or grammar error. I work hard to correct them, but it seem they always find their way inside my chapters XD

Please, review or pm me to give your thought/appreciation/comment on this story. I understand English, French and I can read Spanish. I wish to always improve so don't be shy. :3

Have a nice reading time :3

P.s. I own Nothing!

Chapter 1

-"You can keep the lightsaber you stole, let it become just another dusty souvenir. Or, you can give it back and come with us, come with me, and be trained in the ways of the Force. You can learn what it truly means to be a Jedi."

-"I thought the Empire wiped up all the Jedi."

-"Not all of us."

Ezra took a second to look at the lightsaber's hilt... and, just like that, Kanan's was gone. Leaving him to ponder on the choice he gave him.

The man returned to his room, inside the Ghost, and opened the holocron to hear, once more, the words of Master Kenobi. Words that have helped him pass through the genocide of the Jedi, live through it. And, now, he hoped they would help him gather the strength needed to pass down the knowledge that he was bestowed to another young Force user... would he really be okay? Could he really become a Master himself and be able to teach the ways of the Jedi?

His door opened. Ezra was standing in the doorway, arms crossed. He looked at the floor for an instant and stepped inside of the room. Kanan approached him, took the lightsaber the boy handed to him and posed a hand on his thin shoulder.

-"You took the right decision." The man voiced gently.

Ezra stared at the floor once more. -"I'm not coming with you."

The heart of Kanan twinged a little. He tightened mildly his grip on the shoulder, and continued calmly, concerned. -"Why?"

-"I-I mean." Answered Ezra, searching for his words. "It was fun, helping you guys, and the Wookies, and all the peoples in Tarkin Town, but..." He looked in Kanan's turquoise eyes. "You're not just playing in the Empire's sandbox, you're fighting a war against it. And, no matter how I look at it, I'm just a teen. What can I do against them?"

Right now, he was thinking about his parents. If they could not change anything, what could those strangers do against an entire Empire? And, he would never admit it, but he had started to get attached to those same strangers. What if he was to lose them, like he had lost his folks? He was not sure he could endure it another time...

-"I'm used to the streets of the capitol city. They're home to me. I know them more than the back of my hand and I feel like, in them, nothing can happen to me..."

Kanan sighed, but still smiled faintly. -"I understand, Kid. We cannot ask you to risk your life if you don't want to. Everyone here knew what they were signing to when they got on board." He took the other shoulder with his hand holding the hilt. "I just want you to know, that this door will always be open for you. If you ever change your mind, even if you still don't wish to fight, come to us. Here, you'll have a roof, something to eat three times a day and a warm blanket for the night."

Ezra looked taken aback. They were just so, so good people. Always thinking of the well-being of others, even if they'd just met... He had to go out, to return home now, before this man could make him change his mind. He knew he would grow too much attach to them, and he couldn't resist the fear of losing them. The wound it left in him was too deep, too painful. Better cut the line right now than suffer later... yeah, this would be for the best.

Ezra turned his head again. -"Thanks for the offer. I'll keep it in mind."

He moved to free himself from the man's gentle grip and turned away, but Kanan grabbed his forearm and handed him back the lightsaber.

-"Keep it."

-"Why, it's yours?" replied the young man , surprised.

-"If you're not here, I won't need it." Was Kanan's simple answer before he returned to sit on his bed, closing his eyes.

Ezra tightened his grip on the metallic hilt and ran out off the Ghost.

Somewhere inside of him, Kanan was glad he didn't had to take the burden of raising a Padawan... but, more deeper, he couldn't shake off the feeling that it was already too late for Ezra not to be involved in this war...

...

Ezra ran. He ran, faster and faster, but not to his tower, where he could easily be found if the crew decided to change their mind and force him to go with them... forced him to learn to appreciate them more...

No, he ran toward the city, toward its streets and alleys, and sank into them. Mingling into the shadows, evading the crowd to hide and clear his mind from his memories with the crew. He had to forget them, to restart anew, and not to be tempted to rejoin them...

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realized he was missing rule number one in the streets.

'Always pay attention to your surroundings.'

-"Look what we have here." Voiced someone right in front of him.

Ezra stopped, nearly bumping into the stranger. Stepping back, he didn't go far before realizing a few teenagers mobsters were surrounding him.

-"Got lost and looking for your mom?" Laughed the first stranger. Seemed like the leader.

The boy knew the drill. They were not the only gang hitting on those dark alleys. He took a helpless stance, holding one of his arm with his hand, making himself look weak and lost.

-"I thought she was around here. Have you seen a tall black haired woman?" He made his voice more acute, forcing tears in his eyes. Already so undersized due to his seven years alone, scavenging for food, anyone could have bet he was easily 5 years younger.

The delinquents threw obvious looks between them. This would be easy. They relaxed, lowering their improvised weapons.

-"Don't worry, little buddy." Continued the leader. "We'll find her. But, we can't work for free. How about you gave us everything you've got in your bag? And that metallic cylinder while you're at it."

He was pointing the lightsaber. What a surprise it could be if Ezra was to ignite it and take them down! The idea made him laugh inside, he had to hide his smile quickly. It wouldn't be subtle.

Someone passed in an alley not far from them, startling the mobsters. Good timing.

-"Um, maybe we shouldn't be seen by others." Continued Ezra with his little voice, walking shyly toward the leading teen. "I don't want them to see my treasures."

-"Yeah, good thinking."

The leader, duped by the boy's puppy eyes, held the thin shoulders with an arm without an ounce of worry. Followed by his gang members, he led Ezra to another tiny alley.

The instant they both turned a corner, Ezra crushed the teen's toes with his boot heel and ran! The gang leader yelled, leaning on the wall not to fall!

-"After him! Beat him up!"

They chased after him, roaring while holding their weapons high to avenge their boss. Fools. No one could follow Ezra Briger once he started to dash into the alleys!

Turn left. Turn Right. Jump above some garbage. Two other turns left. Sliding inside a hole in one decrepit wall... Still, he had to give it to them, they were persistent.

Hanging the lightsaber on his belt, he grabbed a gutter pipe and started to climb. One of the teens was catching up to him. He caught the boy's bottom pants and pulled him down! Kicking his face with his other foot, Ezra struggled to get away before the others could help their comrade! Desperate, he shouted with so much strength that his vocal cords were hurt.

The teen was strongly shoved down, like pushed by something invisible!

Without taking the time to analyse what happened and what was this strange feeling that had passed in his being, Ezra continued his ascent to the roof and keep running, making jumps from one house to another that no normal human could have done. Soon, he finally got rid of this stupid street gang.

Letting himself fall in another tiny dark alley, he leaned himself to a wall to catch back his breath.

What a difficult day it had been, and he hasn't even taken the time to hunt food for the supper. What a waste of energy... maybe he should have asked some from the rebel's crew...

A cold breeze ran into the alley, making him shiver. The sun hadn't even set, how could it be that cold?

Then, he heard a colder voice coming from a corner. -"I believe you and I have something in common, young man."

Who was that dark looking, grey skinned, man? Instinctively, Ezra started to back off.

...

So, what do you think of it? :D And what should happen next? :3

Don't hesitate to tell me what you wish to see in chapter 2! :D