Hey everyone! So, this is a test chapter for a story! This is an idea I've been kicking around for awhile, and I finally typed this out!

So here's, basically, the downlow: In this story, Anakin didn't turn to the dark side! The Emperor, though, escaped and seemingly vanished once more. So the Galaxy is relatively peaceful, with the Republic chasing the few Imperial legions off of planets. But Lothal, so far, hasn't been one of them. That's gonna change ;)

You'll all figure it out quick on your own, so don't worry!

Also, I haven't seen season 2! So anything new that might be in that (new force abilities or anything like that) won't be mentioned!

I really want some feedback, to see what you all think of this, so pleaseplease PLEASE review or PM! I need to know if I should continue!

Sorry if there's any spelling problems, spellcheck hates me!

Disclaimer's on my prof.!

Enjoy, and please give feedback!

Fourteen years. It had been fourteen, long years since Anakin had uncovered the Emperor's true identity. With the man no longer Supreme Chancellor, the war's tides had turned, and many Imperial planets returned to the Republic, seeing they had been tricked. The Jedi code had been changed, and many Jedi had gotten together, and some even had children, just as Anakin and Padme had. Now, after fourteen years, the Emperor had vanished, his forces now strained out across the planets of the Outer-rim, and were slowly being driven away by the Republic forces and the Jedi.

Kanan Jarrus (formerly know as Caleb Dume, but he had changed his name due to despising his former title) was one of those Jedi that was going to the Outer-rim. Officially a Jedi Knight, the Human man was heading for Lothal, General of his own starship with a crew comprised of only his most trusted allies.

Lothal, for years, was known to be harboring a government comprised of Imperial officials, forced to follow the Empire's laws. The Republic hardly trespassed into the Outer-rim, many of the planets there like the gang-ridden Tatooine, but Lothal supported many good, innocent, hard-working people.

And that was why he now stood in the tactical room, leaning against a hologram table, frowning at a projection of the planet Lothal.

There was a mechanical his as the door to the room slid open, and a Twi'lek woman entered. With skin of a soft green and eyes of a lighter shade of emerald, she was dressed in a flight suit and had a slim figure and kind smile. She moved over to Kanan, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Kanan?"

The man hummed, showing he was listening even as his eyes continued to sweep over the projection.

"I just wanted to let you know we'll be docking on world in just over a few hours. You might want to get ready, instead of stare at that map."

Dark green-blue eyes turned to the woman.

"Right. Thanks, Hera."

Hera Syndulla was Kanan's most member of the crew. They'd met in their teens, just after the end of the clone wars, when Kanan had been wandering the streets of Courascant. Hera and her family had just moved from Ryloth, hoping for a better life in the bustling city, and Kanan had immediately liked how the Twi'lek could keep up with his sarcastic banter. Later, she had joined the Republic as a fighter pilot, and proved to be among the best. Flying with her Astromech, Chopper, she could do amazing things.

Hera, rolled her eyes, reaching past the man and pressing the power switch. Kanan frowned when the holotable flickered off.

"Hey!"

"Go get ready." Hera retorted, sending the door a pointed glance. "Don't make me send in Chopper."

The Jedi shuddered at the thought of the temperamental astromech. He and Chopper didn't get along all that well...

"Alright, alright! I'm moving!" He groaned. "What is it with women?"

He only received a smack over the back of the head.

"Ow!"

Lothal was known as one of the more well-off planets along the Outer-rim. It was rich with crops and metal, and was on most trading ship's routes, with its extensive docks.

But even fourteen years after the end of the clone wars, the planet was still recovering. Imperials were still even in control of the planet, the Republic having yet to free them from the cruel law of the droids and 'stormtroopers'. Many had lost hope and given in to the oppression and cruel treatment they were given...

But Ezra wasn't one to just stand by meekly. He wouldn't let any bucketheads stop him from doing what he wanted.

Ezra Bridger was born on the same day the Emperor had been discovered, fourteen years before on the 'defeat of the Empire'. With a lithe frame with dark tan skin, the boy was short for his age due to lack of proper nutrition. He had raven hair that fell just past his thin jaw, and the most unsettling pare of bright, electric blue eyes that seemed like they could see into someones soul. He always wore orange coveralls with grey gloves and sturdy, old boots. He was armed with a slingshot, and even had a piece of armor on his knee (if anyone asked, he 'found' it while exploring).

He was light on his feet, surprisingly athletic for one his age. Capable of scaling the side of a building up to the rooftops, he knew every side alley and secret back way to just about anywhere in Central City. And he was armed with...Well, just good instincts, Ezra supposed. It was weird, sometimes it felt like he knew what was going to happen before it happened, and other times he swore he could hear a soft, lulling hum at the farthest reaches of his mind.

But Ezra never let that stop him. It was just another part of his life, it had always been there, and probably always would be. Besides, he learned to trust his instincts, no matter what.

He often wondered why people had thought the Republic would help them when he was younger. If they were coming, his parents would still be around.

If they were coming...He wouldn't be alone like he was now.

But Ezra wasn't complaining. After so many years, he had adjusted to life on the streets. He'd even gotten a home in the form of an abandoned communication tower a mile or so outside of the city. It was a cozy place, and had an absolutely fantastic view.

He couldn't stay in there forever, though, because he had to eat. And today he actually managed to snag up a small job playing messenger for a small pawn shop on the East side of the city.

Ezra whistled to himself as he strode through the streets, a package under his arm. It was a nice day, with the sun shining and a soft breeze flowing through the city, and everyone was in relatively good spirits. Ezra was glad to have seen no Imperials, they annoyed him to no end and made everything harder.

Of course, his luck was bound to run out.

Turning into the city's main square, Ezra froze when he saw several stormtroopers, all bullying a stall owner. Ezra quickly ducked behind an empty merchant stall, peeking out warily. He knew he should help, but then he'd get in trouble. He was torn as to what he should do, and the humming in his head growing louder didn't help!

In the end, he didn't have to decide.

Just as the vendor was shoved to the ground, someone stepped between him and the troopers, and Ezra felt almost like something in his head clicked into place, and a pleasant, warm tingling took place of the humming.

A tall Human man, dressed in a tunic and loose pants, fixed the stormtroopers with a look as he folded his arms. He had eyes that were blue-green, and brown hair pulled back into a short ponytail. He had a goatee, stern face and tanned skin paired with a muscled frame.

A lightsaber was at his hip.

Ezra's mouth fell open in awe. Was this a Jedi? Or was this man a Sith?

The man- the Jedi? Let his hands fall to his sides hand purposely bumping his lightsaber, bringing the attention of the troopers to the weapon. The soldiers immediately tensed.

"I think you'd better leave these people alone. They're only trying to make a living, treating them like this is just beyond cruel, wouldn't you all agree?"

A silence had fallen over the plaza, many eyes staring at the scene that was going on. Only a few whispers passed about: was this really a Jedi? Was the Republic coming?

Ezra watched as the troopers, obviously afraid, shuffled in place. The man before them snorted in amusement.

"Go on, go tell your commanders that the Republic's here to free Lothal." The stormtroopers hesitated, and so the man raised his voice. "Go!"

The soldiers scattered.

Cheering filled the air, people talking excitedly. They were here! The Republic was going to save them!

Ezra slowly straightened, package still clutched in his hands as he stared at the Jedi. He felt...Weird. Gone, was the hum from earlier, and now he felt tingly, goosebumps pimpling his skin. Something was singing in his bones, and he could hear blood rushing in his ears. Was this how everyone felt around a Jedi? No one else seemed bothered.

The man suddenly tensed, then turned. Ezra gasped, ducking back into cover. He waited until sure that the Jedi had looked away before peering back out. The Jedi had left, going to a side road were a small group of people waited. The group consisted of a Twi'lek woman, an astromech, a woman in painted Mando armor and a tall Lasat male. Ezra watched in wonder as they left down the road.

Then the boy realized something.

That was the road he was supposed to take to deliver the package.

Well, there was no way he was going to take the chance of running into a Jedi, he was...Kind of intimidating.

So that meant he would have to take the long way.

Blast it.

It was well into the afternoon when Ezra finally finished his delivery. By then, dark storm clouds had rolled in, and many people had retreated to the indoors. He was tired, but decently happy now that he had a few dozen credits in his pocket. As he traipsed along the streets of Central City, the boy fantasized of all the food he could get, the daydreams so real that he was beginning to drool. He could almost smell the spiced meat buns from the stall in the west side...

Ezra came to a sudden halt when a humming buzz entered his mind, growing louder and louder, it was almost deafening, he couldn't hear-!

The boy yelped when someone suddenly bumped into him, and his bright eyes flickered up to the offender.

Surprised, green-blue orbs stared back at him.

It was the Jedi.

Ezra was immediately on guard, shoulders hiking high and form tensing as he frowned at the taller man.

The Jedi blinked owlishly, but then his face softened and he offered a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, kid. I wasn't paying attention." He apologized. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." The teen retorted shortly, adjusting his backpack.

Glancing behind the Jedi, Ezra recognized the man's companions as the ones from before. The teen went to speak-

A loud roaring boom of thunder shook the very ground, making them all, even Ezra, jump.

"Karabast!" The Lasat growled, and Ezra shared that sentiment. Storms on Lothal were few and far between, but when there was one? It would always hit hard.

Ezra turned, deciding he would buy food after the storm had passed, when the Twi'lek woman from the group suddenly moved forward.

"Wait!" Ezra hesitantly turned towards her, and she continued. "Do you know where there's an inn, or a place to stay?"

Ezra gave an amused snort.

"You kidding? No one's going to house anyone from the Republic, that's way too dangerous with all those stupid bucketheads everywhere."

The woman's face fell, and Ezra felt an odd, biting sense of guilt. The Jedi spoke up, making Ezra's attention turn to him.

"You sure there's nowhere close? We can pay a good amount of credits."

The word 'credits' made Ezra pause. And, judging by how the Jedi's eyes flashed, he saw this.

"Would your parents mind housing us? Just until the storm passes?"

"Kanan!" The Twi'lek woman snapped, tone scolding. "We can't just go and-"

"How much you willing to pay?"

Ezra's posture had changed now. He was more lax, arms crossed as he stared up at the older beings. The Jedi, Kanan, grinned.

"How's a hundred creds per person sound?"

Ezra tilted his head, considering this.

"...Does the droid count?"

Kanan shrugged, placing a hand on a hip.

"Sure."

Ezra smirked slightly.

"Pay for the speeders to get there and we have a deal."

"Uh, how much does a speeder rental cost?" The young woman in Mando armor asked, sounding dubious. Ezra offered his most innocent smile.

"Only fifty or so creds. We can double up, too. I don't mind being a backseat driver."

The group shared a look, and the Twi'lek offered a shrug that seemed to say 'that does seem fair'. Kanan finally looked back at Ezra and nodded, offering a hand.

"Then it's a deal."

Ezra grinned impishly, shaking the offered hand.

"Deal."