Chapter 2: Two Idiots and a Crown

Zeb and Kanan were dodging guards. This was all Kanan's idea. He wanted to steal the crown that belonged to the Lost Prince to cell on the black market, particularly Cikatro Vizago. It could get him and Zeb out of Lothal and a way to a new life. The moment Kanan learned that the kid was taken from his parents made Kanan sick. He too had been taken from his birth parents when he was younger until he was saved by Depa Billaba and raised by her until her untimely death.

However, Zeb hated this idea. There was more than one problem. They were being chased by Ahsoka Tano, a girl who was apprenticed by General Skywalker.

Believe them when they say, being outwitted by a girl younger than them was kind of insulting someone younger than them.

"Have we lost them?" Kanan asked. Zeb glared at the twenty-eight-year-old.

"Not yet," said Zeb. Kanan looked at the Lasat before looking at the two wanted posters.

"Oh, come on!" Kanan hissed. His nose was crooked. He looked at Zeb. "Is my nose really that crooked."

"Who cares Kanan, we have to run because of your idea," Zeb hissed. "And yes, it does, you idiot!" The Lasat grabbed Kanan by his armored arm. However, they found themselves unable to outrun Tano and her guards.

"We're screwed!" Kanan hissed. Their enemies were coming from the left and the right.

"Not if we split up!" Zeb insisted. "Go that way and I'll go this way."

"Wait!" Kanan grabbed his friend's arm. "How are we going to find each other?"

Zeb began to speak when he saw Tano gaining on them.

"No time to answer! Go!'

Zeb ran, calling the guards to come get him. Ahsoka stopped her horse and looked at her men.

"Captain Rex, take your men and follow Orrelios," Ahsoka commanded. She glared at the path Kanan went down. "I'll deal with Jarrus. And be careful! You don't know what these outlaws will do."

"Roger that, sir," Rex said, winning towards his goddaughter. Ahsoka smiled before rearing her horse, Fulcrum, the way Kanan was going. Meanwhile, the orphan turned outlaw Kanan caught his breath, Ring to lean back on green curtain of Vines. However, Kanan did not fall behind on a rocky layer. He just fell through. Kanan looked and saw he was in a cove. However, he remained behind a set of rocks. He saw shadows of Fulcrum and Ahsoka. However, she just couldn't find him. It was true because he was hiding in a cave behind a curtain of grassy vines.

Ahsoka sighed. "Alright come on Fulcrum," she set her horse off and pat the horse on his neck. "Good boy." She praised her horse. "We gave him a good chase. Yes, you did."

She clicked her tongue and braced him forward to find that blasted thief.

Kanan looked through the cover and there he saw a tall tower, about thirty to forty feet. He heard Fulcrum whinnying from a distance. However, he was not worried about Ahsoka or Fulcrum finding him. Instead, he was more worried for Zeb. Now, He knew Zeb could take care of himself but he would never stop worrying. They've been through everything together and they got in trouble together. Taking out his knives, Kanan climbed up.

Finally, at the top, he was free to breathe.

"Finally," he muttered, opening the bag. "Just got to stay here until Tano and that wretched horse are..."

Up from behind, Ezra approached the intruder with a frying pan in hand and instantly knocked him out. The boy shrieked before putting up a chair in front of him. However, he blinked. Ezra had never seen an adult human before. Maul didn't count because he was a Zabrak but still, Ezra was afraid of him. Caleb hissed at Kanan before gesturing to his mouth. Slowly, Ezra took the handle of his pan and opened Kanan's mouth to a smile. The man has no pointed teeth. Without no other option Ezra took what Strength he had and quickly stuffed Kanan in his wardrobe and put the back of the chair up against the handle to prevent Kanan from falling.

"Okay calm down Ezra, just calm down," Ezra muttered to himself. He looked in a mirror. "I have a man in my closet." Then, an idea came to Ezra's mind. He smiled. "I got a man in my closet!" Suddenly, Caleb looked at Ezra with a raised eyebrow. Ezra raised an eyebrow then smiled, coming down next to Caleb and petting him on the head. "This will prove to Father I am more than capable of taking care of myself."

Ezra looked in the background and saw a crown on the ground. He gently lifted the silver crown that had blue jewels on it. It was more of a circlet but, Ezra felt a strange connection to it. He looked in the mirror before placing it on his head. As he looked at his reflection, Ezra saw that the crown suited him. However, Caleb disagreed, shaking his head before rubbing up against Ezra's legs and walking over his bare feet.

"EZRA!" Ezra woke up from the brief shock. He quickly threw the satchel and crown into a nearby pot and rushed to the window and saw that it was Maul who was shouting at him. "Son, I have called you at least fourteen times!"

"Sorry Father, it's just, I got something to show you and I lost track of time!" Ezra shouted. He took the long blond hair and threw it down like normal before pulling his father up into the tower.

"You have surprise? I've got something better," Maul said.

"I seriously doubt it," Ezra muttered before pulling his father through the window.

"I've decided to make you something you always loved. Meiloorun for some jam and bread, and later," he showed Jogans. "Jogan stew. Your favorite."

"Actually, Father, I just wanted to talk to you about the lights for a minute," Ezra began going to the wardrobe. However, Maul glared at Ezra, daring him not to bring it up.

"I thought we already discussed this, Ezra," Maul said, raising his non-existent eyebrow.

"No, seriously father, trust me," Ezra began, his hand landing on the chair.

"Ezra," Maul began.

"No seriously," Ezra began.

"Ezra." Maul hissed through his teeth, growing angrier.

"Seriously, this will show you," Ezra began.

"ENOUGH WITH LEAVING, EZRA BRIDGER!" Maul shouted, pointing an accusing finger at his 'son.' "YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO LEAVE THIS TOWER!"

The boy's mouth opened in shock, and his face overall morphed into a hurt expression. Maul looked at his son's face and realized he had hurt Ezra's feelings.

"Great," Maul muttered, falling onto the chair. "I yell at my son, which makes me the bad guy!"

Ezra shook his head. "No father, I just wanted...' Ezra looked up at the painting of him watching the lights and sighed. "I just wanted to tell you what I wanted for my birthday."

Maul looked up to Ezra.

"Paints from the shores of Garel," Ezra said with a smile. Maul looked at Ezra with what appeared to be a sadden look.

"Ezra, you know that will take at least three days," Maul said. "I will miss your birthday tomorrow."

"I know, but it will be worth it if you get me paints," Ezra said, sitting down next to his father and putting his hand on Maul's arm. At first, the Zabrak tensed at the sudden feeling of the boy's hand then nodded, patting Ezra's hand.

"Alright, my son, if it's what you want," Maul gripped Ezra's chin gently, "then it is what you shall get." The boy smiled.