Wow guys. There are no words to describe how excited I've been for this chapter! :D It'll be pretty clear why once you read it. ;D But I won't hold you up! Get reading! It is slightly longer than usual, so I hope you enjoy! ;D

P.S The amount of reviews last chapter blew me away guys! We are officially over 200 reviews! Can you believe it?! :D Seriously, thank you all! Every time one of you reviews, it puts another smile on my face, and thanks to you guys, I had one of the happiest Christmas holidays so far! :D Really, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

Q/A's and Reactions:

Ezraismybae- Poor, heartbroken Ezra. :(

Guest- Thanks for the tip. It should be fixed now! :D

AnimeAngel- I know right! This wait is killing me!

DevilSPR- Dude, wait till you read this chapter. ;D

Guest- I'm so glad to hear that! :D

The Silent Fury- Just warning you. A lot of feels a head too!

Taylor Fireheart- XD Silly Tseebo.

AquaQuadrant- Trust me Aqua. This one is sooooo worth it! :D

SOSI M4G1C- *On Megaphone* "The next ride on the feels train is pulling up to the station, and will be departing while reading this story! Please enjoy the luxury tissues, sob into the nearest person's shoulder and be so shocked that you faint. Thank you for taking the 'feelz train'! Have a nice day." XD

Kavella- You're going to have a surprise when you read this chapter! ;D

Guest- Don't worry. That'll be explained…. *dramatic music* in the next chapter! :D

O- Since I did such a cruel cliff hanger, I made sure the wait wasn't too long. :D

Midnight Luna- Tiger's Inner Fangirl- "Sup! What's shaking?"

Rebels Lover- Aw, I'm sorry. Here, have another hug. *Hugs Rebels-Lover again* How's that? :D And gee, I was wondering if anyone was gonna pick up on the whole 'Zeb was out on the town' thing, but you have amazing observation skills! Ten brownie points for you! :D And yeah, you spelt that right. :D Legacy was super sad. :( I hope you had a Merry Christmas too! :D

Jedi Jelsa777- *Quickly revives Jelsa* You can't die yet! You need to find out what happens first! :D

Court818- I know right? *Glances down into the dark abyss* It's a huge cliffhanger. XD

Ddani121212- *Picks up case and stashes away for later.* ;D

Guest- Of course! :D

TheUltimateAngela- Aw, thank you! That's so nice! :D

Fantasie Adventura Dreamwriter- You'll have to find out! :D *magic sound as I disappear into the shadows mysteriously*

Azulablue92- THE SPELLING IS REAL DUDE! XD

Septimus714- Don't worry dude. Remember, you're talking to the one who's had this whole story's time line planned out from the beginning. I mean, I actually have it written down on a sheet of paper, I'm that serious. XD But you can ease your conscious to know that Kanan and Ezra will not be resolving their problems with the flick of a switch. :D Enjoy the chapter!

Valkyrie Sythe- Wait till you read this chapter! ;D

ZombieSpacePirate- That's probably a very accurate prediction. :D

Guest- Yeah, I've seen the Force Awakens. I totally know what you're going through! :D And I'm glad to hear you like the story. :D

Mana- *Rubs hands together mischievously* Don't worry, I have a really good plan for this chapter. ;D And as for Ahsoka, she'll get revealed later on. :D

Specter 13- Glad I could help. :D

Akamaiwing- Trust me. This chapter is exactly what you're craving then! :D

Schyrsivochter- You'll lucky. I was legitimately proof-reading this chapter when you reviewed. That means you don't have to wait as long as the others did. ;D

Zeb's POV

Laughter bellowed from my friend as the three of us joked around childishly. We were sitting in the booth of a pub, just having a friendly catch up. It had been good so far, and it was fun to see them both again. Charlie had always been a bit of a goofball, his brown, scruffy hair swaying as he laughed, while Jack was more stoic and structured. Though he didn't mind having a chuckle every once and a while.

I had met the two of them a few years ago, and they were both part of our local soccer team too. They were good mates. And they were one of the reason living here on Lothal was so easy, even when I missed home.

Suddenly, my phone began vibrating. I pulled it out of my pocket, saying to my friends "One sec." I pressed the button and held it up to my ear. "Yello?"

"Z-Z-Zeb," Hera's voice rang, the storm disrupting the connection. "C-Ca… ou… h-hear me?"

The noise from the pub also wasn't helping, causing me to plug my other ear with a finger and try to focus in on her voice more carefully. "Hera, you're breaking up," I said. "What's up?"

"Ezra. Ezra ra-a-a-a." The line suddenly cut and was replaced with a static phase.

I groaned, standing up and trying to find a better reception. "What's wrong Zeb?" Jack asked.

I sighed. "I think I might 'ave to go. Something to do with my," I paused, before finishing "Foster brother."

Jack nodded in understanding, while Charlie's expression darkened. "I might have to go too," he stated glumly.

"Come on then," Jack said while moving out of the booth. "Let's get out of here already."

After sorting out the pay, the three of us walked out of the lively pub and out into the grey weather. The storm was still thundering around, flashes of lightning on the horizon. Thankfully, the rain had receded to a light drizzle, the dark clouds moving in the direction of the Ghost. The others were probably copping it more than we were. The cool wind whipped at our faces as I stuffed my hands into my pockets to keep them warm. I started heading back towards the Phantom, gesturing for the other two to follow.

But suddenly, a small kid shoved past us, bumping into me roughly. "Hey! Watch where you're going runt!" Charlie snapped.

The child snarled, their face shadowed by a thick hood. They hastily turned and walked away, but I knew better. With my adopted father being a cop, I knew a lot about pick pockets and other thieves. I instinctively patted my pockets, my eyes widening when realising my wallet was missing. "Get that kid!" I ordered just as the other two twigged on.

They didn't hesitate, bolting after the now sprinting street rat. I took the lead, not caring about the wet cement or splashing puddles as we ran. The child began running faster when he realised we were pursuing him, pushing his weak frame to the brink. He stumbled all the way to the border of the dark side, where Charlie skidded to a halt in exhaustion. "Charlie!" I yelled.

He waved me away, calling through his panting "I'll catch up with ya!"

I hesitated, but nodded. Jack and I began to run after the kid again, winding through different side alleys and cruddy backstreets. Garbage was littered everywhere, homeless orphans and adults hidden away from vision, though obviously watching the intense chase.

Suddenly, the kid chucked back an object which Jack managed to catch. "Zeb, it's your wallet," Jack announced as we ran.

"What'd he take?" I asked.

"Only cash, it seems," he replied, handing me the wallet mid-chase.

I glanced down, and indeed, the kid had only taken the notes of money and a few coins. Jack began to slow his pace, saying "C'mon. We got what we needed."

But I didn't stop, glancing over my shoulder and yelling "Stop if ya want. I'm gonna teach this brat a lesson!"

I turned and continued the chase, and Jack being Jack, he'd probably go back home while still respecting my decision. The rat was losing energy. I could see it in the way he was stumbling. He twisted a corner when I was right on his heels, and with one mighty push from my legs, I tackled the thief onto the wet, cold ground. He yelped in pain, squirming wildly to get out of my firm grasp. "Let this be a lesson for you, runt," I spat.

The kid managed to wriggle one of his arms out of my hold and pressed his hand up to his lips, releasing a long, high-pitched whistle. I raised a brow, not fully understanding what he was doing.

Until suddenly, somewhere not far off, a similar whistle echoed through the air. Then another. And another. Soon the whole sky was filled with a chain reaction of high-pitched whistles. I glanced around warily, growling at the kid underneath me and barking "What's going on?!"

Suddenly, a strong force pushed me onto my side, and before I even had a chance to get up, I was pummelled with punches and kicks. I roared, pushing the closest figure and jolting up onto my feet. With assistance from a flash of lightning, I quickly realised that I was surrounded by a gang of hooded figures, just like the kid. The leader, who was slightly bigger than the rest, stepped forward with his fists clenched. "You're on the wrong side of town, Shiny," he snarled, voice course.

I growled, shifting into a defensive position. "I'll go where I want."

Some of the other figures approached, cracking their knuckles, until the leader raised his hand and silence them all. "No," he ordered. "This one's mine."

The others shrivelled back, allowing the leader full reign. He balanced on the balls of his feet, spine hunched as he circled me like a predator. The rain was still falling down, and a sudden crack of lightning brightened the alley momentarily. The leader took his opportunity, pouncing forward and throwing me to the ground. I tried to punch him, but he had already stepped away, before proceeding to jump on me again and counter with a kick to the stomach. I gasped, the air getting sucked from my lungs as I swung widely at his head. My fist made contact with his jaw, sending him spiralling backwards and onto the ground. I pushed myself up and loomed over the hooded figure just as the others began to step into action.

"Enough!" someone yelled, sending everyone into muffled silence.

A dark figure jumped into the circle, wearing a dull, black cloak with a white stripe down the middle. Their face was shadowed, their stature tall. Everyone in the background bowed their heads, staying completely still and silent as the leader groaned in agony. The new stranger, who was slightly smaller than my opponent, walked over to the man on the ground and offered him a hand. "Getting into more fights, Ghoul?" he asked curiously, the voice vaguely familiar.

The one identified as 'Ghoul' took the stranger's hand reluctantly, getting pulled to his feet. "Back so soon Phantom?" Ghoul asked with a teasing tone, patting the other's back in a friendly gesture.

My eyes widened as the pieces clicked together, before narrowing at the figures with new found identities. "Phantom," I spat, muscles tense and ready for an attack.

Ghoul stepped forward, pushing the Phantom behind him protectively. "Wanna go again, Shiny?" he growled.

"My pleasure," I snapped.

But before either of us could get into another brawl, the Phantom stepped in between us and held his hands out as a divide. "Zeb! Don't!" he yelled.

I froze up, eyes going wide. "How'd you-" But suddenly, that familiar voice came back into play. I thought it had sounded like someone I knew, but only now did I realise who it was.

"E-Ezra?" I gasped, stumbling back.

Phantom didn't reply at first, and murmurs started breaking out from the other gang members. Ghoul growled, asking the Phantom softly "You know this loser?"

The Phantom's breathing became uneven, and after a long, tense pause, he replied "Yeah."

Phantom grasped the brim of his hood, tugging it down just as a streak of lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating his tan skin and drenched blue hair. Those electric orbs stared at me intently, expression unreadable. My mouth hung slack in shock. "Y-You?" I mumbled. "You're the Phantom?!"

But before anyone could murmur another word, the sound of a bird call rung through the air, followed by a car engine from the other end of the street. Ghoul gasped, hissing to the others "Code red! Get to Safe Haven now everyone!"

Nobody questioned his command, scurrying down the alley and branching off in different directions. Within a few seconds, the alley had turned from overly crowded, to practically abandoned. All who was left was Ezra, the Ghoul guy and myself. The sound of the car was getting closer and closer.

"Zeb!" Ezra called, a hint of urgency in his voice. "Come with me."

The words were getting caught in my throat. I was so confused. Everything was happening so fast. Ezra seemed to realise this, approaching carefully and saying "Zeb, I promise I'll explain everything. But we need to get out of here first!"

"W-Why?" I stuttered.

The car was getting closer, and the panic arose in Ezra's eyes. The Ghoul ran to his side, tugging on his shoulder to get him to move. "C'mon Phantom. The cops are patrolling down this street as we speak!" he hissed. "We need to move!"

"Zeb, please!" Ezra pleaded. "I need you to just… trust me… this one time."

I hesitated momentarily, weighing up my options quickly. If that was indeed a police car rolling up, Ezra would probably get thrown in jail. But, he was still part of my family, wasn't he? Even if he was branded as a dangerous criminal to the society, wasn't it our job to fix that? Isn't that the whole point of foster families?

I glanced down at the boy, a layer of desperation glazing over his usually calm eyes. Sighing, I gave a sharp nod and gestured for him to lead. A small smile broke out on Ezra's face as he twisted on his heel and began running down the alley. I bolted after him, holding all my faith in the boy as he and the Ghoul twisted and swerved through different side streets. The sound of the car engine became a distant memory the further we ran, and it seemed as if we were going deeper and deeper into the city's heart.

Tall, grey buildings towered above, the streets becoming narrow and more abandoned by the step. The rain was now beginning to become heavy again, water droplets trickling down my neck and soaking into my clothes. Ezra had raised his hood again, the garment becoming drenched and soggy in the rain.

After almost ten minutes of running, we hit a dead end. There was a large, metal picketed fence, barb wire lining the top with a large dumpster sitting just in front of the fence. I groaned, getting frustrated from my wet clothing sticking to my skin. "It's a dead end!"

Ghoul walked over to the dumpster and jumped in, snarking "Not a very bright one, is he?"

I could feel a scowl pulling at the corner of my lip, but it quickly receded as Ezra jumped in as well. "C'mon Zeb," he urged, waving me over.

"You honestly think I'm gonna jump into a dumpster?" I asked sarcastically.

Ghoul ducked down out of view, but I was surprised when he didn't resurface. I approached cautiously, eyeing Ezra suspiciously. He chuckled lightly, arms resting on the edge of the dumpster. "It's okay Zeb. Trust me," he assured. He turned and ducked out of view, and just like the Ghoul, he didn't return. Slowly, I peered over the side of the old, rusty dumpster. My eyes widened when I realised the corroded hole at the back, which seemed to also go through the thick metal fence too.

So, I jumped over the edge and landed on the rain coated floor, getting down onto my hands and knees and crawling through the small hole. It was a tight squeeze, but I managed to make it through with a little bit of effort. Pushing myself up, I gasped when I was faced with the large clearing at the cross section of four alleys, a large two story building in the centre. But the house was dwarfed by the abandoned structures to all its corners, providing cover from the outside. I realised that the three other alley ways also had metal fences, with rusted holes on each of them. Must be more entry ways.

The wind couldn't reach this little sanctuary, but the rain was still pouring down from above. "Zeb!" someone called. I glanced over at the doors to the house, realising that Ezra was waving me over. "Come get out of the rain."

I quickly ran over to him and made it to the veranda of the house. The loud pitter patter of rain hailed down on the tin roof as Ezra leaned against the doorway, giving me a moment to glance around. "W-What is this place?" I asked softly, awe lining my tone.

Ezra's hood was still down, but he explained "This is the Safe Haven. It's where all of us Spirits, orphans and homeless people alike can go to stay safe in the corrupt city. If they're accepted into the ranks, of course."

I raised a brow. "Ranks?"

Ezra sighed deeply, bowing his head. "Can we talk about this inside?" he asked, already walking into the dark building.

"Wait!" I called, running after him. "I still 'ave questions!"

I realised immediately how cold it was inside, only slightly warmer than outside. I shivered, my damp clothes only exaggerating the temperature. The large room, which was most likely the lounge room as some point, was lit dimly by small candles, and there seemed to be no power in the building. There were small murmurs from the corner of the room, and I twisted around to see older teenagers, maybe 17 to 18 years old, staring at me from a small, circular table. I could feel their gazes burning into my skull as they watched intently, causing me to shift uncomfortably. "Hey," Ezra called, while pulling something out of a cupboard. "Go back to your business."

At first I wasn't sure if Ezra was talking to me, but the group of boys turned back to their game of cards instead, chatting casually and acting as if nothing had happened. "Don't mind them," Ezra murmured as he handed me a towel. It was pretty worn, and the fluffy cotton had become hard and dry from so much use, the colours fading away. I stared at it in displeasure, Ezra pulling back his soaked hood to reveal his face. He raised a brow, using an almost identical towel to wipe his face. "What? Not all of us have luxury towels like you," he snarked.

I sighed, finally obliging and using the towel to wipe my face. Ezra was ringing out his cloak as he began to make his way to a nearby table. "Ezra, wait," I said. "We have to talk."

Ezra sighed, pausing in his tracks. He twisted around, face stern as he said "Okay, one. Around here, you'll call me Phantom. Two, you won't disrespect anyone in the Safe Haven. You are our 'guest' as they say, and you are to act like a guest in our home. Understood?"

I was taken back by the large amount of authority in his voice, a new, mature side I had never seen in the boy finally surfacing. And the way he held himself… it was the complete opposite of when he was at the Ghost. With his chin held high and his back straight, his shoulders were broad and he stood like someone who demanded respect. He was the top dog in his territory, and he made sure everyone knew about it.

I nodded numbly to his request, not really sure if there was any other way to answer. Ezra's expression softened, and he turned around and continued back for the table. I watched curiously as he pushed the table across the floor, revealing a tunnel in the ground with a ladder down. My eyes widened. "Wow. You're full of surprises today."

Ezra smirked, climbing down through the hole and adding "You have no idea."

I followed after him, moving down through the darkness. "Hey Ez… I mean, Phantom," I called, my voice echoing. "There's still a lot ya have to explain to me though."

I stepped down one more rung and realised I'd hit solid ground. Turning around, I realised that we had made it to a secret basement of some sort. The room was dimly lit with candle sticks, but it was much lighter than upstairs. I watched in awe as Ezra stepped into the middle of the room, figures starting to shift and move from all sides. Small children, mothers, adults and teenagers alike were all lying on the ground, perking up when they saw Ezra. A small boy ran up to Ezra and hugged his leg tightly.

Ezra laughed, picking him up and twirling him in the air playfully. The boy laughed as his sister ran up and watched from below. I realised that they were actually the two siblings that Ezra had given a loaf of bread to on his first day of school. I strolled over cautiously.

Ezra smiled, placing the boy down and ruffling his grimy blonde hair. "Did Mister bring any food?" the child asked hopefully.

Ezra's expression became pained. "No, sorry kiddo. Next time, maybe," he encouraged.

The sister hugged her brother fiercely, a smile that wasn't there when I first saw her on the street lining her lips. "Uh, thank you… Phantom," the girl murmured sheepishly. "We are so grateful… for you taking us in."

Ezra smiled, bending down so they were eye level. He stared at the two with caring, stern orbs, expression serious. "You two are just important to this world as anyone else. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise," Ezra said, before pulling the two tightly into his embrace. The children hugged him back, grinning wildly at their leader.

Something glowed deep within as I watched. It was such a heart-warming thing to see, and it was something normal citizens would probably never witness.

Ezra released the kids as they ran off and jumped on part of an old, worn mattress. I nudged Ezra's shoulder, whispering "Ez… I mean, Phantom. We still needa talk."

He sighed, turning to face me. "Okay. Shoot."

I frowned, starting "Firstly, can you explain all of… this to me?"

Ezra nodded, stepping back slightly and gesturing to everyone in the room. "These are the Spirits… well… some of them," he explained. "Those in our ranks drift in and out of the Safe Haven."

"Wait. Explain these 'Ranks' to me," I stepped in.

"Well, we accept anyone in need of help," Ezra said. "We usually survey them for a long time, making sure they have no other allegiances and will be loyal to the Spirits. In that case, they are given the option to join the ranks. But, they have to be accepted by either me, or the Ghoul. Then, those who possess valuable skills are placed as Spectres. Those are the ones that busk, borrow and provide to keep this place running."

"And by 'borrow' you mean?" I probed, a brow arched.

Ezra chuckled lightly, shaking his head gently. "I think you get the point."

I sighed. "Kanan's not gonna be happy when he finds out about this."

Ezra's attitude took a 180 degree turn, his expression hardening and jaw clenching. "Yeah, well, he's not gonna find out," he spat. "Cause you're not going to tell him."

"What?!" I exclaimed. "I can't do that!"

Everyone in the room began to shift, a thick tension lacing the air. But Ezra raised a hand to calm them all, before turning back to me and saying "You'd better not. Otherwise all of these guys, who have done nothing wrong, will get thrown into jail."

I frowned. "You don' know that. They might just let 'em go," I reasoned.

"Oh yeah? Then what'll happen? They'll get a luxurious penthouse on the coast? No!" he snapped. "They'll get thrown back onto the streets, going all the way back to square one! That's the whole point of the Spirits. To protect those who need it most!"

I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. "Well you at least have to tell Kanan," I argued.

Ezra scoffed. "Yeah, bright one. Let's tell the cop who's specifically searching for me."

"He's gonna find out at some point," I pointed out.

His eyes narrowed, muttering "Hasn't for the past 7 years. As if he'll find out now."

My eyes widened. "You've been doing this for seven years?" I gawked.

A low rumble sounded in his throat, his arms crossed defensively like usual. "Yeah, and that isn't about to change," he retorted.

"But Kanan will understand," I reasoned. "He'll try to help you-"

Ezra's short fuse went off, and he suddenly barked "Well I don't give a damn about that stuck up idiot! He and the rest of the police force can go-"

"Phantom!" a new voice intervened.

I turned around to face the hooded Ghoul, who strode forward with a confident swagger. "Phantom," he repeated softly, words slow and deliberate. "Not, here."

Ezra growled, shouldering his way past me and the Ghoul towards the ladder. The anger was fuming off him in waves, and it sent a tremor throughout everyone in the room. Small children snuggled up to blankets or toys fearfully, while those who partially understood the conversation were observing nervously. Ezra climbed the ladder and disappeared out of view, leaving the room silent, and full of tension.

Ghoul sighed deeply, saying "Don't worry. He'll cool off eventually."

I nodded slowly, turning to face the teenager who was probably around 17 years old. I cleared my throat, asking "It's Ghoul, right?"

He nodded sharply. "Ghoul. Second in command. Kinda has a nice ring to it eh?" he snickered.

"Forgive me, but I've never heard of you," I replied.

"That's cause there's no way to fully identify me when I'm around," he explained. "You see, each of us field Spectres have a brown cloak. My brown cloak means I can blend in with the others without being noticed. Phantom is the only one who has a distinct appearance."

I frowned. "I don't like calling him that," I murmured.

The Ghoul didn't do anything for a long moment, but I could feel his gaze boring deep into my soul. Finally, he moved his hand up to his hood and tugged it down, revealing earthy dark skin and ragged brown hair. A set of large, turquoise eyes studied me intently, his expression firm and suspicious. "Phantom is very…. Touchy, about people knowing his name. Me on the other hand," he chuckled. "When we're not in public, you can call me, Max."

I arched a brow, but nodded, replying "The name's Zeb."

Max smirked, saying "So I finally get to meet the 'o so brotherly' Zeb."

I tilted my head slightly in confused. "What?"

He began walking towards the ladder, gesturing for me to follow. "That's all Phantom could go on about when he first came back a few days ago. Foster family this. Foster family that," he drawled.

"Whoa, really?" I asked in shock.

He nodded, climbing up the first rung. "Yeah. Somethin' like a lady who was really kind, and this girl who was really friendly, as well as this guy that's a cop, but was nice…. Or something like that."

I was pretty amazed. While at the Ghost, Ezra didn't usually seem like he was happy to be there. Like having to cooperate with anyone was just a boring chore. But hearing that was reassuring that we were at least doing something right.

"But," Max added. "Seems like there's something bothering him today."

I frowned. "Yeah… I guess…"

We finally made it out of the tunnel and back to the ground floor, a loud crack of lightning sounding outside. "Ghoul," someone called as three boys of varying age ran over. The oldest one had a dark expression as he held out a bag to Max. "We counted it up, and we only raised 10 bucks. I'm sorry, but the storm messed everything up," he explained drearily.

Max sighed, expression softening. "Winter's taking its hit this year. Thank you though. If it's still raining tomorrow, you don't have to busk."

The boys nodded, before scurrying off to the underground bunker. I watched as Max held the bag carefully in his palm, eyes haunted and mouth pulling into a thin line. Suddenly, he snapped out of his trance, glancing at me from the corner of his eye before stuffing the pouch into his pocket.

"You okay?" I asked instinctively.

He nodded, replying blankly "Yeah… just… got a lot on my mind."

I paused, allowing a long silence to settle between us. Suddenly, Max began walking for a nearby door, causing me to follow him quickly. He pulled out some kind of key card, jamming it into a slot with a click. The door swung open and we entered what once was a kitchen. A cheap plastic table lay in the middle of the room, different papers with crudely drawn sketches and paperwork lying on the counter.

Max sifted through some of the papers as I asked "So, how do you know Ezra?"

Max turned to face me more directly, eying me cautiously, before explaining "I've known him for many years. Since he was seven, actually. Poor kid had run away from an abusive foster family a few months prior when I took him under my wing."

"Abusive?" I repeated numbly.

Max nodded, turning back to sorting through the sheets of paper. "Yeah. Deep cuts on his arms, and belt whips on his back. He'd also had an infection at some point from being burnt. Pretty bad, but it's common," he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Common?" I snapped, partially defensive. "That's horrible! It's wrong and-"

"Inhuman? Cruel? Sick?" Max cut me off, raising his tone. He glared at me with piercing aqua eyes, stating bluntly "That's exactly what it is. But it happens all the time, and the cops and government don't care. So if you think you've got a chance to stop it, Hotshot, be my guest."

I didn't reply as he quickly turned back to his own business. "Sorry," I mumbled.

Max perked up, a shocked expression on his face. "What?"

I sighed. "I said, sorry. Everything is just… happening so fast. I don't think I really understand anything," I admitted, bowing my head.

That all too familiar silence descended upon us again. After an awkwardly long moment, Max's expression softened, and he lent against the counter top. He inhaled sharply. "I found Ezra one morning when he was searching through a dumpster," he started with a sigh. "The kid was bony and reeked of something awful, and his clothes were tattered and worn. I decided to share some of my rations with him, and I don't think I'd ever seen a child smile so widely."

"He was only about seven and a half at that time, and I was only nine. That's when I decided to make him my responsibility, caring and providing for both of us," he explained as I took a seat on a squeaky, old stool. "At the age of eight, Ezra wanted to share that same kindness that I had extended to him to everyone else that was homeless. So, he started stealing from rude or impulsive store owners and gave it to the less fortunate. Thing is, that started to spark the interest of the police."

"They eventually caught him and sent him back to the orphanage. And when no one wanted him, they just passed him on to the nearest foster home. Just so happened they were very… neglectful, let's say," Max continued, his tone darkening at the last part. "But, after a few weeks, me, and a few of Ezra's street friends came and broke him out. Ezra decided that from then on, he'd make some sort of pact. A gang almost. He said he'd call us the Spirits, and that it was our job to help those who were poor, or like him, in need of someone to run to."

"Over the years, the schemes became more elaborate, and the gang began to grow. Ezra took it upon himself to lead everyone, while I took care of the planning and otherwise. It was starting to get more dangerous every day, the attention of the police growing and growing. Together, Ezra and I formulated a series of calls and codes that could signal different meanings. It really did help, but the group was still unorganised. We had no base. No stable shelter or income."

"So, Ezra cut a deal with a local named Lando, who owned this abandoned building and was willing to keep the secret and the monthly rent gladly, at a price, of course. Ezra then got everyone to meet up and pitch in, setting in different outposts around the area and helping to fix the crumbling house. Soon, we were fully operational," he announced with a grin. But his smile quickly faded. "But you see, this Lando is intent on getting his cash. So every month, us Spectres have to busk, trade, sell or steal whatever necessary to keep this place up and running, while also providing food, water and clothes for those under our care. Winter is always the hardest time of the year, because we are practically forced to start stealing and we just barely scrape enough money for the rent. Not to mention this place is freezing in the winter. So, you can see why having the cops on our tail all the time can make for some drastic decisions."

Max paused, giving me a moment to soak it all in. "Wow," I murmured. "I…. never realised it was that complicated. I always just thought… ya know…. That you were criminals, like the Imps."

Max nodded in understanding. "Many people think that. That's why we just stick to ourselves. It's… easier, that way."

My brows furrowed. "So Ezra… he's taking care of all these people…. And stealing… because all those people will die if he doesn't…" I rasped, voice hitching slightly.

Max nodded. "Sounds like a lot of pressure for a kid like him, doesn't it?"

"I just…. It's just he never seems like he's stressed when he's with us," I said. "He always acts so calm and relaxed. I never could've imagined that he was the head of such an organised group."

Max hummed in agreement, replying "He's good at concealing things. Been doing it for almost 8 years. But, it does still take its toll on him. Especially at this time of year."

I sighed, holding my head in my hands. It was still a lot to process, but I think I was finally understanding. Now, instead of the feeling of disappointment and betrayal, I felt guilt and sympathy settle in my stomach. I glanced up at Max, asking "Can I speak to him?"

His lips drew into a thin line, and his muscles tensed. "You think he'll want to speak to you?" he probed, a brow arched suspiciously.

I stood and nodded sharply. "Certain," I replied.

He glanced over me quickly with narrowed eyes, measuring my trustworthiness. Finally, his expression relaxed and he gestured towards a ladder in the far corner of the room. I bowed my head graciously, running over to the ladder and reaching to climb up. "Hey Hotshot," Max called, his eyes showing a different emotion to his small smirk. "Take care of him."

I blinked slowly, before nodding my head and making my way up the ladder. The air was stale on this level, and the only light was from a small window on the back wall. I could see the dust particles whip past my face as I pushed myself onto my feet, glancing around the dark room curiously. In one corner, there was a hammock strung up, with a few cardboard boxes beside it. Small objects that I couldn't identify were sitting on top of the boxes, as well as a small, white candle stick.

Suddenly, I heard a muffled sob from behind, causing me to twist on my heel and stare at the shadowed figure. Just like the other side, there was a hammock and a few boxes acting as a makeshift table. But this time, there was someone sitting in the hammock. I approached slowly as the figure released small, raw sobs, their face pressed into their hands. Not wanting to surprise the boy, I cleared my throat loudly.

Ezra glanced over his shoulder, blue, teary eyes wide and alert. When he saw me, he quickly wiped away his tears and struggled to conceal his emotions. I rounded the hammock so I was in front of him, bending down so we were eye level. "What'd you want?" he croaked, voice hitching.

I sighed, gently ushering his fumbling hands out of the way and using my thumb to wipe the tears streaks off his cheeks, relieved when he didn't protest. He stared at me intently, eyes welling and bottom lip trembling slightly. "Ezra," I spoke softly, grasping his shoulders. "I'm sorry."

He looked surprised at first, but I continued "I never realised how much you go through. I always just thought you were an orphan with no care for anyone else, but I was wrong. Now I know that you're a very selfless, brave kid, who's just tryin' ta protect those he cares about. And… I'm sorry."

The boy sniffled, blinking a few times, before replying "Thank you, Zeb. I know sometimes I'm very reclusive and snappy, but, that's just how I'm used to working. I keep secrets, to stop those I like from getting hurt. And I act like a lone wolf, cause I don't want anyone else to get involved if they don't have to. It's just the way I am… it's the way I've always been."

I smiled. "An' that's not a bad thing, kid."

Ezra sighed, inhaling sharply and combing a hand through his hair. "You know, it's not easy… being the Phantom," he murmured. "I'm known to the world as a crime lord. I've got an enormous price tag on my head. Even Kanan thinks I'm some aggressive, teenage street rat with a gang to rally behind him."

"But the Spirits like you," I pointed out.

He let slip a pained, tense chuckle, saying "Exactly. They look up to me for all the answers. And that's a lot of pressure. Sometimes, I don't know what to do. They just think everything's perfect for me, and that I have everything sorted out. But I don't. I'm just…" He trailed off, eyes going vacant.

I sighed, standing up and sitting beside him on the hammock. The frame let out a whine from the extra weight, the cloth dipping a lot further, but it did not break. Once I was certain it was stable, I turned to Ezra and said "Look kid. You're puttin' a lot of pressure on yourself. That's not healthy. All of us have had hard times, but you can't keep forcing yourself to live two separate lives. You have to tell Kanan."

Ezra opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off when my phone started ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at the number, realising Hera was trying to contact me again. The storm had receded slightly, so I assumed Hera was finally able to get a connection. I glanced at Ezra warily, before accepting the call and holding the phone up to my ear. "Yeah, Hera. This is Zeb," I murmured softly.

Ezra perked up, the concern and fear flooding into his eyes. "Zeb. This is Hera. Can you hear me?" she asked over the line.

"Uh, yeah, yeah. I can hear you," I replied.

"Good. Ezra ran away about half an hour ago. Have you seen him?" she asked, a tone of desperation in her voice.

My eyes widened. "He… uh… rana way, did he?" I stuttered, gazing at Ezra from the corner of my eye. "May I ask why?"

"Well, he had a fight with Kanan and… it's complicated," she sighed heavily. "Have you seen him?"

Ezra was shaking his head rapidly, expression pleading me not to answer. But, I knew deep down what I had to say. "Yeah. He's right here with me."

Ezra's eyes widened, and Hera gasped in surprise. "Really?! That's great! Bring him back to the Ghost immediately," she ordered

"Actually," I intervened. "Ezra and I are just gonna wait out the rest of the storm at my mate's place. It'll be safer that way."

I knew I had her at 'safer'. Hera was always one for taking the careful option, especially when it came to children under her care. So, I wasn't surprised when she sighed and said "Okay, okay. Come back once the storm is over, okay?"

"Maybe we should just wait till morning," I urged with a sly grin.

"Wait, what? Why-"

"Thanks Hera! See ya in the morning!" I interrupted, ending the phone call before she even had a chance to protest. I chuckled, switching the phone to silent mode and saying "There. That'll keep her off our skins till tomorrow."

I glanced at Ezra, who was watching me with wide eyes. "You… didn't tell her," he murmured.

I nodded slowly. "I know that this is a very serious situation. Many lives are at stake. So, I'm not gonna tell the others…"

Ezra sighed in relief, exclaiming "Thank you Zeb! You have no idea-"

"On one exception," I added.

Ezra groaned, rolling his eyes. "Of course," he muttered.

"On the exception that you'll come back to the Ghost and stay there," I said firmly.

The boy crossed his arms and glanced away. I just shrugged. "It's a simple trade. Your secret, for staying at the Ghost. Easy," I reasoned.

Ezra muttered something faintly under his breath, before gazing at me from the corner of his eye. I raised a brow. "Do we have a deal?" I asked, holding my hand out.

His eyes narrowed, a long moment passing between us as a conflict raged on in those blue orbs. Until finally, he caved in and groaned. "Fine," he said exasperatedly, grasping onto my hand and shaking it harshly.

I smiled. "Good. Now," I started. "Would ya like to fill me in on this little 'fight' you had with Kanan?"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Giant bombshell huh?!

How many of you were expecting that? How many of you weren't? I know a bunch of you were starting to twig on in chapter 8, and I was so amazed at some of the detail you guys went into. Like, Jedi Jelsa777, you even guess the whole 'little girl and her brother' thing from chapter 4! It really amazed me!

So I knew I had to throw you all off the track with chapter 10. ;D But hey, Ezra lied because he had to, technically speaking. As if he'd tell the guy, who he'd only known for about 5 days remember, and was also the cop in charge of tracking him down and arresting him. That'd be silly. So of course Ezra fibbed with the whole 'I don't really know that much' line. ;D Sneaky, just like me!

But anyways, I was wondering if I should split this up into two chapters. But then I was like "That'll be cruel leaving them on the second cliff hanger in a row", so I made it one, long chapter with a whole bunch of plot! :D Seriously, this is one of the most important chapters in the whole story, and I can't wait to see what you all think!

So tell me what you thought about it in the reviews! I'd love to hear what you think! ;D Have a great day and a happy new year everyone! May the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger