Different But The Same

Chapter 10

Side note - in this story, the Intruder has never been seen or heard from/of by anyone except the Ghost crew who had a few run in's with them. They evidently escaped every time before anyone got seriously injured.

Now on with the story....

Silently, Ezra managed to sneak into the twins bedroom and spotted a hooded figure where he sensed - near the window next to Luke's bed. Instead of igniting his lightsaber, he used the blaster feature and aimed at the intruder "who are you??" the teen asked in a calm voice that seemed rather deadly. Whoever was under the hood spoke, chuckling at first "oh, I think you know...Ezra Bridger" okay, so they knew who the boy was...but how?? And why did the male voice sound so....familiar?? It was on the top of his tongue!! The figure slowly spun around as he removed the hood; Ezra felt his eyes widened with horror "what?! No...it can't be!!" he exclaimed. At this moment, Anakin chose to shoot through the door, lightsaber ignited and at the ready for a fight; he looked between the intruder and Ezra - who looked as if he had seen a ghost. "Who in the force are you?! And what are you doing in my home?!" he yelled, making the person chuckle even more "I'm afraid time if short and I have to go" he stated before turning towards the teenager "but don't you worry, we'll see each other soon enough Ezra Bridger" and with that, he jumped out of the window. Ezra tried to blast the intruder but it was no use, he was gone; they raced over to the open window to see that guy zooming away on a speeder. Anakin closed and locked the window as the boy, who still looked stunned, began to pace back and forth. 

"Okay, care to explain who that guy was and how you know him??" the man asked as he folded his arms across his chest; it seemed his request fell upon deaf ears and the teen began to mumble to himself "no, it can't be?!" it seemed he was trying to work something out. It confused the Jedi master further "Ezra...kid??" it was no use, the boy was too focused on his own thoughts. They returned to the living area and informed the worried wife and kids that the intruder was gone "what if he comes back?!" Leia asked with fear in her voice; Ezra finally spoke "he won't come back here, I promise" it seemed to do the trick as the brother and sister ran off to play in their room. Padme noticed how the boy was acting and spoke her concern, as well as asking her questions "who was it?? And what's wrong Ezra??" the teen sighed as he rubbed his forehead "he's...someone from my universe....an enemy I guess you could say" he shook his head as he mumbled "but....how is he here??". The couple shared a look of worry "who was he Ezra??" Anakin asked, more determined to get an answer this time, especially if whoever the intruder was an enemy "it doesn't matter, he'll only be coming after me....you're family is safe" the teen tried to reassure. Padme didn't like the sound of that "why doesn't it?? If what you say if true, then our friend is in danger" her husband agreed; Ezra couldn't hold back the next sigh "because this is fight, not yours....I have to deal with this guy on my own". 

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose as he too sighed "look kid....you know I have to tell the council about this, they'll want and need to know so I need to know who that guy was" he paused for a moment before speaking again "and I know your family will want to know too". He was right of course. Ezra sighed as he stood from his seat on the sofa "fine, tell them" he thought of the right words to say "...tell them that....that Maul is here" and with that, he returned to his room. Anakin nodded before making his way into his office to contact the Jedi council, Padme left the home as she had many meeting to attend to and the twins continued to play in their rooms with their hundreds of toys.

Back at the temple, the council were listening to Anakin explain what had happened only ten minutes ago. "Ezra said to say that Maul is here" he added "I don't know who this Maul guy is but he's definitely bad news" Anakin finished with a sigh; all of the Master's were deep in thought. "Strange, this is" Master Yoda stated "speak with the Ghost crew, we must" he was right - if Ezra knew who the intruder was then surely the rest of his family would too. As if on cue, the doors opened to reveal the leader and Captain on said crew "sorry to intrude Masters, but we were hoping to see if Ezra was okay" Hera asked, followed by Kanan "I felt worry and fear through our bond and was worried something was wrong". Master Jinn smiled at the two before beginning to explain "nonsense, your timing is perfect actually" he reassured "this morning, an intruder broke into the Skywalker's home" the couples eyes widened with horror and worry "if everyone okay?? Is Ezra okay?! Who was it?!" Kanan asked with concern; his previous master chuckled as she spoke "calm yourself Kanan, they are all fine" that earned two sighs of relief "no one was hurt but Ezra seemed to know who the intruder was" that earned two looks of confusion - Ezra knew no one from this universe other then the masters and Anakin's family. Master Windu spoke this time "he told Anakin to tell us that 'Maul is here', we hoped you would be able to explain" both leader and Captain's eyes widened as they shared a look of horror and worry once again; Kenobi raised a brow "and by the looks of it, you do know who this Maul is??" he asked earning a nod from the man. They all sat down as Kanan began to explain "we've bumped into him a few times...he's also after Ezra for the same reason as Vader" that earned some worried looks "...Maul was one known as...as Darth Maul".