Chapter Five – Jedi
Jedi Temple, Coruscant
"Jesop, for the last time you will not be going to the under city to find that boy," said Zhar Lestin, Jedi Master and Twi'lek. "Please do not ask again. You are less than two years away from your trials and have much to study and work on to prepare. Keep your mind focused on that and you will not have time to concern yourself about this young boy we have all heard about. He has done nothing so far to warrant Jedi involvement and we have plenty else to deal with."
Jesop, a young human male, was Zhar's padawan and was currently twenty-one years of age. The two were talking as they walked down to the training room for another session between master and student. Jesop had been asking Zhar for weeks to be allowed to seek out this Harry Potter kid. He wanted to know everything about him. If he were as powerful as they say, then he would be one great study.
"Yes, Master Lestin," replied Jesop, "I will not ask again."
"Thank you."
The two continued toward the training room.
That does not mean I will not seek him out as soon as I can though, thought Jesop.
Jesop is a very gifted padawan, thought Zhar, and he will go far. He just has this insatiable desire for knowledge, always eager to learn more. He constantly asks to seek out this young boy with great powers. I am sure he will at the first opportunity, no matter how much I try to dissuade him.
They reached the training room.
"For our training session today we will work on lightsaber skills first and transition into using Force powers after that," announced Master Lestin.
"Yes, Master," replied Jesop.
"Prepare yourself," said Lestin while igniting his lightsaber using training mode.
Training mode would give you a bit of a sting but otherwise not hurt you. Jesop ignited his lightsaber in training mode about the same time and immediately attacked his master as fast as he could move. Lestin quickly blocked Jesop's attack and pushed him back when their lightsabers clashed.
"Interesting attack my young padawan. You would not happen to be upset with me about not allowing you to seek out the boy, would you?"
"Oh, no master, I would never disrespect you in that way. I was merely trying to get the upper hand for once." Jesop grinned at his master.
Master Lestin smiled at his padawan then flew into his own attack, flipping himself high in the air before coming down strong on his padawan. Jesop parried and moved out of the way of his master's powerful attack. They continued to parry each other for some time. Their lightsabers moving at incredible speeds, so fast they were mostly a blur.
After some time, they started incorporating Force powers to go along with their lightsaber duel. Jesop did a pretty good job of keeping up with his master who was determined to put his padawan through his paces. He was considered, after all, their most talented padawan. Although, Jesop's best friend at the academy came in a close second.
After several minutes, they decided to take a breather and go over the moves they used during the sparring. They discussed the techniques used and the transitions from one to the next to counter their opponent's technique. Which was better? Should another technique have been used instead? They discussed this for a while so Jesop continued to learn and improve.
oOo
Two years later…
Harry, now age sixteen, was at the restaurant doing his customary walk through, greeting the customers, and allowing them to see him. He had quite the reputation by now and it was good for business for him to meet and greet people that came to eat there.
His droid, OP3C, had taught him several other languages so Harry would sometimes converse with the guests in their native tongue, impressing them even more.
He was talking at a table with some regulars when he spotted a man sitting at another table dressed in a brown robe with his hood up. From the way he looked, Harry thought he might be a Jedi. Having never met one before, Harry excused himself and headed toward the stranger a little excited, hoping he was indeed a Jedi. He had always wanted to meet one. He had read everything he could find on them, admiring their abilities and devotion. He considered them heroes.
He was about halfway there when the customer at the table next to the Jedi pulled a blaster and fired it at Harry. Harry quickly reached with his hand and plucked the blaster fire right out of the air using a hand-sized shield. As he did that he saw a bright blue light in the shape of a sword swing and cut right through the blaster and a couple of the guys fingers.
The man yelled as the blaster landed on the floor in two pieces. He then just sat there looking at his two missing fingers. Harry waved his hand at the man and stunned him. He fell out of his chair and over onto the floor.
"Did you kill him?" asked the Jedi.
"No, I just knocked him out. I can revive him later. Are you a Jedi?"
"Almost. I finished my last trial down here and wanted to meet the famous Harry Potter before heading back to the temple. You are Harry Potter, right?"
"Yes. You wanted to meet me? I've always wanted to meet a Jedi. You guys are incredible!"
"From what I've heard and just saw Harry, you are quite incredible yourself. My name is Jesop and it is my great pleasure to meet you Harry."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Jesop. Let me send this guy on his way and then we can talk, if you don't mind?"
"Not at all, Harry. Do you need a hand?"
"No. I've got it but you're welcome to tag along."
"Sure."
Jesop watched as Harry waved his hand at the unconscious attacker. The man rose up into the air, above the customers, and Harry floated him out of the restaurant and into the street. He put him down about thirty feet away. Jesop was standing a few feet from Harry in front of the restaurant watching his every move. All the people in the restaurant and in the street had all stopped to watch the action.
Harry waved his hand again and the man started stirring. When he stood up and looked around his eyes landed on Harry and he stopped.
"If you try to kill me again," said Harry, "I will not be so nice. This is your last warning."
Harry started up his lightning and let it crackle all over his body, through his hair, his fingertips, and bounce off the street around him.
"I don't like being shot at. Now leave before I get really angry."
The man swallowed hard then turned and took off running down the street as fast as he could go while holding his hand.
Jesop watched in awe at the display Harry put on. When back to normal Harry turned back toward him.
"Thanks for the help back there, Jesop. That was impressive the way you used your lightsaber."
"Harry, I am pretty sure you didn't need my help at all."
"No, but that was the first time I got to see a real lightsaber in action. It's one thing to read about it but quite another to witness it. Incredible."
"You seem quite young to wield so much power. How old are you, Harry?"
"I'm 16 years old. How old are you?"
"24. How about that talk before I have to head back to the temple?"
"Sure, let's go back to your table. I would love to get to know a Jedi better."
Harry and Jesop talked for a good while sharing stories of their many battles and getting to know each other. The customers near them made sure they listened to the amazing stories. After a couple of hours, Jesop had to go but he had one last question for Harry.
"How would you like to come back to the Jedi Temple with me so I can introduce you to the other Jedi? You can see more of what Jedi can do and hopefully you will show us more of what you can do."
"That would be great! Are you sure it's alright for you to invite me?"
"Of course. Trust me; the council will definitely want to meet you."
"When are you heading back, Jesop?"
"As soon as you are ready, Harry."
"Let me just tell Joban where I'm going and we can leave."
Harry walked into the back of the restaurant and spoke to Joban to let him know that he was invited to the Jedi Temple and was going to accompany Jesop there. Joban was proud of Harry and knew this day would come when the Jedi would be interested in him. He wished Harry well but warned him about sharing too much about his abilities to people he doesn't know. Harry nodded and left.
Jesop used the communicator in his car to tell someone he was on his way back to the temple as they took off. Harry and Jesop headed up higher than Harry had ever been. Jesop was driving a flying car with Harry in the passenger seat. Harry had seen these things before but had never been in one.
There were so many of the flying cars in the air he wondered how they managed not to crash into each other. However, he found that he liked flying quite a bit and promised he would buy one for himself one day.
Harry had plenty of money now. Some of the specialized jobs he did had big payouts and Harry rarely bought anything big. He liked technology, especially some of the small gadgets, and he dressed fairly well for a teenager but that was about all he spent his money on. The rest was being stockpiled in a trunk in his room.
Harry figured out how to use his power to make it where no one could move his trunk or open it. He thought maybe a Jedi could slice through it with their lightsaber but Jedi were not known for stealing or pursuing any material gain so he was not concerned about that.
They made it to the Jedi Temple in one piece and Harry walked with Jesop into the large building. They came up to some large double doors where an older male Twi'lek was waiting. He looked at Jesop then eyed Harry carefully.
"Master Lestin, let me introduce you to Harry Potter. As I suspected he is definitely someone the council will want to meet. I plan on asking them after I'm done with my part to see if they will meet with him and talk to him."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Harry Potter," said Master Lestin with a bow. "I am Zhar Lestin."
"It's my pleasure to meet you Master Jedi."
"Jesop has completed his final trial and it's now time to see if the council will make him a Jedi Knight. Please wait here until we return."
Harry nodded and watched Master Lestin and Jesop enter through the doors. He caught a glimpse of Jedi Masters sitting in a semi-circle. Harry waited about fifteen or twenty minutes before Jesop came back out.
"How did it go?" Harry asked.
"I did it! I am now a Jedi Knight. I'm no longer a padawan learner."
"Congratulations!"
"Come Harry. They would like to meet you."
Harry followed Jesop into the chamber and stopped next to him in the middle of the room. Before him were Jedi Masters seated on chairs. Three were present by hologram. Harry could not believe he was in the chamber with the Jedi leaders. It was a dream come true.
"Jedi Knight Jesop," said one of the masters, "please introduce your guest."
"Yes Master, this is Harry Potter. I am sure you all have heard his name before as his reputation proceeds him. I had the opportunity to meet him and get to know him a bit. He is definitely someone you should meet because he can do amazing things."
"Harry Potter, I am Master Vrook Lamar and we are very interested in getting to know you better, especially after Knight Jesop's glowing review before you entered. Apparently you can stop blaster fire with your hand, knock someone out with a wave of your hand, levitate a person, wake them up, and then create lightning all over and around you."
"Yes, Master. That is what Jesop saw me do earlier but I have many other things I can do."
"Would you mind giving us a demonstration?" asked another master. "By the way, I am Master Vandar Tokare."
"Master," said Harry with a bow of his head. "Here is the lightning I used to scare the customer who tried to kill me."
Harry let loose his lightning that was arcing through his hair, his fingers, and bouncing off the floor around him. All the masters' eyes got big watching this.
"I can also do fire."
Harry brought up his fire on his arms and tossed a fireball up and down in his hand before he quit.
"I could show you how I can knock someone out but would need a volunteer."
"I'll do it," said Jesop.
"Are you sure?"
"Does it hurt?"
"Not that I know of. At least no one has complained about any pain after I revive them."
"I'm ready then."
Harry waved his hand at Jesop who immediately was out and falling down. Harry magically caught him before he hit the floor and levitated him down gently.
"He is now out until I wake him. I could try to shake him awake but he will not wake up that way. I use this a lot on troublemakers at the restaurant and the other businesses I help. I have to wake him up with my power."
Harry waved his hand again and Jesop started stirring and stood back up.
"How did I do?" asked Jesop.
"Perfect," replied Harry.
"What did that feel like Knight Jesop?" asked another master.
"I felt nothing at all. It was like being in a deep sleep."
"Interesting," a couple of them murmured.
"Harry Potter," said Master Lamar, "would you consent to some medical tests to satisfy our curiosity?"
"I'm sure that would not be a problem. I would not mind some answers myself since I'm not sure where I received my power."
"Splendid. Just so you know, we test potential Jedi by taking a sample of their blood and checking to see how many midi-chlorians they have. The higher the midi-chlorian count the more potential the Jedi has to become powerful and be more in tune with the Force. A person must have a minimum of 7,000 midi-chlorians per cell to even be considered for Jedi training and that test is usually performed on infants so the training can begin right away."
"I look forward to what your medics can tell me Master Lamar," replied Harry.
"Knight Jesop will escort you to the medics and have a full scan run on you," said Master Lamar. "They will also test you for a midi-chlorian count. We will be happy to meet with you again to discuss the results after the tests are run."
"Thank you, Masters," Harry said with a bow of his head before leaving with Jesop.
"That was most curious, Masters," said one of the other Jedi council members after the doors closed.
"Curious indeed," replied Vrook Lamar deep in thought.
oOo
"I think you definitely got their attention, Harry," said Jesop as they walked to the med station.
"I wonder if they would let me be trained some in the ways of the Jedi even if I do not have enough midi-chlorians?"
"I don't think so Harry, even if you do have enough midi-chlorians, but we can always ask. It definitely would be difficult to become a Jedi at your age when you have missed so much of the early training and conditioning."
"I see. Well, actually I doubt I could become a Jedi either way but I am interested in learning all the moves. I probably don't have the temperament for being a real Jedi."
"I don't think temperament would be an issue for you Harry. You seem to be all right there. However, it's the Force that allows us to do the things we do as Jedi. It enhances us and gives us abilities a regular person is unable to do."
"Such as lightsaber duels at incredible speeds?" Harry said cutting in.
"Yes!"
"That indicates Force Speed and anticipation of your opponent's strikes."
"Very good, Harry. Obviously you have learned a bit."
"You can also do Force Jump, Force Pull, Force Push, Force Run, and the list goes on. You guys are incredible."
"But it requires the Force to accomplish all those things. Without it you will not be able to do what the Jedi does," insisted Jesop.
"I'm not so sure. I think with my powers, I can do those things, or most of them. The question is whether or not my powers have anything to do with the Force. That's what I would like to know."
"Well, Harry, that's the Med Station right up there. I think you're going to find out pretty soon."
When they arrived at the med station, the droid had Harry lay down and it started the full body scan while asking Harry questions about himself. He answered how he was originally living on a planet called Earth until the age of six when he left and landed on Coruscant. He answered how he got the scars on his body from his uncle and cousin. When asked how his arm was broken, he told the story of how his uncle did it when he was three years old.
The droid also pricked Harry's finger and ran a test on his blood while the scan continued. After it was done, the droid asked Harry to remain on the table so it could run another scan. Harry obliged.
"Did you find out my midi-chlorian count?" asked Harry.
"Yes, yours is in the normal range at around 4,500 midi-chlorians per cell. The average for a non-Jedi is around 2,500. Yours is above that but not enough to be at Jedi level. However, I am running a second scan because I found something else. The scan shows that you have an abundance of something. I am trying to determine what it exactly it is but my second scan, which is targeting that specifically, is having difficulty completing. Something is interfering with it."
"That would be my power, I would imagine," said Harry.
"Your power? Please explain."
"I can do things similar to what the Jedi can do and I can do other things I don't think the Jedi are capable of."
"Elaborate, please."
"Well, like the Jedi I can push away or pull to me. I can levitate things. I can create shields to protect me. I can create lightning and fire and I can teleport myself across great distances."
"I do not have a record of such abilities so I will search the Jedi Archives for more information. You may sit up but please wait."
The droid went over to a screen and plugged in. After a few minutes, it unplugged and came back over to Harry.
"I did a cross search on your abilities and planet Earth. Nothing was found concerning Earth so it is likely in another galaxy located in unchartered space. There was an old record about similar abilities found in a few inhabitants from a couple of planets. They called it magic. I also found records indicating trouble with scanners when used on these people. It indicates that magic effected the scanner in the same way I witnessed when you were scanned. I would postulate from the data collected that your planet Earth likely contains others like you with these magical abilities. This would explain why you have them. That is all I could find."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome, Harry Potter. Knight Jesop will be waiting for you," the droid indicated with a gesture toward the door.
Harry left the med station and did find Jesop waiting just outside of it.
"How did it go, Harry?" asked Jesop.
"Well, just as I thought I am definitely not Jedi material. My midi-chlorian count was only around 4,500 the droid said."
"At least you now know that your power is not the Force. We ruled that out."
"The med droid searched the archives and determined that the power I have is called magic and the planet I come from likely has people on it like me who can do magic too. I wonder if I could study the archives concerning magic users?"
"Let's check with the council. They will let you know."
The Jedi masters were waiting on them when they returned.
"Harry Potter," said Master Lamar, "we were told by the med unit that you cannot be a Jedi but you have a power called magic. We are intrigued with this ability you have and would like to study it so we may learn properly of it. Would you be willing to stay with us for a while to show us your abilities and explain how you accomplish what you do?"
"That could be arranged but while I am here I must have access to the archive so that I may learn about other magic users and I must be trained."
"Harry Potter, access to the archives is permitted for your learning but I am afraid training is out of the question. You are not Force Sensitive."
"Perhaps I should be more specific? I do not wish to learn the ways of the Jedi nor do I wish to use a lightsaber. I obviously do not have that capability with my midi-chlorians at a mere 4,500. What I wish is to be taught physical combat. From my studies I know that Jedi are quite talented in that area."
"Even that would be impossible, Harry Potter. Jedi always use the Force to enhance their actions and reactions whether holding a lightsaber or not. You would not be able to keep up."
"Perhaps not at first, Master Lamar, but with practice I could learn to adapt."
"Without the Force, Harry Potter, it would just be a waste of time for you."
"I believe you are underestimating my magical abilities."
"Let me explain, Harry Potter. All your magic can be blocked by our lightsaber. When you use your magic, a Jedi could simply block it. With Force Speed, the Jedi would overtake you and defeat you in the blink of an eye. Our Force enhancements would be too much for your magic."
"That sounds like a challenge to me Master. Pick your best fighter or Force user and I will defeat him or her. I will knock them out with my magic and they will not be able to stop me. After I prove that I can do this, then you will agree to allow training. Deal?"
"This could be dangerous, Harry Potter. You might get hurt."
"I promise not to hurt anyone here when I fight. I have too much control to allow that, but if I get hurt, so be it. I can heal myself."
"I will accept your challenge, Harry Potter. If I win, you do not get training. If you win then I will allow you to be trained."
"I accept."
"I promise not to hurt you either but I will win," said Master Lamar.
"You will try but you will fail."
Master Lamar lit his lightsaber and prepared to begin. Harry just stood motionless. The other Jedi made sure they gave the fighters plenty of room. Most were confident that Vrook would win but Jesop was wondering what Harry had in store for the master.
"Are you sure you are ready, Harry Potter?"
"I'm ready. Do what you think you can."
Vrook Lamar drew on his Force Speed to take out Harry quickly, but when he reached the spot where Harry was supposed to be he was no longer there. Harry was behind him and had is hand out in front of him toward Vrook's back. Harry cast his stunner quickly but Vrook suddenly spun around and blocked the spell with his lightsaber. He then threw a fast punch at Harry with his hand but missed when Harry disappeared again.
Harry was behind Vrook again but when he held out his hand toward Vrook's back, he stopped time instead of stunning him. Everyone in the room froze except Harry who walked over to Vrook and took his lightsaber then turned it off. Harry got back into position behind Vrook with his hand stretched out toward him again. Harry started time again and then immediately knocked him out. He caught him when falling down and gently levitated him onto the floor.
All the Jedi saw what he did to Master Vrook Lamar and were shocked.
"What did you do to him?" asked one of the masters.
"I did what I said I would do. I knocked him out with my magic. I will wake him up now so he can allow me to be trained."
Harry waved his hand and Vrook Lamar came too. He found himself on the floor. He slowly got up and started looking around.
"Looking for this?" Harry asked holding up his lightsaber.
"Yes," he said with a frown.
Harry opened his hand so that the lightsaber was just lying there. Vrook Force pulled it out of Harry's hand and caught it.
"So, how about some training, Master Lamar? Will you allow it now?"
"Yes, Harry Potter. You have proven yourself quite capable but tell me why you think you even need it after that display."
"One can never be too prepared and the training will increase my natural body strength and agility."
"Agreed."
"Thank you, Master Lamar, for taking it easy on me for our demonstration. I fear if you had not been concerned about hurting me then I would have had a much more difficult time avoiding you."
"Thank you, Harry Potter. You are very gracious. Knight Jesop will show you to your quarters. You may use a room here while you train."
"Thank you. I will need to go back down to Joban's and let him know I will be staying here for a while. I also need to get some of my clothes."
"I can take you, Harry," said Jesop.
"There's no need. I can just teleport down there and teleport back."
"That's what you were doing. You were teleporting around the room."
"Exactly, see you in a bit," said Harry as he disappeared. The masters just looked on in awe.
"Knight Jesop, you will need to keep a close eye on Harry Potter when he returns," said Master Vrook Lamar. "This boy yields so much strange power with very little effort. While I sensed no darkness in him, it would be wise to watch him closely. That will be your first assignment and likely an ongoing one."
"Yes, Master."
"Make sure he is trained properly and has access to the archives and we will see more of what he is capable of. I suspect in a very short time when you need to leave on a mission then he may be able to go with you since he is quite capable of taking care of himself already. You can report back to us concerning his progress."
"Yes, Master."