As consciousness returned to Percy Jackson, it was like emerging from the depths of a watery abyss. His mind was a swirl of confusion, memories jumbled like pieces of a shattered puzzle. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, and found himself in a place unlike any he had ever seen before.
The first thing Percy noticed was the soft, diffuse light that bathed the room. It was gentle, almost ethereal, casting a calming glow on everything around him. Then, his gaze landed on a figure standing nearby, and that's when his heart rate spiked.
The figure was small, green, and decidedly not human. Percy's initial reaction was one of shock and disbelief. It couldn't be. It was impossible. This was not human, and yet it seemed wiser than many humans that Percy had seen. That, coupled with the fact that it was wearing clothes, led Percy to believe that the creature was sentient.
The green creature, with ears that seemed to have a life of their own, regarded him with eyes that sparkled with ancient wisdom. Percy's voice came out as a croak as he struggled to form words. "Where... where am I?"
The creature's voice was oddly soothing, like a breeze rustling through leaves. "In the Jedi Temple, you are. Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, I am."
Percy's mind reeled at the words. Jedi Temple? Grandmaster? None of this made any sense. The last thing he remembered was being in the water at Camp, soothing in the cool water after a stressful day teaching.
Still bewildered, Percy blurted out a thought that seemed to come from someone else, whispering in his mind what to say. "The Jedi who was with me... she said the Grandmaster was a woman named Satele Shan."
The small green creature's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, a woman named Satele Shan, Grandmaster she was, almost two millennia ago. Time, it flows, and leaders change. Names are forgotten."
Percy fell silent, trying to process everything. He was quickly regaining his memories of what had happened. He had been asked by Chaos to help a universe not his own, one that was in trouble. At the same time, however, he was remembering the memories of someone not himself, the memories implanted into him by Chaos. He remembered the chaos of a battle, so similar to what he was used to, and yet so foreign. He remembered the overwhelming darkness that had threatened to consume him. He had been in some sort of stasis, a deep slumber that had robbed him of time and memory. The galaxy had moved on, and he was left adrift in its currents.
The ancient green alien seemed to sense his turmoil. "Your name, young one. What is it?" The question brought Percy back to his own identity. "Perseus. Perseus Jackson," he replied, his voice steadier now. The green alien nodded in acknowledgment. "Perseus Jackson, a name from the past. A story you have. Share it with the Jedi Council, you will." With that, Yoda helped Percy to his feet, and they made their way through the corridors of the Jedi Temple. Percy's steps were uncertain, but there was a glimmer of hope in his heart. Perhaps he could find answers here, among these Jedi. Percy couldn't contain his curiosity any longer as he walked beside Yoda through the hallowed halls of the Jedi Temple. Finally, he mustered the courage to ask the question that had been nagging at him. "Excuse me," he began tentatively, "may I ask your name?" Yoda paused, his wise eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "Name, you may ask. Master Yoda, it is." Percy nodded, a small but grateful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Master Yoda," he replied, his curiosity soaring, wondering who this ancient and enigmatic Jedi Master really was.
Eventually they arrived at a grand chamber, its walls huge windows showing a world of metal and steel, with flying cars zooming past. At the center of the chamber, seated in a circle, were individuals who exuded an aura of wisdom and authority—the Jedi Council. Percy felt a pang of nervousness as he approached the Council. They were a diverse group, each member representing a different species and background. At the center sat a tall and imposing Jedi Knight He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Percy. "Perseus Jackson," the Jedi Knight began, "you have been brought before the Jedi Council. We wish to hear your story. Tell us, how did you come to be here?"
Taking a deep breath, Percy recounted the "events" that had led him to this moment. He remembered a green skinned man with hair swapped for tentacles. He recounted how three Sith Acolytes ("that was what he called them") ambushed himself and the jedi as they were boarding the ship. He described how the jedi had been mortally wounded, even as he killed the last of the Sith. Finally, he described the feeling of the ship being blasted, right as they were entering hyperspace, and the jedi giving him a liquid concoction. After that, he woke up in the infirmary with Yoda at the end of his bed.
As he spoke, Percy could sense the Council's keen interest and concern. They exchanged glances and nodded thoughtfully, as if weighing the gravity of his words. When he finished, the Jedi Council fell into a hushed discussion, their voices low and contemplative. Percy couldn't make out their words, but he knew that his fate was being decided in that very moment.
Finally, the Jedi Knight at the center turned his attention back to Percy. "Perseus Jackson, you have experienced much hardship and carry a heavy burden of the past. But the Force has guided you here for a reason. We sense a great potential within you, a connection to the Force that is rare and strong." Percy felt a mix of emotions—relief, curiosity, and a growing sense of purpose. The Jedi Council's decision would shape the course of his life, setting him on the path needed for him to be able to help this universe.
The Jedi Knight continued, "We have decided that you shall begin your training as a Jedi, and you shall eventually be placed in one of the initiate clans, which are groups of younglings who live and train together. In the meantime, you will be kept separate as those who teach you bring you up to that level, however long that may be." Percy nodded, feeling a sense of acceptance wash over him. He was ready to embark on this new journey, to discover the extent of his abilities and to uncover the mysteries of the Force.
As the Council's decision was made, Percy couldn't help but wonder about the future that lay ahead. He knew that his path would intersect with destiny in ways he could never have imagined, and that the galaxy itself would be forever changed by his presence among the Jedi.
Thank you all again for commenting!
I know that this chapter is also a lot shorter, but I am still finishing up the early part. After that, the ball will start swinging, and there will be both more action, and more words.
Edit: One of the guest's pointed out that in the last chapter I had described the senate being at the zenith of the debate twice, so that is now changed.