I just realized how much of a total self-insert this accidentally is. When fifteen used to be my dream age... damn... what a Mary Sue she is... I own Zara. That's it.
Hi. My name is Zara Stone. I'm fifteen years old, I have blue hair, and people call my eye color, wait for it, Sky Blue 5. Like how specific is that? My life was normal, like a regular person's, until yesterday, when I was just lounging around reading a book….
My parents were busy again, leaving me at home to get a haircut, bring my dog to the vet, emergency patients all day, etc. I'm the type of person who doesn't care if she is alone because a couple of my friends are books. Books are practically my life.
Anyway, I was just sitting around reading Percy Jackson again, for like the twentieth time. I was JUST on the plot twist when…. FLASH. I blinked hard. I peeked up and immediately hid my face behind my book. OMG. This cannot be happening. I looked up again. Three demigods and one satyr were standing in front of me. I gaped stupidly at them. Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, and Grover stared back.
"Um. Hi? Is it a coincidence that I am reading Percy Jackson and you are standing in front of me?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh! Maybe, but we had to wait until now to retrieve you," Annabeth explained.
"Wait a minute, retrieve me?" I asked incredulously. "What in the gods' names do you mean?"
"Can you figure it out?" Annabeth replies. Okay, there is only one possibility. But it is impossible.
"Okay, you've got the wrong person. I can't be a demigod!" I clapped a hand over my mouth.
"Think about it, Zara. You've been accosted by monsters for a week. When was your fifteenth birthday?" Grover asked. I froze.
"A week ago," I said numbly.
"We don't know who you are completely, but the Oracle gave us a prophecy. I don't remember the exact words, but it did mention you," Percy said.
"When did Rachel give the prophecy?" I ask, not wanting to hear the answer. Annabeth faltered.
"A week ago," she whispered. I couldn't breathe. What the heck is happening? Then came another flash. My stomach twisted into knots. You've got to be kidding me. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were standing next to Percy. They stared at each other.
"Okay, let me guess. Someone told you that you had to rescue me to the wizarding world or something," I sighed.
"That's correct," Hermione confirmed. I nearly groaned. I want to be a witch like Hermione, but if I am half demigod and half-witch, how much will I stand out? I already blend in at school, and I never liked the limelight, so this was very new to me.
"I think there is a decision to be made," Percy said. "Us or them." I honestly would have chosen to be a witch in a beat, but…. FLASH. My eyes grew wide. Claire, Sena, and Nett were standing there. Sena drew Fireblood and pointed it at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, then put the tip at Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Reyna's chests. Percy took out Riptide and uncapped the pen, and it grew into a three-foot-long Celestial Bronze sword.
"Guys, stop it. You can trust each other," I stepped in between Sena and Percy. "Percy, that sword wouldn't hurt them anyway. Sena, you can trust them." Sena rolled her eyes but sheathed Fireblood anyway. I turned to Claire.
"What guild of magic am I?" I immediately ask. "If I am to come with you, I need to know—" I stopped. Three days ago, when I was about to cross the street after a walk, I had stepped down, and the street cracked. It was a small crack, but it was there when it wasn't supposed to. I hadn't known what it meant then, but I knew now. There was also my surname, Stone. It wasn't even my family name, but my parents say they had just been drawn to it. I now knew why.
"I'm a Gemmer," I croaked. I was glad that Claire was there because she was a fellow Gemmer, so I felt better.
"I believe so. Who are you coming with?" Sena asked.
"Wait a minute, how the heck can I choo—" I stopped. The sound of a crash in the living room rippled through the bedroom. I closed my eyes. Why me? Why ME?
"Excuse me for a second," I said almost reluctantly and stepped outside. I peeked into the living room, and Sophie, Fitz, Biana, Tam, Linh, and Marella were standing there. I knew sadly that Keefe wouldn't be there, because of his new abilities and how he ran away. I took a deep breath and stepped into the living room.
"I assume you are here for me?" I ask. I already knew the answer.
"Yes. You are the Black Swan's Project Alicorn," Sophie answered. I cocked an eyebrow.
"Project Alicorn? Must be important," I noted. "Was my embryo created and put in a goddess's — you know what? Come on into my bedroom. You're not the only one here." I led them into my room, where everyone who came was milling about, Ron curiously inspecting the TV in my parents' room next door. I sat down on my bed again.
"So. I now know that I am part demigod, part witch, part Gemmer, and part elf. I have one question though. Why me? Why am I the one with all of the powers?" I ask. I wanted to know the answer. I wasn't the most important person in the world or anything. Until now, I had been just a regular fifteen-year-old trying to get through school. Sophie spoke up first.
"Honestly, I don't think anyone knows. What we do know is that you have numerous powers, and that could change our world. Everyone's worlds. You've been chosen for a reason, Zara, a reason no one knows. Only you can find that reason, and for that, you can choose yourself and stay in your life, though I don't think it will ever be the same." I sit in silence, contemplating what Sophie said. I knew she was right, and my life will never be the same. I needed to know what would happen.
"Okay, first, I want —" I paused. Hums of something had quietly echoed through the house. It just got worse. I knew what they were from, but I didn't want to believe it. I once again excused myself and peeked into the living room. I nearly groaned, but instead just slapped my palm against my forehead. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and, I didn't know why the heck he was there, Yoda was standing in the living room, lightsabers activated. Must be important if Yoda is here. I took the deepest breath possible, then stepped into the room once more.
"Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, Ahsoka," I inclined my head towards them politely. I knew they weren't ones to be trifled with.
"Erm, do you mind deactivating your lightsabers? Other, err, people are here, and um, they might see that as a threat, so…" I trailed off. They gave a slight nod and the bright beams of light disappeared. I turned and walked toward my room, the Jedi following me. My room is getting quite crowded. I thought to myself. I sat on my bed once more and addressed the huge crowd.
"Okay, to choose who to go with, I want to have meetings with everyone. Erm, Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, Ahsoka, come with me," I said, and stood up. I walked out of the bedroom and sat down in the living room. I had honestly no thoughts to join them, but there were serious things I needed to tell them. If Ahsoka was still with them, there was time.
"Okay, there are some things you need to know," I began. I took a deep breath, then spilled out everything that happened in the hopes that this fate would be changed. I addressed Anakin especially, knowing that his fate was the most important to tell him about. After I finished, they sat in silence for about five minutes.
"Wait a minute, I seriously don't get to be the best and most handsome Jedi in the galaxy?" Anakin asked, confused. Ahsoka and I rolled our eyes in unison. Anakin turned to Obi-Wan.
"Hold on, why is it YOU who burns off my looks? Not cool, AT ALL," he said. I slapped a palm to my forehead.
"That's NOT the point!" I exclaimed with exasperation.
"Master Yoda, is she telling the truth?" Obi-Wan asks, ignoring Anakin. Yoda closed his eyes, probably getting in touch with the Force to see if I spoke the truth, which I entirely was.
"Telling the truth, she is," he finally said. "The future, this is, if change it, we do not."
"We also have another thing to tell you, Zara. You are the second Chosen One," Obi-Wan said. Only one thing registered.
"Do you mean that I'm the second Chosen One even though Master Skywalker's prophecy hasn't even been FULFILLED yet?" I asked, bewildered.
"Indeed, his prophecy, fulfilled, it hasn't been," Yoda said.
"Wow," I said.
"What do you mean about watching out for Barriss?" Ahsoka asked me, clearly confused.
"You'll see," I said vaguely.
"Well, this certainly changes things," Obi-Wan says. That was the understatement of the millennium.
"What are you guys going to do about this then?" I ask curiously.
"Intercept Palpatine, we will," Yoda answers. I nod.
"One more thing, why is it Obi-Wan of all people that burn off my amazing looks?" Anakin asked.
"I'm SO not answering that question," I groaned. "Well, I think I better get back to everyone else." They nodded, Anakin a bit reluctantly, and stood up. I head back, thinking, Okay, I'm like the person of a lifetime, being part witch, part elf, part demigod, part Gemmer, and part Jedi. I think about who to talk to next.
"Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Reyna!" I beckoned them over. They stood up from their spots on the rug and came over. I led them to the living room and sat down in one of the white chairs.
"Okay, I've got two questions. First, what am I going to do if I go with you? Second, what did the Oracle say about me?" I jumped right in.
"Okay, to answer your first question, you'll head to Camp Half-Blood to train. You need it, after all. For the prophecy, it went something like this: A storm of heroes will come, the most powerful girl too, you must find her now, to erase all that is untrue," Annabeth answered.
"What, did Delphi suddenly just spew a prophecy or something?" I ask.
"More or less," Percy confessed.
"Okay…." I said uncertainly. "But what I don't get is how did you find me?"
"Mrs. O'Leary was able to sniff you out, and Grover just confirmed it," Annabeth answered. I understood that since Mrs. O'Leary was a trained hellhound, and she could sniff out demigods.
"Okay, err, thanks for telling me the prophecy," I said awkwardly, and we stood up.
"Sena, Nett, Claire!" I called and beckoned them to the living room. We sat down.
"Err, I'm just wondering, but do you have a gem for me to polish or something, just so I know if I'm a Gemmer or not?" I ask curiously.
"Yup, I thought you might want one," Claire remarked and took out a beautiful emerald and a polishing rag out of her pocket. "Here you go." She handed them to me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I imagined the ball of magic inside the jewel and began to polish it. I dreamed that the ball of magic would burst out of the gem and make it glow.
"Whoa!" Nett exclaimed. I opened my eyes and nearly lurched back in shock. The gem was glowing as bright as Nett's marimo, so bright I could hardly look at it.
"How?" Claire asked, squinting at the emerald.
"I don't know! I knew it would glow, but not that bright!" I cried, setting down the emerald like it was a hot stone. It dimmed slightly but still shone like the sun.
"Let me get Scholar Pumus. We need to try out more," Claire said seriously.
An hour later, I exited the living room with sweat beading on my forehead. Scholar Pumus had exercised me in several basic Gemmer magic tasks, and I had excelled in them. It took a toll, though. I still had two more meetings too. The groups were spread out around the house now.
I wasn't sure, but I was pretty positive that Anakin and Ahsoka were lightsaber training with Obi-Wan and Yoda in the backyard. Quite typical of them, and thankfully it wasn't Saturday or Wednesday when the pool guy and gardeners would come. It would be a bit awkward to explain.
Ron was very curious about how the TV worked, but I wouldn't be able to explain how Anakin and Ahsoka were on TV, so I avoided the family room, where the television was.
Sophie and her friends were waiting for their turn in the front yard. They were there because the house was wood, and Marella had Pyrokinesis as an ability, so she could set the house on fire. I was going to meet with them next, but first I checked up on the demigods.
They were milling around in the kitchen, sipping drinks they probably found in the fridge. It was so ironic how normal their scene was compared to everyone else's.
I went to the front yard and poked my head out.
"Guys? Come on in, but we can have this chat outside too if you want," I said. Marella looked positively terrified of going inside, so we stayed outside.
"Okay, I know that I am a Telepath, but is that it?" I ask.
"Um, we don't know. All we know is that Project Alicorn is a Telepath and is probably going to be the most powerful elf who ever lived," Fitz replied. Those words bombed me. The most powerful elf who ever lived? I could hardly get over being part Jedi, demigod, elf, witch, and Gemmer!
"No wonder I was named Project Alicorn," I rasped.
"Oh, I brought ability detecting supplies," Sophie chimed in. "You know, just in case." Oh no. I thought miserably. Sure, more abilities would be awesome, but if I got like every ability….
"O. M. G," I muttered tiredly. I had every single ability except for Vociferator and Beguiler. Every. Single. One. ALL OF THEM. I was now officially scared of myself.
"Thinking about the most powerful elf was one thing. But now that I see what powers you have…." Sophie trailed off.
"Well, um, I better check up on the wizards. They've been waiting a while," I finished. They nodded and stayed where they were due to Marella. I walked inside and peeked in on everyone. They were all in the same places, Anakin and Ahsoka included, as they were still working on lightsaber training. I bet they never get bored. I thought, smiling. I poked my head into the family room, where Harry and Hermione were trying to explain how the TV works, and they were failing miserably. I decided to save them before any other problems about the microwave or the laundry machine arose.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione!" I called. Harry and Hermione looked relieved, and Ron was disappointed that he didn't get a full explanation about how the television worked. I led them towards my room, since it was the only private room in the house now, and sat down.
"Okay, so I was thinking, and sure, I was just in an intense ability detecting thing with the elves and another basic Gemmer skills thing with Scholar Pumus, but I want to know what my wand is," I said quickly, waiting to hear what they would say.
"Well, um, we don't exactly have a portable wand shop with us right now, but you can come with us to Ollivander's," Hermione mused.
"Um, wouldn't everyone notice if I was gone? And then wouldn't they storm the neighborhood or something?" I inquired.
"Oh yeah. Um, maybe we can have Ollivander come here?" Hermione asked.
"Err, sure? What would he say about everything? Oh never mind, I'm sure I could ask Annabeth or Reyna to have the Mist cloud his eyes," I decided. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked confused, but they nodded their heads.
"Do you have a fireplace so we can travel by Floo?" Harry asked.
"Um, yeah, in the living room," I said, pointing to the door. They nodded and left. I sat in my room, debating on who I should choose to go with. I desperately want to help the Jedi, but it's so dangerous! I mean, every world is dangerous in its way, so it's just like a matter of who I want to go with the most. I pondered. I waited and waited, and 30 minutes later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione came through the door with Ollivander at their heels, who looked around curiously.
"Hello, Mr. Ollivander," I greeted.
"Hello, Miss…. um," he grasped for my last name.
"Stone," I answered.
"Yes, hello, Miss Stone. Now, Mr. Potter here tells me you need a wand, purchased from home. This is the first case, but I've seen other, err, strange people here, so I assume this is a special case." Ollivander took out his magic measuring tape and began measuring every part of my body. He let the tape do its work, and rummaged around in his huge case for wands. "Here, try this one! Vine, 10 inches, dragon heartstring core, pliable." He handed a wand to me. I took it and was about to wave it, but he snatched it away before I got the chance. "No no, try this one!" He gave another wand to me. I waved it and my bed undid itself. "Not this one. How about this one?" On and on it went, with a huge pile of wands becoming scattered on my bed.
"How about this one? Hawthorn, 12 inches, unicorn tail hair core, springy?" Mr. Ollivander handed one of the last wands to me. I waved it, and the tip of the wand glowed gold. I felt the magic inside of me connect with the wand.
"Okay, this has got to be the wand," I said confidently. Ollivander nodded.
"Oh, and the reason why we took so long is that we got some gold out of your vault to pay for the wand," Hermione explained, and handed over a money pouch. I paid Ollivander and he bowed his way out with his huge bag in hand.
"Um, I have a vault?" I asked curiously.
"We set up one for you and transferred some money from Harry's to yours. Here's the key," Ron handed me a stone key.
"Thanks!" I said happily and gratefully and put the key in my pocket. "Um, can you give me a moment?" I asked. They nodded and walked out. I pondered who I was going to go with. All were awesome and dangerous, so it was a matter of personal ranking and who needed to help the most. Then, I suddenly had the best idea on who to go with. Before the thought slipped out, I rounded up everyone and led them back to my room.
"Okay, so I've given this matter a great deal of thought, and I have decided I will go with…."
Sena, Nett, and Claire are characters from The Unicorn Quest series by Kamilla Benko. Very random. I don't know why I included them.