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The observation deck of Atlas was quiet, the hum of the ship's engines a distant murmur. Peter stood at the viewport, his arms crossed, staring out at the swirling blue vortex of hyperspace. The stars streaked by in a blur, but his mind was elsewhere—back on Dagobah, in the Cave of Evil, where the weight of the Force had pressed down on him like a collapsing star.
'The Chosen One.'
The title echoed in his head, mocking him. He'd spent years dodging labels, laughing off the Jedi's cryptic nonsense, and now here he was, shackled to the biggest one of all. He clenched his fists, the faint hum of the Force still buzzing beneath his skin, a constant reminder of what he'd become.
Suddenly, the door hissed open behind him, and Peter didn't need to turn to know who it was. The sharp click of Natasha's boots, the faint rustle of Mikaela's jacket, the soft breaths of Padmé—they were all familiar, comforting in their own way. But tonight, their presence only made the weight on his shoulders feel heavier.
"So," Natasha said, her voice cutting through the silence like a vibroblade. "You gonna tell us what happened down there, or are we supposed to just guess?"
Peter sighed, leaning against the viewport. "It's complicated."
"Complicated?" Mikaela stepped forward, her arms crossed. "Peter, the whole planet changed. The swamps—they're alive now. Like, actually alive. What the hell did you do?"
Peter turned to face them, his expression guarded. Natasha's sharp eyes bore into him, Mikaela's concern barely masked by her frustration, and Padmé's usual calm was replaced by an uncharacteristic worry. Even Groot, standing quietly outside the door, peaking inside, seemed to be waiting for an answer.
"I fixed it," Peter said finally, his voice flat. "The cave, the swamp—it was a dark side nexus. I… balanced it."
"Balanced it?" Padmé raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like you were tuning an engine, not messing with some ancient Force nonsense."
Peter shrugged, trying to play it off. "It's not a big deal. Yoda wanted me to face my fears, and I did. End of story."
"Bullshit," Mikaela snapped. "You changed. You think we didn't notice, but we did."
"I am Groot," Groot added, his head poking in from the hallway.
Peter ran a hand through his hair, his unease growing. "Look, it's… hard to explain. The Force—it's different for me now. I can feel it in a way I couldn't before. But it's fine. I've got it under control."
"Under control?" Mikaela stepped closer, her voice softening. "Peter, you're shaking."
He looked down at his hands, surprised to see the faint tremor. He hadn't even noticed. 'What the…? Is this just exhaustion from channeling so much of the Force at once, or… something else?'
Natasha's expression hardened. "You're not fine. And you're not fooling anyone. What aren't you telling us?"
Peter hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't tell them about the prophecy, about Anakin, about the role he'd taken on to keep the boy safe. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
"It's nothing," he said finally, his voice tight. "Just… Jedi stuff. You wouldn't understand."
The words hung in the air, sharp and dismissive. Natasha's eyes narrowed, Mikaela's jaw tightened, and even Padmé looked like she'd been slapped.
"Right," Natasha said coldly, turning on her heel. "Jedi stuff. Got it."
She strode out of the room, the door hissing shut behind her. Mikaela lingered for a moment, her gaze searching Peter's face, before following without a word. Padmé wasn't far behind either, muttering galactic curse words under her breath.
Only Groot remained, his wooden face unreadable.
"I am Groot," he said quietly.
Peter sighed, leaning back against the viewport. "Yeah, I know. I messed up."
He closed his eyes, the weight of the day pressing down on him. But before he could sink too deep into his thoughts, a familiar voice piped up from the doorway.
"Master?"
Peter turned to see Anakin standing there, his small frame silhouetted by the hallway light. The boy's eyes were wide with curiosity, his training saber clutched in one hand.
"Hey, kid," Peter said, forcing a smile. "What's up?"
Anakin stepped into the room, his excitement barely contained. "I was practicing my forms, like you showed me. I think I'm getting better! Do you wanna see?"
Peter's chest tightened as he looked at the boy. Anakin was so young, so full of hope and potential. The thought of the Jedi—or worse, the Sith—getting their hands on him made Peter's blood run cold.
"Sure," he said, pushing off the viewport. "Show me what you've got."
Anakin beamed, igniting his training saber and launching into a series of practiced movements. Peter watched, his mind drifting back to the prophecy, to the weight of the role he'd taken on.
'Don't worry, Kid,' he thought, his resolve hardening. 'I'll protect you…'
But as Anakin's laughter filled the room, bright and unburdened, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was only just beginning.
————
Coruscant
Days later…
The Jedi Council Chamber was bathed in the soft glow of Coruscant's cityscape, the towering spires of the Temple casting long shadows across the circular room. The Council members sat in their respective chairs, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern as Yoda stood before them, his small frame radiating quiet authority.
"Changed, Dagobah has been," Yoda began, his voice calm but carrying the weight of his words. "A dark nexus, it was. Corrupted, the Force there was. But now, balanced it is. Light and dark, in harmony they exist."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the chamber. Plo Koon leaned forward, his modulated voice resonating with awe. "Such a feat has not been accomplished in recorded history. To balance a dark nexus… it is unprecedented."
Ki-Adi-Mundi, ever the skeptic, frowned deeply. "Forgive me, Master Yoda, but are we certain this is not some trick of the dark side? The Sith are known for their deceptions. Perhaps this 'balance' is merely a facade."
Yoda's ears twitched, but his expression remained serene. "Felt it, I have. Seen it, I have. No trick, this is. True balance, Peter has achieved."
The room fell silent, the weight of Yoda's words sinking in. Even the most skeptical members of the Council seemed to reconsider, their gazes shifting as they processed the implications.
It was Shaak Ti who broke the silence, her tone measured but curious. "And what of Anakin Skywalker? The boy's potential is undeniable. If Peter has achieved such balance, perhaps it is time we focus our efforts on the boy. He is young, malleable. We could guide him—"
"No," Yoda interrupted, his voice firm. "Focus on Skywalker, we must not. The Chosen One, Peter is. Not the boy."
The room erupted into murmurs again, the Council members exchanging uneasy glances. Adi Gallia leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "With all due respect, Master Yoda, Peter is… unorthodox. Anakin, however—"
"Unorthodox, Peter is," Yoda said, his voice calm but firm. "But the Chosen One, he remains. Nothing can change this…"
Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head, his skepticism evident. "This is a dangerous path, Master Yoda. Peter's connection to the dark side is troubling. If we are to place our faith in him, we risk—"
"Risk, we do," Yoda admitted, his tone unwavering. "But greater risk, there is, in ignoring the truth. The Chosen One, Peter is. Accept this, we must."
Before the debate could escalate further, a hologram flickered to life in the center of the chamber. Mace Windu's imposing figure materialized, his arms crossed and his expression stern.
"Apologies for my absence," Windu said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "I've been busy with the situation on Earth. But I felt this discussion required my input."
"Master Windu," Ki-Adi-Mundi said, his tone respectful but pointed. "Your former padawan has… changed. He claims to have balanced a dark nexus. Some of us question whether this is truly possible—or wise."
Windu's gaze swept the room, his expression unreadable. "Peter has always been different. But his connection to the Force is unlike anything I've ever seen. If he says he's achieved balance, I believe him."
Shaak Ti raised an eyebrow. "And what of Anakin Skywalker? The boy's potential is immense. If we focus our efforts on him—"
"Anakin is not the Chosen One," Windu said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Peter is. And attempting to mold a child into something he is not will only lead to disaster."
The room fell silent, the weight of Windu's words hanging heavy in the air. Even Ki-Adi-Mundi seemed to hesitate, his skepticism momentarily overshadowed by the gravity of the situation.
Yoda stepped forward, his cane tapping softly against the floor. "Agree, Master Windu does. Agree, I do. The Chosen One, Peter is. Accept this, the Council must. Focus on Skywalker, we will not. Trust in Peter, we must."
The Council members exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to challenge Yoda and Windu directly. The two masters stood united, their faith in Peter unwavering.
Finally, Plo Koon broke the silence, his tone thoughtful. "If Peter is indeed the Chosen One, then our path is clear. We must support him, guide him, but not control him. The Force has chosen him for a reason. It is not our place to question that."
Yoda nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Wise, your words are, Master Plo. Trust in the Force, we must. And in Peter, we must trust as well."
The room seemed to settle, the tension easing as the Council members absorbed Yoda's words. But just as the meeting appeared to be winding down, Yoda raised his hand, his expression turning serious once more.
"One more matter, there is," he said, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the room. "A proposal, I have."
The Council members leaned forward, their curiosity piqued. Even Windu's holographic form seemed to stiffen, his gaze fixed on Yoda.
"Peter Quill," Yoda continued, his tone steady, "a member of the Jedi Council, he shall be."
The chamber erupted into chaos.
"What?!" Ki-Adi-Mundi exclaimed, his voice rising above the din. "Master Yoda, this is unprecedented! I'll never agree to this! He is too young, too unorthodox—"
"Unorthodox, yes," Yoda interrupted, his voice cutting through the noise. "But necessary, he is. The Chosen One, he is. Need him, we do. A place on the Council, he must have. Without him, divided we remain. With him, balance we may yet achieve."
Shaak Ti shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. "Master Yoda, this is… rash. Peter has only just achieved knighthood. To elevate him to the Council so soon—"
"The Council needs him," Yoda said firmly. "Balance, he brings. A new perspective, he offers. Divided, we are. United, we must be."
The room fell silent again, the weight of Yoda's proposal hanging in the air. The Council members exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of shock, skepticism, and reluctant consideration.
Windu's hologram stepped forward, his deep voice resonating with authority. "I support Master Yoda's proposal. Peter's abilities and insights are invaluable. If we are to face the challenges ahead, we need him on the Council."
Ki-Adi-Mundi opened his mouth to protest, but Yoda raised his hand, silencing him.
"A vote, we shall have," Yoda said, his tone final. "Decide, the Council must. But remember this: the Chosen One, Peter is. His place, among us it is."
The room fell into a tense silence as Yoda's words sank in. The Council members exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the decision pressing down on them.
"Very well," Plo Koon said finally, his voice calm but carrying a note of resolve. "Let us vote."
Yoda nodded, his gaze sweeping the room. "Begin, we shall..."
A/N 2000 words :)
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