C39 Leave Or Stay?

C39 Leave Or Stay?

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In the aftermath of the fierce battle on Coruscant, the once vibrant air was thick with the scent of charred metal, blood, and the undercurrent of both victory and loss.

The Jedi Temple, a beacon of peace and justice, had been the unexpected stage for a confrontation that would leave its mark on the galaxy's history. Peter stood amidst the ruins, his gaze sweeping over the scene with a weary diligence.

As the cleanup began, the city's police force arrived, far too late to assist in the battle, but not too late to help with the cleanup. With precision and a somber dedication, they navigated the battlefield alongside the Jedi, documenting evidence and gathering the fallen.

Their questions were methodical, aimed at piecing together the events that led to the attack. Though Peter and Yoda offered their accounts, the details seemed almost unbelievable, especially as they explained the fact that this was all over a runaway 12-year-old girl.

After all, what type of maniac would send a homicidal army off to the capital of the Galactic Republic just to retrieve a runaway child?

'Apparently, Thanos would...' Peter thought as he carted both Nebula and Gamora's unconscious bodies to the Jedi Temples Infirmary for medical attention.

Of course, the news of the attack reached the Senate with alarming speed, sending ripples of concern and outrage through its members.

An emergency session was called, voices raised not just in grief for the loss of life but in fear of an unknown enemy powerful and brazen enough to strike at the heart of the Jedi Order.

The few Jedi guards who had fallen in defense of the temple were honored, their names added to the long list of heroes who had given their lives in the service of a peaceful Republic.

But it was the holonet that carried the news beyond the polished halls of the Senate and into the homes of citizens galaxy-wide. Footage of the battle, captured by surveillance drones and bystanders, circulated with viral intensity. Each clip, each image, served as a reminder of how dangerous the Galaxy could be, even in the heart of the Republic.

The attackers, still largely unidentified, became the subject of widespread speculation and fear. No one knew why they had attacked or what their endgame might be, but most wrote it off as some sort of vendetta against the Jedi.

Speaking of the Jedi, as the footage of the battle flooded the holonet, an unexpected shift began to take root among the galaxy's populace.

Before the attack, public opinion of the Jedi had been waning, significantly influenced by Count Dooku's eloquent speech that painted the Order in a questionable light. His words, persuasive and filled with conviction, had sown seeds of doubt and mistrust, challenging the Jedi's role and authority within the Republic.

However, the video of the Jedi fighting off gruesome-looking invaders—Peter and Yoda, in particular—standing valiantly against two rather frightening foes began to counteract the Count's narrative. Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

Citizens watched as lightsabers clashed against the advanced weaponry of their assailants, the Jedi moving with grace and power, protecting the Temple as well as the planet. The footage highlighted their bravery, their sacrifice, and their unwavering resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.

It wasn't just the hope that Thanos might not come that anchored him, but the realization that he had come to see the Jedi Temple as his home. In the heart of uncertainty, Peter found a place and people worth fighting for, and he wasn't willing to give them up so easily.

'Together, we've at least got a fighting chance. And hey, who knows? Maybe Thanos won't come...' Peter mused, knowing full well these thoughts were just wishful thinking on his part.

As Peter made up his mind, suddenly, the doors swung open, and in walked Yoda, a tired look on his aged face. After all, he's been busy since the battle came to a close.

Taking a seat beside Peter, Yoda, looking weary yet composed, finally broke the silence. "How fare Nebula and her sister, hmm?"

Peter shrugged, a gesture of concern mixed with hope. "Docs say they'll be fine—bruises, cuts, and maybe a concussion each from duking it out. I'm just here to make sure nothing else pops up." He said, turning to Yoda, "How has the cleanup been going?"

"Messy, it is. Tired, I am." Yoda answered, his expression turning pensive. After a moment, he asked, "What you said to Dooku outside the temple, before the attack... Truly feel that way about the Jedi, do you?"

Peter recalled his earlier words, 'They're elitist, uptight, rigid know-it-alls, each of them more stuck in their ways than the last. They misdefine attachment and emotions to a concerning degree, and even ban them as if suddenly emotions won't exist anymore just because they decreed it. And finally, they spend all of their time in their actual ivory towers, ignoring the Galaxy's problems, unless of course, the Republic calls upon them for help.'

Peter met Yoda's gaze, noting the sadness there. He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I do. I mean, sometimes, it just feels like we're so far removed from the normal, everyday people. Like, with the whole ban on emotions and attachments—it's like pretending a part of being alive doesn't exist. And staying holed up in this temple, it keeps us out of touch with the rest of the galaxy."

Yoda's frown deepened, a weight of centuries in his eyes. But before he could respond, Peter quickly added, "But, that's not the whole picture. I've seen first-hand the good that the Jedi can and has done. Like today, and with all those stories going around. The Jedi heal, protect, and stand up for peace. That's... that's noble. And it makes a real difference."

The room brightened as a smile cracked Yoda's solemn demeanor. "See the flaws, you do, but also the good. Important, that is."

Peter leaned back into his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "Exactly. No one's perfect, right? But it's about trying to be better. That's what counts. The Jedi do so much good, and yeah, there are issues, but which multilevel organization doesn't have them? What matters is confronting those issues and overcoming them, which the Jedi seem to have a problem doing." He admitted, giving Yoda one last bit of criticism.

Yoda nodded, his eyes twinkling with a newfound energy. "Wise, you are, Peter. Remind me, you do, that always room for improvement, there is. And forget, we must not, the difference we make."

Their conversation veered into the night, and as they talked, Peter couldn't help but feel a deep connection to this little master of his. Despite his power and wisdom, Yoda wasn't stuck in his ways like most Jedi.

No, he appreciated the perspective of a Padawan like Peter, which ignited a newfound hope for the future of the Jedi Order with Yoda at its helm.

...

As their discussion came to a close and Yoda departed to attend to additional tasks before retiring for the night, Peter rose from his seat to check on Nebula and Gamora.

And just as he took a step toward the infirmary door, suddenly, it burst open. A disoriented and perplexed Gamora dashed out, pursued closely by a Jedi Doctor, her eyes widening as she bumped into Peter. "?!"

A/N: 2032 words :)