Chapter 12: The Awakening of a New Power

Hours had passed since I first began my meditation, delving deep into the strange, new reality of my abilities. The blue textbox had guided me, revealing my potential and limitations, and now I was beginning to see the fruits of my efforts. I had successfully leveled up my new Force ability for the first time, and while the initial progress was swift, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that came with the knowledge that each subsequent level would demand more energy, more effort, more of myself.

With each level up, I noticed subtle but undeniable changes in my body. I was stronger, more flexible, and there was a newfound fluidity in my movements that hadn't been there before. My mind, too, felt sharper, more attuned to the world around me. But the most surprising discovery was that my reality-warping ability—something I had assumed to be inherently tied to my mutant status—was indeed a mutant power and could, like any other mutant ability, potentially be suppressed by the right external forces. The Force power I had just cultivated, however, was something different. It wasn't a mutant power. It was something more intrinsic, more fundamental—a part of my body, mind, and soul, altered by the reality-warping process to be as natural to me as a Skrull's shapeshifting ability.

In the last minutes of my meditation, I found myself naturally beginning to move, my body responding to the energy coursing through me. I realized with some surprise that I was performing a form of moving meditation, and what's more, I was instinctively executing lightsaber techniques. Not just random movements, but the precise forms and stances that I knew belonged to the seven classical lightsaber combat forms. Of these, I discovered that I had a particular affinity for the second form, Makashi, and the fifth form, Djem So.

Intrigued, I decided to test myself further. Standing in the center of the room, I mentally cycled through each of the seven lightsaber forms, letting my body flow through the motions.

Form I: Shii-Cho. I started with the basics, moving through the sweeping arcs and fluid strikes of the form meant to disarm opponents and cut through blaster bolts. My body responded naturally, the movements as familiar as breathing.

Form II: Makashi. Next, I transitioned into the elegant, dueling-centric style of Makashi. My stance narrowed, my movements became more refined, emphasizing precision and control. I could feel the energy in my body aligning with each thrust and parry, a dance of grace and lethality.

Form III: Soresu. From there, I flowed into the defensive, protective form of Soresu. My movements became tighter, more focused on defense and redirection. This form felt like a natural extension of my reality-warping ability, a way to shield myself not just from physical attacks, but from any force that would try to harm me.

Form IV: Ataru. The acrobatic and aggressive nature of Ataru came next, demanding bursts of energy as I leaped and spun through the air. This form required the most energy, and I could feel the drain as I pushed myself to execute the demanding maneuvers. But even so, the Force flowed through me, enhancing my agility and speed.

Form V: Djem So. The transition to Djem So was almost seamless, and I found myself reveling in the raw power of the form. Each strike was heavy, decisive, meant to overwhelm and overpower an opponent. There was a primal satisfaction in the strength that this form demanded and provided.

Form VI: Niman. After Djem So, I slowed down into the balanced and adaptable form of Niman. This was the form that combined elements from all the previous ones, allowing for a versatile approach to combat. It felt like a summary of everything I had just done, a way to blend power, defense, and agility into one cohesive style.

Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad. Finally, I attempted the most dangerous and unpredictable form, Juyo, or Vaapad. This form demanded complete surrender to the Force, drawing on the emotions and the chaos of battle. I hesitated before fully committing, knowing that this form could lead to darkness if not carefully controlled. But as I moved through the aggressive, almost feral strikes, I could feel the edge of my control, the balance between light and dark, and I pulled back just before crossing the line.

Exhausted but exhilarated, I finished the final form and took a deep breath. My body hummed with energy, the Force within me stabilizing as I completed the set. The room was silent, save for the sound of my breathing, and I allowed myself a moment to revel in what I had just accomplished.

Stepping out of the room, I found Logan waiting for me in the hallway. He was leaning casually against the wall, but his eyes were sharp, assessing me in that way he always did.

"You're different now," Logan said in his usual gruff manner, but there was a note of curiosity in his voice.

I smiled, trying to play it off with humor. "Yeah, I'm more centered, balanced. All that meditation really worked wonders. I'm like a walking zen garden now."

Logan snorted, clearly unimpressed with my attempt at levity, but there was a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Whatever you say, kid. Come on, let's get some food before you start sprouting leaves."

I followed him down the hall, my stomach reminding me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast. When we reached the dining hall, Rogue and the others were already there, just sitting down with plates of food. The smell of Spanish cuisine filled the air—paella, tortillas, chorizo, and a variety of tapas. It looked good, though not spectacular—maybe 2.9 stars out of 5, I thought to myself.

As I sat down, Rogue looked up and smiled. "You look like you've been through a workout. Meditation that intense?"

"More like the world's longest yoga session," I replied with a grin. "But yeah, I guess you could say I've tapped into something new. I'm sort of a Jedi now."

That got their attention. Spyke raised an eyebrow. "A Jedi, huh? So, does that mean you're all about peace and balance, or are you more of a dark side kind of guy? You know, with all those feelings you've got for Rogue, maybe you're leaning a bit Sith?"

I laughed, appreciating his humor. "Well, if I were Sith, you'd know it by now. But no, I'm definitely on the light side—though I'm not above bending a few rules now and then."

Rogue chuckled and chimed in, "He's a good guy, even if he does have a bit of a mischievous streak. Trust me, I'd know."

Kitty, always the curious one, leaned forward. "So, can we see these Jedi powers in action? I mean, if you're really like a Jedi, you've got to have some cool tricks up your sleeve, right?"

I hesitated for a moment, considering how much to reveal. I didn't want to draw too much attention to my reality-warping ability, especially since it was still a mystery to everyone but me. But showcasing my Force abilities—something that seemed more straightforward—felt like a safe way to demonstrate what I could do without revealing all my cards.

"Sure," I said, keeping it vague. "But I'm still figuring things out, so don't expect too much. It's not like I'm going to start lifting spaceships anytime soon."

Kitty's eyes sparkled with excitement, and I could tell that she was eager to see more. As we continued to eat, I kept the conversation light, steering it away from the specifics of my powers and more toward the idea of being a Jedi in a world full of mutants. The concept itself was novel enough to keep everyone engaged, and it gave me some breathing room to figure out how to integrate my new abilities with the life I was now leading.

After lunch, as the group dispersed to their respective activities, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. I had taken the first step into a larger world, and while there were still countless challenges ahead, I felt more prepared than ever to face them. My powers were growing, my connections were deepening, and for the first time since arriving in this universe, I felt like I was finally starting to understand my place in it.