03/11/2021 - Author Note: Well Sup! This is my newest project. I am very happy that you are checking out this fic and are giving it a try, thank you! I want to also address this important part of the story. Jedi Exile is gonna be different from avatar, Sure Benjamin during water is kind of passive but he may not stay that way (Foreshadowing) there will also be dark topics addressed in this story. This one is gonna be very different from the normal avatar, there will be canon divergences for example some people may die, new situations, new allies and enemies, and some people that died may stay alive. There will also be killing in this fic. Especially during Benjamins dark side moments. I am also planning on adding in a whole new arc (AIR) and a completely different ending! But the overall story structure from Water - Fire will stay the same but with these differences .Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the fic!

07/28/2021 - Author Note: Hey I remastered chapter 1 I hope you enjoy the new version!

Chapter 1 - Remastered

- False Jedi -

The clang of metal along wood echoed throughout the valley with a desolate hum. A boy…his eyes fixed solely on his actions as he would wind the axe back and strike the tree again. With a couple more resounding chops the large oak tree would collapse, splitting from the earth and crumpling like a fallen domino.

The thick brown coat the boy wore was drenched with sweat, his eyes shielded with a layer of protective goggles as his hair was doused with wood chippings and the stench of coppery scent of sweat graced his nostrils. He threw the axe over his shoulder, holding the tool at the very end with his left hand as his right made its way over the fallen tree.

The gloved hand was covered entirely with sap and dirt. The feeling of the gloves and the rest of the boy's clothes stuck to him, the sweat and the overall smell of the forest ingrained into every pore of his being as he crouched down, his free hand tracing along the wood.

His lips pulled into a grin, the act leaving indents in the boy's face. The boy using said hand to push his goggles off his face as they neatly rested along his forehead. "Good…" He slowly replied as he finished checking the tree for impurities.

The war between the fire nation and the rest of the world was going smoothly. The fire nation was conquering nearly everything in sight without any halt or worthwhile resistance. Though, to power their war machines they needed a steady supply of coal or wood.

That's where people like Ben came in…the boy lifting himself back up from the ground. His eyes scanning the area once again. Such a beautiful valley, Ben could imagine it at times. The life that must have had bloomed around here before the fire nation came and nearly destroyed it.

There was a life to such places like this, areas in nature which felt so strong. That was how Ben was able to keep going in these areas longer than the other lumberjacks or machine workers, even as the bits of wood oak would cloud his vision, or the decay of burned wood would scratch his eyes or ingrain into his scent.

There was something about this place that made him keep on going, something about this place that would rejuvenate his strength. Ben took a step back, his large boots slamming into the ground like the very tree he cut down, sturdy and strong as he gripped the axe once again and got ready to swing back.

This was the way young men like Ben would make their money. In the town of Azon, a fire nation island colony there wasn't much to do for work. The island before the war was just a simple vacation area for rich earth nation nobles, until the fire nation found out that there was a rich supply of coal and wood.

Didn't take long for earth nation refugees to be huddled over to the island for the prospects of making a stable income for them and their family. Though…Ben didn't arrive on those boats.

'Back to work…don't think about it…'

Ben gripped the axe, his knuckles turning white as his gloves left indents along the handle. The blade striking with a resounding chop, the wood being broken in half from the sudden hit. Ben didn't wish to think about it…he would rather lose himself in his work, rather than lose himself in the past.

On the island, either coal mining or wood chopping were the only two profitable careers. There were of course healers, the occasional merchant, and the bartender. Though, the only real careers for people like Ben involved manual labor.

Working in the coal mines provided a lot more money and even led to a sort of financial stability. Though working in the coal mines wasn't safe, frequent cave ins and the other things the fire nation recruiters never told you about.

The men and woman there had increased chances of getting sick, some of them even losing their hair from the chemicals or lack of oxygen that the mines would provide for them. Ben even heard a couple of stories of fire nation soldiers accidently using there bending to trigger gas vents, turning the whole cave system into a fire pit.

Ben didn't have a purpose…and a part of him didn't really give a shit. Though, being burnt alive didn't sound like a good way to go.

Lumberjack work wasn't also that good. When the colony was being set up some fire nation soldier had one to many at the local saloon. There was no clear story for what happened, but the colonist saw the effects of what came after.

An island wide forest fire, the lush trees that would go into the fire nation war machines were destroyed or far too charred to be used as stable fuel, though there were situations where trees like the Ben were cutting somehow lived and were far to resilient against the flames. The way of making money on the island required two things, enough coal ore to cash in for coins or good and healthy wood to cash in as well for coin.

Ben felt the biting of the axe. The successful chopping as the next tree collapsed, Ben following the same routine as he kept on going. He wasn't like the other colonist; he was a refugee…though to a different war.

Ben narrowed his eyes, maneuvering around the bitter memories. In this place this was where they irked him more, always finding some way to distract him from his goals. Though, his goals were relatively simple.

Wake up, work…and cash in the money he made during the day. Go to the bar and drink to forget the past and repeat, it was a miserable existence, but to people like Ben who were simply escaping from the past, or just seeking solace and no responsibility. It was the greatest of havens.

A place where no one knew who you once were, or the crimes you had committed…of the monster you allowed yourself to become. As he struck the axe into the third tree he found, he realized that he wasn't the only one that fought in a war that felt like this, and he doubted that he would be the last.

As the third and final tree buckled under his power and strength, he began to pull the three together. Planting them on top of the other like a child playing with blocks as he went to his belt and began to unloop the twine around it.

His leathery gloves began untwining the twine clumps, the string was thin but solid enough to maintain the weight of the tree logs. It didn't take long for Ben to circle around the wood a couple of times to perform the structure of the tying.

The goggles were now hung around his neck as Ben got up from his crouch, the day's work was done and now all he needed to do was transport his trees to the factory and the guy working the wood cutter would process the wood for him.

He wouldn't have to stay around for that one but having a haul of three healthy and stable trees was good, it was very rare to get this lucky. Though, Ben always did have a talent for spotting life like this, knowing where the go to find the trees that were somehow strong enough to resist the flames.

The other guys at the bar would joke around about it when Ben wasn't around. A talent, to find things lost in this world.

Ben's ears perked up, or rather he felt something grace his presence. He could smell the watered-down beer first, and the mild string of curses following afterwards.

Ben got up, picking the axe towards the end, still having the blade resting along the ground as he got ready to meet the eyes of the interloper. A sigh escaped the boy's mouth as he saw the face of the person that decided to bug him.

"Oi…Ben!"

The drunken voice arose through the valley causing Ben to quickly grasp his ears from the loud sound. Ben didn't speak or wave hi back, he simply just looped his right hand between the twine and began to pull.

He didn't want to waste time or bring further attention to his haul. So, he simply lifted the twine attached to the logs and began dragging the wood to the factory.

It was Rin…Rin was an old man that had been here as far as Ben could remember. The old man by the rumors he heard stated that he arrived here with his family during the beginning of the war and tried to pave a career for himself on the island.

Hoping that he could escape in five years and maybe even pay for his children's education. He's been here for nearly thirty years. A frequent customer at the bar, well Ben shouldn't say much there too. He was fifteen years old and was nearly a month away from being sixteen himself, and he also had a tab to pay at the bar.

Smoking and drinking helped him forget, they even helped him dull those senses that allowed him to find things that were once lost. He didn't mind losing that feeling, the ability that he secretly harbored didn't bring him anything in his life.

War…suffering…and a fall that destroyed him. Cutting himself off from it was the best choice he had ever made, though on days like today…they would pester him like an annoying kath hound. Lin ran up to Ben, helping him drag along the strewn-up pile of logs.

"Let me help with that." Rin spoke, a crooked grin spread across his face as he talked to the boy. Ben snarling in disgust as he dropped the logs back onto the floor. The sudden maneuver nearly sending Rin flying.

Rin snarled back at Ben. "What the hell was that for!"

Ben simply shook his head. He wasn't a fool, and he knew what Rin was doing. If the two of them both carried the wooden logs to the factory Ben's hard work would be cut in half for a freeloader that simply just arrived.

"Damn kids don't have manners now a days. I'll help you carry up the logs, would it be that hard for just a simple pay?"

Ben sneered as he shook his head to the side, a salty grin covered his face. "Ran out of whiskey so you came looking for problems instead, old man?" The old man swallowed his spit as Rin's fingers began to bunch into fist. "I am not running a charity…go bother someone else."

"I have a family to feed. You don't have anyone."

"Wow…the same family which must love how dear old dad waste their money on his binge Friday nights, right?" He added a fresh grin as he sarcastically shook his head. The old man's face turning red as he saw Rin's fingers curl into two steady fists.

Ben knew what he was doing. He was two meters tall and the time of being a soldier during the wars and his work here as a lumberjack turned him nearly into complete muscle. He simply hoped to intimidate the man into backing down.

Ben picked up the logs once again, hoping that he scared off the old lumberjack only to have him come up in front of Ben to stop him in his tracks. "Listen…kid." Rin planted his finger on Ben's chest. Ben felt it, like a searing pain shooting through his chest through the cores of his abdomen.

A simple touch…the touch flying through his core as he felt it cut through him like a blade. The touch ripping through him as the familiar sensation that was ingrained into his mind threatened to cut into him.

Ben's hand collided with the old man, slapping his finger away. The pile of wood collapsing to the ground as Ben and Rin both stared down at the other.

Ben's eyes narrowed. His teeth sinking deep into his lower lip as he grunted out the command. The ferocity in his eyes blooming like a flame. "Don't touch me, don't you ever touch me."

Rin's eyes went down, paying attention to Ben's raised and closed fist. A disgusting sneer plastered across his face. Rin was old but the years he had spent working both the mines and wood working crafted a strong and sturdy old man. Even if he was an alcoholic still winding down after his nightly binge, he was still dangerous.

Ben could even tell what Rin was thinking. How he was just going to beat up the kid and leave with the supplies, the fire nation foreman didn't care about who brought the wood only caring about meeting their quota.

Though there was a huge difference between the two…one had been working in the woods for hours while the other was drunk. Ben dropped the axe next to the wooden pile, the blade collapsing to the side.

Ben leveled his fist in front of him and without a seconds wait Rin made his move. Ben dodging the first assault, a lopsided attack to his face, Ben pivoting his feet as he took a step backwards. His fist leveling in front of himself in a defensive stance.

Rin got ready, swiping his fist through the air aiming for Ben. The boy dogging it once again, though it was different now. Ben's fingers curling tightly, crimson blood escaping his gloves as he struck out with his left hand.

His fist soared and cut through the air like a blade. The feeling of flesh impounding the leather of the glove sent shockwaves through both men as Rin collapsed to the ground, the tumult sending him flying into the dirt.

Though before Ben could celebrate the victory. The old drunk shot up with a vibrant energy that Ben didn't even realize that he had. A sharp pain shot through his nose, his face heating up from the quick blow as his nose began to leak crimson.

Rin was angry now. The old drunk grabbing the axe blade that Ben carelessly left to the side. The old drunk slashing through the air nearly cleaving Ben in half, any normal person would of have been cleaved in half, though Ben and this ability of his gave him a chance.

"Hey…what the fuck!"

Ben shrieked. His voice carrying along the valley as he struck his foot down, striking Rin in the stomach. Though, the old man was too angry, and he recovered quickly from the kick to the abdomen. Sure, the old man was drunk and stupid, but Ben had been out here for hours.

The sweat was still cuffed along his brow from the long hours of continuous labor. Though Rin crossed the line. Trying to take another worker's claim was asking for a fight but picking up the axe and trying to murder him was too far.

Ben's eyes trained on the axe. The blade coming towards him once again but dodging the blow. It was coming to him in slow motion, even Rin was shocked how quickly the boy would recover. However unexpectedly the boys heal twisted from the freshly caked ashen dirt. The boy falling towards the earth as he grunted out, a pained gasp escaping from his lips.

Rin was about to do it…to smother out the pitiful existence of a life. The scary thing was how Ben didn't seem to care at this point, even more shocking was how he was ready to let the axe cut through him. A part of him wanted eternal rest, the part of him that wanted everything to just be over.

The memories of the Mandalorian wars…the scars of Revan and his teachings…and his fall to the dark side. The nightmares that haunted him to the point where he couldn't even sleep, the lust to drink and smoke away his life was far to rewarding.

What had his life been anyway…battle after battle…war after war… is that truly a way for someone to live their life?

But Ben felt it…something yearning inside of him. A hunger, or rather…anger welling up inside of him, a part of him that didn't want to die here, not in some shitty forest to an old drunk. He thrusted his good hand out, the force shooting through him like vibrant threads of emotion.

Rin dropped the axe; the man slowly being lifted into the air as he began to claw at his throat. His nails like talons leaving behind horrific imprints in his flesh as he grasped for air. Ben felt the power run through him, the dark side of the force.

It felt so…warm! Ben's lips twisting into a smile as his eyes narrowed at the old drunk. 'He was arrogant, thinking that because I was alone that I was weak. The fire nation may have beat you fools into submission, but I stand far beyond of a bender!'

Ben's fingers began to twist, the man's breathing silencing as the only thing that could be heard from Rin was the chocking of his vocal cords. He squeezed his fist harder, the force rushing through him like a divine wind as he felt the old fool begin to die and victory was going to be his.

Though…

This wasn't victory, there was a difference in defeating your enemy and killing them. Ben was acting like a mad dog, acting like a true Sith…

Ben's sinister face softened, twisting into one of sorrow as the urge of the dark side began to falter within him. His hand slowly unclasping as he felt shame well up inside his soul. Another testament to him…another failure of a boy that was once a jedi.

Rin's body slammed along the ashen floor, Ben's hulking form quickly moving in on him until the old drunk could see the boy's boots. Ben kneeled, the old man's voice still crooked and old but his ears were aware enough to hear. Ben was so close to the old drunk's head that he could smell the beer that clung to his breath.

"Tell no one about this…or I'll fucking end you." Ben spat out like bile. He was careless, he heard of what the fire nation did to people. He had no idea what they would do to force users like himself. Hell, they may very well confuse him of the avatar that had recently reappeared.

Though those thoughts weren't what was plaguing Ben's head. It was the thoughts he had prior when he was chocking out Rin. The guilt wallowing inside, festering alongside his soul…a disgusted and diseased hound dog that refused to give up.

He watched Rin run away. Kicking up the soot as Ben sighed, his gloved hands looping around the twine as he began to drag the pile of wood towards the fire nation factory. Though as Ben's boots dug into the beaten dirt, he couldn't stop it…the feeling of guilt.

Another sin added to the pile. Though he knew that people like Rin became like this due to the fire nations influence. He knew how evil they were, almost as evil as the Mandalorians along the rim.

Ben's eyes narrowed, his teeth sinking into his lower lip. Blood dripping as the memories surged through his head. 'Malachor V…they got what they fucking deserved there, on that dead planet. I'm glad…that we slaughtered them all there.'

Ben felt the weight of his thoughts as he once again shook his head viciously. That was no way for a jedi to think…

He scoffed at the thought. Calling himself a jedi once again, he was a fool. He casted along that title years ago when he followed Revan and his jedi crusaders. He tossed it once again when he embraced the dark side, and finally…he left it all behind in the end.

"Maybe a quick drink…and a couple of smokes…just to forget a little." He softly spoke, almost feint like a whisper as the sound of logs being dragged echoed throughout the destroyed forest. He already knew that drinking alcohol and smoking those things would limit his connection to the force, they would also hold back the nightmares and the wounds inflicted from the past that followed him.

Though…he didn't care. Jedi and Sith…light and dark…in this place it didn't matter anymore. All he wanted was to vanish and forget. Though…as the force would have it…such things were easier said than done.

Author Note

Hi!

This is my newest story! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the oc. Reviews are greatly appreciated and I usually respond to them in the next chapter. Please favorite, follow and review!

This story is going to follow the main plot of Avatar. Though I want to change up the story a little bit...introducing new situations and new encounters to keep things fresh. I do not want to do a retelling. Thanks again for reading and have a wonderful and awesome day!