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Chapter 2
They had dropped off the Thropter at the Academy hanger in republic city. Then, Meetra was quickly shuttled away to the automobile as her father took the wheel. She heard the clinking of his keys and the spur of the engine as they were taken away from the great city.
Meetra's grey eyes went along the scenery and her surroundings. She whirled down the windows as the rippling cold air darted along her free-flowing black hair. Her eyes clung to the outskirts of the exterior parts of the fading city.
Republic City was massive and a thriving metropolis. Home to Airbender island and likewise the First Jedi Academy that Benjamin would construct. However, the Wilum family home was not within the concrete jungle of Republic city, but rather in the countryside.
A decent half hour to full hour drive. Yet, Meetra could take in the sights and smells of this place. She could taste along the tip of her tongue the saltiness of the ocean to her side. She could feel the nice cold wind that wasn't mingled with coal or oil pollution that filled her nostrils in Republic City, and there was something comfy about this place.
Maybe, that was why her father and mother never did make their home in republic city…unlike her uncle Aang and the rest of her father's group. She turned away with a sigh as her vision focused in front of her.
Then, she turned towards her father.
Benjamin 'Diath' Wilum, Master and Watchman of The Jedi Order. The Great Grandmaster and master of nearly over a hundred students. Within his back and will alone, he rebirthed the Jedi Order. Not only that but improving and changing their ancient and dogmatic traits.
The right to experience love, the ability to marry, and even under certain circumstances the teaching of certain dark side abilities. It was The Master Jedi who brought in this era of light.
But she never saw this…to her, this man was only her father. An older man, some would've even stated that he had no business in raising a kid being over his fifties. He was tall, and even with his old age still held a very muscular build.
Creases and wrinkles had begun to form from the years of stress and harsh living, but they were still well rounded and handsome. She had inherited her mother's eyes and straight hair, even many stating that they looked a lot alike. However, she inherited her father's jet-black hair, but also…his control of the force.
There were some within the order that has even stated that she may be stronger than even her…
"Meetra."
Her father's soft voice dulled her thoughts. Her eyes going towards her father's hand on the wheel, eyeing the mechanical prosthetic arm. Her father had stopped hiding it, but she could tell that even now…the wound was still fresh in his mind, nearly as fresh as the day he had it.
"What was that all about, Meetra?" He questioned, but Meetra didn't respond. Merely, only glancing away. "Meetra," He called out to her again, this time his fingers going to his nose. Taking a deep breath as he glanced at his daughter.
His features softened, his gaze darting back to the road as he glanced at the sun. It was going to pour tonight. There was going to be a major thunderstorm, sudden, shockingly that was what had been broadcasting on the radios all throughout the four nations.
However, Ben didn't really feel any worry about that right now…he was more worried about the daughter that not only failed her classes, but also got expelled from one of the most prestigious academies within the fire nation.
"Why did you fail your classes?" He asked. However, this time. He didn't let her finish. "I know your not an idiot, Meetra. You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Meetra's eyes widened as she turned to her father. She shuffled within her seat as Ben only narrowed his eyes, and then letting a breath of air expel from his nose and lips.
"Meetra…" He sighed.
"What happened over there?" He asked. "Were you getting bullied or something…were you missing home and you thought that me and your mother wouldn't allow you back?"
Yet, Meetra shook her head. Her eyes going to her father as he stared back into the grey of them.
"I hated it there, dad." She shuffled within her seat. Her hands wrapping around herself as she bit her lip in anger.
"You know that the principle would always shit talk you?"
Ben sighed. "First off, language…" He rose his finger silencing her. "Also, I am sorry that you had to hear that."
Ben glanced around the outskirts of republic city, maybe, this was also his fault. Meetra had been raised around Republic City for years. A melting pot of the four nations that has excelled due to the Avatar and The Jedi Order.
However, he had forgotten that many fire nation members still held ill intent and will against him, Zuko, and Aang.
He saw the statue. His and Aang's statue…shining proudly as they defended Republic City. 'It's been a while, old friend. Don't worry…I've been protecting Korra.'
The warm thought streamed through his head as he looked back to his daughter. "You know that I don't care what other people think of me…"
"I know," His daughter blurted out. "Jedi don't care about what other people think. Your meant to be on a higher level than the rest of us."
"Rest of you?" He repeated with a chuckle. However, his daughter merely scrunched up more and wrapped her hands around herself. "Meetra, you have the capacity to be a Jedi. Heck, I think you'll make a great one."
Her eyes widened. "Then why can't be one!"
The furry of her voice shocked Ben. Nearly whirling the car along the road. "I hated it there, dad. And you guys didn't listen to me about anything, and I just wanted to…"
Ben took a breather from the sudden shock.
His hand going to his daughter's own as he tightened his grip on her. "Meetra, I am sorry," He sighed. "Your mother thought it would be a good idea for you to leave home for a bit. For you to learn where you come from…"
"I was born in Republic City, and I've lived there for my whole life."
"Yes, that's correct," Ben replied. "But your also of Fire Nation nobility. Your mother had her whole life there, and she can only go for Jedi business. Many within the nobility still believe that…"
"Then, why did she send me there to study and play nice with their daughters." She huffed.
"Meetra, you're missing the point here," Ben cut off. "New experiences, new people, a whole new land. That was what your mother and me wanted for you…"
Meetra sneered as she turned her head out of the window. "More like that's what she wanted from me," She spat. "Face it, Dad. Mom…she doesn't like me."
"Meetra, no," Ben spoke. "Your mother loves you and she cares about you so much."
"Then why did she send me hundreds of miles away to some crappy boarding school then?" Meetra yelled.
Ben shook his head. "Your mother just wants you to know that there is other…," Ben waved his hand in the air for a second, almost like the answer would come from the very action itself. "Experiences…"
He nodded with the final answer with a proud smile, but he failed to realize that it only angered his teenage daughter more. "Experiences," She repeated. "No, dad. I want to be a Jedi…you guys promised me that if this didn't work out. I could go into my Jedi training."
Ben sighed, but she could tell that her father was in a better mood than before. "You know how late I am for Jedi training dad. I need to do this, and I know that's what I want to do for the rest of my life."
Meetra sighed. "It's my legacy, my namesake."
Then, she saw something unexpected happen to her father. Usually, when she talked about becoming a Jedi. Her father would smile and be proud. However, that sentence, that one sentence…
It wasn't out of disgust, but rather out of…melancholy or sadness. Ben just stayed silent as he glanced at his daughter. Eyeing the features of him and Ty Lee, looking at the great and beautiful thing that they had created.
Her name was Meetra 'Madelil' Wilum. A powerful force sensitive and first born of Ben and Ty Lee. The only daughter, and heir to a great Jedi name. Benjamin pondered over that sentence she had spoken.
There daughter was named after the famed Jedi Guardian and Master Meetra Surik. She was his Jedi Master in both life and death, likewise, was an older sister to him. She kept him on the straight and narrow as she reminded him of what must be done. It was her that sparked the fire that laid dormant within him…and she helped him find the light.
Madelil was his mother. A powerful, but brittle force sensitive that was sold to his father. She would bear him and sacrifice herself so he would have a better life. He named his daughter after the most important woman in his life. However, Ben wondered for a second…how much pressure did he and Ty Lee put on Meetra, to bear such a name.
The car stopped. The time flashing quicker than Meetra had even realized as her father unlocked the locks of her car door as they both made their way out of the car. It had been months ever since Meetra had seen her family home, and she felt her heart ache at seeing it.
The old oak walls, the smell of burning wood from the chimney to combat the cold, and the river…oh the river. The one in which her father, her, and Isaac would play in during the summer. She could feel the warm memories spark a smile across her face.
However, she glanced into the windows. Seeing the curtains roughly pulled as she was taken aback by the other members of her family. Isaac, and Ty Lee…her mother.
Isaac was already dressed within his pajamas. His dark hair falling in front of his eyes as she felt a snicker rise from her lips at how long it had gotten. Her brother and her both shared their father's olive skin tone and dark black hair, even her mother's grey eyes. However, while her hair was straight, her brother's hair was wavier and messier.
"Come on," Her father urged her on. "Let's go and talk to your mother. We got a lot to talk about."
Meetra eyed her father. "Would me telling her how I saved a couple of those students lessen the blow of me being expelled?"
Ben sparked a smile. "Maybe, that would do some good," They walked side to side up the hill leading to their house. However, his smile did not vanish. "I'm so proud of you, Meetra. But remember…that was a very dangerous thing you did. Be careful next time."
"If you let me start training when everyone else did theirs…I would've already had six years of experience. I would've been fine."
Ben merely sighed. "Don't be overconfident. Your connection to the force may not have been honed, but it still aids you. Hell, there are situations in which feeling or utilizing the force can only weaken you or put you at risk."
Meetra's eyes widened. "Utilizing the force can…"
However, her father cut her off with the wave of his hand. "That's a long lesson, for another day. Come on, we got to speak to your mother."
The rain pattered along their windows with a dreadful humming. Like an endless flicking that could not go away. Ben sat at the head of the table as Meetra and Ty Lee sat opposed to the other. Ty Lee's eyes were directed to the table, likewise her daughters own matching eyes were directed to it as well.
Ben let out a tired groan. Lightly cracking his neck as his fingers trailed along his joints. He slightly reminisced about his time at the doctors. The young man detailing for him the exercises and relaxations for him to utilize to unwind.
They had grown older…while Aang, Katara, Toph, and Zuko had there children around their twenties and thirties. Ben and Ty Lee had believed that…they couldn't. A sore spot within their marriage around that time, but they were content to be fatherly and motherly figures to the many students within their Jedi Order.
However, it seems the force had other plans. Blessing them with there oldest, Meetra. And once again with there son, Isaac.
They were too damn old to be dealing with this, and it caused a tired huff to empty from his lips as he realized that they'd be dealing with Isaac's own teenage years.
They…
Ben's features tightened as he glanced at his wife, seeing the tired and worn features. Some would've stated that it was due to her old age and experiences…however he knew better. 'When are we going to tell them, Ty Lee…the longer we wait…it's just going to hurt them more when they realize how little time we have left together.'
Ty Lee emptied her breath from her lips. Slowly shaking her head as she absorbed the prior conversation that Ben and Meetra had within the car. Now, Ty Lee was finally going to speak.
"Meetra, there is no excuse for the blatant failing of all your classes," Ty Lee said. However, right before Meetra could argue or say anything. She saw the outline of a smile dart along her mother's features. "I am proud of you, Meetra. Those girls would've died without your intervention. You were a hero that day."
Meetra felt her heart slowly soften at the sight of her mother's smile. She had slowly begun to realize how much she had truthfully missed her mother after all this time. She eyed the lightsaber along her waist, the warm reds, and browns of her Jedi robe.
Yet, Ty Lee took another breather. "Maybe, that will be enough to get you into the academy again. Zuko can try and vouch for…"
"What!" She bellowed.
Meetra's hand went into the table with such force it rocked it. "Are you kidding me. I am not going to go back to that crappy academy!"
"Meetra, language," Ben cut her off.
He turned towards his wife. "Ty Lee," He spoke. "Come on, this obviously isn't working."
"Because she wasn't trying, Benjamin. Now, she'll apply herself…" She turned towards Meetra as the girl only turned her head away from her mother. "Meetra, come on. This is the fire nation royal academy. Think about how it will look if you graduate from this place. You can go to school anywhere, and be what you want."
Ty Lee rose from her seat, but she saw the sour look…the anger that decorated her daughters face. Taking a deep breath as she went back into her seat.
"I don't want to be a doctor, a lawyer, or some politician," Meetra spoke with a snarl. "You and dad both promised me that if the school didn't work out…I can attend the Jedi Academy."
Ty Lee's eyes widened as she turned towards Ben. However, her eyes went back to her daughter. "No, Meetra," She answered, seeing the anger highlight over her face. "That was if you applied yourself at the school. You didn't try, anything. Your grades, no friends, what were you even doing there!"
Anger streamed off Ty Lee's face. Even Ben was taken aback by the sudden anger as he slowly reached to grasp her hand, only for Ty Lee to move it away suddenly. That was when Ben slowly begun to realize that something was wrong.
Ty Lee was sweating, she looked nauseated, and the sickness started to escape whatever control she held. "Try making friends when nearly all the members of the faculty hate your father and mother!" She snapped.
Ty Lee didn't speak, but rather just stayed still…
However, Ben rose. "Ty Lee, we did promise her that she'll be trained as a Jedi if this didn't work."
Ty Lee's anger shot towards Ben. "Benjamin, we are not going to compromise with a fourteen-year-old. She didn't apply herself or…"
"Ty Lee, come on," Ben pleaded. He whirled towards his daughter. "I never liked the idea. Why did we send her away in the first place?"
"Because it was important for her to know where she comes from…where I come from."
Ben at first heard the same words a couple of months ago when they had first discussed it. He didn't like the idea at all, but he didn't want to protect Meetra from the world and deep down he did believe it would be a good experience for Meetra. However, she had remained isolated, and her grades had plunged.
This wasn't good for Meetra…
"I hate the fire nation," Meetra snapped. "There a bunch of dogmatic, ancient, old assholes who think there better than everyone. The royals and nobility are the worst!"
"Oi, Meetra," Ty Lee snapped. "You forget that you are of also noble blood…"
"Noble blood, what's the point of that," Meetra rasped. "We have nothing in the fire nation. They hate us. We have no prestige, we have no honor, they despise us!"
Ty Lee huffed. "Maybe, but it's still important for you to realize what you are…what I am."
Ty Lee moved closer to her as Meetra only turned away. "I hate them, mom. There a bunch of murderers, how can you even send me over there after what they did to you!"
Ty Lee gasped in response. Ben being by her side as he looked towards Meetra.
"Meetra, go to your room and cool off. I'll talk to your mom."
There was a definitive tone, but a softness that was trademarked to her father. However, Meetra was still angry. Running down the hall as her lips unlatched one last time. "I hate you mom!"
The door slammed shut with a bang that rocked the house. Ben and Ty Lee now alone within the living room as Ty Lee shakingly rose and made her way towards the window.
"Ty Lee…" Ben murmured hesitantly.
She stayed silent. Her hands wrapped around herself almost like a dreadful cold threatened to ensnare and contort her. He could see the chills that rode along her body, the way her features sunk and tears began to bite within her eyes.
"Ty Lee…" He repeated. His hands wrapping around her from behind as he pulled her closer to him. She shook once, and then again. Before she knew it, she was collapsed into his arms and bawling into his robes.
"She hates me, Ben," She cried. "My daughter hates me."
"Ty Lee, she doesn't hate you. She's just going through a faze right now and she…"
"I deserve it, Ben," She said. Bringing her face to him. "I'm a rotten mother, aren't I," She snapped her teeth. "What the hell was I thinking, Ben. I sent her off hundreds of miles away to that crappy academy for what…"
Ty Lee clung to him. "I remember my time at the academy…I remember how cutthroat it was and Azula. Why did I think it was going to be any different for Meetra. What type of fool am I?"
"You're not a fool, Ty Lee. I even thought that it would be a good idea for her to go and learn to understand that part of her culture…but it was a mistake. She's here with us now, and we need to decide what to do."
Ty Lee features soured. Parting from Ben as she made her way back to the window.
"You already know what has to be done, Ty Lee," Ben said. "We promised her if it didn't work…then she'll try her hand at being a Jedi."
Ty Lee's features warped back into anger. "She doesn't have to be a Jedi, Benjamin. She could be anything she wants within this world…we are at an era of peace and…"
"…and what, Ty Lee?" Ben questioned. "Sure, this is an era of peace, but the force has blessed not only her, but Isaac as well. It calls for her to learn and the more we wait, the harder for her it will be…"
Ty Lee shook her head. "Eighteen."
However, Ben's eyes widened. "No, Ty Lee," He shook his head. "No, we're not doing that. A promise is a promise, and Meetra wants to learn to be a Jedi. She has the skills and the potential to be a great one and I am not going to go through this again."
"Go through what again?"
Ben sighed. "Meetra asked us to train her when she was eight, then twelve, and now fourteen…your saying eighteen now?" Ben clicked his lips. "No, Ty Lee. She wants to learn."
Ty Lee shook her head.
"What's the problem with her being a Jedi, Ty Lee," He asked. "Why are you…"
"She doesn't need to, Benjamin," She answered. Turning back to her husband as she looked within his golden eyes. "Benjamin, back then, all those decades ago we were all fitted with an important responsibility. Aang had his own journey and tribulations…but we were forced and tasked by the force to become Jedi, we had no other option!"
Ben's eyes widened. "You believed that I forced you to…"
"No, Ben," She shook her head. "No, but we had a pivotal responsibility to the light. To battle against the darkness and we just recently dealt with Lord Rowan. Meetra doesn't have to grow up with the constant battle between the light and the dark…she could have a normal life like Haru's daughter."
However, this caused Ben to shake his head. "Haru's daughter chose to not follow the way of the Jedi. That was her choice and desire, and she did not stop her twins from following Haru's path."
Ty Lee was silent. But Ben pressed on. "Many within the order question why we have not trained them within the academy. There has been…"
Ty Lee shook her head. "What we do with our children is not the order's problem."
Ben's features warped into anger. "It is when those two children are stronger than The Grandmaster in raw force potential," he sighed as the words left his lips. Bringing his gaze back to Ty lee. "Especially, Isaac."
Ty Lee swallowed her breath, however Ben continued. "Ty Lee, I know that deep down you realize how stupid this all is. We can't do this to Meetra, and we sure as shit can't keep this up with Isaac. You've felt it, you know what that boy is…what he is going to become."
Ty Lee's fingers tightened into fist. "We don't…"
"Don't be a fool."
Ty Lee's eyes widened at the sudden harsh words. She looked upon her husband and she saw him…the roaring power he excreted within the force that caused even the greatest of monarchs to bow and plead.
"You've felt it, and everyone that has touched upon Isaac's connection to the force have said the same thing. It's stronger than me, you, Haru, and even Jet," Ben sighed as he made his way to his wife's side. "At first, I would've compared it to Revan. But it's stronger than that, Ty Lee. He has far greater raw force potential than Exar, Ulic, Meetra…our son may very well be the strongest force sensitive in recorded history. We can't protect him forever, and the force has its own plans for him."
Ty Lee bit her lip from the sudden sentence. "I don't want that for them, Benjamin," She cried. "Our children deserve a choice on what they do with there lives. Force be damned."
She shook her head. Her fingers going to the cool glass of the window as she heard the relaxing patter of the rain along there home.
"I think of him, more often…every time I see Isaac's smile and hear his laughter," She took a breath, her words jumbled as he heard the breakage within it. "I think of Jet. He was only fourteen years old when he died…when he gave his life for Katara. I don't want that for our children, Benjamin. I want them to live long and happy lives that they could be proud of…I don't want them to die underground surrounded by death and destruction!"
"Ty Lee," He spoke. Rushing to embrace her once again as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Everything is going to be okay."
However, Ty Lee felt it. A cough ruptured through her lips as she raised her fist, however, they both eyed it. The blood that had dribbled out of the cough and now down her lip.
"Ty Lee…"
However, Ty Lee returned a smile now. "It's okay, Benjamin," She sighed. "I've lived a long life. Sure, there was bad, but there was good…there was light."
She whirled her head towards the end of the hallway. Spotting the doors that would lead to her children's room. "Isaac and Meetra…I was so worried that they would be born with deformities or God forbid a miscarriage. But the force protected them, sure, the birth may have messed me up…but I've relished all my time with my family."
"Ty Lee…" Ben spoke once again. Feeling the biting of tears eat into him as he brought her closer.
"Benjamin," Ty Lee spoke. "Protect our children for me…I'll always be watching, but protect them for me."
"Of course, I always will."
Ty Lee's head rested along his chest like that time all those many decades ago. If felt so strong, so comfortable, so warm. However, Ben's thoughts brought him back. Reminding him of what Meetra had spoken of during the car ride, of her namesake, of her legacy.
"Ty Lee, did we make a mistake?" His wife rose her face to him. "By giving our children such names. Such grand names that they must live up too…"
Ty Lee sniffled. Bringing him closer and tighter into the embrace. The only sound that could be heard was the thumping and pattering of the raindrops outside of their window. However, they were all mute to the encroaching darkness that was coming to break through the very peace they had created.