Author Note: Yo thanks for reading this chapter and I hope you enjoy it. Though, I want to talk. Thank you all that have read, followed, and favorited this story but I would greatly appreciate a couple of reviews. It helps me interact with the people who like this story and if you review at the bottom of the next chapter I will respond. I greatly appreciate each and every one of you guys that have taken the time to check out this story. Remember to favorite, follow and review it helps me with my motivation and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 5

The wind cut into Benjamin's face as he swiped the tendrils of dark hair away from his eyes. The airbender…Aang that was the boys true name stood holding along the reins of his strange flying bison. Benjamin plopped a role of tobacco in his mouth, striking up a flame from one of his final matches as he felt the smoke empty into his core.

Aang, the kind good natured boy that helped him. No, the boy saved his life. Without him he would have had died on that island of fire. He heard tales from the people of this world, nothing much though but mostly gossip he would pick up when he wasn't blacked out drunk.

The avatar was some sort of powerful spirit, able to bend all four elements. Though, he never truly cared about the art of bending. Even though he hated his ability he was still solely a force user, a being blessed with the ability of the force. Gifted…with the darker aspects.

Ben shook the thoughts clean from his head. 'Not now…' he chastised himself as he gazed towards the other members of the trio. He didn't want to embark on a fucking another existential crisis. He still had a firm memory of what happened the night before.

The alcohol…the smokes…the grief. It was Ben's own life and Meetra once again was trying to convince him to abandon his choices. So, what if the avatar needed help? He wasn't the only person in the world that needed help.

Though, there was something bothering Ben. A lingering sensation spreading through him as he stared along the leathery large saddle strapped along the bison. Sadness…

Sadness, that someone like Meetra…someone that suffered like him wanted to throw him into another hell hole. This wasn't his war or his world, yes, the fire nation killed Bill. Yes, he was very angry about them killing him, but he remembered his words.

Anger and other strong negative emotions would make him easily fall to the dark side. He was all too familiar with that path. If he entertained this idea of revenge, he would embrace the same Benjamin that he once was.

He wouldn't allow that to happen…he wouldn't let anyone get hurt due to his own incompetence or failings anymore. Ben's eyes went towards the other members of the trio, the strange lemur like animal with the massive flap of ears.

Katara, the girl who he stole the alcohol from the night before. He didn't apologize and she didn't ask any questions, he still had the stains in his shirt and the smell of smoke lingering on him that he already knew that she understood what happened the prior night. Though, she didn't ask for any money to replace the item or anything of what happened.

Sokka, the girl's younger brother was there as well. The boy didn't speak to Benjamin simply playing with his weapon as he withdrew from him. Though, Ben clicked his lips as he understood. It wasn't the boy's fault, number 1 they only knew each other for less than a day, and that he was very quiet and choose to only speak when spoken too.

"Ay…Ben. We're here."

The avatar spoke up. His voice rising to match the wind as Ben's fingers interlocked with the leather of the saddle. Though, Ben mustered up his strength to throw his head over to the side. His eyes enlarging as he saw a truly wonderful sight.

The large wooden houses were arrayed like dominos, the land was full of them. A small but pleasant island surrounded the likes of the gulf. He could see the green and blue algae clash together as the rough waves splashed along the shoreline. His eyes loosened as he saw the specks of black as he saw the people slowly move around.

This felt different…sure he had been in starfighters and his own share of land speeders before. Though, there was something different about this. There was something homey or familiar about such a place like this. A certain strength ingrained into the island itself, he thought for a second that maybe this was the force at work…that maybe the lush islands was powered through it, that the light side energy was entranced by the serenity of the island.

Ben could feel it…the power of it. Though, how could the light side hold such power? Though, he also felt that the island held no share of the darkness. Ben didn't have enough time to ponder over it more as the bison's feet landed on the dirt.

Ben's fingers untwined as he fell forward from the strange animal. Landing on his back onto the cold hard dirt. "Oh god!" Sokka yelped, him and the avatar leaping in alarm as they peered over. God forbid that he broke his neck or something crazy.

Though, they only saw Benjamin sitting upright. Softly stroking the back of his head as he began to wipe off his knees. Sokka broke into a grin as he tried to hide his laughter. Though, Ben could feel it. It was quite stupid and a reminder that his connection to the force was damaged, his precognition abilities should have had warned him.

'Though, maybe I was too distracted…and in distraction lies death.'

Ben's eyes widened from the sudden words that entered his mind. The melancholy thoughts turning quickly into thoughts of battle and somber as he quickly picked himself up. "Ay…Aang. Thanks for that."

"For that?" He spoke up. Didn't he just fall off of his bison due to his poor handling.

"No not for what that dumb animal did…for saving my life and taking me here." Ben spoke. The Bison almost understanding his words as it snarled at Ben. 'Dumb animal…' he thought as he took a step backward.

"Ah…don't worry about it."

Ben peered towards the side of the Bison. Seeing the villagers rush to greet the avatar. Ben didn't want to be involved…this was a new part of his journey, and he didn't want to risk the fire nation knowing who he was. If it was revealed that a force sensitive was following with the avatar who knows what would have had happened.

He didn't need or want such attention. Even being here would maybe be a liability…maybe leaving…maybe going somewhere else. "Just run away. Run…as far as I can go." He softly whispered to himself, his left-hand parting away the fallen brush of the pine trees as he pushed into the open woods.

As team avatar watched the young man push through the wilderness. His brown jacket and long dark hair the final thing they saw.

"Do you guys think…he'll be okay?" Aang's voice rose along the saddle of the bison. His eyes focused on the dirt beneath them. Ben had only been with them for a short while, though Aang didn't like the idea of just leaving him alone. Though, did he really have a say in anything Ben should do.

"If I was quicker…if I simply didn't run away. Then all of this would not have happened." Aang spoke up. The willingness to give into his self-doubt felt too strong, until he felt the strand of a warm but familiar feeling on his shoulder.

"Aang, it wasn't your fault. None of this was." Katara turned towards the woods. "Benjamin…he has habits that I don't like, though I think he'll be fine."

Katara, reminded of when she found Benjamin. A mile away from camp, the strange item he holstered along his side was dug into the dirt. He reeked of medicinal alcohol and cheap tobacco. He was so unconscious to the point where she was forced to use her water bending to get him out of his stupor.

Sokka had different feelings towards the boy. He was just there…he didn't speak to them or anything like that. He arrived with them, got treated by Katara and left on his own. Ben was a lumbering figure, maybe Sokka was a tad bit frightened by his side and build.

He didn't feel comfortable cracking one or two jokes to a guy who he hardly knew, a guy that could break his skinny bones with a well-placed kick. "Come on, Aang." The warrior spoke up, his hand reaching for his own friend as he lifted him up from his seat. The villagers of the island were now rushing to greet them.

"Let's go…"

Ben's feet tracked through the dirt as his large boots left heavy indents. He noted the significant change from his once sluggish movements, it felt refreshing in its own way to move with a steady pace. Due to forest fire that destroyed the island, ash decorated the soil like heavy snow.

He didn't want to stay on another island. So, as he continued walking, he began to form a plan. Not to stay in the same place for too long and to not get attached to people anymore, he didn't want to have another situation like with Bill happen again.

Find a job that he can have that allows him to just drop and run if needed. Maybe as a fisherman, a hunter…or maybe even a traveling merchant. As he pushed through the final brush of trees the fierce glare of the sun caused him to shield his eyes.

As he casted his fingers away he was rewarded with the salty smell of the ocean as he saw the neighboring islands and hopefully what he believed was the mainland on the very edge of his gaze. His eyes went downwards along the coast, seeing a wooden crafted dock jutting out from the ocean.

Rows of fishing ships decorated the harbor. Ben's lips turned into a small smile as he simply realized that he could just hide in one of the cargos in the ship. An easy and free voyage all the way to the mainland, or he can simply just steal what he needed.

This is where his new life would be…

Ben's eyes locked ahead. The fierce glare of the sun refracting as Ben's eyes widened in alarm. A horrid feeling began to spread through his core like pitchforks sprouting through his chest. The lights of the sun hit the dark metal of the ship.

Ben's teeth clenched together as he watched the fire nation war ship dock on the area. His eyes following as the fire nation began to spread their flames around. He could hardly even see them, only their bright orange flames lighting the area in vibrant strands of color.

He could even begin to smell the smoke reach his nostrils…

Ben's fingers tightened as his right hand glided down to his thigh. Ready to draw the royal blaster and then…

'Then what!'

Ben's thoughts breached into his head. The boy's hand collapsing to his side as he tried to shake the thought free. People were going to get hurt…maybe even die. Though, was that truly his problem anymore?

The fire nation was here to deal with the avatar. Wasn't it his responsibility to deal with these fire nation soldiers and to exterminate them?

Ben…wasn't a guardian of the Jedi order anymore. He wasn't a soldier…he wasn't a warrior…he became far less than that. He truly became a monster.

"Listen to me…Benjamin."

A sparkling flash of light erupted behind Ben. He quickly turned his attention towards his master as his eyes darted towards her ghost frame, the wisp of cyan like smoke emanating from her. "This is not to remind you of your destiny. This is not to remind you of what you once were…or what you owe to the galaxy and the Jedi. This is about a boy with the ability to save the world. The same boy who saved you from that burning island. Him and his friends are walking into a fire nation battle without knowing what will happen."

She took a step forward. Her right hand pointing towards Ben's chest as her eyes narrowed with a fierce glare aimed at Ben. "Are you going to abandon the boy who saved you…abandon him to this trap? This is your choice…Ben. Are you going to evade your responsibility once again, run away again from people trying to help you? This is your responsibility for what you yourself owe…this lies with you and it's up to you to pay this debt."

Ben's fingers clenched up. She was right…no matter what happens now this wasn't the time to think of the past or the future. It was the time to make things right. Ben's breathing stilled as he felt the force start to slowly flow through him once again…

Until his eyes opened, and those brown eyes pierced that once free fiery resolve.

Aang slashed downwards with his staff. The penetrating wave of air cutting through the landmass impacting three fire nation soldiers head on. The three men slamming to the cold dirt floor as Aang tiredly gasped as he let the fresh air fill his lungs.

Sokka's boomerang whisked through the air. Knocking a fire nation soldier in the side of his helmet, the man collapsing in the middle of the street. The wind was clouded with smoke, another island in flames as Katara rushed to bend the water on the burning buildings. "Aang, I don't think we can stay here anymore. The firebendors are too strong."

More faces of iron pushed through the liters of smoke. The avatar trio following in what they were doing. Pacifism…knocking out the fire nation soldiers or sending them hurling back. The fire nation soldiers even as they kept on burning the trees and the houses down, didn't fear.

They heard tales of the avatar and the trio. The fire nation soldiers weren't afraid of a bunch of teenagers, even though they were talented the worse they ever done to them was broken an arm or leg.

Those soldiers already knew that one day the avatar would slip up one day due to his mercy…and that would be the day he died.

A fire nation soldier peered from the rubble. His fist sparking with the embers of a new and profound flame as he…

"Ay…"

The man's flame diminished as his iron mask locked onto brown eyes. A strange object leveled Infront of his stomach. The boy cocked his head as his hair fell past his ears. He squeezed the trigger as a brilliant bolt of energy shot free from the barrel.

The unsuspecting trooper collapsed to the ground as his body shuddered underneath the extreme pressure. Katara, Aang and Sokka's mouths gaped at the brutality. Even the fire nation soldiers that were advancing once before stood aimlessly.

"Relax…he's fine. I didn't want to kill another person, so I switched on stun!"

The battle was about to continue when the fire nation soldiers were undazed. Though, Ben was quicker. The boy's legs pumped with the force, his body throttling forward as his began to dispatch the enemies.

The sound of the bolts etched along the streets as the fleeing civilians ducked and more fire nation soldiers collapsed to the floor.

"What's the plan!" Ben shouted out between the burst of his blaster pistol. The ornate weapon dishing out fiery damage, even the fire nation soldiers were starting to slowly diminish.

This new weapon that they never had seen before was rapidly culling their ranks. They could see the tense breathing of their fallen comrades though the new appearance of this stranger sent the fibers of low morale spreading through there very ranks.

"We have to keep pushing them back, until Katara deals with the fire!" Sokka sprouted as he caught his flying boomerang back in his palm. Sokka's voice arose through the fires. Katara kept on using her water bending to put out the violent flames, as the rest dealt with the fire nation soldiers.

Blaster bolts, the whisp of a boomerang and the cutting of wind was able to push back their advance. Even some of the civilians were aiding Katara with her bending, using buckets and trowels filled to the brim with water to douse the vibrant flames.

Until…it was over. The fire nation began to pull out of the island their muddled bodies rushing to the open entrance way of their ship to greet them. Though, the battle was still raging on.

Ben tossed himself along the dirt strewn road. His knees and shoulders burning from the sudden tumult as he dodged a wave of fire. His blaster caught the gleam of the sun, as the bright blue stun ripped through their ranks.

"Ay, Bastard…" Ben sprouted off as he watched them collapse underneath the stuns. He could swear that he fired at the same exact guy he shot at five minutes ago. "Didn't I…"

Ben's eyes widened as he realized the situation. The avatar and him weren't killing them, they were simply stunning them or hurting them to the point where they passed out. That was the issue…stuns mostly only work against opponents wearing minimal armor.

Aang's air was able to cut through their ranks, but they would simply get up again, Katara's water would simply whip them and was only used defensively and Sokka…didn't even use a weapon!

Even Ben was simply using the non-lethal version of his blaster, how long could they hold up like this? The same fire nation soldiers they were putting down would simply get back up again a couple of minutes later.

"Aang!" Ben's voice rose throughout the street. "We have to leave…now!"

The young boy shook from the pressure of Ben's yell. His fingers trailed into his robe picking up a strange whistle of sorts, he mustered up a mighty breath of air as he squeezed into the whistle. A mighty roar echoed as Ben leaped away as the strange flying bison.

"What are we doing, there still soldiers around!" Katara yelped as her brother quickly grabbed her and began dragging her away towards the bison.

"We don't have the time, Katara. They'll just keep on coming!" Sokka shouted back to his sister.

Aang launched himself into the air as he grabbed along the reins of the bison. His feet landing on the white fur as Katara and Sokka grabbed along the leather saddle as they hurled themselves up. Ben followed suite, his left hand grabbing along the saddle as his right fired off with the blaster.

He felt the wind wisp as they lurched straight into the air. His eyes now comprehending what just happened, the fires dancing along the island.

People were quickly shuttling into the crude fishing boats as they were hurdled off the island. Some seeking solace near the ocean to evade the dancing flames.

His brown eyes reflecting a deep orange as the flames of the island danced along his vision. Though, it was…

"Holy fuck!" He yelped.

Ben's voice arose throughout the air as he lurched himself into the saddle. His legs dangling in mid air as Sokka grabbed the hem of his pants and pulled him the rest in. Quick enough to evade the searing red fireball.

"There catapulting…fire balls!" Sokka shrieked as they ducked deeper into the saddle as the strange bison dipped and weaved away from the island. Though…

Ben's eyes widened as he felt the force flow through him…precognition. He knew when the next fireball was going to come, it was going to strike the bison's foot and break it, sear it and he could even smell the baked flesh along his nostrils.

The power of the vision sent him into action as he grudgingly forced himself up. His shaking legs stabilized as he wrapped the fingers of his left hand along one of the arm handles.

"What are you doing!" Katara's voice cut through the wind. The flapping of Ben's jacket along the rough winds radiated along his ear drums. His long hair sprayed and cut into his face as he lifted his right hand. He felt the force spread through him in every pore of his being, he felt it within in earth…he felt the power of the force that was carried in this world, a strange strength welling from within.

He cocked his arm back. The force energy welling in his right hand as he thrusted the same hand out, the blast of force energy slammed into the boulder of fire. The spray of rock and fire sprayed as Katara and Sokka's mouth gaped.

"What!"

Aang's own eyes wandered as he turned around towards Ben. Sweat plastered along his brow as his knee connected with the leathery saddle. His eyes closed as the muscles of his right arm throbbed and blistered.

The avatar erupting with a single word. Almost like a whisper and hard to hear. "The force…"