Author Note: Yo, very important. Read the author note on the bottom of this chapter after reading. It holds something very important. Thanks for reading this chapter and all the people that have favorited, followed and reviewed. It really warms my heart to know that people have read and enjoyed the story. Please remember to follow, favorite and review. It greatly helps with my motivation. Thanks once again for reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 11
- The Fortuneteller (Part II) -
Aang's foot lightly tapped along the dark red metal of the ship floor. Each singular tap produced a small echo that would dull the ears of everyone near him.
"Aang, please stop." Katara softly groaned. The young airbender heeding her words as his impatient tapping began to slowly speed down.
After what that dark jedi did to them…the fire nation soldiers including Zuko's own crew had helped stabilize and capture the remaining villagers and huddled them to the two ships. Sokka picked himself up from the crowd of people. They were in a cell of some sorts.
The long rows of steel pipes created a barrier between them and the hallway. The cell was large for a room, it didn't hold anything of value though Sokka could smell fuel along his nostrils.
The fire nation war ship…or rather Zhao's war ship to be specific was a large vessel. Possibly with many rooms to hold the fire nation soldiers. Its dark red metallic hallways were long and manipulating into the very depths of the vessel.
Sokka glanced around the room. The cell holding them and many others. Children clung to their mothers, the men laid on the wall or on the floor…even the fortuneteller herself sat neatly on the metallic floor.
Sokka didn't like to breath from his nose. Breathing from his nose would welcome the rusty smell of the vessel as well as the fuel. Sokka's eyes began to widen, this strong scent of fuel. They must have been located near the fueling station or the engine at least.
The locks on the door began to twist open. They were finally waiting for this moment, Sokka had his boomerang lost but he still raised his fist. Katara followed in his movements, while Aang was the only one that could produce air bending.
Even then…
The door creaked open. The dark robes of the figure pushed through the cell door as she took a step forward. Any form of resistance was drained from team avatar as they saw the face of the girl. Kiara…
She was missing her long robe. Now opting out to wearing a jet-black light robe. It wasn't as heavy or sluggish compared to the other robe that she used to wear, Sokka and Aang could notice how sluggish her movements were compared to now.
Though…it was Sokka's eyes that widened when he saw the girl. He didn't really expect for her to look like that. Maybe it was due to the fact that she force pushed him into a wall rendering him unconscious but he realized how she was insanely beautiful.
Her grey eyes narrowed at the trio. Her hair was out of her braid and the long lines of straight black hair fell neatly down her neck. Her light brown freckles reflected from the warm glow of the lantern. Katara's own eyes wavered towards the girl's waist as she saw the light reflect off the metal.
The two cylindrical hilts were clipped to Kiara's belt. They were both the same length and same design. They were a blend of light greys and carbon black. The main ribbed sections set below the outer shrouds provided a firm and aesthetically pleasing grip profile. Each blade could fit neatly in the palm of a person's hand, or in two hands if one wanted to hold a singular saber with both hands along the blade.
The others weren't as brave as team avatar. The men, woman and children rushed towards the end of the room to avoid the dark jedi. Kiara didn't pay them no attention. She wasn't here for them and didn't care to speak to them at all.
She herself had questions…
"Avatar…"
Aang's eyes shot wide open as he went up to Kiara. This was the same girl that plucked him from the air and threw him through a wall. A blow that he was lucky he was able to come from relatively unscathed from.
Even then…he was more shocked to hear of what she did. She killed all those men. Benjamin, he mentioned before that if he let her live then she would have been a problem to deal with later, he even mentioned how she killed those other two guardsman.
Was he right? Kiara, the dark jedi didn't change her ways or seek redemption. Rather she built herself two new weapons. Was Benjamin, right?
"Yes…" He cautiously spoke. He took a step forward towards her. He began to steel himself; he could remember what Benjamin told him about dark jedi. He had to expect the worst out of her.
"I'm not going to tell you where Benjamin is. So don't even think about asking." Aang spoke. He tried to deepen his voice, even then it came out forced rather than powerful.
The giggle that Kiara produced shattered his confidence as she rested her hand on her hip. The avatar dropping his raised finger as his eyes went towards her. "Relax, I am not going to ask about Benjamin. Even if I did…I'd make you tell me, either by breaking you or by using the force to extract the answers from you."
The blunt response made Aang take a step backward. Her cold grey eyes losing any trace of warmth, rather it would of have been far to say if there were any warmth to begin with. To just carelessly state that she would torture the answers out of them sent a shiver down Aang's spine.
"Benjamin, the false Jedi. I don't need his location, we already captured you and are in eye distance of the island. Soon he'll take that bison of yours and fly it to the ships where I'll be waiting. It is just a matter of time until I take his life…and complete this mission." She answered
Sokka gritted his teeth. Newfound determination and bravery rising in the core of his bowels as he glared at Kiara. "You think you got yourself so figured out…fine then leave. What are you even doing here if you already got the answers!" Sokka angrily spoke.
Kiara didn't smile, she didn't even appear to recognize what Sokka said or the look he gave her. "You ask me why I am here?"
Her grey eyes narrowed at the young avatar. Though…Aang could feel it. There was something different about her. The tone of her voice was voided of any hostility or cruelty…rather curiosity.
"I wish to understand something before I kill Benjamin. I have already dueled him before and I could understand that the false jedi won't give me the answer to that question." As she spoke, her back pressed against the closed door of the cell. Her eyes still fixated on the avatar, like he held the knowledge to her greatest question. "I wish to understand…why Benjamin would give up the force. Why would someone like him turn way from the force once…and then walk the path of the Jedi?"
The fortuneteller's eyes widened in alarm, her fingers going towards her mouth in complete astonishment. Trailing the conversation closer as her own eyes traced what was going on. Her mouth slowly parting in awe.
"Psh…" Sokka mumbled turning away from Kiara. His hands sliding into his pockets as he began to walk away from her. "You think we would tell you. Hell, I can hardly understand this Jedi or Sith things everyone here keeps on prattling on about." Sokka wheezed.
Katara didn't follow her brother. "I don't understand what you mean. Benjamin, he has been a Jedi all his life. Yes, he had given up the force but he's still a Jedi at heart."
Kiara laughed. Her laugh rid of innocence and clarity, borderline mad or manically in the way she did it. "Wow, that is hilarious. Do you even hear yourself?" Kiara spoke wiping a tear from her eye as she turned back to Katara steeling her face once again. "A Jedi, Benjamin…he's nothing more than a fraud. He's nothing more than a child playing pretend. No…I could feel the anger that was within him, the echo that follows his will over the force. I felt his hate and anger in that warehouse."
She shook her head. Her grey eyes locking with Katara's own. "No Jedi…uses the force in the way Benjamin uses it. That is why I am asking this question." She said as she turned back to Aang.
"Why is Benjamin acting like this?" She wrapped her arms around herself, now Aang could tell that she was becoming more demanding, more serious. "I could feel the dark side that is within him. He fully understands the power of the force. Instead of accepting it, he fights against it. His power of force lightning, even though it was unrefined was nearly comparable or even stronger than the masters at the academy." She remarked, Aang and Katara noting her words.
Kiara, she knew how powerful Benjamin was in the force. Even with her pride and ego…even being so proud she could tell the strength he held with the force and the dark side. Though, that begged another question. Why would someone give it all up?
"I have never met anyone like Benjamin. His control of the force is unrefined but powerful…even though he hates this gift that the force has blessed him with. He lets himself be consumed and crushed by the dark side of the force, even so he tries to fight against it. I can even feel the desire that is within him…the inner thoughts in his head, the thoughts that try to lure him into falling to the dark side."
"That's enough!" Katara's voice rippled and echoed throughout the room. Her eyes narrowed as she stared down the dark Jedi. "Stop talking like you know Benjamin. Like you understand him, even after all this time we are still learning more about him and he is still improving. Sure, there were setbacks with the drinking and the smoking but he's getting better. This dark side stuff you're talking about doesn't matter…we'll keep him in line."
Kiara simply stared at the girl. Pressing her finger towards her temple as she shook her head wondering how it came to this after such a simple question.
"It's easy…" Aang spoke, newfound confidence blooming from Katara's outburst. "Benjamin, is a better person than you."
"Yeah." Sokka spoke up. His voice following from the back of the room. "Maybe, he's so strong that he is able to control the dark side. Something that you and the rest of your cronies at the academy were too weak to do." He jabbed.
Kiara let out a soft breath. Her eyes directed towards the door as she began to open it. The locks unlocking as Kiara took a step forward. However, it was a sudden voice that caused her to turn back around before she departed.
"Unlike you…Sith or Jedi. Whatever you are. Benjamin is our friend; we won't allow him to even dream of walking down your path or seduced by this dark side." Sokka spoke up, team avatar nodding in agreement.
Kiara began to close the door. Even so it was her grey eyes that they saw before she fully shut the door behind her. Her cold voice trailing through the air like a knife.
"…oh, but he already has…the dark side has already warped his heart…"
Her chilling words were cut as the locks went back to the door. Everyone stared at it for a second. The cold metal door the only thing separating the from freedom. There was a relative silence that cut through the air. Dousing the hearts of the villagers.
It was a sad thing to see. To see how their hearts shifted and hope was lost. Benjamin, he would have to overcome Kiara and they would have to escape. That was there only hope…for a drunken fool to somehow best her again and find some way of escape.
Aang already knew that Appa couldn't hold all the people here and dealing with Kaira and the rest of the fire nation soldiers. This was now beginning to seem hopeless.
"She's right you know. Your friend, I could feel the darkness that was within his heart."
"What who said that?" Sokka spoke up, the crowd's eyes turning towards the fortuneteller herself.
"Aunt Wu?" Katara whispered. Walking over towards the old woman. "Why would you say that. Benjamin, I know is rough around the edges, but he doesn't have…"
The old woman shook her head. Rising from her seat as she began to walk toward the team, still speaking without a pause.
"I can feel it through the force. The echo that is within Benjamin, a wound that has not been healed. Whether the dark Jedi is right or wrong, Benjamin as a Jedi Knight holds a surprising amount of hatred." She got up from her seat walking up to team avatar. "I could feel it the moment he was in my room. The self-loathing, the self-doubt…the hatred and anger that bloomed inside of the boy." She confessed.
Aang got up from his own seat walking over towards the old woman. "I don't understand, but the jedi are gone how could you?"
"I am a force user, just like the girl and your friend Benjamin. Though, I am on a different level than those two."
"A different level?" Katara repeated.
"I can use the force to predict certain outcomes and I can feel powerful force users. Even then I cannot use telekinesis and other force abilities, I am merely an adept in the force with a minor affinity." She explained.
Aang couldn't believe it. To find another person that could use the force out here. Benjamin would be amazed to find one. He wasn't alone anymore…even then she called herself a force adept, not a jedi and if she was a Jedi what was she doing in this town?
Shouldn't she be helping to fight the fire nation?
"Aunt Wu…I don't understand something." Aang continued to speak as he stared at the old woman. "If you are a Jedi, what are you doing just predicting things. You could have helped people against the fire nation." Aang asked, his innocence shining through as Aunt Wu only stared at him for a second.
Aunt Wu shook her head dismissing Aang. "Avatar, I am not like Benjamin. I cannot control the force in the way your friend and the girl can. To even call me a Jedi would be disrespectful to the Jedi."
Aang scratched the back of his head. Still confused. "…but I don't understand."
"Avatar, my grandfather was a Jedi. The last of the dying breed of Jedi that survived the fire nation and Sith alliance, the first purge of the Jedi order." She carefully spoke.
"The first purge…" Sokka repeated. His face contorted into one of pure confusion and disbelief as he began to pace in place.
"Yes, the first purge. When the fire nation and the Sith created their alliance and rid the world of the jedi. They exterminated them. They destroyed any knowledge of the jedi and stolen all the artifacts. I suppose they must be held somewhere in the fire nation." She rested her hand on her chest. Her voice proud and powerful. "My grandfather was a Jedi watchman…I am the last of the line of Jedi."
Her eyes darted to the door. Almost like she was able to see something that the rest could not, or rather predict something that was going to come.
"Though…now is not the time to speak of such things. Moments are fast approaching, moments that shall either send us into our salvation or into our destruction."
"Girl!"
Kiara turned towards the voice. She had just left the room where the avatar was located. She was slightly disappointed with the answer that she received. Well rather the lack of any answer. Her long black hair twirled around to catch the voice.
The scar on his face the first thing that caught Kiara's attention. She watched the young man walk up towards her, his fire nation armor dazzling in the lanterns set above as the pair both stared at the other for a second.
"You…" He raised his finger towards her. She could feel his rage and hate spewing from him like froth. "Why are we not going towards the fire nation at this very second. Why are we waiting here!"
Kiara clicked her lips together. She knew of him…the banished prince. The Sith, whether he was royalty or not didn't matter. Though, she would play nice for right now. She wouldn't want to explain to the masters why she broke the neck of the son of the fire lord.
She threw up one of her fake smiles, the smiles she would use to appease and to control. "Prince Zuko." She spoke, her standing position turning into one of a kneel as her eyes still clung to Zuko's own scared face.
"The avatar is staying here, yes. We are very grateful for your fleet and their involvement in helping us secure the avatar and are even more grateful with the fact that you have helped in his capture." She said, holding the same grin.
For a second…Zuko felt something. A strange piece of familiarity as he watched that girl smile up towards him.
"Helped…I did capture him." Zuko reaffirmed.
Kiara's eyes traced along a rather large old man. His greying hair and long beard visible to see, wearing the old armor of a fire nation general. Iroh, his eyes locked onto his nephew and to the girl. He was in the process of rolling his eyes.
Here was a pretty girl and his nephew was here screaming about the avatar. Though, it didn't dawn on Iroh for a second until he saw the two cylindrical hilts attached to her waist. Kiara didn't even need to glance at the old man, to feel the disturbance in the force he had created. True primal fear.
Sweat doused Iroh's brow as he quickly grabbed Zuko. Wrenching his nephew away and behind him. "Please, I am so sorry for what my nephew has said or done." He spoke in rapid fire succession.
"Ah…please don't apologize. Hey…have we met before?" Kiara asked. She could of swore that she had seen him before. Her eyes narrowed as she traced along the old man's wrinkles. Trying to find any sense of familiarity.
Iroh quickly rushed to answer, maybe even nearly tripping himself up in the process. "No…I have never seen you before, miss Jedi or…Darth?" He spoke. Tip toeing in the way he was pronouncing his words so he could not piss her off.
She didn't know why…she had never met him before. Even so he was familiar with the hierarchy of the Sith.
"Ah, you are familiar with us then. I suppose you are a high-ranking fire nation official." Kiara got up from her crouch. Her steel eyes now going to the old man. "I am Kiara, a dark jedi. I have yet to attain the right to pick a prestige class or earn the name of Darth." She bowed as she spoke.
"Though, hopefully with the death of the false Jedi…and this capture of the avatar I shall hopefully attain this privilege." She held her hand towards her chest and for the slightest second there was a tint of warmth in the girl's eyes. The talk of power maybe relighting a fraction of any humanity the girl had left.
That was when the puzzle clicked in the girl's head. Her white teeth shining under the yellow lantern light as she brough back her eyes towards the old man. "…ah I think I remember you. My master holds paintings of you two together…general iroh was it?" She spoke. The old man's eyes going into the back of his skull, she smiled as she savored his fear.
"Darth Fowl…" He spoke the name like it was taboo. Like it held a disgusting taste at the end of his tongue as he swallowed the rest of the words.
"Yes…he spoke very proud about you. The spoke of what happened at Ba sing say and I offer my condolences for your son." She said.
"It's fine, thank you." He returned back the bow.
"Ah, but I heard that you left duty due to following the prince after his banishment. If you so will it, I can have Darth Fowl work his magic and get you appointed before the next siege of ba sing say." She spoke with a smile that plastered her face. Her grey eyes like steel swords as Iroh rubbed the back of his neck.
He softly shook his head after a second. "It's okay miss Kiara. I have left that duty long ago, though why would you want an old man like me appointed again."
"Ah, Iroh. You don't understand. Darth Fowl speaks of you with the utmost importance and could hardly imagine laying that city to siege without you. It was him and you that destroyed and ravaged the lands around it…were you not?"
Kiara tested her words. She could see it…just like with Benjamin, the doubt and hesitation that laid within these moments. This wasn't the man that her master told her stories about, the man that had the earth kingdom on his knees.
Now he was just a tired old man with guilt. She clicked her lips as she waited for a response.
"Kiara, thank you but me and my nephew must get some sleep. We are leaving with the avatar tomorrow and with our honor. Thank you." He spoke. He already waved bye to her as he grabbed Zuko by the arm dragging his nephew behind him.
"Uncle what is…"
"Zuko!" Iroh spoke to his nephew. An edge in his voice that caused Zuko's own eyes to widen. "The girl, Kiara. You need to stay away from her, that girl…she's a monster." He whispered to his nephew.
He continued walking towards there room. Dragging his nephew along with him as Zuko was fighting in his grasp.
"What…I don't understand, what are you saying uncle." Zuko hesitated. He was unsure about this. His uncle very rarely got angry and always kept calm, even then the fear his voice was steeped in was something else.
"Prince Zuko, that girl. You are very lucky, people like that girl…if you did not have that title of being royal blood that girl would have quickly snuffed out your life." Iroh took a deep breath. Wiping the remnants of sweat off of his face. His breathing was uneven as the terror began to slowly leave him.
"We are so lucky…"
Kiara was walking away towards her quarters. A small smile decorated over her face; she could feel it. Rather, it was the force that was telling her. A grand moment was beginning to come, and she would be an important piece in the fray.
Unknown towards the fire nation soldiers that laughed and drank into the night in celebration of catching the avatar. There was a distinct figure moving along the ocean current. Appa, the large bison Benjamin believed would be useless for stealth missions.
Even then the large hulking creature was maneuvering stealthily between the two fire nation war ships. Appa, quietly groaned as Ben pointed further ahead. The large creature softly ducking into the water. Benjamin peered his head over as he took in the fire nation war ship.
The dark metal clouded in the raven like night. The warm glow welcomed Benjamin as this seemed to be one of the only ways to enter the warship. He gently patted Appa's head as he grabbed onto the edge of the window, lifting himself up and through the narrow opening.
His boot clattered along the metal hallway as the strange lemur soared through the opening. It bee lined straight ahead. "Damn it…" Benjamin muttered to himself as he followed the lemur.
He could feel it thought he force that the animal held a strange purpose. That it somehow was able to know where it was going. Like it knew where his objective was. He maneuvered around the arching hallways, using the force and the lemur to try to pinpoint his friends.
From what he could hear from the upper levels it seemed like all the crew members from both ships have all decided to party in celebration. The drinking evident from the cheerful whoops and slurred speech.
Ben's nose picked up the trace of fuel as he rounded the next corner. His eyes following three guards. His hand went to his thigh tracing his bandoleer. He gripped the old and ornate blaster, making sure the weapon was on stun as he aimed it at the three guards.
The lemur stopped in front of him. Following behind as he passed, maybe he could tell that danger was approaching. Ben aimed his weapon, firing two bolts of bronze light. The lights instantly hit the two guards stationed to the door as they collapsed unconscious.
"What the fuck!" The lone guard screamed. His voice roaring through the hall as he turned with his spear towards Benjamin.
"Goddamnit…" Ben muttered to himself. Pulling the trigger only to find the gun jammed. 'I really need to clean this thing.' He thought, cursing the gun jam as he slammed the blaster back into the holster. The young exile was fully aware of the fire nation soldier that aimed his spear and was charging straight at him.
He raised his hand outward. He felt the tension of the force wrap around the fire nation soldier, as he flicked his wrist to the left. The man flew off his feet, a rhythmic bang ricocheted and echoed as the man collapsed to the floor. His spear clattering to the metal floor.
'These exercises are really working out…thank you, Meetra.' Ben thought. It was true though, this power that he had now was thanks to the training of his master. Before just simply drawing on the force would leave him critically exhausted, but now due to this week of training he was beginning to get stronger.
Drawing on the force…after the longest time didn't feel like a curse anymore. He planted both of his feet in front of the door that they were guarding, he could feel the large number of lives that was on the other side of the door.
His right hand lashed out in front of the door, aimed at it as he kept his eyes open. He felt the tension of the force, his body growing tighter as he tried to concentrate. He could feel the tension of the force wrap around the metallic door.
Ben's hand began to twist. His fingers on his right hand began to slowly curl towards his palm. With that the whining of the door echoed through the hallway. The crunching of the metal door frame as the door began to consume deeper into itself.
The door whizzed and grunted until it broke and collapsed to the floor with a massive thunk. Ben took a steady step in the room, the wandering eyes of the villagers gazing at him.
"Yo!" He waved as he called out into the large room.
"Benjamin!" Sokka and Katara both cried out
"Benji!" Aang waved as the trio all came rushing towards him.
His friends nearly collided with him. He had to wrench himself free from the trio's grasp as the rest of the villagers got up from their seats. They made a circle around Ben and team avatar. The lemur going up towards Aang and resting on the young avatar's shoulder.
Ben cocked his head. "That damn lemur. Not going to ask where you got it, but it sure was useful in alerting me where you guys were." He spoke.
Aang nodded his head as Benjamin's eyes traced the massive amount of people that were imprisoned here.
"I saw the lightsaber marks from the guardsman. I suppose that Kiara is here." His eyes trained around the room, trying to form a guess of the amount of people here. "Sokka, what's the plan?"
"The plan…" He repeated. "How am I supposed to know?"
"Listen, there are a ton of people here that needs off this vessel. We need a plan, I do know one thing…" Benjamin spoke, his words tracing and drawing out as his eyes went out the door. "Me and Kiara…we are going to fight again."
Ben and the rest of team avatar conversed as they began to lead the people out. "I think I finally got an idea." Katara spoke, almost like a lightbulb igniting in his head.
"What is it!" Sokka responded back.
"Sokka, I think we can use my waterbending and Aang's airbending to pilot Zuko's war ship. Think about it for a second, all we need to do is use our bending to push it with the tide. Though, what are we going to do with Zhao's war ship. It has everyone on it, if they see us…"
"I'll deal with it." Benjamin stopped moving. The other villagers pushing past them as team avatar stopped in their tracks.
"How…I know you have those force magic, but how are you going to deal with all those soldiers." Sokka guessed.
"Sokka's right." Aang agreed, taking a step forward as Momo clung to the boy's shoulder. "We can't let you off to distract them all."
Ben shook his head. Pointing down the hallway.
"I'm going to destroy the ship. Target the engine and blow it from the inside out." He began running before they could try and stop him. "Don't wait for me!" He yelled out as Sokka simply groaned.
"Damn it…that fool is going to get himself killed." Sokka spoke, team avatar choosing to trust Ben as they went to save the rest of the villagers.
Though, Benjamin didn't hear that. Already speeding off towards the engine room as the smell of fuel only got thicker and more identifiable. The exile eventually pushed through the hulking door and made his way into a large room.
The exile's eyes peered all around the room. It was a huge room, probably the biggest one on the whole boat. The roof was large and was maybe two floors, two long steel bridges voided of handlebars led to other areas of the ship.
Though, it was the massive heat that boomed from the huge furnace that was ingrained into the room. It was pressed against the wall and the large heat stung Ben's eyes. Even so he approached. He didn't really have no idea how he was going to destroy it.
Even then…he had to try. Ben's form instantly stopped, the tension of the air tightening as he could feel it in the air…how he could feel the force. Ben clicked his lips as he turned around. "Ah, your already here…apprentice." Benjamin expressed, already knowing who was there.
Kiara didn't change out of her outfit. Not even tidying up her braid as the hot air ruffled the locks of free-flowing dark hair. A faint smile spread from her lips, she stood above him on one of the bridges. She leaped off.
She used the force to slow her fall as her two feet lightly touched the metal floor. "Ah, the false Jedi. I have been waiting for this moment." She spoke. She began to inch closer to Benjamin. The boy's right hand reaching around to his back as he felt the leathery handle of his sword.
Kiara, she used the force to grab her two blades. The crimson fiery blades each ignited as her grey eyes caught onto Benjamin's own.
"Ah, your eyes…there back to normal." She cocked her head back. Snapping her neck as she twirled the crimson blades between her fingers to get a better grip. "The eyes of the true Sith. To give up the dark side so easily, what a shame."
Ben sucked his lip. "Giving up the dark side…are you nuts or something." The whir of Ben's sword sliding free from his scabbard graced their ears. He readied the blade with both hands in front of her. "You can never give up the dark side, it will forever be a part of you…apprentice. It is something that you must always avoid, it is not something any Jedi can be free of." He lectured.
"To think, I will be the one that kills the last of the Jedi." She readied her stance, Benjamin noting how she was using Jar Kai. Though, it was different. He assumed that for the girl's small size and her realizing that Benjamin was stronger was most likely using a modified version of the form. "My destiny…and my rise to the true Sith will lead to your demise."
Ben gripped his own sword tighter. "Destiny…quit spouting out a bunch of cryptic nonsense." A small smirk spread across his face, his eyes dilating as he felt the force strengthen his body. "The point is. This is not war…it's a duel, it isn't different than any of the duels that I have been through, not any different from the battles that have defined me, apprentice. The last one standing is always the winner."
Kiara sucked her lip. "Apprentice" the singular word he would call her, she didn't know why but every time he uttered it to her it was seriously pissing her off. She lunged forward. The hum of her lightsabers as she twirled into a crimson tornado of flurries.
Benjamin took a step forward. The force fueling both the duelist movements as Ben lunged forward. The humming of lightsaber blades and the clang of metal filled the room as the sparks ensnared the two duelists.
Kiara, even after a week was an even stronger duelist than Benjamin realized. He was having a hard time keeping up with her, a part of him was quite shocked that she was able to get so good with two blades in such a short amount of time.
He ducked as her blade nearly cleaved him. Throwing a well-placed kick that slammed her in her stomach as she fell backward, she swiftly followed in a backwards role saving herself. Ben jutted the blade into a stab.
The blade not even nicking her as she casted the blade on her left hand upwards. The lightsaber smacking the sword up as Benjamin leaped away. Once again, the room was filled with the hum of lightsaber blades and the metallic thuds of a sword.
Benjamin would have been carved into ribbons if he kept on trying this. He fought against many Jedi and Sith in his life before, noting their styles and forms. However, he had rarely fought against those holding two blades or double bladed.
However, he already knew that he would be carved to ribbons if he reacted to each blade individually. Even as Kiara would try to parry, and he would have to use the force to push her away she was the one with control over the situation.
Benjamin twisted his sword to the side, the muscles on his right leg planting along the hard metallic floor. With a mighty roar he gripped the handle of the blade as he swiped across, a mighty cleave so strong that it was able to leave behind a mighty swoosh in the air.
Kiara raised both blades to block. Even then Benjamin was far too strong, his attack slamming the dark jedi across the room. Her back slamming into the hard metallic floor with a mighty thunk as both lightsaber blades unignited.
Kiara wheezed for air as Benjamin moved forward. His sword raised above his head as he instantly swung down. Kiara was quicker, she gained enough air. Using the force to lift one of her lightsaber blades. The hum of the ignited blade pierced the air with its red glow.
Both blades locked along the other as they connected. Kiara though was sweating now. Benjamin was stronger, pushing her down with his sword as she tried to hold him back with her own lightsaber blade. Even then it was not enough, he forced her down to a knee. Benjamin pushing the saber closer to her face.
He called upon the force, letting it flow through him and guide his hand. The force flowing through him like a spoon to broth. He was going to win…he was going to be able to strike down Kiara, he was going to avenge all those people that died.
"Even a dark jedi like herself, most likely didn't have a choice. She was a victim to the dark side…she was voided of the choice between light and dark, she only fell to the dark side due to the ignorance and manipulation of the Sith. Though, a murderer like yourself wouldn't care for such things. You've killed for far less…haven't you?"
The voice broke through Benjamin's head. Hesitation, hesitation once again…the silent killer. Kiara felt it, the same feeling. Guilt…and fear, she savored it like an expensive wine. Kiara broke free from the saber lock. Benjamin moving backwards as he lost control of the duel.
'Why did I hesitate…I did it again. I had to chance to kill her, and I let it go, what the hell is wrong with me. These damn thoughts…'
Benjamin dodged a fierce blow towards his abdomen. The crimson blade and his sword creating an array of sparks though it was evident to both duelist of how Kiara was beginning to win. She was driving him back with furious slashes. Forcing the exile to backpedal as he was forced back on the defensive.
She was relentless. Benjamin was awarded with different possibilities with the force to know where she was going to attack, even then he could hardly get them right. Only providing a meager defense as Kiara's smile only grew.
Kiara was powerful, she was drawing on the full power of the dark side and letting it funnel through her. She gave herself to her emotions and her passions, not fighting against it but rather savoring the fear that her enemy was feeling.
How could she not…she was savoring the guilt and fear that Benjamin was feeling. The thoughts of self-doubt and guilt that was crippling the boy. Benjamin lunged forward with a powerful stab, only for his strike to be turned away in the very next second. She was back again with a series of hurricane flurries that he could hardly defend against.
It all came to a head as Kiara broke from another saber lock. Lashing out with her left hand as she used the force to push Benjamin. The boy was exhausted, sweat dripping from his brow as his legs chattered like they were going to go out any second.
He could hardly prepare as the blast of force energy hit him like a truck. His blade was thrown from his hands and clattered to the floor. His back slamming into the metal wall as his mouth unlatched from the pain.
He slid off the wall. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was the will of a fool that forced himself back up. Though, Benjamin was a mess.
Kiara could only smile. Her insane glee only broadening as the crimson blade twirled in her hands. Finally, she would complete her mission. She felt it…
That distinct hum, the way the air cracked like it was lit up by a generator. Her smile instantly vanished as she knuckles turned white, all the hair on her body shooting up and falling back down as unparalleled fear flew through her.
Benjamin was up. His breathing was heavy…his messy hair clouding the view of his eyes, but she could see the sulfuric orange that outlined them, she could feel the power of the dark side that was within him, the true power of the dark side.
His palms exploded with violet lightning. The balls of lightning engulfed his palm, the purple tendrils wrapping around him like chains as they pulsed in erratic motion.
Kiara, she readied her lightsaber blade and tightened her force barrier. She knew it was a measly resistance but hopefully her new training at the academy could at least provide a monetary defense.
Ben raised his right hand towards her. The bolts were about to freely jut out even then…
Ben's brown eyes returned to normal. The lightning dying down and disappearing like they were never there as all that was replaced was golden eyes, he shook his head. He couldn't allow it, he couldn't give himself to the dark side.
Not again…never again…that part of him. Yet, Benjamin knew that he was trying to fight the dark side, he hesitated and in hesitation lies death.
That was the difference that separated the two jedi. Benjamin, a powerful force sensitive and an even more talented lightsaber duelist, taken into the order at an older age and was purposefully held back. A boy that was surrounded by war ever since he was young and was broken by it. Dying on Malachor V and being reborn as Sith. He slaughtered many Mandalorian, Sith and Jedi.
Kiara, a girl that was not as powerful or talented with lightsaber blades. She grown up in both a noble household, and in the Sith academy at the fire nation capitol.
Though, there was a massive difference between the exile and the dark jedi that aspired to be a true Sith.
One deluded himself with mercy…while one knew to never hesitate
Kiara slammed her foot downward. Her whole body aimed straight at Benjamin as she swung downward with her lightsaber blade. Benjamin used the force to pull his sword into his left hand. His fingers wrapping around the handle.
Though, it was far too late. Benjamin couldn't properly block, sending Kiara's blade downward and instead of both blades hitting the other, Kiara's crimson blade seared off and into Ben's fingers.
It went black for a second…the hilt of his sword collapsing to the floor as he couldn't understand what happened. He felt…warm. His golden eyes glossed down to his left hand, the searing nubs of his fingers.
The pinky finger and the ring finger were sliced in half. Those were all that remained of the exile's fingers as the searing hot flames of pain skyrocketed through his body. He couldn't believe it…
His tears fell down his cheeks as he fell to his knees. The hilt and handle of his blade were cleaved off in a disgusting altered angle. The only thing that remained was an unusable blade with no handle. Benjamin's right hand grappled with his left hand.
The pain was so volatile and so painful that he was beginning to see stars. His vision darkening as the warm glow of the furnace glowed the embers of sweat that rippled his skin. His breathing became hoarse as the clapping of shoes began to slowly approach him.
The hum of Kiara's lightsaber blade only grown louder with each step. Benjamin, his eyes were fixated on the dark metal, holding the nub of his fingers as the remnants seared into his palm. The pain was everywhere, it shot out from his palm and skyrocket through his spine.
"Finally, I can't believe it." Kiara laughed, her smile broadening as she raised her lightsaber with two hands. "You were too weak…your lack of killing intent. I thought at first that I was just miss reading something with the force, that someone couldn't have been so weak to spare someone that killed so many. Even with the flawed Jedi code you choose to not even take my life." She chuckled underneath her breath. "Let me show you false Jedi…what true power is like!"
Benjamin's vision was nearly consumed by darkness and sparks. He finally let go of his palm as his whole body felt numb, like he was dipped in freezing snow. 'I am so sorry. Aang…Meetra…Sokka…Katara…please forgive me.'
Benjamin had nearly just given up there. His eyes sinking into the back of his head as the shock began to soar through him. "Pathetic…to give up so easily. Die false Jedi!" Kiara screamed out. Her blade cutting through the air as the long strand of crimson went downwards to Benjamin's throat.
Though, Benjamin knew something…that this pit that was inside. This pain, this hate…was only fueling the beast within. The beast which he latched onto fierce chains and tried to keep him contained. The same beast that was born from the dark side and war.
It wanted out…it wanted to slaughter and destroy. To conquer and use these fangs of his to crush the true enemies that opposed them. For Benjamin, he already knew that dueling Kiara was a losing battle. That trying to fight her with only his core force abilities was a fool's effort.
He held no lightsaber and he had only begun retraining himself for only a week. Yes, he already learned the techniques and forms, but he still had to relearn. While Kiara never abandoned or damaged her connection to the force or abandoned the path of the dark side.
'I don't want them to die…my friends.' Benjamin thought, Kiara's blade whizzing closer and closer as he hoped to cleave off his head, a clean cut.
Benjamin's eyes began to part. 'I don't want anyone else to die for me…I don't want…to lose anyone else that I care for. I can't bear it anymore.'
Bill's face shown like a spark. The old man cleaning the same dishes in his bar as his bald head brightened with the fresh flame.
'I don't want to be weak or scared anymore! I want the power to protect those that I love. Those that I have grown to care for…I wish to have the strength Revan had. I want to be different…I want to be strong, and I don't want to be afraid or alone anymore. I don't want to keep running from place to place, and never feel like I am finding what I am looking for. I'm tired of being hunted I don't want people to die for me anymore. I want the strength…I need the strength. There are too many, this is war…it always has been war. Mandalorian…Sith…Fire nation…there all the same. I need that strength!'
Ben could feel it…the beast rising from the pit. It's claws seeing into his thighs and his lower back as it was wrenching itself free, trying to fight against the chains that suppressed him.
'Fine then…I'll let you free…I'll black it out just like during the wars. Just this once I'll fully draw on the dark side…I'll take this beast that it's only urge is to kill, and black everything else out…'
Kiara backed up as she felt the dark side energy whirl around Benjamin. She braced herself and her force barrier, even so it wasn't enough. The wave of powerful dark side energy threw her towards the wall. A thunk echoing from the engine as she slid off from it, still holding the blade but dazed.
Benjamin's eyes were hidden. Kiara could feel the dark side swirl around him, calling to him like a champion that was welcomed into his castle. "You call that power…no." Benjamin arched his head as he strained his words. His eyes staring daggers at Kiara.
The sopheric poisonous orange was there. His eyes were dilated as the red tendrils shot through the white irises dousing them in a light yellow.
"You think you know so much. Though, you understand so little…about the force…about power!" Benjamin's breathing echoed as he welcomed the violet strands of force lightning along the tips of his fingertips.
Kiara felt it again, the shiver through her spine as Benjamin's hand went to the right side of the room. Kiara's second lightsaber whirring through the air as Benjamin's palm welcomed the blade. "Cmer…apprentice."
He ignited the blade as the smoldering remains of his fingers were still smoking. His orange eyes sending a chill down Kiara's spine as her knuckles turned white, she could feel it. The true power of the dark side.
The crimson blade shot freely. "Let me show you power, apprentice!"
"Katara, is everyone on the ship!" Sokka yelled. The young warrior watching his sister run up to him as she quickly nodded.
He let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. I am going to need you and Aang to get into position and start bending." Sokka spoke.
Though, Katara was conflicted. Taking a step back. "Sokka, Benjamin is still on the ship we can't leave him."
"I know, but we still need to prepare for the worst possible outcome. Benjamin will be fine. We just need to give him time." Sokka spoke. Resting his hand on his sister's shoulder. She nodded as she began to walk towards Aang and the rest for further positioning.
Aang's airbending and Katara's waterbending would propel them forward. They would follow the current and dock back on land. Now all that was needed was Benjamin to sabotage Zhao's ship.
Though, Sokka saw something from the corner of his eye. He turned around towards it. He could see bright violet lights dazzling in where the engine room should very well be.
Kiara ducked, moving along the pipes as the violet tendrils of force lightning chased after her. The force lightning was unrefined, but Benjamin had a talent for controlling the tendrils. They came at her and danced along the pipes. Kiara raising her lightsaber blade to catch a volt of lightning.
She leaped from the pipes. Benjamin slashed as the sparks of the two blades connected. The flurry of attacks was quicker now. Kiara dodged and weaved. While Benjamin was on the pure offense. The dark side fueling him. The guilt…the pain…the self-loathing and hatred giving him strength as he slammed his lightsaber blade over Kiara's head.
She was weaker than him. Each blow was hard to deflect and even harder to parry. Getting hit by Benjamin was like getting hit by a fully grown bear. The strength difference between the two dark jedi was far too great.
Benjamin gripped the blade with both of his hands. A mighty roar echoing from him as he came up with a side angle, lifting the blade over his head as he slashed downwards. Kiara couldn't parry the blows, and with that one hit.
Kiara landed backwards. Rolling as her lightsaber blade extinguished. She felt something rise from her bowels as throw up was released from her mouth. Her breathing was rasped and rapid as she reached for her lightsaber blade.
"Oi…apprentice." Benjamin's words graced her ears, but she didn't look up at him. She was using the force to pull her lightsaber blade closer towards her. Even then. Her hand was raised in the air for a second. "Let me show you a trick I learned on the academy on Korriban."
Her throat felt stiffer, her breathing was ragged as both of her hands went to her throat. She couldn't speak, tears began to full her eyes as red scratch marks began to decorate her throat.
"It's called force choke." He said, a horrific smile from ear to ear to top it off. She was raised into the air. Her eyes bulging from her skull. Even then, Kiara spotted the remnants of Ben's sword. With a quick flick of her wrist the weapon beelined towards Benjamin.
Benjamin rushed to dodge, but he wasn't quick enough for the weapon to nick the side of his right shoulder as he grunted from the pain. It was enough for him to lose concentration as Kiara fell to the ground.
Though…the pair were too locked on their duel not to realize that the large sword implanted itself into the coal processor. Sparks radiated and bellowed as the machination was jammed.
Her hands were on her throat, but she knew she couldn't hesitate. She used the force to pull back her lightsaber blade. Lunging once again as Ben and her lightsaber blade connected once again into a saber lock.
"Die!" Ben's scream riddled her ears.
"Oh…someone is awfully angry. I can feel the dark side within you, how hard it is for you to not pass that threshold false jedi." She spat back out, her smile along her face.
"You talk too much you fucking bitch!"
Ben broke through the saber lock. Bashing his lightsaber again and again. The overwhelming power of Ben's blows caused the blade to slide from her hands. Kiara couldn't pick it up.
Kiara stood there for a second. Not moving an inch. Only for Ben's mouth…to twist. Benjamin with a mighty roar held the blade with his two hands. He was about to lift it overhead to finally strike her down.
Then that was when it happened…
The machination exploded. Ripping through the wall it was stationed in with such a mighty blast that it caved in on itself. Ben and Kiara were launched forward both dark jedi slamming into the floor as the smoke quickly filled the room.
The pipes popped as fire and smoke skewered out. Ben got up from his crouch. His eyes still glowing the sulphoric orange as he strained his head all around the room. "KIARA!" His voice roared and echoed throughout the ship. Unable to find the fleeing dark jedi.
The anger began to slowly leave Benjamin. His eyes starting to go back to their golden brown as he simply took heavy breaths. His eyes suddenly widened as he felt the ship starting to cave in on itself, the roaring rapids of the ocean starting to slowly rise. The ship was beginning to sink!
Ben's feet tapped along the metal floor as he began to race towards the upper levels. Though, as he ran, he could feel the tapping turning into splashing as his boots were beginning to fill up with water. He had to get out of here.
Ben found a staircase towards his left. Following it up as his boots slouched with the exhaust water still stored in. Though, it was his thoughts that further plagued him.
'What the hell was that about. I embraced the dark side again…what the fuck is wrong with me. One more time, that was the same exact crap I preached last time! I feel…hollow and cold. I don't know if it's due to my missing limbs, but I don't know what is wrong with me. I've pushed myself close to the dark side today, more so that I have done before. Why did I do it? Was it due to the pain…the self-loathing…the hatred…the fear of losing those that I have grown to care for? Why I am always forced to draw on the dark side, why has the light side of the force abandoned me!'
Ben pushed up the opening for the stairs. The sinking ship was being pulled farther down into the ocean's depths. Even so, Benjamin ran. He saw the other war ship and the people who were on the top. The villagers and his friends were on top.
He ran and as he jumped, he connected with the railing. The force fueled his legs as he felt the power surge through him, the mighty leap caused him to cut through the air. His legs gracing the metal of the other vessel as the floor welcomed him.
"Ben!" Aang ran up to the young dark jedi. Ben looked over his head to see how they were slowly making their way back towards the island.
"Took you long enough." Sokka spoke up as him and his sister walked up towards the exile.
Ben couldn't but help crack a smile. His eyes training on the trio. "Damn, we got lucky. The ships sinking and hopefully Kiara won't be a problem anymore." Ben's left hand went through his hair as he swiped away the strands that were plastered due to the sweat.
"Ben, your fingers…" Katara gasped, seeing the smoldering remains.
Ben looked down. "I know. It will take some time getting used to, but it didn't interfere with my dueling so that's something good at least." He tried to shrug off.
He wanted to sound cheerful. Sokka, Katara and Aang could tell how he was trying to force himself. How he was trying to be strong and to hide his emotions from them, maybe it was due to trust they thought.
Ben, to himself was there Jedi. He knew this…and he knew that he would have to shoulder the weight of this journey. He was the oldest, the strongest and the one that had fought in the most battles. He turned around to the sinking vessel. His eyes watching it start to sink.
His left hand ached…and the pain was so intense he wanted to cry. Though, he didn't. He shouldered the burden so those warm lights wouldn't see him weak.
He knew something was wrong with him…there was a hollowness that wasn't there before. He stared into the pit and for a second the beast that was chained inside was released, it sunk its teeth within his soul and grasped control.
He willingly gave into the dark side…and luckily the beast wretched it's mangled jaw free from him. He gave in, rather he caved in. How long could keep on going like this for?
Trying to play both sides, it was just like before…just one more time. One more time to lend me your power…one more time to lend me your strength…one more time is becoming more than one more time. Ben gritted his teeth as he saw the outline of the island get closer into his vision.
Aunt Wu sat across from Benjamin. The pair only separated by a table that Benjamin pushed towards the wall. The whole village was nearly destroyed, somehow though Aun't Wu's hut somehow made it relatively fine.
They stood there in silence for a couple of minutes. Ben could still smell the musty smell of rain along burnt wood. "So…I heard that you and the other villagers are leaving."
Ben spoke, his words trying to make conversation until he heard the rhythmic of something being poured into his glass.
"Gin?" She spoke. Resting the bottle down as Benjamins stared into his reflection at the bottom of the bottle. He stared at the light brown liquid, it welcomed him, and it did smell bad, but it would be worth it.
Ben sighed as he pushed the glass farther away from him. "I shouldn't…" Ben stuttered as he stared at the glass. "It limits my connection to the force."
"You're an idiot if you believe you can stop touching on the force. I feel how strong you are. You can't stop touching onto the force any more than you can stop breathing." She spoke, crossing her arms around herself.
Ben's eyes narrowed at the older woman, the sudden bluntness of her words irking him. His fingers twisted on his left hand…he glossed down it. Still seeing the burnt nubs. They were burnt and were slowly healing, bandaged together but even then…Ben could still feel it.
Maybe it was the force, maybe it was phantom pain, but he could swear that he could still feel the ends of his fingers like they were still there.
"Okay, I get it. What happens now." Benjamin asked. His eyes staring into Aunt's Wu's as she began to swirl her drink around. "You say your grandfather was a jedi, did he train you in the ways of the…"
"No…" She bluntly answered cutting him off immediately. Placing the drink back to the table. "My grandfather was a Jedi, yes, but even then I was given with a minor affinity towards the force. He has trained me with basic skills of precognition. Though, when I saw you…you reminded me of him so much."
"How?" Ben asked.
"You both have the same eyes; I can tell how tired you were when you entered into my shop. Those eyes of yours, the same eyes that I've bet seen a hundred battles and fought in many wars."
Ben's right hand gripped the table harder. His eyes fixated now on the wooden table as he didn't look into her eyes.
"Though, I can see it…I can feel it." Ben could hear her sip from her drink as the cup clinked back into the table. "I can feel the fire that you both hold in your heart, the power you radiate within the force, Benjamin."
Benjamin's eyes went back towards Aunt Wu. His form stifling as his back went straight up, that small dying flame, for only a second it felt ignited.
"My grandfather was like you…a man that fell to the dark side, he was eventually redeemed and went back to the Jedi." She confessed.
"So, your grandfather was like me." Ben stifled a chuckle. "Partying with both sides of the force. Both jedi and Sith…"
There were tales of people like Benjamin and Aunt Wu's grandfather. They weren't uncommon but such stories rarely ever had happy endings…turning away from the dark side was an immensely hard thing to do, and most of the time the fallen jedi would be slain in the end.
Though, there were situations where a fallen Jedi would realize the error of their ways and give up the force, cutting themselves off from the galaxy and everything but even then, keeping unconscious ties to it. This exactly happened to Benjamin.
"I can remember the stories that my grandfather told me. I can still remember the tales of the Jedi he would preach about, the golden age." A small smile appeared on her lips, small enough that Ben could hardly see it. "That was before the dark times, before the genocide of the airbender's and the purge." Her smile was gone, her words steeped in bile as she spat them out.
"Benjamin, I seen the way my grandfather spoke of the dark side. I see what it has done to him, I felt the echo in the force he had created. I felt it within you the moment you entered this shop…the dark side was so strong within you that I thought that you were one of the dark jedi of the fire nation. That you finally have come to slay me." She confessed.
Ben's eyes widened at that part. Nearly jumping out of his seat. "That's impossible…Aunt Wu there has to be a mistake. I did not use the dark side before we sat down, so how could you…"
"The dark side…it doesn't just work like that. It doesn't just fuel itself on evil acts, my grandfather fell because he wanted to become stronger for his order…he always wanted to fight and embrace battle. He protected the innocent but that hunger for war, that strive to slaughter and destroy the enemy even if they were evil…his hatred led him down to the dark side."
'The path to hell…is paved with good intentions.' Ben remembered the quote. Though, that quote held powerful meaning. They went to war with the mandalorians to protect the republic, but in the end they all fell.
Chalking up that all dark jedi were just like Freedon Nadd or Exar Kun was just too naïve. The force was far more complicated than that.
"Hatred…rage…fear…self-loathing…guilt. These strong emotions create ripples in the force, powerful echoes in ones being that makes the dark side stronger. Benjamin, when I first felt you…that was the first time I felt death in the force." Benjamin remembered it…Malachor V, it was a slaughter. Not only of Mandalorians but of Jedi as well. It left a whole…an echo, a dead spot in the force.
"Your scars go deep…they are far more than physical. They go into the core of your being, maybe it's your trauma that left such a powerful echo in the force." She spoke, Benjamin not turning away from the old fortuneteller. "Benjamin, we felt your battle with the dark jedi in the bowels of that ship. We felt your pain when you lost your fingers. I know how close you came to the dark side when you were fighting her. But now I can't even feel you, I can hardly feel you in the force. It's almost like you nearly caved in and stared into the heart of the dark side."
Ben stayed silent as Aunt Wu continued to speak. Even then he couldn't silence his thoughts. 'Is what she is saying true, did I really go that far? I was going to kill Kiara, I even lashed out with the dark side again. What the hell is wrong with me!'
As he was chastising himself Aunt Wu continued her lecture. Benjamin, instead taking a break from thinking and going back to staring at the old woman.
"You cannot deny your power in the force. Whether it be light or dark you must learn control of your abilities, or it shall lead you to the dark side. You must learn discipline to master it. If you do not learn control…you shall surely fall to the dark side."
Ben's breath began to get more rapid, his hands felt clammier as he listened to her continue to speak. She had him all figured out, was he and her grandfather really that similar?
"…and I know from my grandfather, and I felt it from you as well. You both knew how hard it must be to keep to the light side. The dark side is so seductive…" She pointed to the drink that Ben didn't sip from at least once. "It's far more addictive and destructive than the alcohol or smokes. And it calls for you, doesn't it? It calls…"
The moment you gave into me on that island…I have already been released
"The Jedi…you said before that you were the last of them, is that really true." Ben asked. Trying to quickly change the subject.
That thought…that voice. For a second it felt so real. Aunt Wu nodded her head. "Yes, my grandfather spent many years traveling to the numerous enclaves that were around the four nations. The fire nation destroyed them all and stole all that they could."
"What happened?" Ben asked.
"My grandfather never really spoke of it…he trained me yes, but he never found the will to train another true force sensitive in the ways of the Jedi. He gave up hope that this dark time would end. In all my years…you were the first Jedi, and the girl the first dark jedi that I have ever seen." She spoke, Benjamin nodding his head for her to continue. "I have not had any children; the force shall die with me and my bloodline. Benjamin, the Jedi order is dead…the Sith are all that remain and this alliance with the fire nation may very well end the war."
Ben's eyes didn't leave Aunt Wu's as he didn't know what to say or what to do. He had a feeling that something was to come…that the force brought him here for a reason, that there was a purpose he had to complete.
Aunt Wu picked up a large box from the side of her. It was a chestnut brown. The wood was aged and smelt quite nice. Ben watched as Aunt Wu slid it towards him as he caught it with his two hands. "A gift…it was my grandfathers, and now it is yours." She spoke, a small smirk over her face.
Ben twirled the box around with his two hands. The wooden planks felt coldly smooth as he stared at the two bright golden latches. Ben's fingers lightly popped open the box as it began to slowly crack open.
He was welcomed by beautiful fabric. Though, it was not just fabric. Benjamin could feel the force within them, the force that swirled around each fiber and morsel of the robes as his scarred hands moved over it, his fingers lightly gracing the soft red fabric.
"Benjamin, jedi knight. I gift you my grandfather's robes…"
Benjamin was at a loss for words. The robes were elegant but were not heavy. They greatly resembled the ones that the Qel droma family wore during the time of the great hunt and the Exar Kun wars.
They were light robes, voided of the heavy Jedi hood. Benjamin's fingers lightly brushed against them, these were robes suited for battle, he could even the faint sliver of metal shoulder guards and brown bracers that were under the fabric.
Even Benjamin himself could feel it. The trickle of dark side energy that simulated through the robe. He simply let out a sigh, but Aunt Wu didn't pick up on it or didn't care to comment. "Thank you for this gift. My clothes are practically in taters, so this is a god send. Thank you." He thanked. A smirk decorating his face as he stared at the robes.
"Alright then, well I've got a pair of scissors here. You need a haircut to get that hair from clouding your vison." Before Benjamin could decline or object, the old woman was already coming near him. "A Jedi…a duelist must not have to fear their hair getting in their eyes during battle."
Team avatar sat along their bison. Sokka was combing through their supplies as Katara and Aang lounged. "When is Benji coming back…we've been here for nearly an hour!" Aang cried out, the young airbender staring into the bright blue sky. "We got to head out before those fire nation soldiers…or that dark jedi comes back around again."
Katara peered over the saddle. She bad been watching the people of the town slowly pack up and leave. Due to what the fire nation had done, their homes were destroyed and now they were forced to leave. "Guys, are we the cause of this?"
Sokka and Aang's head popped up.
"What do you mean, Katara?" Sokka spoke up, he moved away from the supplies and took a seat near his sister. "It is definitely not our fault…the fire nation did all this." Sokka said. Stretching his arm out towards the destroyed village.
Even so Aang began to understand what Katara was trying to say, rather the truth known of them wanted to say.
"She's speaking of us going to this village, led the fire nation and Kiara here. Did we…did we unintentionally bring destruction to this town?" Aang stuttered.
Sokka scratched the back of his head as he went towards Aang. He rested his hand on the young airbender's shoulder as he spoke softly. "Aang, there was nothing we could have done here. Heck, we tried to intercept the fire nation…if it weren't for Kiara…"
Sokka stopped speaking, rather planting himself on the edge of the saddle as he shivered instantly as he spoke her name. That girl…with her dreadful silver eyes, those that would stare into you and make you feel like you were nothing.
He could still feel it…the way she pushed him in the air. It was a dreadful feeling; he knew that he was on a different league compared to benders. Even so, he was a warrior. He had been around multiple non benders to know how some could potentially be on the same level as skilled benders.
Even so…he couldn't help but grit his teeth. Kiara was on a completely different level. Benjamin just again saved their lives. The only reason they weren't shipped off to the fire nation was because of Kiara's obsession with killing Benjamin.
Even then, Benjamin jumped into the frying pan with Kiara and fought against her. Besting her a second time and rigging the engine to self-destruct, without him they would of died. Even so…Benjamin didn't come out unscathed.
"Katara, how is Ben…" Katara raised up her head, and then instantly went back to her feet. The shame glowing from her. "His fingers, I didn't get that good of a look of them."
"They're gone. His pinky and his ring finger were cleaved in half, I am not sure if he will still be able to fight properly with them." Aang spoke up, he turned his head away, not facing them as he spoke. Maybe it was his own shame.
Sokka's palm went to his face. Benjamin, he sacrificed his fingers for them…he saw the burns, it must have been painful, but he tried to throw off a front to them. Benjamin, he saved them…again.
…and they each failed to return the favor. They wanted to help him, they wanted to stand by his side and be there as a friend but how could they help him fight. When he was fighting against monsters like Kiara!
"Yo!"
They turned around as Benjamin pushed through the brush. He parted past the branches and trees as team avatar got a better look at the young jedi. "Benji, your hair!" Katara cried out. The new look shocking her, she liked the longer hair.
Benjamin's hair was cut way shorter than it was before. It was now over his neck. The sides were cut as well. The messy wavy hair was all that remained, but it was still reasonably long, but out of control.
Ben's brown bracers were arranged along his wrist. They went up to his elbow but didn't impede on bending or twisting, they even felt quite comfortable. His brown boots were heavy but felt weirdly light. He assumed that it was the force at work.
His brown pants were flexible and kind of reminded him of his old fire nation colony worker pants. Though, it was the belt that was unique. There were strange coins that fell in front of his belt, also an array of small pouches that decorated the right side of the leather belt as well. There was even a clip for a lightsaber.
There was no actual heavy robe, it was simply a tunic.. The tunic was a dark river blue, while the tabard was quite different then what he had seen before. It was half cut and extended from his left breast both front and back, and around his lower waist. It was a warm red, the color of roses and cherries.
There were two brown shoulder guards placed on Ben's robes. They glistened under the sunlight as they watched him.
"Nice outfit." Sokka sarcastically said, noting the bright colors. "Can we get a move on now." He spoke as Katara kept on watching Ben.
"What see something you like!" Ben shamelessly spoke.
Katara's face flushed as she raised her hand to help Benjamin up. The young exile, the jedi. His hair breezed in the wind but this time it didn't cloud his eyes, rather he stared up ahead. Aang, he watched it too.
Ben, he looked powerful right now. His hair was messy but tidy in its own way, he looked the part of the Jedi and not wearing the rags of his destroyed clothes from prior battles. He could even feel the power that he excreted.
A Jedi Knight…the last of his kind.
Ben didn't take Katara's hand. He leaped into the air as the dirt and rocks hovered in his place. He tucked his legs in so he would not fumble on the handlebars of Appa's saddle. As Benjamin's feet graced Appa's leathery saddle. The bison groaning from the random piece of weight packed onto him.
"Wow…nice trick!" Aang spoke up. Ben did a sudden bow as the trio began to get settled in, and soon they were up in the air. Ben leaned on the edge of the saddle. The young exile's hair blowing in the breeze as he watched the island diminish in view. "What a journey…" Ben smirked as his eyes went towards his friends.
"A journey, heck we nearly escaped with our lives." Sokka spouted off. The young warrior shaking his head.
"Cry me a river Sokka. That's basically have been our journey this whole trip. Though, I have missed this. Traveling with others…Tressal and Shan, I'd never did anything like this with them." He said aimlessly. Almost like he didn't even realize he spoke it, his words steeped in nostalgia.
Katara, Sokka and Aang all took notice to these names. "Tressal and Shan?" Aang spoke up from steering the bison. "Who were they?"
"…family." He bluntly spoke, then recoiling back as he waved his hand down. "Family, well to the Jedi …family may have had been a strong word, but it was the way I felt…it's a strange thing. I don't know why but I feel strange right now. I feel light and I feel focused, I don't know."
Ben dug into his pocket as he pulled out a small roll of paper, it was neatly tied up and bounded together by a piece of red twine. "What is that?" Katara asked Ben. Walking over to his side as the young exile began to try and untwine it.
He continued doing it while he spoke. "Aunt Wu gave it to me before I left. Said it was something important, wanted me to open it when we left."
Ben struggled to untwine it as the rest of his team watched him. "You got to be kidding me." Sokka laughed from his seat, watching Ben struggle as he tried to use his fingers to pull the string. "You can't untie knots!"
"What…it's a hard thing to do!" He lifted the twine to his mouth as he began to clamp his teeth trying to rip it open like a dog ripping meat from a freshly deceased animal.
"That's disgusting!" Katara screamed as she tore it from ben's mouth and did it for him.
"Thanks, Katara." He thanked as he undid the remaining twine and parted the note open. His eyes narrowed as he glossed over the contents inside. His hands shook for a second and his eyes nearly popped from his skull. "Holy crap!" He lurched up from his seat as the rest of the team stared up at him. He ran towards Aang who was steering the bison nearly colliding with him as he shown him the contents.
Aang grabbed the paper and looked at it. "Coordinates…wait I think I know where this place is."
"It's a hidden enclave." Ben got up from Aang and stared around the sky. "It's a hidden enclave. A place where Jedi have trained. That means…"
Ben's smile enlarged. His golden eyes sparkling like true golden coins or ingots. He turned back towards the avatar as his mouth opened. "Aang, it's time I build my lightsaber."
Author Note
Very Important: Thanks everyone for reading this chapter and I hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter is the one that I have been wanting to write for so long! Finally the lightsaber building chapter. We're finally past chapter 10! Thanks everyone for reading. Also for the people who want a better visual of the robes Benjamin uses. Type in Ulic Qel Droma robes.
Thanks for reading you wonderful and awesome people and have a wonderful and awesome day!