Author Note: Yo thanks for reading! I greatly appreciate all the people that have read the story. ALSO TWENTY FOLLOWERS LETS GO! Thank you everyone that has taken the time to follow this story. This chapter was a long one, over 10k words. Alright, thank you guys for sticking with me for so long. Please remember to review, follow and favorite it greatly helps with my motivation and have a wonderful day. Also I hope you guys had a wonderful thanksgiving!
Chapter 15
Benjamin sat crossed legged on the forest floor. It had been a full day after the tribes were escorted out of the valley. Ben and the rest of team avatar entered the divide, a rigid and horrifically convoluted canyon system. They found what they believed to be a short cut on the tour guides map.
They took it making a three-day trip into a one-day trip. This went well, Ben clicked his lips. '…though, it went to hell just as quickly.' Ben thought. His gaze going down to his feet. Benjamin during his time in the cave was contacted by an ancient spirit of the dark side, offering the false Jedi his holocron and the boy without Katara's intervention would of harnessed the power. Even then, he still had not told his master or his friends of his find.
Then the sand crawlers, products of Sith Alchemy started their attack on the tribes and team avatar. Ben and the rest fought valiantly but they were not ready for the roaming waves of creatures. The tour guide and many members of each tribe died.
It took Ben taking on the teachings of the Holocron and using the very same teachings to harness the true power of his lightning. He had never felt as powerful before in his life, shooting lightning and feeling the power transmit from your body was a rush…but nothing compared to what he felt in that one moment.
Even then, he was still not strong enough to stop Alpha. The creature was burnt to a crisp, but it was still very much alive, there only saving grace came from the telepathic connection that all the creatures shared with the other. When Alpha was being cooked alive by Ben, they all felt it as well.
Ben stared at his hands. His eyes directed towards them; he knew that he wouldn't lash out with force lightning anymore. He knew his fingers wouldn't shake with the brim of energy when he was scared, or guilt ridden.
He felt the weight of the force surround him; he took it into his body. Easing his breath as the cracks of purple tendrils rippled along his fingers. He had control over this ability, at least partial control of it at best.
'I can utilize my telekinetic abilities with the force, strengthen my body and speed. Those are my core abilities, though now I have the abilities of force chock and a better control over force lightning.' Ben thought. Sure, he wasn't happy about his dark side affinity, though now he was concluding. The dark side of the force, he didn't have a choice.
It was just like how everyone had been telling him. Aunt Wu, Meetra and that one ancient scroll he found. The one dating back to the old hyperspace wars.
Light and Dark…Merely Just Tools
He squeezed his hands, feeling the tensions of the finger on his right hand while feeling the absence of that same feeling partially on his left hand. That was what happened when he was confused about his connection with the force, that was what happened when he hesitated…and in hesitation lays death but not only for him…but the world.
Ben got up. Kicking off the dust from his lap as he finished his meditation. Sweat barreled from him as he began to practice with his lightsaber blade, the purple stream of light swirling like a blur. His thoughts continuing as he observed the philosophy some more.
'Maybe, the words hold more truth than before. The Jedi, they are stubborn fools that would let innocents die than get their hands dirty. Though, the Sith are monsters…animals that thrive off carnage and misery.' The blade of purple streamed downwards, cleaving as Ben's thoughts pulsed in his head. The training getting more vigorous as Ben continued. 'Maybe, this was it…this was the truth. Before there were Jedi and Sith, merely just the force. Then what was Dark and Light? We choose to categorize ourselves; we chose to restrict ourselves.'
The Dark Side is Stronger
Ben stopped swinging his blade. His breath heavy as his chest rose and fell. He combed through the tendrils of dark hair as the humming of his lightsaber still radiated along his ears. That thought clinging to him, the light side of the force abandoned him. It didn't lend him it's strength, rather it personally was voided to him.
Yet, the dark side. It welcomed him with a natural affinity to it. It gave him strength and power. It offered him the ability to destroy his enemies, to use the arcane arts of the Sith at his natural disposal. Ben's right hand tightened along his blade. 'I'll destroy the fire nation and the Sith…I'll use their own strength against them.'
Anger, the Jedi say that it is the path to the Dark Side. That the shunning of emotion is a strength, though Ben never saw that. He only saw passivity and arrogance from the order, giving into his emotions gave him power!
He unignited his lightsaber blade. Taking a gulp from his water flask as he reconnected the weapon to his belt. Ben took a heavy breath as he began to walk through the forest. They had docked near another town, another one of those fire nation colonies.
Ben didn't know what they were doing here. They were still so far away and didn't understand what their next movements should be. Though, it was obvious what their end goal should be. Killing the fire lord, though to do such things Aang would have to master the four elements.
Even then, memories of Aang and his practice of "Not killing" soared throughout the Jedi's head. Did he really have the right to judge Aang? He acted like a coward, he should've listened to his emotions and struck down Kiara. She was still alive somewhere, most likely causing havoc elsewhere. Should've cut her down.
Ben's eyes widened. His emotions pulsating, though he didn't choose to suppress them. He made peace with it, even as he felt the anger stirring within, he let it stay there. That was when he felt something. Something border lining on his sense of the force.
He turned his head behind him, someone was using the force. He called his lightsaber to his right hand, the blade for the first time heavy. Even then, he didn't feel the call of the dark side. It was something else.
He didn't activate it, but he did advance towards where he felt the disturbance. Running through the woods until he stopped. A boy around his age, maybe a year younger than him. He had long brown hair that went past his neck, he wore dark green robes that were associated with the Earth Kingdom. He had dark brown eyes and a face with very minimal facial hair.
He was levitating the rocks in the air. Lifting them into the air as he stared at them, to the average person it would just appear he was earth bending the rocks. Though, Benjamin knew better. He could feel the force sensitivity that followed the boy in his actions.
"Hello…" Ben awkwardly spoke. The boy turning his head, gasping in fear as the rocks dropped to the floor as he lost concentration. Ben could feel the fear that followed the young man. His eyes jutting out like he was just caught committing the greatest of taboos.
He parted his lips to speak, even though words did not come out. Ben reconnected his lightsaber back to his belt, he didn't have anything to fear from this one. There was no pressure of the dark side from this one, rather the naivety of one that had merely touched the force.
Ben could feel the terror, the boy was about to dart soon. So, Ben parted his lips to speak, he put his hand on his chest. "It's okay, I'm the same as you." Ben spoke, he raised his right hand. The young man turning to his side as he saw Ben lift the rock in the air with the force. "My name is Benjamin, a Guardian of the Jedi Order. Where is your master?"
The young man let out a breath of fresh air. He turned back to Ben, the false Jedi feeling the calming presence as the young man began to calm down. He must have been relieved to find someone like him. "I'm Haru, I'm self-taught." He answered. Haru began to walk towards Ben. Both boys clamping hands together in a firm handshake.
'Self-taught, I am impressed. The force for people here is unknown, to believe someone was able to harness their abilities. Self-taught.' Ben chuckled as he let go of the boy's hand. He could sense his friends starting to come towards the pair. "Listen, my friends are coming. I must say for you to learn the force by being self-taught. It's a feat even the greatest of Jedi Masters would hope to accomplish."
"The force?" Haru repeated, he turned around. Lifting another one of the rocks into the air with the raise of his hand. "You mean my Earth Bending?"
"What?" Ben muttered in response. The boy pointing to the rock levitating in the air. "Your earth bending, I don't understand." He spoke up.
That was when he began to understand. Haru, he felt the force. Still, as Ben looked at his clothes and his aimless abilities to only lift the rocks around him. He began to understand. 'Haru, he believes he's an earth bender. He doesn't realize that he is drawing on his connection to the force, rather believes that he's bending the earth.'
"An earthbender!" Katara screamed out, Haru was about to bolt only for Ben to raise his hands. "There with me." He pointed to the trio that were approaching.
Ben began to introduce his friends. Katara, Sokka and Aang, though Ben did not mention to anyone about Haru's power within the force. As they walked towards his home.
Home
Ben's eyes hovered around the Hutt. It was a nice house, not ornate but not too big. It was comfortable for a small family, there were barns that surrounded their property. Team avatar sat down with Haru's mother, the woman finishing up the story of the fire nation…and the capture of Haru's father. The woman brought to tears, team avatar listening intently towards the story.
Haru, Ben could tell how angry he was. The festering anger towards the fire nation created distant echoes within the force. Ben knew of such anger; he knew of revenge and hatred. Powerful emotions that gave him strength, emotions that made him fall.
"Haru, he's an earthbender…one of the last ones. He can be a hero." Katara spoke up finally. Haru's mother's face contorting into one of a glare.
She pointed at the girl. "No! They already took away his father, I already told him to stop levitating those damn things!" She spoke up finally. Ben's eyebrow going up, at the strange word. 'Levitation.' He thought, he strained out his perceptions as they were still talking. He needed to be sure of something.
"Mom, maybe they are right. They travel with the avatar, and they also have another earthbender. He did the same thing I did before." Haru commented back with his mother, resting his hand on her shoulder. Haru's mother, fixated on Ben. Her mouth nearly agape.
That was when Ben was sure. Haru's mother was force sensitive, not as strong as Haru but she still had a strong connection to the abilities. "Miss, if you don't mind me asking…when did Haru's abilities first appear, this earthbending." Ben spoke up. Team avatar was surprised by how calm and tame Ben was being. He was known for being prone to being crude and blunt.
Haru's mother turned around towards her son. "Haru, can you please take our guest and show them to the barn. They can stay here for the night." She answered, Haru nodding his head as he took the rest of team avatar.
"Ben…are you coming?" Aang asked. Ben shaking his head. "I'll be there in a second, I just got a couple of questions about the town. Got to make sure if it's an actual colony or we're close to any real danger." Ben answered.
The rest took there leave, the door creaking shut as Haru's mother and Benjamin sat at the table. Both of them staring at the other. Haru's mother was tense, Ben felt it through the force, another reason why he parted his lips to speak.
"Miss, I want to first off say that I am not a threat. Whether it be from your parents or grandparents I am not the one to be wary of." Ben spoke, his hands once again going to his chest. "I am a Jedi Knight; I know you know what I'm talking about. Haru is gone."
Haru's mother's mouth was hitched. The woman letting out a heavy gust of air. That was when she began to explain to Benjamin about the circumstances with Haru and her family. The story revolved around the Jedi of this world. Haru's great grandmother, was a Jedi Sentinel. A Jedi that involved themselves with the problems of the people rather than the massive battles of the Jedi Order.
That was also how Haru's great grandmother…survived the great purge. She was an older woman but choose to settle down in the countryside. She married and had children. Her children were not taught about the Jedi or the Force. Teaching them of the force could possibly lead them to a chance of being discovered. If that were to happen, she would have died, and her children would have been taken to the Sith. Most likely indoctrinated and broken into the ways of the dark side.
Haru's mother. She was taught of her connection of the force and was explained by it on her grandmother's death bed. Fearing that the teachings would be lost, she left behind a personal cache hidden underneath this very house. Haru's great grandmother honestly believed that the Jedi Order would come back. She believed that her descendants, they would be one of the many new knights of the order.
However, Haru's mother did not care. She didn't care about the petty squabbles between the dark side and the light side of the force. All she ever wanted was to be left alone with her family, so she shunned the force. Never spoke of it…even to her husband. Haru, was a person who had a natural and powerful connection to the force.
Something that Benjamin had only heard about in certain times of the jedi. "So, this earthbending Haru does. He believes that this is earthbending, but me and you know that this is him telepathically lifting with the force?" Benjamin answered. Haru's mother nodding her head as Ben gave his answer.
"Haru, always wanted to earth bend. His father was a mighty bender." Haru's mother smiled, warm memories of her husband circulating around her as she closed her fist to her heart. "Even then, he never could earthbend. For the longest time we believed him to be a non bender. Though, that all changed when he…"
Ben didn't need to hear more. The boy's will to earth bend was so strong that he accidently used the force, it was impressive even more how he didn't even know how to. She popped her head, staring at Ben as the young Jedi didn't turn away.
"Are you a true Jedi?" She asked, then she blurted out the next question without giving him the proper time to speak. "My grandmother told me about them. Guardians of peace, they were the only people that resisted the Sith and Dark Jedi. Can you train Haru?"
Ben's eyes widened. He could remember that vision, the one with the blood red sky and the frozen wasteland. He was back-to-back with a powerful force sensitive; he could feel the force bond that circulated within the pair.
Yet, Ben was conflicted. "Listen, Miss. I am a Jedi, though I was just recently appointed to a Jedi Knight. You're asking me to train Haru?"
She nodded her head, almost vigorously like a toy. "Haru, I am not a fool…he needs to learn, at least to control his abilities. I am not asking my son to fight on the battlefield, but to have the knowledge to defend himself if necessary."
Ben still didn't know. "Are you sure about this…the force isn't something that you can just lock in the box and forget. If he is awakened to his true abilities, of his true weight in the force. There is no going back, the war between the light and dark…he will forever be a part of."
The tone of Haru's mother changed as he said those words. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"Miss, I understand. The fire nation is a bunch of assholes and the Sith are evil. They need to be stopped, even then if I train Haru to feel the force. They won't just be after me, they'll be after him as well." Ben answered, he wasn't going to pull any punches. He had to teach Haru's mother the gravity of this responsibility. "Haru, he is naïve and ignorant of the force. Embarking down this path may very well cause him misery and heartache. Even then, I am not sure if I can train him. I am not a master and Haru is not a person I can take with us."
Ben got up. Pushing the chair away, Haru seemed to be a good guy. Sure, the dude had ideas of wanting to be a hero and should've stopped using the force when his momma told him to. Still, he seemed to want to help others.
'This war that we are fighting, it's a battle with no end. If I can save someone, at least one person. Then maybe it is worth it.'
Ben opened the door. He had made his decision. Haru, he would remain ignorant of the force. At least for now it shall forever be just earth bending. He was tasked with protecting the avatar, laying down his life if needed to protect him so he could restore balance to the world. He didn't have the months or years required to teach Haru the forms of a lightsaber or the abilities of the force.
'Maybe, if after this war is over. Just maybe…when the Sith are defeated. Then, I'll found a Jedi Academy. Rebuild the Jedi Order.'
Ben's footsteps stopped. The thought causing him to stop moving forward, his gaze fixated on the ground beneath him. "Rebuild the Jedi Order?" Benjamin spoke up, the weight of those words dawning on him.
It didn't feel bad…the idea of it. He is the Last of the Jedi, technically speaking he would have been called the new Jedi Grandmaster of the order. In times where the Jedi were gone or destroyed, Jedi like Ben would be given that title. Even then, he didn't like it. It wasn't something he earned; sure, he was a strong jedi though that was his pride and ego talking.
However, the weight of those words still bugged him. He shook the thought out of his head, he didn't have time to worry about he future of the Jedi or himself. He needed to figure out the future of Aang defeating the fire lord.
Ben pushed open the door of the Barnhouse. The hay filled floors, they reeked at full blast as Ben's eyes turned red from the assault of his nostrils. "Yo, Ben." Sokka spoke up. Ben waving as he wiped the tears from his eyes. The bedrolls were made so he slumped onto his own. The young Jedi Knight emptying out his chest as he laid back first on it.
"Sokka, where are we going tomorrow." Ben yawned, the day of training starting to eat away at his stamina. He wanted to slump down and sleep, his gaze fixated ahead.
Sokka eyed the tired Jedi. "Someplace, called Om..as…chu?" Sokka spelled out, Ben groaning in response. "Ay, what's your problem?"
"Sokka, seriously speaking. We got to get serious with this. Who knows how long we got?" Ben massaged the sides of his face; he was too tense.
"How long we got, Ben we don't have to do things in a sprint. We can help people and help Aang learn bending." Sokka responded, Ben didn't want to help but agree. He was partially right. There was no time limit for them to complete their task, Aang was still learning from the scroll. They didn't have to do it in a sprint.
Even then, Ben was still plagued by bad feelings. It started in the cavern, he assumed that it was just the Dark Side at play but there was something else even now. "Okay…yeah, I think I'm just being paranoid."
"Good, then…"
Ben sighed. Closing his eyes as the harsh cover of the twilight began to overlap. Unknown to the duo that nested into bed early. They didn't know what happened the day prior. The high jinks that Aang caused, though something of far greater trouble was approaching.
They didn't know that Haru used the force to lift the rocks off of an old man. They as well didn't feel how the old man ratted out Haru, they didn't know that he was being shipped off to a labor camp.
Fight
They sat there in their seats, Haru's mother's face littered with tears. Her gaze fixated on the wooden tables; her fist pressed against it so hard that it began to crack. "What…have…you…done?" She spoke her words thrashed as they could only stare.
"I'm sorry, Miss." Ben said. He shook his head while he spoke, he blamed himself. He should've been more careful, Katara meant well most of the time, but she didn't think. "…I need to know, did they take Haru away for earth bending."
Katara spoke up. Fury etched in her face; she was angry. How dare that old man…she and haru saved him. That was how they were repaid, for Haru to save his life for him to be thrown into a labor camp! "What else would they throw him in there for." Katara nearly screamed, she pushed out of her chair. Her gaze fixated at Ben. "We have to save him, we can take Appa and…"
Ben got up from his seat as well. He took out his lightsaber. He then shown it to Haru's mother. "Did the people that take Haru. Did they have a weapon that resembled this or were they just standard fire nations soldiers."
Haru's mother parted her lips. "Fire nation soldiers, they came at midnight with that old man. They took him, just like they took his father." She sobbed.
Ben nodded his head with her statement. He let out a gash of warm air that he was keeping sucked in. "Okay, that's good…"
"GOOD!" She screamed, launching her chair almost like Katara did before. She went over to Ben, her finger in his chest, her sadness and anger filtering out of her. "MY SON WAS STOLEN FROM ME!"
"Relax, I didn't mean it like that." He pushed her finger away. The rest of team avatar hesitantly watching him. "We can rescue him from that labor camp. I wouldn't be able to save him from the clutches of the Sith or Dark Jedi." Ben answered plainly.
"Why are you worried about that. What would the Sith want with Haru?" Aang spoke up, then it was his turn to speak about what him and Haru's mother spoke about the prior day.
"What!" Sokka's outburst reached towards the heavens itself. "When Haru does earthbending he is actually using the force!"
"Why didn't you tell us!" Aang spoke up. The words coming out in a yell like Sokka.
Ben waved them down, they were being to loud and his ears were beginning to hurt. "Relax, me and Haru's mother agreed that telling him would not be for the best. He's only a year younger than me, I wouldn't want him to bear such a responsibility." Ben answered. "Also, I knew Katara would get like this. She would've pushed Haru into being a hero, into playing as a Jedi."
"Yet, that wasn't your decision to make." Katara replied. Ben turned to face the waterbender. "That's Haru's ability. He's not you, if he wants to use those abilities for good what gives you the right to stop him?"
"I'll tell you, because he doesn't have a master!" Ben screamed back. Louder as he was getting annoyed. "Listen, Katara. I get what happened to you was wrong, I get your anger towards the fire nation, but Haru's does not understand the magnitude of the threats we face at the daily basis. My head still hurts from getting thrown into a wall by a dark side creature!"
"We'll figure it out, we can take him under our wing. You've said that there aren't any Jedi left, this can be what you need." Katara replied. "We need more allies; you've said that this journey will only get harder."
Ben's fist slammed into the table. Jolting everyone as he stared at the girl. "It already has. Kiara, she's a menace that keeps on coming back. Hell, I've bested her, but she keeps on getting stronger. Who knows when we'll actually confront real warriors of the Dark Side? Not a Dark Jedi like Kiara."
"We've made it this far already." Katara said. "We've been just fine…"
Ben clicked his teeth. Raising his left hand, exposing his two missing fingers, even partially moving them around as Katara's eyes widened at the sight. "Yeah, we've been doing just fine." He muttered underneath his breath.
"ENOUGH!" Haru's mother screamed. Rendering everyone at the table to be silent. "That's enough arguing. You've all played a role in this, you're the avatar and you're a Jedi. Do your jobs and save my son!"
Ben got up from his seat. His friends nodding in agreement, the talk of the Jedi and Ben not putting faith in them would have to be addressed later. "Jedi, I feel that you may need this." Haru's mom spoke. The avatar team turned as Haru's mother went underneath the table. Her fingers went to a lone wooden board, she stretched it out as it creaked under the pressure. The lone woman carefully picked something up.
She laid it on the table. Ben was the first to notice it. Unlike Aun't Wu's container containing her grandfather's robes and map leading to the Enclave this one was less inconspicuous. The box was a medium sized. It was grafted out of wood, the chest held two four overall golden latches on its side. Meaning that it had to be open inward rather than outward. "Where's the opening or keylock on this thing?" Aang insentiently spoke as he observed the strange chest.
"There's no key." Ben stopped the young airbender. Instead pointing at it. "The force is the key, even then I doubt I could open it."
"What…" Sokka went off. "I thought you could do anything with the force."
"Yeah, I can use the force on it and pry it open. Though, the force on this chest doesn't want me to get in it. It's not some sort of dark side artifact or has a taint within it." He explained.
Even to Ben, he didn't fully understand it. The way the force circulated along the box was something he had never seen before. It was almost like a lightsaber crystal in its own way, how it wanted to choose its owner rather than let a random schmuck claim it. In its own way it seemed to only want to call out towards only one owner.
Haru
It resembled a large oil rig. It stuck out like a sore thumb in the middle of the ocean, its long pillars descending into the very crust of the ocean. This was the place where the prisoners of war or other rejects of the Fire Nation would be casted aside. Forced into back breaking work, even someone like Haru who was barely a man was forced to toil in the harsh rays of sunlight.
This was one of the many places in the earth kingdom which the fire nation conquered, forcing his people to toil to make weapons and war machines for the fire nation armada. The very act made him sick. He couldn't help but turn away from the very sight as he bit into the bottom of his lip.
He was angry…that feeling that stirred from within, he didn't know what to call it. It fueled his earth bending, it gave him strength and made him stronger. He didn't know why, though it felt intoxicating in its own way.
Haru felt something, his eyes widening as he leaped from his bedroll. The fire nation stored their workers in the lowest reaches of the rig. They could hardly get any sunlight and it was even hard to breathe from how stuffy it would get down here.
The smoke of fire that gave off minimal heat, the bedrolls made from scraps…the very act made Haru sickened. Even then, a small smirk spread across his lips. He had finally gotten to see his father. The only thing he hoped was that his mother wouldn't worry so much.
The next second was insane. Haru, he had these moments ever since he was a young child. Moments where he knew that something was going to happen before he thought they were instinct or some sort of mirage. Even then, they felt far too real to call it such.
He couldn't explain it to his momma or his father. The idea sounded crazy; what normal person believed in such things? Still, when Haru would feel that tug to back away or to run. He did it without hesitation, giving himself to that gift.
A bright purple blade pierced the metallic floor that was underneath him. It swirled in a circular motion as more of the laborers, men and woman began to surround the strange beam. In the next couple of seconds, the beam stopped. A circle implanted in the middle of the floor.
It fell, it grating with a pure sound of agony as it slid. The harsh breeze of the cold air of the sea awakened some of the elderly. It felt nice to smell the sea without the impurities of the fire nation. A figure leaped through the opening, Haru instantly knowing who it was. The strange weapon he held that beamed a purple light diminishing back into its hilt. "Haru…" Ben spoke, walking over towards the boy.
Haru nodded his head. "It's good to see you, Benjamin." He responded. Ben walked over towards the opening, his hands going towards it. Katara appearing a second later as she struggled to get into the opening. Aang and Sokka would find a spot near the rig for Appa to rest. Now it was the time to speak to Haru.
After a mild introduction with Haru's father. The pair followed by nearly all the refugees as they went to a spot. It was a rudimentary meeting area. There were rows of seats that circulated a roaring fire. That was when Ben and Katara began to speak.
"Haru, we need to leave. Me and Katara came to rescue you." Ben said. The young boy extending his hand. The earthbenders sat, there mouth agape. Haru, the boy had a chance to escape. He could finally leave this cursed place. That was also why his next answer shocked them nearly to their very core.
"NO!" Haru's father repeated, he grabbed his son's shoulders as he turned him to face him. His face not one of rage, but one of worry. "You have to leave son. This place, it's hell. I don't want you to stay here."
Haru fought in his father's grip. He shook his head. "I've came all this way. I can't leave you here dad, there may be a chance in the future where we can escape. This war is going to end soon, we just have to wait till then, I am not going to leave you."
The unbridled confidence in his voice to disobeying his father made even Ben impressed. He took a deep breath, his voice heavy as he spoke. "Haru, you're not an earth ender. You can't survive out here like this. Please, go back home to your mother."
"Not an earthbender…I can bend rocks just fine." He answered back. Ben, he didn't know what to say or do in that situation.
"No, you're not." Katara spoke up. The young water bender shaking her head. She pointed towards Ben, the young Jedi shooting her a look to "Please Shut Up" but she ignored it. She continued. "He's not an earthbender, he's a Jedi Knight. He's a warrior from a forgotten tribe…or religion. Doesn't matter, the point is what you're thinking that is earthbending is in realty, your own powers."
Ben, he didn't know what to say or do. In this situation there were only two options. Katara, she didn't understand what it was like to live with the force. It caused Benjamin agony; it was an ability he used to save others. Yes, the force could be used for good…but in turn could very well be used for evil.
Haru, a force sensitive who had no knowledge of anything. No knowledge of the history of the Jedi or the eternal struggle between the light side and the dark side. Benjamin, he didn't know what the right answer was. Haru, he could very well become the greatest of heroes but in turn the cruelest of villains. If the Sith got to him, they would murder him…worse, they would turn him.
Ben could remember those days. Captured Jedi that would fight against the torturer of the Sith. There screams would haunt him till the day he died, how the sorcerers would show them their worst fears. Breaking them into something far less than a Sith, turning them into something far much worse.
He didn't want Haru to go through that…even if. Ben, he sucked into his lip. His eyes fixated on Haru's face as he got up from his seat. 'It's not my choice to make…to decide Haru's path.' His thoughts echoed within his skull as he gazed at the young man. He was thinking like a Jedi, thinking of the worst possible situation, and letting it dictate his views.
Just like the Jedi…he was acting like an arrgant fool, believing in the worst possible outcome. Nomi Sunrider was the greatest of the Jedi and even she was taken in at a later age. Who was Ben to not teach Haru because of speculation?
He wasn't a Jedi. He needed to trust only with the force, let it will guide him. That was what Katara was doing right now, she wasn't trying to impede on his values but was rather telling him the truth. Ben sighed. "Do you guys got any cloth or anything. Haru, I am going to need you to cover your eyes." Ben spoke.
Haru giving him a weird look as Ben signaled for some cloth. In a couple minutes Haru was standing up as he was blindfolded. The other laborer's staring intently at the trio and what they were doing. "You would not understand if I did this. You're thinking too much, you're not trusting in the force. Though, you'll get it soon." Ben spoke up.
Haru nodded. "What am I meant to do?" He asked. Ben took out his lightsaber, resting the weapon in front of Haru. The rest eyeing the duo, Katara watching from the sidelines.
"Okay, Haru…I've put a piece of rock in front of you. I want you to use your earth bending to call it." Ben said. The crowd grimacing in response, some even whispering of how it wasn't even a rock. Katara, hushing them quickly.
He patted him on the back. Haru, he fixated on the object at hand. He felt the current of the object, the tether that he felt when he was earth bending. Even then, he didn't find it hard to lift it in the way he did before with other rocks.
The crowd had to be held back by Katara so they wouldn't go ballistic. It wasn't a rock, he was telepathically lifting the object with his mind! Haru's father in term had his mouth agape. "Okay." Ben smirked. "Now draw it towards you." He spoke up, Ben's lightsaber flying into Haru's hand as he took off the blindfold.
"What…" He aimlessly murmured. The weapon in his hand. "This isn't a rock, this isn't…I'm not even sure what this is made of." Haru stuttered.
Ben took a step forward. Resting his hand on the young man's shoulder. "Haru, this is the force. What you've been calling earth bending is you calling onto this power, I've talked to your mother. Your great grandmother was a Jedi Knight." Ben explained.
Haru's eyes widened. Taking an aimless step backwards, nearly even tripping over himself in the process. "This doesn't make sense…jedi Knight, force…I'm just a kid in a shitty backwater town." He mumbled.
Ben shook his head. "No…you're a force user. Your grandmother was a Knight of the order, the force flows strongly in bloodlines." Ben spoke up, the words rang true. Jedi were not allowed to have children; it was one of the greatest taboos of the order.
Even then, there were exceptions to this case. The Qel Droma family were allowed to have children and the famed Nomi Sunrider who would eventually take the role of Grandmaster had a Jedi husband and a child. Said child would be the famous Vima Sunrider.
He had seen it with Aunt Wu and her family. Now with Haru, the order was gone…destroyed. Though, the force still flown strongly in this world. "Katara, bring him the box."
Haru perked up. Katara handing him a medium sized box that fit neatly in his hands. He stared at it for a while, using his fingers to trace over it before he parted it open. Almost like one going over an ancient relic.
"Come on, Haru." Ben pestered. Haru sighed, he parted open the box. It was interesting to Ben, his eyes widening in surprise. The force before, it didn't let him open it to see its contents. Even so, it let Haru do it.
Ben craned his neck. His eyes widening in alarm as he was shocked to see. There were two items in the case. The first was a heavy green robe, it contradicted with Ben's since it held a heavy robe and a proper tabard.
The second and final was what strike Ben the most, the others observing as even they felt the weight of the object. Haru's fingers traced over the lightsaber. He felt it's cold hilt, the way the weapon stirred within his hands.
The cylindrical lightsaber hilt is primarily metallic silver in color. The lightsaber's tapered neck and parabolic-shaped emitter are some of the defining features of the hilt design. Though, as Ben got a closer look, he instinctively whistled at the very sight.
"That weapon, it sure is a mighty lightsaber." He spoke up. Hovering over Haru's shoulder as he got a better look.
"What…I don't get it." Haru answered. Ben's finger pointed over his shoulder, aiming towards the grip of the weapon.
"The lightsaber comes equipped with a "Pistol Grip" of sorts. meaning that carefully cast projections can echo any person's hand. It will give your index finger a place to rest. Not only that, but the grip was made from a highly malleable "live" polymer that explored the user's hand and morphed into a solid, highly customized grip."
The words flew over everyone's head, except for Ben. This was a weapon for a true Jedi, a true warrior of the force. "Alright, Haru." Ben pointed towards the red button. "Ignite your weapon." He commanded.
Haru got up from his crouch, his father nodding his head. Gesturing for his son to continue. Haru took a deep breath, the weapon igniting to life. An emerald blade extending and enveloping everyone with its fiery blade.
Haru did a couple of practice swings. They were uncontrolled and unmaintained. He did not have the training for a lightsaber, so it made perfect sense. "Alright, Haru. If you plan to follow the path of the Jedi. You must learn the appropriate forms of our Jedi Order."
Haru nodded his head, transfixed at the green lightsaber blade. Green was the color of the Jedi Consular, one who was fixated on the spiritual side of the force. Unlike the guardians forward approach of being the crusaders of the Jedi Order, the consular were more interested in combating the dark side with their superior connection to the force. Rather than with the blade of a lightsaber.
Ben noted the color of the blade. Haru's mother described her grandmother as a Sentinel of the order. The color of a Jedi's lightsaber was not the best to define their stance in the Jedi Order. A lightsaber was very modifiable, any real crystal could be used to produce any lightsaber colors. Natural, synthetic, and even standard gemstones could produce any sort of color. Ben eluded that maybe Haru's great grandmother could possibly have had her lightsaber crystal damaged, possibly swapping the yellow shine with a different crystal.
Ben and Haru stood facing the other. Ben instructing Haru to use the weapon. He helped the boy get into the proper stance, teaching him how to properly level it in front of himself. "It feels…strange." Haru responded as Ben walked back in front of him.
"Yeah, a lightsaber is different from any other weapon. The weapon's weight is all in the hilt, trust me. You'll eventually get used to it." He spoke. Ben used the force to zip his own hilt into his hand, the refugees forming a circle around them. "A lightsaber is the weapon of the order. You'll eventually make your own, though we don't have the time for that." Ben ignited his weapon, the purple blade contrasting Haru's own green lightsaber. "We shall start with the basics, Form 1, otherwise known as the Shii-Cho lightsaber form or the determination form, it's greatest strength is its simplicity."
"How so, Master?" Haru spoke up. Ben's eyes widening in alarm at the sudden formality, scratching his head from it. He didn't mind being called that; it was customary. Technically speaking he was going against what he thought of before training Haru.
In a way he was Haru's master. So, he gritted his teeth letting it slide just this once. He didn't want to confuse Haru on Jedi formality or go on a rant of how he wasn't truly a Jedi Master. So, he bit his lip and continued.
"It is the easiest of the forms to learn. Once again, it's simplicity is its strength. It's an effective form to fall back on when nothing else will do. It has no other advantages or disadvantages." Ben explained, Haru nodding his head.
Ben followed in the basics of form 1. He had only knowledge on four forms. Shii-Cho, Aturu, the Jar Kai and the Shien form. Soresu, the defensive form at least to Ben didn't count. He had barely any knowledge on that form and only practiced it for only a little while. Haru was far too new to learn the other two but hopefully he could get a decent idea of the first form of lightsaber combat.
Haru mirrored Ben, following his master's legwork and hand placement as their blades hummed in unison. Ben approached. "Haru, now I want you to block my attacks. I am going to swing my lightsaber down slowly, so I want you to parry and knock the weapon away."
Haru vigorously nodded. Ben following in his command as he slashed downwards. Haru blocking it over his head, sparks radiating along the weapons. Ben broke from the saber lock, now once again going into a left slash towards Haru's abdomen.
Once again Haru following and deflecting. The force flowed sternly through the pair. The refugees and Katara watching and taking in the sights of the two young men as they practiced with their blades. They ingrained it into their minds, a memory that they would never forget…a memory that would trace through the very lands itself.
Unknown to everyone else in that room. Even to Benjamin and Haru, they were too far close minded of what was going on. They didn't realize it then…but the birth of the New Jedi Order had just begun.
Jedi Killer
A mound of rocks collided in front of the prisoners. The fire nation guards and the warden himself staring in pure shock. The courtyard area where the prisoners of war were forced to toil day in and day out for the fire nation war effort.
Haru and Ben stood side by side. The boy's green, emerald robes contrasted with the red qel droma robes that Ben wore. They both leaped downwards, the pair igniting there weapons. The battle had just begun.
Katara used her water whip while the earthbenders bended the rocks in front of them. They rained like pellets that bore into the fire nation armor. Appa began to rise, the other members of team avatar joining the fray as they began to fight along as well.
Haru used the force to push a mound of fire nation soldiers away. There armors clinking and clanking as they tumbled over one another, they slammed into a wall with such velocity that it cracked it.
"Haru, don't overexert yourself…" Ben screamed to his apprentice. His purple blade cutting through swords and spears, some bouncing from his lightsaber. Some of their weapons were powerful enough, made of a material just like his prior sword that was able to deflect his lightsaber. Almost like vibro swords. "It's your first time really using the force, don't push it!"
"Yes, master!" Haru cheered. His newfound power giving him strength to finally fight against the fire nation. He hacked and cut through weapons, until…
"RETREAT!" The warden screamed, venturing further into the faculty. Haru and Ben were about to give chase, they had them on the run and they could potentially buy them more time. Even then, they stopped moving.
Katara, Aang and Sokka staring blankly at them. Both boys were clutching their lightsabers so hard that their knuckles were turning white. "You…feel…don't you feel it master?" Haru breathlessly spoke, his left hand clutching his chest as the hum of both weapons filled their ears.
"Yes, I do." Ben spoke up. He powered through, using whatever strength he had to turn around to face the disturbance. He narrowed his eyes as he saw those silver orbs peer into his very own head. "Kiara!" He grunted.
She was once again above them, her hand on top of the banister as she stared down at the pair. Her black robes fluttering in the breeze, Ben's eyes went to her waist still seeing the familiar lightsaber blades that she had brandished. Even then, she wasn't just the disturbance. Two other figures emerged from her left and right side.
From there builds and their height they seemed to be male. They wore slimmer combat robes, kind of like the ones that Ben wore. Underneath Ben could see the gloss of metallic armor, even there jet black combat boots.
They reeked of darkness, of the dark side of the force. Their faces were hidden, there gazes fixated on the pair beneath them. Kiara took the weapons from her waist, the crimson blades igniting. Ben and Haru both going into their differentiating stances as for the first time shock riddled Kiara's face.
'Another…Jedi. Even then, the force has yet to be properly awakened by him. Does that mean…' Kiara couldn't take her thoughts from Haru, she began to understand what was happening. Even more so than Ben and Haru of the magnitude of what was beginning to happen.
"Rein…go to the boat. If we don't survive this, then report to the fire lord and the lords of the Sith. The false jedi fool has taken under a Jedi Apprentice." She spoke, Rein the one to the left nodded his head without a word, going away from view as he went to wait by the boat. If Kiara and the other Jedi failed, he had his mission.
The other dark jedi followed Kiara. His crimson blade ignited as they both stared the other down. "Stand down, Kiara. You were no match for me in that warehouse…you could not beat me on Zhao's warship. Now I am a Jedi Knight."
She eyed Ben's clothing. She felt the familiar feeling of Ben's amethyst lightsaber blade, of the crystal that he cleansed. Even though it was cleansed there was still a sense of familiarity between the crystal and its prior master.
She saw his strange robes that weren't like her's or even Haru's robes. She felt the dark side within him and his items. It had only gotten stronger. She and the dark jedi by her side jumped from the platform, falling in front of the pair.
Haru was about to charge, to attack them head on. Even then, Haru was not ready. He didn't have the will to kill a dark jedi and lacked the strength to fight them. "Listen to the force, Haru. A Jedi's first concern is to protect others." Ben said. Haru staring at his master, Ben pointed behind them at the roaming refugees that were trying to descend so they could escape the oil rig. "Protect the weak, Haru!"
Haru didn't want to leave. He didn't want to leave the man that taught him to use the force and his lightsaber. Even then, he knew what he had to do. So, he followed the evacuation party as they descended the steps.
Ben swung in a downwards arc. Kiara and the dark Jedi needing to level both weapons in front of themselves. The purple blade clashing and humming as the fight began, the battle between the Jedi sparking to life.
Kiara was stronger than he realized. After every battle she was getting stronger, she was even smarter now to…taking two other companions to deal with Ben. The dark jedi swung wildly. Ben pushing him away with the force as he turned towards Kiara. Both breaking into a saber lock, sparks radiating between the pair as the red and purple clashed together.
"You're getting weaker, false Jedi!" Kiara screamed into his face. He broke from the lock, his weapon cutting downwards and between, but Kiara was deflecting and blocking each advance. She was getting greedy now, after all these acts of mercy she knew that Ben wouldn't kill her.
So, she did what she did best…find her enemies weakness and exploit it. She lashed out with the force, blasting with both hands as Ben fell backwards. He crumpled to the floor. The dark Jedi regaining his composure as he slashed downwards as Ben tried to roll away from the crimson streak of light.
Right before it was able to cleave open his head, ben called his lightsaber back with the force. Reignited he parried the blow. He slashed at the dark jedi's feet only for him to leap away back to Kiara's side. Ben was running on fumes.
This duel was taking more of a toll on him than before. In all the other battles that he had with Kiara he had never fought before fighting her. Every duel he would be freshly ready to start a fight. The last couple of days he had been training, he hadn't been sleeping well…he didn't even sleep last night so he could train Haru some more.
He was running on fumes, his heavy breathing displaying that to his enemies. He once again gripped his blade tighter. He funneled the force into his legs, his breathing etched the air as he leaped. He slammed into Kiara, there lightsabers clashing as her knees buckled from Ben's superior weight and the momentum.
She collapsed her weapon sliding away, she rolled. Calling her second lightsaber into her grasp as both her and Ben once again went into a heavy saber lock. The other dark jedi was about to advance, even then sparks radiated along Ben's left palm. He turned around as he blasted violet tendrils of force lightning at the other dark jedi.
He raised his lightsaber blade as his knees buckled. The strength and propulsion of the lightning too strong for him to even back away. Ben pressed down harder, the crimson blade starting to reach towards Kiara as she could only find it off. Even then, Kiara smirked…
The act causing Ben to stutter in alarm. To Kiara and the other dark jedi they knew the false jedi's weakness to never kill his enemies. So, Kiara had nothing to worry about.
He would slip up or fall to the dark side. That was when Kiara and her companions would finish the job and finally present the head of a Jedi to the lords of the Sith, right before capturing and turning Ben's new Jedi apprentice.
A blast of rock came flying in…it crumpled into the dark jedi as Ben turned around. Haru's father had just ran up the stairs. Earth bending rocks but it was not enough. He gritted his teeth in pure fury, the old man wearing his scrubs as they fought side by side.
"Back!" Ben screamed, his foot landing in Kiara's stomach, the girl colliding to the floor. "Only death awaits if you further push on!"
The dark Jedi got up as Haru's father pushed his advance. Underneath his mask, he smirked at the false Jedi's words. "Yes…death." He whispered under his breath, purple violet lights exploding from his palm as Ben felt it first.
It was far too fast…and Ben didn't have the time to use the force to leap in front of Haru's father. A blast of violet lightning sparked as it collided with the old earthbenders frame. The man getting hit with it head on as the blast threw him across the labor camp. Static ricochet over his form as his muscles spasmed.
"NO!" Ben's hoarse voice rippled through the field, the orange eyes of the true Sith overtaking his golden eyes. He turned towards the dark Jedi, his own fingers trailing with violet sparks.
He lifted his crimson lightsaber. The violet arch's being caught as he struggled against the powerful current of dark side energy. Even then, it wasn't enough. He was blasted just like Haru's father. The weight of the lightning and his pure anger…gave him strength.
Anger that Kiara wouldn't learn, anger that he was once again far too weak to save the ones he needed to save…and he felt hate. Hate towards the fire nation, hate towards the Sith. He would destroy them!
Ben and Kiara saber locked one last final time. The sparks as both red met purple as the blades of plasma came together, Kiara and him both understood one thing. Even as she smirked for the final time, she knew one thing.
That the False Jedi's hesitation…was now gone. Anger, it fueled him…and he has taken his first steps to the dark side of the force.
Ben produced a horrific cry. The memories of Kiara's crimes against the people of this world furthering his righteous hate as he broke from the saber lock, sparks decorating the others face as Kiara went to parry, even then she was already too late…
Ben swiped downward with his right hand. The lightsaber blade cleaving and separating her right hand from her wrist. The crimson blade was sliced off in the process as her wrist fell right next to the shimmering red blade.
She didn't even have time to react. Ben gripping the blade with both hands, the purple beam impaling through her chest as her and Ben once again stared into the other eyes. He looked into her grey eyes, clean and efficient they peered into the darkness of his soul.
She peered into his orange eyes, a reminder of what he was and his journey down that path. How even though she fell, she pushed the last of the Jedi down that dark path. It was not a physical defeat, but a mental defeat she was sure that Ben would never forget.
She smiled…Ben's eyes widening in alarm. "I always knew, false Jedi. That you had a talent for death." She spoke up, her words pained but she still forced them out. "You'll make a mighty Sith. Those eyes look good on you, Benjamin. I felt the darkness that was within you when we first met, you are better suited to the dark than to the light, even for a Jedi."
Ben ripped the blade from Kiara, the girl colliding to her knees as Ben stared at her. The humming of the lightsaber in his right hand breaking through the quiet. "I'll never fall to the dark side; I know what it's like. I'm immune to it!"
His pride etched within his words, ego and pride coming together in a nasty combination. She could only smile, knowing how deluded he was.
She collapsed onto her back. Her eyes shutting as Ben stared down at her. The weight of his action still coming to him, even then…it was guilt he felt. Guilt and the blame he felt knowing that he failed to save someone.
Always, his fault…if he was only stronger, if he just used the dark side to aid him then…
He unignited his lightsaber, attaching it back to his belt as he turned away from the two corpses. The humming of the Sith Holocron creating ripples within the force. All Ben could do was what he always did before, put one foot in front of the other and to keep moving forward.
His first kill in this new world…
Fear and Grief
They had taken one of the many fire nation war boats that were docked at the oil rig. The place by Sokka's request was burned, the smell of cinder and coal strong enough to tingle their gazes. It was a smart move that Sokka made.
It was a symbol towards the resistance and the Earth Kingdom that the fire nation could be beaten, the bodies of the dark Jedi would as well further remind the Sith of the stance of the Jedi…that even after the purge there still one that still lived.
Someone strong enough to fight against their hold over the world. The second reason it was a good idea was how the oil rig was a labor camp for the earthbenders, a place where they would be forced to toil day in and day out so they could survive.
Now the fire nation lost their massive operation. They all sat together on that large hulking boat. Many wore blankets around themselves. The chill of the sea crossing over them, Haru's own blanket was draped over his father's corpse.
The boy spoke with tears running down his face, snot going down his mouth as his rage boiled to the point where Ben could feel it. "Damn it!" He screamed out, his words brash and unrelenting as he further pushed himself into his very own misery. "It's all my fault…"
"No, it isn't." Ben responded back. The hulking boy resting his hand on his informal apprentice's shoulder. Haru's eyes widened, the weight of the force around him as the air tightened. The dark side further pushed within him.
"If I was only stronger…than I could've done something. If I just…"
"Stayed with him?" Ben replied. He shook his head, furthering Haru's own anger. "Haru, you took a single step into being a jedi. You would have died if you staid back there with me." He said, his finger forcefully poking into the others chest. Ben huffed, Haru was being far too outrageous.
"I should've done something." He spoke up once again, a near repeat of his words from before. "I'll destroy them, I'll join the resistance or the Earth Kingdom and destroy them. I'll destroy the fire nation and kill all the Sith that get in my way!"
His scream roiled through the crowd. The death of their old leader sending off waves of dark side energy, Ben sticking to the current as he spoke towards Haru.
"You have a right to be angry, Haru." Ben took his hand from Haru's shoulders as he glanced at the boy. The other laborers glancing at the exchange. "I can understand that need for revenge…my mother was killed by the very same people that I went to war with. I can understand the anger you feel."
Haru was about to open his mouth, most likely to agree with Ben about using your hate to make you stronger, though the false Jedi raised his hand to stop his student.
"…but trust me, you must not feed into those negative emotions. It is okay to grieve your father, but to use that grief as strength, to use your hate or anger for the fire nation for power. It shall surely lead you down the path of the dark side."
Ben spoke, almost like he didn't realize the hypocrisy of his own words. Haru nodded his head with Ben's statement, taking in the lesson as he further stared at his father's body. Still, Ben could tell that Haru still did not partially believe him.
There was a disquiet within the young Jedi. A disquiet that could lead him down a darker path. He needed to deal with his hate and his anger, to learn how to manage them so he wouldn't go to the dark side of the force.
"Haru, I want to stay with you for a little while." Ben said. The young Jedi turning his gaze towards his master. "I believe that you have the makings of a Jedi Guardian, I can teach you a couple of things before me and my friends leave."
Haru for the first time smiled, the disquiet and anger was still there…even then it was slightly tamed, but even with the slightest push the floodgates could be opened and the darkness could be very well poured out.
Haru thought about his life before. He had been infatuated with Earth Bending. He had tried to start it at an early age but didn't develop a strength with the element, it took him to his pre-teens for him to actually lift them into the air.
After the fire nation stole his father away from him, he was filled with such anger…with such power he was finally able to lift those rocks. It was a year or two until Ben found him practicing and lifted up those very same rocks.
He was ecstatic to find another earthbender, though when he was captured while he was helping Katara save that old man from that landslide. Simmering with hate he was told the truth of the nature of his powers; of the truth of the world and the great crime the Fire Nation had committed.
He knew what the right answer was…he wasn't an idiot. His gaze went towards his father, the blanket covering the outline of his face. His father was proud of him, the world needed more Jedi, and he had a master.
Though, he was still angry and confused. This raw power almost like a hunger, biting into his soul and consuming everything around him. Grief, it gave him strength and he wasn't sure if he could pull away from it.
"Maybe, I can learn more…I can help you and the others. I won't be weak or powerless anymore, I can save those that mattered to me."
He slammed his eyes shut, the bitter memory of his father's burnt body. The violet electrical currents still sparking around his frame. He didn't have time for this, he had to get stronger.
As both boys intertwined hands, an echo was radiating through the force. Moments were changing that would implement and change the world from its prior course. Such a moment was happening in the fire nation at that very moment.