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Chapter 5 - Edited
The wind sliced across Benjamin's face, forcing him to brush aside the strands of dark hair that obscured his vision. Aang, the true name of the airbender boy, stood alongside his peculiar flying bison, firmly holding the reins. Benjamin popped a roll of tobacco into his mouth, igniting a flame from one of his dwindling matches as he inhaled the smoke, allowing it to seep into the depths of his being.
Aang, the kind-hearted boy who had saved his life. Without him, Benjamin would have perished on that fiery island. He had heard snippets of information about the avatar from the people of this world, though mostly in the form of drunken gossip that he picked up during his moments of lucidity.
The avatar possessed the extraordinary ability to bend all four elements, but Benjamin had never been particularly interested in the art of bending. Despite his own aversion to his powers, he remained a force user at his core, a being bestowed with the gift of the force. A gift... tainted with darker inclinations.
Ben forcefully expelled those thoughts from his mind. "Not now," he scolded himself, shifting his gaze towards the other members of the trio. He had no desire to embark on yet another existential crisis. The events of the previous night were still etched vividly in his memory.
The alcohol... the cigarettes... the overwhelming grief. It was his own life, and once again, Meetra was attempting to sway him from his chosen path. So, what if the avatar needed assistance? He was not the only person in the world in need of help.
Yet, something troubled Benjamin. An unsettling sensation washed over him as his eyes rested upon the leathery saddle strapped to the bison. Sadness...
Sadness that someone like Meetra, someone who had endured similar suffering, would push him into another treacherous abyss. This was not his war, not his world. Yes, the fire nation had taken Bill from him. Yes, he burned with anger over their heinous act. But he remembered Bill's words.
Anger and other intense negative emotions would be the catalyst for his descent into the dark side. He knew that path all too well. If he entertained thoughts of revenge, he would become the very embodiment of the Benjamin he once was.
He wouldn't allow that to happen. He wouldn't allow anyone else to suffer due to his own shortcomings or failures. Benjamin's gaze shifted towards the other members of the trio—the peculiar lemur-like creature with its oversized ears.
Katara, the girl from whom he had pilfered alcohol the night before. No apologies were exchanged, and no questions were asked. The stains on his shirt and the lingering scent of smoke served as silent reminders that she understood what had transpired. But she didn't demand compensation or explanations for his actions.
Sokka, the girl's younger brother, was also present. The boy kept his distance, silently tinkering with his weapon, but Benjamin clicked his tongue in understanding. It wasn't the boy's fault. For one, they had only known each other for less than a day, and Sokka was naturally reserved, choosing to speak only when spoken to.
"Hey... Ben. We've arrived."
The avatar's voice rose in harmony with the howling wind as Benjamin's fingers tightly gripped the leather of the saddle. But with a surge of strength, he turned his head to the side, his eyes widening at the magnificent sight that unfolded before him.
Rows of towering wooden houses stood like dominos, lining the land with a captivating presence. A small yet enchanting island emerged amidst the expanse of the gulf. Benjamin observed the collision of green and blue algae as the turbulent waves crashed against the shore. His eyes softened as he discerned the tiny specks of black, the people leisurely moving about their lives.
This place felt different. True, he had been aboard starfighters and traversed various terrains on land speeders before. But there was an intangible quality about this island, something comforting and familiar. It seemed to possess an inherent strength, as if the island itself were infused with the force—an embodiment of serene energy embraced by the light side.
Benjamin could sense it, the power resonating within. Yet, how could the light side wield such strength? Moreover, he felt no trace of darkness on the island. Before he could delve further into these musings, the bison's hooves touched the earth.
His fingers released their grip, and Benjamin tumbled forward from the back of the peculiar creature, landing on his back on the cold, unyielding ground. "Oh God!" Sokka exclaimed, both he and the avatar leaping in alarm to check on him. They feared he might have broken his neck or suffered some other grievous injury.
But all they found was Benjamin sitting upright, gently rubbing the back of his head and wiping the dirt off his knees. Sokka's grin broke into full bloom as he struggled to stifle his laughter. Yet, Benjamin could feel it, the sheer foolishness of the situation—a reminder that his connection to the force was impaired, his precognitive abilities failing him.
"But perhaps I was too distracted... and in distraction lies death," Benjamin thought, his eyes widening at the sudden words that invaded his mind. Melancholy thoughts swiftly transformed into visions of battle and solemnity, jolting him into action as he swiftly rose to his feet. "Hey... Aang. Thanks for that," he said, his tone indicating more than just his clumsy fall from the bison.
"For that?" Aang inquired, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Benjamin had just taken a tumble due to his own mishandling of the creature.
"No, not for what that dumb animal did... for saving my life and bringing me here," Benjamin clarified. The bison almost seemed to comprehend his words as it snorted in response. "Dumb animal," he thought, taking a step back.
"Ah, don't worry about it," Aang reassured him, diverting his attention to the villagers who were rushing to greet the avatar. Benjamin, however, had no desire to be entangled in their affairs. This leg of his journey was a fresh chapter, and he didn't want to risk the fire nation discovering his true identity. The revelation of a force-sensitive individual following the avatar could have dire consequences.
He neither needed nor wanted such attention. Even remaining in this place might prove to be a liability. Perhaps it was best to retreat, to escape somewhere far away. "Just run away. Run... as far as I can go," he whispered to himself, his left hand gently parting the fallen brush of the pine trees as he disappeared into the open woods.
As Team Avatar watched the young man vanish into the wilderness, his brown jacket and long dark hair fading from their view, a sense of unease settled over them. Aang's voice rose from the saddle of the bison, his eyes fixated on the earth below. Ben had only been with them for a short while, yet Aang couldn't shake the feeling that leaving him alone might not be the right thing to do. However, he couldn't help but question whether he had any say in Benjamin's choices at all.
"If I had been quicker... if I hadn't run away, maybe none of this would have happened," Aang muttered, his self-doubt creeping in like a relentless shadow. But before he could succumb to the weight of his thoughts, a warm and familiar touch gently graced his shoulder.
"Aang, it wasn't your fault. None of this was," Katara reassured him, her eyes turning towards the woods where Benjamin had disappeared. "Benjamin... he may have some habits I don't like, but I think he'll be okay."
Katara recalled the time she had found Benjamin, a mile away from camp, with a strange item holstered by his side, reeking of medicinal alcohol and cheap tobacco. He had been so lost in his stupor that she had to use her water bending to bring him back to his senses.
Sokka, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about the boy. Benjamin had been a silent presence, not engaging with them in any way. He had arrived with the group, been tended to by Katara, and then ventured off on his own. There was something imposing about him, and Sokka couldn't shake a sense of fear when he was around, worried that one wrong move could lead to his bones being broken with a swift kick.
Unsure of how to interact with someone he hardly knew, Sokka hesitated to crack his usual jokes. "Come on, Aang," the warrior spoke up, his hand reaching for his friend as he lifted him from his seat on the bison. The villagers of the island were now rushing to greet them.
"Let's go..."
Ben's large boots left heavy indents in the dirt as he trudged forward, noting the contrast between his once sluggish movements and the newfound steady pace. The aftermath of the forest fire had turned the island into a desolate landscape, with ash coating the soil like a blanket of heavy snow.
He couldn't bear the thought of staying on yet another island, so he began to craft a plan as he continued his solitary trek. Avoid attachments, avoid lingering too long in one place, and above all, avoid the pain of losing someone again, like he did with Bill.
Perhaps he could find work that allowed him to move freely, to disappear at a moment's notice. Fishing, hunting, or maybe even becoming a traveling merchant could offer such opportunities. As he broke free from the final grasp of the forest, the sun's fierce glare forced him to shield his eyes.
Blinking away the discomfort, he was greeted with the familiar scent of salt and the sight of neighboring islands, and hopefully, the mainland on the edge of his gaze. His eyes traced the coastline, settling on a wooden dock jutting out into the ocean.
Rows of fishing ships adorned the harbor, and a small smile tugged at Ben's lips as he realized his escape route. He could easily hide in one of the ship's cargo holds, securing a free passage to the mainland, or if he wished to take a different route, he could resort to more unconventional means and acquire what he needed through other means.
This was where his new life awaited, a life shrouded in uncertainty and danger. Ben's eyes locked ahead, the fierce sun refracting into his widening eyes, filling him with a sense of alarm. A terrible feeling twisted within him, like pitchforks sprouting through his chest. The dark metal of the fire nation warship gleamed in the sunlight as it docked in the area.
As the fire nation soldiers spread their flames around, the vibrant orange glow illuminated the surroundings, and the acrid smell of smoke reached Ben's nostrils. His right hand instinctively slid down to his thigh, ready to draw the royal blaster, but a sudden inner conflict held him back.
'What should I do?' His own thoughts taunted him, making his hand fall to his side as he grappled with his sense of responsibility. People were in danger, lives were at stake, but did he still carry the burden of a Jedi's duty? Wasn't he just a monster now, devoid of the ideals he once cherished?
"Listen to me, Benjamin." A shimmering flash of light appeared behind him, drawing his attention to the ghostly frame of his master, the wisp of cyan smoke surrounding her presence. Her words carried weight, cutting through his turmoil.
"This is not about your destiny or the debts you owe to the galaxy and the Jedi. This is about a boy with the power to save the world, the same boy who saved you from that burning island. He and his friends are walking into a fire nation battle, unaware of what awaits them."
She stepped forward, her hand pointing accusingly at his chest, her eyes fierce and unyielding. "Are you going to abandon the boy who saved you, leave him to face this trap alone? It's your responsibility, Ben, to repay the debt you owe. Will you run away once more from those trying to help you?"
Ben's fingers tightened into fists. She was right. The past and future didn't matter now. It was time to make things right, to face the consequences of his actions and fulfill his responsibility.
His breathing steadied as the force began to flow through him once again, awakening something deep within his core. But when his eyes opened, it wasn't fiery resolve that burned within them; it was a newfound determination to stand up and face the challenges ahead.
Aang's staff sliced through the air, unleashing a powerful wave that crashed into three fire nation soldiers, sending them hurtling to the cold dirt below. Gasping for breath, Aang took a moment to recover, his tired body feeling the strain of the battle.
Sokka's boomerang soared through the smoke-filled air, knocking a fire nation soldier to the ground. The island was ablaze, and Katara rushed to bend water to quench the fires that threatened to consume the buildings. "Aang, we can't stay here any longer. The firebenders are too strong."
Amidst the smoke, more iron-faced soldiers emerged, undeterred by the trio's pacifist approach. The fire nation soldiers had no fear of a bunch of teenagers, despite their impressive talents. They knew that one day the avatar's mercy would be his downfall.
From the rubble, a fire nation soldier emerged, his fist sparking with deadly flames. But before he could act, his gaze met those of a boy with dark hair and a strange object pointed at his stomach. With a squeeze of the trigger, a bolt of energy shot forth, stunning the unsuspecting trooper.
Katara, Aang, and Sokka stared in awe and shock at the boy's brutal efficiency. "Relax," he called out. "I didn't want to kill him, so I switched to stun!"
As the battle raged on, the fire nation soldiers were caught off guard by the stranger's weapon. With each bolt from his blaster pistol, more of their ranks diminished. Their low morale spread like wildfire, the sight of this new and deadly weapon sending a chill down their spines.
"What's the plan?" Ben shouted, continuing to fire with precise aim. The ornate blaster pistol dealt fiery damage, making even the fire nation soldiers falter.
"We have to keep pushing them back until Katara deals with the fire!" Sokka yelled back, catching his boomerang with practiced ease. Amidst the flames and chaos, Katara used her water bending to combat the inferno, while the trio fought to hold off the fire nation soldiers.
Blaster bolts and the whizz of Sokka's boomerang sent the fire nation soldiers reeling, while the civilians assisted Katara in extinguishing the flames with makeshift tools. The battle was intense, but eventually, the fire nation began to withdraw, rushing back to their ship. However, the fighting was far from over.
Dodging a wave of fire, Ben's blaster shot brilliant blue stun blasts, rendering the soldiers unconscious. But he quickly realized the flaw in their strategy – stuns weren't enough against opponents in heavy armor. Aang, Katara, and Sokka fought valiantly, but their non-lethal tactics were only temporarily incapacitating the enemy. They needed to get out, and fast.
"Aang! We have to leave… now!" Ben's urgent plea cut through the chaos, and the young avatar summoned a mighty blast of air, signaling for his flying bison.
With a roar, the bison arrived, and the trio scrambled aboard. Ben and Aang's blaster shots provided cover fire as they took to the sky, leaving the burning island behind.
"We don't have time! They'll keep on coming!" Sokka yelled to his sister, urging her to move quickly.
The bison soared into the air, its fur blending with the deep orange glow of the flames below. The people of the island hurriedly sought refuge on fishing boats, seeking safety near the ocean.
As the island continued to burn, Ben's eyes reflected the fiery spectacle below. But then, something caught his attention, and he couldn't believe what he saw.
"Holy fuck!" he exclaimed, shocked by the sight unfolding before him.
Ben's voice cut through the chaos, and he hurled himself into the saddle, his legs dangling precariously in the air. Sokka, quick on his feet, grabbed the hem of Ben's pants and yanked him in, just in time to dodge a searing red fireball.
"They're catapulting fireballs!" Sokka shrieked, hunkering down in the saddle as the mysterious bison deftly dodged away from the dangerous island. But in that moment, something strange happened to Ben. His eyes widened as the force surged through him, granting him precognition. He could see it coming – the next fireball aimed at the bison's foot, ready to break it, sear it, and fill the air with the stench of burning flesh.
The power of the vision compelled him into action. With a grudging determination, he forced himself up, his trembling legs finding stability as he gripped one of the arm handles. Katara's voice carried through the rushing wind, questioning his actions, but he paid it no mind.
Lifting his right hand, he felt the force flow through every pore of his being, connecting him to the very earth itself. A strange strength surged within him, welling up like a powerful tide. His arm cocked back, and with a thrust of his hand, he released a blast of force energy that collided with the oncoming fireball, shattering it into a spray of rock and fire.
Katara and Sokka could only gape in awe at the display of power. Even Aang, the young avatar, turned to look at Ben, his own eyes wide with surprise and curiosity. Sweat beaded on Aang's brow as he felt the muscles in his right arm throb and blister from the impact of the force.
"The force..." Aang murmured, almost in a whisper, the realization dawning on him.