Author Note: Yo! Thanks for reading this chapter. This one was longer, and I wished to have more time to work with it but studies and school have to come first. Thank you for reading this chapter. Please remember to follow, favorite, and review because it greatly helps with my motivation. Have a wonderful and awesome day!

Chapter 35

Sokka's eyes slowly parted as he slowly lurched forward. His muscles strained as he cocked his head back with a mighty yawn that emptied from his lips. His messy, disheveled hair falling in clumps as he strained his eyes at his surroundings.

"Katara…"

He slowly mumbled out, his sister's eyes widening at his sight as he was nearly tackled off Appa's saddle, a massive hug. "You fool, had me all worried!"

Slowly rolling his eyes, his head still hazy as he was still confused on what happened to him. Weren't they meant to find Bumi and save him, to take back the city so Aang could learn proper Earth bending?

Yet, as his eyes locked to his arm. He saw it, rather he felt it. The prickling flames that surrounded his being, Jet lurching him forward with the force, but it was already too late. Still, his wounds were healed. Sure, there were faint burn marks, but it wasn't anything like Zuko's.

"I…"

His eyes trained towards Jet. The freedom fighter staring into ancient jedi scrolls that Haru had gifted him. Detailing complicated lightsaber forms, Ben had urged him to study them to gain a better perspective of lightsaber combat.

Yet, Sokka…without even saying a word, he knew it was Jet, remarking on what happened to Ben all that time ago. How he took all that dark energy and gave him life again, but he never forgot the cost. Sokka sighed as Ty Lee quickly flung herself over the saddle. The fire nation girl simmering with energy.

"Oh, Sokka. Your finally awake!" She spoke up.

Jet simply nodding at the young warrior. Giving a subtle wave as Momo curled alongside him. Yet, it was Katara that raised her head. Aang climbing on top of the saddle as his eyes brightened at the sight of his awakened comrade. Rushing towards him as they both embraced. "Relax, come on your all just going to break me!" he joshed.

Aang let him go. Yet, it was Sokka's sister that parted her lips to speak. "Aang, where were you…"

Aang took a heavy breath as he basically explained what had happened while Sokka was gone. Explaining in detail. The earth benders rejuvenated morale, Ben killing those soldiers, and finally getting to Bumi.

"Bumi basically said to find a teacher that can feel it deep within the earth. Someone unorthodox if you get what I mean?"

Ty Lee turned around, looking side to side in all directions after Aang had finished the story. "Hey, where's Ben, Aang?"

Aang shook his head. "Don't know, he checked on me and Bumi, then just left the ship. He knows where we are, so we just wait I guess?"

Aang strained out the words, but team avatar as a whole didn't like the whole idea of it. Especially Katara, with the way Ben had been acting he's been…

"Guys, there is something that I need to tell you." Katara rose. Going into Ben's sack as she began to root through the spare clothes and supplies. Eventually, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the crimson tetrahedron displayed.

"Ben called this a Holocron, and he has been using these to speak to a Sith or a Dark Jedi." As the words left their lips, their eyes widened. Ty Lee and Jet instinctively cringed as they lurched upwards, feeling the might of the dark side of the force at work as they stared at the object.

"So…" Sokka raised his voice. Pointing at the thing in his sister's hands. "What does it mean? Sure, he's been communicating with the Sith, but I don't really understand…"

"Sokka's it's not just that." Jet raised. "The dark side of the force, from what Ben and Haru has taught me can be used by us Jedi. But to take in so much of it, especially someone like Ben…"

"Still, that doesn't really change anything?" Sokka spoke up again. The confused glances causing him to continue. "Ben, I've seen him change. He's grown prideful, arrogant, bloodthirsty. Is this the Sith Lord's teachings or is this just Ben in general?"

The words caused them all to stutter and to think. When did Ben begin to change? They had known very little of his past, but there was definitely a difference in him before. What caused him to break? Was it the stress of there journey, Kiara's constant attacks, or was it the Holocron's influence?

"Welp, we won't know if we don't open it." Aang slowly rose. Jet taking the Holocron in hand as he began to concentrate. Watching the prism completely unwrap as the gatekeeper whizzed and spat to life.

Exar Kun emerged, his red outline brightening up the team's faces as they watched the allure of the former long dead lord of the Sith. Even as a gatekeeper, he radiated with ancient power. His eyes locking along the team individually…

"Where is, Ben?" He spoke, his voice commanding as Katara pushed through the team.

"I don't know who you are…but stay away from Ben. I don't know how you got to him, but this ends now!"

For a minute, nothing happened. The deathly quiet of the surroundings compacting as team avatar quickly spun into silence. Yet, Exar's face mingled as his lips formed into a powerful grin.

A rasped laugh echoed from the Holocron as the former dark lord of the Sith's laughter boomed through the forest. His eyes half closed as the gatekeeper stared at them. "Ignorant children, believing that I have been putting things in your friends head." He waved off their claims, his toothy smile-stained crimson as he turned towards each one of them. "Benjamin has always made his own choices. He chooses to delude himself of the true nature of the force. He will fall, but not by my hand…it will be due to him."

Jet sneered grinding his teeth, Exar turning towards the young freedom fighter. "Ah, you. The apprentice, Ben has spoken very little of you, but I can sense the greatness within you. A mighty warrior with such hate…"

Jet's eyes widened; he didn't like that force trick. The type of trick that this long dead gatekeeper had used, reading one's emotions and base impulses. Jet turned away but kept his grip on his lightsaber.

Exar turned around. His eyes locking on Ty Lee as his eyes widened. Kneeling forward as he loomed over the fire nation girl. His shadow over her like the moon as she instinctively shrieked.

"Interesting, the force blazes in you, just like Ben." He snickered. Ty Lee's eyes slowly widening as those words went towards her ear.

Team avatar going back as Aang slowly parted his lips. "Wait, are you telling me that Ty Lee can use the force as well?"

Exar continued that ghastly smirk. "Yes, the force blazes in her as well. But I can feel her greatness, I can see her future." His smile darkened, the looming presence looking over her.

"I got the force…" Her words coming from the lips without any emotion. Her eyes going towards her palms as for a second, she couldn't believe it. The aura reading, the feeling of emotions, her eyes training forward as she peered at the gatekeeper. She was a powerful force user even, her memories trained towards Ben.

A mighty warrior, the one that was able to calm her mind even though she couldn't. Her mind turning towards the fire nation and their atrocities in this world. Maybe, just maybe. Her eyes trained forward. Wearing heavy jedi robes, Ben by her side as his hand rested on her shoulder. Her eyes closing as he would pull her close and…

"Ah, yes…you shall become a mighty dark jedi, a powerful one."

Her fantasy was instantly shattered, her widened eyes peering at the gatekeeper. "Wait…what?" She faltered instantly, nearly falling off the bison.

"I can foresee it, through the dark side of the force. You'll be a great one, powerful enough to become Ben's apprentice. A Dark Lord, and his Sith Apprentice. This warrior is too hardheaded to the dark side…so you shall be a good choice…"

Ty Lee's throat hitched, her eyes wavering to tears as her palms went to her mouth. Ben and her…Dark Lord and Apprentice. Wreaking havoc and misery across the world as she…

The gatekeeper spurred, staticky as it broke down into two. The Holocron was instantly geared back into its closing position. Wrenching through the force as it spun out of reach, their eyes widening as they realized who called it.

Ben, his left hand coiled along the strange shape. His golden eyes peering at the group individually as he simply watched. All knowing that this was going to lead to a big argument.

Riding far ahead of the Earth Kingdom after their failed mission of trying to recruit the earth bending king Bumi as a teacher. The king rejecting them and sending them on a fool's errand to find another teacher.

The thought caused Ben to grimace. 'Fucking liberated your city, and you want to send us out there. Fucking bastard, I should've let the fire nation have you. Would've saved us some time…'

Ben shaking his head, mildly parting his lips as the words entered his head. Even they, laced with malice shocked him. Sure, he was angry that Bumi refused to train Aang but to have thoughts about leaving him behind and such was messed up, even when he saved them last time.

Ben slowly shook his head, still a faint smile went across his lips. Still, the trip was worth it. He had taken all that time alone in purchasing another portable furnace. He had turned that chunk of lignan ore into a crystal.

After sinking the ship with the rest of the ore so the Sith or the fire nation couldn't get to use it. He made another crystal, a sphere like jet black crystal. It rippled with vibrant force energy, chambered with the weight of the dark side.

He had already replaced the diamond in his lightsaber blade with the lignan crystal. He could still feel it now, the surge of power! His synthetic crystal chambering together with the lignan and the qixoni. Both crystals in hand as that bright azure beam ignited from his hilt.

The weapon was stronger, the blade grew hotter and was able to cleave through things stronger and quicker than normal sabers. He even felt himself grow stronger within the dark side of the force, in which his true strength lied.

"Ben…" Katara spoke up. His face tightening up as he didn't turn towards her. His eyes fixated on the sky as he tried to tune her out. Annoying, always annoying…trying to get him to stop doing what he wanted to do.

'Why should I care? I am a Jedi, a warrior of the force. No bendor can contend with me. I don't care if it's the Jedi way. I don't take what is given, I take what I want and more. I make my own decisions and fight my own battles and wars. I don't need her yapping and lectures to be a better Jedi!'

He had lost an arm on this journey, he had given up everything to help out Aang and the rest, he clicked his lip. Trying to dismiss her, he didn't want to deal with a lecture of the dark side of the force from a non-force sensitive.

"Ben, my sister is talking to you…" Sokka slowly spoke. His eyes going towards the pair. "I think, well everyone has a couple of things and questions we have to get through."

Sokka glossed over to Ty Lee. The girl having her arms wrapped around her legs as her knees were towards her chest. Her eyes, half closed as even he realized that something was wrong with her. Well, getting told that your future involved becoming a powerful dark jedi would surely mess people up.

"No, I don't want to talk right now." Ben spoke. Waving them off as he puffed out his chest, leaning into the base of Appa's saddle as his eyes poured into the clouds ahead.

Katara took a deep breath, her eyes locking to Ben's frame. "Listen, Ben. I get that you don't want to talk right now but we must. Look we all have been through bad times so far…all of us. But you need to stop messing around, Ben."

Ben clicked his lips, slowly rising as the fresh winds rippled through his jacket and tendrils of hair. His lightsaber slowly swaying in the breeze as he peered down at Katara, at the girl who thought she knew better. A bendor, someone weaker than him who didn't hold the blessing of the force.

"I'm fine…" He dangerously snarled.

Jet slowly rising as he past Katara. "Ben, we aren't trying to get on your nerves or anything. The way you fight, your control of the force, hell even your mannerisms have changed. You've grown more…savage. At times, I can even feel it. This dark lord, we are just worried about his effect on you."

'Why the fuck am I getting ganged up on? I didn't do anything wrong here…so what I dabbled with the dark side of the force, it kept us alive and going. While they were screwing around, Aang playing sports and they are taking the scenic route. I've lost my arm for this journey…and she is lecturing me!'

"Katara, Jet. don't get it twisted. Exar Kun, he holds no influence over me…he is my creature, not the other way around."

"But the point still stands Ben that messing around with these ancient Sith, and these force powers aren't doing you any good." Sokka raised his voice. Mildly annoyed at the words that came from Ben's mouth.

Jet turned around. "Messing around with him will only cause you to get dragged into that hole that he came out of. We're only saying this because there's still a chance for you to stop whatever darkness there is from consuming you."

Ben chuckled. His hand going to his chest. "I'm stronger than I've ever been." Yet his next steps shocked them even more, he inched closer to Jet. His towering and strong frame making Jet look small as he puffed out his chest. A dangerous toothy smile as he peered down at him. "Spoken like a coward, like a Jedi."

Snarling the last parts out of his gritted teeth as Jet returned his glare. Katara instantly rising as she separated the two boys from the other. "Ben, that's enough. What is wrong with you!"

"Me, if you got a problem…then leave!"

His voice rippled through the expanse, mildly knocking Ty Lee from her head. Her eyes darting to the group, even Aang turning from steering Appa. "Wait…leave?" Aang slowly repeated as he turned back around to the group.

"Yeah, get the fuck out if you have a problem. All of you!" Ben stuck out his thumb to his chest. "It's been me that's been taking us through this journey. I've sacrificed my arm and my sanity to make sure you guys are happy…so how about you quit bitching and for once let me do my thing!"

"No…" Sokka spoke up, wiping his face as he got on his feet. "This is insane. Ben, come on can't you see how you've changed, your being delusional!"

"I'm fine, I am stronger than I've ever been…you damn fools. I am Benjamin, a watchman. My control of the force is limitless, I am the greatest Jedi to draw breath in this universe. Don't tell me what powers I cannot master…"

Everyone, even Ben was slowly reeling from his words. His hand combing through the tendrils of hair as his mind like gears began to grind. 'The greatest Jedi to draw breath?' Even in his thoughts, those words rippled. They felt good, that arrogance…that pride.

It stopped their argument for a second. Yet, it was Ty Lee who finally had the strength to speak. "Ben, what that Sith Lord said about my future. Was it true?"

Ben let out a sigh. "Exar Kun, he's an animal. A jedi knight that manipulated and corrupted his Jedi peers into slaughtering their masters. Ty lee, you oversee your own destiny." He walked over towards her, his hand going towards her knee as she stared up at him. "Jedi…Sith. Light side, Dark side. You have to decide the way you use the force and the person you want to be."

Ty Lee, she wanted to believe Ben. A part of her did, but those words still rung in her head. The Sith Lord was so sure of her future, she didn't know what to feel.

With those parting words, Ben's eyes trained to the side of the flying bison. Seeing the ground slowly…getting closer and closer. His eyes widening at the sight as he turned back towards Aang. His hand colliding with his shoulder as he shook the avatar. Aang's eyes slowly widening as he lifted Appa up.

"Aang, what's wrong?"

The young airbender turned away from him. "I don't know, it felt strange for a second. Like the jungle was calling me…"

Ben strained his eyes, feeling the pressure of his teammates leaning along his back as they stared at the expense of land that was outstretched towards them. Long rows of trees that breached the sky, covering the marsh below as they could hardly peer through the darkness.

Ben and Jet both lashed out with the force, trying to gain a better feeling with this place. Yet, there was simply nothing. Sure, the force here ran strong, but it was neither light nor dark. "Aang, I don't like the look of this place. How about we fly higher or take a different route." Sokka raised his voice. Urging the airbender as he nodded in unison.

Yet, fate had other plans. A brilliant blast of wind soured around them, their eyes crackling as natures overwhelming might rippled along them as they struggled. A tornado, Ben's eyes widening as Aang lashed out with his air bending. Wrapping them in a ball as they were forced deep within the jungle…

Casted from Appa and Momo as they flung through the trees. Breaking through branches as they fell. Ben's eyes widening as he began to realize their surroundings, not before his feet slammed into the lake.

Instantly kicking upwards as he threw his head back. Shaking the wild tendrils of wet hair out of his eyes as he called out to his friends. Muffled groaning echoing as they each resurfaced from the water. Ben kicking forward as he reached shallow enough water in which he could comfortably stand on. Slowly wiping the droplets from his face as he peered at all his comrades.

"Mind if I ask, what was that!" Jet erupted. Coughing water as he gazed around.

Sokka shook his head. "A tornado, it had to be…"

"But it just came out of nowhere. Doesn't a storm like that need time to be created." Spoke Ty Lee, wringing out her hair as she stared at the annoyed freedom fighter.

Ben shivered from the cold. Eyes scanning the dense fog and the brush. Angrily groaning as he tried to reach out through the force, there were things alive in here. Yet, even as he tried to concentrate with closed eyes, this result proved too fruitless.

"Okay, Aang use your air bending and try to scope out where Appa and Momo are. We need to recover them."

Aang quickly nodded, in a brisk of skilled parkour he was in the trees. Coming down a couple of minutes later as he slowly shook his head. "No clue, can't see anything with all these trees surroundings us."

Ben sighed, taking a heavy breath as he drew upon his lightsaber. Igniting the dark blue blade, letting a smile spark along his face as he took in the addictive power the lignan produced. His blade felt heavier, but it was a good heavy…it burned darker to.

He turned towards the vines and brush. His blade cleaving through the vines as they splattered on the ground, faint burn marks decorating there ends as he continued. "Ben, I don't think you should be doing that." Aang slowly spoke, his eyes darting through the vines.

"Why not?"

"I don't know, I agree with Aang. This place…there is just something ominous about it?" Katara replied.

Ben sneered, a toothy and arrogant smile overtaking his lips. "Seriously, you are all afraid of just some branches. There is nothing to fear, I am a Jedi Watchman. The jungle could send its greatest champions, the blessing of the force can slaughter any enemy."

His blade cleaved through another piece of vine. Jet and Ty Lee following him as the rest of team avatar continued down that path. Their eyes brightening up at the sparks of that brilliant plasma blade. Yet, with all their power of the force, and even the avatar at their side…they failed to realize that they were being watched.

Hours have passed, and team avatar was far too tired to continue. The cracks of the fire rippled through the night as they found a hollowed-out tree that would have made the perfect place to camp. The orange flames gave their faces an orange hue as they settled in for the night.

They lacked their blankets, but the moss of the swamp made a mighty good comforter. Yet, there was one that couldn't sleep. One that simply stared into the cracks of the flames as his friends stirred into the night.

Sleep didn't dawn on him. Maybe he would stir, and hopefully his dreams would be like bright flashes, not memories of the past. With half narrowed eyes he tried to make of the day what he could.

His friends, even to Ben…even with all his arrogance and pride. He knew that they were right, the dark side had grown far easier to call on. His master's words, Ulic's, and now his friends. Maybe, they were right. Something within him has changed and not for the better.

Yet, what more could he do? He was a dark side adept, one so linked in darkness that the powers of the light were blocked. He could only harness the abilities of the dark side…maybe, the words didn't ring true. Maybe, the songs and the tales were wrong…those words that he lived by those words that he believed…

'No, I reject that desire. Jedi lies, the light side…and the dark side could be controlled. They fear my power, they know how great I am. Yet, that wasn't all that happened.'

His gaze glossed over to Ty Lee for an instant. The girl curled up in a ball as her disheveled hair decorated her face. Her eyes sealed shut as Ben directed his attention back to the fire. Combing through his locks of hair as he remembered what Exar had told them all.

Exar was a Sith Lord and there was a good chance of manipulation…but there was no way of knowing if he was right or wrong. For all Ben and his friends knew, the words rung true, and she would become a powerful dark side warrior.

…or maybe he was lying. That fun, bubbly, and laxed girl could become one of the greatest of Jedi knights due to training. It was her path, and he wouldn't be like the jedi of his order. Relationships, families, marriages…in his new order, they would all be allowed.

Because as he peered at those sparkling lights, at those people who have defined him and helped him find his purpose once again. He realized that…how can they condemn him to the dark side? The love they shared, all of them was one of a true family.

How could such positive connections warp him…hell it saved him after his first duel with Kiara. That was what he needed to teach them. Haru, Jet…and the next generations of Jedi Knights that are going to come. To make quality attachments with others and to…

His ears prickled as he heard movement to his side. Casting a side glance as he saw Ty Lee slowly rise and walk over to him. Sitting down on his side as her elbow lightly grazed his own. "Your still up?" She slowly hesitated, the bits of sleep still rolling off of her.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep so much. All this noise and stuff…"

It wasn't a lie, at least not fully. It was loud out here. He sparked a smile to try and reassure her. Yet, she slowly shook her head, his lies wouldn't work on a girl whose whole life she had spent reading people. "You're worried about something; I can feel it."

'Fuck.' He mumbled in his head. Slowly shaking it as he turned back to her. His golden eyes sparkling under the allure of the fire light. "I just, I don't know. I'm worried about shit, the things I seen. They learn to haunt you when you're asleep."

"Really, when we were holding the other. You fell asleep rather quickly and didn't wake up." She professed, his eyes widening at the words. Yet, a small chuckle rose from him.

Ben tossing up an eyebrow. "Really, that's a first time for everything, I guess. That was the first time in a while I actually felt refreshed."

"Well…" Her hands went around his waist. In a blend of agility her body wrapped around him, his back resting along the hollow bark of the tree as her head rested on the base of his chest. "I don't mind, with you."

He slowly stuttered, his heart beating along his ribcage as his hands instinctively went back to their last place from the prior night, along her back and waist. "Ty Lee, why are you doing this?"

It took her a second to think, Ben could imagine cogs whirring in her head like she was trying to create an answer. But she just locked eyes with him again a second later.

"Because…when I am in your arms, it's the safest I've ever been." She told honestly. For a little while they just sat there, feeling the others heat, a reassuring feeling that for the first time they weren't alone.

It took another couple of minutes for her voice to raise. Her dark grey eyes lightly moving to his own as she slowly pared the coming words.

"Ben, do you think Exar was right. That I have this darkness within me?"

Ben slowly shook his head. "Nah, Exar's a Sith Lord. He was just trying to get in your head…believe me. Your way too air headed…" He silently snickered as the girl lightly pinched his side causing him to nearly squeal. "But seriously, you're alright. Don't worry about it and get some rest…tomorrow we're staking out for Appa."

There was a darkness in everyone, even within the greatest of the jedi masters. But Ty Lee right now did not need to know that. All that mattered was to hold one another, to reassure another for the coming days and battles ahead.

"Thanks, Ben…"

The two slept in the other's arms that night. Ben slowly drawing himself to sleep, the cracks of the flame slowly dying down as the veil of the night slowly stole them like a knifes edge. It was also the reason that vines slinked from the waters, coiled, wrapping along them with ease and…

Screams, there screams. Barreling in all different directions in the jungle as they were all separated. Ben glossing over, watching his team getting ripped deep within the confines of the darkness as he could only watch. "No!"

A powerful blast of force energy broke through the vines. His lightsaber ignited in an instant as more vines shot towards him. His plasma blade cleaving through them, with the might of the force he was unstoppable…able to put an end to this madness.

Yet, as he heaved from the exercise. As he stared at all the directions as he and his surroundings were baptized in blue light. He couldn't feel them, his team was gone. And with all the power of the dark side, they were lost to him again.

Jet

Jet's cyan blade hacked through the brush and the vines that got in his way. His brown eyes in a haze as he used the force to scan his surroundings, trying to locate his master and his companions with his force bond to them.

Yet, all attempts proved fruitless. He was alone now, in this strange swamp as he made his way through it. The only companion that he had was the lightsaber blade in his right hand, the hum of the permafrost crystal giving him strength as he pushed through the sludge of the jungle.

"Jet…"

He snapped his head around, towards the voice. His eyes scanning the treetops as he could hear it faintly, like a child's voice. No, it was like multiple people. Inching closer to the sound, he could swear that he was picking up on something.

A faint light, a flicker of something that was long gone.

"Hello!" He screamed into the forest. Letting his voice travel and echo through the branches. His eyes training in all directions as he began to slowly shake his head. This forest, this jungle was driving him mad.

Yet…

"Jet, where are you…why did you leave us!"

A powerful scream rippled to his sides. There are voices, his freedom fighters. Jet took a heavy breath further pushing himself into the forest. "Guys! There was no other option…the place was on fire, and I thought you guys were all dead!"

He spoke the words through gritted teeth, following them through the force as he half-hardy cleaved through the brush only to see an opening. Forcing himself forward as he thought he found the source. Yet, there was nothing there.

"You've left me to die…"

Jet grimaced, his teeth sinking into his lip. "I didn't abandon you; the forest was being burnt to the ground. It was either leave our home and live to fight another day…or die!"

His voice rippled through the leaves, his feet augmenting with force energy as he tried to reclaim them, to see there faces.

"It was all a lie. Don't you get it…you abandoned us! Your no fucking hero…no fucking leader…no Jedi!"

Jet leaped into the air, augmenting his legs with force energy as he shot himself forward into the treetops. His brown eyes tracing in all directions, the Spector's of his past mingled within the wind. Cutting along his face like glass lines. Yet, he couldn't feel them…he couldn't see them.

"You failed in saving us, you can't save anyone. This was all your fault!"

Jet violently shook his head, his blade lifted into the air. "No, it isn't. There wasn't anything we could've done…and I was afraid. Ben trained me, and I know I will see you all again!"

With that silent proclamation. The specters stopped; the only sound was the hum of a cyan lightsaber blade that pushed through the veil of the marsh. Jet's garbled breath as his guilt began to squirm deep within, his guilt of letting those people go.

Did he make the right choice…in following the path of the Jedi?

Ty Lee

Ty Lee's eyes opened with a flutter. Her hands connecting with the dirt as she heaved herself up. Her eyes scanning in all directions through the endless jungle as she began to turn in all directions. Parting through the vines as she slowly parted her lips.

"Hello!"

Her raised voice echoed through the jungle as she heard her echo. Closing her eyes as she tried to detect the auras of her companions. She saw aura's but there were too many to discern who from what. They illuminated like green balls of energy.

Letting out a sigh as she began to traverse through the looming jungle. It was maybe one or two hours until she felt something, a strange presence nearby. Her eyes going towards it as she reached an opening.

The veil of the sun lifting to her gaze as it brightened up the clearing. A piece of marsh was emptied as a lone figure stood in the front. 'Another person?' Ty Lee questioned within her thoughts.

"Hello…" She spoke, raising her voice as the figure turned towards her. It was a young man, maybe between sixteen and eighteen years old. He was around the same height as Ben, maybe being a tad bit shorter.

He wore traditional beige jedi robes and deep brown boots. Along his belt was a lightsaber that slowly swayed from the movement. His brown greyish eyes and jet-black hair made Ty Lee feel…familiar. She inched closer, her eyes traveling as she glanced at the young man.

She couldn't part it, but he felt special in some strange way. He felt familiar, almost like seeing a long-lost brother or a family friend that was like blood. She tried to reach out to feel his aura, but it was fruitless.

"Hey, my name is Ty Lee. I am looking for my friends." The Jedi figure stared at her for a second. Knowing full well that he heard but he didn't utter a response or anything along those lines. "Do you know where they are…" She slowly cringed as she traced out her words.

Slowly lifting his right hand, he aimed into the expense deeper into the forest. His pointed finger leading deeper, but Ty Lee felt something, almost like a patch of familiarity. Almost like she could feel that was where her friends were.

"Thank you!" She slowly spoke. Taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes for a second. "I really was about to lose…"

Her eyes snapped open as she turned in all directions. That Jedi, he was gone! He disappeared as Ty Lee stared at the pocket of marsh. There were no footprints, no sign of anything…it was almost like he wasn't even there.

Yet, she took a deep breath. She would speak to Ben about it later and hopefully this was some Jedi or Sith bullshit at work. So, she walked off.

Ben

Ben's ignited blue beam cleaved through the trees. His golden eyes contrasting the hum of his blade as he slashed haphazardly through the jungle. 'Fucking bullshit!'

He had spent hours meditating through the force trying to find his comrades. He could feel them through the force, but the force was so strong here that every living thing was in view. He could sense the insects, the animals, and even his friends…but they all looked nearly the same to him.

He couldn't differentiate one to the other as he…

His eyes snapped open as he unignited his weapon. Reattaching it to his belt as his mouth slowly gaped open, his eyes widening as he grabbed the brush and pushed it away. A clearing in the jungle, a piece of marsh.

His boots drove through the green water as he made his way through it. He felt something strange, his eyes wandering in all directions as he felt it. A warm expense of heat, a cyanic light that was bathed in front of him as he lifted his gaze.

A woman. Dark black hair that went to her neck, olive skin. She stared down at him like a mirage. Yet, Ben knew who it was. His hand reaching out towards her.

"I never wanted this for you. I never wanted any of this…I'm sorry, Benjamin."

With those parting words she was gone. A mist dissipating in the light as Ben kept his hand raised, falling to his knees as he kept himself ready. His eyes hollow as he could only part a couple of words. "Mom…no!"

He grasped his chest, his eyes slammed shut as he couldn't believe it. She was gone. Again, his mother. After all this time. It was…Just a couple of words, and that was it. He fell to his knees, his eyes closed as he felt the weight of everything return. Even with all the power of the force, he was still that young boy.

That weak boy that got beaten on by his alcoholic of a father. A boy that was powerful within the force but was far too weak to save his mother. Even with the powers of the Light or the Dark, he had failed so many times…

Aang was the first one. Finding a clearing as he inched into the middle planting his body on top of a fallen log that overlooked the roaring river that was beneath them. Sokka came out next, pushing through the veil of the jungle.

Katara inched from the darkness, followed by a disheveled Jet, an absentminded Ty Lee…and Ben whose eyes were glued to the floor. "Guys, where all here!" Aang announced. Waving them all forward as they created a circle.

Katara parted her lips, aiming towards Sokka. "I know it sounds crazy, but I saw mom again. Deep in the jungle…"

"I know, I saw Yue, or what I thought was her." He replied. Turning to the force sensitives on the side. "What about you guys?"

Jet slowly shook his head, his messy and wet tendrils of hair flying in the opposite directions. "I don't want to talk about it…" He slowly faltered.

Katara going towards him as she rested her hand on his shoulder, a brief exchange that was able to slowly ease him. "I saw a Jedi, or what I thought was one. He was wearing these heavy robes and held a lightsaber…he kind of looked like Ben, but different. He helped me find you guys here."

Ben sighed knowing it was his turn. "I saw my mom again as well…she told me that she was sorry for what happened. Then she just disappeared and that was it."

Slowly shaking his head. "Aang, what about you…what did you see?" Sokka asked.

Aang nodded. "I don't really know. There was this girl, and she was laughing and stuff. She felt special but…"

Ben, Jet, and Ty Lee felt it. There eyes widening in alarm as they lurched for there team avatar comrades that couldn't feel it. A blast of vines slapping forward as they already thrown into the lake. Ben twisting around as he saw it.

A monster, a beast crafted from the vines and of the jungle as a wooden mask brandished over the goliath. "So, this is the bastard that separated all of us before…" Ben sneered.

Ben and Jet's lightsabers ignited, sparking to life as the contrasting blue blades opposed the large creature. There eyes brightening up as they kicked forward, the force funneling in their movements as they engaged.

The vines shot out through the water, but team avatar's resilience was reignited. Ben and Jet's lightsabers moved like there very own waves, a clash of the different blue tints as the scorched-up vines sprawled and fell back in the water.

Jet threw his lightsaber, dragging it with the force as it nicked the shoulder joint of the monster. The creature's hand fumbling as it quickly regenerated. Jet and Ben both dismissing as they began to sense Katara. In a blend of martial bending might, the floor was cleared of any water, giving team avatar proper room to stand on as she started to cut through the monster.

Yet…there eyes widened as a large cut appeared, a man was controlling it. A bendor, Ben grimaced at the sight, yet that sight quickly turned into a grin as a plan began to form. "Everyone, back on that branch!"

With that command team avatar quickly funneled, watching as the water and vines quickly overtook the monster as it began to regenerate. "What are you doing!" Katara yelled out. "I almost had him!"

Ben didn't respond, yet that dangerous gleam in his eye returned as his left hand funneled with purple sparks. Team avatar realizing all too late of what Ben was planning on doing. The purple stream of lightning immediately impacted the water. Cleaving and contorting as it trapped like a rope, coiling as the monster…no, the man inside screamed.

The large behemoth cheered as the vines pulsated as the purple stream of force energy transfixed as that toothy smile was the only glow, team avatar turning away as they worried for there retinas, but Ben didn't…he choose to not turn away from power, but to embrace it.

He stopped, lifting his left arm as the cracks of lightning began to wind down. The behemoth was gone, spiraling in vines as a figure leaned on a piece of log. Ben leaped from his pedestal, inching closer as he held his lightsaber blade to the side.

He was going to finish this…here and now. The ignited weapon hummed as he raised it, walking over towards the old man as team avatar followed behind him. "He's…an old man, why did he do all this?" Questioned Katara as she stared at the knocked out bendor.

"Doesn't mater…he's a dead old man now." He lifted his blade, striking overhead with zero hesitation as…

Jet's blade stopped Ben's cleave. Both boys saber locking at the others chest as Ben grimaced. "The hell are you doing, apprentice!"

Both boys broke from the other. There feet clamping along the water as their boots sunk. Sokka and Ty Lee running towards Ben as on the other side. Katara and Aang redoubled along Jet.

"What is this, Jet?" Ben's hand extended, aiming his blade at the old man. "That old prick separated us in the forest. He started attacking us again, I won't let him draw breath!"

"He's defeated, Ben. Don't you see…we don't know why he did what he did. For all we know there can be a good reason for it."

"I don't care, I face my enemies only once!" Ben gripped the blade with both hands. Tossing himself into the niman form. Sokka and Ty Lee frozen in place. "Get out of my way…apprentice."

Jet shook his head, tossing himself into Makashi as Aang and Katara slowly barreled backwards. "I won't do that, a Jedi doesn't just take life."

"ENOUGH!"

Aang's booming voice separating the pair as they turned towards Aang. The avatar's eyes lighting up as with an extended figure he turned towards the two boys. "Are you all insane, we just found each other and you're going to have a duel…for what!" He extended his hand outwards. "He's defeated, he's just some old man in the jungle, he's not Kiara and I highly doubt that he's going to come after us if we just leave!"

Ben grimaced at the sight, his eyes staring into the knocked out old man. 'This is a mistake, just like Kiara…if we take this chance, leave one of our enemies alive. Then what will happen!'

He already made that mistake before and paid an arm for that. "Ben, that's enough. Do you even realize who you're fighting right now? This is insane!" Katara erupted. Ben turning away as Jet took a deep breath, attaching his blade back to his waist.

Ben stared at team avatar, at there conflicted faces. Yet, as the old man stirred and slowly rose. They began to truly understand.

In the crescent of a tree. The tallest tree in the jungle, they could see it all outstretched for them. The long rows of jungle trees, lightened up in brilliant shades of yellows and greens. Ben couldn't hear what they were talking about…

His eyes were fixated on that bright expense in front of him. This place vibrated with force energy; it was full of it. Powerful even. Yet, it rung true. His lightsaber swayed in the breeze as he just stared, drowning them all out.

Yet, he picked up on there conversation. "The swamp it reminds you of all the people you have lost, because it reminds you that somewhere they still are there." He turned to each member. "Your mothers, your lovers, even those that you will eventually meet because…"

"…We all are connected to the force. From the smallest insect to the greatest behemoth." Ben spoke, his teammates turning towards him as he continued to stare out in that expanse. "I've forgotten that lesson…"

The old man stirred, rising as he walked over to Ben. To his side as he parted his lips. "What do you feel out here, young one."

Ben slowly closed his eyes, feeling the pressure of the force. "Serenity, even with all the animals here they create this echo within the force. A place where the force runs strongly, but I feel disconnected from it all up here."

Hate, anger, fear, love…right now it dulled deep within his heart. For the first time he felt what is was like to give himself into the force, what it would feel like. Yet, it felt wrong. Aang's laughter, Sokka's retorts, Katara's lectures, Jet's smirks…Ty Lee's touch.

Ben was a man, a human. Those came first than Jedi or Sith, and for a short time he could understand how beautiful such a place was. Maybe, when the Sith were gone and the fire nation was defeated…this would be the place where he would build his Jedi Praxeum.

"All things are connected…" Aang slowly muttered to himself deepening himself into the connection of the jungle. After a minute or two, a mighty roar was heard, Appa and Momo's shrieks funneling through the sky.

Aang leaping into the bison as he hugged the animal. Ben just watching as team avatar funneled into the mount. Before they knew it, they were off and far away from that cursed jungle. Yet, moments were changing. Another prospect of the force had revealed themselves, and Ben must ask himself a question.

Can he train Ty Lee…to become a Jedi Knight?