Author Note/Very Important Please Read: Alright, hello there readers! This is the author here and I have some things I got to say. Listen, writing this story is really fun to me but these last couple of chapters and school has slowly been wearing me down. I've been getting more tired recently and I think for right now I need to take a break from the fic. It is also something else, the lack of comments and interaction has slowly been discouraging me these last couple of months I have been writing this story.
Dropping a comment, following, or favoriting might not mean much to you but it greatly helps the author both interact and understand his audience. I know this may be a little bit selfish but this lack of interaction and my struggles with school has greatly been wearing me down and has made me wondering if I should even continue writing the story. That's why for now, for me to get better at school and for a little mental health break I am planning on taking a break from the Fic for a little while.
I am not sure how long or when I'll be back but the story at least for now is going to be on hiatus. Hell, these last couple of chapters have been over 5k words usually and has slowly been grinding me down. This one I think came out good but I have test and homework to complete, so it was either update today or wait till next week to update it.
Chapter 37 and over 200k words in and on hiatus. Holy crap, but I think it has to happen. Alright, this is the end of the author note and I greatly apologize to the people who have been expecting more chapters in the coming weeks but I think I need to take a break. Thank you for reading. Please remember to follow, favorite, and review because it greatly helps with my motivation. Please have a wonderful day.
Chapter 37
Team avatar had sat along Appa's saddle for what felt like forever. Drifting through the expanse of the bright blue sky.
They would break to let the bison rest and prepare for the night ahead. Stitching up tents, making dinner, and eventually heading to bed. Yet, these last couple of nights have been racked with an eerie silence.
The only sounds that would be heard would be the cling of training, the echoing of breath, and the crackling of an open fireplace. They all held something deep within their heads, the last moment had transfixed nearly all of them.
New powers, new convictions, new enemies. To them, it was just the daily life of being a part of team avatar. Mingling against or with dark forces that hoped to consume them. Yet, the fire nation noble girl softly stirred as she parted her eyes.
Ty Lee, the girl questioning her stance as she didn't know what to do. She had concluded that her time here has shown enough, the fire nation and the Sith must be stopped. She wanted to help, to aid them but her mind went back to those enemies.
Master bendors, experienced users of the force, and these dark side remnants that called and bickered. She wanted to help, and she knew that she was strong within the force. Yet, those words, that chill along her throat.
Exar Kun, the long dead Sith Lord that Ben explained to them. He had told her what her future lies with. Yet, Ben told her to ignore such things, that he was merely an old Sith Lord that was just trying to get in her head.
Yet, how could she not? If she held such great power, she could be trained into a Jedi Knight…yet on the flipside, she could be prophesied to turn into a Dark Lord of The Sith's apprentice. It was a scary thought. Her eyes dragged towards Ben; the young Jedi Master had his lightsaber on the base of Appa's saddle.
He grappled with the lightsaber, his fingertips soaring along the screwdriver in his other hand. His crystals were to the side of him and were luckily able to withstand the powerful surge caused from the cortosis. Likewise, he was happy that he wouldn't have to go through the process of building another synthetic crystal.
Yet, he let out a heavy groan as he dropped the tools. His friends turning around to him.
"Any luck?" Sokka asked.
Ben slowly shaking his head in response as he began to get the tools and other parts of his blade in order. He had just built this lightsaber a couple of weeks ago and it was already damaged!
Ty lee walked over, staring at the parts as she kneeled for a second. Her eyes tingling towards the crystals. "What are these, the crystals. They make me feel strange…"
Ben slowly ushered her down, the girl raising her hand as Ben's fingers scooped up the synthetic blue crystal. Dropping it in the base of her palm. She slowly narrowed her eyes, the feeling, the power inching her closer.
Still, it didn't feel wrong. It was ebbing, pulsing with something but she didn't feel anything off with the way the crystal responded to her.
"A lightsaber focusing crystal, you can use whatever type of gemstone you need to build a crystal. But I preferred to build crystal of my own shaping. It holds a little of yourself in that."
Jet watched from afar, at the exchange. His eyes slowly narrowing, but…slowly closing as he leaned along Appa's saddle. It seemed silly to him, partially he was slowly not caring anymore. Ty Lee, like it or not was slowly becoming more intermixed within the group. They were still hundreds of miles away from Ba Sing Sai, she would be there for the long haul.
"Ben, can I ask you another question?" She slowly asked. Ben's fingers taking the synthetic out of her hands as he got everything back into his satchel.
"Sure, anything…" He waved off, imagining that it was another question about the force. A dumb question, like can you use the force to scratch your ass. Yet, he glossed at her, the way the wind flowed through her hairs as she pushed the loose hair out of the way.
Maybe it was the way the sun rose over the horizon, maybe it was due to the way she peered into his own gaze, how she longed for him. That delicate feeling within the force, when two people's hearts felt something for the other. But it made her next words even harder to hear.
"Do you believe, I can learn to be a Jedi?"
Ben's mouth slowly closed back once again, his hands combing through his hair as he peered at the base of Appa's saddle. Team avatar's heads snapped behind him, all hearing the question displayed. Would she be the next inclusion to the coming new era of Jedi Knights?
They had known she was force sensitive, a powerful one in fact. Yet now all she needed was a master to train her. Still, the next words that came out of Ben's mouths shook everyone there.
"Are you sure, Ty Lee?" He softly asked.
"What? How could I not be sure, I want to know if you think I have it within me to become a Jedi Knight. I know I am strong, this whole aura thing and even Exar Kun said…"
Ben's fingers lightly massaged his temple as he raised his other hand up to slowly silence her. "I know what Exar Kun said. You are a truly powerful force user, for someone who hasn't properly awakened to the call of the force to still use it the way you do, it's amazing. But I need you to think if this is the life you want?"
Ty Lee took a seat across from Ben. Team avatar peering at the exchange. "Ty Lee, we are hunted by the fire nation and the Sith daily. There have been so many times in which I've been at death's door, separated by it on the tiniest of threads. You must decide if you are willing to do it…to become a knight of the order, you must learn disciple and mastery. Your lessons with the force will never end. Your father and your family, they'll likewise be at risk if you walk this path…"
Ty Lee's body lurched, her eyes widening as the alarm overtook her. He was right, if she did walk the path of the Jedi right now then, not only her, but her family would be at risk.
"Still, things will change…" He spoke.
The hum of his voice causing her to slowly lift her gaze to him. A small smile across his face. "Soon, the world will be back to normal. The fire nation and the Sith will eventually be defeated. Then, I shall build my Jedi Praxium. If you wish it, I will train you then."
That smile, that small smile that caused his heart to flutter. "Aw…that's so cute." Katara slowly hummed as Sokka merely gagged.
Aang's eyes fixated on the steering of the bison as he began to swerve them forward. Ben glossed around, his eyes taking him over the side of the bison as he felt something strange. Through the force, it felt like…emptiness. He slowly rose as his eyes began to take more in his surroundings.
They weren't over the plains or the high mountains of the Earth kingdom. They were far overhead, nearing the clouds. Yet, this place felt strange, almost like they weren't…
"Aang, where are you taking us?" Ben questioned.
The rest of team avatar slowly gazing over the sides as with widened eyes they were just as confused. "Yeah, Ben's right." Sokka slowly spoke, taking the map out of the satchel and began to unravel it, the coarse sandpaper flinging helplessly as the young warrior tried to read over it. "Aang, take a far right. We're heading the complete opposite direction." Sokka muttered through the whipping wind.
"Um, yeah." Aang slowly chirped up. Yet, the avatar didn't turn back or adjust his positioning. Katara slowly narrowing her eyes, Ben's eyebrow slowly raising as he began to pick up on it, the hesitation in his movements.
"Aang, what are you doing?" Katara slowly questioned, wrapping her arms around herself. Almost like a disapproving mother knowing that their child was up to no good.
"I just have a good feeling about this place…you know, just a good feeling." He sheep fully uttered. Sparking a small smile, but a quick glance at the team, Aang realized that no one was having it. He let out a breath of hot air as he stared at his companions. "Alright, fine. That one town that we were at a day or two ago. There was this old man there…"
"That crazy old man, the one talking about dragons and stuff?" Jet quickly replied.
"Yep, he told me that there were airbender's in this direction. That there was another temple, I was just thinking that maybe…"
He stopped speaking, those looks of annoyance were quickly swatted with looks of pity and remorse as Ben approached. His hand on Aang's shoulder as he took a seat next to him. "Aang, I get how you're feeling. The Jedi are gone, we were annihilated with the airbender as well…"
"Ben, I get it. Seriously, but we can't really do this anymore, we can't really compare." Aang spoke, turning away from the Jedi. "The airbenders are all gone, a genocide. Sure, there can be more force users that can be trained to become Jedi's. Look at Haru, Jet, and even now Ty Lee. The only future airbendors there can ever be…will be my children."
Ben's fingers still coiled along the boy's shoulder. He was right, the order was destroyed but they were slowly healing. Jet and Haru were excellent force users, and soon due to necessity would be appointed to Knights.
They had both dealt crippling blows to the fire nation and fought against Dark Jedi. In Ben's opinion, they have earned the right to call themselves future Jedi Knights. They had a long way to go, and if the order was not on his last legs, he would've made them wait years until such a rank.
Yet, things right now needed to change, and they needed to adapt with the times. "Still, Aang. You can't delude yourself with the airbender being alive, you'll be chasing ghost for the rest of your life, sometimes you must learn to let go. Grief, if not handled correctly, can easily lead you to the dark side of the force…"
"Are you kidding me, I am the avatar! Are you seriously going to tell me that not only I have Jedi stuff to worry about with saving the world?"
Ben let out a small smirk. "Nah, Aang. Just a way of speaking, but the lesson still stands. The airbender are gone and that wound will never heal, but it is the way you deal with the wound. You may have lost your people, but you have us…the Jedi, my order will always be your family and same goes for Katara and Sokka."
They let out a small smile. Aang slowly returning as he began to wipe his face from tears. "Well, I guess…your right. Maybe, it's for the best that we…"
A whirling figure, flew. Their eyes widening as the brilliant light of their eyeballs traced along the gliding figure as they all stared at the figure. They had seen such movements before, when Aang would glide through the air.
The boy softly rose, his eyes hovering as a brilliant smile drew upon his face. As they pushed past a cloud the rest of team avatar could see it. The stream of smoke piling through the temple, the waves of people frolicking along it like a small city…
The air temple was alive! Yet, Aang could see it. His face quickly scrunching up as Ben was by his side already noticing the difference. "They aren't real airbender's…"
That same boy flew alongside them. A pair of goggles over his face, yet that subtle dare as the spark of a smile, zooming past Appa as Aang leaped off. Taking the challenge as he zoomed along with his very own glider.
Ben sighing as he lightly patted Appa's fur, grabbing along the reins as he took a seat. "Alright, guess we're heading down."
But he snapped his head back, aiming towards the boy flying as he felt something strange. Widened eyes as he felt the surge that worked along him, the force.
Teo, that was the boy's name. A young man of thirteen years, someone that lost both his legs due to a flood when he was infant. Team avatar had been walking with him as they progressed through the temple, or maybe calling it a small city would be more appropriate.
Pipes ran through ornate paintings, black smoke flew in deep black clouds, the greenery was trampled on by the population as the cogs of further machines filled up there home. "This place feels so strange. It's brimming with life but there is something else, everyone's aura here just…"
She didn't understand the significance of such a place, all she just understood here was a whole village was uprooted and needed a new home.
Ben gazed as Ty Lee felt the force in this place. Yet, he chose not to say anything, rather directing his attention to Aang, he could feel his resentment. It swarmed in all directions around him, sinking its teeth within him as it hoped for anywhere to go.
He couldn't blame him…he was taken aback when he saw the Enclave on Dantooine leveled, and he felt a strange state of melancholy as he walked the halls of the hidden enclave on this world. Now, Aang was going through that, but these people carelessly did not either know or care about what this place truly represented.
He wanted to talk to Aang about this but right before he could enter the courtyard, the last place in which appeared to be relatively unchanged. He felt someone poke him along the base of his back. He turned around, seeing Sokka as the rest of team avatar funneled through the opening. Glancing at the ornate and ancient statues of airbender.
"What's up?"
Sokka took a couple of side glances. "That girl, the one that hurt Ty Lee. It seemed like you too had some history together…"
Ben and Sokka both peered at the other. Their eyes tracing along the other as Ben let out a gush of hot air. This explanation was going to come soon, these last couple of days they've all be quiet. Katara was healed from her waterbendirng, aiding Ty Lee with it as well.
Still, he viewed himself as lucky that they didn't ask.
"She's a Mandalorian…"
"A Mandalorian…" Sokka repeated the strange word off his lips. "What are they?"
"There a race of people, that believe in battle and killing. Whether they are innocent or not, they only fight for the strive of it all, that rush." Ben spoke, leaning along the base of the wall as his own face tightened up. "Just a bunch of murderers, I thought they were all dead…but they still live."
He had hoped, that killing the old fool that there would be no more Mandalorian dogs. Only to find out that he held a granddaughter that took on her legacy. The last of the Mandalorians, and the last of the Jedi. A sinister irony, but in the end, Ben knew what was going to happen.
He would put her down like the dog she was…that was the nature of such things. Or she would kill him. Yet, with the blessing of the force, he would not allow such a thing. For he was a warrior blessed with the force. Him, and others like him were all that is great in the universe. They knew, he knew…because it was his own right to bear!
They were once again led through the courtyard. It took a couple of minutes but the deeper they went into the temple, the place seemed older and more entuned to what it once was. He could feel Aang slowly start to loosen up, maybe because even though it was old, it was reminding him of his home.
Unlike before, in which held the bones of both fire nation and Airbendors. There was a quite solitude within this place. The orange gleam of the afternoon sun poured through the open windows; the wildflowers bloomed through the cracks of the stone as team avatar continued.
Teo, his hand outstretched as all of team avatar stared at the door. It was intricate in design, flowing with strange, inverted tubes with a synopsis of what the insignia of the air nomads looked like.
"Aang, do you know what that is?" Katara asked.
The young airbender moved forward. His hand coiling along the rotting wood of the door. "It's a special door, it can only be opened with airbending."
Ben, Ty Lee, and Jet both approached. Their eyes scanning the doors as they all felt it…
"A darkness…" Jet slowly murmured, his fingers coiling along the base of the wood.
Ty Lee eyes slowly closing, feeling the strange echo within the room, sealed only by the door. "Fear, a construct of sorts…"
Ben slowly gave a hollow breath. His eyes widening as he felt the surge of dark emotions that were seeped within it. Ty Lee was right, fear emanated from it. Yet, he couldn't detect a life within the room.
In times past and in times future, the dark side can be rich in certain areas. In place where great emotions or great death has occurred, leaves behind powerful echoes within the force. Ben, as he peered and broaden his perceptions believed that such a place was there.
"Aang, there is a darkness here. A truly mighty darkness, I can feel it's fear that it generates." Ben slowly spoke, turning towards the avatar as Aang slowly nodded. "Listen, I understand if…"
He slowly shook his head. "No, Ben. Yes, this is something special to me but if you honestly believe the dark side is in there. It is better for us to deal with it, for all we know it could eventually hurt the others living here."
Ben smirked at the words, glad that Aang didn't find it personal that people were living here again, likewise he shouldn't have been shocked. Aang had a right to be irked, but he was still the avatar, and he was still a good person. He cared for the innocent, and always did his best.
Team avatar backed away from the door. The young airbender bellowing with air as it was leaked from his palms, a mighty blast funneling as it hit the pipes of the door. Team avatar watched from afar at the bending mastery.
His team began to get ready; the sparking of Jet's lightsaber and the hum filled the room as Sokka pulled out his club. Katara arming herself with her water bending as Ben's…
His eyes widened as he glossed down to his left hand, the fingers on his mechanical limb slowly fidgeting again. That warm searing pain returning as…
Her fingers, coiled along the false fingers of his prosthetic limb. He could feel it through the force, that warmth. He slowly lifted his gaze towards her, the girl's eyes slowly following his own as those brilliant brown greyish eyes peered at him.
That little surge, those burns inflected on him from that Sith Lord, for a second her touch, that warmth. It kept him stable, and it kept him sane.
The surge was gone, his fingers slowly returning to normal as they clamped back into place. The door winding open as the breach of orange sunlight began to pour within the closed off room. It was the gleam of dark black metal that caught their eyes first.
Ben was the first one in, his eyes quickly getting used to the darkness as he began to gaze in all the directions. It was a small room, maybe the size of a small warehouse. But it was the things that were in the room that caught his attention.
Armaments, a lot of them. War spears, cannons, crossbows. Other weapons were arranged and were already neatly packed into boxes. Yet, it was the fire nation flag that drew all their attention. Ben approached, picking up a war spear, the cool metal prickling his fingertips as he felt the craftmanship of the weapon.
Turning the weapon in all directions as he felt it. This was different, he had seen fire nation weapons, and this was different. The weapon felt lighter, sleeker, more deadly. He dropped the weapon onto the ground as his eyes drawn towards something else.
In the middle of the room, it was a. "Blimp…" He slowly whispered to himself. One with the fire nation logo slapped onto the fabric. This world was primitive, but with the fire nation's lust for war, the world has rapidly begun to learn new stages of warfare.
His eyes widened as he began to understand a very dangerous truth. The land machines, the boats, and now the air? The fire nation was quickly dominating in warfare, aided by not only the dark side but now with technological advancements.
His fingers combed through his hair, his eyes widening as he felt a lump in his throat. 'Before, I was worried of the Dark Side. But now, what other choice is there? While the waterbendors bicker about gender and the Earth Kingdom is busy with insane kings, the fire nation is already prepared to take the world!'
He didn't know what more to do, yet all he could do was do the same thing he had done before. Follow the avatar, keep fighting, keep learning the secrets of the dark side from within. It was the only way!
He heard unsteady footsteps come from behind. An old man, Teo's father. Taking off his goggles as he held them limp along his throat, his splotches of missing hair along his skull. He looked like the classic mad scientist. Yet, it was the grizzly truth of what he had done that caused everyone to sneer in his direction.
It was Jet, his eyes brimming with deep rage as he turned towards him. His ignited cyan blade extending towards the old inventor as he parted his lips, his movements dripping with bile and etched with hate. "You bastard, your making weapons for the fire nation!"
Teo, Jet, Aang, and Ben. They loitered in Teo's father's office. They had listened to the old man's reasoning for why he did what he did. He detailed what the fire nation had done, practically strong arming him to decide.
Now, it was the time to decide. Ben pushed himself off the wall as he gazed at the old man. He made weapons for the fire nation, weapons that hurt people, weapons that would continue hurting people. He wanted to be angry, he wanted to be infuriated with him.
Yet, how could he? He slowly dropped his fist to the side as his lightsaber clung to his belt. "Listen, I can't forgive you for what happened, your reasoning is good but you've unintentionally hurt people by aiding the fire nation…"
Jet's eyes widened at the words, pushing himself off the wall as he barreled towards his master. "Are you kidding me, Ben!" He pointed at the old man, his lightsaber rattling with his brash movements. "He's created new and better weapons for the fire nations. There war ships, there land crawlers, and I bet that he helped the Sith!"
Jet, he was seeing red, pure unbridled hate funneling from him. Still, his master didn't yell at him or get angry. "Jet…" He slowly strained his name, easing him out of his rage. He slowly turned towards the old inventor. "Jet, this man didn't want to do it. It was either his home or family would be destroyed…there was no other choice for him. See through your anger, look past it and you shall seek the truth."
Jet slowly closed his eyes pivoting away as he gazed out of the window. Aang and Teo both watching silently as Ben stared at the inventor. "Do you understand then, I won't force you all to stay here or tell the fire nation but…"
"Hold up!" Ben raised his hand, rendering the old inventor mute. "This isn't going to happen, let me tell you that. Your done helping the fire nation war machine. If you keep on doing this, don't you realize that more people will die."
"Then what shall I do…if I don't do anything they'll destroy everything, if I do something then I…"
A loud bang erupted, or rather a bell clicking to the sounds. "That's them. You must leave, quickly!"
Teo slowly snapped towards his father. "We're not leaving!"
"Then hide!"
The group swiftly began to move around the corner, yet. "Ben…"
The boy hadn't moved. His eyes waiting at the door as the inventor began to open it, his eyes narrowing as he took a heavy breath. The inventor watching as he leaned against the wall, his golden eyes peering as the door snapped open.
A fire nation soldier, a balding man with a faint ponytail, greying hair neatly tied up. He wore a standard fire nation armor as his large, tipped boots pounded along the base of the room. His eyes tracing the two figures as…
A brilliant blast, a mighty barrel of force energy funneling from Ben's hands. The old fire nation general reeling backwards as both the inventor and team avatar reeled in shock. Widened eyes as they emerged from there hiding spot.
"What did you…"
"Did you honestly believe that I would allow you to give those weapons to the fire nation?" Ben turned around. His gaze traveling from the inventor to his comrades. "Listen, that old fire nation general is going to be getting his group together and trust me, this is going to get messy."
Team avatar and a couple of the other warriors that lingered in the village were arranged within the small office. A large map of the air temple had already been firstly draped over the table. Ben's fingers going over it as Teo and the inventor had just finished explaining the ins and outs of the table.
"Alright, this is the plan…"
His voice trailed through the room as his finger traced along the map. He began to explain to the villagers what their plan was. The fire nation held a lot of technology, steam powered snow machinations that could easily push through and tread through snow.
Yet, they were all forced to go up one singular path, a neat and harsh pathway that would have led through miles until they reached the temple.
"A bottleneck, a choke point in which we can funnel in the fire nation through one point and eliminate them through." He took a heavy breath, hearing the oohs and ahs of the people generate through the crowd. "Alright, we can battle them with air superiority. Aang and my comrades will help you repel against this threat, we don't have much time."
Sokka and the inventor broke away as Ben began to mingle into the crowd. Overhearing there plans of weaponizing the blimp and trying to fix it completely. Now, it was the moment of truth. Yet, he felt something tug along the hem of his shirt.
Turning around to see Teo. His goggles draped along his neck as he peered at Ben. "Ben…master Jedi." He reaffirmed, only for Ben to shake his head.
"Nah, don't call me all that. Honestly, titles make my skin crawl."
Teo slowly nodded. "Alright, Ben. Come on, I got something else to show you…"
Ben quickly separated himself from the crowd as both he and Teo began to walk along the path. Their eyes set forward as a couple of minutes in. Ben began to part his lips. "Teo, I was wondering about something. How do you move so well with the glider?"
Teo slowly nodded, affirming the question within his head as he slowly guided himself farther down with the wheelchair. "It's strange, sometimes I feel like I can be up in the air for a long period of time, but it's more than that. I guess, I am the best glider here…"
Yet, Ben saw it. That little wisp within Teo's eyes, that hesitation that soured within him at the mention of his abilities. "Yeah, you were able to nearly outclass Aang, a natural airbender. I doubt anyone normal could have done such a thing, even with proper training." He spoke, testing the waters as he parted his lips once again. "Teo, do you have anything odd about yourself?"
"Odd?" He mimicked, his eyes glossing over towards the wheels on his wheelchair. "I am wheelchair bounded, I like machines and history. I am just regular."
Ben slowly shook his head in response to the questions. "That's not what I mean. Reaction time, feelings in others, moments in your life that you can't explain…moments of extreme luck."
Teo's eyes widened at the words, his eyes scanning Ben's frame as he slowly stared at him. His eyes tracing along the young jedi watchman as he began to narrow. "Why are you asking me these questions?" He asked.
Ben knew for a fact that lying about this, it wouldn't get him anywhere. So, he opted out for a truth. "Teo, I believe that there is a chance that you are possibly a force sensitive…do you know what that means?"
Teo slowly nodded his head, there were ancient runes and codex's found within the deepest halls of the great temple. Before Ben was revealed to be a Jedi and the Sith were in hiding his father believed they were airbenders, possibly a mastery that only a select few could achieve.
Yet, after the recollection of the two aspiring sides. Teo's father had explained the truth, now he was staring at a living relic. A powerful user of the force that had escaped death so many times, a broken blade attached to his belt…no a lightsaber, an ancient weapon that once provided hope to people centuries ago.
Teo stared at him for a second as Ben rested his right arm out. His eyes drawn to the boy. "I can feel your connection to the force if you take my hand, I can trigger a pulse and if you feel something there…it's true."
Teo stared at that hand, he stared at it for a long while as the wind rippled past both boys. "If I take your hand, what will happen?"
"You will become attuned to the force and know of your ability…I am not like the Jedi of the old order that will make you forfeit your connections but know this Teo. If you take my hand your whole world will change, and you will have to make a choice about your destiny…"
Teo stared at that hand, almost like a contract of sorts as he slowly raised his own to meet Ben's own eyes.
Ben didn't care that Teo was in a wheelchair. Many Jedi in the past had suffered from disabilities, both physical and mental. Even with such disabilities they were able to be renowned by their wisdom, knowledge, combat prowess.
Ben was excited, another force sensitive. He had found another one just like him. Ty Lee, Jet, Haru…and now Teo. The New Jedi Order was slowly gaining…
But he saw it, the delay. Teo's hand fading back to his side as he stared back to Ben. His hand loitering there for a moment as the wind whistled past his sleeves.
"I am sorry Ben, but no." He slowly shook his head. "I have a family here, people that need me and I don't know if I am ready to know the truth. I've read of the force, it's not something that you just give up…"
Ben let out a heavy breath as he combed through his hair. He was obviously disappointed, but he would deal with it. "It's fine, Teo. There isn't anything for you to apologize for, honestly let's get back to what you were showing me."
They traversed down the hall once again. Stopping in front of a door as Ben creaked the door open, his eyes widening as it began to get used to the darkness and the harsh lights that began to crack. Leading to a workshop.
He saw it there for a second, a brilliant place. Filled with tools in a narrow corridor that could of easily been overlooked, his eyes sinking in all directions as he walked over to the workbench, a small smirk etched along his face as he began to realize what was to come.
He dropped his blade on the toolbox, striking a light to brighten up the room. It looked to be showtime now…
A powerful surge of air bending leveled the mountain top, pouring over snow along the mountain top as Aang reeled backwards. Flipping over a surge of fire balls, yet right before he could parry at them.
The squadron of fire nation soldiers quickly being displaced by Katara's water bending, the snow loosening into water as it quickly froze their calves in place. Ty Lee's chi blocking in work as with a couple of well-placed punches the men were paralyzed.
Yet, she was distracted. A fire nation envoy poking from behind, it's treads going through the snow as the gunner poked his head out. Ty Lee, instinctively rolling away right before, the hum of a lightsaber sparking to life…
The cyan blade of Jet's weapon soared as it cut over her. The weapon searing off the treads as the vehicle rode lopsided. The engine in disarray as Jet with a force augmented leap called back his blade. Gripping the weapon with both hands as he steadily landed on the roof of the car.
His eyes narrowed in pure furry, holding the light blue blade as he casted off streaks as he half hazardly cut into the roof. The searing screams of fire nation soldiers rode along the wind, yet he felt it. Another squadron was slowly beginning to pursue him, the call of the force lurching him backwards as he saw the trio approach.
He clicked his lips, welling with vibrant force energy in his left hand as he heard the brilliant cracks of emerald force lightning generate. Turning towards them as it broke free, his palm welling with true power as it cleaved through the fire nation ranks like a storm.
There smoldering carcasses colliding with the ground as Jet heaved. Turning towards the other ranks that were slowly moving towards position. Yet, it was Ty Lee that was being helped up by Katara that spoke up.
"Where did Jet learn that technique?" She questioned.
Katara inching closer, intensively reaching her hand towards Jet as she watched the boy reel forward, his back hunched over as the cracks of force lightning generated off of him…for a second, he reminded her of Ben.
Her eyes widened as she saw the blimp rise, the roaring fleet of gliders dropping bombs and other armaments as she glossed around. Yet, she felt it, that presence. A dark presence seeping over as she tilted her head.
Even she, a non-force sensitive could feel it from afar. Ty Lee and Jet both seized their head, their eyes widening as they could see it, a figure of great power has just arrived. Yet, it was the darkness they all had felt.
It was rattling, a powerful feeling that swarmed them in all directions as they instinctively looked forward. A lone figure approached, quicker than before. He wore standard plate armor, etched with the soft reds and greys of the fire nation.
A visor covered his face, but his free-flowing brown hair was cut short and held little snowflakes from the mountain side. Yet, it was the power…and the shimmering crimson blade held in his right hand that drew their attention.
If Jet had to guess the man had to be in his early to mid-twenties. But his power was something else he had never truly felt, fear etched within his movements as he pushed through it. Throwing himself into his lightsaber form as he held the blade with both hands, the shimmering cyan blade a brilliant contrast to the heavy dark crimson.
The scream of the dark side…and the hum of the guardian. Two opposing forces, and now they were going to battle. Yet, it had happened quickly, Jet's eyes latching forward as he felt that feeling, that sting within his brain that told him to 'Duck!'
He lifted his gaze seeing brilliant fire balls launched, the harsh orange breaking through the lights as he was far too slow to react. The fire nation was smart, knowing that they would be distracted with this Dark Jedi.
But he felt it, that darkness but it was aimed behind them. It didn't mean to do them no harm, but it was still there…but he felt it, that reluctance to use it, but he still called onto it.
A brilliant orb was launched, impacting one of the fire balls as it shattered, the shockwave rippling through the sky as the other fire ball was caught in the radius. Both completely missing their targets as team avatar stared behind them, even the Dark jedi was in shock, slowly easing his advance as he began to peer at the figure.
Ben stood proud and strong, his golden eyes peering at his friends and at the enemy ahead, but he was different. His friends staring at his new clothes and the new weapon that was slowly moving in the wind.
Ben wore Jedi robes, a piece of heavy but still rather untraditional set of robes compared to his last couple of outfits. He kept his hair in the bun, but even the Sith was drawn to the strange outfit.
He wore a heavy black Jedi robe. The collar of the robe slightly extended halfway up to his neck as the robe extended down to his wrist and to his bottom calves. Underneath it, was a suit of greyish metal chest armor, pieces of other ordained armor pieces were scattered around.
Mostly around his legs, shoulders, and arms. The plate armor was a deep metallic grey, even the sun was hard for it to refract off. Both hands featured a pair of comfortable dark dueling gloves that a warrior would need to comfortably handle a blade.
It looked good, expensive, something a Jedi should wear. Yet, it felt wrong somehow to them, almost like he shouldn't have been wearing them. It felt, off…
He stood there; his arm raised into the air as the cusp of dark side energy frolicked off him. "Nice look, Benji!" Katara cheered as Ben slowly moved forward. Their eyes drawing to his lightsaber hilt, it likewise had been repaired. With some quality time at the workbench he was able to make the proper projections to fix the hilt of his blade.
He gripped the blade of his weapon. Igniting the deep blue blade as it enveloped the battlefield, the crystals working in one for their master. Feeling the rush of powerful dark side energy swarm, him as he could hardly hold back a euphoric smile.
"So, Darth Ruin failed." The Dark Jedi spoke up. Gripping the blade with both hands as he felt the weight of power that Ben exceeded, even for someone so young, he could feel it, like a noose along his throat. "The Jedi still live…"
Ben felt the power this one exhibited…he was strong within the force and in the dark side, he was dangerous. Yet, he had people that needed him, and a whole world that needed protecting. He gripped the blade with both hands, tossing himself into the Niman form as he stared at the fallen Jedi.
"Quiet, Sith…" He spoke, silencing the dark side warrior. "Where is Darth Ruin, I got a score to settle with that bastard!"
The Dark jedi chuckled. "Lord Ruin believes you are dead and is reaping the glory of taking the life of a Jedi master, even one by necessity. Yet, this glory shall come to me!"
"I'd like to see you try Sith spawn."
Ben got ready in his stance. Leveling himself forward as both opposing warriors channeled their connections to the force. He was a mighty dark Jedi; Ben could feel the enemies he had cut down and his control of the force.
…but he was Benjamin, a powerful and skillful user of the force. More skilled in ever in the ways of the Jedi Lightsaber. The world, the future of the Jedi rested on his shoulders. Things have changed, he had months of training and his powers had surely grown through these numerous attempts on his life. Now it was time to fight!
"Jet, deal with the fire nation cannons, likewise Ty Lee and Katara fall back and deal with the stragglers. The dark Jedi is mine…"
They nodded as they dispatched, there shoes clamping along the snow as Jet charged forward into the fray. Calling onto the ancient ability of force speed to augment his movement. The shimmering cyan blade traveling like a tidal wave as the beam met its mark along the waves of advancing soldiers.
"Impressive…" The dark Jedi murmured, tightening his grip along the blade. Yet, Ben didn't care enough to respond. He kicked forward, his blade in a downwards cleave as the dark side warrior lifted his own, the sparks compacting along the differing beams of plasma.
Blue the color of the guardian…and Red the symbol of the Sith. Once again fighting to decide the fate of the world. The dark jedi broke through the blade lock, slashing forward as he pivoted his feet away. Ben dodging the blow with as he leaped over the blade, clashing downwards as he tried to riposte another advance.
The dark jedi threw everything at him. Wisping and turning within the air, grappling with the force as Ben was forced to rely on his defense. Gripping the weapon with a sole hand as he held his own against the barrage of attacks.
His eyes in a haze as he traveled in all directions. Broadening his perception as he fixated on the form, Ataru. The Dark Jedi was utilizing it, one of the most physical and acrobatic of the forms that focused on one's ability to move around and discombobulate the enemy.
Ben gripped the blade with both hands once again, reeling forward with a mighty cleave. The dark Jedi gripping his own weapon with both hands as he blocked the strong assault. 'Keep him close…' Ben murmured in his mind.
He was stronger, and if he kept him at a good distance his measly resistance would crumble. Yet, he launched himself backwards. His eyes widening at the strange surge of power funneling from the dark jedi as his hands drawn to the fallen Jedi's hand.
Cracks of blue lightning frolicked off of his palm as he took aim, zero hesitation. The beams traveled and bit into the snow as Ben knew he didn't have the time to wait, his own fingers unclamping as with the call of the force he blasted his very own torrent of force lightning.
The purple and the blue compounded and enveloped the other. Intertwining as the surge of dark side energy burnt within the air. Smoldering the snow around as they both broke from the lock, reeling forward as both warriors of the dark side reigned.
Ben stabbed at him only to be blocked, parrying away as he threw himself overhead. "Got you now…" The dark jedi murmured, only for Ben to slam, cutting through in a sideways manner as his dark blue beam became enamored within him, both weapon and Jedi becoming one.
"Interesting, you have hate…you have anger…and you use them, not a jedi's trait." The dark jedi murmured, sweat flying from both men's foreheads as Ben's palm lurched forward. Leveling the snow and dark jedi forward as he collided with the snow filled ground.
"I am not a Jedi!"
Ben leaped forward, bringing his weapon down as he slashed, causing a burn mark to scorch through the snow as the Dark Jedi leaped back up. Both warriors slashing and cutting hard, there blades clashing within brilliant sparks as they compacted with one another.
Then it happened…
Both swung, powerful swings that rattled the blades like windchimes. Breaking through the wind as Ben let it all go, his strength carrying him forward as he threw another cleave. Yet, this time it met its mark. The dark jedi too weak to protect his barrier as his blue blade slashed at his lightsaber, cleaving the plasma of the other…until it reached his lower chest.
He collapsed to his knees; his eyes hollow as Ben held the blade in his singular right hand. The fallen dark jedi's weapon falling to the earth as it went back into its hilt. His eyes slowly rising as Ben gripped the lightsaber once again, his weapon ringing true.
Slashing forward as the helmeted face of the warrior crumpled back to the earth. His body slouching as Ben didn't even offer a second glance. Turning around to see the retreating forces of the fire nation army.
He unignited his weapon, reattaching the blade back to his belt as he felt the cold brittle wind approach him. He could feel it in the air, in the force that moments of greatness were fast approaching. His destiny and his friends would soon be realized.
He could feel it, deep in the fire nation the lords of the Sith had felt the fall of one of their own. Darth Ruin, he would have his revenge against the man that stole his arm from him, so he clicked his teeth, turning around as his black robe fluttered within the wind as he extended his body forward.
The battle was won, and now…the next steps for the coming days had to be taken.