Author Note: Alright, here we are! Chapter 40 and I think we are now possibly 1/3 of the way done with Book 2. Woah, I didn't expect that we would reach over 200k words and already done with chapter 40. This is my first time reaching to such a high chapter count and such. First off, thank you everyone that has been with me on this journey. All the people that have read, followed, favorited, reviewed. Thank you so much for giving this story a shot and continuing. You are all awesome! Please remember to follow, favorite, and review because it greatly helps with my motivation in writing and my frequency with writing chapters. Have an excellent day!

Chapter 40

Arya's emerald eyes stung. Reddened as the hum of her red blade casted off a crimson glare in all directions. The village was on fire, a mixture of the royal princesses and Darth Ruins order.

They had taken a large machine from the fire nation, a coal powered tank that helped them maneuver all through the rough earth kingdom terrain. They had taken over a dozen members of the fire nation royal guard, some of the greatest soldiers the fire nation had to offer.

Yet, they had to resort to such horrific tactics to lure the Jedi and the avatar. She clicked her lips as she peered to her side, watching as a house buckled underneath its own weight as the burnt foundation crushed along its old wood.

She tossed her gaze towards Rowan, the young warrior. No, the recently christened Darkest Knight. A rank stating that he was one of the greatest that the Dynasty had at their disposal. Rowan tossed his head backwards, dodging a blow from one of the earth kingdoms guardsmen. A pair had tried to put up a fight to protect their home.

Arya didn't interfere…Rowan was strong enough, and she could feel the harsh eyes of both the Princess and there master peering at him, Arya was no fool and she knew they were testing him, to see if he could hack it.

Rowan dodged a blast of rock earth bended towards him. Lashing out with the force as the earth kingdom guardsman seized his throat. Raising his left arm as he charged at the other soldier. The guardsman slashing with his sword as Rowan parried, clashing along the metallic blade as he kicked the blade away with his rush of momentum.

Slashing across the man's neck as his head simply fell back to the earth. A second later, the second guardsman neck cracked. Guardsman simply protecting their home, only to be killed like dogs. Arya watched it unfold as the screams of civilians filled the air.

Her head darting to a burning house, lashing forward within the force so a pair of civilians could be shuttled out of a burning shop before the interior fell. Rowan walking over towards her as he did a quick look around to see if there were any more enemies around.

"Rowan…" She quickly snapped, her green, emerald eyes scanning at his frame. Both their blades ignited as the crimson hum both enveloped the other. "What the fuck are we doing here…we just destroyed a civilian village for no reason. I didn't sign up to murder people, what is Ruin thinking." She chastised

Rowan stared at his friend; it had been years ever since they crashed on this planet…years after Ben had left them so long ago. He knew, he knew that she took the loss of the Jedi hard but… "Arya, this is war. I get that you don't like it but are you willing to risk the life of our own people to try and lure him out?"

"No, Rowan. But don't be a fool. This is wrong, what does this accomplish?"

Rowan clicked his teeth. Slowly shaking his head. "Arya, even you know how bad this world truly is. The Fire Nation are the only ones that could restore order, they are more advanced and even the Sith are different here…they wish to create a place of peace."

Arya turned away, her green eyes soaking within the consuming flames of the town fire. Rowan grabbed her shoulder, slowly turning her over towards him as his other reached for her other shoulder. "We don't have a choice…to save this world, to restore order to a world consumed by war for over a century…we have to do this, no matter what."

Arya…took a deep breath. Her eyes darting to his shoes as she slowly nodded her head. The Jedi were gone. Even with the resurgence of one Jedi, it didn't mean anything. They lost their lives when they fell inside of that black hole all those years ago, now they were christened as Sith.

Yet, Arya even she knew that Rowan's words ran true. This world has been at war for over a hundred years and the Fire Nation seemed to be the only way to restore order. A unified Nation to pave a better tomorrow. Sure, they were Sith. But their power and convictions ran true.

She raised her gaze as Rowan quickly patted her shoulders as his arms quickly slumped back to his sides. Their eyes darting as a powerful roar entranced them as they watched as the avatar's bison swoop overhead.

"A sky bison, they still live?" Arya remarked as she stared with widened eyes.

"A sky…what?" Rowan repeated.

Arya slowly sighing as she turned towards her friend. "It's a being the airbender's used to travel. A powerful and quick way of flying. That is what you get for not being so versed in the history of this world."

Rowan slowly shook his head, but a faint sly smile etched along his face. "Come on, I am no bookworm like yourself. The way of the lightsaber is fitting for someone like me."

Yet, in the next second. A cold feeling traveled through them both, their eyes widening at the same time as their mouths both hitched. Their hearts beating along their ribcages as they felt it. There gazes scanning along the shadow of the bison as they watched it disappear.

Arya's throat hitched, her hand going to her chest as her knees buckled to the floor. Rowan going towards her as his fingers interlocked once again with her shoulder. They both knew it, they both felt who was there once again.

It has been years…but even in a completely different universe, even through a black hole that swallowed the three of them. The force once again, brought them together.

Tears spilled from her eyes as her throat hitched. Her eyes dragging along the shadows of the bison as it was enveloped by the clouds like a shadowy mask. Only a couple words came from her muffled sobs. "Benjamin, your alive…"

She cried, a smile sparking along her face even though she cried. Rowan's grip tightening along his friend as she cried once again. Their family once again would be reunited. Yet, a question would be asked.

Would Ben heed there calls and listen to them as they try to save him from the losing side. Or will it be like how it was years ago? Would he once again walk the path of the Sith but this time with his friends that were like family…or shall he walk his own path again, just like his time following Revan.

They had docked for the night after leaving the burning town. The burnt cinders still stuck along their clothing and in the base of Appa's fur. A fresh reminder of what had just happened to them all.

Ben leaned along Appa's leg. His eyes casting shadows along team avatar as they got ready for the night ahead, even he was sickened by what happened. The Earth Kingdom, by some means were able to have their borders broken through and now fire nation and Sith were maneuvering through their land.

No less…a Lord of The Sith was with them and a couple of other powerful dark jedi. Darth Ruin, the bastard that took his arm from him. His eyes narrowed as a golden air traced along the woods. His heart hammering along his chest as he heard the servos of his false arm tighten along his own.

He would've…he could've…he shall. It was a matter of time before they would come across one another and their final duel would be paramount. Yet, there was a major question to be asked. Was Benjamin ready to dual Darth Ruin?

Sure, he had grown stronger within the force and had a decent number of tricks underneath his belt, but would it be enough to defeat a Lord of The Sith? Yet, his eyes drawn towards his friends setting up the camp.

Katara and Jet picking through the forest to find decent firewood, Aang and Sokka cracking a couple of jokes as they tried to get the camping equipment set up, and Ty Lee was busy trying to get Toph to open up.

They were a real big bunch now…a team of what, seven? A light chuckle emptied from his lips as he watched ahead. Those trifling chains that kept him tethered to the light, they gave him strength and reminded him of his purpose.

'Yeah, they did. But I still nearly left them…I nearly gave into my desires and abandoned them. If they weren't there or didn't realize what I was thinking, then I would've gone and fought Ruin against my better judgement.'

His thoughts breached through his mind's eye as his palm went to his face. The words did ring true, his emotions got the better of him and he nearly…

Four walls were constructed around the earthbender. Ty Lee leaping away instinctively as she created a tent of sorts as team avatar watched ahead. Ty lee slowly staring as she began to walk away, coursing towards Ben as she took a heavy breath next to him.

"What happened?" Ben questioned. Giving another quick gaze to the makeshift tent made from rubble. Ty Lee following his movements as she herself leaned against the bison.

"I was trying to talk to her…about what happened, but she is…"

Ben slowly shook his head. "Just give her time. Just a couple of hours ago she lost everything."

"Do you think that parents are still…"

Yet even she knew the answer to that question. Slowly clamping her lips shut as the coarse breeze of the wind traveled through them. Their eyes fixating ahead through the forest as the winds and chirps of birds carried a peaceful serenity within it.

It helped distract the pair after all that happened a matter of hours ago. Still, not enough to distract them from the feeling of power that surged through the force sensitives. A cool shiver, the precognition of the force blessing them with a warning, they were here.

"What!" Ben aimlessly spoke. Drawing onto his lightsaber as the blade of plasma ignited. His eyes going in all directions as fear slowly gripped his heart. He could see it, waves of soldiers slowly flanking them on all sides.

There iron mask catching the gleam of the sun as they marched. Brandishing their swords as they moved forward. "Toph, fire nation!" Ty Lee screamed. An instant later the walls of earth were stripped down.

Ben's fingers cracked with force lightning, spewing in a brilliant arc of purple lights as Ty Lee moved forward. Her petite frame and athleticism able to move elegantly through the quick blows.

The ray of purple sparks wrapped and contorted the soldiers in a brilliant display of power. Tossing them with such strength through the woods as they were launched backwards. Ben gripping the weapon with both hands as the dark blue beam swam like a wave, cutting into a soldier as he followed through with a brilliant flurry of attacks.

His blue blade meeting its mark along the ranks of the soldiers as he fully immersed himself within the force. His weapon, almost like it was a limb of his own.

The fire nation soldiers following too both him and Ty Lee's advance. Yet, they were unstoppable. It didn't take long for their breaths to hitch, their backs pressed against the other as the waves funneled through the forest like a contorted orchestra.

"Toph, what are you doing…fight!" Ben bellowed as he watched the girl from before. She was frozen, her white eyes scanning in all directions as she tried to zone in.

"What are you talking about…where!" She screamed back in his direction. "There isn't anyone here!"

A blast of fire bending beelined towards him and Ty Lee. Ben wrapping his arm around the girl's waist as he propelled both of them overhead as he dodged the blow. Landing swiftly as he threw his lightsaber in a side arc, calling upon the force as the azure blade swept through the ranks once again.

Catching it along his right hand as he zoned back in on Toph. "I see through my earth bending, through the slight movements people create. There isn't anyone here!"

'There isn't anyone here. Is she insane…'?

Yet, right before Ben could finish his thoughts a lone soldier bee lined towards Toph. The girl's ears ringing as she darted towards the direction but it was already too late. The soldier swinging in an arc, a slash that would slice along her abdomen.

Ben could already hear the sickening slice as his eyes widened, his right arm barreling with force energy to try and stop the assault. Yet…

The blade fazed through her. Almost like, it wasn't even there. Ben stopped in place, Ty Lee as well as they stared at what happened. The fire nation soldier now turning back towards them, staring at them as they simply stared back.

Ben turned his head to the side. A fire ball lurching towards him as both him and Ty Lee watched ahead…as the fire ball simply fazed through them. Ben watched with widened eyes and a gaped jaw, still transfixed, and confused of what just happened. Yet, his mind drew to a lesson from his old master…

"Qâzoi Kyantuska, a powerful magical ability of the arcane arts. Aleemo Keto used said ability, weaponizing it against her foes during the war. She could create mighty illusions that could cause men to go mad…"

Exar's words hummed within his head, almost like a microphone being struck along a stage as he and Ty Lee both watched as the illusions simply vanished. This whole time, they had exhausted themselves fighting illusions.

Ben gazed down at his lightsaber as the apparitions began to disperse. Tickling into the air like star dust as Ben's mind was transfixed. 'Wouldn't it make more sense to just ambush us at the same time. No, Lord Ruin is too smart for that. He was the one that devised the plan to lure me and my apprentices out to try and kill us all. It even worked too; without Jet's ability I would've died. But what is the point…'

Yet, his eyes streaked open. Funneling with force energy as he darted into the forest. The hum of his blade trailing behind him as he began to understand. Together, team avatar was strong…but separated. Katara, jet, Aang, and Sokka were goofing off in the forest. For all he knew they had seriously been screwing around the whole time not knowing of what was going to happen.

But Ben was certain, that they had just walked into the spider's net. Now, it was simply there turn to strike back even harder.

Jet and Katara sat along the roaring rapids that pushed through the landscape. The sound of trickling waters and the spur of the snappers reach the rocks filled their ears. Jet simply stared ahead, his wood pile to his side as his lightsaber slowly swayed along the wind as his eyes narrowed.

"Jet, are you okay?" Katara slowly spoke.

She had seen his movements lately. If she didn't know him better, she would've assumed that this stoic quiet warrior thing was merely just an act. Yet, she had known him for a long time up to this point. They had taken him along their journey after his home was destroyed, he had trained to become a jedi, and they had fought numerous battles by each other's side.

He was once the leader of a small band of freedom fighters that were done with dealing with the fire nation. Now, he was a warrior of the force…one of the next generations of New Jedi Knights, heir to a legacy that would simply change this world.

His eyes slowly creaked open. His heart thumping along his chest as he slowly nodded his own head. "Yeah, I guess. It's just…"

His throat lurched as his nails dug into the base of his knees. Bright flashes, brilliant bursts of flames crackling along his vision. His village…his home…and they left another!

"I'm angry, Katara." He said. Turning towards the girl as his dark brown eyes stared into her own deep blue. Tossing out his hand aimlessly to the water as he aimlessly continued. "Before, we've helped defend people and even cities. Now, it just felt so wrong…running away again." He snarked.

Anger, radiating off the young warrior as Katara's grip along him began to tighten. Slowly turning his head to meet her own. "Jet, you know that it had to happen. We couldn't have…"

"I know, I know…" Jet recoiled. Slowly closing his eyes as he let the words flow through his parted lips. "It's just, it felt wrong you know. I don't want anyone to go through with that…with what I had to go through. The Fire Nation, nothing more than butchers."

His voice snapped, an echo reverberating as the two teenagers embraced. Their eyes drawing towards the other as…

"Butchers, yeah maybe you got a point there." A voice bellowed from behind. Both teens snapping from there trance as they instantly reeled upwards. Jet's hand drawing to his blade as he zoned in on the strange figure. Rowan, still brandishing his Sith Saber armor. A smile decorating his face as his lightsaber flew neatly into his hand. "You might be right, but we are simply the only ones that can truly bring balance and peace to a world at war."

The snap of his crimson blade enveloped the pair. Jet grimacing at the sight as he drew upon his own blade, the cyan a stark contrast to the crimson that the dark jedi produced. Yet even he could feel the power that this one emanated.

Jet was a good fencer with the lightsaber, and a natural within the force but even he watched this one with a strange hesitation. Almost like a wolf, trying to seize up a larger animal to see if he could take it down…or if his own death would lie in such an action.

Rowan's smile stayed plastered across his face as Katara slowly began to bend the water around her. Her dark blue eyes in a tense glare as Rowan simply cracked his neck. "How did they find us so quickly?" Katara snapped to Jet.

The young warrior slowly shaking his head as Rowan tossed his hair back. "How did we find you?" He sarcastically spoke. Lifting something in his hands as their eyes widened at the sight, Appa's fur. Jet's teeth grinded against the other as his grip went along his blade.

"Katara, don't be afraid. This is just another dark jedi punk that we're dealing with. Me, Haru, and Ben dealt with a ton of them during the siege of the north."

Jet tried to spark that charismatic smile of his, to try and feign the fear he felt towards this one. He held his lightsaber with the confidence that Lord Ruin held his own. His power of the force almost weighing him down like he was stuck miles underneath the sea.

"Unlike those Dark Jedi, I am something else. I am Rowan, the greatest that our order must provide. The Darkest Knight of The Dynasty of The Sith." His hand went to his chest at the gesture, his right hand solely gripping the blade tighter as he did a gentleman's bow. Almost like a pleasantry, before he would cut them down. "Still, I must say that I can't wait to meet Ben once again. Arya can't wait to see him as well…it's been a good couple of years. For the force to bring us back together even from another galaxy…this is truly a major coincidence."

Katara's and Jet's eyes both widened at the words. Another galaxy, the force bringing them together once again…they knew Ben?

Yet, it didn't matter right now. This Sith was radiating with power and would most likely slay them if they have him a chance to. So, they did what they always did…fight!

Jet reeled forward with his cyan blade. Tossing himself into Makashi, a form that prioritized dueling against other lightsaber wielding components. Yet, this one funneled in with the familiar form of Shien, his master's movements slowly filling his head as Jet leaped overhead. Landing behind the Darkest Knight as he brought his blade in a mighty cleave.

Unsurprisingly, the warrior merely defended against it. Swatting Jet's cyan blade away as the young jedi apprentice barreled forth. Jet released a flurry of attacks, his cyan blade traveling through the woods as they he drove Rowan back.

Rowan gripped the weapon with both hands. Swinging his own weapon behind him as he quickly went back on the defensive. 'What?' Jet questioned, but the action was too quick for him to see within his mind's eye.

Rowan slashed across a tree. The vegetation split in half as it began to descend towards the Jedi Apprentice. Jet's eyes widened at the assault as he lashed out with his left hand. A blast of fore energy obliterating the rest of the tree as it rained wooden splinters.

Yet…

Jet's brown eyes fixated ahead. In a last-ditch effort, he swung on reflex, the tip of his blade brining his adversary's own weapon into the air. Decorating the pair into brilliant sparks. Jet reeled backwards, a force augmented backflip that gave him enough distance.

The young warrior reeled. His mouth unlatching as he rasped for breath, his eyes manically fixating on the lone Sith Warrior. They had been at it for a while, and he had not even glanced a blow at him. "Alright, my turn…"

Jet saw the flurry in his mind's eye…a brilliant display of martial might coursing in front of him, as all he could do was defend. Rowan, he truly did deserve the title of Darkest Knight. The cream of the crop when it involved dueling and fighting.

A flurry of attacks enveloped the young warrior as Jet was thrown back on the defense. Even then, it was completely obvious who was the weaker one. Jet reeled as sweat decorated his frame. His arms grew tired as even his weapon felt more like a weight within his hands.

His movements became sluggish…almost like he was drowning within sands. His body lurched backwards as Rowan cleaved. Gripping the weapon with both hands just like how his friend and master did to those countless Sith and other dark jedi.

Yet, it was directed towards him. Jet fell backwards as his blade zipped into the air, clasping along the dirt as the cyan blade vanished back into its hilt.

"Jet!" Katara screamed. A water whip funneling from the rapids behind her as she struck forward. Ruin slashing at the whip with his blade as it simmered.

Dodging another blow right before…

Cracks of blue lightning enveloped the girl. Katara's scream funneling through the forest as she collapsed to the ground. Her hands going towards her body as she whimpered. Smoke trails along her clothing as her hair fell out of her braid.

Arya, her frame parting through the darkness of the forest. Her emerald eyes zoning in on the water tribe girl as she lifted her left arm back. The trickle of blue force lightning still dancing along her palm.

Jet's mouth dropped; his hand outwards as he stared at the pair. "Rowan, the distraction has worn off. They've realized it was a set up. Take the hostages so we can lure them back."

Yet, Jet could hardly hear it. Course vibrant memories of that time in which Aang messed up and she was hurt. His body buckled with rage as those light brown eyes beckoned with the dark side, the golden gleam of the Sith as he raised his body up. The two Sith Knights whirling their heads back as the cracks of force lightning filled both of Jet's fingertips.

"Careful, Rowan." Arya clicked her lips. Drawing her own blade from her belt as she zoned in on the freedom fighter. The ruptures of lightning following in his movements as they borderline surrounded his frame. "The force blazes in this one…"

As those words emptied from her lips. Jet screamed…a vibrant scream that followed through the forest as Rowan acted. Drawing his companion's lightsaber from her hands as he crossed the blades in two. Blocking the powerful torrent of emerald lightning coming towards them.

Even then, as the surges compacted with the two blades, even as his fingertips simmered along the electric heat, Rowan knew better. Gripping the weapons tighter as he spun, drawing onto his force barrier as he carried along the energy that Jet had thrown at them…this time, aimed back at him.

Jet realized it already too late. The blast recoiled back towards him as the discharge was immediately silenced, thrown into the air as his body cracked along a tree. His eyes slowly closing as he crashed along the woods.

There they were…eyeing there two hostages as they already devised a plan. They would lure their old friend, the last of the Jedi and do what they had to. Because they were Sith, and it was their duty.

The Princess, Azula. Wild streaks of dark black hair fell in front of her face as the static of lightning blossomed between her fingertips. Orange eyes drawn forward as Sokka and Aang prepared themselves for the time ahead.

"I was just thinking that maybe we would just have one day without a fire nation attack. But isn't that a little too hard to ask for." Sokka wheezed, gripping his boomerang in one hand and the club in another.

At the movements, Azula stung like a viper. The trails of lightning sprinkling from her fingertips as it was aimed for Sokka. The warrior throwing his weapon midair as it flourished, streaking towards her as she charged.

Aang was quicker. A blast of water bending rising from the nearby pond blocking the lightning as Aang and Sokka both reeled backwards. Chambering themselves for the fight ahead as Azula's brilliant azure fire funneled from her fist.

Aang dodged and weaved, his training as an airbender allowing him to stretch and maneuver in ways Azula could not predict. Funneling a mighty blast of air bending that barreled from his fist, yet Azula simply dodged the blow.

Yet, Aang was thinking ahead. Reeling his arm forward as a wave traveled along the marsh. Freezing it instantly as Azula's feet was stuck. Merely smiling in place as she barreled fist to the ground. Her eyes dragging forward as Aang once again reeled with power, tossing powerful blast of air bending but it was simply not enough. Yet, it happened…

A brilliant burst of fire crackled along the sky. Bursting in impact as the flames rained down on them. Azula simply cracked a smile. Her eyes drawing forward as she stared ahead. Blasting underneath, her once again as she propelled herself towards the origination of the blast.

Sokka and Aang both watched her zip away. Aang's breath heavy as his knee collided with the ground as sweat bore down his face. Even Sokka was silently freaked out. 'The Avatar, even though Aang is young he is extremely talented. Still, that girl…'

His eyes drawn towards the remnants of the bright flames the woman had created. He had seen Zuko and other fire benders, he had even seen powerful warriors of the force, but that girl was something else…

Almost like she was a complete master of her element and as he watched Aang reel for breath on the floor he began to realize how serious of a situation this was slowly becoming. Lords of The Sith, legions of soldiers, and now master bendors were joining the fray.

Aang…he needed to get stronger and learn more elements before the commit arrives. Because as Sokka watched the sky overhead, he could hardly imagine any possible way for them to win and truly defeat the fire nation.

Like a blur, Ben was there. Skidding his feet along the dirt as his eyes zoned in on the pair of boys ahead. His neck snapping in all directions as the hum of his blade casted along their ears. He unignited the weapon, reattaching it to his belt as he nearly tackled Sokka. His eyes drawing forward as he gripped his friend's shoulders.

Sokka…felt scared. An intense stream along Ben's eyes as the young jedi held a gaze that could kill. His heart thumping along his check as Ben's own lips unlatched. A bellow of words following as they all began to understand.

"Jet and Katara…where are they!"