Author Note: Yo! We made it up to chapter 50! That's so awesome. Honestly, I cannot wait because we are nearing the end of book 2 soon and I can't wait for book 3. Another chapter that is going to be made that I've been waiting for a while to write is coming soon and I can't wait. Thank you all for reading and I greatly appreciate you all for being apart of this journey. Listen, I am sick and I can't properly respond to reviews right now but next chapter I will. Please remember to follow, favorite, and review. Greatly helps with my motivation in both writing and updating. Have a wonderful and awesome day!

Chapter 50

They had set up camp. The roaring of the campfire created a brilliant orange light as the dark bloom of smoke roused along the night sky. The bright full moon filled with the expanse of stars filled the sky with a powerful gleam.

They had set up camp here after picking up Morne. The Jedi Master that just like Ben had crash landed onto this world. A slave to a Sith Artifact as she so desperately fought for control decided to aid Team Avatar in restoring balance to this world.

Yet right now she was nowhere to be found. Slinking deep within the forest as the roaring cracks filled the air. Team Avatar was asleep, none of them stirred as there breathing and snores filled the air.

One pair of eyes widened. Jet, the young Jedi Apprentice's eyes slowly opened. Putting both hands in front of himself as he slowly and silently pushed himself onto his feet. His gaze going towards his companions as he watched upon them. Giving a minute to see if any would stir…

His eyes went towards his master for a second longer. Watching the Jedi Watchman's chest rise after each breath. Curling along his blanket as his breath was even, his eyes shut as Jet rose. Slinking away from the perched mountaintop.

Jet, almost mechanical like trekked through the coarse terrain. His eyes following along the rocks so he wouldn't trip or fall. He walked for a couple more minutes, sinking into the force to gain a better perspective as he felt it…the darkness.

His lips twisted into a sly grin. His eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness as Celeste sat cross legged. Her breath uneven, her eyes slammed shut as sweat bore down her face. She looked tired, almost completely worn out.

She was fighting against him…that old Sith Lord. Yet, to Jet it looked like she was losing control. So fixated on Muur that she could hardly feel the dark presence that slunk beside her. Jet's footsteps lessened, his breath stilling as his once brown hazel eyes felt cold…almost lifeless in a strange way.

His heart slowly beating as his fingers draped over his lightsaber. Feeling the cool alloy metal of the hilt as he gripped it within his sole right hand. His thumb on the ignition as he continued his advance.

He was close to her now. Able to see the faint cloth of her white Jedi Outfit…able to see the beads of sweat that rolled down her forehead, dropping along the base of her chin. His eyes snapped open. The hissing of his cyan blade as the force power welled up within his body as Morne didn't even have the time to react.

A sweeping arc as the cyan blade cut along the base of her back. The Jedi Master falling across the stone floor as Jet loomed over her. The darkness entrapping him as his eyes drove towards her neck. The Sith Amulet, slowly untethering itself from her skin.

It's scorpion like claws ripping from the base of her throat muscle as it slowly crawled along her skin. Slinking along Jet's leg as it slowly prickled into himself. Clamping along the fabric of his clothes as it took an all-familiar location along his own neck.

It felt comfortable…for a second, he could feel the weight of the force as his power was simply doubled. Yet, it happened. His eyes widening as the scorpion's bite slinked into the base of his throat. His eyes widening as he felt his connection, his vision, and everything within him slowly fade away as…

"What are you doing here, Jedi?"

Jet's eyes widened. His hands instinctively clawing at his throat, but he could feel no weight. The amulet that felt so real was gone. Yet, as he rose his gaze back, he looked upon the Jedi Masters face.

Celeste didn't display any real emotion…rather her steel blue eyes peered within his own. Her hands wrapped along herself, almost like a disappointed teacher staring upon her student. Jet seized his head, his movements wavering as he began to come to terms with his reality.

"I think, I had a vision." He rose his eyes towards her. His heart hammering along his chest. "I woke up and something was pulling me towards you and I…"

"You killed me." Celeste spoke. Jet's eyes widened at her tone. How uncaring it was and how it was almost like she already read his movements.

Celeste reading the boy's body language and feeling his emotions through the force, she slowly began to explain. "The talisman, I told you before that it contains the spirit of Karness Muur the long dead Sith Lord." Jet slowly shook his head, nodding along with her words as he followed along. "He called you. He wants you to kill me and when I am dead the talisman will go to the next force sensitive in the closest vicinity…"

Jet's eyes snapped open. His heart hammering along his chest as he nearly collapsed to his knees. If Celeste didn't break away from her meditation and reign him back in…then he would've…

"Why are you here, Jet? On this mission?"

Jet slowly rose. Slightly confused on the state of the question. "Ben took me as an apprentice, and I am training to become a true Jedi. Team Avatar, they need all the help they can get. They have their hands full with the fire nation but they force sensitives to deal with the Dark Jedi."

Celeste heard his words. Concluding the sentence as a smile of her own drew upon her face. Her eyes glistening as Jet took a step back as he felt that wave of dark side energy along her. "Who will deal with you if you fall, Jedi?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't lie to me. Muur didn't just call you out randomly. He chooses you due to that special gift and your innate talent within the force." Celeste's smile was gone now. Her voice filling the expanse. "Jet, you should be worried. The Dark Side isn't something to play with. I can understand your connection to your comrades but these dark forces you play with…you were already suffering from Dark Side deterioration."

Jet's eyes snapped open. His butt landing along the stone floor as his fingers combed through his locks of hair. She was right and even he knew it. He saw what the dark side had done to others…too his master.

Yet, what else could he do. "My friends were hurt; they were in trouble. Are you telling me that I shouldn't save them and use my ability?"

Celeste didn't show any emotion. "I am not ordering you around, Jedi. I am telling you what I feel…Karness Muur unlocked feelings within you. Paranoia, anger, hate. They tell me something about you and I am warning you that you are walking a very dark path. Don't be a fool, heed my words…" Celeste pushed away from him. Jet still frozen as his eyes were clinging to the base of the stone floor. "You're walking a very dangerous path, jedi. Best to leave now."

It had just been Celeste and Ben. The roaring sun riding along their clothes as team avatar went ahead into the bar to gain some supplies. Ben had told them that he didn't really want to head out and was just going to keep out watch.

Yet, that wasn't the full truth. During the time they were gone Ben had explained everything to Celeste. The Mandalorian Wars, The Jedi Civil War, and the loss of the Jedi Order. The young Jedi Master listened to Ben's summary of events. Only offering in faint nods as she cued for him to continue.

The whole interaction lasted less than ten minutes but even Ben was able to feel the difference within her. Strange feelings of loss mingled within her. The realization that the Jedi Order was gone in this world, exterminated. Likewise, the one in their old galaxy was on their last legs and was most likely already destroyed…the Sith had won.

Coupled with the fact that both would never be able to return home…they were stuck here, forever till the end of their days. Ben had come to terms with this conclusion though. His old galaxy was full of grief and destruction.

This was his home now and he would do what he had to for a better tomorrow. Yet, Celeste was different. His slowly pawed at the Sith Amulet that was a chain along her neck. Her teeth lightly tightened along her lips as her chest rose in an irregular harsh way.

It took her a minute to speak. "Benjamin, what are you planning on doing right now?"

The question caused Ben's eyes to widen. He had explained everything he had done. The attack on the fire nation, the Sith, trying to gain more allies to put an end to the fire nations domination. "What?"

"The Sith, they run rampant across this world, and you are clinging to protect one sole boy." She snapped. Her eyes darkening as her words of malice stung along Ben's chest. "For a year, a whole year the Sith have run rampant. Why are you here aiding this avatar while innocents suffer…"?

"Are you fucking with me…" Ben's words unchained and uncontrolled. His legs rising as his own golden eyes sunk into her own cyan blue. His thumb going towards his chest. "Don't talk about me not doing anything…I've lost my arm due to this war and I've been trying to rebuild the Jedi Order after it's extermination. These Sith are different than the ones before. They fight differently than Revan and Exar Kun's Sith. They are stronger and they don't suffer from the same issues the old Sith do."

They stared at one another for a second. A dare, willing the other to come at the other as Ben peered at the woman. How dare she, like the Jedi she was being an arrogant fool. He would've…

He closed his eyes, his fingers going towards his brow as he slightly massaged it. Taking a seat along the saddle as he let out a breath of fresh air.

"Celeste, I am going to be calm. You do not know what I have been through, but I assure you that me and the rest of my team have not been playing around. We have all suffered and fought so desperately for a brighter tomorrow…it is both unfair and arrogant for you to assume that we were simply messing around."

Ben let the words flow through him. Honestly, he hated how calm he sounded. He wanted to force push her off Appa and leave her in the sand for even saying such words. He had lost his arm and had nearly gone insane upon this mission.

Sokka lost Yue, Toph's parents are probably dead, Katara's mother, Jet's family, Ty Lee's family…Aang lost his whole race and culture. For her to speak such words was both disgusting and conceited. Unlike anything a Jedi should even state.

Yet, he saw it. Her features slowly unclench as her own eyes began to soften. "I apologize, I shouldn't have assumed such things. Even as a Jedi master I allowed my own emotions to get in the way and I apologize."

Ben waved it off. "It's fine, just don't say that to any member of my team. We've all lost someone to this great war."

"Yes, likewise you are the grandmaster of the Jedi Order now. I should've trusted within your judgement and…"

"Woah!" Ben's voice filled the air, nearly a yell as her eyes widened. His hands jutting out in front of him. "Wait, Grandmaster?"

"Yes, you are the last of the Jedi. In our galaxy the Jedi were destroyed, and this world needs more Jedi. I felt your powerful connection to the force, and you have been tested. Benjamin, you are next Jedi Grandmaster."

Ben's throat felt parched, rasped even. His heart hammering along his chest as Celeste reinforced the idea into him. This was every Jedi's dream. To attain such a rank due to their knowledge and experience to lead the order into a better tomorrow.

The role of Grandmaster was meant to help others and to dictate the future of the Jedi Order. Yet, he didn't…rather he shouldn't. He was sixteen years old! Yes, knighting at such a young age was rare but his power and feats spoke for themselves.

Even he, had his doubts when Meetra forced him to seek the higher mysteries and he embarked on the road of the Jedi Watchman. A role that even he struggled with at times. He didn't earn it; he didn't feel better about using it.

All the other Jedi were dead, and he was thrown into this role because he was "expected" due to his raw force potential to fill it in. Hell, did that even do him any good in the end? He had lost control; it was like what his friends told him before he had been a freaking maniac.

The moment he tasted blood that dark part of Ben, the one that was chained down ever since his severance to the force had been released. He left on his own and distanced himself from his companions and in the end, he fell back to the dark side. Did he truly hold the right to call himself the Jedi Grandmaster even if he wished to make amends?

Celeste watched his movements. Her eyes slowly wavering as she let out a sigh. "I can understand how much pressure this is being put on your shoulders. You're only a sixteen-year-old boy, but you are forced to rebuild the Order, especially during this dark time."

"Why don't you…you're a Jedi Master."

Celeste shook her head at Ben's words. Silencing him immediately. "This amulet, it is forever chained to me, and I can never remove it. Until I meet someone who can heal me, I will be forced to endure it. I cannot take the role of grandmaster. Benjamin, I can sense the unease within you, and I get that you are young…but it is within your destiny."

"My destiny…" Ben slowly repeated.

Celeste nodding. Digging into her pocket as Ben's eyes widened. Seeing the familiar crystal, he saw within Toph's estate, the same one which called to him.

"Do you know what this is?" Celeste spoke. Her eyes digging into the base of the bronze crystal.

Ben slowly nodded. "A gemstone, it is very powerful within the force, but it feels very strange. I assumed that it was a lightsaber focusing crystal." Ben explained. He didn't hold back; it had been a while since he had witnessed the crystal. He didn't feel any real need to do anything with it. He already utilized a synthetic blue crystal, chambered with the Qixoni and the Lignan made his blade quite strong and versatile. Why would he fix something that wasn't broken?

"No, it isn't a normal crystal. Where did you get this?"

Celeste's cyan blue eyes tracked along the crystal. Ben slowly shrugging his shoulders as he began to explain. "At a royal estate. Back on Dantooine I searched within the crystal caves to find a natural focusing crystal. I even felt it call to me, but the pull this crystal had towards me is something completely different than what I felt back then."

"Do you know what this is?" She repeated.

"No, I don't." Ben let out with a heavy breath.

"It is something in which I once believed was only in legend. Yet, it has chosen you. This is the Heart of The Guardian. Though its origins have been lost, the legendary artifact known as the Heart of the Guardian was rumored to have been instrumental in the founding of the guardian order of Jedi. Nothing further is mentioned in any Jedi archive, but both sith and Jedi whisper their own legends. According to the Jedi, the Heart will appear in a time of greatest turmoil and deliver the galaxy into salvation. The Sith, however, believe it to be an object of their heritage, which will bring the galaxy under their dominion."

Ben's eyes widened at the words. The Heart of The Guardian. An anchient relic of both Jedi and Sith nature…it has chosen him. Yet, there was a catch to it.

'Galaxy under Sith Domination.' He thought. A cold shiver running along the base of his spine.

"All known lightsaber crystals seem to have a strange resonance with the Heart of the Guardian, their properties being altered or enhanced when near it. Additionally, energy focused through the Heart results in a beam of unique clarity and color."

Celeste tossed the crystal into Ben's palm. The young boy's eyes widening as he took in the bronze glow of the crystal, feeling the tether of the force wrap around him. This crystal, it was the symbolization of many legends within the Jedi Order.

It had chosen Ben to use it…to wield it to either restore balance or lead it into destruction. His eyes narrowing as the thought began to cross his head. Before he had promised to become a better man and to learn how to become a better Jedi.

This crystal, for all it's worth symbolized both the salvation and destruction of this small world…yet could he bear such a weight? His back slowly began to crane, his chin digging into the base of his shirt as a hollowed breath released from his parted lips.

He was on the path of becoming a better man…he didn't have both the experience and the training required to become Grandmaster. Likewise, he had fallen to the dark side a couple of weeks ago. Luckily Ty Lee was there to save him and bring him back to the light.

Maybe, he could become a Jedi Master. Hell, he was in the process of training three other force sensitives. Yet, right now taking upon the role of grandmaster would be too much. He didn't earn it through skill and grace, rather he was forced to take upon the role due to being the most experienced.

That filled him with the same icky feeling as before when him and Ulic had a similar discussion. Celeste felt the tension within Ben, the doubt and hesitation that riddled his movements. Yet, she simply rose to her feet.

"Benjamin, I cannot take upon the role to train this next generation of Jedi. The amulet…" She took a deep breath, slowly closing her eyes as she slowly massaged the Sith amulet. Widening once again as like daggers those cyan eyes peered at him. "Life, destiny, fate…the force. You are being pushed down a great path that may very well spell the salvation or the destruction of this world. I am not a fool, and I can feel the darkness that warps around your heart. Yet, you still fight against it."

A faint chuckle emptied from her. Letting a small smile dart along her face as she spoke the final words. "Maybe there is hope for you after all."

With those final words him and Celeste both were taken aback. A prickling feeling riding along there consciousness as both Jedi lurched in their seats. There lightsabers already ignited as they were slowly surrounded by figures.

Clothed in head to toe in strands of fabric. Reigning from a stark pale white, and the brilliant beige of sand. Their fingers uttered as they wrapped along the sand. Their eyes widening at the two powerful figures with impressive blades of fire sparked to life.

"Tuskans?" Celeste snapped back. Gripping her weapon with both hands as the simmering yellow blade of fire caused the bandaged warriors to take a couple steps farther away. Yet, they still weren't dissuaded enough.

Ben slowly shook his head. His own azure beam aimed at the other surrounding group. "No, this world is only home to humans."

Yet, right before any of the opposing sides could make a move on the other. A powerful voice boomed. "Enough, sandbenders…away!"

They dissipated. Possibly due to the pressure of the already growing threats they were willing to face. Still, all the sandbendors quickly dissipated away as Ben's eyes rose. Seeing his comrades as they continued along the next stretch of their journey.

They rode along the sand filled waste. Appa's roar and breath the only sound that could be heard as they traversed through the area. The searing sands cut into there skin along the dunes. They had found nothing within the bar.

Yet, it simply alluded them. They still traversed through the sand dunes as they made their way to Ba Sing Sai, to alert the Earth Kingdom of Sozens Commit and the destruction and power the Fire Nation shall hold.

Such power…will be the finishing strike to end this century long war. Still, such things were changing along the roaring echoes of the force. They all felt it, the bison groaning in response as there grips coiled along the brown saddle.

Just like before…a storm had appeared. A powerful dust storm curling along their bison as they were hurled downwards. Appa's roar and screech funneling through the harsh winds as Ben and the rest of the group were thrown sideways.

Appa's body crumpling along the harsh sand as a pained grunt erupted from the large bison. "Appa, buddy!" Aang screamed out for his friend. Launching himself off the saddle as he went towards the animal.

"What was that the storm just appeared!" Sokka announced.

Yet, his sister was suspicious launching herself off of the bison as Toph herself landed along the sands. "Yeah, but it's gone now." Her deep blue eyes widening in alarm. "It just came and went. Almost like the time at the jungle."

That was when it happened. The sparking of lightsaber blades ringing in unison as they those people from before emerged from the sands. Hiding in plain site within the sands as they strike.

Ben and the rest went on the offensive. The harsh reality of what had happened streamlining towards all their brains. They were attacked in another foreign environment…and now were within the spider's web. Ben gritted his teeth, lurching forward as…

His eyes widening as the sands coiled along his legs. Like sink sand trying to funnel him in. 'No you don't!' His thoughts exploded. Lurching with a powerful force jump, tossing out his left hand as a massive blast of force energy wrenched a trio of sand benders.

Another sand bendor grew arrogant. Whipping his sand like a blade as Ben dangerously dodged the blow. Yet, his arrogant would be for nothing. Slipping past another blow as his blue beam of plasma cleaved an arch along his chest.

Yet, he heard a shout. "Appa!" Aang roared. The sandbendors were nearly infinite, masking themselves within a smoke screen of sorts as Ben cleaved through another one. Team Avatar wasn't doing so good, fighting in a new and uncomfortable environment as they lurched in all directions.

Yet, that was when it happened…Appa was being taken. The sandbendors holding a strange wooden contraption as the weak and bruised animal tried so desperately to fight against them. Disappearing within the dunes of the sand.

But it was far from over. Aang outstretched his hand, whirling a power attack but it was all for naught. A sandbendor, one of the remaining ones. Lurching a powerful spree of bending, coursing along the young avatar as sand began to come at him. Whirling in a powerful storm as Aang was consumed, raising an outstretched hand to grasp along the sunlight.

Ben cleaved through another bendor. Lurching towards but he could already tell it was too late…until. A brilliant violet blade ripped through the bendor, a shallow cut darting along his lower stomach as he collapsed to the ground.

The bendors whirling in all directions as they ran towards there gliders as Ben gazed along the woman. Ty Lee, her eyes widening as the lightsaber dropped from her hands. Shaking as she instinctively took a step back from the weapon.

Appa was gone…likewise, the loss of another Jedi's innocence during this great war. Now, what would come? Will team avatar escape through this harsh desert or shall surely succumb to the heat or the other elements in which they could never predict.