Author Note: Yo! Here is chapter 51. I've been pretty sick lately and I've been recovering but it's kind of hard to write honestly. Though, I am still content with how this chapter turned out. I do wish this would be a longer chapter but I think making it over 3k words was a good pick. Honestly, it would've either became a 3k word chapter that would've came out today or a 8k - 10k chapter that would've came out later this week. I am really excited to write chapter 52 especially for the nature of the ending of this chapter. Thank you all for reading and thank you everyone that has got me up to 60 followers! That's super cool. Please remember to follow, favorite, and review. It greatly helps with my motivation and my frequency in updating. Have a wonderful and awesome day!

Chapter 51

The roaring sandstorm circulated through the desert dunes. Piercing through the air like powerful shards of glass that cut and seared along flesh and muscle. Yet, a group traversed through this storm. Hiking and walking through this summit as they pushed through this harsh storm.

Fabric bounded around each of there waist, looped along with another so they wouldn't lose the other to the storm. Pushing through the desert waste was a group of seven. Team Avatar, after losing their bison was now forced to trek the rest of the way to Ba Sing Sai on foot.

Stripping rags from the deceased sand bendors to use as impromptu clothing to defend against the harsh desert, Team Avatar had found a compass and hoped to see if they could a better way leading out of the desert.

Sokka pulled up his goggled. Wiping the strands of sand that had began to fog along the exterior. Raising his gloved hand as the red line of the compass aimed forward. Still, he could see something in the distance.

A large black shadow, looming over the desert. It was the first real thing they had saw in miles and maybe there could be something that could get them out of this desert. An outpost or anything!

"We're pushing ahead, towards that mountain!" Sokka yelled. His voice trailing along the sand filled winds as Team Avatar either hollered back in acknowledgement or simply nodded their heads.

It took a half hour to reach the entrance of the cavern. Everyone taking off the fabric along there mouths as they breathed in a sigh of fresh air. Wandering along deeper into the cavern as Sokka led the way. Yet, one lagged behind…

Aang, his face in a scowl as he stripped the remaining fabric off him. Before he was planning on venturing deeper into the cave along with his team. Yet…

Appa's roar dangled along the base of his mind. His eyes narrowing as the horrible memories of the sandbendors and what they did to his bison coursed through his minds eye. His breath grew heavier as he took a singular step forward and then another until he was at the entrance.

He snapped his glider open. Feeling the harsh winds course along it, nearly wrenching it free from his grasp. It would be dangerous flying but if there was a chance to be reunited with his friend then he would willingly take any risk.

His teeth were bared as he…

"That's not a good idea, Aang."

Aang didn't need to turn around to know the voice. Ben, the young Jedi already had stripped off his extra layers. Now wearing his old jacket and standard pants. His eyes going over towards the young avatar as Ben even without the force could read his intentions.

Ben let out a sigh. "Aang, I know your not stupid. It's a dust storm out there, you go out there trying to find Appa your either going to get lost or get seriously hurt." Aang's lips tightened up. His knuckles turning white. Ben still approached, his voice following his footsteps. "Listen, I get that your angry…we're all upset about what happened. But don't do anything stupid."

Aang let out a breath of fresh hot air. "Don't talk to me about doing anything stupid!" Aang screamed. His voice momentarily shocking Ben, not used to hearing Aang the cheerful and usually upbeat boy angry. "I am planning on leaving to find Appa, to save my best friend. Don't lecture me because you've left before for all the wrong reasons!"

Ben's eyes widened at the words, Aang's own tone softening as he began to realize what he just said. Taking a deep breath as he rested his back along the base of the wall.

Ben's own eyes directed towards his shoes as he ran his fingers through his clumps of hair. He was right, Ben didn't have the right to talk to him about leaving. Appa was not only the young boy's best friend but was likewise his only family that he had left. One of the only remnants of the air nomadic people.

Likewise, Ben did leave them all for the wrong reasons like Aang said. He back went slouched, his eyes narrowing as almost a deep shadow was casted along them. They were right, he did leave.

He went out alone on a selfish quest to get revenge, to put an end to this war way earlier than they would've thought possible. Yet, in the end it did not come to fruition. He alone took in the teachings of the great masters of the Sith and in the end fell to the dark side. Without Ty Lee he possibly would've still been in those dark halls, or even worse aiming his crimson bladed lightsaber at the throats of those he once called companions.

But right now, his eyes snapped back open, bringing his attention back to his friend. Aang needed him here and now. Sure, he was alone and fell to the dark side. Yet, there was a lesson here. A lesson to never forget and to not make the same mistakes of the past.

"Your right, I did leave you guys alone and went out on my own quest." He spoke. Aang's eyes slowly raising. Slowly shaking himself out of his stupor as Ben approached. His arm going towards Aang's shoulder as both boy's eyes connected. "That's why I know out of everyone here how foolish and selfish that way of thinking is. I know that you care about Appa, but you aren't the only one here that does. Trust in your companions, we will find him but right now you can't run off on your own."

Aang's eyes widened at the words. Slowly reeling from them as the anger slowly dissipated. His fingers slowly unclenching as he let out a deep breath. "Your right, I'm sorry…Ben."

Ben slowly shook his head. "It's all right. Honestly, I deserve that for what I did to you guys. I made you trek through the fire nation and worry about me for a whole month. Getting yelled at is the least that I deserve."

Ben waved it off. Yet even Aang was shocked. Ben was coming to terms with what he did and was content on becoming a better man. Ben had learned his mistake, recognized it and was willing to correct it and make amends.

"Come on, lets go." Ben spoke up. Leading the young Avatar through the cavern. Yet, Aang took another quick glance. Watching the roaring harsh winds that had clouded the entrance making anything outside look nearly invisible.

Aang's heart throbbed, but he would listen to Ben's words. "I'm sorry, Appa." Aang slowly spoke. Walking deeper into the cavern. "…but I'll find you. Just give me some time and I'll reach you."

Ty Lee's arms were wrapped along her body. Her back pressed along one of the cavern walls as she loitered at the far edge of the campground. Her eyes were shut, replaying the memory over and over within the base of her head.

The humming of her violet blade, the simmering plasma…the way her weapon felt as she dug into the sand bender. Her eyes widened at the thought, her lips unlatching as quick and uncontrolled breath released from her lips.

She killed someone, a human being. She stuttered when that horrible monster nearly attacked her, and her blade slipped from her hands. Yet, she was able to kill a human being?

Her fingers shook. Slamming them onto her knees to try and clench them in place. She tried to slink into a meditation, but her mind was far too gone. Any state of calmness was slowly lessening as the young apprentice took a deep breath.

"I can feel your emotions, Jedi." Celeste uttered. Ty Lee's head snapping towards the Jedi Masters direction. Hand on her hip as her steel blue eyes peered at the young apprentice. "Ever since the beast was taken. Your head and emotions have been all over the place…same goes for the boy."

Celeste slowly flicked her head in annoyance towards Jet. Just like Ty Lee his head was all over the place. Still reeling from his harsh encounter with the Sith talisman and what Moore told him before.

"Enough, both of you!" Celeste voice rose through the cavern. Jet and Ty Lee snapping in attention. "Jet, get over here."

Jet slowly rose, inching closer as he stood across from Ty Lee. "Ty Lee, you are a very powerful force sensitive. But you must understand that Jedi must take life if the need arises."

Celeste drew upon the force. Her lightsaber being called into her hand, the next second the yellow beam blanketed the trio. "A lightsaber, it is our weapon. We use it to defend the innocent and to enforce order." She spoke, trailing along the blade as it casted a musical hum. "For you to be a Jedi…a true Jedi you must understand that you will have to take a life to preserve life, also to understand that the dark side exist in all of us."

To those corresponding topics she glossed her eyes over towards each apprentice. "Ty Lee, you saved your friend from death. I can understand you feeling saddened by the experience, but you must come to grips with your situation."

Ty Lee slowly rose. Lightly trailing along her hair as her eyes began to widen. She was right. She saved Aang from the sand bender. If she hesitated or didn't go through with it…the avatar would've been killed.

"Likewise, Jet. You must come to terms with your own inner darkness. The Dark side is different towards everyone and you as a Jedi must realize what you want your connection to it must be. Learn to control it or don't use it at all."

Jet slowly nodded his head with her words. Muur did awaken something within him, but it was his decision to go through with it or feed that dark part within himself. Just like his master he needed to decide what kind of man or Jedi he was willing to become.

Celeste saw the moods slightly upturn on the two apprentices. It was a rough day and she doubted that they would be all cheery, but it was good to set them on a better path than what they were dealing with before.

"Okay, now ignite your weapons…we're going to practice." Celeste slowly answered. Unigniting her own weapon as she wrapped her arms around herself. The two apprentice's eyes widening as Celeste tossed another glare instantly shutting themselves up.

Jet took out his blade. The cyan ray of plasma shooting straight and strong from the base of the hilt. Ty Lee slowly took out her weapon, her fingers wrapping along the hilt as she let out a gush of hot air. That feeling was still there…

Yet, she knew that to be a Jedi she needed to do this. She needed to learn how to use a lightsaber and if the time called for it…to protect those she cared for. She ignited her purple blade, the violet light entrancing the trio as Celeste slowly sparked a smile.

"Excellent, due to the storm outside I'll take over you're training for a little while. Now, begin!"

Sokka and Ben traversed deeper into the cavern. Sokka armed with a torch that illuminated the surroundings with a mighty orange gleam as they pushed through. They had set up camp, had nothing for dinner and he witnessed his apprentices training.

Still, there was a slight irking feeling within the base of his head. Like something was calling out for him. He didn't feel the taint of the dark side or anything living deep within the mountains rather there was something else.

Something ancient…something practically begging for him to be found, almost like the crystal. His hand dug within the base of his pocket, his fingers lightly trailing along the edges of the bronze shape. He still grappled with the crystal and this responsibility it shouldered him with.

"Sokka, can you feel that?" Ben asked.

Turning towards the water tribe warrior as he stopped moving. Even he, a non-force sensitive could feel something strange within the air. "What is that?" Sokka questioned. His head turning towards his Jedi friend pondering over the strange situation. "The Dark Side?"

Ben slowly shook his head as both boys continued down the cavern. Slinking deeper and deeper underground. "No, it's not the dark side of the force I sense here. A great sadness…"

It was a strange feeling detecting such things. Like being in a mellow stream as circlets of emotions circulated around you. This place was strange, and he believed that they were reaching closer towards the source.

They continued walking for another half an hour. That was when they found it, a large room. An expanse the size of a football field. Large, jagged rocks frequented the surroundings as it was obviously not maintained.

The air was different down here. Filling with force energy, uncontrolled and powerful. Filling every pore of the room as Ben was nearly taken aback by the feeling. A force nexus, it had to be. A complete contrast to the dark side nexus he felt within the ruins of the Air Temple.

Yet, that wasn't just it. Sokka and Ben both walked upon the area, there eyes getting used to the darkness as they began to look upon their surroundings. The area was huge but that wasn't just it…bodies.

They looked to be statues, but Ben wasn't a fool. He kneeled in front of them. His eyes scanning along the bodies form. He or she was completely frozen in stone, there arms raised in front of their eyes to block something.

"An ambush or a surprise attack of some sorts." Sokka eluded. His eyes searching upon the other bodies that ranged in the dozens. "But we're all the way in the desert. What sort of battle or war could've…"?

"Maybe they wanted to have there own private battle, away from everyone so no one would get hurt." Ben answered, cutting off Sokka.

His eyes were frozen towards the stone encased bodies. The words came out of his mouth uncontrolled but there was still truth in them. They had stumbled upon this place by complete accident, but Ben didn't feel that it was all merely coincidence…when the force was involved, true coincidences were rare.

Yet, it made sense that this group wanted to fight in an isolated area. They went into the middle of the desert and like Sokka said before there was no other information or knowledge about what happened. Almost like the history surrounding this battle was completely wiped clean.

"Ben!"

Sokka's yell quickly snapped Ben away. Snapping his head towards Sokka as he saw the young waterbendor lurched over an object. Right next to another statue, or rather body.

Sokka pointed along the statue's body. Yet, Ben could see it. The body withered away and hardly bearing any sense of humanity, but he could see strange fragments of clothes. Instantly recognizing the intricate loose fabric of Jedi robes that had slowly been withering away, for decades or even centuries.

"A jedi…"

Ben took a knee, his eyes going towards the floor as he saw a lump of casted dirt and soil mixed. A strange shape poking from the sands as he brushed past it. His fingers gracing bronze metal as he took the cylindrical hilt within his hands.

He snapped open the lightsaber blade. A brilliant orange blade blanketing him and Sokka as they watched the weapon. Ben rising as he took the weapon in both hands as he slowly traced along the hum. Yet, the blade sputtered, cracking within his hands as the blade swiftly vanished back into its hilt.

Ben slowly leveled it back in front of its master, the least he could do. The master was dead, but a Jedi should never part with there lightsaber even in death. He rose back up. "There are more of them, Ben. There are dozens of Jedi around here." Sokka slowly raised his hand, pointing at the mounds that were created. "There all Jedi."

Ben could feel it. Not a single non force sensitive died here…there lightsabers may of all been destroyed but he could feel the hum of there lightsaber focusing crystals still bristle with pure force energy. Ever since he had crashed upon this world he had wondered where the Jedi of this world had gone. He thought that they didn't do anything when the world was being sieged by the fire nation, likewise, following the approach his council had done.

…or how there were hidden academies and supply caches around the world but not a singular Jedi had either found or taken them. Yet, it appeared to him that the Jedi were all gone or destroyed and this legion of Sith were all that remained.

However now they found it…the graveyard of the Jedi. There lightsabers and bodies the last of there eternal order. Forgotten by the world itself and within the rise of the Outcast they have been slowly remembered.

Ben walked through the valley of corpses as he felt something tingle within the base of his vision. His eyes wavering as he witnessed something deep within the distance. He approached. He knew that the force brought him here and that he needed to do something.

He approached the grey light. Climbing upon an incline within the ground as he was forced to witness something. In the middle of the room pulsated a grey swirling vortex that radiated with force energy. Ben's eyes were transfixed onto it as the cyclone called out to him.

His eyes flickering as he continued his approach. The air grew heavier, blood trickled within the wind as he took another step, his good hand reaching out as Ben's fingers graced along the vortex. His eyes widening as he made…contact.

The Valley of The Jedi, the last resting place upon the Jedi of this world that had died within a mighty battle. Frozen in time and the only testament to their existence was within the Outcast and the crystals of there destroyed weapons.

Yet, right now as Ben's psyche was stretched and he lurched onto the force he was whirling through that powerful vortex. Benjamin was finally going to get an answer to a question that has long eluded him.

What happened to the Jedi of this world?