Author Note: First off thanks for reading this chapter. I greatly appreciate it. This one was longer than I expected it too be so I am gonna split it up into two chapters. All together I think I did pretty good with this chapter and I am quite proud on how it turned out. Thanks for reading. Please remember to follow, favorite, and review. Greatly helps with my motivation in both writing and updating. Have a wonderful and awesome day!

Chapter 54

It was night now as the brilliant gleam of the moon was shrouded by a string of dark black clouds. The rain pattered along the campsite as the soldiers and refugees slept. The crack of lightning rode along the sky like a brilliant array.

The wind cut through the camp. Ruffling past the numerous tents in an endless whistle as the rain splattered like a symphony.

After learning the truth of Haru. Team Avatar had set up camp as they had begun to try and figure out their next moves. Yet, they were exhausted and were still reeling from there experience traversing along the Serpent's Pass to get here.

They were asleep…except for one. Ben, his eyes wide, slowly tracing along the glyphs of a letter…the same letter that Haru had wrote for him all that time ago. Honestly, he had forgotten about it. His mind was still reeling from losing his limb and the humiliating defeat from Lord Ruin, his heart was clouded by the dark side too much then.

Yet, his lips tightened. His teeth gnashing out as his false arm crunched the roll of paper as he dropped it onto the floor of his tent. His eyes tracing along the rain and the violet cracks of lightning that generated outside.

Haru, the first apprentice he trained within the force. The one that was meant to be the first of his next generation of Jedi Knights and would ultimately train those within the force as a Jedi Master when the time was right. Yet, he had fallen to the dark side.

All his hopes and dreams were scattered along the mud. However, he wasn't angry at Haru. No, he was angry at himself. He had laid in bed ever since he was assigned to this tent, staring into the embers of his lantern until they died out as he tried to analyze all his encounters with Haru as he tried to figure out where he got wrong.

Why had he turned to the dark side? When did it happen? The Haru he knew and loved couldn't have done it…he wouldn't have done it. Those thoughts caused his teeth to sink into his lip deeper, feeling the coppery taste of his own blood as his breath grew heavier.

The death of his father, it had to be the cause. Ben's throat hitched at the realization, he remembered it. The harsh anger that Haru had aimed at the fire nation, the blazing hate that was boiling within his core, but Ben warned him of it…he had spent a whole week trying to teach Haru self-control and to see the dangers and signs of the dark side.

His thoughts only caused him more anger, a week. He had spent a week with Haru, and he believed that the boy would be able to handle the dark side of the force. Haru was fourteen years old and was a child soldier like himself, there were many great jedi that had years of training to avoid the dark side but would ultimately fall…how much of a fool was Ben to honestly believe that a week of harsh training would be enough to prevent his fall?

That wasn't it, his memories drove back towards there reunion. He had felt the dark side within Haru, he had warned him again, but the boy had ranted about the death of his father, of the guilt that he held, and Ben tried to help him go through it but once again he failed. Due to the Sith ambush and Aang's kidnapping caused from Zuko he was forced to put a pin in their conversation. Only for him to get injured and to be placed in a coma.

He had assumed that Haru was doing fine. Hell, he had trained Jet during his absence and left before he woke up. Maybe, it was Ben telling himself that Haru was fine to calm his own uneasiness. Ben slowly shook his head, his eyes glossing down towards the destroyed piece of paper.

On and on, the failings about his father and how he was too weak to protect Ben when it mattered…talking about how afraid and powerless he was against Lord Ruin. How he 'Needed to get stronger' by any means necessary to put an end to both the Fire Nation and Sith's Tyranny.

There had been so many chances. He thought back, to the things that could've been. Imagining Haru wearing a pair of heavy beige Jedi robes. Teaching a pair of children how to levitate items within the force. Why did he not take him with him…why did he listen to Haru when he wished to find his own journey as he still reeled from the death of his father.

He knew the force would bring them back together. He knew their journeys would always intermix, but he did not wish for this…the chances he missed, the things he'd seen, the things he hadn't. In the end, he had failed his first apprentice. Haru fell to the dark side, because within his teachings lied failure.

He had learned to move forward through horrible tribulations. Whether they be through abuse, war, or his own mental battles. He had learned to push on ahead, but this guilt was eating him up inside more than anything else could.

His mind drew towards Haru's mother, the tired old woman that grieved her husband…what was he meant to do now?

He already knew, a gag rising within the basis of his stomachs that caused him to nearly throw up. He didn't know if he could do it. Haru was a Dark Jedi now. Not just any, but a powerful one at that. He may very well turn to the Sith and join them. Hell, there was no guessing on what he could do.

He was a Jedi, and putting the safety of the people of this world was his responsibility…yet did he have the heart to kill Haru?

He remembered, back on less bitter days. The pure plasma blades that battled against the other. The green and purple transfixing as all those old refugees watched them practice. The humming of both approval and pride that came from Haru's father as the old man watched his son change.

He wasn't an earth bender or a warrior…he was behind such things, he was the first of this world in nearly a full century to embark down the path of the Jedi. Ben was his master, and likewise the responsibility led onto him to finish what was started.

Yet, he was also a man…

His eyes widening at the random thought that sparked like a sudden flame. Yes, he was a man. He wasn't just a Jedi, but he was also a man. A man that had made mistakes before, he wasn't some perfect being that could've known what was going to come. Haru was his apprentice, but he was still a sixteen-year-old boy tasked with rebuilding the Jedi Order.

There weren't any failures…the only failure would come if he failed to either realize the mistake or repeat it within another apprentice. Ben rose from his bed, walking outside of his tent as the fresh rain drops began to ride along his brow. Traveling along his face and along his lip, cleansing the blood that was splattered as he stared into the dark clouds.

Yes, he had failed Haru. But as his master it was his duty to take responsibility. To learn from the mistakes and to be damned to ever repeat them. Haru was walking down a dark path right now, but it had been a week since he had proclaimed his new allegiance. He had mostly not been as steeped within Sith lore as Ben and there may still be a chance for him to turn away from that dark path.

Ben was a Jedi Knight, a growing master with a powerful connection to the force, but even then, he had much to learn. Yet, he was still a man…and Haru was his brother. He would find Haru and seek to convince him to turn away from these dark delusions and to walk the path of the light once again, like his mother and father once envisioned.

Yet, if he failed in turning him back…if the dark side proved too much for Haru and he swore allegiance to commit great evils and horrific atrocities, Ben would do what he must. He could bear the guilt of killing Haru. He could add Haru to the list of lives lost in this great crusade, one of the many lives lost in his journeys.

He could see Haru within his dreams, he could bear to see the Spector glaring at him as he blamed Ben for his fall and the reason why he had to die by teaching him the ways of the force, Haru would be right to blame him. But Ben didn't mind…he would live with that sin; he would take it with his many sleepless nights and within his grave. To prevent a greater evil from rising he would shoulder such a burden.

Yet, he would do what he must. He was his brother and a powerful Jedi Knight, but if he failed to redeem him…he knew what must be done. It was within the songs of the Jedi, the same songs his mother spoke to him all those nights ago.

We take what we are given. We do what we must

The neighing of horses, the bustle of the soldiers and refugees going along there day, and finally the cool whipping of the wind. He liked the noise, right now in his head he wanted to distract himself with sounds.

Right now, he dreaded the silence and wanted his mind and thoughts to be a million miles away. Soon, in an hour or two he was going to take a horse and ride half a day away to where Haru was last located.

Ancient ruins, the place in which Haru had found and somehow was slowly corrupted…or merely the corruption had just taken rooted there. He cracked his neck, slowly straining his limbs so he wouldn't get tired.

Haru was a powerful Jedi. Even though Ben had taught him Haru was a natural. Skilled within the lightsaber and the force, just like Ben he had uncovered Jedi teachings in which he used to educate himself on numerous things. Lightsaber and force forms, and even the occasional force ability.

He was so proud back then, he had not paid attention to Haru, and they had both paid the price…the loss of his first student, and Haru's conviction to the light. Ben combed through his wild locks of hair, his eyes in a haze as he still grappled with what he was going to have to do.

The responsibility he cared as a Jedi and to this world, he could not let another Dark Jedi rise, especially one as powerful as Haru. "Ben, how are you doing?"

His eyes widening at the sudden voice. Locking ahead of him as he saw his team staring at him. He was so deep in thought that he was hardly able to pay attention to their presence. That would be bad, he needed to get a grip.

"I'm fine." Ben simply answered.

"You're lying." Toph snapped back.

A stifled laugh erupting from Ben as he slowly rose from his seat. Wiping the tendrils of hair free from his gaze as he turned to catch their eyes once again. "Yeah, I forgot you could do that."

Yet, his expression was quickly shadowed. "Honestly, I don't know how I am feeling. Haru was my responsibility, and the blame lies with me…"

"No, it doesn't." Katara answered. Interrupting Ben as the young jedi turned to catch the water bending master's gaze. Her hands on her chest as she averted his own gaze. "I pressured Haru into walking the path of the Jedi. Even though you warned me of the price he was needing to pay. I still…"

"It's not your fault. I do not know what happened to Haru all this time he had been gone but I intend to see him today, and we take what is given, and we do what we must."

Sokka went to comfort his sister, btu he could see the stare Ben held. It wasn't the vacant stare he held when he was deep in thought about his situation or himself, or rather the anger or hate filled glare he would share towards his enemies like Lord Ruin or Kiara. No, this one was different.

It was a cold feeling, almost like content…almost like clarity, almost like acceptance. "Ben, what are you planning on doing?" Sokka questioned.

"Doing what I must. I'll try and talk down Haru from this dark path he's walking on, but if I fail in bringing him back to the light, I'll have to do what I must." Ben said. The words causing a fierce pain to generate along his face. His features slowly forming into a scowl.

Aang and the rest slowly getting what he meant. Yet, it was the airbender that was the angriest of them all. "You're going to kill him…"

The words slowly reaching all their ears. Even Celeste Morne, a grizzled Jedi Master who had been shouldered with the heaviest of burdens. Even then, there was still a heavy pain that generated within her chest. Haru, he was merely a fourteen-year-old boy…and he may very well need to die.

Ben sat back down. His hands combing through his locks of dark hair. "Aang, you don't get it. If Haru walks down this dark path and I let him live who knows what sort of damage he is going to cause. Haru was already very strong within the force and a natural at Lightsaber combat…he may very well join the Fire Nation and The Sith."

"What?" Toph spoke, now speaking up. "You've all told me about this Haru. How his father died from the Sith and he was at war with the Fire Nation. How could he…"

"You don't understand the dark side of the force, Toph." Jet interrupted.

The sound of his voice drawing the rest of Team Avatar towards him as he slowly took a deep breath. "The Dark Side, it's powerful and all consuming. I've felt it so many times before and when I used it to heal, I've always had to force myself to stop." His eyes tightened as he glossed down at his right hand. Stilling imagining the spectacle of powerful strands of green force lightning that shot from his fingers. "It feels good. It feels amazing to heal others and to save my friends, but that's not just it…it calls for me, it asks to be used more and not just to heal, but to destroy."

Jet slowly raised his eyes to meet Ben's own. He had slowly begun to understand why Ben was so angry when Jet saved his life all that time ago during the Siege of The North. Whether it was right or wrong Ben was right, he had made both a powerful and dangerous connection to the dark side of the force.

Team Avatar lingered upon these words for a long while. Still thinking about them and Jet's assessment. Haru was their friend and they wanted to help…but was he too far gone?

"Let us come with you Ben." Sokka said. Interrupting the silence. Yet, he was swiftly dissuaded as Ben shook his head.

Aang saw red. "What are you talking about?" He thrashed his arms around, his eyes red almost like he was about to start crying. Hell, they were all feeling like they were about to break. Knowing full well that Haru may very well die. "All those times you fell. Think about it, Ben. It was us that helped redeem you…Haru needs his friends right now!"

It made sense to Ben; hell the logic was still there. During the night after he convicted to try and save Haru first before taking drastic measures he had thought about getting everyone together. Aang, Sokka, Katara…and the rest of Team Avatar to make him realize how much of a dark path he was walking and hopefully that would be enough to redeem him.

Yet, what happened if it didn't? What happened if he needed to fight and kill Haru? His eyes glossed over towards Celeste, Jet, and Ty Lee. Sure, Ty Lee was still green and with the help of Celeste she had slowly learned how to cope with the idea of killing an enemy. Celeste hardly knew Haru but while Ben was in his coma, he was practically a second master.

"No, we all have responsibilities. You guys stay here and help around the camp. Me, Jet, Celeste, and Ty Lee will head out." Ben spoke.

Shock registered across their faces. Yet, right before he could protest, he locked along there gazes once again. "Haru has been gone for a week. Sokka, I am going to need you to get them up and moving. This is a whole battalion that is practically useless staying in such a random place. Katara, heal anyone that needs help…Toph help maintain defenses and Aang." Ben paused, digging into his pocket as he took out a handwritten note. The young airbender taking it from his hand as he glossed over the inscriptions. "A note for the Earth King and the generals. Time for the armies to know the true danger the commit is going to bring and to start mobilizing against it."

With those final words Ben and the team…embraced. Celeste of course watching from afar, but it still felt good. Maybe it was the stress, or the great weight that was going to be carried along their shoulders if Ben failed to redeem Haru.

Still, they were a family in their own way and Haru was a part of that family. Ben, he wasn't alone anymore and whatever the outcome would be he would go back to Team Avatar and grieve with them…because being alone, there was a weakness in that, a lesson he had failed to learn so many times. A lesson in relying on those that he had grown so close too.

The neigh of the horse along their carriage signaled that they were here. Ben letting go of the reins as the rest of his team began to disembark. Ben, Jet, Celeste, and Ty Lee. The journey had taken a very long time, nearly half a day to come here. Yet, they were here.

They were in the plains within Earth Kingdom territory. The long rows of green tendrils of grass slowly swayed along the harsh breeze of wind. The wildflowers a plethora of beautiful colors were casted along the tendrils.

The air here felt…light, and the living force filled them with a peaceful serenity within their movements. Yet, they had glossed over the natural beauty, the true object of their glare.

"Woah…" Ty Lee. Slowly spoke. Her eyes drawing towards the marvel that was displayed in front of her. Her own cowl flapping within the harsh breeze as her brown greyish eyes sunk into the structure.

A temple…

It was massive. Easily the size of four massive levels that reached to the top peak like a pyramid. Packed together with heavy stone bricks. They were old, filled with vines and moss that had grown from the many years it had been here.

Massive entranceways were displayed on the size that reminded Benjamin instinctively of the old hangers he saw within galactic shipyards. But there was something off about this place, something dreadfully familiar.

It felt like he had been within these long stone halls before. That he had circulated within this place and had frequented it for years. However, this was the first time he had truly been here before.

"This place feels amazing!" Ty Lee roared. Her hands going up into the sky as her eyes filled with stars. Ben and the rest of the Jedi team staring at her in pure confusion. But she swiftly answered. "Feel through the force."

With those words Ben slowly closed his eyes. Slowly enmeshing himself and his form within the whirling waves of force energy that rapidly cut by him. He could feel it, that power within the force. It wasn't like the dark side nexus he had felt within the ruins of the Southern Air Temple or within the cave in which he found Exar Kun's Holocron.

It contradicted the neutral air within the Valley of The Jedi. The stream of power generated within that age old place that didn't call upon either the light or the dark. However, this place was completely different. It was filled with the powerful nature of the light side of the force, further enmeshing within the living side of the force.

Celeste was the only one that broke from the concentration. "That isn't it. Look deeper…" She spoke towards the trio. They heeded her command and as they searched deeper within, they found it.

Like a deep blip within the deep vacuum of space…or a deadly and violent predator deep within the ocean. They all felt it, Haru. The Light Side of the force was powerful within this place, but Haru was slowly corrupting it within his dark presence. If he remained here, he could turn this place into an instrument of dark side force power.

Ben wouldn't allow that to happen. Him and the rest of the team left the horse and carriage behind. They made their way into one of the many entranceways that made up the temple. As they came inside more questions began to arise.

"What is this place?" Jet asked. His eyes slinking along the old stone bricks as Ben turned around towards his apprentice.

His own eyes beginning to register and slowly beginning to understand what this place was…and who it once belonged to. "It's a temple…but it's not any temple. It's a Jedi temple, possibly even a great temple that once belonged to the old order of Jedi Knights within this world."

The answer rose along the other three as they were taken aback. Jet had only been in one true Jedi area and that was within the hidden temple to get the parts necessary to build his lightsaber. Ty Lee had only been within the Sith Temple and that was both a horrifying and stressful experience to say the least.

Still, this place both took the two apprentices away. They were witnessing history right now, one of the oldest relics of what the Jedi were within the height of their power.

Ben didn't really know what to feel…his mind kept on coming back to that vision he had witnessed within the valley of the Jedi. Remembering what had happened to the Jedi of old and even his own interaction with the old Jedi Grandmaster. That old smile, those final words as the grandmaster died within seconds.

Ben's teeth gritted along the other. His eyes going towards the stone tiles that made up the ground. That smile, the hum of the crystal that called for him… the grandmasters and the Heart of The Guardian. A symbol of what he was meant to become, or what he would do if he failed in his pursuit of following the light…and with the added stress of Haru…

Fingers interlocked with his right hand, with his good hand. Ty Lee's own eyes glistening as she peered at him. He stopped walking as he stared at the girl. "What's wrong, I can feel it within the force…there is something going on with you."

The force flown through both of them and their heightened connection and relationship had caused them to equally grow stronger, and within that allowed the other to easily read. Ty Lee's grip only tightened as he peered down at her.

"Haru, and just being here is just…"

He slowly took a deep breath as her other hand cupped along his cheek. He slowly closed his eyes as her fingers slowly and delicately ran along the side of his face. He had missed this. All those times within the fire nation academy he longed for her touch. He had thought of his friends so much, but Ty Lee's face shone like the fierce glare of the sun.

He had missed her…he had wanted to hold her within his arms just like how they used to. Even with his talent with the lightsaber, even with his talent within the force he had fallen to the dark side so many times. He had failed, btu within Ty Lee he had found salvation…she was his savior. Bringing him back from those darker parts.

The fingers on his false arm curled along her own. That delicate warmth draining all the stress from his body. As a smile began to overtake his features. "Thank you, I'll be fine. I just needed a break."

Her smile was the only thing he needed as they slowly separated. Yet, it was Celeste a couple of minutes in that sparked the next conversation. "Ben, go on alone and find your apprentice. Me and the rest shall hang back here."

The sudden proclamation stopping them within their tracks. "What?" Jet spoke quickly. "Haru is a strong force user…Ben is going to need all the help he can get."

Celeste stopped moving. Her head going towards the opening in which they entered. Yet, her eyes streamed back towards Ben. For the first time…he saw her lips curl into a smile, her eyes slowly closing as a sense of serenity slowly followed through her movements.

"Benjamin, remember our conversation all that time ago. Not a single grandmaster was chosen because they wished it…all of them were like you. Sure, the circumstances here are far from decent but that doesn't change anything." Her voice was slow and calm, not laced with cynicism or anger directed from the talisman. "All good men, all reluctant men do what must be done. When you are ready you must take your role and welcome it. All grandmasters, remember this Ben, remember that they all achieved to do good and to bring the order into a brighter future, how they held onto the light."

With those parting words Ben stared at her. Celeste, the way she was acting…

"You're talking like this is the last time we're going to meet. I'm going to find Haru and see if I can talk him down…what are you?"

Yet, Celeste slowly shook her head. "Go find your apprentice…Ben. We'll be fine."

Ben didn't want to leave, glossing over towards Jet and Ty Lee to get any inkling of why Celeste was acting so strange but even they held the strange, confused expression. She knew that something was going to happen, maybe it was some sort of inkling feeling within the force or maybe she just figured that this was something Ben needed to do alone.

It made sense in the way. This would be a trial and maybe she wanted to see if Ben was actually ready to face it alone. Ben glossed over towards Ty Lee and Jet again. "Stay with Celeste and make sure nothing happens while I am gone."

They nodded swiftly already understanding what he meant. With those parting words Ben began to traverse through the halls by himself. They had loided there for a good thirty minutes, Jet and Ty Lee both trying to get Celeste to open up and to explain why she was acting so weird.

That was when they felt it…like the ping of an ejected magazine coursing through there minds. There eyes in widened glares as they lurched towards the opening in which they entered from. The brilliant plasma radiating from there blades. The purple, yellow, and cyan weapons a brilliant contrast to the singular lone dark presence.

He approached them, curved hilt in hand as that simmering crimson blade radiated with the hum of the dark side of the force. Orange eyes of the Sith peering down on them all. Lord Ruin, the Sith Lord.

His lips curled into a sinister smile as his orange eyes lurched to all three of them. "Ah, so you did choose to awaken your abilities." He spoke. His eyes glossing over towards Ty Lee.

The girl…her teeth gritting along the other as her eyes tightened, a permanent glare etching over her face as red-hot malice began to overtake her. This was one of the lords that ordered her whole family to get killed. She gripped the simmering violet blade that was once Ben's first lightsaber, now hers. A sign of her commitment to walk her path as a future Jedi Knight.

"Shall we begin, I seek to know how Ben has trained you."

He tossed himself into makashi as the rest of Team Avatar charged. The humming of blades combating along the other as another battle…one between apprentice and master was slowly starting to reach its height.

It had taken Ben a good fifteen minutes to locate Haru. He had traversed through the halls of the old temple, even needing to take out his lightsaber as an artificial light source to get around. The teal color wasn't the only new thing about his weapon, but the blade itself.

Before when he first constructed his second lightsaber, he utilized a synthetic of his own shaping in contrast to his prior lightsabers in which were both natural focusing crystals. It had taken him a while, but he was able to understand the difference to what both crystals meant.

A synthetic was surely stronger but lacked the athleticism and flexibility that came from a natural crystal. He found it easier to swirl his blade around his fingers or to quickly dispatch numerous enemies with this crystal. Yet, his synthetic was useful combined with his shien form that monopolized on his own physical strength.

Still, that wasn't the only thing that made him feel off about the weapon…maybe it was the color or maybe the memories of the master, but it felt…wrong. He didn't really know how to explain it but the weapon felt strange. He wanted the grandmasters lightsaber crystal within his own blade because he wanted to remember there sacrifice and likewise the courage the Jedi held, but his weapon still felt strange.

Maybe, deep down it was because he knew it belonged to another warrior. He had spent hours attuning the weapon to itself, but the crystal was hardly budging. It was such a strange thing to him…usually when a crystal called out to you to utilize it then it would be far easier to attune. Yet…

'What if it didn't call to me…rather another.'

The thought caused his footsteps to cease. The aquamarine blade highlighting his features as the thought twirled along his mind. His eyes drawing towards his pocket as his eyes drawn towards the crystal…the Heart of The Guardian.

Was it possible that the crystal was calling for him and he just mistook it for the grandmasters? Ben sneered underneath his breath; the crystal felt nearly alive. But even now he still didn't want to accept it…he still didn't want the responsibility such things could bring.

He wasn't ready for it. He was afraid, what would happen if he failed? What would happen if his destiny did truly lie in darkness?

The Dark Side always claimed Ben and that scared him. How could someone like him. A sixteen-year-old child soldier, a bastard child of Mandalorian descent…one blessed with a powerful affinity to the dark side of the force. How could someone like that truly hold the right to Jedi Grandmaster?

He stopped in front of two massive doors. Instead of the usual stone they had been crafted from fine wood that was able to sustain itself without deteriorating for nearly a full century. He could feel it, Haru. The remains of there force bond even with Haru's newfound loyalty to the dark side was still there.

With his left hand aimed forward he used the force to push open the door. His eyes darting along the room as he knew instantly where they were…the Jedi High Council Chambers. He had seen this place in its finest conditions.

Yet, it was…gone. The priceless works of art were now horrifically shredded from years of harsh winds and storms. The brilliant glass panels that once flooded the place in natural light were destroyed. The hollow noise of the wind the only sound as they funneled through the room.

The Jedi council chairs were partially destroyed. The materials that held them together were now crumpled and decayed from the passage of time. Even the floor he walked on threatened to nearly collapse under his feet.

That was where he saw him…Haru. He sat on the middle chair, the one that the grandmaster was meant to sit. His fingers tightening along the arm rest as he stared at him. That was when it happened, all the talk of doing what had to be done, of doing what they must to protect the world.

It all went out of the window as Ben's shut down his lightsaber. Reattaching it back to his belt as he felt his apprentice…it was true, Haru had fallen to the Dark Side of the force.

"Ben." Haru spoke. The one word echoing through the halls as Ben returned his gaze. But his eyes…the orange eyes that Ben once always shone were now branded onto his apprentice. His lips in a sneer. "You shouldn't have come."

Ben took a step forward, slowly almost like he was trying to deal with a dangerous animal as his lips parted. "Haru, I know what has happened to you was bad, it was horrible. But I can feel the darkness within you."

Haru stared at him for a second not even uttering a single word. Then it happened, he laughed. A powerful chuckle that radiated within the hall as his eyes lurched back towards Ben's frame.

"Really, that's what you came here to tell me. You went all this way just to lecture me about the darkness." He said as he rose from his seat, the distance slowly diminishing as he began to approach Ben.

He was able to see him clearer now. Haru's face held a decently growing beard, and his hair was now past his neck. His grandmother's lightsaber hung from his waist as he still brandished those light Jedi robes.

He slowly drew his hand around. Aiming toward the ancient walls. "I've blamed myself Ben for what happened to my father…and to you. I was too weak to protect you two, but I have the strength now. When I came to this place and felt the power it generated, I knew I could use it to eradicate the Sith and the Fire Nation once and for all." He drew closer to Ben, his eyes in a maddened haze as they locked onto his own. He could see it, the hesitation and fear that generated over his master's face. "Don't be afraid, Ben. Don't judge with your eyes, look within the force, and feel the power here."

Ben had already felt it, maybe that was why the next words shocked Haru. "No!" His voice, a powerful scream that could fill the air. Even Haru lurched back from the unexpected yell. Ben's eyes turned towards them, a powerful glare of his own as he pointed his finger at Haru. "No, I don't feel power. All I feel is the light side of the force and the corruption you have slowly spread over this place."

Ben clicked his lips, winding back towards Haru as his pointed finger was now outstretched into one of an open palm. "Come on, Haru. It's time for you to leave, abandon this dark path that you are walking on because it will only lead to your destruction."

Haru stared at his palm for a second, he could see the cogs grinding in his head as he was thinking it over. The answer was so obvious…it was borderline infuriating that Haru could not see the foolishness of his ways, how the path he was walking is simply going to destroy him and lead him into grief and destruction.

Yet, a powerful memory coursed through his mind…all those times with Meetra. How many times had he been here in this exact place with her?

All those times in which she reminded him of his responsibility to the force. He had only gotten involved with the war due to the fact that Bill died, and he realized that for him to actually live the fire nation needed to stop. Sure, he began to see the errors of his ways, but it took a while.

They had moments like this before…in which she begged him to not walk the dark path, but he merely refused to listen. Clouding his ears with thoughts of power and how Meetra was simply sprouting Jedi arrogance. Yet, he was the arrogant one, instead of listening to her, the one of the only sensible and positive people in his life that generally wanted him to be happy…he pushed her away, he discarded her when she needed him the most.

Her voice to him before was like a nagging rat that sunk into the base of his thigh. Yet, she did all that for him, so he could walk down this path and rebuild the order…to save this world. 'Never again.' Ben thought. His arms still outstretched as the lesson took root. But Haru wasn't budging.

"No, my path leads within the power the temple shall bring. Within this power I shall gain the strength to protect those I need to protect, to slaughter the Sith and the Fire Nation!" His voice boomed. Planting both of his legs in a fighting stance as he stared down at Ben. Yet, something changed, his aura became one of calmness. "Because of our friendship, I will let you walk away from here. But don't test me, Ben."

Ben didn't move, he wasn't going to leave him. He wasn't going to allow his apprentice to walk down the same dark path he walked on. "No, I won't. You're walking down this dark path right now for what…to have the power to save everyone. Don't give me that crap!"

Ben planted his feet. His eyes soaking in with anger at his apprentices naiveness. "You want the strength you didn't have when you needed to save your father. You hate yourself for not being skilled enough and me sending you away!"

Haru's teeth were gnashed, his head whirling away as his dark brown hair whirled like a tornado over his features. He was angry, but Ben wouldn't stop, Haru needed to hear this. "I sent you away because you had half a night of jedi training. What did you think was going to happen, that if you were there that thing would've changed, that things could've been different!"

"I know things could've been different!" Haru's voice rose. His eyes quickly reddening as tears began to flow. "I know if I was just there…I could've at least held them off. I could've given you and my father time to deal with Kiara and…"

"No!" Ben's scream, etched with the force broke the last reminder of the window planes. His breath heavy as he peered down at his apprentice. "You would've died back there on that oil rig!" Ben's hand struck his chest. "I nearly did die there with all my training…if your father didn't sacrifice himself then we wouldn't be here. Don't disregard his sacrifice, your mothers love to walk down this dark path!"

Haru…his eyes widening at his father's and mother's names. His heart hammering along his chest as he knew that he was right, that within the dark side lied truth. That if he took the strength that was truly within this place then he could do what needed to be done to put an end to this war.

"Shut up!" Haru screamed even louder. The snapping of his grandmother's lightsaber filling the expanse as he was bathed with its emerald glare. Yet, Ben didn't care…he wasn't even alarmed enough to draw his own lightsaber.

"You think I don't know about the force. That I am still that same weak kid that couldn't do anything on that oil rig!" He snapped. Trailing his lightsaber blade to the side as that roaring plasma beam simmered along the floor. "I read the histories within this place. The Sith here are nothing compared to the Old Sith. Now, Ben…"

His voice was monotone, a powerful but dreadful echo as Haru himself now extended his hand. "I know how powerful the dark side is within you. Me and you, apprentice, and master…with the added might of Jet we can truly restore the Sith to its former glory!"

"No, that will never happen!"

Ben closed his eyes. He could remember, all that time ago when he met. The face of his mother, that tired old woman that asked him if Haru could be trained to become a Jedi Knight. How he had protested against it but in the end, it wasn't his choice to make…now he would have to find that old woman and tell her that he killed her only child.

The thought nearly made him cave to the floor and puke his guts out. Yet, he had a job to do now. He drew upon his lightsaber in his right hand, yet it was still unignited. Ben still holding onto hope that his apprentice could be saved.

"I can't let you do this, Haru!" Ben swore. Taking a fighting stance of his own as he enmeshed himself within the force. "Haru, I know the dark side. I know how seductive and powerful it truly is, but it only offers up false strength. Fight it!"

Haru sparked a disgusting sneer. "Pathetic, you held such power within the dark side. But you choose to hold to the light, fine. If you are too weak to grasp the true strength of the dark side to put an end to this war…then I will!"

Haru tossed himself into Ataru. One of the many forms he learned from his exploits of traveling throughout the world and recovering ancient Jedi artifacts. He was self-taught, but even Ben knew that if he let his guard down…Haru had the chance to kill him.

"I can't let you do this, Haru!" Ben snapped on his lightsaber. The aquamarine blade blanketing himself with its wonderful glare as him and Haru braced themselves within there forms. "I will do what I must. I've had to come to terms with my guilt and anger. You can't keep on holding onto the death of your father. You must move on with your life!"

Haru snapped, his head arching towards Ben as he knew…he was out for blood now. "Then stop me, master."

A cold glare etched within the final word. Apprentice and master, once brothers…now enemies as the duel sparked between the pair. The humming of clashing plasma echoing through the once great hall of the Jedi. Yet, it wasn't the only battle that was going on.

The brilliant casting of plasma sparked between the four force sensitives. The brilliant array of light brightened up the old Jedi temple as Team Avatar dueled one of the greatest of the Sith Triumvirate. A Dark Lord of The Sith, Lord Ruin.

Lord Ruin's curved blade carried itself like a vibrant storm. Striking with unparalleled efficiency and grace as the red blade fended off their attacks.

Even Celeste, a Jedi master trained on Ossus before the Great Sith War was having a hard time dealing with the dark lord. Jet and her both swung together, only for the Sith Lord to catch both blades. The sparks generating between the trio.

Ty Lee thought that it was her chance. With an aimed jab with her own violet blade, she began to aim towards Ruin's chest. But the old Sith Blade master was expecting such a movement from the new apprentice. Lashing out his left hand he barreled together with a mighty force push.

Blasting Ty Lee away as the girl was not skilled enough to maintain her force barrier. The girl getting swept within the current as she was thrown across the room. A massive bang erupting as her body collided with the stone wall.

Her eyes slowly closing as her violet blade vanished back into the hilt. Her body creating a thud as she landed onto the floor. "Ty Lee!" Jet screamed out. Breaking from the saber lock as he rushed towards her.

She was bleeding, the back of her head swelling with blood as Jet could see a gash generate. He thought back to his masters and Celeste's words for a second. But he quickly snapped his attention back towards his comrade. Fire Nation or not, she was still his comrade and someone who had become a vital member of their team.

Likewise, right now, he didn't care enough to think about light or dark. His free hand went towards the back of her head as he saw the bright array of dark green tendrils. He felt it, the swarming wave of malignant energy inching ever closer to him, offering greater and euphoric strength but he chooses to fight against it!

With gritted teeth and eyes that matched the Sith Lord he battled within himself. Yet, while Celeste fought alone. They both saber locked by the others chest. There eyes directed at the other as Celeste tried to hold her own against the Dark Lord's sinister strength.

"I can feel your power, girl." Lord Ruin spoke. Inching the blade closer towards Celeste frame as he continued to speak. "The Dark Side is within you and is within your amulet…join me and I can teach you how to control your powers."

Celeste broke from the saber lock. In a pure fit of athletic might she leaped into the air, her feet connecting with Ruin's stomach as the old lord flew backwards but likewise stayed upon his feet. "Never!"

Yet, Ruin smirked. Dark Orange eyes overtaking Celeste own as Jet took a glance at the ongoing duel…that was when he saw it. Maybe it was the pure force energy that was welling within this place, but he saw it for a second.

A figure that clung to Celeste like a parasite. He wore heavy red armor that mixed with a likewise crimson cowl. Pinkish skin, and elvish ears glistened by the pure plasma generated by the blades.

Muur, it had to be!

Celeste was now giving herself deeper into Muur's calling but her words doubled within his mind. Of what she had asked him to do all that time ago!

Celeste was now fighting differently. Opting to use her sole right hand as she carried herself with a much more savage avenue of attacks. Her yellow blade casting off brilliant scar marks along the stone floor as they desperately tried to reach Ruin but the old Lord merely either dodged or parried along her movements.

Still, her blade found its mark. Sometimes searing along his robes or prickling his armor. Then, it happened. With a casting in an upwards arc Celeste carried her lone golden blade streaming like a wave of her own along Ruin. The weapon searing along his face, but not enough to kill.

He screamed, his voice echoing as he threw himself backwards. A permanent sear mark casting along the upper left side of his face. Bits of skull were exposed as his left eye was completely gone. His breath was ragged, his heart was pounding, and Celeste simply smiled…the Sith Lord's control nearly overtaking her body as she began to slowly walk forward. Yet, it happened.

Ruin didn't go for Celeste, rather he went for them. The shock slowly registering along Celeste's face all too soon as she lurched forward. "No, stop!" She screamed. Her left hand trailing with force lightning, a powerful volley that could swiftly destroy the Sith Lord.

Yet, it wasn't enough. That was what he needed…Lord Ruin braced himself. The full front of the dark side of the force was with him. Casting off his blade but still…the power of the lightning was bad. It simmered along his skin, burnt into his flesh as his voice traveled along the halls of the once great temple.

However, he still rose. The simmering steam coming from his cooked skin as Celeste lurched from the ground. His breath heavy as he gave a look at the trio. He could feel the darkness within Celeste, she had treaded too deep within the dark side of the force and was now going to pay the consequences for her actions. The corruption within her was going to overtake her now.

Ruin broke into a sprint. Using old Jedi trances to help dimmish the pain that was within him, but right now he was not at fighting strength. Unlike the Jedi, the pain offered strength. He would take it in, and for his final conflict with Ben, he would utilize it as one final power move. He fell into his connection into the force, speeding down the halls as he searched for Ben to put an end to the Last of The Jedi.

"Celeste!" Jet yelled. He took a knee as he oversaw Master Morne. Her eyes drawn towards the floor as she was on her knees. The cracks of blue force lightning still generating along her palms as Jet stared at her.

"Knew it, had a feeling when I woke up this morning that this was going to come." Celeste slowly spoke. The pain evident within her voice as the cracks finally died down. Jet rising from her as she still sat on her knees, glossing up to him. "I hardly used the talisman, but I can feel Muur within my head. He is seeking control and now he is slowly starting to…"

Celeste paused, her teeth along her bottom lip as her eyes were narrowed. She couldn't fail, if Muur took over her body he would have an endless supply of powerful force sensitives to choose from. He would easily take over this world and make himself God…she couldn't fail.

"Jet, remember what I told you before. It is that time…"

Jet stopped moving, his blood running cold as he stared down at her. His hands went clammy, his legs shaking as he felt like he could hardly support his weight. "Jet, this must be done. If Muur is released onto this world, the destruction will be far greater than what that Sith Lord is hoping to accomplish."

Jet sneered, his fingers combing through his locks of hair as his breath and heartbeat echoed within his head. "No, there has to be another way." Jet protested, nearly snapping at her as anger took over Celeste's face.

"Don't play the fool, Jedi!" She yelled. Her hand going towards her chest as her cyan blue eyes peered at his own. "This is my fate; I am willing to lay down my life and sacrifice myself for the greater good…it is something all Jedi must come to terms with. The Jedi of this world…myself, this is something that must happen!"

Jet's fingers sunk into the base of his palm with such strength he could swear he drew blood. Yet, Jet didn't want this, he didn't want her blood on his hands. "No, I…we control our own fate!"

Celeste shook her head, her singular black braid trailing along the wind. "Keep telling yourself that, but I have come to terms with my own destiny, and I know what must be done." She glossed her eyes towards the side. Almost like she was hearing words from another person. Her eyes narrowed, her lips quivering almost like she was going to cry. Her hands digging into the base of her kneecaps as she turned around.

Jet was shocked, speechless. Celeste was always so strong, borderline brash in her manners of teaching. But never once had Jet saw her like this, so vulnerable. "I am losing control." With those words her eyes drew back towards the once freedom fighter. "I have never met anyone like you, Jet. You use the dark side of the force to heal those you love and care for…but you do not desire the power that has ensnared so many force users, even your master is affected by the lust and gain of power. That is why…you are the only one that can do what must be done."

She rose from her seat. Her hands going towards Jet's own as she slowly raised them. Her other hand taking the lightsaber from her belt as Jet's own grip tightened along the white silky cloth that mirrored her Jedi robes. "You know what must be done. Without anger, without fear."

Jet's grip tightened along her lightsaber. Tears slowly spilling from his face as he sniffled. She really was going to do it…to sacrifice herself so Jet can put an end to the talisman. In doing so she would be free, but they would lose a teacher.

Yet, Jet began to understand her words. A Jedi's duty lies in sacrifice. Whether or not he liked it, there will be an opportunity in which he may have to cast his life aside for the greater good. He thought back to the old Jedi that willingly walked into a trap to prevent a greater war, to Celeste now who was making the ultimate sacrifice.

He slowly wiped the tears away. His eyes still red as he slowly nodded his head, he knew what had to be done. Without anger, without fear. Taking a deep breath. "My master told me the songs…we take what is given and we do what we must."

With those parting words, Celeste gave him a final warm smile. Her eyes glistening, as the platter of rain echoed along their ears. His heart within his throat as his thumb went to the ignition…and he did it. The golden beam of light went through her chest, the recoil shocking him backward as Celeste collapsed.

New tears fell from his eyes as the Jedi Master crumpled onto the floor. He was going to reach out to her, too sooth her before she died or to help her. But she was already dead-on impact. Celeste began to fade away, her robes and skin began to whiter and quickly began to shift and contort.

Ash, within the harsh winds and fierce rain that was outside slowly swept her away. All trace of her was gone…one of the last of the Jedi was now gone. Now it was back to them, and it felt lonelier than ever.

The only thing Jet had was her lightsaber blade. He stared down at the hilt, admiring it for a second. The two handled grip, the silky white wrapping that covered nearly the entirety of the grip. Her words still rummaged and pulsed within his mind. Yet, the job wasn't done…not yet.

The talisman, just like that hallucination it gave him all that time ago. It rose along it's golden claws as it quickly scurried towards him. Yet, Jet didn't fight the talisman, he welcomed it. The talisman scurrying along his flesh as it made its way along it's neck…and it was done.

Jet's eyes swiftly turned into a dark venomous red. A powerful gleam echoed along his face as he felt it…the true power of Muur and the dark side of the force. "Excellent…now I am free to take this world. I will create a new army of rakghouls and take what is mine!"

He could hear the voice utter within the back of his head, like an itch that would never go away. But Jet merely smirked, cackling that overrode the voice. "You think your talisman is so perfect." He spoke. The image of Muur starting to appear in front of him, the old Sith Lord peering at him as he began to understand. "I can see all the cracks in there you Sith fool. Celeste knew what she was doing, you fell into our trap and now I can end you. I can see all your imperfections; all those neat fiery lines and I'll just pour force energy into them."

Jet gripped the talisman with his lone right hand. Muur trying to seize control, but Jet wouldn't let him. Cracks of violent tendrils of force lightning broke along his palm. Seizing and digging into the amulet as he followed the source. Splitting the amulet from the inside as Jet let out a final scream.

The cracks of lightning strike along the sky like cannon fire. Beneath it, a lone Jedi Apprentice putting an end to his master's suffering and likewise ending the reign of a Sith Lord. The screams of an apprentice turned Jedi…turned Knight. His cries echo and shake the temple with every crack of electric energy that crackles from his fingertips. The last remnant of the Golden Age of The Sith becoming undone in his own hands.

Golden sparks and fragments fall from his neck like a necklace. The wind seizing them within it's dreadful pull. He collapsed to his knees. Her lightsaber sliding from his hand and crumpling to the ground. He knew that there was no stopping this.

With those final thoughts Jet's heart ached. His eyes slowly closing as another final battle was happening at that very moment. Between the last of the Jedi and a great Lord of The Sith. Whether both knew it, the end of the battle would change the fate of the world and offer the victor something great…but less attainable than the greatest of riches.

Clarity…