Author Note: Yo! This chapter came out really good...easily one of the best ones I've written in my opinion and honestly it has become one of my favorite ones to write. I hope you guys enjoy this one! Please remember to follow, favorite, and review. It greatly helps with my motivation in writing my story and such. Thank you all for becoming apart of this journey. We have 7 - 10 chapters left until we are done with Book 2 and then we'll be on book 3! I can't wait for us to start! Please have a wonderful and awesome day and I hope to see you next time!

Chapter 55

Haru and Ben, once brothers…once apprentice and master. They battled along the great temple of the old Jedi Order. The humming of their plasma blades filled through the old hall.

The clashing of the opposing Jedi's weapons impacting the other filled the air. The wind reeking with the burnt oxygen of the pure plasma weaponry seared into the air. Ben lurched himself upwards with a force augmented leap, narrowly dodging a quick slash as he landed behind Haru.

Haru's mouth opened, spit and teeth visible as he slashed once again. Ben raising his weapon with both hands as he held his own against the newly aspiring Dark Jedi. The sparks generated along the pair as they broke free from there saber lock.

Haru let out a vibrant flurry of attacks. Trailing his weapon along his fingertips as it casted off numerous projections along Ben's vision. Yet, Ben soared to reach those attacks. The teal and emerald blade compacting and colliding with the other as they both lurched from the vibrant flurry of attacks and deflects.

They were both reeling, Haru from his onslaught of attacks and Ben's own defensive maneuvers. He hated Soresu, he liked pressing his enemies and overwhelming them with fierce and powerful attacks that fitted his own personal fighting style within the Shien form.

However, he was hesitating…instead of fighting with all his heart, he simply blocked and pushed Haru away within the force. Not daring to even utilize a singular dark side ability against his apprentice. Haru's mouth unlatched as both boys heavy breathing erupted from the other. "You have to do more than block my blows, Ben!" Haru snapped.

He planted his foot down, in a force augmented leap he shot towards him like a bullet. The move was familiar because he shown Haru such an attack once before. Ben braced, winding his blade down into a 45-degree arc to defend against the attack but the veracity and strength behind such a blow rattled Ben's skull.

Ben rolled away, kicking himself from Haru. Sweat trailed down his face, his eyes narrowed as his breathing ratchetted along his ears. Haru was powerful and if he messed around or stuttered for even a second, he was going to die.

Haru lifted his blade once again. Slamming it down with a mighty cleave as Ben's teeth rattled. "It's you or me. You'll have to kill me if you wish to survive!" He goaded.

Ben pivoted his feet as he dodged another blow. Winding his foot backwards as he swung with a kick as he struck Haru's stomach with his leg. Spit flew from the young dark jedi's mouth as he lurched to the floor, then instantly shot back up. Yet, wobbly and disoriented from the blow, he still wasn't dissuaded as the battle continued.

Haru lurched with both hands forward. His eyes widening in alarm as Ben charged forward. The force push was strong, powerful, but his barrier remained strong. His jacket, his shirt, and even bits of his pants were ripped to shreds from the might of the push.

Yet, Ben turned his gaze back towards Haru. He lurched his hand forward as the welling of his own blast of force energy generated. The kinetic blast hit Haru as he was thrown across the room. His back impacting one of the many massive ornate windows as Ben heard a mighty clash erupt through the halls.

Ben lurched with a force augmented leap. Trailing like a blur as he was thrown through the opening that now appeared. His feet gracing along the stone tiles. The cold wind and rain soaking along his bruised and cut open form, along the exposed skin and fresh wounds as he turned around to see Haru.

A pained groan came from him, the young dark Jedi still forcing himself up as Ben eyed his left hand. The fingers on the end of his left hand were bent in the completely opposite direction. Sure, Haru was trying to hide the pain, but it was evident that it was taking great agony to stand up.

He thought it was over, that possibly the pain would've made him realize just how foolish he was acting. But he was wrong…Haru thrown himself forward with his reignited blade as he tossed himself back into his stance. Ben raising his own weapon to meet Haru's own, the teal and emerald creating a mess of sparks as they darted along both boys' features. "Foolish boy!" He exploded as he snapped at Haru. His own glare piercing into Haru's now orange eyes. "Why, Haru? Why can't you move on? I know that the past was bad, but you have your whole life to live for. Think about your mother, your friends, and allies…are you going to throw it away for some pursuit of dark power!"

Haru roared, breaking through the saber lock as Ben and him exchanged a furry of harsh blows that compacted and glazed along the other. Shallow sears decorating their skin as the rain prickled and created a hiss along there beams of plasma.

As they separated…it was at that moment that Ben began to understand. Haru had failed to see reason and if he kept on playing around with him, then he would die. Tears began to spill from Ben's eyes as he stared at his first apprentice.

Even with a bleeding nose and a couple of broken fingers…even with all his protest and pleading he still failed to see reason. Haru had chosen to walk the path of the darkness. A brief flash of light traveled along his mind's eye. Back to that time in which they had trained along that oil rig, the time in which he comforted Haru after the death of his father…the time in which they fought together to protect the innocent during the Siege of The North.

His heart was hammering along his chest as he knew what had to be done. Without fear, without anger. It was his duty as a Jedi Knight, it was his duty to this world. He had failed Haru in the end and he would bear this sin for the rest of his days. "Haru, please forgive me…" He slowly faltered, the words in a choked sob as he gripped his weapon tighter with both hands. Opting back into his natural feeling of the weapon. "Haru, I have failed you. I don't want to do this but as a Jedi it is my duty. I have to save you from yourself, from the dark side."

Haru saw it, he felt it. Ben's features ran like candlewax as he steeled himself for what had to be done. Eyes narrowed, teeth bared, air expelled from his nose like a bull as he got ready. That was when Haru knew, that this was Ben.

To Haru, the Ben he saw was different. For all of Ben's power, all his talent, he still struck Haru as remarkably fragile and entirely alone. He was an outsider, always keeping to himself and rarely ever speaking on his own accord. He had a hard time communicating with others and even discussing his own emotions. But that had come from the Haru that was Ben's friend, his brother. Now he was dealing with something else…

He saw it now. The same boy that stoked fear within the hearts of the Fire Nation and of the Sith. The last of the eternal Jedi Order. Ben radiated with pure force power that Haru could hardly comprehend, it crackled like the display of lightning that was thundering within the sky. That was when he saw it and realized that he was dealing with the real deal now. This was the Ben that had fought in this war, the same one that had fought and killed legions of dark side warriors and fire nation soldiers. The liberator of cities and defender of the light.

He let out a scream of his own, not one of anger, but one of release. His shoes clamped hard on the stone tiles. The force following within his movements. He would do what he must. The thought repeated within his head like a mighty chime of a bell.

He swirled the weapon in an arch, a horizontal cleave that took Haru by surprise. Haru rushed to defend, the sudden change of his master now slowly causing fear to register. Haru turned to produce a slash of his own, but he was too late. Ben's false arm gripping his working wrist, lurching his hand forward as the hard metal of his lightsaber hilt slammed into the front of his own face.

Blood shot out from his nose as he lurched forward. Ben's lightsaber now creating its own flurry of attacks. Each hit aiming towards Haru's weak points as the apprentice rushed to defend against his blows.

Ben held that look, that aimless look. Towards Haru it was merely Ben giving into his anger. To Ben, it was him trying to numb himself. Trying to not think about the future and the sin he was going to bear, but rather on the present and duel at hand.

Haru would strike, each blow trying to hit Ben but only for him to parry them. Swinging his own weapon round after each powerful attack had Haru reeling for breath as he was quickly getting exhausted.

Panic swiftly took over him as his eyes began to fill with fear. It was harder for him to focus. His concentration going in all directions as the fear of death began to slowly become a possibility after each blow. But he wouldn't be dissuaded, not yet…he had to save them all. Even if Ben was in his way, he would do what had to be done.

With a mighty war scream Haru slammed his weapon downwards. A mighty cleave that could cut through fire nation metal itself. Still, Ben wouldn't allow it to happen. Just like the first time when he was tossed back into the offensive, Ben lurched forward. Gripping the weapon with both hands as he himself created a mighty slash. With all his strength…he swung.

The weapon slamming into Haru's own. Ben's powerful swing causing the lightsaber to be thrown from Haru's fingers as the weapon nearly fell off the roof that they were standing on. Haru lurched to his knees, his fingers reeling with pain from the powerful blow. his eyes towards the stone slabs as Ben raised his lightsaber down to the base of his head.

Their breaths were heavy, their ears ringing from both the duel and the cracks of thunder…their hearts both hurting from what was about to happen. Haru lurched his head up, his orange eyes illuminated along the purple streaks of violet lights that brightened up their surroundings.

"What are you waiting for!" He screamed. His voice hoarse, nearly breaking as he finished the sentence. Still trying to keep up the façade of a Dark Jedi, but Ben could feel it…regret consumed him. Haru's shoulders slumping, tears spilling down his cheeks as he began to come to terms with what was going to happen. His shoulders shaking as goosebumps lined his body.

Yet, Ben couldn't do it…right now when he was already beaten and not a threat. He couldn't…no he wouldn't. He unignited his weapon, reattaching it back to his belt as the shock of the action began to register over Haru's face.

"I won't fight you, Haru. Not anymore, your dark delusions are over." Ben proclaimed. His voice roaring along the winds as Haru stared up at him, his mouth slightly gaped as he began to realize something, Ben was allowing him to live.

Ben thought back to that test Meetra gave him, Haru had not fallen fully to the dark side of the force fully. There was still a chance that it may work…but right now, he knew he couldn't. He had to try. No matter the cost.

Haru drew upon the force. Shooting up to his feet as the emerald blade shot forth from the hilt as he gripped it once again with both hands. Even then, Ben stood unshaken. The rough winds whirling along his free-flowing black hair as the dark tendrils mixed with the rain.

His golden eyes peering into Haru's own golden ones, an eternal stare. Now the question was on Haru now, rather the decision. Was he going to kill his master? His brother, the one that taught him how to use the force and the lightsaber?

"You are foolish, and now you will die!"

His heart hammered along his chest, he knew that the dark side lied with truth, that it gave him strength. Yet, to achieve it he would have to kill his friends…his new family?

His eyes highlighted towards all those bright times. The day he met team avatar. The crackling of Aang's laughter, the dry jokes that would erupt from Sokka, the way Katara's and him connected over the loss of their parent.

Yet, they drew towards the future. After the events that shook his life, training with Ben had opened his eyes of the true beauty of both the force and his ability. The way his mother looked upon him with pride of what he was going to become. His mind's eye drew towards Jet, another comrade that walked the path of the Jedi. He had taken over his training and he enjoyed teaching others…he enjoyed helping others and before he wanted to be one of the many masters of Ben's New Jedi Order. Yet…

His throat hitched, to put an end to this war…to have the strength to defeat the enemies of the Darkness he would need to make such sacrifices. Still, Ben's gaze held onto his own. "After you kill me, go join the Sith…make your momma and father proud of the man that you had become. I'm sure your dad will be real happy knowing that his sacrifice went to waste."

Red…took over Haru's vision. His mouth unlatching as his fingers sunk into the weapon with a vice like grip. The blade trailing through the air as the platters of rain casted off the hideous sizzling sound as his beam went towards Ben's neck. It would be over soon, and he would…and he would…

Haru didn't. Stopping mere inches from Ben's neck, his arms quivering first then his whole body. Almost like he had been stuck in a massive freezer for hours. His eyes welling up with tears as he blinked them away, only for Ben to smile.

Light Hazel eyes. They shone under the pure gloss of the natural clouded light. Haru unignited the weapon as the lightsaber clattered out of his hands. His knees connecting to the stone tiles as Ben took a knee of his own.

Tears casted from Haru's face that matched the rain. His teeth exposed as his mouth was unclamped, a stifled inaudible sob following through his body as his arms wrapped around himself. "No, I won't…I won't, do this! Haru declared.

Haru's breath was heavy after the words. His body shaking as he reigned himself back to the light. "No, this is not the way. It asks too much of me, I can't kill my friends…my family."

The word family drew a smile along Ben's face. Kneeling as his fingers connected with his apprentice's shoulder. "No, you can't." He said. Slowly nodding his head as Ben's own tears generated. Not of anger, not of sadness…but of relief. It was finally over and Haru was saved. "Trust within your feelings, trust within the force."

It had taken a minute for Haru to break down. Tears flowed as his sobs caused his chest to lurch. Yet…

"I was too deluded, I lost myself to the power. I thought I could control the power of the dark side…but I failed."

Ben slowly shook his head. "No, you didn't fail Haru. Recognize the consequences that followed, learn from your experience, and never make the same mistake again. There is no error in falling over and making a mistake, but it is failure in not getting back up."

With those words a chuckle emptied from Haru's mouth, using his sleeve to wipe the strands of tears and snot from his face. "I guess you really are the master."

"Yeah, how did you get so lucky." Ben jabbed with a snarky smile of his own. He raised his hand towards Haru, just like he did before when they first encountered one another in the ruins of this great temple. But now, he took it. "Come on, let's head back. Katara and the rest of the team are worried sick about you. Also, there is someone I want you to meet."

Their fingers curled together as he helped him back up. The two Jedi began to walk there way towards the great hall, as they planned to merely retrace their footsteps to meet up with their team. They would ride the half day journey back and then retire for the night.

Yet, that was when both Jedi felt it. The cracks of lightning illuminating their features. They're widened eyes, there gritted teeth from the pain being caused, the harsh feeling that generated within the force. "I sense a disturbance within the force." Haru muttered.

Yet, Ben already knew who it was, he had already gotten used to feeling his force presence after all this time. He snapped his head to the side as he already knew, with crimson blade in hand it was him…Lord Ruin.

He looked horrible, numerous plasma burns riddled his body. Some prickling into his robes and armor while there was a mighty gash over half of his face. Yet, his lone orange eye lunged towards the pair. Ben and Haru's lightsabers already ignited as they took a couple steps back.

"It's been a while, Benjamin." Ruin said. He outstretched his lightsaber blade outwards as Ben could feel it. Force Rage, Ruin was using the ability to utilize his anger and empower his connection to the force, making him nearly numb to pain and an even more dangerous foe. Ben looked over towards Haru as he began to realize that this was going to be a hard fight.

"I must say that the way you left caused a stir. You see, Lord Fowl blamed me for training you. I guess he is partially right, he was right by saying that you were dangerous and that you may spell our destruction…but I see the truth within it now." Ruin spoke. His teeth mangled as that gleam generated to both boys. Ruin wasn't okay. Maybe it was the prolonged effects of the force ability combined with other pain sharpening ones that were messing with him. But he seemed off, wilder and more dangerous than before.

That was when it happened…he charged. Ben and Haru hardly able to brace themselves as they raised their blades to block the first attack. There teeth each rattled under the weight of the blow.

Master and apprentice were now fighting together now against this far greater looming threat. They both advanced, now on the offensive as the Sith lord still brandished that harsh smile. So proud, so confident.

Yet, he failed to realize that after all this time many things have changed. The skills of both have been honed through life and death situations, there control over the force has only grown after each encounter. While Ruin believed that he was the strongest, they aspired to beat the strongest.

Ben's flurry of attacks caused Ruin to swiftly block his movements. His hand snapping to attention to meet each wide swing, to meet each powerful cleave. Haru had followed his master's movements. Instead of following through offensively he funneled in defensive attacks.

After each of his masters swings any parry that Ruin would try, and employ would be cut off by his emerald blade. That was the advantage that Haru and Ben held over the Sith Lord. They had fought together, trained together. They've been through so many encounters that separated them from the thinnest of threads of death that they knew how to battle not as two, but as one!

Ben and Haru both lashed out with the force. A mighty push that threw Ruin away, but still the old lord of the Sith landed on his feet. That sparking smile still along his face as he once again charged into the fray. The quickness and the suddenness of the move startling both Ben and Haru into action.

Breaking off their previous engagement. Ruin now held a deeper advantage against the other two Jedi. He swung in an arc, trying to pierce Haru from the midsection only for the young jedi to leap into the air to dodge the blow. Ben snapping his head to the side as the Old Sith Lord tried to spear him through the face.

The battle was going on far longer than he wanted it too…Ruin was welcoming the power of raw force energy into his system. Utilizing powerful abilities within the dark side to keep him going no matter the pain or exhaustion that would usually pain another warrior of the force. Yet, it did the same for them…the light side of the force both blessed Haru and even Ben with his dark side affinity.

Their bodies were sore, but they kept on going. The clashing of brilliant lights echoing along the storm filled sky, the streaks of purple lightning a power of their own to behold. Ben twirled around as he dodged another stab, but Ruin's smirk only heightened.

Then it happened, Ben fell into his trap. Maybe it was the exhaustion that pained him, or maybe it was his commitment to never utilize the darkness like how he did during the Sith Academy. But Ruin had the jump on him now, he gripped Ben by the long fibers of dark hair. Aunt Wu's words generating over his mind, a reminder that a warrior should never have such long hair.

'Damn it…'

Ruin tripped him up, releasing his hold and taking on a new hold along the base of his neck. With a powerful surge of force energy and martial might he flew. His body tracing along the wind as he could hear the wind cut into his back.

His body slammed into the temple wall. His lightsaber colliding from his hands as the aquamarine blade vanished back into its hilt. A man-sized crater, Ben began to fall, a loud slouch echoing as he collapsed. A splutter of blood darting out of his mouth that trailed down his lips.

"Ben!" Haru screamed. Turning his attention back towards his friend, only to narrowly block the crimson blade aimed at him as Ben could hardly hear…he could hardly see anything. His body hurt, well everything hurt right now. His left eye began to seal shut, a wound over his left eye poured blood that stung. He tried to lift himself up but even then, it proved to be a hassle.

Each breath came out rasped and hurt, his hand going towards the side of his stomach. A couple of broken ribs…maybe even a bruised kidney. Hell, it felt harder for him to even utter a singular breath from his mouth.

"Haru!"

Haru snapped to Ben's gaze. Breaking free from the saber lock that was caused due to Ben's absence as Ben with all the strength he could muster flung his deactivated lightsaber. Haru leaped into the air again, the twirling alloy metal hilt gracing along his fingers as the aquamarine blade sparked to life.

Ben needed time, to recover. His lone eye narrowed as he began to see doubles. "Concussion…" Ben aimlessly spoke as he slouched further onto the floor as he tried to reel himself back in. Bile rising in his throat as he tried to muster up enough strength to aid his apprentice…to aid his brother.

Haru had heard Ben explain during their training sessions that using multiple lightsabers or double-bladed ones was hard and many years of training were required to get used to it. But he held no other choice.

Haru streamlined a flurry of attacks. Aiming with both weapons to try and disrupt the Sith Lord's concentration and to effectively eliminate him. Haru dodged a blow, using Ben's blade to carve an arc into the Lord's leg muscle. The sizzling and pressure were enough to get him to hear the sing of flesh, but it was not enough.

Haru leaped backwards as Ruin charged again with maddened fury in his movements. Haru rushing to defend as he tried to use each weapon separately, cursing himself when he utilized both to block when he could use the other to peer through the enemy's defenses.

Ruin slashed in a mighty cleave, but luckily Haru was able to dodge. He switched into offensive mode instantly. His brown eyes trailing along the old man's frame as he came as a blur. The green and teal blade becoming one in the user's hands as he casted off brilliant attacks to breach through his opponent's defenses but not even one could break through.

Haru leaped away as another slash went dangerously close to his face. "I can feel your fear boy, the dark side. Give in!"

Haru didn't answer, his silence enough of an answer to begin with. Haru slashed towards Ruin's midsections as he casted off plasma burns along his arms. Yet, it wasn't deep enough, only flesh wounds and burns that simply empowered Ruin even more.

Yet, Haru thought he had it now, an opening. In an X he twirled his weapons into two reverse grips, intertwining them with Ruin's own plasma blade as he tried to use his strength to break his grip on his weapon. Yet, it wasn't enough.

Ruin kicked Haru in his stomach, lurching the young apprentice away. His breath heavy as Ruin had him where he wanted him. Powerful slashes were employed against him. Slashing along and leaving behind plasma burns within the stone tiles as Haru begged for air as he desperately crawled away.

Ruin swung hard as Haru raised Ben's blade to defend. The crimson blade casting along Ben's lightsaber as it was sliced in half. Haru instantly dropping the smoldering remains of the lightsaber right before his hand could be taken off with it.

There wasn't time to think, only to act. Haru gripped his grandmother's lightsaber with both hands once again. Employing it against the Sith Lord as he desperately tried to fend him off. Just like all those months ago during the Siege of The North, he was powerless to protect Ben then, and he was powerless now.

Haru swung down only for Ruin to grip his arm. Haru trying to pull himself free from the Sith Lord's grip. Only for the butt of Ruin's lightsaber to slam into his cheek, he was thrown backwards as his lightsaber was flung from his hands, seeing stars as his body slid along the slick stone tiles as he was thrown towards the edge of the roof.

He could feel it, the way his legs felt the free air before the rest of his body did. The way his body began to sag as his fingers clawed at the stone tiles for any sort of thing to grab onto. Yet, it all proved for nothing as his body fell.

His mouth agape to form a scream but…

"I got you!"

Ben's voice rose along Haru's ears. His false arm gripping Haru by his left arm as Haru right then and there could've cried in pure relief. Still, he saw the way Ben looked. His hair was matted out with rain and blood. There was a grizzly wound that seeped crimson over his left eye.

Blood trailed from his lips and nose; he could even hear Ben groan from the other wounds that pained him over his body. "I got you…" Ben repeated, a small smile sparking along his face. He had saved him and that was all that mattered to Ben. Yet, Haru could see it over his shoulders. Lord Ruin, approaching in his stride as the simmering bloodshot blade made its way towards them.

Haru was not a fool. He knew that there wasn't enough time, that he would only hold Ben down. If he clutched onto him any longer, he knew Ben wouldn't let go. "Thank you, Ben!" Haru screamed over the whirling storm. Ben trying desperately to hoist him up, but if he kept on trying like this. Haru knew they both wouldn't survive.

Yet, Ben wasn't thinking like that, too fixated on saving his friends life. Yet, he saw Haru's expression. The small all-knowing smirk that etched along his features. "Wait, Haru!"

"Thank you, for showing me the force…"

With those parting words his grip on Ben slipped, letting himself go as Ben's hand stayed there. His lone eye sinking along Haru's frame as he vanished into the deep fog that generated along the storm. The whipping of the wind sprayed Ben's hair along his features, his eyes widened as for a second, he could hardly understand what happened.

His hand was still outstretched upon the open air. His mouth agape as a sob echoed along his mouth, his eyes quivering as tears began to leak out. The water, salty but still was able to cleanse the blood that filled his left eye allowing him to partially see.

Ben rose from the ledge. His emotions, whirling and seeking control. Dark, vibrant, and powerful emotions circulating all around him as dark clouds began to form over his subconscious. He saw Ruin…and he saw red.

He wanted to lurch himself deep within the dark side of the force just like before. He wanted to kill, to maim, to destroy. It would be so easy. He remembered how he was during the wars…he remembered how he was able to contend with Ruin and narrowly defeat him. If those Sith Students or the Lords of The Sith weren't there to stop him then he would've been dead.

Yeah, Ben remembered. If he just used it like he used to…if he just took the strength, he discarded all that time ago and gave in then he would be able to kill Ruin. 'If I just let go of it all. I can fight Ruin and defeat him. If I utilize everything, then even he won't be able to stop me, I'll be powerful!'

Yet, the thought caused his eyes to slowly narrow. Power, what was it? This power that he was thinking of using to defeat Lord Ruin was not true power, rather a façade. Back then he was alone. He wanted to become strong and strived to become something greater…something out of legend. But he failed in the end, he was merely using it as an excuse to cut himself off from the world. To sink deeper into his anger and trauma.

His guilt, his weakness. He drowned himself within his vices with nothing to offer anyone…even with his powerful blessing within the force, he didn't care about the plight of others anymore. He merely wished to be left alone, and in that furthered loneliness he withdrew deeper into himself. All alone…where no one could reach him.

That is why he swore never to walk that path again, to honor the sacrifices made and to join with those within this great war. That is how he knew mingling with the Dark Side would only lead to his destruction. He had warned Haru of the cost of using the dark side, he had seen the cost even within himself. He would be damned to give Ruin what he wanted by making him fall again!

No, not for Ruin. But for his friends, the world…and for himself. Ben's right hand lurched forward. The alloy metal hilt of Haru's lightsaber came towards him in a beaming arc that caused Ruin to dodge. The cool metal gracing his fingertips as Ben ignited the green blade.

Taking it with both hands as he stared at Ruin. 'Without hate, without anger.' He would beat him, without the power of the dark side. Rather, he would take the strength that was within himself and use it as a fuel source against him.

The good things in his life. His family, his goals, the girl he loved…this just cause and righteous anger that bloomed deep within his soul. He would utilize these to battle him…and he would defeat him. Not as his Sith Apprentice or a slave to the darkness, but as a Jedi Knight!

He felt power crackle deep within his core. His heart hammering a million miles per hour as he lurched deeper within the force. His eyes widening as he felt it coming at him, the light side of the force offering him it's aid, it's strength as he felt his body only grow stronger.

Lord Ruin's eyebrow raised. Feeling the surging of power that was nearly electric as Ben gripped onto his fallen apprentice's lightsaber with a vice like grip. "Ah, I see, I've touched a nerve. You always were one that cared for his apprentices and friends. Tell me how it feels to…"

Ben's eyes snapped open; his foot slamming so hard within the stone tiles that it cracked underneath his weight. The emerald blade being carried along with him like a brilliant wave as it swept along the dark storm filled skies.

"His name was, Haru!"

With those words Ben produced a mighty slash. A powerful cleave that drew Lord Ruin to his knees, his own teeth chattering as he lurched himself forward. Ben's attacks growing in pure ferocity. Yet, he couldn't detect any anger that was being generated from the young Jedi.

This was it…the moment of truth. No running away, no leaving mid battle. One of them would enter, and the other would die. Ben's scream matched the howls of the storm, the lightning cracking as the flurry of attacks only grew. Ben darting with the emerald blade as Ruin quickly began to try and block his attacks. Harsh and powerful hits funneled through Ben's own weight. His breath heavy, but Ruin was scared…fearful. Sweat trailing down his face as he tried to backup, he glossed over his shoulders as he tried to find any way to lure Ben away. Yet, he wouldn't allow it.

Ben dodged a blow as he lurched with a dash. Appearing behind Ruin as his fingers crackled with purple volts. Ruin already too slow and tried to dodge the blows that were darting towards him. Even then he tried to spear him, Ben feeling the sing of a plasma burn dart underneath his right cheek.

Yet, it was too late. Ruin was launched just like how he once did with Haru. Ben's hand aimed towards him as the simmering volts were powerful, burning the ozone that was within the air itself as Ruin tried to fight back against it.

His scream filled the air, his free hand trailing to his side as he grappled along broken debris. A mid-sized boulder streaming towards Ben that broke his concentration but the Jedi wouldn't allow it. Ben lashing out both hands with the force stopping the boulder from impacting him, then redirecting it with a push of his own.

Ruin, his skin smoking as exposed muscle and wounds darted along his body. His breath heavy as he could hardly hold onto his form. In a weak attempt he got lucky and stopped the boulder from approaching, throwing it to the side, but he forgot about Ben.

Hidden behind the boulder Ben was there. His arms and legs folded within his chest. Force repulse, Ruin trying to desperately hold his own and reinforce his barrier, but Ben barreled forth a mighty wave of energy. Collapsing the tiles, they were on as both men free fell through the roof.

Water, Ruin hit water first. Rising from the surface as his feet quickly pushed him forward, the humming of his weapon the only guide he had. He lurched in all directions as Ben's own blade went towards his own. Both men saber locking along the other.

They were within some submerged room within the ancient temples. Knee deep water rising along their body as the powerful chill did not dissuade or distract the two duelists.

"You're afraid." Ben declared. Inching his weapon deeper along Ruin's frame. The old Lord trying to push himself forward or get enough leverage, but it wasn't enough. "You know that things have changed, and I have only grown stronger. I have nothing to fear from you anymore!"

Ruin, sweat was down his face. His lightsaber hand was chattering under the cold. No, not from the cold. But from fear, he was afraid, and he knew the truth. That Ben was greater, that he held the upper hand now.

He thought back to all the times they had dueled. All the times he had bested Ben…he had failed to recognize his strength, his true strength and will to hold onto those he cared for…and maybe there was a strength in such lights. He had only grown stronger, and he was not dealing with an angry self-loathing boy with talent anymore. But rather a true warrior of the Jedi

"You think that you can just play Jedi, Ben?" Ruin declared, lightly shaking his head at the words. "No, you always belonged to the darkness and that is where you belong, by my side."

Ben shook his own head. The sparking of both lightsabers casting off a brilliant glare against the duelist faces. But Ben would not be dissuaded, he had seen the consequences of the dark side and he refused to walk that dark path once again. "You are powerful Ruin, and you are truly a master of the Sith…but you forget, that I am also a master of the Jedi. You taught me a lesson all that time ago, within the Academy of The Sith. I lost my way…but I promise you, that I won't ever lose it again."

Ruin's eyes filled with rage. His lips unlatching. "Damn you!" He screamed. His blade whirling in a curved arc as Ben simply grabbed it. Their eyes locking once again. Ruin's lone eye widening at the movement. The false arm in a vice like grip, the wound he had inflicted so long ago coming back to haunt him even now…

"You will not hurt me, never again."

Ben chambered all his might with a powerful force push in his opposing hand. Sending the old Sith Lord to his knees as he skidded along the submerged temple room. He took a knee, his breath heavy as he could hear the splashing of Ben's footsteps as he began to approach.

Ben lashed out his left hand, Ruin's throat tightening as he lurched his free hand towards it as Ben chocked him with the force. Ruin watched Ben, pain twisting his features…and for the first time in Lord Ruin's life, he felt powerless.

He could not lift a hand against Ben anymore…he was truly the stronger one. Lord Ruin had trained his greatest pupil. Ben lashed out with the force, unleashing a mighty telekinetic surge that sent Lord Ruin crashing into one of the many stone walls. With a piercing sound, it cracked.

Lord Ruin was gripped tightly in Ben's control over the force and pulled away from the wall. Ben wrenching with all his might as Ruin was flung into the opposing wall. Lord Ruin's scream filling the confines of the hall with a piercing echo.

He struck it, Ben hearing bone crack along his eardrums as he let go. Ruin collapsing into the brackish waters as his hollow breath wheezed. Coughing up water as his hands went to his bruised throat. His lightsaber was flung from his hands during the tumult into the brackish water, but Ben wasn't done. It ends here and now.

Ben lurched out his left hand, feeling Ruin's strange, curved hilt as he reignited the weapon. The bloodshot blade and brilliant jade colored weapon were now in both hands. For a second, he stared at those two blades. Green and Red, the symbol of the Consular and the Symbol of the Sith. Two paths, two choices.

Ruin slowly rising as the droplets of water casted down his skin. Ben dashed forward, his golden eyes tracing along Ruin's frame as the old man rose.

Yet, Ruin wasn't done. His arm draped over his sides as he smiled once again. The Action confusing Ben but he didn't care anymore…this ended now!

"You truly were…the greatest I've ever trained." Ruin declared. Yet, Ben didn't hesitate the examine the words. He didn't care anymore, too long had the old man lived. Too long had he caused destruction within this world and filled it with darkness. It ended here!

The curved hilt impaled through its master's chest, his body instantly slouching as the weapon pierced straight through his heart and breached his back. Ben whirling along the Dark Lord's body, casting Haru's weapon straight through his back, piercing it once again.

Ripping Haru's weapon out as Ruin collapsed face first, dead. Ben's hollow breath, the humming of both weapons in his hand and the soft platter of rain along the submerged room were the only sounds. Right then and there, Ben stared upon the corpse.

Lord Ruin, one of the Sith Triumvirate that had emerged within the world after the resurface of both the avatar and Ben. The one that held the rank of master of the dark side, one of the three that controlled Sith Operations. Ben let out a soft breath, slowly closing his eyes.

He was the man that frightened him, the one that all that time ago bested him underneath the royal city of Omashu. He casted his body down a waterfall with relative ease. Ben didn't know how he was going to confront such a person, how he was going to defeat him?

Such marks left scars on his mind as he sunk deeper into the darkness as he believed it offered him strength to best Ruin. Then they met again, he was running on fumes and hate after thinking that Haru and Jet were killed. He didn't strike Ruin out of justice or willingness to save future lives from the edge of his blade…but rather for revenge and the fear that was eating him up from the inside.

Because Ben knew it was true…even though the warrior that was within him didn't want to admit, he feared Ruin. The old Lord's smile lingered within his head at night, his laugh chattering and freezing him in place. He had taken his arm…he maimed him and left his mark on Ben forever. Even now, he could still remember the grueling pain, the horrific coldness of the fallen limb.

He sunk once again deeper into the dark side because he believed it held truth…he joined him at the Sith Academy and welcomed his teachings in hopes that he would find a way to beat him, to kill him. But in the end Ulic and Meetra were right, and he fell to the dark side. He became Ruin's true apprentice and the old man relished in it. Before he dueled Ruin with the might of the dark side of the force and nearly won…but now he beat him holding onto the light, using his convictions and sense of justice as a fuel source. Now the Sith Lord lied dead at his feet…what did it mean?

Did the light side hold more strength than the darkness…or was the circumstances different, were they simply easier because Ruin had succumbed to many wounds? Was it because there was no Sith to interfere with the duel? Was it due to Ben being younger, faster, and more gifted within the force?

Yet, Ben slowly shook his head…it was none of those things. Ben slowly raised both blades into the air, his face blanketed with one side red while the other a brilliant green. One the symbol of one that served the Jedi as he fought with a greater connection to the living force, while the other was the symbol of the Sith…the symbol of evil.

Symbol of the light, symbol of evil…Light Side, Dark Side. Two choices, maybe that was merely the lesson. Light Side, Dark Side…merely just tools. He unignited both weapons with a snapping hiss. Dropping Ruin's lightsaber into brackish waters as he watched it sink.

Light Side, and Dark Side…two choices that Ben had to make. There was no in-between or half following like he used to anymore. It led him back to that dark place when he was by Revan's side. Now it made more sense.

The Dark Side wasn't stronger than the light, likewise the light wasn't any stronger than the Dark Side. Yet, there was a riveting truth that Ben began to realize. It was easier to give into your emotions, to cut yourself from others and to withdraw into yourself. To not let go of your past and to let your own misery and guilt consume you.

The Dark Side welcomed such negative things. It gave you strength in doing such things…it rewarded you with great power as you used your negative emotions as weapons of destruction. Yet, there was no such strength in such things. What was the point of power when in the end it would consume you and those you loved?

He had seen it within himself…within Haru and within the men and woman he served with during the Mandalorian Wars. He read about it within the legends, and he heard it within the songs. The Darkness held no greater strength, it was false power…a façade of great deception that he had fallen for so many times.

The Dark Side wasn't stronger…it was merely easier to fall into, and he would never fall into that trap again. He would follow the light; he had seen through his darkness but there was still a lond road left to walk and many more lessons to learn. Yet, he wouldn't walk that lonesome road alone anymore. His friends…his family, the woman he loved. He would be by there side, and he would work with them to keep him on the straight and narrow. With their light, he might have never been able to see through his own darkness.

He would do it for them, for the world, for the new Jedi he would have to train, but also…for himself. Because he simply wasn't just a Jedi, but also a man. A small smile began to dart along his face.

He clinked Haru's lightsaber to his belt. His eyes directing towards the opening as he began to focus his connection to the force. He lurched himself forward as his mind reeled with something, a calmness that etched along his mind that wasn't there before.

He had confronted one of his greatest trials within his career as a Jedi. However, the war was far from over. He figured that many things were going to change but right now he didn't let such thoughts linger within his mind. Right now, he had other goals and thoughts that simmered within him.

So, he left. His face and body being baptized along the fresh rain and cracks of purple lightning. His eyes closed as he relished in the pure feeling. He had been led astray so many times, but right now he finally had an inkling of the truth.

Clarity, he had found a sense of what he had been searching for. For him, he began to understand the force, even just the tiniest of bits gave him such a complex but wonderful calmness. Benjamin, a young Jedi Watchman and the last of the Jedi Order. He had suffered through such great tribulations and the danger had only begun to heighten.

Yet, he didn't care right now…his heart throbbing as he came to terms with his situation. He held the heart of the Jedi, and for once…calling himself a Jedi Master did not bother him in the way it once did before.