Chapter 23

Ben settled atop Appa, feeling the warmth of the bison's fur against the back of his neck. The snow had ceased its relentless fall as Jet ventured into the hidden enclave. Benjamin had imparted upon his new apprentice the necessary knowledge to navigate the academy's corridors, detailing the components required for the construction of his lightsaber. With a wave of the Force, Benjamin opened the door, ushering Jet inside to retrieve the needed parts.

Glancing sideways, Ben observed Jet's short brown hair fluttering in the cold breeze, a box clutched in his hands. "Got what you need?" Ben inquired, to which Jet responded with a sly smile and a nod. With a gentle tug on Appa's reins, Benjamin guided the bison back towards the city, a lengthy journey ahead—a journey that would serve as Jet's first lesson.

As they soared through the skies, Benjamin's robes billowed in the wind. Turning towards the young warrior, Ben posed the question, "Jet, are you ready to begin?" Jet affirmed his readiness with another nod, prompting Benjamin to settle into the saddle. The lightsaber parts, electronics, and tools lay arranged on a cloth before them as Jet prepared for his inaugural lesson.

"Listen, Jet," Benjamin began, his voice carrying weight. "You're embarking on the path of the Jedi, and to do so, your training must intensify." Coughing into his fist, Ben continued, emphasizing the significance of the lightsaber—the weapon's power and peril.

"I... think I understand," Jet replied, his gaze fixed on Ben. Nodding in acknowledgment, Benjamin proceeded to guide Jet through the construction process, blending his own knowledge with the apprentice's efforts. After hours of meticulous work, Jet presented the completed electronics, his brow glistening with sweat.

"Good job," Benjamin praised, using the Force to inspect the components before returning them to Jet. With the easier part complete, it was time for the true challenge.

As Jet laid out the ruby, jade, and permafrost crystal, Benjamin knelt beside him, his fingers tracing each piece. "Now, you're going to construct your blade," Ben instructed solemnly. "This isn't just about the electronics—it's about immersing yourself in the Force."

Jet nodded, his attention unwavering. "Okay, I need you to immerse yourself within the Force... to find a current, to focus on those shatterpoints. When the unbreakable becomes breakable."

Jet moved with closed eyes, attempting to immerse himself deeper into the Force. Half-narrowed eyes followed Ben's voice as he adhered to his master's directive, wells of force energy swelling within him for the first time. His hands expertly fitted the lightsaber parts together, inspecting and placing the crystals, intertwining wires, and fitting the pommel and emitter. Jet's hands, enveloped with force energy, danced with precision as he constructed his weapon.

Opening his eyes, Jet drowned in Ben's instructions, staring in pure wonder at the object now resting near his lap – his lightsaber. Its design, simple yet impactful, followed the basics of lightsaber construction. A grey, cylindrical hilt adorned with black ridges, featuring an angled emitter and a horizontally grooved grip section.

But just as Jet reached to ignite his creation, it was swiftly whisked away by Benjamin, who caught the blade in his open palm. "What are you doing?" Ben's voice roared, and Jet stared at him, perplexed by the sudden intervention. "Do you know how dangerous building a lightsaber is? One wrong step, one slight miswire, and you'll be lucky if you just lose one or two fingers!"

Benjamin heaved a breath, eyes closed, and turned back to his apprentice. Jet drooped, and Benjamin sighed. 'It isn't his fault...'

Jet, a boy only a year younger than Ben, had recently discovered the existence of Jedi and the true nature of his abilities. He lacked an understanding of the responsibilities he now bore. Benjamin hesitated to explain, fearing that Jet's newfound knowledge might cripple him with fear in battle. Yet, should he let him remain in ignorance? Jet had no idea of the symbolic importance of a lightsaber – how it could inspire hope and change the course of a battle.

"I'm sorry, Jet," Ben apologized. "I shouldn't have blown up on you like that. You don't understand how delicate a lightsaber truly is. This was my failing."

"It's alright... Ben," Jet waved off the apology, and Benjamin took a heavy breath. Unloosing the screws of Jet's lightsaber, he analyzed its inner components, drawing on its imperfections. With another breath, the pieces seamlessly went back together, and Benjamin handed the blade back to Jet.

"So... is it good?"

"Hell no," Benjamin slyly smirked at his apprentice. "Your battery is in the wrong area, your power crystals are mixed up, and even your parts are not properly tightened," he finished.

Jet let out another sigh. "Then what must I do?"

Benjamin parted his lips to speak but closed them nearly instantly. A thought began to bloom in his head, a thought of how Jet could truly understand and learn the importance of his blade. "…you tell me, feel the force and decide on what you do. Come to me again and I'll check it out…"

Ben smirked, eyes closed as he launched himself back along the reins of the saddle. Jet watched him, mouth gaped, as he gazed back at his lightsaber. There was only one thing obvious for both boys. This was going to take a while.

Now, hours after arriving back in the Water Tribe, the chieftain had invited them to a ceremonial dinner, postponed due to Benjamin's condition. They ate the classic Water Tribe dishes, mostly comprised of fish and hunted animals found in the deep regions. It compared favorably to whatever they had in the forest or if they were lucky enough to afford a quick meal at a local bar or tavern.

They all sat and ate silently until the chieftain rose, the crowd, including Team Avatar, staring up at him. "First off, thanks everyone that has come here. I want to thank everyone here that has made this possible, and all the good men and women we have lost due to this long war."

The words reverberated through the people, resonating with those who had lost loved ones, like Sokka and Katara who had lost their family. Aang, the last of the airbenders, Benjamin, the last of the Jedi, fighting a desperate battle against both the Fire Nation and the encroaching darkness.

"…yet now things have begun to change." The words of encouragement caused heads to lift. His hand went towards the left side of the table where Team Avatar was seated. "Aang, the Avatar, has returned to put an end to this long-lasting war and to pave a new era of peace. Benjamin, a Jedi master. Though the Fire Nation's scheme may have erased nearly all history of the Jedi from this world, now, due to his exploits, many historians have found and revealed the truth. With him have come more students. The Jedi are going to return!"

With a raised hand, the crowd went ballistic, clapping and whistling for a minute as Ben watched with flushed cheeks. Katara lightly elbowed his side, holding a sly grin. "You really like all that attention, don't you?" she sarcastically jabbed.

"Whatever…"

The chieftain rounded the corner as another girl walked up to him. Deep blue eyes, contrasting with her deep white hair. 'Echani?' Benjamin thought, shaking his head. The Echani was a race known for their snow-white hair and distinctive pale skin. Ben shook the thought out of his head; most likely, that wasn't the case. Yet, as he turned toward his side, he could see Sokka's gaze at her, longing in his eyes as he stared at the princess. "My daughter has just reached marrying age…"

Benjamin observed Sokka's interest in the girl, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face. "Oi, Chieftain," he announced a bit too loudly. "Sokka's a son of a chief…"

The chieftain chuckled lightly and waved his hand dismissively as he prepared to speak again. "My daughter already has a suitor. She'll be getting married soon…"

"Oh, I apologize…" Benjamin replied, feeling slightly awkward for drawing attention. He noticed Sokka's disappointment but continued to engage with the girl, even picking up on certain parts of their conversation about meeting up on a familiar bridge.

That nearly caused Benjamin to choke on his food. Aang sat next to everyone, impressing the crowd with air tricks as a waiter approached Benjamin, holding a bottle of fine aged gin. Benjamin caught a whiff of the aroma as he raised his cup to…

"Oh, no…he's fine," Katara firmly interjected, the waiter nodding as Benjamin reached out with his mouth gaping.

But just before he could say anything, "Come on…you've got to be kidding me!" Jet growled, drawing Benjamin's attention to the boy on his right. Jet hadn't touched his food, instead pushing his plate farther away on the massive table, his groans disrupting everyone's meal.

His hastily assembled lightsaber was now completely deconstructed, the pieces scattered across the table as Jet tinkered with his tools, trying to figure it out. "How long has he been going on like this, trying to build his lightsaber?" Aang inquired.

"Ever since this morning…" Ben replied.

Jet slammed his hand onto the table, the pieces slightly shifting as he hurried to reassemble them, putting the blade back together in seconds. "Here…" he said, handing the blade to Benjamin.

"What…you didn't even open it!" Benjamin exclaimed.

"I didn't need to. You were way too quick with this," he told Jet, their eyes locking. "Jet, this weapon is a tool that you will possibly use for the rest of your life. The process of building one is very flexible, but it isn't a toy. Take your time until you get it right."

With those words, Jet let out a heavy sigh, taking the blade back into his hands and dismantling it once again. His eyes focused on the hilt as his hands filled with force energy, further fueling his attempt to construct a weapon that would satisfy his master.

"Oi, but what about Haru…you didn't make him go through all this?" Aang casually remarked.

"Haru…" Jet repeated the name. "Who's that…"

"Ben's first apprentice. He was from some Earthbender tribe. He got a lightsaber, and Ben wasn't this strict with it."

"Yeah, that's because Haru already had a natural talent with the Force, and he inherited his grandmother's lightsaber," Benjamin explained, sensing Jet's hesitation or annoyance. "It's not favoritism, but rather... I think it's for the best if we take our time."

He rested his hand on his apprentice's shoulder, but Jet shrugged it off, returning to work on his weapon, a mixture of annoyance and determination evident in his actions.

Time passed.

Leaning against the wall of an apartment building, Benjamin eavesdropped on Sokka and Yue's conversation. His mind was clouded, seeking someone to confide in. Jet was too absorbed in his own frustrations, Katara offered well-meaning but obvious advice, and Aang... well, Aang was Aang.

He wasn't like the masters of the old order who showed favoritism to students. He'd experienced the effects of that firsthand during his time in the Jedi academy. Now, he questioned if he was making the right choice.

Haru was a special case, a natural with the Force, but Benjamin hadn't forced him down this path. He taught Haru the ways of the Jedi but didn't give him a lightsaber right away. Yet, was this the right choice for Jet?

Rage against the Fire Nation fueled Benjamin's heart, and he was prone to anger. Was this the right time to train Jet? To entrust him with such a powerful weapon? And what about Haru?

The thought hit Benjamin like a thunderbolt. Haru's father had been brutally killed, and Benjamin had left him after just a week. Did he truly believe Haru was strong enough to resist the allure of the dark side? Hearing of Haru's deeds in the Earth Kingdom, Benjamin wondered if Haru could handle the anger in his heart.

"What the fuck am I doing..." Benjamin's thoughts raced, his hands covering his face. He was lost, unsure of the right path. Each person had different requirements for training, but he didn't know what those requirements should be. Should he have forced Haru to come with them? Was it wise to train Jet now, to aid him halfway with his lightsaber?

"Did I... already fail my students?" Benjamin pondered, his thoughts swirling like a tempest. In the next moment, the clatter of footsteps echoed through the air as he watched the princess hurriedly make her way through the streets, fleeing from Sokka's futile attempt to stop her. The warrior's disappointment was palpable as he slumped onto the balcony.

"Yo, Sokka... you good?" Benjamin approached, feeling the weight of his own concerns pressing down on him. Leaning over the balcony beside his friend, the chill ocean breeze breathed new life into them both. "Sokka, can we talk? I've been dealing with some stuff lately."

"Yeah, well, I just got rejected. So, I'm probably not gonna be the best for a good conversation," Sokka replied with a hint of bitterness.

They stood together in silence, gazing out at the turbulent river below, as Benjamin poured out his thoughts and emotions to Sokka, baring his soul in the cold night air.

After listening intently, Sokka nodded, his gaze still fixed on the ebb and flow of the water. "So, you're worried that you're failing Jet and Haru. That you're messing up with your teachings..."

Benjamin nodded in acknowledgment, and Sokka continued, turning to face his friend. "Haru and Jet are two completely different people. You're grappling with how to approach their training, torn between teaching them based on your own experiences or allowing them to forge their own paths."

"Okay... thanks, I guess?" Benjamin accepted the backhanded compliment, grateful for Sokka's honesty.

"But..." Sokka's hand found its way to Benjamin's shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie. "I have zero clue..."

"What?" Benjamin's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Benjamin, I'm the plan guy. Heck, I'm not even sure half the time what we're doing. But this Jedi stuff, this stuff with you and Haru... it's completely out of this world for me," Sokka admitted. "You've mentioned before the dark side of the Force, lurking within Jet and Haru. I don't know how to answer that. If you mess up, they could end up like Kiara. It's a massive responsibility you've taken on."

Benjamin let out a frustrated groan. "So, there's no hope..."

"I didn't say that... damn, Benji. You really get depressing when you think things are gonna turn out bad?" Sokka turned his gaze to the full moon and its crescent. "I don't know if there's a right answer to this question."

Benjamin felt a sense of despair creeping in, uncertainty gnawing at his resolve. "Yet, I do think what you're doing is a good thing. Trying to rebuild your order. But sometimes, Benjamin, you just have to let things play out. You can't always assume you know the right choice when teaching someone," Sokka advised, placing a comforting hand on his Jedi friend's shoulder. "...just follow your heart, believe in yourself, and maybe things will turn out alright."

With those words hanging heavy in the air, Benjamin nodded, a gesture that felt more like surrender than assurance. Foolishness permeated his thoughts; the weight of uncertainty pressed down on him like a leaden cloak. There was no clear path, no definitive answer. All he could do was trust his instincts and hope the Force would guide him, praying he wouldn't make irreparable mistakes.

"Now, about the girl..." Benjamin's voice broke the silence, drawing Sokka's attention. The warrior attempted to brush it off, but his sigh betrayed his inner turmoil. "Sokka, I see the way you look at her... don't get me wrong, she's really pretty, but is it really worth it?" Benjamin's hand extended, a gesture of concern. "The girl is already getting married; I don't want you to get hurt."

"It just feels strange... you know," Sokka confessed. "Have you ever been in love?"

Benjamin's gaze drifted to the river, lost in memories. "There was a woman... but nothing like what you're thinking of, I guess not."

Benjamin's upbringing within the Jedi Order flashed through his mind. Among its many strictures, one of the most significant was the prohibition against love and personal attachments. Even after leaving the Order, romantic connections remained elusive. There were dalliances within the Sith and brief encounters after crash-landing here, but nothing substantial.

So, Benjamin and Sokka stood there, grappling with their own thoughts, finding solace in each other's company as they watched the moon ascend above the horizon, bathing everything in its ethereal light.

Time passed.

Katara stormed into the hut, her frustration palpable as she vented her grievances. Jet, engrossed in his task, spared her a fleeting glance before returning to his workbench, tinkering with his lightsaber parts.

"Is something wrong?" Jet inquired, his voice tinged with genuine concern. Despite their friendship, he couldn't help but notice the tension radiating from Katara.

"The waterbending master refuses to train me because I'm a girl," Katara spat out, her frustration evident.

Jet sucked in his lip, absorbing the tension in the room as he resumed assembling his weapon. Hours had slipped by, each attempt to construct his lightsaber ending in frustration and disappointment. He knew the electrical components were sound, but the intricacies of the blade's assembly eluded him.

"Katara, why do you want to learn from him? You've already proven yourself time and again," Jet mused, his hands deftly maneuvering the metal pieces. "You've helped teach Aang waterbending and been an invaluable member of our team. If he can't see that, then it's his loss."

With those parting words, Jet affixed the final piece of his blade, a sense of anticipation mingling with the air, unbeknownst to him of Katara's rosy cheeks as he rose from his knees, standing tall. He drew in a deep breath, his fingertip hovering over the crimson activation button.

"Jet, I appreciate the compliments," Katara interjected, pointing toward the blade, "but Benjamin hasn't inspected it yet. You should go find him."

Jet's gaze lingered on the weapon, a mixture of pride and impatience swirling within him. How much longer must he wait? How many more trials and errors before he could wield his creation?

Benjamin had spoken of the lightsaber's flexibility and simplicity, yet days had passed, each attempt met with frustration. Now, perhaps...

He exhaled heavily, pressing the button, envisioning Benjamin's own saber with its brilliant purple beam. Yet, nothing happened.

Jet's brow furrowed as he tried again, but still, the blade remained dormant. It didn't ignite, nor did it explode. Instead, it simply slipped from his grasp as Benjamin entered the room, the weapon finding its way into the Jedi's waiting hand.

"Damn," Jet muttered, his gaze fixed ahead. Memories flooded his mind, reminders of the consequences of hastiness. Benjamin had halted his assistance before, turning it into another lesson. But Jet was impatient; he yearned to become a Jedi now, not tomorrow.

Benjamin inspected the blade, removing a few parts as he spoke. "Jet, I told you to wait for me."

"I'm sorry, Ben, I just..."

Ben sighed, dismantling the blade and tossing Jet the permafrost crystal. "I've been struggling with my role as a teacher... as a Jedi master. I still am. I don't even know what the hell I'm doing."

"But I do know this," Benjamin continued, tossing the lightsaber back to Jet. "I'm here to help you, to guide you. I don't know what the future holds, but I believe you must forge your own path."

Jet nodded, Benjamin's words humming around him as he delved into the Force, seeking connection and clarity. When he finished, he chambered the light blue crystal into his lightsaber, closing the hilt. With a sigh, he tossed it back to Benjamin, who accepted it with a smile, giving it another inspection.

"Excellent, it's ready," Benjamin declared, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction that reverberated through the room. Jet reclaimed the lightsaber, his gaze captured by the play of sunlight along the alloy metal, drawing Katara from her seat to steal a glimpse.

Drawing in a heavy breath, Jet felt the weight of the weapon in his hands, even unactivated, sensing the pulsing force energy within its core. With a deliberate exhale, he activated the blade, filling the hut with a brilliant cyan light, reminiscent of Benjamin's own saber.

The brown-eyed boy's eyes sparkled in the glow as he executed a few practice swings, the rhythmic hum of the blade mesmerizing him, centering his world. A smirk of satisfaction danced on his lips, finally.

Benjamin nodded approvingly as Jet turned off the lightsaber, seeking guidance. "What now, Benjamin?" he inquired.

"What now," Benjamin echoed with a soft chuckle, his gaze resting on his second apprentice, a new knight of his fledgling Jedi Order. "Now, we train you... in the ways of the Force."

With those parting words, Jet clicked his very own lightsaber to his belt, following Benjamin out of the hut. Change was stirring in the world, the Jedi Order beginning to flourish anew. Yet, amidst the growth, dark forces loomed on the horizon, ever-present and foreboding.