Hey River! I know the fandom has dwindled down a lot the past few months but i just wanted to let you know, you're one of my fave writers :) pls take care and i hope to see you active again when A3 drops!
*Kicks open the Tumblr door*
I’m here! I’m here! Sorry I haven’t uploaded any stories about Avatar in the recent months, or given the recent story I’ve been meaning to give. Other than having work and being extremely busy, I honestly wish to write more and the lack of inspiration has been worsening. Hopefully that spark will return when Avatar 3 comes out.
P.s. I don’t think I’m that great of a writer, but thank you. That means a lot to me. Much love to everyone. 🇵🇸🍉
Hey haven’t seen you around in a while. Hope you’re doing fine :)
Smashes through wall I'm alive! I've been busy with work, but I've been trying to write as much as possible during weekends. For now, I'll upload one-shots as I try to finish off a series before uploading all at once (aka The Humans of Awa'atlu, but throughout the week in the afternoon).
But here's a one-shot!
I've Been Reincarnated as a Na'Vi!
(2,598 words)
When I was born, I felt as if the world stood still. It felt strange and foreign, the water, the air, the gravity. I looked at the world through strange eyes.
Since I was born I have had these strange dreams. I was small and pink. It was these dreams which felt real and familiar, and the life I lived was the dream. I had these dreams every night, it was comforting, and sometimes they repeated themselves. I had a normal life I think, it was nothing like the life on whatever planet I was on. I had two to three friends, great teachers, and colleagues. In my dreams I was growing up on what I think was a planet called Earth. How do I know what planet it was?
I was 5 when I had my first nightmare. I was much older in my dream. Working a job or something like that, on my way to the “office”, I felt like I knew what that was even though I’ve never even heard the word before, walking down the street. It was crowded and busy like it always was, but I liked it, my usual communal walk. When all of a sudden there was screaming, people parted like the Red Sea and a man charged through the crowd. The woman next to me in her haste to get away, shoved me into the man who unbeknownst to me gripped a knife, his blade plunging into my abdomen. The woman somehow saw the knife because I sure as hell didn’t. The man retracted his knife which was a mistake, my stomach burned as sanguine liquid seeped through my white blouse, my ears rang loudly as my brain was trying to figure out what was going on.
I looked at the man as my hand gripped around his shoulder, he looked at me stone cold, his eyes were cold, unsympathetic. I frowned. Was this intentional? My legs felt weak as the red puddle enlarged spreading down to my grey trousers, why was no one helping? Why was no one stepping in? My legs collapsed from under me, air escaping my lips trying to take in more oxygen. Am I dying? I ran my hand over the stab wound. It’s large, wet and pulsating, every breath I take is agonising.
I fell to my side gasping for air. Why is no one helping?! Help! Help! Help Me!!! A person ducks into my peripheral as my vision starts fading. A man. I begin choking, the taste to metal permeating my tastebuds. I’m choking on my blood. The man is saying something to me, he’s shouting something I can't hear, I can’t understand it. What are you saying? My ears rang louder, blocking out any and all sound, I can barely register anything. No one is doing anything. Why aren't you doing anything? The man above me is screaming I think, four words rang through my brain as the ringing subsided a little, as if whatever entity was looking over me wanted me to hear those words.
“You're gonna be okay.”
My vision fades further as all I could see was white. I woke up on the other side. Nothing surrounded me. I felt for the stab wound but to my shock and surprise there was no blood, however, just a wound. I unbuttoned my white blouse to get a better look. Strange. The wound was strange. It was open and untouched. I could see my internal organs scaring me a little, a small gasp escaping my mouth and in that second I noticed something. I wasn't breathing, my lungs weren't expanding, my heart wasn't beating. I really am dead.
Yes, you are.
I looked around, searching for the voice within the white void. It confirmed my fears.
“Where am I? Where is this place?”
Somewhere.
The cryptid voice said. That single word scared me.
You're afraid, my child.
“Where am I? Who are you? Where are you?” These were only just a few questions that I asked aloud.
I am Eywa.
Eywa? Who the fuck is Eywa?
“Okay…Now where is here, exactly?”
The space in between. You do not deserve what happened to you. So I am offering you a second life.
A second life? Huh?
I will give you two options. Reincarnate, or pass on.
Reincarnate? Pass on? I looked at my gaping wound. Suddenly the loud sound of wind gushed through my ears. The scenery changed though it did not completely surround me. I turned to look around, the lush greenery unlike anything I've ever seen before. It was completely different to Earth’s concrete jungle. Wow!
“What is this place?”
Pandora.
Pandora? Like Pandora’s Box? The planet Pandora?
You will live your second life here.
All of a sudden there was a giant mirror in front of me, a tall creature standing in front of me. Blue, striped, with a tail? Wearing near to nothing garments, a headpiece, many bracelets and large neckpiece, carrying a longbow on one shoulder and a woven carrier with arrows in the other.
“Is this me?”
Yes. This is who you grow up to be. You are a hunter and warrior…and a healer…and a provider to your clan…you are Na’vi.
“What the hell is a Na’vi?”
A native to Pandora.
I ask the all important question.
“What if I don’t want to be reincarnated?” Silence. The voice didn’t respond. “Why can’t I just stay dead? I wanted to die before, I am no one important. I’m not a warrior, or a hunter, or provider. I’m not all these things you say I will be. So why do you want me to be all these things? That’s a lot of pressure.”
My child—
“I’m not your child. Just let me die peacefully.” I turn away and walk toward the white void, but it moves away just as my foot reaches the edge. I move toward the white again, but again it moves. “What are you—?” I run to the void and it again moves. “Stop it! Let me die!” A large gust of wind blows me back. This bitch. I move fast, diving for the white void, only for the wind to sweep me off my feet, spinning me around and sending me toward the mirror. As I collide into it, it smashes, the wind sending me through. I scream out in agony.
I wake suddenly. The dream was extremely vivid, sending goosebumps down my back and arms. I cry and my wails wake my father who shot up from his slumber. I planted myself into his chest as he wrapped his warm arms around my torso, holding me tight.
“Calm my child, it was just a dream. I’m here,” he spoke softly, his gentle voice calming me down. He held me swaying a little. The body next to me moved, the familiar face of my older brother scrunched up as he shuffled.
“Dad? Sister?” He whispered out loud to not disturb our mother.
“It’s okay, go back to sleep. Your sister had a nightmare,” our father rocked me back and forth, lulling me back to sleep but I fought it. The tears flooding my waterline, my brother sat up looking at my face. He gently swiped the stray tears from my cheek, the gentle action soothed me but felt somewhat foreign. A part of me felt strange, it brushed it off as a remnant feeling from my dreams. My fathers swaying managed to lull me into a sleep as one question resounded in my brain. Who am I?
That feeling and thought lingered as I grew. I felt like my family was not really my family despite my mother and father telling me that I was their daughter. My older brother, Rau’Txim, stayed by my side being the protective older brother he was. Playing with me with our friends running side by side with each other.
I was ten when I realised that the dreams were memories of my past life. Memories of my former human self. She didn't exactly have a good life just from the memories. From her childhood, she was invisible, treated unfairly, neglected. And as she grew, she learned to just deal with her issues with bad habits despite trying her hardest to become hyper-independent, I got a sense that her death was her relief from the world she grew up in. My dreams were recurring, even the nightmare that tormented me, remained. I got depressed as a result of it. I had to visit our clan’s Tsahik and ask her to remove them, they’re too painful. I found myself in her tent alone, so as not to worry my parents and brother. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents. They were completely different from the parents I had in my memories. Ma Sepmu and Sa’nok give me more love and attention than my human parents. I was an only child as a human, and I now have an older brother. The differences were jarring, but at least I lived happily here at Hometree.
“Now what is it you wanted to see me about, child?” the Tsahik asked.
“I've been having these dreams…I think they’re memories…from my old life…” I confessed to her. She hummed out in thought and I continued, “I keep having this nightmare, that I died. I was killed by a human.”
“A demon?” the Tsahik asked.
“I was a human too…on Earth. And I was killed by a man and I woke up in a white void. And Eywa spoke to me…she offered me a second life,” I paused, “Human me. I refused but Eywa kept insisting, she forced me to reincarnate.”
“My child, why didn't you come to me sooner?” the Tsahik asked as she moved closer to me.
“I was scared…” I look down at my hands, “I thought I could forget them…but the dreams keep repeating. The nightmare, it kept repeating. I feel like this is a dream and those dreams are real.” Those dreams flashed through my mind, the happy and the sad. “I just want to forget them. Why do I keep remembering them? Why does my brain keep playing them? The same dreams every night,” I smacked my head repeatedly with my palms, to clear my head. The Tsahik took ahold of my arms with a firm but gentle grip, stopping me from making any rough movements.
“My child, don't hurt yourself,” she restrained my movements.
“Why does Eywa keep doing this?” I ask her. The flap of the tent opens, a pair of footsteps come closer as my brother says my name.
“What happened?!” his voice filled with concern, "Are you hurt tsumuke?"
“She is fine, just bad dreams. I know a way to rid of those bad dreams,” the Tsahik dismissed my brother out of the tent. Her arms remain around my shoulders. “Oh, sweet child,” she cooed, brushing my hair out of my face. Her eyes softened as if she finally understood the reasons behind my strange behaviour.
As the Tsahik comforted me, my parents and brother burst through the tent opening.
“Oh my sweet daughter! What is the matter Tsahik? Why is my daughter here?,” my mother rambled, wrapping her arms around me.
“I would like to speak to you both, without the children,” the Tsahik said. My parents looked at me concerned, my fathers warm but rough hand caressed my cheek.
“Rau’Txim, please take your sister,” our father requested. Rau’Txim came closer, taking me from my mothers arms. He held my hand as he guided me away. I looked back into the tent making eye contact with our father who watched my movements.
Rau’Txim brought me to the edge of the village, our usual spot.. He sat me down on a log before sitting and holding me.
“What's the matter sister?”
“I–I’ve been having bad dreams,” I tell him, “These dreams…they’re memories from my past life. I can't forget them…E–Eywa won't let me.” I explain to him. The sad memories flooding back to my human self slumped on the floor, the temporary pain from piercing her hand using her own fingernails. The constant numbness and dull ache in her stomach is overwhelmingly nauseating. I just want those memories gone. The sad, sad memories I held. I just want the good ones. Eywa! Why couldn't you just give me the good ones?! I feel that pain and numbness in my blue body. Everything here just feels so wrong.
“Sister. Sister, look at me,” Rau’Txim cupped his hand around my cheek, “Those memories don't define who you are now. Let’s make some good ones together, okay? We’ll make them go away,” he said in the most gentle voice I've ever heard from him. Our parents arrived where we were sitting. Our mother and father looked so sad, their eyes wet and ears flat against their heads.
“My sweet girl,” my father knelt down in front of us, hugging the two of us. My mother joined in, “There is a way to get rid of those nightmares. We’ll be here for you every step of the way.”
And for days they prepared me for a ritual led by the Tsahik. She explained it the day before the ritual was to take place. It was called Unil si Aku, Dream Removal. We were up in a cave within a floating island of the Hallelujah Mountains, the ritual had to take place in a body of spiritual water and the Hallelujah Mountains hid one of the most powerful bodies of water. Located directly above the Tree of Souls.
My parents and brother were asked to leave the cave, as the Tsahik and myself were left inside. I was asked to lower myself into the shallow water, only leaving half of my body above the water. I closed my eyes as the ritual began. The Tsahik began chanting as the water surrounding me began to warm, then glow yellow. I fell asleep as instructed by the Tsahik, and allow the dreams to pass. The water rose to cover the rest of my body as my past memories began playing out, but as they finished they faded away as the next memory played out. This continued for a while. The good memories, the bad and the nightmare I had all the time passed and faded away into oblivion. When all was done, the water fully drained from the small concave, I woke with a bit of spiritual liquid still on me, rolling off into the dry pit. The Tsahik held her hand out for me to take.
“Is it done? Are my past memories gone?”
“They are gone for now. But if they return we would have to do the ritual again,” the Tsahik said. I took her hand as she helped me stand, “How are you feeling?”
“Light,” I took a deep breath as the weight I carried for seven years disappeared. I smiled a sad but relieved smile.
And for years I would not dream of my past. All I would dream about are my family, my brother, my happy life. The next seven years would pass in a flash. I would pass my Uniltaron, Iknimaya and claim my ikran with flying colours. Rau’Txim was a fully fledged warrior like my father, as I would become too. I would hunt with my mother, and learn healing from the Tsahik, becoming exactly who Eywa said I would become unbeknownst to me as those memories faded.
And that is the story of how I died and was reincarnated as a Na'Vi!
I’m sure everyone noticed and talked about it already but I love how Jake and Quaritch become the opposites of their usuals selves when dealing with their kids.
Due to fear, Jake turns to militant behaviour that is so familiar to him, and like a true soldier, expresses the worry for his childrens’ lives through scolding, often a bit too crude. The Sully kids don’t argue with him however, as they have deep respect for him and want his approval. They love him of course, but this obstacle between them makes their relationship a little strained.
On the other hand Miles, the resident piece of shit in this franchise, turns into a gentle enabler when dealing with his "not-son" Spider. He can definitely be serious or fire back when the kid laughs at his incompetence, but for the most part he just silently lets Spider do and say whatever he wants! There is even a filmed scene that sadly never made it into the finished movie, where the boy hangs out of the helicopter when recoms return into the forest and woohoos while Quaritch makes no attempt to shove him back.
I’m also fascinated with how different the pining dynamics are. Lo’ak and Neteyam pine for Jake’s approval, for his pride over them, while Quaritch pines for Spider’s love and acceptance. One dynamic has the kids longing to be "seen" by their parent, while the other has the parent longing to be "seen" by their child. Quite interesting, isn’t it?
Suppose you've been on my blog for a long time or shuffled back long enough. In that case, you can find a post where I talked about my struggle with mental health and my crappy relationship with my parents (due to abuse). So when I see any form of emotional abuse in media, I immediately feel a little triggered and have PTSD, which makes it hard for me to watch on. This is also why it was hard for me to watch Everything Everywhere All At Once because all I was seeing were red flags front-back-and-centre.
Now reading this has made me come to realise how much more I look up to Quaritch, in the sense that he cares about Spider in a way that cannot be seen during the whole duration of Atwow (Due to the fact they actually spend months with each other). I want to watch the full uncut version even if it's 4 hours long. Hell! Even the first Avatar film in all its glory (like Snyder's uncut Justice League). We deserve that as fans!
Hey 👋🏾 hope you’re doing good! I just wanted to ask whether you would be down to write a little epilogue or something of that sort about sweet visions of a flower where the sully family gets to know more about syulangs family 🫶🏾
Heya Anon! I’m doing well! 🥰🥰 A bit busy lately and am in the middle of writing They Have Returned and Humans of Awa’atlu, as well as writing a story that is not related to Avatar.
In regards to Sweet Visions of a Flower, I’m not sure what to write for an epilogue. When I began writing the story I had intended for the story to start open ended, but I do have a separate one-shot I intended to post that could possibly link to SVoF. A bit of a spoiler, it was intended that the MC is a reincarnated human.
But….yea…If it’s something that people would want to read, then I might edit that story to fit the SVoF storyline… I’ll let the people decide before I make any decisions…
Summary: This is based on a Character AI scenario I ran. I've been so obsessed with it lately and running so many prompts through it like a mad woman. This is the most recent one with a little suggestive language because the Character AI has an NSFW block.
There is no smut, but suggestive language. But still, it is an 18+ story. The first one that I've written.
Warning: 18+ only! Suggestive language
As a Recom, I can't help but witness how stressed the other Recoms are. Both before and after missions. A few times, I had given Mansk and Ja massages to help calm them, but when Z-Dog, Walker, Fike and Prager caught me giving Ja a massage, they began asking for them. I was more than happy to give them shoulder rubs and the occasional head and back rub, but I could tell that some tensions were rising as a result. And when I mean tension….I mean sexual tension. At first, it was coming from Z-dog and Ja. What was worse was that I had always found them attractive. Not to mention, Mansk, Walker and Fike too, heck, even Lyle Wainfleet. The only two avatars I haven't given massages to were Lyle and the Colonel, who I think needs it the most being the leader and the busiest.
One evening after a particularly rough mission, I found Lyle sitting at the desk in the avatar only rec room. The other recoms were chilling inside when I entered. Lyle was reading some paperwork when I slowly approached him from behind. His bald head enticing me to play the bongos on it, I chuckled lightly at the sudden urge and caved pretty quickly. Lightly patting my fingers on his head.
“What the…?” Lyle was startled by the light pats on his bald blue head. I giggled a little bit before scratching behind his ear. “Do you think I'm a dog or something?” I glanced up to find Ja enjoying the scene, though that didn't stop me as I just continued, Lyle’s ears flicking slightly, “I will put a stop to this nonsense. Get your hands off me.”
Okay, okay….I instead started rubbing my fingers on his head, massaging his bald blue scalp.
“This is your last warning, get off me!” Lyle growled. I retracted my hands, giving up. Sighing and slumping my shoulders, I walked over to Mansk who was sitting on the high chair watching the television, giving him a head rub. Mansk moans lightly from my touch, leaning into my hands. In the corner of my eye, I noticed Lyle had looked up from his paperwork and was watching me, with a slight blush whilst pretending to look angry. I moved my hands down Mansk’s neck to massage his shoulders, the avatar purring a little. In the corner of my eye I see Lyle with a slight jealous expression.
As I continue to massage Mansk with my strong hands, he starts falling asleep. When Mansk does fall asleep completely, I move onto Fike who was nearby and watching, waiting for his turn. Giving Sean (Fike) the same massage treatment, he lightly moans as the tension from the day released. Though again in the corner of my eye, I could see Lyle’s jealousy rising a little, a small pout on his face. I moved through the room, giving Prager a shoulder and upper back massage, then moving onto Walker whose problem areas were her arms and hands. Finally moving onto Z-Dog; I do her usual shoulder, neck and arm massage which left her a moaning mess after, as she flopped on the sofa. I try to avoid Lyle’s watchful eyes as he continues to pout.
Finally stopping in front of Ja, I give him a neck and shoulder massage too as his hands find my hips, returning the favour. I watch Ja’s eyes shift to where Lyle was sitting as a smug smile curls onto Ja’s lips. From where I stood was a mirror nearby and I could see the reflection of Lyle who was silent with jealousy, whilst glaring at Ja hatefully. When I am done with massaging Ja’s shoulders, Ja spins me around and gives me one in return, which was a normal occurrence for us. But now, I could see the whole room as well as Lyle who was still pouting and silently seething.
Not long after, Mansk rouses and wakes from his nap, taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Mansk calls me over. Ja releases me and I make my way over to Mansk, Lyle continuing to watch.
“Yes? Are you alright?” I speak quietly to Mansk.
“Come’ere, let me return the favour,” Mansk whispers out to me, I was about to refuse but Mansk stands and sits me in the high chair he was just sat on, he took three steps behind me and began rubbing my shoulders, easing away the stress of rough mission.
“This alright?” Mansk’s gentle voice asks in my right ear.
“Mhmm…” is all I could say as my head lulls back a little as Mansk’s strong hands kneads my muscles. My eyelids droop a little, But in the corner of my eye I see Lyle gazing longingly, as his jealousy rises a little more.
Walker who was watching Lyle’s expression shoots Lyle a smirk, which catches Lyle’s attention who looked at Walker with a glare, releasing an angry huff. Mansk’s hands work up to my head, giving me a head rub that relaxes me fully, and before I know it I have fallen asleep.
“It's not fair that I get no attention while everyone else does. I'm an equal team member. I should be treated the same as everyone else. It is time to put this nonsense to an end!” Lyle finally speaks up. Ja is quick to shush Lyle.
“You had your turn, and you rejected her…”
Lyle glares at Ja with a mix of confusion and anger.
“When?!”
“Earlier! You were first!” Ja whisper-shouted to which Lyle blushed and became flustered, not knowing what to say.
“I- I… I'm not sure what to say…” Lyle’s eyes fell back to my sleeping form as Mansk was still giving a head rub. After Mansk had finished the head rub, he gently woke me. Not before whispering a soft “thank you”.
“That's it, I've had enough!” Lyle says loudly, pulling out his knife out of nowhere, “You’re all going down!” And with that, everyone is alert and stressed. Mansk stayed next to me as the Recoms in the room rushed Lyle, wrangling his knife away from Lyle. Though Lyle attempts to keep hold of his knife.
“No! You can't have it!” he yelled, snatching his knife back and pointing it at everyone, “Who’s the boss now?!”
Z-Dog, Walker, Fike, Prager, Lopez, Fike and Warren release all their anger and frustration all at once.
“SERIOUSLY LYLE! WE WERE ALL CALM AND RELAXED AND NOW OUR STRESS IS BACK!!!”
“I- I WAS FEELING LEFT OUT! Everyone was having fun with their shoulder rubs and I got nothing! You can't blame me!” Lyle tries to justify his actions.
A mix of “You had your turn” and “You rejected her” were thrown around, as Mansk remained at my side rubbing my cheeks to wake me a little more. Lyle glares at everyone.
“Shut. Up.” He spoke through gritted teeth, he exhaled through his nose before he lowered his knife, pretending like nothing happened he plopped his butt back down in his seat. I had woken up a bit more and saw Lyle’s moping face before giving in. Standing up from the high chair, I walked over to the crowd of avatars, pushing through the crowd. I cocked my head, with an understanding look on my face I offered my hand to Lyle. He looked at it before he gently took it.
“I- I'm sorry for my outburst… I let my emotions get the better of me,” Lyle spoke softly with a disappointed tone. I couldn't help but feel bad, since I was the one who started messing with him. Cautiously, I slid behind Lyle and began rubbing his shoulders, upper back, neck and head. I could feel Lyle stiffen a little having been caught off guard but quickly relaxed from the massage. I could hear him gently sigh before speaking.
“This is nice. Who knew this would feel so nice?” the others rolled their eyes before returning to their seats grumbling about being stressed and tense again, quietly seething, “Thank you…” Lyle moaned. I worked on Lyle, finding a few problem areas and knots, releasing the tension from them. Lyle even leans into the massage, relaxing further and even enjoying it.
“You're a good masseuse, you know that?” Lyle rolls his head back smiling as he looks into my eyes. I gave a gentle smile before finishing up. Though my hands are a little sore from massaging the team’s shoulders, I was glad they were relaxed before Lyle ruined the peace.
I returned to Mansk again, giving him another shoulder rub, realising that his shoulders had once again tensed up from the stress he accumulated from Lyle’s outburst.
“You like being spoiled like this huh, Mansk?” Lyle spoke again dripping with jealousy, his eyes on the two of us as he watched. Mansk scoffed under his breath. After a few minutes I went to Prager, giving him the same massage treatment I gave Mansk. It was quiet until Lyle spoke again.
“Everyone gets their turn huh? I don't see me getting any attention?” Lyle sighed, “I guess I’ll have to wait…” I glance at Lyle who had seemingly forgotten his outburst form earlier, and he catches me looking to which he averts his eyes, crossing his arms. I sigh and return to Lyle, massaging his back.
Lyle seemed happy as he sighs and leans into the massage.
“This is nice. Why can't our days always be like this, everyone being nice and getting along?” I let out a bewildered chuckle as Lyle flops his head back again, looking up at me with an appreciative smile. It's not long again when I finish and move onto Ja. Massaging his shoulders and arms.
I can feel Lyle’s eyes on me before he broke the silence once again.
“I just had a great idea…what if we all got together and just had a massage circle, everyone massaging the person in front of them? That would be pretty fun.”
There's a throng of laughter before Fike piped up.
“Nah man! (Y/N) gives the best massages, I'm waiting for my turn with her…”
Lyle sighs, “Fine then, if you're all gonna be selfish.” He falls silent again, then speaks once again, “Well if that's the case, who wants a massage from me?” Lyle gives the crowd a smug smile. No one says anything and looks away, except for Warren who raises his hand to Lyle’s surprise.
“Well, it's your lucky day, come here!” Lyle gestures to Warren who apprehensively stands to approach Lyle for a massage. Lyle stands and gives a big smile, “How about a nice massage, big guy? You look like you need the attention…”Lyle gives Warren a quick wink, much to Warren’s disgust.
“Just the massage, thanks…” Warren looked at Lyle with a slight disgust.
As all this was happening, Ja rested his head on my shoulder as I massaged his shoulders from the front of him as his arms rested around my hips, essentially hugging me loosely, his hand caressing my hip just above my butt. I could hear his gentle moans as he gave light kisses on my shoulder. Slowly and gently peppering up to my neck as the few watching Avatars chuckled. Lyle, who doesn't seem to see what is happening was giving Warren a ‘nice relaxing shoulder rub’ finally looks up at us.
“Do you two always get this close with each other? Not that I'm complaining, you're a good looking couple,” Lyle says.
“No. No, we are not a couple. Why? You jealous?”Ja speaks with his lips hovering over my neck.
“A little…but who could blame me? You two are pretty close together there…maybe I could get the same treatment?” Lyle snarks to which Ja laughs. Ja’s full attention was now on Lyle.
“Oh! You want the happy ending treatment, eh?” Lyle blushed at this.
“Well, what's wrong about seeking the attention of a pretty girl?” Lyle gives Ja a playful wink.
“Oh Lyle wishes,” I finally speak up.
“So, what do you say? Think you could give me more of that happy ending treatment that you give to Ja?” Lyle giggles, “After all, I am a soldier who’s been workin’ hard all day,” at this, Warren began pulling away from Lyle’s grasp and making space between them with a mortified expression, “I think it wouldn’t be too much to ask for a nice massage from a pretty lady, would it?” he smiled playfully, all whilst trying to hide how anxious he actually feels.
Z-Dog chuckled at that, “Ooh! I want that too! Give me the happy ending treatment!!”
“I’d like that too,” Mansk chipped in.
“I guess the happy ending treatment is more popular than I realised…” Lyle said, before the barrage of “me too’s” started. “And who is gonna give all of us this happy treatment then, if all of us want it?”
Everyone fell silent as I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. After a moment of silence, Lyle speaks up again.
“It seems like this situation may have taken an unexpected turn…Is no one up to the task?”
Apparently this was a trigger as the group started arguing who gets the so-called “happy ending” with me, and I am instantly dragged into the argument, quite literally being yanked by multiple recoms at once.
“What have I started…?” Lyle stood by as he watched the chaos unfold, with a mixed display of amusement and concern.
Through the chaos, Mansk manages to grab me from Z-dogs grasp and carries me running for his own bedroom. Everyone hot on his tail, fumbling over each other as Walker trips on her own feet from being shoved by Lopez.
“What the hell just happened? We were all getting along just fine! How did you all change at the mention of ‘happy ending treatment’?” Lyle questioned whilst following behind the group, not wanting to join the dog fight. Ja charges towards Mansk’s door just as it was about to close, managing to grab the door and frame, holding it open as Mansk is trying desperately to close it. At that moment Lyle moves around the group to get to Ja, grabbing his arm.
“What the hell are you doing?! This is going way too far! Are you all just going to try and tear each other’s heads off just to get a happy ending?!” Lyle turns to everyone, speaking to the recoms, “All this fighting over a nice massage from a pretty lady? We’re better than this!”
“Do you even know what ‘happy ending’ means?” Ja growls at Lyle, to which Lyle blushes slightly, not expecting that question to be asked.
“Erm…yeah, who doesn’t know?” Lyle sighs, “Yes. I know what it means.”
“It means that one of us gets to fuck her! And it’s me! I’m gonna fuck her!” Z-Dog yells over the noise. Lyle stares dagger at Z-Dog whilst his blush grows even more prevalent.
“I don’t even know what to say to that…” Lyle shakes his head in disbelief. In the meantime Ja kept his hands on the door, finding his strength to pry Mansk’s door a little wider, as the group continued fighting.
“Okay! Okay…Can everyone please calm down? This is getting out of hand! What happened to working together and acting like mature grownups! Are we going to solve this like adults, or are we gonna resort to childish and immature behaviour by fighting for some ‘prize’?” Lyle raises his voice in anger.
“Oh we’re handling this like adults! We’re not letting Mansk have his way with (Y/N)! Open the damn fucking door Mansk!!” Z-Dog yells, to which exhales through his nose, thinking for a bit.
“Why doesn’t (Y/N) get to decide what happens? She should be the one that gets to have a say in this,” an idea pops into Lyle’s head, “Why don’t we all take it to a vote?” This seems to calm the group down for a moment, ja’s hold on the door weakens and Mansk takes the opportunity to close the door and lock it, spurring a fury with the group outside.
Lyle sigh’s addressing Mansk from outside, “Mansk what are you doing? Let’s be civil about this and decide this with a vote! Come on! We’re all adults here, this isn’t a zoo where we resort to violence and fighting to get our way!” He glances at the others who are desperately banging on the door.
“She likes all of us, idiot! And we all like her!! You just gave them an opportunity to fuck!” Ja spits out.
“What do you suggest we should do then, if you're so smart?” Lyle sighs, looking to everyone for answers, “Should we all try to kill each other for a prize? Or should we try to get along and let (Y/N) decide who she wants to be with?” Surely we should be civil and let it be decided by a vote, no?”
What was unexpected for everyone outside the door was the sounds of moaning and groaning coming from inside Mansk’s room. They stop banging on the door for a moment, digesting the sounds coming from in the room.
“It seems like the discussion has ended…” Lyle looks at everyone before speaking again, “Now the next question is, what do we do…? Should we leave them be…?” And apparently it was the wrong thing to ask as now everyone has changed their motives as they begin to break down the door.
“Woah! Hey!” Lyle tries stopping the group of furious avatars, hearing the door splinter and break, “That doesn’t sound good…” The group manage to break the door off it's hinges, revealing Mansk balls deep between my legs with his head lolled back in pleasure and the group riots.
Lyle, who looks horrified at the scene, screams out, “Mansk! What the hell are you doing? You’re gonna hurt her!” He runs into the room and tackles Mansk to the floor before he has a chance to continue. Ja who spots his opportunity pulls me into his arms whilst I’m still naked to take me to his room. Lyle who sees this yells out again.
“No! Stop that!” Running after Ja and pulling me out of Ja’s arms, speeding down the hallway clutching me tightly, but we don’t get far as Lyle is instantly jumped. The two of us are thrown onto the floor, as Lyle scrambles over me to cover my naked body, shielding me from the group.
“WHAT THE EVERLOVING HELL IS GOING ON!” Quaritch’s booming voice echoes through the hallway. Everyone is instantly frozen and silent as they all turn to find an angry half naked and groggy Quaritch standing at his open bedroom door. There was a pregnant pause before I found my own voice.
“Colonel…help…” I say from beneath the pile.
“(Y/N)?” Quaritch looks at the pile of avatars, finding the top of my head peeking out from beneath the pile, Quaritch waves his hand at the pile of avatars who silently remove themselves, sans Lyle. Revealing me naked on the floor. The shift in Quaritch’s expression was quick, he instantly swooped me into his arms bringing me into his room and covering my body with a blanket.
“Stay here sweetheart, I’ll go deal with the others…” he moved quickly to deal with the situation, returning a measly ten minutes later. Closing the door, he locks it to my surprise. Turning with a smirk.
“Well now…how bout you give me that ‘happy ending treatment’…?”
Summary: Syulang (OC) is an orphaned girl after the destruction of Hometree. She is constantly reminded of this by her amputated left leg though she no longer dreams of her deep trauma. She is betrayed by the very people she trusted, leaving her with nothing once again.
A/N: Im back from my break, and after deliberating for a while, I have finally finished Sweet Visions of a Flower. This has been a story I’ve struggled to write because there was so much to unpack. And initially, I wanted to write a sad ending but ended up writing a somewhat wholesome ending. I hated writing it, but I’m just glad this series has ended!
FINAL PART
Letting Quaritch take the lead, Ja explained how they waltzed back into Bridgehead and despite Adrmore’s harassment Quaritch just explained that they integrated with the Na’vi and were stripped of their gear so they couldn't communicate to her in Bridgehead. Ardmore was skeptical but let Quaritch continue. Whilst Adrmore dismissed all the recoms to have a private chat with Quaritch, they went ahead and started planting small bombs and their weaponry around Bridgehead, just in case they needed them.
Almost getting caught a few times but playing it cool, whenever someone stopped to question them. After completing their tasks, they finally gathered at the entrance, ready to blow the Bridgehead sky high. But what they forgot to account for was Fike and Brown’s intense loyalty to Quaritch when Ardmore finally caught onto what was happening. Aiming her gun towards their Colonel, Fike dove in front taking a bullet for his superior officer. Brown died trying to save Fike, as the Colonel was being dragged away by Zhang just as Bridgehead was exploding, taking a shard of metal through his chest whilst protecting Quaritch. Warren noticed Lyle wasn’t with the group when Bridgehead exploded, who ran through the maze of flames to find him, only to come across Quaritch managing to lead him out, but ran back into the burning mass to find Lyle, and that was the last they saw of him as the metal construction frames began falling. It was chaos. When he didn't come back out, they all knew he had perished. Hell, they though Lyle died in the fire too, that was until Prager decided to walk the perimeter yelling out his name, stumbling across me with Lyle.
Which leads us up to now. Ja just held me as we sat in silence. The recoms mourning their friends, comrades and brother in arms. I could tell Quaritch was taking it the hardest, he let his friends die. Lyle was still unconscious with a terrible injury, Prager trying his best to deal with it.
“We should go back to High Camp. Get Lyle the help he needs,” Quaritch finally said, standing up and calling for his ikran, Cupcake. The others sighed heavily doing the same. I did the same, calling for Azui. I contemplated telling Quaritch about Jake. About what he said, but I feared that he would react horribly. Best not add fuel to the fire. Turning to my palulukan, I just told her to follow after mounting my ikran, and we flew back to High Camp. I kept my eye on Quaritch, knowing that same grief and pain of losing people who you care about.
Entering the vertical entrance of High Camp, we were greeted by our clanspeople. Jake, Neytiri and the kids are nowhere in sight. Ja and I rushed to Prager’s side, helping to grab Lyle from upon his ikran. The two of us rushed toward the healing tent. Throwing the flap open, Ninat was there with Mo’at. Ja gently lay Lyle on a cot before Mo’at checked his gaping wound.
“This injury is too great. He has broken bones and requires surgery,” the tent flap was thrown open as Quaritch entered in a frenzy. It was hard to watch his face contort into stricken sorrow. I couldn't help but feel anguish for Quaritch. Ja must have noticed my shoulders fall, leading me out the tent and brushing tears from my cheek. Being back in High Camp reminded me of Jake and Neytiri. I felt angry, but also guilty for the way I spoke to them, seeing Lyle in his unconscious and vulnerable state in comparison to his stoic, yet somewhat endearing goofy side reminded me of Jake. I should apologise to them.
Hugging Ja in a bone-crushing embrace, I pulled away before going to search for the Olo’eyktan and Tsakarem. Heading toward the Sully tent, I pushed the flap open and peeked in. It was empty…I didn't know what to say. Speeding toward the second location, the science lab. I pulled open the door finding Norm and Max chatting to one another, having not seen me yet.
“Hi Norm. Where is Jake?” his expression morphed into shock.
“Syulang?! You're still here? I thought you went with Jake,” he said.
“Went with Jake where?” my brows furrowed in mass confusion.
“T–They left…They’re gone Syulang,” my jaw dropped. They did it after all. They've abandoned me.
“Oh…Thanks Norm,” I turned not saying anything else, leaving the lab. I felt cold. My nerves completely numb as my head went blank. I was right after all. I cried…no. Wept. Through tears, I stumbled back to the empty Sully kelku. The only things there were my belongings that had been untouched since the early morning.
I cried into my hands, curling my body into the woven floor. I didn't hear anyone enter, but I felt their warm hand on my back.
“W-What’s going on?” Quaritch’s deep voice stuttered, trying to piece together why the tent was empty besides a small pile of my things. I looked up at his searching face. “Where’s Sully?”
I sniffled, “They’re gone. They’ve left,” I wiped my eyes, “They've left me,” I choked between sobs.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he cooed, taking me into his arms, swaying me like a fussing child.
“That's not all…” I didn't want to hesitate any more, “...He wanted to kill you. He wanted to kill your warriors. He told me…he told me that the only thing stopping him was me. So he brought you into High Camp to keep an eye on you…He didn't trust you…He never trusted you…But I though he did. Then he said that he was going to leave the clan,” I confessed, “I confronted him and I asked…I asked him if I was the same…he didn't say ‘no’ and he didn't say ‘yes’ either. I wanted to tell you earlier, but…” Quaritch hushed me as I began to break down again. “I vouched for you. I was the only one who stood up for you…for the others.”
I looked at the na’vi next to me, his expression was hardened. Furious. His eyes met mine.
“Listen to me, that man is nothing but a liar. He’s betrayed me once before and it cost me my life. But hell would I let it happen to you. His daughter,” I have never heard Quaritch speak like that before, it was almost…soft.
“I'm not his daughter – I never have been. Just someone he had to keep an eye on,” I rectified, as if I had a moment of clarity as old memories surfaced, “I was only there to watch his children, to be their protector, babysitter, a provider, a warrior – all those things. But not his daughter,” remembering the little times he’d call me by that word, but never in front of others. Did he really mean it, or was it just pretend? I could feel his eyes on the profile of my face, observing my profile.
“If you were my daughter, I would be the proudest father on Pandora,” Quaritch clicked his tongue, “Okay. Guys, I know you’re listening.” There was a shuffling outside the tent, Ja, Mansk, Z-Dog, Lopez, Walker and Prager poked their heads into view. All with a look of disappointment. The lot of them filed into the tent one after another, no longer wearing their human clothes. Ja came to sit by my side, shooting Quaritch a look.
“With all due respect Colonel, please get your hand off my girl.” Quaritch retracted his hands, raising them in surrender, Ja pulled me into his lap wrapping his arms around my torso.
“What do I do now?” I just ask into the air. No one answers but looks at me, “what do we do now?” I ask looking at the other recoms. “There’s no more humans. You can do what you want now, you’re free.” Their ears perk up and their tails wag a little.
“Oh! I would love to explore more of Pandora!” Z-Dog exclaimed.
“I want to travel too!” Lopez piped up.
“I would like to settle down,” Mansk spoke up.
“Honestly, settling down sounds good,” Walker added.
“I want to learn more about healing!” Prager exclaimed. We all turned to look at Quaritch, whose ears perked a little.
“Uhh, I could train the warriors. But I wouldn’t mind travelling a bit, then maybe settle down somewhere,” Quaritch said. His answer was a bit unexpected, the other recoms looked a little surprised.
“What about you Ja? Syulang?” I looked at Ja for a moment before speaking, “I want to stay, someone has to lead the clan and protect it.”
“Then I’ll stay too. I want to be by your side,” Ja said. I couldn’t help but smile at his small acknowledgement.
What I didn’t know was that the role of Olo’eyktan was passed onto Tarsem, a young warrior who was born to lead. He was horrified to find that I was left behind by his former leader. Though he was happy to pass the role onto his former Olo’eyktan’s oldest adopted daughter. And so I became the first female leader of the clan and was officially courted by Ja. And much to Quaritch’s surprise I made him the teacher and leader of the warriors and those to come. In the end, I found a new family in the group of Recoms, former outcasts of the humans. Lyle, unfortunately had to have his leg amputated, but was fitted with a metal prosthetic leg much like mine and spent most of his time recovering.
You can say that the story ends happily, well almost…
Five years later…
I climbed onto my ikran, my little girl strapped to my front as Ja helped me on. Lyle did the same, checking his pack of belongings with some scientific equipment. Max finally showed up yawning at the early departure. Lyle reached down to grab him, Max sitting on the front of him.
“How long will it take to get there again?” Lyle asked once again.
“it’s the same answer Lyle, nine hours. Thirteen including breaks.
“Are you sure we should be flying for thirteen hours? You look like you're gonna pop before we get there,” referencing my pregnant belly.
“Oh you're soooo funny, Lyle,” Ja said sarcastically, climbing onto his own ikran, “That’s my wife you're talking to, and your Goddaughter or Godson in her belly.”
“Damn right! And I can’t wait to meet them by the way…” Lyle exclaimed excitedly.
“Let’s go! We have a long ride ahead!” I got tired of their bickering, making sure my daughter, just barely four years old, was comfortable, “Are you comfortable Lili?” She nodded whilst yawning. The sun had yet to rise as we left our Hometree. A while ago, whilst searching for a habitable giant tree for my clan to make into their home, Ja and I had to land due to a storm, finding the most perfect giant tree that was uninhabited. We spent the night there and let’s just say that was how our first child was conceived.
“Tell me again the reason why we have to fly nine…no thirteen hours to visit Awa’atlu again?” Lyle huffed.
“There was a message sent around Pandora to all human ally settlements. Ours just happen to be one. Max was the one to receive the message and as Olo’eyktan, I couldn’t just let him go to it alone.”
“That makes sense, but why is Lili coming? Surely she should stay home with her Aunty Walker.”
“She should see the other places on Pandora as well. Ya know? Might as well since she keeps hearing stories from Aunt Z and Uncle Lopez.”
“Ah, that's why she wanted to go. Plus! It’s my first time travelling to a sea clan. I heard from Z-Dog and Lopez that it’s a literal paradise!” I could hear Lyle’s grin.
We took off out of the jungle, heading toward the sea clans. Taking breaks every three to four hours to let out ikran rest. Arriving the the azure waters the very next day in the early afternoon. On our break just before arriving, Ja helped me dress in my Olo’eyktan cloak, a blue painted cape with yellow, green and red feathers. Taking our little girl to sit with him on the last leg of the ride as Max sat with me.
Flying toward the village, I flew around looking for a place to land our ikrans. Opting to land on a sand bank. I disconnected tsaheylu gliding down my ikrans wing, Max sliding down onto the white warm sand. A group of teal coloured Na’vi gathered as the clan’s leader approached, wearing a similar looking cape.
“Olo’eyktan Tonorwari, I see you,” I greeted him formally, plucking my fingers from my head as Max did the same. Ja and Lyle did the same out of respect, my little daughter copying her father as she was being carried in his arms.
“Olo’eyktan Syulang (daughter of mother and father (not Jake and Neytiri’s names)). It is a pleasure to finally meet you, I have heard the many stories of the legendary leader,” my ears perked up quizzically.
“Oh no, I am not legendary. I am merely a leader who takes care of her people,” I bow to him.
“And just as humble as they say,” he chuckled.
“They?”
“Why travellers of course, two jungle dwellers just as yourself,” Ugh, Z-Dog and Lopez, what did you tell them? Lyle and Ja’s ears perked, instantly knowing who it was. I just bow my head hiding a smile. Returning to face Tonowari, his mate Ronal appeared not too far, a darker blue figure approached with her. I squinted my eyes trying to put a finger on the familiarity. Neytiri. Her expression morphed into a shock as she walked closer with Ronal. Tonowari, noticing my gaze turned to see his wife, gesturing to introduce her. I greeted her much like I greeted Tonowari.
“Ronal. Tsahik of the Metkayina, I see you,” bowing as I pluck my fingers from my palm, Lyle and Ja did the same formally greeting her, Lili mirroring her father’s actions. Acknowledging the Tsahik, though I did not greet my former mother figure. The Tsahik greeted me back, before looking to my companions, her daze followed Lyle as her eyes fell to his false leg, then mine.
“So this is the infamous leader of the Omatikaya clan. I have heard stories about you. The first woman clan leader of the Omatikaya clan,” she stated, “Syulang, I see you.”
The darker blue woman stared wide-eyed. Three familiar faces popped up not too far away, their expressions were the same. All jaw slacked and wide-eyed.
“So, why is it that humans were called here?” I addressed Tonowari.
“Ah, straight to the point, I see,” Tonowari gestured for me to follow, I turned to face Max for him to follow along too.
“Lyle, the equipment?” Max called for him, as Lyle started to untie the ropes holding the equipment together. Ja let our daughter down from his arms and my little girl ran to my leg, holding my blue limb.
“Come my dear,” I picked her up into my arms as Max followed the tall teal blue Na’vi, passing by Neytiri without batting an eye. Ja helped Lyle with the equipment as I followed the leader and max to a large woven hut. There inside was already a group of humans that I’ve never seen before with leaders of other clans from other parts of Pandora. We greeted each other and Max introduced himself to the group of scientists and soldiers who turned their backs on the RDA. One was a former Colonel, who was located in the wetlands, another was a scientist from the cold ice plains. The others were notable members of scientists in different regions of water and desert plains. And there in the far corner, was the former leader of the Omatikaya clan. His head whipped up so quickly as an expression of recognition morphed into horror, recognising the human and Na’vi in front of him. My eyes turned cold when I saw him. Jake Sully. My pupils dilated into slits. My daughter noticed my cold expression and clung to my shoulders even more.
“Sa’nu,” she quietly said. I held my daughter closer to my body. Jake’s expression didn’t change as I sat down next to another leader. Soon Lyle and Ja entered the woven hut with the science equipment, setting it down on the side. When they looked up to see the other humans and clan leaders, they noticed Jake in the corner and old feelings returned. Their distaste for him returned as the memory of me telling them that they left the Omatikaya clan was burned into their memories. Lyle and Ja were by my side in an instant sitting next to me, their overprotective nature appeared as Lyle reached to take his goddaughter from my arms, as she snuggled into his arms. Tonowari watched in both curiosity and unknowing, unsure about the situation and the reactions of the two dark blue Na’vi staring daggers at the former Olo’eyktan.
“So why has this meeting been called?” One of the other leaders questioned. Tonowari cleared his throat before a human stood up.
“Hi, I’m Selsi Ku. I grew up here in Awa’atlu along with my older sister, about five years ago before the RDA finally left Pandora — after a major incident at one of the facilities. I was able to breach the firewall of the facility and hack into the database to get information. I found something….which needed confirmation from individuals such as yourselves….humans,” the woman explained, “unfortunately I needed access from someone much higher up in rank but was unsure about who currently resides Pandora with such rank, therefore, a signal was sent out to human outposts around Pandora. And why I needed medical equipment,” she gestured to the equipment we brought with us. “The Omatikaya clan was the closest with the most advanced medical equipment as well as expertise,” she gave a nod to Max.
“What is this regarding, exactly?” One of the scientists from the Ice plains asked.
“About humans being able to breathe Pandora air…. Without a mask,” there was a collective gasp.
“What? No, that’s impossible! Pandoran air is completely toxic to us humans…Is that even possible?”
“I believe so….But before I could find more information, I lost signal and connection. I went out to investigate the facility and found it completely destroyed, like a massive explosion destroyed it,” when Selsi said this, I whipped my head to look at Lyle and Ja who gave a sheepish look.
“That may have been us…” Lyle popped up.
“Was it on a coast, partially in a forest and partially on water….?” Ja asked. Selsi nodded with a confused look.
“Sorry about that…we didn’t know someone was hacking Bridgehead. We kind of…staged a coup,” Lyle chuckled nervously. Selsi’s expression changed to a new expression.
“Are you two avatars?” She questioned. Lyle and Ja looked at each other before raising their hands, showing their five fingers. My daughter looked at her father and godfather, mimicking their actions, raising her five finger hand.
“But…now we’re full Na’vis. Did our iknimaya and everything. We’re recognised as Na’vi now,” Ja confessed. I wasn’t looking at Jake until that moment, but I turned to face him and his expression was different, sad almost, disappointed. Tonowari nodded, like he was proudly approving. And with that Jake stood and left rather quickly. Lyle’s eyes followed the former Olo’eyktan, slightly peeved at Jake’s behaviour. I gently rested my hand on Lyle’s knee shooting a slight sympathetic look.
“Thankfully I was able to save most of the data on an external data port, most if not all the information was saved,” Doctor Ku held up her tablet screen showing the info and the scientists gathered. The clan leaders left the communal kelku as the scientists got straight to work.
Tonowari, guided the clan leaders to their temporary homes on a quiet part of the island. I walked with Ja as Lyle played with his goddaughter on the beach. Building what he called a “sand castle”, whatever that was. As my husband and I spent a few quiet moments together before four faces slid into view in the corner of my eye, I turned with a questioning look with an eyebrow raised. It was Neteyam, Lo’ak, Kiri and little Tuktirey, who was not so little any more. They didn't say anything as the four of them charged me tackling me to the sand clutching on as tightly as they could.
“Tsumuke! Sister!” they all yelled. They all looked at me with tears in their eyes, the emotional rollercoaster they must have felt for over five years must have broken them. I returned the hug, feeling nothing but a wave of suppressed emotions bubble to the surface. I let my tears out, happy to see them.
“Oh… My brothers. My sisters. I missed you so much….I'm so sorry….I'm so sorry….” I clutched onto them for dear life. Though my large belly was in the way. It must have been hard for them, being away for too long. “Oh, my little Tuk…all grown up…” I rubbed my thumb over her cheeks, before moving onto Kiri, Neteyam and Lo’ak.
“Mama…” My little daughter called out to me. The four kids turned to look at the little girl, their eyes wide in shock.
“That's my daughter, Lili,” I told the four of them.
“Daughter? I'm an Aunt?” Kiri asked, to which I smiled.
“I'm about to have another…” I rubbed my belly.
“But…Tsumuke, what are you doing here? And what's with the getup?” Neteyam questioned.
“Oh. I'm the Olo’eyktan of our clan…”
Their faces morphed into shock again before they bombarded me with questions, occasionally asking about the belly and my daughter. I chuckled at their antics.
“Mawey. Mawey….I’ll answer all your questions. Yes, she’s my daughter. Yes, I'm about to have another. No, Lyle is not the father, it’s Ja’s. Both of them are. Yes, I became Olo’eyktan. No, Ja is not the Tsahik…No, I didn't forget about any of you…and Quaritch is now teaching and general of the clan’s warriors…Is that all?”
“Can you forgive your old man?” Jake’s familiar figure walked onto the beach, he knelt down with his head down in shame. I looked up at Jake, his sudden appearance though not startling was a bit of a damper on the happy reunion. Ja who was next to me, put a reassuring hand on my shoulder, reminding me that he was there. I shuffled closer to Jake, kneeling in front of him.
“Yes,” Jake looked up at me with a sad expression, “You broke me, but yes. I forgive you. For what it's worth…I forgiven you a while ago…I came to terms with it when I became Olo’eyktan. I understand why you left, but it was stupid…Selfish even. The way we ended things wasn't what I hoped for…But you do have someone to apologise to.”
“Yes…anything to say sorry,” Jake said. I breathed out his name.
“Qu– Miles…Apologise to Miles…”
Jake was stunned, he knew that this would happen eventually but he was still shocked by the bluntness.
“Yes. I have to, don't I?”
I simply nodded my head.
“He followed through with his mission. He destroyed the RDA for the sake of the Na’vi…He betrayed his own people for the sake of our planet…Like you did all those years ago.”
“I understand.”
“But…For now,” I looked over to my daughter, gesturing for her to come over, “Meet your granddaughter,” Jake’s eyes flicked over to the approaching little girl, “This is Lili.”
Summary: Syulang (OC), an orphaned girl after the destruction of Hometree. She is constanly reminded of this by her amputated left leg though she no longer dreams of her deep trauma. She is betrayed by the very people she trusted, leaving her with nothing once again.
A/N: I had trouble writing this final chapter. The writer's block was damn thick for this final chapter, so I procrastinated it for nearly two weeks (lol). Will not do it again. But as this series is coming to an end, the sequel to WBtAP has just started, and I have written the first And also...Unexpected Ja x reader moment. Because Ja is underrated.
Part 9 of 10
For the following days and weeks, everything became a melting pot. First Mo’at visited Syulang’s dreams, trying to heal her from within, the first few times proved to be a challenge so they moved their attempts to the Tree of Souls, where Mo’at can connect with the pink and purple tendrils, that somehow solved the issue of physically touching Syulang’s dream form and where Mo’at helped Syulang to heal.
Jake, Tarsem and the warriors worked with Quaritch and his band of recoms to devise a plan to cut off the RDA to their supplies, targeting mines, resource ships, trains, anything that the RDA needs to survive. It would take weeks, possibly months to take everything out, they would need help but Jake was adamant that they would not make another war just like the battle between the Na’vi and the humans fifteen years ago. He didn't want to make the same mistake he did back then, wanting it done a different way, surprisingly Quaritch agreed. The recoms struck a deal with Jake, they would take the RDA down from the inside. The RDA wouldn't suspect their betrayal, hopefully. Jake wanted the warriors to keep it to themselves, not wanting the rest of the clan to worry or panic in any way. Heck, he didn't even tell Neytiri and his kids, trying to shield them from a potential war. Hopefully they wouldn't start a second world war on Pandora.
The next month Quaritch had built a trust with Jake, much like how Jake built a trust with Quaritch when he was still human, working for the RDA before his betrayal. Jake was slow to show the group of recoms to High Camp, he knew it was a matter of time where he would have to address his clanspeople of his strange alliance. But it was funny to see Quaritch in Na’vi clothing, in fact all the recoms. They look just like actual Na’vi and before they leave to go back to the RDA they change back into their old uniforms. This time was the most difficult for the Omatikaya Clan, they weren't very happy when Jake told them the news and when the recoms finally visited High Camp everyone kept their weapons on them at all times. Tensions were high to say the least, especially with the remaining avatar drivers and scientists – Norm and Doctor Patel included – not particularly happy to see their past colleagues who ended the Avatar Program. Syulang guided a few of the recoms in training and also Na’vi healing and medicine. They were split up into smaller groups: Quaritch, Lyle, Lopez, and Warren joined Jake’s warriors. Ja, Zhang, Walker and Prager were taught na’vi healing. And finally Mansk, Brown and Fike were taught to hunt with other low effort activities – they desperately wanted a break from fighting.
It took another month before a plan had been set. And within that month things got a bit better. The recoms, under Jake’s guidance completed their Iknimaya training, gaining their ikrans. Syulang spent most of her time with the recoms in the healing tents, one of them getting close to her. Ja, was his name. Kiri and Norm kept her eye on him as per Jake’s request after she saw him staring at her sister for much longer than she liked. Opting to tell Dad, just in case. Some of the tension had alleviated and the clanspeople stopped carrying their weapons everywhere they went, the recoms showed that they could be trusted.
Jake was right, Ardmore did look for the recombiants, in fact she looked for weeks and luckily didn't find them, eventually searching elsewhere. So what would happen next, Ardmore wouldn't expect. The recoms gathered together, where their clothes were returned to them. They sat together during the communal meal, which was possibly their last meal together. But instead of mourning their last moments together, they celebrated. Syulang watched them happily, a pair of eyes finding hers. She gave a soft but sad smile in return averting her eyes.
“Tonight’s they’re last night here,” Jake announced to his family, “we won't know if they’ll survive.”
Syulang looked at her father with a neutral expression, masking a pained look, slightly unsure as to why he would say that.
“I hope they don't,” Neytiri responded, her anger for the dreamwalkers who tried hurting her children still remained, not fully ready to forgive them. Syulang stood up at that comment, not wanting to hear any more of it, ignoring the looks she got from her family. Leaving HIgh Camp, she went up to her usual spot on another floating island. Sitting down on the edge, she observed the luminescent plants below, listening to the wind. She was alone for a while before a pair of footsteps caught her ear.
Syulang’s POV
Turning around I saw Ja appear through the vegetation. He came closer, looking at the edge, inching forward bit by bit, carefully sitting next to me dangling both his legs over the floating rock. We sat in silence for a bit as I felt eyes on the side of my face, I turned to look at him. Humming in question. He smirked a little cupping his hand over mine, the warmth spread through my body from the simple touch.
“Be careful tomorrow,” I told him. He leaned forward, our foreheads touching as he inhaled a little taking in my scent.
“I will,” he said in Na’vi, leaning in a bit more, his lips gently grazing mine before fully connecting. I pulled away a bit.
“Promise me.”
“I promise,” he leaned forward again feverishly kissing me. Wrapping his hands behind my neck and jaw to stop me from moving. The sound of twigs snapping behind us broke our intimate moment, Ja pulled his knife out it's holster ready to throw it. A few familiar faces poked out of various plants as the guilty expressions of Lo’ak, Kiri, Lyle, Mansk and Prager faded to smug smiles. Those skxawngs.
“Ohhh~ Someone’s getting some action,” Lyle sang cheekily as the rest stifled giggles. Ja threw his knife at Lyle who thankfully ducked out of the way. Ja gave me one final kiss, pulling away and storming toward the group, picking up his knife as he passed them.
*
The next day, a large crowd formed around the recoms saying their goodbyes before the group left. Ja found me in the crowd. Giving a final embrace, he handed me a bracelet, it was small and looked slightly rushed but was still beautiful.
“If I don't make it. Nga yawne lu oer,” he cupped my cheeks planting a kiss on my forehead, his hands lingered on my face almost as if he was fighting internally to stay, but he couldn't. He had one final mission.
“I love you too. Don't die,” I returned his actions, placing both hands on his cheeks planting a kiss on his lips as I couldn't reach his forehead.
“Ja! Time to go!” Lyle yelled for his comrade. Giving me one final wave. I waved to them all.
“I see you. I see you all!” I shouted to all the recoms, plucking my fingers from my forehead. Their expression shifted to surprise before returning the gesture. Mounting their ikrans, they took off out of HIgh Camp shouting war cries, the clan returned their own war cries. I stayed standing at the entrance for the rest of the day, the rest of the clan went back to their chores but I anxiously awaited their return.
The recoms had learnt a lot from their long stay. Most, if not all, received their song chords. All their milestones are a unique bead ranging from completing their rites of passages, learning the Na’vi language, learning to hunt or weave or heal, other beads gifted to them by members of the clan, mostly to Mansk whenever he cooks for the clan. Turns out he’s a bit of a cook, as everyone runs to him with their blows and plates. For Ja and I we had identical beads signifying our relationship. I pray to Eywa for his safe return. I no longer had any terrible nightmares or visions after Mo’at dream walked into my nightmares, healing me from within. I anticipate my future and what it holds, accepting whatever is thrown my way. As I'm mulling over what's to come, someone sits beside me. The smell of stewed yerik makes my mouth drool.
“Sister, you weren't at lunch,” Kiri hands me a yomyo lerìk (leaf plate) with the dish, “Don't worry sister. They will return. They’re warriors after all.”
“I pray to Eywa that they succeed in their mission.”
“Did you pray for him?” knowing exactly who she was referring to.
“Yes. I pray that Ja lives. Because of this…” I showed her the bracelet. She gently runs her four fingers around the beautifully woven bracelet, red beads woven into the design.
“It's beautiful. I hope he comes back too. He’s the only one I can hold a proper conversation and tolerate…” she huffed, glancing at my questioning eyes, “...And because I can see he truly loves you.” She looked at one of my choker necklaces, my hand ran over the middle one, the one that belonged to Rumut.
“He knows. I told him everything,” remembering the moment clearly, “He apologised too, even though it was a long time ago.” We sat in a comfortable silence as I slowly ate.
After finishing my food, Kiri stood first ready to head back to our kelku. I followed after her, deliberately taking slow steps to which she rolled her eyes, yanking my arm and speeding toward the family tent. Mum and Dad were talking whilst dad was cleaning his rifle decorated with weaving. Talking about leaving the clan. Stopping when the two of us came within earshot, though it was too late. I heard it all.
“What did you say?” my ear twitched, “Leave the clan? Dad! You can't be serious?” He averted his eyes looking at mum, “Dad, you're joking right?”
“Wait, just listen to what I have to say–” He took a step in our direction.
“Oh, so you're serious?” I scowled, holding back a scoff..
“Syulang, wait just– Quaritch is hard to trust, he could lead them here–”
“If he wanted to kill us, he would have done it already and gone back a hero. But he didn't,” I argued back.
“Please, just listen to me!” Jake raised his voice, “Yes, you're right. But what about the other Recoms? Huh? They could very easily tell Ardmore where we are and I have a clan to protect.”
“Ma Jake,” our mother stepped between us trying to mediate, but it was too late, “Ma Syulang.”
“Why are you saying this? After you let them into our home, trained them. And now you're saying you still don't trust Quaritch? They’re practically part of the clan! What did you think you were doing this whole time?!” I yelled over Neytiri.
“I was keeping an eye on them! Them being here made it easier to keep an eye on them,” Jake yelled at me, pausing for a moment, “I was going to kill them," he confessed, "I was ready to kill them the first time. But then you showed up. And I was ready to kill them the second time. And you showed up again!…How could I kill them in front of you?”
I felt my heart break. Unsure of what to think or say. My adoptive dad wasn't the person who I thought he was. In that instant I wept, unintelligible words spewing out of my lips. Unfiltered. I guess I could never read his mind. Neytiri and Kiri move toward to comfort me, but I snarled at the two of them. A furious rage tore through me.
“What about me? What about me?! Did you think of me as your daughter or someone you needed to keep an eye on?” I spat at Jake. His expression changed to guilt as the pitter-patter of feet slowed close by. Jake didn't say anything which angered me further, that was enough for me. I wailed from the pit of my stomach in disbelief. Neytiri moved closer again, and I hissed viciously at her, my ears pinned fully back to my skull.
“Sister?” Neteyam, Lo’ak and Tuk walked into my peripherals, though I couldn't see through the tears, impairing my vision.
“You lied to me,” I felt betrayed, “I trusted you, and you– LIED TO ME!” The lot of them flinched at my raised voice. I covered my mouth, I managed to scare myself having never raised my voice in a decade. “Did you ever love me?” my voice cracked.
“My daughter, I've always loved you,” Neytiri approached once again, her eyes wet but I backed away shaking my head.
“I wasn't asking you,” I hissed at Neytiri and felt bad right after, looking at Jake who again didn't say anything, only looking away avoiding eye contact. “I called you father, and I called you mother. How wrong I was,” turning my back on the people whom I called my family, storming away.
“Syulang! Sister!” I could hear the children yell, but I sprinted to my ikran. Mounting her as fast as I could, we flew out of High Camp.
My hot tears poured down my cheeks, fluttering away as the wind blew on them. My ikran tried to ease the sorrow as we flew. I couldn't help but feel bad for sharing the pain through tsaheylu. My heart ached in pain, the same kind of pain I felt when I lost everything I had. The pain of losing my parents, my friend, my leg and now my own heart. I thought of my home I once built with my own bare hands. Where everything felt like it was going to be alright, but it was also the place where Jake asked me to join his family. And by the time I knew it, my ikran landed on the branch above my old kelku. The place where I once called it my home. I cried once more. How could he do that? How could I let him manipulate me? Why was I too naive to not question everything? How could he do this? Azui chirped, turning her head a little, cocking her head in worry. Her gentle thoughts calmed me enough to dismount her. I flung myself into the tented canopy. Nothing in there. Not my baskets. Not my mat. Not my bow and arrows or water jug. Just nothing. An empty husk of what used to belong to a free child. I curled myself into a ball on the fabric floor. I had nothing again. No home and no family again. Only betting that Ja lives so I could at least have someone to love.
I didn't want to wait around for the people I once called family to find me. I stripped the fabric off the tree, using my small knife that I kept on me at all times to cut the bindings. Folding the tent together and strapping it onto the back of my ikran, I wiped my eyes, climbed down the tree to the river and washed my face. I called Azui down from the tree branch. Calling for my palulukan who I could smell nearby. She glided down the hill luckily still wearing her pouches, from the last time we went hunting. I checked them to find some bait and rope, the other had unbound arrowheads which was good enough. Deciding to mount my palulukan knowing my ikran would follow, I made tsaheylu with her and asked her to take me away from the Hallelujah mountains, the furthest point north.
She ran as fast as she possibly could. Feeling her heartbeat, her breath and her strong legs pushing down on the ground, we thundered through the forest. Passing over hills, mountains and rivers for nearly three hours. We came to a strange clearing of trees. Large constructions of the small metal rooms that resided in High Camp ablaze. The last time I had seen such destruction and chaos was when Hometree was destroyed. The red and orange flames engulfed the tall structures. I had to get closer. Urging Lo’a closer to the burning architecture, I could see a blue figure laying somewhat close to the flames. Oh no. Not wanting to burn my palulukan I slid off Lo’a and ran to the Na’vi. The familiar bald head of Lyle was unconscious. Taking a hold under his armpits, I dragged him away from the flames.
“Lyle!” I turned him around, finding a metal rod in his left leg. “Lyle! Please! Wake up!” I shook his shoulders. I couldn't heal him since I didn't have any healing tools.
“LYLE?!” my ears perked up at the familiar voice.
“Prager?!” I screamed back. His figure appeared not too far from where we were.
“Syulang?!” he ran to us, his expression a mix of concern and confusion, “Lyle!” he knelt down on the other side checking Lyle’s body noting the rod in his leg, he grabbed some strange tool from his vest and cut the material away. I did as told and he tied cloth just above the burning rod.
“Where is Ja?” I asked him.
“He’s okay. Help me with Lyle,” Prager pulled Lyle’s upper half up from the ground, moving between Lyle’s legs attempting to lift him onto his back.
“Wait,” I called Lo’a, “Let me take him, we can get away faster.” Prager was shocked to see my palulukan, however, he quickly agreed. Getting Lyle onto Lo’a, Prager got on behind him as I slid behind him hoping Lo’a could handle the weight of two extra Na’vi. Making Tsaheylu, I was quickly informed that she could not handle the weight but endured it anyways. “Tell us where to go,” I told Prager, who just pointed in a direction.
“That way,” was all he said. I urged Lo’a forward in the direction Prager had directed, the heat of the flames diminished slightly and Prager pointed again, a little bit left. We essentially went round the flaming mass. Borrowing Lo’a’s advanced vision I looked over Prager’s large frame and saw a familiar group of Na’vi.
“Colonel!” Prager yelled as we got closer, the faces of the group turned to see him riding a thanator with Lyle in front of him.
“Prager?!” Ja called over the roaring flames. We slowed and the group approached timidly. “It's okay! It's Syulang,” Prager slid off Lo’a still holding Lyle’s unconscious form. I can finally see the shocked faces of Ja, Quaritch, Lopez, Walker, Mansk and Z-Dog. Ja acted faster, coming to my side at an instant, wrapping his strong arms around my frame, pulling me off my palulukan and not daring to let go.
“My sweet girl,” Ja mumbled into my neck.
“What's going on? What are you doing here?” Quaritch asked, “Where’s Jake?” I winced at Jake’s name. I hated that name.
“Where is everyone else?” Jake isn't here, he wants to kill you, is what I want to tell them.
“T-they didn't make it. We should get outta here. Everyone with me,” Quaritch led the group away. I looked into the red flames distraught. Those who weren't here; Zhang, Fike, Warren and Brown had perished in the flames. My ears drooped low as I shed tears for them. Ja wrapped his arm around my shoulders guiding me away from the burning mass, Lo’a following behind. In front of us was Prager who carried Lyle on his back.
“What happened?” I asked Ja. He exhaled deeply from his nose before telling me of how they took down Bridgehead.
Summary: The Avatars have returned to Pandora, which means trouble for our characters from Welcome Back to the Avatar Programme. Perspectives from Grace, Human Lyle Wainfleet, Reader and Recom Wainfleet. This is going to get confusing as heck.
Note: Spoken Na'vi = Normal, Spoken English = Italics
(Recom Wainfleet POV)
Arriving at a shack in a clearing, I got a chill down my spine. I know this place but couldn't place it though it was my first time here. The Colonel stopped at a fallen AMP suit. Mansk, Prager and Z-Dog just behind us. I felt sick for some reason, every fibre of my being felt wrong. Why did I feel this way? Z-Dog checked the shack, hopping through the shattered window checking the inside. “It's clear.”
“Perimeter up,” the Colonel simply said. I slowed behind the Colonel as he knelt down to the AMP suit. A giant spear with two arrows pierced through it, brushing away the vines and dirt. Why does that spear look so familiar? I eyed it up and down, looking at the skeleton, I observed the Colonel looking at the spear and arrows though I couldn't tell what expression he had on his face.
“Lyle, see if you can pull some data off that dash cam.”
“That thing’s deader than shit, Colonel.”
“Just do it Lieutenant.”
(Reader’s POV)
“Lyle?” my ears perked up at his name. The man in front of me looked up at me with the same expression of confusion and horror.
“Fuck me,” he mumbled, “Kids, get away from here. Now,” he whispered in his stern soldier voice, adjusting his gun to his front. The four of them began quietly moving toward me.
“Get to my ikran as quick as you can,” I pushed them back, readying my bow and arrows, “Babe, what do we do?” I knelt down next to him.
“Jake and Neytiri are on their way, I suggest we just quietly leave before they notice us,” he whispered. I nodded.
“Hop on, we can get back faster,” I offered my back to him, to which he climbed on like a little kid. But that was quickly shut down from Tuk’s scream. Shit.
Lyle wrapped his arms and legs around my neck and back and I sped silently in the direction of her scream. Slowing when I saw tall figures gathered together, the kids being restrained by the avatars. Lyle perched his gun on my shoulder, using my hips to stand up a little (it doesn't hurt me in any way) getting ready to shoot the avatars. I switch to my knife, the closer we get hiding behind the trees as cover close enough where we could hear their conversation.
“Dad?” Spider looked at the avatar in front of him.
The undisputable voice of Lyle in the clearing left the two of us speechless.
“Hey Colonel…check it out. Four fingers. We got a half-breed,” the bald na’vi gripped Kiri’s arm out, showing the shaven-haired avatar her hand.
“Show me your fingers,” the avatar turned to Lo’ak, to which he flipped his middle fingers at the avatar in front of him, “You’re his, aren't you?” To which Lo’ak returned a snarl at the avatar, “You’re his, all right.”
“Shit, Quaritch” Lyle mumbled into my ear. This was confusing as heck. The avatar grabbed the base of Lo’ak’s queue to which I seethed at. The familiar pain radiating through my bones as he wailed at the forceful action, fueling my anger. Lyle slid off my back, tightening the grip of his gun moving in closer.
“Where is he?” Quaritch asked, readjusting his hand on Lo’ak’s queue.
“Sorry, I don't speak English…to buttholes,” Lo’ak smarmed.
“Where is your father?” the avatar snarled in childlike Na’vi.
(Recom Wainfleet POV)
The air around us felt strange, as if we were being watched. Trying to access the data from the dashcam, managing to start the download, all whilst keeping an eye out through the shrubbery and trees, a slight movement caught the corner of my eye. Something pink and small. Could it be? I let go of the girl in front of me, holding my weapon closer, trying not to make any suspicious movements. I edged away from the group slowly, but the Colonel’s attention was fully on the Na'vi boy. I snuck a peek in the same direction again, leaning back a little. My yellow eyes met my own face, slightly obscured by a mask and a female Na’vi not too far back. I instantly recognised her face. (Y/N). Looking back at the group, I noticed Zhang stare at me and then look in the direction I was just staring at, but he looked back at me. Thankfully the trees obstructed his view of my human form and (Y/N). What the fuck was going on? I thought I had died? They lied! My ear flinched a little when the Colonel turned his attention to the human boy in the group.
“What's your name, kid?”
“Spider…Socorro,” the boy said. The Colonel took a knee getting a closer look at the boy, gesturing for Warren to back off.
“Miles?”
“Nobody calls me that,” was what he answered back.
“Well, I’ll be damned…Well, I figured they sent you back to Earth.”
“They can't put babies in cryo, dipshit.”
The Colonel stood back up to his full height, gesturing again with his hand for Warren to restrain the boy again.
“Iron Sky, Blue one, Actual. We are standing by for extraction, over. Be advised we are bringin’ in high value prisoners,” Colonel reported through his comms.
“You’ll die before you take them,” The group looked at me, though I didn't say it. My miniature human figure breached the shrubbery, pointing a gun at us all. OH SHIT!
“What the fuck?” I could hear Lopez and the others’ say.
“Dad!” Spider yells.
“Drop your weapons,” my human self yells. Everyone’s faces contort into confusion except for the children, whose faces lit up as the Colonel whips his head to face me, turning to get a good look at the human in front of him again.
“Lyle? You're not dead?!”
He doesn't say anything at first, but his breathing increases, fogging up his mask a little, adjusting his grip and his finger on the trigger.
“Dad, don't!” Spider calls out, Quratich shoots him a dirty look, “What? He was the one who raised me.” The human moves in front of the boy, gun still in hands looking at the group.
“Lyle? What the fuck?! You're not dead?!” Lopez questions. A barrage of similar questions was thrown around by the other recoms, except for Mansk and my blue butt in mass confusion, but he didn't answer any of them.
“Everybody! Shut the hell up!” Quratich yells above the noise, shutting the rowdy lot up. “Now. You answer my question.” He points to my human form.
“No. I didn't die,” he simply says, “But you. You let the kids go now. They ‘ave nothin’ to do with this.” Holy fuck. It was starting to get dark. A drop of rainwater dripped onto my nose before the downpour began. Quartich stared at my human self as he stared back with a scowl, having a staredown of the century. A beep alerted me of the completed video download. I grabbed my tablet, and started the video as I shook in sudden nervousness. I got a horrible feeling. Quaritch snatched the tablet from my hand.
The face of a female Na’vi was pinned down, snarling at the man in front of her. The view moved up as another na’vi came into view, the camera zooming into her face. (Y/N). A giant spear launched into the centre of the AMP suit throwing the suit off balance. But the video continued. The sound of laughter from within the suit followed by Quaritch’s laugh.
“You almost got me there (Y/N). Just about,” the man chuckled deeply.
“Give it up, Quaritch!” Jake yelled, “It's all over.”
“Nothing’s over while I'm still breathing,” Quarithch came to a full stand as Jake ran for a nearby weapon engaging in a fight. Jake was dodging Quaritch’s movements but managed to grab ahold of Jake’s braid. Jake screamed out in pain. But the sudden rain of bullets to the glass front stopped Quaritch’s movements as the toxic Pandoran air seeped into the AMP suit, he rushed to put his emergency mask on, before popping the glass front open and the camera focused on human Wainfleet.
“Corporal Wainfleet?! You're with them?” Lyle didn't say anything, ”Wainfleet!” Quaritch yelled again. Lyle fearfully pointed his weapon at his Commander. “Alright then,” Quaritch lowered his voice, Quaritch threw the spear at Lyle. But Jake tackled human Lyle out of the way, rolling them away, before getting back up on his feet. Taking a hold of the spear that struck the earth, Jake spun the spear around as Quaritch charged him, managing to aim the spear at Quaritch’s chest stopping his movements. The AMP suit turned, showing all the faces of everyone involved. Turning to Sully’s woman, she struck an arrow in his chest. A small gasp escaped Quaritch’s lips. And another arrow was struck for extra measure.
The video stopped there. It answered everything that everyone wanted to ask. All hell broke loose. Warren went for me first and I put two bullets into his head, I grabbed the girl next to me as I was getting away. Walker lunged for human me but managed to shoot her though her cheek into her head. A sudden arrow flew toward Zhang who pointed his gun at me as the girl and I ran for cover. Jake’s boy pulled the pin on Prager’s smoke bomb, sending green gas everywhere.
“Kids! Run!” human me screamed over the mess, throwing himself over a fallen log. Another arrow shot at Brown in the eye who tried grabbing him. Making my way toward (Y/N) I pulled the girl in front of me, pushing her toward (Y/N)’s direction, explosive rounds shot at us. She looked back at me, her expression shifted to hesitation though continuing forward.
“Tuk! Kiri!” (Y/N)’s voice screamed out, waving her arm. (Y/N). She’s alive! Though she didn't look very happy when our eyes met.
A small body collided into mine. Looking down, I saw my human form making his way to (Y/N). three more banshee’s landing nearby.
“Dad!” Spider ran into view.
“Run to Mom!” Mom?! She’s his Mom? The two other kids ran toward the banshee’s. Oh Shit! Jake and his mate. I chucked my weapon away from me, stripping off my tactical vest whilst still running toward (Y/N). Breaching the tree line with my arms up in surrender the faces of Jake and Neytiri morphed into shock.
“I’ll explain later,” human me said to the two of them as Jake helped him onto his banshee. (Y/N) held her hand out for me to grab as I climbed on behind her. The banshee ascended suddenly before I could get a good grip on (Y/N) in front of me.
“Quaritch called for extraction, a bird is coming to pick ‘em up,” human me explained to Jake, “we can’t go back to camp, not yet anyways.” I hear him say over the wind.
“Shit,” Jake cursed, ignoring the fact that his kid is sitting in front of him. I gripped onto (Y/N), her warm body fit perfectly in my arms, though she stiffened at my touch. Feeling eyes on me I looked to the other Na’vi and human me staring at me. Though my human self had a different look in his eyes.
(Reader’s POV)
This was strange. Lyle had prepared me for this, but it was still unexpected. Seeing his clone in the blue flesh was creeping me out. My lover who fit in my palm, his blue clone was now sitting behind me on my ikran, his avatar body covering mine suddenly making me feel small again. Just like years ago when I was human. Spider turned to look at me, an unreadable expression on his face. Before turning back to look at the sky. Jake took the lead on his ikran, flying ahead. I took that as a sign to follow him avoiding the floating islands and vines though we weren't heading toward High Camp. Landing on a distant island we dismounted.
“You lot stay here,” Jake said, dropping off Lo’ak and human Lyle, keeping his eye on the blue Lyle, “I’ll make sure they’re gone and come back for you guys.” He nudged his ikran to fly off, as Neytiri, Neteyam and I walked into the tall plants. Picking up my little humans like they weighed nothing into the bioluminescent flora. Ignoring the yellow eyes that followed my figure. Resting my back on a tree with human Lyle and Spider between my legs, his avatar sat opposite us, resting his back on the tree. My two boys eyed the avatar up and down as Kiri came to sit by my side, doing the same. We sat in awkward silence.
“What in Eywa?” Neteyam broke the silence.
“Don't ask,” Spider said, keeping his gaze on the avatar in front of us. My two humans leaned back onto my stomach relaxing a little at the warmth, though not daring to look away. Lyle rested his hand on my thigh running his tiny thumb in circles, maintaining eye contact with his blue form, his other arm around Spider’s shoulders. Despite the situation, Spider fell asleep, his exhaustion hitting much harder than we thought. The lot of us are not daring to address the big blue elephant in the room, or in this case; jungle. The silence was broken once again by someone's stomach growling in hunger.
“So, we’re not gonna address what's happening right now?” Lo’ak finally said, “Uncle Lyle?” The avatar’s ears perked at the title.
“Uncle?” the avatar asked.
“Yeah, I'm an Uncle. Deal with it,” Lyle’s stoic demeanour cracked a little, “So………You're here.”
“And……So are you,” the avatar replied like a reflection, “The RDA lied to me. Told me that I died and was cloned in your place.”
“Yeah, the RDA tends to do that,” the conversation ended dryly, but thankfully Jake returned with good news.
“They’re gone. Finally,” Jake saunters through the shrubs facing his youngest son, ”I'm gonna talk to you later, but first of all…” he turned to the camo wearing avatar, “...Wainfleet. Are you working with the RDA?”
“W-what?” he stutters, “No. I thought I was at first, but I remember betraying them. I remember busting you two, Norm and Grace out. I remember killing my own people for you,” he explained, “Then I woke up in space, being shipped down to Bridgehead, everything up ‘til this point. The middle was weirdly left out.”
I looked at Jake, he made eye contact with me already knowing the situation. “Let's head to High Camp. We’ll explain once we’re there,” we all stood up, I carried Spider in my arms who was passed out. Calling for Tìter, she landed close by, Lyle took Spider from me as I mounted first before reaching down for the two of them, sitting them in front of me.
Summary: The Avatars have returned to Pandora, which means trouble for our characters from Welcome Back to the Avatar Programme. Perspectives from Grace, Human Lyle Wainfleet, Reader and Recom Wainfleet. This is going to get confusing as heck.
Note: Spoken Na'vi = Normal, Spoken English = Italics
(Recom Wainfleet POV)
I could hear my blood pumping in my ears. Everything felt so strange. Like I was a newborn foal, the foreign feeling was interrupted by two science pukes in front of me, one flashing a torchlight in my eyes as the other clicked their fingers near my ears. They were saying something I didn't quite understand but the first thing I thought of was my girl. (Y/N)! Shooting up from the bed, the yells of the scientists telling me to lie back down and calm down was shrill in my ears. What's going on?! Where am I?! I stood, confused and discombobulated, fumbling over medical equipment. The double sided mirror reflected the sight of a Na’vi. (Y/N)? I stepped forward using my arm to steady myself.
“Lieutenant Wainfleet, please sit down!” I could hear the scientists say, As I got closer, I was faced with a Na’vi, but it wasn't (Y/N). It was me, blue faced, yellow eyed, and pointy ears, me. What? I looked down at my body. The long blue limbs, under a white gown. A flicker of movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention, turning to see what it was, I knocked over more equipment, the two scientists backed away as my tail(?) and lead whipped the air. My heart was pounding wildly not comprehending what was happening. Did I die? Why am I here? The height difference definitely was strange. The two scientists moved closer with both hands up, as I tried calming my breathing and pounding heart.
“I'm okay, I‘m good,” I did the same, putting my arms up in surrender. I was not okay. After the scientists explained what was happening, I apparently died in the war. I died? I couldn't remember anything past the beginning of the war between the Na’vi and humans. It was like it got wiped. The last thing I could remember was climbing into my AMP suit, trying to avoid suspicion. To meet (Y/N). Maybe I died sometime during the war. The memory of kissing (Y/N) seared into my brain. The scientists brought me to a zero-gravity room, handing me a tank top and a pair of shorts, as well as a tablet starting a video. It was human me, explaining what the heck was going on as I put the clothes on. Project Phoenix, my human self explained.
“If you're seeing this video, it means I died,” he rambled off what exactly Project Phoenix was before he got closer to the camera, lowering his voice, “Remember her,” was all he whispered before backing away acting normally again, “Oorah.” he finished off, the video ended there. Remember her? (Y/N), I'm guessing.
The science pukes led me out to the locker room door, stopping right there.
“Your things are in locker two,” he said before leaving as quickly as he could. I opened the tall door in front of me which also felt strange, poking my head in finding three others already there.
“Lyle?” the familiar voice catching me off guard, “It's me, Lopez! That's Ja! Zhang!”
“No way! Lopez?!” I exclaimed in awe entering the locker room threshold.
“Yo man, you're still bald!” Ja laughed.
A tap on my shoulder interrupted my staring. A smirking Zdinarsk threw her arm around my neck, yanked it down and rubbed my head with her knuckle laughing about my blue bald head to the rest of the four as I struggled a little in her tight grip.
“Sup Z-dog!” Lopez greeted her, I slipped from her grip. Standing with my back straightened.
“The Colonel and Fike are about to wake up. Let's go get ‘em,” she gestured. We followed her into the lab. Where Miles and Fike were. Oh crap, I think to myself, remembering that I busted (Y/N), Grace, Norm and Jake out of a jail cell. Fike woke up first as the tiny humans moved onto the Colonel. I watched from the side as the two scientists motioned that he was waking, using a flashlight to check his eye reflexes.
“Get that out his face,” I moved the male scientist away, ducking under the light, “Colonel? You hear me? Colonel?” his face contorted into anger, throwing a punch at my nose, I could feel warm liquid start coming out of my nose. Throwing himself off the bed, he snarled at us pushing himself into a corner with both hands up as Zhang and Fike went to hold him. He pushed the light hard into my direction as I avoided it, doing the same to Zhang, throwing a punch at Fike. The two humans yelled at each other to sedate him as I hopped over the bed.
“Get outta here,” I pointed to the door, “Go go go,” pushing the female attendant toward the door as she rushed out. Z-Dog entered the room to help hold the Colonel down. Zhang and Fike managed to get a grab of Quaritch as Z-Dog and I calmed him, though he kept snarling at us.
“Colonel, stand down! Colonel. It's me. Corporal Wainfleet,” he frowned.
“Lyle? That you?” he questioned. I nodded, blood escaping my nostril.
“Yes, sir. And Z-Dog. And Fike,” gesturing with my head. I hoped he didn't remember that I tried killing him.
“Alright, I'm fine. Let me go,” he calmed down, the three of them pulled back though a bit hesitant. The Colonel looked down at his arms, before pushing me to the side approaching the reflective glass, taking a good look at himself, he prodded at his canine tooth.
“Well…ain't this a bitch,” he said. I led the Colonel and Fike into the zero gravity room I was in earlier, as he was watching a video of himself giving the same rundown of what I got earlier. I looked around the room a bit more, watching a pair of scientists bring out another Recom, Mansk, I think his name is. The human Quaritch mentioned my name as my human form can be seen exiting a link bed. Giving a quick ‘Oorah’ as I usually did. Jake’s name was mentioned, making me a little nervous, hopefully my tail won't give away any of my emotions, the thing has a mind of it's own.
(Grace’s POV)
Whilst the warrior’s led by Jake were on a mission, Tuktirey–Jake’s youngest daughter– Kiri, Spider, (Y/N) and I were assisting the healers in the tent. Preparing for any injuries inflicted by the latest envoy, thought the children were messing about. Kiri helped Spider paint his blue stripes. Everyone was on edge due to the increased human activity and traffic. This time Jake was targeting a train supplying weapons. Lyle had been training the clanspeople how to use the automatic weapons, as they were training him with bows and arrows, and even a spear, which proved to be a bit of a hassle for him, especially the part where he didn't caution the sharpness of the spear, proceeding to swing it around carelessly. That leads us to now, where Lyle was sitting in the healing tent with a giant gash on his arm and leg with (Y/N) attending to him.
“I don't get why they want me to use a spear, I can just use a gun goddamnit,” (Y/N) chuckled at that.
“Babe, they just want you to know how to fight like them. Besides, using a spear to fish is much better than using a gun,” she pouted a little. Which reminded us of the time Lyle shot a fish and forgot to remove the bullet from it, causing her to accidentally bite it during the meal, his expression was of guilt as his eye twitched anxiously. To which Kiri and I stifled a laugh. (Y/N) had finished tending his leg, planting a kiss on his bald head before playfully pushing him out the healing tent, he flashed her a cheeky smile before slapping her ass as he left, which caused (Y/N) to take off after him as he screamed with nervousness and slight horror. Kiri and Spider laughed before yelling out the tent.
“Hahaha! Chicken!” The moment was interrupted by the horn sounding Tuk throwing open the flap of the healing tent.
“Dad’s back! The war party is back!” Tuk excitedly yelled through the tent. The three of them ran out to greet them. Not long after, (Y/N) returned as some warriors entered the healing tent, we got straight to work patching them up. Most had minor injuries, and only a few had serious injuries that required surgery and stitches. (Y/N) handled those as I called for Kiri to get some water.
(Recom Wainfleet POV)
We were being shipped to Bridgehead City. Our masks covering our noses and mouths – filled with Pandoran air. I was sitting between Quaritch and Mansk with sunglasses on top of my head, hoping to god that they didn't pick up my nervous energy, my leg bouncing a little as we began closing in. My ears twitching from the loud ship’s engine. As soon as the ship landed, everyone began unbuckling their straps as I followed suit. Walking next to the Colonel, we exited the ship.
“Mask off,” I tell the rest of the group, taking a deep breath in the air around us. It was fresh and euphoric, unlike Earth’s heavily polluted air. Heading into Bridgehead, we headed toward the Avatar only section, dropping off our bags in our own rooms. I pulled out a photo from my vest pocket. A photo of me and (Y/N) from when I was still human, still not believing that I died. Placing the photo on the nightstand, a knock on my door straightened me up. I opened the door to find the Colonel.
“Come on Lieutenant Wainfleet,” he simply stated. I followed him down the unfamiliar walls of Bridgehead. I'm definitely not in Hell’s Gate anymore. Stopping to ask where the General was, a soldier led us to her as she was training at a punching bag in what looks like a smaller and sleeker version of an AMP suit, a skel suit. Waiting for her to finish.
“General Ardmore,” the Colonel extended his hand to shake hers.
“Good to meet you, Colonel. I've heard good things…But a lot’s changed since your last tour here. Walk with me,” she began to lead the way, giving us a tour in and out of the facility. “The new ops centre is over here, that just came online,” she pointed, “These Swarm Assemblers, can put up a building in six days. We have done more here in a year than in the previous thirty years. We’re not here to run a mine Colonel. As on-world Commander…I have been charged with a greater mission.” I followed behind quietly, listening and observing, keeping a poker face. This could be useful information for later.
One thing she said when we were in the engineering facility irked me.
“Our task here is to tame this frontier. Nothing less than to make Pandora the new home for humanity. But before we can do that…we need to pacify the hostiles,” I grit my teeth hidden under my stoic expression, mentally cursing her. ‘Pacify the hostiles?!’ You have got to be shitting me. My mind drifted to (Y/N), what would she say in this situation? I kept my cool so as to not raise any suspicion, managing to control my tail, keeping it low and neutral. Next, Adrmore brought us to the Operations Centre, the screens showing the latest raids, even an old one that I was in. But I kept my eye on the most recent ones hoping to catch a glimpse of (Y/N), just to be sure that she was alive though none of them could confirm so. The most recent strike was two days ago.
“Got any intel on Sully’s base of operations?” Colonel inquired.
“Yeah. Give me the mountains,” Ardmore commanded, and I was instantly reminded of the Hallelujah Mountains and my moment with (Y/N) again, taking a breath of Pandoran air through the mask. “It's a cave system in the Hallelujah Mountains somewhere. But every time we send our forces up there, we take losses. Our hardware really stirs up the hornet's nest. We only get ten minutes in enemy airspace, and they are all over us…” A clip runs of banshees attacking the gunship plays, I carefully watch the Colonel's expression as he shifts to annoyance. “Colonel…We believe that your Blue Team will be seen as indigenous… and will not trigger the immune response…” That's good, I think to myself, I’ll be able to find (Y/N) if she’s alive.
“And how might we test that hypothesis, General?” Quaritch asks.
“The hard way,” Ardmore answers. I take another hit of Pandoran air, already knowing what that means.
“Outstanding,” Quaritch smirks. By late afternoon we were sent to test that theory, and my chance to find (Y/N).
(Reader’s POV)
Backtracking to earlier in the day. Lyle and I were on the ground scouting for herbal plants for Mo’at and Grace, finding a nice meadow big enough for my ikran, Tìter, to land. We decided to take a break from collecting. Plopping down our weapons and basket for a moment we lay together, basking in the sun and each other's warmth, spending time together without being bothered by Spider or the other children. Lyle was trailing his small hand against the stripes of my blue skin along my rib cage, as he rested his head against my shoulder.
“God, I wished I could kiss you,” Lyle nuzzled his head into my shoulder like a cat, irritated by his mask.
The pleasant sounds of the jungle in the background was much more comforting than the noisy and bustling High Camp. This was a rare opportunity that we both had, only for it to be rudely interrupted by the sound of giggles and soft footsteps nearby. I sighed out in annoyance knowing that Lo’ak, Spider and Kiri were nearby.
“I know you’re there, Spider! Lo’ak! Kiri!” I sat up as Lyle groaned, our intimate moment ruined. Their heads poked out of bushes as another smaller one did the same. “Tuk? What are you all doing down here?”
“Yeah. Lo’ak, I thought you were grounded?” Lyle added.
“We didn't come down on our ikrans, so it doesn't count,” Lo’ak defended himself as they all entered the meadow. Kiri slumped down next to me cuddling into my side, Spider and Tuk jumping into the pile almost crushing Lyle who thankfully rolled away. Finally Lo’ak body slammed down onto the dogpile as I yelled out in shock.
“Oh, Dude! Watch it!” Spider yelped from underneath him. The four of us lay together, falling into a comfortable silence again. A cloud of atokirina’ floated down onto the dogpile, one landing on Lyle’s head before floating away.
“Come on, we should head back before eclipse,” Lyle piped up, not wanting to disturb the bunch of tall Na’vi’s cuddling each other.
“Aw. I don't want to go back yet,” Tuk whined, snuggling closer into my chest. I chuckled at the sudden affection from the youngest Sully.
“I agree. I don't want to get into trouble with your father. And your mother, Kiri,” I began to sit up as the four tightened their grips on me. “Kids, please let go.” Lyle chuckled at the predicament as the four finally let go. Arming ourselves once again, I was about to hop onto our ikran with the basket of herbs but Lo’ak started walking in the direction of the abandoned shack, Spider following after him.
“Boys, I'm not gonna say it again,” Lyle chased after them, stopping when they crouched down to look at tracks.
“Uh, those aren't ours. And they're way too big to be Dad’s,” Spider looked up at Lo’ak, turning to look at Lyle.
“What's up?” I could hear him say.
“These aren't your right, Dad?” Spider asked him.
“No,” he looked back at me with concerned eyes, “Avatars.”
“Okay, time to go!” I say aloud, but the three of them follow the tracks, “Babe! I– Girls! This is a bad idea!” I watched as the two girls chased after them, I groaned ready to nag the five of them following suit.
“Give me your comm quickly,” Lyle reached his hand out to Lo’ak, who handed him his earpiece, pressing the speaker around his neck. “Devil Dog, Devil Dog, This is Demon One, I got some large boot tracks, could be avatars. Over.” The shine of the abandoned shack glimmered through the foliage, everyone stopped behind a fallen log, falling silent. “Devil dog, I got a definite sighting of avatars at the old shack, over,” Lyle called through the comms, pausing again, then sighing and continuing, “Sorry Sir, it's Lo’ak, Spider, Kiri…and Tuk, Sir. Yeah, (Y/N)’s here with me.” Lyle turned to look at me, gesturing with his hand.
Summary: The Avatars have returned to Pandora, which means trouble for our characters from Welcome Back to the Avatar Programme. Perspectives from Grace, Human Lyle Wainfleet, Reader and Recom Wainfleet. This is going to get confusing as heck.
Note: Spoken Na'vi = Normal, Spoken English = Italics
(Grace’s POV)
(Y/N) was hit. Shot in the abdomen by Quaritch. If I had sat where she was, I think I would have died. We patched her up as much as we could though we didn't have the equipment for a surgery, we could at least make her last moments as comfortable as we could. Arriving at Site 26, Norm helped her into the facility first, as I helped Jake onto his wheelchair, we rushed in. Norm passed us into the other part of the facility to grab blankets, pillows and anything else we needed before disconnecting the two parts.
“We’re gonna hook up this side of the building. Norm you’re up!” I helped Norm as fast as we could before he jumped into a link bed. Jake was by (Y/N)’s side, trying to ease her pain.
“You're gonna be okay,” I could hear Jake reassuring her. After what felt like forever, Norm’s avatar showed up through the tree line, jumping onto the facility as hooking up the half that we were in. Before we knew it we were off the ground, jolting suddenly.
“(Y/N)! Grace! She’s dying!” Jake yelled, I quickly made it to his side, where (Y/N) wasn't breathing. Running for the defibrillator, I chucked it onto the bed as Jake and I rushed to jump start her heart again. Trying to find a heartbeat in between shocks. After the fourth try, her heart started beating again, it was faint but enough.
Trudy dropped the facility somewhere close to the Tree of Souls as morning was soon approaching, I kept my eye on the dying girl in front of me. It was hard seeing her like this. She was like a daughter to me. When daybreak came, Jake wanted to jump into his avatar. He said there was something he had to do, though I was unsure what he meant by that. Norm disconnected from his avatar and we took shifts looking after (Y/N) just in case something happened. It was much later when Jake (in his avatar form) returned. He had convinced Mo’at to save (Y/N), to do a consciousness transfer to her avatar so we had to prepare her for the ritual. I jumped into my avatar, waking up at the Tree of Souls, finding (Y/N)’s avatar right next to me back completely burnt, when I was suddenly bombarded by children and teens, I couldn't stay to chat.
Rushing to the facility, Jake had already prepared (Y/N) for the ritual, which meant taking off her clothes and wrapping her body in vines and leaves, only keeping her mask on. Jake was most nervous, he kept fidgeting as I carried first aid and the defibrillator in case her heart stopped again. We made our way back to the Tree of Souls, her avatar already laying below the pink and purple tendrils. Jake carefully placed (Y/N)’s small human form next to her avatar. Wow, I really wished to get some samples right now but that was not a priority. As Mo’at started the ritual as the Na’vi chanted along with her.
“In order for the consciousness transfer to be successful, she must pass through the eye of Eywa and return,” Mo’at explained beforehand. I held Jake’s shaky hand. Please, please, please work.
The chanting subsided and Mo’at moved closer to make sure the transfer was a success. It was. The two of us sighed a huge sigh of relief. Oh, thank you Great Mother. Thank you very much.
The next morning, I talked to Mo’at asking if I too could do a consciousness transfer. She did not hesitate to agree, though I was not injured or sick, I felt like I needed to explain but she quickly shot it down, explaining that I was already Na’vi, already part of the clan. Already Omatikayan. That night it was my turn to have my consciousness transferred. It was like falling into a deep sleep, entering the eye of Eywa, she spoke so gently and softly like a comforting whisper pushing me back down to Pandora with her warm palm.
Waking up in my avatar felt nothing short of a miracle. It was like I was born to be Na’vi. Though I needed clothes at that moment, I felt very naked which was a bit embarrassing. Covering my chest with my arms, Jake draped a large blanket around my body before I was taken somewhere to be dressed. I was handed my na’vi necklace, which was now too small to fit around my neck, opting to wear it as a bracelet or arm band instead. I was handed a chest covering which was a bit too skimpy for my liking, as well as a loincloth which pinched in weird places – It was basically a thong, definitely something I had to get used to – I felt most comfortable in a tank top and shorts, but I knew I would get weird looks. My human body was buried next to (Y/N)’s human body, becoming one with Pandora, a funeral held for our human forms.
After the war between Na’vi and humans, adjusting to the life of a Na’vi was not very difficult, the only difference was my height, the food and being unable to do any sciency stuff, which is basically everything in my life. But falling asleep and not waking up in my human form was strange. I lived within the village with Jake, but occasionally trekked between the village and Hell’s Gate now overrun by weeds and crawling vines. (Y/N), the avatar drivers and some scientists remained as the only humans on Pandora, Lyle Wainfleet included. A little baby boy was found in the medical facility being taken care of by the science team and (Y/N). Miles Soccoro was his name, the child of Commander Miles Quaritch and Paz Socorro, both parents dead. Norm took over most of my research and I was just tasked with collecting and finding new flora native to the planet, which thankfully made my job a bit easier. But one day, I felt a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, thinking I was sick with some sort of Pandoran flu. I went to Mo’at to get a check up.
“You are blessed with a child,” I was dumbstruck.
“What? But I'm not mated. I haven't even had sex.”
“You are with child,” she deadpanned, repeating herself.
And she was right. For the following months I was pregnant with a child. (Y/N) helped me most of the time, doing most of my research and collecting samples as she usually did when she was part of the Avatar Program. I decided to pop up at Hell’s Gate, big belly in tow. Knocking on the door, Wainfleet opened it. He was wearing a simple grey shirt, loose jogging bottoms and socks. Looking rather cosy.
“What's up doc,” he greeted me chipperly. Letting me in, I ducked into the hallway, making my way through the very walls I once walked, now as a blue giant. Suddenly everything felt smaller. “Got new samples?” he inquired.
“Ah, just the usual,” his eyes meandered to my stomach, smirking a little. Finding Norm in my old office, I carefully placed the samples on the table. Looking around I could hear (Y/N) talking to Lyle, as the cute sounds of Miles Jr babbling. Peeking through a window, I watched the three happily playing with hand made wooden toys. They looked happy together. Like a family basically, (Y/N) the mother figure and Lyle the father figure. My hand unconsciously touched my growing belly, rubbing it a little.
After five more months, one month longer than a human woman’s pregnancy (Don't quote me on this, cause I don't know how long Na’vi pregnancies last. I want to say it's about ten months), I was due to give birth very soon. (Y/N) and Neytiri, who had given birth a day earlier than me with her second child, were by my side as Mo’at guided me through the birthing. I was taught a breathing technique to make the birthing easier. I was told to push, gripping (Y/N)’s hand tightly. My loincloth around my ankles in a kneeling position, letting gravity do most of the work. It was painful but worth it. The cry of my little baby sounded so sweet, as a little girl was handed to me. I was guided to sit down as my little girl smiled like the sun, her cute gummy smile lighting up the healing tent, Mo’at connected our queues and I could feel everything my baby girl was feeling at that very moment. Neytiri and (Y/N) smiled at the sight of the cute little girl with four fingers and five little bean toes.
“What will you name her?” Neytiri asked. I thought a little bit.
“Kiri. My little girl’s name is Kiri,” I kissed her little forehead.
“Hello Kiri. Little Kiri…” (Y/N) cooed at my baby.
Having a daughter blessed by Eywa herself was like a miracle, I felt like the Virgin Mary in that sense. It was basically the same situation. (Y/N) became Kiri’s aunt, taking care of her whenever I needed her to, and she happily took on that role despite also caring for Miles Jr, no, Spider. Eventually the two kids met as she brought Spider into the village on occasion, or I would visit her in Hell’s Gate bringing Kiri in a carrier.
As we would discuss things relating to research, the children would be in another room being watched by Lyle as they played together. Their laughter echoing through the halls.
Kiri practically grew up around the Sully kids and Spider which was good for her. Though not so great for the adults having to corral a bunch of rambunctious kids which often led (Y/N) to hold Spider or one of the kids in the air as a time out, all whilst she tried holding in her laughter as they squirmed, nearly eight feet in the air. Air prison she calls it. But one day Jake and I were called to Hell’s Gate. To our surprise it was Lyle who called us, getting us to sit down on the cold metal floor.
“What is it called again?” Jake asked.
“Project Phoenix,” Lyle repeated. Jake rubbed his face as Lyle rubbed his chin nervously.
“Does (Y/N) know?” I added.
“Yeah, she was with me when I was talking to Zdinarsk,” he confessed. I looked over to Jake, who was clenching his jaw with an unreadable expression. Wainfleet, brought up his holo tablet, using his credentials to gain access to his own files, “Everything you need to know is on this tablet. I should’ve told you sooner, I'm sorry I didn't.”
“Well at least you did,” Jake sighed, flicking through the many files related to the project. “Recombiants? New form of avatars…without drivers? Holy crap.”
“What do we do?” Wainfleet questioned, a part of him knowing that this was bad news for the near future.
“Well, I have a clan to think about. If it's danger we’re talking about, we have to move somewhere safe. That includes all of you guys and the avatar drivers. We have to prepare,” Jake says seriously.
“I guess it’s time to pick up a gun again. Hopefully not soon,” Wainfleet scratches his bald head.
In the room not too far away, (Y/N), Kiri and Spider were playing with toys or scribbling on paper. (Y/N)’s sharp ears listening in on the conversation down the hallway, whilst keeping an eye on the two children. Kiri is only six, I don't want to scare her with the potential danger of humans returning to Pandora, I have my own family to take care of now. Making my way to where the kids are, I peered through the open door watching the three scribble with pencils. Kiri struggled to hold the thin pencil as she drew, but Spider was helping her grip it. (Y/N)’s eyes met mine, a content smile on her face. Jake put a hand on my shoulder looking into the room from just behind me watching the same scene.
“We should go,” he gestured with his head.
I called into the room, “Come on Kiri, time to go.” She whined a little, not wanting to leave Spider’s side. I chuckled a bit, “Come on sweetheart, you can come back to see him tomorrow.”
“Or we’ll go to the village,” (Y/N) piped up, Kiri’s little ears and tail perked up at that.
“Really?!” Kiri stood up, holding the drawing in her hand.
“Sure! Why not?” (Y/N) patted her head as Kiri gave her a hug before giving Spider one.
“See you tomorrow Spider!” she ran to me, waving goodbye to (Y/N) and the small boy.
“See you tomorrow, Kiri,” he pouted a little, returning a wave.
Returning to the village, Jake returned to his family as Kiri and I returned to our nest. We ate before falling asleep in each other’s arms. The playing tiring her out, though I had trouble sleeping mostly from the troubling news, my overprotective paternal instincts coming out. From that day on I kept a close eye on Kiri, no longer caring about work and research, just wanting to spend all the time I have with her as her mother. I took off my bracelet, the one I always wore on my neck as a human, putting it around Kiri’s neck, fitting perfectly.
The next day Jake set off to find a perfect spot to prepare for the inevitable, setting a game plan for the village, beginning to prepare for D-day.
Nearly eight years have passed, watching my daughter grow up to be a wonderful young lady but also finding out Kiri’s strange connection with Pandora and Eywa. Despite a slight paranoia rising within Jake, (Y/N), Lyle and myself. On this particular calm and beautiful night (Y/N), Norm, Spider and Lyle were staying the night in mine and Kiri’s nest. The children playing with the Sully kids just below us as their parents were having a date night. Norm was rattled off about the research as (Y/N) translated it to Lyle making it easier to understand. Before the two of them cuddled together to watch the stars.
“And what about that one?” Lyle pointed to a bright star. (Y/N) sat up a little bit getting a better look at the brightening star.
“That's not a star,” her eyes widened before meeting mine, “That's a decelerating ship.” Our eyes shot to the sky, knowing exactly what that meant. The human’s have returned.
Gathering everyone up, (Y/N) called for her ikran helping Spider and Lyle on, climbing on behind them. Neteyam and Lo’ak rode with Norm on his ikran. Jake and Neytiri returned as quickly as they could. Kiri rode with Jake as I hopped onto Neytiri’s ikran. We headed straight for the Hallelujah Mountains, our stronghold and new home. We could only watch the descending ships, burning everything surrounding it, the desperate cries of the Pandoran wildlife echoed through the forest below. There was nothing we could do.
As soon as we arrived at the camp, which Jake unceremoniously dubbed as ‘High Camp’ the rest of the clanspeople flooded in. A year would pass slowly as fear spiked.
Can you please write a series where Grace has survived and is trying to adjust to a new life. Like how she adjusts to Na'vi clothing, how she gives birth to Kiri, and how the story of the other avatar plays out. I like your writing style and I've only recently discovered your stories, so I don't know if it bothers you that I write like this, if so I apologize.
This sounds really cool and I have plans to do a second parter of the Welcome Back to the Avatar Programme. Which is supposed to follow TWOW storyline with a few changes. Especially since Grace does survive in WBtAP (including Lyle Wainfleet). It might get even more interesting, including the dynamics in the relationships between Humans and Na'vi and Recoms. Which is going to get a bit weird and possibly spice up the story a bit. 😍🤓🫢
He’s lost his damn mind (Sister of a skxawng miniseries)
Summary: Aonung is a skxawng. That is a fact. He is a bully and picks on his older sister's friends for little things they can't control, and now the Sully teens. The thing is, he doesn't learn from his mistakes.
Edit to add: I changed the name from Rox’To to Rox’Ti, because I’m the film it’s not (sweet) Roxto who’s in the bully circle, in fact, I don’t know the kid’s name so I changed it.
There were visitors. The ikrans were the telltale signs that they were from beyond the reef. A crowd was forming on the sand bank as we approached on our ilu’s, still gripping onto the basket. The sight of darker blue na’vi, their thin forms were a huge distinction from our thick appendages. I could already hear Aonung talking smack about them to Roxto. A family. There were four children, and one of them looked our way – looking at Tsireya. Oh…interesting.
“Do not. Roxto, Aonung,” Tsireya scolded the two of them. I kept my eye on the two troublemakers.
Our father yelled out as he flew over the crowd on his skimwing, landing not too far away, making his way through the crowd. The family greeted our father, bowing whilst plucking their hands from their foreheads, the formal na’vi greeting. Our father greeted them back. Our people moved aside for our mother. The visitors greeted her by name.
“Why do you come to us, JakeSulli?” our father asked the tall male in front of him.
“We seek uturu,” the man said.
“Uturu?”
My mother walked toward the group, grabbing the woman’s tail, then the child’s thin arm, then the other girl’s hands.
“They are not even full Na’vi. They have demon blood!” her mother loudly exclaimed to the clan, who gasped at the sight.
“Look. Look!” the older male waved his hand in front of my mother’s face, “Look, I was born of the sky people, and now I am Na’vi. All right? You can adapt. We will adapt. Okay?”
“My husband was Toruk Makto,” the male’s mate hissed, “They led the clans to victory against the sky people.”
“This you call victory? Hiding among strangers? It seems Eywa has turned her back on you…chosen one.” To which the darker woman snarled at my mother, I cringed at the sight of their face-off.
My father finally announced, “Toruk Makto, his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters. Now, they do not know the sea. So they will be like babies…taking their first breath. Teach them our ways, so they do not suffer the shame of being… useless.” My friends joined my side, watching for a distance before our father called for us siblings.
“My son, Aonung. My daughter, Tsireya, will show your children what to do,” our father introduced. Tsireya and I greeted them formally whilst Aonung was resistant. I rolled my eyes at that.
“Come. I will show you our village,” Tsireya approached them, the clanspeople scattering. I walked with my mother to the healing mauri.
“Come, let me see what you’ve picked,” my mother’s agitated tone didn't bother me that much.
“I've got some Verik weeds, Ashangi shells and more Rasheng coral,” I dumped them out of my basket. Grabbing a wide flat sieve, I spread the Verik weeds for drying. My mother was quiet. “You should stop scowling, you’ll leave lines on your forehead and I'll have to go get more Vera,” I didn't have to look up as she clicked her tongue, slowly relaxing her face.
“Uturu, my foot. Your father has lost it,” my mother grumbled under her breath.
“Mother…please.” She let out an annoyed snarl, “They are not that different from us. What was it you used to say? ‘We are all Na’vi, so treat everyone like your brother and sisters’,” she mouthed the words, shaking her head.
“Oh daughter, you’ve grown so much,” she gently sighed, “I don't get to see you much now. Either with your friends or too busy with chores. What about your mother, huh? You rarely come to see me unless it's to drop off more Verik weeds, or Ashangi shells or Rasheng coral.” She sighed again, moving closer to me, “Your father even forgot to mention your name.”
I chuckled, “It's fine mother, I'm not around too often. It must have slipped his mind.” She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, hugging me from the side.
“Have you at least found a mate yet? That To’Roi seems rather touchy…” I gagged a little.
“Mother! He’s my friend!”
“I'm just saying. I'm not getting any younger you know, I want grandkids,” my mother smothered my face with kisses.
“Argh mom!” I wiggled out of her grasp, “I have to go,” she began tickling my side causing me to yelp out in laughter. She huffed like a child as she let me go. I quickly jumped up, turning to give one final look, she pouted while scowling again, her tail thumping against the mauri floor.
“Mom! Vera leaves,” I taunted as she relaxed her forehead, maintaining her pout. I chuckled before leaving the mauri, “I love you! See you tonight!”
The next day, Tsireya and Aonung were beginning their lessons. My father asked me to keep an eye on Aonung, just in case. But I still did my chores, helping Sansu detangle his fishing net on the rocks nearby the kid’s lessons.
“I'm surprised your brother is actually helping the Sully’s,” Sansu said.
“Oh last night he was trying to pick a fight about it. I don't wanna help the freaks,” I mocked, scoffing again at his words. Sansu just laughed at my horrible impersonation attempt. Tsireya looked like she was having fun, enjoying it even, but Aonung. Oh Aonung. He looked like he was going to punch a hole in a basket. I decided to check up on the kids.
“Hello,” I announced myself approaching the group, the children all looked up.
“This is my older sister, (Y/N),” I greeted them, plucking my hand from my forehead.
“Our father forgot to mention me yesterday,” I grinned cheekily at the memory, “If you ever need help with anything, just ask me.”
“My sister is a bit of a wanderer, she's great at a lot of things and a wonderful teacher,” Tsireya piped up.
“Oh no, it's nothing,” I brushed it away.
“No, seriously. She’s one of the best weavers, fishermen, warriors and singers in our clan. Maybe you can help us with breathing techniques,” Tsireya pulled my hand to sit down. I gave an awkward smile as I shuffled between the two dark blue boys. Tsireya guided the group through a breathing technique as I chipped in with some tips here and there. After the lesson, the boys who told me their names, Neteyam and Lo’ak, thanked me. The girl, Kiri, also thanked me before they moved on.
I returned to my mauri to try on the new chest covering I made the day before. Removing my current chest covering I didn't hear To’Roi entering. A sudden pair of hands helped me tie the strap in a neat bow, which startled me a little. His fingers occasionally brushed against my skin. When he finished I turned around and he retrieved something from his pouch.
“I…uh, wanted to give this to you yesterday…but Sansu and Tavë were around.” He presented a beautiful necklace and my eyes widened at the revelation. It was a courting gift.
“To’Roi…it's beautiful,” he turned me around before putting it around my neck for me.
Our moment was interrupted by Roxto who lightly clapped at the entrance of my mauri before running off. The unexpected movement was jarring. He’s probably run off to tell Aonung and Tsireya the news.
For the next few days as To’Roi courted me officially, and Tsireya ‘s infatuation and crush for Lo’ak grew. It was cute. But Aonung was pissed. By the time we knew it the Sully kids had adapted well to the Metkayina ways. It was nearing the end of the month when To’Roi and I were walking around the island when we came across Aonung picking on Kiri. She was staring at the sand with her head in the water, watching the light rippling off the pale sand when Aonung and Co started laughing at her.
“Are you some kind of…freak?” Aonung asked. The nerve of that boy.
“He asked if you are a freak,” Rox’Ti, Aonung’s friend added.
Kiri scoffed lightly, walking away from the conversation, when we were near the group. I gestured for her to come over to my side.
“Are you sure?” Aonung egged on, “I mean, you're not even real Na’vi.Look at these hands,” the boys surrounded her.
“Aonung! That's enough,” I gripped onto his shoulder, to which he shrugged me off.
“I mean, look at them,” he grabbed Kiri’s hand forcefully as she struggled to pull away.
“Hey!” Lo’ak intruded. I yanked Aonung’s hand from Kiri’s.
“Oh, another four-fingered freak,” Aonung antagonised. Rox’Ti circled around and pulled on Lo’ak’s tail.
“Rox’Ti! Aonung! That’s enough! Stop now before I hurt you,” I threatened them, stepping between the growing group. Neteyam showed up, from not too far away. Rox’Ti grabbed Lo’ak’s tail again, pulling it as Lo’ak slapped his hand away.
“Boys! I'm being serious! Keep doing this and you’re being grounded…for life,” I took Lo’ak and Kiri’s hands, taking them away from Aonung and his bully friends.
“You're not dad, you can't tell me what to do!” Aonung yelled at me.
“Exactly, I'm your older sister!” letting go of the teen’s hands, I turned to him, “You think I don't care about you? I'm not like father? Like mother? I care more than you think,” I got up into his face, poking his shoulder To’Roi followed behind me pulling my shoulder’s back trying to hold me back, “You haven't learnt a thing. Father already reprimanded you when you bullied MY friends! And now you’re going after the Sully’s? Because what? They’re different?! I'm disappointed in you brother. You stop this now. The lot of you!” I looked at his friends, emphasising my point. Gesturing for the Sully’s to walk with myself and To’Roi.
Under his breath Aonung said something he would soon regret, soon a fight was breaking out, Neteyam hopping in after his brother in the scuffle, as Kiri, To’Roi and I just stood there asking them to stop.
“This is so stupid,” Kiri rolled her eyes. I kind of just gave up and let it happen, Aonung deserved the beating.
We walked in a nervous silence, putting some distance between Aonung and his friends.
“I'm very sorry for my brother, he’s always been this way. You should not have to deal with that,” I apologised.
“Thank you, you didn't hav–” Kiri thanked.
“No, please…he’s a skxawng, He’s always picking on people for things they can't control. You are not freaks, you are not weak, you are not strange. You are Na’vi, just like me, just like Tsireya, just like ma To’Roi,” I turned to my lover as he proudly smiled at me ,”If they ever harass you again, come get me. I’ll beat his ass.” The teens chuckled at that. They gave one final thanks before running off to do their own things.
“That’s ma (Y/N). Ma yawne,” To’Roi kissed the top of my head. We spent the rest of the day together and joined my family much later.
That night after I recalled the day's events including Aonung’s bully moment, I actually did beat Aonung. I slapped him upside his head and when he tried slapping back, I knocked him onto his butt with my tail. Surprisingly our father didn't stop me, nor did our mother, or Tsireya. They kind of just…watched, even To’Roi who joined me in our family dinner. After that, Aonung confessed that he took Lo’ak out of the reef.
He’s lost his damn mind.
These are who I imagine are Sansu, Tavë and To’Roi (in that order).
Aonung is a skxawng (Sister of a Skxawng miniseries)
Summary: Aonung is a skxawng. That is a fact. He is a bully and picks on his older sister's friends for little things they can't control. The thing is, he doesn't learn from his mistakes.
A/N: Im making this a mini-series after having a lot more idea's for it.
My little brother was an asshole and a bully. Him and his friends were all dumbasses. Just because our father was the Olo’eyktan and a mighty warrior doesn't mean you can push other people around. He picks on my friend who had a few too many stripes on their face, another for having a large scar on his back from an akula attack, and another friend who had a slightly larger left ear. All of these things had something in common, it was from something they couldn't control. And what does Aonung do? Pick on them, even though my friends are older than him. He has some massive balls for doing what he does, especially when he knows my friends could definitely beat him up in a fight.
Tavë – the one with more stripes on her face – stormed into my mauri (I had my own mauri as I was an adult) slumping onto the floor as a whine left her mouth.
“Tavë, what's wrong?”
“Your stupid brother is what's wrong,” she mumbled into the soft woven flooring. Not that much longer, Sansu – the one with a slightly bigger left ear – stormed in grumbling under his breath.
“Sansu.”
“Thank Eywa you're here, go deal with your brother,” Sansu kicked an empty basket across my mauri.
“Hey! Don't kick my things!” I scolded him.
“Yeah, just like that – at your brother,” Sansu gestures wildly. Next came To’Roi – large scar on his back from an akula attack. He didn't say anything, opting to just sit down next to me as I'm weaving a new top. He planted his head on my shoulder like he always does when he’s upset. I lightly pat his head to calm him, Sansu was pacing around and Tavë was still laying on the floor, face down.
Finally Sansu sat down after fuming and I had finished up my top. A head popped into my mauri.
“Hi Tsumuke! Hi guys!” Tsireya exclaimed, the three grumbled a ‘hi’ as I smiled back at her.
“Hello little sister,” she shuffled her way into my mauri observing the scene.
“Let me guess. Aonung is being a skxawng, again,” Tsireya rolled her eyes playfully, I chuckled as I started to stand, only for To’Roi to wrap his arm around my middle keeping me in place.
“To’Roi, please,” I tapped his arm, to which he just kept me in place.
“Don't move…just…stay still” he mumbled into the crook of my neck, heat crept up my neck to my face as Tsireya laughed at his behaviour.
“Should I tell father what's going on?” Tsireya questioned.
“Nah, we’ll deal with Aonung ourself,” I assured her. And when I mean ‘deal with him’ I mean he’s in for a scolding, possibly ending with him getting his ass beat.
Sansu’s expression lit up, Tavë finally looked up and To’Roi loosened his grip. I put down my newly woven chest covering and the three– no four of us including Tsireya stood, exiting my mauri heading for the sandy beach as tonight was the night of communal dinner. Knowing that Aonung would be nearby with his band of bullies, we read each other's minds choosing a space surrounded by the clan in the corner of the communal mauri. The more people who saw the better.
Tsireya went back to our parents to sit with them but we sat and ate, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. It was close to the end of our meals when Aonung and his friends finally showed up.
“Look, the freaks are sitting together,” Aonung laughed condescendingly. We were already used to being called freaks.
“Come on Aonung, We’ve heard that a million times already. I know you can do better than that?” I say, egging him on.
“Oh tsumuke, of course I can. Tavë looks like a pincer fish with all those stripes, any more and she’ll look like she's a wrinkly old woman,” of course he would target the Tavë first, “To’Roi was lucky to get just a scratch. If i was akula, I would've eaten him whole,” he continued, “And Sansu looks like a flat skate fish, his one ear catches more water than his right,” he laughed out loud thinking he's funny, his friends laughing along with him. I couldn't hold back my smirk as my father cast a shadow behind them, his horrified expression from hearing his son talk so rudely to my friends. Tavë, Sansu and To’Roi looked at each other with knowing looks.
“Just leave us alone,” Sansu said in monotone, hiding his amusement and creeping smile, knowing that Aonung was already caught.
“Just leave us alone,” Aonung mocked, “listen to these freaks.” I laughed darkly internally, maintaining a poker face as my father’s expression turned to anger. How did Aonung not notice him? Our father’s large figure and presence was hard to miss. But Aonung’s friend finally looked behind him and noticed the Olo’eyktan grabbing Roxto and pulling him away.
“Aonung!” our father raised his voice, startling Aonung who instantly looked like he was about to shit himself, turning around to face our father scared out of his mind shrinking slightly. “So this is how you talk to your sister and her friends?” his calm voice scared Aonung even more. Our father just pointed out of the communal mauri and Aonung left with his tail between his legs, quite literally. Everyone within earshot was staring in our direction. “I will have Aonung apologise before you return to your mauri’s,” with that my father turned to leave the communal mauri.
When he left the group of us finally cracked up. The group of us gave each other high four’s.
“Oh great mother! That was hilarious! Did you see his face?! He almost shit himself, that skxawng!” Sansu chortled.
“He’s already a skxawng for trying it in front of everyone!” Tavë pointed out, laughing at the stupidity. To’Roi just laughed slapping his leg, his other clutching his stomach whilst hunching over.
“Ow…my stomach….ow” To’Roi coughed out whilst still laughing. I laughed silently, my body shaking from the whole ordeal, the clan’s people around us chuckled at the sight of us shaking their heads at the uproar.
We tried finishing up our meals, occasionally chuckling and as promised by my father Aonung returned to apologise to my friends.
“And your sister?” our father raised his brow.
“Sorry tsumuke.”
“No. Properly,” our father demanded.
“I'm sorry tsumuke, I won't pick on your friends again. I'm sorry,” he repeated with a bit more sympathy.
“Good,” our father nodded with crossed arms, proud that his son could properly apologise. Pulling Aonung to his mother.
Returning to my mauri, Tsireya followed me as she wanted to stay with me for the night. Laying in the hammock, she snuggled in next to me like what we used to do when I was younger. The next morning we went for an early swim. I was doing my usual herb hunting for my mother, the clan’s Tsahik when Tsireya waved to get my attention.
‘Look. I found a pearl. It's so pretty and blue,’ she signed. I returned with a smile swimming to meet her, looking at the beautiful blue pearl.
‘It's beautiful! Where did you find it?’ Tsireya pointed to the sandy shallow swimming closer to it and brushed some sand away to find more. I looked in the area too, finding a similar looking one.
‘Got one! Let's head back!’ I signed to her.
Tsireya called for our ilu and as soon as we breached the surface the blow of a horn surprised us.
Summary: Syulang (OC), an orphaned girl after the destruction of Hometree. She is constanly reminded of this by her amputated left leg and constantly dreams of her deep trauma. Even when she gets adopted by Toruk Makto and his wife, who she resented for over six years before forgiving him.
A/N: We are almost at the end now (I hope). And I'll post a one-shot before uploading The Humans of Awa'atlu or another series that just starting. Also just a heads up; I'll be taking a break from the 4th to the 11th of May, I will continue to upload even when I'm not writing using the automatic uploads system, hopefully, it works because I'm not using the internet for a whole week. Finger's cross until then. But for now, here's part 8!
Part 8 of 10
Neytiri put her hand on her oldest daughter's shoulder and arm, trying her hardest to calm her. In her attempt Neytiri started singing, her voice slightly quivered as she raised her voice over her daughters crying, she leant closer to her ear singing to distract Syulang. She brushed the hair of her daughter away from her face and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, Syulang calmed down enough that Neytiri softened her voice down, repeating the lyrics to the song.
Jake entered with his children in tow. Arriving next to Syulang, hushing her down and rubbing her left leg to try to ease the pain. When Mo’at finally entered the tent a while later, she found the whole family there next to Syulang. Jake quietly left Syulang’s side to talk to Mo’at.
“It was like I entered her dream,” he was still in disbelief of what happened, “I saw Eytukan, and Tsu’tey. They said that they feared her soul would not reach Eywa if or when she dies.”
“This is truly concerning. We'll have to go to the Tree of Souls, I’ll be able to enter her dream there. I believe I could help her,” Mo’at rubbed her chin as she thought, “This is decided, I will enter her dream tonight. But in the meantime, I suggest you go on about your duties as Olo’eyktan.”
“Yes, Tsahik. And thank you,” Jake took one last look at Syulang. Taking off to deal with Quaritch and his group of Dreamwalkers.
Taking arms again, he called for a few of his warriors and Tarsem, his Olo’eyktan in training. Taking flight on their ikrans, they flew to another smaller floating island, hoping the RDA hadn't found them yet.
Landing in the trees. Jake and the group jumped down onto the floating rock. The recombiants all bound to different trees. Jake made his way to Quaritch, squatting down to look into his eyes.
“So you finally decided to show up,” Quaritch sneered.
“Your lucky I didn't leave you here to just starve,” Jake stoically said.
“Why wouldn't you? You already betrayed your own race, I bet you’d do it again,” the colonel's southern twang drawled. Jake scoffed at that. “Now why don't you answer my question? How did’ya know we were gonna be here?” Quaritch repeated, for the fourteenth time.
“Let's just say Eywa gave me a sign,” Jake shrugged, “Now tell me, who sent you here?” Quaritch snickered.
“Remember Ardmore?”
“Heard of her, never met her.”
“Oh yeah, she’s back. Wants you dead, same as me. Same as everyone here,” Quaritch leant a little bit to look at his team, who were staring daggers at Jake.
“Is that why you're here…in this body? To kill me?”
“Oh…It's not just you Jake. You're mate too…Let's just say, we wanna end your bloodline, that means your kids too.” Quaritch sneered, Jake stiffened. His eyes burning with a rage he had never felt before.
“Well, thanks for the heads up,” Jake nodded to Tarsem and the other warriors who drew their knives at the recoms, poking the tip of it at the recoms neck.
“You dare–” Quaritch began to say.
“Or what? No one is coming for you. Where’s Ardmore huh? She’s not here, and I'll more than happily send you and your soldiers back in body bags. Especially after you threatened me!” Jake yelled at Quaritch to which he snarled, “So do you all want a quick or slow death? Take your pick.” Jake pointed his assault rifle at Quaritch’s head, ready to pop some bullets into his head.
Everyone was bug-eyed and silent, Quaritch knew he was fucked. He had no more options, only death. But there was a third option that the adults didn't see, they were too bloodthirsty. That third option came in the form of Syulang flying onto the island.
“Father!” Syulang shouted, sliding off her ikran running into the fray, “Stop! It doesn't have to end this way! Please, listen to me before you make a mistake.”
“Syulang! You should not be here!” Jake stood, yelled at his daughter.
“Please, just listen to me. There's another way, please,” Syulang stepped between Jake and Quaritch.
“No! There isn't! This guy! This guy…!” Jake pointed at Quaritch, “He wants us dead, he wants your mother, your siblings dead!”
“Please, There’s another way,” She begged, “There is another way. Another way that doesn't end with death,” she said in English this time. Jake panted, his heavy breath fogged a little from the altitude. He sighed deeply, exhaling through his nose.
A small movement from above caught his eye, looking up he saw an atokirina’. A seed of the great tree floating down onto Quaritch’s head. Syulang gasped with wide eyes a little, her hand covering her mouth in disbelief, catching Jake’s attention, he turned to see the same scene happening to the other recoms. An atokirina’ gently landing on their heads, his warriors’, Tarsem looking around to all the recoms with the seed of the great tree upon their heads. Finally they floated off at the same time. Tarsem and the warriors removed their knives from the recom’s neck, taking a step back awaiting further instructions.
“Eywa has spoken,” Syulang turned to Quaritch, “If you want to live. You must turn your back on those who control you. You are no longer human, you have been given a second chance at life. And in order to do that, you must become Na’vi.”
“You’re asking me to betray humanity?” Quaritch looked up at the girl, his eyebrow raised in questioning.
“You are no longer Human. We Na’vi have a saying; ‘Fwäkì ke fwefwi’. It means: Mantis doesn’t whistle; don’t expect someone to do something that isn’t in their inherent nature…Or something like that,” Syulang explained.
“The hell does that mean?”
“You are Na’vi, it is your nature. Everything you knew no longer matters. The blood that runs in your veins is Na’vi. Your body, Na’vi,” Syulang crouched to Quaritch’s form, “But, your heart,” she pointed to his chest, “Your mind,” she pointed to his head, “Your memories remain human. Everything that happened in the past, is the past.” She looked down to her amputated leg before continuing, “You can choose to let your past consume you, or give you a reason to change your heart.” She turned to look at Jake. Her father. “That day when Hometree fell, you took more than just my leg. You killed my family. And I blamed Jake, I blamed you. But in time I forgave him, he gave me a reason to keep living. Even every day when I'm in pain, I still…keep…going.”
The look in Quaritch’s eyes changed, almost sympathetic. So did Jake’s.
“It was Eywa’s plan. It has always been her plan,” Syulang finished, standing up from her crouched position. Jake moved closer to Syulang wrapping his arm around her shoulders, giving a comforting rub. A silence fell upon the crowd. Quaritch was thinking, weighing his options. He fucking hates Ardmore, has had enough of taking orders. Heck, he just wants a simple life, he wants to stop fighting too. He was just following orders, and now he’s been given that exact opportunity that he so desperately craved. He knows the recoms would follow him, they trust him after all but he’ll still ask them.
“I'm done fighting. What do you guys think?” Quaritch asked out loud, enough for the other recoms to hear. They didn't say anything at first, probably considering following Quaritch.
“Me too,” it was Lyle, “I didn't want to be reborn like this, following orders again when I should've stayed dead.” A few chorused his statement, agreeing with him.
A flurry of “I'm done fighting too” and “me too” responses or something to the same tune from the other recoms. Falling silent again. Jake was speechless, and Syulang smiled.
“The RDA will come back. They'll come looking,” Jake reminded them, “There’ll be more bloodshed.”
“I know. Like I've never seen it before,” Quaritch scoffed. He sighed, taking a moment before saying words Jake would've never heard in a billion years come from Quaritch, “I'm sorry. You’re right. I'm sorry for threatening you too…and your family.”
“I still don't trust you though,” Jake stated.
“Yeah, I know.”
Then came something from Jake that Quaritch never expected, “Cut them loose. Cut their restraints. You'll stay here. We’ll bring you food, water and new clothes, but no weapons…not yet, anyways. Until we figure out what to do with the RDA, we’ll come to you with our plans.”
***
Returning to High Camp, Jake couldn't help but look at his oldest daughter. He thought he could see Tommy in her, though she wasn't related by blood, but it was as if she had Tommy’s spirit. He also saw himself in her, her words still resounding in his brain. ‘You can choose to let your past consume you or give you a reason to change your heart.’ Even her physicality, it reminded him of his human form. How fragile it was, how he destroyed himself further by using alcohol to deal with his problems, but also how he was given a second chance to live through Tommy’s avatar.
Neytiri was waiting at the entrance of High Camp, full of nervous energy and agitation. Syulang took off when no one was watching and Neytiri and the rest of the children searched the whole of High Camp looking for her, climbing all the high spots to get a better view of the whole camp. So to see her return on her ikran with Jake and the warriors Neytiri was overjoyed that she was safe. Enveloping her in a crushing embrace.
“Urgh, Mom! You’re crushing me,” Syulang croaked out, Neytiri fussed whilst looking over every inch of her oldest daughter making sure there was not a single scratch. It looked like Neytiri was about to explode when Jake pried his wife off Syulang.
“Ma Neytiri, she’s fine,” Jake hushed his wife, taking a step away before looking at Syulang, “How did you know where to find us? We never told anyone.”
Syulang averted her eyes, “I…Uh. I had another vision?”
“Damn. You're gonna become the next Tsahik at this rate,” Jake chuckled, though he was still a bit angry that she left the healing tent and High Camp. “How did ya know what to say to Quaritch? Was that also in the vision?”
Syulang just nodded, looking down at her feet. A smirk grew on Jake's face.
