The girl who didn't belong
Txur and I slipped away unnoticed, taking to the skies at full speed toward the source I could sense. Ahead of us stood a massive volcano. Three military gunships, accompanied by Avatars and AMP suits, were locked in battle against the Ash Clan Na'vi.
- Open fire! *Frances ordered*
A barrage of bullets rained down. Several Ash Na'vi fell from the sky while others launched themselves into the fight. But lacking real combat experience, they charged headfirst with knives and spears. They couldn't kill their enemies, only exposing themselves to gunfire and blades.
Txur and I arrived overhead, circling silently as we observed the battlefield.
- There. That's it *I pointed toward a massive pipe driven directly into the volcano. It appeared to be extracting some kind of black substance from deep within*
Another scream echoed through the air. One more Ash Na'vi dropped from the sky, and I could see Varang slowly being forced back.
- Wasn't Quaritch supposed to meet Varang in the third movie? *Txur muttered* At this rate, the entire Ash Clan will be wiped out before that ever happens
- Alright *I rose to my feet* Let's end this
I activated Scan-and-Purge Mode. A pulse of energy surged outward, sending both humans and Na'vi reeling.
- What the... *Quaritch snapped, turning toward the disturbance*
Suddenly, the black liquid began to boil violently. The storage tanks mounted on the gunships exploded one after another. But instead of spilling like normal liquid, the substance rose into the air like living smoke, escaping its containers and engulfing the aircraft.
- Get us out of here! We've lost visual contact *Frances shouted, struggling to keep her balance inside the gunship*
All three aircraft attempted to pull away, but the black cloud swallowed them whole. They couldn't escape. Quaritch and several Avatar soldiers quickly called their ikran and abandoned the ships.
"Activating Virus Scan Protocol. Maximum Intensity.
Authorized User: Admin Ly.
A translucent interface flashed before my eyes. Light erupted from my body, striking the black cloud. Yet the smoke scattered immediately, dissolving into the atmosphere before it could be destroyed.
I leapt onto his back, preparing to give chase. Then I froze.
Quaritch and a squad of Avatar riders swooped in from every direction, surrounding us on their ikran.
- Well, well... what do we have here? *Quaritch smirked, raising his rifle toward me* I got you now, cupcake
My gaze shifted past him. Spider sat in front of Quaritch's saddle, doing everything he could to avoid recognizing me. I was about to respond when an arrow suddenly shot into the sky. The Ash Clan hadn't given up. Instead, they were preparing to charge again.
The military gunships immediately opened fire. I urged Txur forward at once. He dove through the air, using the armored metal plates covering his body to shield the Ash Na'vi from the incoming barrage. At the same time, I activated my ability, stripping every weapon from the soldiers' hands.
The rifles ripped free and floated around me, splitting into two groups. One half pointed at the Ash Na'vi. The other half pointed at the humans.
- Everyone stop attacking right now *I warned* Or every single person here dies
Several Na'vi landed below, hissing and shouting. I glanced down and finally saw what had happened.
Varang had been hit by a bullet. The remaining Ash Na'vi stood protectively around her, gripping their bows and spears while glaring at the enemy with bared fangs.
- So what do you say, Quaritch? *I turned toward him* I'm guessing I got your name right
- I only want to talk *Quaritch replied* And if you're cooperative, nobody down there has to die
The gunships slowly lowered their weapons toward the Ash Clan. Quaritch raised a hand.
That was all it would take for another storm of bullets to rain down.
- Honestly, I'm impressed *he continued* Those abilities of yours... looks like we've been seriously underestimating you
- Tell you what. You obviously know Jake Sully. Give us a location, and we'll leave. Everybody wins. Nobody gets hurt *His eyes narrowed*
- Quaritch doesn't know you're Jake's daughter? *Txur asked through our kuru bond*
- After hearing that? *I replied* Pretty sure he doesn't."
- Come on now *Quaritch's hand hovered, ready to give the order* I'm still waiting. My patience only goes so far
I studied the situation carefully. Then I noticed the small communicator attached near Spider's ear.
I slipped into the frequency and hacked the connection.
- Spider, don't react. When I give the signal, jump off Quaritch's ikran. I'll catch you.
I saw his eyes flicker toward me for the briefest moment.
- Sorry *I said aloud, looking directly at Quaritch* But I don't know any Jake Sully
The instant the words left my mouth, every rifle floating around me fired. The bullets slammed into the gunships' weapon systems, detonating them in a chain of explosions.
At the same time, I redirected fire toward the Avatar riders circling overhead. Their ikran scattered wildly as they struggled to stay airborne.
Spider immediately threw himself from Quaritch's ikran. Txur surged forward like a missile, crashing straight toward Quaritch's mount while I reached out and caught Spider in midair.
Quaritch spun around, trying to launch a counterattack. I emptied every remaining round at him. A few shots came dangerously close, too close.
- Quaritch *Frances shouted over the comms* All our weapons systems are destroyed! Pull back! We can't beat her!
Quaritch's face twisted with frustration. He clearly wasn't willing to retreat. Unfortunately for him, I hurled one of the empty rifles straight at his chest. The impact nearly knocked him from his saddle. That finally convinced him.
Growling under his breath, he turned his ikran away. But I wasn't done yet, I hacked into the controls of one of the surviving gunships. The aircraft suddenly lurched sideways, completely out of control.
It slammed directly into another gunship. A massive fireball erupted across the sky. When the smoke finally cleared, only a single battered aircraft remained. And that lone survivor fled the battlefield.
- In your face, loser! *Spider shouted at the retreating gunship*
- (Y/N), Spider's mask has a tracking device inside it *Txur warned*
I immediately turned Spider around and placed a hand on his mask.
- (Y/N)! it's so good to see you again, bro *Spider laughed from behind the visor* I never imagined you'd be the one saving me. But how are you here? How can you fight like that? And why is your hair white now? And...
- Easy *I cut him off while scanning the mask* One question at a time
A small locator chip appeared in my vision. I crushed it instantly.
- I'll explain everything later, okay?
Before Spider could respond, a wave of shouting erupted below us, I looked down. A crowd of Ash Na'vi had gathered around Varang.
The problem was obvious. None of them seemed to be healers.
- Don't even think about it, (Y/N) *Txur growled* They'll kill you, cut your kuru, and skin you alive
- This is partly my fault *I replied* The Ash People may be cruel, but I can't just stand here and watch
I glanced at Varang's condition.
- Besides, I'm not that easy to kill
Before Txur could stop me, I jumped from his back. He remained circling overhead while I landed among the volcanic rocks. The moment I approached, several Ash Na'vi raised their weapons and rushed toward me. I released a pulse wave, the shockwave rolled across the ground, forcing them back instantly.
- Stay back *I shouted* Back away
The warriors hesitated. Slowly, I moved closer to Varang. Even wounded, the Ash Tsahik gripped a knife and prepared to strike.
- You're the Tsahik of the Ash Clan, aren't you? *I asked, raising both empty hands* Your people have suffered enough losses. If this fight continues, more of you will die
I removed several medical supplies from my pouch and placed them on the ground. A few curious Na'vi cautiously stepped forward to inspect them.
- Do you have any healers? *I asked* I can show them how to use these
All I received were snarls and hostile stares, nobody trusted me, nobody listened.
I reached out and grabbed Varang's wrist. Instantly, every nearby warrior lunged at me, Varang herself swung her blade. I released another sonic pulse, knocking them all backward.
At the same time, my hand began to glow. Golden-white light flowed into Varang's wound. The injury lit up then vanished. Silence fell across the battlefield. Varang stared at the place where the bullet wound had been.
- There *I said, releasing her hand* That's all I can do
- YOU *Before I could react, Varang seized my arm*
Her grip was unbelievably strong. I was yanked forward so violently that I nearly lost my balance.
A furious roar split the air, Txur. The Nightwraith dove from the sky like a living missile. He slammed into Varang, raking his claws across the ground in front of her before snatching me up with his forelimbs.
The moment I was clear, he unleashed his full speed. By the time the Ash Na'vi thought to call their ikran, we had already vanished into the clouds.
Txur didn't stop flying until we reached a cave overlooking the coastline. The ocean stretched endlessly beneath the setting sun.
The moment we landed, Txur exploded.
- Are you completely out of your mind? *he snapped* Of all people, you decided to save Varang? VARANG. Do you realize she's practically the embodiment of everything terrible about the Ash Clan?
He paced back and forth, tail lashing furiously.
- Seriously, do you have some kind of death wish?
Ignoring the raging Nightwraith, I turned toward Spider.
- You can stay here for now *I said quietly* If you're hungry, ask Txur. I'll take you back to our family later
Spider suddenly froze, his eyes widened.
I touched my face, my fingers came away red, blood dripped slowly from my nose. Spider rushed forward and caught me as my legs began to buckle, but his human body was far too small to support my weight.
- I just need... *I muttered weakly, the world spun around me* ...to lie down for a little while
And then everything went dark.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neytiri was sleeping beside Jake when a faint sound pulled her from her dreams. Her eyes opened instantly.
The sleeping mat beside them was empty.
She sat up and spotted a familiar figure hurriedly grabbing a satchel before slipping out of the marui. Neytiri's heart skipped a beat, she immediately followed.
Outside, under the pale moonlight, she saw (Y/N) climbing onto Txur's back.
- (Y/N) *Neytiri called out* Come back here
The girl turned briefly. For a moment, Neytiri thought she might stop. Instead, Txur launched into the air, his wings thundered once. Then he shot across the night sky.
Neytiri ran forward desperately, but it was already too late. The only thing left above the village was the fading sound of Sa'ata's wings disappearing into the darkness.
Neytiri returned to the marui in tears.
- Ma Jake... *she gasped* She gone. She left us and gone
Jake bolted upright instantly.
- (Y/N) *Neytiri's voice cracked* She ran away during the night
Jake was already looking around the marui. Empty, no sign of her.
- I thought... *Neytiri buried her face against his chest* I thought she was still angry because we agreed to let her mate with Aonung. But she climbed onto Txur and flew away. She didn't even look back
The commotion quickly spread, neteyam woke first. Then Lo'ak, Kiri, Tuk. Within minutes, half the village was awake.
Jake rushed outside and called for Bob, preparing to leave immediately. Before he could take off, Tonowari and Ronal arrived.
- Do not worry, Jake Sully *Tonowari said firmly* I will send warriors to search the surrounding waters and contact nearby clans. The girl cannot have gone far
He immediately began calling for riders. Skimwings surged into the water. Ikran took to the skies. The search began before dawn.
By sunrise, warriors were searching across the sea in every direction. Kiri and Tuk had been ordered to stay home. Lo'ak, naturally, ignored that order. And Neteyam, equally predictably, followed behind on his ilu to make sure Lo'ak didn't get himself killed.
Back at the village, Tuk sat beside Kiri, hugging her knees.
- Kiri... *she asked quietly* Do you really think (Y/N) ran away from home?
- I don't know *Kiri answered, frustrated*
She stared out at the endless ocean.
- Maybe she flew back to the forest
- She was happier there than she ever was here *Her voice softened* At least there, nobody expected her to become something she wasn't
A heavy silence followed. Then...
A tiny seed drifted down from the sky, a n Atokirina. Kiri immediately noticed it. The glowing spirit seed floated directly in front of her face. Unlike normal Atokirina', it didn't continue drifting away, It simply hovered there.
Waiting, watching, almost as if it wanted her attention.
The Atokirina' suddenly turned, then began floating toward the open ocean.
Without hesitation, Kiri jumped onto her ilu.
The Atokirina' continued forward. Tuk immediately scrambled onto the ilu behind her sister and wrapped her arms around Kiri's waist.
Before Kiri could protest, the ilu surged forward. Ahead of them, the glowing Atokirina' danced across the morning light, leading them farther and farther into the open sea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Txur... are you sure this is okay? *Spider glanced down at (Y/N), who was sleeping on the cave floor*
Dozens, no, hundreds of Atokirina surrounded her. They rested on her hair, her arms, her clothing, even the ground around her. Spider had never seen anything like it.
- Bro... even around Kiri there've never been this many Atokirina
Txur simply rumbled in response before sitting back down, his eyes never leaving the sleeping girl.
Spider laughed nervously.
- I still can't believe she came to save me *He paced around the cave* When I see Lo'ak, Kiri, Neteyam, Uncle Jake, I'm telling them everything. Nobody's gonna believe this
Suddenly, Txur's head snapped toward the cave entrance. He was on his feet instantly. A second later, voices echoed from outside.
Spider rushed toward the entrance. Kiri and Tuk climbed into the cave, soaked from seawater. The moment Tuk saw him, she squealed and launched herself at him.
Kiri hugged him too, relief flooding her face. Then Spider pointed behind them.
Their eyes widened, (Y/N) still slept peacefully, surrounded by a sea of glowing Atokirina
Kiri took a hesitant step forward, neither she nor Tuk dared touch her. It felt sacred somehow, almost wrong to disturb. Kiri quickly activated her communicator.
Jake and Neytiri arrived faster than anyone thought possible. The moment Neytiri entered the cave, she stopped breathing. The sight before her brought back a memory from many years ago. The first time she had ever met Jake Sully. The first time Eywa had sent Atokirina to surround someone in front of her eyes
Her voice was barely a whisper. Jake was equally shocked, but another sight grabbed his attention.
- Spider... how are you here?
- Oh, that's a long story *Spider pointed proudly at (Y/N)* She rescued me
He immediately launched into an exaggerated retelling.
- Seriously, she was amazing. Lights everywhere! Explosions! Flying guns! RDA didn't stand a chance!
His hands flew around dramatically as he described the battle. Jake rubbed his forehead, of course.
Meanwhile, the Metkayina search party finally arrived. Several warriors instantly spotted Spider and moved toward him. Jake stepped in front of them before things could escalate.
Soon Lo'ak and Neteyam arrived as well, both froze at the sight of Spider.
Neytiri barely noticed, her attention remained fixed on her daughter. Slowly, she reached out, the moment her fingers touched (Y/N)'s hair, the Atokirina rose into the air.
As if making room for her.
Neytiri's eyes filled with tears, she carefully lifted (Y/N) into her arms and carried her home.
- You mean she went into Ash Clan territory?
Spider nodded enthusiastically.
- The RDA was extracting something from inside the volcano. Some kind of weapon project
He threw his arms apart dramatically.
- Then (Y/N) showed up and BOOM! Light everywhere!
Spider nearly knocked over a bowl while reenacting the battle.
- She even hacked my mask and removed the tracking chip the RDA put in it
Jake slowly covered his face. His daughter had infiltrated enemy territory.
Fought Quaritch, rescued Spider, healed Varang, destroyed military aircraft.
Jake wasn't sure whether to ground her or congratulate her. Probably both. Across the room, Neytiri sat beside the sleeping girl.
Jake sighed heavily, no, they couldn't keep letting her do whatever she wanted. Something had to change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Wooaaah... *I stretched and slowly opened her eyes* Sleeping in a cave is surprisingly comfortable...
I blinked, noticed he not in the cave, then noticed everyone staring at me
- ...Why is everybody here?
A terrible thought struck me
I immediately tried to sit up.
- Easy *Neteyam gently pushed me back down* Spider's outside with Lo'ak and Kiri *He handed her a ripe yovo fruit* You should rest
- Then how did you guys find me?
- Kiri did *Neteyam smiled* and Eywa helped
- And next time, if you're upset about something, don't run away from home."
- Well... last night you seemed pretty upset
- Because everyone hid things from me and made decisions for me *I shrugged* That's not the same as running away
Neteyam opened his mouth, then closed it. Fair point.
Before he could answer, Lo'ak's voice echoed from outside.
- (Y/N)! Txur wants to meet you
I immediately got up and headed outside. Txur stood waiting near the shoreline. The moment I connected their kuru, he spoke.
Spider came sprinting into the marui in complete panic. Jake jumped to his feet.
- (Y/N) and Txur are trying to kill each other outside
Everyone rushed out, only to find absolute chaos. Me and Txur were rolling across the sand, wrestling like angry siblings.
- You oversized flying lizard *(Y/N) shouted* I'll save whoever I want!
- YOU RUINED THE TIMELINE! *Txur roared through the kuru bond*
- THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
The argument somehow became even louder. By sunset Jake finally stepped between them.
One hand on Txur's face, one hand holding (Y/N) back.
- HE STARTED IT! *I pointed at him*
Jake closed his eyes, took a deep breath. And began questioning every life decision that had led him to this moment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quaritch circled above the volcanic wilderness on his ikran, accompanied by several Avatar soldiers. Below, Ash Clan hunters moved across the blackened terrain, tracking prey through fields of volcanic rock and ash.
Then...An arrow shot upward. It missed Quaritch by less than a meter.
The Ash Clan had spotted them. Instantly, warriors emerged from behind rocks and scorched trees, drawing bows and raising spears.
The Avatar soldiers reacted immediately, leveling their