Short but I'm finally able to update this story. Hope you enjoy!
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The remaining Omitacaya sat throughout the roots of the Tree of Souls, chanting a song of lament as they mourned the destruction of all they knew. Suddenly a large shadow whipped over them, causing a sudden silence. They look up and scream in alarm as Toruk comes barreling down towards them. Both natives and ikrans scatter to make way for the large animal and the small ikran trailing behind it. As the animal lands eyes go wide in shock and awe as they spot Jake riding on the back of it, Etta trailing behind them on her own ikran. Toruk gently lands, calming under the instruction of his rider. Etta softly lands right behind him, her ikran and Toruk chittering at one another peacefully. Neytiri, Tsu'tey, and Moat watch in shock as the duo dismount and walk towards them.
"Toruk Macto." Neytiri breaths. As Jake and Etta make their way through the crowd whispers of awe flutter throughout. As the duo walk towards the front he reached over and grasps Etta's hand. Neither knew how this would go but it was something they had to do.
"I see you." Etta chokes, staring straight at Tsu'tey. The man clenched his jaw, unwilling to show emotion but his eyes gave him away.
"I see you." he whispered out, his lips twitching up into a small relieved smile. A weight lifts off of Etta, relieved at the sign of acceptance. Neytiri cried as she ran out to greet them with a hug.
"I was afraid….for my people….but I'm not anymore…." She sniffled, relieved to see them both. Jake smiles down at her warmly before leading them towards the front. He walks straight up to Tsu'tey who had yet to move and was staring at the man warily.
"Tsu'tey son of Ateyo. I stand before you, ready to serve the Omiticaya people." Etta blinked at Jake in surprise at his near flawless speech. He walked up closer, walking up the steps to where Tsu'tey stood.
"You are Olo'eyctan, and you are a great warrior. I can't do this without you." The man worked his jaw, clearly conflicted. His eyes flitted over Jake's shoulder to Toruk who was stretching out his massive size. Clearly he was outmatched, and yet Jake was still reaching out for his help.
"We need you Tsu'tey. Please." Etta whispered. His eyes softened before growing determined.
"Toruk Macto….I will fly with you." he told them, setting a hand on the man's shoulder. Etta grinned, jumping forward to wrap him up in a hug. Tsu'tey rolled his eyes, patting the younger woman on the head. Suddenly remembering their emergency, she pulled away.
"Grace is dying. We beg the help of the Great Mother." She pleaded, looking between the three leaders. Moat nodded.
"Bring her." Jake and Etta nodded, turning to sprint in that direction to bring the woman back.
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After going back to get Grace, Etta gently cradled the woman in her arms while Jake carried her avatar body. As they returned to the tree all the Omiticaya had they ques attached to the roots, chanting and praying for Ewya's intervention. Etta gently called for the woman to wake up as they carefully picked through the crowd.
"Look where we are, Grace." She called with a small grin. The older woman's eyes fluttered open weakly and widened as she stared at the glowing trees above them in awe.
"I need to take some samples." Grace mumbled quietly. Etta shook her head with a grin.
"Can't just enjoy the moment, can you?" she teased her mentor. Grace stared up at the woman who she had watched blossom during their time together.
"The moment is overrated." Grace grumbled. Stepping towards the trunk of the main tree Etta carefully set Grace down opposite her avatar body amongst the roots as Moat instructed. Jake came to stand by Etta, his hand on her shoulder in support while Norm watched from the other side. Small glowing fibers crawled up both of the bodies, tethering them together and to the tree itself.
"The Great Mother may choose to save all that she is…..in this body." Moat explained, gesturing to the blue form. Etta's eyes snapped up in surprise.
"Is that possible?" she inquired, her eyes betraying that she was more than just interested in the healing process. This was a full body transfer. Jake glanced down at her but looked at Moat just as interested.
"Possible, yes. She must pass through the Eye of Eywa and return. But Jakesully, Ettacade….she is very weak." Etta swallowed, her eyes glossing over in realization. It would be a slim chance for her to make it through. Jake squeezed Etta's shoulder and knelt down next to the small human, taking her hand in his.
"Hang on, they're gonna fix you up." Grace pursed her lips disbelievingly. The glowing and chanting around them grew louder.
"Hear us please, Great Mother!"
"Eywa help her."
"Take this spirit into you….and breathe her back to us."
"Let her walk among us…as one of The People."
"I'm a scientist remember, we don't believe in fairy tales." She pointed out. Etta crouched down, smoothing Grace's hair thoughtfully.
"Well that negative attitude isn't helping. Don't be so sour." She teased; her smile coming out more like a grimace. Grace reached up to grab Etta's hand, pulling her in closer.
"You stick it to all those bastards." She whispered seriously. Etta frowned at the finality in her voice, realizing she didn't believe she was coming back from her injuries. Grace was a realist. Etta nodded. Stepping back from Grace's forms Jake and Etta knelt just below, watching in awe as the root systems around them started to glow and pulse. Moat and Neytiri lead the chant, praying earnestly to Eywa. As the chanting grew louder the trees glowed brighter hypnotically. Jake and Etta's eyes are glued to Grace, watching for a sign. Suddenly her eyes snap open as she stares blankly at the leaves above them. The duo scramble forward into her eyesight. Moat instructed for silence.
"Grace?..."
"I'm with her…..she's real…" she whispers in delighted shock. With a peaceful smile Grace's body slows down.
"Grace you need to come back from there. Please….Grace?" Etta calls with a frown, wanting her mother figure to make it past. However, Grace's human body merely released one last breath. With her conscience gone from that body Etta skittered over Jake to reach her avatar. Jake slowly joins her, wrapping his arm around her as they both stare at the still body hopefully. The roots cease to glow and slowly pull away, leaving the avatar lifeless. Etta's throat closes up, already knowing Grace's fate.
"Did it work?" Jake asked anxiously.
"Her wounds were too great, there was not enough time. She is with Eywa now." Moat informs them sadly. Neytiri reaches over to remove the oxygen mask from the lifeless human body of their friend. Jaw clenched in grief, Jake slowly stands. Etta shakily takes his offered hand, breathing heavily as she keeps herself together in front of the crowd.
"We need to plan our attack. No waiting….it's what she would have wanted." Jake told her gently, just as gutted as Etta was. She nodded, her eyes filling with determination.
"I'm with you." she assured him. Jake nodded before turning toward Tsu'tey who had been watching on the sidelines.
"With your permission, I will speak now." Tsu'tey nodded, stepping up to stand alongside the couple.
"Etta will you translate?"
"Of course." She assured, taking in a deep breath as the group turned to address The People. As Jake speaks, the pain of the past day leak into his voice. Pain that Etta easily emulates as she translates the words into Na'vi.
"The Sky People have sent us a message that they can take whatever they want, and no one can stop them…..But we will sent them a message. Ride out, as fast as the wind can carry you. Tell the other clans to come. Tell them Toruk Macto calls to them! Fly now with me brothers and sisters! Fly! And we will show the Sky People that they cannot take whatever they want. That this is our land!" Tsu'tey instantly caps the speech off with a loud war cry which is quickly repeated by the entire clan who had stood during the speech. Rage burning through them as they are inspired to fight for their lands. Jake latches onto Etta's hand and leads her towards his large beast, having her hop on behind him. As they run, the other hunters race to their own banshees and take flight. Ikrans flood the skies in every direction, spreading to the other clans to gather for battle. Toruk Macto and his mate leading the way.
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We rode out to the four winds. To the horse clans of the plain, to the ikran people of the mountains. When Toruk Macto called them, they came.