Legal: All movie characters, locations, and names are the intellectual property of James Cameron and/or Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. I claim no ownership over anything but my original characters and original plot line.
Any lines spoken in Na'vi will be italicized in the quotes since I am terrible with translating it.
Here is Chapter 3. I think it should really start picking up here as some very important OCs will be coming in starting next chapter. Please enjoy and don't forget to review!
III. Aftermath
Jake's arrival on Pandora had been as ordinary as every other arrival. The effects of his arrival, however, were anything but ordinary. John had been both happy and sad to see Jake. The last time John had seen Jake was when he told him that he had lost the use of his legs. Jake's reaction was at first one of anguish and pain, but that passed quickly and was replaced by grim determination. John had never seen a patient react in that way, almost as if Jake could do anything even though he would be confined to a wheel chair. John felt Jake was one of his biggest successes, but also one of his biggest failures. The one person he had saved in that battle but was unable to make whole again.
Jake had been happy to see John, asking him questions about what he was doing on Pandora, and how it felt to be an avatar driver. It made John happy knowing that Jake was able to experience something that he had lost. John knew that Jake must have been ecstatic feeling the dirt against his feet as he ran, even just being able to stand and walk again.
Looking back on it now, John realized that Jake was like a stone thrown into a pond. At first there are no noticeable effects as the ripples it creates are very small. Over time the ripples grow and grow until everyone can see the effects that the one small stone has had on the whole pond. Jake had certainly changed life for everyone on Pandora. Even living at mobile link site two, John could see the effects of the growing tensions between the Na'vi and the RDA mercenaries. Jake had fallen in love with the people of Pandora, with the forest, and with the Omaticaya princess Neytiri. He had chosen his side, and there was only one outcome, war.
The skies and jungles of Pandora were turned into battlefields, with Quaritch on one side and Jake and the Na'vi on the other. Following the destruction of Hometree Jake made a choice to lead the Omaticaya in battle as Toruk Makto. He had approached the other avatar drivers, asking them to make the choice as well. Side with the humans or side with the Na'vi and protect the world they loved. It had been an easy choice for John and the other avatar drivers living at link site two. They chose the Na'vi and Pandora, and they did whatever they could to protect them both.
**
John heard the soft moaning coming from somewhere around the wreckage of a tree up ahead. The battle with the RDA might have been over, but the aftermath of it was just being felt by those involved. In a way John thought it was ironic that here he was, on a planet so far from earth, yet a battle had raged around him and again he had been called to help pick up the pieces. John had been asked to search the wreckage and find any Na'vi that might still be breathing and to help them however he could. Here he was on another battlefield performing triage on wounded soldiers, thinking about it John wondered whether he was meant for something more out of life. Jake certainly had been meant for something more, something bigger.
Jake, through a process John could not understand, had permanently been transferred to his avatar. John knew that Jake was far happier now, able to walk and run on his own two feet. Following the transfer ceremony Jake had been helping to rebuild the clan as the temporary Olo'eytkan of the Omaticaya. It had been Jake that had asked John to help with the wounded, and John was happy to do anything he could to help. Jake had also asked Norm to help, even though Norm had lost his avatar to a gunshot would during the battle he had stayed on Pandora to make things right between the Na'vi and the human chosen.
"Doc, it looks like we got a live one here." Norm said, pointing towards a tree that had been crushed during the battle.
John searched through the low hanging brush for the source of the moaning, finding a Na'vi warrior lying against a tree. The warrior had some minor burns and some deep lacerations but it appeared as though he would live. John quickly crouched down and applied the wound paste to the lacerations, sealing them as best he could. He then smeared a soothing plant extract on the burns; the plant had many of the same properties as the aloe plant that used to grow so long ago on earth.
"Norm, signal Pey'lal. She and I will have to move him back to the camp so he can heal." John said. He had been surprised when Pey'lal had agreed to come and help him transport the wounded back to the temporary village. From his limited time with the Omaticaya he knew she was a great huntress and strong warrior, but she also held great concern for all the warriors that had fallen. With Norm's avatar still recovering from the almost fatal wound, it fell on Pey'lal and John to carry the wounded.
Pey'lal put the makeshift stretcher she was carrying down and helped John move the wounded warrior onto it. As they lifted the warrior John heard Pey'lal whisper something that was too fast for him to translate. John often heard her whispering what seemed to be prayers over the fallen warriors they came upon. At first working with Pey'lal was difficult since she had little trust for the remaining sky people who had been chosen to stay among the Na'vi. She had not been happy when Jake had told her she would be working with John, but after seeing John's desire to save as many Na'vi as he could she was much warmer towards him. John was not sure if he would say she trusted him, but they were able to work together well now.
They carried the wounded warrior back to the temporary Omaticaya camp, gently placing him in the makeshift clinic that John had set up. John looked to see the sun setting quickly, knowing how dangerous the forests of Pandora were after dark he would have to wait until sunrise to continue searching the battlefield for wounded. This warrior made a total of three alive, eleven dead, and four more mortally wounded Na'vi that they had brought back to camp that day. John was disheartened by all the death the Na'vi had suffered, but was happy that he could help to save at least some of them. John took one last look at each of the wounded, easing their suffering where he could, and finally laid down to rest himself feeling his consciousness pull back into his own body. John collapsed on his bunk, exhausted and drifted off to sleep.
**
It had been a long time since Jake had dreamed this dream. The same dream he had while lying in the hospital knowing he would never walk again. He dreamed of flying through the clouds, soaring high above the forest surrounded by warmth he could not explain. Jake also remembered feeling the strong female presence in those dreams, a presence he could not explain at the time. Now, Jake knew what and who that presence was, even if he still could not explain it fully. It was Neytiri, his life mate, the reason he had come to love the people and the forests of Pandora so much. Jake did not understand how he had felt her in his dreams even back on earth, but he was sure that Eywa had something to do with it and he was extremely grateful.
For all Jake had done for the Na'vi people, Neytiri had done far more for him. She had taught him to truly see, and in doing so had saved him. Leading the people would never fully erase the debt he owed both Neytiri and Eywa, but it was certainly a start. Jake felt something move next to him causing him to wake from his pleasant dream. Neytiri seemed to be a bit restless in her sleep as the dawn neared. Jake knew her restlessness probably came from her sharing his feelings of inadequacy through their bond. Even if they were not actually connected through their queues, Neytiri could still feel any strong emotion he felt.
Jake looked at Neytiri's sleeping form lying next to him and smiled, noticing the sun just starting to push the soft blue light of the night away. It would be daytime soon, and he knew there was much to be done. Since Tsu'tey's death, Jake had been given the temporary leadership of the clan. He would need to go out with the hunters soon to bring back food for the injured, but for now Jake wanted more time next to Neytiri.
"Excuse me Toruk Makto, Tsahik requests your presence." Jake looked up to see a young Na'vi speaking to him. It was strange for Mo'at to be asking him to meet her so early in the morning.
"Thank you, young one, for bringing me the message." Jake replied, not knowing the boys name.
Jake felt Neytiri stir and finally sit up next to him, her large golden eyes looking deeply into his. He could tell she had some idea what her mother wanted, but did not look willing to share. Neytiri stood up in one fluid motion and put her hand on his arm, rubbing it lightly as if to reassure him.
"Come Jake, mother waits." She said as she pushed him lightly out of their resting place in the direction of Mo'at's temporary home. Neytiri grabbed Jake's hand lightly, intertwining her fingers with his causing a surge of happiness to flow quickly through Jake. Although he would not admit it to anyone, Neytiri's touch made him truly feel alive and he could not imagine his life without her in it. They walked quickly through the camp, passing several Na'vi preparing for the morning hunt. Jake tried to return the customary greetings to them but many were cut short as Neytiri pulled him along.
Finally they reached Mo'at's dwelling, Neytiri releasing Jake's hand and gazing deep into his eyes. She lightly kissed him, and then pressed her forehead against his allowing calming emotions to sweep through both of them. "Good luck, my Jake." She whispered in English before making her way back through the camp the way they had come. Jake looked after her longingly for a second, still feeling the touch of her lips against his before a voice brought his attention back to his surroundings.
"Come JakeSully, we must talk." Mo'at said, her voice not giving Jake any clues as to whether this would be a good conversation or a bad one. Mo'at led Jake slowly towards the Tree of Souls, her feet dancing lightly over the ground much as her daughters did. Jake followed close behind, feeling the strong presence of Eywa now that he was so close to the sacred tree.
"With Tsu'tey's death you were made the temporary Olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya." Mo'at said, switching to English so Jake could follow along with ease. "Now that the sky people have left our lands, a permanent Olo'eyktan must be chosen. You being Toruk Makto and the mate of my daughter who is to become Tsahik would be the obvious choice. However, you must pass the trials if you are to be the true Olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya."
"What trials?" Jake asked with apprehension creeping into his voice as his self doubt began to resurface. He still was not sure whether he could be the leader the Omaticaya truly deserved.
"There are two trials one must pass." Mo'at switched back to Na'vi. "Firstly you must offer yourself up to be challenged to combat by any warrior who does not feel you are able to lead the people. Should no one offer a challenge you are able to proceed to the second trial. The second trial is one before Eywa, you must commune with the great mother and she must bless your union with the clan much like she blessed your union with your mate. Should you pass both trials the elders and I will name you Olo'eyktan and Neytiri Tsahik."
Jake was not certain that he would be able pass these trials, and was even less certain that Eywa would bless his union with the clan. He understood why it would be necessary, just as Eywa blesses the bond between mates she must also bless the bond between the leader and his clan. Jake thought for a moment, a look of grim determination settled over his face as he made up his mind.
"I will do whatever is needed of me to serve the Omaticaya and Eywa." He quietly replied to Mo'at. She smiled at Jake, placing a hand reassuringly on his shoulder then started to walk away from the tree of souls.
"The trials begin tomorrow at dawn, prepare yourself JakeSully." Mo'at said before turning and walking back towards the temporary camp.
Jake watched as she walked away, making a mental note that he must ask Neytiri how he can prepare for this second trial.
**
John stretched as he opened his eyes, back in his avatar after a good night's rest. He awoke to find the Omaticaya already going about their daily tasks, noticing that someone had left a small basket of fresh fruit while he was sleeping. Quietly whispering thanks John grabbed one of the purple fruits and started chewing it, relishing the sweet juice it held. Once he had finished eating John went to work checking on the wounded Na'vi in the clinic. Making sure that none had passed on during the night, he put another round of the wound sealant on the various lacerations each warrior had. John noticed Jake walking by, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
"Hey Jake, you look troubled. Need to talk about it?" John said warmly greeting Jake, hoping he might be able to help with any problem that Jake had.
"Oh, hey Doc." Jake replied. "I'm not sure you can help this time, seems I must face two trials in order to lead the people as the permanent Olo'eyktan."
John thought a moment, not sure he would be able to help Jake but willing to give him anything. Even though Jake had been given his legs back through his permanent transfer to his avatar body, John still felt he owed a debt to Jake that could never be repaid due to his failure to give the wounded marine the ability to walk. "What are these trials then Jake?" John asked, wondering what could be troubling one of the strongest men he knew.
"I must place myself in front of the people and accept any challenges to my leadership." Jake replied. "If a challenge is issued I must duel the challenger until the victor is decided."
"Well, that doesn't seem too bad." John said his voice full of optimism for Jake. "You are certainly a good enough warrior that you should at least be on equal footing with the warriors of the clan."
"That isn't the part that worries me Doc, the second challenge I must commune with Eywa and receive her blessing over the bonding of myself to the tribe as Olo'eyktan." Jake said, apprehension creeping into his voice. "I made a promise to myself that I could pass any test, but I don't know that I can pass this one."
John looked at Jake for a second, trying to decide how best to help his friend. "Well, I can't help you commune with Eywa, you're all on your own there." John finally said. "I can, however, give you a special drink I've mixed containing a very special local plant root. Pey'lal pointed it out to me yesterday; she said it gives the one that drinks it resistance to pain. As near as I can tell it helps the body produce natural pain killers that persist through a battle."
"Thanks Doc, I think I'm gonna need it." Jake said while taking the small jug of the fluid John handed to him.
John watched his friend walk away, wondering whether any warrior would see fit to challenge his right to lead. Either way John had confidence that Jake would be able to pass the trials and lead the people.
**
The night had passed quickly; the sun rising just like it was any other day on Pandora. Jake knew that this was no ordinary day. As he stood in front of the Omaticaya gathered beneath the tree of souls he said a silent prayer to Eywa that she might help him through the coming ordeal. He could hear Mo'at speaking, her voice booming across seated Na'vi.
"It is time that we choose a new Olo'eyktan and receive Eywa's blessing upon him so that we might prosper." Mo'at pointed at Jake as she spoke, causing all eyes to fall on him. "We have before us a great warrior, mate to my daughter the future Tsahik, and the last to bond with the great Toruk. I request that he be given the trials. Is there any that would stand up and challenge his right to lead the people?"
Jake looked out over the gathering, waiting for anyone that might stand up and provide the first test. An uneasy silence had settled over the people, to Jake it was as if time had come to a complete stand still. A lone warrior Jake recognized as one of the strongest and eldest warriors among the tribe silently stood. Jake did not know his name, only that he was a fierce warrior.
"Tsahik, JakeSully must be tested if he is to truly become our Olo'eyktan." The warrior said loudly. "I challenge Toruk Makto to combat in the first trial for the right to lead the Omaticaya."