Sorry if the chapter isn't perfect, and I know I've been gone for quite awhile. Go ahead and stone me cause I slightly deserve it, but there has been alot going on in my life lately. Back in January I lost my grandfather to cancer, and it really took a toll on me cause that was the first death I had ever dealt with within my family. Then I got back together with an ex of mine right after and he moved into my house taking all of my time away. I also got a job finally, and not a few weeks later said ex left me for his baby's momma, (I know it was the right thing for him to do, but still, douchebag much right.) Anyway, after that heartbreak I dived right into my work at the grocery store I was working at and tried to use it as an escape from life for a little while. Then later on in May I was introduced through a friend of that ex (I grew closer to them even after the break) to one of his friends. He seemed like a really sweet guy, and almost immediatley we started dating. Big mistake. His mother was really sick, and she was constantly in and out of the hospital. The last visit she had he broke up with me so he could take care of her. Not two days later she passed away in Novemeber of this year. He was devastated, and I tried to comfort him during it. We eventually got back together at the beginning of this month, but once again things headed south five days ago when he ceased all contact with me. I confronted him, but he wouldn't tell me the real reason why he wasn't talking to me. Eventually I learned from the friend that had introduced me to him that he had only gotten back together with me for physical reasons, until some other girl agreed to finally date him. It's sick how alot men treat women so aweful, but sadly I went through two men who did. At least this time I decided to not only turn toward my work, but also toward this site again. I can't promise I'll stick with it, but I will promise that I still plan on finishing this story for all of you loyal reviewers who have waited a year for it. Once again, I'm sorry for letting life get in the way of this. I just hope you all can forgive me. By the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT. :-)
+Battle for Pandora (Part 1)+
Mia's P.O.V
Fog…
Fog as far as the eye can see…
Misty clouds with floating mountains hidden within their thick, white haze making it difficult to maneuver around. However, this was the perfect cover that the Na'vi would need for the battle. This was our advantage.
I mean, it wasn't the best advantage but it was still an advantage.
Flying through the sky, the wind whipped mercilessly through my loose braids and helped to stain my cheeks with a vibrant sapphire tint. All the while my body trembled in slight fear as we edged closer, and closer to the beginning of the end. My hands shook, my breathing was slightly ragged, and Sage groaned in despair beneath me as he felt my agitation through our bond.
Glancing over at Tsu'tey to my right, I found his eyes trained forward, but every second or so he'd give me a quick glance in worry. It wasn't lost on him when he'd noticed the signs of my slight panic attack.
"You okay sis," came Jake's timbre from over the radio. I started slightly at his voice, but nodded all the same. I'd completely forgotten about the device that I'd strapped so snuggly around my neck earlier this morning. Then again, my mind was so dazed that I'm actually surprised that I had even remembered to bring anything at all; let alone a measly CB.
"I'm fine," I bit out, pressing the button on the radio so that he could hear me. However, the skeptical look he gave me after clearly showed that he didn't believe a word I'd just said. He could probably see the rising panic attack from a mile away at the rate I was going.
"You don't seem like it," he mumbled back into the speaker, as he risked a glance over at me from the middle of the aerial line, "I promise I won't judge you if you turn back now."
Chortling, I exclaimed, "Now there's a lie if I ever saw one, dear brother. You'd hang that over my head from here to kingdom come."
"Yeah, probably would," he answered cheekily, as I saw a faint smile grace his lips when trying to lift my spirits. However, from this distance it seemed more like a grave grimace.
Shaking my head, I decided to check in with Norm on the ground below.
Norm's P.O.V
Clutching tightly to the gun within my hand, I chanced a glance around me at the other Na'vi. Unlike me, they either held bows, arrows, knifes, spears, or in some cases clubs. However, not one of them was gifted with the machine in my hand; the powerful killing machine that had been specifically designed to stand above any other outdated weaponry that they had to use.
I felt safer than them… as wrong as it may seem. Yet, I knew that when their own weapons failed them against the armor and quickness of our enemy's own artillery; mine would still continue to pierce through. This of course would help us take out as many ground soldiers as we could. Though, that left me at a disadvantage since they were counting on me to do so.
I wasn't the solider like Jake. I wasn't the one who could go headfirst into a crisis, and come out with it still permanently attached to his shoulders. I was the scientist; the one who looked for the answers instead of using guns and fists to get what I wanted. I was the guy who came out of that situation in a coffin.
Gulping, I tried to ease the stress that was building up inside of me. However, the pressure only got worse and worse as the minutes ticked on by.
As my eyes nervously gazed over the stilled crowd, I caught a glimpse of Anitri and her future mate, Talion, perched proudly upon their thanators. However, unlike the gentleness I saw between most paired Na'vi couples, I found these two openly ignoring one another as they waited for any glimpse of our enemy.
"They've been fighting," came a voice to my left.
"Huh?"
Looking over, I found the Palulukan Clan's head warrior reclining almost lazily upon his thanator. He was an odd Na'vi, what with his nearly bald head save for the rather long braid that lead down to form the tsaheylu with his companion. Even the odd markings drawn onto his skin seemed much more different than anyone else's here.
"The two you were looking at? They've been fighting. That's why they're ignoring one another."
"What have they been fighting about," I asked curiously, once again chancing a glance over at them.
"They're worried they're not meant to be, and the skxawng won't tell Anitri that he truly does love her. He's got it worked up in his head that he'll always have his chance to, and right now he just wants to figure out if they're right together. Honestly I think he's being stupid," Txuritan laughed, catching the attention of a few other tense Na'vi surrounding us.
Waiting a moment until they decided to go back to ignoring us once again, I then replied, "I'm sure she knows he loves her."
However, those words only seemed to spark the bitter memory of what happened earlier between Trudy and me; when she'd told me she loved me, and I hadn't quite been able to say it back to her. True, all I felt was jubilation at hearing her speak those words, but for some reason I couldn't say them back. I mean, I know I did love her… more than anything actually. Yet, as I tried to say them through my euphoric high, nothing would come out. I felt nothing more than like a skxawng myself.
"I'm sure she does… in some sense. However, women usually want to hear it. It's their reassurance. Almost all types of women want their men to say it," he answered with a grin, while giving his thanator a friendly pat on the head when it started to become antsy beside my direhorse.
"Did you say it to your own wife," I wondered cautiously.
"Didn't have to," he whispered almost sadly, "She died a year ago by the hands of one of the sky people."
"But did you tell her then?"
Turning his eyes on me, I saw the burning grief inside them. With a shake of his head he answered, "No, and I've regretted it to this day."
"Norm? Norm, are you there," came Mia's voice over the speakers from the radio clasped around my neck. Reaching up to press the button, I asked, "Yeah I'm here. Is everything good up there?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. What about you down there? Have you caught sight of anything yet?"
"Nope, everything's pretty quiet down here too," I answered back, before a question beginning nagging at the front of my mind, "Are you doing okay up there, Mia?"
"I'm as good as I'll ever be. What about you?"
"Like you said, as good as I'll ever be," I laughed nervously, before a new voice cut in on our speaker.
"Awe, are you scared honey," came Trudy's soft teasing voice.
I gave a roll of my eyes at Trudy's fake-endearment, before answering back almost as sugary sweet, "I love you too, Trudy."
"You better," she laughed, before I heard her inform Mia and the others, "I don't see anything on the radar so far, but then again it's been bugging sense we left Hell's Gate days ago. They could be close, and we just can't see them through this thick fog."
"That's possible," I spoke, with Jake quickly seconding me, "I wouldn't worry too much about it, Trudy."
"Alright, I'll keep you all posted if I do happen to see anything," and with that Trudy's voice was gone, and my heart almost instantly settled in the pit of my stomach.
With a long and loud sigh, I went back to waiting with the others.
Wainfleet's P.O.V
Strapping myself more securely into my AMP suit, I started her up, and waited for the Colonel's orders.
Currently we were flying overhead making our way towards the enemy's camp, and as I looked down I could clearly see the jungle terrain getting thicker and thicker by the minute. However, my senses told me they were down there. They were all down there waiting for us with their flimsy arrows, and useless bows. Though, after today, they wouldn't be any more. At least not when we got through with them.
Today we were going to take them all out of the equation for good; show them who they'd be messing with. I mean, you can only poke the tiger so long before it turns around to take a chunk out of you; and boy had they been poking this tiger for a long time.
The final nail in their coffin had been those stupid avatars walking around like they owned the God damned place; like they'd done something great by getting in good with the aliens. Though that was only because they made themselves go and look just like those stupid blue monkeys. Pfft fucking idiots. They didn't know who they were dealing with anymore.
You betray your own kind, and we'll hand you your balls on a silver platter after not so kindly yanking them off.
Anyway, I think what really finally set me off was that one girl within Dr. Augustine's little fan club.
Mia Sully.
Stupid little cunt couldn't handle what I could give her, so she decides to go and claw at my face like the fucking savage her blue friends were. Guess the bitch did belong with them after all… she wasn't no good to me anymore. I rather see her cold, dead, and lifeless body laying bleeding on the ground with as many rounds I could put into her. That included her Na'vi body too; something I would be searching for even more intently than any of the other blue bastards. I mean, it was Quaritch's orders after all, and you had to follow the boss's orders, right?
With a malicious grin, I listened into the radio just in time to hear his voice come over the speakers, "Suit team go."
Getting my game face on, I called out to the others as we approached the ground, "All right, ladies, let's bring the pain!"
With a dramatic leap of our AMP suits, we soared down to ground below and immediately fell in defensive mode; waiting for the others.
As we all regrouped, I kept my eyes trained on the jungle looking for anything out of the ordinary. However, upon not finding anything, I gave my nod of approval to the others and with that we all went tramping on into the foliage.
"Bravo 1-1, move left," came one of the other AMP suit commanders to my right, before another one called back almost robotically, "Bravo 1-1 moving left. Watch flank."
Climbing over fallen trees, and knee height (in the AMP suit) plants, we all kept our eyes peeled for any movement; whether it be on the radar, or somewhere the machine didn't pick up on.
"Watch formation. Keep moving."
"Roger that."
"Charlie 2-1, watch your spacing," I warned as I noticed a gap in the formation. The Na'vi could just as easily appear at any moment, and take advantage at that weakness. So bullshitting around today just wouldn't fly with me.
"Copy that. Over," Charlie 2-1 replied back.
"Eyes up. Check that overhead," I ordered, before an afterthought occurred to me, "And watch those thermal scans too."
"Got it."
Norm's P.O.V
We all continued to keep our ears and eyes open, as the sun overhead became brighter and brighter. There was no denying what was about to happen soon. They'd be here any moment, because everyone knows by now that Colonel doesn't run night ops. It was one of the first lessons we learned when we'd arrived here on Pandora.
"Wait what was that," Txuritan suddenly spoke, as he sat upright upon his thanator. Frantically searching the forest with his eyes, he let his thanator be his ears instead.
After a few moments the creature below him began giving telltale signs that it had heard something as well; as did all of the other creatures apparently. Minus us, the forest had suddenly become deadly silent. Not even a pro-lemur could be found in site.
With a gruff voice, Txuritan ordered, "Get on that thing of yours, and tell the others something's coming."
Nodding, I pressed the button just in time to hear Trudy shout, "I've got something on the radar. It was a glimpse, but there's something coming in fast up here."
"Us to. Txuritan said there's something coming towards us on the ground," I called back.
"I can hear the helicopters from this side too, Jake. It sounds like a swarm of them," Mia said frantically over her radio.
"Yeah, I can hear them now. Everyone, get ready to attack," Jake ordered, and that seemed to be all Txuritan needed. Looking back at our army, he yelled out the signal to the other Na'vi in his native tongue. Within moments the group was ready, and on edge.
"We're ready Jake. Do you want the ground unit to go now, because they're coming in fast," I spoke frantically through the radio.
"Yes. Go now," and with those final words from our leader the Na'vi warriors took off in the direction of the RDA soldiers.
Wainfleet's P.O.V
We continued to walk even further despite the fact that the farther we went the worse the ground got for us to walk on. There were trees down everywhere, and if it wasn't that then it was some other large plant in way. However, at least there weren't any of those ugly looking beasts you normally found. If there had been, it would have probably really fucked up our scans.
Keeping my eyes on the radar, I heard another AMP suit commander call out suddenly, "Charlie 2-1, got big movement."
Instantly I perked up, and a vicious gleam lit my face as I saw a long line of yellow, orange, and red making its way toward us on the radar.
"Hold position," I called, and almost immediately everyone fell into line with a simple hand gesture from Fike. Thank god for that buddy of mine. No one hesitates on our orders; especially when it comes to the war zone.
Looking around for the source of the yellow mess on my radar, I inquired, "We got movement out there, 500 meters."
The soldiers quickly went dead silent as they opened their senses up to everything around us; trying to locate our oncoming enemy's direction. Though, it didn't take long as we slowly began to hear the thundering sound of hoof-beats pounding murderously against the ground. Within seconds I could feel the vibration of their numbers through my AMP suit.
It was go time.
"Firing line!"
With those words the soldiers quickly moved forward to take their positions.
"Targets closing. Range, 400 meters," I called to the other AMP suit commanders, and the men below me who were readying their shots.
The ground began to shake violently beneath our feet, and the thundering sound continued to get louder and louder. Though, what seemed to be the loudest sound out all of them were the distant war cries carrying on the wind. The closer it got, the stronger their volume became. Then before we knew it, their screams were like the banshees they rode within the air; deafening and far from unmistakable.
As they came into sight, I gave a beaming grin, before calling out, "Light 'em up!"
Immediately red lines of fire shot forth from the soldier's guns, and carried quickly on the wind to their desired target. Almost instantly the blue monkeys began to fall of their high-trees (or horses in their case), and into death's awaiting jaws below. It was almost like taking a microscope to an ant hill; easy.
At least until they began firing back on us, and not just with arrows. One of them had a gun!
"Shit," I hissed, as I tried to aim my gun at the ugly fucker, but every time I tried to hit him someone else would block for him; instantly ending their own life. I guess they didn't seem to understand that I didn't care who I hit.
"Yeah! Get some," I cried with a humorous laugh, as I fired at whatever was closet within range.
Yet, during my time of fun, one of the Na'vi seemed to sneak up on us before we even knew it. With just enough time to shoot his arrow before he himself got hit, I watched almost in slow motion as it traveled our way. Then as if the earth shattered around me, I looked on as the long rod lodged itself into Fike's chest, pinning him to tree behind him.
"FIKE," I screamed out in despair, but there was no time to mourn now. I had to keep going… for him… for the RDA. So, with that in mind, I turned my gun on the next fucker who came my way.
Mia's P.O.V
After learning that Quaritch and his group were heading in our direction, I instantly began readying Sage and myself for the fight. Making sure my bow and arrows were held firmly within one hand, I grasped Sage as tightly as I could before getting into a sturdy position upon him. All the while I tried to calm my nerves the best way I could. Breathing.
Maneuvering Sage around the mountain, we came upon the Ikran Clan's unit whom had been patiently waiting for us to arrive.
Jake instantly called out to them through Na'vi like hoots to follow him through. Then, like a swarm of locusts, the Na'vi and their ikrans left their perches to soar in the air with the rest of us.
" 'EKO! 'EKO(1)," Tsu'tey shouted from in front of me, as he looked on at the other Na'vi ululating around us; one of those many actual being me as well. I just couldn't help it. It was like this insane boost or rush clawing its way up my throat as my adrenaline took over my fear.
'Just think of this being like a concert, Mia. You can do this. You can conquer this fear, because you know you're better than it,' I thought to myself, as I watched the others whooping and hollering in front of me.
As we were closing in on the battleships, Jake's voice broke through over the radio, "Brother, I'm gonna punch a hole. You follow me through." Looking over to where Jake was, I found that his demand had been centered toward Tsu'tey.
With an understanding nod, Tsu'tey called back confidently, "Maktoko(2)."
Urging Sage forward, I came up to rest next to Tsu'tey and his ikran. However, upon seeing me, Jake called out through his CB, "Mia, I want you to stay with Tsu'tey. Don't leave his side no matter what happens."
"Got it, big bro," I smiled.
With one last echoing grin back at me, Jake turned his attention back to the matter at hand.
We were soon joined by more Na'vi, as we made our descent towards the battleships below. Though, no matter how many seemed to fall in with us, my heart only continued to beat harder in fear. My chest felt as if a ten ton weight had suddenly pressed itself against it, and the blood pumping through my veins became a mere pounding echo inside my head.
Readying one of the arrows upon my bow, I dived downward towards the ships along with Jake, Neytiri, and Tsu'tey.
As I descended, I watched in amazement as Jake brought Toruk down close enough to grab hold of one helicopter's back ends. With a great show of strength, he maneuvered the beast to swing the hunk of junk around just enough to slam it into the nearest mountains. Within seconds it crashed, and became spectacular show of burning flames.
Trying to divert my attention back to own problems, I found Neytiri, Tsu'tey, and I were closing in on our own targets. Within seconds the two friends were hurtling arrows into the cockpits of the choppers with precise precision. I found I only had a moment to sit in awe, before I found myself closing in on my own objective.
Pulling back the arrow on my bow, I took a deep breath, and whispered to the wind and war cries around me, "This is for you, Grace." Then, I let it go, and watched it soar directly toward the pilot within his cockpit. Without any moment to save himself from his coming doom, I watched as the arrow smashed through the glass and lodge itself in his chest.
I felt sympathy for the man... despite who he was fighting for. I never wanted death on my hands, or to steal this man's life from him. He probably had family. Family who needed him, and were counting on him to someday come back. Yet, I couldn't debate on this now. Now that I was fighting for my own life; fighting for these people to remain in the peace they deserved.
This was a job, and it was a job I had to do despite my hard feelings toward it.
"MIA! WATCH OUT," Tsu'tey suddenly screamed as another chopper came up beside me from out of nowhere.
Before I even had time to react, Tsu'tey had already taken care of the problem.
"I TOLD YOU TO STICK WITH TSU'TEY, MIA," Jake yelled over the radio furiously; however I chose to ignore his angry outburst. Instead, I focused in on my next target as Atan'eko and his banshee fell in line with me.
"HELP ME THROW IT INTO THE CLIFFS," he called out. Nodding, I urged Sage to follow him. Within seconds both of our ikrans had a firm grasp upon the machine, as we hurled it into the side of the cliff.
"YEAH! NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" I rejoiced, as I gave Atan'eko a bright smile.
"ALRIGHT, NOW I'LL COVER YOU WHILE YOU HEAD BACK TO TSU'TEY," Atan'eko hollered over to me. Nodding, I flew ahead of him in search of my husband. All the while along the way I landed arrow after arrow into every helicopter I came by.
However, within only a few minutes I was back at my mate's side. Noticing me following him, he warned me over the radio, "Don't leave me again!"
Nodding guiltily, I turned back to Atan'eko to give him the thumbs up. Though, even when he saw it, he didn't break from the two of us. Instead he followed our lead, as we descended down toward the larger ship. There, we found gunmen waiting for us.
Pulling back my arrow, I waited until Sage was just close enough, before letting go. Once more the wooden rod managed to swiftly lodge itself through a man; the same man who'd been aiming at Tsu'tey at the time.
It was then I really did realize the importance of letting go of my feelings. It was either separate my heart from this, or no one would come out alive... and I'd be damned before that happened
Climbing back higher into the sky, I looked around to find Jake once again using Toruk to hurl another chopper through the air. Cheering him on, it was then I failed to notice the helicopter that had been coming straight toward me.
"MIASULLY," a voice screamed to me right before Sage suddenly lurched himself away from the firing bullets. When he had finally recovered I turned around to find the machine spiraling through the air uncontrollably. The reason for its erratic behavior soon became apparent as Atan'eko's sister flew up beside me.
"YOU'RE WELCOME," she cried out cockily, before flying ahead of me.
"Shit, I gotta be paying more attention," I hissed angrily to myself, before catching back up with Atan'eko and Tsu'tey.
Norm's P.O.V
Encouraging my direhorse forward as fast as it could go, I kept my eyes on the target as I continued to land shot after shot into the RDA soldiers' line. This of course seemed to piss off one man in particular, as he turned his gun full force on me.
"Don't worry, I got him," Txuritan hollered from my side. Without warning he and his thanator rushed forward with me towards the line. Confidently raising his bow, he aimed his arrow, and then let it fly. Sadly though, it missed its target and landed on another soldier.
"Shit," I hissed, "He's got just as many blocking him, as me!"
"Not for long," came my friend's confident drawl, and with that Txuritan left my side. Like a speeding bullet, his thanator raced to the line, and in a matter of seconds had taken out five men on its own; at least until one of the AMP Suits managed to take him out. With a loud, almost gurgling, cry, the creature fell to the ground ceasing all movement.
I watched in horror as Txuritan got up, and tried to scramble away. However, catching his movement, another AMP suit turned on him.
As if in slow motion, I watched as Txuritan turned to fight… even knowing he was at his end. With an ear shattering war cry, he pulled his knife from his belt, and ran toward the nearest soldier within his sight. Just before the machine took him out, he'd managed to wedge the knife straight into the heart of the man.
"TXURITAN," I screamed in both sadness and outrage.
Raising my gun, I fired at any enemy that came within my range, until one of the soldiers finally managed to hit the direhorse I was riding upon.
Immediately the creature plummeted face first into the ground, sending me flying weightlessly up into the air. Then, as gravity took over once again, I came skyrocketing back to the ground with a loud resounding THUMP!
Groaning loudly, I tried to push aside the pain long enough to get back to my feet. Once there I turned back around, and continued shooting, while another Na'vi helped their fellow brother up onto their direhorse beside me. I continued to cover them, before quickly falling back once they were safe; well, as safe as you can be in a fight like this.
As we retreated, I could hear the whirling sound of the helicopters coming nearer, and before I knew it they were upon us. Without as much as a warning they began firing directly at all Na'vi that stood in their way.
Pressing the button on the CB, I cried out, "Jake! Jake! You copy?"
Running across the small stream, I nearly fell into the current before righting myself once again. When I'd found a bit more balance, I tried once more to get a hold of my friend, "We're falling back! We're getting hammered!"
"Copy. Get out of there!"
Barely letting his words sink in, I raced forward; only to find Anitri, not too far from me, falling to her knees as another bomb exploded near us.
"Get up! Get up! We gotta move," I urged, as I helped her to her feet. With an almost sobbing-like cry, she clutched onto me as we raced away from the choppers; although it felt more like I was dragging her, as her eyes were seemingly scanning every male Na'vi within sight.
"Come on," I cried once again, as she started to drag me down with her. However, she suddenly let out an ear piercing wail, as she caught sight of someone behind us.
Turning to see what it was, I didn't have time to stop her, before she wrenched herself from my grasp. Running back to what she'd found, she fell to her knees next to a wounded Talion, and his fatally injured thanator.
"TALION," Anitri cried, as she clutched onto her betrothed. Yet, even as she tried to make him get up, he couldn't find the strength to move. Though from the look of his legs, I doubted he would be able to. Even as a mere scientist I could already tell that he was paralyzed from the waist down. He was already a goner.
"GO," Talion screamed at her, but she merely just wailed and shook her head.
"I WON'T LEAVE YOU," she shrieked, as she nuzzled her nose against his cheek.
"I love you, Anitri. Now please, save yourself," but the woman wouldn't move. Instead, she only picked up his bow and arrow. Aiming it at the first enemy soldier to come into her line of fire, she let the rod fly. However, the moment the soldier fell to the earth, another AMP suit turned on her. Within seconds she and Talion laid motionlessly next to one another.
I felt tears prick my eyes (despite my manly pride) as I forced myself to continue on. All the while my mind was set on the scene that had just played out before me.
She'd given her life for him willingly. She'd protected him till their last moments… and the RDA couldn't see that these Na'vi were just as human as them!
I was outraged, beyond all reasonable thought, and with that anger I turned my gun back on the soldiers following us.
Jake's P.O.V
"Jake! Jake! You copy? We're falling back! We're getting hammered," came Norm's frantic voice over the radio, as I'd just finished flinging another Scorpion into the side of a cliff. Grabbing for the button around my neck, I called back, "Copy. Get out of there."
Shit, I should have known the ground patrol would have been screwed. They were getting hit from all sides, and there was literally nothing we could do. Ikrans and their riders were falling out of the sky like they'd all just inhaled Ikran (bug) spray all at once or something. With all the bullets flying, and Quaritch's scattered armada, there was almost no chance for the Na'vi still left in the air to get down to them. We just didn't have enough to spare. It pained me to say it, or even think it, but they were going to have to make it out on their own.
Suddenly hearing the strong whirling of a group fans, I turned my head just in time to see Quaritch's Dragon rounding around one of the floating mountains.
With a clear oh-shit-like expression, I tugged on Toruk to get us both away from his line of sight. However, it seemed that he wasn't having that as he swooped in to follow me.
I ducked and weaved around almost impossible corners, but he only followed blindly. He was to blood thirsty to care at this moment about his ship; just as long as he finally brought me down by his own hands.
Feeling the fear building up around my heart, my thoughts traveled back to Neytiri, Mia, Trudy, Norm, Tsu'tey, and Mo'at. If Quaritch got me, where would that leave them? Neytiri would be devastated, and I could only imagine how much she would mourn my death from the example I saw of her father's. Though, she wasn't the worst of them all. Mia…oh god, what would happen to Mia? I was the last of her family. She wouldn't be able to cope, she'd be more than devastated… she'd be ruined. All that progress that she'd made here would be torn into pieces within moments upon word of my death.
I couldn't do that to them. I couldn't let the two women who meant more than anything to me down.
Feeling the heat of the flames, as the Dragon shot missile after missed missile at me, I vowed in that moment to continue on fighting.
…'Cause I'd be damned before that multi-colored eyed freak got his way.
However, as I went to turn Toruk around, I found Quaritch surprisingly off my tail and dealing with a new adversary.
Laughing, I couldn't have been happier about Trudy's helicopter flying high and proud in the sky. Though, I bet it was even more of a shock to Quaritch to see one of his 'babies,' covered in Na'vi war paint, and shooting back at him. What I wouldn't give to see his face up close at this moment?
With one last glance back at my friend, I high-tailed it out there to go finish off the rest of the smaller ships.
Trudy's P.O.V
Flying casually through the air, I took down as many ships as I could while still remaining inconspicuous and hidden from the others. There was no need for the enemy to know that the Na'vi had a ship on their side, or for that matter that it was one of the RDA's former, and best, pilots.
However, when I spotted Jake weaving in and out of the mountains erratically, I knew there was something amiss; something I knew I wasn't going to be able to ignore.
So, breaking my promise to remain hidden, I left the shadows to go after him. Who said I just had to watch his sister's ass? Maybe big bro needed some help too every once in a while?
Following close behind, but high enough in the air so that he couldn't see, I finally caught sight of what he was running from. Though, when I did, I wish I hadn't. There was no denying I was toast if I went up against him, but I couldn't just leave Jake hanging. He didn't have the right tools to take on Quaritch either; much less myself.
Yet, knowing that I had to do this, I gave a silent prayer to the heavens as I watched Quaritch firing on Jake.
"Now that shit, just ain't happenin'," I growled as I went in for the kill, and somehow… though I'm not sure how… I just barely managed to save Jake from turning into a burnt crisp.
Firing on his ship, I flew forward to hover in front of his cockpit mockingly.
With a cocky grin, I muttered an innocent, "Oops."
However, my attitude only seemed to infuriate him even more, and soon I found him firing on me. With a quick flick of the wrist, I just barely managed to duck myself behind the mountains for cover, but I knew it wouldn't last for long. This ass-wipe thirsted for blood, and he'd been damned if he didn't get it from me at least.
In defense, I fired back on him with a round of bullets; some even managing to dent the glass of his cockpit, but it still wasn't enough to destroy it. However, it didn't deter me from my ever-lovable attitude, "You're not the only one with a gun, bitch."
Suddenly though, I found a wave of bullets and missiles coming right at me. When Quaritch meant business, I guess he meant business.
I just barely managed to duck most of them, but at the last second one of the missiles hit the side of the mountain next to me. As the explosion rocked the ship, I could hear cracks forming in the glass of my own cockpit.
'One more hit like that, and I'm screwed,' I thought desperately.
… and then it happened.
In my distracted state, he'd managed to get a few gunshots in; automatically piercing through the glass, and my skin. I could already feel the blood seeping out as I fought to control the chopper, but one of her fans had been caught in the crossfire.
I was going down… and there was nothing I could do.
Reaching up, I flipped off a couple of switches, praying that maybe I could soar back down to the ground with my last fan. However, even then I knew it was a lost cause. I was spiraling to out of control for that, and I knew the old man wasn't going to let me off that easy for denting his poor Dragon.
Flipping on the radio, I declared, "Rogue One is hit. I'm going in."
With those words I left the radio on, and turned to face my doom. I knew someone had to be out there listening, and maybe if they were they could pass on my final words.
With a shaky breath, I answered, "Sorry Jake. Watch over Norm for me."
Then, I watched in a sort of daze as a blindingly red and orange light zoomed towards my ship, before suddenly… blackness… and a peace I had never felt within this lifetime enveloped my soul.
Neytiri's P.O.V
Soaring through the air, I cautiously kept my eyes peeled for the others. I had lost them at some point when the group of ships had scattered, and now I couldn't help feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. My instincts were telling me that something was not right, and the more my fear took over, the more it affected Seyzey.
He gave a loud shriek as he caught another wave of my anxiety, and I found all I could do for him really was to reassure him with calming words; even then that didn't help.
"I'm sorry, Seyzey. Calm, shhh, be calm," but he wasn't having it, and then I soon realized why.
Out of nowhere one the flying machines came zooming right for us; shooting at us with all they had.
Gasping in fear, I led Seyzey through as many twists and turns as I could to avoid the sky person's bullets. Yet, it seemed the harder I tried, the worse it became. Every move I'd make, he'd only counter that. Every turn or twist, only brought me even closer into his clutches.
I knew if I didn't lose him soon… I wasn't going to make it out alive at all.
Finally coming to a decision, I urged Seyzey to duck down into the trees to try and lose the ship. Though, he almost didn't budge, as he fought against my will to stay in the open air. Something was wrong… and he could sense whatever it was like the trees could sense the coming of rain. However, fearing for my life, I ignored his instincts and encouraged him to continue on.
As we began weaving in and out of the jungle, I chanced one look back when the ship suddenly ceased fire. Sighing in relief, I found he couldn't make it past the branches we had just come through. At least… that's what I thought.
Instead of him coming through, someone else did the job for him.
Swiveling my head back around, I'd just barely caught sight of the armored man, before Seyzey let out ear piercing shriek. Rearing back from the jolt, it was mere moments before I realized why my friend had as I felt the sudden sharp tingling of pain from his fatal wound through our bond.
We'd been shot.
Seyzey came tumbling down with me a couple of yards away from where the man shot us. As we fell, I got caught up in vines and branches, before suddenly plummeting to the cold hard earth below me. Rolling a couple of times, I finally managed to brace myself enough to stop with a painful grunt.
Though, I didn't get to enjoy staying still for long, as I heard gunfire nearby. I couldn't stay here, but then it hit me like a ton bricks.
Seyzey… he'd been hit.
Seyzey was…NO!
He couldn't be gone, he couldn't have been…
"SEYZEY," I screamed, as I got shakily to my feet to take off toward him.
I didn't care that other Na'vi were running away. I didn't care that the sky people were still shooting at us. All I cared for at that moment was my companion; my familiar.
Coming to rest beside him, I placed my trembling hands upon his head in a calming comfort. However, what comfort could you give to one who is dead? Who is never coming back? Though, I refused to leave my friend's side just yet. I refused to believe that he was really gone. Seyzey had been with me for longest time… how could I have not trusted him when he'd known something was wrong?
Looking up, I watched in horror as true war took place before my eyes; a war that took no prisoners. As I gazed on I watched in utter despair as a rider was thrown off his direhorse when another explosion shook the ground. Beyond him were another group of Na'vi trying to escape, but as they rode past a couple of stray bullets caught them from behind; sending them toppling to the ground below. Even more bombs hit the ground floor, sending both Na'vi and companions into air without any hope of making it out alive.
What had we done, Eywa?
What had we done to deserve this?
This… this is torture. This is cruel. This is not what we'd been told you were.
Feeling tears prick at the corner of my eyes, I could only sink to the ground and watch this disaster take place; watch as the earth we'd only tried to protect burn into nothing but ashes.
If that was not a bad enough omen, I looked up just in time to catch site of a direhorse running away from the flames; burning to death as it tried to shake off the fire. I knew within minutes he'd be gone.
"Why," I whispered hoarsely to sky, "What have we done?"
Norm's P.O.V
I ran as fast and as far as my legs would take me, but no matter how much ground I seemed to cover… they were only right behind me. Resting in their little machines, laughing at me as I tried to escape… and they knew there was no way out.
It was both turn and fight, or die the cowardly way.
So, I opted for what any Na'vi warrior would have done.
I turned and fought.
Raising my gun, I fired off what remaining rounds I had, until one of the lucky bastards finally caught me on my shoulder. Then, as I felt the bullet enter my heart, my mind went blank.
Mia's P.O.V
"TSU'TEY, WATCH YOUR SIDES," I screamed, as a helicopter came out of nowhere. Thankfully, both Unipey (Atan'eko's sister) and I were able to take it out before it could do him any damage.
"WHAT IS THAT FOOL THINKING," Unipey cried in outrage, as he completely ignored all of our calls for him fall back.
"HE'S HEADING FOR THE BIG SHIP," Atan'eko exclaimed in fear.
Jerking my head around, I looked on in terror as I caught site of my husband heading straight for the cargo ship. I knew what he was planning on doing… even before he took a flying leap off his ikran, and onto the platform.
Tsu'tey was planning to take them all down on his own.
"TSU'TEY, NO," I wailed, as I urged Sage in his direction. However, even from this distance I knew we were too far away to make it in time.
I watched in horror as my mate flung a man overboard, before turning around to whack another with his bow.
"TSU'TEY GET OUT OF THERE!"
Yet my words fell on death ears, as the wind carried it away from him. Instead, he just picked another soldier up, and hauled him over the platform once again.
"TSU'TEY!"
Another one of the RDA went soaring through the air, before Tsu'tey turned back around to slap the last with his bow. However, without him noticing, one of the soldiers had snuck up from behind the cargo. With his machine gun aimed at my husband, I could only stare in utter disbelief as he pulled the trigger.
No words escaped my lips. In fact all movement around me seemed to freeze in time, as I watched that single moment play out before my eyes; watched stricken as my muntxatan(3)… my karyu(4)… my atan(5) forever fell from the sky. Then just like that a cloud of darkness seemed to fall over my heart. Just like with Mom and Dad. Just like with Grandma and Grandpa. Just like with Sage, and just like with Tommy… it happened all over again. The black cloaked figured called 'Grief,' returned, and wrapped his cold icy hands around my throat; preventing me from breathing in that precious air that Tsu'tey had taught me so well to love again.
"NOOOOO," I cried, as I watched him fall from the platform and tumble back down to earth; like a fallen angel.
Sobs wracked through my body, and tears fell like rivers down my cheeks. However, the only thought going through my mind at the moment was, 'Follow him.'
And for once, I listened to that awful voice inside of me.
I'm sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up. I really wanted to finish the rest of the chapters first before I began posting. I've been feeling real terrible for leaving you all hanging for so long, and I thought you all deserved some consistency for the story's end. It was the least I could do for dragging you all into my drama this past year. Anyway, now that I've gotten this story almost all written I feel as if I can just lie back, and relax momentarily until I start my next big project, which may or may not be so soon. Either way, I'll keep you posted about it. In the meantime, I'm so glad I was finally able to get to this point.
I hope you all really like this chapter, and I hope I put enough suspense in it for you. At first I was just going to write about Mia's experience in the battle, but I thought it would be cooler to see from everyone else's point of views for once. I thought it might even give it that thrill I'm looking for, and hopefully prolong the end for just a little bit. Besides, who doesn't like all the fighting in that movie? I know I did, and I so wanted to bring it into my fanfic. It deserved its credit :-). Anyway though, I hope I did a good job on the first part of the battle. I know I'm a little rusty with it, but it looked like it was sort of okay. Then again, I could be wrong. So, just send me a review if you feel up to it, and tell me how I did. That might help me improve with my future stories a bit.
In the meantime though, was anyone wondering what all those odd words were within my story? If you want to know they were Na'vi words I found online, and within the movie. I'd thought I'd put them in to give the story what I thought it was lacking- Na'vi culture. Most of the time I don't take time to add in their culture, but I thought I might give it a final try. So here are the supposed translations for the words you may have seen.
(1) 'EKO! 'EKO- Attack! Attack!
(2) Maktoko- "Let's ride!"
(3) muntxatan- Husband, male spouse
(4) karyu- Teacher
(5) atan- Light
Anyway, I hope that clears some things up, before I confuse any of you.
Now comes my favorite part. To all those who reviewed last chapter, I'd like to thank you all so very much for taking the time to deal with my hectic schedule, and to sit down and read this prolonged story. I promise I'll be more consistent in the future, but for now thank you for all of your wonderfulness. I give a big thanks to-... MarkDr… Kaulitz-Twins-Fangirl… Emmalime… Archermusician… Rae… vdouble.e… dragon's dance… Lynn… Tilly... Crystal... MoonTigress... Moonheart... tricksterstink... IgnitingFireworks... lucian87... ZabuzasGirl... Poetgirl616... Firerosemon... Kaanae... Sapphire-Serenity-Phoinex... TwilightMelodiac... samanthatm... Guest... Miamaker... Guest... Yukira-Kuchiki... and Puffgirl1952.
I also want to give a big thanks to those who don't have the time to review my story, but still either read it or put it on their favorites or alerts. I know even you, as much as the next reader, are just as wonderful for giving my story the attention it so desperately craves. Thank so much.
Now here's something I've never done...
I'm going to give you a tiny preview for the next chapter to settle some of your panicked nerves.
-Preview-
As Sage kept growing closer and closer, I disconnected our queues and readied myself for the jump.
Crouching upon the ikran's back, I continued a single mantra inside my head, 'I have to do this! I have to do this for Tsu'tey!'
Then, right as Sage reached the edge of the trees, I flung myself forward and pushed off with my feet. All the while I could hear Atan'eko and Unipey's screams from behind me.
As the ground rushed to meet me, I closed my eyes, and leaned my bodied forward as I readied for the impact. Within an instant I felt the crushing force of the cool water envelop my body, while the strong current instantly began carrying me further down the stream.
Gaining control of my limbs, as the numbness from the fall left me, I began to fight to get to the surface. However, the current was too strong, and with every second I wasted in my failed attempts, it kept dragging me further down.
My lungs began to tighten, and tiny bubbles of air slowly slipped from my lips, but still I fought.
Yet, after a few more moments, the will to survive began to wane. As the darkness closed in, I gradually began to succumb to death's awaiting embrace. My mind began to numb over, and my muscles slowly began to weaken. I knew then that there was nothing left that I could do.
I could either keep uselessly fighting this, or let go peacefully.
Right now, the latter began to seem more appealing.
-End Preview-
To see the rest of this, you'll have to tune in for the next chapter update. See you soon. :-)