+Battle for Pandora (Part 3)+
Jake's P.O.V
As I fell to the jungle below, I managed to catch the humongous trees' leaves and vines in my descent; ultimately using them to slow my fall. Nevertheless, the moment I touched ground I still felt the sharp pain of the impact as I stumbled over various tree roots and plants to right myself.
Who knew anybody could survive what I just had?
Then again, adrenaline was still pounding in my veins. So, it was quite possible that that was the only thing keeping me alive yet.
Taking in deep breaths of air, I tried to let the ringing in my ears subside before looking and listening for any potential threat that might be nearby.
However, as my eyes and ears scanned mercilessly over the battle-ridden terrain around me, I found nothing. At least, until I finally looked up from where I had just came. Then, like a tiny cartoon devil standing upon my shoulder, I heard an ear-piercing sound as it began whispering tauntingly into my ear. A high whining hum and the unmistakable sounds of an explosion were all that could be heard as I looked up into the sky.
There, still spiraling to ground above me, was the Dragon slowly eating itself up in flames.
Breathing in heavily, I tried to calm my racing heart as I rejoiced over the mind-numbing thought of defeating Quartich. It was like every single thread of nerves inside of me, that had been so tightly and mercilessly wound, just suddenly loosened into this overwhelming feeling of happiness. Yet as I continued to watch in this utter feeling of glee I noticed, at the last moment of the Dragon's doom, one of the AMP suits suddenly take a dramatic dive out of the ship and to the jungle below.
'No, it couldn't be,' I thought with wonder, but with my luck I knew it had to be him.
Quartich was just as much the fighter as was I, maybe even more. So, there was no doubt in my mind that it had just been him whom had come soaring down into the jungle only that mere moment ago.
Moving forward, I just barely had enough time to latch onto a tree for support before I felt the earth quaking jolt of the Dragon making impact with the earth. Even from this distance, I could see the explosion and the flames licking high up into the air.
'Another one down, and still one final to go,' I thought, before quickly disappearing into the forest.
Neytiri's P.O.V
Tìvawm and I quickly weaved in and out of obstacles as we made our way through the jungle. I wasn't exactly sure where we were heading, as it seemed the thanator had taken it upon himself to lead me to safety, but nevertheless I didn't doubt this wise creature's judgment. So far, he'd saved me from a number of attempts on my life while on our journey together. To me, there was just no way I could scold him for this one decision at this moment.
As Tìvawm ran, I could literally feel his mere power and strength beneath my legs. He was strong, and very, very fast. I'd never known another feeling like what I felt with him. It was like all of my emotions and thoughts were centered as one with his, creating the sort of unique bond to where I could ultimately understand him… almost as if when I could understand Jake when we are connected.
Yet, unlike with Jake and I, Tìvawm's feelings only centered on a friendly bond for me. As for Mia though, it morphed into both friendly and fatherly. This creature was fiercely protective over her, and would do anything for her; including watching over her friends and family.
This creature's loyalty was like no other I'd ever seen, but still it was strangely calming. I couldn't help but to feel my bond with it; a bond that was slowly morphing into what Mia seemed to have with him.
The creature below me gave out a low growl, and as I looked up I saw why. We were coming up upon a tiny shack. The one which Jake's other body called home. However, we were not alone.
In the distance, I could make out one of the soldiers getting ready to fire upon the building. With fear now swimming in my veins, Tìvawm gave one last strong, willful leap forward before launching himself upon the machine.
Along with Tìvawm, I gave out a mighty roar as we collided with the man. He, however, merely managed to swing us off of him and throw us back to the hard ground below.
That, sadly, did not deter us from our mission. Still giving an ear-piercing war cry, the two of us flung ourselves forward once again to attack. The man in the suit managed to give us a punch, but we still escaped intact whereas he was left stumbling within his suit.
Heading toward him again, this time he was able to get his gun out and without a second to lose he immediately began firing on us. Once again, I found that my friend was strong as the two of us took him to the ground together. Tìvawm began ramming the machine's gun into the ground angrily with his claws… once… twice… thrice… and finally with the fourth it shattered.
Yet, that didn't stop the suit from gaining enough strength to get up again and punch Tìvawm in the side of the head.
My friend and I gave a cry out in pain as we both felt the injury he'd received. It was then that I realized we were closer in bond than I'd believed. Whereas I'd only felt a slight tingling with Seyzey, I actually could feel the real pain through Tìvawm's connection… and Eywa did that hurt!
As Tìvawm backed away from man, the suit's arm came out to grab me. However, my friend thankfully saw this coming and managed to duck in time to save me once more.
Whispering a thankful Na'vi word to him through our bond, I turned my attention back on our enemy.
Tìvawm once again tried leaping forward at the man, but sadly this time he was ready for us. Wrapping his mechanical arms around the creature's head, he held tight as he tried to break the animal's strong neck. Though, now at this level, it did put me in position long enough to see the man's face, and what did my eyes behold in front of me when I looked, you may ask?
Quaritch…
The man whom had started this all.
I remembered him through mine and Jake's bond, but here in person… he looked even uglier and more demonic than I'd ever seen. With red hot rage boiling in my blood at the sight of this fnawe'tu(1), I felt all control leave me as an angry hiss left my navy blue lips.
He merely snarled at me in exchange, before losing control of the two of us. Yet, feeling my rage beating angrily inside me, Tìvawm gave a loud, ear-piercing roar and tore after him one final time.
As we lunged for the man, Quaritch simply grabbed hold of us and threw the two of us to the side; right into the trunk of a tree. The pain of the impact was almost unbearable, but we recovered as quickly as we could.
The battle was yet to be over, and from the feel of Tìvawm's rage I knew he wasn't about to give up just yet. At least, not until he's last dying breath.
He wasn't just protecting me, he was protecting that shack. He was protecting Mia, Jake, and whoever else resided inside at that moment; but especially Mia. He refused to let anything harm his original rider. Their bond was too strong to be broken by some mere fear of this man.
With a final angry hiss, Tìvawm launched himself forward onto the man; right as Quaritch had just pulled a knife from his side. It was too late to warn my friend of this new threat to us, and within seconds I felt the scorching heat from the pain in my own side; the one that with which came from our bond.
Yet, despite this one wound's pain, it must have not have been enough of a revenge for what we'd done to him. Quaritch still continued on ramming his knife into my friend at least twice, before he flung us away.
As the two of us hit the stiff ground below, I was thrown off. However, Tìvawm's body still managed to pin me next to an uprooted branch. I was stuck, and forced to watch as Quaritch threw himself towards my friend with his knife still in hand.
With one final plunge of the blade into Tìvawm's shoulder (close to where his heart lay), Quaritch twisted the knife, and my friend slowly gave his last breath as his head lolled over to the ground.
Tìvawm was dead.
The greatest fighter and companion I'd ever met… was gone.
I was alone in this fight now, and even though I wanted to continue mourning his death, I had to get out of there before I was the next to suffer Quaritch's wrath.
Struggling to free myself from underneath my friend's corpse, I looked up into the evil eyes of this heartless killer. With a furious hiss, I watched as he pulled his knife from Tìvawm's body and raised it up as he ready to end my own life.
I could only merely watch as the sunlight drifted in through the trees to cast a sort of eerily glow over the weapon; almost as if Eywa herself were blessing its next killing.
I found then that all that ran through my mind at that moment was, 'Eywa, make it quick.'
Then, with a victorious glint in his eyes, he brought down the blade and was rewarded instantly with an ear-piercing cry.
Tsu'tey's P.O.V
"MIA," both Atan'eko and I screamed, as we watched her plummet to the ground.
Forgetting all about Atan'eko or helping to destroy Wainfleet, I sprinted over to her unconscious form; even as the pain from my own wounds protested.
As I reached her side, I dropped down to my knees and brought her bloodied head into my lap. Looking her over for any injuries, I found a large wound at the back of her head. She must have hit it on a rock during her fall, or from maybe even the impact she'd made upon the trunk of the tree. However, it was not the wound that worried me. It was more so the mere fact that I had yet to be able wake her.
"Mia, Mia please wake up," I begged as I shook her shoulder lightly, but nothing happened. She only continued to lie motionlessly in my arms as her wound carried on oozing droplets of her dark, maroon essence.
"TSU'TEY, I NEED SOME HELP HERE," called Atan'eko as he dodged another round of fire from the man Mia had called, 'Wainfleet.' If I remembered correctly, from our bond, he was the man who'd almost raped her the night of her birthday.
However, he was also the man that Jake had informed me to keep her away from if we happened to meet him during the battle. This request I had promised to fulfill no matter the case, and yet here she lied as stiff as a stone within my arms.
I had failed.
Even as the painful tears pooled within my eyes from not only this realization, but also for the lifeless body of my wife that I held so lovingly in my arms; I found that all that I really could feel inside, at that moment, was this strong, white hot rage burning with an unyielding vengeance.
Carefully, I placed Mia's body back onto the ground and got to my feet. Turning to look at the man whom had done this, I ignored my own pain and centered that fury I held inside me on him.
"YOU WILL DIE," I heard myself scream in my native tongue, as my anger took over my very being. With those words, I lost control and ran full force towards him without a single, regretful thought.
Picking up a large, sharp stone upon the ground along the way, I threw myself onto the machine and began ramming it into the glass of his cockpit.
"Motherfucker," he hissed as his metal hands reached up to take hold of me, but unlike Mia I maneuvered out of their way.
Finally, as the seconds ticked by and each thrust was laid into the glass, the layer finally gave way and crushed into pieces underneath the rock's unbreakable force.
However, through my jubilation, he'd managed to grab hold of me and throw me off. Yet, not before Atan'eko gave one last try at the glass with his own weapon. Thankfully, this time, he did not miss.
His arrow finally pierced through the broken glass, and shattered the fortress that separated us from the tiny man that stood within the machine.
Atan'eko could only give a proud smirk, as he watched the man cower away from the tip of his arrow in fear. All the while, I watched the pieces of the glass fall like the glittering rain of a sunny day, and with each piece that fell it only seemed to bring myself a sense of security; a knowing that he wasn't as unbeatable as we had once thought he was.
Sadly though, Wainfleet recovered quickly. Raising his mechanical arm, he pulled the offending item out his cockpit. Then after messing with a few buttons inside the helm, the top to the machine suddenly came flying off; landing close to Atan'eko's feet with a loud CRUNCH.
Wainfleet slowly placed his mask over his head, before breathing in deeply as he went on to speak, "Not dead yet, you ugly blue monkeys."
Where peace had once resided so happily inside of me, I could now feel the fury slowly trickling back into my soul as a tint of red began to cloud my vision. I was ready for this to end, now.
"You will be soon," I hissed in reply with his native tongue.
Wainfleet seemed taken aback for a moment that I actually knew it, however that ebbed away quickly. Raising his gun, he fired at me without remorse.
Choosing that moment to push me out of the way, Atan'eko took part of the shot as we hit the ground. However, in doing so, he did save me from receiving any more wounds than I already had.
"Wiya(2)," Atan'eko spoke forcefully in our native language. "Tsahey(3)."
"Are you alright, brother," I asked, as he rolled over.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK? THAT THING JUST SHOT ME, YOU FUCKING MORON," he screamed angrily, but I knew he was only in pain; at least I hope that's the reason why he yelled at me.
"Come on, we can't just lie here. He's coming for us," I exclaimed, as I helped him to his feet. Atan'eko stumbled about for a moment while tightly clutching to his side. However, with him upright, now I could see the extensiveness of the damage. Large bullet holes oozed streams of almost never-ending blood. However, unlike my wounds, his were much more fatal.
His were near his heart. If he did not get help soon then he would most likely be lost.
"Here, I think we can use these as spears," he informed, snapping me out of my short, pensive reverie. Painfully, he bent down to pick up two large splinters from a fallen tree that lied nearby.
Nodding, I took two of my own as Wainfleet finally caught site of us hiding amongst the vegetation. Pulling his knife from behind his back, he came running at us once more.
"Let's see if this works," I growled, before throwing the spear with all the strength I possessed.
However, the spear missed.
Though I was sure I could blame that mishap on my injury.
One thing I was more than sure of however, was that Atan'eko probably wouldn't fair any better.
Then again, I was once more proven wrong in my assumption of the Na'vi. Instead of just throwing it, Atan'eko went running to meet Wainfleet head on.
"ATAN'EKO DON'T," I yelled, but it was too late. Right as his spear made contact with the soldier's seat; Wainfleet jerked him up off the ground and flung him far into the jungle from my sight.
I was alone now in this fight; injured no less.
I didn't even stand a chance, as the vicious man turned his little beady, black eyes on me.
"Now it's your turn," he laughed, as he flipped his knife through the air and caught it in one mechanical hand.
Yep, I was a goner.
Mia's P.O.V
My eyes shot open, and almost immediately I was hit with a wave of nausea and pain. Gulping for air, I looked around to find where I was. Though, all I could see was the bright neon-blue lights from the link machine hovering around me in all their ethereal glory.
Panic instantly took over, and I found myself using all my strength to push the heavy hatch open above me. The moment the cool air of the trailer hit my heated skin, I found myself immediately heaving up what I'd eaten earlier this morning. I barely managed to turn sideways before spitting up the vomit in my mouth over the side of the bed.
With my body shaking, from both the trauma and the cold, I pulled myself into an upright position. Once I was sure my stomach had settled, I had only one question to ask myself.
Had I died?
I knew I couldn't be sure, but I'd seen nothing but the usual blackness and neon lights before I'd ended up here.
So, maybe I was wrong.
Maybe I hadn't died.
Though, now was not the time to really be worrying about it. Shaking my head to rid myself of both that thought and the dizziness, I rose to my feet shakily.
Looking around, I found Jake's link still proudly running in the corner. However, Norm's had long been dead for a while now; something that was proven when he'd shown up to aide me earlier in battle. Nevertheless though, I felt a sort of calm wash over me at knowing he and Jake were alright in some sense.
With that reassurance spreading through me, I reached under the link machine and pulled out the pistol I'd hidden underneath there earlier that morning.
Making sure the safety was still on; I pocketed it and then reached for my breathing device. As I unwound the cords, I could hear a commotion going on outside of the trailer and as I gave the window a glance I realized why.
Outside, at this moment, were Neytiri and Tìvawm fighting off what looked to be Quaritch. However, I couldn't be sure from this distance. What I did know though, was that I needed to get out of there and help them protect the trailer. God only knows what Quaritch will do to get to Jake and I?
Securing the breathing device, I pulled the gun from my pocket and raced to the door. As I entered the compartment, and heard the cold hiss of the air changing, I could only watch helplessly through the porthole as Quaritch brought his knife down onto my companion.
"TÍVAWM," I cried, as tears pooled into the corners of my eyes and spilled across my flushed cheeks.
It was almost as if I had been the one whom had been stabbed with Quaritch's knife. My heart ached with the unmistakable pain that I knew all to well as grief. I was sure that any moment my legs would give out, and I would come crashing down to my knees; that I would give in to the burning ache that raged on inside my soul. However, as I heard Neytiri's cry, I was able to pull myself back into reality.
No more would be lost by his hands!
Flinging the final door open, I raced outside right as Quaritch was getting ready to bring his knife down onto Neytiri.
With a threatening stance, I raised my gun and screamed, "LEAVE HER ALONE, YOU BASTARD!"
Quaritch froze mid-swipe, and turned to look at me. Through the glass, I could see an evil grin light up his face as he replied, "Look who we have here. The traitor's helpless sister." Laughing at his own joke, he failed to notice the gun in my hand. At least until I fired upon his AMP suit.
"Son of a-"
"I'm not as helpless as you may think," I hissed, as he trained his beady, multi-colored eyes on me once more.
"You think you're better than me, sweetheart? You're nothing but a traitor to your own race; worthless and no good to anyone. You couldn't even kill me if you tried. You don't have what it takes," he chuckled darkly, earning an angry growl from me.
"I've killed more of your men today than probably anyone else. I'm not afraid of death, Quaritch. I embrace it. I have for a long time," I answered scathingly, while keeping my gun trained on him.
"Then if you're not afraid of death, I guess you won't mind dying for me then," he growled, right before making his way toward me with his raised knife.
Right as my finger got ready to pull the trigger, I heard a voice yell, "Give it up, Quaritch! It's all over. You're men are gone… and you've lost."
Quaritch stopped mid-stride, and turned his eyes upon Jake's Na'vi form standing beside me. With an angry growl, he answered, "Nothing's over while I'm breathing."
"I kind of hoped you'd say that," Jake answered cockily, before turning his gaze to me, "Get out of here, Mia. Head towards the Tree of Souls."
Giving him a reluctant nod, I took off into the jungle; forcing myself not to look back as I heard the sound of a fight beginning.
Jake could handle his own battles now… as well as I could my own.
I knew where I was heading next, and it was not the Tree of Souls. No, I was going to finish a fight I'd started with my own villain.
Jake's P.O.V
Making my way through the jungle, as I searched for Quaritch, I tried to keep my ears and eyes peeled for anything odd. So, when the sound of a fight caught my ears and the familiar voice of a female's screams, I knew then I'd found what I was looking for.
Racing towards the direction I'd heard the argument, I realized within seconds where I was.
The shack!
He was at the shack!
Oh god! MIA!
Coming closer to the campground, I instantly let my eyes wander the scene as I jumped from tree branch to tree branch to reach them. There, lying upon the ground in a dead heap, was Mia's thanator. While trapped underneath him lay Neytiri struggling to get free. Near them stood my sister brazenly squaring off in her human form with Quaritch, whom stood unthreatened in his AMP suit.
"I've killed more of your men today than probably anyone else. I'm not afraid of death, Quaritch. I embrace it. I have for a long time," my sister called over to him scathingly, while keeping her pistol trained in his direction.
"Then if you're not afraid of death, I guess you won't mind dying for me then," Quaritch answered with a hint of a growl, right before he began making his way toward her with his raised knife.
Fearing for my twin's life, and knowing she couldn't handle him on her own, I jumped down to finish what I'd started, "Give it up, Quaritch! It's all over. You're men are gone… and you've lost."
Quaritch stopped mid-stride as his eyes met mine in a piercing gaze. I guess he was just as surprised to see me alive, as I was him. However, that didn't last long as he snarled, "Nothing's over while I'm still breathing."
With a cocky smirk, I answered jokingly back, "I kind of hoped you'd say that."
Turning to Mia, I knew then what my first priority was. I had to get her out of there. She didn't need to be around this fight. If Quaritch got a hold of her he'd use her against me, and it was worse enough Neytiri was still stuck underneath her thanator.
"Get out of here, Mia. Head towards the Tree of Souls," I ordered, looking down at her. I could tell in her eyes that she wanted to object, however reason quickly won out. With a reluctant nod, she followed my wishes and sprinted out of the vicinity of the campsite.
With that taken care of, I readied myself for a fight.
Running toward him, I reached down long enough to pick up a piece of his gun before continuing forward. As we reached one another, he brought his knife down upon me and I just barely managed to shield myself from it with the metal I had within my hands. Though, that still didn't stop him from his oncoming assaults.
Swiping his knife through the air once more, I was forced to duck to avoid it. Dodging to my left, he came back with the knife and met back up with my metal rod. As the deafening sound of the clang met my ears, I found myself thrown back from the impact.
I just barely had enough time to ready myself, before he came at me full force once again. With another swipe at my mid-section, I stumbled back just enough to avoid it.
There was no stopping this man as he continued to slash at me over and over again. Quaritch wanted me dead, and he'd be damned before he didn't get his way.
Ducking under a tree root to avoid him, I ran forward to hop over another as he came crashing through behind me. Just as my hand left the last tree root, his knife came down upon the limb; instantly crushing it with its force.
He slashed at me once again, before smashing his mechanical hand against a tiny dead tree; I guess hoping that the remnants would stop me long enough so that he could get me in his grasp.
I ducked the debris however, and came back up to meet the thrust of his blade with my metal rod. As he came to swipe at me again, I managed to angle my weapon just enough to catch his knife between the hole within it. With this to my advantage, I was finally able to get the weapon out of his hands.
With his weapon now gone, I used the root behind me as leverage to throw myself and the metal rod onto him. Almost instantly, the sharp part of the metal lodged itself into his cockpit; crushing the glass around him.
I left the rod inside, and as his hands reached for me, I dodged out of the way and jumped to the ground below. There, I silently watched as he struggled to pull the thing from his machine. Yet, when he was finally able to release it from its hold (like Arthur had removed his sword in The Sword in the Stone), he flung it behind him and towards me.
I managed to duck in time, but I couldn't deny hearing the sound of the trailer's windows cracking behind me.
"Shit," I hissed underneath my breath, as I looked back long enough to see the spider-web design the rod had made. Any more of that, and my human body was a goner.
Turning back around, I could see Neytiri still struggling in the distance. However, only that mere glimpse almost cost me my freedom as I once again had to duck to avoid Quaritch's grasp.
I watched as Quaritch tried to see me through his broken glass, but after a few minutes his AMP suit stilled. Instantly my nerves were on edge.
"COME ON," I yelled angrily, before the top of his cockpit went flying through the air.
I moved out of the way to avoid it, and within seconds it landed where I had been standing only a mere moment ago. Upon its impact, I heard the sound of an already demolished glass breaking even more. It was an unnerving noise.
Turning to look back at Quaritch, I watched as he was forced to put on an exo-mask before he could speak.
I pulled out my knife from its holster around my chest, before animal-like hisses left the back of my throat. He was unperturbed.
"Hey, Sully, how's it feel to betray your own race," he asked tauntingly. However, what he had yet to realize was that I'd left that race behind a long time ago; long before we'd made it to this battle.
Quaritch had nothing on me.
Hissing at him angrily, he merely went on to reply, "You think you're one of them? Time to wake up."
Turning his back on me, he made his way over to the shack before I even realized what he meant. However, the moment he got close enough to the window it all began to click.
"Fuck," I cursed, before tearing after him.
He'd managed to bust in the first window and damage Grace's old link bed before I could stop him. However, as he made his way towards mine, I gave a giant leap and hopped onto his back like a spider-monkey.
Clawing my way up his AMP suit, I could feel the hisses come from deep within my throat without a care as I reached over to yank him out from within his machine. Taking my knife I held so securely in my hands, I brought it down on him; hoping to God it would catch his head or throat.
He gave a yell, but not a dying scream.
I had missed.
Reaching up, he grabbed me by my braid and yanked me off of him. He threw me a couple of feet, before slowly making his way over to me.
However, within that amount of time, I began to have my own problems.
I felt a blinding pain sear through my brain; almost as if I was having trouble breathing, or wasn't breathing at all. I fought it though, long enough to stumble back, before collapsing to the ground. There, I met those familiar neon lights as I traveled back to my human body.
As I opened my eyes within the link bed, I began to realize my problem. The air within the shack was being engulfed in Pandora's poisonous one. My human body could not take it, but right now I could not risk falling asleep in my Na'vi one. Not with Quaritch out there looming over it; and not with Neytiri helplessly struggling to set herself free nearby. So, taking a deep breath, I forced my mind to go blank once again as I traveled back.
Opening my eyes, I barely had time to register my surroundings before I felt a painful tug upon my queue. Giving an earsplitting scream, I found myself being hauled up by my braid to hang in mid air. I tried with all my might to break free, or at least to alleviate the pain by pulling myself up by it. However, as Quaritch brought me to hang in front of him, I knew then that I was doomed. There was no way I was going to win… especially with my knife in his possession.
Pulling my knife from beside him, he brought it forward to my neck as he got ready to cut my throat. Yet, just as he was getting ready to swipe, an arrow came out of nowhere and landed within his mid-section. Both myself and the knife dropped instantly as he stumbled back.
Looking up, I saw Neytiri standing proudly with her bow and arrows, before I was once again overcome by darkness.
I had been saved.
Neytiri's P.O.V
I managed to finally get enough leverage to pull myself out from underneath Tívawm's dead body. As I did so, I instantly got to my feet, and swung myself over the root to get my forgotten bow and arrows.
With my weapon in hand, I turned my eyes back on Quaritch and Jake. There, I found my husband dangling in mid-air as the demon brought a knife to his throat and got ready to swipe.
"Not while I'm alive," I hissed, before placing an arrow onto my bow quickly. Pulling back the string, I aimed, and fired.
I watched triumphantly as the arrow lodged itself in the man's mid-section. Almost instantly Jake and the knife where dropped from his grasp; leaving him clearly open for another shot.
Placing another arrow upon my bow, I rushed forward for a better position before letting my final shot fly. With it came the empowering feeling I felt as it too lodged itself in the middle of his chest. Even from where I stood, I could hear him taking his last dying gasps.
Fearing for Jake still, I ran forward as I pulled my knife from its holster. Upon reaching my mate, I crouched over him and gave a hiss at the man in warning. Yet he was no match for me, especially as he took his final breath.
With one last gasping motion, his machine collapsed to the ground below; giving a final shake of the earth in its wake.
Once I was sure he was down for good, I turned my attention back upon my husband. Switching my knife to my left hand which held my bow, I placed them on the ground next to Jake before trying to shake him awake.
"Jake," I whispered worriedly, as he did not stir.
I could hear some sounds coming from the building behind me, but I ignored them... thinking them to be either Norm or Mia returning.
Placing my hands upon Jake's face, I turned his head toward me as I called for him once again, "Jake?"
His eyes still refused to open, even as I continued calling and it was then that an idea struck me.
His body!
Had his human body been hurt?
Rushing forward toward the building, I went to jump in through the window but only met a glass barrier. Turning to my left, I tried the other one and was thankfully successfully that time.
Climbing through the window, I landed in the wreckage of the building and began to make my way over to the body of a man; one that I was almost certain was my Jake.
Lifting the man into my arms, I gave him a gentle shake before crying out, "Jake! Ma Jake!"
Yet, my mate still did not stir even within his human form. Panic began to set in as I looked around the trailer for anything to help him, and that's when I spotted it.
Hanging next to him, where he'd probably been trying to reach it, was a mask that every sky person wore. If this didn't work, then nothing would. Bringing the mask forward, I placed it upon his face as tightly as I could. Within seconds I could hear the haunting hiss of his own air enveloping his face.
Suddenly, his eyes began to blink as he took in a few gasping breaths. Reaching up with his hands, he properly secured the mask better than I had before breathing in the oxygen much more deeply.
He was okay.
My Jake was okay.
Smiling down upon him with all my love, I found that all I could do was cradle his tiny human form to my body. I was not afraid of him like this; only amazed at what he truly looked like. He was so fragile, weak, and frail compared to his Na'vi form. Yet as he reached up to place his small hand upon my cheek, I knew then he was no different from the Jake I knew.
Placing my own hand over his, I could feel tears pool within my eyes at the gentleness he treated me with. I couldn't ask Eywa for anyone better than him. He had saved me, his sister, and our people.
Jake was truly a gift from Eywa.
"I See you," my husband whispered with love, as he continued to caress my cheek.
With a silent chuckle, as happy tears fell across my cheeks, I whispered back to him, "I See you."
Closing my eyes I let myself feel him for what he truly was. I let my cheek rub against his warm rough hand.
This was Jake, my Jake… not an alien, not a sky person, not even a dreamwalker.
This was Jake in soul.
"Not wanting to spoil the moment guys, but Mia's in a bit of trouble," came a familiar voice from behind us. Turning to look around, I found a small lanky sky person standing awkwardly within the trailer as he gazed at the two of us.
"What's wrong? What happened," Jake immediately asked, turning his eyes upon the man.
"It's Wainfleet. He found an injured Tsu'tey, and right as he was getting ready to finish him off Mia and Atan'eko showed up to stop them. They managed to fight him off until I got there, but once he crushed the gun in my hands your sister ordered me to leave. I came back here to get another one, or to at least find someone to help," the man informed him.
"Mia was just here in her human form, Norm. I ordered her away when I was fighting Quaritch," Jake replied confused, as I helped him to stand up. However, he merely began to fall. Norm, seeing the problem, came running over to ready some kind of chair for him. I guess it was then that I realized that Jake could not walk, that in this body he had no use of his legs.
'No wonder he'd loved being Na'vi so much,' I thought with astonishment at this revelation.
Helping Jake into his chair, Norm once again went on to tell him, "She was in her Na'vi form when I found her. Something must have happened between now and then."
"Oh, Eywa," I whispered in horror, as I looked between the two of them.
"Don't worry. My link bed is still running. I think as long as I wear the mask I should be good. Right, Norm," Jake asked, while looking to his friend.
"Yeah, you should be good. Need help?"
"Nope," and with that Jake wheeled himself over to the machine, and got on. Norm pressed a few buttons for him, before Jake turned to me.
"Go ahead and wait for me. I shouldn't be long waking up," Jake replied, before lying down and closing the hatch upon the machine.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Norm said, as he caught my nervous look between Jake's Na'vi and the link bed.
"What about you," I asked.
"I… my avatar didn't survive. I think I'll stay to guard Jake and the shack," Norm whispered sadly.
Nodding, I hurried on out to wait for my husband and I found I did not have to wait very long. Like he said, he was awake within minutes, and getting to his feet.
"Come on, we gotta find her," and with that he laced his hand through mine, and we hurried off into the jungle to our sister.
Mia's P.O.V
I raced through the jungle, a gun in hand, with my heart pounding a mile a minute. All I could keep repeating within my mind was, 'Please Eywa! Let them be safe,' as I jumped over tree root after tree root, while I continuously weaved in and out through the foliage; trying my best to avoid the dangerous plants to the best of my ability. All I could see in front of me was the path leading me to my destination.
Nothing would stop me from making my way back to my mate. I wouldn't allow it, not as long as I was still breathing.
As I passed by Trudy's wreckage, I felt my heart drop to my stomach. I couldn't look… No, I wouldn't look. What was left of her wasn't really her. I had to remember this fact and so with that in mind, I continued on.
I passed by it without another thought, and focused my efforts on the people I had come for.
With each step further, my panic began to set in once again.
How was I going to beat Wainfleet?
As a Na'vi things had been simple. I was just as big as him; however as a human… things were much more different. For one, I wasn't as confident, and two, I wasn't as strong. So, as the fear began to seep in, I felt my pace slowly began to decrease as I got nearer.
I wanted to save Tsu'tey and Atan'eko, but could I?
I hadn't even been able to save them as a Na'vi? How would I possible save them as myself?
Yet, as my eyes met the scene before me as I came upon them, I think I already knew my answer.
I could do this.
For Tsu'tey…
For Atan'eko…
For Trudy…
… and for Grace.
I could face my fear, and I could beat this bastard. I wasn't the weakling I had been when I'd arrived here. I was the strong, confident, and headstrong Mia that had grown to love life and the people around her… and this Mia would be damned before she watched anyone hurt the rest of her friends or family.
Coming through the clearing, I raised the gun and aimed it at Wainfleet's back. "HEY WAINFLEET," I called out tauntingly. Turning away from Tsu'ety, his eyes met mine in pure wonder; shocked that I had even made it here like this. I wasn't the weak girl he had tried to rape so long ago. No, now I was the strong woman holding a gun upon him with nothing but vengeance coursing through my veins. I saw only red at this point, and he knew just from the look in my eye just how dangerous I was. He already knew his fate was sealed.
"Get the hell away from my mate!"
With that, I pulled the trigger and watched as the bullet made dead center on his chest. Dropping the knife within his hands, he brought his own human one up to the wound.
"And by the way, bastard, I'll always give that man my all," I replied, before pulling the trigger one last time. With that final bullet to the head, he and the AMP machine fell to the earth below.
'Looks like I have better aim than you thought,' I couldn't help thinking as I placed the gun on safety, and stowed it into the pocket of my shorts.
Looking over to Tsu'tey, I saw him gazing at me in shock and astonishment. It was like he was seeing Eywa for the first time, and didn't know what to say. So, with a gentle and loving smile, I called to him, "You okay, sweetie?"
Tsu'tey's P.O.V
As Wainfleet was getting ready to make the final blow, an angelic voice I'd thought I'd never hear again suddenly called out to him, "HEY WAINFLEET!" The man above me froze, and slowly swiveled around to look at the girl behind him.
Yet, as both of our eyes met the owner of the voice, it was not the Na'vi I expected to find. No, in her place stood a frail human with pale white skin (nearly translucent). Her long, silky brunette hair was pulled away from her shoulders in a messy ponytail, and around her nose and neck were some sort of wires instead of the normal sky-person's mask. However, because of the lack of the mask, I could make out a few injuries she'd received recently; one being a fading black eye. The same one I'm sure this man Wainfleet had given her.
Though, behind that black eye was the finishing of a matching set. The set that made the pair of amazingly sky blue orbs that her Na'vi form wore. I could not deny who this human was. Not even as I gazed at her tiny shorts, tight tank, and tattered shoes.
This girl… no woman… was my Mia in her real flesh and bone.
This was Mia's true form… come to save me.
Wainfleet only had to take one look at her to know his fate was sealed. In her amazing sky blue eyes, you could find only hatred, and a craving for vengeance; a look I knew all to well by this point in my life. I had carried that look myself not so long ago, and now it had replaced itself in her... for me, and for what he'd done to her.
With her murderous gaze trained on the man, she kept her gun aimed and answered back, "Get the hell away from my mate!"
With those final words a shot rang out, and Wainfleet's cry was soon heard. Turning to look at the man, I saw that he had been wounded in the chest. However, it was not quite enough to kill him… just damage.
Though, even I knew she wasn't done yet. She had to strong of a grudge against this man to let him live.
"And by the way, bastard, I'll always give that man my all," and with that she made the final shot to his head; right between his eyes.
I knew I had trained her well, even if I'd only trained her with a bow.
Wainfleet gave his last breath, before he and the machine fell to the ground below my feet. Thankfully, I was alright… except for the wounds from my previous fall earlier in the air.
Looking back at Mia, I could only stare speechlessly at her. I mean, I know I'd always said the sky people were ugly, disgusting creatures, but what I saw was far from that. This one was beautiful, despite a few aspects. She held herself with a pride that only I thought I could pull off. However, it seemed to not be the case. She even had the similar cocky look in her eyes that I wore sometimes.
Yet, in this body, I could see the similarities between her and her brother. From her memories of him when we'd shared our bond, I could map out the resemblance so easily. They both shared the same hair color, same eye color, same cocky stance, and not to mention the same smile. The two of them would have been one in the same if it had not been for the fact that she was a woman, and he a man.
Noticing my still gaping state, she smiled as she called out brazenly in my native tongue, "You okay, sweetie?"
Simple nodding, I watched as she made her way over to me. All the while I was blessing Eywa for letting me behold this site. Even through the way she walked, I could tell the similarities between her and her avatar. They both swung their hips the same tantalizing way!
"You sure you're fine," she chuckled, as she came to stand beside me awkwardly.
"You're beautiful," I whispered dreamily in answer, as if I were a teenage boy all over again.
Laughing, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear before answering, "Not really. There are ones much better looking than me."
"I doubt that," I smiled, as I pulled her closer to my chest. Leaning forward she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, and kissed my cheek. Her lips were so small!
"That's only because you're biased," she laughed into my neck.
"Maybe," I chuckled, as I ran my hand across her back; feeling her tiny ribs jutting out. Either this is how sky people are supposed to feel, or she was extremely malnourished.
"MIA!"
Moving away from one another, we looked up to find Jake and Neytiri standing at the edge of the clearing.
"JAKE," she called back happily, "YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"SO ARE YOU," he hollered back with a laugh, as the couple rushed over to us. Within an instant, Mia was torn away from me and held securely within Jake's large, muscular arms. I felt myself tense at the sight of his larger body holding onto her much smaller, frailer one. Though, I just barely managed to reassure myself that it was okay; that Jake would never hurt his sister, and that he'd be gentle with her.
"Norm found us. He told us what had happened," Jake whispered.
"Thank Eywa for Norm," she chuckled, as she held her brother tightly. Looking over to Neytiri, I watched as she stared in awe at both brother and sister. It seemed as if she was having the same revelation as me.
"They look almost exactly the same," she breathed in wonder.
"Tell me about," I laughed.
Breaking away from her brother, Mia turned to look at Neytiri, "Thank Eywa, you're alright too. I almost didn't leave your side."
"I'm relieved you did. You could have gotten hurt between the fight with Jake and Quaritch," Neytiri replied as she too pulled Mia into her embrace.
"That brutal, huh," I asked, looking to her brother.
"Yeah, he almost killed me. If it hadn't been for Neytiri, I would be dead," he answered, as he kneeled down beside me, "Are you okay, brother?"
"I'm good. A little sore, but good. We just need to get to Mo'at so she can heal me," I replied, before something suddenly entered my mind.
"Atan'eko," I hissed, before getting to my feet with the help of Jake. Mia turned in Neytiri's arms, and looked at me with fear.
"Where is he," she asked shakily.
"The fight with Wainfleet… he got hit… badly. Wainfleet threw him in that direction," and the moment I finished my sentence her and Neytiri took off in that direction, with Jake and I following behind. I would have probably collapsed if it hadn't been for his help, but I wasn't about to lose my pride in telling him that.
As we moved through the jungle, we came across a group of Na'vi huddled around someone. One look at a crying Unipey, proved our fears.
"ATAN'EKO," Mia cried out heart-wrenchingly, as she ran forward to kneel beside him. A few Na'vi stared at her in disdain, and Unipey even hissed, until I informed them of who she was. Then, like Neytiri and I, they could only stare in wonder.
"Atan'eko," Mia choked, as she placed a soft hand upon his cheek.
Turning his gaze onto her, his eyes instantly softened as he took in her sky blue eyes; recognizing her instantly for who she was.
"Mia," he whispered through labored breaths.
"You're going to make it. We're going to take you to Mo'at, and she's going to heal you up-"
Yet with a shake of his head, Atan'eko breathed, "I won't make it. Let me enjoy my last moments with you and my friends stress free."
Trying to force a smile, Mia rubbed soft circles into his sapphire skin with her loving hand. Unipey only continued to hold her brother's own hand up to her lips, as tears poured from her eyes.
"You are beautiful," Atan'eko whispered, as he reached up to wipe the tears from her creamy white skin.
"You're biased my friend… just like my husband," she chuckled through her silent sobs.
"All the same… I'm glad I-I g-get to see you like t-this," Atan'eko mumbled as he fought the pain.
"I wish I could say the same," she whispered as she leaned forward to nuzzle her cheek against his. Placing a soft kiss upon his forehead, she leaned back up to look at me and Jake. Atan'eko followed her gaze.
"P-please, end my s-suffering. I'm ready t-to go," he begged, as he looked between me and Jake.
Unipey, Neytiri, and Mia gave out heart-wrenching sobs at his request, while the other male Na'vi around us pulled them away from him so that I could kneel with the help of Jake.
"Please brother, do not ask me to do this," I pleaded in our native tongue, but in his eyes I saw that he was adamant with his decision.
"Tsu'tey, send me home to Sylwanin. I'm ready to go. There is no hope for me now," he insisted, as he placed his hand over the knife around my chest.
"Brother… I can't," I choked.
"Then let Toruk Macto be my last shadow," he whispered, turning his eyes over to Jake.
However, he too could only shake his head, "Tsu'tey, you'll have to do it. He wants you to anyway."
Sighing, I looked to Mia to see her shaking form. I was almost silently asking for her permission, and as I saw her give a tearful nod I pulled the knife out of its sheath.
"You were always my friend, Atan'eko, and I forgive you for your wrongs. I always have. I hope you'll finally find happiness with Eywa,"
Nodding toward me, I leaned forward and buried the knife deep beneath his skin. Finally, as he took his final breath, I could see a sort of peacefulness wash over his eyes and a single word escape his lips, "Sylwanin?"
Mia's sobs grew louder with the other two women, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Jake pull both her and Neytiri into his arms. During all of their sobs, I began to recite the familiar prayer of the Na'vi for my fallen friend.
Mia's P.O.V
Stumbling back into the camp at the Tree of Souls, we received many looks upon our arrival. Many stared in wonder at the group of us, especially when they noticed the two sky-people trudging along with them; those sky-people being Norm and I.
After leaving Unipey to bury her brother in peace, we had walked back to find my avatar. Upon inspection, we'd found her still alive and only badly beaten. She would live, but only if she received medical attention soon.
Jake had ordered two of the Na'vi to carry her back to camp, while we sent another two to take over watch at the shack. They were also to send Norm back to us, and were warned he too would be in his human form. After radioing him within the trailer, he quickly agreed to follow us to base once the Na'vi got there.
So, as we waited for him to catch up with us, I tended to my Tsu'tey the best I could in the meantime. All the while the rest of the group continued to look on at me as if I was quite a sight to behold.
'I wonder what they would think if they saw Jake in his human form,' I had thought with a chuckle.
Jake had also radioed Max at Hell's Gate, and was happily informed that the Avatars there had taken control. He was also told they were ready to receive the wounded if needed as well.
However, as much as I begged Tsu'tey to go, he refused to leave my side. He said he would be okay until we got to camp.
Once Norm had arrived, and thanked the merciful Eywa that I was alive, he'd quickly pulled me in for a bone crushing hug; one that I saw Tsu'tey wasn't too fond off. Though, he was still quite amazed to see this man in his human form as well.
When the group was finally all gathered once again, we began our journey home. However, now that we had arrived, I was unsure about my presence here.
Though many Na'vi did stare at me in wonder, there were a few who looked at me scornfully; as if they blamed me for the deaths of their loved ones. Yet, with a simple glare from Tsu'tey or Jake they quickly sobered up when they realized who I really was.
"Oh thank Eywa, you have returned," Mo'at cried, as she came running over to us to envelope her daughter in a similar bone-crushing hug that Norm had given me.
"Did you expect any less of us," Tsu'tey joked, as Mo'at forced herself to pull away. Taking one look at him, she gave a tsking sound before replying, "GO! NOW! The others will tend to your wounds."
Not wanting to disobey the worried woman, he almost instantly followed her orders with a cheeky grin. However, as her eyes left him, they zeroed in on Norm and I. At first she looked at us in curiosity, before she caught the striking, sky blue color of my eyes. Then, that was when she finally realized who we were.
"Mia, thank god you are safe as well," she whispered, as she kneeled down and pulled me into her arms.
"Thank Eywa, you are too," I breathed into her ear. Pulling back, she informed me, "I have been healing your Avatar, but there is only so much I can do."
Looking over to Jake, I replied, "Our friend, Max, has secured Hell's Gate for us. What you can't heal, he will be able to. He even told us to go ahead and send the wounded."
"Good, because there is only so much my old bones can do," she replied, as she turned her gaze to Jake.
"Don't worry. He's sending transport. The other Avatars will be here shortly to help as best they can, and figure out who needs the most medical attention at Hell's Gate," Jake answered (thankfully understanding her Na'vi fully for once) in our native tongue, as he placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder. Though, she merely swiped it away, before pulling him into a hug.
"Thank you so much, Jakesully. For saving us, and bringing us peace of mind," she said, before doing the same to Norm.
However, as Norm caught site of the chief of the Thanator people, I saw a mournful look appear upon his face.
"What's wrong," I asked, while placing a comforting hand upon my friend's shoulder.
"Today, I watched their head warrior, daughter, and daughter's fiancé die before my eyes. I think they need to hear it from me about what happened," Norm commented, as they finally caught on to his staring.
Making their way forward, they turned their attention to me, as if they knew exactly who I was, "Is this war finally won?"
"No, but this battle is. There might be more to come, though. My former people never give up. They're greedy and selfish, but for now they've lost. I think we can live in peace for awhile," I smiled, as Nirite gave a thankful nod. However, as she caught the look on Norm's face, hers instantly fell.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have done more to help them, but I think you should hear from me what happened to you daughter and her fiancé; also your head warrior as well," Norm announced, and with a gentle nod from the chief, she led him away so that they could talk in private.
I watched them for awhile as Mo'at conversed with Neytiri and Jake. For a few minutes everything was fine with Nirite, and then suddenly she just collapsed to the ground upon her knees. Tears began to flow down her cheeks, as she placed her head within her hands. Within mere seconds she was wailing up at the sky in sadness and in anger. All the while her last two children and their father comforted her.
I remember being there once, and I knew I would have to tell Norm soon about Trudy. Though, something told me that he already knew. As I'd looked into his eyes earlier, I'd seen the pain behind them and it was the same pain my own had once held for Sage.
As Norm approached our group again, so that he could leave Nirite to mourn with her family, I suddenly spluttered as he approached me, "You know?"
Nodding, Norm remarked, "I heard her final words over the radio, and when my avatar died… for a split second, so did I. I think… I think I saw her standing with Eywa. When I woke up I just… I just knew. Then, on my way back to you all, I saw her helicopter; that confirmed everything for me."
"Are you going to be okay," I asked, pulling him into my embrace.
With a choked voice and his tears now wetting my shoulder, he answered, "I will be, but for now… right now I feel like the world's come to an end."
"Shhh, I'm here. We're alive, and that's what she would have wanted. We're going to be okay, maybe not now… but someday," I whispered as a stream of tears ran down my face as well.
I knew the others had both seen and heard us, but thankfully they'd given us this time to mourn.
Grief.
It's such a cruel thing. It's cold, and emotionless. It feeds upon your deepest desires, and twists them until they turn ugly. Grief hardens your heart, and freezes you in one time; the time when that loved one is gone.
I hated grief... and I always would.
However, now… now it was time to mourn for those that we'd lost, and maybe in the coming days the light of the victory would shine through. However, for now we had to deal with this malicious thing that had settled itself within our hearts, and came to hover so cozily above our heads.
Okay, first off, sorry for the long wait again. It's probably going to be like this till the final chapter, (which should either be one part or two. I'm not quite sure yet.) As of this moment there should only be one more chapter left, unless I make any changes to it. I probably should considering how long it is already. I think it's the longest chapter I've ever written, but it had to be done. Anyways though, here's my explanation of why I've been gone from this site for awhile. I kind of maybe got back together with that ex of mine I'd been having problems with, but only for one reason. My so called friend lied to me out of jealousy, because he felt we were spending too much time together, and it was taking away from his time with him. So, as to say, I'm not really speaking to him as much lately. That was unforgivable, and my boyfriend is beyond ticked about how he lied (as well as other reasons that I'd rather not discuss.) However, we as a couple are doing much better, even more so than the last time. I really think it's going to stick this time. We are working through our communication problems, and really trying. Sometimes you have to give to get a little take sometimes; which is something I've had to learn a lot lately. Otherwise that part of my life is fine. However, job wise, not so much. I got screwed over by my new manager, and tricked by her little pet monkey. So now I'm without a job, because my employer was an idiot and wanted to get rid of the best employee they had. So that's really been weighing me down some, and it's been hard to write due to it. Hopefully in time things will get better soon, and I can finish the last chapter and get it out to ya'll as soon as I can.
Now on to another note, I really hope ya'll like this chapter. I poured my heart and soul into it. In fact, it was the scene between Mia and Wainfleet that actually inspired this whole story. I was listening to Alicia Key's 'Unthinkable', one day after seeing this movie, and for some reason this idea popped into my head about Mia and this scene between her and her nemesis. After that, I just had to start writing this story, and look now where it's gone. Over 300 reviews and still counting. This is, overall, my most top reviewed fanfiction I've written, and I'm so proud of it. I'm going to hate when it ends. Besides that, I'm so glad for all the people I got to hear from while writing it. You all gave great feedback, and kept me going this whole way. Thank you so much for being so kind.
Hopefully this chapter sated most of your fears, but the best is still yet to come. There are more things you are yet to discover at the end of this road. Some that will have you screaming in either joy, or have your toes curling. Now, I would give a sneak peak for this chapter, but something's telling me that I should make you wait for all of it. Like Momma always said, waiting is what makes the chocolate pie even sweeter.
Now if you have any questions about this chapter just send me an email on my Fanfiction account, and I'll hit you back whenever I can get on the internet again. Since as of currently I have no phone/internet anymore, and are having to use the computer at my mother's work BLAAHH. I hate having to use this slow dinosaur computer! Lol
Also to those Atan'eko and Tìvawm fans, I'm really sorry and sad I had to kill them off. However, in my defense, Tìvawm had to die anyway to save Neytiri, and to motivate Mia a little bit to stand up to Quaritch. As for Atan'eko, it was either him or Tsu'tey. Ya'll threatened my life if I killed off Tsu'tey anyways, and no offense, I think my boyfriend and family likes me alive LOL. So there, my decisions are explained on that part.
Also here are the translations for three of the Na'vi words I used during the story. Just thought you'd like to know what those funny words meant.
(1) fnawe'tu- coward
(2) Wiya- Expression of warning or frustration, 'damn!'
(3) tsahey- Expression of warning or frustration, 'crap!,' or 'ah, hell!'
Now, for one of my favorite parts during all of my ending rantings.
Thank you all for who reviewed this story. I don't know what I would have done without all your support and kind words. Your feedback is what has kept this story going from beginning to near end, and I thank you so graciously for it. I love you all and all of your inner sweetness . I give big thanks to-… DarkFireNyx… RippahGoneWolf… Puffgirl1952… ZabuzasGirl… Guest… ADHD Fairy Princess Minky… Pint-sized She-Bear… leona… isEEyoU… Lina Marie… Lizzy B… Guest… MoonWarriorLuna… … Guest… KGC112… babyboonisha… Sailor Sacred Moon… LovelyAngelYuuki… and Sup.
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. Thanks so much.
Well, until the next time, have a nice night ya'll, (or day in others case lol.)