And Mark, remember that thing about Tu'sky with a gun we were talkin' about? . . . XD

The Dance of the Madman

28

Blackwood polished his gun, smirking as he did so. He cocked the gun, looking at it. Selfridge rested against the wall, fumbling with the expensive rock. "So, it'll be quick, right?" he asked.

"Of course," Blackwood stated, his tongue probing his cigar. "I say destroying them off this moon . . . about a month. There's a few hundred of them, right?"

"Actually, a few thousand if you count the other tribes," Selfridge stated, rubbing at his neck.

"Don't worry, I've got that covered."

"Oh, good," he breathed, tapping his foot on the floor. "I really don't care how you get rid of them, just do it. I was being nice eight years ago, but now I'm pissed."

Blackwood smirked, placing his gun in his holster. "That's fine with me," he said. "So, you won't care how I get rid of the Na'vi, right?"

"No."

Blackwood turned to his best man, who smirked at him. The general chuckled darkly, placing his hands behind his back. "Perfect."

Rajian watched as the soldiers prepared for war, all of them were oblivious. The Indian man and his friends had tampered with all the AMPs, most of the guns, and some of the grenades. They damaged as much as they could before morning. The male nurse watched the soldiers; his eyes were tired for working all night. Blackwood picked his AMP, fixing himself into the machine. He turned to the Indian man, smirking broadly.

"Well, Rajian, thanks to you, we'll be finished by morning," the general stated, turning on the machine. "Those Na'vi won't stand a chance."

Rajian's stomach turned, looking at the taller man in the metal machine. "Yeah," he breathed, placing his hands into his pockets.

The general smirked, walking off in his machine. "Alright, boys!" he called, smirking. "Let's have some fun!"

The soldiers hooted, following their leader. Rajian sighed, looking at the floor. He mentally prayed to God, hoping that the Na'vi and Quaritch would be safe. He looked to the right, seeing Dr. Wolfe, standing at the threshold of a metal door. The two of them met eyes, and the scientist sadly walked off.

"Olo'eyktan JakeSully!" called a young male Na'vi.

Jake turned to the younger man, standing on a rock that looked over The Tree of Souls. "Report, Tika," he stated. He sounded like his drill sergeant.

"Sky People cut us off to other tribes," he stated. "We have not connections!"

Jake growled, his ears low. "Great," he whispered.

And behind Jake, Quaritch was teaching the adult Na'vis how to use guns. When Tu'sky was first to try, she hit the groin of the dummy that Na'vi children made, causing the men to twitch and gringe. The leader of the Na'vi let out a grunt.

"Now what?" the young boy inquired.

Jake turned to the young, scared boy. His body was trembling, and his tail was almost between his legs. The once-Avatar placed his five-digit hand on the boy's shoulder. "Calm down, Eywa be with you," he said.

"Eywa be with you," he repeated, bowing his head, and rushed off to the tribe.

He sighed, looking to the tree. Neytiri approached his side, hugging him gently. "It be okay," she said, nuzzling her head against his shoulder.

He wrapped an arm around her. "I hope so," he breathed. He then turned to the sky, and whistled. The sound echoed, and there was a distant screech in the background. His Ikran flew over, at first tiny in the distance, but became larger as it approached. The dragon-like creature roared, landing on the ground next to the couple. Jake smiled, reaching up, gently touching the snout of the beast. He had not seen the Toruk for eight years . . .

"Hey, buddy," he greeted, patting the snout of the creature. He offered his hand to his mate, and she took it. Both boarded the beast, and he let out a little snarl of happiness. Jake connected both of their follicles together, and then mentally ordered the beast to fly. The Ikran took to the air, and went to the village. Below them, Quaritch's animated AMP was below, and the clone was in it. Jake waved to his comrade, and he returned it. Tu'sky was right next to the clone, bow in hand. Her tail twitched, her ears low. She snarled. Other Ikrans hovered over the village, and other Na'vis were ready for battle. Quaritch turned to his new-found people. He took in a stale breath, and listened to the humming of other machines.

They were coming.

Tu'sky growled, knowing what the sounds were, but she could not see them due to her slight blindness. Off in the far distance, animals ran from the scene. Trees toppled over, falling to the earth with a mighty thump. Blackwood's AMP was first, and he was smirking proudly. Quaritch growled like a rabid animal, his eyes narrowed tightly. The general laughed, motioning his robot hand. AMPs, military jeeps, and foot soldiers came from the forest. The roaring sounds of airships and Scorpions flew swiftly in the air, guns all ready. They halted in the sky, hovering there—just waiting for the general's order. Quaritch looked up at Jake, and he looked down, and then gave a simple nod. Quaritch nodded, aiming the AMP's gun. The Na'vi roared, bows and knifes held high, crying out, ready for battle. Blackwood smirked.

"I don't care what you do, men," he stated. "Rape, pillage, I can care less. Have fun."

The men laughed, and Blackwood gave the order to charge. The AMPs, jeeps, and foot soldiers charged. The airships did not move, they just hovered. Jake turned to his people, looking at the Ikrans, and to the people on the land below them. Quaritch had command of those Na'vi on the ground, and he waited. Tu'sky looked to her would-be-mate, confused as to why they were not moving. Just then Quaritch held out his hand and screamed: "CHARGE!" The Na'vi yelled, and charged. The ones on their Ikrans waited. Both waves of bodies moved at the same time. Ones of blue living flesh and others covered behind metal skin; and the war was ready and commenced. Like waves of water . . . they crashed dangerously together. The war begun.