Within Eywa

Jake and Neytiri were sitting peacefully, her head against his shoulder as they watched the beautiful sky that the eclipse had painted in random watercolours. Loud shouting interrupted their peace.

"Mum! Dad!" cried Neteyam.

They turned their heads and they saw Neteyam riding towards them, Kiri in his arms, and Aonung and Tuk on an ilu.

"What happened?" asked Neytiri beginning to panic.

"We connected to the spirit tree. And Kiri suffered a seizure," Neteyam lifted her up and Jake carried her into the hut to lay her down gently. He and Tuk rushed inside, Aonung waiting outside, knowing that the parents were still resentful towards him for putting Sylwa in danger.

Jake tried to wake Kiri up but she wouldn't. He noticed two certain children were missing. "Where are the twins?"

"They're at the spirit tree," explained Neteyam.

"They're stuck in Eywa!" cried Tuk. "And we can't disconnect them,"

"So you just left them there?" criticised Neytiri to the eldest's face.

"No. Tsireya, Roxto and Atuiko and with them. They'll watch over them," Neteyam hated worrying his mother like this. "Mum, there's nothing we can do. Eywa wants them there for a reason…we just have to wait and see,"

"I'm gonna call Norm and Max. They'll come over and examine Kiri. And the twins as well. Let's just hope they're not connected too long," Jake was afraid for his kids.

Older Sylwa had taken Sylwa through the jungle and they came to a site which made Sylwa's heart enlighten with joy. She saw Navi children playing around together with human teachers. And there was a large hut where Navi children came in and out and amongst them was the avatar of Grace Augustine, Sylwa's adoptive sister's biological mother. She was teaching them. "The Augustine School," she breathed.

"This is merely a flashback of what life was like…before humans were expelled from the Omatikyena lands," her aunt explained. They sat down on a rock and watched the happy scene. No sooner had they said that they saw two beautiful young women walking with Grace's avatar.

"Is that…"

"Me and your mother," smiled Older Sylwa. "We were very happy. To us, learning a whole new language from another world was a treat,". Sylwa watched as her mother and aunt's younger versions smiled and cheered. "My father was very reluctant to allow us to leave the Home tree, to talk to sky people…but just like you, I wasn't one to judge people for what they looked like. Grace as you see was kind and caring, and compassionate. Desperate to share an entirely different culture with us Navi people,"

Her niece was entranced by how prosperous it looked. "If only it was like that now. You've no idea how awful it's become since the Sky people returned a year ago,"

Older Sylwa rubbed her shoulders. "How I miss those peaceful times. Grace would read us funny kids' books from Earth. She even taught us how to play basketball. And I wanted to share with her what we could teach about Pandora. To me, she was different from the other sky people. She wasn't like those who damaged our lands. She wanted to learn about our lands, to study them and share human knowledge with its inhabitants. Some kids even called her mum,"

Sylwa giggled. They stayed silent and continued watching the scene.

Lo'ak had followed his grandfather through the forest and as they crossed a bridge, he was astounded by the presence of a mighty tree, tall as a mountain. "Is this…"

"The Great Hometree of our people, grandson," Eytukan explained. "There is something I want to show you. But first…" he stopped walking and faced him. "I sense there is something troubling you,"

Lo'ak couldn't deny it. "I want my dad to see me. I feel no matter what I do it will never win his approval. I feel like I'm constantly living in my brother's shadow all the time…and it's because I'm not perfect. I want my dad to be proud of me but I can't do it the way he wants,"

"You need to make choices based on what you believe in,"

"I do. But every time I do I get into trouble and get constantly belittled. And now I'm afraid he'll say I'll bring shame to the family if…

"If you continue seeing the Taquamare who saved your life…"

Lo'ak was shocked that he knew. "How do you…"

"Eywa knows you have made a sacred connection to this creature. And what she knows, I and all those who are with her know. I never thought one of my own blood would encounter one as I did,"

"You did?" Lo'ak was surprised.

"A long time ago. When I was very young. There is much you have to know about these creatures. It is indeed what you want to know is it not?"

"Well yes…I want to know more about why they're feared, why they're different from us and much of Pandora's wildfire…"

"The answers lie here," his grandfather led him into the tree and Lo'ak marvelled at the roots and trunks of the Omatikyena ancestral home that was destroyed more than a decade ago. His grandfather led him to a passageway that led underground. He followed him and Eywa's light lit the way when he pulled back some vines and they were in a mysterious cave. "This cave houses many secrets…secrets and stories that have long been forgotten since the times of the First Songs. Only the Olo-eyktans of our tribe knew of these. And it was their sacred duty not to share it with anyone of our people. For their safety," he led his grandson further down and to Lo'ak's amazement, he saw ancient drawings and paintings of the Taquamares. They came in many different colours. "They go by many names these creatures,"

"Like what?"

"Navisteeds. Forest-Canters. Stallamares. Gallapees. Sanastees…"

"That's a handful," he said.

"They have existed even before the time of the First Songs before the ages of the Navi began. They have existed longer than us. They have been widely known throughout all Navi cultures," his words of wisdom were intriguing.

"So, it lives on more than just the land and in the sea?"

"It is believed to be," his grandfather traced the paintings on the walls. "They weren't like other creatures. They lived alongside us in tribes with leaders. There was a time when in a time of great sorrow, they would come to our defenders, our brothers, and sisters-in-arms. But those times have long passed. There may not be as many as there used to be,"

"Because they were persecuted,"

"One of many reasons. But you are right. Over time, Navi began to fear their abilities, deeming them daemons meant to be tabooed among our lands,"

"And then Navi began disappearing," Lo'ak's words intrigued his grandfather. "The ocean clans believe they're responsible for the disappearance of many people. But I don't believe that. Tsu'tey wouldn't have rescued me otherwise,"

"Tsu'tey?"

"I gave him a name. He couldn't remember his birth name. His mother was killed. But she saved my life in the forest when I was a child. For years I've wondered what they were…and now I'm beginning to question whether it's right to continue seeing him,"

"Is he your friend?"

"He is. He's my spirit brother,"

"Then you have your answer. As your grandmother may have told you before, there are reasons each of us is blessed by Eywa. And we have to find those reasons. Because your purpose Lo'ak is to be the bridge between the Navi and these mysterious creatures,"

"But what about the crystals?"

"Crystals?"

"There are crystals which Taquamares are connected to. And they plug their queues into them like we do at the spirit tree,"

"I have never heard such a thing,"

"Does Eywa know?"

He was quiet for a second. "No, she doesn't not,"

"How?"

"I don't know. But there is more I have yet to tell you. Follow me,"

Tsireya, Atuiko and Roxto had constantly watched Lo'ak and Sylwa. But they were getting worn out with having to stay underwater a lot for them. They wouldn't leave them. The eclipse ended and they saw the day returning to them. It wouldn't be too long until nightfall.

They heard loud clicks of an ilu and turned to see Jake and Neytiri riding towards them.

"Where are they?" asked Jake.

"Down there," said Tsireya. "They're still in a trance,". The worried parents dived underwater and saw them in a trance-like state. They aggressively tried pulling their queues free but Atuiko and Roxto pulled their arms away. They swam back up for air.

"You could kill them if you do that!" berated Atuiko.

"They could be drowning!" shouted Neytiri. "You don't just expect us to do nothing!"

"They'll be fine," Tsireya tried to promise them. "The spirit tree gives them breath under water. There's nothing you can do,"

"How's Kiri?" asked Roxto. Neytiri glared at him, still hateful towards him.

"Is she alright?" asked his younger brother which Neytiri didn't hesitate to respond to.

"She's still unconscious," she said. "We've contacted some human friends to come here. If that's all right,"

"We must tell my parents," said Tsireya. She turned to the brothers. "Stay here with them. Toruk, you and I will go and tell my parents,"

"Watch over them," Jake said to his mate and she nodded. He and Tsireya mounted ilus and swam off leaving the frantic mother alone to watch over the twins.

Older Sylwa and Younger Sylwa had sat there for quite a while. Younger Sylwa loved watching Navi and humans getting along like this. Chilling out together. Playing together. She cried a bit, remembering the good old times when she and her siblings were kids and they played all the time with Spider.

"Are you all right?" asked her aunt.

"I'm okay. Seeing this…makes me miss my forest home so much. And our best friend Spider. He was taken by the bad sky people. And even if Mum doesn't like him, he's a brother to us,"

Older Sylwa rubbed her shoulders. "My death really caused so much to everyone in our tribe. Especially your mother. Your grandparents. And my beloved Tsu'tey,"

"I'm so sorry you guys never got to have a life together,"

"We do. We all live within Eywa," she said. Sylwa realised she was right.

"Kiri suffered a seizure so I've contacted friends. I won't lie they are sky people," explained Jake to Tonowari. "I need to know why she reacted to the tree like that. And my twins are in a deep trance. We can't disconnect them from the tree,"

"You see? He comes here and now he summons more sky people?" cursed Soxato.

"Calm yourself," ordered Tonowari. "If they are friends of Toruk Makto, then they are welcome on our shores,"

"It'll just be for a quick visit," Jake promised. "They will be here, tomorrow at the latest,"

"How long have the twins been trapped in Eywa?" asked Ronal to her daughter.

"A few hours," Tsireya couldn't hide how scared she was for them. "Mum, is there a reason this is happening?"

"Not that I know of yet," said Ronal. "Still, keep a constant eye on them. The moment they disconnect, bring them to the surface,"

"Yes," Tsireya dived back into the water and rode off on her ilu.

Lo'ak had followed his grandfather further through the forest again. They had walked for quite a while. And then when they came out of the other side of the forest, there was a shocking sight that beheld the twin boy.

They saw acres of ash and small flames, no greenery. It was heartbreaking. "This is what bad sky people do," said Lo'ak grimly. "What they did to this place," he looked back at the great home tree still standing strong. He felt his mind bouncing back to the night he and Sylwa had raced to its remains, wondering what it would have been like to live in it.

"Not just sky people,"

Lo'ak turned his head. "What do you mean?"

Tsireya rode back to the cove and saw the brothers and Neytiri still waiting. "We have alerted my parents and they should be here by tomorrow,". She looked up and saw how late it was getting. "You should go to your other kids,"

"No. I won't leave the twins like this," said Neytiri refusing to leave them. After what had happened to them, she didn't want to let them out of her sight again.

"Your other children will need you. We'll keep watching over them. Give yourself a break,"

Neytiri was still reluctant. "We don't mind watching over them," said Atuiko.

"Promise me you'll watch them constantly," the mother warned.

"We will," promised Roxto quickly. No matter how much this woman hated him for earlier, he was not going to let that stop him from watching over his brother's best friends.

"I'll be back soon," she rode off.

Eytukan turned Lo'ak around and placed his hands on his shoulders. "There are Navi…who don't respect the balance of life. There are those that believe only in pain and suffering. They are no friends,"

"Who?"

"If you are to be Tsu'tey's spirit brother you must careful. And those crystals that you speak of, they are dangerous. You mustn't connect to one who will kill you,"

"Who?" Lo'ak asked desperately. But all of a sudden, he felt his mind rushing and his eyes flashed open again.

Lo'ak struggled to breathe underwater. Bubbles left his mouth. His queue disconnected. Quickly Roxto grabbed him and pulled him up to the surface. He coughed out water. "Just breathe," soothed Atuiko, who had come up as well. "Just breathe,"

Tsireya remained underwater watching over Sylwa.

Older Sylwa and younger Sylwa had walked around the school looking at everything Navi and the humans had shared with each other.

"No matter what happens…always try to find the good in other people. Never, ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Is there something else you want to talk to me about?" asked the kind aunt.

"There is," said Sylwa. "I have a Tulkun friend. Her name's Payaka. She saved my life. But the Metikyena said she's a killer. I refuse to believe that. I want her to tell me what happened but I don't know how to without upsetting her. And I don't even know how I can stand up to everyone and tell her that she doesn't deserve to be treated like this,"

"Yes you do," the aunt believed in her. "Because that's what you are Sylwa. You defend everyone who's different. And remember this…it is the ones who are different that make the biggest changes. And if we were the same, we wouldn't be unique. Whatever reason there is for Payaka for being an outcast, don't let it get in the way of your friendship with her. Stand by her side. Stick up for her. See the good causes she has for what she did. And never, ever stop seeing the good in the sky people or those that are different. If there is a chance that our world can be safe from endless war, find a way to ensure humans and Navi can coexist together in peace and harmony,"

"But how…how? I need your help Aunt Sylwa,"

"No. You just need to believe. Promise me Sylwa…" Older Sylwa implored. "Promise me you will believe,"

"I…I will try,"

Older Sylwa smiled. Then all of a sudden, Sylwa felt her mind exploding and spinning in circles.

Sylwa's queue disconnected and she ran out of oxygen. Quickly Tsireya grabbed her and pulled her up to the surface. She coughed out water. "Tsi…' she coughed, struggling to breathe. "Tsireya?"

"It's okay. It's okay," Tsireya swam over to her ilu and pulled her on. "You're alright,"

Sylwa's head drifted to the side and she saw that Lo'ak was alright as well but on the same ilu as Roxto and Atuiko, he was coughing and looked exhausted. "How long were we connected to Eywa for,"

"Five hours," answered Atuiko, his face still pale with fright.

"Five hours?!" they blurted out together.

"It didn't feel like five hours," breathed out Sylwa slowly.

"Time might have passed quicker in Eywa," Roxto theorised.

"What happened while we were out?" asked Lo'ak. "Where are our siblings?"

"Kiri suffered a seizure," said Tsireya worriedly, seeing how neither Atuiko or Roxto could answer that.

"What?" the twins breathed, their hearts suddenly pounding with horror.

"We were in a trance through that?" Lo'ak breathed.

"I'm quite surprised you guys didn't feel it. The tree was literally flashing on and off," Atuiko said. "Are you sure you guys are okay?"

"We'll be good when we see her," said Sylwa. "Please take us back,"

"Hang on," Tsireya rode with her on her ilu and the boys followed behind, the twins were clutched protectively. They came back to the shore and their fathers were waiting there. Jake was relieved to see them. They came to the docks and Tsireya climbed on with Sylwa.

Sylwa tried to walk forward herself but she suddenly collapsed. Tsireya caught her. "Easy," she ushered gently easy. Roxto helped Lo'ak when he tried to take a step on the platform.

"Why do my legs feel numb?" he mumbled.

"I feel like I can't move," Sylwa panted. She tried to walk again but once again her feet gave away and Tsireya held onto her tightly.

"Just take it easy. After what you guys went through, you could really use some rest," said Tsireya.

"Plugging into the spirit for a long time like that probably drained you of all your energy," remarked Roxto, much to their discomfort. "But Tsireya's right. You should lie down for a while," The two helped the twins along the platform towards their hut.

"Why were you guys trapped in Eywa like that?" asked Atuiko.

"No idea," panted Lo'ak, already beginning to doze off.

"Who did you guys see?"

"Easy little bro. They need rest. Their eyes are shutting already," ushered Roxto gently.

Tonowari came forward. "Are they all right?"

"They're okay. They're just really tired and drained of energy," explained Tsireya.

"Get them to their hut,"

Right as they were escorting the twins back to the hut, Jake and Soxato arrived on the scene, the former seeing how weak they looked. "Are they…"

"They live but no one's ever plugged into the Tree that long before," said the chief. "A lot of rest is all they need. They will live,"

"What a coincidence," said Soxato strangely.

"Get some rest, Jake Sully," said Tonowari. "When your friends arrive, bring them to your hut right away. I don't want my people to be discontented,"

Neytiri was just leaving the hut when she saw her twins being carried over by Tsireya, Roxto and now Aonung and the others since Lo'ak and Sylwa had suddenly fallen asleep, drained of energy. "Bring them in!" she ushered.

They carried them inside and Neteyam and Tuk were relieved to see them breathing. They were laid on their mats and immediately the little one came over to lie between them. Jake came in and he glanced at Tsireya and Atuiko but not Roxto.

"Thank you for watching over them," said Jake.

"No problem," Atuiko said.

He turned to Aonung, Roxto and the remorseful bullies. "We're really sorry for endangering them before," the prince apologised immensely, realising he was still on Jake's bad side. "But they forgave us and we've finally put an end to it,"

"It's all done now," said the princess. "Now it's best we leave them to rest. Please let us know how they get on,"

"We will," said Neytiri. "And thank you," she was deeply grateful to them. The Sully family were left alone, the three four-fingered teens with their eyes closed, one in a coma, two in a state of deep sleeping.

The next morning, the sound of chopper turbines made sand blow in clouds as Norm, in his avatar form, and Max arrived at the island. Jake rushed forward to embrace Norm, so delighted to see his old friend.

"How are they?" he asked.

"Kiri's unconscious. The twins are still sleeping!"

Roxto and Atuiko were standing on the platform watching as Jake was escorting his human friends to the family hut. Atuiko tried to walk forward but Roxto held him back. "I want to see them,"

"It's best if we leave them be, let their friends do their work. They'll be okay. They're alive and that's what matters," Roxto gave him a hug to comfort him. "Everything's gonna be okay,"

Ronal and Tsireya had arrived with special healing equipment. Norm and Max had examined Kiri and it didn't seem her brain was damaged or anything. Still, Neytiri grew impatient and insisted that the Tsahik do a healing ritual on her which she accepted. Whilst Ronal performed special spiritual treatment on Kiri, Norm and Max monitored the twins who remained in a deep sleep.

"They don't have any brain damage either," said Max. "They're just really tired and worn out. So how long were they connected to the tree again?"

"Five hours," explained Jake.

"That's way too long," Norm breathed. "They definitely can't do that again,"

"They couldn't help it. They were in some sort of trance," explained Neteyam. "Eywa somehow wanted them to see something or talk to someone. And somehow Roxto said that…time passed shortly for them within Eywa but longer here,"

The scientists were surprised. "That's never happened before," said Max. "They just need a lot of sleep and then they should be okay,". There was nothing more to be done for them. Nevertheless, Neytiri firmly insisted to Ronal that she'd check them and she did. She used acupuncture but that didn't wake them up. Their hearts were breathing normally and a lot more rest was just want they needed.

That's another chapter done. What did you all think? Dear Bailey. Usually in fan fiction, on a chapter document, what i do is i write at the top that I don't own the song I'm using and write down who it belongs to like Disney or the singer and say something like "i wanted to use the song for the chapter if that's alright," and then I say again at the end of the chapter that I don't own the song and who it belongs to. That's what i've seen most writers on fanfiction and Wattled do. As for the song you've shared, I'd like to use it in a later chapter and for the laughing chapter...i'm going to do it as one of the ending chapters because at first I'm going to follow the storyline with NEteyam's death and then three to four alternate chapters of the story going differently at the end and the laughing chapter being included in it.