Return of the Tulkun

Ronal waved some special smoky palm leaves over their noses. Lo'ak and Sylwa's heads slowly rose up. "Take it easy," ushered Kiri, already awake helping Sylwa whilst Neytiri tended to Lo'ak.

"My head hurts," moaned the boy twin.

"Quite complaining," criticised Neteyam, earning a glare from their mother. "What?"

"How long were we asleep?" Sylwa rubbed her eyes.

"17 hours?" Tuk answered nervously.

"Seventeen?!" they breathed, horrified as ever.

"But you're okay now," assured their mother. Tuk hugged Sylwa and then Lo'ak. "Easy Tuk. Give them space. Thank you," she said to Ronal who nodded and walked off. The twins were surprised. Months ago, when they arrived, she didn't like them. Or Kiri. And yet she had helped them. Before they could say a 'thank you' to her, she disappeared out of the tent.

Jake turned his head to the sky outside. It was mid-afternoon and Max and Norm were outside, sending him remorseful faces. He knew what he had to say to them. "Guys…" he addressed the woken-up twins and Kiri. "There's…no easy way to tell you three this but…none of you can connect to the Spirit tree again,"

They were flabbergasted. "What?" Kiri breathed in tears. It meant she'd never be about to converse with her biological mother again.

"It's too dangerous for either of you,"

"But dad…" Sylwa tried to argue.

"I'm not taking any chances again. Kiri, you could have died underwater from that seizure. And you two could have drowned. Again,"

"But we didn't," Lo'ak argued. "Our friends were there,"

"And if they weren't?" he didn't want to raise his voice but already he was becoming irritated by his youngest son's disagreement and tone of voice. "It's for your own good. I'm sorry you three. But none of you make that connection again. I don't want either of you risking yourselves in danger like that,"

The three were distraught and much to Jake's dejection, they stormed out of the hut, leaving him to sigh sadly. Neytiri placed a hand on his shoulder, facially telling him that it had to be done. The trio walked to the sea cliff and sat down with their legs over their cliff edge, sighing and watching the sun in the distance, reflecting on everything they had been through. "I'll never be able to speak to my birth mother again," cried Kiri.

Sylwa shuffled over and hugged her tightly. "One day you will," she hoped.

"What was she like?" asked Lo'ak curiously.

"She was so sweet and gentle. I saw her in both her avatar form and her human form. I thought…talking to her would give me answers,"

"To what?" asked Sylwa.

"Like…why am I different from you and everyone else? What does the Great Mother want from me?" Kiri wiped her nose. "I asked her who my birth father was. But…total loss,"

"Kiri, you're part of our family no matter what," said Lo'ak kindly. He and his twin gave Kiri and big group hug and she felt warm and safe in their arms as before. A while later they heard footsteps and they turned to see their siblings with the chief and general's children joining them.

"You guys doing okay?" asked Roxto.

They nodded. "Apart from the fact that we can't connect to the tree again," lamented Lo'ak angrily, pulling his knees up. "And Sylwa and I didn't even suffer a seizure,"

"You two still could have drowned as well," Neteyam said seriously.

"He only wants you three to be safe," comforted Tsireya.

"You two slept for quite a long time," remarked Aonung. "The whole village heard about it,". Tsireya elbowed him for mentioning that part. He felt regretful when he saw their annoyed faces. "Sorry,"

"Thanks for watching over us," said Lo'ak to Tsireya, Roxto and Atuiko.

"We wouldn't leave you guys behind," smiled Atuiko.

"Why were you two stuck in Eywa like that?" Aonung asked curiously the twins.

"It's kind of a long story," said Lo'ak.

"Did you guys talk to anyone? Whom did you guys talk to?" Tuk asked ecstatically to the twins.

"Slow down, Tuki. We'll explain everything," assured Sylwa.

Everyone sat in a circle and as eager as their faces were, so eager was the twin's desire to tell them everything they had seen and whom they had met. Sylwa decided to speak first. She told them of meeting the aunt she was named after and the example of how sky people and Navi intermingled together in harmony sharing languages. The sea people were surprised. It seemed not all sky people were as bad as they seemed.

"So, you actually saw the Augustine School?" Kiri felt as if she was learning more about her birth mother.

"I sure did," said Sylwa. "I saw Aunt Sylwa and Mum there with all their friends. They looked so happy there. And it was so cool. Seeing Sky People and Navi interact like that. It really shows that not all sky people are bad. Just like Spider and Norm and Max," when she spoke, Aonung and his gang listened intently, finally seeing how it is not right to judge people by what they are but by how they treat others. "If only that was possible with every sky person," she felt as if this possibility was just a child's dream, destroyed by the ravaging war the RDA posed to their planet.

"Tell us your story Lo'ak," Atuiko pleaded next to him.

"I saw our grandfather," said Lo'ak, earning the shocked faces of his sisters and Neteyam slightly. "And I was inside the Great Tree, Mum's ancestorial home. It was beautiful. But that's not all that happened,". Lo'ak told them everything Eytukan had shown him in the secret cave of secrets hidden under the tree until was destroyed when the great tree fell over sixteen years ago. "It turns out they live in every corner of Pandora. And they've lived on Pandora even before the times of the first songs,". Once again Neteyam just like everybody else wasn't interested at all.

"Incredible," breathed Kiri. "And he actually met one himself?"

"He did. When he was a kid. They used to be protectors of Pandora, like our spirit brothers and sisters,"

"Like the Tulkun," said Roxto. "They're our brothers and sisters too. Every time they visit our waters, it is a story in our lives to remember,"

"Which reminds me…why don't we get going Tsireya?" Sylwa stood up. "Let's go and do some more practising,"

"Are you sure you still want to perform?" asked Tsireya concerned for her health.

"Absolutely," she said. "I really wanna get practising to get everything off my mind right now. Let's go,". They clasped hands and jogged off to do their training, everyone smiling out after them.

"This is the first time Tsireya will perform with someone," said Aonung.

"She's never done it with a partner before?" asked Kiri.

"No,"

Lo'ak and Atu shared amusing looks. "Can we take a walk, Atu?" requested Lo'ak.

"Of course. We'll catch up with you guys later," the kid waved and they walked off. Kiri and Tuk walked off with Aonung and Roxto but Neteyam stayed behind, staring out at his brother and best Navi friend. Lo'ak is hiding something.

The boys walked along the coastline past some fruit trees. Lo'ak picked up a stick, threw it and some fruit came down and gave one to Atu. "Lovely," he praised. "So, what is that you want to talk about Lo'ak?"

After taking some of his piece of fruit, Lo'ak looked around to ensure no one was nearby.

"There's something I didn't want to tell everyone," he confessed. "I was afraid of worrying them,". They sat down on some rocks.

"What is it?" asked Atuiko, becoming concerned for him.

"My grandfather told me that there are evil Navi in this world,"

Atuiko was horrified. "Evil Navi?"

"Yes. Those that respect the great balance of life. And he said something about..."

"About what?" Atuiko shuffled closer.

"He said that Eywa knows nothing of the crystals that the Taquamares connect to…like the ones we saw at the bottom of the ocean. He said if I connected to a crystal…they would kill me,"

Atuiko was horrified. "Who? Who would?"

"I don't know. All he said was to trust my instincts and listen to the voice. But it doesn't make sense,"

"If what your grandfather says is true, maybe you should stay away from those crystals we saw underwater. I don't want anything to happen to you,"

"Another reason why you should stay away from that Taquamare," spoke a sudden voice. They turned around to see Neteyam marching out of the bush.

"Do you have any idea how rude it is to spy on people like that?" Atuiko berated.

"You guys spy on people too," he pointed out.

"Not if it means eavesdropping on other people's conversations like that," said Lo'ak bitterly.

"Now you really need to stay away from that Taquamare,"

Lo'ak raised his voice. "He has a name! His name's Tsu'tey,"

"If he's connected to those crystals that grandfather said are dangerous, then he's a danger. You don't even know what the other Taquamares are like. If there are any left,"

"How dare you say that" Lo'ak marched on Neteyam, their faces very close. "They just don't live in their ancestral homes because they're wrongly hated for their abilities and judged unfairly…which is exactly what you're doing. He risked his life to save me. He would never hurt me. Stop trying to be like Dad," he stalked off, upset again by his choice of words.

Neteyam turned his head to Atu and saw the kid frowning red. "Do you have any idea what a big jerk you are?" the kid questioned rhetorically. "You're such a skewing," he turned to march off.

"I'm only trying to look out for him. That's my responsibility as the eldest Sully sibling," As the oldest, Neteyam felt with so much responsibility on his shoulders, comes responsibility for the family.

Atuiko stopped marching and turned around. "Telling your brother what to do and trying to keep him safe isn't the same thing," he spoke firmly. "The least you could do is try to put a bit of trust in him than your dad does,"

"We're all kids and we have to take things seriously,"

"Yes. But as kids, we also have to experience and make our own decisions. Roxto got jealous and he got Lo'ak into trouble. Don't you do the same thing as well with him and Tsu'tey," he warned before walking off after Lo'ak.

Tsireya's former friends glared and glared as they stared down seeing her practising more and more with Sylwa for the dance. They looked so happy together. And it made them bitterly jealous.

It was getting near sunset so after one final performance, Sylwa decided it was time to head back for some well-needed dinner. She was feeling very hungry and she always said to herself. 'Never start the next day with an empty stomach'.

She was making her way to the village when the girls surrounded her ago. She groaned. But she wasn't going to let her humiliate her like this again. "Don't go blaming me for Tsireya ending her friendship with her girls. You behaved very badly,"

The tallest girl, now the leader of the gang marched upon her. "You think just because you're gonna perform with her at the Tulkun Gathering, you're one of us now? Well, you will never be one of us. Because you're a freak. And you always will be,"

"Just because someone's different, doesn't mean you have to be so mean," Sylwa marched back at her. "So, I suggest you all get out of my way unless you wanna get into trouble,"

The girl suddenly pushed her down, grabbed a torch of fire attached to a pole and held it down at her. Sylwa shuddered. She cackled. "Is the forest girl scared of fire?" she walked on her and the girl's twin shuffled back.

Then out of nowhere, Aonung came and grabbed the torch throwing it away. "That is enough," he pointed at them. "Leave her alone," he offered a hand to a surprised Sylwa and helped her up. "She's performing with Tsireya tomorrow and that's that. Now I suggest you get out of here before you get into any trouble,"

The girls just sent rude faces and stalked off. "Thank you," said Sylwa gratefully; she hadn't expected Aonung at all but that act of defence showed everything was good between them.

"Word of advice. Get over your fear by finding a reason to not be afraid of it,"

"I'll take that on board. Thanks again," Sylwa returned to her hut and lay down on her mat.

Kiri lay down next to her. "Excited about tomorrow?"

"Yes. But I'm scared as well. What if I screw up?"

"You won't," Kiri assured. "You're gonna do very well,"

Lo'ak came inside. He looked very unhappy. "Lo'ak?" Sylwa sat up.

"I don't wanna talk about it," he sounded more upset than last time.

"Was it Neteyam again?"

He didn't need to answer.

"What did he do?" asked Kiri.

Sylwa sat up straight, feeling good to tell someone else in their family. "Neteyam called him 'selfish' the other day. And he tried to get between us and our friends,"

"I'm sure he didn't mean it like that," Kiri tried to console not wanting anything to be tense between their elder brother and their younger siblings.

"He did," said Lo'ak clearly upset with him for his behaviour.

"Please don't tell Mum and Dad," Sylwa begged her.

"Tell Mum and Dad what?" the girls were alarmed to see Jake entering the hut. They held their tongues tight. "What's going on?" he asked.

Sylwa struggled to think but Kiri spoke up first. "We were just talking about how excited we are to watch Sylwa perform with Tsireya tomorrow. Right Lo'ak?" he didn't move. "Right, Lo'ak?!"

"Mm? Oh yes," he sat up quickly, putting up a happy face. Jake glanced at him sceptically as if to say' You're hiding something. "I'm just really tired. It's been a long day and we're all just upset about what's happened,"

"Well, I can't wait to see you perform with Tsireya, Sylwa," Neytiri entered the tent with Neteyam and Tuk. "Better get some rest, everyone,"

They all departed to bed and as they slept, the twins shared glances with Kiri and blinked, mouthing 'thank you'. Kiri smiled back. At least she, Tsireya, Tuk, Aonung and especially Atuiko supported their friendship with their saviours. But it seemed as if Neteyam never would. The eldest Sully kid tried to make facial contact with Lo'ak but the boy turned his back at him, clearly resentful of him for trying to get him to forget about Tsu'tey. He just hoped he'd know that he was only looking out for his well-being.

The sun was rising high at a quick rate the next morning. They were all rolling up mats when they heard loud cheers from outside. They peeped outside and saw giant Tulkuns entering the Metikyena's waters in the distance. They were ginormous and they looked so excited.

"Everybody!" cried out Tsireya who was in the water riding her ilu. "Our brothers and sisters have returned!" she steered her ilu towards the Sullys. "I want you to meet my spirit sister, Sylwa!"

Sylwa excitedly hopped behind her and held on as they dove underwater. Atuiko and Roxto then appeared on separate ilus. "Come and join us Lo'ak," the youngest offered a hand and Lo'ak excitedly climbed behind him and they dove off as well. Neteyam called his own ilu. Tuk and Kiri mounted their own ilu and Jake summoned his trained Skimwing and he and his mate dived underwater after their children.

As skimwings and ilus leapt to and fro out of the water towards the Metikyena's spiritual brothers and sisters, the Sully children were awed by such an atmosphere and joy and friendships. High above, flying on their skimwings, Tonowari and Soxato smiled seeing the people so full of happiness seeing their family-brethren. Soxato saw a familiar Tulkun, his spirit brother and with a pat on the side of his mount, he dove underwater.

"Look!" Tsireya pointed towards a beautiful Tulkun with tattoo swirls on her jaws. "It's my spirit sister!"

"She's so beautiful," admired Sylwa.

"Come on!" they dived underwater and Sylwa's heart soared seeing all the sea Navi and sea creatures swimming together in sync and harmony. They swam towards Tsireya's spirit sister who detected their presence and she squeaked with delight upon seeing her Navi spirit sister. The girls dismounted their ilu and swam towards her.

Tsia, I see you sister. Tsireya signed to her.

I see you, sister Tsireya. The young Tulkun squeaked back to her.

This is my friend Sylwa. She introduced her Navi friend.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Sylwa. Tsia said kindly.

It's a pleasure to meet you too. Sylwa signed. You're very beautiful.

Thank you. You're beautiful too. You're a Forest Navi. What brings you here to the sea?

It's quite a long story. Tsireya explained. She and her family have adapted well to our way of life. They've become such good divers.

Tsireya was such a wonderful teacher. Sylwa signed. We never would have learnt the way of water without her. It's so beautiful learning about an entirely new culture. And I have especially loved learning how to dance underwater.

Let's dance! The Tulkun suggested. Whilst the girls did backwards flips with gleeful smiles, Tsia did an underwater rotation, squeaking playfully.

Lo'ak and the boys dived underwater until they came across a trio of Tulkun. The boys smiled. They dismounted and swam over to them. The two smallest ones squeaked together seeing the brothers.

I see you, Brother. The darkest one said to Roxto.

I see you, Brother. The lightest one said to Atuiko.

The boys signed 'I see you' to them and they squeaked back.

This is one of my best friends Lo'ak. Atuiko introduced him to his spirit brother Alo.

Charmed to meet you Lo'ak. Alo squeaked back.

It's lovely to meet you. He replied back.

Lo'ak glimpsed at the other Tulkun who was floating nearby. Hello. He signed. What's your name?

The larger Tulkun with tattoo markings looked sad. Still, she answered to him. My name is Aloa.

Lo'ak turned his head to the two brothers, facially asking them why she was so sad.

She is our mother's spirit sister. Signed Roxto. Lo'ak couldn't begin to imagine how heartbroken how Aloa was to be here with no spirit sister to see. She had only come along because she wanted to see her sons and hopefully her sister's mate. They would often sing and we'd all gather together to watch them.

Lo'ak turned to Aloa with empathy. I'm so sorry for your loss. He swam over to stroke her hide and she purred, touched by his generosity.

You're very kind. She said to him. I see you, Lo'ak, best friend to my spirit sister's youngest son.

Lo'ak was warmed by the Tulkun's acknowledgment towards him.

Underwater spying on them was Soxato and his spirit brother: Zoxo. They watched as Lo'ak comforted the spirit sister of Soxato's late mate and she spoke to him.

Your sons look very happy with him. Zoxo said to him.

I know but I fear for them. That boy, two of his sisters and their father carry the blood of those who come from above. And I'm afraid that something is about to happen because of their presence.

You mustn't see them for their blood. If your youngest son sees this boy from the forest, then so should you. At least give him a chance.

I don't know how. Soxato confessed, deep grief on his face.

I am sorry for your pain. I miss your mate as well. She was the finest singer in this clan.

I worry so much of losing my sons.

Zoxo squeaked in sympathy.

As the day passed, stories were shared, babies and kids had fun with baby ilus and they danced and sang together. The midnight sun came and it was time for Tsireya to do her special underwater performance with her choice of partner. And that partner was Sylwa. It was meant to be a surprise. But now that it was about to happen, Sylwa was panicking so much.

As the Navi gathered on one side of the cove and the Tulkun on the other, the girls stood at the rock pools with their siblings to wish them luck. All except Neteyam who felt like she would not want to talk to him again after his second terrible conversation with Lo'ak.

"I…I…I can't do this," Sylwa was panicking right now. She was so excited before but now she was so horrified. "I'm gonna embarrass myself,"

"Hey. Hey," Lo'ak grasped her forearms. "You can do this. I know you can,"

"We all believe in you," said Atu. "Now go out there and show them what you both got,"

"It'll be all right. We'll do it with our eyes closed. Just like we practised before," said Tsireya. "I'll be with you the whole time,"

Sylwa took in a deep breath and exhaled deeply. "Okay. I'm ready,"

"Good luck you two," Aonung bid.

"Break a leg!" said Kiri excitedly. The three Sea Navi kids stared at her. "It's a sky people thing which means 'good luck,"

Tsireya held out her hand and Sylwa took it with a smile. Then together they dived into the water. And then the siblings went to join their families. Underwater Tonowari and Ronal watched intently for their daughter, expecting her to have picked a partner. Ronal hoped that by now she would have made out with her former friends and picked one of them. But to her surprise, Sylwa appeared with her in sight.

Tonowari saw how sceptical she looked. I'm sure they will put on a great show. He signed.

But it has always been a tradition for her to have one of our own people perform with her. Ronal had grown less sceptical of the Sullys over the months they had spent here but she wasn't comfortable about a forest Navi with 'daemon' blood performing her with their daughter.

I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Perhaps Sylwa will surprise us.

Jake and Neytiri watched intently as their daughter floated underwater with Sylwa. Neytiri was very excited. Jake however was quite agitated. She'll be fine. His mate signed to him.

Tuk and Kiri glimpsed at each other excitedly. Neteyam looked over to Lo'ak who was holding hands with Atu. He really didn't know how to approach him again without sparking another argument about Lo'ak's spirit brother. Their mother noticed his unhappy face and furrowed her eyes. She had noticed a bit of a distance forming between them these last few nights and she wanted to know what it was.

A Sea Navi on a Skimwing above the surface, blew the horn and the Tulkun ducked their heads underwater to watch the show. Facing each other Sylwa and Tsireya nodded. The show commenced. The first thing they did was wiggle their bodies like mermaids to the surface. As their heads surfaced above the water and they sucked in huge gallons of oxygen deep into their chests, they flipped back underwater and wiggled again downwards before rotating around in a circle opposite one another, twirling around like ballet dancers and then doing spiral flips. They then positioned themselves upside down and did synchronise dancing with their feet whilst waving their arms and spinning around.

The crowd were impressed. Lo'ak and Atuiko clapped. So did Kiri and Tuk. Neteyam smiled. Neytiri was amazed. Jake couldn't help but smile. He was impressed. Tonowari was impressed. Ronal was impressed a little. Tsireya's former friends however watched resentfully at the girl she had 'chosen' over them. And though many children were amazed. Many Sea Navi parents who had disliked Sylwa hanging out with their kids earlier remained sceptical of her as ever. Meanwhile, all the Tulkun including Tsia were amazed. They were impressed.

The girls did kicks and flips. Then they held hands and spun around in a fast circle before letting go and spinning all around the water. They swam back to the surface and did leaps to and fro, doing more kicks and leg spins. Then for the finishing touch, they dived down again, swimming up and over one another and then did splits underwater and spun around before swimming straight up. The performance was done. The Tulkun squeaked, praising them.

"You were amazing," Tsireya breathed to Sylwa.

"You were too," Sylwa held up a hand and Tsireya high-fived. They heard loud clapping and cheering and they saw a majority of their audience clapping and praising for them.

"We did it," breathed Sylwa. "I will never panic about performing with you ever again,"

The rest of the day passed and nothing was more enjoyable for the Sullys and all their Metkayina friends than to chill out and play with all the majestic whale creatures. Sadly, the sun was setting and it was time for the sea Navi's spiritual brethren to depart for the open waters. They waved their goodbyes and watched as they disappeared into the sunset.

On a clifftop, Sylwa and Tsireya sat together, the former drawing a picture of a Tulkun in her sketchbook. No one was nearby. Especially her dad. "It's beautiful," said Tsireya.

"Thanks. I really wish I could share this talent with everyone. Today, was so wonderful," she breathed. "Your spiritual sister was so friendly,"

"I'm really glad she liked you," Tsireya noticed something was off about her. "You okay?"

"I just wish that Payaka had been here to enjoy it. She should have been part of this," Sylwa felt a deep dent in her heart, feeling upset that her Tulkun friend and saviour had been a part of this joyful tradition. Tsireya pursed her lips, wishing there was something she could say to comfort her.

"Hey, girls!" Lo'ak and Atuiko said excitedly as they came onto the scene.

"You two were amazing!" Atuiko side-hugged Tsireya whilst Lo'ak did the same with Sylwa. They sat beside them.

"And you thought you weren't gonna bellyflop," teased Lo'ak to his twin, making the other two chuckle. He sighed, looking out to sea. "Today really was a wonderful day,"

Tsireya noticed that Atuiko was sniffling. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," he wiped his eyes.

"Atu…" Sylwa spoke, softly.

"Seeing Aloa made me think of Mum again. It made me remember how they loved singing all the time,"

"Come here," Tsireya hugged him. "It's okay," he yawned as he wiped his eyes.

"Let's get you to bed," said Lo'ak, knowing some well-needed sleep is what he'd need. He sniffled and nodded. "Come here," he came over and came him a warm hug. "There. There. It's okay,"

The girls exchanged tearful glances. The three accompanied the young heartbroken kid to his family hut where they saw Roxto waiting for them. He too was a little tear-stricken. The trio expressed pitiful faces to him, deciding not to say anything. They exchanged good nights before Tsireya went back to her own hut and the twins started to head back to theirs.

"I hope he'll be okay," said Lo'ak.

"He will. So long as we're there for him," Sylwa assured him.

"I'm very proud of you sis," the boy twin had never been prouder of his girl twin. "You truly are an artist of dancing,"

Sylwa smiled. She hugged him tightly. "And you truly are the best twin in the world,"

"I'm the only best twin in the world," his statement made her chuckle.

They continued making their way onward. To their utter surprise, they saw groups of children rushing towards them, to see Sylwa. They were clapping and cheering.

"Hey, easy kids. Give her some space,' ushered Lo'ak gently but they ignored him.

"You were amazing," a girl clapped.

"Will you perform for us again?" a boy begged.

"One day I will," she promised. "But right now, I'm so tired," she yawned.

"Let her have some beauty sleep," Lo'ak said firmly. The kids whined and stomped off. "Don't worry. You'll get another cool performance soon,". As they walked back, they saw the parents of those kids peeking out from their huts. They looked very distrustful. They were disliked. It had been months and still, many of the Metkayina didn't really like them at all. Sylwa felt rejected. Lo'ak felt quite alone, judging from all those harsh glares. They chose to ignore them and continue on their way but they heard one parent talk sternly to their kid, "Stay away from those two. They have daemon blood. Nothing will change that,"

They held hands and made it back in. Their mother was waiting for them. She had a proud smile but it fell when she saw how upset they looked. "Twins?". But the two just walked inside, not glancing at anyone. They retreated to bed without saying a word.

That's this chapter done. What did you all think? Please let me know what you all thought. By the way, I added a bit more dialogue between Lo'ak and his grandfather in the previous chapter just in case you all got confused during the discussion between Lo'ak and Atuiko. Please let me know what you all thought. Thank you all so much for your support. See you all soon