ULTRAVIOLENCE //JAKE SULLY

Thirteen

Jake, Trudy and Norm all sat inside the shack in front of a computer screen that broadcasted a live feed of Max. Max was giving intel about the events happening inside hell gate.

"Jake it's crazy here," he began with a shake of his head before continuing, "it's full mobilization. They're rigging the shuttle as a bomber. They've got these huge pallets of mine explosives. It's for some kind of shock-and-awe campaign".

"Fricking daisy cutters" Trudy broke through with a shake of her head and a scoff.

"Quaritch has taken over. He's rolling, and there's no stopping him" Jake looked down before looking back at max through the screen, "when?" "0600 tomorrow"

Before max could continue an urgent voice calling his name pulled him away from the screen and promptly ending the call leaving the trio with their thoughts at the new information.

Norm was the first to speak as he held his arms up with a scoff, "We're screwed"

Trudy let out a bitter laugh before speaking, "and I was hoping for some sort of tactical plan that didn't involve martyrdom-" she sighed, "we're going up against gunships with bows and arrows"

Jake swallowed before turning his head to look at Trudy and Norm, "I have 15 clans out there, that's over 2,000 warriors," he paused, "Now, we know these mountains, we fly them, you fly them," he pointed at Trudy, "they don't. Their instruments won't work up here. Missile tracking won't work. They'll have to fire a line of sight. If they bring the fight to us, then we have the home-field advantage" he finished determined.

A pause occurred before Trudy spoke up, "You know he's gonna commit that bombed straight to the tree of souls" Jake sighed before nodding his head, "yeah, I know"

Norm rubbed his hand over his face, "If they get to the Tree of souls, it's over. That's their direct line to Eywa, ancestors. It'll destroy them"

Jake tilted his head, "then I guess we'd better stop him"

🦋

Ri'lani walked around the clan, offering support for the clans that had joined them in their goal.

Her gaze caught site of Tsu'tey who stood off to the side chatting with other chiefs. The pair had not spoken since she had mated with Jake, understandably so of course but she couldn't help but feel quilt for her actions. Not guilt for mating with Jake of course but guilt for how everything had turned out.

She approached Tsu'tey the other chiefs taking notice of her and offering their goodbyes to Tsu'tey.

Tsu'tey stood with his back facing her a conflicted expression passing over his features.

"Tsu'tey," she whispered stepping forward, "I see you"

He sighed before turning around offering her a nod, "I see you Ri'lani" he muttered.

She observed him for a moment before letting out a sigh, "I have not gotten to talk to you since that day....I'm sorry for how it turned out"

He shook his head a sour expression on his face, "what? You mating with a sky person behind my back and your parents. Against our betrothal" he said feigning anger.

"Tsu'tey you will not make me regret it" she said her tone growing harsh as she glared at him, "I know deep down you feel relief"

Her statement was met with a scoff, "relief? Relief at this betrayal?!"

"I know deep down where your heart lies!" She yelled causing his anger to pause, "I would never have been her" she stated

He didn't answer instead looked down to the ground allowing Ri'lani to continue, "Tsu'tey I hold no anger to you for how you feel but you must understand why..." she sighed her eyes growing slick with tears, "Slywanin is a hole in this world that I can never fill, I didn't want to serve as reminder of what could of been had things been different"

Tsu'tey felt tears growing in his own eyes as his gaze stayed firm on the ground before he cleared his throat, "you are right...Slywanin was..." he didn't get to finish as he felt a lump form in his throat

Ri'lani looked at him in sympathy as she stepped forward offering a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know why you do this" he said finally looking up to her, "I hold no ill towards you, Ri'lani"

Ri'lani offered a small smile before looking down feeling a weight lift off her shoulders, "I truly am sorry for how it turned out"

"It is okay, you are happy Ri'lani. You deserve to be happy" he said offering her a pained smile

Her head tilted, "you do as well Tsu'tey" she said causing the man to look down in thought before he shook his head.

Changing the subject he let out a teasing smile, "how is the mighty Toruk Macto?" He teased her causing her to roll her eyes and let out a chuckle.

"Doing your dirty work" she teased causing him to hold his arms up in defense as he shook his head with a laugh.

A beat of silence passed over them as there laughter died down and they just stood watching the clan preparing around them.

"Do you still visit her?" Ri'lani asked referring to her sister.

A smile formed on Tsu'teys features as he whispered out, "always".

Ri'lani left it at that as she left one more comforting pat on his shoulder before moving to find Jake.

🦋

Jake sat hunched over the spirit tree as he kneeled down at the base of the tree, where graces ceremony had been done a week prior.

he looked down before beginning, "I'm probably just talking to a tree right now" a sigh broke through his lips as he brought his braid over his shoulder to connect with the tree, "but if your there, I need to give you a heads-up. If Grace is with you look into her memories.  See the world we come from. There's no green there. They killed their mother,  and they're gonna do the same here. More sky people are gonna come, They're gonna come like a rain that never ends, unless we stop them"

Unbeknownst to him Ri'lani creeped behind him quietly approaching Jake who was rambling to the tree in hopes of his rambles reaching Eywa.

"Look, you chose me for something. I will stand and fight, you know I will. But I need a little help here" he finished as he held his head low once again. Ri'lani took this as her opportunity to step forward and offer a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Jake upon her touch disconnected his braid and tilted his head towards her, "Our great mother does not take sides, Jake" Jake had stood now with Ri'lani putting her hand on his cheek rubbing it softly, "She protects only the balance of life"

Jake pulled his head away as he gazed up to the trees before he eventually turned back to Ri'lani, "it was worth a try"

Ri'lani offered a weak smile before resting her hands on his shoulders as he did the same to hers. The pair pulled each other together as they rested their foreheads against each others.

AUTHORS NOTE
So I decided not to start the war with this chapter because I wanted to see Tsu'tey get closure, something I felt that we never really saw in the movie. I wanted them to have a moment where they reflected on the events and forgave each other whilst also having a call back to slywanin and his relationship with her.
Also war is coming Yall....

published:07/21/24
Word count:1276
Edited:❌