Avatar Sideblog

It would have been an odd sight for Navi or human alike to see a 9 year old Navi child riding a galloping thanator through the forest. How could one so young have bested such a mighty foe? Well, their bond was more the result of luck on Tsiltsan's part more than any advanced skill she possessed at such a young age. She bonded with the creature when they were both small children (much to the surprise of both their mothers) and Aki loved Tsiltsan so much that he continued to let her ride him once he had grown.

On the horizon a mountain began to move. Clouds kicked up and consumed the sky. Panic set into Tsiltsan's mind as she saw a ship take to the air and in a moment streak away into oblivion. She might already be too late.

Sensing her distress, Aki picked up the pace. It was all Tsiltsan could do not to fall off the fully grown beast, but she needed to go faster. Ever faster.

Soon they were at the gate, they bounded over barricades, past alarmed Navi soldiers, shouting warnings at each other, confused by the site in front of them.

At the center of the compound, Jake, Netyiri, Norm, and other high ranking rebellion soldiers observed the seemingly endless line of sky people as they shamefully shuffled into the evacuation ships.

Jake heard a curfuffle in the distance, then looking curiously in the direction of the noise saw something he couldn’t explain.

“Hey uuuuh Neytiri?” Jake started,

“What?” She answered shortly, focused on ensuring every sky person was headed away from her forest.

“You said you were the first Navi to ever ride a Palulukan into battle right?” He asked.

“Yes!” She said, beaming with pride.

“Then what am I looking at over here?” He said, gesturing.

Neytiri looked just in time to see Tsiltsan leap overhead on Aki’s back. The beast ran right up to one particular Sky person, bowling him over as he fell out of line.

Everyone stood at attention, weapons drawn, until Tsiltsan’s small but powerful voice rang out over the shouts of panic.

“FATHER!” She says it in English

Silence falls.

“Father! Father look at me! Please! Tell them who you are! They’ll let you stay. They won’t punish you as much as the Sky People will so why? Why won’t you stay with me???” She pleaded.

The small man righted himself slightly from being knocked over. He looked pitifully at the floor, he could not look at Tsiltsan.

“My Avatar body died. I can’t live here without it.” He said

“Yes you can! There are other humans staying. Human like you who-“ she started

“No Tsiltsan.” He interrupted

“Why not!” She asked

“Because it goes against Hashem!” He said

“What?” She asked

“I have to be buried on Earth when I die Tsiltsan. I didn’t think it would come to this, but with the RDA leaving for good-” he explained

“But why? You’ve told me about Has’em. I see no reason why you’d need to be buried on earth to be with him” she said

“Would you choose me over Eywa?” He interrupted

“Eywa would not make me choose! Father, this is madness! You’d sever the eternal tie to your own children? What will I do? When it’s my turn to go to the ancestors. What will I do if you aren’t there waiting?” Tsiltsan was becoming hysterical, her father hugged her close.

“Oh Tsiltsan. I’m sorry this is so hard on you, but I think you’re the only one that’s going to miss me.” He said

“No! No! It’s not true! Mother- Mitka-el, Entu” she said

“So where are they?” He said

Tsiltsan has no answer.

“I’ve done too much to these people. I can’t live with them.” He said.

“You never raised a weapon against them! Toruk Makto is right here! We can reason with him, he will offer you a path to REDEMPTION” she screamed

“No Tsiltsan” he said shortly

“BUT WHY” she pleaded

“I’m too weak to live here, in my human body, without the RDA. I’m not a fighter. This was supposed to be the path of least resistance, but I’ve failed. This was all a mistake.” He said.

“Was mom a mistake? Were we? Was I?” She sniffled.

“You were NEVER a mistake. Entu I’m not so sure. Try not to let him get your goat.” He said.

“I still don’t know what that means!!!!” She bawled

“Tsiltsan. You’ll be better off without me. I hope one day you can see that.” And with that he stood.

“You could fix this if you tried!” She cried.

“I love you Tsiltsan. Always remember I love you. My daughter.” He turned away from her.

“You’re just going to give up??? You’re really leaving me? But! But! You’ll never see me again!!!! Please dad! DADDY” she called after him.

He did not say another word. Just rejoined the line.

Tsiltsan’s anguished cries grew louder as he marched down the line, until she could not see him.

Ship after ship took off. And Tsiltsan still remained, curled on the floor. Wailing hysterically, shouting profanities in every language she knew to the sky.

Finally Norm felt he should say something.

“We gotta get the kid out of here. She’s really interfering with our procedures here.” He said

“You wanna tell the kid with the thanator lapping up her tears that she’s crying too loud?” Asked Jake.

“Well no. That’s why I’m asking you” Jake sighed heavily, already accepting his fate, but when he turned, he saw Neytiri was already halfway to Tsiltsan.

“Where is your mother, child?” Neytiri asked softly

“In the forest,” said Tsiltsan quietly,

“Does she know where you are?” Neytiri questioned gently.

“Yes.” She said, Neytiri gave her a look “I didn’t tell her, but she must know. We’re going back to the reef soon. Now that the fighting’s over. I had to come here. I had to. ” she trailed off.

“This is a fine mount you have, I’ve never seen another Palulukan rider before.” Said Neytiri.

Tsiltsan’s eyes grew wide. “You’ve ridden a thanator?”

“Yes” said Neytiri “she saw the fire in my heart and we rode together in battle. She gave her life to defeat a great evil. But why are you surprised, you ride one yourself” asked Neytiri.

“Oh yeah. I guess that’s true, but Aki’s not like a regular thanator. He’s a big softy” Tsiltsan scratched Aki’s neck and he made a noise almost akin to cooing. The two nuzzled each other like a pair of playful zukzuk.

Neytiri took in the scene with a bit of confusion, but still breathed a sigh of relief. It may be hard to believe, but this thanator seemed tame. Still Neytiri couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous that a mere child had achieved something she had so prided herself on, but then again, as she watched the beast roll into its back to receive belly scratches, she had to admit that Aki was unlike any thanator she’d ever seen.

When the child and her emotional support apex predator had settled down, Neytiri stated her request.

“I can see Aki is special, important to you, but you cannot stay here with him.” She said

“I’m not leaving until the last ship goes.” Tsiltsan’s eyes filled with tears. Neytiri bent close to her, placing a hand on her shoulder “maybe he hasn’t left yet, maybe he’ll change his mind.” She finished. Neytiri sighed.

“You can stay. Aki is making everyone nervous, child.” Neytiri finally just came out and said it.

“Oh!” Tsiltsan hadn’t noticed. She made a few gestures and clicks at Aki, who almost nodded before bounding into the forest.

When he had gone, Tsiltsan sat down, still staring at the now dwindling line of sky people. She was still crying, but her face was all screwed up, as though she were trying to appear very serious. Neytiri sat down next to her. The two sat in silence for what felt like forever to Tsiltsan.

Eventually Jake joined them.

“So, what are we doing over here?” He asked, plopping down on Tsiltsan’s other side.

“We are waiting, to see if Tsiltsan’s father changes his mind,” said Neytiri calmly.

“Ahh kid I don’t think” Jake didn’t want her to get her hopes up.

“JAKE” Neytiri stopped him. The three of them sat and waited a little while longer. Until the last ship’s engines roared to life and blasted off. The Navi who had been observing the evacuation began to cheer, all around the compound burst to life.

Tsiltsan put her head in her lap, covering her face with both hands. She tried to cry as quietly as she could. She’d caused enough trouble already. And this was supposed to be a happy day for all Navi. She couldn’t prove how much of a freak she was by being sad.

Navi soldiers were pouring out of the complex. This was one of the final acts of the war, and it was done. The only battle ahead lay in rebuilding their homes and restoring the land, and maybe lending a hand to the few humans who had helped win the war. The complex was to be largely abandoned after today.

Congratulations were being exchanged. Parties planned. Couples kissed. But Tsiltsan sat there, hands over her face, feeling more alone than she ever had.

“I lost my father as well” Neytiri said softly “He was olo’eyktan. A great man. I still cannot believe he is gone. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life because he was my father, but” Neytiri paused, still crouching, but she looks Tsiltsan in the face when she says this “I will also miss him because he was a brave warrior. He died fighting to protect the people, and that is the mission he gave to me with his dying breath. I am tsahik in waiting. This world is worse with him not in it. Your father was weak. And I know he is weak because he throws away his daughter’s love like it is nothing. He runs from his children, and his mistakes. You are strong. There is so much love in your heart. That is what makes you strong. You are better off without him, child. Go home.”

Tsiltsan sat quietly, taking in her words. “But why? Why did he leave me? Doesn’t he love me?” She asked very quietly to no one in particular.

“It’s his damage, not yours” said Jake. “I mean, it’s not your fault he’s leaving. That man clearly has his own demons to fight.”

“What?” Said Tsiltsan.

“He is at war with himself. And he has decided he must lose. He has chosen the path of self destruction. You could not save him from it, child. It was never for you to do.” Neytiri tried to clarify.

“But I’m here. I’m the one who came” said Tsiltsan, still not fully understanding what the adults were trying to say. Neytiri sighed,