Chapter Text
Lo’ak took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He opened his mouth only to pause as he felt the air thicken around the struggling pair that were Arvok’s and Tsu’tey’s parents. Lo’ak noticed a bright light headed right for Artsut and Ateyo. His eyes widened in surprise and fear as a sour smell filled the air. “Get away from them! NOW!” He screamed at the top of his voice. The Na’vi near him flinched at the sudden volume and looked at Lo’ak. He was wearing an expression of terror as Roxto and those with him abruptly released their captives and ran back to join the clan. Tsu’tey gave a parting bow to the chief-to-be before he faded away as if he’d never been there in the first place.
The light slammed into Ateyo and his mate, causing an explosion that blew Arvok off his feet and onto the sand. He got up, spitting sand from his mouth and turned to his former parents. Artsut and Ateyo were covered in vines. A white dome separated them from the others. Arvok drew a knife but Lo’ak shouted at him, “DON’T ARVOK! IT’S POISON!” Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd. Jake stepped closer to his son. “What do you mean?” He inquired. Lo’ak’s face was grim as he explained. “I’ve seen this before. It’s called Assasin’s Deadly Nightmare Elation. It’s a very fast acting poison that targets the senses and blood.” Artsut began to giggle, her eyes roaming freely, her expression lax. Spider spoke. “Is there a cure? What makes it so deadly?” A huanted expression came over Lo’ak’s face.
“It takes away all the senses excpet for touch. The victim can’t notice anything different at first. They slowly begin to lose their sight, smell, taste and hearing.” Ateyo and Artsut were beginning to panic as what Lo’ak discribed also began to happen to them. They flinched as if they were bitten by something. Thier bonds tightened around them. Their expressions turned happy and they smiled wildely before they quickly became uncomfortable. They began to squirm and shake before they tried to scratch and claw at themselves. “Lo’ak?” asked Tsireya, a little worried. “Their happiness is the worst part. It’s the final stage before their blood begins to boil leaving them in agony until they pass. The only way that you can tell it’s around is if you sense an electric charge for no reason and smell something sour. Once the vines have you, you’re done for. There is no cure.” Lo’ak said grimly. Jake frowned. “How do you know this?” Artsut and Ateyo began to scream and cry, tears pouring down their faces as they tried in vain to get away.
Lo’ak looked apologetically at Spider. “I’ve seen this happen before with Quaritch.” He said flatly. The Sulleys were slient as they processed what had just been revealed. Spider’s face was an indifferent mask. “Good riddance.” was all he said. Artsut and Ateyo twitched a final time and lay still. Lo’ak turned to Arvok. “I’m sorry for your loss,” He began before Arvok interrupted. “It’s ok. I lost my parents years ago, not long after my brother died. I am sorry to bother you though.” He said regretfully. Lo’ak sighed. “Apology accepted this time. If your family bothers us again, we will not be so lenient.” He said firmly. Arvok nodded. His expression turned wistful as he looked at Ni’awtu.
“I’m sorry, Ni’awtu. Are you sure you want to stay here?” He asked. Ni’awtu scowled at Arvok and crossed her arms. “This is my home and family. This is where I belong. You gave up the right to be my father when you let your parents take me away and leave me for dead.” She said coldly. Arvok frowned. “I had nothing to do with that.” He protested. “That’s right. You didn’t.” Ni’awtu agreed. Arvok’s face lit up with hope, only to be dashed quickly away by the girl’s next sentence. “You just didn’t do anything to stop them whenever they tried.” Arvok reeled back trying to regain his balance from the blow he’d been dealt. Lo’ak winced in sympathy and lightly squeezed Ni’awtu’s shoulder. Once Arvok was steady again, he turned to Lo’ak. He smiled softly, his expression forlorn with regret and bittersweet understanding in his eyes. “I understand. May you be happy with your family, Ms. Sully. I’m sorry for what happened. I won’t bother you again.” Arvok whispered, his body slumped in defeat. He turned to Tsireya and Lo’ak and inclined his head. “Thank you, Chief Lo’ak, for being to Ni’awtu what I failed to be. And may your riegn as chief be prosporous.” Arvok said respectfully. He gave a low bow. “Thank you.” said Lo’ak shortly. Sensing that he had overstayed his welcome, Arvok rapidly got his parents’ remains on his ikran and flew off into the night.
“Well, it appears we won’t be needing that six month trial for you after all, Lo’ak.” said Tonowari cheerfully. Lo’ak turned to him. “What do you mean?” He asked bewildered. His father-in-law smiled at him. “Lo’ak, you just proved that you’re more than ready to be the Olo’eyktan!” He said gently. Lo’ak blinked, bewildered. “I was just trying to protect my daughter!” He protested. “You also kept the well being of the clan in mind and made sure everyone got to safety once you noticed the pioson was coming.” Neteyam reminded him. Lo’ak frowned. Jake smiled and put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “You’re ready, son.” He said softly. Lo’ak bit the inside of his cheek and looked at the others around him. Everyone was wearing an expression of love and support. Lo’ak sighed and smiled. “Alright.” He agreed. Cheers of joy exploded around the new chief as he took his mate’s hand and held it. Lo’ak saw that Ronal had taken Silvia and was gently rocking her back and forth, trying to calm her from the sudden canopy of noise. Seeing that Ao’nung was distracted with trying to hold Moriko and answer Tuk at the same time, Lo’ak leaned down to whisper to Tsireya. “Remind me to send Ao’nung on a trip to Raven’s Point in a few days.” Tsireya frowned in confusion. “Why?” She whispered. Lo’ak smiled. “If we can convince him to make a surprise visit to Adella’s village, I think it would do him some good. And if they just happen to come across some medical supplies and a hut that I just happened to find……” He trailed off. Tsireya grinned. “And the fact that there’s a house placed there that just happens to be what they need would be a total coindence, I’m sure. More so if it just happened to be filled with what they need to live comfortably.” She agreed airliy. “Exactly.” Lo’ak said, happy that she was willing to help him with the idea. Tsireya smirked. “We’ll have to have our parents and siblings help, but it should be do-able.” She agreed. “Perfect.” said Lo’ak in satisfaction. The two of them sat there with Lo’ak’s arm wrapped around Tsireya’s shoulder. They were together with their families, and had become the new leaders. The clan was safe and so was their family. Lo’ak smiled. Life was good and tomorrow would be a new beginning of a new day.
THE END