Norm Spellman walked quietly through the underbrush of Pandora's forest. His blue feet making soft footprints in the mud, he looked up into the drizzle that made it through the canopy. He closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the forest, a Sturmbeest trumpeted far in the distance, and something was buzzing around a stand of trees to his left, possibly a nest of Hellfire Wasps. Opening his eyes, he took in the beauty of the forest around him. Ever since the RDA left Pandora, his life had changed for the better. His understanding of the Na'vi, the Omaticaya, and the deep connection with Eywa, had grown farther than he had expected. He realized, finally, that this was the life he should have been born to.

His first Avatar body had been killed during the battle for the Tree of Souls, but there had been a shipment, sent by an automated ISV that was carrying supplies to the now abandoned RDA facility, and it had the supplies to clone Avatars, just enough for three or four bodies. That gave him his second chance, and it gave his colleague and friend, Dr. Max Patel, the chance to finally become one with Pandora and her children.

A sudden sound brought him out of his reverie. He opened his eyes and let his nose sniff the air. Hexapede. He looked around and found his target. It stood eating some Pandoran grass, completely oblivious to its life ticking down to its last seconds. Norm raised his bow and leveled it, the arrow pointing directly at his target. With a slow breath he pulled back, closed his eyes, and let loose. A cry came from the Hexapede as it fell over. Norm, as quick and graceful as any Na'vi, crossed the distance and knelt by the kill.

"Oelngati kameie, maTsmukan, ultengaru seiyi ireiyo.Ngari hu Eywa saleu tirea,tokx'ì'awnsluNa'viyä hapxì."

He quickly took his knife and plunged it into the Hexapedes heart, ending its physical life.

Jake Sully walked quietly over and knelt next to Norm, putting a hand on his friends shoulder. "Well done my friend, that was a clean kill. Are you ready?"

Norm took his knife out of the Hexapede and sheathed it. He looked over to Jake and nodded. "I am, Olo'eyktan."

Jake smiled and opened his mouth to say something, but clearly decided against whatever he was going to say. "Then you must climb Iknimaya." He stood and helped Norm carry the carcass back to the village. "And what did I say about calling me clan leader while we're alone?"

Norm laughed, "Sorry Jake, I'm just used to all the formalities. Especially around Neytiri, she's a stickler for that stuff."

"Do you see Neytiri around Norm?" Jake looked around, as if not sure of that himself. He shook his head and reassured himself mentally that she was back in the village, but wouldn't put it against her that she would follow him on this journey. She was after all, the one who had taught him all of this "Tree-hugger crap".

Norm did almost exactly the same thing. When their eyes connected, they both let out a shaky laugh, and walked the rest of the way back to the village in a comfortable silence, letting the sounds of the forest wash over them.


Authors Note: I know the first chapter was short, but I was just stretching my wings, so to speak. They do get longer and more flavorful, for lack of a better word.