I is on a roll. Hehehe, bad grammer. And yes, Maelwys Argent, I can take it like a man. A woman. I know the start of this will be slightly similar to Avatar (like, ya'll know clone Quaritch will join the Na'vi, no big surprise there. And I will not copy the film; I'd rather gorge out my eyes than copy), but I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve. 83 What my past readers always told me: I make a thriller and I always surprise them. So . . . hehehe. I've got a lot of ideas in my head, and I can't wait to use them. :D Even if that means scarring ya'll.

Eywa's Dance of Love and Life

10

Jake smiled gently as Neytiri painted his face with rich white paint. It was a special night for the Na'vi. According to Na'vi culture and religion, this was the day when the universe was born from Eywa. Children laughed, painting their faces with red, white, and green paint in curved lines over their cheeks and foreheads. Norm had his face painted with green paint, and he smiled. People threw branches in the middle of the village for a fire.

"You look handsome," Neytiri stated, smiling at her mate.

"And you look sevin," he whispered, pulling her into a hug.

Neytiri smiled, looking up at Jake. "Thank you," she stated, her tail twitched.

The Na'vi female placed the last of the make-up on, and looked at the markings. "Perfect," she stated.

Ma'ki then burst from the bushes, and over to Norm. "Norm!" he cried. "Norm!"

The taller Na'vi smiled, bending to the little boy's level. "Hey, Ma'ki, how are you?" he asked, ruffling the hair of the boy.

"Norm, sister found a Sky Person with scar on his face," he stated. He then glanced up at Jake. "He looks scary, be he nice."

Jake glanced at the boy, and then turned to where Tu'sky was coming from. Her ears were alert, and she glanced over the people. That was when Quaritch's AMP appeared. The people jumped, ready to attack. Neytiri felt fear rush through her body. No. No! Why is he here? The female Na'vi reached for her bow and arrows, preparing to fight. Her mate swatted away the weapon from her hands. Norm and Max were mortified, looking at the clone. Jake then rushed. "Quaritch!" he called.

Tu'sky then jumped in front of the AMP, her hands held out. "Wait!" she called.

Jake stopped before the smaller Na'vi. "I told you not to bring the Sky People here," he stated softly, yet sternly.

"But there was sign, like sign Neytiri saw with you," she breathed. "He was kind to the Atokirina'."

Jake looked at Quaritch. His face was deep in thought—it was like he was trying to remember who this Na'vi was before him. "I remember you," he stated, pointing at the once Avatar. "Jake Sully."

Jake pushed by Tu'sky, trying his best to protect his tribe member. "Why are you here?"

"Now before you do anything," Quaritch began, "I want to explain something: I had to get out of there."

"RDA?"

"Yes," the clone stated. "It's smothering there. I hate it."

Jake looked at the clone before him with surprise. He was different. Too different. A personality change. He had to remember that this was a clone. He could never mention that he was a clone. Neytiri approached, unsure of what to think. She was in awe that he was not the real Quaritch, but he looked so much like the real Quaritch. Mo'at watched silently from behind. Neytiri looked to her mother, who was very calm and cool. It was like she knew something that no one else knew. The clone sighed.

"Look, I understand why you are here, why you stayed here," he stated, pointing at the earth below him. "It's beautiful here, and not so smothering. I don't blame you. But, I do remember what happened. Because of you, most of my men died. But, my men killed your people. So we're even."

Jake looked at the man before him. Norm approached. His memory reeled when Quaritch looked at Norm. The clone turned to Norm, pointing at him. "I know you," he stated. "I just can't remember you name."

"Norm," the once-human stated.

"Right, Norm," he stated. He grunted. "Sorry about my crappy memory. I've been in a coma for eight years. My memory's shit."

Max then approached, and all three once-humans exchanged glances. Quaritch offered his robot hand to Jake. "So, listen, I'll make sure that none of my men touch your people," he stated with a smirk, thinking about Shimty. "I don't like what they are doing to you and your new people."

Jake looked at the offered robot hand. He could sense that he was not lying. Tu'sky could also sense it. But then Mo'at broke through the crowd, looking at the clone. Quaritch searched his tattered memory for who she was. Then he remembered: "Oh, the witchdoctor," he muttered to himself.

Mo'at closed her eyes, lifted her open hand, and waved it in front of the windshield, which caused him to look at her oddly. She opened her eyes. "He may stay," he whispered. "You have nice soul." She could sense it. When she met the real Quaritch, he radiated with so much hatred it could fuel many cars. This one was calm, cool . . . kind.

He arched an eyebrow to her. Jake then turned to his mate's mother. "But, are you sure he is not lying?" he whispered.

"I know that he is not," she stated. "He may stay."

Jake watched Mo'at walk away, and then turned to the clone. Neytiri was confused, just blankly looking at her mother. She knew something. Quaritch extended his hand again to Jake. The once-man smiled, and took the offered robot hand. "Deal," the tribe leader stated.

Quaritch smirked at Jake. "Okay," he stated.

Jake turned to his tribe, and exclaimed in Na'vi: "Let the party begin for Eywa!"

The tribe cheered, and one Na'vi stuck a fire. Quaritch turned to a tree, settling next to it, shutting down the machine. He reached over for his mask, and it suctioned onto his face. He popped the lid, and climbed out of the machine, landing on the grass. Ma'ki then rushed to the human, stunned to see how small he really was. Quaritch was roughly the boy's size.

"You're small!" Ma'ki exclaimed, laughing.

"No, you're damn big," he grumbled.

Tu'sky approached the man, glancing down at him. Even though she was smaller than most Na'vis, she was bigger than Quaritch. He glanced up at her. "So, what is this?" he inquired, following the Na'vis.

"A pongu," Tu'sky answered.

"What the hell is that?" Quaritch demanded.

Tu'sky looked at the smaller man. He had such a foul mouth. "A dance for the Great Mother Eywa," she answered, her hands raising up to the sky. "This is the day when Eywa created the universe."

Quaritch did not believe in a god, or goddess. Most humans did not nowadays. "Okay, so, how do you people celebrate?" he asked.

"Dance, drink, and food," Tu'sky stated.

Tu'sky sat on the dirt, her legs crossed. Ma'ki sat next to his sister, beaming brightly. Quaritch looked at the Na'vi, who were forming a circle. The light was fading away, and night was falling upon Pandora. Some men had stringed instruments, and began to play them. The clone kneeled next to Tu'sky, pointing at the instrument.

"What instrument is that?" he asked.

"The i'en," Tu'sky answered.

The men laughed and played their i'en loudly, cheering on the crowd to dance. Neytiri laughed, grabbing her mate's hands. "Come, Jhake!" she called, a smile on her face.

Jake laughed, joining his mate in front of the burning fire. They danced, laughing and cheering. A child with a dish for odd looking fruit or vegetable. She offered it to everyone, including Quaritch. He eyed the food. He leaded over to Tu'sky.

"What the hell is this?" he asked.

"Kì'ong," she answered, taking a bite out of it. Its juices poured out, rushing down her throat and neck. She gurgled slightly, laughing.

Quaritch smirked at her. He looked at the fruit. Ma'ki had the fruit's juices stained on his face. "Eat it, Miles," he cried, holding up his half-eaten kì'ong.

"I can't, kiddo," he stated, pointing at his mask.

"He needs that to breathe," Tu'sky told her brother.

"Oh," he breathed. He took another bite from the food.

Quaritch looked at the kì'ong. He would save that for later. He placed it on his lap, and watched the dancing. Another child came; a plate filled with a smaller fruit, and passed it to everyone. The clone took one, looking at it.

"This?"

"Kxener," Tu'sky answered.

He looked at it, smiling. Quaritch looked at both fruits, and kept them for later. There was singing, and dancing, laughter and joy. How could Quaritch hate these people so much? A person, who had to be an Avatar, was nursing her child in the background. Grace's Avatar science was lost, so people say. There were other rumors that Selfridge had sold that technology to other rich business people back on Earth. The female Na'vi beside him looked to the clone. She felt calm around him. It was odd, due to the fact she hated humans. But he radiated with something that she could not describe. And plus, by Na'vi standards, he was very ugly. But then again, maybe to humans he was good-looking . . . And to the Na'vi, Tu'sky was a plain Jane; there was only watered down beauty to her. But to a human, she was a, in their words, "a smoking hot babe." She sighed, and rubbed at her temples with her free hand in thought. This was all so confusing. But this was a party, and they were supposed to have fun. Tu'sky wiped her mouth, and turned to Quaritch. She offered her hands to him.

"Come," she stated.

He looked at her three-fingered hands. "What?" he asked, looking up at her.

"Dance with me," Tu'sky stated.

"The hell? No!" Quaritch barked.

Ma'ki reached over, gripping the clone's shoulders. "Rutxe! Rutxe," the boy begged.

He had no idea what the hell this boy was saying. Quaritch looked up at Tu'sky, who was beaming brightly. He smirked, taking her hands. "Fine, sweetheart," he stated.

She yanked him up, and pulled him over to the fire. Neytiri and Jake looked at the clone, surprised to see him with a female Na'vi. Tu'sky clapped her hands, and began to sway her hips. Quaritch smirked, enjoying what he was watching. Another plus was that she barely had anything on—just a loin cloth and a necklace made of feathers covering her breasts. She lowered her hands to his, and placed his hands on her hips.

"Hello," he stated, smirking widely.

Tu'sky smiled down at him. He pulled her closer, and watched as she turned against him, creating friction between them. Quaritch liked that. Meanwhile, Norm watched the two dance, his jaw open. The one he viewed as his sister was dancing with him? He growled. She broke away from him, and jumped, dancing around, cheering in her native tongue. Quaritch laughed, clapping his hands. He liked watching Tu'sky dance. It was hot. Ma'ki hooted, joining his sister. Tu'sky laughed, grabbing her brother's hands, and danced with him. The clone smiled, sitting down next to his fruits that he was saving. Neytiri stepped over to clone, unsure of what to do. Quaritch glanced up at her. Memories flooded his memories. He remembered her riding a Thanator, attacking him with snarls and growls. He blinked, thinking. Everything went blank. Neytiri gently smiled at him.

"You like?" she asked, sitting next to him, but an arm's distance from him. She was still afraid of this man next to her.

Quaritch nodded, smirking. "Yeah," he stated. He paused. "We didn't get along, did we?"

Neytiri shook her head. "No, not really," she answered.

Quaritch scoffed. "Gotcha," he breathed. The clone glanced up at her. "I'm sorry."

Neytiri looked deeply at him. Judging by his calm face and eyes, she could tell he was truthful. A calming smile formed on her lips. "I forgive you," she stated.

Quaritch nodded. He shifted himself into a low crouch, and leaded into Neytiri slightly. "So, um, Tu'sky single?" he asked silently.

Neytiri was unsure by what he meant. She cocked her head, looking at him. "I'm not sure what you mean," she stated.

The clone rubbed his neck, looking at the dancing Tu'sky. "I mean, does she have a man—a mate?" he asked.

"Oh!" Neytiri exclaimed. "No, why?"

Quaritch smirked deviously. "No reason, just askin'," he stated. "Just askin'."

Neytiri looked at the smirking colonel, unsure of what to do or even think. The night was coming to a close, and Quaritch had to leave. He grabbed the fruits, placing them in his compartments in his AMP. Ma'ki looked up at the machine with several other children, touching it and poking at it. Quaritch watched the children with a slight smirk on his face. Tu'sky and Neytiri walked over, herding the children away. The smaller female Na'vi looked up at the human.

"Going back to other Sky People?" she asked, her hand on the robot's arm.

"Yeah, sweetheart," he stated, strapping himself in. He checked the fruit in the pant pockets. "Well, see you soon."

"Yeah, bye," Tu'sky stated.

Quaritch turned on his machine, and it shook alive. Tu'sky stepped back and one of the hands reached up and closed the hood of the AMP. He paused the machine, turning on the air filter (a new feature in the AMPs) and it purified the air breathable for humans. He took off his mask, and strapped it to the side of the hook. He looked at the Na'vi, smirking at her, and waved her goodbye. She waved back, gently smiling. He walked off back towards Hell's Gate. It was starting to get crowded and congested with man and machine. Parker was standing in front of a building, tapping his foot. Quaritch stopped, looking at the business man.

"Aw, crap," he grumbled.

He sucked in some air, and walked over to the business man. Selfridge glanced up, his face thunderous. "Where have you been?" he demanded.

"Sorry, sir, got lost," Quaritch answered calmly.

"You have been missing for hours! Four god damn hours!" Selfridge screamed.

"I'm sorry," Quaritch stated. "Okay, let's just forget about that."

He walked by the glaring Selfridge. Quaritch went to the AMP room, and disabled his AMP. Rajian rushed over to the clone, looking up at him. "Where have you been?" he called. "I've been worried sick!"

"I know, I know," the clone stated, unbuckling himself. He jumped to the platform, joining Rajian. He wrapped his arm around the other man's shoulder. "You would not believe what just happened."

"What?" Rajian asked.

Quaritch smirked devilishly. He motioned for Rajian to follow. They went to the weight room, and Quaritch closed the door. The Indian man turned to the clone. "So, what is it?" he asked.

Quaritch pulled out a kì'ong fruit, and tossed it to Rajian, who quickly grabbed the alien fruit. "What is this?" he asked.

"Food, eat!" Quaritch laughed, pulling out another kì'ong fruit, and bit into it. Juice poured out of it, chuckling.

Rajian sniffed it, and then took a small bite. It tasted amazing. The Indian man smiled into the fruit. "Oh, Allah, this is good!" he cried.

"Try this," Quaritch mumbled through a full mouth, tossing the kxener fruit.

Rajian grabbed it, and bit into that. "This is good stuff," Rajian exclaimed. He paused, looking at the clone. "Miles, where did you get this?"

"Oh, the Na'vi."

Rajian looked at Miles with wide eyes. "You mean, you visited them?" he asked.

"Well," he began, biting into the fruit, "this sexy Na'vi girl asked me to come."

"How sexy?" Rajian asked, forgetting about his original question.

"Drop dead hot," Quaritch stated. "Rock-hard body, thin, and sexy. I got to dance with that gal!" He laughed at the memory. "That was good," he said, sighing. "And a bonus: she was half naked. All the women are. But she was damn hot, and she had nice tits and ass."

Rajian shook his head. "Wait, this is dangerous," he stated. "Jake Sully became too close to the Na'vi and a war started. We can't have that."

Quaritch looked at him. "Oh, c'mon, I can visit them," he stated. He smirked widely. "I would like to see Tu'sky again."

"Who?"

"The hot chick I was just talking about!" Quaritch exclaimed.

"Oh, crap, you're forming relations with her!" Rajian whimpered, placing the palms of his hands to his head. "That's not good."

"I thought you liked the Na'vi?"

"I do, but we can't be too close. We don't want a repeat like with Sully! Promise me you won't get to close to them. Please."

Quaritch looked at the man in front of him. "I promise," he stated.

Not.

"Mother, you are hiding something."

Mo'at glanced up at Neytiri. She was sitting on the ground, her braid connected to one of the vines of The Tree of Souls. Jake stood next to his mate. Norm, Max, and Tu'sky was also there. The older female Na'vi sighed, releasing her braid from the vine, and stood up in one smooth motion. "I had a dream," she stated.

Jake's ears poked upward. "A dream?" he asked. "What of?"

Mo'at closed her eyes, her hands reaching skyward. "A dream from Eywa," she stated. "She told me about MilesQuaritch."

Norm took a step, stepping over a rock. "What about him?" he asked firmly.

"He will save us."

Everyone was taken back. Neytiri reached for her mother's hands, gripping them tightly. "Mother, from Sky People will he save us?" she asked.

"Yes, he save us from Sky People."

Jake scowled, sharply turning, looking towards his village. "I knew it," he growled.

"Yes, Sky People will want more blood," she stated in a grave tone. "She also told me that the past will repeat itself with Sky People."

Tu'sky jumped on the rock closest to the older female Na'vi. "You mean, there be war?" she asked, her voice plain and emotionless.

"Yes, there be war, more bloodshed," she recalled, her voice distance. "More death, but things do not happen the same way twice. I could not see much else, but the Sky People are stronger. We might not win."

Tu'sky growled, gripping her hands. Neytiri looked to where Hell's Gate was located. "You mean we'll all die?" she called.

Jake gripped her shoulders comfortingly. Mo'at lowered her head, shaking it. "I do not know," she answered. "I saw much death. I saw fire fall from sky and onto us. I saw mud and blood. I saw dead bodies lay on earth." She paused, shaking gently. "I saw limbs missing their owners. I saw a Sky Person with no hair on head, markings of red on his strong arms. Eywa told me he would be our new enemy."

"What is his name?" Max asked.

"Eywa did not tell me."

Tu'sky growled, looking to the night sky. She then turned back to Mo'at. "Why? Why us?" she demanded. "Haven't we lost enough? Haven't we had enough pain? Why?"

Mo'at turned to the smaller female. "Eywa has a plan for all Her followers," she stated, placing a hand on the other Na'vi's head. "She makes our fate. If She says there be another war—a repeat like the Great War—then there will."

Tu'sky yanked her head from the loving touch. "I don't care what Eywa says!" she cried. "We had enough pain!"

Neytiri looked at her alarmed, as did everyone else. Mo'at was the most surprised. When the clouds of hate vanished from Tu'sky's vision, she realized what she had said. She dropped to her knees, linking with The Tree of Souls, begging for forgiveness. Mo'at kneeled down to the other Na'vi, placing a hand on her back.

"Eywa will protect us," she stated. "She has told me that all will be well. Eywa keeps nature in balance. When the war comes, she will be there. MilesQuaritch will help us—just like you did, JakeSully."

Jake looked to Mo'at. "You mean, he will betray the Sky People?" he inquired.

"Yes. He will learn our ways; just like you. He will join us. The past always repeats in small ways. And it will again here. Eywa has a plan, and never forget that. She will protect all Her children, including MilesQuaritch."

Rutxe—please

Pongu—party

Sevin—pretty