+Battle for Pandora (Part 2)+

Jake's P.O.V

"Tsu'tey! Brother, do you read?"

Nothing but utter silence met my ears. Where was everyone? What had happened? They couldn't all be… no, I refused to believe that!

"Rogue One, you copy?"

Nothing…

"TRUDY?"

Suddenly fear took hold of me as I realized there was one other person who had yet to check in. The one person who was supposed to continually report back to me incase something went wrong?

"Mia, are you there? MIA, DO YOU HEAR ME," I finally screamed as worry took over my senses. I felt its frigid grip long before I'd called her, but now… now it had only doubled in size without her reply.

Where was my baby sister? Where were my friends? For that matter, where was anyone? Was I truly all alone up here? Had we really been crushed this badly that I'd lost everyone I've ever loved?

"MA JAKE!"

I felt some relief finally flood over my anxious nerves at the sound of my wife's voice. Though, it was quickly replaced with worry once again when I recognized the fear in her tone.

With a shaky hand, I pressed the button upon my CB, "I read you."

However, no reply was given after that. It was almost as if she had just vanished into thin air; like I'd only been imagining her voice speaking to me.

Was I literally going this insane with worry?

My body began to shake in dread, as my eyes searchingly scanned the near empty battlefield for Neytiri and her ikran. Yet, as I gazed on, not one person still up in the air even remotely resembled her. Swallowing the hard lump that was beginning to form in my throat, I tried to fight back the tears that I knew were creeping up on me.

"NEYTIRI," I screamed chokingly once again into the radio when I could find no sign of her.

Where was she? What had happened? Had she been shot? Was she hurt? I knew then I shouldn't have left her alone. I should have stayed with her… protected her… protected my sister… protected my family. However, I chose to be a fool, and now I was going to pay for my ignorance.

"Seyzey's dead," Neytiri finally breathed breathlessly into her CB, "They are very close. They are many."

Sighing in relief at hearing her voice again, knowing that she was still alive, I ordered back to her, "Do not attack!"

I would not lose another one of my family; especially not her. She was my light… my reason for continuing on. If I lost her... nothing else would matter anymore. Not without my brother Tommy… not without my friend Sage… nor without Mia. All would be for nothing, and I know I couldn't keep going on without them.

Neytiri didn't answer me back though. Whether she was disobeying the order, or she'd lost connection, I wasn't sure. However, that didn't stop my heart from speeding up, and pounding frantically against my chest.

Neytiri wouldn't be dumb enough to take them on… would she?

Shit!

"DO YOU READ ME, NEYTIRI," I screamed in horror, as realization sank into me like a ten ton anvil.

Neytiri was the kind of person to take them all on by herself!

"DO NOT ATTACK! FALL BACK NOW. GET OUT OF THERE! THAT'S AN ORDER," I hollered over the radio, but she wouldn't answer me.

'No, no, no, she can't do this on her own,' I thought despairingly, as I searched the ground for her.

Maybe if I found her I could help, but even as I searched in vain I already knew that wasn't an option. She was nowhere to be seen. The jungle was too thick below to make anything out clearly… let alone her. All that could be viewed from up above was the fire slowly eating up the forest that lied almost quietly below.

"NEYTIRI," I screamed again into the CB, as tears coated over my eyes.

… but once again there was no word from her. Only the deafening silence from all around, and the echoing of the few remaining helicopters left within the air.

Closing my eyes, I tried to fight the pain that was gradually creeping into my heart.

This must be how Mia felt so long ago. This has to be the pain she spoke of… because I'd never known an agony like this within all my lifetime. Now I could only look to the sky, and whisper an apology to my sister for not believing how bad it had been… because now… now I knew what she'd gone through when Sage had passed. Now, I too, felt the burning sting that came from such a loss. No more could I deny that it wasn't worth fretting over, because now I too had succumbed to grief's cold clutches.

Yet, as I sat there wallowing in my own guilt and anguish, a glimmer of hope suddenly appeared. Out of nowhere I could hear screeches coming from all around me. They were loud, and the volume spoke of hundreds upon thousands… but it couldn't be!

Opening my eyes, I looked around me just in time to hear Neytiri's amazed words reply over the radio, "Jake, Eywa has heard you."

… and it seemed indeed the goddess had.

I could only watch in astonishment as thousands of ikrans joined forces with the remaining few in sky; helping their brothers and sisters in battle to take down ship after ship all on their own.

I knew even then there was only one way this could all be happening.

"EYWA HAS HEARD YOU," Neytiri suddenly screamed joyously over the radio, and I soon joined in with her jubilation as I gave a loud whoop through the air. It seemed our deity was just as angry with the sky people as we were. Eywa wanted us to win this war. She wanted us to protect her land.

That, or Grace had finally given us the help we needed from the beyond.

With a smile, I once again focused my efforts on taking down Quaritch once and for all.

Neytiri's P.O.V

Running across the battlefield, I continuously dodged bullet after bullet as I tried to find a safe place to hide for the moment. Yet it seemed the harder I tried, the enemy only kept multiplying within seconds to thwart my attempts.

There were just too many to make it out alive.

I knew then that I was far behind enemy lines, and there was no saving myself any longer. All I could do now was pray that Ewya had mercy on me, and end it quickly.

Clutching tightly to my bow and arrows, I dashed across the forest floor while avoiding the soldier's fire. I could barely hold myself up from exhaustion, as what left over adrenaline flooded away from me. All I wanted to do was lie down and rest by now, but in the back of my mind a tiny voice kept telling me to push forward; that I couldn't let my guard down just yet.

So, I continued on until I spotted a large tree not too far from me. With one last boost of energy, I threw myself toward it, and ducked down as I dodged another round of gunshots.

The moment my back hit the tree, I finally sighed in relief, and placed my hand over the button for the radio.

"MA JAKE," I shrieked, while I continuously gulped precious air into my starved lungs. It felt like I hadn't breathed on my own for years; like I was a newborn baby taken its breath for the first time.

"I read you," came my mate's worried response over the CB.

However, I didn't immediately answer him back as I looked around the tree to try and measure my situation; praying that there was some way to get out of there. Yet, looking to my left and right, I found more than a handful of soldiers heading my way. Some were still firing their guns without much thought to what they were hitting, while others held some kind of machine that blew a stream of fire from its end. It would be too dangerous to try and outrun them, and I knew then, at that moment, that all hope was lost.

I wouldn't be making it out of here alive.

"NEYTIRI!"

Oh god, Jake! What would happen to Jake if I… if I died? He would be devastated; beyond any repair. His sister might try to heal his hurt, but even she knew what the loss of a loved one could do to someone.

I couldn't bear to imagine Jake in pain; let alone his anguish being my fault.

However, that's how war goes doesn't it? That's what happens when you fight in a battle, and die? No one really seems to take time to think of what might happen to their loved ones if they themselves don't make it back. They only can imagine what might happen to them if their own friends and family never return.

No one ever really imagines their own death, and how it would affect the people around them.

Yet, as I stand here now, slowly sliding down the tree to sit; I know I only have one option at this moment.

I was cornered, and I would either have to give up… or fight.

Even now I already know my answer. I mean, I am an Omaticaya, and we never give up. I can't give up. I have to show my people I am strong… even staring in the face of death.

So, with a deep breath, I spoke as calmly as I could to Jake for the last time, "Seyzey's dead. They are very close. They are many." Though I knew even in those words you could hear my utter panic and despair. I'm sure you could even make out my pre-made decision as well… which I'm sure he would.

"Do not attack!"

'Always the brilliant one,' I thought with an inward chuckle at my husband. Jake might be dense, but over our time together he'd learned me well.

"DO YOU READ ME, NEYTIRI!"

Yes, I read you Jake, but will I listen?

No. I can't. Not this time. This time I have to do what I think is right. I have to protect you, protect my people, and myself. Sitting behind this tree and hiding is doing none of those things.

So, with a labored sigh, I moved my bow and arrows over to sit upon my knees as I readied them. Very languidly I placed an arrow over the bow, and took another deep breath to calm my nerves.

'Please, Eywa. Watch over my family when I'm gone,' I prayed, as I looked to the sky for her response. Though she did not answer me; just like she hadn't answered Jake when he'd asked for her protection. I guess my words from last night had come back to haunt me.

Eywa, truly, did not take sides.

"DO NOT ATTACK! FALL BACK NOW! GET OUT OF THERE! THAT'S AN ORDER," Jake screamed over the radio, but I continued to blatantly ignore him.

'I'm doing this for you, Jake,' I thought, as I got to my feet, 'Please forgive me someday.'

Turning to look behind me, I measured the distance between myself and the soldiers. They were at least a few feet away, and very, very close.

I raised my bow, but something inside me hesitated. For just a moment, I began to lower it again, as a tiny voice inside my mind whispered that this wasn't right. However, I somehow managed to push that thought out of my mind again, and with an angry grunt lifted the bow once more to aim.

My target was a soldier holding one of the flaming machines, and his mistake at that moment was that he'd turned his back on me. He'd made a fatal mistake in choosing to do so as I readied to release.

However, as I was getting ready to let go, they suddenly just…stopped.

One moment they were tramping their way through the jungle, and the next they had gone completely rigid. Frozen in mid-step, they only seemed to have the capacity to stare in my direction with a look of wonder. All the while my mind was racing; wondering if they had seen me. However, if they had, wouldn't they have already shot me down by now?

Then I heard it, or more so felt it, as a thundering began to rumble through the forest from all around. I had no idea what it could be, at least until it grew louder and closer to my direction. Slowly, in the back of my mind, something finally clicked.

A stampede!

Turning around, I had just enough time to make out their shadows before a group of hammerhead titanotheres came bursting through the foliage; trumpeting loudly as they lowered their heads and charged forward toward the soldiers (thankfully narrowly avoiding me in the process.) Behind these magnificent creatures were a heard of sturmbeests, following their lead, just as angry as they were for these sky people destroying their homes.

I could only watch in wonder as the beasts tore through the soldiers as if they were a mere branch lying within their path. One soldier after another fell from their brute strength, as the creatures trampled over their large machines, and tiny bodies.

Even as I heard the enemy's blood curdling screams as they were being crushed to death by the animals, I had not one ounce of sympathy. All I could keep thinking was, 'Thank you, Eywa. Thank you for protecting me and for giving me the help I needed. I'm so sorry for doubting you.'

Walking forward, as I continued to gaze around in wonder, I pressed the CB's button upon my neck. Almost breathlessly I whispered to my mate as I informed him, "Jake, Eywa has heard you."

Then as the true wonder of it all finally caught up with me, I felt that all too familiar grin light up my face. Raising my bow and arrows triumphantly high into the air, I screamed out joyously over the radio, "EYWA HAS HEARD YOU!"

I took a moment to let my happiness and thankfulness sink in, before I forced myself back to reality. Lowering my bow and arrows, I readied them once more, and followed a group of viperwolves into the fight.

As we made our way across the battlefield, I looked on as the animals swiftly took down their pray; pinning them to the ground as they tore at their flesh. Yet, not once did the creatures make a move toward me… not even when I raised my bow and shot at the remaining soldiers who had been making their hasty retreat back to their flying machines.

It made me feel as if I was on, what dreamwalkers called it, 'cloud nine'… at least until I heard a sudden roar come to the side of me.

Startled, I turned my head to look to my right in fear as a thanator slowly crept his way over to me. His powerful muscles rippled with each step under his black, leathery skin all the while his growls grew into a quiet whisper. He was remarkably beautiful, and yet hauntingly scary as I gazed into his bright yellow eyes.

The thanator kept advancing on me as I tried to back away, but at the last moment when I was going to try to turn and run… I noticed the scars. Deep grooves along his skin and round holes that had healed over time graced this creature's hide. Then I noticed the large scar adorning one of his paws.

I knew this thanator… and he knew me.

Lowering its head in a bowing-like motion, I could only tilt my head in wonder while whispering in utter astonishment, "Tìvawm?"

The creature gave a low rumble in its throat, as if it was almost replying, 'yes,' to my question. Smiling, I watched him move forward to nudge my stomach with his giant muzzle, before turning his head to look at his back. Then he turned his gaze back on me.

Not even I could deny knowing what he was asking, but still… fear enveloped me.

"But you are Mia's," I gaped, as he gave me another nudge and offered up his queue.

Sighing, I moved my hand forward to pat his head, as I replied, "Alright, give me a second." Then bringing my own queue forward, I took a deep breath, and connected us with a tsaheylu.

Almost instantly I felt his emotions and thoughts entering my mind. However, not once did I find any hesitation in him from accepting me. Our bond truly wasn't like with an ikran. He wanted to help me… in fact… Mia had insisted that he do so if such a thing should happen.

With a proud smile, I climbed onto his back, and clutched my legs around him tightly. With a gentle nudge to the side, he was off, and for the first time in my life I actually got to see what it was like to be bonded to a thanator.

… and I could honestly say there was no other feeling quite like it.

It was like I was floating on air. I felt more the predator than I ever had with him below me. More the warrior than I could ever imagine being… and all because of him.

I knew one thing within that moment.

This battle wasn't over yet… it had only just begun.

Norm's P.O.V

My eyes flew open, and my chest almost instantly began to heave as I fought for breath. Looking around me, I could only see the glowing from the link machine as it went on running… even without my avatar no longer alive.

With desperate breaths, and a strong pain in my chest, I used all of my strength within that moment to shove the hatch open and raise myself up. Then, as my adrenaline deteriorated, I slid off the machine to the ground below; clutching desperately at my heart.

I felt like I was on fire; like all the oxygen had been sucked from my lungs at once. I could barely remember a bright light before I had been thrown back into this world by the link machine.

I had been so close to death… and I had seen her.

Trudy.

She was waiting for me… within the light… with some other being. Yet, when I'd tried to reach out for her, I'd been yanked back; back to this world and away from her.

I felt tears glaze over my eyes as I steadied my breathing.

I had heard her over the radio right before I'd been shot. I had heard her last words, before the sound of an ear-piercing whistle appeared, and then nothing but the sound of crackling was left in its wake.

Trudy was gone, and yet I had seen her… with Eywa. There was no other possible explanation.

I had always prided myself in being a scientist, and not really believing in that mumbo jumbo called religion. I was just as much a skeptic as any other fool, but after what I'd just seen… I was beginning to rethink my beliefs.

Tears began to escape my eyes as I remembered the way she had looked at me before I'd been pulled away. She had turned to me, and mouthed, 'I love you,' and thankfully that time I had done the same. Though, why had it been so hard to say it to her before her death? Had I known somewhere in the back of my mind that she wasn't the one… that she wouldn't be with me after today? No, no that wasn't reason enough to not tell her that.

I was furious; angry at myself for being such a fool and for not doing what I should have. However, with that anger I had gained enough strength to lift myself to my feet once again.

Looking around the shack I noticed Mia and Jake's links still running. At least they were still alive and well. They'd, at the most, made it this long in the fight, but they were warriors. They were trained for this, whereas I had not been. I guess I should've expected them to last longer than myself.

However, with the reassurance that my friends were still okay, I said a thankful prayer before leaning over to grab a machine gun off the table.

As far as I was concerned, this fight wasn't over for me just yet.

Reaching out, I grasped the first exo-mask in sight and tightly placed it on my head. Once I was ready, I headed toward the exit, and opened the door.

By the time I reached the outside world, and was loudly stomping my way through the jungle, I'd already put on that familiar warrior's mask once again.

I wasn't out of this game just yet, you assholes!

'This is for you Trudy,' was my finally thought.

Wainfleet's P.O.V

I'd just barely managed to escape the storming stampede with my life… let alone in the AMP suit. The machine had taking a bit of a pounding; however, it was as good as it ever was. The gun still worked, and the large knife was still securely strapped to my back, but even then I knew I wasn't out of the woods just yet. No pun intended.

Those fucking animals were still around here somewhere; still lying and waiting to tear me to pieces. I knew I was in big trouble if they did find me. I didn't have my men, and I had a bigger chance now of losing my life. Though, that didn't stop me from continuing forward as I tried radioing for Quaritch.

"This is ground patrol, over," I called quietly through the radio. "We've been scattered, and almost all are dead. Is there anyone out there, over?"

Though, I heard no reply.

Only the sharp sound of static met my ears and the loud crunching of the foliage beneath my feet.

I was all alone.

There would be no help.

With a labored sigh, I dropped my soldier's stance and glanced around the area. As far as I could see, there was no sign of the enemy; at least ones that were still alive.

The area though, was littered with remains of what was left of our helicopters. One of the machines even looked like it was the traitor's friend. Even with the grotesque burn marks, I could still make out on it a piece or two of some of the enemy's war paint. Inside I found the occupant of the chopper completely unrecognizable, however, I'm sure I knew who it was.

Trudy.

She'd been my friend once… even a one-night-stand long ago when we'd been closer. Yet, that was the past. Now… well now she was the enemy, and I had to hope it was her.

With one last remorseful look in the helicopter's direction, I continued to amble my way on deeper into the forest.

After about ten minutes of nothing but the pregnant silence, I finally came across something rather interesting.

At least a few yards or so ahead of me was a tiny glimmer of yellow on-top my screen. With a gleeful smile, I followed the map as if it were leading me to a pirate's treasure, and when I'd gotten close enough to see what it was, I couldn't deny that it was indeed quite a find.

There, lying wounded atop a group of bushes, was a Na'vi man trying to sit up.

He had yet to notice me, but to me that honestly didn't matter. I was going to enjoy torturing this blue monkey very, very slowly.

Fike would have wanted it for revenge for his death.

Jake's P.O.V

Maneuvering Toruk towards the Valkyrie, I readied myself to once and for all destroy the ship. I couldn't risk it getting any closer to the Tree of Souls. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to the innocent Na'vi below. All of those women and children down there were counting on me to save them; to protect them. I couldn't crush their hopes… especially now that we actually had a chance of beating the enemy.

So, getting into a crouching position, I got ready to jump.

Reaching to my side, I untied the gun from my hip almost right as Toruk flew over the Valkyrie. With a silent prayer to Eywa, I raised my arms above my head and with the balls of my feet, I pushed myself off into the air.

As I soared downwards towards the ship, I braced myself for the impact.

The moment I was within range, I thrusted my body forward and used my hands to absorb the jolt as I did a frontal roll. It was painful to say the least, but even as I gave a slight cry out in pain, I knew it could have probably been much worse.

I could be dead.

However, righting myself quickly with a spin, I hurriedly sprinted towards the gunmen within the nest. As I approached, one of the soldier's finally took notice of me. He was young, probably in his very early twenties, which is maybe why I felt some guilt as my finger pushed down on the trigger. Within mere seconds the kid was lying on his back with a vacant expression adorning his eyes. I couldn't help feeling sick that this is what it had come to. Having young boys killed just for simple greed and vindication.

How could Quaritch sink this low?

… but I had no time to answer that question as the other two remaining soldiers took notice of me. Running smoothly up the ramp, I gave a flying leap at the top while continuing to fire on the duo below.

They too hadn't a chance.

Landing back on the balls of my feet, I continued on towards the end of the ship; sprinting the whole way there.

I knew what I had to do next, and it would require use of both hands. So, with a heavy heart, I threw my gun to the side and reached along my chest for the grenades.

I quickly took one into my hands and pulled the top away as I grew closer to the engine intake. With a mighty throw of my arm, the explosive just barely managed to land upon its target before I'd made a giant leap off the Valkyrie and back onto Toruk below.

Looking back, as I proudly flew away, I watched in excitement as the Valkyrie took the hit and began careening out of control. Slowly, I watched the machine grow closer and closer to one of the rocky arch formations; losing even more speed by the minute as it began to plummet. Then, before it could save itself, the ship rammed into the arch and lost one of its wings in a fiery display.

With no hope left of surviving, the Valkyrie gave it's finally breath in a loud ear-piercing whine before taking a dramatic dive to the earth the below. Almost instantly upon impact, it shattered and burst into a large group of roaring flames.

The Valkyrie was no more…

With a triumphant smile, I gave a loud whoop before once again centering my attention upon the man that had caused this all.

Quartich….

Turning Toruk around, I weaved effortlessly through the arches and made my way toward the Dragon; all the while my heart continued to beat ferociously inside my chest.

'I can do this,' I whispered through my thoughts, as Toruk closed in on the ship.

Getting once again into position, I flung myself off his back and onto the metal flooring below.

This time I was unable to absorb the impact with my hands, and instead ended up landing on my side.

I gave a hiss in pain, but all the same I rolled to my side to get up. Once I was on my feet again, I began to haul ass down towards the end of the ship. I knew if anyone saw me this time, I was sure to be shit out of luck without my gun.

They'd get me easily!

While running towards the bow of the ship, Toruk flew overhead; patiently waiting for me to finish the job as I pulled the last two grenades from the strap along my chest. Taking the tops off of the both of them, I arrived at my destination just in time to throw them at the cockpit… where Quaritch stood glaring at me smugly.

With a flip of my finger, I let the explosives go. However, as I was getting ready to jump back onto Toruk, the ship suddenly gave a violent jerk to the side.

Looking back at the Colonel, I watched as he took the ships controls out of the pilot's grasp and turned the ship sideways.

Slowly as the ship began to dive to the right, I felt myself lurch forward and lose balance. The explosives that had been in my hand previously went flying through the air and over the side of the ship.

I almost followed their lead until I landed against one of the engine intakes, but it was still not enough to stop my fall; only to prolong it. My body easily slid over and continued to fall off the edge without a prayer.

Thankfully, at the last minute, I managed to steady myself long enough to kick off the side of the ship. With an incredible dive toward the un-launched missiles, I was able to miraculously hook my arms around one to save myself from the tragic fall.

Holding on for dear life as the Dragon began to careen out of control (thanks to one of the grenades that had actually managed to catch itself on the ship and explode); I tried with all my strength to pull myself back up. However, the more I tried the further I slipped, until I was merely dangling through the air above the fiery ground.

Grasping onto the two missiles tightly, I swung myself over to the side and tried to pull myself up. However, it was a failed attempt as I, once again, nearly fell to my doom. Though, by making this mistake, something interesting had suddenly presented itself to me; creating a new opportunity for me to try.

Now, resting in my hand was one of those shiny white cylinders begging me to take advantage of the situation.

With a glorious smirk, I tried one last time to pull myself up. This time, I managed to succeed.

Turning my body in the direction of the fan, I measured the distance between myself and it. From what I could see at that moment, I had a pretty good shot at making the throw. Yet, as I was getting ready to fling the missile towards it, the hatch to my side suddenly burst open.

Right as the weapon left my hands, Quaritch popped out of the porthole just like a weasel darting out of its hiding place. Pointing his gun at me, he fired.

I felt my feet lose balance from my previous throw, and before I knew it, I felt myself falling through the air; twisting and turning helplessly… knowing that this was it. There was no help coming for me.

Yet, as I slowly fell to my doom, I watched in astonishment as the missile hit its target. Within seconds the machine went up in flames, and hopefully Quaritch with it.

My job was done.

Mia's P.O.V

I looked for any opening within the jungle below, as Sage and I flew swiftly through the air. All the while, Atan'eko and his sister remained right on the back of our heels; trying to protect us from any oncoming threat. However, as the minutes grew, and without a single word of a break within the trees or even a mere opening, I began to grow restless; something that I found that the other two easily began to pick up on. They soon took this to their advantage to try and sway me to leave.

"Mia, there's no way to get down there," Unipey called from beside me, "You're going to have to face it. He's gone."

"NO," I screamed at her in anger, "Not until I know for sure… I WILL NOT QUIT!"

"Mia, listen to my sister. There's no possible-"

Though, as the two kept prattling on, I caught site of a large river cutting through the forest below. By doing so, it had left open a large enough gap for me to drop… but not without having to abandon my ikran in the process.

Even as my fears took over and begged me to see reason, I knew what I would have to do. I would have to face my fear of heights and trust in my ability to swim. Yet, despite that urge to do so, I still felt that mind numbing feeling wash over me as my body began to try to subconsciously protect itself; like it was begging me not to do this. Like it was trying to tell me that if I did, then this was it... I would die. Though, nevertheless, I knew I had to do it… for Tsu'tey... for my husband.

So, taking a deep breath, I turned Sage around right as Atan'eko bellowed fearfully through the air, "MIA, YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT!"

He must have caught my wondering eye and realized the look upon my face before even I knew what I was doing. Still though, I forced the sound of his voice out of my thoughts, and had Sage make his way toward the gap.

As Sage kept growing closer and closer, I disconnected our queues and readied myself for the jump.

Crouching upon the ikran's back, I continued a single mantra inside my head, 'I have to do this! I have to do this for Tsu'tey!'

Then, right as Sage reached the edge of the trees, I flung myself forward and pushed off with my feet. All the while I could hear Atan'eko and Unipey's screams from behind me.

As the ground rushed to meet me, I closed my eyes, and leaned my bodied forward as I readied for the impact. Within an instant I felt the crushing force of the cool water envelop my body, while the strong current instantly began carrying me further down the stream.

Gaining control of my limbs, as the numbness from the fall left me, I began to fight to get to the surface. However, the current was too strong, and with every second I wasted in my failed attempts, it kept dragging me further down.

My lungs began to tighten, and tiny bubbles of air slowly slipped from my lips, but still I fought.

Yet, after a few more moments, the will to survive began to wane. As the darkness closed in, I gradually began to succumb to death's awaiting embrace. My mind began to numb over, and my muscles slowly began to weaken. I knew then that there was nothing left that I could do.

I could either keep uselessly fighting this, or let go peacefully.

Right now, the latter began to seem more appealing.

Yet suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt something brush against my skin before it wrapped itself around me. Within seconds, we were once again traveling upwards to the heavenly surface.

When we finally managed to break through the top, I gave a few violent coughs before turning to look at my savior.

"Don't ever do that again," Atan'eko hissed, as we began to effortlessly float down the river together.

"No… (cough)… problem," I choked.

With his point now made, the two of us began to fight our way to shore.

Flopping down upon the ground, as we had finally reached the sand, I looked around and I tried to take in our surroundings. However, I was completely lost and I had no idea where to begin to look.

Noticing my dilemma, Atan'eko spoke up, "I saw Tsu'tey fall north of here. We're not to far from where he might have landed."

Nodding, I let him help me up before we went to retrieve our bows and arrows from further up stream. Once we had our weapons in hand, we doubled back and began our search for my mate.

Walking through the jungle, we slowly began to see the remains of the other Na'vi and what was left behind of the RDA. I couldn't help looking, even though everything in me told me to close my eyes. This site that I had to behold was just too gruesome and too bone chilling to not turn your eyes away from. It was something I had never seen within all my life. It didn't even begin to compare to the fall of Hometree. Even Atan'eko seemed unnerved by what was left of this battlefield. His eyes continually seemed to dart from one Na'vi corpse to the next; looking more pained each time he did so. However, unlike me, he could only look on with disdain for the dead carcasses of the RDA soldiers.

"Do you see any sign of him," I asked, hoping to divert his attention from this sight, as I examined one of the destroyed helicopters.

"No, but I think I found Trudy," he called from ahead of me. Turning my eyes away from the bodies that laid mangled within the ships, I looked over to where he stood. My heart stopped as I slowly took in the horribly sight before me. Without another fleeting thought, I rushed over to Atan'eko as he began mumbling a silent prayer to Eywa for our lost friend.

I didn't want to believe it at first, but as I looked closer at the burned Samson I gradually began to see the slight outlines of where blue and white paint had been; the same paint that Norm and I had used on her ship.

Tears immediately formed in my eyes as I rushed forward to the cockpit, but about halfway there Atan'eko yanked me back.

"No, trust me, you don't want to see," he whispered, as he pulled me into his chest.

"No… I have to… Norm has to know-" I cried, but Atan'eko wouldn't let go as I chokingly sobbed into his chest.

"She's gone Mia. She's been burned…badly. You don't want to see the sight I've just seen. It will haunt you for as long as you live," he mumbled into my hair.

Atan'eko continued to hold me until my sobs finally ebbed away for my fallen friend. Then, when he was sure I was going to be alright, he let me go.

"Come on, we need to find Tsu'tey," he urged, while taking my hand.

Not fighting his hold this time, I only followed him further into the jungle as we continued the search for my husband.

However, after ten more minutes of no such luck, I felt my hope begin to diminish. Looking for Tsu'tey was like looking for a needle in a haystack. There were just to many dead and to much jungle to cover within one day; especially with a battle still raging on around us.

I wasn't even sure if Jake was still alive or not; nor Neytiri or Norm. I'd been so focused on the battle, and then Tsu'tey… I'd forgotten to check in with my brother. Though, as I reached up to call in, I found my radio missing from my slender neck.

Noticing my slight panic, Atan'eko asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"

"My radio… it's gone. I was supposed to check in with my brother, but now it's gone-"

"Shhh, shhh, don't panic. We're fine. He's fine. I'm almost sure of it. As for the radio, it must have fallen off in the current when I was dragging you out," Atan'eko reassured me as he placed his hands upon my shoulders in a way to help me from hyperventilating.

Nodding, I answered after a deep breath, "You're right, I'm just being foolish," before once again regaining my composure. However, as I began to glance around I noticed something different about the area.

"Atan'eko, is it me, or do those AMP suit footprints look fresh?"

Furrowing his brow, he turned away from me and leaned down to expect the impressions upon the ground. Suddenly, after a moment or so, he shot up and exclaimed, "We're not alone. These are very fresh. They must have been made not a minute or so ago."

With that said the two of us readied our bows and trudged forward along the path. Each step was met with another thundering beat against my chest as I inched along behind my friend.

One of the RDA's soldiers was out here, and we were out numbered. It usually took at least three, maybe at times five, warriors to take down just one of those machines; at least according to Neytiri. So, it wasn't far from my mind when I realized that Atan'eko…plus me… definitely does not make four. That much I remembered from Algebra.

As we closed in on an open area, I could see a metal speck in the distance. However, the closer we grew, the more I could make out the working AMP suit of an RDA soldier.

Yet, it wasn't him that sent my heart racing. It was what he was heading for that sent my mind into a frenzy.

"TSU'TEY," I screamed, right before the soldier began to fire.

Hearing my call, my husband had enough time to swivel around to see what was coming for him. The moment his sun-kissed eyes landed upon the man he shot to his feet, despite his more than painful wounds, and just barely dodged the bullets from the soldier's gun.

Sprinting after my mate, Atan'eko followed close behind remaining hot on my heels.

"TSU'TEY, WATCH OUT," I screamed as the AMP suit lunged at him again.

Once again, he had just enough seconds to dodge out of the way. Though, this time his pain from the bullet wounds almost immediately caught back up to him. Crying out in slight agony, he stumbled and landed upon his knees.

"HEY BASTARD! PICK ON SOMEONE ELSE," I called out, as I raised my bow, and shot an arrow at the soldier's cockpit. Sadly though, it merely made a crack before falling to his feet.

The AMP suit slowly turned around to face me, and when I caught site of the man inside I felt my heart almost instantly drop to my stomach as fear took over.

"Perfect," came Lyle Wainfleet's voice as his predator-like eyes glanced over my body. "Just the woman I was looking for."

"Leave my mate alone. It's me you want," I hissed, but all the while a single hard gulp traveled down my throat.

Wainfleet merely laughed, before he teased, "So this is the reason why I couldn't get a good fuck. You were to busy giving your all to this blue monkey. Doesn't look like he could do any good for you from my perspective."

Gagging at his reference to the night he almost rapped me, I shouted, "HE'S MORE OF A MAN THAN YOU'LL EVER BE!"

Wainfleet gazed over at him, before turning his almost beady, bird-like eyes back onto me, "I doubt that." With those words, he finally turned his gun around to my direction.

"MIA," both Tsu'tey and Atan'eko screamed as I dived to the ground to avoid the gunfire. Crawling through the underbrush, I ducked behind one of the largest trees I could find. Looking to my left, I saw Atan'eko do the same.

"Come out, come out, where ever you are, sweetheart," Wainfleet taunted, as I tried to see if Tsu'tey was still safe.

Thankfully, I saw that he'd managed to dive behind a large boulder with his knife in hand.

"Found you," suddenly came a voice to my left.

Turning around, I barely had time to run before Wainfleet's mechanical hand grasped my long braid. With it, he swung me forward and let go to send me soaring through the air.

Once gravity decided to take control again, I landed roughly back onto the ground with a pounding headache and a few scrapes along my elbows and knees. Thankfully though, I'd still managed to keep a hold of my bow and one of its arrows.

"Awe, did I hurt you little girl," came Wainfleet's hauntingly chilling chuckle.

Raising my head from the ground, I lifted my body from the muddy earth and glared at the man in front of me.

"You didn't before, and you can't now," I growled, before raising my bow again with another arrow readied. Letting go, I watched once again with remorse as it merely bounced off the glass of his cockpit.

Laughing, Lyle commented, "Don't have that great of an aim do you sweetie?"

"No, but I do," came a voice behind me suddenly, before a few rounds were fired.

Wainfleet quickly raised his metal arm to protect himself as he began charging toward my savior and me. Turning around, I grabbed Norm around his waist and threw him against me as I catapulted us to the side; by doing so we just barely missed getting trampled to death.

"Are you okay," I asked, as I rose up off of him.

"I feel a little squashed, but I'm good all the same. However, looks like the gun's out of commission," Norm laughed, as he pointed at the pieces of what was left of his weapon. Apparently, he'd dropped it as I'd tried to save us; therefore Wainfleet had crushed it in his almighty wake.

"Great," I mumbled, before looking to him, "Get out of here, Norm. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'll be-"

"You're without a weapon," came Atan'eko's reply as he ran over to us. "You'll be dead within a minute against him. Maybe even less," he chuckled cheekily.

Giving my blue friend a thankful look, I turned my scorching gaze onto my other. Sighing, Norm replied, "Fine, but if Jake murders me then it's all your fault."

"That's if I see him again," I whispered, before ordering him once more, "Now get out here before Wainfleet comes back!"

With a tiny salute to me, he ran off into the jungle. Yet, it was not until he disappeared from my sights did I finally realize he had been in his human form.

"So that's Norm without the-" Atan'eko began, but he didn't get to finish as we suddenly heard Wainfleet's loud return coming through the jungle foliage.

"Atan'eko, try to break the glass on the cockpit. If we can get to him inside the machine we might have a chance to actually kill him," I said in a rush, before adding, "I'll distract him away from you and Tsu'tey."

"NO, MIA, IT'S TO DANGERO-"

Though, before he could stop me, I was already running full speed at Wainfleet; whom had just made his reappearance again as he came trampling back into the clearing.

"Come back for more, bitch," Wainfleet hissed, before raising his gun. Though, before he could fire, I veered left of his aim; forcing him to turn sideways to find me.

"NOW, ATAN'EKO!"

My friend raised his bow and shot an arrow straight at us. Sadly though, he missed by a mere inch and ended up hitting a nearby tree.

"I can't, he's moving around to much," Atan'eko cried, before Tsu'tey suddenly darted out from behind his hiding place in frustration.

Catching site of my mate heading over to aid my friend, Wainfleet began to follow.

"Shit," I growled as panic set in.

Running up behind Wainfleet, I managed to climb up on a high enough rock before flinging myself wildly onto his back.

"Son of a bitch," he screamed as he caught sight of me looking in at him.

'Maybe being on top of the machine might work to my advantage after all,' I thought devilishly as I noticed the locks that would open up his hatch. Reaching over, I began to pry at the tiny device, and had just managed to get two open before Wainfleet got his mechanical arm around me.

Yanking me off of him, he flung me forcefully over to a nearby my tree. As my back made impact, I heard a slight cracking sound before an enormous pain set in at my side. Though, my journey wasn't yet over as I found myself careening quickly towards the ground once more.

The moment I hit the rocky earth, I felt my head connect with something hard and then (like a light) I was out. All that was left was the blackness and a sense of utter peace.

Yay another chapter completed! I'm on a roll honey, hehehe. Anyways I hope you really liked it, and the ending left you with some supense. To all those Tsu'tey lovers out there who have been begging me not to kill him off, he's not dead... well as far as you know (imagine evil laugh and me rubbing my hands together maniacally.) Hopefully this quick new chapter will make you all feel better about me being gone so long. Thank you all for being understanding about it though, and for your lovely prayers and sweet words. They meant alot to me. Hopefully 2013 will be my year to shine. Anyways, on to the rest of this.

To all those who reviewed last chapter, I'd like to thank you all so very much for taking the time to deal with my hectic schedule, and to sit down and read this prolonged story. I promise I'll be more consistent in the future, but for now I thank you for all of your wonderfulness. I give a big thanks to-...ZabuzasGirl... xLyraCharlottex... Archermusician... Kdfs18... Puffgirl1952... ThousandsOfMilesAway... and IgnitingFireworks.

I also want to give a big thanks to those who don't have the time to review my story, but still either read it or put it on their favorites or alerts. I know even you, as much as the next reader, are just as wonderful for giving my story the attention it so desperately craves. Thanks so much.

-Preview of Battle for Pandora (Part 3)-

"Mia, Mia please wake up," I begged as I shook her shoulder lightly, but nothing happened. She only continued to lie motionlessly in my arms as her wound carried on oozing droplets of her dark, maroon essence.

"TSU'TEY, I NEED SOME HELP HERE," called Atan'eko as he dodged another round of fire from the man Mia had called, 'Wainfleet.' If I remembered correctly, from our bond, he was the man who'd almost raped her the night of her birthday.

However, he was also the man that Jake had informed me to keep her away from if we happened to meet him during the battle. This request I had promised to fulfill no matter the case, and yet here she lied as stiff as a stone within my arms.

I had failed.

Even as the painful tears pooled within my eyes from not only this realization, but also for the lifeless body of my wife that I held so lovingly in my arms; I found that all that I really could feel inside, at that moment, was this strong, white hot rage burning with an unyielding vengeance.

Carefully, I placed Mia's body back onto the ground and got to my feet. Turning to look at the man whom had done this, I ignored my own pain and centered that fury I held inside me on him.

"YOU WILL DIE," I heard myself scream in my native tongue, as my anger took over my very those words, I lost control and ran full force towards him without a single, regretful thought.

-End Preview of Battle for Pandora (Part 3) -

To see the rest of this, you'll have to tune in for the next chapter update. See you soon. :-)