Note: The mirror spirit idea was pulled from the Serpent's Shadow. Jake's magical nature comes out of Gates of Sleep.

Jake blinked in the pod and before he could try and lift the lid, it was raised and Grace cupped the back of his neck lifting him up. There were a lot of other people around. "Doc, you're not going to believe where I am or the day I've had." As he sat up, he was quite dizzy. "Oh, long day."

"Well what happened?" Grace said. Jack explained between yawns and a full meal. Grace demanded all the details about the rescue and the Na'vi. She forcible wheeled him to a cot in the research lab, never giving the colonel a chance to get a report. To recap, Grace concluded, "So you happened to come across a Na'vi girl being attacked. You rescued her and then got rescued. Now you're spending the night at home tree because you got a small, and it better be a small dose of poison. Then you get to learn from them."

"Pretty much, their little brother is my kind of kid," he said lifting his legs onto the cot and stretching out.

"You made a friend?" Norm asked seeming a little jealous.

"Well hopefully friends but three real mean enemies," he said gravely.

Grace nodded, "From what you reported, it was worth pissing those bullies off. I do want to check your avatar's health though."

Jake looked at her, "I was told I was staying and the poison should pass by mid-morning. Can you even get close without offending them?"

"There is a place called the Osha cliffs that are nearby. It was an old meeting place before… certain people got in the way. It should be fine, if you let them know."

"If you're sure," Jake said. "Can I get some sleep now?"

"Sure, I'll wake you, Na'vi have early mornings," Dr. Patel said.

As Jake woke his avatar, he reminded himself about Grace's potential visit, up until the point he noticed the weights against both his shoulders. On one side was the boy with his kit, that didn't surprise him. On the other side, some one had propped Valeana against his shoulder during the night and Releana was curled up against her. Jake had to nod at the twin's thoughtfulness to keep her sister warm. He heard a soft laugh and saw Neytiri nearby smiling holding the mirror as though she and Sebastian were continuing their conversation. He mouthed, "What happened?"

:They are children of light. You know when the students are ready a teacher shall be lead to them. Besides, the light draws the light. His friend reminded him.

Jake eased Viton off his shoulder and against the root and then began to move Valeana. Then the girl weakly raised her head and stared at him. Neytiri quickly came over and helped Valeana out from under her sister. Together Jake and Neytiri moved her closer to the dying fire. "Morning young lady," Jake whispered pulling his kit to him, "How are you feeling?" The girl stared at him as though she had never seen anyone quite like him. He looked to Neytiri and whispered, "Does she know English?"

She nodded putting Sebastian's mirror back in his case. "Valeana, how do you feel?" Neytiri asked slowly.

Valeana looked at Neytiri a moment, then back at Jake. "Why are you glowing green with blue swirls?"

Jake's jaw dropped open, rarely did someone so new to magick just see its light. "You can see that in me," he whispered. Neytiri watched them; his expression told her this was important. Valeana nodded and slowly looked around wincing. "I know it's rather bright around this tree." Jake paused and then added, "daughter of Earth." She looked at him confused. "That's why she was after you more than your sister."

"She, the dark one you mean, you said she was a master of dark Earth magick," Neytiri said just as softly.

Valeana stared at him shivering but only not from her chills. "Yes, I really think she was getting rid of a potential rival, which unfortunately is you young lady," Jake sighed. He did not want to lay such a burden on such a young woman. He gently clasped her hands and said, "Valeana, please understand I am a Master of Water magick and as long as I am allowed to stay among your clan I will, I promise to protect you, your family and this clan with all the power and knowledge I have learned from my clan and can learn from yours. I won't let you face her or those like her alone, not as long as I draw breath."

Neytiri and Valeana stared at him surprised at his seriousness, but not half as surprised as those behind him. :Ah Jake, buddy, turn around.

Jake winced and looked over his shoulder. There stood the shaman, the chief, Tsu'tey, and her parents. "Busted big time," he muttered looking toward the ground.

Tsu'tey snorted and said, "Another of the sky people claiming to have power."

"Not claiming, he does have the light, her light. I saw the proof," Neytiri snapped.

"Then why didn't he prove it last night," her father demanded.

She turned to Jake and urgently said, "Show them something like last night. They don't believe and they don't like that you didn't tell them last night." Behind them Viton and Releana woke up.

Jake nodded, "That's understandable, most reasonable people don't believe in magick as adults. Most people that do believe think magick comes right out of thin air too. My strength was spent last night and I'm still tired this morning. Side note before I forget: Grace plans to come and check my health this morning. She said she will be heading for a place called the Osha cliffs to ask for your approval to see me. Anyway, and you two come over here because you must hear this before going any further in this." He crooked his finger at the siblings. The three gathered around him. The chief watched him as he ordered a nearby warrior to find Grace. Jake glanced at the adults but gave his attention to the three. In his most serious voice he said, "You three have elemental magick without question. But it is not without its price. When you use its power, you may pay now, you may pay later, out of your own essence or another's, but payment will always be collected. You can earn the friendship and favors from the spirits of your elements, but you never want to be in debt to any elemental spirit." The three stared at him hungrily. "I went into debt last night to the water horses that saved not only my life but also Neytiri's. They have made two demands, which was actually quite generous in my experience. First, share with anyone in this clan that can learn magick all that I know of magick. Second, for me to learn anything and everything the clan is willing to share with me."

"Earth magick," Valeana wondered aloud.

Jake nodded, "Light earth: growing things, healing, the physical body of all things. However, dark earth: decay, disease, and at the end of all things death. That is the balance, the light and the darkness." He turned to Viton, "As I told you last night, you are a son of fire. Many consider it the hardest of the elements to master. Fire is a bad master, think wild fires, but a good servant, like this fire here." He indicated the fire nearby. Viton looked at the fire and gasped moving back. "Wait, that spirit isn't here to hurt you. Please trust me… What's your name? I just realized don't know. Sorry."

"Viton. Are you sure? I don't understand," Viton said glancing at his parents, but they said nothing. They seemed very confused and slightly afraid. His sisters were staring into the fire trying to see the spirit.

"Hold out your hand to him. Invite him to you. Trust yourself, fire is not to be feared but respected. Try and find your power."

Viton held out his hand and said softly but clearly, "I see you… Are you here to help me?" The spirit jumped out of the fire pit and skimmed about his hand and arm before settling above his palm. He was very still as he whispered, "I'm not dreaming, am I?" The adults gasped at the small fire-covered creature.

"Likes you quite a bit." Jake smiled, "Viton, you are very much awake. Though at times being a mage can be more of a nightmare than a dream." The creature hissed at him before cooing at Viton. "You don't have to do that at me. I know we're opposites." He turned to the adults. "Is this enough proof for your satisfaction?"

Tsu'tey hissed, "It only shows that the boy has the light not him." Neytiri practically growled at him and translated to Jake.

Jake nodded, "True but only to a point. This spirit only proves that Viton attracts fire spirits that's not proof of real magick. Send him back to his flame." He looked at Valeana and said, "how about something to eat?" Indicating Valeana as she continued to have a slight tremor. "Strength either physical or magick are all regained in same way. And your magick, young lady, woke to save you and wiped out what strength you had."

"Of course," Mo'at said. "Children must eat. Bring them." She led them outside of home tree. She spoke to her mate and Tsu'tey quietly. "When Grace comes, she must not hear of the light being wielded. Jake Scully must stay. He must learn and teach." She rubbed her temples at a sudden headache that she had become used to as it always happened when she left the roots of home tree. She turned and saw Jake, Neytiri, and the children at the edge of the roots.

Jake stood with Valeana leaning against him and both were looking just passed her and toward the ground. He looked both confused and angry by what he saw. Valeana looked terrified. "Oh no, this will not do at all," he quietly snarled. He lifted his free arm up and whistled a tune. The three felt a strong breeze pass around them and the river's shores rippled as, for those who could see them, several undines stood in the water. To Viton, he said, "See if you can call the fire spirit back. The dark Master has sent those things."

Viton frowned and asked, "Are those things after my sisters?"

"I'm not…" Jake began and then looked up. He looked back at whatever he saw and hissed a moment. "Mostly your shaman and they're attacking those asleep as well." Above his shoulders were small wind birds, air spirits of white light, and they purred at him but when he had looked back at the ground before him they laughed cruelly. The undines hissed and spread along the shore.

Viton was surprised as three fire spirits surround him. "Help us please," he begged pointing toward several spirits squatted around home tree. They looked like mounds of mud with tiny limbs and black pits for eyes. They stared at Mo'at mostly, but seemed startled by Jake's shields as he spread them to include Mo'at and the others. "Get them!" the boy ordered. The fire spirits hissed like hot kettles before leaping at the ones closest.

Jake glanced at the air and water spirits before asking, "Please find the rest around here and get rid of them." All the spirits took off. The earth spirits backed up a little before realizing they had to get out of there. The unfortunate ones were wrapped by the fire or air spirits and were destroyed. The undines had spears of ice and sliced the earth spirits to pieces. The rest seemed to swim into the dirt. Once the unwelcome spirits were gone Jake and Viton thanked all the spirits and dismissed them. "Congratulations," he said to Viton, "You just perform your first piece of magick. But don't think all magick can be performed easily. There is a proper way to summon and dismiss spirits." He then gave Valeana a quick squeeze and drew her to Mo'at. "How long have you not been able to leave your home?"

The chief slowly nodded, "You have been staying here. I didn't notice. How did you know?"

Jake explained, "You couldn't see them, which was the point, to affect your emotions and those of your people. To what end I'm not sure. Luckily, those spirits were stupid and weak. That woman has been well trained… Let's eat."

"How can you think of food after this?" Valeana asked. The others watched for Jake's answer.

"I want to regain my strength. We all will need our strength and our wits to deal with these dark ones. Yes, there is more than one. The water horse told me. How long have you been trapped here, please?"

"Two moon cycles I think," Mo'at said rather by disturbed this unknown enemy's hate riddled attack, "I simply got used to not wanting to leave even to connect to Eywa."

"I bet that was the point to keep as many of your people here as possible – to blind you from her actions and lower your defenses. That makes sense." Jake nodded, "Give me some time to regain my strength and form a pact with the water. I've got a technique that should give you some protection from her. I'll need to have a long talk with the clan's warriors or at least someone they will listen to. Among my clan we have warriors that are trained to stand with and against mages called wing ones I know that training."

"Water, but you had air spirits, right, around you?" Releana asked. "The wind birds, I think. Why can I see them now?"

"Right, good observation and good questions." Jake gave a small smile, "And you are just coming into your power. This is when you are ready, not before." He explained as a meal was offered. "As for me, I am kind of the odd son of my family. When I was born, it was found that my nature was water with plenty of air, but a person can only really master one element."

"So what happened with you?" Viton asked.

Jake shrugged, "Well, at our christening ceremony… a series of blessings by magick friends and family to the newborns, my uncle is an air master he saw my dual nature and blessed me with alliance, which grants me friends among the spirits of air so I didn't have to choose which element to study… Once I could study. Very useful." He continued answering the Na'vi children's questions and prodded Valeana to eat as much as he could.

After they finished breakfast, they made Jake change into appropriate clan attire. Soon after they were told Grace and Norm had arrived nearby at least as close as they were allowed. Jake was carefully explaining each the basics of each element to the Na'vi around him. The children's mother took the sisters for lessons, somewhere. Viton stayed with Neytiri, and Tsu'tey as they led Jake to where Grace and Norm were waiting.

"Morning," Grace said, "How are you feeling?"

"Like I was invited as dinner and found too tough to chew," Jake said with an amused grin.

They laughed before Grace turned to the Na'vi, "I see you. Thank you for allowing us to come and review our friend's health. Now, where did you get poisoned?"

Neytiri blinked remembering Jake wasn't actually poisoned. Jake just smiled and put his arm behind him. He said, "Ah Grace, they said it would be fine before noon."

"Still let me see," she insisted.

Jake pulled his arm out, which now sported a large bruise on the forearm with a thin cut in the middle of it. "It probably looks worse than it is." Neytiri saw Jake was trying to hand Tsu'tey a dagger hilt-end first without the other dream walkers knowing. She stepped behind him and snatched it away shooting Tsu'tey a glare.

Grace hissed, "That looks like it was quite painful."

"Not really, it left me weak though. I could barely stand when they got me here."

"Really?" Grace asked them. Neytiri nodded quickly.

"Who is this?" Norm asked noticing Viton standing near Jake. He knelt down as the boy moved behind Jake.

Jake smiled, "This is Viton the little brother of the young lady I rescued. He knows some English. It's all right, Norm's my friend." He suddenly jumped as Grace continued to examine his wound. "Hey, that hurt."

"Don't be a baby," Grace snapped. "Surely it hurt when it was treated last night."

"Actually, no. The warrior with the water horses…" he turned to Neytiri, "they were called water horses, right?"

Neytiri smiled a little strained, "Yes, Jake, water horses. He saved our lives, how could you forget?" She had no idea why he was telling Grace and Norm things so close to his secret.

Jake winked secretively at her and continued to Grace, "What he did, didn't hurt?"

"What warrior? What are water horses?" Norm asked. "You didn't say much about them this last night."

The Na'vi looked at each other a tad alarmed. Jake shrugged, "Why are you asking me? I haven't learned anything useful about this place yet. And I don't think he is even a part of this clan. Though I'm still trying to figure out why those bullies were cloaked, wielding what looked like swords and riding what looked someplace between a horse and raptor. As a warrior, I want all that weirdness explained."

Grace stared a moment, "Why is all that weird besides what they were riding?"

Jake rubbed the bandaged bruise lightly, "Well, and you both add what you can since it was your clan they attacked, being cloaked from head to toe in a humid jungle isn't logical. Grace, look at what we're all wearing. It doesn't make sense."

"He's right, all that cloth getting caught on every branch," Neytiri added catching on and was perfectly happy to voice her own frustration. "It's foolish, like the robes. The weapons were even sillier. No, ranged weapons at all."

Tsu'tey said something that made Grace stare at him. "What do you mean? Jake, you're the marine."

"…But I don't know what he said or you. You know that," Jake reminded her.

Norm padded his shoulder, "We'll work on it."

Grace groaned then looked to Tsu'tey and asked, "Could you repeat that in English for him, please?"

"I was wondering if he knew English," Jake muttered.

Tsu'tey glanced at him with a look of superiority. "I said there are no creatures as Jake Scully described."

"Then what did we see. Neytiri, the girls, and me," he asked. "Tell me, because it didn't look like the horses your people ride… Tell me what caused these." He dropped his kit, ripped off the bandage at his shoulder, and showed them his other injury. "I know these are claws marks of some kind."

Everyone examined the three long cuts down his shoulder blade. Neytiri nodded, "I saw them as well, the horse thing reared and it didn't have hooves."

"These certainly do look like claw marks," Grace confirmed. "What did their horses look like?"

"I was paying attention to the rider, the one pointing the sword at me," Jake explained.

Viton whispered, "Did it hurt?"

Jake nodded, "But not as badly its rider got hurt. Two arrows and then attacked by some small mean looking… I don't know what they're called."

"Nantang. The… horse thing was dark colored unlike any horse I've seen. Its skull was different as well. Its eyes were more to the front and its mouth was strange, bigger."

The dream walkers thought it over as worried as the Na'vi. "Hurrocks," Jake said suddenly.

"What?" Grace said, "What is a…hurrock?"

Jake glanced at her, "Sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud. A hurrock is a creature of legend. It is sort of the darker version of the Pegasus. The proper name is horse-hawk and the description makes me think of their mount but without wings."

"What is a hawk?" Tsu'tey asked.

"A bird of prey back home."

Neytiri gasped, "Yes, Ikran. Those things were some place between horse and Ikran."

"Ikran?" Jake asked Norm quietly. He shrugged.

"They are so stupid," Tsu'tey hissed.

"Not stupid, he just hasn't learned," Viton said and quickly backed away as Tsu'tey leveled him with a chilling glare.

"Did you defend me?" Jake asked him. Viton nodded as he watched Tsu'tey. "Thanks, you're quite a little brother."

Viton smiled, "A brother?"

Jake grinned, "I know what it's like having older sisters. I have three myself."

"Three!"

"That's one big family," Norm said, "With Tom…"

"Yea, Tom."

"Sorry I mentioned him."

"Who's Tom?" Viton asked.

"He was my twin brother… All right until we have more information let's stick with calling those things hurrocks," Jake decided. "The main priority is finding those bullies and taken them down. They went after two teenage girls of this clan with the intent to murder them. And there is no saying they will not if they haven't already gone after any… sky people. They should be considered a threat to everyone until it's proven otherwise."

"You're right, I'll ask the control center," Grace said.

"At least they can't be mistaken for the real locals," Norm said.

"As long as they continue to wear the cloaks and ride hurrocks at least. We need to let the security chief know about them." Jake added and asked, "Tsu'tey, has anyone gone missing from the clan in the past… say three moon cycles?"

"Three?" Neytiri repeated.

"Just because the first sighting of them happened two moon cycles ago, and I'm assuming a moon cycle is about a month to me, that doesn't mean they haven't been around longer. They may not be smart about the terrain but if it has taken this long to catch them in the act. We can't under estimate them."

Tsu'tey frowned, "My war brother did go missing. There has been no trace of him for…" He stopped. Jake could tell this was a good friend and the disappearance did not sit well with the warrior.

"You're probably going to hate me for saying this and I'm very sorry, but where I come from after two days, finding a missing anyone alive is considered a miracle," Jake said quietly. "Though miracles can happen." Tsu'tey hissed, shoved Jake away before leaving.

"Jake, you could have kept that to yourself," Grace snapped.

"He's a warrior. Warriors fight best with facts not lies."

"He knows his friend is probably gone," Neytiri said. "He has for a moon cycle."

"Moving on, we have tasks to complete and a goal to strive for. Let's get to work," Jake said. Grace and Norm nodded and bid everyone a polite farewell. Viton and Jake followed Neytiri back to home tree.

As Grace walked toward Trudy's craft, she looked back. "Shoot."

"What's wrong?" Norm asked.

"I meant to ask for more information about the warrior with the water horses that saved them," she explained knowing it could be a while before she was allowed this close to home tree again. "I don't know why I forgot to."

Soon after the other dream walkers had left, Neytiri turned to him and demanded, "After telling me to keep things secret, you nearly tell them yourself."

Jake took a deep breath and said, "Neytiri, I have spent my entire life protecting the magick of my family. I have learned how much to say in truth and lies. I don't like to lie, so I speak truths I don't have to explain, then change the subject." Neytiri looked so confused. Then Viton's father came to claim his son. Neytiri remained quiet as she began leading him to where the horses were tended. "I always promise those who learn of my connection to water that I won't lie to them they just have ask the right questions."

She grabbed his arm and asked, "How did you do this then?"

"Blood a liquid, not far from water, I just pooled it in my arm for a time," he said and pulled off Grace's bandage, "See already gone except for the cut."

"Why do all this?"

"Because it's the best I can do. Mother taught me not to go back on a promise. Father told me all debts must be repaid."

Neytiri thought it over. At the dire horse's clearing she asked, "Can I learn magick?"

"Well, anyone can learn about magick."

"I mean use it, like you," she said.

"First off, there are four levels of magick wielding generally speaking," Jake explained. "At the top, able to command and control elemental spirits are the Masters. Then able to request and ask the spirits are Mages. Next are witches and warlocks, who can ask for favors from spirits but the spirits will only respond if they feel like. Lastly, are called sensitives and what they do does not seem like magic at all but their abilities can bring a Master to their knees."

"If you are a Master, what are the children?"

"Valeana and Viton have the potential to become Masters of their natural element. Remeana could be a witch of Fire. Like any thing else, it all depends how much they are willing to work for it. Separate elements and discipline levels in twins is unusual though… "

She nodded after a moment and then asked, "And me?"

"You are an air daughter with a witch's potential."

"What can witches do?"

"Charms, potions, hexes – anything that a Mage can do by themselves. Neytiri, for witches the strength is within. You're already a warrior with a shaman for a mother and have probably already harnessed your strength. It's now a matter of teaching you to focus that strength as a witch."

"That is good. How?"

"And that circles us back to the water horse's request. When do I learn from you? And when do I teach… you and the others?"

Neytiri thought it over slightly annoyed. Soon enough she came to a decision, "Very well, during the day you will learn. After the sun goes down you will teach."

"If it makes you feel better Sebastian can help teach too."

"How?"

"He's tied to that mirror. Observing everything is what he's best at. He's probably the most knowledgeable… well, spirit we can talk to in the field of magick. Even better, he's also more than willing to talk to anyone who will keep him from feeling lonely."

"Lonely?"

"I guess I should explain some things about him." Jake nodded sadly, "He was a person once."

"He was?" Neytiri asked trying to grasped the thought.

"Nearly a hundred years ago. He had all the potential to become a Master of Air magick but somehow couldn't find a Master to teach him. It was driving him crazy, seeing the spirits and all with no one to explain what was going on. A dark Master of Earth promised to help him and did deliver all that was promised, but in no way told him what would be done to him."

"What do you mean?"

"Technically, the dark Master told the truth but it was twisted around. He didn't stand a chance. He was murdered, Neytiri, his spirit bound to the black glass of the mirror. And whoever possesses the mirror he must obey. Air and Earth are opposite elements and when a dark of one element gets a light of their opposite at their mercy the… it's bad, it's always really bad."

"Then why not destroy that mirror?" she demanded grabbing his kit.

Jake stopped her from taking it and shook his head, "If only it was that simple. As long as a single shard of that glass exists his spirit is bound to it and that existence alone. He can't even return to the Mother. My grandfather was too late to save Sebastian while he lived, so my family cares for him, his spirit. We keep his mind grounded so he doesn't go crazy and search for a way to free him from the glass. So far we've come up empty."

"That is why you asked me to be careful with it," she said.

Jake nodded, "Again, I do the best I can and expect nothing less than my best from me… It's all I can do really. So what are we learning here?"

"You're going to learn to ride a horse," she explained going to get a mare.

"This will be interesting," he said. She glared at his tone. "Sorry, but I've never actually been this close to any kind of horse before last night."