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Jake Sully slowly regained consciousness, a blue hand soon extended from his peripheral vision.
The muffled voice of a female Na'vi could be heard expressing joyous remarks, although Jake could not decipher precisely as to what she was saying.
"Jake! Jake you're alright!"
The female Na'vi quickly gave a warm hug to the now conscious Avatar.
Jake gave a warm smile back.
"I see you..."
Neytiri smiled, holding back tears.
"I see you...Jake Sully"
The two now engaged in a heartfelt moment, with a new age beginning on the horizon for the Omaticaya clan, Jake Sully now assuming the role of chief.
The blue Avatar now arose from his lying position next to the Tree of Souls.
Mo'at quickly rushed over to support the former marine.
"Careful Jake Sully, the transfer process just finished, take slow, steady steps forward"
Jake carefully placed each foot in front of him, illuminating the floral moss of the Tree of Souls with each step placed.
He then looked out towards the dense crowd of the Omaticaya clan, all of which were anticipating what their new leader would say as means of guiding the future of his people.
Neytiri and Mo'at stood adjacent to the newfound chief as he soon began to speak in the native Na'vi tongue.
"Omaticaya, brothers and sisters, my people! We have weathered the raging storm with the assistance of Eywa! But I have no doubt in my mind that the sky people will cease their interest in our planet! We have to prepare in the months ahead to ensure that the event we just survived, does not transpire again under our watch. I understand that I am asking you once again to sacrifice all that you know for the survival of our people, but I promise, once we quell the next threat, they will understand that the Na'vi and Pandora are not to be trifled with! Who's with me?!"
A rapturous roar from the surrounding Na'vi assured Jake that he now had the full support and trust of his people, and understood the sacrifices he made to warn them of the existential threat the sky people posed to the planet of Pandora.
Neytiri then turned to Jake.
"Come quickly there is someone who wishes to see your return"
The Na'vi of the Omaticaya soon returned to the makeshift village center they had constructed after the destruction of the Home Tree by the RDA.
Na'vi children and villagers all cheered their new chief as he passed by with Neytiri and Mo'at.
"How are our numbers currently?"
Jake asked Neytiri, as she turned with a somber smile.
"We lost many of our people in the fight against the sky people, but we are slowly regaining our strength and confidence once again. We will be ready for their return and the neighboring clans have already unanimously given their support for the sky people's eventual return"
Jake nodded his head in assurance.
"Very good, we have to take the fight to those bastards when they eventually show up in greater numbers, we need everyone on board when they return"
The three Na'vi soon approached a makeshift structure, with a sign displaying "school".
Jake stood in visible confusion.
"What the hell? When did we acquire a squire or teacher for the kids?"
Neytiri chuckled.
"Well, it didn't take very long to find one, as a matter of fact, you already know her"
Jake's eyes widened.
"Are you-are you serious? You're not implying that she-"
Jake was quickly cut off by Neytiri pointing to the door, with Jake slowly opening the rudimentarily crafted door entrance.
As he entered, his expression turned to one of shock.
"You've got to be shitting me"
"And this is what we refer to as metamorphosis on Earth and- oh my goodness, Jake!"
Grace soon rushed over to the blue Avatar for a hug.
"I don't believe it, I thought Eywa had taken you! What happened, what changed?!"
Grace smiled.
"She granted a second chance Jake, she understood that you still needed help...also my research still has not concluded fully, so there's that. Excuse me for a second..."
Grace reached for a cigarette in her shorts pocket and lit it with a lighter.
"Uh, should you be doing that with the children nearby?"
"Oh what this? Carcinogens don't affect the Na'vi like us humans, you can practically smoke 50 packs of these and never get the shitty end of the stick. Speaking of which, I might have to return to the RDA base again for some more of these, along with the rest of the research notes and equipment"
Jake laughed.
"Well it's good to have you back"
"It's great to see you all again too, oh! After I conclude this class I need to speak to you guys about something pertaining to the Home Tree"
Jake and Neytiri nodded, as they exited the classroom, soon walking back to the makeshift center of the village, which housed where the chieftain lived.
Neytiri soon turned towards Jake, with a concerned expression.
"Jake?"
Jake then turned to face Neytiri.
"Yes, Neytiri?"
"We've lost so many people that were close to us, my father, Tsu'tey, and so many others. How long can we endure before we lose more of our people?"
Jake then turned to place his hands on the shoulders of Neytiri.
"Whatever happens, I'm going to do my best to ensure that we get out of this alive and continue the lifeline of our people I promise"
The couple then embraced in another hug.
"Alright, I've got to ensure our warriors are equipped and making the necessary preparations for the months ahead, I'll see you at the dinner ceremony!"
Dinner had soon concluded, with Jake and Neytiri making their way towards Grace's quarters.
"Alright Grace, we're all ears! What do you have to say?"
Grace smiled and pulled out some photos.
Jake examined them closely, realizing that the place of origin was familiar.
"Are these...photos of the Home Tree?"
Grace smiled.
"Indeed they are! Shortly after being back in my Avatar body, I went back to to the Home Tree and examined what had remained"
Jake let on a confused expression.
"I don't understand Grace, you were with us when the RDA and the Colonel burned it to the ground, there's nothing left but horrible memories"
Grace placed an index finger in the air, presenting objection to Jake's statement.
"Not quite, during my time with Eywa, she presented a way to restore it back to life in a matter of a month in this planet's orbital cycle! We can rebuild and fortify the tree using the technology left at the RDA base! We can start anew!"
Neytiri and Jake both smiled.
"That's amazing! Thank you so much...mother"
Grace smiled.
"No problem Neytiri...now it is getting late and I need to conclude some of these damned reports from earlier, the samples from the Tree of Souls is proving to be very fruitful"
Jake laughed.
"Always occupied in the scientific shit, eh Grace?"
Grace smiled.
"Well if it wasn't for the scientific "shit" and teaching the Na'vi language to you in a wheelchair, you would have been dead for sure"
Jake chuckled.
"Heh, good point"
Grace smiled.
"Good night guys!"
"Goodnight!"
Neytiri and Jake soon made their way back home, the villagers now preparing to rest, left an eerie silence to the clan camp. The surrounding wildlife of the planet around them, and the night sky, provided tranquility and peace as they made their way back to the chief's hut.
Jake lay in the cot, contemplating the task ahead of him, wondering how it would transpire with the return of the RDA in the months ahead.
Neytiri soon placed a hand on his arm.
"Something wrong, Jake?"
Jake remained staring at the sky above him.
"Yeah, I'm fine...just thinking that's all"
Neytiri smiled.
"Well get some rest, we have a lot to prepare for tomorrow. We'll be alright, I know we will"
With that, both drifted off to a state of purgatory sleep, with the new chief of the Omaticaya clan leaving one thought behind before drifting off to sleep.
"I truly hope so"
*END OF CHAPTER*
