Chapter 5: New Beginnings

Jake continued to feel the breeze of the Pandoran air surrounding him as he looked out from his and Neytiri's Home tree bedroom. For once since he landed on this planet, everything seemed to grind to a complete halt. He glanced over his shoulder to see Neytiri resting her head on his shoulder still, both admiring the scenic beauty of the approaching night descending upon the village below.

Jake stared into her eyes, the shimmering and reflective nature of them mesmerized every fiber of his being. He had spent so many years on Earth, wondering and contemplating how he would move forward with his life after becoming a paraplegic in the war as a marine. In this moment with Neytiri, he had finally, after long last, discovered a new purpose of existing and it was found on a planet far into the stretches of deep space. Jake had wondered what it had been like as they were kids so far away, did both of them ever stare into the stars to wonder what else could be out there? Is it friendly? Benevolent? Or did the life that did exist, have nefarious intentions? In the end both of them had experienced all three, but right here in this moment, there was only one prominent emotion that had festered in both of their hearts...was an undying love.

Neytiri soon broke the silence of both of their trances of each other.

"Jake...there's something I wanted to mention to you..."

Jake provided his undivided attention, every word that was spoken by Neytiri was filled with a compassionate undertone.

"When I first encountered you...I wondered how could one of our own struggle so immensely against the dangers of Pandora? Surely this fool that I was witnessing before my very eyes was not from our tribe?"

Jake soon placed his head down in shame and embarrassment, recollecting the memory in his subconscious in rapid and vivid motion.

Neytiri quickly lifted the young Avatar's chin with her hand to look back at her.

"But what I failed to realize, was that I was meeting someone that I would love for the rest of my life, until my dying breath."

Jake's eyes lit up.

(If Thomas Berguson- Empire of Angels is compatible with your device, please press play now)

"I love you Jake Sully, you have shown and revealed to me a side of humans I never grasped, nor understood. You have shown more conviction and morals, than anything of pragmatic value that I taught you when my father instructed me to teach you our ways."

Jake soon dawned a soft and loving expression.

"Neytiri, all of those moments we endured...and shared. They also revealed to me that the circumstances that were bestowed upon me in my life, and the broken road I traveled, led me directly to you. If I had to endure such hardships again, knowing full well the end result would be to see you again...I wouldn't hesitate to go through that suffering again...I love you Neytiri."

Emotions were overflowing and swelling within both Na'vi, until they couldn't hold back on their loving inhibitions for one another.

Both soon grasped one another in a tight and passionate embrace, each kiss provided, was more aggressive than the last.

Neytiri jumped and wrapped both legs around the waist of Jake, the warm embrace of her body was providing an overwhelming sensation that felt like bliss to Jake. Acting on instinct, Jake began to maneuver towards their cot, and gently laid Neytiri on top of it. He took a brief moment to admire her seductive beauty, and then proceeded to gently kiss her neck, Neytiri quickly developed goosebumps for how good the sensation enveloped her body, with quiet moans soon being audible shortly thereafter.

Jake gently positioned his hand on her leg, the smoothness of its texture was engrossing his love for her entirely. He gently began kissing her breasts, as he removed her bra, being especially careful not to damage its intricate design.

Outside the tranquility of the Pandoran night, as if the planet was admiring the moment between two lovers persisted. Eywa, in a few short months, was about to bless Jake and Neytiri with a Na'vi child, to continue the Omaticaya bloodline for future generations to come afterward. But all would remain to be futile, should they fail to repel the RDA attack, that was fast approaching...

*9 MONTHS LATER*

The home tree quickly developed into a fortress that had been reinforced with RDA smuggled equipment. It was going to require an extensive amount of fire power to even breach the first line of defenses of the tree itself, not to mention the shield.

The tribes of Na'vi across Pandora migrated to the sacred tree as well, understanding that if they failed to stop the attack here, the planet would surely fall to the RDA, with untold horrors being inflicted upon the population and flora and fauna.

Grace was quickly finishing her field research notes in her school hut. Final classes had just finished an hour ago, and she was left to correct students homework for the evening, on top of her already arduous and taxing workload that she conducted in the nearby Pandoran jungle.

Just beside her in the corner of the room, was a small baby weave hammock, crafted from fine Na'vi silk and garments. Lying in peaceful rest, was a beautiful baby Na'vi, sleeping soundly and in tranquility. Grace slowly arose from her seat and crept towards the basket. She slowly drew back the blanket for which the child rested in and her heart melted at the sight of the infant, who was reaching out with it's fingers in unconscious trance.

Grace soon adopted a whispered tone as she began to speak.

"You were excellent today little Jack! Your parents should be here to pick you up soon, you were a great assistant today for teaching the kids how to handle a baby. I'm sure you inspired many future parents in the Omaticaya tribe...certainly better than the robotic babies on Earth I had to use in my younger years as a science teacher, that's for sure!"

Suddenly, the infant began to slowly open his eyes, slowly adjusting the staggering brightness around him. It soon was able to grasp a blurred figure, which soon regained clarity, smiling back at him. The infant soon released a chuckle, which in turn led Grace to chuckle at how adorable he was.

"Is Auntie Grace a good babysitter? Oh yes she is! Oh yes she i-"

Grace soon stopped her playful and loving tone when she noticed in her peripheral vision, standing at the front entrance, was none other than Jake Sully.

"It seems little Jack there has been keeping good company! He wasn't too much trouble for your classes today was he?"

Grace then returned a smile back to the blue Avatar.

"Oh he was absolutely no trouble whatsoever! Besides the occasional diaper change, he was such a tranquil and calm baby boy! The kids absolutely adored him as well! I actually had to tell a few of them to pay attention to the lesson because they were distracted by his adorable charismatic charm. I'm sure he gets that from you, eh Jake?"

Jake smiled.

"I guess he does, I appreciate this Grace, it provided me enough time to make the necessary preparations for the battle ahead of us, we should be a formidable force this time around for the RDA this time around."

Grace nodded.

"That's good to hear, some of the engineers visited the school today to add the finishing touches to the bunker in the basement, should I have to take refuge with the kids if things go awry. They recalibrated the turrets and battle tested the steel plating on the bunker entrance. Safe to say we really are ensuring all avenues of safety are covered, and the fact I've improved my aim with a rifle thanks to your instructional guide you published a few months ago. I was quite shocked to find out that you were not illiterate!"

Grace let out a hearty laugh at her remark, and Jake smiled.

"Ouch! That was actually a well crafted burn, even for the great Grace Augustine, that's got to be at least a third degree roast right there!"

Grace regained her composure and began to speak.

"I surprise myself sometimes Jake, I've learned to take everything in stride and to wear my heart on my sleeve as I've grown older, it's helped me through some tough obstacles in my lifetime for sure."

Jake smiled.

"Are you attending the feast this evening? It's probably going to be the last before the eventual battle with the RDA. All of the Na'vi tribes will be here to provide their blessings to us from Eywa. I'm sure everyone would love to see you there!"

Grace nodded in agreement.

"Of course, I'd love to attend! The children have been practicing their songs for the ceremony during their breaks in school, and I'm certain that they would be glad to see their teacher there to see their hard work and practice put to good use!"

Jake smiled as he raised Jack into his arms.

"Alright! Sounds like the beginnings to another great evening! See you there Grace!"

"You too Jake, and don't forget the new beginning that you have with that child! He's going to need you to guide him as he grows into a young boy!"

Jake turned and provided a slight smile, and exited through the door to the village outside, as Grace made the final finishing touches on her notes and correcting of students' assessments.

Jake continued through the village, which was more populous than ever before with all of the Na'vi tribes converging on it for the past few months, and setting up fortified encampments to repel any aerial and infantry attacks.

Villagers greeted the chief of the Omaticaya and his newborn son as they made their way towards the Home Tree, smiles extending from ear to ear as they greeted the young infant.

As the two approached the entrance to the Home Tree, food and celebratory decorations were being prepared, indicating that this could possibly be the last peaceful event the planet bears witness to...but Jake was going to ensure that while ever he drew breath, Pandora would never capitulate to the RDA.

They had finally arrived to the grand staircase to the chieftains quarters of the Home Tree. Jake slowly ascending the staircase with each step, with his son Jack nestled into his neck. As he approached the doorway, he slowly peaked in, to see Neytiri slowly combing her hair and placing a beautiful pink flower that resembled a rose on Earth.

"You look as beautiful as ever Neytiri."

Neytiri, who was at first startled to hear another voice, quickly smiled as she noticed her husband and child enter the bedroom. Both soulmates met each other's gaze and gave each other a quick kiss on the lips, as Jake handed over Jack to Neytiri.

Jake smiled as Neytiri rocked the baby in a lateral motion back and forth, soon causing the infant to dose off to sleep once again.

"It seems like he had a long day with Grace, he expunged a lot of energy with the students from what I heard, they thought he was an adorable baby."

Neytiri provided a loving smile and looked to Jake.

"He is a beautiful child isn't he?"

Jake looked to Neytiri.

"I'd say he derives a lot of that from his mother's genes."

Neytiri provided a laugh through her tears of joy, she was thrilled to have a child of her and Jake's own, it's the first bit of joy she had truly felt since the loss of her father and friends over a year ago.

"We saw some of the decorations around the village, it should be a wonderful ceremony! There's plenty of food and laughter going on down there even now."

Neytiri provided a soft grin.

"I'm sure it will be beautiful."

Jake wrapped an arm around Neytiri before gently planting a kiss on top of her head, as both lovers watched their child peacefully drift off into a deep slumber.

*MEANWHILE, OUT IN DEEP SPACE*

The RDA fleet was two days out from Pandora as Parker Selfridge stared out into the dark expanses of space, the stars and cosmos providing a deafening silence in his office, as a RDA soldier once again entered.

"Glad to see cryostasis was successful for you sir, rehabilitation and treatment are usually required after being in a prolonged state for such an extended period of time."

Parker turned to face the infantryman.

"Thank you private, I understand that we are just two days out from the orbit of Pandora?"

The soldier handed over the tablet to allow Parker to assess the analytics that was collected from the logistics team onboard the ship.

"It seems we are going to be outnumbered heavily personnel wise sir, the Na'vi have assembled every available tribe on the planet to repel our counterattack to gain a position on the planet once again."

Parker placed his hand on his forehead.

"We have a vast arsenal of weaponry, the Na'vi have the numbers but we have the advanced equipment. We're prepared this time."

The soldier lowered his head, apprehensive of the words he was about to express after his previous statement.

"Sir the Na'vi under the guidance of the Human Avatars and Jake Sully...have been able to familiarize themselves with the equipment. They have become far more deadlier than our last encounter with them."

Parker's eyes widened, but quickly turned once again to stare out into the vast expanse of space.

"Soldier?"

"Yes sir?"

"How many mechs do we have in our inventory?"

"Enough to equip every soldier in our fleet sir."

"Let's even the odds with these blue savages..."

The ceremony commenced with a plethora of songs and Na'vi dances.

Jake soon rose to offer a speech.

"Attention everyone! I know we have worked tirelessly these past few months, but it has all been for a reason. The RDA we faced last time, will bring bolstered numbers and equipment, and we have to be ready to ready for a ferocious and unwavering resolve and retaliation from them. We have built ourselves from the brink of collapse and have forged new connections and friendships with one another. I've interacted with many of you for almost a year, I understand your conviction and courage, and I have full confidence in your skill in battle and your devotion to your fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Pandora is our home, and the RDA are going to have to send every last man to take it from us, and it will not happen under my watch. WHO'S WITH ME?!"

The rapturous roar heard from the crowd could almost be heard across the expanse of the planet. The line was drawn from both sides, and this battle was going to result in immense casualties. But the edge was with the Omaticaya and Na'vi as a whole, for they had something in their possession that the RDA could never take away from them: The belief in their people and their God, Eywa.

The evening thereafter seemed to resemble a celebration more than a time of gathering before a surely consequential battle. Laughter, love, and friends gathered to share an evening without hardship or pain. Something that was seldom seen before Jake Sully came along and changed the planet and its destiny forever.

Jake placed his son into the makeshift crib that he had constructed with Neytiri when they discovered she was pregnant.

He provided a gentle kiss to Jack and slowly went over to his and Neytiri's cot. He turned to face the large opening facing towards the Pandoran jungle and the cosmic moons and planets that covered the night sky in an aura of vibrant and vivid colors that stretched the horizon.

He began to take deep breaths from his diaphragm, trying to ease his mind of the inevitabilities he would have to face tomorrow once again. But something entered his mind that provided a gentle ease to that worry: Freedom.

If they succeed in this fight, peace on Pandora would be assured for every living organism that called it home. The thoughts of his family, friends, and people kept the inner drive and assertion of his motives strong and he remained stoic.

Suddenly, a warm feeling was felt on his back, a very familiar feeling that he craved since he fell in love with her: Neytiri.

"Everything alright, Jake?"

Jake soon repositioned his body to face her shimmering auburn eyes, that almost could be perceived as glowing in the near pitch black room.

"Yeah I'm fine my love, just contemplating on a lot of thoughts right now."

Neytiri lifted her hand and gently caressed Jake's face, which prompted Jake to close his eyes from the feeling of comfort he had gained from it.

"Whatever battle you face, I'm going to be right beside you, we'll face it together. As long as you are here, our people will survive! This planet will survive! Eywa has instilled the heartbeat and soul in you and entrusted you with it for a reason!"

Jake opened his eyes once again.

"I know with all of my heart that we will succeed, we have more to lose and everything more to gain from being victorious in this battle than the sky people. That is why you need not worry...Jake Sully."

Jake provided a reassuring smile that seemed to put Neytiri's mind to ease.

"I love you beyond the stars Neytiri. I knew there was a purpose to keep me going, to fight on. The universe led me straight to you, and I will fight to protect you while ever my body gives me the strength to do so. You, our child, our friends, and our people, they mean everything to me now, and while ever they are in danger, my struggle will never be over."

Jake soon pulled Neytiri into a hug as both kissed passionately, her breathing against his skin provided a feeling to him like no other. While there was a battle swiftly approaching, nothing else mattered in this moment, except for her...and the new beginning that lay just over the horizon for him.

"One last fight...and then...freedom"

*END OF CHAPTER*