Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter fourteen of "Gone in the Dark." There is mention of the Ash People and the Windtraders in this chapter. Both Na'vi clans will appear in Avatar 3. There has been talk of a third clan living in the Arctic region of Pandora being introduced as well. According to details, Spider will become more conflicted than he was in Avatar: The Way of Water. This probably stems from him saving Quaritch's life instead of leaving him to die in the sunk SeaDragon. No one has any idea how the others will react, especially Neytiri due to her grudge against him for being Quaritch's son. The chapter after the next will introduce Payakan. Stay tuned for chapter fifteen.

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Chapter 14: Gathered Around/Treating New Wounded

An ilu swam through the ocean an hour later. It came upon the Sully marui, stopping when it heard laughter. It stuck its neck and part of its body out the water. It looked into the window to see Jake, Norm, forty-eight-year-old Maureen Robertson, and nineteen-year-old Rishi sitting on the floor as they talked about Neteyam's prank on Lo'ak.

Maureen scratched the back of her neck. She happened to be in her avatar form. She was slightly shorter than Norm was. She was lean with some muscle. The tips of her ears contained knicks in them. Her breasts were slightly larger than that of Grace's avatar. The upper part of her right arm had a tattoo of a golden eagle flying on it.

Rishi ran her hand over her face. She happened to be a Metkayina who was around Tsireya's height. Her hair was up in a ponytail with a few strands sticking out. The tip of her tail was actually missing. Her eyes were blue. They contained scars underneath them. Her strakes had tiny knicks in the front of them. She ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.

"Lo'ak stepped into the rope circle. It tightened around his ankle. The tree pulled him upside down. He yelled in surprise. Neteyam came out and smirked at him. Lo'ak demanded he get him down. Neteyam did just that. He said he could not believe Lo'ak fell for that prank," Jake said with a shake of his head.

"Lo'ak wasn't paying attention to his surroundings like he usually did that day. That is for sure," Maureen replied and formed a cheeky smile on her face.

"I'll say," Rishi said, giving a shrug.

"We all have our off-days," Norm said and rubbed his nose. "Do you remember the day I did not want to study plant life with the Avatar Team?"

"Oh, I do. You were not feeling well at all as Grace told me when she and Trudy came to Hell's Gate to get food and medical supplies for Site 26. You had gotten very sick the night before. You did not even want to get out of bed," Maureen pointed out.

"The only times I got out of bed were to shower and eat a little something. I was able to keep food down, but I did not eat too much because I feared upsetting my stomach," Norm explained.

"You were better by the next day, but you were still very weak. Grace did not let you enter your avatar until two days later," Jake added.

"It is important to be sound of mind and body in order to drive an avatar efficiently. When physical or mental health is out of whack, you cannot function properly," Norm explained in a low but firm voice.

"Exactly," Jake agreed.

"If Grace were here now, she would be so proud of how far you have come, Jake. She would have likely been annoyed by all the kids' antics, including her own," Maureen said, giggling to herself.

"She was almost always serious. She did not like to joke around," Jake commented and clicked his tongue twice. "I do know she would have been fascinated by the marine life here."

"She would have been shocked to find Pandora has orcas just like Earth. Both are black and have white eyepatches and white undersides. The biggest difference between them is these orcas grow up to fifty feet long and weigh nearly twenty tons. They lack the saddle patches on their dorsals," Norm responded and cupped his chin in his hand.

"Unlike most dolphin species here, the orca does not possess a second set of flippers. That shows it is more advanced than its smaller counterparts are," Maureen added.

Jake rubbed his throat as the ilu lowered its body and dove underwater. He drew one knee to his chest. He laid his arm on top of it before letting out a soft sigh.

"I am glad Lo'ak and Tsireya went out to see Payakan this morning. They need the fresh air and sea," Jake whispered, swinging his tail from side to side.

"Those kids make such a lovely couple," Maureen admitted with a light chuckle.

"They have great potential to become a mating pair," Rishi commented, a giggle leaving her mouth.

Norm touched his ear. "That won't be happening for a few years, Rishi, though it is quite possible they could become sexually intimate before then."

"Teens were having a lot of sex when I was in high school," Jake added, his ears twitching. "I had two girlfriends I was sexually intimate with. The sex was good, but it is nothing compared to what I have with Neytiri."

"Trudy was my first real girlfriend. I was shocked she could be attracted to a nerd like me. Girls like her go for the hot guys," Norm grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"She saw something in you that she did not see in hot guys she dated. You are sweet, smart, giving, loving, and caring," Maureen said as she counted off on her fingers.

"I remember seeing you two screwing in your bed. I realized how your attitude toward me had improved," Jake said, a snicker coming from him.

"That was not exactly our finest moment, especially when it came to me," Norm mumbled and blushed a bit.

Maureen laughed. "Jake kept teasing you about it. He even pointed out the hickies on your neck."

"Yeah. I miss Trudy a lot. If she were here, I think she would have wanted to have an avatar made for her," Norm whispered, his ears lowering in sadness as the redness faded from his cheeks.

"I believe she would," Maureen replied in a gentle yet firm voice.

Jake nodded in agreement. "Me too."

Norm straightened the sleeve on his white t-shirt. He rubbed his neck with both hands before laying them in his lap. He placed his boot into the floor and tapped it three times.

"It is hard to believe this war has been going on for four months now. We've lost many Metkayina," Norm mumbled, sighing heavily.

"Many Green Spears have died in our care as well," Maureen added, clasping her hands together and twirling her thumbs around.

Jake sniffled. "A lot more lives would have been lost if you guys were not here. Your help has been invaluable."

Norm and Maureen couldn't help but smile. They and Rishi listened as Jake told them about the first patient that was brought in.

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The avatars and Na'vi were still sitting together in the marui twenty minutes later. Norm, Maureen, and Rishi listened as Jake spoke of how Payakan carried him and Lo'ak to the surface after escaping the SeaDragon. He moved his hand upward while imitating the tulkun's clicks. He positioned it in a straight fashion before moving forward.

"I was relieved to finally take a deep breath. I touched Lo'ak's head and turned him toward me. I said, 'I see you, son.' He looked so surprised, but he was happy to know I was proud of him," Jake said.

"You should not have been so hard on him and Neteyam in the first place, Jake," Norm pointed out truthfully.

"I know, but I was scared my kids would get hurt or worse. I wanted them to be safe," Jake responded.

Rishi snorted. "What you think is best for your kids may be not at all. Sometimes, you have to let them take their own path."

Jake exhaled. "That is true."

Jake rubbed the back of his neck before clearing his throat. He placed his hand on the floor beside him. He tapped his fingers against it.

"I can't blame Payakan for retaliating against the RDA for killing his mother. He wanted to keep other tulkuns from suffering the same fate," Norm commented.

"It is disgusting they were hunted just for amrita," Maureen said angrily.

"Now, they are being hunted for their meat. The RDA wants to use it to feed the people of Earth before they come here," Jake added.

"Humanity may be driving Earth toward its extinction, but it still has many members who want to keep Pandora from suffering the same fate," Norm commented.

Maureen suppressed a yawn. "That's right."

"It is crazy how Earth was ruined in a span of a few thousand years," Rishi whispered shockingly. "The People would never think of doing such a thing to Pandora."

"Unfortunately, not all Na'vi are like the Omaticaya and the Metkayina," Maureen mumbled while lowering her ears.

Rishi blew hard. "The Ash People are one of several aggressive clans. They live near a volcano. Little vegetation grows there. They regularly raid villages to get food and supplies. Varang is their leader. She is known for being very cruel to those she attacks. Not even her clanmates are safe from her cruelty."

"Neytiri told me about a clan called the Windtraders. They live in a desert and regularly trade with other clans. Peylak is their leader. He is said to have a calm and gentle demeanor," Jake added.

"It would be nice to meet Peylak someday," Norm said hopefully.

"I have a feeling it will happen in the near future, Norm," Jake commented softly.

Norm raised his eyebrows. "You think so, Jake?"

"Mm-hmm," Jake said with a nod. "You do not have to be a tsahik to get feelings of any kind."

Suddenly, Neytiri ran into the marui, causing the quartet to look up. She skidded to a halt and panted heavily. She grabbed a hold of the doorway. She managed to catch her breath.

"Jake, we need your help. Two badly injured warriors have been brought in," Neytiri said frantically.

"How bad it is, Neytiri?" Jake said, jumping to his feet along with Rishi, Norm, and Maureen. He could see the avatars running to the back to get medical supplies and equipment. "Tell me."

"One of them is a Green Spear who has a wound on the left side of his neck. The other is a Metkayina who has a stab wound in her right side," Neytiri explained.

"Okay," Jake said. "Let's go."

Jake, Neytiri, Norm, Rishi, and Maureen raced out of the marui. They did not notice another ilu swimming by.

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Tonowari was unwrapping the blood-soaked neck bandage of the shaking young Green Spear man in another marui. Ronal was examining the stab wound in the young Metkayina woman's side she had just removed the bandage from. She could hear her struggling to breathe. He got the bandage off and grabbed a rag. He placed it against the wound. Just then, Jake, Rishi, Norm, Maureen, and Neytiri arrived. This caused the couple to look up.

"Jake, this one can't breathe. I believe her lung has been punctured," Ronal shouted in fear.

"This one's neck wound looks a little deep," Tonowari added and swallowed hard.

"Norm, Maureen, Neytiri, assist Ronal. Rishi, I want you with me helping Tonowari," Jake commanded.

"Okay," Norm said. "Let's get the ball rolling!"

Jake came to Tonowari's side as Norm, Maureen, and Neytiri went to Ronal. Tonowari took his hand off the rag before going to the head of the man. Rishi joined her leader's side. Jake lifted the rag just slightly. He winced at what he saw.

"Shit. That wound is a little deep. We need to stitch it up now," Jake grumbled urgently.

"What the hell is going on here?" Nekx asked as he ran in. He gasped at the state of his comrade. "That is a Green Spear."

Jake looked at him along with Rishi and Tonowari. "Nekx, your comrade was badly injured."

"By a Metkayina, I know!" Nekx snapped.

"Don't start," Tonowari warned sternly.

"You should come over here. Your presence could keep your comrade calm," Jake added.

Nekx breathed deeply. "Okay."

Nekx came over and pushed Rishi out of the way. She snarled angrily and smacked him in the face, causing his head to snap to the side. He brought it to where he was staring at her.

"Don't push me like that, you bastard!" Rishi screeched.

"You are a Metkayina. You do not belong at my comrade's side if you are not assisting with medical care!" Nekx retorted, his ears flattening against his skull.

"Why you—" Rishi started.

"Hey, that's enough!" Ronal yelled as she looked toward the group along with Neytiri, who flared her nostrils. "This is not the time nor the place to argue!"

"Ronal's right!" Neytiri added fiercely. "We are here to provide medical care, not act like children!"

"Rishi, get the thread and needle," Jake commanded, glancing at the young woman.

Rishi nodded at the former marine. She shot Nekx a dirty look before heading over to a table near Jake, where threads and needles were. Jake looked at Tonowari and Nekx.

"Nekx, hold your friend's hand. Tonowari, hold his shoulders to keep him from moving," Jake instructed.

"Don't let me die," the man whimpered. "Don't let me die."

Nekx shushed softly as he took the man's hand into his. "Shh. You won't die. I promise."

Tonowari touched the man's shoulders after leaning over him. This caused the latter's movements to cease some. Neytiri and Ronal turned back to their patient. Rishi came to Jake's side with a thread and needle. He took it from her, allowing her to take hold of the rag.

"Okay, Rishi," Jake whispered. "Lift the rag carefully."

Rishi complied with the command. Jake poked the needle through the edge of the wound. He pulled it all the way through. He proceeded to stitch the wound up. The man's movements increased a little bit. Nekx squeezed his hand tightly, causing him to become calmer. Tonowari glanced at Rishi, who had just removed the rag completely. He could see some blood on it.

"Rishi, come over here," Tonowari commanded. "You can help me keep this man still."

Rishi went to her leader as he moved aside somewhat. She took hold of the man's left shoulder. He got the right one. Nekx glanced toward Norm, who held an unfamiliar object in his hand. He could see another one in Maureen's. Ronal was preparing to stitch up the woman's wound.

"What in the hell are those things your friends have?" Nekx wondered.

"We call those devices a breathing tube and an air pump," Jake said, glancing over his shoulder at his friends. "Both are designed to help a patient breathe more easily if their lungs are punctured or have collapsed."

"Oh," Nekx whispered and looked down at the man. "Does he—"

"He doesn't need them," Jake answered swiftly while returning his attention to the patient. "His airway is not obstructed, even with all the blood."

Norm put the breathing tube down the woman's throat. He got it into her airway. Maureen screwed the air pump to the tip. She started squeezing it. The woman began to breathe a tiny bit better.

"Good. That's good," Norm whispered. "I am going to prep an IV for her."

Norm went over to a table close to the bed. He opened his case and started to get the needed supplies out. Ronal poked her needle into the bottom of the wound. She pulled it completely through. She started to stitch the wound up. Neytiri was holding the woman's hand. She gave it a gentle squeeze.

"This patient is lucky her attacker's dagger did not hit any major blood vessels. She would have bled out if it did," Ronal whispered.

"At least Maureen is keeping her breathing," Neytiri whispered, glancing at the doctor. "I was baffled by these objects when I saw them for the first time. Grace told my clanmates and me about their functions. I wanted to learn how to use an air pump. She was going to teach me, but then my sister was killed. She was not allowed to visit Old Hometree anymore. Maureen taught me how to use it."

"Do you think this patient will need surgery, Norm?" Ronal asked, glancing at the scientist.

"She needs to be stabilized first before we examine her, Ronal. If she needs it, then we will take her to another mauri to perform it," Norm explained as he wiped the needle with an alcohol-laced rag. "Just focus on stitching the wound."

Ronal gave Norm a nod and returned her attention to the wound. Norm raced to the woman's side with a heart monitor. He proceeded to prep her hand for the needle. Jake finished stitching the man's wound. He got his dagger to cut the thread. He laid it and the needle aside. He went to the table, grabbing a wet rag and a bandage. He wiped the blood away carefully after returning to him.

"Tonowari, Rishi, keep his head still," Jake whispered calmly.

"Okay," Tonowari responded. "Rishi…"

Tonowari and Rishi placed their hands on the man's head. Jake laid the rag down. He proceeded to wrap the bandage around his neck carefully.

"This is a little exhausting," Rishi whispered and swallowed hard.

"It sure is," Tonowari agreed. "The wound could have been a lot worse."

Nekx snorted. "It can't be worse than having to hide on an island and wait for rescue."

Jake glared at him. "Just like Kuai had to when you injured her."

Nekx growled at the former marine, who shifted his attention to the patient. Jake finished wrapping the bandage and tied a knot in it. He sighed in relief before licking his lips.

"That's over with," Jake said and went over to Norm, who had just inserted the needle into the woman's hand. "You got her—"

"Yes, I do," Norm finished and eyed the heart monitor as it beeped steadily. "Her vital signs are good. She is just having a hard time breathing."

Ronal finished stitching the wound. She grabbed her dagger and cut the thread. She laid it and the needle aside. She got a bandage from the table after going to it. She returned to the woman and started to wrap it around her stomach carefully. Neytiri breathed deeply before suppressing a yawn. She smacked her lips.

"It is not even midmorning. We are already dealing with two seriously injured patients," Neytiri whispered with a heavy sigh.

"Believe me, Neytiri. It will probably be only a matter of time before more injured come in," Jake said grimly.

Ronal finished wrapping the bandage. She tied a knot in it before taking a deep breath. She glanced at Maureen, who continued to squeeze the pump.

"The bandage is secure," Ronal announced.

"Good," Maureen said and cleared her throat. "We better…"

As Maureen continued to speak, Jake went over to the other patient. Tonowari and Rishi moved back a little bit. Jake proceeded to straighten the bandage. He mumbled inaudible words.