Chapter 34

A beam of light revealed the shadow that loomed over the crowd.

A Great Leonopteryx.

The Navi called them Toruk – The Last Shadow. It would swoop down on its victims and eviscerate them in a terrifying display of power and malice.

The beast was large. So large and dangerous that no creature on Pandora could hunt it. An apex predator.

In the light, the Great Leonopteryx appeared to be washed in flames as the red, yellow and black markings shimmered in the light. Its four wings stretched out to the size of a football pitch, eclipsing all below it in its shadow. The wings were tipped with a single claw that arced into a vicious curve that could grasp and tear at prey. The head was large with great blue crests that could cleave through all but the toughest vegetation obstructing its path. Four yellow eyes gave it a superior vision, capable of picking out and targeting even the smallest signs of prey. The teeth, much like an Ikran, were razor-sharp blades that shoot forward at any sign of a threat.

Harry had very little experience with such dangerous creatures. The closest he came was watching Ra'sar flee the beast and end up on deaths door. Even that was too close for comfort.

The Na'vi watched in terror as Toruk descended from the sky, his wings unfurling to reveal his mighty form. He was a magnificent and fearsome sight, his scales shimmering in the sunlight and his eyes burning with a fierce and unyielding fire. Despite the fear, there was a certain awe associated with the creature. The Omaticaya clan had long become renowned for their taming of such beasts during times of peril. However such stories, even from the time of the first songs, were exceedingly rare.

As the great beast flapped its wings and slowed its descent, the crowd could see it.

A rider.

A Toruk Makto.

As Toruk Makto landed, the Na'vi fell to their knees, bowing their heads in reverence and respect. They knew that this was a being of great power and majesty, and they were humbled in his presence. The animal reared its head and roared to the sky silencing all the buzz of the forest.

He had arrived.

Seeing the figure break the bond and leap down the animal's side, running his calming hand over the yellow hide, they could recognise the figure.

Jake Sully.

Outcast. Traitor. He had existed where the eye did not see.

No longer.

Jake Sully was Toruk Makto.

A great and powerful Navi that could ease the suffering of the clan. As Jake approached the Tree of Souls and the leaders of the tribe, the other Navi cleared a path for him. The Na'vi had heard stories of Toruk Makto, the one who partnered with the mighty beast that had saved their ancestors in times of great need. They had never thought they would see him in person, and they knew that this was a moment of great significance, something that would be passed down for countless generations.

Jake walked down the path, his eyes focused on only one.

Neytiri.

Every footstep brought them closer, the sound of the feet on the earth echoing through the silent crowd.

"I see you." Neytiri whispered, her heart still racing in her chest.

"I see you." Jake loving whispered back. Their hands touched and sent shivers down each of their spines. They had been apart, at odds, for too long. Jake's hands caressed Neytiri's face, drowning in the love they both shared.

Harry stood to one side of the crowd, his clan members by him. They had been part of the ceremony, asking for Eywa's guidance and now it seemed the Great Mother had answered. The had a Toruk Makto. Seeing the reunited couple, Harry slipped his hand into Sukal's and gave a gentle squeeze. He hoped such a reunion with his wife would never be needed.

"I was scared Jake. For my people." Neytiri eyes firmed with resolve. "I am not anymore." Jake nodded to the love of his life. He was there to fight for the people. To stand against the reign of terror that the sky people brought and protect that which he had grown to love more than his heritage as a human.

Harry could respect that; it was why he was here after all. He was no soldier and took no pleasure in what would come, but he knew there was a time when all must take a stand for what they believe in.

Even if that leads to war.

Especially if it leads to war.

Toruk Makto took Neytiri's hand and led her up the rooted path to where Mo'at (the Tsahik) and Tsu'tey (the Olo'eyktan) stared at him in both shock and wonder.

"Tsu'tey, son of Ateyo. I stand before you, ready to serve the Omaticaya people. You are Olo'eyktan, and you're a great warrior I can't do this without you."

Tsu'tey wrestled with his thoughts for a moment. His eyes found the Toruk's and he knew what he must do. He placed his hand over the Avatar's heart and spoke the words that he had thought would never speak to one who stole his betrothed and aided their enemies.

"Toruk Makto. I will fly with you."

Jake glanced at the gathered Na'vi, his eyes scanning the crowd. His gaze lingered on Harry, and Harry could feel the weight of his gaze upon him. A flicker of recognition in Jake's eyes flashed as he saw Harry, it had been several months since they had seen each other and Harry looked significantly different. He now wore Navi clothes, with Navi weapons (enhanced with technology) and was covered in the tattoos of his own clan.

Harry gave his old friend a nod. A silent promise to catch up when time allowed.

Jake turned back to Mo'at, the healer of the tribe and begged for her aid.

"My friend is dying. Grace is dying."

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Grace Augustine, the human scientist who had come to Pandora to study the planet and its inhabitants, lay on a makeshift stretcher before the Omaticaya clan. Mo'at and Neytiri watched as Harry used his medical scanner on Grace.

Mo'at, the healer of the tribe, had determined that Grace's body was beyond saving, that her life was near its end. The only option is a risky and never tried ceremony to transfer Grace's consciousness, her very soul through Eywa and into Grace's avatar body.

Harry had a tough relationship with Grace, she had always disliked the privilege that his previous wealth brought him but nevertheless, Harry respected the scientist. She had pioneered contact with the Navi and in every research paper and book he'd read of her, it was clear that she loved this mysterious and fascinating planet. If anyone understood that, Harry did.

"Can you save her?" Jake's voice cracked with nerves. His hand gripped Grace's as she passed from moments of wakefulness and unconsciousness.

Harry slowly shook his head. "I can remove the bullet, and heal the damage but look." He held the tablet up to the Avatar's face but he just looked even more confused. Sighing, Harry explained. "It's a nasty poison. Looking at this compound… it's spreading through her system. In a few hours, her organs will shut down and then…" He didn't need to finish.

"Can't you… I don't know. Use an antidote?" Harry shook his head. It seemed that Quaritch had used some deadly poison to coat his bullets. Something he must have picked up from the Navi, and no doubt intended to finish off any that escape his reach. If Harry had a few days, he could fully analyse the compounds and synthesis and cure that would neutralise the chemicals. Grace didn't have days. She would be lucky to last a few more hours.

There was only one hope.

Harry reached into his medical case and withdrew the only item he had that could contend with the critical injury.

The Tra'vre.

The Navi watching found their eyes going wide. The miracle fruit was an incredible sight, shining with an inner light that stoked the desires of all creatures.

"You would offer such a blessing to save this woman?" Mo'at questioned, her eyes never leaving the fruit.

"I would."

"So be it." Harry offered the fruit up with open hands to the Tsahik who took it. With a single fluid motion, her knife whipped out and sliced the top off. Using it as a cup, Mo'at poured the contents into Grace's mouth. The purple fluid slipped easily down her throat bringing an immediate blush of colour back to her skin.

It was working.

Mo'at moved her hands over Grace's body for a moment and then placed her ear on her chest.

"I am sorry Jake Sully. Her body is still failing."

Harry returned to his tablet where he could monitor Grace's vitals. The fruit had incredible power, it healed the damage of the bullet and gave her some strength back but it was too late. The poison had spread to her organs, held back temporally but merely waiting to emerge once more.

"Then we have no other choice." Jake touched Grace's hair. He was making a life-changing decision for her, but it was one he knew she would have approved of. She would follow in Harry's path to become a Navi. To make her Avatar body her own.

As both Harry and the Navi lacked a machine capable of transferring her mind, they would have to rely on Eywa.

She would become a Navi or she would die trying.

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Mo'at stood at the front of the group, her head bowed in prayer. She lifted her hands to the Tree of Souls and began to chant in the Na'vi language, her voice filled with emotion.

"Eywa, mother of us all, hear our plea," Mo'at said. "Grace Augustine is one of us now, a sister in the fight to protect our home. We beg you, transfer her mind from her human body to her avatar body, so she can continue to live among us."

The Omaticaya clan sat with their queues connected to the roots of the great Tree of Souls. They echoed the chant and they moved in unison.

"Hear us, great mother!"

The others joined in, their voices blending together in a chorus of supplication. They begged Eywa to save Grace, to give her the strength and the will to survive. The Tree of Souls seemed to glow in response, its branches reaching out to the Omaticaya as if to embrace them. Harry knew that Eywa was with them, and he felt a sense of hope and strength fill his heart.

Grace Augustine lay on the ground, her human body failing. She could feel the life slipping away from her, and she knew that she only had a few moments left. But as she closed her eyes and prepared for death, she felt something strange happening. It was as if her body was being lifted and pulled, as if her soul was being transferred from one vessel to another.

At Mo'at signal, the chanting stopped and all was silent. Moving down to crouch beside the human form, Mo'at saw the last breath leave the vessel.

Grace Augustine had died.

Removing the mask and placing it beside her body, Mo'at moved over to Grace's Avatar body. Small glowing roots reached out and connected with the body.

Golden eyes opened.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Grace found herself on the ground in front of the Tree of Souls. The Omaticaya clan was gathered around her, their faces etched with hope and determination. Her human form may have died but now she existed as something else. Something more.

Neytiri and Jake stepped forward. "Grace, can you hear me?" she asked.

Grace nodded, feeling a sense of disorientation. "What happened?" she asked.

"Eywa has transferred your soul from your dying human body to your avatar body," Neytiri explained. "You can now live among us permanently."

Grace felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. "Thank you, Eywa," she whispered.

The Omaticaya clan let out a cheer, and Grace felt a sense of warmth and comfort, knowing that she was not alone and that Eywa was with her.

As she looked around, she realized that she could see and feel things in a way that she never could before. The colours of Pandora were more vibrant, the sounds more clear and the scents more distinct. She felt a connection to the land and the creatures that she had never felt before.

"Welcome home, Grace," Neytiri said, smiling.

Grace smiled back. "Thank you," she said. "I am honoured to be a part of this clan." She looked at Jake, the Marine that had given her the opportunity of a lifetime. "It seems I owe you one Marine."

Jake smiled at her, the worry of an impending war temporally set aside to enjoy the moment. Grace survived. "It wasn't just me." He nodded at Harry, whose cheeks blushed a darker blue.

Grace gave Harry a small smile. It wasn't the overflowing gratitude that many might expect, but from Grace, it meant they were no longer at odds. That was more than Harry expected from the situation.

While he had used up another of the rare Tra'vre fruit, he at least knew it had gone to a good cause. With Grace's brilliant mind, she could do wonders for Navi-Human relations. One of the few that Harry believed would be able to find a true path forward. While many of enhancing characteristics of the Tra'vre fruit would be wasted, Harry was satisfied that his sacrifice had at least improved Grace's chances with the transfer.

Seeing one of his closest friends cheat death, Jake knew there was something else he had to do.

The destruction of Hometree.

The killing of innocent Navi

Grace's near-fatal injury.

It was time for Pandora to fight back.

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A/N

Sorry for those who were expecting this earlier.

I have not been very well and have not been able to write as much as I would have liked.

The releases for this week may be slightly delayed so apologies in advance for that. I will upload it when I can.

On a more positive note, we are approaching the conclusion of the first major arc.

I have started to plan some ideas for the gap between the two movies. I have some ideas that I think will be quite interesting however if anyone has suggestions please post them here and I will see if they can fit into my long-term plan for the story.