Like Water || Neteyam

Chapter 5: Finally Be Together

Ever since the sky people returned, there had been a lot of controversy amongst the Omaticaya in whether to stay in the forest and the new hometree. Jake was adamant in migrating the entire clan into the Hallelujah Mountains, for most human detection devices are useless amidst the large magnetic field there, it is the safest place for them to be. Many were reluctant to accept this decision, for it took them many years and efforts to find the new hometree. Jake had to emphasize that by moving to the Hallelujah Mountains, they are protecting their "elder brother" the new hometree. Once they drive the aliens off their lands, everyone will be free to return.

Upon observation at Hell's Gate, Norm informed Jake that there are a total of ten ships approaching Pandora. Jake gasped when hearing this news, for the RDA in the past had never sent more than one ship at a time. As of now, these ships were five days away from hitting orbit, therefore the Omaticaya still had time to move into the mountains and prepare to fight.

It took Norm little time to decide to follow Jake, for he as a human had chosen to side with the Na'vi since the battle from many years ago. If people from the RDA invade Pandora and re-occupy Hell's Gate, no one knows what they would do to those like Norm who sided with the Na'vi.

That leaves you with one problem: your avatar.

You had been keeping it a secret well, Spider was a trustworthy friend and never mentioned it to anyone. Your seventeenth birthday was approaching, you were so ready to give Neteyam a surprise. Now that everyone must move into the mountains, leaving you no other choice but to bring your avatar with you, the envisioned surprise could no longer go as planned.

The avatar had been growing fast inside the amino tank, and though it was still a few months shy from being the most ideal size, Max assured Norm that it would be safe for you to initiate link. By doing so, it would be much easier for you to bring your avatar up into the Hallelujah Mountains, as compared to bringing the entire amino tank with the fluid and avatar within it. 

On the second day when the Omaticaya people were preparing to leave hometree, you paid them an unexpected visit. Neteyam did not expect to see you, for he thought you too would be busy packing with your dad, but he quickly realized you had something on your mind.

"Come, I have something to show you." You knew you both had little time to spare, but you just couldn't hold onto the secret any longer. If there is to be no surprise, then you might as well tell him now.

Confusion marking Neteyam's face, he did not question you before following after your footsteps. He knows you too well, from that look you had in your eyes, he could already tell that this was something very important. If not, then why would you have pulled him aside during a grave time like this?

Quickly noticing that you were leading him back to Hell's Gate, Neteyam wasn't sure what to expect. When he saw that you were leading him towards the labs, he began to guess maybe this had to do with what the scientists were studying. He wasn't completely wrong, what you were about to show him was the work of the scientists.

The two of you passed by Dr. Grace Augustine's avatar, the body that impregnated and gave birth to Kiri. Neteyam did not expect you to stop beside it so suddenly.

"What is it Ira? You wanted to show me something." Usually, he would wait for you to tell him, but right now neither of you had time to waste. He had been consistently training in zero-gravity with his dad in the "black world" for the past year, he was just about to go ask Jake if he could join their upcoming mission, yet your sudden appearance interrupted his train of thought.

"It's right there." You stood with your back facing him.

Neteyam stood in bewilderment, not exactly sure what you were referring to. "Dr. Augustine's avatar?" At first, he thought you were concerned about bringing her along for Kiri's sake, but he knew better that that was certainly not what you were referring to.