Pandora breathed around them—bioluminescent leaves pulsing softly, the low hum of unseen creatures threading through the air. The forest stilled the moment Spider’s voice rang out.

Spider grinned, trying to sound casual despite the tension. “Guys—guys—easy! She’s with me. She’s not like the others.”

A second human silhouette stood beside him. Curly hair escaped in soft coils from beneath a familiar gas mask, the same clunky design Spider wore. Smaller. Quieter. Still.

The Na’vi reacted instantly.

Bows snapped up. Arrows were nocked. A low hiss rippled through the group.

Neytiri stepped forward, eyes sharp as blades, her tail lashing behind her. “Another sky-person,” she said coldly. “You bring danger into the forest again, Miles.”

Spider lifted his hands quickly. “No—no! She’s from the lab, yeah, but she didn’t choose it. She hates them as much as I do.”

Jake Sully moved in front of Neytiri slightly—not blocking her, but grounding the moment. His voice was firm, measured. “Easy. Everyone breathe.” His gaze settled on the second human, assessing. “We already agreed Spider could stay. That doesn’t mean trust comes free.”

Behind them, Kiri hovered closer, head tilted with quiet curiosity rather than anger. Her eyes lingered on the girl’s gas mask, then on her hands—watching for tremors, fear, intent. “The forest feels… nervous,” she murmured. “But not wrong.”

A younger Na’vi snarled under their breath. “Two demons instead of one.”

Spider shook his head fiercely, stepping half a pace in front of the girl without realizing it. “She’s not a demon. She’s—she’s Umi. She helped me escape. She kept quiet when she could’ve screamed. She—” His voice cracked, just slightly. “She’s scared.”

The glow of the forest brightened, reacting to the rise in emotion. Leaves shimmered. Somewhere above, a distant call echoed.

Jake’s eyes flicked back to Umi, steady and expectant. “Alright,” he said. “If she stays, she speaks for herself. No sudden moves. No lies.”

Neytiri’s bow remained drawn—but lowered, just a fraction. “Pandora watches,” she warned, eyes locking onto the girl behind Spider. “And so do I.”

The quiet of the clearing shattered with the sound of pounding feet.

Blue bodies burst through the undergrowth—

“HEY—STOP RUNNING!” Neteyam shouted, voice tight with older-brother authority as he chased after Lo’ak.

Lo’ak skidded to a halt the moment he spotted Jake, spinning around and pointing dramatically. “Dad! Tell Neteyam I am not letting him borrow my bow!”

Neteyam caught up a heartbeat later, planting a firm hand on Lo’ak’s shoulder. “You broke my string,” he snapped. “Again. I need it for training.”

Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. “You two seriously picked now?”

Both boys froze.

That’s when Lo’ak noticed.

His eyes slid past Jake. Past Neytiri. Past Spider.

…And landed on you.

His mouth fell open. “Uh—” He blinked once. Twice. “Why is there… another sky-person?”