A Whole New World
(Gift For Squeechy)

Neytiri crouched low in the bushes and watched as the strange dark lion entered the Na’vi’s territory, he was stalking a baby gazelle and was just about to pounce, his muscular legs slowly stiffened as he began to spring off the ground. Neytiri bounded out of her hideout and jumped in front of him, shielding the small animal and baring her teeth at the lion. The startled gazelle stumbled and landed in the grass.
“What was that all about!” the lion said annoyed. Neytiri checked the baby for any injuries and then pushed it along to get it to leave. It stood up, startled, and sprinted off.
“Hey! I was having fun with that!” The lion blocked Neytiri’s path as she tried to leave.
“Fun? We do not kill young ones here! Everything deserves a chance at life,” she scowled at him and began walking back towards her pride, her eyes caught his attention and he ran in front of her.

“What do you mean? You don’t kill things for fun?” he asked.
“No, we only kill what we need to survive. You must leave our land now.” Neytiri said blankly pushing past him.
“Wait a minute! Come back, let me just talk to you!” he pulled her back and she looked at him impatiently.
“I’m Jake, what’s your name?” He asked her. She rolled her eyes and turned back on her way, but he ran up next to her.
“Wait, can you please take me back to your pride,” he looked at her hopefully,
“no,” she said bluntly.
“Please!” he begged, she looked at him,
“we don’t bring strangers back to our pride! Nobody knows where we live and I don’t expect to be the first to show it,” she knew she was acting rude, but she didn’t like the looks of Jake. He went to pull her back but tripped and fell on his face.
“You don’t know anything,” She muttered helping him to his feet.
 

Suddenly a strange lioness appeared, she ran up to Jake and sighed with relief,
“There you are Jake, I’ve been looking for you for hours! Hey, who’s your friend?” she said happily smiling at Neytiri.
“Neera… is that you?” Neytiri opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by a familiar voice; the three turned to see Eywah, Neytiri’s mother emerge from the bushes.
“Oh my god! Eywah!!! It’s been too long! I’ve missed you.” The lioness replied excitedly. The two adults happily hugged for a few moments before turning back to the teens.
“Honey, this is Neera, she was my best friend when we were your age!” Eywah’s eyes lit up happily.
“Do you remember how we used to say we would have kids, I would have a girl named Neytiri and you would have a son named Jake and they would go out?”
“Well this is my son Jake, so I fulfilled my half of our agreement, and you must be Neytiri,” Neera exclaimed looking at her. Neytiri shuddered at the thought of being expected to be mates with the clumsy lion next to her. He clearly didn’t think the same because he was staring at her with his big brown eyes. She shook her head and turned to walk away,
“Where are you going Neytiri?” Eywah asked confused.
“I have training now, and I’m late.” She replied bluntly padding away.

That night, Neytiri gradually opened her eyes. She looked around sleepily and saw that the whole pride was fast asleep. She slowly lifted her legs and snuck away. The night air was still and quiet and the moon was high in the sky throwing rays of light around. The dim glow reflected off the wet leaves which sparkled admiringly in the moonlight and the soft damp grass tickled her paws. She trotted out of the Na’vi territory to the edge of the Pandora area. She looked up at the stars and searched, suddenly she jumped at the sound of snoring, peering around a bush she frowned as she saw Jake and Neera snoozing at the edge of a boulder.
“Get up,” Neytiri whispered nudging Jake but he pushed her away and rolled over. Neytiri’s patience wasn’t that long and she sunk her teeth into his shoulder, not too deep but just enough to pierce the skin and definitely enough to get his attention.
“What!?” Jake cried peering at his injury.
“Shhh!” Neytiri hissed, gesturing him to follow her. She took him back behind the bush and looked at him confused.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
“Ow, you hurt me,” Jake replied licking his shoulder blade.
“Oh get over it, you will live! Now answer my question!” Neytiri whispered, a little too loudly.
“Calm down! Your mother told us she would speak to you about it and let you make the decision to let us stay in your pride or not, since you’re the future queen and she wants to treat you like one.” Jake explained. Neytiri sighed, and frowned before turning on her heels and heading back into the forest. She disappeared out of Jake’s sight.

Light spilled through the trees, disturbing Neytiri from her deep sleep, she slowly fluttered her eyes open, and stretched out her legs. She first stood on her back legs and stretched her forearms further, digging her claws into the dirt, then she walked sleepily over to the river and lapped up some of the crystal blue water. The cool taste drizzling down her throat woke her up enough.
“Morning,” Neytiri spun around to see her happy mother standing before her.
“Morning mother,” she smiled at Eywah,
“Come with me,” Eywah replied, nodding her daughter in the direction of the trees.

Neytiri followed confused, she knew her mother always had a reason but it was a little strange for her. They came out of the bushes to find Jake and his mother chatting happily away. Suddenly Neytiri remembered the night before, her stomach flipped.
“Hey guys,” Jake cheerfully wandered over.
“Now I have a very important announcement to make…” Eywah smiled, Neytiri gulped as Eywah greeted her childhood friend.
“I’ve decided to let you both stay in this pride… as part of the Na’vi,” Eywah finished.
“What! I thought it was my decision mother!” Neytiri argued. She really had nothing against Neera and was happy to let her in, but there was just something about Jake she didn’t trust.
“No daughter, my decision is final. Show them to our pride.” And with that, Eywah walked back into the bushes.

Neytiri sighed, she forced a fake smile and gestured the two to follow her. She led them through a windy path, the branches hung around the top like a long archway and the dirt was soft under their paws. They seemed to walk for a little while until the path came to a stop, and all that stood in front of them was a large bush wall. The two looked around confused for a moment but Neytiri turned to face them.
“What I’m about to show you, you must PROMISE not to tell anyone…” Jake and Neera nodded quickly, eager to get into their new pride. Neytiri hesitated before leaning over and pulling away a branch, she stepped inside and the two followed. They gasped at what lay before them. A beautiful meadow with wild daisies swaying gently in the wind, stretched out before them. At the far end was a huge lake, with a waterfall plummeting into the cool water. It was surrounded by plush water grass and lilies of all colours. A huge rainbow extended out in the sky, it shimmered magically in the bright light. The luscious bushes that surrounded the valley were pushed in tightly together, so nothing of the outside world could be seen and the leaves and grass sparkled in the sun from the due of last night. It was definitely the most beautiful place to live in the whole world. A bright cave sat on a large hill in the far corner of the meadow and Eywah sat up their watching her pride with joy. Lions chatted happily and cubs playfully tackled each other through the grass. Neytiri couldn’t help but grin at the surprised expressions that spread across Jake and Neera’s face and a proud feeling washed through her.

She quickly closed the bushes back up,
“wow, you really live here all the time?” Jake asked in amazement,
“of course,” Neytiri laughed.
“I thought most prides only had a few males, you have got heaps.” Neera said looking around.
“But we aren’t like most prides; we are special… and different. It’s why we don’t often accept people in; I think you two are the first in about eight years.” Suddenly Amku and Kuma came bounding over; they were male lions around the same age as Neytiri and Jake.
“Ha, Neytiri who is this joke.” Kuma said grinning at Jake. Neera frowned at them.
“This is Jake, he is part of the pride now, so be nice!” Neytiri snapped, playfully nudging him.
“Why are we here again?” Amku asked his brother.
“Ummm… queen… Eywah, right! Eywah wants you to bring Jake and Neera to the cave.” Kuma said. He pushed Amku over and sprinted away. Amku got up, shook himself off and chased after him. Neytiri chuckled to herself before leading the two to her cave.

They climbed the steep hill until they reached the top and peered into the cave.
“Mother, you called for us.” Neytiri called out into the echoing darkness. Eywah appeared slowly, she looked elegant and beautiful as her strong legs carried her over to them. Neytiri watched as her mother walked to the edge of the mountain and roared. It was a special kind of roar; she always