Disclaimer: I only own this fic, not the movie Avatar :( Oh well. Well, here it is at long last, the conclusion of Redemption of the Sky. I had never intended for it to go on this long, and actually planned on ending it right after the battle. However, you guys asked for it, and you got more. No though, this little tale is coming to a close. Thanks to everyone who stuck with it since the start, and I hope you enjoy.

"I'm sorry. I failed you, all of you. It was completely out of line, and in no way acceptable. I hope you have it in you to forgive me."

The small crowd before Ethan, the leaders of Hell's Gate humans, looked at him apprehensively. Finally, small murmurs erupted from the assembled group, acceptances of apology. They had gathered in the Link Center, sitting in swivel chairs and leaning against pods. Slowly, the group began to disperse, until all that remained were Trudy, Max, Norm, Ethan, and Ella. The pilot and the soldier traded uneasy glances.

"I'm sorry," they blurted together, words overlapping.

"I was out of control."

"I shouldn't have pushed you like that."

The remaining three in the room could hardly contain their laughter; two of the toughest people they knew, groveling for forgiveness from one another. The military man and woman seemed to realize the situation as well, both lapsing into awkward smiles. Trudy was quick to throw up her cocky little grin.

"It's all good Gregor," she said, fighting the blush mounting in her cheeks, "you were pretty sauced up anyways."

Ethan met her gaze, and she looked away, smiling slightly.

"I," he started ,before realizing the futility of it, "yah, yah I was."

Ella was relishing her brother's embarrassment, as well as Trudy's. She grinned and stepped forward.

"Well we all have long days ahead of us, so let's get moving, hmm?"

Everyone muttered agreement and made for the exit, splitting up in the hallways. The soldier and the pilot shared a final, blushing parting glance before separating and heading on their way.

* * *

The last traces of bright sunlight fell beneath the horizon, and the faint glow of the gas giant Pandora orbited, as well as those of its fellow moons, grew into greater prominence. Tiny lights of distant stars bloomed in the darkened sky, and wild calls and noises emerged from the jungle. It was nighttime on Pandora. Artificial light was foreign to the planet, and as such the lights of Hell's Gate stood out like a beacon in the darkness. Within its halls a celebration was underway. Fruits and meats of Pandora were heaped up on platters, steaming plates of game meat, sweet fruits dripping sticky juices. Seated at a table in the center was the science team, enjoying several rounds of complimentary drinks. The digestion process had been a success. Dr. Breen was seated, nursing a scotch, while Norm entertained his pretty young aide Cindy with wild tales of college shenanigans. The aged biologist raised his glass, and the whole table turned to listened.

"A toast," he wheezed, "to a successful project, and many more future endeavors. "

His toast was met, and the now smiling old man, infamous for his temper and grouchy demeanor, emptied his shot and placed down with a collection of similarly emptied bottles and glasses. He continued on.

"You know," he mused, his voice a mockery of the imperious researcher, "now that we have a steady supply of food, shelter, and sufficient genetic diversity, aided -hic- aided by modern science of course, there are all the conditions necessary required for a healthy population to grow."

The whole table was silent as what the old man had said, before laughter erupted.

"Now don't you laugh," he snapped, brows furrowing, "with you young people frolicking about with cases of booze, it's bound to happen sometime!"

Cindy turned to the crotchety Dr. Breen, barely restraining giggles.

"Uh, doctor, I think you've had a bit much to drink."

"Nonsense," he roared, "I know my limit girl. I, I swear to drunk I'm not God! I'm going to have a few more."

This solicited a new round of laughs, and the old man fumed, though free flowing alcohol quickly sweetened his mood. The party continued onwards.

Later in the night, as the celebration began to die down, and a stumbling Dr. Breen had to be carried off to his bed upon passing out, the two Gregors sat at a table, reliving old times. Ella finally stifled her laughter over mishaps with fireworks, and a sudden look of anxiety. Ethan took note.

"What's wrong?"

Ella smiled halfheartedly, before taking a deep breath and looking her brother in the eye.

"I'm going to go through with it, become a Na'vi."

Ethan was silent, his lips drawn into thin lines. He had been expecting this. Finally he sighed.

"Ella, it's your life. Live it how you want. Just remember there's people back here who still want to be a part of it."

She broke into a grin, tackling her brother in a hug.

"Thanks. Thanks for understanding."

Ethan nodded slowly, disentangling himself from her. They met eyes, though he suddenly eyed her suspiciously.

"There's a boy involved isn't there?"

The abruptness of the question caught her completely off guard.

"Uh well, in a sense."

Ethan raised a brow, before shaking his head with a sigh.

"Oh this'll make for one hell of a family reunion," he muttered under his breath, though Ella caught it and smiled.

"Hmm, and just who do you plan on bringing on your side?"

It took all of his self control not to take a quick glance over to Trudy's table. Ella just laughed.

"Oh come on bro, half the base knows already. The only ones you two are fooling is each other."

Ethan shook his head, smiling wistfully.

"In time sis, in time. So, when do you join the overgrown Smurfs?"

She slapped him playfully on the head before answering.

"Three days."

Ethan almost choked on his fruit.

"That soon?"

"Yah, they have to do it before the clan leaves the Tree of Souls and moves into a new Hometree. I'd ask you to come, but, well, they aren't too keen on having an audience for this sort of thing. After our bodies get dropped off its Na'vi only."

She smiled, and Ethan and her shared one final drink together before parting ways. He didn't have it in him to tell her what he planned on doing that day. She didn't need any kind of distraction.

* * *

Three days passed; three risings and settings of the stars and moons. Early in the morning, a pale mist hung in the air. A half a dozen humans, clad in only light clothes and breathe masks, boarded a lone gunship, one by one. Anxiety, nervousness, and even terror all played across their faces. With all aboard, Trudy fired the engines, and took off into the skies.

From a window of the base, Ethan watched as his sister faded off into the horizon, knowing that the next time he saw her, things would be very different. With a sigh, he quickly turned and made his way to the labs.

* * *

The gunship touched down on a rock face outside the Tree of Souls' bowl shaped rock valley. Jake, Neytiri, and the guides were waiting there. The Avatar driver dismounted, and Trudy saw them off with a wave before heading back to Hell's Gate. The whirring of the gunship's engines died away, and the drivers were left with the Na'vi. Ella swallowed hard as Tsu'tey leaned down looking closely at her

"So," he asked quietly, "this is what you really look like?"

"Yah" she answered, voice meek.

He smiled at her, barring pointed teeth unintentionally.

"Well, then we must put you in a body more befitting of the People. Come."

Before she could get out a word, he scooped her up into his arms and began the descent into the bowl valley.

* * *

Trudy had just returned from her trip, and was relaxing with one of the base's last remaining beers when Norm came scrambling into the mess hall.

"Trudy," he shouted, "Trudy come here! Quick!"

The pilot sighed heavily as she put her drink aside.

"'What," she replied crankily, "I had to wake up early and just got back Norm, what is it?"

"Ethan's testing the lung adapter! On himself!"

Her eyes went wide.

"What?! I thought you said that stuff wasn't ready?"

"It isn't not entirely, its at a state where we'd probably begin trials on animals, but all the creatures here already breathe the atmosphere. The doctors needed a human test subject-"

"And he volunteered," she finished, groaning.

"Christ, let's go, maybe I can talk him out of this."

The two flew down the halls to the labs, Norm struggling to keep pace with the pilot. She burst through the lab doors, leaving them swinging in her wake, only to find Dr. Breen holding a needle filled with some sort of orange goo against Ethan's exposed bicep.

"What the hell are you thinking Ethan?"

The soldier turned to face her, calm.

"That I'm a soldier without a fight, and that this is way to help everyone. It was a logical choice."

Trudy let out an exasperated breath.

"Doc," she said, turning to Breen, " how safe is this?"

"It has a projected success probability of 65% percent," he responded, detached, concentrating on applying a tourniquet to Ethan's arm and finding a vein.

"And what about the other 45?"

"It's not exactly a happy ending if that's what you're asking."

Trudy stomped a combat booted foot.

"Damn it Ethan! You can't just take risks like this without-"

She was silenced as the scarred soldier quickly leaned forward, pulling her close, and kissed her, lightly, then with mounting intensity. After what seemed an eternity it to the pilot, Ethan stopped, but still held her, looking down to meet her gaze.

"I've wanted to do that for a while," he said softly, with a smile, before continuing. "Trudy, this is who I am. I take risks and dares, do the stuff other guys won't, do what needs to be done. Now relax. everything is going to be alright."

He let her go, and looked up at him with half hearted anger, only to have it dissolve when her eyes met a smirk so much like her own. The grouchy doctor interrupted.

"Oh for God's sake can we keep moving, or do you two need to stop and get a room?"

* * *

Ella felt her skin crawl with goose bumps as she was laid down next to her Avatar body, covered only in leaves in vines. Tsu'tey looked down at her.

"It will be alright Ellagregor. Stay strong, and prepare to see Eywa."

Ella gave a meek smile, and looked around. Across the base of the Tree, a similar scene was playing out. Driver's were laid next to their Avatar's, and further out, the Na'vi of the Omaticaya sat in rings through the valley. She felt a slight wriggling, and looking down, she suppressed the urge to scream. Thin, translucent fibers, like the roots of the Tree, were spreading across her, growing up from the ground.

"Ok," she muttered, "this is freaky."

The chanting began, and lights began to play before her eyes.

* * *

Ethan, Norm, Trudy, and the doctor all stood outside, having exited the lab airlock, masks donned. Ethan gave deep breath, closed his eyes, and removed the mask.

* * *

A whirlwind of colors and lights traveled before Ella's closed eye's, a twisting, squirming tunnel that dominated her senses. Then, as suddenly as it had started, it was gone, and she inhaled sharply, her body numb.

* * *

Ethan let out his breath slowly, then breathed deep of the Pandoran air. The first breath burned, and he coughed and sputtered, but it became easier, and the pain died away.

* * *

Miles away from each other, the two siblings opened their eyes with a start, and greeted the new day.

End. Thanks to everyone who stuck through with this to the end. This was really hard to write, and while part of me is sad to see Redemption of the Sky come to a close, another is glad to finally finish what has by far been my most popular fic ever. You guys made it that way, and your requests are what kept it going this long. A big thank you to everyone who reviewed. Your input was greatly appreciated. Perhaps I'll do a sequel one day, but for now, this is jschneids, signing off.