After Neteyam is taken away by his family, you, daughter of Varang have to find a way to hide your pregnancy and deal with Varang's mate, Miles Quaritch, as he's quick to discover your secrets. Will there be any way to escape this?
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6.1k wc / All characters have been aged up to be young adults (19 and up, except for Tuk)
what's next? // PART ONE
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You stepped back as the arrow hit your good shoulder, your dagger falling to the floor, the mere force of it making you take a few steps back, a choked scream leaving your mouth in sharp pain.
You only had about a second before the pain ignited your body- white and blinding. You fell into the furs.
“Neteyam-” You said, not even knowing what followed. Was it a way to ask him for forgiveness for making things end like this? Or maybe a way to ask for help? Whatever it was, you couldn’t finish your sentence as the flap fully opened.
You recognized her before she entered your kelku. Toruk Makto’s mate- her arrows were as deadly as her.
“Neteyam- now!” She said, her bow already tensed and pointing at you. Toruk Makto entered, stone axe dirtied with blood -Mangkwan blood- as he quickly grabbed Neteyam’s wrist, pushing him towards the exit.
“Dad, stop!” Neteyam said, for the very first time in his life pushing back against his father’s commands. But it fell on deaf ears, Neteyam’s father forcefully bringing Neteyam with him in order to escape.
“You will not touch my son again”
She said, and you saw in slow motion how her fingers let go of the string, the arrow going straight towards you.
It felt like the breath being pushed out of your lungs as the impact forced you down on the furs. You couldn’t hear anything else but blurred noises as you let out weird noises- they almost sounded like a wounded Yerik [Hexapede].
The smell of Neteyam’s scent lingered on the furs, mixing with your blood.
Your vision was blurry and staring at the ceiling as someone came running into your kelku, quickly kneeling next to you and speaking, but you were far too gone to understand.
Your eyelids became heavy with sleep as you allowed yourself to relax your tense body.
–
Ofewl stared at your passed out self, blood staining his hands as he tried stopping the bleeding, noticing how sticky with sweat your skin was, how cold it was starting to get too.
He had always seen you as a means to an end. A possible mate to get more power- to become the fearsome warrior he had always wanted. Deep inside he was jealous that you had genuine feelings towards your slave, if he could even call it that. It was obvious by the mere scent in your kelku you had mated.
Because deep inside he wanted to have those same feelings. As much as he enjoyed the thrill of the raids, the power he had- he and you weren’t so different. Hatred was also your only motivation until you met Neteyam- and oh, poor Owfel, he wanted badly to feel that same spark.
He was a warrior- he knew no way of healing, but outside the Mangkwan were still fighting with the retreating Omatikaya.
His hands moved and broke the arrow on your shoulder, then pushed it all the way inside the wound, making it exit through the hole it had made. You barely reacted.
Then the second one, the most recent. It was hard to see with all the blood pouring out- just below your collarbone, a little bit to the side- to someone like Ofewl who didn’t knew anything about this, it seemed pretty fatal- he couldn’t repeat the same as the one in the shoulder, what if it was close to your heart?
Varang’s screams of war snapped him back to reality. He needed to act quickly. His hands moved to press around the arrow, trying to stop the bleeding, blood soaking through his fingers in crimson.
He was getting desperate, realizing he didn’t have any idea on what else to do. He had always been trained to kill, not to bring back to life. To him, an injured na’vi was a weak na’vi, a stone in his foot. But something twisted in his gut.
He had seen from afar how Neteyam tried to free himself to go back to you.
You had a chance at a future far away from here. And as jealousy bit deep into him, he couldn’t just let you die now.
“Do not die” He said, pressing down harder, as if that would be enough.
Then, the flap opened- Varang’s slender shape walking like a spider towards your bloody body. Her hands found your face, and Ofewl stepped back, knowing better than to interrupt the Tsa’hik.
“They will not take you from me like this” Varang said in a hiss, her hands quickly going to your healing supplies, throwing the basket’s contents on the floor and quickly getting to work.
Her hands cradled your body not with love, but with pure hatred. Torn between her natural motherly instincts to protect you and the duty as the Oloey’ktan to make an example out of your weakness.
Because of your fault, they had lost the Toruk Makto’s son.
“You were never meant to be weak” She said, mostly to herself, her hands roughly patching you up, almost as if you could feel the pain- but she knew you were passed out. She just needed a way, any sort of way to release some of the bubbling fury inside her.
She saw not your failure, but hers.
She finished with your injury with an almost mechanical precision, and turned to look at Ofewl with a frown.
“They will think we are weak, they will think I cannot protect what is mine.” She said to him, her fingers absently going to your pulse. Weak, but still there.
Varang closed her eyes for a second. Flashes of the volcano’s eruption flashing behind her eyelids. She hid it well, but seeing you like this made her feel like she felt that day.
But as quickly as the emotion surfaced, it was locked behind walls no one could see once again.
“Ma Tsa’hik-” Ofewl began, but Varang merely shot him a glare that made him shut up immediately.
She turned back to you, pressing her forehead against yours, then spoke.
“If you die, I will say you were unworthy- I will make the clan forget you ever breathed.” She said in a whisper.
“But you will not die. Because you’ll never leave me” The Tsa’hik added before standing up.
“If she wakes, you make her drink. If she screams, you hold her down- let me know if she wakes up” She said to Ofewl before leaving the kelku to go see the remnants of the attack on her clan.
–
Neteyam looked down at his hands. Your blood had dried by now, he didn’t even remember when it stained him.
The memories clashed, in one moment you two were finally together as one, then the other you were falling with dead eyes to the floor.
Once they arrived at the Omatikaya territory, Neteyam felt as if his throat was tied into a knot making him unable to speak.
His movements were stiff. He was holding it all in- as much as it hurt.
But as Neytiri spoke, he found it hard to keep the facade.
“She is Varang’s daughter, the Mangkwan do not spare.” She said as they arrived at their kelku, letting her bow down.
Neteyam finally spoke. “She did” He said, his voice slightly cracking. Jake frowned as he began taking off his war paint.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, son” He said, walking towards Neteyam. “You think one act of kindness erases what she is?” Jake added, digging deeper into the wound.
It wasn’t one act of kindness. It was so much more than that- a side only Neteyam saw.
“Mom shot her. She was protecting me and you didn’t even hesitate, we left her to die.” Neteyam finally felt the knot dissolve, words spilling out of his mouth without him being able to stop them. Neytiri’s eyes widened in surprise.
“That was murder!” He added, feeling his eyes sting and get teary. Jake firmly grabbed his shoulder- but Neteyam was hurt- a whole life of being the perfect soldier boy, and the moment he found peace, he had seen it break down and be torn to pieces in front of him.
Neteyam freed himself from Jake’s grasp and pushed him back, making Jake stare wide-eyed as he stumbled back a few steps.
“You left her- You dragged me away while she was dying.” He said, tears now falling down his face, his voice cracking just like Neytiri’s when she was in distress.
No one had even realized Lo’ak was there, at least not until he stepped between Jake and Neteyam.
“Dad- stop” He said, placing a hand on Jake’s chest and the other shielding his brother.
Time began passing, days followed by more days of awkward silence.
Back in the Mangkwan tribe, things had changed. He arrived half-naked, carrying thunder- disappeared into Varang’s tent and then came out as part of the clan.
You recognized him. Miles Quaritch.
You were still healing- slowly. Your bandaged self is a shadow of the fierce warrior you once were- but you were tired of pretending now. So using the excuse of your injuries you managed to step back from any raids.
You actually got closer to Ofewl, as he was the one assigned to take care of you until your wounds healed. Since you had both your shoulders injured -both from the arrow and the axe- he’d help you with mundane tasks, except for when he had to go out to fulfill his own warrior duties with other Mangkwan.
Right now, he had gone out along with Varang and other soldiers. Quaritch had brought RDA pinkskins to the clan, giving everyone what he called rifles and guns.
You were sitting in front of the communal fire, arms folded in your lap as you stared into the flames.
No one spoke to you- part of Varang’s punishment for your weakness. You were some sort of outcast.
You were sure you deserved it. A part of you at first had hopes that you’d see Neteyam again, that he’d wake you up one day and make you sneak away from here towards the gorgeous forest.
But that was the least of your worries. As your stomach had slightly swelled, same with your breasts, the leather cord tightly tied around it doing nothing but highlighting it more.
Ofewl had saved you when Varang realized it.
While you were sleeping, Ofewl was about to go to his own kelku when Varang entered the warm tent.
The central firepit made everything shine in a warm orange light, also keeping the cold outside.
She didn’t bother sitting down, merely placing a hand on Ofewl’s shoulder, applying just enough tension to make his tail give a nervous flick.
“Whose.” She said, her eyes fixated on the subtle swell of your belly.
To anyone, it was probably just you being bloated or such- but she was Tsa’hik, and your mother. She knew you like the tattoo on her palm, each change on you she instantly noted it.
Ofewl bowed his head, hiding his troubled expression as he lied.
“It is mine, ma Tsa’hik.” He said. Varang stepped closer, her grip turning into steel.
“You did not ask for permission to… Produce this” She said in a low hiss.
“I did not take what was not given- She was awake. She chose me, now that her slave is gone.” Ofewl said, his face like stone, not letting weakness seep through the mask.
Varang stared at your sleeping form. And from outside a “Cupcake! Come join on the fun” was heard, making her hand leave Ofewl’s shoulder as she turned around, her tail hitting his leg as she left.
“She is mine. And so is the child” She said before closing the flap behind her.
So now you were sort of forced to act like mates with Ofewl- thankfully you had always been more distant, so most you’d do was eat together and spend time in your kelku.
Back to reality, you realized you had been staring lost in thought into the flames for an hour.
You felt a pair of eyes on you. You already knew who it was without having to look.
With a sigh you stood up and moved to your kelku, however, as you passed through the flap, you noticed you didn’t hear it closing. Turning around you met Quaritch, Varang’s mate.
You frowned. You had managed to avoid him until now.
The tension became heavy, your hand going out of instinct to your stomach.
Your tail became stiff, your ears going back. You had no means to fight back, he could easily overpower you.
Moving past the one with short hair, the one who had pointed the thunder at Varang’s head, you kicked him in the stomach. “Txanfwìngtu [Bastard]” You said with a hiss. “Just wait ‘till i get my hands on you, cupcake” He said with a pained growl.
You remembered his threatening words. Your tail began moving from side to side agitated as you snapped back to reality.
“You’ve been busy, it seems. Gonna make my girl a grandma and all” He said with a smirk, fully entering your kelku, clearly enjoying how you stepped back. You had no idea what grandma meant- the english word sounded weird in your head, but you could put two and two together and assume what it meant.
“You should not be here” You said, your feet bumping against the wall. You had nowhere to go.
“Oh, I think I should, you owe me one, buttercup.” He said, his hand grabbing one of the bone decorations you had, its sharp end reflecting the fire.
“After all, I know your dirty little secret” He added, and you hissed at him, making him laugh. “There’s a Spanish saying darling’... El diablo sabe más por viejo que por diablo” He said, letting a dramatic pause as you tried to decipher what he said.
“It means i have a lot of knowledge, i might look young in this body, but i sure as hell went through a lot in my human self” He said, stepping closer to you, making the sharp bone graze your jaw as you moved your head to the side.
“You know nothing” You said, hissing at him again.
“I know plenty. And I know that kid sure as hell isn’t of that savage warrior” He said, making your eyes widen just a fraction. He pointed the bone at your stomach, applying light pressure with the sharp end.
“I must admit, this Ofewl is hella good with the rifle, but i can’t say the same for lying. Varang might be too busy to realize the truth, but I put two and two together, sugar” He continued. “Which means that if he’s not the baby daddy, there’s only one more option. Your little slave that ran away” He added with a knowing smirk at your panicked reaction.
“You suck at lying too, buttercup” He said, enjoying your distress. “Mommy dearest would tear you apart if she knew your little bundle o’ joy is from the Sully’s” he added in a low whisper.
You felt as if you were about to puke. Probably looked like it too.
Seeing your expression he let out a gruff laugh. “Yeah, that confirms it”
Quaritch threw the bone at the floor, and stepped back, stretching his arms as if nothing had happened.
“Tell Ofewl thanks for the story, cute lie. Almost worked.” He added with a wink before leaving, the moment he left you let out your breath and slowly sat down on the floor, carefully curling on yourself before feeling the tears run down your face.
–
Neteyam sat under a tree, feeling the rough wood under him as he pressed his chin against his knees. He had been hunting fish in a nearby lake, but it did little to soothe the growing stress on his chest.
The fish were already dead and impaled on the stick, its empty eyes staring at the sky.
The thought of you surviving the arrows plagued his mind. Both giving him relief and more stress, what if someone found out about your secret relationship? By all means, you were his mate now- he drifted off thinking of one day bringing you to his land, presenting you to his family and friends, seeing the gorgeous blue skin under the ash and paint.
A hand on his shoulder snapped him back. It was Lo’ak, who moved to sit next to him.
“You have that look again, bro” Lo’ak said as he stared into the lake a few feet ahead, the one where Neteyam had previously taken the fish.
“Everyone thinks she’s a monster. They don’t even try to see past that.” Neteyam answered.
Lo’ak stayed in silence for a few seconds. “People said the same kinda stuff about dad” He said after the pause. He was right- everyone judged Jake when he first arrived at the Omatikaya, stories about his rivalry with the deceased Tsu’Tey still roamed the mouths of the elders.
“Look at mom, she hates pinkskins, and now we exist, with our alien fingers n’ all” Lo’ak said, wiggling his pinky finger, making Neteyam smile as he finally looked at his brother.
The leaves rustled nearby, and Kiri appeared with a basket in her hands. “We’re starving, what’s with the-” She stopped as Lo’ak gave her a “not the moment” look.
“Oh, it’s one of those moments” Kiri said as she stepped until she could sit in front of her brothers, grabbing the spear with fish and slowly passing them onto her basket.
“You’re thinking about her again.” It was more of a statement as it left Kiri’s mouth. She patted Neteyam’s shoulder with a soft smile.
“If they knew I chose her… if they knew she chose me…” Neteyam said, fingers idly playing with his arm band, feeling the same rough bead your fingers had felt.
“Look, bro- what does dad always say?” Lo’ak said, trying to cheer his brother up, nudging his shoulder.
“Sully’s never quit” Neteyam answered.
Lo’ak was right. And even as Kiri helped him up and spoke about how Eywa would protect your bond with him, a small flicker of hope appeared in Neteyam.
He just had to now make dad understand it as well, then mom would follow. And that night as Neteyam tried to sleep, his head began once again dreaming of a future with you.
No more blood, no more ash, just you, picking up fruits together holding hands.
He could feel the phantom touch of your fingers, your warmth around him. Alone with him, with the fire softly cracking in the background.
Eventually the night turned into morning, and Neteyam barely had a wink of sleep, but he was full of energy nonetheless. He went for a swim early, the cold water clearing up his thoughts, and then went to go hunting with Jake.
Jake was next to his Ikran, sharpening his axe as he waited for his oldest son.
Upon Neteyam arriving, Jake swiftly got on his Ikran, Neteyam following him as they flew through the skies of Pandora, searching for some prey.
As they finally descended, Neteyam cleared his throat. “Dad- we… We need to talk” Neteyam began.
“Son. I already said n-” Jake tried to say, but was interrupted by Neteyam.
“We mated”
It was as if Eywa herself had heard, the whole forest going eerily quiet.
“In the name of Eywa, i’m her mate” Neteyam repeated, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
Jake stared at Neteyam, almost wishing he’d randomly say it was just a fake excuse, a lie to get his attention- but they both knew it wasn’t.
“Son… Do you understand what you’ve done? You’re too young” Jake said, the hunt completely forgotten.
But then Jake realized it. This wasn’t anymore the little Neteyam that was telling everyone how excited he was for catching a fish with his hands, or the adolescent Neteyam who was always there to help, never prioritizing himself just to help others. Neteyam was now an adult, a grown man. It was as if Jake just now stopped seeing him as a baby, and finally realized his boy was not a boy anymore, but a man.
“Mom was younger than me when she mated you. That didn’t seem to stop you two” Neteyam said, a sharp edge to his voice. He was tired of always following along, of being a perfect soldier.
“What if she’s with child? I can’t… I can’t continue my everyday knowing she’s alone, suffering” Neteyam’s voice slightly cracked, his hands turning to fists.
“You’re asking me to pull her out of a hostile clan, now led by Quaritch and Varang.” Jake said.
“I’m doing this with or without you” It was instinct talking on behalf of Neteyam, and he knew it- but he was tired of waiting. He needed to know you were alive.
“Fuck…” Jake muttered under his breath in a large exhale, his hand running down his face. Then after a few seconds of thinking, he spoke again. “If she’s your mate, then she’s under my protection too.”
Neteyam’s eyes lit up.
“This won’t be a revenge run, this will be an extraction. Clean, fast, and quiet.” Jake said, motioning with his hands to emphasize his words.
Neteyam’s throat tightened. “Thank you, dad”
“Neytiri won’t like this, the clan won’t like this. But I can't risk you going by yourself” Jake added, placing a palm over Neteyam’s shoulder.
They hadn’t noticed the slight movement between the bushes, or the sun reflecting on a scope just a few feet away.
—
The fire slowly enveloped you as you entered your kelku. Your shoulders had healed up nicely, still bandaged but at least you could lift simple things now.
You began preparing your herbs and tools to cleanse what was left of the wounds.
You hadn’t noticed that Varang entered your kelku until her hand placed over your head as you were kneeling towards your supplies.
You had been avoiding her- she could read you like an open book, and you were scared she’d find out about your secrets.
Scared, after a long time, you finally felt scared.
“Do you miss the na'rìng 'evan [Forest boy]?” She said, making you hold your breath for a few seconds, trying to think of an answer.
Has Quaritch ratted you out?
Your jaw tightened, your hand going towards your belly bump. The tent’s flap opened, making you quickly regain your breath as both of you turned to look at the intruder.
Quaritch, of course.
“Well, ain’t this cozy family meeting?” He said as he entered with little to no care, Varang shooting him a dangerous glare.
“Speak your purpose, Quaritch” She said, her tail moving annoyed behind her.
Quaritch smiled as he crossed his arms against his chest. “Well, straight to business. Always liked that about you, cupcake.” He began. “Your little brat here is holding quite the secret.”
You’d kill him. You weren’t even sure how- but you’d kill him for this. Your whole body went stiff and cold. “Tsa’hik i- Ngh!” You were interrupted as her hand moved to grab your kuru, painfully twisting it on her hand, making you let out a pained sound.
The pressure in your kuru went straight to your brain, making your eyes tear up.
“You will be silent.” She ordered you, her grip tightening as she stared at Quaritch with keen interest.
“The Sully boys. On the little expedition me and Wainfleet took today, we found Jake Sully chatting with your ex-captive, his older son, about how they wanted to come rescue your poor little daughter” Said Quaritch with a smirk, his eyes giving you a “Told you i’d get payback” look.
Quaritch didn’t need to explicitly say it. The child was not Ofewl’s, but instead it was Neteyam’s child. You had mated with the enemy.
Her hand twisted your kuru harder, tears falling down your face from the pain as you bit back any pitiful noises. You knew there was no way out.
“Yeah. Cute little family moment. Real touching. Kid was ready to throw hands with dear old dad if it meant getting her back.” He added.
“You let him mark you” Varang said, her words laced with fury as she idly stared at Quaritch.
She let out a hiss as she pushed you to the floor, unhooking one of her dual blades, circling your body as she stared in pure fury down at you.
Quaritch spoke again, the straw that broke the camel’s back “Sully’s kid said they were mated”
That did it- you were done, for good.
Varang let out something that wasn’t quite a scream, or a roar, a weird in between as she kneeled next to you, grabbing your kuru and pressing one of the blades against it.
“You have bound yourself to the Toruk Makto’s blood- you are a disgrace” She said.
Then, it’s as if a switch clicked in her head, her hand letting go of your kuru.
“They will come for you.” She smiled as she spoke, her eyes staring right into yours. Her hands grabbed your shoulders, forcing you to sit up. “And when they do, they will learn that you do not take from me without paying in blood.”
You felt terrified.
“You are no longer my daughter” She said as she let go of you and stood up. “You’re as good as dead. But first, we need you as bait”
—
Neteyam was ready, standing next to his Ikran. A few feet away he could see Neytiri angrily “speaking” to Jake, most probably scolding him for agreeing to go with Neteyam.
After a few minutes Jake stood next to Neteyam with a sigh. He put his hands on his hips as he stared at the awaiting Ikrans.
“She’s not happy, she says this is a trap” Jake said plainly.
“I know” Neteyam answered, but he wasn’t going to stand back, not now, when he finally had the chance to go for you.
“You’re a kid anymore, and that scares the hell outta me.” Jake said, ruffling Neteyam’s braids.
“It scares me too” Neteyam said with a small smile.
Just as they were about to mount their Ikrans, Lo’ak appeared, out of breath from running, and instantly got on top of his Ikran. “C’mon! Before mom changes her mind and shoots us herself.” He said, but before Jake could tell him he couldn’t go, Neteyam gave Jake a silent nod. The more the better. They’d need the help.
As they flew on top of the beasts, Jake told them the rules.
Don't go alone.
Don't play hero.
Stay together.
“Wasn’t planning on dying today, sir.” Said Lo’ak, earning a glare from Jake.
“Mangkwan territory’s not what we’re used to, ash, open ground, limited cover. We get in quiet, we find her, we get out. No unnecessary bloodshed.” Jake explained. At least it was night, and the lack of light could help them.
After a while of silent flying, Lo’ak moved to be next to Neteyam. “Yo bro, you better not die before introducing me properly- i wanna know who my sister in law is!” Lo’ak said with a laugh, making Neteyam smile and let out a small laugh.
“You’ll see.” Neteyam said, looking ahead.
The easygoing atmosphere Lo’ak had made tensed as they could see the forest turn into dry dirt, the smell of burnt wood already reaching them.
It was time to get what was rightfully his.
—
You were on the floor of your kelku, hands and feet being tightly tied up, Varang and Quaritch staring as some Mangkwan worked on restraining you.
As the woman finished her work, you groaned at how tight they were, slightly squirming. You stopped as Varang kneeled next to you, her hand going towards the rope.
“I will not give you to them” She said as she lightly loosened the rope in your hands.
“What?” You said confused. A part of you expected this, of course, she wasn’t going to give up too easily.
“You are not leaving. You shamed me… But still, you’re mine.” You stared confused at Varang. She didn’t stare at your eyes, instead looking down at your restraints, her hand hovering over yours, almost as if debating whether she should take your hand in hers.
She had always been stern. More like a strict teacher than a mother, she never patted your head, never congratulated you on your first hunt.
She didn’t even form Tsaheylu when you were born.
But she’d lie if she said she didn’t care about you. There was something deeply buried in her that made her day-dream about the day you’d turn like her. Of seeing you powerful, severing kurus and claiming lands.
Her hand moved to your face, her thumb fixing some of your smudged paint.
It felt odd… Maternal.
“You were born to be fire” She said, smiling. There was nothing warm in her smile. “You just need to ignite it. And after the Sully boy has been dealt with, you’ll understand”
The moment was torn to shreds as Quaritch opened his mouth.
“Didn’t peg you for the sentimental type, cupcake” He said, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he stood next to the kelku’s entrance.
Varang’s hand left your face as she turned around and hissed at him. “I carried her. I shaped her. She is mine.” She said, standing up and walking towards him.
Without a single extra word they left your kelku, leaving the Mangkwan woman to guard over you.
Outside the kelku, the Mangkwan continued their everyday tasks, some sharpening blades, others working on their scarification.
Varang walked next to Quaritch, their tails dangerously close to intertwining as they spoke.
“You’re getting sloppy- Almost looked like you cared.” Quaritch said, staring off into the distance.
“Do not confuse possession with weakness.” She sharply answered.
Quaritch let out a chuckle. “Whatever helps you sleep, sweetheart. But Sully’s not dumb. He won’t walk in blind.” He said. He was right, Jake wasn’t going to just go and turn himself in, they needed a good plan.
The sound of an Ikran’s shriek sounded from the forest, so far away it could have been easily ignored. But Quaritch heard it- they were nearby.
—
It was already late in the night. The Mangkwan woman sat in front of you, playing with her arm piercings absently.
Not even you noticed the shadow lurking behind her, until a hand covered her mouth and another slit her throat, your eyes widening.
As her body fell, you finally had a clear view of whoever had come.
“Ofewl?!” You said surprised, you were surprised Varang and Quaritch hadn't gotten him, he must have been hiding all this time.
“Quiet.” Ofewl said, quickly getting down on one knee to cut your restraints. “They’re at the entrance to the camp, waiting for the Toruk Makto and his sons” He said, freeing you.
“Is there any way to escape and find Neteyam before Varang does?” You said as you rubbed your sore wrists getting up.
“There is a ravine behind the old bone totems, which collapsed during the last storm. No warriors guard it.” He said as he took your hand and guided you out from your kelku, both of you were careful to speak in whispers and only move through the shadows.
The floor was cold under your feet, but your heart felt as if it would leap out of your chest at any second. You’d finally be free.
A sharp hiss broke the illusion. Just as you were about to escape, Varang materialized behind you two, dual blades in her hands.
She screamed as she ran towards you two, kicking you so hard you fell, and forcing Tsaheylu with Owfel, roaring as she tortured him, Owfel falling to the floor with a cry, his whole body stiff.
Mangkwan warriors arrived and grabbed you both, dragging you back to camp.
—
Jake had been watching from afar with keen interest. The camp was in total chaos, more fires were being lit up, and he could hear faint screaming.
“Lo’ak, you stay with the Ikrans. Keep them hidden, if we don’t come back-” Jake began speaking, being interrupted by Lo’ak.
“I know, I know, just don’t die, okay?” He said, facing Neteyam, the grim memory of the bullet that almost killed him playing in his head. He couldn’t afford losing his brother a second time.
Jake waited a few seconds before speaking. “We go on foot. Use the chaos.” He said, and he left with Neteyam towards the camp, using what little place they had to hide between the shadows of the night.
Jake was hiding behind a kelku with Neteyam, hearing the ruffle inside the camp. He stared at the commotion, his muscles locked tight.
The dangerous part was that the Mangkwan were armed with RDA equipment, some were shooting up to the sky, others practicing- but one shot and he could possibly lose Neteyam again, or maybe himself.
He couldn’t risk it. So they had to be quick, and precise.
He saw Varang exit one of the kelku’s, yelling orders at some warriors to “Contain her!” Which gave him the hint that it was most probable you were inside.
He silently motioned at Neteyam. Neteyam nodded once, his eyes going towards the kelku- they moved slowly, as to not be caught, using the shadows and anything in their way to hide. It seems they expected them to come up-front, so most of the warriors were there.
One of the warriors passed by, and Jake took the chance, hooking his arm against the warrior’s neck, and bringing him to the shadows. Jake took a breath as he held his arm locked tight, feeling the warrior slow down its squirming, and soon enough he was limp. Neteyam picked up the rifle the warrior had as Jake hid the body.
The scent of smoke was stronger each time, stinging their eyes.
“That’s it” Jake whispered, pointing at the kelku Varang had left a few minutes ago, now impossibly close to them.
A shout pulled two of the guards away- most probably Varang, calling for reinforcements at the entrance where Quaritch was barking orders. Jake and Neteyam waited for them to leave before quickly scurrying inside the kelku.
Entering the kelku, you were there along with another male, who Neteyam remembered as Ofewl, the Mangkwan that was trying to court you when he was kept with you.
But you didn’t look right- your pupils were dilated to an unnatural point, and you were staring at the Sully’s as if you barely recognized them.
“It’s yopo- Varang used it to subdue her” Ofewl explained, wincing as he moved, his body now bruised and aching after getting beat up.
That explained Varang’s humor back there.
Neteyam ran towards you, but your eyes looked lost, you seeing through him, not at him- then your eyes moved towards the kelku, distracted, not even realizing who was in front of you.
Jake interrupted, lifting you over his shoulder and snapping Neteyam back to reality. You were limp in Jake’s grasp as now the hardest part of this mission came.
Escaping without being caught.
“Dad- wait-” Neteyam began, clearly worried because of your state, but Jake interrupted him. “Son, if we stay here, we die” He said.
Ofewl stood up with a hiss of pain, and pointed them towards the ravine past the old bone totems.
“It’s the only way out. Let me guide you” He said, to which Jake instantly shaked his head.
“You’re not coming” Said Jake, his grip on you tightening, they were losing precious time.
You couldn’t make out any more words, your mind was too fuzzy, shapes moving, colors vibrating, you could taste sounds on your tongue, which felt so dry.
But you could slowly piece his face, as you went ragdoll mode.
Neteyam.
You thought, as you saw the Mangkwan scream in alert- felt how bullets flew through the air. Everything felt in some sort of slow-mo, the threat of vomit going up your throat present.
Ofewl was there too, his ashen skin now mixed with red, but your mind was too high to realize he had been shot.
You allowed your eyes to close, and in the midst of the chaos, you passed out.
You didn’t dream- instead waking up every few minutes to just fall asleep after a few seconds of being up.
You felt how you were put on a Ikran, a strong body behind yours, the soft wind, the smell of ash and burnt wood finally leaving your nose, your paint smearing on the Ikran’s dry skin.
Looking behind, you saw Neteyam, his face concentrated on flying as he spoke words that you couldn’t understand, sky-people language, you assumed as the high slowly wore off.
But you finally did it. You were free now.
--
NOTES
Hi guys! The end was sorta rushed, sorry! There will be a final 3 part which will be pretty much just fluff and how reader's life turned out after being rescued, and Varang's reaction to it. But anyways, it's a bit rushed because my head has been hurting real bad lately and being in the PC only worsens it x.x - i'll still bring fics! Just be patient w me <3
something i will say is that i did not think they would actually explore jake humanity in relation to neytiri's treatment of spider and her own kids,, that was something i enjoyed. because it shows where maybe MAYBE lo'ak and kiri get their self-loathing and that deep feeling of loneliness and alieness, it starts in the house, it stars with how their mother was never fully able to make peace with the fact that her husband is an avatar, something fully human inside. that grieves very humanly.
I swear I do NOT understand all this hate and sometimes actual vitriol people have for Spider. I do not.
Is it because he saved Quaritch at the end of Atwow? Is it because he’s a human acting like a modern day teenager on Pandora? Both?
How do you hate on a 16 year old that:
~ grew up with only vague familial figures (the scientists, mainly during his childhood and Max and Norm intermittently when they weren’t working) (the McCoskers who really weren’t though and were parental figures in name only basically as they also didn’t actually care about his wellbeing and growth) (Jake and Neytiri who, from Jake’s own mouth, considered him a stray cat and didn’t do an actually kind nor caring thing for him in all his 16 years od life the way a parent would for their son or even their childrens’ best friend)
~ was LEFT BEHIND by the only people he considered family after being kidnapped by the colonialist army your race sent to destroy the inhabitants of the planet he considers his own
~ got TORTURED on a physical and neurological level yet didn’t give ANY information on the Sullys location -and the fact Jake after that scene says “the RDA has Spider, he knows where we are, our organizations etc etc” without even thinking about SPIDER being in danger and what they could be doing to HIM
~ spends months with the alien clone of his ax crazy father establishing the one barely familial father-son connection he’s ever had and when he finally is saved has to see one of his best friends die and feels like it his his fault even though it isn’t but probably feels like Jake and Neytiri unspokenly blame it on him too
~ is threatened by an emotionally unstable Neytiri that threatens to kill him and wounds him yet doesn’t plead for his own life but for Quaritch to let Kiri go
~ is kidnapped protecting the girl he loves and who loves him and medically tortured AGAIN
~ is almost sacrificed for something that was offered to him as a gift by Kiri amd Eywa HERSELF and although he (more than understandably) struggles to prevent Jake doing that the only thing that he actually asks said man is “I know I have to go to Eywa” (which means he either had sui*idal, thoughts during his lonely life/his captivities or was made to feel like he should be d*ad) “but do you still love me?” And guess what? After Jake says what he says Spider IS AT PIECE WITH BEING TAKEN LIFE FROM LIKE A SACRIFICIAL LAMB.
Like his whole life hadn’t been a sacrifice, like he wasn’t his innocence and compassion filled child/teenager lacking family, security and love (aside for Kiri, Lo’ak, Tuk and Neteyam) for the whole duration of his life up to Afaa.
How do you think you’d feel and be after going through all of that (again, at SIXTEEN years old)?
This idea was born quite a while ago, but with a different character, finally I decided to do it with Spider and it's first time I draw him.
The background isn't that important to me, so I made some simple nature.
I imagined this scene as happening somewhere in the meantime, maybe after Jake and Quaritch freed the kids from Varang or something like that. We know that something similar is supposed to happen during the final battle in Avatar 3.
