Chapter Text
The sun shone through the trees, hitting leaves, vines and other plants as it painted various shadows on the ground and branches. A young boy about five years old swung from one branch to the next with wild abandon, a happy smile on his face. “Come on, Ney! Wai for me!” whined the voice of another boy behind him. The older boy shook his head in exasperation, the kind only an older sibling can give. “Lo’ak! I told you not to follow me! Go back home!” Neteyam ordered. Lo’ak climbed up next to his big brother, a stubborn pout on his face. “Bu I wanna go wif you.” He said, turning his pleading eyes on Neteyam. Neteyam frowned. He just wanted to have some time to himself for a little while. “This isn’t a place for kids, Lo’ak! I wish you weren’t my brother! Then maybe I could have some time to myself for once! I don’t have time to babysit you all day! Now, GET LOST!” He shouted in frustration.
Lo’ak’s eyes went wide. His face crumpled, lip trembling and tears started to leak from his eyes and roll down his face. His tiny shoulders hitched with sobs. Neteyam’s face became stricken with panic and he rapidly tried to apologize to his little brother.
“Oh, man. I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Lo’ak. I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry.” Neteyam babbled as he pulled Lo’ak into a hug. Lo’ak just sobbed harder. “Y-yes, you- do. You- nebew wan me awound.” He cried. Neteyam rubbed Lo’ak’s back soothingly. “I didn’t mean it, baby bro. I promise. I’ll always need my little brother by my side.” Neteyam said consolingly. Lo’ak sniffed and dared to peek up at Neteyam, his eyes still filled with tears. “Weally, Ney?” He asked. Neteyam smiled and ruffled his brother’s hair. “Really, Lo’ak. Now, come on. Let’s get home before Mom and Dad catch us out here.” said Neteyam with a wink. Lo’ak grinned and followed Neteyam back to the ground.
They were on their way back home when Lo’ak scooted closer to his brother. Neteyam put a comforting hand on Lo’ak’s shoulder when a rustling sound followed closely by the creaking and clanking of machines caught his attention. Sky People. Neteyam quickly tugged Lo’ak over to a fallen tree and pointed. “Stay here.” Neteyam whispered. “We’re close to home. I’m going to see if I can get Mom and Dad.” Too scared to say anything, Lo’ak nodded. Neteyam forced himself to smile. “Hey, be brave, warrior. It’ll be over soon.” He promised. Lo’ak gave his brother a trusting grin, content in the fact that his older brother and their parents would come for him. Neteyam left as fast as he could, racing to return before the Sky People found Lo’ak.
Lo’ak licked his lips, his heart thundering in his chest as he waited for Neteyam to return with their parents so they could drive the bad Sky People away. He tried not to fidget as the minutes passed by slowly. Machines appeared in the clearing and stopped a few feet away from Lo’ak’s hiding place. He stiffened, trying to convince himself to be brave like Neteyam had wanted him to.
One of the Sky People spoke, “How much longer, Quaritch?” Lo’ak tried to move closer to listen in. His Dad had taught him both English and Na’vi, so he knew both languages well for being four years old. One of the other Sky People snapped, “It’s not over until I have Jake Sully’s hide for betraying us.” Lo’ak scowled. He didn’t like the sound of that Sky Person. He sounded mean.
Suddenly, shouts and cries of a war party filled the air. Na’vi burst from the forest and began to attack the Sky People. Lo’ak breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized his dad leading the charge. He raced out of his hiding place and began to look for Jake. He looked and looked but couldn’t see his dad through the chaos. A sharp crack landed a few feet above his head and Lo’ak crawled to a nearby log, terrified of getting hit. He was about to peek his head out and try to look around, when he heard something that terrified him.
A sudden sound of machinery brought Lo’ak’s head around to look behind him. He gulped in fear as a metal monster grabbed his arms and brought him out of his hiding place. “Le me go!” Lo’ak yelled, as he began to fight back wildly. He looked around as much as he could, straining to see his parents or Neteyam. “Mommy! Daddy! Kiki! Ney!” He yelled, starting to cry. The monster was taking him away from his family! He just wanted to go home!
Jake heard Lo’ak crying and raced to get to his son. But before he could, he was waylaid by another Sky Person. Jake fought to reach the other side of the clearing. “DADDY! MOMMY! KIKI! NEY! HELP!!” Lo’ak screamed in terror. Gritting his teeth, Jake fought past the Sky People and raced as fast as he could for the clearing. He saw his mate doing the same. But by the time they got there, Lo’ak was no where to be found.