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* Make sure to check out what I said after the words count to give you all a brief explanation that this chapter isn't the final one yet.
Jake: What do you mean you don't know where they're at?!
Y/n cast a glance at Jake, who was standing directly in front of Lo'ak, clutching his arm tightly. Jake appeared both angry and worried about something involving his son. Y/n was about to walk over to find out more, but froze when a sudden pain shot through his body.
Y/n quickly covered his mouth, then began coughing intensely. After a moment, once the coughing stopped, he lowered his hand and noticed blood on his palm from his mouth. He quietly mouthed "fuck" to himself, wiped away the blood, and moved closer to see what was happening.
Jake: You couldn't even manage to do the one thing I asked, protect your sister, and you failed at that.
Lo'ak: I-I-I'm so-
Jake: No! You shouldn't just be sorry. You need to be better, or people will get hurt. Your sister will end up getting hurt the more you keep acting like a stupid child.
Y/n: Whoa, Jake, back off of him. He made a mistake, it happens.
Although Y/n was upset to learn that something had happened to Kiri and that it was probably Lo'ak's fault, getting angry wasn't helping. It was better to stay calm and focus on figuring out the next steps.
Jake: Not when his mistakes keep putting his sister's life on the line. That stupid cave stunt almost killed Tuk. If it had been just Y/n, I wouldn't have cared, but not his sister.
Y/n's fist clenched at Jake's remark, with only one thought running through his mind: "God, I really want to punch you in the face right now."
Jake: Then there was the whole busted train operation that almost killed his brother-
Neteyam: Sir, that isn't his fa-
Jake: Quite, Neteyam, you can't keep making excuses for him, or he will never learn to grow up. What if one of his stupid stunts ends up getting you killed, huh! Have you ever thought of that?
Neytiri: Jake!
Jake stopped speaking and glanced to his side at Neytiri, who was glaring at him angrily for speaking so harshly about their son. The son, who was still standing in front of him with his head down, tail drooped, and small tears seemingly falling after hearing how much of a failure he was.
Y/n: "Fustered sighs." Look, Jake, you can be as angry with your son as you want, but you shouldn't be talking about him like that, and we have to stay focused right now, like finding Kiri and Tuk. So where are they?
Tsireya: They're still on the boat, most likely tied up.
Spider: They're at the moon pool on the well deck midship.
Y/n stared over at the slowly sinking Seadragone in disbelief that they were that close to them on the ship…
Y/n: Hold on, that doesn't make any sense. If you knew where they were, why didn't you tell us?
Spider: You trying to say something, huh, Y/n?
Y/n: Oh, I don't know, maybe it's the fact that you somehow know where they are.
Spider: It was just a lucky guess, asshole.
Jake: Stop it now, both of you, especially you, Y/N. Spider cares about Kiri. Spider, where is the moon deck?
Spider: Take me with you. I can show you the way.
Jake: Neytiri, honey, come on, we're going to get our daughters back. Y/N, where the hell are you going?
Y/n was walking away from the group, heading toward the end of the rough stone floor.
Y/n: What do you think I'm doing? I'm going to get Kiri and Tuk.
Jake: No, Y/n. You're staying here, where you won't make things worse. Even if I took you, we still need a plan.
Y/n: Yeah, I have a plan, to do the one thing you apparently won't: take action and kill every single RDA bastard that gets in my way.
Jake: Oh, sure, go ahead and make your own damn plan, just like when you recklessly charged in earlier before we were even ready to attack. I'm sure that went fucking great. You really think I don't want to take action? Unlike you, I'm not here to make things worse.
Y/n: Yeah, unlike you, who has been cowardly hiding his family, I'm going to stand up and fight to protect the ones I love.
Y/n was walking ever so further before Jake had one last remark.
Jake: I should've killed you the moment we first met. Ever since, you've been nothing but a pain in my ass, causing trouble every step of the way.
Y/n didn't even look back at Jake after hearing those words, as they pale in comparison to what he whispers to himself back at the Bridge.
SLAP
A loud slapping noise behind him made him turn his head to see Neytiri, who had her hand raised and was staring down at Jake. He looked at her, both surprised and confused.
Jake: N-Neytiri?
Neytiri: You are supposed to be a man, a warrior, and Toruk Makto, yet all I see you doing is acting like a child when our children need us.
Jake: Why are you taking his side? You're supposed to back me up in these situations.
Neytiri: He's right, that's why we should never have hidden ourselves here. Look at what we've brought upon them. We must stop this monster before it harms the clan or our family.
Jake: I know, know baby, but we need a plan or-
Neytiri: We have a plan. We're going to slice the neck of that monster so he can never hurt our family ever again.
Jake: Agh, come on, Spider, you're with me, Neteyam.
Neteyam: Yes, sir?
Jake: Stay here and make sure your brother doesn't get into any more trouble. Do I make myself clear?
Neteyam: Ye-
Before he could finish speaking, Jake turned and walked away, with Spider following closely behind him. Neteyam couldn't help but feel frustrated with everything that had just been said. What Lo'ak had told him earlier still lingered in his mind, and with this, he couldn't understand what was going through his brother's mind now.
Neteyam jumped slightly when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking over it was no other than y/n.
Y/n: You really should go and talk to him.
Neteyam's gaze shifted towards the ground, unable to look at Lo'ak.
Neteyam: No, I'm probably the last person he would want to talk to.
Y/n: Neteyam, as his brother, you know him the best, and... he really seems to need a friend or family right now.
Y/n glanced at Lo'ak, who was holding his arm where Jake had been grasping earlier, now with a faint bruise around the spot. Tsireya was trying to talk to him, but it seemed like he really didn't want to talk.
Y/n: Maybe just give him a few minutes, but Neteyam needs you.
Neteyam: "Sigh." Yeah, you're right; what kind of older brother would I be if I didn't check on him?
Neytiri: Y/n!
Y/N looked over at Neytiri as she climbed onto her Ikran.
Neytiri: Come, you're with me.
Y/n: Oh, alright.
Y/n: Well, I'd better be off then.
Y/n took a few steps before being stopped by a hand grabbing his wrist, which came from Neteyam.
Neteyam: Y/n.
He could hear the seriousness in his tone and see it reflected on his face; y/n understood he wasn't joking about what he was about to say, but y/n responded by nodding.
Y/n: Don't worry, I'll make sure your sister comes back safe and sound. You have my word.
Neteyam's slight smile shows his satisfaction, reassured by his words. After all, he and Y/N have experienced enough troubles to know that Y/N will give his all, no matter what.
Neteyam raised his fist, wanting to do a fist bump. Y/n couldn't help but laugh slightly, but nevertheless, he raised his fist and connected it with Neteyam's.
*Image here*
Neteyam: Make sure to stay safe out there, too.
Y/n: .. Yeah, of course, "quietly" it was good knowing you… Neteyam.
Y/n turned and began walking away from him toward Neytiri. It would have been kinda funny if they saw each other again, but to tell the truth, Y/n wasn't feeling too great, as he was pretty sure the bullet was still inside him and probably making small cuts the more he moved. But that wasn't going to stop him from going after Kiri and Tuk.
As he approached, one more person still seemed eager to speak with him as they stepped into his path. Tsireya stood there, the two looking at one another before she moved closer to him and hugged him tightly. Y/n was taken aback, but he still lightly patted her back.
Tsireya: Why do you have to go back out there? You should leave it to them.
Y/n lightly brushed her hair out of her face, noticing a tear.
Y/n: Because I made a promise to myself that no matter what, I will fight to keep you and Kiri safe. Besides, I would have done the same if it were you out there. Plus, isn't it the way of the warrior to fight the battle to protect our home?
Tsireya: "Sigh," just make sure to see me if you get hurt. You'd better not hide it again, because if you do-!
Y/n: Haha, I get it, don't worry.
They stared at each other before their faces drew close, and they warmly embraced, their lips meeting for a few seconds, just long enough to feel each other's body warmth, before sadly parting.
He finally approached Neytiri and mounted her Ikran. She glanced back at him before turning forward again, and her Ikran took off from the ground, letting out a battle scream. As they flew farther away, Y/n took one last look at the group as they slowly drifted further and further.
Y/n smiled and took a breath before coughing again, using his hand to cover his mouth, but this time, there was noticeably more blood. It seems that the shrapnel was doing more damage to his body than he had previously thought.
Neytiri: Y/n?
Y/n: huh?
Neytiri looked back at him with a hint of concern on her face.
Neytiri: Are you alright back there? You seem more off than usual.
Y/n: Yeah. Yeah, don't worry, I'm fine. Just my cough is acting up from yesterday, and the broken bones are part of it... You didn't need to back me up then, or slap Jake like that.
Y/n quickly wiped the blood from his hand onto his thigh before she could see. That was when he finally realized that darkness had begun to eclipse the sky.
Neytiri: You should have stayed back if you were already seriously injured.
Y/n: Would you stay back if you were hurt like me?
Neytiri remained silent, not answering his question, as she would have left anyway to save her children.
Neytiri: What you said is right. This monster must be killed here and now, so he can never come after us again.
Y/n: What about the slap?
Her eyes flick to him briefly before shifting forward again.
Neytiri: He shouldn't have spoken those words to him... or to you.
Y/n smirked, then wrapped his arms around her waist, drew closer, and rested his head on her neck.
Neytiri: Stop, now is not the time for this.
Neytiri wasn't pleased with his actions, which was understandable; this wasn't the right moment for such intimacy. Still, he couldn't help but feel a moment of warmth; however, his body actually felt cold.
Y/n: So, what's the plan? Huh?
Neytiri: We are going to kill them all, but knowing Jake, he will likely do something to throw them off balance, that is when we will strike.
Y/n wasn't too pleased with waiting or the fact that he was waiting on Jake, but having a distraction wasn't such a bad idea.
They circle high in the sky where no one can see or hear them, thanks to the eclipse that provided cover for the sky.
Y/n's eyes moved around the top floor of the Seadragone; it appeared that only a few RDA soldiers were present. A gentle tap on his thigh drew his attention to Neytiri, whose serious expression suggested she sensed something or saw something he didn't.
Neytiri: Get ready and hold onto Seze until I jump, so we stay spaced apart.
Y/n: Alright!
The pair watched below as Neytiri assumed a strange stance, but it was one that resembled how he would leap off his Ikran… Te'ha'li.
BOOM
Below, a fallen Seawasp suddenly erupted, causing fire and debris to scatter in all directions. Some soldiers were knocked over, while others caught fire from falling sparks. Neytiri's hand tightened around his thigh, conveying to Y/N everything he needed to know as his grip on the saddle grew stronger.
Her ikran briefly circled before diving toward the Seadragon. Y/n held his breath, trying to calm his nerves. He adopted a ready-to-jump stance similar to Neytiri's, though more his own style, since he couldn't spread his legs as wide as she could.
The RDA soldiers scattered chaotically as Neytiri let out a low growl and a hissing sound. Her ikran spread its wings to fly across the top platform, jumped off, and performed some acrobatic rolls.
Y/n quickly jumped off and performed a landing roll, using the moment to move toward the closest person, who was one of the hybrid avatar users trying to get up. Thanks to Neytiri, who shot her in the leg during her landing
Rda: Die, you na'vi scum!
While charging the RDA hybrid avatar, a radome RDA soldier approached from his right, ready to shoot him. However, Neytiri arrived with an arrow that pierced the soldier, allowing him to keep charging the hybrid. She saw him and aimed her weapon at him, but Y/N kicked the gun away and then grabbed her by the head of her queue, yanking it back as she let out a scream.
Z-Dog: AHH! Is that all you got, huh, fu-
However, Y/n quickly silenced her by repeatedly smashing her face into the floor. With each blow, her nose broke, then her mouth, and finally her skull began to cave in.
Jake: The coast is clear…
Jake watched as Y/N slowly rose and stood over the body, blood covering his hands and splattered across his body. He wiped his hand across his face, only smearing the blood further. Y/n finally noticed the two pairs.
Y/n: What?
Jake: You didn't have to go that far.
Y/n looked around briefly, then spotted what he needed and approached to pick up an assault rifle.
Y/N: Yeah, well, I had to improvise since I don't have any weapons, but now I've got something. So, I'll provide overhead support while you guys do your thing.
Jake remained silent and headed for the stairs. Neytiri brushed past him with a peculiar, almost sensual gesture, and it wasn't just in her body language. There was a flicker of desire in her eyes as well, but she didn't stop, she just kept moving forward with a stride in her step.
Y/n approached the edge of the top platform and took out the magazine to check how many bullets were in the clip, then re-inserted it and cocked the handle back.
Jake and Neytiri went their separate ways, taking down any soldiers they encountered along the way. Meanwhile, Y/N waited for an opening and fired a small burst of bullets that hit several targets. He mostly provided covering fire for Neytiri, as she was in a more open area where he could help, while Jake was not so open, as he was under the platform that he was standing on.
While shooting, Y/n noticed another one of those avatar hybrids, and not just any, it was the one who shot at him earlier. Y/n unconsciously touched the wound and winced in pain. He looked at his fingertips, seeing the fresh blood, but he had a feeling that he wasn't the only one watching, as he felt watched. However, he just shook it off because he needed to stay focused on what was happening now.
He quickly aimed the rifle and fired several shots at the hybrid soldier. Some bullets struck the metal floor near the hybrid, catching the soldier's attention. He looked up at Y/n as he was narrowing his eyes before firing another burst. A few shots missed, but as the soldier went to jump behind a fallen Seawasp, one bullet stuck his leg.
However, while he was jumping behind cover, he also fired a few shots randomly, most of which missed. One, however, hit Y/N in the arm, knocking him back and causing his head to hit the ground a bit during the fall.
Lyle Wainfleet: Fuck hell, there's one blue monkey on the top deck!
Y/n rolled onto his side, his vision hazy from the fall, clutching his head in pain. He quickly got up when he heard a voice from the stairs. His eyesight was briefly blurry, taking a moment to clear, but this process was slow. Meanwhile, a few soldiers reached his deck, guns aimed at him.
Soldier 1: Get on the ground now!
Soldier 2: We should just blow his fucking brain now!
Y/n's uninjured hand clutched the exposed wound tightly as he gradually backed away. He looked around for the assault rifle he had been using, but it was knocked too far away from him when he was knocked down.
Soldier 3: I say we kill him and the other one, but keep that girl alive. We could probably get some good money if we let people have their way with her.
Soldier 6: You are one sick bastard, but that seems like a good idea.
Soldier 4: Shut the hell up. You two let him kill him while we still can!
Y/n felt something touching the back of his foot, and when he looked over, he saw the edge of the top deck. His eyes flickered between that and the soldier before turning his gaze to his arm.
Soldier 5: You know what I wonder what they taste like.
Soldier 1/2/3/4/6: What the fuck!
*image here*
Y/n took the chance to walk off the deck while they were distracted, catching the soldiers off guard. A few of them ran up the edge, seeing no body down below. The only thing they could see was that they were slowly dying off.
Soldier 1: Damn, he got away.
Soldier 4: Come on, it doesn't matter. We need to get down there and kill these fucking indigenous monkeys.
They nodded in agreement and began heading towards the stairs, except for one. He kept glancing over the edge, trying to see where that guy went, gradually leaning more and more over.
Suddenly, a hand emerged from beneath the edge and yanked him over. He screamed and closed his eyes as he fell a few feet, then was caught on something, dangling by his gun's strap around his chest.
He opened his eyes and saw the avatar user. He was armlocked by metal pipes attached underneath the top deck, with his feet gripping other pipes. His wounded hand held a gun, directed at the soldier. He attempted to grab the weapon, but Y/n pulled the trigger and fired bullets into his chest, killing him.
Y/n unhooked one of his feet and kicked the dead soldier's body out of the gun strap. His body dropped from the top of the two-story height and smashed onto a pile of boxes that Jake happened to be passing by at the moment.
He looked up and saw Y/n. He just shook his head and then continued further into the middle area of the ship.
He rolled his eyes before climbing among the metal pipes, aware that the soldiers were probably making their way to the top again. This time, when they look over... he raised the gun he had taken from the soldier. Holding such weight was putting a strain on his already injured arm, but he knew he just had to keep pushing forward.
Soldier 1: Toby? Did anyone see where he went?
Soldier 3: Maybe he's just pissed that we didn't want to eat Na'vi meat.
Y/n held his breath, then cautiously peered over the cover, spotting a few soldiers. He opened fire with his rifle, killing three of the soldiers, while another was grazed across the chest.
Y/n slowly climbed their way back onto the top deck with the soldier who had been grazed, crawling toward the stairs and leaving a blood trail behind. He was heading towards the spot where the last remaining soldier was standing.
Soldier 1: "Coughing" S-S-Sco-ut h-help m–m-me.
Soldier 6: Yeah, screw this, I'm leaving.
He turned around and started running down the stairs, abandoning his dying teammate. The soldier kept trying to breathe and crawl faster as he heard the heavy footsteps approaching, made by y/n as they drew nearer.
Y/n used his feet to flip him around, forcing him to look up at him before he died. He was grasping for air as he choked on his blood, his words hard to understand. Tears started to fall down his face.
Soldier 1: P–P–Please… d–don't… I–I just…, m–my son—he was just born—please… I… I can't-
He couldn't get the last word out as Y/n looked at him with a dead look in his eyes, as if he were tired. He crouched down, pulling out the soldier's knife, and brought it to his throat, facing upward.
He attempted to push it away by grabbing at it, but his strength was too weak compared to y/n.
Soldier 1: P–P–Please… hghk!
Y/n forced the blade into the man's throat. His body spasmed, still grabbing at the blade to try to stop him, but it was too late; he was dead in seconds. y/n looks at the man for a couple of seconds while breathing heavily.
.
.
.
.
.
???: Just kill him!
Y/n's ears twitched as he came back to his senses. He made his way toward the edge to see what was happening below, and there stood Kiri, a knife pressed to her throat by the same guy he'd seen last time, back when they were almost captured, and at that one RDA outpost he'd invaded.
Quaritch: We're going to do this nice and fast, corporal.
Y/n's eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for an opening of some kind just enough to put some distance between Kiri and that man. He noticed they were near a support pillar connected to an overhead walkway bridge. If he could get directly above them and jump down onto the man, he believed he could make him release her upon landing.
On the sides of the top deck, walkways connected to the overhead walkways above the pair. He crouched down and moved carefully. He stared down at the scene below, watching the man's moves closely.
Jake stepped forward, his grip on the axe tightening. The man in front of him pressed the knife closer to Kiri's neck, and a thin line of blood started sliding down from where the blade had grazed her skin in a swift, careless motion.
Quaritch: Wepson on the floor…NOW!
Quaritch brought the blade even closer, causing more blood to leak from Kiri's wound.
Quaritch: Go ahead, test me. See what happens when I slice her pretty little neck.
Jake: Augh!
Jake tossed his axe and knives to the floor away from him, while Quaritch smirked as he loosened the blade against Kiri.
Jake: Don't you see? You're just like me now, Quaritch, humans living in bodies that aren't ours, but there. You were given a second chance, yet you squandered it for them.
Quaritch: Really? Trying to appeal to my humanity? That's the difference between us, Corporal. I know exactly where my allegiance lies. You, on the other hand, went running off like some horny mutt, chasing action because no woman back home wanted a cripple who can't feel a thing in bed.
Quaritch took something out of his pocket and threw it at Jake's feet, which were cuffs.
Quaritch: Now, keep acting like the good little mutt you are and put on the cuffs.
Y/n peeked over the railing and confirmed that the opening he thought he would have was correct. He also got a better look at Jake, who wasn't alone; Tuk was behind him, looking scared and afraid. He had almost forgotten she was here, but at least she was safe and out of harm's way.
Y/n took a deep breath, then looked serious and carefully moved one leg over the railing, followed by the other. He was holding onto the railing, but for a moment, fear took over his body. Was he really sure about doing this?
Of course, he was there; there was no time to waste. The longer she was in his possession, the higher the chance she could get seriously hurt.
Y/n closed his eyes while shutting everything out.
His eyes opened with determination before he jumped off; however, someone noticed him a minute earlier. Jake stretched out his hand as he jumped from the overhead walk.
Jake: Y/n, no!
Quaritch looked up, noticing the surprise attack, thanks to Jake's shouting, which revealed Y/n's position. He quickly stepped back and delivered a roundhouse kick to Y/n as he was falling. The kick landed on Y/n's lower abdomen, sending him flying several feet away.
Kiri: Y/n!
Y/n rolled slightly farther on the floor before slowing down and landing with his body facing downward. He cried out in pain as he was still mostly on the ground. A sharp, throbbing pain radiated from the spot where he was shot earlier.
He lowered the loincloth wrap slightly to reveal a large amount of blood leaking from the wound, now far worse than before.
Kiri: Y/n! Let go of me, you piece of shit! Y/n! Get up, Y/n!
Quaritch: Agh, quite moving!
Kiri thrashed, desperate to break free. All she could see was that Y/N still hadn't gotten back up, and a small pool of blood was spreading beneath him.
Y/N stayed like that, contemplating whether he should. He was just tired... so exhausted. But… he had to keep going; after all, he didn't want Kiri to worry about him… but it was not like that was going to matter much. If he could prolong it just a little longer and give her happiness, then… he had to keep going.
He pressed the loincloth strap back onto the wound to hide it, but blood was still just oozing into the loincloth.
He slowly got up and wiped the blood from his lips, staring the hybrid down.
Quaritch: That was a bold move, I'll give you that. But if it weren't for Corpal, your little plan might have succeeded.
Y/n glared at Jake, who just avoided his gaze but kept looking at Quaritch.
"Thud"
Y/n looked down to see another pair of cuffs in front of him as he looked up at the man.
Quaritch: I know exactly who you are, Y/n L/n, you're not getting away either.
Kiri: No, don't do it! y/n!
Quaritch: Quite slut!
He tugged on her queue, causing her to let out a small cry as she looked towards y/n for help. In a surprise turn of events, y/n let out a hiss-like noise from his mouth just like the Na'vi do all the time.
Spider: No, don't hurt her!
Spider ran out from behind cover and towards Quaritch.
Quaritch: You stay there! Stay right fucking there. Now, put those cuffs on!
Y/n's eyes stayed focused on the knife pressed against Kiri's throat. He was unsure of what to do next, especially since his best option had been taken away by Jake. While Jake secured the cuff onto one of his hands, Y/n didn't.
Quaritch: You think I'm joking, huh?!
Kiri: Just kill him, Y/n, don't worry about me!
Quaritch: I already told you to shut up!
He yanked her by her queue once more, forcing Kiri's neck to arch farther as she struggled to lessen the strain of his pull. That's when he noticed something interesting.
Quaritch: Well, fuck me sideways, you're even branding your whores. Takes some real guts to do that, especially with her father able to see it.
Jake was startled by Quaritch's comments when he finally noticed the choker around Kiri's neck; he hadn't realized she was wearing it before.
Quaritch: She must be pretty close to you if she's flaunting that around.
Y/n: Try anything, and it will be your neck sliding open instead.
Quaritch traced the knife along her neck until it reached the choker. He slid the blade beneath it, then drew it downward in a swift motion, snapping the choker in half as it fell to the ground.
Quaritch: Try speaking in that tone one more time, and the next slice won't be that stupid choker. Now for the final fucking time! Put on the cuffs.
Kiri looked at him with a pleading look in her eyes, as if she was telling him not to do it. Although he was reluctant himself, he also didn't want Kiri to suffer any more. He crouched down, picked up the cuff, and then placed one around his wrist.
Quaritch: That's right now, the other one, both of you!
Y/n glared at him in anger, but he reluctantly snapped the other cuff onto his wrist, fully restraining him. Y/n then glanced at Jake, who hadn't yet put the second cuff on his hand.
Jake: It's not too late-
Quaritch: Oh, just shut up already!
Spider: AGh!
They all glanced in Spider's direction and saw that Neytiri had come out of nowhere and had her knife drawn on Spider, just as Quaritch had done with Kiri.
The two were at a stand-off, looking at each other with their knife blades pushed to their hostage's throat.
Neytiri: Let her go now!
Quaritch: You think I care, huh? He's not even mine; we aren't even blood-related.
Quaritch: Come now, Ms. Sully, we both know you wouldn't kill the k-
Neytiri swiftly slashed at spider's chest, her eyes narrowing at the man. Quaritch was terrified by her action. Even Jake was scared of what she might do.
Neytiri: I cut, I kill, unless you let her go.
Spider: J-Just let her go.
They were in a standoff for a moment, neither of them moving until Neytiri tilted her head in a strange, animalistic way before raising the knife, ready to strike at Spider.
Spider saw the carnage and death caused by Neytiri before she arrived at the current shadow, and he was, to say the least, unsure of what she might actually do.
Quaritch quickly raised the knife, ready to attack Kiri. Y/n took a small step back; if he was going to do it, then he would have to rush in.
Fortunately, with a clenched jaw, Quaritch shoved Kiri away. She hit the ground briefly but quickly got up and went to Y/n.
Kiri: Y/n.
Y/n: Kiri.
Kiri quickly approached him, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle hug. Y/N couldn't return it with his arms bound, but he still leaned into her embrace, drawing what comfort he could now that she was safe.
Y/n: quickly get your dad's knife and cut the restraint.
She quickly approached and picked up the knife that Jake had thrown. Meanwhile, Quaritch stared at Neytiri, waiting for her next move, as she still had Spider trapped with the knife at his throat.
Kiri cut through the restraints, freeing Y/N's hands. He immediately pulled her into a deep embrace, and Kiri nestled against him. They stayed like that for a few seconds before Y/N finally pulled away.
Kiri: You're hurt.
She grabbed his arm, forcing him to reveal the bullet wound.
Y/n: I'll be fine
Kiri: No, you won't hold on. I think I have something in my herb pouch.
Y/n: I'll be fine. I have some in my pouch.
He lightly tapped the pouch at his side. She was about to argue, but Jake stepped in quickly, keeping his eyes locked on Quaritch.
Jake: Come on, move it, you two.
Tuk: Y/n, Kiri!
Tuk, who was standing behind Jake, quickly ran over to the pair and tried to hug them to the best of her ability.
Y/n: Tuk, it's good to see you, but come on, we should listen to your dad.
Y/n's eyes flick briefly to Jake before they rest on Tuk, gently placing a hand on Tuk's head. They then hurriedly move toward Neytiri, who has just pushed Spider away. He swiftly stood up and noticed Kiri approaching.
Spider: Kiri!
Kiri instinctively reached out to hug Spider as well, but hesitated upon recalling what y/n had shared with her. She stayed closer to y/n to keep away from Spider.
Tuk ran over to her mother, with Jake following behind.
Jake: Y/n, spider, get them out of here.
Neytiri: No, we must put an end to him.
Jake: We will, I promise, but just go. They need you with them.
Y/n: Kiri, come on, follow me.
Y/n took Kiri's hand and guided her into the water, with Spider appearing somewhat annoyed that Kiri didn't say anything to him. He followed closely behind, along with Tuk, who was pulling Neytiri along.
Quaritch: You're really going to go, huh, Jake? You know I won't stop until you're dead, every last one of your family with you.
Jake stared at Quaritch, then shrugged his shoulders and charged at him to start their fight.
Y/N struggled in the water, his strokes slowing before he broke into another fit of coughing. Kiri looked at him, confusion and fear in her eyes. Just yesterday he'd been seriously ill, and even now he should have been resting, yet here he was, wounded from a bullet to the arm and pushing himself far beyond his limits.
Kiri: Y-Y/n?
Y/N: I'm fine, Kiri, just coughing is all.
His voice appeared to sound more raspy than a few minutes ago as he spat out some blood. He used his free hand to wipe away the blood from the side of his mouth.
BOOM
Y/n looked back towards the source of the explosion, seeing fire spreading across the water. It even seemed to grow closer to the group.
Spider: Guys, we need to head back!
Y/n: Go, Kiri. I'll be right behind you.
He could see her fear through her trembling body and facial expression. Even though her fear was very evident, pushing past that fear, she nodded at Y/N's words for one reason: she trusts him.
They began making their way back to the ship, and as they swam, Kiri gradually drifted farther from Y/N as he started falling behind. His body was in pain, and despite the water on his skin, he was sweating heavily while feeling freezing cold.
His breathing grew faster, as if he needed to get more oxygen flowing through his body. Glancing down, although it was difficult to see due to the eclipse, he could make out the blood tainting the water.
He just shook his head, trying to stay focused as he finally made it back to the ship, and it became clear that the boat was sinking since the deck they were once on was now more covered in water than it had been a few minutes ago.
He stood at the back of the group as they tried to go around the area where Jake and that avatar hybrid were fighting. They passed an open hatch, seawater seeping through in steady streams.
Tuk: AHHH!
Y/n glanced to the left near the open hatch and saw Tuk losing her footing as the seawater began to sweep her along, almost pulling her into the ship's depths.
He dropped onto his stomach and grabbed her hand as the current pulled her farther in. Luckily, it wasn't strong enough yet to drag him along with her. Neytiri had already been holding onto Tuk's hand when she first started getting swept away. The two exchanged a brief, tense look before turning their focus back onto Tuk.
Y/n: Hang on, we've got you.
Y/n slowly started to pull her up, however, the current from the water made it difficult as it was applying force down on her body.
Tuk: Don't let go, please don't let go!
Neytiri: Just hold on, baby.
Kiri: M-mom, hold my hand!
BOOM again.
Tuk was nearly halfway up when an explosion erupted nearby, jolting Neytiri forward and sending one foot slipping into the open hatch. Y/N's eyes widened as she began to fall. He quickly stretched his hand out and caught her hand before she could drop too far inside.
Y/n: AGH!
With Neytiri no longer able to support her, Tuk slipped a few inches into the hatch. Now both of them dangled, held only by Y/N's grip.
Y/N grunted in pain as he struggled to hold onto both of them; the current was growing stronger and dragging him forward. It didn't help that he was gripping Tuk with his injured arm so that he couldn't pull her up with that arm alone.
Y/N: Kiri, spider, I need your help!
He glanced back and saw Kiri trying to rush toward him, but Spider grabbed her hand and yanked her back, stopping her from moving forward.
Kiri: Spider, let go of me!
Spider: No, Kiri! You'll get dragged in too!
Neytiri: Y/n.
He looked back down into the hatch, meeting Neytiri's gaze. Her expression was calm but tinged with serious concern.
Neytiri: Remember your promise.
Y/n: Neytiri...
Neytiri: I'll be fine. Just make sure you get my children out of here safely.
Tuk: Mom?
Y/N's eyes welled with tears as he looked at her. She returned a soft, reassuring smile. Clenching his jaw, he let go. Neytiri fell into the depths of the ship.
Tuk: MOM!
Y/n switched the hand holding Tuk, using the weaker one to support himself back to his feet and lifted Tuk back out.
Y/n held Tuk in a hip carry as he hurriedly moved away from the dangerous area. Passing by Kiri and Spider, he set Tuk down on the floor and crouched.
Tuk: "sniffling" M-M… Mom… wh…y did y…ou let go!
Y/n: I made a pinky promise to her that I would protect you no matter what.
Tuk couldn't hear a single word as she continued to cry.
Y/N: Hey, hey… It's going to be okay.
Tuk: H-How… m-mom… is she…?
Y/N: She's going to be okay, Tuk.
Tuk: Y-You can't be sure about that.
Y/N: Yeah… well, your mom's a pretty badass warrior who wouldn't let something horrible happen to her kid.
Tuk: S-So?
Y/n: Who will be there if something happens to you?
Tuk: Mom?
Y/n: Exactly, so we need to continue moving if we want to meet up with your mother later. Can you do that?
Though reluctant, she nodded and wiped the tears from her face. Y/n smiled warmly, then rubbed her head as he stood up and turned to look at Kiri and Spider, only to notice the giant red handprint on Spider's face, which was confusing since he was wearing the air mask.
He didn't question it as the ground started to shake slightly before tilting a bit.
Y/n: We need to reach a higher place, now!
They started running across the deck, but it became harder as the ship tilted sideways. Although they kept running, Y/n fell behind the group and collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach wound and coughing up blood onto the deck.
Since he had been shot, he had been losing a lot of blood, and it was starting to show, his body looked noticeably pale… at least, as pale as blue skin could appear.
Kiri: Y/n?
She looked back and saw y/n on the ground, too weak to stand.
Kiri: Y/n!
She was about to run back, but y/n raised his hand to signal her to stay.
Y/n: Stay over there. "Deep inhaling," I just need a minute.
He slowly got up and kept moving toward the group. The ship's sideways lean was becoming more like a climb rather than a walk.
Kiri: Y/n, let me see the wound. I'll patch it up with what I have.
Y/n: No, Kiri, we just need to keep moving.
Kiri: Don't be stu-
Y/n: NO Kiri!
Kiri took a few steps back, startled by Y/N suddenly yelling. Since she has known him, he has never raised his voice at her, and although it sounded like he was angry, it was actually out of desperation to get them out of this dangerous situation.
Spider had been watching Y/n quite intently for a while now, and based on how he looked, it was increasingly in his favor.
Y/n continued walking, passing Kiri and then placing his hand on Tuk to encourage her to stay near. As the floor continued to tilt, the group had to get down on all fours. While the three of them were good at moving around under those conditions, Y/n was less so, having been on Pandora for only six to seven months.
As they continued pushing forward, debris began to slide past the group, with some nearly hitting them but just missing.
Tuk: AHHH!
Y/n glanced over his shoulder, eyes widening in shock as Tuk lost her grip on the floor, causing her to slide slightly downward. This brief movement was enough to freeze her in place.
Kiri: Tuk!
Y/n: Stay where you are, Tuk. I'm coming to you.
Tuk: "sniffling" P-please hurry!
Kiri: Y/n, be careful.
Y/n: Yeah, of course, careful is my middle name.
Y/n took a deep breath before letting go of the ground, causing him to slide down. However, he faced a problem: he wasn't sure how to slow or stop himself. He looked around for something to help, and his eyes landed on a mechanical piece.
As he drew closer, he stretched out his hand and grabbed the mechanical piece, causing him to stop close by. He was a few feet above Tuk.
Tuk: Y-Y/n I'm slipping!
Y/n: Give me your hand!
Tuk: W-What if I slip again?
Y/n: You won't, and if you did, I'll come to get you.
She nervously reached out her hand toward Y/N, and he did the same. But their fingers were still a foot apart. Tuk kept stretching, reaching farther and farther… until she fell forward, hitting the floor. She lost her grip on the floor entirely and started sliding down the slanted floor into the waters below.
Y/n: TUK!
Tuk was being carried by a water current around her, pulling her deep into the middle of the ship.
Y/n: Kiri, make sure to get out of here!
Kiri: Y/n?
Suddenly, without wasting any time, Y/n jumped into the moving water current after Tuk.
Spider: I'll get him back, Kiri, don't worry.
She glanced at Spider, who he had a grin on his face, before he jumped into the water after them, leaving her all alone… she needed… she had to get out of there after all y/n told her to do so.
And in the end, there was nothing to worry about because he gave her a promise.
They would be together no matter what happens.
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*unknown time*
Kiri stared into the distance with a dazed look in her eyes. She felt pain everywhere, her body, heart, soul, and very existence. White paint covered her body. The world around her was muted, voices fading into a distant, incomprehensible hum. She couldn't focus, couldn't care.
Her gaze slowly dropped to her hands. She moved her top hand away from the other, revealing what lay between them… Y/N's handbook.
After staring for an unknown amount of time at the handbook, eventually, her eyes shifted to the right, toward Spider.
Word count: 7655
Yeah, I was way off when I said it would be released on the 14th. I had to cut out the biggest scene of the story from this chapter and move it to the next chapter.
This was supposed to be the last chapter, but it looks like there's going to be one more. So uh, look forward to that in...Next week.
Thanks for your understanding. By the way, I made this chapter so quickly that even I was surprised at how long it was compared to the one I did of Helluva Boss last week.
But until next time, bye