Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 22

As they fly higher, Lo'ak observes the ground in silence.

It continues for a while, then when he lowers the Ikran a bit more, Lo'ak feels Rotxo laying on his back again.

Lo'ak- You alright?

Rotxo doesn't answer, so Lo'ak looks behind him. He isn't asleep yet, but his eyelids are heavy.

Lo'ak- Rotxo.

Rotxo- Hm?

Lo'ak- I can't hold onto you from in front, I need you to stay awake.

Rotxo- I'm tired, let's just go back.

Lo'ak- No, we need to-There they are!

Rotxo jumps up, some life in his face again. Lo'ak points to a spot and Rotxo looks down at the clearing in the middle of the trees. The Metkayina have set up camp there.

Lo'ak- We gotta tell Neteyam. He'll wake his ass right up.

They quickly turn back and head to the tree they came from. As the Ikran races through the sky, Rotxo holds on tightly, and Lo'ak finds himself hyper aware of Rotxo's touch.

When they reach their trees, the Ikran lands on the side of Aonung and Neteyam's enclosure, earning their attention. Neteyam is first to look out of the branches at them.

Neteyam- Lo'ak, what the-

Lo'ak- We found them!

Aonung looks out right next to Neteyam, eagerly.

Aonung- What?

Rotxo- We found them!

Lo'ak- Call your Ikran, brother, let's go!

Neteyam calls for his Ikran, and shortly after, it shows up. He quickly makes their connection then hops on. Aonung climbs onto the back of it, holding onto Neteyam.

Neteyam- Lead the way, bro.

The Sully boys yip in different tones, making their Ikran take off. Lo'ak leads Neteyam straight to the location of the campsite. And when they land in the clearing, it doesn't go unnoticed.

The boys hop off the creatures, and let them leave, while they walk into the settlement looking for their parents. Which turns out to be easy, because they're already walking towards them.

Neytiri brings both of her boys into her arms. When she lets them go, Jake comes up to the two with an angry look, but gives them both a tight hug. It shocks them, but pleasantly so.

Ronal runs up to Rotxo, checking him thoroughly. When she's done, Tsireya gives him a hug. Tonowari storms over to his son with fury in his eyes.

Tonowari- Have you learned nothing?!

Aonung stands tall, prepared to receive a lecture, as well as give one.

Tonowari- Taking them beyond the reef again. Last time you were stranded, you should've learned then. But you made that same stupid decision and ended up left behind during an evacuation.

Aonung- Why did you evacuate everyone?

Tonowari- The sky people.

Those words put Neteyam on high alert.

Tonowari- We got word they were raiding villages. Not bothering to ask questions, just tearing everything apart, and hurting innocent people looking for them.

Aonung looks at the Sullys, then back at his father with disbelief.

Aonung- So you ran?

His confidence shocks Ronal, and angers Tonowari.

Tonowari- I am protecting our people! I cannot let them be caught in the middle of warfare.

Aonung- You said you wouldn't let them bring their war here to begin with. Why not send them back instead of moving our people away from their homes?

Neteyam's ears lay, his mood visibly shifting.

Tonowari- The Sullys are Metkayina! They are our people now! And you have no right to lecture me, boy!

Aonung- I-

The beginning of Aonung's sentence is cut off by a hard slap across his face. His father's large hand nearly knocks him over completely.

He steadies himself as the side of his face begins to sting, and looks back up at his father.

Tonowari- You could have gotten them killed with your actions, yet you see no wrong. The future of the clan is in foolish hands.

Aonung- Y-

Tonowari- Don't say another word. You have shamed this family enough.

Tonowari turns his son to face the Sullys, then forces him to kneel.

Tonowari- Apologize to them.

Aonung looks up at the family, then notices the glare on Neteyam's face. He's confused about why it's directed at him, but he doesn't get to dwell on it.

His bond is yanked because of his silence, causing him to yelp, but he tries to regain his composure.

Aonung- I'm sorry, for taking your sons beyond the reef, and putting them in danger.

Jake nods then guides his family back to the area they'll be staying in. But Neteyam storms off in the direction of the trees instead.

Tonowari finally releases Aonung, then goes back to their area with Ronal.

Tsireya quickly runs up to her brother, and gives him a hug. But he doesn't return it, because he's focused on the golden eyed boy that stormed off into the woods.

Tsireya- Aonung, are you okay?

Aonung- None of us got hurt on the way here.

After that, he proceeds to follow Neteyam, leaving Tsireya worried, but Rotxo leads her in the other direction, towards Lo'ak and the others.