Before Your Birth and After Your Death

by Sparkbreaker

Summary:

Lynx and Tuk have been captured by Quaritch and the RDA. They take the chance to try and teach the recoms Eywa’s ways. Meanwhile, their friends and family frantically try to find them before the worst happens.

Notes:

I own nothing but my OC.

Chapter 1: Eywa Help Us All

Neytiri smiled as she worked on gutting her most recent hunt. Kiri, who was supposed to be helping her, had taken a moment to observe the sway of a nearby pink flower. She watched her daughter match the motion the plant made. Her face lit up in happiness. 

She continued her own work in silence for a few minutes. This time when she paused and glanced up Kiri stood at the edge of the water. Looking out to the see. “What do you see daughter?” Perhaps one of her brothers? 

She was met with silence. 

“Kiri?” Neytiri put her work down. “What is it?”

Her child turned to her with a horrifyingly blank expression on her face. It was enough to make her stomach turn. 

“They got them Mama.”

---

“Sister?” Ronal questioned her as they ran back to the village. Neytiri didn’t stop and she heard Kiri trailing behind her. “What is…”

“Mom,” Neteyam and Spider ran up on another walkway. 

“Hey, hey,” Spider quickly went to assure their little sister. 

“I felt it.”

“Us too.” 

“Where are your brothers?” Neytiri asked marching into their home. Moving things aside until the crate Jake insisted they bring with them was revealed. She opened it and began searching for the comm. 

“Payakun took Lo’ak and Tsireya out to circle the island,” Neteyam answered. She saw Ronal enter their home out of the corner of her eye but didn’t stop. “They’ll be back soon.” 

“Neytiri.” The older woman placed a hand on her shoulder. “What happened?” 

“I hope to find out.” She activated the comm. “Jake. Ma Jake. Can you hear me?” It was a risk activating it, but she had no other choice. 

“They took them,” Kiri whispered. 

“Who child?” Ronal matched her tone. 

“Our sisters.”

“Ma Jake. Come in.” She was only met with silence. “Please come in.” 

“Those demons took our sisters,” Neteyam growled. 

“And hurt Dad,” Spider added. 

“Husband,” her voice cracked. “Please.” Her ears perked up when she heard static. “Ma Jake?”

“Neytiri.” His voice sounded pained and faint. 

“Dad.” Her little ones crowded around. 

“Jake, what has happened?”

“It was… Quaritch. And a few other recoms. Got the drop on us.” There was a noise like he was moving but it ended in a groan. Tonowari could be heard faintly telling him to try not to move. “They took ‘em Neytiri. They took our kids.” 

She swore in that moment terror tore her heart in two. Until she forced herself to blink. Her tail swishing behind her and lightly smacking into her children. She didn’t have the time for fear. 

“What about you?” 

“I got shot in the shoulder. They knocked Bob out of the air. It’ll be at least a week before he can fly again.” 

“The children’s ikrans?”

“Looked like they had Moon caught up in some net. Echo’s dead.” 

“Can you move?”
“Not supposed to.” There was a grunt. “But that’s never stopped me before.” 

“Very well.” She stood and her children seemed to read her mind. Moving quickly to gather things up. Spider and Neteyam grabbing the guns and ammo that had also been in the crate. “We will come to you.” 

“Neytiri we can’t let them…”

“We are not letting our children out of our sight,” she snapped at him. “Those demons may or may not return. If they do we face them together.” Neytiri snatched up her bow and arrows. “Little ones grab some food and water.” They nodded and obeyed. “Enough for a few days travel.” 

Ronal observed but made no move to stop her. 

“You cannot move yet husband. So, we will join you. Then we will track down those demons and get our daughters back.” She ended the comm.

---

“You have been quiet the past few days,” Tsu’tey noted. 

“Coming from you that means much,” Mo’at didn’t open her eyes from where she sat resting against a tree. 

“What is wrong?” 

“I do not know.” Her ears flickered lightly as she heard him lean down to crouch next to her. 

“What has Eywa told you?”

“She… Wants me to wait.” The old tsahìk finally opened her eyes. Trailing her gaze upward toward where the branches swayed in the breeze.

---

Jake woke up to the sound of commotion. He gritted his teeth as he got up into a sitting position. “No, no,” the local tsahìk motioned for him to stay lying down. “You’ll tear the stitches.” 

“Sorry but…” The ex-marine stopped as Tonowari led Neytiri into the marui. “Neytiri.” The rest of their children followed only feet behind her. 

“Ma Jake,” she instantly knelt next to him. Her hands gentle as they glided over his wound. Eyeing how the medicine sat on it. 

“I’m so sorry baby,” he muttered as she placed her forehead softly against his. 

“Now is not the time for guilt. Nor fear.” When she pulled back he spotted the fire in her eyes. The passion that had drawn them together to begin with. If it had been directed at him then he would’ve been scared shitless. Instead, it fortified him. 

“Dad.”

“Kids.” He couldn’t muster up a smile. “Come here please.” Just like their mother all of them took great care as they came into a group hug. Noticeable bags shown under their eyes. 

“They’re still alive,” Spider took up. 

“And they… Don’t seem hurt,” Neteyam continued. 

“As far as we can tell,” Kiri nodded. 

“But they’re really far away,” Lo’ak stated. 

“Can you tell how far?” They shook their heads. “Dammit.”

“I wished to speak to you before I contacted Mother and Tsu’tey,” Neytiri informed him. 

“It was risky even radioing me,” Jake pointed out. “They’ll know we’re in the islands now.”

“We are many,” Tonowari said. “Let them try to find you.” His eyes reminded the other man of storm clouds. 

“We will be on the move,” his wife announced. “In a day. You will be well enough to move then.” He almost smirked at the fact she made it a statement and not a question. 

“I think we’re beyond worrying about if they find us or not,” their eldest son broke in. 

“It’ll be better if Grandma and Uncle keep a look out,” Kiri leaned on her brother. 

“They’re closer to the main base anyway,” Lo’ak added. 

“That is where they’ll take Lynx and Tuk,” Neteyam agreed. 

“Then we should…” Jake took his wife’s hand. 

“If we or our old clan go in there it’s a death sentence,” he pointed out. It was why they always did hit and run tactics. The place was a fortress. Fortified out the ass with a death zone all around it. 

“We are not leaving our daughters to those demons.” Her tone was even but still caused him to shiver down his spine. 

“Course not but we have to be smart about this. We’ll only get one chance.” 

“Mom.” 

“Yes, my love?” Neytiri focused her attention on her child. 

“You should call Grandma before anything else.” 

She tilted her head. “Eywa told you this?” All her little ones nodded. “Very well.”

---

Mo’at took the comm device from a nervous Norm Spellman. Others had gone out to collect their Olo’eyktan so that he could be informed of events as well. Part of her had known she would hear from her daughter again. Yet this was not what she had expected. 

“Neytiri?” 

“Mother.” The tone of voice made Mo’at’s heart skip. “The demon took Tuk and Lynx.” 

“Do you know if they live?” She heard the humans skittering around her but paid them no mind. When Norm offered her a chair to sit, she took it. Her years suddenly catching up to her. 

“Our little ones say they do. Ma Jake has been injured but we will be traveling soon. Perhaps to see you.”

“You believe the sky people would bring them here?” 

“Yes, to their main base. Though Jake believes they may not remain there for long.” 

“Makes sense,” Spellman spoke up. “Even if they’re cocky they know we would try for the base.”

“Their defenses are great,” she replied. 

“But not endless.”

“Grandma?” 

“Spider?” 

“The others are here too.” If it were any other situation, she would’ve been happy to hear from her grandchildren. “Eywa…”

“What has she shared with you?” 

“She… Did she tell you anything first?” 

“Mm.” Mo’at took a moment to properly collect her thoughts. “She has been horrifically vague.” 

“But she did tell you something,” Kiri’s voice took over. 

“She did. The Great Mother told me to wait.” 

“Oh.”

“Is it the same for you?”

The silence over the line was defining. “Yes.” 

“Mother,” Neytiri came back. “The Great Mother cannot expect us to…”

“Neytiri.” Mo’at heard noises over the comm that sounded like her child cursing. 

“Mo’at.” 

“Jake Sully. What is your injury?”

“I got shot in the shoulder when the girls were taken but I’ll be alright. We were thinking of traveling back to the Omatikaya.”

“What do the children say?” 

“They’re not against it. From what I understand Eywa’s giving them mixed signals.” 

“Very well. I will inform Tsu’tey. We will watch the base closely.” She stood feeling all her previous exhaustion suddenly leave her. “I will let the other clans know.” 

“Think they’ll help?” 

“They will. If nothing else their eyes will aid us if they end up moving the children.” 

“Alright. We’ll keep in touch.” 

“I understand. I will tell you if something occurs here. May Eywa protect your travels.” Mo’at wasn’t certain but she thought she heard Jake Sully lightly reply, “Eywa help us all.” 

Chapter 2: The Personal Angle

Notes:

Bold indicates someone speaking the Na'vi language in the presence of those not fluent in it. Just a small reminder.

Quaritch was a bit impressed. He would openly admit he didn’t know much about science aside from the bare minimum he needed to perform his job properly. But even he couldn’t have guessed how many tests they’d subjugate the kids to. 

Most of them the two were knocked out for. Or strapped down. 

Upon waking little Tuktirey had grabbed a small glass vial and used it to kill two of the scientists in the room with her. That had been with one arm chained to the bed but with some wriggle room. Lynx… Jesus she’d taken out three scientists, a nurse, and two guards before she’d been taken down with a stun baton. Injuring one more security guard before being knocked out with a tranq. Her bloodied right hand had revealed she’d broken her thumb and pulled her hand free. How she got her left one out even he couldn’t guess. 

From what he gathered the two were very uncooperative to say the least and were mainly fed with IVs. The higher ups wanted answers and figured they wouldn’t get them if the girls were seriously harmed or dead. 

He sipped a cup of coffee as he stood observing two screens to separate rooms. The girls both strapped down to chairs facing someone holding up screens.

“Can you tell me what’s on the screen?” The woman gently asked Tuktirey. Her screen remained blank while an apple appeared on Lynx’s. “Tuktirey? Can you tell me what Lynx is seeing?” The girl stopped rolling her eyes long enough to finally focus on the scientist speaking to her. Sticking her tongue out mockingly. 

Lynx barely blinked and continued to glare at the man in front of her. If he wasn’t paying attention Miles was certain he would’ve missed the way one side of her face twitched. Just slightly. Like she was fighting not to smile. 

“A few of us wouldn’t be opposed to trying the neuroscanner on them,” Ardmore came up beside him. “The techs say it’s too risky. Don’t want to risk damaging their special brain chemistry.” 

“That so? Even for a minute or two?” 

She half shrugged. “None of our other conventional methods have had much success as you can see.” 

He noted the way she glanced at him. “You think something else might?” 

“Perhaps a more… Personal angle. I understand the oldest Sully isn’t your child.”

“But a friendly face couldn’t hurt,” he nodded. “Hm.” His eyes focused solely on Lynx. “You might be on to somethin’.” It might also work to flush the rest of the family out of hiding if they thought they had an opportunity to retrieve them.

---

They didn’t say anything. Instead choosing to sit on the lone table in the room with their backs to one another. Ignoring the chairs and offered cups of water. Keeping their senses on alert. This was the first time their captors had kept the two of them in the same room. Let alone allowed them to roam free. 

Wisely, they didn’t trust it. 

When the door opened two pairs of eyes swirled toward it. Narrowing at the large familiar figure stepping cautiously through the door. Miles had to duck to step inside and took a hit off his mask.  Only when the door closed behind him did he speak. 

“Not gonna come at me?” 

“We’re not stupid,” Tuk addressed him. “This is some sort of trick or plan. You wouldn’t come in here with us normally.”

“At least not without being armed or a failsafe,” Lynx eyed him over. “You know what we’re capable of.” 

“You’re not that dumb.” 

“Or cocky.” 

He lightly shook his head. It was odd hearing them easily be able to finish the other’s thoughts. Like they were twins. 

“Clever. Those science pukes leaned on you two pretty hard. But you gave ‘em nothin’. I respect that.” 

“Why are you talking to us?” Tuk flicked her ears. 

“Mind if I sit?” 

“Yes,” Lynx hissed as he slowly sat on the edge of the table. Picking her side over her little sisters. Something tells him she would’ve pounced on him for that. Tuk joins her sister and pulls her back away from him but they don’t flee. 

“You know I’m not Colonel Miles Quartich. Hell you buried him. But I do have his memories. So technically Lynx, I’m not your father. Far as I'm concerned the three of us? Nothin’ to each other. But, I can help you.”

They don’t react so he continues. 

“I can get you both outta here. I’m not gonna ask you to betray your family. I know you wouldn’t do that. You’re loyal. Got plenty of camera footage of you and your siblings takin’ out our men. I admire loyalty.”

“Sounds too good to be true,” Lynx points out. “What’s the catch?”

“I just need you two to ride along. Help me and my men get a better feel for the land.” He’s a bit surprised that gets a reaction out of them as they shift to face one another. Almost as if he’s not in the room. 

Neither say a word but he knows they have a full conversation. Eyes wide with a few nods and hisses. Lynx stares openly at the far wall as if it personally offends her. Her younger sister groans before leaning her head on Lynx’s shoulder. 

“Yeah yeah,” the older Sully finally speaks. 

Tuk is the one to give him a reply. All sharp glinting fangs. “Deal.”

---

“You two stay within fifty feet of me,” he tells them the next day before they ship out. “Those trackers on your ankles will give you a hell of a shock if you leave that perimeter. The farther you go the worse it gets.”

“Anything else?” Lynx sounds bored but he spots her eyes taking in his squad as they ready up. 

“Yeah. We’ll have weapons. The two of you will not. Try to take ours and I’ll be forced to give you right back to the lab coats. Got it?” Tuk seems focused on playing with her own tail as Lynx analyzes her nails. “I said ladies,” he leans in and puts a hand on their shoulders. Not gripping tightly but the act gets their attention as they both bare their teeth at him. “Am I clear?”

“Clear, sir,” they reply in unison. 

“Good. When we get on the ship you two find some seats and stay out of the way.” This time they nod without needing prompting. 

Turns out their version of ‘out of the way’ involves the youngest Sully casually playing with the mounted gun but she doesn’t fight when Lyle shoos her off. Instead, sitting next to her sister as the older one closes her eyes. 

Miles knows its not from boredom. Maybe a mind game of her own. 

They fly a good bit out. Making sure to stay clear of the girls' home territory. The Omatikaya are still very much active and it wouldn’t surprise him if they’d come to the Sully’s defense if need be. 

“She good?” Z-Dog nods at Lynx after thirty minutes. She does look a bit green. 

“Lynx doesn’t do well in ships,” Tuk pats her sister’s back. “She gets sick.”

“Far cry from Paz,” Mansk mutters. 

“Keep talking like I’m not sitting right here and I’ll aim for you first when I hurl.” 

“Same attitude,” Lyle smirks.

---

When they do land Lynx only takes a few minutes before she noticeably begins looking better and thankfully no incidents happened. The two girls crouch on a log behind him when his team gathers around. 

“Alright, listen up. Jake Sully’s gone to ground. Doesn’t matter, wherever he is we’ll find him. His batshit crazy wife too.” A few of his men laugh. 

“Watch how you speak about our mother Colonel,” Lynx warns even as her tone remains oddly calm. 

“He’s totally scared of Mom,” Tuk giggles. 

“He should be.” 

“As I was saying,” Miles pointedly continues. “We go Na’vi. Full tilt, all the way. That means we eat Na’vi. We ride Na’vi. Think Na’vi.” He pointed to his own head. “And that starts with speaking the language,” he slowly says. 

Tuk doesn’t bother to hold in her scoffing laugh as Lynx grins and shakes her head. “You call that speaking the language?” The younger sister taunts. “You sound like a baby!”

“Even babies are better than them,” Lynx adds to her sister’s amusement. 

“All right,” Miles faces them. “You just went from being our guides to interpreters.” 

“Eywa knows you need us,” Tuk announces jumping down from the log and half skipping right into the center of them. “I’m hungry.” 

“Too bad kid,” Prager informs her. “We eat when the Colonel says we do.” 

“She’s seven,” Lynx doesn’t make a sound when she leaps. The movement unsettling a few of them. 

“Yeah, I’m growing and need all the nutrients I can get.” 

“You wouldn’t want your two show ponies to starve to death out here now would you?” Lynx walks over and leaned her shoulder into her sister. “Be a bad look back at base I’m wagering.” 

“You got some nerve,” Ja starts but stops when Miles waves his hand. Letting out a slight chuckle. He reaches into one of his many leg pockets and pulls out a protein bar. 

“Eat up,” he tossing it at them. 

Lynx catches it before her sister can and throws it right back at his head. With force. If it weren’t for his instincts he’s fairly certain it wouldn’t found his left eye. 

“What the hell?” Lyle demands. 

“That shit’s worse than cardboard,” the older girl informs them. “You all know it.” With a dramatic wave of her arms she indicates their surroundings. “You’re in the forest. Basically a free buffet if you know what to look for. Way better than some freeze-dried barf.” 

“You want to live Na’vi?” Tuk approaches him. Stopping only inches away and not letting their size difference matter one bit as she gives him a tired look. One a teacher would give to an exhausting student. “Then start with food. We’ll show you. Babies.” With a snicker she turns and half jogs past her sister. Not before pulling on Lynx’s hair. 

In return Lynx hisses at her and moves to pursue. “Tuk-Tuk.” 

“Don’t go past the perimeter!” Miles called to their backs. “Move out,” he orders as they move to follow the Sullys. 

Chapter 3: No Promises

“What?” Prager demanded glaring at the seven year old. “You told us these were edible.” 

“They are,” Lynx agreed. Not glancing away from the leaf she’d pulled down to get a sip of water. The other Recoms observed her. 

“Just don’t come whining to us when you’re pooping your guts out later,” Tuk giggled.

“What?” Ja asked.

“Grandma and Mom always recommended those for anyone who were horribly constipated and nothing else worked.” Lynx raised a brow. “But by all means go ahead.”

The marine snarled and tossed the yellow berries away. A few others snickered before Miles stood. 

“Alright. Playtime’s over.” He eyed the sisters. “Time for you two to earn your keep.” 

Tuk grinned as she shifted to look at her sister. Lynx matched her expression. “Ok.”

---

The sisters kept a steady, but slow, pace as they traversed through the trees. Gliding over limbs and effortlessly using vines to navigate gaps they couldn’t jump. 

“Keep up babies!” Tuktirey called. “Or we’ll leave you behind!”

The taunt was toothless thanks to their trackers but they kept testing their boundaries. In return the adults huffed and puffed as they failed to keep up. Their tales swishing back and forth in an attempt to help their balance. Boots long since tossed off so they could get better traction with bare feet. 

A few times the sisters allowed them to get close. Before slipping between foliage or jumping down to a lower level. Just out of reach. 

Quaritch barely managed to stay in the lead but even he had issues keeping his eye on everything. Trees covered in moss were far different than normal terrain. He also had to account for what easily supported the girl’s weight might not hold his own. 

“They’d give Tarzan a run for his money,” Lyle complained leaping over a hump in the wood. 

“Come on people,” Quaritch ordered. “These kids are punkin’ us.” 

“Let’s go,” Lynx taunted. She used a smaller branch as if it were a spring to propel her. Ja attempted the same thing a few seconds later but the wood collapsed. Almost sending him off the branch entirely. 

“Little help.” Z-Dog grabbed his hand and hauled him back up. 

“Ohhhhh,” Tuk laughed. “So close.” She then leapt and used two vines to cross the distance between branches. Prager followed her lead but cried out as they vines snapped. Sending him tumbling down to the forest floor. 

“Prager,” Miles and the others stopped and examined their comrade as he got back to his feet.

“Oops,” Tuk said before sprinting after her sister. 

“Get your ass back up here!”

Lynx stopped and hung off a branch as her sister watched the adults. 

“It’s… Sad to watch.” 

“Yeah.” Tuk tilted her head as her tail swished back and forth. As great as it was to be back in the forest a part of her missed the ocean. The feeling of water in her hair and the way sand gave when she stepped on it. She didn’t even need to glance at her sister to know Lynx felt the same. The forest welcomed them back easily. As old friends. Yet they yearned for the waves. 

For their friends and family. 

“We’re loosing daylight,” Lynx jumped back into action as the Recoms finally reached them. “We’ll need to set up camp soon.” 

“In another five miles,” Tuk added.

---

“No fires.” 

“You’ve got to be shitting me,” Lyle replied.

“You want every predator for ten miles to come investigating?” 

“I’ve seen the Na’vi use fires to cook with.”

“Yes,” she sighed. “In established villages. Safety in numbers. Most animals won’t come close to where the tribes live out of fear. The rest know to at least be weary. Our small band wouldn’t be seen as a threat. We’d be dinner.” 

“We need to get off the floor too,” Tuk added. “Up in the canopy is safer. Why do you think the Omatikaya live up high? For fun?”

“Namely at night.” The older Sully eyed the area around them. By then all light had faded save for the bioluminescence of the plants. “You’ve seen what a pack of nantang can do when motivated. Do you really want to meet a family of palulukan in the dark?”

“Lead the way,” Miles nodded. 

Both girls circled the surrounding area for twenty minutes before selecting a tree that would work. Climbing up into the higher branches where some of them leveled out. Making decent makeshift perches once they placed down their sleeping bags. 

“I’ll take first watch,” the Colonel informed his men. “Get some shut eye. I’ll wake you when it’s your turn.”

“Got it boss.” Lyle paused and eyed the sisters. Lightly moving small vines and bits of moss around to make a nest. Tuk snickering as she bumped into her sister. In return Lynx bared her teeth in a playful snarl before making the younger settle down. Petting her hair and fixing any braids that had loosened throughout the day. 

“Need any help?”

“I got ‘em.” The subordinate gave a final nod before getting comfortable. It wasn’t long before snores were heard and the exhaustion of the day caught up with everyone. 

Quaritch rested his gun in his lap as he kept watch. Noticing only one other set of eyes still very much open. Glaring right at him. Unblinking. 

“Go to sleep,” he ordered the oldest Sully. “We’ll be up at first light and I don’t need you dragging.” 

A snort was her answer as Lynx finally laid down next to her sister. Both curled around each other.

---

“Wake up!” He felt someone shove his shoulder. “Wake up!” Miles startled upright and saw the youngest Sully beaming at him. Far too bright and chipper for whatever ungodly hour it was. 

“What?” He glanced about and noted Lynx was waking the others up. Under the careful watch of Ja as she also handed them some sort of pomegranate looking fruit. Tuk pushed one into his own hand. 

“It’s not even light yet,” Prager complained.

“Won’t be for another two hours,” Lynx shared. Taking a large bite of her fruit. Some juice slipped out and dribbled down her chin. The image made her look exceedingly young. 

“Then why the hell are you waking us up?” Miles lightly tossed his up and down. Testing its weight. 

“You want to live like Na’vi? We’ll teach you. Today is your first lesson in tracking. You wanna do that you gotta get up and ready before the animals get moving.” 

“Knowing how slow you all are it’ll take forever,” Tuk snickered. She bit into her own meal and didn’t even bother to clean her face off as she made a mess. “So we already got you breakfast.” She swiftly turned away from him and didn’t stop eating as she went to her sister. 

The Recoms eyed the fruit but once Miles took a bite they followed suit. It couldn’t be poisonous if the girls were consuming it. 

“Ly-Ly!”

“Hold still.” She licked her thumb and got a bit of juice off of Tuk’s face. Only making a little progress before her sibling attempted to pull away. With ease the two began wrestling as the younger openly snarled. Upset by the fact her sister wrestled her into submission. 

In return Lynx wasn’t deterred as she fought and made only a little headway against her sister. Not letting her size stop her. Openly licking Tuktirey’s cheek at one point and grinning as the girl let out a high pitched scandalized scream. 

“I can’t imagine four more kids,” Z-Dog slowly blinked as she downed some of her water. “Especially if they all have this much energy,” Ja agreed. 

“Dear God,” Prager added. His ears twitching as the cries and cursing amplified. 

“Enough,” Miles snapped. Both Sully’s paused to stare at him. Before starting right back up again. 

“I’ll get the coffee going,” Lyle yawned.

---

“Eywa you’re so loud,” Tuk pouted as she turned back to face the Recoms. “The ostriches will hear you coming before we can even get close.” 

Lynx paused at her sister’s assessment. “You need to… Be more aware of where you’re stepping.” 

“We are,” Prager countered. “None of us are stepping on sticks or anything.” 

“No but you’re running into leaves or tripping on half hidden roots.” She tilted her head until her neck cracked. “Aren’t you lot supposed to be the best of the best?” 

“No wonder Mom took pity on Dad when they first met,” Tuk said. 

“We’re way better than Sully ever was,” Ja snapped. 

“Says the man who smacked two of his teammates with his tail climbing down this morning.” 

“You’re pretty mouthy for a toddler.” 

“Careful baby. I’ve taken men out for less.” Prager opened his mouth but was cut off as Quaritch held up his hand. 

“Everyone take ten. Rest and cool off.” He eyed the sisters. “You two need to watch your attitudes.” 

Tuk rolled her eyes but didn’t openly reply as she went to where her sister sat on a log. Climbing on to relax next to her as she swung her legs back and forth. Her posture straightening when she noted how still her sister was. 

“What is it?” she whispered. Her eyes darting forward in an attempt to see what had captured her sibling’s attention. 

“In the trees. Left of the blue leaf.” Lynx’s voice was low and steady. Reaching up and patting her sister on the shoulder. Steadying her. “See her?” 

It took a few seconds until she could make out a silhouette in the shadows. “Yeah.” Tuk’s voice didn’t waver as she met eyes with the thanator. “She’s beautiful.” 

Lynx couldn’t keep the smile off her face at how fearless Tuk was. Never one to back down. 

“I think I can circle around. Can you do something for me Tuk-Tuk?” 

“Anything.” 

“Keep your eyes on her. Don’t turn away and don’t blink. Can you do that?” 

No verbal answer was needed as Tuk shifted into a position where she was crouched on the log. Her gaze unwavering as Lynx got up and slunk away. Blending into the forest.

Lyle was the first to notice something was up. 

“Where’s your sister?” 

“Shhhh. You’re too loud.” 

“What the hell…” Lyle’s voice died in his throat as he spotted the beast crouched in the foliage. Slowly but steadily inching toward them. Specifically the Sully. 

“Don’t,” she warned as he reached for his sidearm. “You may hurt her but it’ll piss her off more. She’d make your death slow and painful.” 

“Colonel.” Lyle kept his voice the same pitch as Tuk’s. Low but urgent and he was thankful their new sharp ears allowed the man to hear him from feet away. The other Recoms fell into position as Quaritch crouched and made for them. The other’s not far behind as Lyle slowly moved to grab Tuk. 

“Jesus,” Miles cursed as the palulukan wasn’t deterred by all of their attention. Their weapons may as well have been toys. 

Lyle picked the girl up and stepped back with her as Quaritch placed himself between them. 

“Keep making eye contact,” Tuk instructed. “You blink you die.” 

“Colonel?” Z-Dog lightly rocked in her spot. “What’s the order?” 

The threat reached the log and with no strain began climbing over it. Jaws beginning to open as a snarl built in it’s throat. The sound reverberated through their bones and only their training kept them still. The instinct to run near overwhelming. 

Suddenly the thanator cut off mid growl and stood up. No longer on the prowl but as if in surprise. Swiftly turning it’s head backward. 

The other’s had to stand up in order to see what had distracted the predator past the fallen tree. 

Lynx. 

“Got you.” She held the end of the palulukan’s tail in her hand. 

Tuk let out a cheer as the hunter twisted itself to properly face her. The flexibility almost unnatural but reminded the Recoms of what large cats were capable of. 

“The fuck,” Ja spoke first. 

In return the palulukan blinked at the Sully as Lynx released it’s tail. Allowing it to step toward her properly. It’s head threateningly close. As were those fangs. 

“Kid,” Quaritch found his voice. Hands on his gun as he aimed it. “Get over here.” 

“It’s alright. Isn’t it, Sister?” She didn’t seem bothered by the fangs being barred at her. Sensory quills quivering in agitation. 

“Lynx,” Lyle tried to block Tuk’s view of the sight. Pushing her head into his side in case it went south. 

“Move,” Miles ordered as the death bringer leaned closer to the girl. Lynx tilted her head slightly as she reached out. Ignoring the nervous Recoms and the growl that hurt her ears. 

“I see you.” Her hand rested on the predator’s head. 

Time seemed to stand still as the noise stopped. To their shock and horror the thanator closed it’s eyes as it’s quit’s retracted. Leaning into the Sully’s touch. The next second girl and beast turned almost as one to eye the Recoms. Still as statues as a light breeze shifted nearby leaves. 

“Don’t even think it.” Miles stood unwavering. Even if his tail swayed behind him. Betraying his nerves. 

Tension skyrocketed as the palulukan shifted it’s attention to Lynx. A nod was the only answer it received. Before they could blink the mighty hunter took off back into the brush. Instantly melting into the shadows. The light thudding as it ran it’s only giveaway as it retreated. 

“That was awesome!” Tuk broke free of Lyle’s grip and bounded to her sister. Embracing her. “Just like your uniltaron!”

Lynx blinked and hugged her back smiling. “Thank you, Tuk-Tuk. I couldn’t have done it without you.” 

The little girl bounced on her feet in excitement. “Wait until everyone else finds out! Mom and Dad will be so proud!”

They pulled apart as the Recoms joined them. 

“Of all the reckless bullshit,” Miles started but trailed off. 

“Kept us alive didn’t it?” 

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You could’ve been eaten.”

“I wasn’t.” 

“Don’t pull a stunt like that again.” 

“No promises, Colonel.” 

Chapter 4: It's You and Me

Quaritch took aim and fired. The shot proved true. It went through the yerik’s eye and like a flash he bolted forward before the animal even had a chance to drop. Tuk and Lynx observed closely as he took his knife and made certain the animal was dead. 

“What are the words?” Tuktirey prompted. 

A Few recoms scoffed and Lyle rolled his eyes but Miles kept his focus on the girls. “I see you sister. I thank you. Your spirit goes with Eywa. Your body stays behind to become part of the people.” 

Tuk gave him a smile and Lynx nodded. “You’re as ready as you’ll ever be.” 

“And that means?” Z-Dog asked. 

“Iknimaya,” they replied.

---

The sisters climbed with ease. 

“Come on!” Tuk paused to glance down at them. “Keep up! Keep up!” They didn’t paint the recoms traditionally but doubted Eywa would mind. She was the one pushing them to do this. The water was a bit refreshing when they came out into the rookery. 

“Kinda weird.” Tuk leaned into her sibling. “Being back.”

“Yeah.” Lynx noticed how her little sister’s voice cracked. “I miss Moon and Echo too.” The squad joined them as they took up their seats on a fallen log. Lyle loaded a tranq gun. 

“I got this.” Miles took it from him as he examined the ikrans. The Sullys laughed. Causing the man to pause and the rest to stare at them. 

“What?”

“The Na’vi do this with their bare hands,” Lynx explained. 

“Your old man did it the hard way?”

“What do you think?”

“We did it too,” Tuk teased. “Baby.” He seemed to consider their statements before handing his weapon to Lyle. 

“What are we doin’ Colonel?”

Miles jumped the log and went to face the banshees. Tuk stole a glance at her sister. Lynx raised a brow before Tuk pointed after the man. The older girl heavily sighed. 

“Wait!” 

“Wha?” Miles’ tail swished behind him as he shifted back. 

“You have to tie the mouth shut first. That way they can’t bite you.” It took a little engineering but they managed to rig up some rope to form a makeshift Banshee Catcher. It wouldn’t hold long but it was better than nothing. 

“Remember,” Tuk said. “You’ll know your ikran when they stay and fight you.” 

“They’ll try to kill you. So be quick.” 

“Alright.” His ears twitched a bit before he once again stalked forward. The first few ikrans yelled at him but quickly scrambled out of the way. 

“This’ll be good,” Tuk whispered to her sister as a darker blue female stood her ground. Rising up as if to show off her wings before snapping at him. Revealing her sharp fangs. He returned her threat with a hiss of his own. 

“It’s just you and me, cupcake.” She lunged at him but he ducked sideways. Before coming back up and punching her in the side of her head. 

“That’s one way to do it,” Lynx noted. 

The two stalked around each other before the Colonel tossed the bola. It wrapped firmly around her jaws as he leapt onto a rock. Using the extra leverage to jump onto her back. Even with her mouth tied down she wasn’t to be deterred as she thrashed around. Slamming the man roughly. 

“The bond! Form the bond!” Tuk called. He let out a yell as she tumbled off the side of the cliff. 

“Shit,” Lynx snarled as they all rushed to the edge. 

“Do you see him?” Lyle ordered. Tuk grabbed her sister’s hand and held on tightly so she could lean over more. Peering into the abyss below. 

“Get back,” Ja warned as Mansk pulled them both from the danger. They all stood there for at least a minute not sure what to think or do. 

“All right,” Lyle finally called it. “Let’s go. We’re Oscar Mike.” 

“Can’t we wait one more minute?” Tuk inquired. “Just a minute?”

“Kid…” A cry of excitement went up as a familiar banshee and her rider appeared. 

“Yeah!” Miles cheered. “That’s right!” The others returned his joy and called out. 

“Yeah Colonel, get some!”

“Yeah Colonel!”

“Who’s up next?” He flew so close to their heads they had to duck. Lynx actually smiled as Tuk jumped up and down. Her tail twirling wildly behind her. 

“I knew he could do it!”

---

“You can be taught,” Lynx announced later that night. They finished up their yerik stew while relaxing around the fire. Night would be upon them soon.

“I’d dare say that’s a compliment,” Z-Dog replied. “I’ll be damned.”

“You’re gettin’ soft on us, kid,” Prager teased. 

“You had ikrans,” Mansk interjected. The others glanced at the normally stoic man. 

“Yeah.” Tuk put down her bowl. “We did. Still mad about that. I loved Moon. And Echo was a great leader.” 

“What you gettin’ at?” Miles questioned his subordinate. 

“What we went through today was rough. Nothin’ we couldn’t handle. But you told us even the Na’vi sometimes die doing this trial.” His tail lifted up and down in the shadows. He allowed all of them to connect the dots. 

“You’re little more than a toddler,” Lyle nodded at Tuk. “The hell you doin’ with a banshee?” 

“How did you even get one?” Ja questioned. 

“Why did you have them?” Z-Dog butted in. “You’re both kids.” 

“Why do you think?” Lynx gave them all a deadpan look. 

“Kids,” Quaritch got their attention. “Did your old man and his… Wife make you do that?”

“No,” Tuk cut him off. “Our parents didn’t force us. Daddy and Mommy were super upset when we did it.” The team seemed even more confused than before. 

“Our parents were away when we all snuck off and performed the rite on our own,” Lynx explained. “We did it all at once but without our tribe members. None of them wanted to train us. We knew the sky people were coming back.” 

“So we made everyone see and treat us like adults,” Tuk took up. 

“You could’ve died,” Lyle retorted. 

“No duh.” 

“When did this happen?” Miles asked. “You lot looked pretty comfortable on ‘em. Means you had ‘em for a while.” 

“Couple years ago,” Lynx stated. “I was… Damn I think I was fifteen.”

“You?” The man nodded at Tuk. “You woulda been what four?”

“Five,” she beamed. 

“Jesus Christ,” Prager mumbled. 

“Guess I shouldn’t be shocked,” Quaritch’s mouth curved slightly like he was trying not to grin. “You face off against the baddest beasts in the forest like it’s a normal Monday. You probably didn’t even blink taming your rides.” 

“I think that was a compliment,” Lynx chuckled. She then stood and stretched until something popped in her back. “Alright. Everyone clean up and get ready to climb. If we’re getting up early we should turn in soon.” 

They all set about gathering up their makeshift camp and stamping out the fire. Miles nearly jumped when Tuk lightly grabbed his tail. Seemingly unaware she was even doing it as she grabbed one of the bags and handed it to him. The older man would’ve said something but the glare the elder Sully was sending his way made him keep his thoughts to himself.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 7 of The Children Who Should Not Be