~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

Mama just killed a man.

The young man held out his arms desperately. Jake noticed the scratches along his skin and his torn clothing. He was also covered in red liquid, but it wasn't his. "We didn't do anything, I swear--it was Quaritch. We got him out of there as quickly as possible, I promise." 

Neytiri growled, a couple of tears staining her cheeks. "Out of where?"

Neteyam's ears swiveled forward at the sound of his mother. One of his eyes was bleeding, purple, and swollen shut, but the once that was unharmed was wide and fearful. "Ma?" he choked out, practically laughing at this point. Despite the pain that Jake knew he was in, his son was laughing in relief, with tears wetting his face. 

Neytiri's hard expression softened at her firstborn. She leaned over him and pressed her lips to his forehead, "It is alright, my son. I am here for you." 

Ronal and Tonowari emerged from the crowd, their eyes narrowed in concern. "What is this?" Ronal asked flatly, taking a step towards the strangers. 

To add to the chaos, Lo'ak shoved his way through the clamoring people. His eyes widened when he spotted his older brother. "Dad--Dad, what's wrong with him? How did he get back?" Lo'ak's steely gaze fell on the strangers, and his ears fell back in growing anger. "Who are they?"

Jake held his arm out to his younger son in attempt to restrain the fourteen-year-old. "Lo'ak, no. Go back inside."

"But Dad--" 

"That's an order." 

Ronal came and gently traced her finger across Neteyam's wounds, analyzing the worst of them. "He needs treatment immediately," she stated, then touched the blue cast. "Who mended his arm?"

A younger girl with a pretty round face and kid eyes stepped out from behind her ikran, along with a leanly built teenage boy. She raised her hand and nudged the boy, who eventually lifted his hand as well. 

"What are your names?" Ronal demanded.

"Linayin," the girl replied, before touching her male friend's arm. "This is Viper. We're healers."

Ronal seemingly stood in a moment of silence, ignoring the pouring rain pattering on her face. "Then come with me. Right now." 

Jake slid his arms under Neteyam's back and carefully rose to his feet, carrying his son bridal-style. The boy hung limply in his father's arms, seemingly passed out or in shock. Wasting no time, Jake followed Ronal and Tonowari off the shore. Neytiri kept up with her husband and had her hand on Neteyam's head the whole way. Linayin and Viper ran after the group. 

They were led to a huge decorated marui that was behind the entire village, although it was still connected to the rest of the woven walkways and platforms, like a queen bee's hex in a hive. Bowls and baskets were scattered about the main section of the marui, along with medicine, jewelry, and weapons.  

Ronal shoved the strewn items to the side and patted the floor where a green mat was flattened out. "Lay him here." 

Jake crouched onto his knees and lowered Neteyam to the floor, his movements slow and taught so he wouldn't injure him further. Neteyam choked and cried as he was placed down, his legs pumping in the air like he did when he was a baby. When he tried to grab his father again, he released a shout of pain. 

"Neteyam, don't move." Jake took his arms and set them down. "You'll hurt yourself. Just stay awake, alright? Stay awake for me. I'm right here."

In response, Neteyam nodded weakly, his chest heaving in and out violently.

Ronal began to press her hands along Neteyam's ribs, earning a small cry from her patient. "His ribs are broken." She decided, "But a few of them are out of place." Then, she turned around and grabbed a small bowl filled with pale green liquid. She handed it to Jake, "Give him this."