The Vow of the Underdogs

"How could you treat my friends that way?!" Atuiko shouted.

Soxato ranted at his son. "Lo'ak couldn't have gotten you killed,"

"it wasn't his fault!"

"This is why I didn't want you hanging out with them,"

As they argued, Roxto watched them, feeling crushed a bit. All it took was a simple throw of a coconut at Lo'ak and it led to this. Two sons leading to terrible confrontations with their dads.

"He only took me on a flight to have fun with me. Is it that bad?"

"You should be hanging out with your brother and the other kids,"

"No. Lo'ak and Sylwa are my friends. Without them, I never would have been able to get over my fear of water and swim again,"

Roxto was shocked. Lo'ak had succeeded where he didn't.

"They're my kind of people. And for once in my life, I actually have friends who understand me more than anyone does. Even more, than you do!" Atuiko was close to tears and sobbing. "And if you want to get back on Toruk's good side, you need to apologise to Sylwa,". Finally realising his tears, Atuiko fled the hut and dived into the water, disappearing quickly.

Before Soxato could react, he heard his name being called. He looked outside his hut and across some platforms and saw a red-faced Neytiri, furious Jake and an unimpressed Tonowari. It was at that moment that he realised that slapping Sylwa was a terrible idea.

Lo'ak had made his way along the beach, deeply upset by both the fisherman's anger towards him and his dad's madness. When he passed by the angry fishers, they saw him and sent nothing but glares. He walked off, feeling so alone. Making sure he wasn't followed, he went to the secret cave and went inside, leaning against the wall facing the crystal. He sighed. All he wanted was to have fun with his new friend. But it seemed as if he had just made things worse. And the worst part, his dad was so angry at him. Like he didn't care at all that it was an accident.

He heard footsteps. But didn't turn.

"Hey," it was Atuiko. Lo'ak didn't turn. "It's me, Atu,"

"You should stay away from me. Save you getting less hurt,"

Atuiko was shocked that Lo'ak would talk like that. "Lo'ak, why are you saying this?" he felt his heart cracking. The boy twin wouldn't turn to him. He walked forward. "Please…don't talk like that," he begged.

"Look at what happened today,"

"Lo'ak that was not your fault,"

"Well, it feels like it. Getting people hurt, or kidnapped or nearly killed is all I seem to do,"

"No, it isn't,"

"Yes, it is!" Lo'ak stood up and leaned against the cave wall. "I nearly got my brother killed on a mission because I disobeyed orders, trying to prove my worth. I took my siblings and our best friend Spider to the forest when we weren't supposed because I wanted to get Sylwa away from being trapped in our tribe's huge cave hideout. Spider got captured, Sylwa got shot, and we had to leave our forest home. And I took you flying and we both crashed and you got hurt,". He slumped on his butt. "Your dad's right. It's better if you stay away from me,". He turned away from him. He expected Atuiko to leave, to end their friendship. But the only response he received was Atuiko coming to sit beside him.

"That's not gonna happen," said the loyal kid. "Your dad's just being hard on you for no reason. All those people should have seen it was an accident. And I know for certain if whomever it was hadn't thrown that coconut at you, this wouldn't have happened. You're the first real friend I've ever had. You've been so kind to me and I won't repay it by staying away from you. Even if you pushed me away. You're my best friend,"

Lo'ak was touched. He turned to him. "Really?". The kid nodded and in a second he threw his arms around him, hugging him. The boy twin knelt down and embraced him back tightly. Their friendship had grown really strong and already they were become like brothers. "Thanks, kid," he patted his back. He couldn't believe he was shedding a tear.

"No. Thank you Lo'ak, for making me feel less alone. That's what you do for people. You're there for them because you care for them no matter what they are," Atuiko truly meant every word he said and in an instant, Lo'ak felt better from everything that had happened.

Neteyam had searched for Sylwa ever since she had stalked out of the hut. He decided to head to the far side of the village, knowing she would have wanted to be as far away from the Metikyena.

"Sylwa?" he called out.

"Typical. That boy freak just causes a lot of damage doesn't he," a cruel voice taunted.

"And I thought that girl twin was bad enough," another voice spat out. They were the voices of girls. "Thanks to her, Tsireya won't talk to us anymore,"

Neteyam peeped across a platform and saw a squadron of mean girls. He clenched his fist.

"Saw her stalking off a second ago. Probably to mope," the girl's third comment made everyone laugh.

Neteyam fumed. He marched over. Though he promised his dad he wouldn't cause any trouble, there was no harm in standing up for your loved ones. He cleared his throat. The girls turned. "You do well than to speak ill of my brother and sister like that," he threatened.

"Or what? You're gonna hit us?" goaded the fourth one.

"I could," Neteyam sneered. "But I don't hit girls. Stay away from my siblings. And we won't have a problem," he marched off and continued his search.

"What right did you have to hit Toruk Makto's daughter like that?" Tonowari hissed to Soxato. Inside their hut, Neytiri and Jake watched intently, Tsireya standing nearby, glowering at the general whilst Aonung stood amused. He was surprised that the general had smacked Sylwa like that.

"She tried to downplay her brother's careless actions that could have killed my son," Soxato, though paralysed with the thought of losing his position, wanted to remain strong.

"You take that back," warned Neytiri.

"I specifically stated that Toruk Makto and his family were to be treated as our brothers and sisters and you have violated the rite of Uturu,"

"They have daemon blood. They are descended from the same people that dared to invade this world, to take its riches,"

Neytiri looked like she was about to lash out with her knife but Jake held her back, knowing that this wouldn't solve anything.

"You forget I can strip you of your status Soxato," warned Tonowari. "Because you are the greatest warrior aside from myself our tribe, you will remain in your position. But defy my word again…." He didn't need to say anything else. "Do not ever harm another one of Toruk Makto's children again,"

"That's it?" hissed Neytiri.

"It is done," Ronal stated clearly. The mother hissed at Soxato who snarled back and walked off. Jake held his mate back, not wanting a fight to start.

"I apologise profusely Jake Sully for his actions," said the chief. "It is not normally his nature to be so petulant like this. Please forgive me for he is a Navi who has suffered much loss,"

Sylwa was snivelling, crying. She had been tormented, humiliated, and smacked abusively. She sat on one of the tallest mangrove branches, trying her best to avoid being seen by any of the Metikyena.

"Want company?" called a voice from downwards. She looked down after wiping her eyes and saw her eldest brother.

She nodded and he climbed up to join her. "Kiri and Tuki okay?"

"They're good. I really didn't want them to see you and Lo'ak argue with Dad,"

She sighed. "Did Mum and Dad tell you what happened?"

"No. But something Dad mentioned to Mum sent her steaming mad,"

Sylwa turned her face away, knowing exactly what her confrontation with the general had done.

"What is wrong?" he asked. "Come on. You know you can talk to me,"

Sylwa sniffed. "Tsireya's friends harassed me earlier. They tore my clothes apart and they laughed at me. They were so jealous and…" she began to sob. "They said I was ugly because of my marks and they called me a freak. And the general…he slapped me when I tried to defend Lo'ak,"

Neteyam cursed the girls whom he confronted for tormenting her and the abusive general for slapping her cheek like that. "Come here," he shuffled over and embraced her. "There. There. It's okay,"

"This was why I was so scared to leave home. I was afraid of being judged for how I look. When they laughed it was…a total nightmare. If Reya hadn't of stepped in…"

"Everything's going to be all right. Did the girls get punished?"

"I don't think so. But Tsireya said she wouldn't see them anymore. Now I'm afraid they're gonna do something even worse,"

"Not if I have anything to say about it. I confronted them earlier when I heard them badmouthing you. And the chief will put the general in his place,"

"You don't have to keep defending me,"

He gently let go. "I do. As the eldest brother, it's my job. It's been hard for me here just as it has been for you,"

"That's easy for you to say. You're not treated like you're the enemy," her voice was hard. "Sorry, I don't mean it like that,"

"It's okay," he said in understanding. "I miss home just as much as you do. And I miss Spider. And granny,"

Sylwa touched the wrap she was wearing. Then she pulled it off and wrapped it around him. "You should wear it. It'll remind you of her,"

"Thanks. I really wish we were back home too. You know how hard it was for Dad to ask us to leave everything we knew,"

"I know. I just really wish he wasn't so controlling. Or so harsh. I really thought things had a chance of getting better between us when we came here,"

"He only wants to do what's best for you, for all of us. I know just as much as you do that he's changed since the sky people returned. But we all have. We're not exactly the same people we were a year ago. I mean you and Lo'ak have changed. Mum's changed. Dad's changed. We just all need to stick together. Remember what Dad said?"

"' Sullys stick together,'"

"That's my girl," the eldest side-hugged again and she felt warm and safe in his arms.

Lo'ak and Atuiko had left the cave and sat on a private platform with their feet dangling in the water. Algae and little fishes glowed several colours underneath the surface.

"So beautiful," observed the kid.

"Yes. There are fishes and algae who glow in the rivers back home," said Lo'ak. "Guess the forests and seas share some things in common,"

"Absolutely,"

Observing the village, a bit they saw their dads and Neytiri walking in different directions. Lo'ak had a feeling that this was a result of Soxato's abuse of his sister.

"I can't believe my father would do that. Sometimes I don't even know who he is anymore. Ever since…" Atuiko swallowed his tears. "Ever since my mother disappeared, he's changed. Instead of being warm and welcoming, he's become so bitter and distant,"

"Sometimes that's how I feel about my dad. During our guerrilla campaigns against the sky people, he saw us more as soldiers and at times made us feel like we were members of a squad rather than a family. He was in the Marines once. These sea soldier people he used to work with back on Earth. His attitude just made me feel so insecure about myself…like I have to do something really honourable to have his approval…but I always screw it up,"

"You're not a screw-up at all. You are who you are. He can't change that," They were quiet for a moment. "Alunal,"

"What?"

"My mother," said Atuiko solemnly. "That was her name,"

"That is a beautiful name," his heart broke seeing the kid sniffle a bit.

"You remind me of her. She always had sympathy for people who were different. She once told me that it is the ones who are different that make the biggest changes,"

"I would love to have met her," Lo'ak imagined his family meeting a kind caring woman who was a total contrast to her mate.

"You and Sylwa being different isn't something to be ashamed of. I think it's a sign that you and she are meant for something extraordinary,"

"I don't know," Lo'ak didn't believe it. He looked at his hands. "Even among the Omatikyena, we were always different from everyone else. They saw us as more human, even though our dad, their chief, was born of the Sky People," he sighed, letting it drop by his side. "Before we left, my granny said to me and Sylwa, 'There are reasons Eywa blesses each of us when we are born. And we have to find those reasons',"

"Sounds like we have such wise people in our families. And she is right Lo'ak. Sooner or later that reason will appear. Probably when you both least expect it,"

"I should head back. I've got to help the fisherman tomorrow otherwise I'm gonna get into more trouble with my dad,"

"That is so unfair,"

"He wants me to get back on their good side even though he clearly knows or chooses to be ignorant of the fact that it was an accident," Lo'ak rubbed his forearms. "I really don't want to sleep in my hut tonight,"

"Me neither," An idea beamed in Atuiko's head. "I've got a better idea. But we're gonna get Sylwa,"

Sylwa was escorted back to the hut by Neteyam. Their mother awaited. "You're okay?" she asked.

She nodded. "Yeah,"

"It was cruel what he did,"

"He's been dealt with," Jake promised. "He won't bother any of you again. Come on, let's do some dinner,"

"I'm gonna go and find Lo'ak," Sylwa walked out quickly before her parents could try and stop her. It seemed as if after what happened to her, Neytiri didn't want her to be alone anymore. She eventually found Lo'ak and Atuiko and they told her their lovely idea. She approved of it. First, the twins went to the hut to have dinner with their family. They were all quiet. Kiri and Tuk didn't dare to ask what had been going on. The parents didn't even want to talk about it. Whilst the others were preparing for bed, the twins snuck out again with some blankets and a huge hammock. Only Tuk noticed them but she kept quiet. Sylwa had given her the shell Tsireya had given to give her earlier and she loved it.

In a section of palm trees on a cliff right near the village, the twins tied the huge hammock between the two trees and they laid flat on it with Atuiko in the middle. They stared up at the stairs and the several moons that shone brightly over Pandora every night, enjoying the amazing view.

"This is perfect," said Atuiko.

"We used to do this all the time in the forest," said Sylwa.

"I'm really sorry about today," he said.

"That's not your fault. I should have known…"

"No. It's him. It's your dad. It's the fisherman. It's all of them. They're just being snappy for no reason. We have to learn to experience, to be our own individual people. They just see us as kids who need to be lectured all the time,"

The twins couldn't help but admire his words; they completely agreed with them.

"Hopefully he won't be doing it again anytime soon," said Lo'ak. "Let's take a vow, guys. To always have each other's backs. To keep our cave and this hammock spot secret.,"

"Let's do it,"

They sat up. "Lo'ak," Lo'ak held his hand out in front of him.

"Sylwa," Sylwa placed her hand in front of her on top of his.

"And Atuiko," Atuiko placed his on her. "Let us make this vow. To have each other's backs and keep our cave and this chill-out spot secret,"

"We'll defend each other from bullies and mean grown-ups," Sylwa added in.

"And most importantly, love each other exactly for who we are no matter how different we are," Lo'ak finished. "Underdogs!"

"Underdogs!" they chanted, swinging their hands into the air.

"Sylwa! Lo'ak!" Jake called. He was fuming mad that they had snuck off again. He came to the cliff spot. And when he did. He saw they were asleep with Atuiko in the middle of their hammock that they had snuck out of the tent. They were snug and warm. He was tempted to wake them up. But he didn't. He decided to leave them be. He walked off, giving a glimpse back at his two rebellious kids with their new best friend. He was not going to get in the way of their friendship. Not like Soxato. But he was not going to have any more conflicts happening between his children and any of the sea Navi.

The sun rose early the next morning. Lo'ak was already walking towards the beach, to do some fishing to make up for the accident.

"You guys really don't need to help me," he said to his twin and Atuiko.

"We're not letting you do this alone," Sylwa said. "Besides where one goes the other goes,"

Lo'ak smiled, remembering their motto.

"You've never even fished here," reminded Atuiko. "I can teach you some techniques I've observed from the other fisherman,"

"Thanks,"

"You both taught me. Only fair I teach you some things," they giggled. They arrived at the fishing site and were surprised to see no fishermen around.

"How about we get a head start?" said Sylwa. "Maybe we'll show em what we can do,"

"Time for some lessons on fishing," began Atuiko.

For the next hour, he showed them how the fishermen threw their nets and lured the bait in. To his surprise, they got the hang of it very easily. Another hour passed. The fisherman arrived and was shocked to see their baskets full up. The children were standing by, leaning against some rocks expecting them.

"All your baskets are full up again," said Lo'ak. Rather than 'thank you' to him, the fishermen remained unfriendly. He felt like he needed to say something. "I'm sorry I crashed into them,"

"No. He doesn't have to apologise for anything," spoke Atuiko. "It was an accident which he isn't responsible for,"

"And from now on, I need you to respect my brother," Sylwa pointed a specific finger at them.

The fisherman snarled but a louder snarl made them turn their heads to see Tsireya walking towards them.

"That is enough," she said. "They've fished for you and there is no need to be so hissy,"

Reluctantly they backed down, knowing better than to talk back at the chief's daughter. "Come on," she offered a hand to Sylwa and she took it, leading her, her brother and Atuiko today. They walked away, the fisherman watching them, still sinisterly.

"You three did a great job," she said proudly.

"We had a good teacher," Lo'ak stroked Atuiko's head making him giggle.

"Are you okay?" asked Tsireya to Sylwa; she had been extremely concerned for her since last night.

"I'm okay," she assured, trying to hide the awful smack mark on her cheek. "It's really not that bad," her tone couldn't hide it.

"I'm sorry about what the general did. My father has dealt with him. He won't harm you again,"

"Thank you," she said.

"Thanks for standing up for us," said Lo'ak, rather taken aback by how the fisherman didn't dare to argue with her.

"They should have seen it was an accident and how you guys worked so hard to make it up,"

"What I don't get is why would someone knock Lo'ak out like that and endanger him and Atuiko?" wondered Sylwa.

Atuiko beamed. "I bet it was Aonung,"

"It can't have been," said Sylwa. "He was teaching some reef kids,"

"But then who was it?" wondered Lo'ak, wishing for an answer. "Doesn't matter. It wouldn't make a difference,". His gloomy response made Atuiko hold his hand to comfort him.

"I'm sure things will work out," said the princess. "Anyways why don't Sylwa and I show you guys our dance moves?" she offered.

The boys were surprised.

Sylwa realised where Tsireya was getting to and agreed. "Come on guys. Tsireya taught me some cool moves,"

The boys eagerly followed the girls to the beach and they dived underwater. Together the boys watched the girls do synchronised swimming. Tsireya smiled when she saw Sylwa doing her dancing moves effectively. Their choreography together made the boys beam. Whilst the girls' eyes were closed, the boys exchanged bigger smiles. They really did believe something truly beautiful was blooming between them.

You really think so? Signed Atuiko.

I know so. Signed Lo'ak; he was deeply happy for his sister seeing her so full of passion like that.

That's another chapter. Sorry I didn't update for a while. Been preparing for a big trip. I'm currently in Australia but I'm making up whatever time i can to update. Hope you enjoyed it. Please send reviews and ideas. See you all soon.