Bionicle Rewrite

[Nick Wolfe]

So, I started writing this months ago and I recently found it. I figured, why not let people enjoy it. So I decided to post it on Eurobricks', forum chapter by chapter while I finish writing it. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Chapter 1

Powerful waves flowed unbroken through the expanses of the open sea. They crawled on until they lapped onto the smooth, metal surface of a large canister, floating lonely in the sea. The waves pulled together on the canister, slowly pulling it along towards the shore. The wind whistled above urging on the waves in their trial. Finaly, with a huge heave, the waves removed their obstacle and went on with their journey.

The canister slid smoothly onto the beach. The day was silent, but for the sound of the waves, sadly and simply sliding onto the sun bleached sands of the island. A small ussal crab scuttled, curiously, up to the canister. It sniffed the immense thing and decided that it smelled like food, so it tried to bite it. The small creature quickly discovered that this was a very bad idea, for as soon as it touched the thing, a distinct, metallic, click echoed from within it. The crab fled soon enough to avoid being crushed by the lid that came flying off of the container, landing against a thin madu tree, cracking the trunk, which collapsed with a thunk.

Out of the canister came creaking sounds of joints, long asleep, and stifled breaths, finaly appeased in their quest for air. Out of the great metallic thing, thin, blue fingers reached for the rim of the gaping hole left by the lid. With diminished strength, the being pulled herself out of the canister, clutching a beautiful blue mask. Taking a deep breath of crisp, fresh air that her lungs had been craving for so long, she drew herself up to her full height. Her joints creaked and her muscles ached as her body once again adjusted to standing. She looked in, into the expansive, green jungle before her. She was tall and thin, and covered head to foot in beautiful blue armor, covered in detailed runes. her face was a dark gray mass of mechanical parts connected with red muscle tissue running throughout holding it together.

The tall, blue being stood on the beach staring into the jungle. So many questions raced through her head at the same time. Where am I. Why am I here? Who am I? She felt weak, and disappointed in herself that, no matter how hard she tried, she could not recall to the answer to any of them. She drew another deep breath, but this time she felt faint. She caught herself on the canister she arrived in just as she clasped onto the ground. The being drew herself up onto the smooth exterior of the silvery cylinder. She stared at the mask she held in her hand, It was truly beautiful. She felt the curves of the piece of expertly crafted metal. She also felt energy coursing from the mask. She flipped it over to look at the back side and inexplicably felt slightly warmer. She drew the mask closer to her bare face slowly. Advancing the piece of artwork at a crawl. Until, finaly the mask leaped the final inch from her hand to her face, attaching itself perfectly onto her face. The moment this happened, she felt warm energy rush all over her body, integrating itself into every muscle, rushing into every extremity. Her dull blue, sand covered armor exploded with a bright radiance.

She decided that it felt better than her first breath out of the canister. The lens like window in the front of her mask flipped open. Everything somehow seemed brighter, and more clear than without the mask. Every breath she drew also felt deeper and every exhale clearer. She felt energy course throughout her body. She hoisted her body up into a perfect handstand on the canister’s edge, let her feet fall onto the rim, and launched the rest of her body off the metal support, doing three mid air summersaults before sticking a perfect landing in the soft sand beneath her feet.

The blue being also felt something running through her mind that wasn’t there before. A single word. Gali. “Well,” she said aloud, “That's one question answered.” Gali breathed deep with a new sense of security and warmth. She took one final look into the canister, catching sight of two large hooks. She reached in and pulled them out, weighing them in her hands. Felling they might be useful later, she slung them over her back.

She started walking down the beach in search of answers to the rest of her questions. Gali, I like it. It feels, warm. She thought to herself as she continued down the beach.

[VBBN]

A good start. I haven't read the tale of the Toa book in a while but I have a vague memory of it, and this definatly sounds on par with how that story began. The detailing is good, and there is a lot of character to your writing, such as the actions of the waves.

I like that Gali is the first character you bring into the story. So many writers would bring in Tahu because he is the fan favorite, but I much prefer seeing one of the other toa brought into the equation.

[Nick Wolfe]

Thanks for the feedback. The thoughts were supposed to be italicized, but I ripped this right out of appleworks, so naturally, none of the text was translated with the special /italic thing. Thanks, I'm glad you like it.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 2

Hewkii stared off the side of the cliff. He never liked the swimming part of his swimming lessons. Naho falls roared over the cliff into the sparkling blue water beneath, it somehow seemed more harmful than the sweet, calm waters of Ga-Koro. He stared over the cliff and swallowed, hard.

“Come on, Hewkii,” said Macku, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. He half-waited for her to push him over the edge, but he knew her better than that. “it’s not half as bad as you think it is.” She stared into his eyes the way she did when she knew that they both knew she was right.

“Ok,” said Hewkii. He trusted Macku with his life, which, he figured, may be the very case at the moment. He cricked his neck, drew a deep breath and dove off the cliff. He kept his body straight as he hit the cool water with a massive splash. He felt the water rush over him with intense cool contrast to the warm summer sun. He opened his eyes under water, blinking to adjust to the murky water. He saw a little cave fish in front of him, staring at him. Hewkii waved it away, it then puffed up like cave fish do, and swam away. Hewkii gathered all his strength and started to swim. When he broke the surface he heard clapping coming from overhead. He looked around and saw Macku applauding from the top of the cliff. Hewkii always thought Macku looked good up there. She often demonstrated dives for him from the cliff. That was the only time she ever looked tall. Macku was short, even for a matoran. But she had more spirit than anyone he knew. She finished her ovation and dove off the edge after Hewkii. The Ga-matoran made a perfect dive into the icy water. She resurfaced a few seconds later.

The two waded to the shore and sat together on a big palm leaf. “You’ll thank me for these lessons later Hewkii” Macku said with a grin. She knew that Hewkii didn’t like swimming, Po-matoran rarely do. They prefer to sit at work benches in the desert and carve. But not Hewkii, he was an athlete. Kolhii champion of the island.

Kolhii was the main sport played on the island of Mata Nui for hundreds of years. And Hewkii was the best at it. The sport was created by Turaga Onewa and Turaga Whenua to settle an argument between Po-koro and Onu-koro. Hewkii was there when it was created and has been Kolhii champion ever since.

“Right,” said Hewkii sarcastically, knowing that she was indeed right, “but not today.” he joked, hitting the side of his head to pour out some water, dislodging his mask. He grabbed it just before it dropped and dumped out the water that was in it before putting it back on. “Besides, when would I ever need it?”

A grim scilence fell, they both knew exactly when he would need it, with Rahi attacks growing more frequent, as well as his trips to Ga-koro, he may very well need them that very day. But nobody needed to remember such grim tidings on such a nice, sunny day, so Macku changed the subject.

“When’s your next kolhii match? I’d love to come down to Po-koro to watch.” She said, trying to pass off the uncomfortable feeling that came with the attacks.

“It’s four days from now, If you’d like to come I can send Ally down here with a ussal to pick you up.” said Hewkii smiling.

“That would be very nice,” Macku said, smiling and leaning in closer,”I hope you score a...” Her smile turned into a look of confusion as she stared past Hewkii down the beach. “What’s that?”

Hewkii whirled around and stood up, peering across the shore, he saw it too. A tall figure was walking down the beach. Light reflected off her blue armor making it shimmer like water. The runes on her seemed to dance like fish and waves in a pond. She was beautiful.

“Who’s she?” asked Hewkii, helping Macku to her feet.

“I don’t know,” responded Macku, “But whoever she is, Turaga Nokama will want to know about it.” The two matoran jumped into the water and started swimming back to Ga-koro.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 3

Four small, scared Le-matoran huddled inside a giant, hollowed out Swamp Tree. Each kept entirely silent as the sounds of the outside world echoed inside the tree. Outside they heard the sounds of sniffing and the snapping of twigs under giant feet. The matoran held their breath, each terrified, for they could hear the snapping sounds growing louder and sniffing coming closer. Then, suddenly, all sounds stopped. A deep, throaty growl sounded around the jungle. There was a flash of green outside and there were sounds of intense battle outside. A roar echoed inside the tree, and a thud fell against it, shaking the whole thing. The forrest grew quiet again. For five minutes the jungle was quiet with only the sounds of taku squabbling outside. The matoran shuffled for a while. Finaly pushing forward a dark green matoran with a worn and scratched mask.

“Go-quick Kumo,” said another in the group, Tuuli, the trader, gave Kumo a push towards the entrance.

Kumo gulped and pulled out a bamboo disk, holding it ready to throw at any who attacked him.

Kumo crawled out of the hole and looked at his surroundings. He turned to his right and jumped back at the sight. The ash bear that was chasing them was lying quietly on it’s back, hog-tied, trying to look up. On top of the bear, proud and heroic, was a tall, green matoran! Kumo remembered Turaga Matau telling stories about tall matoran, he called them...

“Toa-hero,” Kumo gasped.

“Hello little one,” said the being, finishing up tying the vines on the legs, he pulled a big, green axe from the mass of vines and sliced through the vine he had been using, separating it from the rest of the coils that connected it to the trees. He leaped down in front of Kumo and slung the axe over his shoulder. “What hard-luck brings you here today?”

“Ever-flee the ash bear,” Kumo said, gesturing towards the massive form of the creature lying on the ground.

“Oh, then fair-luck I quick-saved you.” Said the stranger, striding away.

Kumo, was so dumbstruck by what he had seen that he almost didn’t notice the being walking away. Coming to his senses he looked around and chased after the figure.

“Wait!” cried Kumo running to keep up with the strides of the warrior. He stopped and Kumo ran into his leg and fell backwards.

“What?” Said the tall matoran, looking taller from the ground.

“Who are you?” Kumo asked, somewhat anticlimactically.

“Lewa, mystery-king of know-nothingness. That's me!” The warrior said, before turning and walking away again. Kumo chased after him again.

“Wait!” he cried, barely missing lewa’s leg as he stopped again.

“What?” said Lewa, getting exasperated with the little thing.

“I have to take you back to Le-koro. Turaga Matau will want to know about you.”

“Quick-send him my happy-cheer regards,” Said Lewa, walking away again.

“But you have to come back with me,” said Kumo desperately.

“I have hard-work I have to do,” Lewa didn’t even bother stopping this time.

“Like what?” Kumo stood with his hands on his hips.

“Like quick-finding whatever it is I’ve ever forgotten!” Lewa shouted, walking faster now.

Kumo thought for a moment, then shouted after him, “Ever-surely Turaga Matau can wise-tell you.”

Lewa stopped. He waited for a second, then called back, “I can quick-find it on my own.” He started walking away again.

Kumo summoned all his strength and ran as fast as he could up to Lewa, he raced up to right behind the warrior and launched himself at Lewa’s legs. He wrapped his arms around the green, armored ankle, and started to drag along in the mud. Lewa stopped.

“If it’s so important to you, I’ll go,” he said. Kumo got up and brushed off some mud from his armor.

“Ever-thanks, Lewa, I’m Kumo, fine-disk builder.” Kumo said walking back towards the tree, with Lewa following. Once they got there, Kumo helped the other matoran out of the hollowed out trunk.

“Good-friends,” Kumo said, “this is Lewa, king of high-lifting and know-nothingness!”

“He’s great-tall!” whispered Tuuli, staring at the new warrior.

“He's a toa-hero,” said Kumo.

“Yes he is,” said Tuuli, still staring at the tall green matoran, standing next to a hog-tied ash bear.

[CMP]

I nearly forgot the Le-Matoron talked like that. Old memories. These are good!

[CabooseBM]

Lewa seems to be written too much like Kopaka, he's not really lighthearted or "young" enough, if you ask me.

I've been enjoying this a lot though.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 4

Macku and Hewkii ran as fast as they could to Ga-koro. The wind whistling through the holes in their masks hardly disconcerted them. The two wondered if the blue figure they found at the bay would help them, or if she would be yet another danger. Macku wondered if Turaga Nokama would be displeased with her. She shook this thought out of her head, Nokama knew exactly where she was. She couldn’t possibly be upset for Macku doing what she was supposed to be doing, could she?

The pair rounded the corner of the rock pathway overlooking the beach that led to Ga-koro. The glorious village of water was situated just off the shore of Naho Bay. It sat on top of of huge lily pads floating on the water, connected with bridges made of seaweed and bamboo. Marka’s shipyard to the west, Pelagia’s ferry was gone. The largest lily pad in the village was a meeting area in the center of Ga-koro. Macku and Hewkii ran down the shores of lake Naho to the great stone archway leading to the village. The arch had been standing for almost 1,000 years, mud splattered the sides and fishing birds sat on the top. Macku saw Hahli, another Ga-matoran, sitting near Kai’s hut on the first lily pad they came to. Hahli waved and Macku turned to meet her. Hahli was fiddling with a widget and sitting next to a bail of flax. Hahli often made personal flax deliveries to Kai.

“Hi,” said Hahli, flipping her widget and catching it in mid air. “Where are you running to? I thought you were giving Hewkii ‘Swimming lessons’” She almost dropped her widget into the water as she preformed her air quotes, but caught it just in time.

“Hi, Hahli,” gasped Macku as Hewkii waved, “Do you know where Nokama is?”

“She’s at the central pad, with the other matoran, I never cared much for those meetings,” she said as she continued flipping her widget, then caught it again and asked inquisitively “Why?”

“No time to explain, come on!” Macku exclaimed, running down the path. Hewkii looked at Kai’s sundial.

“Could you tell Macku that I have to get back to Turaga Onewa? Hell want to know too!” Hewkii asked Hahli, then started running in the opposite direction.

“Know what?!” Hahli asked, watching him run off. She sighed, got up and ran after Macku. “Wait!” she called, trying to catch up with her “Macku!”

But Macku hardly cared. She was running as fast as she could to get to the Turaga.

She rounded a corner as fast as she could. Hahli nearly slipped chasing after her. Macku could see the giant green canopy of the central pad, and the blue figures of almost all the matoran in the village sitting under it.

She shouted “Nokama! Turaga Nokama!” Pushing her way past the matoran gathered there. “Turaga!”

She pushed her way to the front where Nokama was. By that time the crowd grew quiet, she tried to catch her breath at the head of the crowd.

“I’m glad you could make it Macku,” said Nokama.

“Turaga Nokama,” Macku said, the crowd shuffling. “I was by Naho falls with Hewkii when...”

A great roar echoed through the air around the village. Everything fell silent. Then a huge claw fell through the canopy of the pad, capsizing it!

Edited August 5, 2010 by Nick Wolfe

[Aanchir]

I have to say that while your story is compelling, it feels like you're trying to get too much in at once. You're incorporating so many minor MNOGII Matoran that it's hard to keep track of the story, and it would definitely be a lot harder for those who are less familiar with BIONICLE and are trying to figure out all the important details for the first time. Granted, fan fiction is rarely intended for such an audience, but it still feels like there's an information overload in the chapters you've written so far.

[Nick Wolfe]

I have to say that while your story is compelling, it feels like you're trying to get too much in at once. You're incorporating so many minor MNOGII Matoran that it's hard to keep track of the story, and it would definitely be a lot harder for those who are less familiar with BIONICLE and are trying to figure out all the important details for the first time. Granted, fan fiction is rarely intended for such an audience, but it still feels like there's an information overload in the chapters you've written so far.

Alright, I'll try to cut out some minor characters. It's difficult, though to fit less into the chapters, so much happens during the story-line, that if I fit less into each chapter, the entire thing would be far too long. I only added characters in order to make the story more in-depth, so it wouldn't feel like the main characters were the only people on the island and that everyone else were just red thermals (like star trek), there only for a minor character to kill off. But I'm not just shooting down your viewpoint, I'm always happy to hear constructive criticism.

[Captain M]

I am enjoying this rewrite a lot. Keep up the good work!

Chapter 4

“Could you tell Macku that I have to get back to Turaga Onua...

Did I miss something?

[Nick Wolfe]

I am enjoying this rewrite a lot. Keep up the good work!

Did I miss something?

No, I misspelled the name, it's fixed now.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 5

Kumo led Lewa back through the jungle to Le-koro. When they first arrived at Lake Kanae, Lewa was surprised, he saw no village anywhere. He looked around and tried to figure out exactly where the matoran he was with were taking him. But Kumo stepped forward and whistled a few quick notes into the trees. Lewa looked up, but saw nothing but jungle weeds. Then some movement came from one of the lower branches. A mask popped out from behind some leaves. Then another green matoran leaped from the branch onto a lower one. He was holding a big shell in one hand.

“Who goes there?” the little green figure called down.

“It’s me Orkahm!” Kumo called back.

“Me who?” Orkahm called back, obviously having a good time.

“You know ever-well who it is!” Kumo yelled up. Orkahm leaned further down.

“Whose the great-tall fellow?” Orkahm was peering at Lewa.

“That's Lewa! We have to quick-bring him to the Turaga!” Kumo made it known that he was very important.

“Ok,” Orkahm sounded disappointed that he couldn’t further question his friend on his identity. He put the shell he was carrying to his mouth and blew. The deep call flowed up into the trees, wound through the branches and came slowly back to the ground. Lewa saw, up above, a metal device pushed out from the branches, then, a big, bamboo platform dropped from the branches. It fell toward the five at an alarming rate. He flinched, but the platform caught itself a few feet above the ground in front of them. The ropes above lowered the lift the final few feet to the ground, where the group got on.

Orkahm blew another blast from his shell and the lift began to pull upwards. Lewa still couldn’t see where it was going, but he stood there silently waiting. As they passed the branch Orkahm was standing on, he jumped onto the side of the lift, spinning it gently.

“Nice high-jump,” Tuuli commented.

“Ever-thanks,” Orkahm said, carefully planning his next leap.

He held on to the lift for a second, but as soon as they cleared the branch he was on before they arrived he jumped, again landing perfectly. Lewa noticed that the branch Orkahm jumped onto was leveled off at the top. There was a small, hive-like hut on it, along with supplies, and a small pile of rocks. As they ascended, more leveled-off branches with huts and matoran appeared, seemingly, out of nowhere. He saw matoran traveling from one to another on vines. As they grew closer to the top of the pulley hoisting them up, Lewa started looking about at the scenery. He heard music echo down through the trees, along with animals chirping and squawking. A group of Brakas swung through the vines. A short distance away, he saw a bird flying around, as it flew closer, he noticed that it had two matoran riders. The first looked over at them and pulled on the reigns, causing the bird to hover. The second stood up and waved, then did a midair flip into a handstand and smiled. The other just waved and pulled on the reigns. The bird jerked a little, knocking the second on his face. The matoran at the reigns laughed and flew away.

Lewa looked up at the pulley, It was gaining fast. He looked down again. There were many more hive-huts on many more platforms, some were on the tops of leveled off trees, connected by wooden pathways that were rounded up at the edges. On one of the down most platform complexes he saw the matoran pushing a huge boulder along one of these paths. He wondered what that was for.

A clanking sound and a sudden stop of the lift told Lewa that they were where they were supposed to be. Kumo and the other matoran filed off the lift. Lewa stared at what he saw in front of him. A large, raised circle in the wood of the leveled tree was built into the center of the platform. It was filled with sand and had several piles of rocks sitting inside an circular outline. One large, smooth rock, with some detailed markings on it sat inside a ring of piles of the smaller ones. Opposite those was a dark, volcanic rock with jagged edges, staring menacingly back at the other rock. Behind the circle with the sand and rocks, was another hive-hut. This one had a small sign next to the door, Lewa couldn’t quite decipher the words, but he had an Idea of who was inside.

Takua scribbled frantically on his bamboo slate. Trying to keep up with Turaga Matau’s fast talking treespeak when he was chronicling for Le-koro was an exhausting task. Even when he tried to slow down for the Chronicler his flying words were still quite difficult to keep up with. Never the less, Takua still liked being in Le-koro. The air seemed to be lighter and happier. That might be due to the fact that they were nearly a kio in the air. But he never got that feeling in the mountains of Ko-koro, he just got really cold there. Takua rapidly switched his gaze from the Turaga to his bamboo slate. He was running out of space. The Ta-matoran wondered how many details Matau had added to the story. Takua gazed at this surroundtings for a few moments, mindlessly scribbling what Matau said. Matau had trinkets and memorabilia all over his hut. An ancient looking mask hung on the wall across from the door, which was fashioned to open upwards. Musical instruments were scattered throughout the room. A leaf-covered bed was in one corner and two chairs sat in the center. The place seemed more like the inner workings of a Nui-Rama hive than a Turaga’s hut.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come-quick.” Matau said, temporarily stopping his chattering monologue. A Le-matoran stuck his head into the door.

“Turaga. Come ever-quick. Important,” he said, pulling his head back out. Then putting it back in again, “Quick-bring fire-spitter too!”

Turaga Matau got up from his chair and started moving across the floor. He still had energy greatly lacked by the other Turaga on the island, if not that of a normal Le-matoran. Takua trailed behind the two of them. As he Squeezed through the hole serving as the door, and falling on his face as he got out. Takua got up and brushed himself off, swatting a bug on his arm. He looked forward and almost leaped back into the hut at what he saw there.

The chronicler called a passing Le-matoran over to him. “Could you get me another slate.”

Lewa and Matau stared at each other. Lewa was expecting the Turaga to be a little, taller. Matau just couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Come, toa-hero,” Matau gestured for Lewa to follow him, “Much to quick-learn.”

Lewa stepped forward. “How do you plan to cure my know-nothingness?” He blatantly asked the Turaga.

Matau climbed up onto the raised circle and picked up the rocks and pebbles sitting in it, he said turning to Lewa, “Teach.”

Takua stood at the edge of the great raised circle that Turaga Matau used to tell Lewa, or Toa Lewa, as the Turaga called him. Takua skimped a little on his chronicling of the conversation, as most of what was said was already carved into the wall of history.

Matau Showed the Toa the big, smooth rock, “This,” he said, “Is the great-spirt Mata Nui.” He placed the stone near one side of the circle. “These,” he picked up the pebbles and laid them in piles, in a circle, around Mata Nui, “are the matoran.” Matau walked across the circle and pulled out the jagged volcanic rock, “This is the evil-bad Makuta-stone.” He placed the rock facing Mata Nui. “Makuta, Mata Nui’s brother, was terrible-jealous of Mata Nui. The Matoran happy-loved Mata Nui, Makuta bad-hated this. He cast a verry-bad spell over Mata Nui, putting him into deep-sleep.” He laid down the stone representing Mata Nui and poured a handful of sand over him.

Matau explained matoran life to the Toa, and how legend foretold the coming of six great entities, who would stop Makuta and awaken Mata Nui. Matau speculated that Lewa was one of those entities.

“Well,” Lewa said, standing up after Matau had finished his story. “If I’m a Toa-hero here to quick-save Mata Nui, I’d better get started!” He started towards the edge of the platform.

“Wait! There's still ever-more to learn!” Matau called after him.

“Goodbye tree-folk, ever-thanks for my memory!” He called as he leaped off the edge.

Takua got up and looked towards the edge horrified. Great. He thought, We finaly get a hero, and he hurls himself over the side of Le-koro. Then, suddenly, a flash of green flew straight up, breaking through the treetop canopy.

“Oh,” said Matau, unfazed by the spectacle. “I didn’t know he knew he could do that yet.”

Takua stared back at the Turaga, who looked back at him, smiling.

Edited August 5, 2010 by Nick Wolfe

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 6

Takua waved to the matoran in Le-koro as he was lowered down on the lift. He liked his visits to Le-koro anytime, but this one was particularly eventful. As the lift came to a stop on the ground, Takua stepped off and grumbled a bad word. Le-koro, he liked, the swamp, not so much. The Ta-matoran swatted another bug. So much for the chronicler’s love for all life on Mata Nui. he thought. He jumped from the lilly pad he was standing on in the middle of Lake Kanae onto dry land. He looked back up into the trees. All traces of Le-koro had vanished. Takua sighed and called out into the forrest.

“Pewku!” At first Takua heard nothing, then, some faint rustling came from a nearby bush. Takua carefully walked over to the bush. Then the rustling stopped. A huge ussal crab leaped out and on to Takua. He started to laugh as the crab started to lick his face.

“Ok, Pewku, get off! Get off!” He said. Pewku obediently did so, “Good girl,” he said, pulling a small treat from his satchel and giving it to the crab. He climbed onto her back and shouted “Ya!”

The pair started off towards the bay.

Pelagia felt the sun on her mask. The owner of the Ga-koro ferry lines was far off her usual route. But she was used to finding the bright side in things. This time, the answer was simple, she didn’t have to work that day. She felt the warm sun on her, monochromatic armor. She relaxed in the sun, humming an old Ga-koren song and eating bula fruit. A rustling came from the bushes that concealed the pathway to Le-koro, That's odd, she thought. Takua usually takes longer than tat in Le-koro. A few seconds later, Takua and the crab Pewku came scuttling out of the bushes.

“That was a short visit,” Pelagia commented, “Uneventful month?”

“Short,” Takua laughed, “But not uneventful.”

“Really,” Pelagia said, starting the boat’s motor “Tell me.”

Takua proceeded to tell Pelagia about his encounter with Toa Lewa.

The ferry had made it about halfway around the island by the time Takua finished his tale. Pelagia felt that the story lasted longer than the visit itself. Takua certainly wasn’t the island’s best storyteller. He only got the job of chronicler because of his poor work ethic in Ta-koro. That ought to teach us all a lesson! Pelagia thought. Takua fell asleep before they got back to Ta-wahi.

They were nearly back to the shores around Ta-wahi when Pelagia saw a canoe coming around an outlet in the shore.

“Hey, Takua, what’s that?” She called up to her dozing passenger. He looked up.

“That's a canoe,” he told his ferry woman, sitting up against his sleeping ussal.

“I know that,” Pelagia grumbled, adjusting the eyepiece she had Turaga Vakama attach to her mask after a nasty rahi attack that damaged her eyesight. She focused in on th canoe. She made out the figure af a short Ga-matoran. She focused in closer and saw that it was Macku.

“Macku!” she shouted, turning the ferry’s rudder to meet the tired matoran.

“No, i’m Takua” Takua gumbles, rolling over.

Macku paddled her canoe to the ferry and crawled into the bigger boat, gasping for her breath. “Tarakava... Ga-koro... Matoran trapped!” She sputtered, “We have to help!”

Takua sighed. He had a bad feeling that he was going to get another lecture from Turaga Vakama.

The ferry had bypassed Ta-wahi, stopping for only a second to drop Pewku off with a note to Turaga Vakama explaining their current predicament. The ferry stopped inside Naho Bay at Macku’s fishing dock, around a cape from Ga-koro. Macku could see Naho falls from where they were. The form of the kanohi Kaukau, the great mask of water-breathing, that made up the mouth stared down, overlooking the bay. Macku turned toward the other two matoran in her small rescue troupe.

“What are we going to do?” She cried, “The tarakava’s out there, destroying Ga-koro, and the matoran are trapped in a hut somewhere under the bay!”

“We know that already, Macku,” Takua said, picking up a knife, “I have a plan,” He picked up a spare piece of bamboo and cut the ends off it, “Turaga Nokama told me that she did this once before, when she was attacked by a Takea and trapped on an rock in the bay.” He jumped into the water below.

The two Ga-matoran grew worried when Takua didn’t come up for a good thirty seconds. Then, with a splash, he re surfaced and climbed back onto the fishing dock.

“Perfect!” He exclaimed, sitting down. he picked up two more bamboo poles and got to work fashioning two more of the devices, and explaining his plan.

Three reeds dotted the water of Naho bay. They drifted towards Ga-koro, and subsequently, the tarakava there.

Underwater, however, Takua, Macku, and Pelagia swam towards the floating city, looking for the sunken lily pad.

Takua felt Pelagia tap his shoulder. She pointed to a large green mass on the bottom of the bay. Takua nodded and the three swam toward it, being careful to stay close to the surface. When the group arrived at the place where the pad had been, Takua pulled out his knife and pointed down. The other two nodded and drew their knives. Takua held up three fingers, two, one! The matoran all took deep breaths and dove, letting their bamboo stalks float away. They dove down deep, deep enough to reach the sunken hut. Takua drove his knife into the thick membrane of the hut. He dragged the knife around the thick layers of leaves, tearing a big hole in the hut.

Ga-Matoran have exceptionally large lungs, and very strong leg muscles, making them great swimmers and able to hold their breath for long periods of time. Ta-matoran, however, are more centered around upper body strength, as any liquid that they live near would burn them to a crisp before they had a chance to swim anywhere. Their lungs, too, are quite small, as the fumes of smoke and fire make the air heavy and corrosive, making it difficult to hold your breath even if you had a reason to.

Takua felt the pressure of the depths crushing his lungs before any of the others, almost as soon as he finished cutting the hole in the hut, he passed out.

The first matoran out of the hut was Nixie, who had been next to the place where Takua cut the hole. She saw Takua pass out and instantly remembered him as the chronicler. He came see her about her work as astrologist. She dove to catch him before he sunk to the bottom of the bay.

Nixie swam as hard as she could toward the surface of the water. The two matoran surfaced near the beach. Nixie dragged Takua up the beach to a nice dry spot. She listened to his chest, he wasn’t breathing. Nixie took a few steps back as she prepared to do something crazy, she heard that you could do this to pump water out of someone’s lungs. She ran towards the Ta-matoran and jumped onto him with all her might.

Takua awoke cross-eyed, sputtering out water and coughing. Nixie was standing over him. She sighed with relief and hugged him.

“Uh, hi, Nixie,” Takua said, somewhat confused. “Wahs happenig?”

Nixie realized exactly what she was doing and got off of the Ta-matoran. She nervously scratched the back of her head. “You fainted,” she said, “I just pulled you back to shore. She noticed that she had knocked Takua’s mask askew in the hug, so she reached out and straightened in, giggling.

“Oh,” Takua said, somewhat embarrassed. Nixie hugged him again as the other matoran started filing onto the shore.

Macku came up to the shore, half carrying Hahli.

“That’s the last time I listen to you!” Hahli said, smiling and sputtering up water. The two laughed as Macku sat Hahli down and went back out into the water to help Turaga Nokama.

The Turaga waded up, coughing and leaning on her trident to keep upright. Macku ran out into the water to help her to the shore.

“I apologize for not listening to you when you came to tell us about the impending attack.” Nokama said, stepping onto the shore.

“No, I’m sorry Turaga,” Macku said, “wait, I didn’t come to tell you...”

But Macku didn’t have time to finish. Another deafening roar came from the edge of Ga-koro. Everyone on the beach turned to look. The huge reptilian creature standing in the middle of the bay was aroused at the goings on and was staring right at them.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 7

Hewkii trudged along Old Fusa Path on his way back to Po-koro. He wondered if he did the right thing. Would Macku be mad at him? He had been walking for a while, and began to wonder if he had taken a wrong turn somewhere. But he didn’t worry, he always thought that. He put his hand up to his eyes and could see the desert of Po-wahi in the diastase. He began to pick up his pace, he didn’t want Onewa upset with him, especially not four days before the game.

Hewkii walked into the Po-wahi quarry. He looked around for his friend, Hafu. Hafu was a carver, the master carver, in fact. He took the term “carver” as a great insult. If he ever heard someone call him “carver,” he claimed he would stop talking to them for a month. He actually did so once when Takua’s tongue slipped while he was commenting on a statue he was planning on buying.

“Well!” a deep voice called from his right, “If it isn’t our water boy!” Hafu stepped out from behind a carving. He tossed aside the chisel and hammer that he was using.

“Hafu,” Hewkii crooned “the master rock head!” The two laughed and patted each other on the back. “What are you ‘master carving’ back there?”

“Just some gukko force thing Onewa’s making me carve for Le-koro.” Hafu said with disdain.

“Why can’t you take pride in carving anything other than yourself?” Hewkii asked jokingly.

“I do take pride in it! I just don’t take joy in it. I’ve just got one of those masks that wants to be carved.”

The two chattered and bickered all the way back to Po-koro, about everything from the new next kolhii game to the rahi attacks. Hewkii decided not to tell Hafu about the tall figure on the beach.

Ahkmou sat at his trader’s stall drumming his fingers. To his right sat a pile of kolhii balls, to his left, a heap of widgets. Golyo walked by with a couple of Mahi. Ahkmou leaped up and over to the herder.

“Good sir.” he said with great enthusiasm, “Would you, by any chance be interested in purchasing one of these fine Comet balls?” He scooped one up one of his Comet balls and showed it to the matoran.

“Sorry Ahkmou, but I don’t play kolhii,” the herder said, trying to make a clean getaway.

Your the only one. Ahkmou thought. But continued his pitch. “Even if you don’t, they still make perfect decor for any hut,” he looked at the little mahi next to him “and they make the perfect toys for these little dears.”

One of the Mahi stepped forward and sniffed the comet ball in Ahkmou’s hand. It promptly sneezed and recoiled in disgust. Golyo, paying no attention to this, took the comet ball in one hand, weighing it.

“How much?” the matoran asked.

Ahkmou leaned back against his stall, bearing the words he was famous for. “Make me an offer,” he said smiling at another satisfied customer.

Golyo thought about it for a few seconds, then replied, “Four widgets?”

“Sold!” Ahkmou exclaimed. Golyo pulled some gears out of his satchel and handed them to Ahkmou. Ahkmou grinned at him, setting the widgets in the pile with the others.

Ahkmou sat back down at his stall as Golyo walked away, tossing his new comet ball back and forth. There’s a sucker born every minute, he thought. He picked up a few widgets and tried to fit them together. He managed to form a chain five widgets long before seeing two more figures enter the village. Ahkmou smiled, he’d been waiting for this. He swepped the widgets back into a pile, picked up a comet ball, and stood up, leaning on his stall.

“Hewkii!” He exclaimed, “I have something here you might like.”

“No, Ahkmou,” Hewkii said, passing the trader by.

“Not after that ‘lucky Ghekulka’ fiasco” Hafu added.

Ahkmou didn’t give up, “I don’t think this is one you’ll want to miss!”

“Oh, I think it is.”

“Come on, hear me out.”

Hewkii stopped and turned around. “Ok, Ahkmou, what is it?”

Ahkmou held out the kolhii ball. “Their called Comet balls. Best selling item of Po-koro since the Cowrie shell.”

“Biggest fad since cowrie shells, you mean,” jeered Hafu.

“It’s just a kolhii ball, I’ve got five at home.” Hewkii said, turning away.

“If you doubt it’s superiority, try it out,” Ahkmou replied to the jab, tossing the ball to Hewkii. Hewkii weighed the thing in his hands. He bounced it on the ground a few times and performed some basic Kolhii moves before kicking the ball back up and catching it.

“It’s a pretty good ball,” Hewkii conceded.

“And,” Ahkmou said, “In honor of your big game in a few days, I’ll give it to you for only one widget.”

Hewkii’s eyes widened, “Well,” he said, digging in his satchel “If it’s only one widget.” He flipped a gear over to Ahkmou. “Thanks.”

Ahkmou saluted him, then flipped the widget into the pile behind him. He could hear Hafu say “I can’t believe you bought that from Ahkmou,” but he didn’t care. He just smiled and sat back down at his stall, drumming his fingers.

[manta5]

Just one word, wow.

[Nick Wolfe]

Just so everyone knows, I'm going on vacation for a week, so don't expect anything new until next monday.

[Nick Wolfe]

Sorry I haven't uploaded lately, I've been busy.

Chapter 8

Onua punched the wall. He had grown tired of digging, that’s all he’d done since he got out of that blinding sun. He rubbed his forehead with his massive claws. He had awoken on a beach, remembering nothing but his name, and had been digging ever since. He sat down on a large rock and sighed. How am I supposed to live my life, not knowing who I am? He set his head on his hand and stared at two bugs on the ground, fighting over a scrap of metal. Onua thought that was an odd thing for bugs to be fighting over, but, then again, what did he know? One of the bugs head-butted the other one, knocking a tiny mask off it’s face. This seemed to daze the thing, so Onua leaned over and picked both up, and fitted the mask back on the bug. Instantly the little creature became a raging inferno of mean once again, biting Onua.

“Ow!” he exclaimed quietly, “Little bugger,” he mumbled under his breath as he stood up. He glared at the bug as it scuttled away. Well, as long as I’ve got nothing to do, I might as well go somewhere. He cricked his neck and got back to digging. He dug his hand into the soft, ripe, warm earth, then ripped it out. He stood back and watched a layer of dirt crumble into dust and fall to the floor. I love doing that he thought, as he began digging.

After a few minutes of digging, Onua noticed something weird. As he pushed his hand into the wall, it met clean, cool air on the other side. Confused, he yanked his hand back, and watched as the wall crumbled. Behind it, he saw a frightened purple mask staring back at him.

“Ahh!” Onua exclaimed, surprised at his new findings, not knowing that there were any others underground.

“Ahh!” The little purple masked thing screamed, dropping it’s pick-axe and running down the tunnel that extended behind it.

“No! Wait!” Onua shouted, running after it, not noticing the other one standing in the corner.

“Ok, Onepu. If we put a support here we can extend the tunnel another kio north before...” Looking up from his map, “Onepu? Where’d you go?” He stared down the long tunnel Onua had just come down. “Wow, he can work fast when he wants to!”

“Wait, wait!” Onua called down the tunnel, chasing after the purple masked figure. “I just want to talk!” He was getting tired, even with his steps measuring twice the length of the little creature’s, it was fast. He stopped to catch his breath. The massive being listened closely, he could swear that he heard machines working further down the tunnel. He got up once again and started down the tunnel at a jog. As he rounded a corner, he saw a faint light in the distance. He picked up his pace, not wanting to take all day to get some answers.

As he grew closer to the light at the end of the tunnel, Onua saw statues lining the walls. He stopped to look at one of them. It appeared to be a face, without a mask. Beneath it sat a light stone, illuminating the statue, casting it’s shadow on the ceiling of the tunnel. Onua tapped the statue, causing part of the face to fall of. He caught it and hurriedly tried to put it back, but to no avail. Looking around to make sure nobody was watching him, he set the piece back on top of the statue and started running away.

Onua, far away from the statue, by now, walked through an archway into a huge cave, in the middle of which, a village sat, with a moat around it. To the left of the bridge connecting the two land masses, there was a wooden sign. On it were carved the words,

Onu-Koro

Now what could that mean, Onu-Koro. Onua thought as he crossed the bridge leading to the village. Sounds kinda’ like my name. But the thought was brushed out of his mind when he saw the little purple thing he was chasing talking with another small creature. Onua tried again to be friendly, this time more slowly.

“Hel-lo,” he said as slowly and clearly as he could manage. “Me -- Onua.” He put a hand to his chest, then pointed to the small creature. “Who -- you? Do -- you -- un-der-stand -- me?”

The the two creatures looked at each other, confused, then the small purple thing hid behind the other one, who stepped forward, and said somewhat timidly. “Hello, Onua, I’m Taipu.” He gesturing to the purple one, “This is Onepu.” He turned to his friend, “Go get the Turaga.” Onepu happily obliged, running off.

Onua cocked his head. “Where am I?” He asked the small thing, Taipu.

“Your in Onu-koro!” He said waving his hand, gesturing to the cave. “The village of earth.”

“Oh,” Onua said, feeling stupid.

Toa Onua trudged up a tunnel to a place the Turaga called Kini-Nui, the great temple. He pondered what the Turaga had told him. He had to fight a terrestrial villain! He had no clue abut what the Turaga meant by other Toa.

“Toa Onua!” Onua stopped and turned around. The purple matoran he had first encountered in the tunnels was running towards him. “Toa Onua!” He called. Skidding to a stop in front of the toa.

“Yes, little one?” Onua asked, puzzled by the purple being’s newfound bravery.

“You remember those masks Turaga Whenua told you about?” he panted, catching his breath.

“Yes,” said Onua, “That was a pretty important part of the lesson.”

“Right,” Onepu said, “ Well, I went back to my hut, and remembered that I found this in a Kofo-Jaga nest, about a month ago.” He held out a silver-gray mask, “They gave me a nasty burn for it to.”

Onua took the mask from the Matoran and looked it over. “Thanks,” he said, putting it on over his black pakari. There was a brilliant flash of light, taking Onepu off guard. Onua opened his eyes first and felt at his mask. There’s a distinct lack of change he thought. But he did feel more powerful. the toa tapped Onepu’s shoulder, making sure the blast hadn't knocked him unconscious. The matoran stirred. Onua, satisfied at that, whispered “Thanks,” again and turned back to the tunnel, leaving the sleeping matoran on the ground.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Nick Wolfe

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 9

The matoran of Ga-koro stood stock still on the beach. around Naho bay. The gigantic, reptilian rahi in the water stared straight at them. The creature in the bay slowly advanced towards the scared group. Then, suddenly, the beast lunged forward towards the beach, extending a great arm. The maoran scattered in all directions, but Macku was standing dead center of the tarakava’s aim. She covered her face with her arms, hoping to soften the impact. She winced, in anticipation of the horrible fate about to occur. She began to wonder why it was taking so long. She opened her eyes, and saw standing before her the blue warrior from the beach, fighting off the tarakava.

“Run!” the warrior shouted to Macku. She obeyed and ran away from the terrible beast as fast as she could. She joined Kotu, Nixie, and Takua, who, of course, was scribbling the events down on his pallet.

Gali shot back up the beach, away from the monster she was fighting. She saw these little beings from down the beach and thought they needed help. The creature lunged one of it’s massive limbs out at her. She easily dodged the blow, but couldn’t find an opening to get at the beast, bringing it down. She decided to try something. She leaped from the sand, hitting the creature’s shoulder. She drew one of the hooks from her back, and used it to catch onto the monster’s back. I knew these would come in handy, she thought as she jabbed at the thing’s monstrous side.

The creature started thrashing towards the village. Not wishing to cause any more pain to these poor creatures than they had already sustained, Gali leaped off the thing and led it back onto the beach.

Macku watched the tall warrior fight off the tarakava. But her gratitude turned to worry, as the warrior began to lead the rahi onto the beach. Macku wanted to run out and push the fight back into the water, but refrained. If she did that, she would be trampled.

Gali was beginning to formulate a plan. She thought she saw a weak spot on the creature. She noticed a rusted, pitted spot on the thing’s face that resembled the mask she wore on hers. Gali backed up against the rock wall behind her and climbed up so her feet were secured against it, she aimed for the rusted piece of metal. I’ve got one chance, she thought, [/i]here goes, 3... 2...1...

Macku watched, terrified, as the tall warrior launched herself towards the beast. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t tear her eyes from the spectacle. She watched as the warrior collided with the tarakava. The rusted, pitted mask on the creature’s face smashed as soon as it came in contact with the blue armored being.

Gali stuck the landing, back on the sand. She stood back and watched as the beast, stunned by the impact, toppled over onto the beach, sending a shock wave over the sand that could be felt all over the bay. After the beast fell, the small things emerged from their hiding spots.

Slowly and carefully, they started moving toward Gali. She, in turn, stayed still, not sure what they were doing. Then one stepped forward, and bowed. The rest followed suit.

“Thank you toa,” the one who had stepped forward said, she was obviously the leader. “You have saved us all from that tarakava. I am Turaga Nokama. These are the matoran of Ga-koro.”

“Hello, Turaga Nokama, I am Gali,“ Gali said bowing to Nokama.

“Please, come,” Nokama said, heading back for the floating village. “you have much to learn.”

Gali followed her, wanting to learn as much as possible. As they walked, the matoran followed, introducing themselves to Gali in a most disorderly fashion. Gali smiled, she decided that she liked this new place.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 10

Nuju opened his eyes. He was sitting in the Ko-koro sanctum. He pulled his ice pick toward him and stood up. He motioned for his translator, Matoro, to follow him. The Turaga of Ko-koro emitted a series of chirps and clicks, reminiscent of those the gukko birds use.

“Who comes, sir?“ Matoro asked, he was the only one on the island who understood Nuju’s strange language, and because of that he had become Nuju’s translator.

The Turaga emitted some more whistles and clicks.

“Toa? On the island?” Matoro was surprised, he had only read about to in legends, and when the Turaga held meetings.

More clicks.

“Well, in that case, it seems wiser to stay inside.”

Nuju stared back at Matoro and gave three more clicks and a whistle.

“Well, then what can we do about it?” Matoro questioned.

Three clicks, a whistle, and two more clicks.

“Oh,” Matoro replied, almost walking into one of the sanctum’s pillars.

Nuju continued chattering to Matoro, un raveling his plan. Matoro just trailed behind and nodded.

Kopaka drove his sword into the side of the icy mountain, he hauled himself up to the nearest foot hold while reaching for the nearest hand hold. He began to thing that climbing straight up the mountain wasn’t such a good plan, but going around it was simply taking too long. He pulled his sword out of the mountain and drove it in again, repeating the move. He finaly felt the path come up again against his hand. He hauled his body up over the edge of the mountain and back onto the path. He looked up. He still had a ways to go.

Kopaka heard crumbling and crashing to his right. He spun around with his sword at the ready as a rocky bluff exploded.

“Watch out!” a voice echoed from somewhere in the ever coming onslaught of stone. Kopaka raised his shield over his head, protecting himself from the shower of oncoming stone. He failed, however, to protect his knees, where a particularly hard boulder struck, causing him to crumble to the ground in pain.

When the pain finaly subsided, Kopaka opened his eyes and tried to get up. But to his horror, he was trapped under several large boulders. The attempt caused the pain in his legs to act up again. He glanced up, his gaze meeting that of a figure about his own size, staring down at him, resting his weight on one of the large stones pinning down Kopaka.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” the stranger said in a deep, booming voice. “You alright?”

“I would be,” Kopaka returned icily. “If you weren’t standing on me.”

The stranger leaped back a few steps and extended an arm. “Here, let me help.”

Kopaka struggled with the rock on top of him for a moment, then grunted, “Thank you, but I don’t need help.” He went back to trying to lift the boulder above him.

“Let me do it.” the stranger urged Kopaka, “It’ll be faster.”

“I can do it myself.” Kopaka grunted, switching his attention to the boulder to his left. He already grew tired of this stranger’s pushy chatter.

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” the stranger asked again.

“No!” shouted Kopaka, finaly freeing the boulder to his left. causing the one on top of him to crush down violently on his back. “Ghaa!” he screamed as it rolled off his back.

“Here,” the stranger said, extending a hand toward Kopaka. “Le’me give you a hand.”

Kopaka reluctantly accepted, hauling himself to his feet with the help of the newcomer. “Thanks,” he mumbled. The newcomer grasped his hand and shook it.

“I’m Pohatu, toa of stone,” the newcomer introduced himself. Kopaka ripped his hand away.

“Kopaka,” he said striding away. He was stopped, however, by his knee falling out from under him. Pohatu leaped over to him, once again helping him up.

“Toa of falling over?” Kopaka didn’t appreciate the joke, trying to pull away. But this time he was stopped by Pohatu, who held his arm tight.

“Now, I just wouldn’t feel right, walking’ away from here, knowing that your still up here, falling over things,” Pohatu said, gripping kopaka tighter. “Where are you going any ways?”

Kopaka decided that fighting with this “toa of stone” would take more time than it deserved, so he decided to let Pohatu help him up the mountainside. “Up the mountain,” Kopaka snarled.

“Oh,” Pohatu said, smiling, Kopaka knew he said the wrong thing. “That’s where I’m going! I heard from someone at my village that there might be a mask up here.”

“Yay,” Kopaka mused, unenthusiastically.

“Have you met any of the other toa yet? The Turaga of my village claimed that there were were six of us.” Pohatu asked.

Great Kopaka thought. “I work alone.”

“By choice?” Pohatu returned quickly. ”Or just because no one can stand you?”

Kopaka almost smiled at that. Almost. This toa of stone was irritating, and far more chatty than Kopaka could stand. But he seemed to be very strong. Perhaps he could come in handy after all. Especially if they came across any rahi.

Kopaka and Pohatu staggered away from Ko-koro back up the mountain. They had been told that there was a mask hidden somewhere on a peak at the top of the mountain. After a few minutes of walking, with Pohatu chattering away, the two reached the peak. Kopaka spotted the smooth, frozen shape of a mask lying on the ground in front of them.

“There you go,” Kopaka said, pointing toward the shape on the ground. “It’s yours.”

“Thanks,” Pohatu stepped forward and picked up the mask. He looked it over for a moment before putting it on. The shape of his new mask morphed back into that of his old kakama. Kopaka turned around and stared out over the Island. He leaned forward and zoomed in with his mask of x-ray vision. The toa of ice was tempted to disregard what he saw, but he realized that he might as well face th inevitable.

“We have to go,” he told pohatu abruptly, hating the thought of what he was about to do. “Now.”

“Why?”

“No questions.” kopaka was tired of conversation. “Just follow me.” The two headed down the icy mountainside, Kopaka noticed that the pain in his leg seemed to be receding. Pohatu skidded and slipped on the fresh coating of ice that covered the path. kopaka forced himself to move slowly so the other toa could keep up.

[Nick Wolfe]

Oh, dear, I almost forgot about this thing. I've been insanely busy this year, what with school and plays things like that, and I only write when I'm sufficiently relaxed and don't have anything more pressing going on. I'm going to try to resurrect this story this summer.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 11

Macku sat in her hut moping. Turaga Nokama had confined her to the village, for fear that her adventurous nature would get her into trouble with rahi. This also meant that she was confined to the village for the Kolhii match in Po-koro. The matoran lay down on her bed, and sighed.

Toa Gali had stayed in the village for only a short time, listening to Nokama’s explanation of her quest. She then set off for Kini-Nui to find the other toa.

Macku sat up on her bed and stared at the light fish lamp hanging from the ceiling. She loved staring into the small, careless life of a light fish. She remembered Kotu saying once that they have no brain, they just swim in circles their whole life, not accomplishing anything. Macku always felt that was a useless tidbit of information. The gloomy matoran stood up and walked over to the window. She saw Kotu out on the lilly pad next to her own. She spotted Macku looking at her.

“Come on out, I’ve got something to show you.” She said, beckoning for Macku to come over.

Macku pushed aside the vines that served as the door to her hut and walked over to Kotu.

“Take a look at this,” she said holding out a large, wooden crate. Macku looked the thing over for a moment before handing it back to Kotu.

“Tell me it’s not snoring.” Macku could see what was coming. Kotu loved playing pranks on other matoran. Her job to tend to and rehabilitate rahi who had been under the influence of makuta left her with endless opportunities to get people running down the docks in fear, and to get her in trouble with the Turaga.

“Relax,” She said in her self assured tone. “It’s just a Pokawi, harmless.”

Macku did need some cheering up, and she always got a kick out of Kotu’s pranks. “Alright,” she said, “that could be fun.”

“I’m gonna leave it on Nireta’s doormat. When she opens it up, it’s going to leap out at her!” Macku thought that it was a good plan. “She said she was running down to the docks to give Marka some new maps.

“Perfect!” Macku exclaimed. She ran over to her usual spot, tending to the plants in front of her hut.

Sure enough, Nireta came trotting down the path a few minutes later. Macku hid behind the fern she was trimming and pried apart the fronds to peer at the outcomes of Kotu’s genius. She waited, stifling a giggle as Nireta peered over the package in front of her, before dragging it into her hut. Macku silently counted down the seconds. 3...2...1

“Eeeeeee!” The scream crashed through the fresh bay air like a stone into water. Macku and Kotu exploded in laughter as Nireta stormed out her front door with the small flightless, bird sitting on her head. “Kotu!” she shouted, standing perfectly still, not wanting to arouse the creature. The two pranksters came out of their hiding spots laughing. The rahi, however, did not get the message that it was part of a practical joke. Mistaking the laughter for a hostile hunting call, the thing leaped off Nireta's head.

“Eeeeeee!” Nireta screamed, running back to her hut, as the pokawi started running around the lily pad, emitting the “pok pok pok” sound it’s species is known for.

“No!” Kotu screamed, not wanting to have the creature leap off the edge of the floating village. Macku jumped to block the bird’s path. This, in turn, just frightened the rahi further. The pair chased the bird around Ga-koro until Kotu finally pinned the creature down and Macku got it back into it’s box.

“You were right,” Macku laughed, “that was fun.” The two started back for the pad where Kotu kept all her rahi.

“Here,” Kotu called to Macku as she dumped the Pokawi out of the crate and back into it’s pen. “I’ve got something even better over here.” She walked over to the side of the lily pad. The section of water adjacent to the lily pad had been cut off and turned into some sort of cage. Macku followed warily. Kotu often had a strange sense of what was better than what. Kotu leaned over the edge of the lily pad and gazed into the water, as if checking for something. Macku began to worry that this was one of Kotu's more judgment lacking moments.

“Stand back now,” she said. I was planning on it Macku thought as she took a few steps backwards. Kotu gave a long, shrill whistle. The water beneath her began to churn and bubble. From the depths rose the massive teal figure of a tarakava. Kotu raised her arms above her head as she shouted dramatically, “I give you... Miru!”

“Where did you...” Macku trailed off in awe and fell onto a crate.

“Turaga Nokama turned it over to me until it recovered from it’s injury!” Kotu said excitedly, “I call her Miru ‘cause of her mask.”

Macku looked at the face of the creature, indeed, the mask that Kotu had used to replace the infected one Toa Gali smashed was a great miru. “Please tell me you’re not going to sick that on anyone,” Macku asked, maybe a little less seriously than she should have.

“No, this ones just for show.” she responded, picking up a fish and tossing it to the creature, who caught it with a flourish of it’s mammoth jaws. “She’s one of my favorites already, certainly the biggest thing I’ve rehabilitated.” She whistled again and the beast sank back into the calm waters of the bay. “i don’t think I’ve got anything else interesting today.”

Macku breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, I think I’ll be getting home now,”Macku said, getting up from her crate.

“Alright, macku,” Kotu said, turning back to a pen. “See you tomorrow.”

Macku started back for her hut, in a much better mood than when she had left. When she arrived back at her hut she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Macku spun around to see Okoth the trader staring back at her.

“I’ve got a delivery for you from Po-koro,” She said smiling.

“Thanks,” Macku said, taking the letter, a small Piece of paper wrapped in a larger piece of parchment.

She turned around and headed back ito her hut. She sat down on her bed and opened the letter.

Dear Macku,

I regret to inform you that Hewkii has fallen ill to a pandemic that has taken much of Po-koro. He is not doing very well and I felt that you should know. Turaga Onewa has made all carvers stop all other jobs and start making special beds designed to help everyone stricken ill recover. Everyone here is trying their hardest to help find a cure.

Sincerely,

Hafu

Macku’s cheery mood quickly evaporated, replaced with worry. She paced her hut grasping the letter. She knew that Turaga Nokama would not let her leave the village, even under these circumstances. Then, an idea dropped into her mind. She dropped the letter and dashed out of the hut.

A few minutes later Macku returned, carrying three rocks and a bamboo pole. She lay the rocks on her bed, medium, biggest, smallest, then pulled the cover over them. She wasn’t quite the artist that Hafu was, but it did look a lot like a sleeping matoran. She then picked up her hunting knife and started carving at the bamboo pole.

Chapter 12

Kopaka leaped into the air and drover his sword into the shoulder of the beast. The two toa had started down the mountain, shortly after which, they were attacked by this creature. Kopaka tried to use his sword as leverage to remove an infected mask from the things shoulder, but it’s armor was too thick. He drew his sword out an tried again, loosening the mask. Kopaka saw Pohatu aim a kick for the beasts right shoulder. Last time he had done that, Kopaka remembered, the rock had gone sailing off across the island. The toa of ice really hoped his new acquaintance had good aim. He was, in fact, so busy worrying about Pohatu’s aim that he failed to notice a huge, clawed paw scooping him off the shoulder, and pinning him on the ground.

Kopaka reached for his sword, but couldn’t find it. He stared up, past the giant, catlike face coming toward him. His weapon was still stuck in the beast’s shoulder. Kopaka mumbled a swear, wishing he’d taken the mask at the top of the mountain. He tried to rip out his shield, but his arms were pinned to his side. Kopaka tried one last chance to free himself from the huge grasp of the monster. He tried to freeze it’s paw off. His being a toa of ice should make it no big task. However, his icy grip couldn’t penetrate the hide of the creature. The toa braced himself. At least I’ll have my head ripped off with dignity. The noble toa clamped his eyes shut. Then he felt a shadow fall over him.

“This isn’t what you were leading us to, right?” The toa of stone was standing between Kopaka and the snapping jaws of the rahi, literally holding it’s jaws from the other toa.

Kopaka didn’t appreciate the joke. “No,” he replied coldly, wriggling his way out of the monster’s grip while it was distracted. He pulled his arms free and yanked his legs out from under the huge paw. He got to his feet, ignoring the pain in his knee and leaped back to it’s shoulder, taking hold of his sword. He tried again to pull the mask from it’s mount. Having no winnings to show for his labors, he pulled the sword from the beast’s shoulder and leaped down to save Pohatu.

“’Bout time!” he said, seeing Kopaka landing beside him. The toa of ice closed his eyes and concentrated, gathering energy. When he opened them, he acted with speed and precision.

He dashed to the other side of the great cat and threw his sword toward the beast’s mouth. He shouted as he let all of his pent up energy out through his hand. The shock wave of energy flowed through the length of the sword and shot out the tip. Ice flowed from the sword’s edges to the monster’s mouth, encasing it in a thick layer of ice. Kopaka started to fall backwards, but was caught by Pohatu, somehow already behind the toa of ice. Kopaka started to black out, but had an idea. He stood up, shaking himself free of Pohatu’s grip, and staggered to the beast’s shoulder. Pulling himself up onto the thing, he drove his sword to into the space between the rusted, pitted mask and the thing’s shoulder. Once again, he called energy into his core and out his hands. This time, as the cold energy jetted out the end of the sword, it coated the mask in a layer of ice, severing the magnetic connection holding it to the thing’s shoulder. The mask dropped to the ground and smashed.

The beast, dazed, slowed it’s thrashing. Kopaka leaped to the creature’s other shoulder, seeing that Pohatu’s rock-kick had had little effect. He thrust his sword into that shoulder much the same as the other. He watched, fuzzily, as the mask dropped to the ground and shattered. The rahi stopped thrashing altogether, and collapsed. Kopaka fell to the ground next to it. The last thing he saw as he blacked out was the form of Pohatu blurring and reappearing next to him.

So that's how... Kopaka thought as the darkness came over him.

Tahu stared at the sorry group. After visiting his village, his Turaga had told him to come to Kini-Nui to meet the other toa. He wasn’t fond of the idea to begin with, but after meeting his new team, he despised the idea entirely. After a quick introduction the four toa sat, silently, staring at each other. “Well,” Tahu began, “If were all quite finished with our conversation, I say we get going,”

“And who made you big-leader?” Lewa stepped forward, staring Tahu in the eye. “The Turaga said there were six toa-heroes here, I only see four. Or are my eyes bad-broke?”

“I doubt their arrival’s imminence,” Tahu said, not faltering in his leadership stance, but raising himself up a few inches. “And someone must take the initiative.”

Lewa levitated a few inches from the ground, raising above Tahu, “Maybe, the one who fast-takes the ‘initiative’ should not be so quick-taking!”

Tahu was about to make a comeback when Gali cut in.

“Brothers,” she said soothingly, “Why must you quarrel so viciously. We will end up no better off than the rahi which we fight.” She laid a hand on the shoulders of both toa. “Sit down and we can decide this civilly.”

“There is no civility in politics.” Tahu spat with disdain as he sat down.

“Someone approaches,” Onua said calmly, staring off into the distance. Sure enough, two figures were coming up, one half carrying the other. “The other toa, perhaps?” Onua suggested. The toa of earth rarely spoke in conversation. Tahu wondered if this was because he was thinking deeply or if he had to think for that long just to come to the simplest conclusions.

“Mind if we join the party?” One of the newcomers said.

“Let me guess,” Gali said, “Toa. Come to Kini-Nui off direction from their village leaders?”

“Yes,” The white armored toa mumbled. He got up from the bronze one and walked to the center of the temple. “Kopaka, toa of ice,” he introduced himself, he obviously wanted to be there less than Tahu did.

“And you sure do sound the ice-froze part,” the green armored toa said.

“Charmed,” Tahu switched his gaze from Kopaka to the bronze armored figure. “And you?”

“Pohatu, toa of stone,” he replied, smiling. “We’ve just come from a fight with one of them rahi.”

“Well, Pohatu,” Tahu said, “I am Tahu, toa of fire. These are Gali, Lewa and Onua, water, air and earth, respectively.”

“Now that we've all introduced ourselves,” Gali stepped forward, “we should begin work on a plan. Remember, we are here to save the matoran, not bicker.”

“Right,” Tahu stood up, trying to look imposing, but not coming off so, “We must begin looking for great masks. I say we begin looking for masks in the closest place, the volcano.”

“You say a lot.” Kopaka stood up, forcing his way past the pain in his knee. He then addressed the rest of his group, “This Fire Toa is full of hot air. Will he be prepared for the heat of battle? Or will he burn out quickly?” Kopaka’s leadership pose looked more convincing than Tahu’s. “We need a leader who will not heat through his energy on petty superiority and falter at the first sign of danger.” He turned to face the toa of fire, “If I had my say, the evil on this island is about to learn that justice can be very... cold.”

“Precisely my point.” Lewa leaped between Tahu and Kopaka raising his axe. “I say we hard-leave the bad-ways of the firespitter and choose a new toa-leader, like me.”

“Please, stop!” Gali leaped forward, “We should work as one, a team.”

“A rahi must have a head,” Tahu replied.

“It must also have a brain,” Lewa jabbed.

“Oh, feisty are we?” Tahu hissed.

“Brothers!”

“Don’t ‘brother’ me Gali!” Tahu spun between his two adversaries.

“If the boys can’t behave...” Pohatu stepped over, but was cut off by another barrage of insults from Tahu. After a few minutes of arguing from the group of heroes, Lewa spoke up.

“Enough!” He roared, silencing the rest of the toa. “We are nowhere-getting fast! If you want to whine, that’s fine, but I’m going to save the matoran.” He started towards the jungle.

Tahu called after him, “I don’t like this any more than you do!”

“Lewa’s got the right idea,” Kopaka said, starting for the mountains.

“Kopaka, Lewa!” Gali called after them, but her efforts showed no effect.

“Let them leave,” Tahu spat, “Anyone with any sense should follow me.” He too trudged off.

“Wait,” Gali called after, “Well,“ she said, turning around. “At least you two are still...” She stopped when she realized she was talking to thin air. “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she muttered as she trudged back towards Ga-koro.

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 13

Kongu plodded around the Gukko force’s runway. The leader had sent a scout out over an hour ago, he should have been back by now. He called over Boreas, a standby.

“Quick-find Shu and Talki,” he ordered, “We ride,”

Boreas saluted and dashed off to find the others. Kongu hoped his thoughts were wrong, but somehow doubted it. He whistled for Ka, his gukko, to join him. The huge bird dropped out of the sky and gracefully descended onto the runway.

“Good girl,” Kongu said, picking up a fish and tossing it up to the beautiful creature’s feathered head. The Gukko force captain heard a thunk behind him. He whirled around and saw Tamaru getting up from the ground.

“Feet-stand Tamaru,” Kongu ordered. Tamaru stood up and dusted himself off.

“What’s the bad-trouble?” he asked the captain. Tamaru was the force’s navigator, he would sometimes fly as a second.

“Sent head-scout out long-time ago.” Kongu said as Boreas, Shu, and Talki came up. “Fear worst.”

“Quick-look!” Shu interrupted Kongu’s speech. The matoran whirled around to look where Shu was pointing. Kongu gasped.

About a Kio away, at the Nui Rama’s nest, A dark cloud was forming. Kongu knew what that meant. He swore under his breath at his slow reactions. Then started barking orders.

“Gukko force, assemble! Call all members! Quick-ascend!” He pulled the nearest matoran to him. “Assemble quick-team, get Turaga Matau to a safe-hold down-tree.” He grabbed a pile of disks and pushed them into Tamaru’s arms. “Tamaru, quick-leap to Ka, wayfinder second.” Tamaru quickly dashed across to the other side of the runway. Kongu pulled aside a matoran holding lightstones. "Ka, takeoff. Now!” He dashed over to Ka and Tamaru. Ha gave a nod to the matoran marshal he pulled over as he got onto the Gukko bird. Kongu patted Ka as the marshal cleared the runway. Kongu calmed himself as he began the take off. Ka clawed the wood platform anxiously. The marshall called out the countdown.

“Three!” Kongu stared forward as the swarm of nui-rama drew closer. “Two!” He flipped down his visor. “One!!” He cricked his neck. “Now!” Kongu gave a starting kick to Ka.

There was a flash of sound and colors as the gukko took off. They flew into the heat of battle, Kongu concentrating to keep them on track. Tamaru readied a disk and sang out over the roaring winds, to lighten the mood.

“Da, da, da, da, da. Da, da, da, da, da. Da, da, da, da, da. Da, da, da, da.”

Kongu swerved into the swarm as soon as they were able. “Now!” he called back to his second. Tamaru started catapulting disks at the gigantic bugs that were trying to take Le-koro.

The gukko force was a powerfully intense faction, but even it’s full-blown power wasn’t enough to ward off an entire swarm of nui-rama. Kongu pulled up out of the swarm, trying to figure out a way to take out more of the creatures at once. He turned around and started flying back to Le-koro

“What, where, why?” Tamaru looked forward at his pilot. “I’ve still got fly-disks. Why’re we wind-riding home-bound?”

“I’ve quick-thunk idea!” he returned confidently, flying full speed toward Le-koro. The loading dock was full of gukko pilots and all kinds of birds. Ka flew over the ground and skidded to a stop. Kongu jumped off mid-skid. He had a plan.

Lewa carried himself through the trees, half jumping, half running. His mask of levitation could only do so much, so he used power over the winds to push him along the trees back to Le-koro. He heard the battle raging above him and wanted to join, but withdrew, for lack of a plan. He hoped to reach Le-koro and be of some help there. He stopped his race suddenly when he heard a scream from overhead. He looked up and jumped back just in time to avoid being hit by a falling object. He looked at it and saw it was two matoran riding on a kewa bird. He watched as the two fell, That's it, he decided, I’m going up there to kick some makuta-fly butt!

The toa shot up through the canopy of trees above him and into the swarm. He watched as matoran fought huge bugs. He turned around just in time to dodge one of the rahi flies coming right for him. He called a gust of wind to push him from the thing’s path. He followed the beast as it pulled back up into the swarm and caught it by calling up a cold front, cutting it off. He sped toward the thing and let his ax sail through the monstrous, metal clad abdomen. It let out a high pitched scream as it fell out of the sky. Lewa winced as he whirled around, slicing through two more of the immense things. Flashes orange and green fluttered around.

“Come and grab-get me!” the toa of air screamed. Apparently the bugs heard them as a new group of them swerved towards Lewa, attempting to overwhelm him. The toa shot up out of the cloud of bugs. The rahi on his tail quickly followed, flying up after him, swooping around, following the toa out of the swarm. Lewa smiled, they had done just what he wanted them to do. He was able to pick them off, one by one, by sweeping down and running his axe through the rahi at the end. Soon there were only two left, at witch point, he spun around and rammed them, cutting both in half, right down the middle.

Lewa spat. “Icky-gross,” he mumbled, he was covered in bug guts. The toa of air took a breath and dived into the swarm, taking out four more bugs on the way down. He looked around. Even at this rate, it would be impossible to kill all of them in time. He looked up as the rahi began carrying the matoran back toward their nest. Lewa sighed and returned to his valiant battle with the bugs.

Kongu climbed back onto Ka. “Ready?” he called. He had three gukko riders on the runway with gigantic pods.

“May I know what this havy-cold thing is?” Tamaru asked.

“Big-strength rama-spray,” Kongu replied. He had filled three metal pods with a toxic spray comprised of nui rama blood and Ranama urine. Ranama are one of the only predators of nui rama. He also rigged the container to open and spray the liquid as soon as a pin in the top is pulled out.

“Three!” Kongu stared forward as the swarm drew closer. “Two!” He flipped down his visor. “One!” He cricked his neck. “Now!” Kongu gave a starting kick to Ka.

The group once again started for the swarm of vicious rahi. Kongu prayed to the great beings that his plan would work. He heard Tamaru singing behind him, but blocked it out. He had to concentrate. The three birds rose fast above the jungle stretching out under them. Kongu knew he needed to make this perfect. He gave some fast hand signals to the other riders, who split up, each taking to a third of the swarm.

Three bugs separated from the swarm and started for the riders. Tamaru, not faltering in his song, leaped to his feat and over the rama-bomb. He flung three disks with deadly precision, taking each out.

“Nice hard-shot.” A complement from Kongu when he was flying was very rare.

“Thank you commander. Da, da, da, da, da. Da, da, da, da, da. Da, da, da, da,” Tamaru incorporated the thanks into his song.

Kongu saw his opportunity approaching quick. He felt the inner countdown begin, deep inside his gut. Three! Kongu kept his course. Two! His eye twitched. One! He took a deep breath. “Now!” He shouted so loud that his single word echoed across the entire jungle. He felt tamaru push the huge pod over the side, and he heard the two pods spraying the nui-rama with the potent concoction. Wait! he thought, Two? He turned and looked down at the string his pod was attached to. Still attached to! Kongu shouted back at Tamaru.

“Turn us around!” Kongu leaped over the edge of the bird as Tamaru lunged into the driver’s seat. The gukko force captain slid down the string holding the pod secure. Just as Ka reached the spot where the others had dropped their bombs, Kongu made contact, dislodging the pod from the pin keeping it in place. Kongu heard the sounds of the fan inside the pod beginning to whirr and smelled the rancid spray spread over the swarm. In the split second that he thought that, he forgot where he was. He quickly remembered and scrambled to catch hold of the pin tied to the string tied to the bird.

“Back to Le-koro!” he called. He desperately clung to the string as the Tamaru flew them back to Le-koro.

As they lowered down onto the runway, Kongu was greeted by a platform crowded with matoran, all clambering to congratulate the gukko force on their victory. Kongu stepped forward.

“I love the smell of rama-blood in the morning!” he exclaimed, whipping off his visor. “Where’s Turaga Matau?” The crowd seemed to quiet as a matoran pushed his way to the front of the crowd. Kongu’s smile faded as he saw what he was carrying.

“I’m deep-sorry,” the matoran handed Kongu Matau’s Turaga staff. Kongu looked back, past Tamaru falling off Ka, at the retreating Rama swarm, and the small figures they were carrying. “They took most of the village,” the matoran continued, in deep sorrow.

Kongu returned seriously “and Lewa?”

“They stole-took him too.”

Kongu stepped forward to the edge of the platform. “Then, tomorrow we ride once more.”

[Nick Wolfe]

Chapter 14

Macku started running down the pathway th Po-koro. After piling rocks on her bead to cover up her disappearance, she carved one of those “snorkels" that Takua had made. Cutting a hole in the floor under her dresser, she swam out to the edge of the bay and joined the road to Po-koro.

This was one of those times she really wished she had accepted Kotu’s offer to join the adopt-a-rahi program. Knowing Kotu, she’d have ended up with the tarakava. Drawing herself from her thoughts, she returned her attention back to the path. The open desert was rising up into a canyon, she knew she was coming close. The Po-wahi quarry was less than two kio away from the village.

As Macku entered the quarry, she looked around. It seemed to be deserted. Then, Hafu’s letter popped into her head. Turaga Onewa has made all carvers stop their other jobs and start making beds. Macku looked around. He was certainly right. Half finished carvings lay everywhere, tools in buckets laying everywhere. She stared at the statues, even unfinished they looked beautiful. She saw something to her right. A cart? she thought. She didn’t get a good look at it, it disappeared behind a statue before she could manage a glance. She walked up to the statue slowly. With a swift movement, she pushed her head around the block of stone. Nothing.

Macku shrugged and passed it off as a hallucination brought on by dehydration. She turned and started back towards Po-koro. She wondered about the strange shape, but it was quickly wiped out of her mind by worry, as she remembered why she was here in the first place.

Takua shaded his eyes as he and Pewku came out of the Po-koro highway. Traveling underground was never one of his favorite modes of transportation, but it was fast. And Vakama always made him use the Onu-wahi highway systems when he got an urgent notice. The chronicler had gotten a notice from Po-koro, summoning him to the village on account of a terrible outbreak. As his eyesight adjusted to the light now so generously flowing, he caught sight of Midak. Midak was an Onu-matoran rahi tender. He was somewhat eccentric. Unlike most Onu-matoran, Midak enjoyed bright sunlight, and was very claustrophobic, only venturing into the tunnels of Onu-wahi when absolutely necessary. He had also given Pewku to Takua, so the two were familiar.

“Hi Takua,” he called out, shutting the gate to his ussal stalls and running up to walk beside the crab.

“Hi Midak,” Takua responded. “Have you heard about the epidemic?”

“Yeah, terrible.” Midak was jogging to keep up with Pewku. Takua reached down and lifted Midak onto the crab. “You going to help?”

“Turaga Vakama sent me. Not that I wouldn’t have come on my own, but...”

“I see,” Midak said, clearly not seeing. “What does he plan to have you do about it?”

“He doesn’t plan anything, just sends me out to deal with it.” The two chatted for the rest of the short ride to po-koro.

Upon arrival, they noticed the distinct change in the environment of the once happy and active village. For one, there was certainly a major decrease in the population. Where there used to be eighty or more matoran bustling about the crowded streets and things being traded and sold at every turn, there were now less than ten at any given minute, most of which were running errands for the sick.

“It’s kinda depressing,” Midak commented. The two started toward Turaga Onewa’s hut as they surveyed the new environment of the once great village. Takua caught sight of a blue figure trudging through the sand coated village.

“Macku?” he called after the gloomy looking matoran.

She turned around. “Hi Takua.” She was the saddest he had ever seen her. She had a pot of flowers in her hands. “Are you here to find a cure, or just chronicle the plague?”

“Vakama sent me to talk with Onewa.” Takua jumped down from Pewku, “Is Hewkii sick too?”

Macku’s eyes started to tear. She mumbled something that sounded like a ”Yes,” but muffled into a sneeze. Takua put an arm around her and pushed her along.

“Midak,” he called to the matoran sitting on the crab, “Can you take Pewku to the stables? I’m going to make a quick stop at Hewkii’s hut before seeing the Turaga. She should get along well with the Mahi.” Midak and Pewku scuttled off towards the stables. Macku, still sputtering like fire pit in Ta-koro, started off towards Hewkii’s hut in the northern complex of the village.

As they started toward the residential complexes, Takua noticed huts with big, black “X”s on them becoming more frequent. He didn’t know what the X stood for, but he had a fair idea.

The two matoran were trudging up the mountainside. Macku had pulled herself together and was walking straight now. As they passed matoran homes, Takua noticed that more than half of them were adorned with a big black X. He even noticed a matoran painting the symbol on one of the huts. Takua wished they had chosen something different. The X seemed too much like “elimination,” like the matoran inside were doomed, as good as dead. He was sure the matoran inside felt no better about the symbol.

Macku drew to a stop in front of one of the larger huts, adorned with a more decorative and solemn X. Probably put there by Hafu. Macku knocked on the door.

“Come in,” a deep voice called from behind the door, not Hewkii’s. The two matoran entered. Takua gasped as he came in. Not only was Turaga Onewa there, indicating something unique about Hewkii’s case, but the matoran himself looked horrible. Black and rust red had spread across his armor, along with the disgusting stench of rusted metal. His eyes had turned a sickly shade of his normally energetic bright red. He lay in a bed, that too was articulately carved, by Hafu, no doubt. Takua noticed the decorative design on his bed resembled Macku, and Hewkii standing together, smiling. Hewkii coughed violently and Macku rushed over to him, setting her flowers on his bedstead.

Takua stepped over to the Turaga, who was deep in conversation with a matoran, apparently the village medic. He heard the words “worst case yet,” before he reached the two.

“Turaga Onewa," He gave a quick bow, “Turaga Vakama sent me here to help wherever I can.”

“Thank you chronicler, I will fill you in in just a minute.” The Turaga turned back to the medic. Takua turned and stepped back to the bed. Hewkii and Macku were already deep in conversation. Takua pulled a chair from the side of the room and slid it under Macku. He then stepped over to Hewkii’s shelves. Most were lined with trophies or statues. One close to the bottom had a Kolhii ball on it. It was unusually shiny for a kolhii ball, even one of Hewkii’s. He leaned closer and saw inscribed on it the word Comet.

“Takua,” Onewa called the chronicler over to the door, the medic walked out, tending to one of his other patients. “Let’s talk outside. Leave Hewkii some privacy.” Takua quickly ran over to the Turaga and followed him out of the hut.

Turaga Onewa quickly filled Takua in as they traveled down the mountain. They didn’t believe that it was contagious as the cases didn’t seem to be related in any way. They had no Idea what might be causing the sudden illnesses. “I do, however, think Makuta is involved in some way. The symptoms are incredibly reminiscent of the early stages of the madness. I fear that if left untreated, this could evolve into a horde of infected matoran.”

“Or they could all die,” Takua added.

“Right.” The Turaga shifted uncomfortably. “Did Vakama specify what exactly you were to do?”

“No,” Takua responded. “He hoped you might have something to let me help with.”

“Well,” said the Turaga. “Try what you can, I’ll be in my hut if you need me.”

Takua stopped walking. He wondered what he might be able to do to cure a village of sick matoran. He turned around and looked at the mountainside. The house in front of him, was marked with a big X. Well, he thought, Might as well start at the source. He stepped toward the house and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” a sickly voice rattled from inside. Takua opened the door with a rusty scratch. He poked his head into the hut. A rusted matoran lay in the bed, he stared at the door as Takua entered. “Hello,” He said.

“Hello,” Takua responded somewhat awkwardly. “I’m Takua. I’ve been told by Turaga Onewa to try and help find a cure for the, um, plague. I figured it might be a good idea to take a look around some of the matoran’s homes.”

“Well, if your here to cure the ‘plague’ then, by all means, look around.” The rusting figure in the bed welcomed Takua into his home. The chronicler thanked the matoran, who said his name was Kovu. A kolhii player, Takua observed, as several Kolhii trophies sat on his shelf, among statues and trinkets. The Trophies were beautifully adorned with carvings, some of the cups were filled with trinkets, some with Kholi balls resting inside the rims. Nothing to original anywhere else in the room. A plant sat in the corner, similar to the one that sat in Hewkii’s home. Takua sighed, he figured that this might take longer than he thought.