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Leaning on the wall of the causeway, Anuenue gazed out to sea as the midday sunlight peeked through several clouds, "Turaga, may we join you?" a voice quietly asked.
Glancing around she smiled at Dalu, Eilek and Malie, "Of course, there's plenty of room." she chuckled, then listened to Dalu and Eilek telling her what they'd been doing.
"So you found a way to channel your anger." Anuenue commented softly to Dalu as they began to walk back towards the park, "Oh yes, Toa Tahu and Turaga Vakama were a great help, and Tanami is a great work partner." Dalu replied, as she did a faint blush became evident on Eilek's mask.
Malie seeing that, grinned broadly as he 'talked' to Dalu, distracting her, while Turaga Anuenue helped Eilek relax by asking about the boat making she was learning from Macku.
Watching Anuenue as she headed off with Eilek, Dalu and Malie towards the park, Vakama and Dume sat on the bench outside the Great Temple, "They've settled well, but the Toa Voya will soon feel the need to find their destiny." Vakama commented as their sister and friends vanished from view.
"I wonder how many of the matoran will go with them? I know for certain Sheranu won't let Malie go." Dume replied, as they entered the Great Temple and went to join the others.
"No, not yet." Vakama replied to Nuju's question, as they gathered close to the Toa Suva then at Dume's nod they touched their staffs together and waited to see what would happen.
When the clouds parted again a shaft of sunlight shone down into the main chamber and touched the joined staffs, as the suns were covered by the clouds again, the light around the staffs grew stronger.
As Dalu and Eilek chatted with Turaga Anuenue, Malie glanced back towards the Great Temple and wondered why the other Turaga had asked him and his friends to divert Anuenue's attention.
"Maybe it's something to do with my brother and our Toa-friends." he mused, hurrying to catch up with his friends who were now talking with Aikane and Ferinus, "It's amazing to think we've been here nearly a year." Eilek said as everyone moved through the metru, the Toa and Turaga Anuenue pausing from time to time to chat with the other matoran
Aikane excused herself for a few minutes, then returned smiling, "Amaya says that Lewa, Tahu and Tein'a are up to something." she laughed as they continued towards the main park.
Watching her shadow twin chatting with her sister, brother and friends, Aikane softly giggled as Anuenue commented, "Smooth switch."
Returning back to the great Temple, Aikane joined the Turaga and watched, the light around their staffs was slowly moving towards the heads of the staffs, Aikane then stepped closer and placed her hands over the brightly glowing staff heads.
A blue glow emanated from Aikane's palms and covered the Turagas' staffs for a few moments before both faded away, Turaga Dume caught Aikane before she could faint and helped her to sit down, then turned back to see what had appeared.
Balanced on the staffs of his brothers and sister were six gems, "One of each of the Toa Voya." Aikane whispered, as the Turaga carefully lifted the gems up.
xXx
Sitting meditating on the observation platform, Axonn listened as the Great Spirit spoke with him, when his presence had withdrawn, Axonn slowly came out of his trance and glanced in the direction of the Great Temple, before leaving the platform and heading down to the tower exit.
Walking across the kolhii arena, Axonn was joined by Ahonui, Laical and Reical, "We were asked by Turaga Dume to ask you to come to the Great Temple." Ahonui explained as they walked beside him, Axonn smiled then asked the twins how the lessons with Matoro were going.
A flurry of whistles and clicks followed, then as Axonn laughed, Laical translated chuckling, "Very well and it's driving Kewe nuts."
xXx
In the Po-metru desert, the Rahaga, Reshana and the Kikanalo herd were resting near Keetongu's cavern, listening anxiously to the low steady rumble coming from within.
"Will Notegeku be alright?" Reshana whispered, as Bomonga passed her a water canister, "She should be." he murmured, "We can't say for certain, Keetongu was the only one of their kind we'd ever known about." Norik added, as the tone of the steady rumble shifted in pitch slightly, before slowly fading away.
Everyone stood up, while the Kikanalo chief growled a soft enquiry as he cautiously moved closer to the cavern.
Roughly half an hour passed, then Keetongu and Notegeku emerged, both cradling a sleeping cub, roughly half the size of a matoran, Keetongu drew himself up to his full height and nodded at their waiting friends, "Come and see." Notegeku said, glancing at Reshana.
Drawing closer, Reshana gazed enchanted at the tiny version of Keetongu that slept in Notegeku's arms, cautiously she then gently stroked the tiny rahi's hand, only to have it wrap its hand tightly around her finger.
Both rahi and Toa glanced at each other, then Notegeku softly chuckled and carefully placed her cub into Reshana's arms, "We would like you and the Rahaga to name them." Keetongu announced, as the Rahaga finished looking at the cub he carried.
Seeing their surprised glances, Notegeku explained, "It is our custom to ask friends to name newborns."
"We are glad-honoured you've asked us." Iruini smiled, as the cub in Keetongu's arms awoke and squeaked in surprise at the strange ones around them, then relaxed when Keetongu and Notegeku rumbled softly in their tongue.
Reshana felt the cub she held stir, then open its eye and gaze up at her, curious as to whom this being holding him was.
Following Keetongu and Notegeku into their cavern, the Rahaga and Reshana sat on the log seat, then Notegeku coaxed the cub in Reshana's arms to let go of her finger, before lifting him up then sat beside Keetongu, who passed the other cub to her.
While Notegeku fed the cubs, the Rahaga and Reshana quietly discussed what names they should pick, a while later Keetongu brought out some fruit which he passed to them, before rejoining his mate and gently rocked his daughter.
For a while they watched their friends talking, then Notegeku murmured something to Keetongu, before going to join the Rahaga and Reshana.
They finished speaking and turned to look at her, "We've made our choices." Norik said as they stood up, Notegeku nodded, "Come and sit around us." she replied, moving back to Keetongu and the cubs.
xXx
Lewa, Tahu and Tein'a looked at their handiwork and grinned at each other, "It's just missing one thing," Tahu commented, moving closer to the table and peering at it closely, "Colour, where's Amaya?"
"I think-guess she and Kokua are with Kopaka and Pohatu. They muttered something about wait-staying in Po-metru for Reshana and the Rahaga." Lewa smiled, as he joined Tahu, Tein'a carefully touched the decoration.
"Do you think Anuenue'll like it?" he murmured, looking slightly anxious, while a slight breeze set it chiming, Tahu chuckled, patting his brother's arm.
"Yes she will, it was good of Turaga Nuju, Taka, Nixie and Suna to let us know." he replied as Lewa took out his Air-katana and prepared to fly to Po-metru, "I'll get-fetch Amaya." he grinned before taking off and disappearing into the evening sky.
xXx
Reaching the Great Temple, Axonn and the matoran entered, heading down to the main chamber with Ahonui leading the way, they reached the chamber and headed over to the Turaga and Aikane.
"Thank you for coming Axonn." Whenua smiled, putting the gem he carried away, Nokama and Onewa were sitting beside Aikane, quietly talking about what had occurred, she yawned as Laical joined them, while Reical softly talked with Nuju and Ahonui joined Vakama.
"Help Toa Aikane back to Gali's." Dume asked the matoran after they'd talked with him and Vakama for a few minutes, Ahonui, Laical and Reical nodded, then helped Aikane to stand up before leading her towards the Great Temple entrance.
When they were out of view, Turaga Onewa and Matau talked with Axonn, explaining what had taken place.
xXx
Sitting on the benches in Ga-metru main square, a group of matoran had joined Turaga Anuenue and the others and were listening to Malie as he played his flute.
Glancing around as he played, Malie spotted Ahonui and the twins helping Aikane towards the Toas' home, finishing the tune, he gestured to Ferinus and Aikane's shadow twin.
"When did you swap places?" Ferinus asked, as he and Aikane's shadow twin went to help their exhausted sister and friends, "When Aikane excused herself to speak with Amaya." she softly replied, linking arms with Aikane, as she blinked sleepily at them.
"We'll look after Aikane." Ferinus murmured to Ahonui and the twins, who nodded then watched them enter Gali's home, before joining Anuenue and Malie.
"Easy sister, we're nearly there." Ferinus murmured, as Aikane stumbled, unable to stop yawning, "I haven't felt like this since healing Ahonui." the violet hued Toa yawned, her head drooping wearily as they entered her room.
Ferinus and Aikane's shadow twin had just reached her bed, when Aikane sighed and fell asleep, Ferinus supported his sleeping sister while her shadow twin pulled the blanket back then helped him get Aikane comfortable, before placing the blanket over her.
"What ever happened in the Great Temple must have been important for the Great Spirit to act through Aikane." her shadow twin quietly commented as they left the room and walked towards the main room, "I'll stay around for a while." she added, grinning at Ferinus, he chuckled and tapped her fist before they left Gali's and rejoined the others.
xXx
It was nearly dark when Lewa reached the main square in Po-metru and tapped on Pohatu's door, "Toa Lewa," came a shout, "They've gone to the remote chute station to wait for the Rahaga and Reshana." Hewkii explained as he reached the Toa of Air.
"Hmm, it's too late to fly-soar back to Ta-metru. Is the chute still busy-active?" Lewa asked, sitting on the bench and indicating that Hewkii should join him, "I'm not sure, usually the one on duty has gone home by now." Hewkii replied, waving to Rahal, Velika and Olcas as they crossed the square.
"You're welcome to spend the night at any of our homes." Rahal commented, Lewa smiled, "Thank you, but I'll wait-stay in Pohatu's." he replied, then chuckled, "It'll suprise-startle him." the matoran agreed laughing, then bowed to Lewa before heading for their homes.
When Ferinus and Aikane's shadow twin returned, they chatted with Turaga Anuenue while she and Malie went to her home, Ahonui and the twins had gone to friends homes.
"I think you should stay with Aikane until Gali returns from the archives." Anuenue commented, as she, Ferinus and Malie finished eating Aikane's shadow twin quietly examined the partially finished weaving Anuenue did in her spare time and rubbed Wotzit's ears, while waiting for Ferinus to join her.
"It's a nice design." she murmured, after agreeing with Ferinus, Turaga Anuenue smiled, "It'll look better when it's finished."
Watching them head back to Gali's, Anuenue smiled at Malie as he 'spoke', "Maybe they will come back later." she replied, as they then headed over to Nokama's to wait for her and the others to return.
xXx
Axonn nodded when Turaga Dume finished telling him what had occurred, "So it is time for the Toa Voya to choose their weapons." he replied as everyone made their way out the Great Temple.
"Yes, I've overheard Hakinu and Lerihua wondering what kind of weapons they'd use if they were ever in a fight." Onewa replied as they left the Great Temple and headed across the causeway.
"Anuenue and Malie are to be present when they make their choices." Vakama suddenly said, a smile flickering across his mask as he came out of a vision, the other Turaga looked surprised, while Axonn hid a tiny smile. "Anuenue, I can understand, but Malie?" Whenua murmured as they reached the end of the causeway and headed through the park towards the main square, Nokama's and Gali's homes as the stars grew brighter.
Having listened to Keetongu and Notegeku explain what they had to do, the Rahaga and Reshana followed them outside before sitting in a circle.
Carefully Keetongu and Notegeku placed the cubs in the centre of the circle and stepped back, then said something in their tongue, the cubs squeaked softly as they rolled over onto their fronts.
Several minutes passed as the moons rose higher, bathing the area in silvery light, then the cubs looked around at those watching them before starting to crawl towards Reshana.
The one she'd cuddled paused to let his sister catch up, then both crawled onto Reshana's lap and gazed up at her, leaning closer Reshana found she couldn't take her eyes from the waiting cubs.
"Your name is Naneki." she whispered to the male cub, "And yours is Keliana." Reshana whispered to his sister, the cubs squeaked happily and cuddled closer to Reshana.
xXx
"I know, but I definitely saw Malie standing beside Matau while his brother chose his weapons." Vakama calmly replied as they reached the main square. Approaching the side where Nokama's, Anuenue's and Gali's homes were the Turaga and Axonn smiled when they were met by Ferinus, Anuenue and Malie.
"Aikane still sleeps." Ferinus replied when Nokama enquired as to how she was, while the others entered her home, Axonn then went with Ferinus into Gali's.
Several minutes later Nokama was sitting in Anuenue's home talking and after Malie had bid them good night, she explained what had occurred in the Great Temple.
Turaga Anuenue nodded as they walked to the door, "Sounds like the next few days will be interesting." she murmured, bidding her sister good night.
xXx
Sitting by their camp-fire, Pohatu, Kokua, Amaya and Kopaka quietly talked about the Rahaga asking Reshana to join them at Keetongu's cavern.
"Is it me or do the stars look brighter tonight?" Pohatu commented, as they finished eating, the others glanced up then agreed, "I think it's a special night," Kokua murmured, "Something joyous is happening."
Kopaka then moved to where they'd left the blankets and sorted them out, a few moments later Amaya joined him and helped to carry them back.
Spreading the blankets out everyone settled down as the fire slowly burnt out and watched the stars wheeling through the sky until one by one they fell asleep, Kokua was the last and as her eyes closed, she smiled as the northern lights began to flicker and dance.
xXx
Aikane could hear Turaga Lhikan speaking with someone and slowly opened her eyes, then sat up, sitting with Lhikan was a Turaga she'd never seen before and nearby was a Ga-matoran spirit with a leaf pattern down the left side of her mask.
"It is an honour to meet you Toa Aikane." Turaga Reòta murmured as he and Solis bowed to her, Solis moved to sit closer to Aikane and after several minutes shyly asked how Malie was.
Aikane was about to reply when she noticed two more sleeping spirits appearing, "Why don't you ask him?" she replied smiling, while Anuenue's and Malie's spirits woke and realized where they were.
"MALIE!" Solis squealed delighted, rushing over to him, while they hugged, Anuenue hid a grin and joined her sister and Lhikan, who introduced Turaga Reòta to her.
"Toa Nahele let me watch you from time to time." Solis whispered as she and Malie went over to Aikane and the Turaga, Malie grinned then 'told' Solis the garland she'd given him was still fresh.
Glancing over at Malie and Solis as she giggled, Reòta chuckled, "After the first time they met again, Solis was singing for ages."
"And kept brushing her hand over the flower Malie'd tucked into her mask." a new voice added, as a pale turquoise Toa entered the clearing.
After introducing herself, Namis sat beside Aikane, after talking for a while Namis then went to speak with the Turaga, Aikane quietly watched them for a while before moving to sit beside Malie and Solis.
After she'd whispered to them, they glanced at each other surprised then stood up, bowed to Namis and the Turaga before taking Aikane's hands and walking into the mist.
xXx
Keetongu and Notegeku looked at each other smiling as Reshana named their cubs, "You chose well." he then murmured to Norik, as he glanced up at the golden rahi and his green/gold mate.
"Oh look!" Gaaki whispered amazed, a soft blue glow was surrounding Reshana, Naneki and Keliana, the cubs squeaked curiously before reaching out to try and touch the bright figure who now sat beside them.
The Great Spirit smiled as Naneki and Keliana managed to crawl into his lap then snuggled together and fell asleep.
While everyone watched awed, Mata Nui rested his hands on the sleeping cubs heads before carefully placing them back in Reshana's arms, then he smiled enigmatically as the light began to obscure his form.
When the light faded away, Iruini and Kualus went over to Reshana as she gently rocked Naneki and Keliana, lifted them up and carried them back to Notegeku and Keetongu.
xXx
Glancing at Aikane, Malie and Solis as the mist hid them from sight, Anuenue listened as Reòta began to tell me what Mata Nui had said roughly a year ago.
While Turaga Anuenue talked with Lhikan and Reòta, Namis watched the rainbow sparks that danced over Anuenue's form, "Namis, please join my daughter." a whisper reached her, startled Namis glanced around, slowly shifted back into the mist then standing up she quietly moved in the direction Aikane, Malie and Solis had taken.
Turaga Lhikan noticed Namis moving into the mist but stayed quiet, knowing she had her reasons he continued chatting with Reòta and Anuenue.
"How are the other spirit Toa?" Anuenue asked after they'd talked for a while, Lhikan grinned, "They're fine, even though they were told to stay in the spirit realm." Lhikan chuckled remembering how frustrated the spirit Toa had been.
"Toa Aikane where are we going?" Solis asked as they walked through the mist, Aikane smiled but said nothing, Malie caught Solis's eye and shrugged, as he grinned Solis giggled, then murmured surprised as they entered a clearing in the mist.
"It's the meadow." Aikane heard Solis murmur, as they walked over to where the Great Spirit waited, "Namis will be joining us, daughter." he silently told Aikane as she and the matoran bowed to him.
Sitting down, Mata Nui beckoned Malie and Solis to come closer, unsure Solis glanced at Aikane, she nodded smiling as Malie tugged Solis's hand.
Watching as they drew closer, Aikane glanced at Namis as she entered the clearing and joined her, "Sister what's happening?" Namis whispered, as Solis and Malie sat in front of the Great Spirit and gazed up at him.
"I'm unsure, Father wouldn't let me know." Aikane whispered back, they then watched as Mata Nui talked to Malie and Solis.
"Is it really true what Nahele says about Turaga Anuenue?" Namis asked curiously then told Aikane what their brother had told her, Aikane chuckled then gestured to where a blue glow had hidden the Great Spirit and matoran from sight.
Solis watched stunned as a blue glow hid them from Aikane and Namis, then Mata Nui lifted Malie up and whispered to him, Malie nodded, yawning, then the Great Spirit set him down and lifted Solis up.
By the time he'd finished, both spirits were deeply asleep, while the glow vanished Mata Nui smiled as Aikane and Namis drew closer to him, "They have an interesting journey ahead." he commented enigmatically, while Aikane lifted Malie's spirit up and Namis did likewise with Solis.
Carrying their friends sleeping spirits, Aikane and Namis chatted about how the matoran and Toa Voya had settled, rejoining Lhikan, Reòta and Anuenue, Aikane and Namis gently placed Malie and Solis down, then told their friends what they had seen.
When they'd finished Aikane suddenly yawned feeling sleepy, "I feel the same, sister." Anuenue laughed softly as she moved to sit beside Malie and Solis.
Watching Aikane as she drifted back to sleep, the rainbow hued Turaga smiled as her and Malie's spirits returned to their bodies, then watched Solis, who stretched and woke up.
"Please could you give Malie a hug from me." she whispered, blushing deeply as Lhikan and Reòta smiled, "Of course I will and this is for you." Anuenue replied, fastening a bracelet of blue, silver and green around her wrist.
Stunned and delighted Solis hugged Turaga Anuenue, then watched as the rainbow hued spirit fell asleep and returned to her body.
xXx
After passing Keliana to Notegeku, Keetongu went over to where Reshana still knelt and helped her up, while Notegeku asked the Rahaga to follow her.
Re-entering the cavern, Keetongu helped the Rahaga and Reshana prepare piles of moss then everyone quietly had supper and talked about the Great Spirit's appearance, "That has never happened before." Keetongu murmured.
As everyone began to settle on the piles of moss the cubs started squeaking, after several moments Notegeku glanced in the direction they were reaching, "Do you mind?" she asked Reshana.
"No, it's alright." Reshana softly replied nodding, Keetongu and Notegeku carried Naneki and Keliana over to Reshana's make-shift bed and carefully placed the cubs down, squeaking happily they snuggled tight against Reshana and promptly fell asleep."Looks like you've been adopted." Pouks chuckled as Reshana carefully got comfy, managing not to disturb Naneki and Keliana, the other Rahaga agreed grinning broadly, then drifted off to sleep.
"It's alright Reshana," Notegeku murmured, shifting her moss pile closer to the one Reshana now shared, "This did happen sometimes, the cubs wanting to spend their first night with the one who named them."
"My dam once mentioned I did the same." Keetongu added softly, gazing over at them and the sleeping cubs, then smiled as Reshana fell asleep, her arms encircling Naneki and Keliana.
Notegeku murmured quietly in their tongue, as Keetongu pushed his bedding against hers and settled down, he nodded, yawned and took Notegeku's hand as they both fell asleep, watching their cubs.