The landscape passed quickly as we raced as quick-fast as we could towards where Tahu and Aikane fought against a pair of the odd-strangest Rahkshi I'd ever seen. Suddenly we were caught-grabbed by another six of them, we fought-struggled but they were too strong. One then grab-took my Air-katana before tying me up tightly, that Rahkshi then disarmed and bound Tahu and Aikane. Then day-sky grew darker as Makuta moved out from the shadows and began laughing...

"No!" Sherrie yelled, sitting up in bed before getting her bearings and looked around for the clock, "1.45? These nightmares are something else." she grumbled, wandering through to the kitchen for a drink. "That's the eighth time in as many nights," she muttered as Wotzit looked up from his beanbag, "It's all right kipper features, you go back to sleep."

As Sherrie snuggled back under the duvet, she wondered why she'd was having dreams from the viewpoint of each of the Toa. Drifting back to sleep she never noticed that the symbol on her palm had begun glowing.

xXx

The next thing she became aware of was sunlight shining in her face and drowsily turned over before yelping as she nearly tumbled out of the hammock she was in. Rubbing her eyes Sherrie caught sight of an inquisitive gukko bird peering through the window nearest her. It trilled when it noticed Sherrie was awake then pulled away to reveal that she was in Le-koro. After glancing around the room she was in, Sherrie grabbed her clothing and quickly got dressed before going outside to see where everyone was.

When Sherrie reached the platform at the centre of the aerial village, she was puzzled as to where everyone could be, for apart from the gukko perched nearby watching her, the village was empty. Slowly approaching the gukko so as not to spook it, Sherrie suddenly realized who his rider was and smiled with relief, "Ka, can you carry me to where Kongu and the others are please?" she asked, reaching out to scratch his head feathers. At the mention of his rider's name, Ka gave a melodic trill and lowered his wings so that the human could climb on and after making certain she was holding on tightly shot off of the platform, circling upwards before heading for the Kini Nui.

It didn't take long for Ka to reach the area around the Kini Nui and he came into land by the edge of the jungle. Slipping from his back Sherrie was about to thank him when he glanced sharply over at some shaking bushes before relaxing slightly as the familiar form of Pewku scuttled out. "What's going on?" the human muttered, rubbing Pewku's shell as she nudged her anxiously. Silently scolding herself for not thinking of it sooner, Sherrie closed her eyes and concentrated, "Aikane, Gali can you hear me?"

Several minutes later, just as Sherrie was beginning to fret a faint whisper reached her, "Pewku knows where we are. Hurry and be careful sister." Now worried, the human scrambled onto Pewku's back, "Aikane said you know where to go." she said. With a chirrup Pewku turned neatly and, with Ka flying overhead, they headed in the direction of the area between Le- and Ta-wahi. As they travelled, Sherrie noticed they were wary, keeping close to the Le-wahi side while peering around cautiously.

Roughly two hours later, Sherrie could see the beach coming into view, then her companions stopped and glanced towards an area where large slabs of solidified lava were scattered and piled up against each other. As they shifted nervously Sherrie spotted movement in the shadow of a gap in one pile and realized it was someone approaching.

The figure peered around before looking at us gesturing that they should hurry. On reaching the lava slabs, Ka dipped down and zoomed into the tunnel hidden from view closely followed by Pewku.

Ahonui smiled with relief when Sherrie slid from Pewku's back to hug him, "It's good to see you're all right, I was asked to keep watch for you, please follow me." he said as Ka and Pewku went ahead down the tunnel without waiting for them.

After walking for a short while, they entered a large cavern with several side tunnels, in which unmined lightstones shone in the gloom. Towards the back of the cavern was a fire around which the Toa were sat around along with three of the Turaga. Drawing closer Sherrie noticed that the Turaga looked anxious as they watched the Toa.

Nearby Hahli, Jaller, Kongu and Hewkii tended to Pewku and Ka while casting glances over to those around the fire and smiling greetings to Sherrie.

Approaching the fire, Ahonui led the human over to the fire as Nokama glanced up and smiled with relief, "When Aikane said you would return we asked Ka and Pewku to keep watch for you." she said while she and the other Turaga climbed to their feet and moved to join the pair, "Come and sit down, there is much to explain." Dume added as they returned to the fire. While sitting down, Sherrie glanced at the Toa, a renewed sense of unease running up her spine.

The Toa looked as though they were half asleep, but when Aikane slowly smiled the human suddenly understood why it had taken so long for her to reply to her call earlier. After hugging her and Gali, Sherrie sat back with the Turaga, between Nokama and Nuju and listened as Dume explained what had occurred nine days ago.

"We had returned to bring some of the stones from the Kini Nui. But before we could get started, the Toa were attacked by some strange Rahkshi..."

"No..." the gasp escaped the human before she could prevent it and she glanced over at her friends before looking back at the Turaga as Matau voiced his concern. Then all listened as Sherrie spoke about the nightmares she'd had for the past eight days.

If it hadn't been for the crackling of the fire once she'd finished speaking, you could have heard a pin drop then they heard Gali whisper, "They stole our energy somehow."

"Nothing the Turaga have tried has enabled us to regain it." Aikane added before yawning, they then glanced over to Tahu as he murmured, "Our masks are unaffected, but we are unable to use them."

"It took nearly all of Tahu's strength to make the spark that started this fire." Dume as while Sherrie peered at the rest of the Toa. Lewa and Onua were lent against each other while Pohatu and Tahu were slumped against the wall nearest the fire. Kopaka, Takanuva, Gali and Aikane were just able to sit upright but not much more. "Where are Vakama, Nuju, Onewa and Whenua?" she asked having not seen any sign of them in the cavern, "They are with the other matoran, starting the rebuilding of Metru Nui." Dume replied as Aikane fell asleep.

"We've been looking for a solution for the past few days." Nokama said when the matoran joined them before settling beside their Toa while the Turaga softly talked about things they hadn't tried. "Hey," Turaga Matau's voice broke into Sherrie's worried thoughts and she glanced at him curiously, "Hmm?"

"Your hand is glow-shining." he murmured calling everyone's attention to my right hand where the glow was quite bright, "I wonder..." Sherrie murmured, scrambling to her feet and moving to crouch beside Aikane and turned her right hand palm upwards. The symbol there was a dull grey as Sherrie placed her hand over Aikane's and waited to see what, if anything, would happen.

For a few minutes nothing seemed to happen, then Sherrie managed to relax and whistled softly as first light then energy flowed between the symbols. After a short while the energy ceased flowing and when she took her hand away from Aikane's the symbol there looked a little brighter as the violet Toa's eyes flickered open, "Thank you sis, but it's only temporary." she murmured.

"How long do you think it will last?" Sherrie asked giving her violet hued sister a hug before sitting beside her as the Turaga murmured similar questions while the matoran looked amazed, "Not as long as I'd like. You have a tough path ahead of you sis." she commented while returning the hug before settling back as the energy drained from her and she swiftly fell asleep.

The Turaga exchanged glances and then Dume stood up and offered the concerned human his hand, "Come with us, the matoran will keep watch over the Toa." Accepting it, Sherrie climbed to her feet and followed them over to one of the unlit tunnels. Matau handed the human a lightstone, showing her how to brighten it, and they headed into the tunnel.

A while later they reached a part of the tunnel that widened and the Turaga led Sherrie over to one side then Nokama broke the silence, ""It was Kongu who found these carvings while scouting around." Carved into the wall was an image of the Great Spirit and beneath a carving of the Bionicle symbol. As the silence fell again and they looked at the carvings, Sherrie thought, "I'll do whatever it takes to help my brothers and sisters regain their strength and energy." then yelped as the symbol on the wall and the one on her hand suddenly blazed brightly, startling them all.

Glancing around at the startled Turaga, Sherrie glanced at her hand then cautiously moved towards the glowing carving and placed her hand over it, ready to jump back to safety just in case. The light grew to a blinding intensity before fading slowly away.

When they could finally see clearly, they murmured in surprise at the quarter-staff the human now held, unlike Aikane's it was tricoloured and slightly shorterthan the human. As she offered it to Matau to examine, the realization dawned on Sherrie that she now also knew how to fight with it.

After the other Turaga had also examined the quarter-staff, they started back to the cavern when Sherrie glanced back and thought she saw a spark of blue light fading from the eyes of the carving as she watched.

"Hey sleepy head, you can dream-think soon." Matau commented as he shook my shoulder, "Sorry Turaga, it's all bewildering." Sherrie murmured before stifling a yawn as they followed the others. As they caught up the human was using her staff to help her leg and she smiled at the chiming sound it made as it touched the ground.

On reaching the end of the tunnel, they were met by the matoran, "We saw a blue light and wondered if you were all right." Jaller explained as the Turaga and human joined them.

While the Turaga reassured the matoran, Sherrie headed back to where Aikane and Gali slept and knelt between them, placing her quarter-staff in front of her and she whispered, "Sisters, I will do whatever it takes to help you all."

After hugging them Sherrie returned to where the Turaga were and as she sat down heard Aikane whisper, "I will be with you in spirit sister."

"I looked outside Turaga, it's starting to grow dark." Ahonui reported before rejoined his friends watching over the Toa. "So that gives you time to sleep-rest and your journey-quest begins tomorrow." Matau said quietly.

They were talking about how the rebuilding of Metru Nui was going when there was a sudden flash of multi coloured light and a Kanoka disc landed before Sherrie. Instinctively those awake glanced up at the ceiling then watched as the human lent forward to pick the Kanoka disc up. A soft chuckle escaped her, as the disc began to glow turning her skin leaf green, and was echoed by the Turaga as her skin resumed its natural tones. "Right we should try and get some rest." Dume said quietly, cutting across Matau's comments and drawing agreement from Nokama and Ahonui, whom failed to stifle a yawn before crashing on a rough bed beside Pewku. No long after all those who'd stayed up had settled down on their beds, Sherrie curled up between Matau and Dume, nestled under a couple of spare blankets.

Some hours later the human felt someone shaking her shoulder and opened her eyes to find Kongu peering at her, "Turaga Matau says it's time for you to quick-start." he explained while Sherrie sipped at the drink he'd handed her. Once she'd finished, he led her over to the Turaga, matoran and Pewku who were standing by the tunnel leading to the surface. As Sherrie reached them, Matau switched to his Matatu and lifted her onto Pewku's back before Dume passed her two bags, one with food and the other with the colour changing Kanoka disc, "Pewku insisted on helping you," Nokama explained as the ussal crab bobbed excitedly, "Now take care and remember what Mata Nui told you." Dume added, managing a brief smile as Sherrie nodded and smiled back before looking over to the Toa, most of whom were still asleep. Kopaka blinked and then muttered, "Trust yourself."

Nodding, Sherrie turned to face the direction Pewku was facing. "Hang on, you'll want-need this." Matau said holding out the human's quarter-staff, "Good luck on your search-quest and quick-speed back." he added stepping back to stand beside Dume and Nokama, "I will, heart-promise."

Pewku started up the tunnel and Sherrie peered over her shoulder, watching her friends until a bend in the tunnel blocked the view. As they approached the tunnel entrance, Pewku slowed down and peered around before cautiously moving out from the tunnel before swiftly dashing into the bushes where she froze.

Wondering what had spooked her, Sherrie peered around then stilled as a peculiar whooshing noise rapidly approached and one of the Rahkshi from her nightmares dropped to the ground between Le- and Ta-wahi.

Carefully peering through the leaves, Sherrie watched the Rahkshi trying to work out what was different before stifling a curse as she twigged it. This Rahkshi had wings and was at least a third bigger in size than usual. It looked around as another landed beside it and hissed something at the one who'd just landed. The pair stood there hissing at each other for several minutes and then the first one took flight while the second began examining the ground around it.

Slowly slipping her hand into the bag, Sherrie located the colour changing disc and gripped it while concentrating on it turning Pewku and herself the same hues as the foliage around them. On glancing down, Sherrie smiled briefly, relieved that it had worked as the Rahkshi had reached the edge of Le-wahi, it stopped and stared, looking through the trees.

It stood there scanning its surroundings for what felt like ages, though it was only a few minutes, then it hissed with annoyance and leapt into the air. Sherrie waited a few minutes more and then took her hand from the bag before glancing around. Feeling that they should head deeper into Le-wahi, she was about to tell Pewku when suddenly there was the sound of breaking branches and a dirty blue/black Rahkshi tried to grab the human.

"Pewku run!"

The ussal crab needed no encouragement as Sherrie clung tightly to her shell and they charged through the undergrowth, "We need to find somewhere low." she managed to call out as the Rahkshi kept falling behind as it got stuck in the trees and vines. Risking a glance back, Sherrie noticed that there was something in a cage hanging around the Rahkshi's neck. It was a fiery red hued sphere of light and somehow she knew it was Tahu's missing energy, "Pewku do you know where the vines grow thickest around here? We need to get that chain from that Rahkshi."

Her reply sounded hopeful as she kept going until the sound of thrashing and angered hissing came from behind them. Cautiously, Pewku retracing her steps they found the Rahkshi was now completely entangled and looked unable to get them. Sliding from Pewku's back, Sherrie began cautiously moving closer before glancing back at her, "I'll see if I can retrieve that sphere. Be ready to run."

Slowly moving closer to the entangled Rahkshi as it hissed and tried to free itself to lash out, the human examined the trees closest to the Rahkshi then began climbing the nearest. Moving out along a sturdy branch Sherrie clumsily reached out with her quarter-staff and after a few tries hooked the chain and lifted it from around the Rahkshi's neck. "Catch." she called out throwing the chain and cage towards Pewku, whom caught it neatly as Sherrie scrambled back down and the Rahkshi redoubled its efforts to break loose snapping several vines.

Scrambling back onto Pewku's shell, Sherrie accepted the chain from her and muttered, "We need to get outta here sharpish." just as the Rahkshi began shrieking to alert its fellow Rahkshi.

"We'd better find somewhere to hide and fast." the comment escaped Sherrie as the Rahkshi's cries were answered by three others fast approaching. With an agreeing chirp Pewku charged through the undergrowth as fast as she could until they suddenly found themselves in a cave just tall enough for them.

Moving to what they assumed was the back of the cave, Sherrie slid from Pewku's back and they stood there watching the entrance waiting to see what would happen. A badly stifled yelp escaped the human as one of the Rahkshi thrust its arm into the cave trying to grab either of them.

Moving nervously back, the pair suddenly realized it was a tunnel they were in. Thinking quickly, Sherrie handed the chain and cage to Pewku, "Take this back to the others, I'm sure you can easily find your way. I'll distract them." When she chittered worriedly, Sherrie whispered while pulling the remaining bag from her back, "You're much faster than me and if they think I still have it they'll stay here. Now go on."

Still looking unhappy about leaving me alone, Pewku headed down the tunnel while Sherrie looked around the floor and grinned on spotting a stone the same size as the sphere. While she kept a wary eye on the tunnel entrance, Sherrie fished the Kanoka disc out and placed the stone on it before concentrating on making the stone match the sphere.

Several minutes later Sherrie rolled the altered stone back onto the ground, then stowed the disc away as a Rahkshi tried to get into the cave. Glancing at the entrance, the human could see that all four were there as they started hissing amongst themselves, then one crouched to glare into the cave at her. It then hissed something and the others did likewise, three of them reminded Sherrie of Turahk, Lerahk and Panrahk, the fourth was the one she'd taken the sphere from. They shifted back from the entrance and Panrahk began striking at the entrance with its staff.

Grabbing the second bag up, Sherrie backed toward the tunnel while watching the entrance to make certain the Rahkshi were too busy urging Panrahk on. So intent was the human on watching the Rahkshi, that she never realized that the tunnel had diverged into two and only found out when the floor seemed to vanish from beneath her feet and she fell heavily, striking her head against something and knew nothing more.