Beach of Mata Nui, Takua(Takanuva)'s POV

I stared at the night sky, admiring the stars that littered the darkness.

This was one of the rare times I had to myself, it seemed that I'd recently been in company with either one or more of the Toa, or Turaga Vakama. I cared for my brothers and sister and Turaga Vakama dearly, but I had begun to feel jumpy, as I always did when one would touch me.

'I'm a Toa now, I can't keep cowering in fear!' I reminded myself angerily.

But no matter what, I just couldn't escape the grasp...

The grip my past held so firmly on me.

No one would guess that I was putting up an act, no one knew my past, not even Jaller knew.

And I intended to keep it that way.

I sighed deeply, folding my hands behind my head as a pillow while the sand shifted beneath me.

"I can't believe how long it's been..." I murmured to myself. It was true, despite being young by Matoran and Toa standards, I had been around when Metru Nui was still a beautiful city.

Or at least beautiful to everyone but me.

I jumped, gasping as someone lay next to me. I quickly sat up and looked over.

It was Gali.

"T-Toa Gali!"

She laughed, turning her head to look at me.

"I see you still haven't gotten use to the idea of calling me sister. Why so surprised brother?"

"I-I...u-uh!...W-what are you doing here Toa Ga-...sister?" I asked, stumbling over my own words. She again laughed.

"I prefer to travel along the shore when heading to Ta-Koro, please, by all means, continue to watch the stars." She said, and I smiled slightly. I then laid back down, regaining my previous position.

"It seems you too are quite a ways from your village." She commented.

"I needed some time to think, and relax. I've had brother Tahu and Turaga Vakama by my side since...since..."

"You became the Toa of Light." Gali finished for me, and I nodded.

"I know it is overwhelming at first, but soon they'll leave you be. It was the same for all of us brother."

That may have been the same for us all, but our pasts were as different as night and day.

I forced a smile for Gali, then turned my head to look at the stars again. I saw her brow furrow in concern in the corner of my eye. So I pointed at the sky.

"Have you ever wondered how many stars are out there?"

She smiled slightly.

"Turaga Nokama says there are more stars than grains of sand. So there are more than we could ever imagine." Gali then looked at me as I yawned widely, laughing slightly.

"Go ahead and rest, brother. I'll keep watch, and we can both travel to Ta-Koro together in the morning."

I slowly nodded as I curled on my side, falling into a deep sleep.

Dream, 3rd POV

A young Matoran was cowering in the corner of a dark room.

Blood leaked from wounds covering his body, and he cried blood instead of salty tears. His blue mask was cracked, and a scrap of metal was pircing his arm.

He was only a child.

The door slamed open and a figure moved into the room before the door was slammed shut again and locked.

"Pl-please! I-I-I won't b-be bad anymore! P-PLEASE!"

Dream end, Takua(Takanuva)'s POV

I screamed, sitting up as my eyes opened.

"Takanuva?"

I looked quickly to my side, and saw Gali. Her eyes showed concern, then I realized it was all just a nightmare.

A terrible, terrible nightmare.

I was on the beach of Mata Nui, and I was with Gali, Toa of water. I took a few deep breaths, my feverish panting fading away, and I managed a shakey smile.

"I-I'm fine, just a bad dream."

I could tell she knew something was wrong, but she nodded. I stood, offering a hand to her, she accepted it and I pulled her to her feet.

"We should begin towards Ta-Koro, if we do not run into any trouble, we should be there by midday." She said, stretching her arms upwards. I nodded, thinking that sounded just about right. We both then started off along the shore line towards Ta-Koro in a comfortable silence.

The shadows that were cast by the tree's that lined the shores edge brought memories back. Of how they'd use to be my friend, how I could always hide in their dark, cool embrace.

"Brother? Brother!"

I blinked in surprise as someone jastled me out of my thoughts. I looked over and saw Gali, who was deeply concerned. I then realized I'd stopped walking and was meerly looking into the dark morning shadows of the forest.

I gave a small smile in an attempt to calm her.

"Sorry, sister. I was just thinking." I mumbled before continuing on, leaving Gali to follow.