Chapter 2

Being chosen.

Lena woke up slowly. Her head hurt and her body felt solid and stiff.

She didn't move.

She knew what had happened and she knew what that likely meant.

But she still didn't move.

Movement would make others know she was awake.

She had to stay still and do what she did best.

Listen.

Rahi, twisted and mutilated, but Rahi none the less were here, and they were here under the control of the Shadow children.

She could hear them all groaning and moaning in pain... she heard the heavy chains dragged by sore and unsteady feet...

This was torture.

"Why isn't the brat awake yet?!" a cruel and cold voice snarled. "I wanna beat some damn answers out of her!"

"She will awake when she awakes, be patient Piraka Hakann." Another smoother voice stated, "We need her unharmed and alive, so you will have to find someone else to 'beat'." It added and Lena felt something close to her, on the left side with an odd scent to it. "Come away from her, my pet... she is of little threat while in that cocoon." The voice added and the thing moved away.

A Visorak...

Yet Lena knew there was no venom near her, she'd have felt the effects by now...

A low hiss, click and growl like sound all mixed into one came next and Lena knew there was at least one of the Rahkshi nearby.

"No Vorahk, you are not allowed to kill the other matron. I need them all live if we are to complete our mission." The smooth voiced one said again.

"She's waking up." Another voice said as the cocoon began to shake around her.

"And right on cue, those new Toa just arrived." Hakann snarled. "I wanna crush things!" he added as the sound of many running feet made Lena relax just a little as she faked coming out of it.

"Ow... ow..." she wined, trying to shake her helm.

"I do hope you will not hold that little whack on the head against me," the smooth voiced one said and Lena found herself looking at a black and silver Hordika, "I couldn't have you screaming all the way here you would have scared my pet."

"What... do you want?" she asked, trying to hide the fear in her voice.

"Currently, nothing, but in a few minutes, I will need Your Toa friends to die." He said, petting the Visorak on his shoulder. "You were the bait for this trap my dear and I am not about to let this plan of ours be ruined."

Lena shuddered. "You can't kill Toa-heroes." She stated.

"Oh you would be surprised, my dear," the Hordika chuckled turning away, "watch her." he said to his pet as the shadows started to come closer to Lena.

Lena wiggled in her cocoon, trying to see where she was before the light faded.

Then a small Light Stone was placed near to her and the dim light showed the Visorak had placed it there and was now stood on the wall beside her.

It didn't move very much, instead just stood still as stone and watched the doors, now and then, it would twitch, but never did it move from her side.

It was smaller than other Visorak she had seen and likely much younger too... it didn't look very strong, but neither did a lot of Insectoids... she also noticed this particular Visorak was green and black...

A Hybrid of the two breeds maybe?

"D... do you have a name?" She asked and the Visorak looked at her as she spoke and dipped its head down in a nod before it clicked and hissed at her. "Nipper?" the Visorak dipped again.

"What will happen to my friends...?" she asked.

Nipper looked away then looked at the shadows around them, clicking and chattering at her as the room seemed to shake.

"Are you not scared?" She asked and Nipper chattered then looked up and began to scurry away. "Wait! Where are you going?!" She called after it as the light stone began to dim. "Wait!"

"Lena!?"

Jinso's voice came before the light shone through the now broken doors, and the cocoon was all but ripped off her. "Lena, are you alright?" Heso asked as he helped her down from the cocoon and gently checked her over.

"I'm good-ok... what happening?" she asked as Jinso grabbed her wrists and dragged her from the room and out into the light. "Jinso?"

"The Toa are winning... we are going to be free of the shadows." Heso stated. "We will have the temple back."

"No! It's a trick-trap!" Lena cried, "They have to leave-go! NOW!"

"What are you talking about?" Jinso asked, "Look, the shadows are leaving-"

"It's a trick!" Lena insisted twisting free of her sister's grip and rushing back towards the Toa.

"Lena no!" Nohe screamed as Lena pulled a catapult from her side and fired small stones and rocks at the attacking Piraka.

Just as Danako spotted an attack aimed for him and his fellow Toa from above, "Brothers! Above!" He yelled before diving aside.

The black and silver Hordika growled. "Hold still!"

"Not a chance, Hodraki." Jinana snarled back, "Kela, Henta with me, Danako-"

"On it." Danako said already putting on a show to kee the Piraka away from Lena as she was pulled away by her siblings towards the door.

"Toa! Is trap!" Lena kept repeating as they continued to fight.

Danako landed and sliced at the Piraka. "We know Lena." He said as they at last reached outside. "We've known from the start, Hodraki will kill all of us to gain his title as general..." he explained. "But he hasn't counted on you all being brave enough to stand and fight."

"What?" Nohe asked.

Danako smiled and pointed up. "Look-see for your selves." Before turning away to rejoin his brothers.

"You heart-swore..."

Danako smiled sadly and knelt down as Lena clutched his leg. "Toa live on, everlasting is their power and everlasting is their heart... I heart-swore to do my Toa-duty... and if duty calls for my passing... then my duty I will do." he said gently ruffling her helm. "Be heart-brave, Lena. Mata-Nui will be with you."

Lena gave a silent nod and let Danako's leg go before looking up to where he had been, seeing six stars staring to burn brighter and brighter above them.

"Spirit stars..." she breathed, knowing what it meant she looked back at the temple. "Mata-Nui... please..."

Moments later, there was a burning bright light that erupted from inside the temple and encased the whole island.

Barren, ash covered lands became beautiful, open fields, filled with flowers, crops and food, broken charred ground on the mountain sides were repaired and the snow fell calm and soft, the ocean rage, calmed and began a steady rise and fall of tides, ruined and broken forest became lush, wild jungle and the caves swam with warmth, light and joy.

Then all went dark for Lena.

"Be heart-brave, Lena. Mata-Nui will be with you... and so will I..."

They trembled and shuddered in fear as their master stood over them, anger burning from his eyes. "You mean to tell me, that no less that FOUR Toa, weak and without their siblings, were able to beat Thirteen of you!?"

"Yes..." squeaked one of the Piraka.

"YOU FOOLS!" their master screamed in outrage, as the six Piraka were turned into piles of broken parts. "And as for you, Hodraki."

"Wait! Master please, one last chance, I swear I can-"

"I do not want to hear anymore of your pleadings fool, you have been given more than enough chances to bring me the island's treasured Mask and you have failed. I will hear no more of your excuses." The master snarled as Hodraki was hit by unseen power, his whole body changed and burned from within and changed by the shadows.

The Rahkshi were still, silent and heads down, waiting to be punished for their failings, but no strike came to them, as a small, almost unseen creature clicked and chattered.

The burning eyes turned to the sound as Nipper, half dragged himself into the shadows, heaving himself up onto a raised step before the eyes and delicately placing something small and shining down before he fell backwards and struggled to right himself.

"Turahk." The master commanded and the red son stepped forwards, turning Nipper back onto his feet and lifting the shard up closer to the eyes.

They examined the shard closely before turning back to Nipper, who was now bent as low as he could go, trembling as the eyes of the master fell on him.

"Where did you find this?"

Nipper chittered and chattered.

"I see... so the last Le-Matoran left this behind in the cocoon remains... it seems she was unaware it was even on her person..." the master said as a deceptively gentle hand of Shadows began to pet Nipper's trembling body. "Well done Nipper." He praised.

He had much t think about now.

Much to think about indeed...

"Go all of you..." he dismissed while his eyes settled on a platter filled with other small fragments.

Caji-Nui looked and felt beautiful again.

The weather was back under control and was kept that way by the two new Storm Toa, Heso and Jahuna had never been so happy to see their home alive and bright again. Hena and her Matoran were able to clear the snow and welcome back the mountain Rahi, also to repair their icy home in the snow. Nohe and Jinso were able to finish new tunnels to link all the villages to the Temple and also to each other, repairing old tunnels and linking them to the new ones.

Lena...

Unlike the others, seemed content to rebuild her old home rather than make a new one, and within a few days of becoming a Toa, the others had gone to visit the old Village to find it was completely repaired and every door had a reef around it with the names o the Matoran who had lived in the huts.

Lena's hut was still not quite repaired when they arrived and found her, whole body covered in mud and dirt as she placed the new door on her hut, thankfully, Nohe had managed to catch Lena before she passed out from exhortation and placed her down to sleep while they finished her hut.

Despite it all, Lena still blamed herself for the village being destroyed, and even though her siblings offered her a place to stay with them, she refused them and stayed in her own little village, surrounded by the Rahi that returned.

Currently, Nohe was helping Lena along a path way with their fellow Toa, Jinso close behind with Hena and a large box of some kind carried between them.

"Where do we travel-go to?" Lena asked, sounding sad and down.

"Our storm brothers wish to show you something Lena... something you have never seen before." Jinso smiled. "They want it to be a gift to you."

Lena blinked, "But Heso and Jahuna live on the other side," She said, "Not this high." She added.

"True, but this is a special something for you." Nohe smiled before a blindfold was placed over Lena's eyes and Nohe took her hands. "Just follow me." He assured. "I will lead you."

Lena nodded as her brother lead her along, she knew the path was coming to an end as Nohe slowed down to a stop and then gently pushed her just a tad to the left.

Nohe's hands let her go and the blindfold was taken off.

The view was beyond breathtaking...

All Lena could see was her home realm and the realms of her siblings, filled with beautiful different coloured light stones and the soft sound of melodies Lena had not heard in many, many moons...

Le-Matoran melodies.

"What...?"

"A Night of remembrance," Heso said from above her, "We knew we couldn't bring back those you miss so much Lena... but we can make this a night to remember for all of their spirits in the heavens."

"You all did this... for me...?"

"It was Nohe's idea... we just followed his plan." Jahuna smiled as Lena stood, in awe of the view, gasping as more light suddenly began to swim around her from behind her as millions of tiny firefly like insects fluttered around her.

Jinso and Heso had opened the box to revile the small bugs and Lena couldn't help but smile as the tiny creatures began to dance in the air.

"I..."

"You don't have to say anything, Lena." Heso said. "We are here to help you get through this." he added gently ruffling Lena's helm. "If you will let us."

Lena nodded before hugging her brother. "Thank you... all of you..."

"Group hug," Jahuna chuckled lightly as Lena felt each of her siblings join the hug, each one made her feel that bit better and less alone.

Though she missed the look Jinso gave Heso as the Lightning Toa gently rubbed her back.

Nipper gave a slight screech as he was lifted from his bed and placed on a risen platform, in fear he curled up and ducked his head.

"Do not fear Nipper." His master stated. "I am not going to hurt you." Nipper dared to look up, "I need you to return to Caji-Nui and watch the Toa, I must know if any of them have any indication of the mask. But to do this, I will need you to be more portable..."

Nipper chattered in question, then realized he was getting smaller and smaller and his colours were changing, he wasn't black and green anymore, but pale green and very light silver.

"You will stay with the Toa of Air and keep me informed of any and ALL changes in their team. Do you understand?" his master asked.

Nipper nodded climbing into Lerahk's waiting hand, ready to be taken to his new home.

It was late at night when the poisons Rahkshi landed on the shores of Caji-Nui, in silence, quickly and quietly moving into the forest and taking Nipper to the edge of the village.

There the Rahkshi placed the tiny Visorak down on a root and nudged him with a finger in the right direction before leaving.

Nipper waited a moment then quickly scurried towards the hut, climbing in via the slightly ajar window and paused, watching the room as Lena lay sleeping in her bed, her hut was neat and tidy, save a few small unfinished writings on the table, and it felt warm inside, it made Nipper feel safe.

He stayed by the window til the sun shone over head and Lena slowly came out of her sleep and rubbed her face a little. "Morning bright..." She yawned, stretching and looking around her room.

Nipper lifted himself up on his back feet and clicked at her and sure enough Lena came right over to him, "Hello little friend." She smiled gently lifting the small bug let up and then blinked. "Nipper...?"

Nipper felt a cold shudder pass over him, how could she know it was him...?

"Is this what the Makuta did to you for failing?" She asked and slowly Nipper nodded.

To his surprise, Lena didn't toss him out of the window, instead she gently petted him. "Lena sorry... didn't mean to get you in bad-trouble..." she said.

Nipper blinked and clicked at her, she blamed herself for him getting shrunk?

"Would you like to stop-stay here with Lena? Not very dark place, but can make some for you." she added, "New name-call too if you want."

Nipper looked at her and then nodded. Play along with it, gain the trust of her and her friends, do the job and report everything to the master. That was his job.

Lena smiled. "New name-call... hmmm... how about... Leko?" she offered and Nipper jumped up and down in her hands. "You like that name?" She smiled again and the newly named Leko climbed up her arm and onto her shoulder.

Lena chuckled. "Ok, Leko it is." She said.

"Lena, are you up yet?" Asked Nohe as he knocked on the door, "we are going fishing today, and if you've slept in again-"

"Morning earth brother!" Lena smiled opening the door. "Look see, I made new friend." She said pointing to her shoulder.

Nohe looked closely and smiled. "I didn't know Visorak could BE that small... are you sure it's safe to let this one stay here?" he asked.

Lena nodded. "Leko is harmless, no teeth and no spinner." She assured as Leko clicked and chattered at Nohe. "He says you look big-giant." She smiled.

Nohe chuckled. "Well come on, fish aren't gonna catch themselves." He added and Lena smiled skipping after him as Leko held tightly to her shoulder.

To say the least, Leko was shocked by how welcoming the Toa were to him, even if Jinso did gave him a funny look, the day was spent mostly just fishing before they came back and Leko found himself able to eat some of the caught fish. He would have little to report...

He would have to wait...

They settled in to being Toa, rather well... having fought many fights against the shadows as Matoran, they were all rather good at transferring skills from then to now...

Leko's reports to his master were short, brief and always very to the point and they were few and far apart, it seemed Leko's discovery was indeed just a fluke but the Master was certain of something so he kept Leko with the Toa.

"Hmmmmm..."

"Master?" a male voice asked.

"I wish to test a theory of mine... But to do it I need one of the Toa to have a little... accident." The master stated.

"Perhaps you could..." the voice began then stopped, as if realizing it was not wise to speak out so openly without being asked too.

"Go on." The master encouraged turning to the owner of the voice, a body less shadow like himself...

A new member of the Makuta ranks.

"Perhaps you could... send the Rahkshi to poison one of them? Make it look like an attempt to weaken their power before sending a larger attack in...?"

"Mmmmm..." the master said thinking very carefully.

The idea was simple, easy and yet... it seemed too obvious... but that could just work in his favour... the Toa didn't think their island was in any real danger any more, having sent the weaklings in to test them some of them had grown cocky and over confident...

"Your name." The master asked.

"I have not earned one yet." The small shadow said. "The Generals ignore me... to them I am nothing."

"Then heed me," the master said as the Rahkshi came from the shadows, "You will tell my sons this plan of yours while I gather a small army, if this plan works, I will name you. Understand?"

"Yes master!" the shadow said and his eyes saw the shadow bow to him.