Bionicle Mara's Story

Chapter 8

Two figures one red the other gold ran from the city. "Not much further," Mara called pulling Takanuva along behind her.

"Okay! Okay!" he laughed.

They ran by Vastus and Kopaka who watched the pair, Vastus shook his head amused, "Those two are so much alike." Kopaka nodded watching the them as they ran out of sight.

"Here we are," Mara announced stopping and sitting down, Takanuva glanced around when she grabbed his hand pulling him down, "I love watching the stars."

"You should ask Nixie if you can borrow her telescope, you'd probably get a better look."

She smiled, "Maybe, but I like sitting here watching them." She suddenly laughed, "On Bara Magna I can't count how many times Raanu yelled at me for sneaking out of the village to watch the stars and moons."

She frowned, "What's wrong," Takanuva asked.

"It's just that it's still strange that the moons aren't their anymore."

Mara went quiet and Takanuva watched her a moment, "We should probably head back."

"No I want to stay a little longer."

Takanuva gazed at her, it was chilly this night. Not to cold but still, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close as they continued to watched the stars.

(Break)

Takanuva blinked wondering why it was so bright, then he remembered. He and Mara must of fallen asleep while they were watching the stars, he glanced at Mara and realized they had their arms wrapped around each other. He knew this should have been awkward but he liked it, he closed his eyes not wanting to disturb her when he became aware of a shadow, Takanuva's eyes flew open and he turned to see an enraged Ice Glatorian standing over them.

Mara was stirred awake by his movement and looked up surprised, "Gelu, what are you doing here?" She had never seen him so mad. He grabbed her arm yanking her to her feet, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" she demanded.

"We're going back!" he snapped pulling her behind him.

"LET GO OF HER!" Takanuva yelled jumping to his feet.

"Stay out of this!" Gelu snarled.

Mara yanked her arm out of his grasp, "What's your problem!"

He glared at her, "What are you doing out here with him!" he pointed at Takanuva.

"That's none of your business. I can take care of myself," she snapped.

"No you can't! Last time you said that look what happened!" Mara's eyes widened as she stared at him shocked, Gelu winched quickly regretting what he said, "Mara I'm sorry." Tears brimming her eyes she pushed passed him and ran towards the city, Gelu and Takanuva watched her. When Takanuva tried to follow Gelu whirled to face him and jabbed a finger into his chest, "Listen Toa you stay away from her!" He turned and ran after Mara leaving Takanuva standing there glaring after him.

(Break)

Later that day Kiina walked by a river deep in thought, the tall trees of the forest offered shade from the bright sun. Thud, slash, thud. She stopped and looked about for the source of the noise, spotting a red-armored figure near the bend of the river she approached. She stopped a few feet away and saw it was Mara practicing with her short swords. She was spinning and slashing at a dead tree moving with perfect grace.

"Should you really be out here alone?" Kiina crossed her arms and waited.

Knowing the water Glatorian had been there Mara didn't brother turning. "You're out here alone."

"True, but where's Lokan and Lyra?"

"Macku's watching them. I just wanted to practice." Actually she wanted to get out of the city for a while. The argument with Gelu had really bothered her.

"In the middle of the forest?"

Mara looked at her, "I guess I wanted a moment to myself."

"Well I don't think. . ." Kiina suddenly went quiet looking around.

"What is it?" Mara glanced around.

"I don't know. We should. . ."

"Aaaahhh!" Kiina was cut off as Mara screamed when a Skrall grabbed her. Two more appeared out of the forest and lunged at Kiina, she jumped out of their reach finding herself near the edge of the river. "RUN!" Mara cried.

"BUT. . ."

"NOW!" Kiina knew Mara was right, she was outnumbered and without a weapon. As the Skrall approached she jumped into the river and let the current carry her away. Mara watched Kiina escaped then twisted in her captors grip. He had grabbed her arms causing her to drop her swords, "LET ME GO!"

"Careful little Glatorian, you don't want to hurt yourself."

Mara's eyes went wide, That voice, it couldn't be. She slowly turned, her captor let go of her so she could see him. He wasn't just any Skrall, but an Elite Skrall. "CRYRAX!" she screamed in horror.

He smiled, "You don't seem happy to see me."

She tried to pull away but he grabbed her arms pulling her against him, "Let go of me!"

"Now why would I do that I just want to talk."

"About what!" she snapped.

"That can wait, we should go." Cryrax held her hands together as another Skrall bound her hands. Cryrax flung her over his shoulder and carried her into the forest, as the trees engulfed them tears came to her eyes.

(Break)

"I'm telling you it's true."

Onua looked at Pohatu oddly, "I've seen plenty of usually things on this world and I'm no Toa of the Green but even I know trees don't just disappear."

Pohatu looked across the river, "I swear I've seen trees in one place then the next day there gone like they never existed. Not even holes in the ground where the roots were."

Before Onua could respond Kiina burst through the rivers surface gasping for breath. Swimming towards the shore Onua grabbed her hand pulling her onto land. "Kiina what are you doing?"

"No time, Mara's needs help!"

(Break)

Tied to a tree Mara gazed about the camp, there were about fifteen Skrall at work around her. One looked at her and she turned away. One stepped in front of her, kneeling down Cryrax smiled amused as she gazed at him with hate filled eyes. "Why did you bring me here?"

He smiled and ran a finger down her cheek, "You can't imagine my surprise seeing you."

"Get to the point!" she snapped trying to pull away.

"I am, if seeing you was a surprise learning that I'm a father was more so."

Mara's eyes went wide in horror, "How did you. . ." a cold realization set in and her eyes narrowed. "You've been spying on the city. You're the one who's been raiding caravan's!"

"Ha! A Skrall's got to make a living doesn't he." His look went serious, "Now about are children."

"Their not yours!"

"Oh, I beg to differ. I saw the look in your eyes when I mention them."

He put his hand on her leg causing her to shutter. "They're not yours! Their mine!"

"I see you still have that fiery personally."

She stared at him defiantly, "It doesn't matter what you do to me you'll never lay a hand on them!"

He thrust his face near hers, the look he gave her chilled her. In a voice to calm and cold he said, "I beg to differ."

(Break)

"So I jumped into the river where Pohatu and Onua found me." Kiina was seated on a bench surrounded by the council as well as several Toa and Glatorian.

"You shouldn't have been out their alone," Ackar told her for the fifth time.

"I know but right now we should worry about Mara."

Ackar looked towards the forest, "I know." He wasn't going to let her down again.

Gelu felt the same way, "Then let's go!" he snapped.

Takanuva pushed himself to the front of the group until he stood before Ackar, "I'm coming to!"

Gelu turned to him, "We don't need you tagging along Toa, Mara's one of our own will rescue her. Besides we can handle Skrall."

Takanuva glared at the Ice Glatorian. "Yeah I heard how well that worked out," he scoffed.

Gali and Vastus glanced at each other, hard looks were being passed between Toa and Glatorian and everyone was forming into two groups arguing, "PLEASE STOP!" Everyone turned to Macku, the Ga-Matoran stood at the edge of the group with both children in her arms. Startled by the arguments they cried. "We don't need arguing among ourselves, put your foolish pride aside Mara needs your help!"

Everyone looked at each other, finally Tahu broke the silence, "She's right, we need to work together."

Ackar nodded, he had mix feelings about Takanuva. On one side he was a brave and valiant warrior, but on the other he still remembered catching the Toa and Mara kissing. But that wasn't important right now, "Your right Tahu, we need to assemble a team and rescue her." Everyone started talking now that they had a focus for their attention, and their anger. To rescue Mara and make the Skrall pay.

But they we're unaware that they we're still being watched, Ullon focus the spyglass on the group before rising and disappearing into the forest.