Chapter VIII:
Secrets

In a triangular fashion, Naidoc, Siroll, and Janaio stood, staring back and forth at each other. Naidoc had a small smirk on his face, Janaio was wearing a small frown, and Siroll was simply staring, keeping her face clear of emotion. The green glow was something they all had grown used to, since spending a lot of time in Naidoc's lair.

"Toa, I am ready to execute the plan." Naidoc said, staring at the other two.

"What do you mean, you?" Janaio asked, his arms crossed. He looked to Naidoc, who's hands were folded behind his back and his legs spread apart.

"I mean, that from now on, I will be taking this plan on alone." Naidoc said, simply. "You two cause too many…complications. So, as of now, I release you of your bond." He lifted his hand, and gave a small flick of his fist.

Suddenly, Janaio and Siroll's right arms were pulled upwards, the tattoo of a Miru covered in shadow that was branded in their wrists suddenly were glowing, and were pulled from their skin. It was as if their flesh was ripped, but there was no mark. They both fell over screaming in pain, as the smoky tattoos were off their wrists and melded into Naidoc's own wrist.

Janaio stood as the pain ceased. He glared. "What is wrong with you?!" he cried. His mask had cleared up…it was no longer a gray color, and his eyes were back to their original orange hue. "If you never needed us, why did you make us Dark Toa?"

"To cause doubt and betrayal with the other toa." He said, still frowning. "It worked. Now, leave me. Go back to your villages…this is your only chance to return safely. Now GO."

Janaio growled angrily and leapt at Naidoc in a blind fury. Siroll jumped with a yelp, once she stood. But before Janaio could cause any sort of damage, he was caught in the air, darkness swirling around him. Naidoc's hand was in the air as well, fingers outstretched,

Janaio attempted to struggle against the shadow, but he was paralyzed by it. He shouted, "Let me go!"

"Naidoc, release him." Siroll said cautiously, staring at Naidoc, whose eyes never left Janaio.

"No." he said simply. He stepped closer, "I warned you not to cross me, Janaio. And now, you will pay for it." Naidoc twisted his hand, and suddenly the shadow leaving Janaio, but as it did so it took away his power, reducing him into a Matoran. As Janaio's yellow and black body shrunk, he screamed violently and his body twitched violently.

"NO! STOP!" Siroll yelled, jumping forward, grabbing at Naidoc's arm to stop him. Finally, the process was finished, and Janaio fell to the ground. Naidoc flung his to the side and with a 'hiss,' Siroll went flying across the room, smacking into a wall, but before hitting the ground was paralyzed with shadow. "You forget.." he seethed, "I can take away your powers as well."

"Don't h-hurt her." Janaio said weakly, standing. "Let her go, at least."

Naidoc gave an icy glare. He dropped the shadow, causing Siroll to fall on the ground with a grunt. "Fine." He said. "Get out! Both of you before I kill you both!"

Siroll stood up, and ran over to Janaio, she put her arm around him and helped him to walk out.

- - -

Siroll and Janaio emerged from a tunnel the green protodermis portal had dropped them off in. Siroll looked down to Janaio. "I have to find Codian…I'm sorry. Can you make it to Po-koro from here?"

Janaio squinted as he looked into the desert before them. "Yeah, I think so…" he said, and then looking up to her. "Don't worry."—he smiled,--"We'll make it through this."

She nodded. "I hope you're right." She said not another word as she ran back into the tunnel.