On the Island of Mata Nui, the Toa and Rahaga were suddenly woken by a tremendous clap of thunder.
"Uh...what's happening?" Ferinus muttered, still half asleep and tangled in his blankets. "Karzahni of a storm, brother." Tein'a replied dryly, then nodded in agreement as Hakinu exclaimed in surprise as an almighty flash of lightning lit up the tunnel.
The Toa hurried to pull their supplies further into the tunnel while the Rahaga coaxed the nearly dead fire into life as the rain began to come down in torrents.
"That is a really bad-nasty storm." Sheranu muttered when he sat back beside Norik and Bomonga, Ferinus had settled beside Reshana, who drowsily leaned against him drawing low chuckles from their brothers.
Gaaki was talking with Tein'a about what they'd been told about Ko-wahi when everyone was temporarily deafened and blinded as thunder and lightning erupted directly overhead.
Grasping Ferinus's hand tightly, Reshana shuddered as she felt the rumbles of thunder slowly die away, "That really hurt." she murmured, rubbing her ears while everyone blinked the afterglow away before Hakinu moved to stoke the fire.
While he did, Kualus and Pouks moved to peer out of the tunnel entrance, "Looks like the worst of it is over." Pouks commented as the rain began easing as they watched. "Hmm...brother, look over there." Kualus replied, pointing to a group of bushes where a clump of feathers could be seen poking out from them as a flash of lightning illuminated the area.
Quickly, the Rahaga made their way over to the bushes and carefully began moving the broken branches away form the unconscious figure. Having noticed their friends had ventured outside, Lerihua and Hakinu went to see what was happening. On seeing them trying to pull someone out of the bushes, Hakinu went to assist while Lerihua alerted the others.
"Thank you that's a great help." Pouks said as the young Fire Toa lifted the branches that the Rahaga were struggling with, "Now let's get you back inside." Kualus muttered as he and Pouks finished disentangling the figure from the bushes.
Everyone looked intrigued as their brothers returned to the fireside, carrying the limp figure with them, "A winged matoran" Norik murmured in amazement as everyone pitched in to help.
"He's so cold." Tein'a muttered worriedly, wrapping blankets round the Po-matoran while Gaaki insisted on her brothers and Hakinu drying out and Norik, Reshana and Iruini fixed hot drinks for everyone and Bomonga stoked the fire.
...
"It's nearly morning, so if Iruini, Bomonga and I go with Sheranu and Tein'a back to the boats, we can see if the matoran know anything about our young friend." Norik said while the Toa sorted through their supplies and the Rahaga kept watch over the unconscious matoran
"Sounds good brother." Gaaki smiled as Kualus joined her, folding up his blanket, which he then placed under the matoran's head. "He's lucky his wings didn't break." the Rahaga of Ice commented after checking the matoran's temperature and rejoining those sitting by the fire.
…
Slowly unfamiliar voices trickled into the Po-matoran's awareness as he felt warmth and softness surrounding him.
"How's he doing?" a calm voice enquired as he sensed someone bending over him, "His colours have returned and I think he'll wake up soon." came the reply, as the one kneeling beside him placed their hand on his forehead. Startled he opened his eyes, only to gasp and clamp his hand over his mask, "So bright." he whispered, shielding his eyes with the blanket.
"Easy, try and drink some of this." the first voice said as footsteps moved closer, "We'll use some blankets to dim this area, Rahaga." a third voice murmured, as someone carefully wrapped the matoran's hands round a beaker, "Drink it slowly." the calm voice advised.
Listening as several beings carefully moved around him, the matoran sipped the contents of the beaker, wondering where his friends were and if they also had got free. After a while the sound of movement ended. "That should help, if you want to try opening your eyes slowly. We've doubled the spare blankets to darken this area." the second voice said as it's owner returned to his side.
xXx
Kai, Nixie and Keahi were busy sorting out the last of the damaged rigging when Sheranu, Tein'a and three of the Rahaga arrived at where they'd moored. "Is everything alright?" Macku asked as they paused for a rest and shared their snack with the Toa and Rahaga, listening intrigued as they told the matoran what had occurred during the storm.
As one Kai, Nixie and Macku glanced at Keahi, who had turned paler than anyone thought possible before she flung herself at Sheranu. "Please take me to him!" she screamed, flinging her arms round his neck and refusing to let go when he tried to loosen her grip.
"Alright, let me *ack* breath! We'll return-go back with you." Sheranu managed to gasp, while the other matoran quickly explained why Keahi had reacted like that.
"We'd better hurry before Keahi chokes Shenu." Bomonga commented, grinning up at the young Toa of Air who was trying to get his unexpected passenger into a better position for traveling back.
xXx
Reshana, Lerihua and Kualus, whom was supporting the matoran, watched as he slowly opened his eyes again, wincing slightly in the dim light. Then as he finished the drink, glanced around getting his bearings and slowly focusing on those around him.
"Are you Toa? Only you seem different to the ones I once met." the matoran enquired after peering curiously at them for several minutes, he then glanced over his shoulder to see who was helping him.
"Ah!" the Po-matoran yelped in surprise, trying to move from where he was leaned against the Rahaga. "Easy now, you were half drowned when my brothers found you." the calm voice of the one who'd first asked how he was reached him as the speaker ducked under the blankets.
"Wh-what are you?" the startled matoran exclaimed as Gaaki handed him a bowl of fruit, "We're know as Rahaga, it's a long story. I'm Gaaki and this is one of my brothers, Kualus." she smiled reassuringly before moving to sit beside Reshana.
Quietly the matoran tucked into the food, feeling vaguely embarrassed about all the attention he was getting and peered curiously at the Rahaga and Toa, still puzzled about how he'd got there.
...
Sheranu landed outside the tunnel, which led past Onu-koro, and before he could assist her, Keahi had jumped down and raced into where they'd sheltered.
"AYO!" the sudden shout startled those who'd stayed with the matoran and they stopped what they were doing as a pale blue blur shot into the camp and skidded to a halt, staring around before dashing over to the blankets when she heard her name called and ducked behind them.
Several moments later Reshana and Kualus left the area to join their friends, "I'll return-go back to the others." Sheranu said once he'd got his breath and having a drink, glancing over to where quiet murmuring could just be heard.
Pouks glanced outside and smiled as his brothers and Tein'a landed near by, "That's fine, they've returned." he commented looking round at the young Air Toa, who grinned and went to meet them.
xXx
Ducking under the blankets, Keahi paused to let her eyes adjust then ran to her closefriend's side. Reshana and Kualus glanced at each other then nodded and left the oblivious matoran alone. "Oh Ayo," Keahi whispered as they hugged, "What happened to you?"
Slowly he explained, only pausing when Iruini glanced round the blankets to see if they wanted anything to eat.
After thanking him, Ayo glanced at his closefriend, "Do you think they'd mind if we went for a walk. I might see something to show that my companions also made it out of the darkness."
Keahi smiled as she hugged him again, "I don't see why not. They'll offer to help too." she murmured then giggled, "Besides, I've missed flying with you."
When giggling erupted from behind the blankets, the Toa and Rahaga chuckled and waited to see what the matoran would do, Keahi emerged first, her hand in Ayo's while he followed her, his free hand shielding his eyes.
"Still too light-bright for you?" Sheranu asked as the pair joined them, "Yes Toa, but I'll adjust thank you." the chocolate hued matoran bowed politely, his wings rustling softly then he smiled before making his request.
"We'd be delighted to help." Norik chuckled as the Toa began to gather their supplies and pack up. "We'll take the stuff back to the boats and then come back to help you and the Rahaga." Hakinu said, as he folded up the blankets near him, shoving them into a bag.
The rest of the Toa agreed, then laughed when Ferinus lobbed a piece of fruit at Sheranu when he made a cheeky comment about Reshana's choice of pillow.
Watching the Toa as they continued packing, Bomonga noticed that Ayo was restlessly peering around looking for signs that his companions were also free. "Don't worry-fret. If they are free we'll find-locate them." Iruini smiled reassuringly as he, Ayo and Keahi wandered over to where the Rahaga of Earth was examining the bushes where the winged matoran had been found.
"Apart from the area where you'd been trapped. Can you remember anything else before regaining consciousness?" Pouks enquired as he joined them, Gaaki, Norik and Kualus close behind him. Fidgeting with several flight feathers, Ayo gazed into space fro a few minutes then murmured, "Just being surrounded by thunder and lightning, then being buffeted by strong winds until I blacked out."
xXx
Kai, Nixie and Macku waved to the Toa as they flew into sight, "Wow these Miru Nuva are brilliant!" Lerihua exclaimed, a delighted as he and the others landed on the shore then carried their bags over to the boats they'd travelled on.
"Need any more help?" Macku asked once the Toa had stowed the bags and regrouped on the shore, "I think we've got enough pairs of eyes, thanks though." Hakinu replied with a grin. "And it's time we went home." Tein'a added before activating his mask.
The matoran watched as the Toa Voya headed back to assist the others, "Ayo's head's gonna be spinning when he learns all that's happened." Nixie commented when the Toa could no longer be seen.
"Yeah and just wait until he finds out about Kokua!" Kai laughed before she hurried off to set up another hammock, Nixie and Macku close behind her.
xXx
The Toa reached the area near where they'd camped and were me in mid-air by the Rahaga and Ayo, who carried Keahi, "We'll spread out from here and scout for signs of Ayo's companions and meet back at the boats mid afternoon." Norik said when the Toa hovered to listen.
"Mind if I come with you?" Lerihua asked as he shifted to hover beside Ayo and Keahi, the pale matoran was hugging her closefriend tightly. "Please that would be great." the winged matoran grinned while Keahi giggled.
Scanning the area and slowly moving away from where Ayo had been found, the Toa, Rahaga and matoran checked and double-checked every square inch of ground.
Reshana and Gaaki were first to return to the boats, "I hope the others had better luck." the young Water Toa murmured, glancing over to where Tein'a and Kualus were coming into sight.
The Toa and Rahaga of Ice walked over to join their friends; their mask and face said it all, so Reshana and Gaaki sat with them and waited for the others to return.
The sun was low in the sky by the time Lerihua, Pouks, Ayo and Keahi returned to the boats, the winged matoran looked tired and unhappy as Keahi led him on board the boat she'd travelled on.
"Welcome back Ayo." Kai called out, smiling happily when they entered the galley. She, Macku and Nixie insisted that everyone had something to eat and drink before saying how their search had gone.
"Not a sign." Pouks sighed ruefully, "I'd really hoped they'd got free too." Ayo sighed miserably as he rubbed his mask and stifled a yawn, "Spirits willing, they will make it." Norik said as he gently squeezed Ayo's shoulder.
"Come and get some rest, you're exhausted." Ferinus added, steadying the winged matoran when he staggered and nearly yawned his mask off.
After settling Ayo in a hammock, those on the second boat returned and while Macku and Nixie weighed anchor, Reshana helped Kai and Keahi do the same on theirs.
xXx
Unknown to the Toa Rahaga and matoran, two days after they departed from the island, a further storm wracked the area where Ayo had appeared. When it abated and faded away, several figures lay in the clearing, unconscious and soaked.