"Tivari, what happened to your arm?" asked Lestra. Onric and Koth both followed Lestra's gaze, and their eyes grew wide in surprise.
The Toa of Gravity's right arm was shaped differently than his left, and it was black, unlike the rest of his body which was purple. As they looked closer, they saw that it had no organic tissue; it was completely robotic.
"Oh, this," said Tivari, raising his arm. He flexed his robotic fingers before continuing. "It happened about twenty years after you left, Lestra. I was out in the woods when I was attacked by a pack of Muaka. I was able to fight them off, but not before one of them took off my arm."
"That's terrible!" cried Lestra.
"What were Muaka doing hunting in a pack?" asked Onric.
Tivari shrugged. "Don't ask me," he said, "but Turaga Uren did say he felt some strange thought patterns that day. But anyway, after making it back to Tedra-Koro, I built this robotic arm, and to tell you the truth, I like it."
"Can it do anything?" asked Koth. "You know, like blow stuff up?"
Tivari chuckled, "Well, I did put some interesting features in it."
Tivari's hand pulled back into his forearm, which then expanded at various points, forming some kind of blaster.
"This fires bolts of energy," said Tivari. "It's pretty handy if I'm low on elemental energy. I've also got -"
His arm reformed again, forming a claw where his hand would be. "a grappling claw, -"
The claw retreated and was replaced with a blade. "a sword, -"
His hand returned to where it had been. "and some other stuff, but I want to hear what you guys have been up to. You must have had some amazing adventures."
The Toa talked long into the night, telling of their times away from home. As the night wore on, Lestra felt herself growing less and less cheerful; the feeling of elation that had come from arriving home was wearing out. She could feel the grief she had felt when Cedrak had died rising to the surface once more. As the others drifted off to sleep, she sat awake staring out the window at the night sky.
She sighed, "Why? Why can't I move on? He's gone; I have to accept that." A tear slid down her mask. "Mata Nui," she said, "please, somehow, someway, help me to let go."
"My friends, welcome aboard the Silver Gate!" said Enguus.
Cedrak and the others looked around in shock. The boat had not changed in size or shape, but its appearance had gone from that of a wooden boat in desperate need of repairs to a sleek metallic vessel that looked like it had just been built.
Enguus stood there, smiling at their astonishment. "Yes, I know," he said, "she's a beauty, isn't she? I built her meself." He pressed a few buttons and said, "Now that she's on autopilot, let me give ye the grand tour."
He waved them over to one of the doors on the main deck and showed them inside. As they entered, they could see a giant hulk of machinery staring back at them.
"This is the engine room," said the Steltian. "Her Kanoka powered turbines can propel her at speeds of up to 60 kio per hour. And this," he opened a door on the side wall, "is the cargo bay."
The room they entered was easily twice the size of the boat itself and held more cargo than they could have imagined.
"How can you get a room this big on your boat?" asked Trell.
"Well, to tell ye the truth, we're not on the boat," said Enguus. "This was designed by a friend of mine; it's a pocket dimension. The gate we came through is a portal, and I can make this room as big as I want."
"Wow, Enguus," said Cedrak, "this is really impressive. So, why the old beat up boat illusion?"
"Well, I learned a while ago, that if no one think ye have anything, no one will take it from ye. So, if me boat looks old and small, no one bothers to rob me, as they think I've got nothing."
"So why'd you tell us about it?" asked Redizic.
Enguus smiled. "Well for one, if yer gonna be on me boat, ye'd find out sooner or later, but also, there's something about ye lads that I trust. I mean, Redizic offered to pay me in advance with an Alerisian Sun Crystal, so it's a bit obvious ye lot were willing to trust me."
"He paid you with a what?" asked Zorkek.
"An Alerisian Sun Crystal," said Cedrak. "It's one of the rarest gemstones in the world, found only in the mines of Aleris on the Northern Continent. Redizic, where'd you get something like that?"
"Ah, ya know," the Aquaton replied, "I spent some time as a thief, never bothered to give the stuff I stole back though."
"Now, there's not a whole lot to do on this ship," said Enguus, "but I don't want ye lads just sitting on yer haunches fer the whole voyage."
The five beings spent the rest of the day aboard the ship, fixing a few things, organizing the cargo hold, and setting up the sleeping quarters for the extra travelers.
As night fell over the sea, Cedrak lay awake, stared out the window at the night sky. A pleasant smile spread over his face.
"I'm coming, Lestra," he thought. "Please, I know you think I'm dead, but somehow, wait for me."
"And so, our heroes have returned!" cried Turaga Uren.
A cheer arose from the Matoran gathered in Tedra-Koro's square. On the podium in the center, the four Toa Tedra stood proudly, waving to the masses below them. The mid morning sun glistened off their armor as they took in the accolades of their people.
"Isn't this great?" asked Koth as he turned to Lestra.
"I suppose," she replied. She turned back to the crowd as Onric began to speak. Yes, she was glad to be received back to her home, but the feeling was so empty. "If only he was here," she thought.
A ship pulled into the city's harbor. Its single sail was ragged, and its siding was rotting in places. Four beings could be seen walking down the gang plank, but had anyone been there to listen, they would have heard five sets of footsteps.
"Where is everyone?" asked Redizic. "I'd expect a harbor to have a bit more activity."
A cheer rose from the city. Enguus smiled, "You lads go on ahead, I need to get meself checked in at the customs office. I'll probably be on me way in the morning, so I'll say me goodbyes now."
He shook the other beings' hands. "I hope to meet ye all again," he said, "and Cedrak, I hope ye get her back."
The invisible Skakdi replied, "Thank you, my friend. I wish you safe seas and pleasant skies."
The four beings made their way toward the sounds of cheering and found a crowd of Matoran filling the town square.
Suddenly, Cedrak gasped, and his hood slipped from his head. "There she is," he said. "It's her."
The Skakdi began to walk towards the crowd, but Redizic grabbed him by the shoulder and threw the hood back up on Cedrak's head. "Hold up a second, bud. That fire Toa tried to kill you once. He'll probably try to do it again."
Cedrak shook his head as though escaping a trance. "You're right, Redizic," said the Skakdi. "We need to be more subtle about this."
The four friends withdrew from the crowd and disappeared into a nearby alley.
"Alright," said Trell, "so what should we do?"
"Well," said Cedrak, "here's what I'm thinking..."
Cedrak sat in a clearing in the woodlands, a small fire crackling before him. The sky above glittered with stars as he held an arrow in his hands. If all went as he hoped, Lestra would have it before morning. He saw someone approaching in the woods and instinctively reached for his bow. When he saw it was Trell, he set it back down.
"Did you find her?" asked Cedrak.
Trell nodded. "We did," he said, "grab your stuff and let's go."
Cedrak threw on his cloak and grabbed his bow. Tahlis leapt onto his shoulder, and the three of them made their way to Tedra-Koro.
"This scene seems familiar," said Trell as he and the invisible Skakdi crept through the streets of the city.
"It does, indeed," said Cedrak. Tahlis fought in Trell's grip, trying to get away. Cedrak became visible just long enough to comfort his pet and calm him down.
"It's okay, Tahlis. Trell's just going to keep you for a little bit; I'll be back soon, okay?" The Brakas seemed to understand as he settled down into the Matoran's arms.
Cedrak became invisible once more and snuck around the last corner.
In the building before him, a single window shone with light. He waited for a moment, then he tossed a rock at the window. It clattered against the clear crystal panes, and after a few moments, a figure appeared at the window.
As Lestra opened the window and peered out into the night, Cedrak thought she had never looked more beautiful. Her Kanohi glistened in light of the moon, her armor shone in the starlight, and the light in her eyes made him feel warmer than he had in days.
"Is someone out there?" asked Lestra.
He wanted to shout out to her, tell her he was here, that he had come back for her; but he knew if he did, he would be found out. Instead, he reached into his cloak and pulled out the arrow he had prepared for this moment. He notched it to his bow, drew back, and fired.