Chapter 27

The Scorpion Nest

Despite what their parents told them, the gang still wanted to search for the rest of the Energy Stones. Reluctantly, the adults had little choice but to agree that this was the only acceptable option. All of the guards were always too busy fighting off Rahi or other dangers, so they didn't have time to do the searching themselves. Everyone wanted Makuta gone as soon as possible, so if these Energy Stones would allow it, searching for them would be necessary.

By mid morning, the gang had gathered near the tablet at Kini-Nui again. It was time to find the next Energy Stone, whichever element it would be. "I wonder which Energy Stone we will have to find next," said Littlefoot.

"The only way we will know is if another clue is revealed on this tablet," replied Takua.

"But how will the clue be revealed?" asked Ducky.

"Let's try to remember how the last clue was revealed so we can reveal the next clue," replied Ruby. "Let's see, Chomper wanted to see the tablet, but he was too small to see it. So I held him up so he could see it. But when he touched the tablet, the clue somehow just appeared."

As Ruby finished saying this, everyone realized how the next clue could be revealed. "I wonder if I can do that again," said Chomper. Takua then picked him up and held him in front of the tablet. He touched the tablet, but noting happened.

As he put Chomper back on the ground, Takua said, "I don't understand it. It worked last time." Nobody knew what to do next.

Spike was just as disappointed as everyone else. Then for a reason even he couldn't figure out, he got an idea that maybe he should touch the tablet instead of Chomper. He approached the tablet and reached up to it with his right front foot. As soon as he touched it, a single row of letters appeared just below the first clue. The second clue had just been revealed.

"I guess someone else needed to touch the tablet instead of me," commented Chomper.

Takua studied the new writing on the tablet. The symbol at the left was an octagon with four lines inside, two vertical and two horizontal with each of those sets parallel and crossing the other. This was the symbol for the element of stone. He read the clue aloud by saying, "To find the Energy Stone of Stone, we must 'seek within the great nest of the giant scorpions'."

"Giant scorpions?" asked Cera, a little shocked. "I don't like the sound of that."

"What are scorpions?" asked Ducky.

"I don't know, but based on things I've heard from Matoran, I think I have seen some before, but they were only very small and not very big," replied Ruby.

"What about Nui-Jaga?" asked Littlefoot, remembering those descriptions as well.

"I think you're right, Littlefoot," replied Takua. "Nui-Jaga are huge scorpions. Their tails are twice as long as I am tall. It looks like the next Energy Stone is hidden in a nest of Nui-Jaga."

"But which Nui-Jaga nest?" asked Cera. "As far we know, there could be dozens of them."

"The clue said the great nest, so maybe the Energy Stone is in the biggest Nui-Jaga nest," replied Littlefoot.

"Great, more deadly danger," grumbled Petrie.

"But where is that Nui-Jaga nest?" asked Chomper.

"I don't know," replied Takua. "But I think we should have someone come with us in case if we need their help. We'll likely find the Nui-Jaga nest in a desert region, so I suggest we bring a Po-Matoran with us, and I know exactly who we should ask."


"You want me to help you find an Energy Stone?" asked Huki.

"That's right," replied Takua. "You're more physically fit than any of us, and we'll likely find the Energy Stone in an environment that Po-Matoran, like yourself, are best suited for. So will you join us on our search?"

Huki thought about it for a moment. "I can see why you would like me to come with you, but I'm afraid I can't do that today."

"Why not?" asked Littlefoot.

"There's a Koli match today and I can't afford to miss it, or I'll lose my chance at winning the Koli championship this season."

"That's it!?" exclaimed Cera. "You won't help us just because you don't want to miss a stupid game of Koli!?"

Huki stared at her angrily. "Koli may not mean much to you, but here in Po-Koro, it is highly valued above many things."

Not wanting to hear an argument, Littlefoot decided to provide a solution. "You could ask Turaga Onewa to have the game another day," he suggested.

Huki didn't need more than a second to think about the suggestion. "That's actually a good idea. I could ask Turaga Onewa to postpone today's Koli match. I'll go ask him right now."

"We'll come with you," said Takua. "I have a feeling he might be able to point us in the right direction to search for the Energy Stone." Everyone followed Huki to Onewa's hut.

Later, while the gang and Huki were speaking with Onewa, Hafu was working on yet another stone carving not too far away. He was taking great pride in his work, making sure that every detail was perfect.

A few minutes later, he noticed Takua and his dinosaur friends walk out of Onewa's hut, along with Huki. Curious, Hafu stopped his work and got Huki's attention by saying, "Hey, Huki! Where are you going? I thought there was a Koli match today."

Everyone quickly noticed Hafu. "There was, but I asked Turaga Onewa to postpone it," replied Huki. "These guys need my help to find another Energy Stone."

Not wanting to miss out on a chance at fame and glory, Hafu decided that he should come along with them. He could always finish his carving later. "If you need help to find an Energy Stone, then take me with you," he stated, holding his small pickax over his shoulder. "My skills in stone craft are the best out of all Matoran, and I can prove the benefits of having such skills."

The others weren't sure about this. They didn't know how a skill at cutting rocks would be a benefit to them in such a dangerous area, but perhaps there was something about it that they didn't know about. Although Cera especially didn't want someone like him coming with them, they decided to let him come.

"Alright, you can come with us, Hafu," said Huki. They all then headed to the gate out of Po-Koro to begin their search for the next Energy Stone.

Fortunately for them, Onewa had heard about the location of a Nui-Jaga nest outside of the Great Valley. He had told them that it was indeed a huge nest, and they would find it to the northeast. Now all they had to do was find that nest, knowing the Energy Stone would be nearby.


The trip to the supposed location of the Nui-Jaga nest was uneventful. There was nothing but barren terrain with a few occasional rock formations. Only Hafu was willing to talk about anything at all, and he only talked about either stone carving or himself. Because of this, Cera actually hoped to find the Nui-Jaga nest as soon as possible.

Now it was early in the afternoon. Fortunately, Takua had remembered to bring food and water for his friends to have when they needed it. However, he only had enough room in his backpack for a day's worth of such supplies, so they would have to return home by the end of this day.

Huki was at the front of the group, so he was the first one to notice that they had found the large Nui-Jaga nest when they arrived. It resembled a short canyon with two levels of cave entrances on each side. Everyone assumed that all of the Nui-Jaga were inside the caves.

"Well, we found the Nui-Jaga nest. Now what?" asked Littlefoot.

"The Energy Stone is hidden somewhere here. We just have to find it," replied Takua.

"I recommend we search as quietly as possible," stated Huki. "For all we know, there could be a Nui-Jaga inside each of those caves." Not wanting to draw the attention of such dangerous creatures, everyone agreed.

Everyone spread out and began searching. They looked behind and beneath every rock in the area. No one dared to look inside any of the caves, fearing they would find, and possibly awaken, a dangerous Nui-Jaga.

After a few minutes of searching, no one had found anything yet. Cera was about to check behind another rock when, suddenly, she stepped on a sharp rock without seeing it there. She yelled out in pain as she quickly pulled her foot away from the rock, her shout echoing throughout the area.

Everyone stopped right where they stood as they heard that shout. Soon, they could hear the noise of dozens of moving legs from within the caves. They then saw Nui-Jaga emerge from within the darkness of the caves. There were at least a dozen of them, stingers at the ready. It was also obvious that they wore infected masks.

Everyone slowly backed up until they were all in one location. Many of them were afraid that this would happen. Before the Nui-Jaga made their first move, Takua thought, This won't be good.