Over in Le-metru, a heat vision Rahkshi peered out from it's shadowy hideout and focused on the remains of a greenhouse, carefully igniting the broken timbers with its power. When it was satisfied, the mustard yellow Rahkshi hissed with malicious amusement and then, using the added power the Makuta Nui had given it, teleported to where the other Rahkshi waited for the next strike.
Thin tendrils of smoke wafted into the morning sky slowly growing thicker and darker as the fire began to spread.
xXx
"This one likes you." the childlike Turaga said, holding up a lightstone, that could easily fit on a staff, of peach and gold before catching Lannair's hand and gently folding her fingers round it. "B-but I...I can't." the peach hued Turaga stammered nervously before glancing round as quiet chuckles came from Aili and Kokua. "Please, for me." Anuenue said, her hand still holding Lannair's as she looked hopeful, "T-thank you, 'N-Nue I-it's pretty."
With a happy giggle, the rainbow hued Turaga began putting the lightstones back into the bags, pausing to watch as they shone and sparkled in the sunlight.
Eventually Anuenue paused and held one up to show her friends, it was silvery with an intense blue core, "This one." she murmured happily before scrambling up and going to sit with Kokua.
Setting the lightstone she'd been given on the table, Lannair began to return the remaining stones to the bags then when she'd finished, stood up and moved to look out the window, not realizing she was looking in the direction of Le-metru.
"Spirits," Aikane muttered as the shadow twins hurried off, glancing grimly at each other.
"Indeed," Rhya answered absently, resting a hand on her niece's shoulder. Aili and Lerihua glanced at each other in concern while Kokua made sure that Anuenue had not over heard any of their conversation.
Lannair was gazing out the window, a frown on her mask as she watched the flickering sky to the south. Her frown deepened as the sky grew red and she hesitantly turned, catching Aili's eye.
"What is it?" the orange hued Toa asked, hurrying over to join her new-found companion. "I - oh spirits!" she swore under her breath, staring at the flickering sky.
"What now?" Aikane asked wearily then cursed as she saw flames spiralling into the sky.
xXx
"We need more water quick-fast!" Houjin yelled, the dark green/mint matoran had been the first to spot flames and hastily organized a water chain. "It's odd-strange, this fire seems to have a mind-will of its own." Vira gasped as he dashed up with buckets of sand.
As if to confirm the gukko rider's comment, a large fireball leapt from the main blaze onto the roof of a storage building and swiftly took hold.
"Get the other gukko riders and attack-fight it from the air." Houjin replied, grabbing one of the sand buckets and aiming its contents at the edges of the fire to try and curtail its advance. "Can anyone find a shadow twin?" Acha yelled, dodging a falling shower of sparks which he then doused with water before cursing as several ricocheted up and burned his leg.
xXx
Looking up as the Toa exchanged worried glances, Rhya Nui beckoned Anuenue over then gathered her up, "Go quickly, your friends need you. I'll protect the Turaga."
Within moments, the bedroom was empty of the Toa and healers while Kokua had departed via the window. After closing the window and shivering from the coldness of the wind, Turaga Lannair glanced anxiously over to where the dusky Great Spirit was quietly explaining to Turaga Anuenue why their friends had to hurry away, "S-so 'Kua and others put out fire?"
"Yes little one and we will wait for them to return. Now why don't we go and make something tasty for when they return? They'll be needing it."
"Oooo please." the childlike Turaga giggled excitedly before scrambling from Rhya's lap and hurried over to gently tug on Lannair's arm, "You come help too Lanna?"
Charmed by the innocence in the rainbow hued Turaga's eyes, Lannair shyly smiled and allowed her to lead her out of the bedroom, Rhya following closely after pausing to stare at the thickening pall of smoke hanging over Le-metru.
xXx
Aili was the first to regain her balance and immediately hurried off, swiftly reorganising the matoran as they fought to save their home. Lerihua followed suit, leaping up onto a pile of stone rubble left by the Rahkshi and tapped his hammer against it, reducing it to sand.
Several matoran had seen him and had already hurried over with shovels.
Lerihua nodded and hurried off to do the same to the many other piles of rubble littering the metru. Aikane and Kokua were helping the matoran with buckets of water, Kokua springing into the air and joining the gukko riders as they dumped water from above.
Aili meanwhile had pulled out her blades and was drawing the flames into her body, only pausing to wipe the ash from her eyes. She glanced up, her heart sinking as she saw that for every fire that they put out three took its place.
Several of the matoran had noticed this too, and while they still flung water and sand at the flames they watched despairingly as their homes and workplaces caught fire. Aili cursed furiously, leaping out of the way as a column narrowly missed her as it fell.
"Are you alright?!" Aikane shouted in her ear over the roar of the flames.
"Uh, yeah," Aili said, still shaken. "This is wrong...fire...fire doesn't act like this,"
"Him again," Aikane muttered, coughing in the thick smoke.
"Yeah, I - "
The Toa of Fire trailed off as she thought she saw a deep orange, almost red spirit in the flames. Her eyes widened as she recognised him and she took an involuntary step forward.
"Aili?" Aikane asked. Aili didn't hear her for a moment before smiling as an old memory gave her an idea. "I think I know how to put it out," she mused, then snapped out of her daze and glanced at Aikane.
"Start moving everyone out of the way...I don't know if I can pull this off..." she said over her shoulder as she started to move deeper into the flames. Aikane looked bemused but complied, throwing a glance back at Aili.
Aili meanwhile had moved to a relatively clear area in the middle of the flames and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She let it out slowly and concentrated, once again starting to draw the flames into her body. This time however, she didn't stop to discharge the excess energy but concentrated on absorbing every last flame. The other Toa and matoran paused in their efforts and watched in amazement as the fire swirled around the Toa of Fire and slowly vanished into her.
"Spirits," Lerihua breathed watching his closefriend's form glow brighter. Despite the situation Aikane and Kokua couldn't help but exchange a smile at the expression on his mask. What they couldn't see through the flames and light was Aili starting to tremble with the strain of keeping up the flow of energy. She stumbled slightly, coming perilously close to allowing the energy to overcome her.
A reassuring hand squeezed her shoulder briefly and she forced herself to overcome it. The flames were growing smaller and weaker by the second, the Toa of Fire finally sensing that she was beginning to win this battle.
Everyone was watching, dumbfounded as the last of the fire flickered and died. Aili wavered on her feet and fell to her knees, Lerihua jumped forward to help ignoring Kokua and Aikane's warnings.
He reached her just as she managed to climb unsteadily to her feet. She made for an impressive sight - there was a fiery glow about her and her eyes literally shone.
"Are you alri - argh!"
Lerihua jerked his hand back with a startled yelp and stared at Aili in shock. He had moved to steady her only to find that her body was literally burning to the touch.
"Aili - "
"G-Get out...of the way..." she growled, speaking with obvious effort as the huge amount of elemental energy within her caused her form to glow even brighter. "I c-can't hold - move!"
Lerihua leapt back just as Aili released the excess energy she had absorbed. He was knocked backwards by the sheer force in which the flames travelled down his closefriend's arms and though her blades, the resulting column of flame dissipating harmlessly into the sky.
The matoran and Toa alike watched in awe, one of the gukko riders uttering fervent thanks that he and his companions had landed well away from the flame, Kokua agreeing heartily.
When the flow of energy finally ceased and the flame receded Kokua and Aikane hurried over to where Leri was starting to sit up, rubbing his head with his good hand while Aili swayed, suddenly giddy. She sat down heavily and buried her mask in her hands, waiting for the world to stop blurring and spinning. She felt a hand grip her shoulder and heard Aikane's voice. "Are you alright?" she asked, glancing back to where Kokua had pulled Lerihua to his feet, the Toa of Stone was glancing over at his closefriend in amazement.
"Yeah, I'm...I'm fine," Aili answered, still feeling slightly dizzy. "Is Leri okay?"
"I'm a little crispy around the edges, but I'm fine," Lerihua said from Aili's other side. She smiled tiredly at him and then glanced back in time to see the spirit smile sadly at her and wave as he vanished.
Lerihua squeezed her shoulder, Aili leaning against him for a moment before climbing to her feet, Lerihua wincing slightly as he regarded his burnt hand. All four jumped as an entirely unexpected sound rose from around them, Aili turning crimson as she realised that they were cheering.
"What - why?" she murmured, bewildered. "I didn't do any...he'll only be back tonight,"
Aikane smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
"They know that," she said quietly. "But it's given them hope for a bit longer,"
Aili shrugged, still looking tired and confused. "Come on sweetheart," Lerihua said with a smile, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Come get something to eat then some rest,"
"Y-yeah," Aili muttered, turning slightly to glance at where the spirit had been.
Lerihua glanced at her curiously, and squeezed her hand as she looked up at him with over bright eyes.
"Y-you saw him too?" she whispered anxiously. Lerihua nodded, Aili letting out a sigh.
"I...I thought I might have imagined it,"
xXx
Watching from the Great Temple entrance, Ahonui cursed under his breath then moved to the edge of the broken causeway and sat beside Nireta. "It's very annoying that we can't go and help. But at least he didn't catch sight of our friends here." he said, gaze still fixed on the neighbouring smoke covered metru.
His closefriend nodded, anxiously chewing on a nail, "I just hope Fàsach got Lari to somewhere safe. From what Kaike said she was still woozy and seeing double." Nireta replied as she got up, cast one last glance at Le-metru then gave Ahonui a hand up.
Rejoining their friends, the pair grinned as Nuhrii and Làmhach welded the last pipe of a small protodermis purifier into place. "This'll come in useful, even if we don't remember the chants once used." Pelagia commented as she passed the Ta-matoran, her arms full with weapons brought up from one of the storage rooms. Setting them down in a pile, the blue/violet hued matoran began sorting through them checking for any damage or wear and missed her friends' glances.
A low chuckle came from the spirit of Turaga Dume as he crossed to where Pelagia was now totally absorbed in cleaning the rust from a spear. "If there aren't copies in the archives, then I and Nokama can dictate them to Rionna when things return to normal...or you could make new ones." he said when she realized he was crouched beside her and dropped the spear in surprise. "Say that sounds like a brill-great idea." Orkham piped up before yelping as Turaga Nokama briefly solidified and prodded him gently.
"At least our friends are positive." Kūri murmured to Turaga Vakama, the pair were sat on the stairs watching the busy matoran, "Yes they've grown stronger in the past thousand years." came his friend's reply. The fiery Turaga was idly spinning his fire staff between his hands, a distant, thoughtful expression in his eyes.
...
"Excuse me Turaga, can I squeeze past please?" Suna's voice came from behind the pair and Vakama glanced round to see the kingfisher blue matoran watching him, her arms full with a large bag. "Supplies for the other." she explained, a determined look in her eyes while quiet voice came from the tunnel and Kaho peered round the entrance.
As Suna passed the spirits and thanked them, her gaze took in the busy main chamber and her friends.
"Thanks for the supplies, they're a great help." Leus-sùl said as her kingfisher blue friend reached her. Suna smiled, "Anything to help. Now how are you coping?" she enquired softly, "Huh? Oh I-I'm alright." Leus-sùl quickly said as she hastily picked up some food and placed it on the shelves.
"Leus-sùl, you're paler than normal, there are dark smudges under your eyes and you've not stopped trembling since..."
"NO don't say it please...he can't reach me here and use me again." the petrified matoran whimpered, dropping the tin on her foot as she crouched down and covered her mask.
Dropping what she held, Suna knelt beside her terrified friend and hugged her tightly, only glancing up when Okoth joined them. "I've been expecting this. Help me get her to drink this, it'll help ease her terror." she explained while taking the lid off a canister and crouching to be level with her friends.
Eventually they managed to coax Leus-sùl into drinking all of the sleeping draught, then once it had taken effect carried her over to a camp bed and made her comfortable. "Thanks Suna, I'll keep watch over her. You'd better get back to Ga-metru before he turns up and tries again." Okoth said, giving Suna a hug before turning back to where Leus-sùl rested.
Exiting through the tunnel, Kaho carefully sealed the hidden door while Suna and Eilek made certain that the coast was clear. "Here's hoping that Leus-sùl feels a bit calmer when she wakes." Suna murmured as they headed for Siya's, having arranged to meet up with her, Gavla, and if they'd returned Lariska and Rionna.
xXx
Having readied lunch for the Toa healers and Kokua, Rhya Nui had closely watched over Anuenue as she played in the snow. Then, once the childlike Turaga had tired herself out, they returned to the living room and Turaga Lannair, who'd watched from the window seat.
*yawn* "Nap time?" Anuenue mumbled sleepily as she nestled against Rhya's side tugging the blankets round her shoulders, "Yes little one. Time for a nap." Rhya gently replied as the Turaga of Colour's eyes closed in sleep before she looked over to where Lannair sat, puzzlement in her gaze.
"M-master why does A-Anuenue..."
"Act younger than she is?" the dusky Great Spirit finished the nervous Turaga's query when she lowered her gaze and trembled. "Y-yes."
"To protect her mind." Rhya said, pouring out a fresh mug of hot bula berry juice and telekinetically lifting a full dish of the orange berries that Aili has said she liked from the table over to where Lannair sat, before elaborating on the brief explanation. As she quietly talked, the dusky Great Spirit hid a smile at the spark of curiosity growing within Turaga Lannair.
xXx
Out at the assemblers' village, several matoran were in discussion over checking on those in Ta-metru. "Well if we make our way through Onu-metru it possible to reach there."
"You ok?" Velika asked quietly when Ma-ani muttered anxiously under his breath. "Just hoping that Rionna's alright." the dark cinnamon carver replied as they began heading through the city part of Po-metru, "If she's still with Lariska then I'm certain she will be fighting fit." Hafu chuckled; grinning as Ma-ani blushed then pretended to thump his shoulder.
...
On reaching the causeways that surrounded the coliseum, the group stopped and peered from behind the remains of part of the chute station.
"This way." Hafu whispered, gesturing towards the nearest causeway leading to Ta-metru. Silently he, Ma-ani, Velika and Olcas picked their way over the debris while making sure they stayed out of sight of the tower.
Unknown to the matoran, Teridax was having several problems of his own. And the Makuta Nui was unaware that Rhya Nui had deliberately distracted him to ensure the Po-matorans' safe passage.
"Phew, that was nerve racking!" Olcas muttered once they were well into Ta-metru and out of sight of the tower and its unwelcome occupants. "Yeah come on, let's head for Jaller's old home." Hafu replied, his gaze flicking round constantly watching for any signs of danger.
...
They were almost at their destination when the group found Kapura and Aodhan busy working on removing large shards of metal from the front of Toa Tahu's home. "They did this last night, destroyed the lightstones and wrecked nearly everything inside." the dark red matoran explained, radiating anger as he pulled one of the remaining shards out and lobbed it onto the pile near by.
"Acha and Dìleas have gone to fetch shutters so that we can try and protect what remains of the house. We managed to rescue some things." Aodhan added chucking the shard he held onto the others, his gaze grim as he surveyed the damage to the structure. Quickly the Po-matoran shared what they'd witnessed in their metru and listened to what their friends had endured.
"And now Le-metru is getting it in the neck. That smoke's really thick." Kapura said, as Dìleas and Acha returned carrying the shutters between them.
Once they'd fitted the shutters into place, the group headed for the nearest foundry. "It's one of several meeting places." Aodhan explained as Ma-ani ducked under several buckled girders and joined those present as they quietly planned how to help their friends and where the best places were to set traps for the Rahkshi.
"Lariska gave us some really good ideas for disabling them long enough for her to reduce them, and I quote, to steaming piles of maha droppings." Dalu grinned wolfishly as she absently tickled Ryuu behind his ears.
The small Hikaki purred softly, listening out for his fighting friend's lifemate and brother, then suddenly jumped from Dalu's shoulder to peer out of a hole in the wall.
The group were deep in conversation when Ryuu peeped with excitement and jumped onto the table scattering their plans. "Ryuu! Lach and Balta must be close." Acha chuckled as the small Hikaki caught some of the paper before it slid off the table then chirruped happily as Aodhan ushered his friends inside. "We've passed the warning onto Nixie, she'll make sure it gets to Ko-metru." Lach said, grinning at his sister while helping pick the rest of the plans and maps up.
It was mid-afternoon when they finished making their plans and the group split into two, one creeping out through a concealed entrance, the other cautiously left the way they'd entered. "We'll head for Le-metru, see what we can do to help." Dalu said when they met up in the ruined square, "Sounds good, we'll go see our friends in Ga-metru. And there's plenty here to empty Taka's home and harass the Rahkshi." Kapura replied; failing to hide a smile as Ma-ani grinned then blushed.
xXx
Glancing out of the nearest window as she continued speaking, Rhya Nui watched as a tree's shadow grew darker and a pair of scarlet eyes blinked at her. Weaving the compulsion to sleep into her voice, the dusky Great Spirit sent Turaga Lannair into dreamless sleep then placed cushions under Anuenue's head and wove further protection around the living room before going into the garden.
"I see another waif's been found." the chill voice of Makuta Miserix came from the shadowed area as Rhya Nui approached then settled on the bench near by. "That is so. I suppose you've come to attempt to take him out."
"Not yet. I may have a thirst for power, but I want to be alive to enjoy said power." a low chuckle floated in the icy air as the Makuta sketched a brief mocking bow in the direction of the coliseum. "So do you have any reason for being here or are you just adding to the mayhem?" Rhya Nui remarked dryly, a brief smile crossing her mask at Miserix's actions before she glanced over to the living room windows. The small bird was perched on the ledge, watching them curiously, "Teridax can't sense me, your presence masks me. And I...well as much as it galls me, I need your help." the Makuta admitted, avoiding the dusky Great Spirit's intense and surprised gaze.
xXx
"Of course you do know that the other Glatorian will want to spar with you." Gresh commented as the craft he piloted swooped over the sands of Bara Magna. "With you wanting to have first go?" Mata Nui replied, his gaze travelling over the nearly featureless plains.
Shading his eyes as the green hued warrior chuckled, Mata Nui focused his gaze on the distant figure he'd spotted, "Who is that?"
"Huh?" Gresh said, slowing the craft down and following his companion's line of sight, "Oh, that's Malum. He's banished from his village and quite the loner."
"What do you want and who's the lightstone?" the red/orange hued warrior growled as the craft coasted to a halt beside him.
...
"Huh, I might come over...if there's anything left of him." Malum replied once Gresh finished talking and shared a water canister. Turning away from the craft and its occupants, he paused, "There seems to be something going on at Roxtus. Skrall's even more obnoxious than normal."
"Aren't they always." Gresh replied, nodding his thanks for the information. A low chuckle followed that remark, then as Gresh started the craft up and headed off Malum watched until they had vanished from sight then started after them, intrigued as to how the new warrior would fare.
xXx
Having grown bored of watching the two two-legs in the garden, the small bird fluttered over to where Turaga Lannair slept and perched on her lap. Chirping quietly, she gently pecked at the piece of fruit in Lannair's hand. Once she'd finished, the small bird preened for a few minutes then began singing, watching to see if the peach wise one would waken.
Several minutes later, the small bird stopped singing and fluttered over to perch on Anuenue's shoulder where she sang again. "Mmm...little squeak." the childlike Turaga mumbled before snuggling deeper into the blankets. The bird gave a frustrated chirp at the fact neither of the two-legs had woken and returned to the window ledge to see what the powerful two-legs was doing.
Aili nodded, falling silent again. Lerihua hugged her closer, both glancing around as light blue glow surrounded them. A moment later they found themselves in Tein'a's living room, Rhya beckoning them into the kitchen.
"You all look shattered," she chuckled after they had wearily greeted her. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Aili who looked particularly tired and drawn, then gestured for them to take a seat. All were surprised when the Great Spirit produced lunch for them, all protesting as to their ability to prepare lunch. Rhya raised her hand to try and stem their protests then gave up, shaking her head as they continued to look somewhat embarrassed.
"Relax, it was not a hassle in any way," she said, sitting on a spare chair. She glanced again at Aili who was still unusually quiet.
"Are you alright?" she asked then looked startled as she burst into tears and buried her mask in her hands. Rhya started to move towards her to hug her then paused when Aili waved her off with a soft curse.
"No, sorry," she managed to say, wiping furiously at her eyes. "Blast, I didn't mean to do that," She blushed and took a long drink to cover her embarrassment as Rhya watched her patiently.
"To think a fortnight ago I was bored stiff, wishing that something would happen," Aili said finally, a wry smile on her face. "I guess they're right about being careful about wishes,"
Lerihua moved his chair closer to hug her, Aili leaning against his shoulder. Aili looked like she was debating with herself about something for a moment, then looked up at Rhya.
"C-could I ask you something?" she asked quietly, the Great Spirit looking curious.
"Of course, ask away,"
Aili was silent for a few minutes then spoke up again in a quavering voice.
"I-I was just w-wondering if...is there any certain conditions that...that the s-spirits need t-to appear?"
Rhya looked surprised by the question, but answered.
"Normally no. It has only been recently that they have been able to move freely between the realms...My b-brother's...illness previously made it almost impossible to appear,"
"So...s-so somebody who d-died a century ago would not have been able to appear?"
"No," Rhya answered. "Why do you ask?"
Aili took a moment to answer.
"I...just while we were out fighting that fire I saw the spirit of my... of someone I had l-lost a long time ago," she said quietly. "I never thought I would see them again,"
"Who was it?" Aikane broke in curiously. "I thought I saw a spirit, but when I looked back he was gone," she paused glancing anxiously at Aili, "You don't have to tell us if you don't want to. I...I didn't mean to upset you,"
Aili smiled at her, "You didn't upset me," she said "And I don't mind telling you...It's just people get a bit uneasy..." She sighed and continued, "I-it was my f-father's spirit. Both my p-parents were k-killed when I was small,"
Aikane, Kokua and Rhya all stared in shock at the Toa of Fire while Lerihua hugged her closer.
"Oh spirits, I'm sorry," Aikane whispered. "I didn't - "
"I told you you'd get all awkward," Aili said with a half smile.