Staggering slightly as Teridax returned the blow he'd thrown, Mata Nui sensed that the Makuta was gearing up to use his stolen powers. Reacting swiftly, the Great Spirit let loose a bolt of energy just as a jagged bolt of red energy shot from Teridax's hand. The bolts met midway, exploding with a blinding flash and before the light faded, the massive beings launched more bolts of energy at each other before Teridax closed the distance between them and grabbed Mata Nui's arm, knocking the energy bolt he'd called up from his grasp.

Meanwhile, the Skakdi and Rahkshi, having grown tired of waiting for the Skrall and Bone hunters to finish falling into the traps, had started towards where Gresh, Tahu and Takanuva waited. The female Scarabax that had managed to regain her perch on Tahu's shoulder chattered anxiously at the size of their enemies. She then jumped from the fiery Toa's shoulder and burrowed swiftly into the ground, heading for where Click had said the other tall ones were.

xXx

Peering in the direction Atanu could just be seen, Recho anxiously chewed a knuckle while Ercho and Nimre talked with Ackar and Certavus. The mid green/ochre Glatorian suddenly yelped as a Scarabax erupted from the ground and jumped up and down chittering urgently.

Before Recho could say anything to her brother and friends, the sounds of the fight between Mata Nui and Teridax Nui reached them. "Now that we understand." Vastus remarked dryly as he and the other Glatorian swiftly joined those outside.

Without saying anything more, the dark green Glatorian started in the direction of the hot springs, passing Malum and the excited Vorox. The sand warriors chattered eagerly amongst themselves before howling their battle cries and racing off after Vastus.

"Looks like Malum's banishment has had a plus side." Certavus said, watching as Malum said something to the Vorox beside him as they vanished from view, "He's still quite the loner though." Soirea added, readying her axes before taking up a position between S'reta and Rioli.

Not long after they were joined by several agori, Dù-ra amongst them. "I-I can't stay hidden when I can fight beside you." she murmured when Certavus glanced at her, his eyes narrowing as he realized what she was. "Interesting." he replied before going to join those on the ridge, leaving the ex Bone huntress peering curiously after him. They'd just finished preparations when Artre appeared and made a beeline for his lifefriend.

Certavus watched as they quietly talked then hugged before the chartreuse healer handed his lifefriend a bag, turning his attention back to the hot springs, a smile in his eyes.

xXx

"Don't they're on our side!" Gresh shouted as several Vorox sprang into sight, startling the Toa. Lowering his sword, but not his guard, Tahu glanced around at the sand/brown warriors milling around them. "We fight, kill with you." a large warrior growled before glancing at the red/orange warrior who'd nodded to Gresh as he quickly introduced them.

As the roar of the advancing Skakdi and Rahkshi grew ever closer, Malum suggested to the sand warriors that they help Gresh and Takanuva while he assisted Tahu. "Nisssss." a Vorox hissed, tearing her gaze from the distant figures and focusing eagerly on those approaching.

Without waiting for his red/orange friend or the one called Gresh, Leader howled and started for the remaining Skrall and Bone hunters, the rest having located the traps set earlier.

Curses rose from the Skakdi when they tried to use their innate abilities only to find they weren't functioning properly. "That's good to know." Tahu growled as he dodged a Skrall's attempt to plough into him. "How so?" Malum asked before knocking two Bone hunters heads together, stunning them.

While the fiery Toa explained between fending off the remaining Skrall and Bone hunters, Gresh and Takanuva fought beside the Vorox leader and Anis. The other Vorox were ploughing into the Skrall and Bone hunters facing them with gusto, several even started on the Skakdi, eagerly dragging them down.

xXx

Teridax pushed down on Mata Nui's smaller form, trying to force the Great Spirit to his knees. Before he could bring his full weight onto Mata Nui's shoulder, there was a blur of movement and the Makuta found himself stumbling back as Mata Nui leapt away while calling a ball of energy into being.

As he launched it at Teridax Nui, the Makuta snarled defiantly and used his stolen powers to deflect the bolt. An evil smile crossed the dark spirit's face as the energy bolt shot in the direction of the caves. Without missing a beat, Mata Nui borrowed a move he'd seen Hakinu use in a training session to distract Teridax while sending his will after the energy bolt.

A startled gasp escaped Dù-ra as she stared at the energy bolt heading for those on guard. Glancing round, the ex Bone huntress scrambled for a shovel or anything that could be used to cover any fires started by the rapidly approaching bolt.

Around her, the Glatorian did likewise, those who had their water and ice powers woken readied them. "Whoa, that's weird." Surric muttered, echoing his friends' awed murmurs as the energy bolt suddenly did a neat u-turn and shot back towards the distant giants.

As the energy bolt headed for Teridax and he swiftly summoned another to neutralize it, Mata Nui took the chance to scan through the information he'd acquired when he'd merged with Suha Nui's robotic form. A murmur of shock escaped the Kanohi Ignika as it picked up on the Great Spirit's thoughts. Before it could add any comments, Mata Nui staggered as Teridax managed to get a blow through his defences.

Sensing his chances, Teridax Nui began pouring more energy into the breach, widening it further. Struggling to repel the energy trying to reach and short out his systems, Mata Nui sensed that he should focus the energy at Teridax's heartlight.

Concentrating hard, the Great Spirit managed to channel his opponent's energy and then pushed it towards the Makuta's chest. All the combatants paused in their fighting when the larger of the giants roared with anger.

Racked with pain, Teridax Nui snarled, plunging his hand into the sand and shaping it to his will. As the enraged dark spirit pulled a massive blade from the ground, Mata Nui focused his energy on his own sword, weaving it around and through the blade until it fitted his grip.

With a mighty crash, their blades came together and the pair continued their battle, the blows interspersed with more blasts of energy.

...

The light was starting to dim when those amongst the Skakdi who didn't have night vision fell back, Warlord Nektann amongst them. Having left strict orders to continue harassing their foe, he paused then pulled out the golden shoulder guard to taunt the warriors.

"What was that?" Malum asked when Tahu cursed angrily before launching a string of fireballs at the retreating Skakdi.

"He's got a piece of the armour we need." the fiery Toa replied shortly, his gaze following the retreating Skakdi. As Malum considered his fellow warrior's explanation, Tahu sent a fiery whirlwind towards the enemy closest to where they were positioned.

In the tree she'd landed in, Bàigh's eyes flickered open and she lay there blinking puzzledly up at the evening sky. "There was something I had to do." the befuddled Skrall mumbled as the sounds of fighting rose from nearby.
A gasp of pain escaped her when she tried to free herself from the rope still around her shoulders. Head spinning, Bàigh lent back and waited for the pain to recede not realizing that she was being watched by two pairs of eyes. When the tall black one slumped back into the branches, the Scarabax chittered softly, then one scurried off leaving its friend watching over the Skrall.
Pausing halfway down the trunk, the Scarabax peered around at the fighting tall ones and noticed that the ones its friends were fighting were moving back. Seizing its chance, the Scarabax jumped down and headed for the nearest Vorox.

Having just flattened one of the grinning ones, Anis watched warily as it staggered to its feet before collapsing again. Satisfied that the grinning one was not going to be a threat for a while, Anis looked around to see how her lifefriend was doing then glanced at the beetle, which had just scrambled up to her shoulder. "Nisss." the female Vorox hissed softly before racing over to attack one of a pair who'd cornered one of the younger sand warriors.

xXx

Glaring at Mata Nui as their swords locked, Teridax Nui smiled coldly as they shifted back and forth. "By now your beloved sister will be in a coma so deep that only the presence of another Great Spirit can awaken her," he hissed, savouring the look of shock entering the Great Spirit's eyes, "What a shame there isn't one there."
Forcing his rage to one side, Mata Nui gritted his teeth and twisted his sword while sending a surge of electricity into Teridax's blade. Flying back, the dark spirit crashed heavily to the ground, his systems momentarily knocked out by the power. Not giving Teridax a chance to think, Mata Nui swiftly disarmed him, reducing the dark spirit's blade back into sand. "Even if that is true, the Toa and matoran will still stand against you." he said firmly as he began to draw on the power within his form.

Laughing coldly, Teridax Nui rolled over and leapt to his feet launching more bolt of energy at the Great Spirit. With a shout of pain as one bolt struck his thigh, Mata Nui managed to turn his stumble into a defensive move while avoiding further energy bolts.

Being still crouched, the Great Spirit noticed that part of the taller robotic form had the Bionicle symbol etched into its surface. "Just like the one on the back of my fist." he muttered while deflecting a fresh attack.

xXx

By now night had fallen and the two forces had retreated to rest for the night.

Heading for where the Skrall was still trapped, Malum and Gresh watched as two Vorox scrambled up the tree to fetch the captive. Movement around her roused Bàigh and she moaned as she was lifted up and as the Vorox awkwardly came back down, the Skrall moaned again before passing out. "Right, let's go." Malum said when the Vorox reached the ground and glanced curiously at him, Gresh watching the limp Skrall warily.

Rejoining their friends and the rest of the prowling sand tribe, the Vorox plonked the captive Skrall beside the small fire then joined those hunting for food.

Silently, Takanuva helped Gresh tend to the Skrall's injuries before turning their attention to her broken ankle. While they worked, Tahu poked cautiously at what the Vorox had brought back for their fellow warriors to eat, "It's better when cooked." Malum remarked dryly, hiding his amusement at the look on Tahu's mask.

All suddenly glanced in the direction of the fighting giants as a flash brightened the sky for several minutes. "Great Beings watch over Mata Nui." Malum heard Tahu mutter before he turned to prepare the food for cooking.

Bàigh came to with a cry as sharp intense pain shot through her leg and then tried to stifle the scream that followed. "Someone hold her shoulders." the green Glatorian snapped while a white/gold warrior concentrated on holding her leg still.

Biting her knuckle, Bàigh watched as they then splinted and bound her ankle. It was when they moved back to look at her, that Bàigh realized a Vorox was supporting her, it glanced at her and gave a chuckle like hiss before scooping her up.

Setting the wounded black female down, the Vorox chattered at Malum then headed off to eat. Bàigh glanced warily at those sat around the fire, twitching when the strange red warrior's mask shimmered and changed shape.

Standing up, Tahu moved to crouch beside the Skrall, whom glanced up at him warily, one hand rubbing a bruise. As Gresh, Malum, Leader and Anis watched with fascination, Tahu activated his Komau and began asking their captive to tell them of their enemies' plans.

...

Bàigh blinked and glanced around startled as Tahu switched back to his Hau, "Wh-what? How did...?"

"Mask of mind control. Now get stuck in, with that ankle you won't be fighting for a while." Takanuva said passing her a piece of roast meat on one of her daggers. "Thanks. And I guess you'll be wanting this back then." Bàigh muttered, fishing the piece of armour from where she'd stored it. At the sight of the piece of golden armour, Anis forgot her food and reached out, eager to touch the shining metal as Takanuva silently accepted it. "Thank you Bàigh, this will take us one step closer to aiding Mata Nui."
"The silver/white warrior whom defeated Tuma?" she asked before tearing a piece from the food she'd been given and chewed it hungrily. "Yes, now what are we going to do with you?" Malum said, drawing the Skrall's attention back to the unpredictable ex-Glatorian. When the tall black one shuddered under Malum's gaze, Anis chittered at him and moved to stand between them, drawing a chuckle from him. "You're lucky, Anis here has offered to carry you to where the other Glatorian guard the agori" Malum said while the female Vorox chittered at Bàigh, gesturing for her to finish eating. Though uncertain how she'd fare, Bàigh hurriedly finished eating and then offered her dagger back to Tahu, eager to have as much distance as possible between herself and Malum. Understanding the Skrall's reasoning, the fiery Toa accepted the dagger and stowed it away then silently watched as Anis and a Vorox with a bad limp, headed off, steadying Bàigh and she hopped slowly away.

"Looks like she's bumped into you before." Gresh commented once the small group vanished into the night, "Hmm." came the brief reply before they began planning what they'd do once daylight came.

xXx

Naidi was first to spot the small group approaching the caves and whistled to alert the others. The Glatorian watched as the Vorox set the wounded Skrall down, Anis chittered at her companion and as he replied she located the note Malum had given her. Straightening the crumpled note, Eri read it out to Elbram and Namon. "Ok, we'll take things from here." the cinnamon Glatorian said to Anis and the younger Vorox, who eagerly glanced back to wards the hot springs then hissed miserably when Anis chattered sternly at him. As the female Vorox headed off, the younger one lent against a rock, rubbing its wounded leg, "I'll see if any of the healers are awake." Eri said before heading into the caves.

Several minutes later he returned with Ti'cal and Citra, and while the healer double checked Bàigh's injuries, the ivory seer peered curiously at the squirming Skrall.

At Ti'cal's nod, Eri scooped Bàigh up and, with him and Citra following, carried her into the cave and through to a small area surrounded on three sides by stone. A stifled yelp broke the silence that had fallen as the agori watched as Eri set the Skrall, none too gently, on several blankets. "You'll stay here until we decided what'll become of you." Soirea growled as a canister was dropped beside the blankets, Bàigh nodded and dropped her gaze from the scarlet Glatorian's. A rustle followed by a startled gasp drew Soirea's gaze away from the Skrall's and she saw they'd been joined by Dù-ra. The ex Bone huntress glanced up at Soirea, curiosity in her eyes as to why Bàigh was there, "You want to help watch her?" Nodding, Dù-ra dashed off and then returned with more blankets, which she quickly set up then flopped down on.

"D-Dù-ra?" Bàigh exclaimed as the dark green agori was joined by a chartreuse one and the one who'd come outside when she'd arrived. "'tis me, Bàigh," Dù-ra said before stifling a yawn, "What's going on out there?" she added settling against her lifefriend while Citra sat nearby. Listening with interest as Bàigh quietly spoke to the curious trio, Soirea nodded when Tarix joined her to find out how things were. For several minutes they listened to the Skrall's news, then Soirea left to inform the others.

Eventually, Bàigh's voice faded as she fell asleep and before Artre could untangle himself from Dù-ra's embrace, Citra got up and draped a blanket over the sleeping Skrall. "She didn't punish Slàn-lûs, Elure or me when I passed out and they had to carry me back to the cellar." she explained before wrapping the remaining blankets around her shoulders and settled beside Bàigh.

The Skrall roused long enough to drape her arm over the agori's shoulders. Tarix's eyebrows rose in surprise then he pick a boulder to sit on to continue his watch over the captive and his friends.

xXx

The ever-watchful Vorox on guard greeted Anis when she rejoined them and she settled beside Leader, who was guarding the Glatorian as they rested. Roughly half the sand tribe were catching some kip, but they roused briefly to hiss softly at their fellow Vorox. Nestling closer to Leader, Anis accepted the last of the meat and tucked in while glancing around the rough camp while listening to him tell her what had been planned.

Similar things had occurred in the enemy camp, though the groups were keeping a wary distance between them. In the Skrall camp, Tuma watched as Stronius picked his way through the exhausted Skrall and sat beside him. "They've got it and Bàigh." the large Skrall muttered under his breath, "Good," Tuma muttered, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the one that the Skakdi called 'warlord', "He's next."

In the Skakdi camp, those still awake were placing bets on how long it would take to flatten the Toa and other warriors. Chuckling darkly, Warlord Nektann settled against a rock and quickly fell asleep thinking of victory.

The Rahkshi on the other hand were more interested in hurling rocks in the direction of the battling giants, hissing excitedly when the bigger one's fist connected with its opponent's body.

None of them noticed the small trails in the sand close by. Led by Click, the Scarabax beetles headed for the giants.

...

Emerging from the sand, the beetles gathered close, all leaning their heads to one side to try and take in the heights of those locked in battle.

Once they'd go over their awe, the Scarabax listened to Click then headed for the larger giant, whom was oblivious to the approaching horde.

The Kanohi Ignika had sensed the Scarabax beetles arrival and silently chuckled when they headed for Teridax Nui. "That'll surprise him." Suha Nui's spirit whispered as she hovered beside the brightly glowing mask, both guessing what the small insects had in mind.

Watching the larger giant carefully, Click picked his moment and then jumped. Landing on its foot, he clung on with five legs and signalled to the others, whom eagerly followed. Scrambling upwards, the beetles found plenty of places to cling to until a gap into the giant robot was located.

xXx

After what felt like hours, though in reality, was little over a few minutes, Lannair stirred, coughing in the dust that still swirled around them. She tried to sit up, then fell back with a groan as she found that she hurt all over. She lay still for a moment, straining to hear any signs of life in the rubble around her, then slowly tried to sit up again. She leaned against something for a moment, eyes closed as she waited for the pain in her ribs to subside. A moan from somewhere close at hand startled her, and she glanced around, seeking the source of the noise.
"...'Nue?"
Lannair managed to free herself from the rubble trapping her and crawled over to where Anuenue lay trapped. She crouched beside the rainbow hued Turaga, trying to see whether she had been badly hurt. A quick check showed that Anuenue so far was faring no worse then she herself, and as she rocked back on her heels, Anuenue's eyes snapped open before she froze, looking terrified.
"Where are they?" she whimpered, frantically brushing at the rubble trapping her.

Lannair shook her head as she managed to pull her companion free from the rubble.
"I-I don't know," she whispered, shivering in the bitter cold "I – I..."
Both fell silent as heavy footsteps approached, their owner walking straight past where they hid, accompanied by angry hissing. Lannair nearly choked as Anuenue clung to her in terror, the pair trying to get as far back in their hiding place while making as little noise as possible.

They both heard the footsteps halt, both freezing and waiting, as the footsteps grew louder as their owner approached, both now seeking a place to hide. There was a sudden crunch of rubble, Anuenue screamed, taking an even tighter hold on Lannair as they desperately scrambled back. The rubble sheltering them had been swept aside and the hideous 'face' of one of the attacking Rahkshi leered down at them.

Lannair wrapped one arm around the Turaga of Colour, fighting back her own terror and a second, forgotten emotion that was starting to push back against the fear. She watched as though time had slowed as the Rahkshi reached out for her and Anuenue, and before she knew what she was doing she had picked up the largest piece of rubble that she could find and brought it across as hard across its faceplate as she could.

The metal split open with a resounding crack, forcibly ejecting the kraata, which hit the wall and fell limply to the ground with a somewhat sickening squelch. Anuenue squealed again, though this time with disgust and she attempted to climb over Lannair in her haste to get away from the slimy thing. Lannair was thrown off balance and she staggered and fell, both hitting the ground painfully.

Her hand struck something that felt useful, and after she had given herself a moment to recover, scooped it up as she climbed to her feet, pulling her companion up with her. She glanced at what she held; realising that it was Anuenue's colour-staff, then looked up at the hole the Rahkshi had left. She cautiously hoisted herself up to peer out, then flinched as she spotted at least six other Rahkshi prowling around, apparently seeking something in the rubble.

She wondered briefly why they had not yet approached their hiding spot, since there was no way they could have missed the noise they had made but then realised with an unpleasant jolt that the Rahkshi had bigger fish to fry.
"W-what are they looking for?" Anuenue whispered as she joined the Turaga of Fire.
"Not us," Lannair replied after a moment of hesitation. She watched as the Rahkshi picked through the rubble, one hissing excitedly as it began to dig something out. It let out a disappointed sound as it uncovered Aikane's unconscious form, then roughly pulled her from the debris trapping her and held her up with an enquiring hiss to it's fellows. It snickered and nodded as another gave a contemptuous hiss and tossed her off to one side, the Toa of Twilight's body rolling limply away.

"'Kane," Anuenue whimpered, burying her mask in her hands. Lannair hugged her tightly, watching as the Rahkshi kicked Aikane's staff towards her, hissing with amusement as it knocked her mask askew before rolling to a stop.

"W-we go help?" Anuenue whispered, tugging on the Turaga of Fire's arm. Lannair bit her lip, thinking the same thing but wondering just how they would reach Aikane without being caught by the prowling Rahkshi, their number ever increasing.

"'Nue, you can change the colour of things, can't you?" Lannair whispered. Anuenue nodded slowly then managed a tearful smile.
"C-can you make us blend in so they can't s-see us?"
"I-I'll try," Anuenue mumbled. She shyly placed her hand on Lannair's shoulder, the Turaga of Fire watching in fascination as her form slowly changed from peach/light gold to a greyish-white hue which subtly shifted as she moved.

"That is incredible," she whispered; staring down at herself, then over at Anuenue who looked the mirror image of her. The Turaga of Colour smiled again, then moved to try and help Lannair as she tried to climb out the hole.

Five minutes later she finally managed to scramble out of the gap in the rubble then froze, waiting to see whether any of the Rahkshi would pay attention to the noise she had made.

One glanced her way and hissed, narrowing it's eyes but as the seconds ticked by, shrugged and rejoined it's siblings. Lannair breathed a sigh of relief before turning to where Anuenue was trying to climb out. It took a few moments and some scrabbling for a foothold but eventually both Turaga crouched behind a bit of stone, waiting for a safe moment to join Aikane. The Toa of Twilight still lay where she had fallen, though, Lannair noted, she had shifted into a less uncomfortable position and seemed to be reaching towards her quarter-staff. Lannair glanced back towards the Rahkshi, waiting until they were turned away before grabbing Anuenue's hand and pulling her towards a bit of shelter closer to where Aikane was.

They reached it and ducked down just as the Rahkshi closest to them uncovered something with an excited hiss. It's excitement, and the sudden interest of it's siblings was short lived, as, with a disappointed hiss it pulled a semi-conscious orange form out and lobbed it towards where Aikane lay.
"No!" Lannair moaned, wincing as her friend landed mask first with a sickening crunch. She started forward to try and help but before she could get more than two steps forward, she found herself being abruptly brought to a halt by Anuenue.
"W-wait," she whispered, sounding worried as she watched Aili. The Toa of Fire had managed to raise herself up, and as they watched was slowly shifting into a crouch, all the while watching the Rahkshi with a curiously intent gaze. Blood was streaming from her clearly broken nose, but it was the expression in her eyes that was frankly terrifying. They were no longer the usual friendly eyes that she had become accustomed to over the weeks, but rather they were filled with a rage that Lannair had never seen even in the eyes of her old masters.
"S-spiders," Anuenue whispered fearfully, staring blankly at the Toa of Fire. "Evil spiders..."
Lannair paused in confusion for a second then glanced, startled at Anuenue before shuddering again.
"V-v-vis...them? M-ma- Aili was...b-but sh-he's not...?
Anuenue just shook her head in terror, then tried to stifle a gasp as Aili made a move to strike at the nearest Rahkshi, before she was caught and dragged back by a pair of violet arms.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" they heard Aikane snap as she hauled the Toa of Fire out of sight, before she continued in a low, fierce whisper. They saw Aili tense and look as though she was about to strike the Toa of Twilight before her reason kicked in, and she buried her mask in her hands. Aikane absently squeezed her shoulder as she watched the searching Rahkshi through narrowed eyes.
"Now, c'mon," Anuenue decided as the Rahkshi were momentarily distracted by one of their fellows slipping into a gap between the rubble and getting stuck there. The Turaga raced past, crouched as low as possible neither daring to look around until they reached Aikane and Aili.
Aikane glanced up sharply as the pair skidded to a halt, then relaxed slightly on seeing whom it was. She had laid a restraining hand on Aili's arm but quickly removed it as Aili shifted, clearly uncomfortable with being held back. Her eyes narrowed as the stuck Rahkshi seemed to find something in the hole it had fallen into and called to it's companions.

Aikane was trying now to disentangle Anuenue's arms from around her neck while trying to see whether she was hurt.
"How are you faring?" she asked Lannair a few moments later as she finally managed to coax Anuenue into letting go of her. Lannair shrugged, then winced as her ribs pained her.
"I'll b-be alright," she whispered, then glanced over at the Rahkshi. "Th-they're looking for R-r-rhya, shouldn't we try and s-stop them?"
"I know," Aikane answered, following her gaze "I...the shadow twins are out there waiting, soon as the Rahkshi find her they'll grab her before they know what has hit them,"
She glanced at the shivering pair and sighed. "I'd get them to take you and Anuenue out of danger if I could," she continued. "But I don't think they have enough energy to make more than one jump...they've been active for so long now, they all need to rest and there is only so long I can keep them active without Rhya's help,"
She trailed off and glanced back at Aili, who had been conspicuously quiet. The Toa of Fire was still intently watching the Rahkshi, Aikane following her gaze just in time to see the stuck Breunrahk being pulled out by it's siblings. The greenish grey Rahkshi hissed peevishly at it's siblings as they continued to snicker, before starting to dig where it had been trapped. It hissed smugly as it uncovered something, dragging out yet another unconscious figure from the rubble. What sounded very much like a disdainful laugh came from another Rahkshi as it prodded the mask-less Lerihua, the copper hued Toa dangling limply from the greenish grey Rahkshi's grasp. It snorted and tossed him to one side, the Toa of Stone rolling bonelessly to a halt.

"NO DON'T -" Aikane started to shout as an enraged growl came from the crouched figure beside her before she exploded forward.
"Oh Great Beings - stay here," Aikane snapped at the Turaga before she used her quarter staff to vault from their hiding spot and into the fray. Lannair and Anuenue watched as Aili tore into a second Rahkshi, and then a third as it tried to trip her. Aikane meanwhile had her hands full with a pair of Rahkshi, one, of Plant Control taking great delight in causing thorny vines to erupt from the ground to catch her about the ankles. They heard her curse angrily as a particularly spiky plant nearly tripped her before she brought her staff crashing into the Rahkshi's knees giving her enough time to flip back out of the way.

A persistent tugging at her arm brought Lannair back to attention and she tore her gaze from the battle to glance at Anuenue whom motioned impatiently at her before scuttling back and running over to where Lerihua lay.
"'Nue, wait, I -"
She broke off as Anuenue totally ignored her as she continued to thread her way through the rubble until she reached the Toa of Stone. Lannair hastily snatched Anuenue's staff up and after shooting a nervous glance at the Rahkshi again, followed, trying to avoid the more treacherous looking bits. She had just about made it when her foot caught in a pothole and she tripped, landing heavily beside the pair.
"You 'k Lanna?" Anuenue whispered, helping her up.
"Y-yeah," Lannair muttered as she brushed dirt and gravel from her elbows. "I'll be alright - how is he?"
"S-sleeping. Can't w-wake him up," Anuenue whispered, rubbing furiously at her eyes.

The Turaga of Fire noted with great relief that despite the massive lump on the back of his head his heartlight still shone steadily.
"H-he's so p-pale," Anuenue whimpered as Lannair sat back, biting her lip.
"He needs his mask," she answered absently, then glanced up sharply as Lerihua moaned, opening his eyes briefly.
"Ugghhh...w-what?...'Nair, when'd y-you get a twin?" he managed before his eyes flickered and he lapsed back into unconsciousness. Lannair sighed anxiously, wishing there was a way to warm him before she glanced around at Anuenue. The Turaga of Colour looked thoughtful, then cautiously peered over at the Rahkshi.
"I-I - 'Nue? No, n-not again!"

Anuenue had run off again, ducking and weaving through the rubble.

While Anuenue ran off, leaving Lannair with a deep sense of worry and an ever-growing sense of frustration, not too far away a dark ocean blue figure was stirring beneath the rubble. She opened her eyes to find herself in darkness and she instinctively tried to move, only to realise that she was stuck in an extremely cramped space.
She forced herself to take a deep breath and calm down before thoroughly checking her limbs over for any injury.

She then carefully ran her hands along the 'ceiling' of her prison, seeking the safest way to begin digging her way out. Her fingers found a likely crack and after a good ten minutes of squirming she managed to shift onto her knees to start digging her way out.

As Uil'-ic worked she paused as faint noises of someone fighting above drifted down to her, before redoubling her efforts and hoping that at least she would come across fresh air soon.
"Gotta get out of here," she muttered, continuing to shove at the rubble above her.
By now, the sounds of fighting had grown much closer, and as Uil'-ic managed to clear a space large enough to see through, there was a triumphant snarl and a heavy thud as a shredded Rahkshi landed beside her.
She glanced up through the gap and gasped as she watched Toa Àillidh ripping into another Rahkshi and tearing it apart with her bare hands. As the enraged Toa of Fire moved away, apparently to seek another Rahkshi to rip apart, Uil'-ic caught sight of Turaga Lannair crouching beside an unconscious form. She was watching Anuenue with a mix of irritation and anxiety before, with a nervous glance around she hurried over to join the Turaga of Colour, who was tugging at something half buried in the rubble.

Uil'-ic was about to resume digging herself out when something pink caught her eye. She frowned, seeking the source of the utterly unexpected colour then gasped in horror as a bizarrely hued Kurahk stalked towards the oblivious Turaga. The Daxian healer desperately tried to free herself in time to help, all the while shouting at the battling Toa, trying to catch their attention. Neither seemed to hear her, Uil'-ic glanced back at the Turaga and froze in horror as the Kurahk loomed over them, a hideous 'grin' on it's face. Its' shadow crossed Turaga Lannair and she glanced up. Her mask crumpled in terror but with a strength nobody would have expected from one so frail, she seized Anuenue's shoulders and yanked her roughly out of the way, the Rahkshi's staff bouncing harmlessly off the rubble.
Anuenue screamed in terror but Lannair was already scrambling to her feet, pulling the younger Turaga up behind her. The enraged Rahkshi followed them, almost playfully aiming bolts of energy at their feet. One particularly near miss sent both tumbling down the slope, a second striking Lannair dead on. Uil'-ic turned away in sorrow, thinking that the Turaga of Fire had been killed. She didn't see the Turaga's eyes snap open as the Rahkshi loomed closer, nor her hand close around Anuenue's colour staff.

It was only when she heard a scream of unbridled rage that she whirled, a fervent curse escaping her as she saw Turaga Lannair barrelling into the bizarrely coloured Rahkshi, landing blow after blow with Anuenue's colour staff.
The Daxian healer hastily continued digging herself out, then squealed as something moved below her. An irritated voice, muffled by both the rubble and the healer herself told her in no polite terms to move. Uil'-ic answered back in kind, and after a grudging chuckle she felt herself being shoved upwards.
"Thanks," she muttered unwillingly as Phantom climbed out and met her eyes. He nodded, dusting himself off as a further enraged shriek drew their attention to where Lannair was finishing off the neon pink Rahkshi.
The Dark hunter looked stunned for a long moment, his jaw almost hitting the ground at the sight.
"I...I - and...and they say Turaga are an easy mark..." he managed weakly after a moment. Uil'-ic let out an amused sound as she hastily scrambled across the rubble to where Anuenue was weakly trying to rise.
"You're lucky that this one isn't herself," she called back at him.
"Sh-she's the one that...?"
"Yep,"

Across on the other side of where Tein'a's house had stood, Aikane smiled grimly as she demolished a pair of Rahkshi before taking a second to catch her breath. A grimace crossed her mask as she straightened up, her gaze falling first on where a pair of Rahkshi had clearly found something and were poking around, hissing curiously, and then as an enraged scream caught her attention, to where Turaga Lannair was stalking towards a grey/green Rahkshi, her form glowing with the Anger Rahkshi's energy.

Aikane stared in a mix of horrified fascination and fear before she kicked the Rahkshi's armour aside with a growl before storming over to where Àillidh was still ripping into any Rahkshi she could lay her hands on. She caught a silver glimmer out of the corner of her eye as she headed towards the Toa of Fire, and paused briefly to scoop up the Toa of Fire's swords.

A moment later Aili let out a snarl as Aikane moved to block her path to the next group of Rahkshi. She tried to barge past only to find the Toa of Twilight roughly shoving her back.
"We do not have time for this," Aikane snarled back, trying to keep her own temper in check. "Knock it off!"
Aili's only response was to growl and attempt to get past again, no sign of recognition in her eyes. Aikane winced as from behind her there was a scream of metal on metal and a kraata shrieking as it met its demise.

She glanced around and cursed as she saw a foursome of Rahkshi close in on the enraged Turaga, already taking joy in tormenting her.

"Aili, if you don't snap out of it now, none of us are going to get out of this," Aikane snapped, glancing back at Lannair. Aili blinked and frowned slightly, Aikane sighing faintly in relief.
"Take these and go help," she said, holding out the blades to the angrily cursing Toa of Fire, whom nodded shamefacedly before racing off.

"Right," Aikane muttered forcefully as she headed for where the Rahkshi were now digging around for something.

As she sprinted towards where Lannair was fending off the four Rahkshi tormenting her, Aili struggled to hold back the rage that had nearly consumed her minutes earlier. She reached the battling group just in time to slam bodily into a Breunrahk that had raised its staff for a killing blow. She hastily climbed back to her feet before the Rahkshi could, kicked open it's faceplate and dealt with what dwelt within before turning back to help the Turaga. She then hastily seized Lannair and made to get them both out of the reach of the enraged Rahkshi, but she took no more than two steps before there was a sharp pain in her hand, and through sheer reflex let the Turaga go.

Aili stared at the crescent shaped mark on her hand for a moment in utter disbelief before cursing and plunging back into the fight. A piercing whistle caught her attention and she turned, nodding as Uil'-ic tossed her a canister and motioned for her to give it to Lannair. She turned to fireball one of the two remaining Rahkshi closing in on Lannair, then moved to take out the last.

Lannair however had beaten her to it; the peach/light gold hued Turaga was literally inside the Rahkshi armour, and as Aili approached, she wrenched the kraata out of it's casing and dispatched it with the first rock she laid her hands on. Momentarily out of breath she paused, sucking in great lungfuls of the freezing air while scanning the area for more enemies to rip apart. Aili carefully approached, slipping the canister into her hand and involuntarily stepping back as Lannair's gaze met hers.
The Toa of Fire wondered whether that was what her own gaze had looked like as she watched the Turaga drain the canister and struggle to her feet. Lannair had barely straightened up when a shudder ran through her frame and she blinked uncertainly, glancing around at those watching her before she sunk back to the ground, looking bewildered. Aili reached her in time to see her bury her mask in her hands, whispering "Oh no."

She scooped up the shocked Turaga and took her back to where Uil'-ic and the strange looking being Rhya had been talking to the previous day crouched, he watching the Daxian healer rip up a salvaged sheet into makeshift bandages. She glanced up to watch as Aili set Lannair down beside her before conjuring up a low fire to try and warm them all without attracting unwanted attention.
"Anything I can help with?" she asked the healer in a low voice, her eyes falling on where a pale Anuenue clutched Lerihua's mask.
"Just keep the fire going for the minute," Uil'-ic answered, before subtly motioning towards where Lannair sat staring blankly into the fire, still trembling with shock over what she had done. Aili nodded in answer then glanced back towards Anuenue.
"C-can I have that?" she asked, gesturing to the mask the Turaga still held tightly. "I-I...Leri needs it back..."
"C-can I do it?" Anuenue asked, hugging it closer. A long moment passed before Aili closed her eyes and nodded, fighting the urge to grab her closefriend's mask away. She shifted backwards, moving so that she was safely out of arms reach of the Turaga, unable to trust herself.

She sat next to Lannair and gently put her arm around her shoulders. Lannair shifted uncertainly then timidly leaned against the Toa of Fire, her gaze bleak as she watched the fire.

Aili was watching Uil'-ic as the healer carefully cleaned the wound on the back of Lerihua's head. The dark ocean blue healer glanced around at her and managed a smile before beckoning Anuenue over with the mask. The rainbow hued Turaga moved stiffly to join her, then carefully slipped the mask over Lerihua's pale face. Aili sighed in relief as Lerihua's colour slowly began to return, then watched as Uil'-ic motioned for Anuenue to sit down so that she could examine her wounds.

As all this was happening, the Rahkshi that Aikane had seen digging about in the rubble hissed in excitement as its staff slipped into a gap, hitting something soft below. It eagerly began hauling the rubble away from the spot, only catching a brief glimpse of something silver before something tackled it from behind and dragged it to the ground. There was a brief struggle and then Aikane scrambled to her feet, grimacing in distaste as the Rahkshi behind her twitched then lay still. She cautiously peered into the gap the Rahkshi had made, then started to pull away the rubble to see further.
A relieved smile crossed her face for a moment as she uncovered Kokua, the Torahka's eyes snapping open as she began to struggle, not yet knowing where she was or what had happened.
"Easy sis, it's just me!" Aikane yelped, dodging her sister's free hand as she flailed. Kokua blinked and stared up at her.
"S-sis? W-what hit us, I..."
She trailed off as she glanced around, getting her bearings, before panic entered her eyes as she realised she was trapped.
"S-sis, get me out of here n-now!" she cried, frantically shoving at what she could reach.
"It was the Rahkshi, who else?" Aikane said, answering Kokua's first question as she hastily pulled rubble away.
"You hurt?"
"Uh, not sure...I hurt all over but not bad...no, wait, my right wing? That definitely hurt,"
Kokua's face had paled significantly as she said this, Aikane glancing at her in concern, then, as a chorus of triumphant hisses sounded from somewhere behind her, cursed and spun to watch. One of the Rahkshi had finally uncovered Rhya Nui - and, judging by the muffled, but clearly enraged shouting, Lakino, and, as they snickered between themselves, arguing over who was to do the 'honours', four figures flitted through their ranks, seized the unconscious Great Spirit and healer, and vanished. Aikane grinned as the Rahkshi hissed in confused rage, then turned back to Kokua, grabbed both her arms and hauled her out of the remaining debris covering her. Kokua tried not to scream as pain exploded in her injured wing, but managed to draw her katana and join Aikane as the furious Rahkshi tore towards them.
"Ready sis?" Aikane called as they stood back to back. Kokua grinned sharkishly through the pain in her wing and nodded.
"Oh yeah," she muttered, letting out a musical battle cry as the Rahkshi ploughed into them.

...

A quarter of an hour later Uil'-ic glanced up as Kokua and Aikane appeared over the ridge of debris and dropped down wearily beside her. The healer put a finger to her lips and gestured to where Anuenue was dozing against her side, then motioned for Aikane to take her place.
Aikane allowed Anuenue to lean against her and watched as Uil'-ic moved to check on Kokua. The Torahka was very pale but she managed a sickly smile at the healer as she gently ran her hands over her right wing, seeking the damage there. A cry escaped her as an unpleasant grating noise came from her wing, and she buried her head in her knees, fighting a wave of nausea.
"Definitely broken," Uil'-ic muttered, shifting the two pieces of bone again.
"You think?!" Kokua growled from where her head was still firmly resting on her knees, her good wing wrapped tightly around her. "Ughh,"
"Sorry," Uil'-ic muttered, still holding onto her wing, "I...I'm going to need someone's help here for a minute - thanks," she added as Aili slowly got up. "Grab that thing there will you?"

She had pointed to a straightish bit of metal pipe, nodding as Aili scooped it up, along with several of the makeshift bandages. "This isn't going to be pleasant," the Daxian healer warned, showing Aili where to hold.
"What a shocker," came the muffled reply from Kokua, hidden somewhere in a blanket of feathers. "Just get on with it, alright?"
Aili looked away, feeling somewhat squeamish as the healer straightened the bones, then, before Kokua knew what hit her, tightly bound them to the makeshift splint. She then carefully folded the wing back, and used several strips tied together to bind it to Kokua's body. She stepped back to observe her handiwork and grimaced.

"At least it won't move around too much," she muttered with a frown. "You alright there Kokua?"
"Oh, just fine. I've never been better,"
Aikane managed a wan smile at her sister's response.

"Well, that's a good sign, sarcasm" she said wryly, shivering in the cold air. "Where to now?"
"I was hoping that you would have an idea," Uil'-ic admitted. "The Great Temple." Kokua commented, her face still pale as she focused on ignoring the pain from her wing.
"Kokua...we're in Ko-metru," Aikane began, ignoring the look on her face. "There's no way we can get all the way to Ga-metru, not like this,"
"I know that!" Kokua replied helplessly. "I just...something bad is coming, something worse than this, and we need to be there,"
Aikane closed her eyes and lowered her head into her hands for a moment, wondering whether Kokua was somehow sensing what was going on, and whether 'something bad' meant that...
She shook herself and glanced back up at them, then sighed.

"If...If we cut through Le-metru, we might be able to escape Rahkshi attention? It's ...been deserted for a while now, surely they will have gotten bored trashing what little was left,"
Kokua trailed off bitterly and scowled up at the cloudy sky.
"If they were smart, they'd still be hanging around," Uil'-ic said as she checked on Lerihua. "It being deserted would make it a perfect place for those fighting them to meet and plan,"
Phantom snorted, "They're not that smart," he said derisively. "Without someone directing them, they just start smashing everything in sight,"
"That's for sure," Kokua muttered.