Chapter II

"No way," said Hunjul. "I refuse to believe it." Hunjul was a Crad, a reptilian species with twelve-inch long necks. They were somewhat common through the universe, but they were still rarely seen in Matoran settlements. "I refuse to believe that Nidhiki is still alive, much less a Toa. Last we saw him, he was a giant spider. And Makuta killed him and Krekka, remember? That's why the Dark Hunters have been at war with the Brotherhood for over a thousand years isn't it?"

Arrouick grunted. He and Hunjul were currently rowing the large rowboat of six beings back in the direction of Nahi Nui, to verify the deaths of the Toa. "I find it hard to believe as well, but it was him. His voice, his attitude, he recognized me… I couldn't tell you if it looked like him, all Toa look the same to me."

The only Toa of the group, one with sickly green and black armor, turned to face Arrouick. "Hey, I take offense to that. You can't tell me apart from all those wannabe heroes?"

"I can always tell you apart from them, Garsh," said Arrouick. "Your obnoxious personality always shines through."

Garsh smirked. "I learn it all from you, horn-head. But anyway, I have to agree with Hunjul. I don't think our mysterious Toa friend is Nidhiki. Makuta killed him and that's that."

"What I really want to know is why we aren't using a real boat," Arrouick grunted as he rowed. "This is friggin' ridiculous."

"Shut up," Dartick growled. "We spent all of our money on supplies and worthless guides. Just deal with it."

"That's because you're not the one having to row this thing," Arrouick muttered.

Zike growled impatiently. "I want to hunt." He was a white-armored Tranthorn, another reptilian species that had even longer necks, so long that they had to bend forward, giving a sauropod-like appearance. Tranthorn were a savage and primitive species from the southern island chains and were certainly a rare sight.

"Would you shut up, Zike?" Dartick snapped. "You'll get your chance when we get to that island. I'm sure it's chockfull of Toa and Matoran for you to break." He turned to the last member of the team who hadn't spoken yet. "What do you think, Lariska? Do you think it's Nidhiki?"

Lariska was a cat-like Mormua and the only female in the group. She sat at the bow, staring out at the horizon. "It's him," she said, seemingly lost in thought, most likely thinking of the past. "He's alive. I can just feel it."

"And is that going to be a problem?" Dartick asked pryingly. "Considering your… history with him."

Lariska waited for a moment before replying. "No. It won't be a problem. That was over three thousand years ago. It's in my past."

"Are you sure?" Dartick pressed. "I've never seen you act that way toward anybody else."

Lariska turned on Dartick and growled, ears back. She obviously did not like being asked such personal questions. "Yes! I'm sure! I'll gut him myself if I have to! He's just another fool hero for me to sharpen my daggers on!"

Dartick nodded, satisfied. "Good. That's what I want to hear."

Zike suddenly roared and stood up, almost capsizing the boat and earning angry and surprised shouts from the rest of the team. "I want to crush puny Toa!" he shouted.

"Shut the Karzahni up and sit down!" Dartick barked. Reluctantly, Zike obeyed. "We won't be long now. We're almost there, and then we shall find out for certain if Nidhiki has managed to bring himself back from the dead."

Nidhiki opened his eyes to see Potan looking down at him. His vision was somewhat obscured and he couldn't remember why that was. "I found him!" Potan called to someone else.

Nidhiki saw Lhikan appear next to the Toa of Stone. "Hang on, Nidhiki. We'll get you out of there." The two Toa began moving rocks out of the way and Nidhiki remembered the rockslide that buried him and his friends. Soon, Nidhiki was dug free and Potan lifted the Toa of Air out of the rocks. He noticed Potan's armor looked charred and Lhikan's was battered and dented, although not too bad considering he used his Hau. Nidhiki assumed he looked just as bad. It was dark now so clearly quite some time had passed.

He looked to see Velika and Balta digging Takanuva out of the rockslide. His pristine white armor was now as dirty and damaged as Lhikan's. His right leg seemed damaged as he limped over toward the temple. "Where're Freg and Arrouick? Where the Karzahni did they go?"

"I don't know," Balta answered. "They were nowhere to be found when we got up here."

Nidhiki looked over to see Mateku, a Toa of Plantlife, and the rest of the Toa had come to help dig out the others. "We should count ourselves lucky that they didn't decide to finish the job," Nidhiki groaned as he limped over to a spot where the rocks were shifting. He helped Potan dig through them and they pulled Malohi out. "I don't know who that little freak was, but Arrouick is more than vicious enough to kill everyone on this island and not feel a twinge of regret."

"You knew that thing?" asked Jaller as he climbed out of the rocks.

Nidhiki sighed. "Yeah, I know him well. Arrouick, along with his brother, Dartick, made names for themselves during the Toa-Dark Hunter War. After it, Dartick became a rising star in the Dark Hunters. We became rivals of a sort, even though I wasn't allowed to leave the island. But after I grew an extra pair of legs, I was knocked down a few pegs and that was the end of that. Dartick created a team of elite Dark Hunters, including his brother and three others. The five of them are monsters, a blight on the universe. If they are all in the area, we don't stand a chance."

"What do they do for the Dark Hunters?" asked Takanuva.

"You name it, they've done it," replied Nidhiki. "Murder, assassination, theft, intimidation, kidnapping, anything. Although their specialty was raiding fortresses and overwhelming the defenses."

"Am I the only one that noticed we aren't even in a fortress?" asked Balta. "So what chance do we have?"

"None," said Nidhiki. "If they're coming back, we're doomed."

"Then I vote for quick-running away as far as we can," said Orkahm.

"We aren't going anywhere until we get everyone out," said Takanuva. "We do that, and then we'll talk about leaving."

Fifteen minutes later, everyone had been successfully dug out of the rockslide. As the injured were carried away by healers, the proximity alarm sounded around the island again. Norik and the other Rahaga ran into the clearing. "Gaaki!" he called. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, although she looked far from fine.

"Norik, do you know the origin of the alarm?" Takanuva asked.

"Yes, that's why we were coming to find you." Norik pointed toward the southern shore. "A boat was spotted coming from the south, they estimated six passengers. Kotu and Piruk said they recognized the green archaeologist from earlier among them."

Nidhiki looked at Takanuva. "They're back. We're too late. We have to get everyone away from here immediately."

Takanuva shook his head. "Toa don't run. We will stand and face this threat together, and we will triumph. That's what Toa do. Besides, Toa have a pretty good record of defeating Dark Hunters." Takanuva turned to the Nahi Nui Guard members. "I need a squad of you to go out and warn all of the Matoran to hide out, just in case we fail to defeat the Dark Hunters."

"We're on it," said Kapura before he led a squad into the brush.

Takanuva glanced at the other Toa. "Is everyone ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be," said Reymar as she used her Mask of Healing to help Potan.

Lhikan nodded. "Let's beat some Hunters."

Nidhiki readied his air scythe. "I hope you know what you're doing, Takanuva."

The Rahaga and Matoran readied their own armaments as they heard the sounds of bushes rustling coming from the southern end of the clearing. A black Karzahni Bull emerged, followed by Arrouick and four others. "Nidhiki!" said the black Karzahni Bull jovially. "You're alive! Thank Mata Nui! It must be an early Naming Day miracle! So you were right, Arrouick. We'll never doubt you again."

"Whatever," Arrouick said as he loped toward the Rahaga. "Let's just kill them already."

"Dartick," said Nidhiki. "I figured you must be nearby, calling the shots. So is the Shadowed One getting into the antique business or something?"

"Death has taken you out of the loop, Nidhiki," said Dartick. "We are no longer the Shadowed One's pawns. We've struck out on our own. We're the Shadow Hunters."

"Wow, real original," said Lhikan sarcastically.

Dartick glanced at the Toa of Fire. "And Toa Lhikan. I've been waiting three thousand years to pay you back. Let's begin." Dartick rushed Lhikan at high speed, lowering his head. Lhikan barely had time to activate his Hau, causing Dartick to bounce off the shield. The Karzahni Bull staggered back as Lhikan sent out a jet of fire. Dartick roared before he fired energy blasts from his horns. The blasts cut through the flames but Lhikan put his greatswords together and brought the shield up.

"Too slow, Dark Hunter," said Lhikan as he circled around Dartick quickly, using the fire as cover. When he got to Dartick's right side, he threw his shield at his enemy's head.

Dartick turned and caught it effortlessly. "Didn't you hear me? We're Shadow Hunters now." He then fired more blasts, knocking Lhikan off his feet.

Matoran attempted to intercept Arrouick but he easily batted them aside. "The notorious Rahaga," he said as he approached the beings in question. "You almost got me executed because of your little stunt with the Avohkii."

"You were one of the Dark Hunters the Brotherhood had guarding it," said Gaaki. "That's how you knew my name."

"I know the names of all my enemies. I can't say I care much for that Roodaka witch, but I love the number she did on you six."

Bomonga brought up his staff. "We may not be the Toa we used to be, but we can still take care of ex-Dark Hunter trash like you."

Arrouick picked up Bomonga and threw him headlong into a tree. "I highly doubt you can 'take care' of me."

"Try this!" said Iruini as he fired his Rhotuka. Arrouick leaped over it and aimed his fist right at Iruini.

"Look out!" Norik cried as he shoved his comrade out of the way. Arrouick's fist collided with Norik's face and dropped him to the ground.

"Two down," said Arrouick. "Who's next?"

The remaining four Rahaga circled around the Karzahni Bull. "On three," said Pouks. "One, two…"

"Three," finished Arrouick as he spun and fired electricity from his horns, frying all four Rahaga.

Takanuva stood across from what he thought was a Toa but he was disturbed by the evil glint in his eye. "You're a Toa, right? So what are you doing with this lot?"

The other Toa laughed. "What? Just because I'm a Toa I need to be a goody-good that runs around protecting Matoran? That isn't my gig. I much prefer to take whatever I want, Takanuva. Yes, I know who you are, the Shadowed One has been keeping an eye on you for a while now."

"So you know who I am, but I don't know you. How about you change that?"

"My name is Garsh, surely that name means nothing to you."

"You're right, but I'll make sure the Chronicler adds it to the list of rogue Toa." Takanuva fired a beam of light at Garsh but black-purple energy crackled from his wicked-looking sword, destroying the light. "What?" Takanuva said. "Impossible. Are you a Toa of—?

"Shadow? Oh yeah," said Garsh. "First one in the universe, pal. Let's see which is stronger, light or darkness." Garsh sent out a web of shadow energy at Takanuva, forcing the Toa of Light to the ground, just avoiding it. Garsh just laughed.

The being known as Hunjul was fighting Gravon and getting frustrated. Any energy blasts he sent the Toa's way were avoided by Gravon changing the gravity around the attack, deflecting it harmlessly. "Are you ever going to hit me today?" Gravon asked.

"That depends on if you ever stop being such a contemptible creature." Hunjul turned and fired energy blasts at a group of Matoran and Toa, scattering them.

"Hey, you're fighting me!" Gravon said as he advanced forward.

"Correct," said Hunjul as he planted his hands on the ground. "But sometimes you have to think outside the box when fighting an annoying Toa." He sent pulses of energy into the ground, fracturing the earth around Gravon. Before he could react, the ground gave out from under him and he plunged into a three-bio deep hole. He looked up to see Hunjul leaping into the air, an orange sphere of energy twice his height between his hands. "Dodge this!" Hunjul flung the sphere of energy down at Gravon, fully enveloping him.

Hunjul landed on the ground and looked over at his teammate. "Zike, kill those two already!"

Zike roared as he brought his hammer down, just missing Potan. "Annoying Toa keeps moving!"

Potan had to roll to avoid another hammer strike. He took out his flail and wrapped it around Zike's leg. He pulled as hard as he could and yanked the Shadow Hunter's foot out from under him. Zike fell to the ground, dropping his hammer in the process. It landed on Potan's flail before he could pull it back to him. He tugged on it a couple of times but it wouldn't budge. "Uh, Reymar!" Potan called as he saw Zike starting to get back up. "I could use some help!"

"Hang on!" said Reymar as she ran to help her friend. Zike was just getting to his feet when Reymar reached him. She unleashed twin torrents of water from her hydro scimitars directly into his face. Zike let out a gurgled curse as he fell back again.

Potan tried to lift Zike's hammer off of his flail. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't budge it. "By the Great Beings!" he exclaimed. "How heavy is this damn thing?"

Zike lowered his head so the water hit the top of his neck and got to his feet once more. He slapped Reymar away and punched Potan. He then proceeded to lift the hammer with no difficulty. "No way a weak Toa can pick up my hammer! No strength!"

Reymar jumped back into the fight but Zike hammered her before she could do anything, sending her rolling across the ground for many bio, ripping up much of the earth in the process.

Nidhiki looked around to see his friends getting beaten by the Shadow Hunters. He knew this was going to happen. Dartick and his team were too dangerous. He considered trying to go find help but knew that there was no one else on the island. Suddenly, something flew out of nowhere and gashed his shoulder armor. He looked and realized it was almost exactly in the same spot his armor had been damaged before, over three thousand years ago…

He quickly looked and saw a beautiful being perched on a tree branch, looking completely unchanged from the last time he saw her. "Lariska," he said, dozens of memories flashing through his mind. They were good memories although they led to some of his worst ones.

Lariska stared at him with cold eyes. "So you are alive."

"Uh, yeah. You are too, I see. Which I'm happy about, of course."

Lariska took a few deep breaths. Nidhiki knew that meant she was trying to keep her emotions in check. "We thought you were dead," she said, voice shaking.

"I did die. Makuta absorbed me and Krekka as part of his plan. But some kind of time anomaly brought me back. I still don't know how or why, but that's what happened."

Lariska jumped down from the tree branch and landed in front of Nidhiki. "Why did you push me away after that night on the beach? I thought we meant something to each other."

"Why? Because I was turned into a four-legged freak!" cried Nidhiki. "I couldn't face you, I couldn't even face myself! My life as I knew it was over!"

Lariska took a step toward the Toa of Air. "I could have helped you! We could have gotten through it together!"

"Come on, Lariska. We both know you deserved someone better than a traitorous Toa."

"But I didn't love someone better, I loved you," said Lariska.

Nidhiki nodded. "I know."

Lariska walked right up to Nidhiki and took his hand in hers. "But that doesn't matter. We have another chance now. Come with us, and we can be together again."

Nidhiki shook his head and pulled his hand away. "I can't. That Nidhiki you're thinking of is gone, although not as gone as I'd like him to be."

Lariska looked at him skeptically. "What are you saying?"

"I can make up for all the evil I've done as a Dark Hunter. I can redeem myself. But there's no way I can do that with Dartick's posse. And…" Nidhiki hesitated a second. "… I can't do it with you either."

Lariska didn't say anything. She looked stunned for a good five seconds before she began to shake violently. Nidhiki didn't know if she was going to scream or cry. Instead, she raised her completely mechanical arm and the last thing Nidhiki saw was Lariska's knuckles filling his vision.

Author's Notes:

Thank you very much for the reviews. I wanted to use the space here to respond to Jason's review in particular. The reason Balta, Velika, and the other Voya Nui Matoran are here is explained in my story Tension Rising. That will explain everything ;)

Anyways, the next chapter will be the last one in this story. But don't worry, the next story will be quite the long one.