Introduction: Tales by the Firelight

The island of Mata Nui

Ga-Koro

Nokama ran her fingers over the bundle. "From Matau, with ever-love." She frowned, wondering just how annoying the Air Turaga could get with his courtship. Not that she didn't like him. He'd just been on the same track for a few thousand years… she shook her head and opened it. Inside was a hollowed-out section of log in a cone shape, with a stick holding it up.

"If I remember correctly," she whispered, "I'm supposed to talk into the narrow end and it makes my voice louder." She carried it with her, and saw Tahu already working to light the fire. Some of the younger Ga-Matoran were hounding him, which he did not take well.

"Let me focus," protested Tahu, "otherwise you don't get a bonfire." Most of them left after that, except the youngest one. She was looking at Tahu with hearts in her amber eyes.

"That's quite enough, Siren." Nokama pulled the last Ga-Matoran away. Finally able to focus, Tahu struck his magma swords together. The motion sent sparks onto the pile of driftwood and started a roaring bonfire.

Nokama cleared her throat and spoke into the primitive megaphone, calling everyone to attention. Matau grinned, which didn't go unnoticed.

"There are many legends we have heard before," began Nokama, "but even as new legends are made, old legends must be remembered."

"This is one of the newer tales. Gather near, my friends, and listen to the legend of Toa Mulan."

The villagers listened in rapture as Nokama began to tell the story.

"In a time and place far from our own, a nation known as Qiina Nui, there lived a young Ta-Matoran named Mulan. Mulan lived with her mother and father. Her father, Zhou, was a Turaga, revered throughout the surrounding villages for his valiant service to Qiina Nui when he was a Toa. Her mother, Li, was a Ga-Matoran, content with domesticity. Her grandmother lived with them too, a Le-Matoran with the spirit of someone centuries younger."

"The people of Qiina Nui lived in peace behind a great wall, protecting them from invaders. But everything changed when the Shadow Warriors climbed over the wall. They were a nasty group, more Rahi than civilized, with ruthlessness that knew no bounds. And they would stop at nothing to overrun Qiina Nui."

"The Turaga of Qiina Nui ordered his officers to pass out conscriptions. One man from every family was ordered to serve in the war against the invading Shadow Warriors. When the officers came to Mulan's village, they called Zhou's name. Mulan tried to plead with the officer to spare her father, as he was old and weak and wounded. But the Turaga's consul, Qifu, shouted for her to be silent and reprimanded Zhou for not controlling his daughter."

"That consul sounds like a jerk," muttered Macku, an adventurous Ga-Matoran who wasn't concealing her disdain in the least. Her friends quietly chatted in agreement.

Nokama gave the Matoran an admonishing glance, getting them quiet. Then she continued.

"Mulan loved her father and could not let him die. When her family was asleep, she took his old Toa Stone. With a flash of energy, she transformed into a Fire Toa. But her figure still looked feminine, and women of Qiina Nui were not allowed to serve in the armed forces. So she put on Zhou's old armor and took his Flaming Staff. Then she left for the training camp under the cover of a storm and darkness..."

Ancient China

Shang started the fire as he watched the children make last-minute preparations for their play, titled "The Tale of Three Summers." He looked forward to hearing - and seeing! - a recreation of this time in Kara's life. All too often she stayed quiet about it. Someone must have repeatedly shut her down.

But now they would all enjoy it. Nobody was going to discourage Kara now, and speaking of which, she was coming out of the house with a big smile on her face.

"Len, when you said you had a surprise for me, I didn't know it would be so elaborate!"

"Hey, anything for my summer sibling." Len grinned. They were wearing an oversized tunic and pants, feeling very comfortable in the decidedly gender-neutral outfit. "Wait 'til you see what your kiddos are about to show you..."

Kara sat down by the campfire between Mulan and Shang. Fa Li, Fa Zhou, and Nainai had also joined. Len took a place on center stage and began to narrate.

"Once upon a time, there was a girl named Kara." Len stepped aside as Mai jumped out from backstage. Mai was wearing a dark-blonde wig and a green-and-white training uniform. "This is the story of her three summers at a magical place - Summit Camp."

With the pull of a lever, a backdrop of verdant hills lowered onto the stage. Mai walked among them, looking around in wonder.

Len continued to narrate. "Summit Camp was known for many things that made Kara's life better. But the thing that touched Kara the most was the Magic on the Hill."

By now, Kara's eyes were glimmering with tears. The memories were still so strong.

"The magic gave Kara freedom to truly be herself without fear. She unleashed her fighting spirit…"

Mai did a series of advanced kicks at this narration. Then she picked up a staff, performing a series of moves and singing:

"One alone is not enough

You need both together!

Winter summer moon and sun…

Lesson Number One!"

At this Kara muttered, "Great, stuck in my head all over again!" But she couldn't stop a smile.

"Displayed her creativity…"

Mai pulled a paintbrush and paper from the fold of her robes and held up a drawing of Mulan.

"And danced, with all her energy in each move."

Ruhou, Heliu, and Rong came on stage. Ruhuo wore a golden-yellow dress, Heliu wore a jade green tunic and pants, Rong wore a pink and red martial arts uniform. They each represented one of Kara's three summers at Summit Camp. The backdrop lifted, becoming the inside of an old building. A mirror ball hung from the top of the stage and began to flash rainbows in the firelight. Mai began to dance, as her siblings started the chorus of a song that Kara and Len both knew well.

Ruhuo sang first: "Reach for the stars! Climb every mountain higher!"

Heliu sang the next verse: "Reach for the stars! Follow your heart's desire!"

Rong sang the third verse: "Reach for the stars! And when that rainbow's shining over you…"

They all sang together: "That's when your dreams will all come true!"

They all bowed, to much applause.

"Kara was also a singer," narrated Len, "and she put her heart into each song she sang. Her favorite song to sing was Reflection - but one night, she changed the words."

Mai sang her best rendition of "Reflection." The melody was the same. But the lyrics were very different. Instead of a lament, it was a powerful self-affirmation.

"Look at me, I have worn this mask for too many years

Scared of my own spirit

Can it be, I have strength to choose my part?

Now I see, that I'll walk my own path and be myself

And find light within my heart.

Who is that girl I see?

No more fear, she is free

At last my reflection is someone I know!

Now I don't have to hide

My true self, end the lie

Now that my reflection shows

Who I am inside...

Finally, my reflection shows

Who I am inside!"

Everyone applauded.

The island of Mata Nui

Ga-Koro

Nokama was nearing the tale's end.

"When Mulan returned home, hailed as the new Fire Toa, she was afraid her father would not recognize her. Or worse, be angry and send her away in disgrace. But her fears were unfounded. Zhou dropped the gifts that the Turaga of Qiina Nui had given Mulan, and embraced his daughter instead. Tears streamed down Mulan's mask at her father's words: 'The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter.' "

"Li and Grandmother came out next. Of course, Grandmother just had to put in her own opinion. 'Great, she brings home a sword! You ask me, she should have brought home a man…' To everyone's surprise, a handsome Earth Toa had followed Mulan home. It was her commanding officer from the war, Shang. The young captain asked if Mulan lived there, but when he saw her, the Muaka got his tongue. Mulan asked Shang if he would like to stay for dinner. Without missing a beat, Grandmother called out, 'Would you like to stay forever?!' "

Everyone laughed at that part.

"In time, Shang did end up staying forever. Mulan married him, so he had no intentions of leaving. In time, they met Toa Kara, an Air Toa from Meriq Nui. Toa Kara became their trusted consort. The three had many adventures, teaching everyone that it was indeed possible to make new legends."

"The End!"

By now the bonfire was down to mere embers. Nokama took in the applause and cheers, and prepared to wind down for the night. The crowd eventually dissipated, everyone going back to their home villages. All except one Ta-Matoran by the name of Nuri.

"Turaga, do you think it's not just a legend?" asked Nuri. The expression on his mask beamed childlike wonder.

"Legends are something to be shared, Nuri." reminded Nokama. "There's always some truth to them."

"So... Toa Mulan might be real?!"

Nokama nodded. "She might."

"She sounds amazing! I wanna meet her! Oh, and thanks for the great story and the food!"

Nokama watched as the innocent Ta-Matoran skipped away. He had clearly eaten too many candied fruits again. She retreated to her hut. This had been a long day of preparing and storytelling. But before she got in her hammock, she thought of Nuri's words - that he wanted to meet the legendary Toa Mulan. She pulled an old tablet from her shelf and looked over it.

"Perhaps that can be arranged…"

Ancient China

Len came back to the stage, with Mai walking away from the hill backdrop. Now, she was wearing a white slip - a symbol of mourning. "It was a tragic day when Kara was forced to leave the hills of Summit Camp. But she always stayed in touch with her friends."

Heliu, Ruhuo, and Rong all came back on stage with colored silk banners. They danced around Mai and wrapped the silk around her white slip so that she was clothed in yellow, jade green, and pink - the colors of Kara's summers.

"The Tale of Three Summers is a legend that is meant to be told, again and again, regardless of what others may say. You could take Kara away from the Magic on the Hill… but you could never take the Magic on the Hill away from Kara."

"The End."

By now Kara was smiling through tears, clapping as her children took a final bow. Everyone else was clapping and cheering too.

"Kara, you said there was another story at camp - something about a faraway island called Mata Nui?" asked Mai. She had since taken off her wig and costume, and was in her night clothes.

"I did, but I don't know if it's real."

"Maybe it is!" piped Rong.

"What if we took a magic portal?" Ruhuo and Heliu said at the same time.

"Let's worry about magic portals to Mata Nui in the morning." said Len. They scooped up the twins and helped Kara tuck them in.