Chapter 10: Old and New

The island of Mata Nui

Le-Koro

The trio had just finalized their plan: the island's original Toa would work alongside the three new ones to find Aroha-Nui. Mulan would go with Pohatu and Tahu. Shang would go with Onua and Gali. Kara would go with Lewa and Kopaka.

"Hopefully they won't try to kill each other," worried Nokama, "let alone harm the island."

"Shang, Gali, and Onua will be fine." reassured Whenua.

"I was more concerned about Kara, Lewa and Kopaka." said Onewa.

"Kara can get Lewa to hush-quiet." pointed Matau.

"I'm more worried about the last group." Vakama watched as Mulan set out with Pohatu, both of them talking like old friends. Meanwhile, smoke was rising from Tahu's clenched fists. He was glaring at Mulan's back, considering if a braid was flammable. "Putting two Fire Toa on the same team seems like a recipe for disaster."

Nuju whistled high and breathy like a winter wind, adding a few sharp clicks. Matoro stifled a laugh before translating, "He says, Toa Mulan doesn't follow recipes."

There was a pause as everyone looked at Nuju, who had a rather uncharacteristic smirk on his mask. The aforementioned smirk slowly disappeared when he realized nobody was laughing.

The island of Mata Nui

Po-Koro

Pohatu had found some sand-berry bushes along the path and was snacking on them. Sand-berries were filled with water, and were often a survival staple for the desert. He wanted Mulan to try them. "Hey! Spark Sister!" He greeted Mulan with a nickname.

"Speed Brother." Mulan acknowledged Pohatu with a nod and a smile. "What's up? Besides the sky."

"Oh come on…" Pohatu pouted, but the sparkle in his eyes proved it was clearly for comedic effect. "You just killed my joke!" They both laughed.

"I was going to ask - are you hungry?" Pohatu held out the berries.

"Those do look good," Mulan grinned, "and I'll take you up on the offer." She popped a few of the berries in her mouth. They tasted like apples, except with a softer texture. "We've only walked half a mile, without weights."

Pohatu chuckled. "You're strong, Mulan. I like you already!"

Tahu muttered, "I don't." Then he saw a golden opportunity. Turning back to Mulan, he snarked, "If you're still hungry, your captain looks like a snack."

Mulan buried her face in her gauntlets. "Ancestors, why me…"

The island of Mata Nui

Onu-Koro

"OK, so why are we down here again?" asked Shang, trying to keep his cool.

"Turaga Nokama told us to search the island, that's why." Gali answered, clearly not pleased with the new Earth Toa's impatience.

"What are the odds of a baby hiding in a fucking tunnel?!" Shang snapped.

"Shang, watch your language." Onua admonished.

Gali's golden eyes exchanged a grateful glance with Onua's light green ones.

The island of Mata Nui

Ko-Koro

Kopaka didn't know why he had been paired up with not one, but two, Air Toa. His only explanation was that the forces of Destiny occasionally had a cruel sense of humor. He had to admit, Kara was much calmer than most of his team and could usually hush Lewa's incessant talking. However, Kara couldn't counter Lewa's complaints about the cold.

"Lewa - would you just shut up?" Kopaka finally spoke.

"It's too ever-cold!" Lewa complained. "And the pellet-ice keeps hitting my armor!"

"You know, you could calm the winds…" suggested Kara, rolling her deep hazel eyes. In response, Lewa shivered and glared at Kara.

"Not good-helping!" Lewa shot back.

Kopaka thought back to Kara's young twins. Yes, they had buried him in a mini-avalanche, but that was forgivable. After that incident, they were more well-behaved than two bickering Air Toa.

The island of Mata Nui

Ta-Koro

Mulan, Pohatu, and Tahu eventually made it back to Tahu's home village of Ta-Koro. "Still no luck!" grumbled Tahu. "I don't know where a baby would be hiding! As far as we know, she's…"

"Don't. Even. Go there." Mulan's severely punctuated sentence said more than the words themselves. "At least I've learned something from this mission."

Pohatu grimaced. He was almost certain what was coming. But the next words Mulan spoke surprised him: "We have to focus on Unity. Working together is the only way we'll accomplish anything. Especially finding a baby." But his relief soon disappeared.

Tahu huffed, smoke and sparks surrounding his fists. "Well I learned that I can't work with you, Mulan. You're not a real Toa. Not even close." Mulan's jaw dropped, but soon snapped up again. Tahu continued, unaware of the fire forming around the ends of Mulan's own Toa Tool. "You may have power over Fire, but you've never… OW!" Mulan had whacked the back of Tahu's knees with the Flaming Staff, and he fell to the ground. He rolled over his shoulder and faced Mulan.

"You wanna go?" Tahu challenged.

Mulan wasn't one to back down from a fight. However, she knew this was a bad idea. Pohatu pulled her back in a protective gesture. He was usually laid back, but nobody would hurt his friends. "Mulan… maybe you and Tahu should go your separate ways… to ensure everyone's safety, and for the success of this mission."

Suddenly, the ground began to shake. A crack formed, then another, then another. No matter how much Pohatu tried to patch it up with his power over Stone, his efforts were in vain. Mulan found herself straddling the widening chasm, soon ending up in side-splits… and then falling!