"Today is a great day for our village of Ta-Koro," Turaga Vakama proclaimed. His gaze wandered over the crowded stadium. Villagers from three of the six villages of Mata Nui were crowded into the carved stone bleachers. One section of the bleachers overflowed with a rowdy, brown-masked group from the desert village of Po-Koro, while the quieter, more thoughtful residents of the watery village of Ga-Koro watched with amusement. The hosting Ta-Matoran were scattered throughout the crowd with their friends or rivals.
Three of the six Toa Nuva sat on a special dais overlooking the scene. The Turaga smiled and bowed slightly toward them. "We are thankful to the Great Spirit for his gift of six guardians who represent the elements," he continued. "Fire, Water, Ice, Air, Stone, and Earth. Our mighty Toa, whose valiant quests and heroic deeds have saved us many times from the forces of Makuta…" There was a visible shudder from the crowd as the Turaga spoke the name of the island's dark, mysterious enemy. "…and given us hope for the future, for our history's next chapter."
It was Makuta's will that Mata Nui remain asleep forever.
Turaga Vakama bowed to the Toa. "Three of these protectors are with us today. Let us welcome them," he announced. "First, the spirit of Fire, Toa Tahu!" As the Turaga spoke his name, Tahu stood and leaped onto the wall behind the Toa's box. He waved his magma swords, sending a ribbon of fire searing through the air.
The crowd roared with delight.
"From the village of water," Vakama proclaimed, "Toa Gali! And from the village of stone, Toa Pohatu!" Gali stood, raising her blue-handled aqua axe in salute to the cheering crowd. Nearby, Pohatu did the same, giving a friendly wave with his bronze-tinged climbing claws.
Vakama continued, praising all the Toa for their brave deeds. As he spoke, Tahu turned and bowed to Gali, who was still standing. "Pleasure to see you again, Gali," he said.
"Thank you, Tahu."
Pohatu came over to Tahu. "Brother! I am thrilled to be here!" he said loudly, giving Tahu an emphatic fist bump: the traditional Toa salute.
"Yes, well, we can't have a Kolhii tournament without the patron of Kolhii!" Tahu replied.
Pohatu laughed. "And so, I am here!"
The Fire Toa took a seat, then gestured to the seat beside his own to the Toa of Water. But Gali sat down in a different seat, leaving an empty one between the two of them. Rolling his eyes, Pohatu leaped over Tahu and sat down between them. He put his friendly arms over the shoulders of each of them. "You two," he said with a shake of his head. "Still so ill at ease? Put your petty differences aside…rejoice!"
Gali raised one eyebrow playfully. "I think my brother is afraid of having his fire extinguished," she said, glancing past Pohatu at Tahu.
Tahu mockingly laughed. "Sister," he responded, his own tone just as light and playful, "against me you'd be nothing but steam—'hot air', as they say."
Below, the Turaga were watching the exchange. Onewa, the Turaga of Po-Koro, shook his head worriedly. "The Toa squabble like Gukko birds over a berry," he remarked.
Turaga Nokama of Ga-Koro nodded. "Their recent victories are a blessing," she said, "but they've forgotten how they need one another."
Turaga Vakama had paused in his speech just long enough to hear them. "Indeed, Nokama," he said, glancing up at the Toa with concern. Then he stepped forward once again. He raised his arm, and the crowd quieted. "We dedicate this new Kolhii field to the Great Spirit, Mata Nui," Vakama said. "And to the three virtues: unity, duty, destiny."
"Unity, duty, destiny!" the gathered Matoran cried in unison.
Turaga Vakama smiled. "Let the tournament…begin!"
X X X
"Ta-Koro welcomes three teams!"
Takua shivered with anticipation as the Po-Matoran Kolhii announcer's voice rolled over the stadium. A section of the arena wall spun around to reveal a Kolhii goal—a large stone carving of the face of the Great Spirit, Mata Nui. Two brown-masked players strode out.
"From the desert village of Po-Koro," the announcer said, "Copper Maskwinners and undisputed Kolhii champions…Hewkii and Hafu!" The players raised their sticks in salute, and the crowd cheered wildly.
Another section of the wall spun and revealed another goal. This time a pair of blue-masked players stepped out onto the field. "From Ga-Koro, the up-and-coming challengers—Hahli and Macku!" the announcer cried.
As the crowd cheered, Takua gripped his Kolhii stick tighter. They were next. The third and final goal spun into view, and Takua bounded onto the field with his friend and teammate beside him. "And from Ta-Koro, your very own Captain of the Guard and the Chronicler, Jaller and Takua!" Takua waved his Kolhii stick at the crowd, enjoying their applause.
"Try your new move," Jaller whispered to him. "The crowd'll go crazy."
Takua shrugged. "Nah," he replied. "It only works in practice."
"Think more positively…" Jaller instructed.
"I mean, 'of course'!" Takua corrected. He raised his stick toward Jaller. Jaller clunked it with his own. "It's what the audience came for!" Takua called as he began walking toward the center of the field. Then they took their positions—Jaller in front of the goal, and Takua in the center of the field facing the other offense players.
"Play well," Hewkii and Hahli said. Takua repeated the words, still getting his head in the game. Then the three of them knocked their sticks together in a three-way salute.
Gali straightened up for a better view.
Tahu leaned forward onto the guardrail, clenching his fists tightly in anticipation.
Then the three forward Kolhii players huddled around the circle in the center of the field. They didn't have long to wait before the circle spun open and a pair of Kolhii balls shot out and into the air. Takua moved instantly, lunging at one of the balls. But Hahli was faster—she scooped up the ball and jumped away. Takua spun toward the second ball. Hewkii was leaping toward it, too—both of them swatted at the ball with their sticks, trying to knock each other aside.
Finally Takua saw the net on the end of his stick swoop the ball out of midair. Yes! He had it! He spun around…a little too fast. His foot hit his own Kolhii stick, and he tripped and fell. The ball rolled out and Hewkii jumped forward, kicking it away. Disgusted with himself, Takua raced after Hewkii. The two of them dodged and weaved, their feet flying as they battled for control of the ball.
Jaller saw Hahli sprinting toward him, pushing the second ball with the hammer end of her stick. She flipped the ball into the air, using the stick to smash it toward the Ta-Koro goal.
Jaller swung his stick—interception!
Hahli smiled and raised her stick to salute Jaller's defense. "Not bad," she said breathlessly.
Jaller crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Nothing gets by the Captain of the Guard," he bragged playfully. He smiled. "Unless he wishes it."
Hahli returned his smile. "I'll keep that in mind." Then she turned and ran back into the game.
Hewkii had gained control of the other ball. He raced across the field toward the Ga-Koro goal with Takua in hot pursuit. With a burst of speed, Takua darted past and flung himself on the ground directly in Hewkii's path. Without missing a step, Hewkii vaulted over him. Takua looked sideways just in time to see Hewkii flip the ball into the air and kick it toward the goal. The Ga-Matoran defensive player, Macku, dove for the flying ball, but it sailed past her.
"And Hewkii scores!" the announcer shouted.
It's just one goal, Takua told himself. There's still plenty of time for us to catch up.
X X X
Some time later, Takua was feeling less optimistic. There were two lightstones on the scoreboard for Po-Koro now, along with two for Ga-Koro. The Ta-Matoran team had yet to score a goal. Kolhii was played to a winning score of three goals. To catch up, the Ta-Matoran had to sink three goals in a row. Such a thing was almost unheard of in the sport.
Takua clutched his Kolhii stick, preparing himself as he waited for the balls to emerge. When they popped out of the circle, he dove toward them. But Hahli was ready. Ducking low, she quickly swiped her stick back and forth, sending both balls skittering out in different directions.
When the balls hit the ground, Takua leaped toward one. So did Hewkii. The two of them smashed into each other in midair, each falling back with a grunt as the ball went flying upward again.
Both players leaped to their feet and again dove for the ball. Takua managed to scoop it up just before Hewkii reached it.
Yes! Takua thought, using the stick to vault into the air and over Hewkii's head. As Takua somersaulted in midair, he flung the scoop end of the stick forward, shooting the Kolhii ball out of it in a blur. But the shot was wide—so wide that it sailed right over the top of the Ga-Matoran goal and into the stands. The spectators in that section dove for cover as the ball careened into the seats. Takua was so busy trying to watch the ball that he didn't pay attention to his own somersault. He hit the ground face-first.
"Ooh!" the announcer said. "I don't think we've seen that move before!"
Takua sat up and spit out a mouthful of dust. So much for his special move! I told Jaller it wouldn't work, he thought in disgust.
As he looked around, he was just in time to see Hahli sprint past, still kicking the second Kolhii ball in front of her. She closed in on the Ta-Matoran goal and whacked the ball with her stick. Jaller dove at it, but it sailed past his outstretched hand—and straight into the goal.
"Hahli scores!" the announcer cried. "Goal and tournament go to Ga-Koro! Let's hear it folks! What a game!"
The Ga-Matoran section of the crowd went wild, jumping up and down and cheering loudly for their team.
In the Toa box, Pohatu turned to Gali and offered his fist. She clanked it with her own, grinning widely. Then Pohatu turned and held out his fist to Tahu. Tahu stared down at the gesture, then turned away with a huff. Behind him, Pohatu's expression fell.
Back on the field, Takua dragged himself after Jaller, who was hurrying to join the other players after grabbing his Kolhii bag from the sidelines. He couldn't believe they'd lost—and it was all his own fault!
Hahli sighed a breath of exhaustion. "Nice defense, Macku, like always," she said clanking sticks with her partner. Hewkii walked over and she nodded to him, clanking his stick as well. "Good shooting, Hewkii."
Hewkii smiled. "Whew! Good shooting, yourself, Hahli. All that traveling really paid off!"
Jaller extended his stick to Hahli. "Yeah…not bad," he said with a grin and a wink. "For a Ga-Matoran."
Hahli tapped his stick with her own, ignoring the joke. Then she turned to Takua. "Good effort, Takua," she said warmly. "Nice move back there—a little more practice and you'll have something amazing."
"Thanks," he said tonelessly, not bothering to look up. It would be a long time before he got over this. A very long time.
Turaga Vakama stepped forward. "Congratulations to Ga-Koro!" he said. "And well played by all."
The players all turned and raised their sticks in salute to the hosting Turaga. As Jaller raised his stick, the motion jostled the Kolhii bag he'd slung over his shoulder. The mysterious Kanohi mask fell out and landed on the ground, rolling against Takua's foot. The crowd cried out in amazement as a beam of brilliant, clear light shot out of the mask. Jaller noticed the mask fall, but quickly looked back anywhere else, counting clouds.
Takua nudged the Kanohi in front of Jaller.
Jaller glanced down and quickly slid it back to Takua.
Takua passed it, then Jaller did, then Takua, then Jaller. Finally, Takua tilted his toe upward, angling the mask's face toward Jaller. At that same time, the mask lit up again, shining bright light from its front.
Jaller staggered backward, briefly blinded by the beam glaring right into his face. The crowd was still murmuring in amazement. Turaga Vakama stepped forward, his eyes filled with awe. "Come," he said, reaching for the mask. "We must take this to the Suva immediately."
X X X
A few minutes later most of the crowd was gathered around the Suva, a small, dome-like shrine in the center of the village. In the crowd, Hahli and Macku, Hewkii and Hafu, and Jaller and Takua waited intently to hear the conclusion of this mystery.
Now, Nokama was chanting under her breath as she stretched her hands toward the floating mask. "Mapaku una-kanokee wehnua-hakeeta ah-keelahe hanoni rahun-ahk too-nak panokeeta Makuta-tahkee ohnah-koo," she mumbled.
"What's she doing?" Takua whispered.
"Shhh," Jaller answered. "Translating. Noble Rau, remember?"
Finally Nokama reached up and pulled the mask out of the air to approach the gathered crowd. "This is the Great Kanohi Mask of Light," she said solemnly. "The Kanohi Avohkii! A mask to be worn only by a Seventh Toa…" she paused to hold the mask out to the crowd. "…a Toa of Light."
The onlookers gasped. A Seventh Toa? Macku, Hahli, and Hewkii exchanged a three-way glance. What village of Matoran would this Toa represent?
Turaga Vakama stepped forward. "Legends foretell the coming of a Seventh Toa, who will bring light to the shadows and awaken Mata Nui."
Tahu leaped down from his perch on the nearby village wall. "What are we waiting for?" he cried. "We should prepare for this Toa's arrival! When will it be? And where?"
Turaga Onewa shook his head. "Ah, this Toa will not simply appear as you and the others did," he said. "The Seventh Toa must be found!" The crowd murmured in amazement. The original six Toa had not needed finding—they had appeared suddenly on the island just when the Matoran needed them most. Onewa continued, "Only six Toa have washed ashore on Mata Nui—now it seems there is a seventh. Legend says that he will appear to the Matoran and lead them against Makuta, freeing the island from shadows for all time."
"The Mask of Light chose who would find it," Nokama said. "Perhaps it also chose who would deliver it to its master."
"Wait," Tahu exclaimed. "At the stadium, there was a sign! The mask threw all its light upon one Matoran." He pointed. "Jaller—he must be the Herald of the Seventh Toa!"
"B-but I didn't…" Jaller stammered. He turned to Takua. "Tell them the truth!" he whispered urgently. "Say something!"
Takua knew what his friend wanted—to tell the crowd that it had been Takua, not Jaller, who had found the mask. But Takua wasn't about to take responsibility for this. Who knew how he would manage to mess up such an important quest?
No, this was a job for someone responsible.
Someone mature.
Someone like Jaller.
"I do say something," he whispered back to Jaller, raising his Kolhii stick. "I say, hail Jaller!" he cried. "All hail Jaller! Herald of the Seventh Toa!"
The crowd joined in with enthusiasm. "HAIL JALLER! HAIL JALLER!"
Jaller looked around before whispering to Takua again. "You cannot do this to me! You have to be the herald!"
Vakama pointed his firestaff at Jaller. "Captain of the Guard!" he called. "Approach!"
Jaller had no choice. He started toward the group of Turaga…then paused just long enough to grab Takua. "Takua…" he said, through gritted teeth.
"Go on!" his friend whispered harshly, pushing him forward. Jaller turned to look back at him, but Takua just shrugged.
Vakama held the Mask of Light out to Jaller. "It seems the mask has chosen you," he said solemnly. "Will you seek the Seventh Toa?"
Jaller glanced at Takua, who refused to meet his eye. "l—I will," Jaller said. "And Takua the Chronicler has volunteered to join me!"
"Perfect," Vakama said, pleased. "While Jaller makes history, our Chronicler will record it. Soon we will have another great chapter to add to our Wall of History."
"Certainly, Turaga," Takua said. "It will be full of all of Jaller's great and brave deeds."
Jaller simply sighed.
As the crowd thinned out, the present Toa gathered on the wall above the Suva. "A Seventh Toa…" Tahu said, sounding puzzled. "But why now? All the Makuta's threats have been defeated."
Pohatu nodded. The six of them had battled a series of enemies sent by Makuta, but all had fallen before the power of the Toa. The island was peaceful, with no threat in sight. Why would a Seventh Toa be needed now? "Ah, but who can fathom the wisdom of Mata Nui?" Pohatu mused aloud. "l am simply happy to take good news to the north."
"Will you travel with Gali?" Tahu asked, glancing around for the Toa of Water. But Gali was nowhere in sight.
Pohatu smiled. "No," he said. "She has gone to ponder the great thoughts."
As the Toa of Stone walked away, Tahu turned back to Vakama. "Wise one, what will this Toa be like?"
Vakama shook his head, unsure. "Matoran carvings show the Toa of Light carrying a staff of some sort, but its use is unknown. The myths also describe him as having a great vehicle, capable of tunneling below the surface at amazing speeds. This vehicle will lead him directly to Makuta. He can turn darkness into day, or change the anger of an enemy into friendship."
"How much of this legend is true?" Tahu wondered.
"No one knows for sure," Vakama answered. "Only time will tell whether the story is fact or fiction."
X X X
Gali Nuva sat at the edge of the Amaja Circle, the sacred storytelling area that was part of the island main temple, the Kini-Nui. What can it mean? she wondered. How can it be? A Seventh Toa…it's nothing any of us ever imagined…
At that moment a constellation caught her eye. Six stars gleamed brightly, overpowering the light of the weaker stars all around them. Suddenly a new point of light, even brighter than the rest, sailed through the constellation. Gali gasped.
"A seventh spirit star!"
With this new discovery, Gali commenced her meditations, wondering what the future of Mata Nui might include.