Ruby walked silently into the mass of lava and obsidian towards a large gate, which seemed to be guarded by 2 rubies holding bidents. They saw her and walked away from the gate. Ok… Ruby walked into the large village of fire and looked around. Strange. So many gems in one place. Rubies, Carnelians, Bixbites, so organized, yet so… Lively. Carnelians surfing on lava, Rubies draining it and hardening it. everyone seemed to have a role to play. It kind of reminded Ruby of pre Era 3 homeworld, but less tyranical. "Hey!!" Ruby turned to see an "overcooked" carnelian running to her. "There you are! Come on! We caught a Rahi, and Captain Jala's about to free it!" The carnelian grabbed her hand and started to run. Ruby had never seen this place, she didn't know they're customs, and she especially didn't know what a "Rahi" was. But, unlike other rubies, she was smart enough to know an opportunity to learn when it was tossed in front of her. She followed the carnelian to a large area. A Ruby stood in front of a cage made of black branches springing from the ground. And in it… Oh god.
The gem! The gem she saw with Takua! It was right there, horrifiying blood red mask still decorating his covered face. The Ruby walked towards him. That must be this "Captain Jala" character. He walked slowly and started to reach for the gem's face. but was startled, when the gem reached towards the gemstone on his chest, and from it, pulled a large, one handed sword. The sword had a hilt wrapped in blood red bandages, and a cross guard adorned with golden spikes. And above that was an amber yellow blade shaped like flame. The soldiers pulled out their Bidents and pointed them toward the cage. Ruby awkwardly summoned her guantlet and got into a fighting stance. The gem chuckled a little. "Cute."
FSSSSHHH*
The flame shaped blade of the sword ignited into an actual flame! And with a
SLASH*
The cage no longer bound the intimidating gem. He stepped foward and simply stood as the Smaller gems (plus Ruby) charged at him.
"STOP!!!!" A booming voice cut through the chaos. The soldiers looked, and all filed to 2 lines facing each other. Ruby, not usually one for blending in, stood in one of the lines casually. The taller gem squinted. Through the path made by the lines, a elderly looking Ruby walked through. his skin had orange splotches on some parts, and he wore a white robe with golden embroidery, and red circular symbols. On his lower body where a pair of red and orange pants, and orange sandals. And in his hand, was a thin metallic crimson staff with a large orange orb on top. On his face, was a strange orange mask. He walked forward, towards the tall gem. But before he reached him, Captain Jala put a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful Turaga." The newly identified Turaga nodded and continued to walk. He stopped in front of the gem… and bowed. "Please forgive our folly, Great Tahu, Toa of Fire." "Tahu's" eyebrow raised underneath his mask. Tahu? Toa? these words are familiar, but how? The Turaga noticed. "You don't remember who you are do you?" "No. My name, My purpose. All a mystery." The Turaga smiled. "Come, Great Tahu. There is much to discuss."
"And I am one of these "saviors", the Toa? Here to awaken your great spirit?" The Turaga, Vakama, nodded. Ruby was in the other room admiring a mural, it showed a group gems standing together. Reminded her of a particular family she was a part of… Oh wait. She pushed open the door of the great room. "Turaga! I.. I need your help." Vakama turned. He walked toward Ruby and stopped right in front of her. Something about him demanded respect, this, strangely, intimidated Ruby. "Speak." "Well, I'm not really from… around here…." Vakama chuckled and gave a slight smirk. "Yes, I figured that much." Where once his appearance demanded respect, it now radiated a strange warmth. "What? How?" "Your strange choice in clothing spells it all out." He said looking over Ruby's outfit. Well, Shoot. Strange how none of the other gems pointed that out. Vakama chuckled again. "So, what was it that you were saying?" "…Well, I was hoping you could help me find my friends." Vakama'd demeanor changed again. He sighed solemnly. "I'm sorry. Truly, but I cannot. I must help Tahu, and after that, I must be sure that the villagers can protect themselves against the vicious Rahi. An ancient threat looms. And I fear that We may be unable to defeat it without all of the Toa. Me and the other Turaga must make sure that they are ready." Ruby sighs. Not the answer she's looking for, but, it's one she can understand. She turned to walk away, but Tahu interjected. "I will help." "Toa Tahu! Are you sure?" Vakama asked. "Yes. It's only right to help those in need. And I can't stand by and let anyone suffer. Besides, in return, she can help me find these Kanohi masks you speak of." "What?!!!! No way!!!!" Ruby shouted angrily. This guy could shatter her at any second! She's not gonna trust hothead over there!! "Yes Way!!! I'm taking valuable time out of my mission to help you!!! The least you can do is help me!!!!" Tahu said, slightly self-righteous. "No!!! I refuse to risk my very existence for someone who might just kill me anyway!!!" "I'm not gonna kill you!!!" "How do I know?!!!!?!" Vakama sighed. This is gonna be long day.
Luckily, an unorthodox solution was found in the nick of time. Vakama saw that Ruby needed to learn a little something about unity. To which Ruby said that she didn't and that he could "Get Frickin' Bent". And so a solution popped into Vakama's brilliant mind. He had Ruby tied to Tahu's back. Yeah, not one of the Ta-Turaga's most excellent plans. And it was evident, since not only had they done nothing but argue, they never found any Kanohi masks! This was getting annoying, and even worse, they were now in the coldest environment of them all. Ko-Wahi. This only made it worse. Tahu hates the cold. It wasn't like he could truly feel it, but it was way too windy, and way too snowy. Can't see, can't walk, can't do anything in this stupid- "Will you shut it!!!!!???" Ruby shouted. "Why??!!" "Don't you hear that?" "...Yeah. Now that you mention it, it sounds like-" "Sapphy!!!" Ruby Shouted happily snapping free of her binds on Tahu's back. She started running at a speed faster then Tahu had ever seen, and leaving heated footprints in the snow. He sighed and started into a run towards Mt. Ihu.
