Authoress' Notes: I am sorry about the wait, but I had a few kinks to work out. Some stuff is revealed in this chapter, but not too much. The next chapter will be longer, and a bit faster in coming, as I am writing them a bit simutaneously.
Chapter 3 -- Tahnok Siege
"Stop Chronicler! Stop!"
Angry, but at the same time too weary to reprimand Kapura, Takua stopped at his comrade's insistence. He felt as if he were going to be sick. Turning around, Takua came mask to mask with Kapura, who was looking at him with fear.
A loud whistle blew suddenly, echoing throughout the desert plains of Po-Koro. Takua recognized it instantly, and was dismayed, for the whistle was the signal for all citizens to evacuate the village. As the crackling red and yellow flames grew in abundance with each movement from the Tahnok swarm, Takua's hope to aid in Po-Koro's defense all but vanished.
As the sparks flew about them, Takua waited for what hopefully was Kapura's confession. He got nowhere however, as both their attention was diverted by a low-pitched, unearthly growl from one of the Tahnok. It was crouched, like a Muaka about to pounce on its prey.
Squinting through the smoke, Takua managed to see a small figure holding what appeared to be a pick-axe of sorts. Behind it, downed and blocking the entrance to the village, were the famous Statues of Prophecy, carved by Hafu.
Hafu!?!
Horrified, Takua could only watch as the huge monster launched its gummy brain towards the doomed Matoran. But as he did such, something happened that Takua did not expect. A red blur streaked past him and he felt himself being scooped up along with Kapura and Hafu. The krana that was meant for Hafu was now laying harmlessly in the sand and the Bohrok itself fell with a large thunk to the ground.
"You okay, Kapura?" asked Takua.
Kapura was doubled over, and Takua thought he was going to be sick, but then the strange Matoran coughed violently, sending a stream of fire and sparks into the air, which blended beautifully with their less than pleasant surroundings. Now that Takua realized it, Kapura hadn't coughed a single fireball since they had started towards the Po-Koronan village. "Probably out of nerves." thought Takua. "I always wondered what would happen if I ported up his mouth. Good thing I didn't." He hugged Kapura and turned towards the carver.
"Hafu?"
"Of course I am, Chronicler." replied Hafu confidently. "Sitting in the palm of a Toa is the safest place to be." Takua looked over at Hafu, who looked completely content. Then all of a sudden, whether it was Hafu's comment, or simply the fact that they all just missed being puppets of the Tahnok swarm, Takua felt himself laughing. It was a genuine laugh that shook every part of his body, and even got a few giggles out of the silent Kapura.
Pohatu smiled indulgently at the three little Matoran. "I can't leave you guys alone for a minute, can I? Though I think I should have thought this one through a bit more." The Toa of Stone narrowed his eyes, studying the Bohrok carefully. Takua got the impression that he was doing some quick thinking, or at least as quick as he could manage.
Another Bohrok took the spot of its fallen friend, and they all knew that it was a matter of time before they all were servants of the swarm. With the cheerful moment over, Takua peered weakly through the gray smoke as best he could, and saw a long, smooth rock laying on top of another rock that was kind of rounded. He pointed it out to Pohatu and the others.
"Catapult." he murmured.
It was the last thing Takua ever remembered doing as the world went black.
-*-*-*-
Makuta stared at his now peacefully sleeping brother with a multitude of emotions. Mata Nui was a part of him, despite their differing roles. Leading the path of Light, Mata Nui was the embodiment of all positive traits the islanders held dear; hope, love, and trust. Just as Makuta knew that he was destined for the path of Darkness, forced to plant the seeds of fear, hatred, and doubt throughout the inhabitants of Mata Nui.
No, Makuta could never kill his brother. Not even the darkness could kill the light.
As Mata Nui's body began to dissipate, melding into the island itself, Makuta felt a sense of elation he had never felt before. The world was his to destroy! Soon, he would be able to cause the villagers of Mata Nui just as much trouble as they gave him! Now they would know what it felt like to be hated, shunned, and looked upon with contempt! Best of all, they would SUFFER.
"Please don't."
Makuta swiveled around, the mellifluous voice catching him by surprise. There was no one there however. What could it mean? Was it his conscience? No…it had been too long since he had heard that little voice within him speak. Slightly uneasy, Makuta started to back away…but the voice continued to talk to him in the same soft tones. As Makuta recovered from the surprise, he realized that it was the voice of his brother, which made him angry.
"You dare defy me still! Curse you, Mata Nui!" Makuta shrieked. I should have killed you when I had the chance!"
"You would have killed yourself, my brother. You know that, and I know that."
Though Makuta knew it was only temporary, he felt his anger relent to a degree. His brother's voice always had that effect on him. And it was Mata Nui's voice that potentially saved his brother from an endless torment of despair. Makuta knew that in the days to come, that what he was about to do was beyond evil, ten times worse than the role he was destined. But his pride, along with years and years of neglect was eating him alive. With the last shred of decency he had in him, he yanked the halved scarab from around his neck, made one final wish, and held it up to the sky.
"Mata Nui, forgive me!"
Chapter 3 -- Tahnok Siege
"Stop Chronicler! Stop!"
Angry, but at the same time too weary to reprimand Kapura, Takua stopped at his comrade's insistence. He felt as if he were going to be sick. Turning around, Takua came mask to mask with Kapura, who was looking at him with fear.
A loud whistle blew suddenly, echoing throughout the desert plains of Po-Koro. Takua recognized it instantly, and was dismayed, for the whistle was the signal for all citizens to evacuate the village. As the crackling red and yellow flames grew in abundance with each movement from the Tahnok swarm, Takua's hope to aid in Po-Koro's defense all but vanished.
As the sparks flew about them, Takua waited for what hopefully was Kapura's confession. He got nowhere however, as both their attention was diverted by a low-pitched, unearthly growl from one of the Tahnok. It was crouched, like a Muaka about to pounce on its prey.
Squinting through the smoke, Takua managed to see a small figure holding what appeared to be a pick-axe of sorts. Behind it, downed and blocking the entrance to the village, were the famous Statues of Prophecy, carved by Hafu.
Hafu!?!
Horrified, Takua could only watch as the huge monster launched its gummy brain towards the doomed Matoran. But as he did such, something happened that Takua did not expect. A red blur streaked past him and he felt himself being scooped up along with Kapura and Hafu. The krana that was meant for Hafu was now laying harmlessly in the sand and the Bohrok itself fell with a large thunk to the ground.
"You okay, Kapura?" asked Takua.
Kapura was doubled over, and Takua thought he was going to be sick, but then the strange Matoran coughed violently, sending a stream of fire and sparks into the air, which blended beautifully with their less than pleasant surroundings. Now that Takua realized it, Kapura hadn't coughed a single fireball since they had started towards the Po-Koronan village. "Probably out of nerves." thought Takua. "I always wondered what would happen if I ported up his mouth. Good thing I didn't." He hugged Kapura and turned towards the carver.
"Hafu?"
"Of course I am, Chronicler." replied Hafu confidently. "Sitting in the palm of a Toa is the safest place to be." Takua looked over at Hafu, who looked completely content. Then all of a sudden, whether it was Hafu's comment, or simply the fact that they all just missed being puppets of the Tahnok swarm, Takua felt himself laughing. It was a genuine laugh that shook every part of his body, and even got a few giggles out of the silent Kapura.
Pohatu smiled indulgently at the three little Matoran. "I can't leave you guys alone for a minute, can I? Though I think I should have thought this one through a bit more." The Toa of Stone narrowed his eyes, studying the Bohrok carefully. Takua got the impression that he was doing some quick thinking, or at least as quick as he could manage.
Another Bohrok took the spot of its fallen friend, and they all knew that it was a matter of time before they all were servants of the swarm. With the cheerful moment over, Takua peered weakly through the gray smoke as best he could, and saw a long, smooth rock laying on top of another rock that was kind of rounded. He pointed it out to Pohatu and the others.
"Catapult." he murmured.
It was the last thing Takua ever remembered doing as the world went black.
-*-*-*-
Makuta stared at his now peacefully sleeping brother with a multitude of emotions. Mata Nui was a part of him, despite their differing roles. Leading the path of Light, Mata Nui was the embodiment of all positive traits the islanders held dear; hope, love, and trust. Just as Makuta knew that he was destined for the path of Darkness, forced to plant the seeds of fear, hatred, and doubt throughout the inhabitants of Mata Nui.
No, Makuta could never kill his brother. Not even the darkness could kill the light.
As Mata Nui's body began to dissipate, melding into the island itself, Makuta felt a sense of elation he had never felt before. The world was his to destroy! Soon, he would be able to cause the villagers of Mata Nui just as much trouble as they gave him! Now they would know what it felt like to be hated, shunned, and looked upon with contempt! Best of all, they would SUFFER.
"Please don't."
Makuta swiveled around, the mellifluous voice catching him by surprise. There was no one there however. What could it mean? Was it his conscience? No…it had been too long since he had heard that little voice within him speak. Slightly uneasy, Makuta started to back away…but the voice continued to talk to him in the same soft tones. As Makuta recovered from the surprise, he realized that it was the voice of his brother, which made him angry.
"You dare defy me still! Curse you, Mata Nui!" Makuta shrieked. I should have killed you when I had the chance!"
"You would have killed yourself, my brother. You know that, and I know that."
Though Makuta knew it was only temporary, he felt his anger relent to a degree. His brother's voice always had that effect on him. And it was Mata Nui's voice that potentially saved his brother from an endless torment of despair. Makuta knew that in the days to come, that what he was about to do was beyond evil, ten times worse than the role he was destined. But his pride, along with years and years of neglect was eating him alive. With the last shred of decency he had in him, he yanked the halved scarab from around his neck, made one final wish, and held it up to the sky.
"Mata Nui, forgive me!"