Disclaimer: I don't own Bionicle.

"Come," Gali said gently as she offered Kit her hand, "we'll get you two to my village."

Kit accepted the hand as Lewa carefully scooped up Tamaru in his arms and they headed for Ga-Koro. When they reached the top of a little mound of sand, they had a perfect view of the entire village. Tamaru took the moment to extend his fist towards Kit and they softly slapped their fists together, the Bionicle gesture of friendship and camaraderie. The Toa smiled and the group continued on their way into the village. Once there, Kit was introduced to Turaga Nokama, who patched both her and Tamaru up and insisted that they stay at Ga-Koro to recover. After Tamaru was laid down on a cot, Nokama tended to Kit, whose wounds weren't as serious.

"Just a few scratches and bruises," she commented as she bandaged Kit's upper arm.

Gali, who was in the hut, watched her mentor; ever since she and Lewa brought Kit and Tamaru in, she noticed that her Turaga hardly ever took her eyes off of the girl. Plus, she noticed something else in the Turaga's eyes, something that looked like recognition, as if Nokama somehow knew this girl.

'But that's not possible, is it?' she asked herself.

Night was beginning to fall on the island and some Ga-Matoran were getting some torches lit for the evening. Kit sat next to a window in the hut where she was staying, watching the sunset, the orange and yellow surrendering to the blue and purple, and listening to the water breaks against the lily pad. A few stars had already made their appearance in the sky, with many more to come. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about the day's events. She decided to go out for a little walk and found her way onto a little circle of lily pads. She sat near the edge of one, observing the surrounding huts and closed her eyes, feeling a gentle breeze blow through her hair. Just then, she heard a bubbling sound behind her and looked down at the water.

Meanwhile, Nokama was meditating in her hut. "I must inform the other Turaga," she quietly said to herself. A little shriek was heard and Nokama rushed outside and recognized Kit's voice. "Oh, please no," she prayed, and moved as fast as she could towards the sound.

Gali called from the next bridge over, "Turaga, what's going on?"

"I heard Kit scream, over there" Nokama called back as she pointed to a circle of lily pads.

With a couple of powerful leaps from bridge to bridge, Gali reached the circle. But, when she saw what she saw, she couldn't help a smile forming on her mask as she shook her head. "It's alright, Nokama," she waved. Nokama, confused, jumped into the water to get to the lily pads faster. When she got there, Gali helped her out of the water as the sounds of splashing water and playful laughter reached her ears. She could hardly believe what she saw next. Kit was laughing her head off as she tried to dodge water that was squirted at her courtesy of a Tarakava that trilled in an excited manner.

"Well, Kit," Nokama chuckled, "I see you've met Taki."

"Taki?"

"That's his name."

"Yeah, he gave me a bit of a scare a minute ago, though," she leered at the Rahi.

"But, once I realized that he wasn't going to hurt me, we came up with that little game you guys caught us playing." She gently stroked the Tarakava's nose and Taki purred, clearly enjoying the caress.

"Taki was one of the local Rahi that Kotu nursed back to health and tamed after he was freed of the control of an infected mask," informed Gali, and Kit nodded in understanding.

"It's time we should be going inside for the night," said Nokama, and, with a wave goodbye from Kit, Taki dove back into the water, and the trio headed for their huts.

The village of water was alit with torchlights and the lightfish that some Ga-Matoran kept in their huts in little containers. The sky was completely full of stars now, and as she walked with the Turaga and Toa, Kit kept looking up to see if she could spot a certain constellation. When she felt a hand on her arm, she looked down to see Nokama, who pointed her trident to the sky. She looked up to where the Turaga was pointing and found the constellation of six stars. She wasn't sure why, but she knew that this constellation seemed to have some connection to the Toa. She looked back to Nokama, nodded a thank you, and made a beeline for her hut. Just as she was about to enter, she chanced one more look at the sky and relocated the constellation. As satisfied as she could be at the moment, she entered the hut, lied down on the cot, and fell right to sleep with the memories of the day flashing past her mind's eye.

The next day, Kit awoke feeling extremely refreshed; her stomach and cuts barely hurt anymore. She sat up, stretched, and walked outside, where the sun felt good on her white skin. On the lily pad across from her, she spotted two Ga-Matoran, Kotu and Kai, talking. When they noticed her, they waved and called, "Good morning."

She waved back and made her way to them, "Hey, how are you doing?"

"Fine, thanks," replied Kai, "and you?"

"Still a little sore, but fine."

"I just remembered; you were in such a hurry, we were never given a chance to introduce ourselves," Kotu realized, and Kit let them tell her their names, recalling the last time she slipped, which caused her to remember Tamaru.

"I'm going to go check on Tamaru; you guys want to come with?"

"Sure," they replied, and followed Kit to the hut where Tamaru was resting.

They peeked inside to find Tamaru still on the cot, but awake and alert, and exchanged good mornings.

"How are you doing?" Kit asked as she took a seat next to the bed.

"Little better, thanks," Tamaru replied, and Kotu remembered something from the previous day.

"Kit, you never explained what was up with you guys and the Nui Rama yesterday."

"Oh, yeah," said Kit, and she and Tamaru told her and Kai all about their run-in with the giant insects: from when they first attacked, to Kit's seemingly final stand, to how they were ultimately rescued by the Toa.

It took them a little bit to tell the whole story because Tamaru, due to his Le-Matoran nature to exaggerate things a bit, was constantly being reminded by Kit to stick to the point. When they had finally finished, Kai and Kotu were amazed.

"Wow, Kit," Kai exclaimed, "aside from the Toa, you're either the bravest being I know, or the craziest."

Slightly blushing, Kit admitted, "Let's just say I've learned that sometimes 'crazy' works."

A little later, Turaga Nokama walked in on the group, coming to examine Tamaru's wounds, which were healing nicely. However, she had to insist that they let Tamaru get his rest, so they left, promising to come back later. Gali found them and offered to give Kit a tour of the village and surrounding bay, which was a good thing because Kotu and Kai had to get back to their duties, and they bid farewell to their new human friend. For the rest of the day, Gali showed Kit around Ga-Koro, introduced her to the other Ga-Matoran, and even showed her the underwater realm of Ga-Wahi. She took a deep breath of air and jumped in after her tour guide. Kit was just as amazed by the ocean as she was by the jungle; it was just teaming with life with the sea creatures and coral reefs, and the water was as clear as crystal. Suddenly, she realized that her breath had run out and she needed air. She was about to head up to the surface when she remembered that the Toa of Water's mask power was water-breathing and its effects could work on those around Gali as well, and decided to give it a shot. However, she couldn't get herself to let go of her expired breath nor will herself to breathe through her nose. With all of her might, she fought the instinct to rush to the surface. Finally, with her lungs feeling like they were on fire, she opened her mouth and gasped—and didn't drown. She didn't know how exactly it was happening, but she was breathing the oxygen in the water as if she was on land. Gali looked at her with concern, but she reassured the Toa with a nod and they continued with the tour. As she was admiring a school of Ruki fish, she felt Gali tap her shoulder; it was time to head to the surface. A bit reluctantly, she followed the Toa of Water and revealed a big smile when she caught up to her. "That was so incredible," she breathlessly said to the Toa, the wonder of the experience very evident in her voice.

"Are you sure you're alright?" asked Gali.

"Yeah, I'm just not used to breathing underwater, that's all."

Even though Gali didn't have anything of a mouth like Lewa and Kai, Kit still got the impression that the Toa was smiling at her.

"Let's head back," said Gali, and they swam for shore.

When Gali helped Kit onto the rocks, she noticed the crystal.

"What's that?"

"I don't know. I found it around my neck when I arrived here."

"It looks like some kind of crystal."

"Let's ask Nokama, maybe she'll know."

"Alright."

Gali and Kit walked towards the Turaga's hut and, just as they were about to knock, Nokama appeared. "Toa Gali, your services are needed at Onu-Koro."

"What's wrong, Turaga?"

"I just received word that a tunnel has been flooded. Toa Onua could really use your help and expertise."

"I'm on my way."

Gali was about to take off when Kit spoke up.

"Can I come along? I'd love to see more of this island."

Looking to Nokama, Gali asked, "What do you think, Turaga?"

"It's alright with me if it's alright with you, Gali," Nokama nodded, "as long you stay close to her, Kit."

Kit nodded with a pleased smile, jumped in the water with Gali, grabbed hold of the Toa's shoulders, and they took off into a cave that Gali knew led to Onu-Koro. With Gali using both her aqua axes and Kakama, they were able to reach the realm of Onu-Wahi within no time. They emerged in a large cavern, climbed out of the underground river, and Gali produced a lightstone. After shaking herself as dry as possible, Kit looked around, but couldn't find any evidence of a settlement of any kind.

"Where's the village?"

"Not too far from here," Gali replied, and pointed to a bridge that was about a mile away from their position. "We'll need to cross that bridge, then through the tunnel before it. This river is the closest stop to the village when you travel by water from Ga-Koro."

"Alrighty, let's go," Kit said as she took the lead, feeling very eager, and a little nervous, to meet more of the people of Mata-Nui and see more of its sights.

They crossed the bridge without any incident and Gali took the lead when they entered the tunnel. With a row of lightstones on the ceiling to light the way, Gali stored hers. But, when they had walked down a little more than half of the tunnel's length, Kit suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. At first, she thought it was because of her wet clothes, but then the chill was accompanied by a terrible feeling of dread and fear, a feeling that they weren't alone, that something was watching them from the shadows. She looked worriedly into the darkness as best as she could, but her vision in the underground environment was mediocre at best. She wasn't sure, but she could've sworn that the stones had dimmed just a little bit, almost as if a tiny portion of their light was swallowed by the shadows. Gali looked to the girl and noticed she looked a bit tense and apprehensive.

"Are you alright, Kit?"

"Do you get the feeling that someone, or something's, watching us?"

The sound of pebbles hitting rock caught their attention. Gali immediately grabbed Kit and positioned her behind her. Tense moment after tense moment, the human and Toa kept their eyes locked straight ahead, where the sound came from. Soon, a skritch, skritch sound could be heard, and the source of the noise revealed itself. Crawling down the wall, bright yellow eyes glowing, was a tiny Kofo Jaga. While Gali relaxed, Kit quietly released a sigh of relief as the robotic insect continued on its way across the path to the opposite wall, disappearing into a crack, either not noticing or ignoring the travelers.

"Shall we continue?" Gali asked, and Kit nodded.

After walking around a bend that curved to the left, a dim light could be seen; they were almost through. Finally, they walked out of the tunnel, and before them was Onu-Koro.

The village of earth was a spitting image of what Kit always saw on her DVD, except the main cavern looked a bit bigger. Vertical tunnels of sunlight from the surface and scattered lightstones gave the village a dim lighting. Kit found it difficult to keep her eyes on Gali while trying to take in all of the sights at the same time. Before she knew what was happening, she found herself in the very middle of the village, next to a stone stage of some sort, and, right in front of her, was Toa Onua talking to Gali. As the Toa discussed the situation, Kit noticed that a few curious Matoran had noticed her and were staring at her with their green, curious eyes. She waved at them with a small smile, and they waved back. 'They must think that since I'm in the company of a Toa, I must be ok,' she thought.

"Who's your friend, Gali?" a deep voice asked, and Kit reversed her attention to find the Toa of Earth looking at her.

"Onua, this is Kit," Gali introduced as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, "Kit, this is one of my brothers, Onua."

With the shock that was now making her brain go on a fritz, all Kit could muster was a shy wave.

The black Toa studied her with his glowing green eyes, then a friendly smile formed on his mask, "Welcome to Onu-Koro."

"Thanks," she quietly responded, and Onua turned to his sister Toa, "Well Gali, shall we begin?"

"Lead the way, Onua," Gali replied, and he led them through a tunnel that he mentioned was the location of the trouble.

Along the way, Kit observed all of the Matoran who were busy at work either mining for protodermis, making new tunnels, or changing the ones that already existed. The miners were so busy digging, they didn't even seem to notice the two Toa and human passing through. Knowing that they weren't doing it to be rude, Kit gave a little shrug; they had work to do. 'Besides,' she added to herself, 'there'll be time for introductions later.' Shortly after that, they reached their destination. The lower portion of the tunnel was indeed flooded and slowly rising.

"We think some digger got a little careless and didn't pay attention until it was too late to realize that he dug to close to a deep lake or river," Onua theorized.

"Was anyone hurt?" Gali asked, and Onua replied with a shake of his head.

"No one was around when it happened, thank Mata Nui."

"I'll dive down and see what I can do. You get ready when the time's right."

Gali dove into the pool, leaving Onua and Kit waiting on the shore.

As they waited, Kit took the opportunity to observe some more, though there wasn't much to look at considering the lightstone she had was small compared to Gali's and it's range of light only covered so much. Onua noticed.

"Don't see that well in the dark, do you?"

"Not very."

Six more minutes passed by, and there was still no sign of Gali. Kit began to get a little concerned.

"You think Gali's doing ok down there? She's been down there a long time."

"Gali's tough, I'm sure she's fine."

The Earth Toa put a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder, as if in effort to calm her. Suddenly, a few bubbles popped up to the surface, causing Kit to gasp. Onua didn't even flinch. Then she noticed that the water level seemed to be receding. At first, Kit was confused, then the solution hit her like a ton of bricks—Gali was using her power over water to make it flow back into its source. As the water continued to retreat, Onua, with Kit in tow, followed until they found Gali. "This is your cue, brother," said the Toa of Water, and the black Toa concurred with a nod. Casually, he walked to a side of the wall, clamped his hands onto a piece of it, and pulled out a boulder. Then, he walked to the hole and plunged the rock into it, making sure it was as secure as a cork on a wine bottle.

Dusting his hands off, Onua turned to the girls and said, "Well, we'd might as well head back to Onu-Koro and inform Turaga Whenua that the leak's taken care of," and they headed back to the village.

When they reached Onu-Koro, Turaga Whenua was waiting for them. "Welcome back, Toa Onua," the Turaga greeted, "I trust the leak has been plugged?"

"Yes, Turaga," replied Onua, and Whenua looked at Kit.

"You must be the human, Kit," he said, and the surprised girl nodded.

"How did you--"

"Turaga Nokama sent word to me and the other Turaga about your arrival."

"Boy, word travels fast around here."

The Turaga chuckled, and, after bidding farewell, Kit and Gali headed back to the river for Ga-Koro. On the way, as she held onto Gali's shoulders, Kit promised herself that as soon as Tamaru was back to full strength, she would ask to explore more of the island.

That night, at Ga-Koro, Nokama was out strolling on the lily pads when she noticed a figure that had become familiar in the village. It was Kit, standing at the farthest end of the village that faced the sea, wrapped in some cloth, and looking out towards the horizon. "It's getting late, Kit," she said as she approached the girl, "You should be getting some sleep."

"I can't sleep," Kit replied, "Too many things are racing through my mind," and Nokama nodded in understanding.

"Everything about this place: the people, the villages, the sights, the smells, just a day ago were things I could only dream of. And now . . . I'm seeing it, but I don't believe it."

"Maybe that's because you're missing the point."

"And, what is the point, exactly?"

"The point is seeing isn't always believing, sometimes believing is seeing."

"What does that mean, Turaga?"

"It simply means people like you, dreamers, don't always have to see places like this to know they exist, you just . . . know."

Kit thought about what Nokama said, then remembered something. "I almost forgot. When I arrived here, I found this crystal around my neck, and I don't recall having it back home. What is it?" Nokama studied the trinket carefully.

"It's definitely a crystal of some sort, but I'm not familiar with its origins. Guard it carefully, Kit."

"Why, Turaga?"

"It's the source of great power, that's all you need to know for now."

Judging from the hushed, low tone the Turaga used, as if she didn't want to take the chance of anyone else hearing them, Kit could tell that Nokama was very serious about this. She nodded, signaling the Turaga of Water that she understood, and she tucked the crystal under her shirt.

Next time--

"Tamaru, could you be so kind as to give Kit a tour of the village?" Matau asked.

"It would my pleasure, Turaga," the Le-Matoran bowed and led Kit towards a bridge as Matau went into a hut that Kit suspected was his and Lewa went off to who-knew-where.

As they walked, Kit couldn't help but notice that some Le-Matoran were watching from a distance, their eyes fixed on her. 'Might as well get used to this,' she said to herself, 'considering I doubt any of them have ever seen a human before.'