Disclaimer: I don't own Bionicle.
She woke up to find herself lying on a cot in a dark room made of ice that was lit by the glow of a heat stone. She felt a little warmer than she had felt in days. Feeling something stiff on her side, she lifted her shirt to discover her lower torso wrapped in soft bandages. Her side was still a bit sore, but felt much better. She then became aware of quiet, whispering voices in the alley outside and saw the shadows of Turaga Nuju and Kopaka cast on the hut next door. 'I must be in Ko-Koro,' she realized with relief. She was safe. Carefully, so as not to aggravate her side, she sat up sideways on the cot. It was just then that Matoro happened to peek through the door.
"Turaga, she's awake."
Nuju and Kopaka joined the Ko-Matoran inside the hut. The Turaga walked to a small table, poured some steaming liquid into a cup, and handed it to Kit with some clicks and whistles. Matoro translated, "The Turaga says to drink this, it will make you feel better." Kit accepted the cup and carefully took a sip. Almost immediately, she felt much better; the warmth of the drink seemed to spread all over her body and the heat from the cup felt nice to the touch. Plus, the drink didn't taste too bad either. It seemed to have a bit of a vanilla flavor.
"Thank you," she said to Nuju.
The Turaga nodded and she took another sip. "How are you feeling?" asked Kopaka.
"Better, still a little sore in the side."
"And no wonder," said Matoro, "Turaga Nuju mentioned that you had a bruised rib when he examined you."
"By the way, how did I get here to Ko-Koro?"
"Would you believe you practically dropped at our doorstep?" asked Kopaka.
Kit gave him an odd look.
"I was just returning from scouting for you when I thought I heard something. I spotted both you tumbling down a slope nearby and a Muaka leering at you from the ledge. I managed to scare it off and carried you into the village."
"How did you know to look for me?"
"We received word that you were missing from Toa Lewa," informed Matoro. "He told us of what happened in the storm and asked us to keep an eye out for you. After Turaga Nuju assured him we would, he left in the direction of Ga-Koro to notify Turaga Nokama of what happened."
"Do they—Ga-Koro and Lewa—know that I'm ok?"
Nuju whistled and Matoro translated, "The Turaga says that he sent a messenger as soon as he saw Toa Kopaka carrying you into the village." Kit finished her drink and handed the cup to Nuju, who gently ushered her to lay down on her back as he clicked and gestured. Matoro translated, "The Turaga says you must rest now," and the trio left. While he walked to his hut, Kopaka thought about the Muaka that pursued Kit earlier that day. For some reason, he couldn't shake off the feeling that that Muaka was no ordinary Muaka; that there was something very odd about it that didn't sit well with him. He recalled that, for a brief moment, he saw what he thought was pure evil in the creature's eyes. Unbeknownst to him, the same thoughts were going through Kit's mind as well.
Over the next few days, Kit remained in Ko-Koro, resting and getting her strength back. Slowly, but surely, Kit could feel her side getting better. Finally, on the fourth day, Nuju gave her permission to be out of bed as long as she didn't overexert herself and stayed in the confines of the koro. Therefore, she was allowed to walk around the village, at least. Hearing someone call to her, she found Kopeke running toward her. "Hey, Kopeke. What's up?" The Ko-Matoran reached into his pack and pulled out something.
"This yours?" he asked as he held out a flute—Kit's flute.
Kit's face lit up as she received the instrument from Kopeke's hand.
"Where did you find it?"
"By a crevasse where my team and I were working a few suns past."
"How did you know it was mine?"
"Didn't, but I remembered you had one that you were missing and thought I'd ask."
"Well, I really appreciate this, Kopeke. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
The Matoran bowed and went on his way while Kit stuffed the flute back into her pocket. Two days later, Nuju gave Kit a clean bill of health. Her side had completely healed and she was back to full strength. When the Turaga continued conversing in clicks and whistles, she turned to Matoro.
"The Turaga asks if you don't mind staying in Ko-Koro for a few more days."
"What happens in a few more days?"
"There's going to be an island wide gathering at the Kini Nui. After we're done there, you could rejoin Turaga Nokama and the Ga-Matoran when they travel back to the ocean."
"Sure, I don't mind."
Nuju nodded and Kit walked outside. She was near the center of the village when a snowball splattered against her face. She found the top of what appeared to be the backside of a grey Matatu nearly hidden behind a mound of snow. "Oh, a wise guy, eh?" she grinned evilly as she formed some snow into a ball. Quietly, she positioned herself behind another mound. Kopeke, meanwhile, peeked over his shelter only to find the field empty. Bewildered, he scratched his head. Where did Kit go? Suddenly, he was taken totally by surprise by a snowball hitting him square in the mask, knocking him to the ground. It was then he heard a familiar laugh. Brushing the snow off his mask and getting on his feet, he looked over his mound to find Kit holding another snowball, all set and ready to go, in her right hand. The human girl could see as clear as day in his eyes that the Ko-Matoran was smiling, and they got a game of Huai Snowball Sling going.
The few days came and went, and the village of Ko-Koro was marching toward the Kini Nui, located near the center of the island. By early evening of the third day, they arrived and made camp. Whenua, Onua, and the Onu-Matoran arrived shortly after and were welcomed. Vakama, Tahu, and their villagers arrived around late afternoon the next day. While Nuju, Whenua, Onua, and Kopaka greeted their fire counterparts, Kit located and chatted with her Matoran friends. Soon after, the remaining Turaga, Toa, and their villagers arrived and, for the next two hours, everyone just mingled and engaged in friendly conversation. While this was happening, Kit excused herself from the Matoran and went to socialize with the Toa a bit. "It's good to see you're doing well, Kit," Onua greeted as he patted the girl's head. "All of our Turaga told us of what happened over Ko-Wahi."
"Sorry about your farfall, Kit. I should've defendprotected you better," Lewa apologized.
Kit could tell from the sound of his voice that Lewa took her accident pretty hard. Nokama and Gali had entrusted her safety to him, and he felt like he not only let the Turaga and his sister down, but Kit as well. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry about it Lewa, it's ok. Besides, with a weird storm like that, you did everything you could."
"That's what Turaga Matau and we've been trying to tell him for the past two weeks," said Tahu.
"So, how do you like our island, Kit?" asked Pohatu.
"It's absolutely beautiful; I'm glad I somehow got the opportunity to come here."
"What's that?" Kopaka pointed to a light purple glow underneath Kit's shirt.
Kit pulled out the crystal, which turned out to be the source of the glow.
"What's happening?" asked Gali.
"I don't know," Kit responded, "it's never done this before."
Then, as quickly as it had started, the crystal stopped glowing. Kit just scratched her head in confusion when something else happened. Without warning, seven small beams of light shot out from the crystal, six at each of the Toa and one at Kit. The light beams connected to each person's chest and, amazingly, nothing happened. Each felt a slight tingle go through the length of their bodies, but, other than that, no pain whatsoever was felt. A moment later, the beams retracted and it was over. Everyone looked at the crystal, stunned.
Suddenly, Lewa's posture stiffened and he scanned the area; he thought he heard something. Gali noticed, "What is it, Lewa?" The green Toa put a finger to his lips, asking his fellow Toa to be silent. Then, they all heard it—a faint, but recognizable buzzing sound. Kit looked to Lewa, who nodded. Tahu was the first to spring to his feet and run toward where the Matoran and Turaga were. But, before he could call out a warning, a Rama rammed into him, sending him to the ground. Following it into the clearing were two more of its kind. Matoran screamed and gasped in terror while the Toa got ready for a fight. However, they soon discovered that the Rama weren't the only things they had to worry about. Two vicious looking Nui-Jaga and a Kane-Ra bull appeared out of the jungle. It was clear to Kit and the Toa that these beasts were primed, itching, and ready for a fight. Tahu started giving orders to his brothers and sister.
"Gali, Pohatu, you two and I will deal with the Jaga and Kane-Ra. Kopaka, Lewa, Onua, you take care of the Rama."
"What about me," Kit called for the red Toa's attention. "I know I probably won't be of much use in a big battle, but is there anything I can do to help?"
Tahu's answer came before you could blink. "You help the Turaga look after the Matoran," and everyone spread out.
As he and his brothers and sister fought the attacking Rahi, Kopaka noticed something odd about them, something that looked familiar. Then, it hit him—just like the Muaka, there was a gleam of pure evil in their eyes. He did not like the feeling this gave him at all. 'Something's either very wrong or not right about these Rahi.' Meanwhile, Kit tried to make her way to the statue that looked like a face, where the Turaga and Matoran were running toward, but, with having to dodge the Rama's stingers and the Nui-Jaga's blobs of poison, it wasn't easy. Ducking behind a rock to catch a momentary breather, she caught sight of the Kane-Ra a few feet behind Tahu, head down and one hoof stamping the ground. It was going to charge.
"Tahu, look out!" she called, but her warning came too late.
With a short, powerful spring, it butted into the Toa's back with such force, he was rendered unconscious before he even hit the ground. Tahu didn't even have a chance to activate his mask power. The Toa of Fire's form skidded and slid across the ground, heading right for the edge of a cliff. Just when half of his body was over the edge, Kit's hands grasped Tahu's wrist, halting the Toa's descent. However, with Tahu being so big and so much dead weight, she could barely hold on to him. He almost slipped through her hold when she grabbed him. Groaning through clenched teeth, Kit struggled with all of a strength born out of desperation to keep from slipping and hold onto Tahu, but if someone didn't help soon, he was going to take her with him. Hearing a deep mooing sound behind her, she looked to see the Kane-Ra stamping the ground, ready to finish the job it started. Just when it looked like it was all over, the Rahi suddenly became encased in a thick block of ice. With a smile, she followed the ice's path to Kopaka, its point of origin, who nodded. She nodded back, then heard Tahu beginning to wake up. Grasping the situation, he grabbed hold of Kit's wrist and she pulled while he pushed himself up. Once back on solid ground, Tahu looked straight at Kit with disbelief in his eyes. Screams of fear reached their ears. "The Matoran!" Tahu gasped.
"On it," Kit said as she broke off a long wooden pole and ran to defend them.
She got in front of them just as one of the Nui-Jaga appeared, gnashing its teeth. Memories of how she felt during her encounter with the Nui Rama flashed through her mind and she felt herself shaking as she stood ready, keeping herself between Vakama and the Matoran and the Rahi. Recalling her karate training, Kit got into position, holding the pole like a bo. The Rahi attacked first, shooting a splotch of poison from its tail. Kit dodged and heard the poison eat away at the ground like hot acid before she saw it. 'Gotta do something about that tail,' she said to herself, then she noticed one of the Matoran had a disc on his back. "Need to borrow this," and she grabbed the disc before the Matoran could protest and threw it like a Frisbee. She threw it so high, the giant robotic scorpion couldn't use its claws to block it. The disc met its target—the Rahi's tail. The disc cut and lodged itself into the root of the Nui-Jaga's tail and the robotic scorpion roared in pain. The insectoid Rahi glanced over its backside to inspect the damage. The disc did more than just wound the beast, it cut off the poison's access way. Now, there was no way the scorpion could use its poison without harming itself. If the Rahi had glanced at Kit again, there would've been fury in its eyes. However, it wasn't even given the chance. Seizing the Rahi's moment of distraction, Kit rushed in and flipped onto the scorpion's back. "Lights out, bug face," and she jammed the end of her pole into the base of the Rahi's neck, knocking it out cold.
Just as a victorious smile spread across her face, she heard someone call out, "Heeeelp!"
Just like she just did with the Nui-Jaga, one of the Rama seized its opportunity while she was sidetracked and plucked up an Onu-Matoran from the group. Leaping off the scorpion, Kit ran and jumped as high as she could, but the dragonfly Rahi was already too high.
The Rama was rising quickly with the struggling Onu-Matoran in its claws. Kit tried to think and fast; if she didn't do something, the little one would be as good as gone. 'If only I could fly,' she thought. Then an idea formed in her head. Taking out her flute, she called for a Gukko bird, which landed in front of her. She hopped on the bird's back, took to the sky, and rammed into the big bug. The impact made the Rama throw the Matoran into the air and Kit caught him on the Gukko. However, before she could direct the bird to land, another one of the Rama struck from the side. While the Gukko fell to the ground below, Kit and the Onu-Matoran were sent flying. However, it turned out that the Rama actually did them a favor; though their landing was hard, it was right on the statue. Urging the Matoran to move, he and Kit started climbing down, but the Rama had other plans. It aimed its stinger right at Kit and prepared to fire. A disc thrown by Jaller struck the Rahi just the second before its stinger discharged, causing its aim to falter. When Kit heard the stinger approaching, it was too late. Thankfully, it didn't hit the Onu-Matoran, but she found herself flying through the air again when it hit the ledge where she was standing just moments before. Everyone, the Toa included, stared in horror; she would never survive a fall from that high or with that much force. As she fell, the crystal around Kit's neck began to glow and the most amazing thing happened. Ribbons of yellow light wrapped around Kit's body: her legs, her arms, her torso, her head, just about everywhere. When they dissipated, armor replaced her clothes—armor that looked similar to the Toa's armor. Her shoes changed into metal blue boots and thick blue shin guards were attached to her lower legs, her thighs were covered with green armor, a brown cover protected her stomach, a red breastplate outlined in silver covered her chest, black armor gleamed on her arms and the tops of her hands, and last, but definitely not least, an angled metal headband with a scope over her right eye appeared on her head. Knee caps and shoulder guards made of solid protodermis completed the outfit. By now, Kit skidded on the ground, leaving a trench in her wake. Everyone held their breath, not sure what to expect. Then, groaning, Kit got onto her feet and stared at her gloved hand in wonder. It looked like a black skintight suit covered in metal body armor.
'What just happened?' she asked herself. Slowly getting up, she twisted and turned her body and flexed her joints; everything felt so comfortable, as if the suit was made specifically for her. A screech from the Nui Rama that tried to finish her off a moment before caught her attention. "Wanna go again?" she invited the bug, and the flying Rahi dove. She stood her ground, waiting for the bug to get closer when the scope reacted. On the screen, a red circle appeared on the Rama's left wing. When the Rama got close enough, she leaped as high as she could jump, twist-flipped, and landed onto the Rama's back. Balling her hand into a fist, she struck a mighty punch at the base of the Rahi's left wing—right where the scope's diagram had showed her. Its wing apparatus badly damaged, the Rama headed for a crash course toward the ground. "Happy landings," Kit said to the Rama, and jumped ship, landing lithely on the ground as the bug crashed. The Rama lay there, not moving, when it suddenly turned into a puff of smoke and vanished. "What the--?" asked Kit, bewildered.
"It's just as I thought," spoke Kopaka, who she found standing by her side, "These are not Rahi, they're shadows."
The battle continued on with the Toa fending off the remaining 'Shadow Rahi' and Kit defending the Turaga and Matoran from those who managed to get past them. At one point, without thinking about it, she reached a hand toward another one of the Rama, and a burst of yellow-colored energy shot out. The shot met its target, sending the flying Rahi to ground. She stared at her hand in disbelief, then repeated the technique on another one of the fake Rahi. Finally, Pohatu and Onua, with their combined powers, finished off the Nui Jaga, and it was over. "Everybody alright?" Gali asked the villagers.
"We're all safe and well, Toa Gali," Nokama replied, "Thanks to you, the Toa, and of course, Kit."
As the girl slightly blushed, in a quick flash of light, her suit of Toa armor was replaced with her normal clothes. She looked at her hands, puzzled. "What was that all about?" Everyone shrugged their shoulders. They were as clueless as she.
"Perhaps I can answer that, and more," a warped, but gentle feminine voice spoke.
Next time--
"It's just as I suspected, my Brother," he said to nothing in particular, except perhaps the face-like gate that was carved in the likeness of his brother, Mata Nui. "The human known as Kit has returned." With a deft swing that was the result of hatred and anger, he shattered a good sized piece of the wall of rock that made up his lair. He had felt the human girl's presence on the island since the first day she arrived and it irritated him; he hated humans and he hated this particular one with a vengeance.