Disclaimer: I don't own Bionicle, but I do own Tehreisha (well, sort of--she's based on a character from Power Rangers, but I made up the name). And, the monsters are my creation too.
Whirling around, Kit came face to face with a big ball of light blue light. The light then materialized into a beautiful woman with long and wavy dark brown hair pulled back into a partial ponytail. She wore a sky blue dress with flared sleeves and a transparent veil that covered the lower half of her face. Her tanned skin seemed to almost glow with the same blue light from which she came.
"Who . . . who are you?" stammered Kit.
"Do not be afraid, Kit," the woman replied, "I will not harm you, or your friends. My name is Tehreisha."
"What just happened?"
"You tapped into the power of the crystal."
Kit stared at the little trinket.
"That's right, Nokama mentioned it had powers."
"Powers that you've only just begun to discover."
"So, earlier, those beams it shot at us--" spoke Onua.
"Another one of its many abilities," Tehreisha finished Onua's thought, "The end result being the suit of Toa armor that you were just wearing, Kit."
Kit reflected thoughtfully, thinking back to what happened between her and the Toa before the battle with the Rahi.
"Yeah, when that happened, it felt like a tiny part of each of the Toa was being 'injected' into me, or something."
"Events such as that battle were the very reason why I gave you that crystal when you passed through the portal, Kit."
"You know about that?"
Tehreisha nodded.
"My sincerest apologies, child. You see, I'm the Gate Guardian. My sworn eternal duty is to maintain a very precarious balance to keep the numerous different realms, or realities, apart. But, twice every fifteen-hundred years, these inter-dimensional portals will open at random locations and dimensions, which can cause problems. When I discovered what had happened, it was too late, so I did the next best thing I could—I gave you that crystal for your own protection."
"So, am I stuck here forever?"
"No; the same portal that brought you here will reappear on this island within a month's time."
Kit smiled; there was a way to get home after all.
"But, you must be ready when the time comes, Kit," Tehreisha continued in a warning tone. "This will be the second time in this lifetime the portal appears. If you miss it, this phenomenon will not occur for another fifteen-hundred years—you will never see your family, friends, or world again."
Noting the air of importance in Tehreisha's voice, Kit nodded in understanding. Then, she became aware that the woman before her was beginning to fade. "I must go now, but I'll be back to escort you to the portal, Kit," and she disappeared, leaving a huge crowd in awe.
"Well then, shall we get back to where we left off?" asked Vakama, and everyone agreed.
With that settled, everyone gathered around the Amaja Circle, where Turaga Vakama, through the use of certain stones, relayed the story of the Bionicle. Her eyes fixed on the stones, Kit listened and watched with great interest.
Meanwhile, deep below the surface, a dark and powerful being mused to himself—Makuta. He saw and knew all that had happened at the Kini Nui. Using his power over shadow, he created both the Muaka that Kit confronted at Ko-Wahi and the group of Rahi that showed up at the Great Temple for the sole purpose of testing the girl, to see if she really was who he thought she was. He was even responsible for the storm that got Kit lost in Ko-Wahi. "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. "I must rid myself of this pestilence once and for all. I must bring her here where she is most vulnerable," he thought with an evil sneer. "Soon, vengeance will be mine." With a plan in mind, Makuta chuckled softly to himself, a chuckle that soon developed into a sinister laugh that would have chilled Kit to her very core if she could hear it.
The month came and went, and, during that time, Kit perfected her energy bolt technique. It was soon time for her to prepare to return to the real world. However, the departure was bittersweet indeed. Though she was eager to go back home, she was also a bit sad that she would be leaving her new friends behind. Despite the short time she was on the island, it felt like they'd been through a lot: hanging out with the Toa and Matoran, learning from the Turaga, hearing their stories, and having all sorts of adventures. She was skipping rocks over a lake when she heard Hahli call to her.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not really."
Hahli joined her in the rock skipping.
"Today's the day, huh?"
Kit nodded, and Hahli noted the gloomy look on her face.
"Aren't you happy to be going home, back to your family?"
"Of course, it's just--"
"I understand, and, for what it's worth, we're all going to miss you, too."
Kit looked down at the Ga-Matoran and revealed a sad smile.
Later that evening, Kit sat waiting at the Kini Nui; Tehreisha was going to be arriving any minute. Although, all of the waiting was making her agitated and almost wishing the Gate Guardian would hurry up and get it over with. Hearing twigs snapping, she turned to see the Toa Nuva approaching. "What are you all doing here?" she asked a bit surprised.
"Didn't think you were going to leave without saying farewell to all of us in person, did you?" asked Tahu.
She dared a small, sarcastic smile.
"The thought never crossed my mind."
As much as she hated to, Kit reluctantly got on with saying goodbye to the Toa. She was just finishing with Onua when a familiar light blue light appeared. Tehreisha had arrived.
"It is time, child."
"I'm coming."
She followed her toward the jungle. When she reached the edge of the foliage, she looked back at the Toa. Looking into their eyes, she could see that they were urging her on. With one final wave, she ran to catch up to Tehreisha. The Toa, meanwhile, stayed where they stood, staring at the dark, empty path where their human friend departed just a few moments ago. "I'm going to miss her," Gali sighed, and felt Onua's hand on her shoulder.
"We're all going to miss her, Gali, but at least she's going back to where she belongs."
The Toa nodded in agreement. Then, the quite of the evening was interrupted by a low growl. "Pohatu-brother, please tell me that was your stomach," said Lewa. The Toa of Stone shook his head. A louder growl was heard, and the Toa turned around to a horrifying sight. Before them stood six creatures that looked like they came from a nightmare. Three of them were about half the size of the Toa and had the appearance of dogs that were half demon. The other three monsters were roughly smaller than the dog monsters and looked like giant bats of sorts. The bat monsters had huge wings that could spread as far as the Toa were big and long tails that ended in triangular points.
"What are these creatures?" asked Gali.
"I don't know," answered Tahu, "but they don't look friendly."
Taking out their weapons, the Toa got into a circle and prepared to defend themselves. Almost as one unit, the beasts charged.
At that same exact moment, Kit and Tehreisha were still making their way through the jungle.
"How much further, Tehreisha?"
"We're almost there."
And sure enough, after ten more minutes, they had arrived at the portal.
"Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
Kit was about to run into the portal when she heard a roar that stopped her in her tracks. The sound was unlike that of any Rahi she ever heard. "What the heck was that?" Tehreisha looked back in the direction of the roar, as if trying to sense something. "What's going on, Tehreisha?" asked Kit.
"It's the Toa, they're in danger."
"What kind of danger?"
"Great danger."
Kit looked at Tehreisha and back at the clearing where the Kini Nui rested. "I have to go help them," and began to run.
But, she didn't get farther than two strides when Tehreisha called out, "No, Kit!"
"Why not?"
"The portal won't remain open for too much longer. I'd give it no more than ten minutes."
"Ten minutes!" Kit exclaimed.
There was no way she was going to get back to the Kini Nui, help the Toa in a battle, and get back to the portal before it closed in that time span. "Hurry, Kit, you must get through the portal," said Tehreisha.
"But what about the Toa? I can't just leave them when they need me."
Tehreisha sadly shook her head.
"I'm sorry Kit, but you have no choice. If you don't enter this portal now, it will never again appear in this lifetime. You'll be trapped in this reality for the rest of your existence."
True, Kit did want to return home, to her family. But, how could she ever live with herself knowing that she had the power to help her friends, and didn't do so. Unsure of what to do, she stayed on the spot where she stood.
Next time--
Gali glanced around the clearing and didn't need anyone to tell her that she and the Toa were losing, and badly. While they were all exhausted and injured, all the monsters had to show for their part in the fight were some minor scratches and bruises. The Toa were cornered, and the beasts knew it. One of the dog monsters leaped for Tahu, ready to tear his throat out.
A word from Goldenrod:
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how look at it), the next chapter's going to bring this story to a close. But don't fret fans (especially you two, CodeLyoko and dragon goddess04), I have a surprise for you. However, you're going to have to wait until the next, and last, chapter's posted to find out what it is.