Disclaimer: I don't own Bionicle.
At the Great Temple, things weren't going very well for the Toa. Their strategy to keep together worked for a while, but, eventually, the monsters managed to scatter them all around the clearing. Plus, these beasts were proving to be quite powerful. Lewa was in the air fighting one of the bat creatures. He cried out in pain when it managed to graze his armor with its claws. It was about to attack again when the Toa of Air succeeded in regaining his composure just in time to deflect it with a gust of wind. Another bat monster dove and slammed Kopaka to the ground. Moving quickly, the Ice Toa flipped the creature off of him, but not before it bit into his shoulder. One of the dog monsters tackled Onua and lunged at his throat. Onua, however, managed to place one of his quakebreakers between him and the mouthful of savage teeth.
Meanwhile, in the jungle, Kit was still trying to decide what to do—go through the portal and live with the likely fact that the Toa would never see the light of the next day or go back to the Kini Nui and miss her inter-dimensional train. "Hurry, Kit," Tehreisha urged, "the portal will be closing in seven minutes. You must leave now." Slowly, her foot edged forward, then she put it back down forcefully.
"No! Not yet."
Tehreisha looked at her in surprise. "Tehreisha, see what you can possibly do to keep that thing open for just a little longer. I'll be back as quick as I can," and the girl was off like a shot.
"Oh, Kit!" the Gate Guardian gasped as she watched the young human run back to the jungle.
She stared into the distance until Kit's form disappeared into the darkness. A happy smile materialized on her face and, with a wave of her hand, the portal was gone.
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. Tahu instinctively raised up his swords to protect his neck, his life flashing before his eyes. Before anybody could do anything, a small form dashed out into the battlefield with a call like a battle cry. It kicked the dog monster hard, knocking it away from the Toa of Fire. With a yelp that was more out of surprise than pain, the creature tumbled on the ground until it regained its bearings. It was then that the Toa recognized their rescuer—it was Kit, in her Toa armor and ready to fight. "You came back?" asked a stunned Tahu.
"Sure," the girl replied, "couldn't let you guys have all of the fun, could I?" and she winked.
Almost as if the return of their little friend somehow renewed their energy, the Toa were ready to face the creatures again.
During the fight, Kit noticed a winged form heading for Pohatu. "Get down!" she shouted, and, grabbing the Toa's arm, she pulled him down with all of her might to the ground just as the form flew over their heads by inches. As they got back on their feet, a shriek was heard behind them. Whether the bat monster was the same one that they dodged or another one, Kit didn't know, and, at the moment, didn't care. Suddenly, without warning, the bat monster jumped.
"Look out!" Pohatu called as he pushed Kit away from him, taking the full force of the creature's double kick.
The Toa of Stone collided with the wall of a cliff and he slid to the ground, not moving. The monster actually attacked with enough force to knock him out cold. "Stay away from him you freak," Kit commanded to the creature as she placed herself between it and the fallen Toa. It let out a low growl and its lips seemed to form a wicked smile, as if it were taunting her. Its gaze shifted to Pohatu and observed him with a hungry look in its eyes. Frantically, Kit searched for something, anything she could use a weapon, and spied a long branch. Holding it like a bo, she got into a fighting stance, ready to defend both herself and the Stone Toa. The creature crouched and let out a shriek as it leaped, intending to knock Kit aside to get to Pohatu. Instinctively, Kit swung the stick like a baseball bat with all of her might. It made contact with the underside of the creature's jaw and threw it to the ground. After shaking itself, the creature growled again, this time angrily. 'This could get ugly,' she said to herself. The creature crouched and charged again. Kit swung, but it dodged and was now about to take a bite out of her shoulder. Thinking and reacting quickly, she arched the other end of the branch to the monster's face, countering its attack. It attacked again, and, this time, Kit didn't stop. With each swing, she tried to aim for the head or any other vulnerable spot. But then, the creature somehow managed to grab one end of the bough and broke it in half. Kit stared at the remnants of her weapon, wondering what to do now. A metallic gleam caught her eye as the creature prepared to pounce again. It jumped, only to see a streak of silver slash downward and feel a stinging pain on its shoulder. With a pained shriek, it jumped back and found Kit holding one of Pohatu's climbing claws dripping with its blood in her hand. Battered, bruised, and cut, the creature took off into the sky, flying in a bit of an awkward fashion due to its injury. It was then that Kit saw that the sky was clouded over with the same strange clouds that appeared at Ta-Koro that one day. Because they had witnessed their brethren's confrontation with the girl, the other monsters called off the attack and disappeared either into the jungle or the sky. Meanwhile, Kit watched and listened to the bat monster's departure, almost unable to believe what just happened. As the clouds dissipated, she dropped to her knees and stared into the nothingness ahead of her, still lost in her thoughts. She didn't even feel Onua's hand on her shoulder until he spoke to her.
Snapping out of it, as if she were in a trance, she turned to face the Toa of Earth's concerned expression.
"Kit, are you alright?"
"Yeah . . . yeah I think so."
After she had shakily got onto her feet, she and Onua helped up Pohatu, who had since regained consciousness.
"Thanks for the help, Kit."
"I did what I had to do. I'm just happy that you guys are ok."
"But what about the portal?" asked Tahu.
With a forlorn look, Kit gazed back toward the jungle. "It's probably closed by now."
"And with it, your only way back to your world," Kopaka said solemnly.
"You mean to speaktell us that you sacrificed your lastonly chance to get back home in order to helpsave us?" asked Lewa, a bit shocked.
"Yes. And, don't any of you dare tell me that you wouldn't do the same for me or any other friend."
Seeing the girl's point, Lewa smiled, "Wouldn't thinkdream of it."
"I just wish I could've seen my family and friends again, let them know that I'm ok and to say goodbye."
Gali stepped up to her. "Maybe somehow, someday, you will, Kit. But, in the meantime, if you'd like, we could make you an official islander of Mata Nui. Our island could be like your second home."
Kit thought about, and nodded, "Yeah, I'd like that."
"Your offer is generous, Water Spirit," said a familiar voice, and Tehreisha appeared before them, "But, it's unnecessary."
"What do you mean, Tehreisha?" asked Onua.
In response, Tehreisha waved her hand and a portal materialized. Kit couldn't believe her eyes anymore than the Toa could.
"How?"
"Simple," spoke Kopaka, "She can control the portals at will."
"So that story about the portals--" said Pohatu.
"Was just that—a story," replied Tehreisha, "I was the one responsible for bringing you here in the first place, Kit."
"Why?"
"I had to test you."
"Test me?"
Patiently, Tehreisha began to explain. "You see, Kit, the part about me being the Gate Guardian is true, but it's not the whole story. On top of being responsible of keeping the realities separate, it once was also my duty to fend off evil forces from invading those worlds."
"Once was?"
"Eons ago, it was my responsibility to maintain a precarious balance to keep the various worlds separate and fight off any evil force that sought to either invade or corrupt them. However, as the centuries passed on, it got harder and harder to do both because I can leave my post for only so long and I can't just sit there and watch a world, perhaps even an entire universe, disappear."
"How do you mean?"
Tehreisha lifted her hand and, with her index finger, drew several lines in different colors and piled them on top of each other.
"Say the blue line is the real world, or as we like to call it, the First Universe. The red line underneath it is the Bionicle universe, and all of the other lines represent other realities. Though separate, they coexist in perfect harmony."
"Like a rainbow," Onua observed.
Tehreisha nodded and continued.
"Unfortunately, there are evil, malevolent forces out there, who wish to intrude into a certain reality. Their intentions can either be invasion, corruption, or even complete annihilation of the universe as we know it."
"Annihilation?" Gali gasped, and Tehreisha nodded.
"First, the people of the invaded reality start seeing glimpses of events that are happening in other worlds. That's the first sure sign that something's wrong and where the trouble begins." As she continued to explain, the rainbow diagram before them began to slowly shift and spin, the lines beginning to overlap each other. "As you can see, if nothing is done at that point, the realities begin to intersect and merge. With the balance meant to keep them stable by keeping them apart gone, chaos arises. Eventually, things become so confusing and distorted until--" The whirl of mixing colors that was a perfect rainbow completely cancels itself out before their very eyes. Kit and the Toa gasp, fully understanding Tehreisha's point—the universe as they know it would cease to exist.
"And some of these evil forces actually strive to make this happen?" Tahu asked in disbelief.
"Yes," answered Tehreisha, "Because then, the universe is vulnerable to their manipulation. They can reform it however they wish."
"And where do I fit into all of this?" asked Kit.
"Because, since I now have to focus all of my energies into maintaining the balance, Kit, I needed someone to look after the various worlds, to protect them from those that would wish to corrupt them. But, I couldn't just pick any person; I needed someone who had a special kind of soul—the kind with a great amount of potential that would allow them to accomplish wonderful things. Then, once they're brought to a certain realm, I need to test them, to see if they have what it takes. For instance, the Nui Rama attack you experienced when you first arrived was your first test."
Kit stared at her, and Tehreisha confirmed that the Nui Rama attack at Le-Koro was another one of her tests.
"And, you just now passed your last test with flying colors."
"You mean from back in the jungle?"
Tehreisha nodded, "You had already proven that you were willing to put your life on the line for a friend or stranger, courageous and resourceful. All that was left to be done was to see if you were capable of giving up everything to do what you felt duty bound to do."
"What about the storm that got me lost in Ko-Wahi, the Rahi attack at the Kini Nui a month ago, and those monsters from just now? Were they more of your tests, too?"
Tehreisha paused, a fearful look appearing in her eyes. "Those events were not my doing."
"Whose then?" demanded Tahu.
"The storm and Rahi attack were both the work of your nemesis."
"Makuta! We should've known."
"As for those monsters, they were servants of an evil force who wishes to bend the very existence of this reality to his will."
"What sort of evil force?" asked Kopaka.
"I'm not sure yet. But, I do know this—it's quite powerful and will stop at nothing to get what it wants. That's why you need to be strong, Kit, in body, mind, and spirit."
Kit was lost deep in thought. If what Tehreisha said was true, then that meant the weight of not only this realm, but that of hers and possibly countless others was now resting on her shoulders. It felt like no other kind of responsibility she had ever felt before. She wasn't sure if she could handle it. Plus, she was no warrior like the Toa; she was just a kid who hadn't even graduated from high school yet. But, didn't Tehreisha mention that, when she was searching for someone for this sort of task, she was searching for someone who had a strong soul, whatever exactly that meant? Didn't she pass all of the Guardian's tests and more? With that in mind, she understood that Tehreisha wouldn't have tested her if she didn't think she, at least, had the potential to do what was asked of her. All of a sudden, she was filled with a swelling sense of importance and purpose, a great feeling that she never felt before. She nodded in understanding. "Count on it, Tehreisha." With a smile in her eyes, Tehreisha nodded, full of pride for her chosen one.
"My time here has ended; I must depart," she announced and slowly started fading away. "Farewell, Kit, and may the power protect you."
The Toa and their human ally stared in wonder at where Tehreisha once hovered a moment ago. Tahu then stepped up to Kit's side and held out his fist.
"Nice work, kid."
"Thanks."
Kit touched fists with him and smiled; the suspicion in Tahu's voice and features was gone. She had earned the Toa of Fire's trust and respect.
Elsewhere, a giant bat monster stood submissively before the backside of a humanoid form hidden in the darkness that surrounded him. It chattered, relaying a message to its master. When it was finished, the tall dark figure's head perked, a sign that he was now on the alert, reacting to something the creature told him. "Are you sure?" he inquired in a dark tone as he turned sideways toward the monster. The tone was one that the beast knew meant that it had better not be lying to him. In response, it showed its master its bruised face and cut shoulder, which was by now beginning to heal. It chattered again, as if adding to its gestured statement. The figure turned his face away from the creature and, for a moment, there was nothing. His right hand formed into a fist, anger slowly rising within him. Then, with a yell of rage, he threw his hand towards the ground, purple lightning-like energy flying from his palm and slamming with a loud crack to the spot where the creature was standing just a minute ago, lucky enough to escape with its life. In terror, it flew away to seek refuge into the blackness. The figure, meanwhile, let out another enraged scream as he reached out his arms, more energy streaking upwards from his fingertips. Closing his hands, he called off his assault and lowered his arms to his sides. Though he managed to calm down somewhat, one could tell from the atmosphere in the surrounding location that his anger was far from spent; the news his scout told was not at all good. "So, it is true, Gate Guardian; you did bring her here," he growled to the murky distance in front of him. "But I know her weakness now; I know how to make her utterly defenseless. And, once she's out of the picture, this realm will be mine and nothing, not even those pitiful Toa, will stand in my way."
Back on Mata Nui, on a mesa in Po-Wahi, Kit was on her back looking up at the stars. She still had a hard time believing that it had only been the other night when she discovered how and why she came to this island and Tehreisha left. Everything that the Gate Guardian shared left her with a lot to think about: evil forces wanting to control certain realities, the terrible effects that could happen to every known and unknown realm if one was tampered with, her being chosen for this, and what other powers the crystal still hid. After closing her eyes and releasing a deep sigh, she decided that it was best to push these thoughts out of her mind, for now. Right now, the island was peaceful and she was going to enjoy it while it lasted. And, her first order of business was arranging a camp out at the top of the same mesa that she and Pohatu climbed. With a smile, she located the six-starred constellation. However, she didn't go there by herself. "Hey Kit, you coming?" a voice called. Sitting up, she spotted Takua at the campfire which was surrounded by Jaller, Hewkii, Macku, and Hafu.
"Yeah, I'm coming," and she ran to join them for some storytelling.
Takua offered to tell the first story and they all went around the circle taking turns. After Kit was done with hers, which was a bit on the scary side, they decided it was time to get some sleep. When she reached her tent, Kit stole another look at the constellation, and noticed something a little different. Near the right side of the stellar formation was a tiny speck of light that looked like what could be a new star. She swore it wasn't there when she was observing it earlier. "The seventh star?" she whispered to herself. Shrugging her shoulders, she walked in and, as she drifted off to sleep, one more thought crossed her mind. Her life would never be the same again.
Author's Note: Last chapter, I informed you that I had a surprise for those people who enjoyed this story, and here it is. I have not one, two, nor three, but four sequels to this story in mind (remember back in chapter 1 I mentioned this was only the beginning of Kit's adventures in the Bionicle world?)! I can't tell you when you can expect the next installment with work taking over most of my schedule, but I'll try to get it and the others up ASAP. See ya.
Oh, one more thing--a special thank you to CodeLyoko and dragon goddess04 for their reviews every step of the way.