GW: As I said before, I have no control over this story what so ever.
"Hahli? Is that you?"
"Hey everyone! Hahli's back!"
"Where are the others?"
"Why did ya run away?"
The minuet Hahli had regained her composer after the fall from the portal, everyone in Metru Nui knew that she was back. "I'm starting to understand why you call us 'whining little brats'," Hahli whispered.
Zak gave a quiet laugh in her ear.
"Move aside! Toa-Spirit comin' thru!" said a voice. Hahli looked over and saw the tall muscular Toa-Spirit of Light heading toward her. Takanuva pushed thru the crowd of Water Elves to get to his friend. When he saw the Water Spirit/ Elf, he beamed. His long golden hair shined with pure radiance. Hahli heard the Spirit of Light let out a whoop of joy, and Zaktan give a hiss of irritation.
"You forgot to mention the glow-worm," he whispered in Hahli's ear.
Takanuva raced forward and embraced his friend. For some odd reason, Hahli didn't like that. The Toa-Spirit seemed to sense that too. "Sorry," he said apologetically. "I know how you're betrothed to Jaller and all, but I missed you so much!"
"You forgot to mention that too," hissed the Air Demon.
"Shut-up," Hahli replied out of the corner of her mouth. "I missed you too, Toa-Spirit Takanuva," she said the glowing man. "I couldn't stand to be away from everyone for so long."
Zak laughed silently at the false sweetness coming from his friend's mouth. He had been teaching her deceit well.
"I missed the buildings, my job, my friends, everything," Hahli continued. "Jaller understood my sorrow and allowed me to leave him and the others when we found a portal. As you all can plainly see, we found a portal."
Takanuva frowned. "But what of your Duty to the others?" he inquired. "And Unity? Surely the others would have come with you?"
Hahli was stumped by that question. Then she thought about one of the conversations that she and Zak had shared. "Where we went, there was no Unity. There was no Duty. Nor could there have ever been or had then or ever. Even if you tried, the results would be exactly like you attempting to go thru Kar- uh, I mean that archway that banishes light. It was futile. It was madness!" Hahli started shuddering violently. It was feigned, but everyone seemed to fall for it. Zaktan went thru great lengths to not laugh and blow their cover.
Takanuva placed a comforting hand on the Water Elf's shoulder. "There, there," he said comfortingly. Hahli started "crying" into his shoulder. "Let me take you home. You can speak to Elder Nokama in the morning," Takanuva said. He scooped up the Matoran-Elf and carried her to her hut.
When the door was closed, the windows shut and covered, Zaktan detached himself from Hahli's body and started rolling on the floor laughing. "That. That right there? That was brilliant!" he said. Hahli grinned maliciously. "Now, what was with all that stuff that the glowworm said that you didn't tell me?" Zaktan asked when he recovered from his laughing fit.
"Oh! You mean the betrothal thingy-magiggy? Um… I guess I broke that when I ran off with you," Hahli said. She was blushing wildly, a creepy smile plastered on her face. "I can't believe that everyone fell for that," she thought out loud.
"Well, Matoran are too gullible for their own good, and that Toa-Spirit wasn't exactly the brightest, no pun intended, lightstone on Voya Nui," said Zak. He looked Hahli over then, taking in her new form. "Hey," he said, "You look cute as an Elf."
Hahli's face turned even redder. "Wh… why thank you," she said, utterly flustered. Her embarrassed look soon turned serious. "There are some things you need to know about Ga-Metru if you want to keep your cover. Curfew, except on the occasional approved party, is 9:00pm. Wake up is at 7:30 in the morning. I won't be home from work until 5:00 in the afternoon. The Ga-Metru guard sometimes does random checks in elves' houses, so, stay hidden. Got that?"
Zaktan just stared at her. "Um… could you write that all down? My head is still woozy from the portal traveling."
Hahli shrugged. "Sure," she said, and reached for the pencil and paper.
"What are you doing?" asked Kongu weakly. He was sprawled on a cold slab of stone. His entire body was pale from blood loss, and it was only the demon's special blood tonic that kept him alive. The Air Spirit's once vibrant green orbs followed Avak's every movment.
Avak was busy preparing a final elixir for Kongu. He knew that the spirit was looking at every ingredient that he put in, anticipating treachery. 'And he's right,' though Avak, grinning. In his clenched hand was Thok's requested ingredient. Kongu went into a coughing fit a moment later and Avak slipped in the ingredient. "Your elixir is ready," he grinned.
Kongu took a look at the violet liquid and frowned. "I do not… cough… approve of this," he managed weakly.
"Just drink it," growled the Demon-Piraka.
Kongu brought the potion to his mouth and drank it. Instantly, his wounds vanished. His eyes glowed vibrantly again. "Wow," was all he could say.
"Yes," said Avak, "the potion never ceases to amaze." He looked at the belladonna root's remnants in his hand and smiled. "It never does."
"Thank Mata Nui you're okay," said Matoro, as Kongu walked back into the room. The Toa-Spirits rushed forward to embrace their friend. Only Jaller stood aside. The Toa-Spirit of Fire looked at the Demons, who were talking to each other in hushed tones.
"Did you…" Thok began. Avak shushed him and nodded a malicious grin on his face.
"What are you two talking about?" growled Hakann.
"Let's just say, one Toa-Spirit down, four to go," smiled Thok.
Okie dokie… I finally got around to posting this chapter. I spent like, an hour looking up Belladonna effects, so they will be accurate. This story is gonna get pretty angsty, so just a warning.
I want to thank my reviewers, Saya of Purity, Musicamode, Bioniclefangirl, Shadow Dragon04, and Miss Metal –or- Zakia… and my best friend, Ryan, for supporting me and blackmailing me to finish this chapter.
Featured Song: Every time We Touch by Cascada.