Mask Maker

Part I of III

Author's Note: After finishing writing "Toa-Hero" (though I've only begun posting the chapters), I decided to write this. Enjoy!

"Vakama!" a voice shouted.

Vakama had been trying to keep his firestaff steady as he welded the Kanohi Mask he was working on. The interruption broke his concentration, causing him to scratch the mask. Disappointed, the Matoran sighed.

The mask was worthless now.

Vakama looked up to see another Ta-Matoran, Nuhrii, standing before him. His mentor shook his head disapprovingly. Vakama didn't see what was the matter, as he had already completed his work for the day.

"Vakama," Nuhrii said, "how many times have I told you that you are not a mask-maker?"

"I know," Vakama replied, "but –"

Nuhrii rolled his eyes and sighed. "Vakama, not everyone is meant to be a mask-maker." The Matoran tried to sound sympathetic as he said, "Your job is making tools. You're not too bad at making those Nuurakh stun staffs."

Though Vakama didn't say it, he hated making Vahki weapons. Not only did he dislike what they were used for but he also disliked making them.

Vakama said, "But I could try out to be a mask-maker at the Mask-Making Contest tomorrow. They're still accepting applicants for about another hour or so!" Work was scheduled to be almost over, and he was planning to submit his application and some samples of his work.

"You can't be serious," Nuhrii said with a harsh chuckle. "It took myself years to become one, and you think you can just waltz right in and become one without any work."

"But I am willing to work!" Vakama insisted. "I've already made at least a dozen –"

Nuhrii cut Vakama off before he could finish. "And look at that mask you just made. I could see that flaw from a mile away!" Vakama lowered his eyes in shame. Nuhrii's voice softened somewhat as he continued, "Accept it, Vakama." Vakama looked up at his mentor. "You are what you are, and you are a tool-maker."

Nuhrii started to walk away, and then turned back. "Oh, by the way," he added, "we need five more Nuurakh stun staffs completed by tomorrow morning. Do you think you can finish them tonight?"

"But…" Vakama began to protest, and then lowered his head. "Yes, Nuhrii."

Nuhrii smiled deviously. "Excellent," he said and left.

The workers cleared out, leaving Vakama alone to his work.

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Vakama finally put the Vahki staff down that he had been working on. He took a moment from his work to go to his desk, where an assortment of parts and tools were neatly laid out. He ignored these and opened a drawer in the bottom where a number of masks were stacked.

He took the first one out and traced his finger over its eyebrow ridge. It was the first Kanohi Mask he had ever made. The Kanoka Disk he had used to forge it was of a lower quality than was normally used as that was all that he could get a hold of. Only mask-makers had access to the higher quality disks.

Vakama sighed. He loved making Kanohi Masks, but it seemed now that he would never have the opportunity to be a mask-maker.

The Matoran was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice a shadow spread across his desk.

"Working late again, I see," a voice observed.

Vakama feebly answered, "Hello, Lhikan." He didn't bother to look up from the mask.

The Toa frowned. He knew all too well that his friend was not staying late at work to perfect his mask-making art.

The Toa of Fire said nothing for a while. He then said, "That's a handsome mask you have there. Did you make it?"

"Yes," Vakama answered, weakly placing the mask on his desk. He turned away, heading back to his anvil. "I'm not going to make anymore," he said quietly.

"What?" Lhikan asked, taken aback. "But you love making masks," he said, picking up the mask and looking at it. It was beautifully crafted, even though the disk was not of the highest quality.

"Yeah, well, I'm just not meant to be a mask-maker, that's all," Vakama murmured, picking up the Vahki staff and his tool again. He put on his goggles and turned on his firestaff, setting back to work.

Lhikan frowned thoughtfully. "Is that you speaking," he said, "or is it someone else?"

Vakama stopped. He smacked his goggles down onto his anvil and turned to face his friend. "Nuhrii did. But you know what? It doesn't matter what I want because I can't take the test without a supervisor's signature anyway!"

Lhikan looked at his friend with crossed arms. "Well, that's no problem." The Toa smiled. "I can sign."

Vakama raised an eyebrow, shocked. "Really?" he asked, unsure if this was allowed.

"I should think so," Lhikan said. "I supervise Metru Nui as its guardian. Since you live in Metru Nui, I think that'd make me your supervisor."

"I don't know…" Vakama murmured.

Lhikan's smile faded and he knelt down on one knee, placing a hand on the Matoran's shoulder. "It doesn't matter what Nuhrii or anyone else thinks, Vakama. The only thing that matters is what you think. Now tell me, what is it that you want?"

Vakama looked down at the floor, contemplating. Slowly, he looked up, a fire glowing in his eyes. "I want to be a mask-maker," he said.

"Always follow your dreams, Vakama. They will guide you," he whispered.

Vakama looked at his friend, wondering if the Toa knew that his words held more than one meaning for him.

The Toa smiled.

Vakama's eyes drifted to the clock on the wall and he gulped. "There's only five more minutes left to apply! We'll never make it!"

"Don't worry," Lhikan grunted, picking up Vakama's nearly completed application. He pointed a finger at it, using his elemental power to sign his name.

Meanwhile, Vakama dug through his drawer until he emerged with three of his best masks. "The judges want three samples." He held the disorganized pile of masks in his arms as he watched Lhikan board his flying board in the middle of the workshop.

"Come on," Lhikan said, picking up the Matoran by his shoulder and putting him behind his back leg. Nervously, Vakama juggled the masks into one arm and wrapped his free arm around Lhikan's leg.

"Do we have enough time?" Vakama asked.

"Hold on," Lhikan said, and the pair took off at top-speed.

Vakama yelled as they maneuvered around anvils and beams, and then they finally flew out of the open door that Lhikan had entered through.

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A few minutes later, Lhikan stopped his flying board at the registration table. The Matoran behind the table and those registering stared at the Toa, and then at his companion as he unceremoniously fell off.

Vakama awkwardly arose to his feet, swaying. Lhikan handed him the registration slab and watched as Vakama swayed in the general direction of the table.

"Hmm," a Ta-Matoran said as Vakama handed him the slab and the masks, "almost didn't make it."

Flying through the air at top-speed didn't agree well with Vakama. At the same time, he was relieved that he had made the registration deadline. Now that he was registered, Vakama's body felt that it would be the appropriate time to faint.

Lhikan and the Ta-Matoran stared down at Vakama's body, sprawled out on the street.

The Ta-Matoran sat down, shaking his head.

"I guess I spoke too soon…"