Disclaimer: Don't own anything here except Kiia and the Kanohi Mystra.

Kopaka stared down the coast of Metru Nui. Many things had changed since their arrival in the city of legends. First off, there was all the rubble that still littered the city. Second, those annoying Rahaga. Then, there was her. Kiia, Toa Voya of Shadows. When the Toa Nuva had first encountered her, she was being controlled by the Essence of Makuta. Luckily, Takanuva, who was the only one who could defeat her, had shown up. With the essence gone, Kiia was a free spirit. And, unfortunately, she let everybody know.

Kiia wore the Kanohi Mystra, the mask of deceit. It gave its wearer influential powers, as well as the ability to shape shift into any rahi. But just rahi. Not rahkshi. Not bohrok. Just rahi. Kiia used it to annoy the Toa, particularly him, by shifting into whatever crossed her mind at that moment. And right now, she was a buzzing Nui Rama.

"Come on you ice block," she hissed. "You can't stare out at the sea the whole time you live here. Cause you're gonna be here a looooooong time. And would it kill ya to say at least two words?"

"Probably."

As it turned out, Kopaka and Kiia were not on particularly good terms. Kiia snapped insults at him every moment she could. Kopaka just replied with silence, which infuriated her even more. Their arguments, let's say, could lead to another cataclysm.

Why do they hate each other you ask? Kopaka to Kiia because she took over his will, mind, and body. Kiia to Kopaka because, well, he hated her, and because he tripped her (on purpose) when waltzed over to flirt with Tahu after she had been freed from the essence.

It had all started out as a simple day. Tahu had sent Kiia to Ko- Metru for supplies. She had gotten them from an annoying Kualus, and was heading back to Ta- Metru when she spotted Kopaka. The Toa Voya had seen an opportunity. And she never let an opportunity slip past her.

So now, Kiia doing her best to be as annoying and irritable as possible. Unfortunately for Kopaka, she was very good at it.

"Go away shadow winder," he said coolly.

Kiia, now a Lohrak, bristled. Being called a "shadow winder" was like calling a Ta- matoran "fire- spitter". It wasn't particularly bad or anything. She just hated it when someone tried her own tricks on her. The Shadow Toa was about to say something that would have gotten her kicked out of Ga- Metru, when Kualus walked up to the infuriated Toa.

"Arguing? Again?" he asked.

"No, I'm just asking him to dance," Kiia growled sarcastically.

Kopaka glared.

Kualus sighed. "Kiia, you know better than to keep Tahu waiting."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Kiia sighed.

Kualus looked up at Kopaka. "The Turaga have requested your presence Toa Nuva of Ice."

"Tell them I'm on my way," said Kopaka as he stalked off.

"Why don't they want me?" wined Kiia.

Kualus shrugged. "They said they just want the Toa Nuva. I think some kind of issue has come up."

"WHY DON'T THEY WANT ME!" screamed Kiia. "I've lived here longer than them! I have a right to know!"

Kualus sighed again. "When you're done with your trip to Ta- Metru, come see me again. I might learn something."

Kiia stalked off. When she reached Ta- Metru, she immediately started screaming for Tahu. He did not answer. Puzzled, Kiia sought out Takanuva.

"Where's Tahu… and the others," she pouted.

"They… um… well… are in a private counsel with the Turaga. By the way, what took you so long?" Takanuva said.

"I. Know. That." Kiia said slowly. "And to answer your question, an ice cube needed melting."

Takanuva threw his hands into the air. "What are we going to do with you?"

Kiia grinned. "Keep me away from Ko- Metru?" she asked hopefully.

Takanuva rolled his eyes. "No, not until you and Kopaka learn to treat each other with respect."

Kiia mumbled a swear word under her breath, just as Turaga Nokama walked up to them.

"What was that Kiia?" she asked.

"Nothing," Kiia said, wide- eyed and embarrassed.

"That's what I thought," said Nokama. "Anyway, I've come to inform both of you that the Toa Nuva are departing on a dangerous journey to the island of Voya Nui."

Kiia stood up straight. Voya Nui? Where was that? And what was the connection to her? She glanced at her brother. When Takanuva had rescued her, they had discovered an ancient tablet with an ancient legend. It stated that light would be removed from all others, and be brother to shadows. They all assumed that that meant that Kiia was sister to Takanuva, and Takanuva to Kiia. But not either to the Toa Nuva. It was confusing and hard to accept. Kiia turned to Turaga Nokama. "When do we leave?"

Nokama frowned. "You are not going."

Kiia gaped at her. "WHAT! Why not?" she demanded.

"Because it is your duty is to Metru Nui. It is your destiny to protect the city from all harm," Nokama said softly. "I know you want to go with your friends, but that's just the way it has to be. I'm sorry."

Kiia couldn't take any more of this. Sobbing, she raced off into the winding alley ways of Ta- Metru. She didn't care about getting lost. She spent most of her spare tome in Ta- Metru anyway, doing whatever she could with Tahu. After their battle, Tahu and Kiia had developed a special bond. She had a new power, heat resistance, and he to, more persuasiveness. They had no idea how that had happened, only that it might mean something in the future. Kiia rounded a corner and found herself outside Tahu's dwelling place. Kiia had never been here. She lived in the Coliseum. The Toa Voya walked up to the door, and knocked. No one answered. Frustrated, she knocked again. Still no answer. Now furious, she shifted into a flat, gelatinous creature and slid in underneath the door.

The room was plain, save for a cabinet and a sleeping pallet. Kiia walked over to the cabinet. Inside was his journal. Kiia reached for it, and stopped. It was wrong. She had her own personal diary, and would kill anyone who read it. She turned around and began to walk away, only to spin around, grab the journal, open it, and begin to read it.

Today I have to leave. My brothers and sister and I have to go to a remote island called "Voya Nui". We're supposed to find an artifact called the "Mask of Life". Without it, the Great Spirit will die. Vakama said this would not be an easy task. I've only returned to grab a few items. And to write a warning. Kiia, I know you're reading this, I might not come back.

Kiia stared at the last sentence. Not come back? How could that be? Oh why did Vakama chose him for this task? She looked over on the tablet's other side. There was more.

Don't come after me. If we perish, there is nothing you can do about it Kiia. There is also something else. I did not take the Mask of Time with me. I leave it in your hands until I return… if I do. Good luck, and stay strong shadow winder.

Kiia clutched the tablet to her chest, and sank to the floor and sobbed. She never noticed Takanuva enter until he laid a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be alright," he said.

The Shadow Toa looked up at her Light brother. "Alright? ALRIGHT!" she raged. "My best friend had gone off to some uncharted island in search of an item that holds the fate of the universe! And I'm being told to stay put like a good little kavinika! I can't do it. I… I just can't do it." She began sobbing uncontrollably again.

Takanuva sighed. "We'll give them three days. Then… we'll see about doing something." A teary eyed Toa Voya looked up at him and nodded. For the first time, Takanuva thought she looked helpless. Bad times were ahead.

A/N: Well… the start of new story arc for Kiia and the other Toa. Can't say much except how much fun this is going to be to write.