In this chapter some new technology (of my own design) will appear. I'll give a sort of "reference" thing in my bottom section thing.
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Nokama was broken-hearted. How could he do that, after all she had just done for him? She ran, tears streaming down her mask, to the nearest chute station, while Vakama chased, trying to explain what had happened. She wouldn't listen. She performed a graceful flip forward into the chute and took off at top speed toward Ga-Metru. Vakama activated the jetpack function of his disk launcher, thinking he could head her off, but quickly lost sight of her. He soon saw a Matoran waving for him to come down. It was Kepura. Vakama touched down next to him.
"Toa Vakama, Turaga Dume wants to see you," Kepura said, in his usual slow way.
Vakama took off, heading straight for the Coliseum.
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Each of the Toa, Nuva and Metru included, received similar messages, along with Hahli. Takua could not be found anywhere. Each Toa simply strode past the receptionist's desk with a friendly nod to Kotu, who had now taken the job, but Hahli was stopped for a Kanohi-scan. The scan, of course, identified her as Hahli, and she was permitted to enter. The Toa and the Chronicler gathered in Dume's quarters (which were under round-the-clock Vahki surveillance, to ensure that history would not repeat itself).
Dume broke the silence. "Something seems to be wrong. It was said that when darkness was struck down for eternity, and Metru Nui was returned to full life, the Great Spirit would reawaken, and the Matoran would live in peace for eternity. Mata Nui is still not awake, however, even though the prophecy has been seemingly fulfilled. I think I've figured out the problem. Metru Nui has been restored, but (gesturing to Hahli) the Matoran still have no true recollection of it. The Matoran named Nuparu, our main inventor, has been assigned to figure out how to fix this problem, and I would like all of you to see if you can find a way as well. Of course, if Takanuva misses this meeting entirely, one of you should tell him when you find him." Gesturing to the door, he added, "That will be all. Good day."
The Toa, while unappreciative of his briskness, left, but they started discussing the matter as soon as they had left the Coliseum. After some argument, Lewa was chosen to speak with Takanuva, while the rest worked on the "matter of Matoran memory," as Pohatu playfully called it (Matau immediately attempted to say "matter of Matoran memory," three times fast, and began laughing when the second time came out, "matter of Matorian mermory". The other Toa chuckled slightly and regained their composure). Nokama did not so much as glance at Vakama, though Vakama's pleading eyes kept seeking hers. They all decided to just try and do their individual best
After the meeting, Vakama cornered Nokama.
"Please Nokama-"
"I don't want to hear it Vakama!"
"But, Nokama-"
"No!"
"Listen to me!" he roared, his hands igniting in flame. Nokama immediately quieted and stood, arms folded, with an "All-right-let's-hear-your-stupid-excuse" look on her face, though unmistakably listening.
"I was having a vision!" Vakama began with an inappropriate shout. Calming down, he continued. "I mean, when I woke up this morning, I had a vision. I wasn't shocked by what happened last night, I was shocked by the vision, but I do love you, more than you can possibly imagine."
Nokama was no longer upset. She immediately began to plead for information about this vision he had had.
"Well…" began Vakama uncertainly. He didn't want her to worry, but he didn't want to hide anything from here either. He decided to tell her the truth. "I…I saw you die." She gasped in horror. "And what else?" she asked. "I saw Lhikan die too. I'll need to make a choice in the future. I don't know when. Either you will die…or Lhikan will."
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Makutanuva felt powerful, more powerful than ever before. He looked at his shadow, which was currently beneath him, as it was noon, and a voice told him, do it. Unsure what it was that he was supposed to do, he mentally asked the voice how, not what. Immediately upon asking, that very thing that he had to do happened. He became his shadow. No longer did he cast his shadow, he was his shadow, a large dark spot of pure shadow essence where he once stood. The shadow-spot moved toward the doorway and slipped under the door. As he slid out, preparing for his shadowy rampage, he laughed softly to himself. He slid across walls, unnoticed, and stopped when he saw a nearby Matoran. He extended part of his shadow essence toward the Matoran, grabbing him and absorbing him, feeling himself grow stronger as he did so. The voice spoke once again, and he listened, more intently than ever. It said only one word, but that word was enough. More.
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The Dark Hunters rowed the large troop ships hard, keeping the ships moving at a quick pace on their way to Metru Nui. The Shadowed One stood at the bow of his flagship, watching as the Great Barrier drew ever closer. The wrath of the Dark Hunters would be felt. No Toa would survive. Metru Nui itself would not survive this treachery, having defied him twice before. It would be obliterated, along with any creatures inhabiting it.
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Vakama rested in silent meditation, in his luxurious home. Suddenly, his eyes flew to 200 luminosity, in surprise. He realized what would aid the Matoran, and knew it could not be allowed to fall into the hands of evil. He had forgotten, but now remembered. The Kanohi Krakana, the Great Mask of Presence. One existed in the entire world. The one he had made as a Matoran. The powers of that mask…to read and control minds, teleport, and lift even the largest and heaviest of objects known by thought alone…if only he could remember where it was…if it fell into the hands of evil…he did not want to think about it. It must be found.
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Reference Section
The mask-scanner is my own invention, and no other fanfic authors may use it without my consent (Feline Freak now officially has my permission to use any of my ideas without asking. She's cool like that.). It was invented by Nuparu, as was the Kanohi database. The Kanohi database revolutionized identification, as every Matoran has now been cataloged by mask shape and color. Different mask-makers have different styles, and no two masks, even if they are the same color and kind, are the same.
The mask-scanners, placed at the entrance to every important location, like the Coliseum, the chute control stations, the Great Temple, etc, are used to identify Matoran, and check if they authorized to be where they are. The scanners have total access to the database, and Vahki run them. Being machines, they never tire. Nuparu created an entire new class of Vahki, just for this, and they only give chase to those attempting to enter without authorization. When a Matoran is issued a new mask, for reasons such as damage to the original, their new mask is scanned into the database, and their old one is deleted. The idea of reissuing masks was made up by Greg Farshtey (BIONICLE Metru Nui City Guide).
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The darkness is rising further, as Makutanuva's taste for blood develops. The Shadowed One arrives. The search for the Krakana begins. All this and more, in the next chapter of The Mask of Presence!