ULTIMATE BIONICLE

Chapter 9: Transformations

"Uhhh…..Where am I?" His vision was hazy. All he could see around him was black with strange sparkles of different coloured light. He felt lightheaded and his voice sounded echoed.

"Where am I?" He thought in confusion. "Am I…dead?"

"Tahu…." A familiar voice called out to him. "What? Who's that? Turaga Vakama is that you?"

"Tahu…." It called out again. Tahu began to shout out "Where are you! I can't see you!" "Can you hear me Tahu….?" "Yes I can hear you but where are you?" "You must wake up Tahu…." "Where are you?" Tahu yelled.

"I'm right….here!" Suddenly Turahk's fierce face was inches from his. His hands were clenched around Tahu's neck. "Pathetic Toa!" Turahk mocked. "No!" Tahu started pushing back at Turahk

Suddenly he found the world around him changing rapidly to a familiar setting. Everything became clear and he found himself sitting up in a hut in Le-Koro. Sitting next to him was Turaga Vakama. Tahu was not wearing his mask.

"It's alright Tahu. That was just a dream." Vakama assured him. Tahu groaned as he rubbed his head. There was dressing bandaged around it.

"How did I get here?" He asked the fire Turaga. "Nuhvok and Arkam found all of you in the forest. What happened to you?" The Turaga asked. "We were attacked by Rahkshi. Apparently they are Makuta's new warriors. We stood no chance against them."

"You've been unconscious for about three days now." Vakama brought up. Tahu's eyes widened. "Three days!" "Yeah, three days. We thought you weren't going to make it."

"What about the others? How are they doing?" Tahu asked in concern. "Pohatu will be ok, he's been moving around a bit. Kopaka should fine. Lewa had been stabbed through his chest with a blade. Had it not been for a bulla berry he would have bled to death." Vakama explained. "And what about Gali and Onua? Did they even find Onua?" "Actually yes they did, underneath a pile of rubble," Vakama's gaze fell to the floor and he sighed, "but I'm afraid they are in very critical condition. We've given them many bulla berries but I'm afraid it may be a while before they are well again."

"Let me see them now." Tahu demanded. "No Tahu. You're too weak right now, you need rest." Vakama insisted. "Don't tell me what to d-…." As Tahu stood up he felt a sharp pain in his leg. "I told you, you're still too battered. You need rest, don't worry they are in good hands."

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Vorahk poked his head into the slightly opened door of Makuta's throne room. Panrahk stood behind him. "What are they talking about?" He asked Vorahk. "Shut up brother or I won't be able to hear them!" He said sternly.

"You will know when the time is right to put the plan into action and will act as previously instructed. Understand?"

"Yes master. I understand completely." Atukam answered. "Good. Now take your leave to Metru Nui. I'm counting on you Atukam and I will not accept failure." Makuta continued. "I will leave immediately, my lord." Atukam gave a solemn bow, then turned around and headed towards the door.

Vorahk pulled his head back and closed the door. "Quick hide he's coming!" Vorahk told his brother has they jumped into the shadows of the pillars that ran along the sides of the hall. Atukam walked out of the and down the hall until he was out of site.

Suddenly Panrahk and Vorahk saw the other four Rahkshi appear from hiding on the other side of the hall. They jumped out as well. "So I guess you were all spying too huh?" Panrahk asked. "Yeah, but we're really here because Makuta has called for us." Kurahk told them.

"Why weren't we informed?" Vorahk asked. "Because you just weren't around." Turahk simply said.

The six Rahkshi proceeded to walk into Makuta's chamber. They stood in a row and knelt down before him. They sat with their heads bowed until they were spoken to.

"I am not happy my sons." Makuta started. "Why is that father?" Turahk asked. "Because you have let me down." He replied, with a strangely calm tone. "What do you mean?" Vorahk asked. "You have failed me!" Makuta's bellowing shout made the chamber shake.

"We don't understand. We killed the Toa. They're dead!" Guurahk argued. "That is where you are wrong my sons." Makuta continued, calming down. "The Toa have indeed survived." "Then let us return to them and finish the job!" Turahk quickly shouted.

"No." Makuta said. "I have a much more pressing matter for the six of you." "What is it father?" Panrahk asked.

Suddenly Makuta threw down a stone tablet, a little bigger than the size of a Kanohi mask. Turahk picked it up. The picture on it was glowing with a vibrant light. "What is this?" Turahk asked inquisitively.

"That is a picture of Kanohi Avohkii, the mask of light." Makuta explained. "What does this mean?" Kurahk asked. "That tablet glowing means that the mask has revealed itself. You must find this mask and prevent the 7th Toa from awakening. Use the tablet to guide you."

"But where do w-." Vorahk started. "NOW!" Makuta ordered. The Rahkshi quickly ran out of the chamber.

"They had better not fail me. If they do it could be the death of me." A smile suddenly appeared on Makuta's face. "Of course I do have 'him' as a back-up plan. If I were to die 'he' would awaken and come through for me. I am sure of it."

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Arkam sits on the edge of the window in his room, writing in his journal. "It has been a week since the Toa's defeat and they are looking much better. They are all looking well and moving about. Even Onua and Gali, whom were in the worst condition of all of them, most of them have started their training again, Lewa in particular. Something must have really gotten him motivated…"

"Arkam come down here!" Lewa yelled from the ground below. "What is it Lewa?" he replied, shouting back. "The Turaga have called for us. It's something important! Come on!" Lewa insisted.

Arkam ran out of his hut and jumped onto a vine and slid down to where Lewa was. "Okay, let's go." Arkam said. Arkam started to follow Lewa. They ran until they saw the other five Toa, Nuhvok and the Turaga standing in front of the mouth of a cave.

"Now that you're finally here Lewa, we can get down to business." Vakama started. "I think I have a way that could make you all much stronger than you are now."

"Are you kidding me! What is it! Come on tell us!" Lewa burst with excitement. "Keep your head on Lewa." Gali said. Vakama continued, ignoring Lewa's little outburst.

"In this cave are vats of a substance called energized protodermis. If someone who is destined to be changed is dipped into it they will change and gain great power. It is risky however. If it is not your destiny to be changed….it will destroy you!" Everyone but the Turaga flinched in shock.

"Remember this may be your only chance to defeat the Rahkshi. This is especially necessary because of this." Vakama held out a glowing stone tablet. "Avohkii the mask of light has revealed itself!"

"What's the mask of light?" Tahu asked in confusion. "The mask of light belongs to the 7th Toa who is destined to defeat Makuta. Makuta has most likely sent the Rahkshi to find the mask of light and prevent the 7th Toa from coming into being. You must not let that happen. That is why your transformations are so necessary." Vakama sounded urgent.

The Toa all looked at each other then returned their gaze to Vakama and gave him an agreeing nod.

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"You're all sure that you want to do this?" Nuhvok asked with concern. "I mean what if you all end up dieing? What do we do then?"

"Yeah," Arkam added, "if you guys die, Makuta will take over Mata Nui for sure. Then we'll all be slaves."

"Don't worry about it Arkam." Lewa gave him thumbs up, "We're the legendary Toa. There is no way the Great Spirit would allow us to die like this." He said reassuringly.

"Yeah, you're probably right Lewa. There's nothing to worry about." Pohatu said, feeling happier.

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All six Toa stood on circular platforms that, when lowered, would dip them into the energized protodermis. "Are you guys' positive you want to go through with this?" Vakama asked one last time.

"Yes! Let's do this already!" Kopaka urged impatiently.

Vakama through the switch and they were dipped into the vats of the energized substance.

Kopaka could not see anything but bright light. He fell to his knees, feeling the swirling energy seep into every part of his body. The world around him was filled with a roaring power as he felt his body morph and transform.

The Turaga, Arkam and Nuhvok stood in awe as the protodermis glowed with a very bright light. The light died down and the platforms started to rise. Six figures sat crouched on each platform. The protodermis started to drain back into the vats they were held in.

The six of them stood tall and triumphant in their new forms. Clad in new amour, equipped with new weapons, they were no longer Toa. They were Toa Nuva!