A/N - Heeeeeeeey! I'm back! (Late, I know…)
So, here is the latest chapter, fresh off the printer. Hopefully the next one won't be as late - though, I am suffering a minor - MINOR - writers block. I am also still in the hospital ( Huge thanks to all who gave their concern!). So, I may be late posting. Sorry in advance! (My entire schedule has been thrown out of whack… D: )
Okay, just so you guys know, many Matoran are going to know Emma's name, even if she has not interacted with them. If you read my previous book, then you know why that is. If you haven't… well, all I'll say is that Emma - whether she knows this or not - left an impression while being on the island 1000 years ago. I mean, she was their first protector/honorary Toa, and the Turaga love to tell stories…
Holy cow! 40+ reviews?! That is the most amount of reviews on any of my stories! Big shout out to everyone who reviewed/faved/followed!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bionicle. Only my OC(s) and the current plot.
Day had come and gone since Emma had left Ta-Koro and the region of Ta-Wahi behind her. By nightfall she had reached the edge of the more swampy area in Ga-Wahi, and had set up camp in a small, hollowed out cavern. A small fire had been set up in the middle of it, giving the cave a warm, flickering orange glow.
The girl, however, was sitting just outside, gazing up at night sky. Far, far above her head, Bara Magna filled the sky with its dull orange colour, grey and black scars and mountains marring its surface, not to mention one of the two visible, and quite massive, 'dent' she could make out that sat in the South. For a moment, her eyes scanned it's northern, sun-facing side, wondering. She knew that if the timeline went as her world saw it, that the barren world above her head would one day be a revived, whole, lush paradise.
But will I ever get to see it? She thought to herself, absently chewing on a strip of the jerky her brother had packed for her. For all I know, this could turn out like that 'Kingdom' storyline, or something worse. Swallowing, she let out a sigh. Knowing a potential future stank. Majorly.
Leaning back, Emma let her arctic eyes wander across the northern equatorial surface that she could see. Sighing again, the girl let her eyes drift across the planet's massive surface. Would she still be alive when it was revived? Would she be there, present at all? Would she be there when Mata Nui eventually landed there, or would she go with the Toa after Makuta took over?
She shuddered at that last thought. Emma knew that in order for Spheres Magna to be restored, and for the Bionicle to be truly free, that that, that monster would need to be the victor for a while. The thought of her friends - family - suffering under his reign made her insides coil. Could she really keep such a big secret from them, knowing the consequences?
The girl lay her arm over her eyes, feeling tears prick them. Despite knowing the uselessness behind it, she said a small - semi-desperate - prayer. "Please, whatever higher being out there who hears this, give me the strength to survive the challenges ahead. To guide me down the path of what's right."
As soon as she finished speaking, a cool, soft breeze washed over her. A sense of peace settled in her chest, and Emma's body relaxed. Whether it was a sort of divine comfort, or a simple coincidence, she felt much better than she did before.
The girl finished up her jerky, and took a big sip from her canteen. Glancing at the planet above her, she crawled back inside to settle for the night.
Far, far above, the stars twinkled on around Bara's orange glow.
She couldn't breathe.
There was a hand wrapped around her throat, painfully digging sharp claws into her skin.
"You will always be mine…" A dark, terrifying and all too familiar voice chuckled in her ear.
A shiver ran down her spine as tears pooled in her eyes. She could feel herself being held up, cold, soulless blue eyes staring down into hers. She could feel a clawed hand stoking her face, and if she didn't know any better it was gentle, almost kind. But she did.
"You are my beautiful little weapon," he almost purred in her ear, hand still holding her throat, "my perfect little weapon. With you, my world is all mine… all mine…"
His cackling echoed throughout her ears, and she could feel herself fading. The hand tightened even more, crushing her windpipe and shoving her to the ground, sending pain throughout her body. She was crushed under a massive weight, her chest constricted.
She couldn't breathe! She couldn't breathe…!
"Mine… all mine…" His cackling echoed in her ears.
Emma woke up that morning with a gasp, her chest heaving in and out as she fought for air. Her hand had flown to her neck, as if reassuring herself that there was nothing there. Nothing holding her down, cutting off her airway…
She shook her head rapidly, fighting back the panic attack. I'm okay, I'm safe, nothing can get me now… She rambled in her head, focusing on the dying embers of the fire. Gusting out a sigh, the girl moved her hand to run it down her face before adjusting her hat, the other hand pushing her up.
She turned over, scooping her folded jacket/makeshift pillow up and got onto her knees. After tying the garment to her waist, Emma swung her holstered spear onto her back and double checked that she everything in her sac. Standing up while ducking her head, she gave the embers a few good stomps to make sure they were out, before exiting the cavern.
The girl narrowed her eyes against the dawn light of the twin suns, reaching up to pull her hat rim down to block the offending light. Even still, she enjoyed the warmth the suns provided, and once her eyes adjusted, gave a big stretch.
Kneeling down, the thirteen year old opened the sac, pulling out a container. The rich smell of meat hit her nostrils as she pried off the lid, and she pulled out a couple strips of jerky. She replaced the cap on the container before placing it in her bag, and swung the sac strap over her shoulder. Taking a bite of her breakfast, the girl continued on her way down the trail, the nightmare from the night before fading from her mind.
It was close to mid-day when Emma heard a commotion. Leaving the wooden plank path, she hopped across a few tree roots and a couple of rocks, and blinked at the sight before her.
Two Ga-Matoran were trying to push/lift their canoe out from where it was caught between some rocks. But even with their natural strength, with their relatively small stature and rapid flow of the river moving against them, they were unsuccessful.
"Need some help?" Emma asked, wincing slightly as the two jumped, obviously startled.
One of them, a light blue Matoran, shook her head to clear it, before nodding. "Yes, please." Her voice was bordering on desperation.
"We've been stuck here for so long," the other Matoran, coloured a darker shade, added, "we were supposed to bring the gathered plants back earlier." She gestured to the canoe, where the girl could see woven baskets sitting in the bottom.
Smiling sympathetically, the girl scrambled over. Grabbing the front base of the canoe, she, bent her knees and lifted. The canoe was thankfully lighter than it could have been, so even with the flow of the river, she was able to maneuver it safely over to where the two Matoran guided her. It was a small outcropping of flat rock, where the canoe could rest without being dragged away.
"Thank you so much!" The lighter blue one said, while her friend double checked the baskets.
Emma smiled, crouching down to be more at eye-level. "It was no problem. Just be sure to watch where you're going next time, hmm?" She grinned.
"We will!" The Ga-Matoran nodded.
At that moment to other one, who was most likely older, came over. "All the baskets are intact, as is the canoe, thank the spirits." Turning to the thirteen year old, a smile formed on her mask. "And thank you, Toa Emma."
The girl blushed, ducking her head slightly. "It was no problem. I'm just glad that I was able to lend a hand."
The dark blue Ga-Matoran seemed to think for a moment, before she gently grabbed the girl's hand. "Come, let us give you a ride."
Emma blinked, before shaking her head. "No, it's fine. You don't have to."
The Ga-Matoran gave her a look. "Please, I insist. Besides," she gestured to the path the human had come from, "you were on the path that led to Ga-Koro, and since Hiku and I were heading that way anyways, it would be no problem."
"Oh please!" The other Matoran, Hiku, chirped, violet eyes wide. "We have plenty of room, right Leah?"
Faced with the two Ga-Matoran very politely asking her, Emma let out a sigh. "Oh… alright." She couldn't hold back the grin that twitched on her lips as Hiku cheered.
The canoe ride wasn't a long one, and by the time the twin suns had reached the highest point in the sky the three had exited the river. Now they were paddling along the southern edge of Naho Bay, heading for Ga-Koro. Glancing across the water to the Northern side, the girl could see the dusty, light brown shore that was Po-Wahi
"And there it is!" Hiku chirped from the front, leaving Emma to turn her head back.
Coming around the outcropping of land, the three could see two large, stone walls erected in the water, with a small passage way between them. Leah, sitting in the back, maneuvered the canoe between the two natural storm breakers. Only once they were through them, did the Village of Water come into view.
"Oh wow…" Emma gasped, taking in the view.
Gigantic lily pads floated on the smooth water, with huts made of reeds and driftwood built onto them. A massive cliff rose sharply from the water, with more huts both built in or made from natural caves. In all honesty, when compared to the treehouse style of Le-Koro or the medieval theme of Ta-Koro, Ga-Koro had its own, unique beauty.
Leah chuckled, steering the canoe over to a dock made of reeds. A handful of Ga-Matoran stood there, waiting for their arrival. Once the canoe had been safely pulled over, Emma was able to disembark, and watched as the Ga-Matoran began to unload.
"I see that our brother has finally let you go." The girl turned at the voice, and smiled at the deep blue form hobbling up to her. "It is good to see you again, little sister."
"It's great to see you to Nokama." Emma said, kneeling down and hugging the Turaga.
When the two pulled apart, Nokama gently took the girl's hand, guiding her into the village. "It has been so long. I am just glad that you arrived in one piece."
The look the elder gave her made Emma wince and rub the back of her head with her free hand. "Heh heh… um…" She grimaced when she realized that she had no response.
The Turaga chuckled. "I figured that you would have no excuse." She grinned, a teasing edge to her voice.
The girl groaned, rolling her eyes as she realized what had just happened. "Really sister? Really?"
Nokama just smiled, gently pulling Emma along. The thirteen year old honestly couldn't complain, a smile forming on her own face. She would never admit it aloud, but she had actually missed this - teasing/mother-henning and all.
It was closer to the cliff part of the village that the two came upon a taller, more streamlined form. "Ah, Toa Gali. Just who I was looking for." Nokama greeted, gaining said Toa's attention.
The seven foot tall form turned to them, a smile on her mask. "Turaga Nokama." She greeted, and her smile seemed to grow a bit as her glowing gold eyes settled on the girl. "Emma. It is good to see you again." The Toa of Water held out her fist in greeting.
The girl smiled back, and let her fist lightly bump against the Toa's in return. "It's nice to see you as well, Toa Gali."
"I'd best be off." Nokama said, gently patting Emma's arm. "I trust that you will remain out of too much trouble, little sister. We don't need you to get tangled up again." Her brow raised at the girl, who groaned, "That was one time…"
The Turaga merely rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "And yet you still seem to attract trouble." Her staff lightly tapped the girl on the head. "So please, no shenanigans. I have enough trouble dealing with the Le-Matoran in this village."
Emma's retort died on her tongue as the elder hobbled off. Then, she buried her face into her hands with a groan. "Aw man…"
Gali looked at her curiously. "Emma…?"
The response made the Toa snort in amusement. "She just lectured me! Again…!" The girl slumped.
The Toa gently patted her shoulder, holding back a chuckle. "Come. I think a small tour would do you some good." With that, Gali guided the young human towards the cliffs.
For Emma, spending time in the Village of Water was enjoyable. Especially since its Toa was much more welcoming to her than Ta-Koro's. The warm days following the girl's arrival were spent patrolling the beaches and swamps, swimming in the warm shallow waters of Naho Bay, and spending time with the Village of Water's Matoran.
Though, how Emma and Gali ended up covered in head to toe with sand, sticks, leaves and seaweed after a beach patrol, neither would say.
At the moment however, the two were enjoying some down time. They had been trading stories, but had long since settled back to watch a group of giggling children run around.
Suddenly, Emma let out a squeal as a very cold ball of water landed on her head, soaking her. Turning, her eyes narrowed at the Toa sitting innocently beside her, hands dripping wet. The girl let out a mock war cry, and pounced on a surprised Gali. The two tumbled into the bay, where they separated, and Emma swam to the surface.
As the thirteen year old looked around, she squawked as she was splashed in the face with a small wave of water. The girl coughed, spitting out water. She swiped her wet hair out of her eyes, and glared at the smirking blue form treading water nearby.
"Oh-hohoho…" Emma laughed. "This means war, Gali!" She lunged at the Toa, only to miss and be grabbed from behind. The girl squealed with laughter as blue hands dug into her sides. "Ah! No-hohoho!"
Gali chuckled, holding the thirteen year old close. "What was that about 'war' young one?"
The girl snorted and squirmed. "Okay-hay-hay! I give-ve-ve! No-hohoho war-h-h!"
The Toa of Water chuckled, releasing the girl from her grip. "I guess-"
She didn't get much further than that, as Emma suddenly grinned deviously. Her cry of "ATTACK!" was followed by several replying war cries.
Poor Gali ended up being dog-piled by several children, all who were far too eager to play with their Village Guardian. The human youth roared with laughter as the Toa squawked in surprise, and was thus sent under by the giggling Matoran.
Needless to say, a water-war soon broke out. When Nokama came over sometime later, she found Toa Gali dozing against a hut, with Emma leaning against her and several napping children curled up the two. The Turaga chuckled softly, and left the group to rest. But she stopped when she heard snickering nearby.
The elder ended up dragging two sulking Le-Matoran behind her. Another prank successfully thwarted…
But as all things tend to go, the peace didn't last.
Two Ga-Matoran were fishing on the border of the bay and sea when they felt the air change. Looking up, the two froze at the sight of a dark mass gathering over the ocean.
The storm clouds were massive. Near pitch-black in colour, twisting and rolling chaotically. Faint flashes of lightning could be seen within, and even at this distance the faint rumble of thunder could be heard. And it was heading straight for the village.
"It's gonna be a big one," Marka commented, wincing slightly, "just look at how dark those clouds are."
Leah nodded. "Definitely going to be - as Emma once said - a doozy."
"Agreed."
The two quickly packed up and began to paddle back, neither wanting to be caught in the bad weather.
By the time the sky had darkened from the clouds, Ga-Koro had gone from a bright village full of chatter, to a dull and near-empty village. Only a few scattered Matoran were outside, securing loose items or herding far-to-curious-for-their-own-good children indoors. But they soon disappeared to the safety of the indoors.
When the rain had begun to fall, only two figures could be seen standing on the docks. Nokama watched to clouds with worried eyes, a feeling of wrongness welling in her chest. Gali felt it as well, her own eyes narrowed at the chaotically moving vapour.
"There's something off about this." The Toa said at last.
"I know." The Turaga answered, her staff absently tapping the wood.
"Nokama?" A third voice asked. The two turned to see Emma come up behind them, wrapping her jacket closer around her in an attempt to stay warm - dry was impossible now, as the rain had thoroughly soaked her through. "You need to get inside. It's only going to get worse, and you need to be safe."
The blue elder could see the worry in her little sister's eyes, and nodded. "Very well."
As Nokama hobbled towards her hut, the girl turned to the Toa. "What about you Gali?" She asked, shrinking inwards as the wind began to howl.
"I must stay out and ensure that the storm breakers do not fail." She replied, eyeing the waves already smashing into them.
Emma nodded, saying, "Good luck," before turning and darting for cover. The girl hated to admit it, but she knew that there was nothing else she could do help.
She tried to ignore the nagging feeling in her chest that there was something about the storm that she should recognize. But no matter how hard she tried, she came up empty.
The wind roared outside their hut, and Emma fought against her instinct to try and hide under the cot - the nice, safe sheltered area under it, away from the loud storm (There was a reason why her bed on Earth was a loft! Nice little hidey hole…). Though the hut was made of driftwood and reeds, it was held together by a light, strong and water-proof clay. Even still, images of the walls falling apart and being swept away kept flashing across the thirteen year old's mind. The rocking motion of the lily pad beneath her didn't help.
A hand resting on her's drew the girl out of her turbulent thoughts. Nokama sighed, gently squeezing her little sister's hand. She knew of the girl's terror, and why that was.
"I know it's loud and scary," she said softly, trying to keep the girl focused on her, "just breathe, and it will pass before you know it."
Emma was about to nod, when a terrified shriek came from outside. The girl, despite her fear, was on her feet in an instant, racing over the tied down cloth door. Untying one end, she poked her head out, narrowing her eyes against the downpour.
The bright flash of lightning followed by the boom of thunder, nearly sent her skittering inside. But Emma bit her tongue, forcing her body to stay put as she looked for the source of the shriek. Another cry called out, and when the thirteen year old whipped her head to the source her blood ran cold.
"Hahli!" She screamed, and without thinking shot unsteadily out of the hut.
Nokama's panicked cry as the girl bolted was lost to the wind. The Turaga could only watch helplessly, praying that the human would stay safe.
Hahli's wails were nearly hidden by the howling wind. The Ga-Matoran clung desperately to the edge of a lily pad, the raging water splashing around her threatening to wash her under. Oh why did I forget to secure my hut door?! She wailed internally.
She could swear that someone was screaming her name, but before she could confirm it her perch suddenly dropped. Horror filled her as she realized what was about to happen.
Just as the incoming wave washed over her, pulling the pad from her grip, Hahli could have sworn she saw a very panicked non-masked face dive towards her.
The water was freezing, nearly shocking the air straight out of her lungs. Emma knew that diving in was not the brightest idea, but when her eyes caught the dark blue form flailing in the churning current, she knew that she had made the right choice. Gotta save Hahli. Can't fail now.
With determination driving her, the girl swam as hard as she could towards her endangered friend. The current tossed her about like a rag doll, but she fought it with all her strength. Her lungs burning, Emma reached out, her hand flailing until it came into contact with another.
Grasping the metallic hand with her own flesh one, the girl yanked the smaller form closer to her. Hahli weakly grabbed her shirt, and with her lungs threatening to burst Emma held the smaller form close with one arm.
The thirteen year old swam frantically for the churning surface, panic rising in her chest. Almost there! Almost…!
Emma broke the barrier between water and air with a gasp, coughing harshly as a wave slammed into her face. Faintly hearing Hahli coughing, the girl swam for the village, trying to not panic when she realized that the current had dragged them a good distance out.
Fighting the raging waves, Emma somehow managed to make it over to the docks. A couple of Le-Matoran stood there, their stronger forms holding onto reeds while they reached out. Grabbing onto the edge, she hauled Hahli's form onto the dock. The two green Matoran grasped the Ga-Matoran's arms, hauling her up to the relative safety of the dock.
"Get her out of here." Emma rasped, coughing out a bit of water. "I'll follow."
The two nodded, and escorted Hahli away from the dock. The girl grunted, scrambling to pull her drenched form out of the water and to safety. It was then that the dock buckled, and Emma's eyes went wide as she plunged back in.
As she fought the urge to shout in surprise and not lose the air in her lungs, her Danger Sense went off like a shot. The girl barely had a chance to react before something slammed into her side with the force of a train, sending her spinning. Emma barely had time to stabilized herself before she was struck again, and again. By the fifth strike - or was it the seventh? - her lungs were burning again and she was completely disoriented.
Blinking blearily, she finally saw what was attacking her, and her blood ran cold. A Takea… The girl paled as the shark-like rahi charged again, but this time she was ready. Emma caught the Takea's nose before it could hit her, pushing against it.
Girl and rahi struggled against each other, one fighting for her life and the other for the kill. But in the end, the Takea proved to be to strong, and sent the girl spinning backwards. As Emma fought to right herself, a searing pain shot though her left leg. A scream rose in her throat, and as she frantically tried to swim away she could see blood trailing in the water. But before she could do anything else, the Takea rammed her again - hard.
What little air Emma had in her burning lungs was forced out as the rahi impacted her chest. Her cry became gargled as water rushed in, and her body convulsed as she choked. Panic set in as she felt the water invade, and as she was unable to breathe her thoughts became scrambled. Weakly, she saw the Takea coming around, but the girl began to sink as darkness encroached on her vision. The last thing she registered before succumbing to unconsciousness was something diving into the water far above her, then nothing.
Gali held back a curse as she dove into the water, activating her Mask of Water-Breathing and trying to find the form of the young girl.
The Toa could still remember what had happened, and she could only pray that she acted fast enough.
From where she had been monitoring the storm breakers, Gali had heard one of her Matoran crying out. Since the storm had been slowly decreasing in strength, it was safe enough for the Toa to race into the village. There she found Hahli being held by two Le-Matoran, both who were keeping her drenched form from diving into the churning water. "What's going on-?"
"Emma!" Hahli screamed, cutting the Toa of Water off. "She's still down there! By the docks! Emma!"
It took Gali less then a second to understand what the Ga-Matoran meant. Instructing the three Matoran to get inside, she raced across the lily pads and onto the wooden dock. Reaching the edge, the blue Toa stood there, trying to see where the girl could be. After a moment, a discolouration caught her attention, and her blood ran cold as she realized what, exactly, the redness was. "Oh no…"
Pumping her limbs as hard as she could, Gali swam downwards, trying to spot her new friend in the churning water. A Takea suddenly tried to sideswipe her, and the Toa gracefully avoided it. As it turned to try again, she noticed the redness tinging the rahi's sharp claws. Anger and horror rose within her, and Gali held her arms out, tapping into her elemental power. The water reacted to her energies, and with an angered roar she shoved the rahi back with a makeshift current. The Takea screeched angrily as it was tossed about, but when faced with the Toa in her element it knew it was outmatched, and fled back into the darkness.
Satisfied that the Takea would not be back, Gali looked around frantically, praying silently that she was not too late. More red discolouration caught her eye, and the Toa dove downwards after its source. As she followed the trail, a limp form came into sight, sinking downwards.
Emma… Gali forced herself to swim faster, and within moments she was able to snag the girl's limp form. With the youth safely in her grasp, the blue Toa swam for the surface. It felt like days before she finally broke the barrier, and Gali scrambled for the docks, where a small group of Matoran and Turaga Nokama stood, ignoring the rain pelting them. She gently lay the girl's unmoving form on the soaked wood, before pulling herself out.
Nokama was already kneeling beside Emma's head, her fingers pressed to the girl's neck. Her mask paled as Gali crouched on the other side. "I-I can't find a pulse…!"
The Toa's heart sank at that, but she refused to give up. "Stand back!" Gali instructed, holding her hands over the thirteen year old's chest. Closing her eyes, the Toa once again tapped into her elemental energies. Her hands began to move in rhythmic, swaying motions over Emma's unmoving chest, a faint glow covering them.
Then, as Gali's hands moved towards the girl's mouth, water was pulled out. The Toa continued her movements, until every last drop was pulled from the thirteen year old's lungs. It was then discarded into the bay, and Gali's hands moved back to the girl. Hands still glowing with healing energy, she lay them on the child's chest. There was a faint pulse of energy, before the Toa pulled back.
For the longest time, nothing seemed to happen. Then, with no warning, Emma's eyes shot open as she heaved for air. A cheer of relief filled the rainy air as Gali gently supported the girl's trembling form, helping Nokama sooth the disoriented and frazzled child.
Emma hacked, weakly grasping onto the larger form holding her while a smaller one gently rubbed her shoulder and part of her back. She struggled to understand what was going on - where was she?! Why was she wet?! Who was holding her?! Why could she hear cheering?! - but as time passed it her memory slowly trickled back. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, she shakily unclasped her hands from where they had been latched onto Gali's armour. "W-Wha…?"
Nokama's voice, filled with relief, had her blink and focus on her. "Shh…" the Turaga soothed, cupping her cheek with a hand, "it's okay now. You're going to be alright now."
Emma just weakly nodded, to dazed to really understand, before whimpering as pain shot up her leg. Looking down, her stomach rolled when she saw her torn and bloodied calf.
The elder quickly turned the thirteen year old's head away from the wound and Gali laid her down on the dock, moving towards it. The girl fought not to cry, even as tears began to trickle down her cheeks. As Nokama gently wiped them away, murmuring soothing words of comfort, as strange coolness encompassed her left leg. Emma squeaked, instinct wanting her to pull back, but before she could the pain began to fade, making her freeze in shock until it was only a dull throb. She heard some faint whispering as the coolness disappeared, before her leg was wrapped in something soft. Blinking and finally glancing down, the girl could see that a bandage was now covering the wound, but she could instantly tell that the injury was not as bad as it had been.
Her head began to feel heavy as the enormity of what had just happened settled on her, and Emma laid back with a groan. Her eyes began to drift shut, and she felt a pair of arms gently lift her up. The girl's head rested against the silver armoured shoulder, and she blinked weakly at the Toa's masked face. "G-Gali…"
The Toa of Water smiled down at her, holding her smaller form close. "Get some rest. You are safe now."
And Emma believed her. With a sigh, she let herself relax, and she drifted into the peacefulness of sleep.
Gali gently lay the young girl into her cot, tucking the blanket around her soaked form. Double checking that Emma would be all right, the Toa slipped out into the receding rain. Already the suns were beginning to break through the clouds, lighting up the darkened area.
"What happened?" Nokama asked, her voice trembling faintly.
Gali kneeled down, trying to keep her own voice from shaking. "I am… unsure myself. When I heard Hahli shouting, I ran to investigate, only to find that Emma was underwater. I dove in…" she grimaced at the memory of seeing the red discolouration of the water, "And discovered a Takea."
The elder stiffened in shock. "In the Village?!"
Gali shook her head. "No, by the docks. But," she braced herself against the memory, "it was the creature that attacked Emma."
For a long moment Nokama was frozen, her mask pale with horror and terror. Then, she shakily nodded, absently patting the Toa's arm and hobbling past her into the hut. Gali watched silently as the cloth door swung faintly, before standing and looking over the village. Already Ga-Koro was regaining its bustling of life, with Matoran running around cleaning up the mess from the storm.
Even still, she could not shake the memory of the look the Takea had given her. The dark, evil gleam in its eyes…
The Toa of Water shook her head, placing a hand to her mask and closing her eyes for a brief moment to clear her mind. She needed to focus on the now, and help her Matoran repair the damage from the storm.
Sparing one last glance at her Turaga's hut, Gali stood and made her way towards a small group of Matoran struggling to upright several overturned canoes.
However, the heavy feeling of wrongness remained settled on her chest.
She sat on the edge of a small lily pad, her bare feet submerged in the water with her track pants folded above her knees. Her arctic blue gaze stared blankly across the now calm waters of Naho Bay. Her hands rested in her lap, idly fingering her golden crystal, which reflected the light of the morning suns.
Faint footsteps came from behind her, but the girl didn't even react. Her gaze remained over the water even as the tall, blue form of the village's Toa sat beside her.
For a long moment the two remained silent, just sitting side by side. Then, the silence was broken when Gali reached over and gently took one of Emma's hands. "Are you alright?"
The girl gusted out a sigh, her arctic gaze turning to the Toa. She gave a weak shrug. "As 'alright' as I'll ever be."
Gali nodded, though her golden eyes were filled with concern. After a moment, the Toa stood, scooping up the thirteen year old's shoes and sub-spacing them, before she gently tugged Emma to her feet. The girl pulled her bare feet out of the water, and in the process revealed a faint, though still angry red, jagged scar marring her left calf.
When Gali saw the girl staring down at the mark, she lightly turned her head away, and guided Emma back into the village. The thirteen year old's eyes lit up a bit when several Matoran cried out in greeting, which she returned.
A group of excited children ran past, but a few of them backtracked to grab Emma's arms, pulling her down into a crouch. The excited chatter of "Come play with us!" filled the air, but before the girl could answer a small Le-Matoran leaped up and snagged her hat. He bolted, giggling and laughing along with several of his friends, all who followed after him like a mini-herd of Kikinalo. The thirteen year old yelped, staring at them in disbelief before she let out a mock cry of anger. Emma immediately took of after the giggling group, shouting "Give that back!", but there was a tone of amusement in her voice.
Gali watched the chase with a laugh, smiling as Emma tried - and failed - to retrieve her hat in the children's improvised game of Keep Away. But even as she watched the light of happiness return to the girl's eyes, something didn't settle right with her. The situation from two days ago was still fresh in her memory, and even now still haunted the Toa. The gleam in the Takea's eyes…
Something is not right, The Toa Nuva of Water thought to herself, the sudden appearance of the storm, the rahi attack… she turned away, looking to the side. On a nearby lily pad was Kotu, a light blue Ga-Matoran, gently patting the nose of a Tarakava. It was a rahi that had once been under the control of Makuta, but after it had been freed Kotu had treated it, and the Tarakava had ended up being adopted by the village. Gali knew one of the main reasons why, and it was because of that very reason that she was so disturbed.
Takea absolutely hated Tarakava, to the point where the two rahi species generally avoided the other's territory. For a Takea to come so near Ga-Koro, especially since a Tarakava lived there, and during weather that usually had sea-faring rahi swimming for deeper waters to avoid rough storm-created currents of the shallower areas…
Gali knew that something was wrong, but for the life of her, she could not determine why. And that only made the feeling grow.
"And yet again, the child beats the odds…" Makuta rumbled to himself, staring at the worm-like creature floating within the glowing green canister. His crimson gaze turned to the side as his servant approached. "Well?"
"The specimens are progressing well master," the servant replied, kneeling before the monstrous form, "they should be ready within the next several eight-days."
Makuta chuckled, a dark, twisted sound that would make several cower in terror. "Excellent…" He grinned, "excellent…"
"Are you certain that you will be fine?" Nokama pressed, concern tinging her voice.
Emma let out a small sigh, a smile twitching on her lips. "Sister, you know that I'm feeling much better now." The smile turned into a smirk. "You don't need to keep mothering me. I already have one."
A few Matoran could be heard snickering at the comment, as did several more when Nokama bopped the girl on the head with her staff. Emma let out a pained whine, rubbing the offended area.
"Now I'll let you know that as your older sister I have every right to 'mother' you." The Turaga scolded, giving the now cowering girl a 'Look'. "And given what happened recently, I am trying to make sure that you will stay fine."
Emma winced and bowed her head. "Yes, Nokama."
The elder sighed, but pulled the girl into a hug. When the two split, the Turaga handed her little sister her sack. "I've packed some more food for you, refilled your canteen," she smiled, "along with adding a container of sweet berry treats."
Emma's eyes lit up at the mention of the sweets. She swung the bag strap over her shoulder, failing to hide her excitement. "Thank you sister."
Nokama chuckled, gently patting the girl's arm with a knowing look in her eyes. "You are most welcome. Now," she smiled sadly, "if you are going to leave for the next village, you'd best go now."
The thirteen year old stood, laying a hand on the Turaga's shoulder. "I'll be fine. Promise."
Nokama gently squeezed the hand, holding onto it lightly until the girl pulled away. "Be safe, little gi." She whispered softly. Mata Nui, keep her safe.
Emma waved at the Matoran standing on the docks as she drifted past, before turning to face the bay ahead. Reaching down, she pulled out the double sided paddle and dipped one of the two blades of it into the blue water. Rotating her arms, she alternated which side of the canoe a blade would dip in. The motions were smooth, practiced, and within moments she had gained decent speed, and maneuvered around the storm breakers into the open bay. Letting the double bladed paddle rest in her lap, Emma sat back and let her momentum carry her canoe onwards.
Movement in the water next to her caught her eye, and the girl smiled and waved at the blue form swimming along besides her. Gali waved back, before diving down and rolling under the canoe, appearing on the other side before swimming further ahead and turning. The thirteen year old laughed, watching as the blue Toa swam away, and dipped one of the paddles blades back into the water.
Far ahead of the girl, the brown, sandy coast of Po-Wahi awaited her arrival.
A/N - And done! Well, this chapter, but hey!
So, Emma leaves Ga-Koro for the next village. Let's hope things turn out better there…
The storm breakers are my own creation, but I thought that since this is a village that mostly floats on water, it would need some form of tsunami/massive wave protection.
If you guys have any questions, about my own take on the story or my OC, please feel free to leave me a review or PM me. I'm sure some of you are curious about why Emma had the strong urge to hide…
Also, I decided to just post the new poll. Since it only got 6 votes during the 3+ months it was up and I only have 6 people actively following… yeah. I got my answer, so I hope you guys check out the new poll! It involves some one-shots… most of them funny, but some with a deeper meaning.
Next Chapter - Sandy Games