Chapter 2

Tamaru was too startled by the appearance of the Rahi that she wasn't able to react in time. The Rahi charged down the tree and collided with her, sending her falling. Luckily, she had not climbed too far up, and so she was able to safely land in the swamp waters below. However, the fall had disoriented her, and left her opened to attack from the Rahi.

As Tamaru pulled herself up, she caught sight of the Rahi, who had turned towards her. The Rahi was built like a wolf, with four strong limbs that ended in clawed feet. The body was narrow and streamline, with a single spike running along the back, and the head sported deep yellow eyes and a large jaw with strong teeth. The beast growled and advanced on Tamaru, but he did not open his jaw and go for her throat. Instead, he looked like he was ready to ram her again.

However, before the beast could pounce, something sharp hit his flank. The Rahi spun around to see Taipu had struck him with his pickaxe, and he was preparing for another swing. "Stay away from my friend, Burnak!" he said.

The Burnak turned his attention to the Onu-Matoran, who was armed and thus deemed to be a greater threat. As he turned, Tamaru caught a glimpse of something on the Burnak's back; there was a pitted and charred Kanohi mask attached on his back. It was an infected mask, and it meant that the Makuta was controlling this Burnak.

Taipu swung, but this time the Burnak easily avoided his pickax. Before Taipu could recover, the Burnak swiped at Taipu with his claw, sending the Onu-Matoran backwards into the swamp. He raised his paw, ready to sink his claws into Taipu, but then something struck him painfully on the head. He turned his attention now to the new Matoran waiting on the edge of the swamp, Kapura. The Ta-Matoran had suddenly appeared and thrown his disc, knocking the Rahi back in time.

The Burnak charged towards Kapura next, with speed equaling even the great Muaka. But Kapura seemed to blur for a moment, and suddenly he was standing to the side, out of reach of the Burnak. The Burnak turned to attack again, but Kapura had drawn his pike and stabbed it at the beast, forcing it to back up.

Tamaru pulled herself out of the swamp, determined to help. She drew her bamboo disc and aimed, looking to strike at the infected Kanohi attached to the beast's back. But her disc was waterlogged now, and it threw her aim off. Instead of striking the mask and knocking it off, she merely hit the Burnak's leg, which barely caused it to flinch.

However, the Burnak was analyzing the situation. Both Tamaru and Taipu had recovered, and Kapura was pressing the attack. The Rahi could easily best the Matoran individually, but together they did pose a threat. With a final growl, the Burnak darted off into the forest, and was soon out of sight.

"What in Karzahni was that?" Tamaru exclaimed. "That beast down-clawed from Le-Koro!"

"That was an Earth Burnak," Taipu said, steadying himself. "I've seen a few before in Onu-Koro; they're really helpful when trained, but they're also fairly rare."

Kapura nodded. "Burnak are a rare species of Rahi on Mata Nui," he confirmed. "There have been a few fire Burnak sighted in Ta-Wahi before, but they've never attacked the village."

"We've never eye-seen Burnak in Le-Koro either," Tamaru said. "But I saw infected mask on beast; it's mind-slave of Makuta now."

Kapura frowned. "The Burnak are known to be an elusive species; this must be the first instance where we have encountered an infected Burnak."

"How did it even high-climb into Le-Koro?" Tamaru wondered.

"Earth Burnak are actually good climbers," Taipu said. "They can climb up the steepest cliffs in the Great Mine and other crevasses. Climbing a tree must not be that much different."

"Well, we need to up-climb and see what has happened in Le-Koro!" Tamaru said, heading back to the ladder. "If Rahi drop-climbed from village, dark-times may have fallen."

With Tamaru in the lead, the three Matoran started ascending into the forest canopy, and soon reached the upper levels of Le-Koro. It was as Tamaru had feared; she could see the last of the Nui-Rama swam flying away, having attacked the village from the air. There was a lot of damage, but there were still a lot of Matoran scattered about; at the very least, there had not been another mass kidnapping of Le-Matoran.

Tamaru rushed towards the central village platform, where she could see the Matoran gathering around Turaga Matau. The Turaga sighted her and rejoiced. "Tamaru, good joy times! You are one of the last to be accounted for, and you have not been flown to Rama-hive!"

"What happened?" Tamaru asked, looking around. "Why did Rama-swarm attack?"

"To keep us on toe-tips," Kongu said gruffly, stepping forward. "That's all Le-Matoran, but we're still miss-seeking the Onu-Matoran visitor."

"Taipu was tree-down with me," Tamaru said, gesturing backwards to where Taipu and Kapura were slowly making their way towards the platform. "Also found fire-spitter, who wants to chat-speak with Turaga."

"Then all Matoran are safe," Kongu said. "But much-damage be done. Rama swarm very fierce."

"Swarm attack was mere distraction," Turaga Matau said. "Earth beast climb tree, steal from us; I fear that was goal-main."

Kongu narrowed his eyes. "What did earth-beast steal? Kanohi from Toa Suva? Weapons of Gukko Force?"

"Makoki stone," Turaga Matau answered.

Kongu snorted. "Makoki stone valuable-not," he said. "Artifact of Turaga; rare but important-no."

"Makoki stone is important for Toa Lewa," Turaga Matau insisted. "We must search-find beast and quick-recover it."

"We have-not manpower," Kongu protested. He gestured to the distant Nui-Rama have, still visible on the horizon. "Gukko Force needs to down-take hive, else Rama more-attack. Not seek-find lost trinket."

"The trinket is more special that first-seem," Turaga Matau said. "Help can come from most unlikely sources, and importance not always seen at face level. Best to not underestimate, even if worthiness in question."

"I'm sorry, Turaga, but we can't go on chase-wild for stone-Makoki," Kongu said. "Maybe after we hive-bash Rama. We need attack-counter plans, and off-fly soon."

As Kongu departed, some of the Matoran dispersed, looking to either prepare the Gukko Force or to repair the damages to the village. Tamaru, however, stayed by Turaga Matau and introduced Kapura.

"Turaga Vakama sends his greetings," Kapura said, bowing. "However, he also acknowledges that the Ta-Koro guard is spread too thin; we cannot send any reinforcements to Le-Koro."

Turaga Matau chuckled. "Kolhii-Head Vakama is, if he thinks fire-spitters can keep up with Le-Koro Gukko Force. Offense-no to your people, but in jungle wind-riders more useful. Let your guard go to where they more-needed."

Kapura nodded. "I will pass along your words when I next speak with Turaga Vakama. But first, I must seek out the Chronicler."

"He did stop by and message-pass to me a few days ago," Turaga Matau confirmed. "But he has since traveled beyond jungle. You will have to journey-much if you wish to catch him."

"That is my plan," Kapura said, bowing. "And so I shall take my leave."

"I should also be going too," Taipu said. He bowed to Turaga Matau too. "Thank you for letting me visit your beautiful village."

"You are always back-welcomed," Turaga Matau said. "If, of course, Le-Koro is still tall-standing after Rahi attacks. Villages are fortifying now; bad time for travelers."

The Turaga paused as Kapura and Taipu turned to leave. "Jungle floor much-danger now," he said. "Rama fight in air, and many beasts stalk on ground. I send Tamaru to quick-guide you, so you safe-be."

"Wait!" Tamaru exclaimed. "Turaga, let me help-serve the Gukko Force. Taipu and Kapura are strong-good Matoran on their own; they need no ground-guide. I can be of use here!"

There was a strange gleam in Turaga Matau's eye, and he shook his head. "Kongu says we need wind-flyers, and you are tree-bound," he said. "You are more use tree-down today, Tamaru."

Tamaru's mood fell drastically. "If. . . if you say so, Turaga," she said, keeping her voice emotionless. Then, before Turaga Matau could say anything more, she darted away, back towards the ladder. Taipu and Kapura awkwardly followed.

"Are you okay?" Taipu asked, as the three climbed down out of the canopy. "You seem a little upset by what Turaga Matau said."

"Why would I be in mood-bad?" Tamaru said with a dejected voice. "Turaga right; I not flyer, best to keep out of air. Worthless Le-Matoran belong tree-down."

"I don't think you're worthless," Taipu said, as they reached the base of the massive tree. "You know a lot about the jungle, right?"

"Yes, but I no-fly," Tamaru said, leaping down to the solid ground, where she proceeded to kick a stone into the swamp. "Real Le-Matoran don't travel tree-down. I try to ever-prove my worth, but they still not-see beyond no-flight. They never have."

"I'm sorry," Taipu said, putting a comforting arm on Tamaru. "Maybe Turaga Matau is just stressed. I know Turaga Whenua will occasionally shout at the Mining Guild when they've pestered him; even the Turaga can have bad moods sometimes. But you can't let it get you down."

"I ever-know," Tamaru said darkly. "But still, it's hard to accept."

Kapura reached the bottom of the ladder behind them, having climbed down at a slower pace. "I must admit, I am confused," he said. "Your Turaga gave you a special quest, and yet you seem disheartened. Perhaps I am misunderstanding your tree-speech?"

Tamaru sniffed. "Turaga just wanted me to ground-guide you because I'm no-use in high-fly fights."

"Is that so?" Kapura asked. "I thought Turaga Matau was sending us after the Makoki stone."

Tamaru blinked. "The Makoki? He say-not anything about that."

"He insisted that it was a priority, but Kongu didn't have any Matoran to spare," Kapura said. "I thought by sending you tree-down he wanted you to track the Burnak who stole the Makoki stone."

Tamaru still looked uncertain, but Taipu perked up. "Yeah, that's right, you're the most knowledgeable Le-Matoran on the jungle floor!" he exclaimed. "Those other Le-Matoran could fly their birds all day and not find the Burnak's train. But you're Tamaru Deepwood Wayfinder! Who better to track the Rahi than you?"

Tamaru blinked. "No, the Turaga intended for me to safe-guide you along ground-path," she said. "I can't track-find evil Rahi and do that."

"The Turaga wanted to make sure you kept us safe," Kapura stated. "You can do that as we join you on your search."

"Yes, I can help too!" Taipu said. "I'm really strong, you see, and I have some experience with adventures too! I'd like to go on one more before returning to the Great Mines!"

"I appreciate it, but I think-not that the Turaga wanted me to do so," Tamaru said.

"You said you think the Turaga believes you to be worthless," Kapura said. "But Turaga Matau just said that worthiness can come from unexpected places. Do you think the Turaga really sent you down here as a punishment?"

"I. . . I don't know," Tamaru stated. Thinking back, although she had often been teased by Kongu and some of the others for being tree-bound, Turaga Matau had never once scolded her about her inability to fly. Was she really misunderstanding his intentions after all? Was he actually trying to put her in a position to use her tracking skills, skills which many of the other Le-Matoran lacked?

"Don't you already have a quest?" Tamaru asked Kapura shrewdly.

"I do," Kapura said. "But the Chronicler is a difficult Matoran to track down; perhaps we may even encounter him on our journey, as he is likely to pop up in unusual places."

"Does that mean you'll join us on an adventure too?" Taipu asked excitedly.

"I would be willing to join," Kapura stated. "However, if we embark on this adventure or not ultimately depends on what Tamaru would like to do."

Tamaru took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll ever-do it," she said finally. "I'll down-track Earth Burnak and back-take Makoki Stone."

"Yay, I get to go on another adventure!" Taipu exclaimed.

"Thanks for the talk-pep," Tamaru added briefly to Kapura, who merely shrugged.

"I didn't talk-pep, I merely stated the facts," he responded. "I am glad to know that my understanding of tree-speech is indeed accurate."

"Okay then," Tamaru said, rubbing her hands together. "Let's start-get!"