Brutaka's Game Chapter 13

Nuparu walked to his hut exhausted. It was a long night shift made longer by the Rahkshi attack. When he entered his hut, he lifted a cloth that covered a group of light stones. When the room was illuminated, he stepped back in shock. Toa Lewa was passed out against the wall, with Pohatu sitting beside him, while Onua stood at the doorway. Having three Toa in one's own house would be enough to shock any Matoran, but it wasn't them that had him surprised. Onua quickly rushed over and put a hand over the Matoran's mouth as he screamed.
"Nuparu take it easy, it's all right." He gave the Matoran a minute to settle down before taking his hand off.
"Wh- what is that?" Nuparu stuttered, pointing at the creature.
"That is a Human."
"Hi." Sarah replied coldly. She had both hands cuffed to the wall.
"What is it doing in my house?!" he whispered.
"Well, we were keeping her in mine, but then the Rahkshi tore it down. We're still trying to figure out what to do with her though."
Nuparu cautiously approached Sarah. "You know we have a cell or two you can use right?"
"Yes," replied Onua, "But we need to keep her a secret from Turaga Whenua for now."
The Onu-Matoran looked at him with shock, but as he opened his mouth to question him, Onua spoke.
"We've noticed he was acting strange as well. I don't think it's wise to reveal her while he's in his current state."
Nuparu paused for a moment. "I-I understand."
"Do you think you could watch over her when we're not around as well?" asked Pohatu.
The assignment made the Matoran perk up. "Of course." He then got closer to Sarah. "Who knows, I might be able to learn something no one else has."
Sarah gave him a cold look. "I hope you mean by means of conversations."
Onua gave the Matoran a concerned look. "Careful, I strongly recommend keeping any conversation with her to a minimal."

"Look out!" yelled Takanuva.
Kopaka dodged right as a Panrahk fired a beam at him. The Toa of ice then shot a stream of ice and froze the creature. The two then evaluated the scene. Gali and Tahu were fighting off a Turahk, all the while more Rahkshi were beginning to enter the village.
"I'll take these three." Kopaka said. "You help the others."
"But-"
"Go!" Kopaka barked.
Takanuva hesitantly did as he said. He ran at the Turahk, who had its back turned toward him, and fired a beam of light at it. To his disappointment it stepped out of the way to avoid an attack from Tahu. The beam struck Tahu square in the chest and knocked him back. He took a few steps backwards before falling into the water.
Gali stepped in Tahu's place and shot a jet of water that sent the creature flying
over a house and crashing into the shore. Tahu surfaced and gasped for air before swimming to the lily pad.
"Tahu, I'm so sorry," Takanuva stretched forth a hand, but it was pushed aside by the Toa of fire as he got himself out.
"Be careful where you aim," spat Tahu, "Especially in a crowded place like this."

Mark casually walked towards the battle, while Matoran ran in the opposite direction. The amount of chaos he was bringing would please his brother, but chaos was not his goal. Having known of Lewa's deception days prior to revealing the spy, he had a feeling that Kopaka wasn't dead. Staying partially hidden behind a hut, he observed the battle as it unfolded and found he was right.
Instead of leaving, he stood still, waiting for a Toa to spot him. The closest to him was Kopaka.
A Guurahk screeched as it became encased in ice. Kopaka withdrew his blade and turned around. He froze as he locked eyes with Mark. A look of concern managed to manifest itself on the Toa's face. Mark kept a firm gaze on him as he turned around and walked off.
Kopaka began to pursue, but immediately began to feel weakness in his legs. He then collapsed as it spread through his body. A hiss came from behind and he turned around to see a Vorahk looming over him. A flash of light suddenly appeared, nearly blinding the Toa of ice. The Rahkshi screeched in pain before falling to the ground as an empty suit.
"Brother!" shouted Gali. "Are you alright?"
Takanuva and Tahu got on each side and helped him get on his feet.
"Yes." rushed Kopaka. "But I fear Lewa may not."
"What do you mean?" asked Takanuva.
"One of the Humans was here. He was with the party that shot me. I fear that by finding that I'm not dead, Lewa's cover may have been blown."
Tahu had a stern look on his mask. "Then it's time to pull him out."

B.J. had his back against a boulder as he pondered over what Turaga Whenua had told him. He was hesitant to believe him when he said the Toa were heroes and protectors against the shadows. But then again, it probably explained the attacks. He didn't want to admit it, but everything that the Toa did to them could've been a big misunderstanding, a case of mis-identification. It had to be if Mark wasn't really a Human, but he was dumbfounded as to why he wanted the rest of the group to be afraid of Toa.
The question now was, is there a way to fix that? Could Humans and Toa co-exist long enough for his party to find a way home? He then looked at the Turaga. The bio-mechanical being seemed occupied in his own thoughts. Perhaps he was pondering the same questions.
"Turaga?" whispered B.J.
Whenua broke his concentration and faced him.
"I don't know why these... 'Makuta' are pitting us against each other, but I don't like it one bit. I propose we work together, find a way out of here and stop this before it gets any worse."
"I'm more than willing to take you up on the offer, however I'm not certain we'll be able to get out of this predicament."
B.J. cracked a soft smile. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a pocket knife. "I have a plan." He looked back and noticed the Rahkshi leaving the entrance as if to investigate something. He then began to saw off the chords. Once free, he scrambled over and began to free the Turaga.
When Whenua was able to move around, B.J. got on his feet and rushed over to the other side to retrieve his backpack.
"Is that necessary?" asked Whenua.
"Trust me you'll thank me later," B.J .replied as he holstered a pistol. "Let's go."

Pohatu walked in Nuparu's hut to check up on Sarah. He wasn't surprised to see him examining the contents of her pack.
"Thank goodness you're here," said Sarah "he won't stop asking questions, and get out of my stuff!"
"What can I say? I'm curious." replied Nuparu.
Pohatu smiled. But it quickly went away. "Wait, how long have you been talking with her?"
The Onu-Matoran shrugged. "A while."
Pohatu frowned. "Could I see you outside?"
Nuparu nodded and followed him out.
"I thought I said to keep conversation to a minimum." whispered Pohatu.
Nuparu was shocked to see him so upset. "I know. But like I said, I was curious. Besides, It wasn't like she said anything dangerous." he put a finger on his chin. "In fact she hardly said anything to me at all. Most of the conversation was between her and Lewa."
Pohatu raised a brow. "Really? About what?"
"Well, Lewa was trying to convince her that you and your brothers are her friends, but she keeps rejecting it."
Pohatu tilted his head to the side and placed his hands on his hips. "Really?" he said with intrigue. "Interesting. I need to see Onua. Keep up the good work."
Nuparu saluted. "Yes Toa."
Pohatu walked to Onua's house, where his brother worked on repairs.
"Onua."
The Toa of earth turned around. "How are things going?"
"Fine so far." Pohatu paused for a moment. "I don't think Sarah is the one controlling Lewa. Apparently Lewa won't take her rejections for an answer."
Onua paused in his work and faced him. "Then who is? It couldn't be the ones about to execute him. The shock of betrayal would've snapped him out... Unless the influence on him is so strong that nothing can change his mind."
Pohatu pondered over it for a moment. "What if... What if he never was under their control? What if he is telling us the truth and the Humans aren't our true enemy?"
Onua looked at him surprised. "You've been talking with her haven't you?"
Pohatu pulled his head back aghast. "No! I've hardly been with her since the attack. All I'm saying is that if he's telling the truth then we are making a big mistake. If not-" he paused. "If he's so far under their influence that we can't snap it out of him... then I fear we may have to restrain him until he is freed from their control."
"Then I propose we reveal Sarah to Whenua."
"Toa!"
Pohatu and Onua turned to see Onepu sprinting towards them.
The Matoran spoke between breaths. "Rahkshi... Four of them... Headed... This way."
The Toa exchanged troubled looks.
"They must really like her." said Pohatu.
"Or they don't want us to know something." said Onua as he drew out his quake breakers.
As they raced to the oncoming Rahkshi, they were greeted with Lewa, flying pass them and smashing back first into a house. The Toa of air moaned as he slowly got on his feet.
"They're persistent, I'll prize-give them that." muttered Lewa.
There was a large explosion, accompanied by the screams of Nuparu and Sarah. Soon the three Toa saw Sarah being taken away by a Rahkshi.
"Not this time." growled Lewa. He put his air katana together and created a small tornado that swept up the escorting Rahkshi.
Pohatu used his Kanohi Kakama and sped towards the last Rahkshi and snatched Sarah out of its arms. It screeched in anger until it collapsed under the weight of all three Rahkshi landing on top of it. The Toa formed a semicircle around them.
"So Rahkshi," said Pohatu. "Still want to keep this up, or will another round put some sense into you?"
The Rahkshi hissed as they stood up. They examined each of the Toa before walking off into the tunnels.
The Toa were taken by surprise.
"Well that was easy," cheered Pohatu. "I didn't actually think that would work."
"I'm not sure it did," said Lewa. "They're probably just plan-thinking."
The trio then turned around and saw half of Nuparu's house destroyed.
"We need a new hiding place," said Lewa.
"Uh, I think it's too late for that." Pohatu pointed to Turaga Whenua, standing several yards away.
He had a cross look on his face that would make even Kopaka cower. "ONUA!"

"A mask power," though B. J.. "Such a strange, yet cool thing to have."
Guided by the Turaga's mask power, the two ran down the tunnel as fast as they could. Once in a while they took a break so that B. J. could catch his breath.
"You Humans are so slow."
"At least we don't have to worry about Rahkshi or any of this Makuta nonsense back home."
They heard a hiss echo through the tunnel and decided to end their rest. A while later they stopped at a dead end.
B.J. swore under his breath. The Turaga noticed what looked like light on the ground. He followed it until he saw its source: a tiny hole in the wall.
"There's our way out," he pointed.
"Your mask wouldn't happen to have the ability to shrink us would it?"
He shook his head.
"Thought so," sighed B.J. He heard a screech from behind and turned to see several Rahkshi approaching. He pulled out his gun and fired. Several shots rang out and the Rahkshi fell dead one by one. When the gun was out of ammo he reached in his backpack and grabbed a new clip.
B. J. fired again and killed two more Rahkshi. One more stood, but B.J. didn't fire.
"What are you doing?" Whenua asked nervously.
"Just wait. I have an idea. Hey Rahkshi! Your boss Makuta is so ugly, he turned Medusa into stone!"
The creature hissed and fired a beam at him. He and the Turaga ducked. The beam traveled right past them and destroyed the wall. Light filled the tunnel and the Rahkshi hissed and covered its face. B. J. aimed his gun and fired. The monster fell to the ground and didn't move. Both stood up and listened for the possibility of more Rahkshi coming. When none did, they walked out of the tunnel and found themselves on a beach.
"I know where we are." said the Turaga as he looked around. "There's a village not far from here. We'll be safe there."
B.J. was a little hesitant about following him into a village where there were Toa, but it was better than finding his way around alone. As they walked, he checked his gun. He knew he would need it should this all be a trap. And he was praying very hard it wasn't.

"Where do you think they could've gone?" asked Gali.
"There's a trail here that heads southeast." said Tahu.
"Don't bother, the fire is cold. They're long gone now." Kopaka said as he touched the coals.
"They could be anywhere by now." said Takanuva.
"You don't think they are heading to Le-Koro," asked Gali.
"Why would they go there?" snapped Tahu.
"To get revenge on Lewa perhaps," Takanuva replied. "Take their anger out on his people."
Tahu folded his arms. "Then they must have found out Lewa wasn't one of them, but that doesn't explain why Pohatu and Onua are missing."
"I think I might know." said Kopaka. "Look." He pointed to a second trail going in the opposite direction. There were several foot prints going up and down it, but one set stood out from the rest.

Awkward was the only thing Sarah felt. While the Turaga was yelling at the Toa in his hut, several Matoran surrounded her, whispering to each other as they pointed at and poked her.
"How long do I have to stay tied up?" she asked.
"When the Turaga says you can go," replied Nuparu.
"More like if," said Onepu. "Did you see the look on his face when he saw her? I'll never look at him the same way again."
She gave out a deep sigh. "Okay, could you at least get these guys to stop poking me?!"
"All right everyone, leave the Human alone." shooed Onepu.
Everyone left except for Nuparu and Onepu.
"Fascinating," Onepu said, pinching her cheek. "How can you be so organic? Doesn't that make you frail?"
"I don't know, how can a piece of scrap talk? Wouldn't that make this annoying?"
Onepu frowned.
"Hey, what was that for?" asked Nuparu.
"You tell me."
Onepu leaned in towards Nuparu and whispered. "Geesh, she has quite the personality. I bet neither Tahu nor Kopaka could stand her."
"I heard that," barked Sarah.
Their conversation stopped when the Turaga bolted out of his hut, followed by the Toa.
"Turaga, please. She's harmless," pleaded Lewa.
"No she's not. That monster did something to you, Lewa. You're not thinking straight. She's a Human, you're a Toa. That creature must be destroyed."
"Oh yeah, I hypnotized him and made him my puppet," she said sarcastically.
"Silence creature." He whacked her with his staff.
"Hey!" She responded by kicking him.
"Enough, both of you," said Onua. "Lewa, what makes you think she's not a threat."
"The Makuta-sons. Twice today they tried to take-snatch her."
"You idiot! They weren't trying to kidnap her, they were trying to rescue her!" snapped Whenua.
Lewa hands molded into fist. "No!"
Everyone was taken by surprise at his outburst, especially the Turaga, Onua and Pohatu.
Lewa paused for a moment before speaking more firmly. "Everything you have said-shared about the Humans is wrong and I can prove it. I just need time."
The Turaga leaned his head to the side. "And just how are you going to prove me wrong?"
Lewa looked at Sarah. "You can start by untying her. She won't hurt-harm anyone, heart-promise."
Silence lowered over the Turaga as he stared at all of the eager Matoran staring back at him. "Very well," he grumbled softly. "I'll let her go on one condition: she never leaves this village without my approval."
Lewa smiled and nodded.
"Onepu, cut her loose."
The captain saluted and freed the Human.
"Finally," Sarah said, rubbing her wrist.
Onua and Pohatu watched Whenua and Sarah walk off in different directions.
The Toa of Earth had a finger on his chin. "Nuparu was right, there's something wrong with Whenua. He's not himself."
"No one would be if they saw a Human," replied Pohatu.
"True, but for the Turaga to be this aggressive is unheard of." Onua paused. "I'll keep an eye on Whenua. You watch over Sarah."
As Onua walked off Pohatu shrugged.
"She's a Human. It's not like she can go very fast."

"This doesn't make any sense." Gali said as she held a bullet shell. "There are obvious signs of a struggle, and from the looks of it, Lewa won."
"But that doesn't explain why Lewa or the others never came back." said Tahu as he examined the broken gun.
"Maybe he flew away," said Takanuva.
"That would explain why there are no other foot prints leading in or out." said Tahu.
"That other trail we saw went south right?" asked Takanuva. "What if they know where Le-koro is and are going after him personally?"
"Why would he go to Le-Koro instead of Ga-Koro?" asked Kopaka.
"He's right," replied Tahu. "It doesn't make sense. So I propose we follow the other trail and ask the Humans what happened ourselves, if you know what I mean."

Lewa, Onua and Pohatu couldn't help but chuckle as several Matoran surrounded Sarah and followed her everywhere she went, poking her and asking questions.
"Lewa, a little help please?!" she begged.
He smiled and asked the Matoran to leave her alone. They all left and the four were by themselves.
"Thanks," she said sarcastically.
Lewa's smile disappeared. "Are you feeling all right Sarah? You've been a little mood-angry."
"I'm fine," she mumbled. Just then they both heard a grumbling noise.
"Sarah, when was the last time you ate?"
"I don't know, breakfast yesterday."
"Well that explains it." He opened his pack and pulled out a bar.
"What is that?" asked Pohatu.
"It's chocolate." Lewa replied happily, peeling the wrapper.
"Chocolate?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at the bar closely.
Onua did the same. Lewa broke a piece and gave it to Sarah. He then broke another piece and ate it.
"Lewa, are you sure that is safe?" asked Onua.
"Of course I'm sure. Just look at Sarah."
Sarah was already eating it. Lewa gave them each their own piece and they examined it.
"You better eat it before it melts," said Sarah.
Onua put it up to his mouth and absorbed it. "You know, this isn't half bad."
"See? What did I promise-tell you?"
Pohatu looked at the Human, tried his. "Mmmm. This is pretty good."
"Wait until you try dark chocolate," smirked Sarah.
Pohatu gave her a look of shock. "Dark chocolate?"
Sarah snickered. "It just has a more bitter flavor."
"Oh..." He looked at the rest of his bar. "Interesting..." he thought. "Chocolate... "