CHAPTER SIXTY: RETURN TO MATA-NUI
Kopaka slept most of the way back to Mata-Nui. The so-called safest skimmer had been repaired by Gali, and he used it more-or-less as a floating bed on the way back to his home island.
His arrival was a series of mixed emotions. Tahu was (although he would never admit it) relieved to have his brother back. The rest of the Toa were elated, and Gali merely yelled repeatedly for a healer. Eventually, the sloppy dressing Kopaka had applied to himself was removed and replaced with a more suitable version. Onua carried his cataleptic brother up the mountain and placed him on his bed to rest. The Ko-Matoran were scared stiff, however, of their Toa's state. If anything happened now, they were on their own.
Fortunately, nothing happened. The most exciting thing that occurred while Kopaka was unconscious was Kopeke slipping and breaking his leg.
It was four days before Kopaka's eyes opened again. The first thing he noticed was that his vision was hampered by a mask. A mask he thought had been broken. He took it off and examined it, recognizing the Ta-Matoran craftsmanship. So… hothead fixed my mask…
He was surprised, however, when he walked out of his hut, to see that the Matoran had actually vacated their village. If you knew Ko-Matoran as well as Kopaka did, you understood that a Ko-Matoran leaving Ko-Koro was like an Ussal forgetting its legs: it just didn't happen.
Kopeke was still in his hut, nursing his leg, and informed Kopaka of an island-wide celebration being held in Ga-Koro. Muttering darkly about having to walk since he couldn't find his skis, Kopaka carried Kopeke off toward Ga-Koro.
He entered the village, wondering briefly if Kopeke was having him on. The village seemed deserted at first, but he heard sounds coming from around the peninsula that jutted into the water, so he went to investigate.
Aha!
The celebration was being held in a secluded beach near Ga-Koro. Nearly everyone on the island was there. He set Kopeke down against a wall and walked over to Tahu. He tapped him on the shoulder, and Tahu turned and let out a small squeak that didn't become a Toa of his size.
"Thank you for fixing my mask," said Kopaka before walking away, leaving Tahu to stand confusedly by a bowl of fruit juice.
The white Toa found Gali sitting under a palm tree a little ways away from the main festivities. He walked over and sat down next to her, smiling slightly beneath his mask.
"I'm sorry."
She looked over at him, her sunshine-yellow eyes blank. He sighed and shook his head, "I shouldn't have kissed you before I took off to face Dakgor."
Gali laughed at him, and Kopaka felt slightly incensed. Here he was, taking the time to apologize to her, and she laughs at him.
"Kopaka, you don't need to apologize."
Kopaka gaped at her, feeling lucky that his face was hidden behind his mask. "Huh?"
"Kopaka, you did that because you weren't sure you'd return, right?" she asked. Kopaka nodded, and she gave him a sad smile. "I wanted you to be safe, that's why I'm just a bit miffed as to why you'd dash off like that."
Kopaka looked at her strangely, "Would you have rather had Dakgor destroy everything in his path?"
Gali leaned over and kissed him. "If it means you'd be safe, yes." Kopaka smiled and kissed her back.
Off to the side, out of earshot of Kopaka and Gali, Onua looked over at Pohatu with a small smile on his face. "I told you she likes him. You owe me twenty widgets."
Pohatu muttered something foul and handed over the payment before heading off to enjoy the festivities.