Author's Notes: This was actually done a while ago, lol. And it still sucks. lol No, not really, I would actually count this fic among my better works, and I suppose that plot-wise it's extremely satisfying and that I'm proud of it, but my ideas never look as good after I finish writing them down. Wow, huh? Ah well.

Disclaimer: Don't own Bionicle. I feel like I'm repeating myself here.

Amidst the battle the Toa Kahlok were obviously losing, someone grabbed Merl's arm, causing her to whirl around.

Gemma barely dodged the spinning blade thrust at his face. "It's me!"

The Toa of Water relaxed, recognizing his voice. "Gemma! Whatever it is, now's not the time!"

The Toa of Earth parried a blow from a Rahkshi. "It's important! We're losing, and we've mutually decided on a retreat! Come on!"

Merl followed the Earth Toa. A retreat didn't sound like the kind of thing that Tahn would decide on, but maybe a Rahkshi finally knocked some sense into him. To her relief, none of Wrath's warriors pursued them. They were probably too intent on complete dominance of the island to care if the Toa lived or died. The Water Toa frowned. Retreating meant abandoning the Matoran…

Gemma led her into a cave by the seashore. Jasma and Rooku were already there, leaning against the walls of the cave panting, their weapons in hand.

Merl frowned. "Where are Lumur, Kain, and Tahn?"

Rooku answered, as Jasma had suddenly found a pebble on the floor to be extremely interesting when Merl stepped into the cave. "Kain went to get Lumur. He still doesn't know about this. Tahn's…."

"Dead," Jasma finished flatly, still averting her gaze.

Merl dropped her blade. "W-what?" She didn't think her brain had properly registered the information.

Jasma looked up violently. "He's dead! He was the one most intent on protecting the Matoran and this island, the one most dedicated to our cause, and now he's dead!"

Merl started, unbelieving. She slowly turned to Gemma, who confirmed Jasma's words with a sad nod. "So… Tahn didn't propose this retreat, did he?"

Rooku frowned and shook his head.

At that moment, Kain and Lumur walked in. The Toa of Air was looking particularly miserable, and had a half of what used to be his double-ended scythe in each hand.

Rooku's eyes widened. "It broke?"

The Toa of Air nodded. "Yeah… but that doesn't matter. I heard about Tahn. What should we do now?"

An uncomfortable silence fell between the Toa Kahlok. Merl sighed. There was far too much tension between the groups these days. What happened to the bunch of Toa who could tell each other everything? Oh yeah, most of them died.

"We need a new leader," Gemma finally said.

Merl looked up at him in surprise. Appoint a new leader?

Jasma shot him a glare. "And I suppose you think you can be a leader, huh?"

Gemma blinked, not expecting the verbal lash. "Uh, no, not me… but I'm sure one of us is a fit leader."

Rooku smiled humorlessly. "I'd… take a temporary position."

Jasma rolled his eyes. "Temporary. Yeah, right. We all know you've been disagreeing with Tahn's decisions and wanting to do everything your way."

Rooku looked hurt. "That's not true…" He turned to Merl. "What do you think?"

The Toa of Water wasn't expecting to be addressed. "Me? I… I don't know! It's a bit early to pick a new leader, don't you think?"

Gemma nodded. "I understand… but we can't just let this team fall into ruins either. Anyhow, I vote… no offence Rooku, but you're just not the leader type. I vote Kain."

Merl spun around to see how the Ice Toa would react. He seemed genuinely surprised. His eyes lit up in that adorable way…

"You vote me? I… appreciate it Gemma, but… I don't think…"

"Stop being so modest." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She felt all five pairs of eyes turn to stare at her in interest, but the ones that made her blush were the curious ice-blue optics of the Ice Toa. "Well, we all know that the one most fit to be leader amongst us, is, um, you, Kain…" Oh, how she loved that name. Kain. Kain. Kain. She could repeat it an endless amount of times and never get tired of it.

Kain blinked, obviously caught off guard. "Oh, um, thanks."

Rooku rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I suppose Icy does kind of qualify… I vote him too then."

Gemma nodded. "Jasma? Lumur?"

But both of them were staring at Merl far too intensely. The Toa of Water replied for them. "Um, erm, they don't need to vote… the majority is already rooting for Kain. So, uh…" She twiddled her thumbs, failing to find anything appropriate to say.

"He's leader, at least for now," concluded the Toa of Earth. "That is, if he doesn't have a problem with that."

Kain shrugged nonchalantly. "If you guys trust me, then I guess I'm willing… I just hope for your sake your trust isn't misplaced."

&&&

Ville walked into the abandoned tent. Parasite was already waiting for him there, grinning madly. The Dark Hunter ripped off his mask. The transformation was instantaneous and he was soon back in his true form. Ville stretched his arms. "Ah, isn't this so much more comfortable?"

Parasite screeched in response.

"Shhh, not too loud! I'm allowing us to take a break from our disguises, but don't give us away!" he snapped.

Parasite nodded.

"Good." He smiled. "Everything's going according to plan. You're doing fine."

The creature nodded again.

"Now, let's see if we can move on to the next phase in our brilliant operation before the Makuta grows too impatient."

&&&

Merl sat on the beach, staring at the waves. They were rising slowly. High tide. Soon, she felt the water lapping her toes.

"Merl? This place will be underwater in a half-hour. You want to come in? Gemma just gave us a pretty interesting proposal."

The Toa of Water didn't answer.

Lumur frowned for a moment. Then he came and sat down next to her. "Hey, listen, I know you're upset about all this, but-"

"Why did this have to happen to us?"

The Toa of Air sighed. "Destiny? Who knows what Mata Nui plans for us…"

Merl shook her head. "No. This isn't Mata Nui's doing. He could never be so cruel. Were we really the ones destined to become Toa? Or were we simply the only ones available at the time?"

Lumur let out a deep breath. "Can't really answer that. It's a valid question, but I don't think you should be worrying yourself on it."

The Toa of Water turned to watch Lumur. He seemed distant, as if remembering something from a long time ago.

"I once knew a Turaga. He told me that it was perfectly natural to wonder about these things. But he also told me it was a waste of time, and that it wasn't how we got into the situation that matters. It was what we'd do in the situation that people really cared about."

Merl nodded. "Hmm. And what will we do?"

The Toa of Air sighed. "Gemma told me we should abandon the island." He looked at her anxiously, afraid of her reaction.

The Toa of Water was furious. In a split second, she and the waves both evolved into pure terrifying outrage. "What! Oh, since Tahn died, we're just going to cowardly hide from all our troubles! And when we get found, we're going to run!" she screamed, jumping onto her feet, close to tears. "Tahn was a great leader! Is this any way to honour his memory? By just… leaving?"

Lumur's response was shocking, to say the least. One moment he was staring at the sand, ashamed, the next he had stood up and put his arms around her in a heartfelt hug.

Merl couldn't find anything to say, just stood there, paralyzed.

The Toa of Air whispered into her ear, and she could tell by his voice that he was crying. "I'm sorry. But Gemma said something about a Toa of Light, from an island not too far from here. A Toa of Light is exactly what we need, and if we have to leave to find him, then that's what we'll have to do. I know how you feel, Merl. I've never left this island before my whole life. It's home." Then he let go and walked away, leaving her to ponder his words. "I'll see you in the cave in a half hour."

&&&

"I was wondering when you'd join us."

Jasma looked up at Kain's voice to see Merl come in, obviously disturbed. The Toa of Water shrugged. "Lumur filled me in. I've thought about it… and I have to say I agree."

Kain smiled. "Great. This legendary Toa of Light can't refuse to help us. Now the problem remains to find a way to get to this island in the first place."

"We can steal some of Wrath's boats. His soldiers keep them around the dock unguarded during the night. If we can steal one of them…" Jasma murmured.

"Interesting idea," agreed Rooku. "I saw a pretty big one the other day. It looks fit for the journey."

Kain nodded. "Alright. And we have a map?"

Gemma raised a piece of rolled up paper. "I can navigate."

"So it's settled. Tonight, we'll be stealing a boat."

&&&

Turaga Vakama read the letter from a neighboring island out loud. Then he sighed. "Well, it appears they are in trouble, having no Toa to protect them. But… to send you all would be leaving Mata Nui defenseless, and we can't afford to do that until we know that the Makuta is gone for good."

The Toa Nuva shifted uncomfortably.

"We can't just abandon them though," put in Gali.

"No, we can't," agreed the Turaga of Ta-Koro.

Nuju whistled in agreement.

Takanuva frowned. "Well…. I'd go."

The others stared at him, surprised.

The Toa of Light shrugged. "Hey, I mean, I know I'm not the most experienced Toa ever, but… not letting me go on any missions isn't going to make me any better. Come on, please?"

Tahu shrugged. "He's right, Turaga. The kid needs a chance. Besides, there's nothing really serious going on. This kid fought the Makuta and won. He can do it."

Takanuva smiled at the Toa of Fire, grateful for the vote of confidence.

There was a brief pause, then the other Toa Nuva expressed their agreements.

Vakama nodded. "Very well then. If you think you can do it, I have faith in you. You depart tomorrow morning."

The Toa of Light was positively beaming. "Thank you, Vakama, sir!"

Author's Notes: So. No duh it wasn't anything great, but still. I'd like to believe I'm improving, but I haven't done anything all summer . I just don't seem to be getting any better… wahhh…. Yea. REVIEW. lol