It wasn't long before Kit and the remaining Toa found the fields of air. At first, the sea plants looked like they were alive until they noticed the keras crabs. "This shouldn't be too difficult," Hahli commented at the sight.
"Six of us against five thousand of them. I like your odds, Hahli," Kit replied sarcastically.
"By the way, what's with swim-fins?" asked Kongu. When Hahli and Kit gave him questioning looks, he elaborated, "You two have fins. They appear-look kind of like wings. And, you have a huge-big claw, Hahli."
"Have you looked at yourself lately?" asked the Toa of Water. "Or any of the others? We've all changed."
"I dodged the fins thing, though."
The comment earned Kongu a slight dead-arm from Kit. Then, Jaller remembered that he heard and felt the Mask of Life when they encountered the giant eel. "It must have done this to us so we could survive down here."
"Then, how come I only got a new armor suit and didn't change like you guys?" asked Kit.
While the others shrugged, unable to give her an answer, Nuparu offered a theory, "Maybe, for one reason or another, the mask decided you were better off with one." Everyone gave him odd looks. "Hey, it's the only thing I can come up with," Nuparu claimed.
"C'mon you guys, we've got a job to do," said Hewkii, pumped and ready for some action.
"Um, maybe we don't," said Nuparu. "Look."
Jaller summoned a flame for light and moved the range of its glow to where the Toa of Earth was pointing. What they saw was the keras crabs unexpectedly making their job easier by leaving the fields from which even the local Matoran couldn't chase them.
"We scared them off? They're running away?" asked Kit, perplexed.
"I don't think so," replied Jaller. "Looks more like a tactical move, as if they don't want to be too near us in case we prove too great a threat, yet they have no intention of giving up their territory without a fight either."
"Battle strategies, Jaller?"
"Believe me, Kit, I find this as difficult to believe with Rahi, especially of this species, as you do. But, I know a tactical move when I see one."
Just then, when the crabs stopped approximately twenty yards from the fields, Kit gasped in amazement when they were joined by schools of sharks, squid, venom eels, rays, and other Rahi of the deep, all just hovering with their eyes locked on the group. "I'm getting a really bad feeling about all this," Kit commented aloud, not at all liking the turn of events.
Hewkii turned to the Toa of Water, "Ok, Hahli, you're the one with water on the brain. Do sea Rahi like this normally act this way, or is it what it looks like—really creepy?"
Hahli shook her head and stated that the behavior wasn't normal at all. "It's almost like they're . . . waiting for something . . . or someone."
"And, so they are," a voice as cold as death said from behind them.
The heroes turned and found themselves face-to-face with six beings that appeared to have been mutated to the point that they resembled humanoid sea monsters. More predators of sea were gathered behind them. Kit tensed and narrowed her eyes at the six strangers; they were surrounded. One of the strange beings, one that reminded Kit of a praying mantis, came a little closer. While he spoke, she scanned the remaining five. Almost instantly, she noticed that, unlike their companion, the others seemed to resemble sea creatures—creatures that were also predators: a shark; a crab; a manta ray; an eel; and one with three eyes that seemed to resemble a squid. As the first being and another, the crab-like one, conversed with each other, Kit noticed that the green one had his eyes locked on her. She could see the malice and hatred in his eyes as clear as day; she felt like he was trying to dissect her with them to find out what she was. Suddenly, his eyes widened with realization. "That one!" he roared as he pointed at Kit. "It's an airbreather." The spines on his back began to crackle with electricity as he prepared to attack. Taken totally by surprise, Kit didn't have time to react. However, the white one, the shark, back-handed his comrade, causing his shot to go completely off. The green one was about to say something, but the white one, who appeared to be the leader, ordered him and the others to be silent. The green one reluctantly conceded, and the white one eyed the group.
"I am Pridak. We are the Barraki, and this is our realm. Tell us why you are here, and perhaps you will live to see another tide."
As the praying mantis-like being spoke again, Kit noticed a familiar look in the others' eyes that was mixed with the hatred—an evil kind of curiosity. 'I had to ask,' she thought to herself as she remembered what she thought of back at the fight with the Zyglak.
"Answer," Pridak demanded, snapping the girl out of her thoughts. "What did you do to be exiled here, and what is that little one with you?"
"Exiled?" said Hewkii, confused. "We're not--"
"—In the habit of explaining ourselves to every bait fish that comes along," interrupted Hahli, surprising Kit and her friends quite a bit. "By what right do you and your pathetic schools of minnows interfere with us?"
The red one, with a look of outrage at such insolence, rushed forward proclaiming, "By right of conquest!" It reached out with its tentacle toward Hahli. Kit was about to defend her friend, only to find out the Toa of Water didn't really need her, or anyone's, help.
The Water Toa grabbed hold of the limb, yanked hard, thus pulling Kalmah off his feet, and slammed him in the face with a palm-heel. While the Barraki stammered and cursed, Hahli simply tossed the tentacle away, as if it were a piece of debris. "Go, Hahli," Kit said quietly with an approving smile and cocked eyebrow.
The talking continued, then Pridak revealed the Mask of Life that he kept hidden behind his back. When Hahli asked him if he was worried about its curse, the Barraki leader replied with a roar. "Look at me . . . look at where I dwell . . . look at my companions, once rulers, now monstrosities, and tell me—how much more cursed could we be?" Kit thought about saying something along the line that they could be even worse off than they already were—she had the feeling that what they suffered prior to the arrival of the mask was a cake walk compared to what the mask could make them suffer—but thought better of it; she had every intention of keeping all of her limbs intact.
"Relax, Pridak," the blue one said in a smooth, calming tone. "Stay in control."
The crab-like one eyed the group and said to his comrade, "I thought you said there were seven of them. I only count six." After Hahli gave Carapar a hard time, Pridak gave the order that the heroes were to accompany them, noting that they might prove useful later.
Kit noticed that the red one moved closer to Pridak and, unknown to them, just barely heard him whisper, "As allies?"
Pridak shook his head and replied with an evil sneer, "It's always best, when traveling, to make sure you bring lunch along."
The girl worked hard to suppress a gulp. As Kalmah, Carapar, and Ehlek moved behind them, Kit tried to take in every possible anatomical detail of the Barraki in an attempt to figure out weak points. When she was satisfied with what she could determine, she joined Jaller, who was talking to Hahli. "So. When did you become 'Hahli the Barbarian'?" the Toa of Fire asked softly.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing," Hahli replied. Then, with a smile, she added, "Besides, it's sort of fun."
"Where did you learn to fight like that, anyway?" Kit asked.
"Simple," the Water Toa turned and answered with the same smile, "from watching you."
Kit couldn't help but smile bashfully and blush.
Soon after, Kit and the Toa found themselves in a desolate area where Pridak 'invited' them to pick a cave as their own.
"So, we're your prisoners now?" asked Hewkii.
"Never," the Barraki leader replied with a poor attempt for a friendly smile, "you're merely guests."
"Then, why the guard dogs?" Kit inquired with suspicion, gesturing with her thumb toward the Rahi that were starting to take posts outside the caves after their occupants entered.
"For your protection, of course," Pridak answered. "The sea can be a dangerous place."
Kit nodded and entered her chosen cave. A school of electric eels placed itself at the only entrance/exit. 'Does he really think we're that dense?' she thought to herself; it was obvious, even to the Toa, that she and the others were not meant to be going anywhere. 'I hope Matoro's having better luck than we are.' As he and his companions left, Pridak remembered the unconvinced look on the small one's face when he told her the reason for the Rahi. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her.
After what felt like hours, Kit believed she had her new suit figured out and decided it was time to make a break for it. The eels immediately reacted when she moved toward the mouth of the cave, preparing to attack. "Sorry, boys," Kit smirked. She raised her hands and said, "I'm checking out," and unleashed twin energy balls. The eels, knocked senseless, just drifted aimlessly in the water. Kit hadn't swum that far from her cave when she heard Jaller and Kongu's voices. Her investigation led her to a disturbing scene—Kongu was spasming on the sea floor with a small squid attached to his back.
Without a second thought, she bolted toward him. "Kit, look out!" Jaller cried, but it was too late. Another squid suddenly appeared and latched itself onto the back of Kit's shoulder. Almost immediately, she too went into spasms and fell to her knees as she felt her energy being sucked out of her. Before Jaller could help his friends, he found himself first having to take care of another squid that was launched at him, then about to be torn in half by Kalmah and Carapar. Seeing what was happening, Kit reached behind and tried to summon all of the strength she had left to rip the creature off of her. But, it was no use, the squid was securely grafted on. The girl then stretched out her hand and tried tomuster an energy attack, any energy attack, but her palm only glowed faintly before giving out.
Just when Kongu thought there was nothing that could be done, he felt something jump onto his back. It was the hahnah crab that was attracted earlier by Jaller's light, and it was tearing apart the squid attached to him. Once the squid released its hold, the Toa of Air felt strength coming back to him and the crab moved on to help Kit. However, Kongu's strength wasn't coming back fast enough, which, begrudgingly, meant there was only one thing left to do—use his new mask power. After a few tries earlier, Kongu now knew his mask's power was to summon animals to his aid. Although, he soon decided he wasn't very comfortable about it since everything he'd summoned thus far was worse or more bizarre than the last. Therefore, as he triggered his mask power he shut his eyes, not having any desire of seeing what the mask called this time. But, it didn't help; he could still feel pounding under his feet, like something burrowing, and hear the ground being torn along with Barraki's startled curses and the hahnah crab's panicked screech. A powerful undersea wave sent Kongu tumbling through the water, but he managed to right himself. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw a grotesque sight.
It was a two hundred foot high sea creature that looked like a cross between a whale and the giant clawed slime-worms of Onu-Koro—and it was not in a good mood. After a brief moment's hesitation, Kalmah threw Jaller toward the Rahi in hope of distracting it and Kongu while he and his partner made their getaway. It worked. After quickly grabbing hold of a semi-conscious Kit, the Air Toa swam as fast as he could toward Jaller. The Rahi, however, batted Jaller away, and the three of them slammed into the sea floor below, groaning.
"Kit, you ok?" asked Jaller, seeing that the girl was starting to come around.
"I think so," Kit answered, feeling her energy coming back. "What is that thing?" she asked when she spotted the creature.
"Where did it come from?" Jaller asked.
"Well, I told you I didn't want to use the mask," said Kongu.
When Kit gave the green Toa an odd look, Jaller explained, "Long story. C'mon let's get back to the city."
They were halfway back to Mahri Nui when they heard a voice calling to them. It was Hahli with Hewkii and Nuparu.
"Nice to see that you guys managed to get away alright," Kit commented.
"Any sign of the mask or any of the Barraki?" asked Jaller.
The Toa of Water, Stone, and Earth shook their heads. "What've you two got there?" Kongu asked, pointing to some multibarreled weapons Hewkii and Nuparu were carrying.
"I found a cavern filled with these things," Nuparu replied with excitement. "I swear, I could've studied these all day."
"And, he would've," Hahli spoke up, "if Hewkii hadn't dragged him out."
Kit sniggered at the thought. The Toa of Earth pointed to some writing on the side of one of the weapons, "According to this, they're called 'Cordak revolving blaster's." The remaining Toas' eyes widened.
Kit noticed, "What's the matter?"
"'Cordak' is a Matoran word that means 'desolation'," Jaller answered.
The girl's eyes also widened, "No guess as to what they were made for."
"All the same, I thought they might come in handy," said Nuparu. As in agreement, the others each claimed a blaster.
All that is, except Kit, who declined, "No offense, but I'm not too hot on guns."
Hahli looked to Jaller, who merely shrugged. When Kongu picked two, he simply explained, "Two hands." Kit rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Alright, let's move," said Jaller, and they continued on to Mahri Nui.
When they arrived at the under-sea city, they were expecting to find Matoro waiting. However, they were instead greeted by a hail of air bubbles. "Turn back!" they heard Defilak call. "We have no desire-need for ever-friends of the Barraki here!"
Kit groaned, "I swear, why do these guys have to always assume the worst? And, where in the world did they get the idea that we're 'friends' with the Barraki?"
"We don't have time for this," said Jaller, and he began voicing out his plan to pacify the villagers. But, Hahli interrupted him with a plan of her own, and convinced Kongu to use his air power to push Defilak out of the air bubble that housed the structure.
The Air Toa did so and, the next thing the Le-Matoran knew, he was in the water and trapped in a whirlpool Hahli made. The whirlpool disintegrated the Matoran's air bubble, leaving nothing but the air in his lungs. Just when Defilak was sure he was done for, the Water Toa reached in and threw him back into the air bubble. "You see?" she asked. "If I wanted you dead, you would be. I don't, and neither do my friends. We'd like to help, if you'd just stop shooting at us long enough to do it."
"Why should I faith-trust you?" asked Defilak. "Nothing in the Pit can be trusted."
"Because we're not from the Pit," Kit retorted. "We came from the surface and the Toa were changed so they could survive underwater. Plus, we also happen to be enemies of Barraki, just like you."
The Le-Matoran folded his arms across his chest.
"Not according to what I report-heard. A true-friend of mine told me she spot-saw you swimming with the Barraki as if you were allies."
"Did she happen to mention the hundreds of Rahi that they were using to herd us along? Rahi that were perfectly capable of killing us in some form or fashion? Didn't it ever occur to you that with us six against hundreds of them, we didn't really have a choice but to follow them?"
Defilak remained silent as his expression fell.
"I thought not," Kit replied.
"Take it easy, kiddo," said Hahli as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Kit backed off a bit and the Toa of Water took over. "Kit's right. I'm not of the Pit. I am of the sea—it belongs to me, not to the Barraki or their servants. And, through me, the sea belongs to you, too."
Defilak looked into both Hahli's and Kit's eyes. Both seemed sincere enough. He not only knew he had to make a choice, but whatever he decided would change Mahri Nui's future, good or bad. Finally, he reached a decision. "Very well. We will lower our weapons . . . for now. But, how will you help us?"
"The Barraki have something that belongs to us," spoke Jaller.
"We're going to get it back," Kit continued with a small mischievous smile.
"And, they're going to resist . . . which is just too bad for them," Hewkii concluded. "Give us a hand, and maybe you'll have six less Barraki to worry about."
Remembering their Voya Nui Matoran allies, Hahli added, "Once that's done . . . there are some other friends you might want to meet. I know they will want to meet you."
Defilak paused for a moment, as if touched by how these Toa and their human friend were going to do everything in their power to protect his city and Hahli's gentle tone. "If you are what you say you are, we have much to talk-discuss. But first, we will need to seek-find your other friend-companion." Seeing the questioning look on Kit's face, the Le-Matoran informed them of Matoro's flight when word reached him of their earlier, and believed-to-be-friendly, departure with the Barraki. The Toa of Ice went into the darker area of the water and hadn't been seen since. "With luck, perhaps-maybe there is still a body left to recover."
For a brief moment, all Kit could think of was disbelief. Then, a voice called out. It was Matoro, alive, in one piece, and accompanied by a red mechanical being with a white creature that could only be described as a canine of some sort. "Welcome back," Jaller greeted.
"Who's your friend?" asked Hewkii.
Matoro hesitated for a moment, sharing a quick glance with the robot, then answered in a chilly tone, "Maxilos, and the Rahi's Spinax. He freed me after someone called Hydraxon locked me up."
Kit and the Toa noticed the Ice Toa's tone had slightly changed, but decided inquiring about it would have to wait. They had a mask to find, an ocean to search, and little time. "Perhaps a more timely strategy in locating the mask would be to split up into teams," Maxilos suggested. "That way our chances of finding it are increased."
"I don't know," Hewkii admitted nervously. "Those Barraki are still out there and who knows what else."
"I'll admit, I don't really like the idea any more than you do, Hewkii," said Kit, "but, with how things are, I don't think we really have a choice."
"I agree," said Jaller, "but none of us will be going alone. I'll go with Kit and Kongu, Hewkii you go with Nuparu, and Hahli with Matoro and Maxilos."
"That's alright, Jaller, I can move faster on my own," the Water Toa declined. "Besides, I'm more at home here than any of you."
"Just don't come whining to us if you get in trouble," Kit mockingly warned.
Hahli chuckled, "Wouldn't dream of it."
As the group double-checked their weapons and made sure they were as ready as they could possibly be, Defilak approached. "Maybe-perhaps living so long in this night-black water has made us see only black-darkness in others. If you are truly about to confront-face great trouble-danger on behalf of Mahri Nui . . . we would be proud-honored to call you Toa Mahri."
The Toa looked to each other, thinking about how they were Matoran themselves until recently and how they met the Toa Nuva and Kit and their rewarded faith and trust in their guardians and Protector. After receiving a nod from their human friend, Matoro voiced their feelings, "The honor is ours, Defilak. We'll try to prove worthy of your trust."
Just then, Kit saw a gleam in Maxilos' eye—a gleam that inexplicably made the hairs on her back bristle, a gleam that somehow seemed familiar . . . and evil. 'But, that's not possible, is it?' she thought to herself. Then, Jaller gave the word that it was time to split up and search. Before departing, Kit managed to grab Matoro. "Matoro, is everything ok?" she asked, the look in Maxilos' eyes now making her suspicious about his unusually icy attitude when introducing the robot.
After glancing toward Maxilos, the Toa of Ice replied, "Yes, Kit. Everything's alright, like it was when you went into this world's past."
Before Kit could say anything, the Ice Toa left with the robot and energy hound. 'What does he mean?' the girl wondered. 'Not everything was alright when I went into the past. I had temporary amnesia for most of the time.' Shrugging it off, she swam after Jaller and Kongu.