Author's Note: A special thank you to Zim'sMostLoyalServant and Stargirl411 for their reviews. I was beginning to think I was going to have to start begging for some insight (which, personally, I'd rather not do).
"Hahli? Hahli, wake up." The Toa of Water opened her eyes to find Kit kneeling over her. With the girl's help, she managed to shakily get to her feet. Both were sore and their armor sustained some damage from the blast, but otherwise they were fine. "Just one question," said Kit.
"What?" asked Hahli.
"Where in the world did you get the idea to invite that trigger-happy creep to join up with us?"
"He knows the landscape, and we can really use some more allies down here, if you know what I mean."
"Hahli, he was this close to bringing this realm to an end," Kit pointed out by measuring her index finger and thumb mere centimeters away from each other. "And, he was way more than willing to just let Mantax destroy the Mask of Life. He hasn't got a clue what will happen if anything—anything—happens to that mask, and he kidnapped Matoro because he has this idea in his head that anyone, or anything, that's not a Matoran or Rahi is an escaped Pit prisoner; he even thought I was one. Therefore, I trust him as far as I can throw him, which isn't very far."
Hahli was about to counter, when familiar shapes showed up—the Toa Inika, Maxilos, and Spinax. "What happened to you guys?" asked Nuparu. Both girls relayed the story of their fight with Hydraxon, the Mask of Life, Mantax's demand, and the jailer going after him.
"Someone has to follow him while the rest of us make sure Mantax gets his wish for a meeting."
Matoro suggested they send Maxilos. "Spinax is supposed to be able to track a protodite across a planet, so finding one well-armed lunatic shouldn't be a problem. And, I'm sure Maxilos would be happy to help out . . . wouldn't you, robot?"
Kit couldn't help but notice something on the Ice Toa's mask; was that a sneer? Maxilos left with the energy hound right behind him, without a word.
"This is our chance to get the mask away from the Barraki," Hewkii spoke up.
"Yeah," Kit agreed, "but it won't be easy . . . or pretty. Things are bad enough down here as it is, but once we get the mask . . . well, the Barraki won't quit until they get it back."
"A lot of innocents could get hurt," Hahli concurred.
"Then let's see that they are ever-safe," said Kongu. "Who volunteers to deep-talk with Defilak?"
Kit knew the Air Toa had a point; Defilak would rather stand and fight than leave the only home he'd ever had for the past millennia. She understood that, of course; she knew she'd want to do the same, but letting the Matoran stay would be letting them commit suicide. "First we make sure the trap is set," Jaller said. "Then, we'll all talk to him. Maybe by then we can figure out how to tell a proud Matoran he has to run."
'Good luck,' Kit thought as she nodded along with the others.
Within moments, the team was ready to pass word onto the other Barraki about Mantax's request. Kit, to say the least, tensely made her way to her destination; senses, both natural and mechanical, on the alert and legs and powers ready to work at a moment's notice. She had very good reason to be on her guard; the Barraki she was sent to inform was none other than Ehlek, the one who seemed to hate her the most simply for the fact that she could breathe air. Then, one of those vampire squids came right at her, jaws snapping in anticipation of a meal. But, Kit was ready and sent it packing with an energy ball. As she grabbed her truce marker stone, she saw a lightning bolt heading for her. She dodged it and held up the stone.
"Wait! Hold it! I'm not here to fight; I'm here to talk," she called out.
She was still a fair distance away when the Barraki stepped out of his cave, regarding the girl with cold eyes. A school of venom eels advanced until they were several yards away from her. "Then I suggest you start talking, little one, and make it good," Ehlek said coldly.
"Don't you think it would be better to let me come a little closer?"
"That's the closest you're going to get. I'm not allowing any Toa, or their allies, anywhere near my cave."
Kit sighed, "Fine; I bring a message from Mantax. He has the Kanohi Ignika and--"
"Is demanding we Barraki all meet at the Razor Whale's Teeth to discuss his terms or the mask is destroyed," Ehlek finished in a bit of an annoyed and bored tone. Seeing Kit's surprised expression, he said, "I've already received 'your' message." Inside the cave, Kit could barely make out the starfish-hybrid creature from earlier. "Unless you have something else to say, I suggest you take your leave while you can," Ehlek hissed. Deciding not to try the Barraki's patience, the girl left without barely a second glance.
Kit was almost to the rendezvous point when she heard something like a struggle. When she investigated, she discovered a sight that took her breath away. It was Matoro struggling against a cloud that, strangely, seemed alive. Furthermore, the Ice Toa gasped, then went rigid, as if he were trapped in a suspended animation-like state, and the cloud started to seep into his body. Having seen enough, Kit launched herself forward and carefully fired an energy ball. To her surprise, not only did the ball actually hit the cloud and force it away, it cried out as well. She placed herself between Matoro and the cloud. 'What the heck is that thing?' she wondered as the cloud began to take shape. Recognition dawned on her when she saw a familiar form and face materialize in the cloud's upper half. "I should've known," she said to the cloud, which turned out to be Mirna. "I see you've even followed us to the bottom of the sea."
"And, I'm already getting tired of you getting in my way," Mirna replied.
A short pause followed before Kit asked, "Aren't you worried about the mutagenic agent in these waters, which will turn you into a being that can only live underwater?"
Mirna only smiled, "As long as I remain in my cloud form, I can survive down here and am immune to the mutagen."
Mirna moved in to try and get past Kit to get to Matoro, but Kit was ready and released an energy beam. Mirna barely managed to dodge it and fired black shadow-like bolts. Kit, however, summoned her shield and pushed it forward. With Mirna off balance, she then discharged a DragonBall sphere. Mirna saw the attack coming and moved away with inches to spare—only to find Kit charging at her faster than she'd ever seen any human move. The girl rammed her shoulder into the woman's torso, sending her flying through the water a good several yards. Now angry, Mirna saw her chance and released more bolts. This time, they hit their mark and Kit was sent to the ground, slightly winded. Mirna eyed the girl evilly, "Considering how the Toa were transformed, I see you no longer have your Inika suit," then moved in. By the time Kit regained her bearings, Mirna was practically on top of her and there was no time to do anything. Instinctively, her eyes widened in fear. Suddenly, to both the girl's and woman's surprise, an ice beam struck Mirna and, within seconds, every part of her essence was trapped up to her shoulders in a thick block of ice.
Kit looked behind her to find Matoro on his feet and offering her a hand up. "Thanks for the save," she said taking it.
"I owed you two," said the Toa of Ice, "now I just need to repay one more."
"Hey, whose counting?" the girl smiled, then turned her attention back to a struggling Mirna. "And, for your information, we've got more important things to take care of than the likes of you, which, in a way, I guess, is fortunate for you. So . . ." She brought her hands up and together, brought them back down in front of her, and fired a spirit burst as she finished, "Have a nice trip." The shot hit its mark dead-on, sending Mirna screaming as she flew through the water like there was no end to it. Kit, meanwhile, 'dusted' her hands off and turned to her friend, "C'mon, let's get out of here."
"Any luck?" asked Hahli, seeing the remaining two of their number arrive.
"Mission's accomplished," Matoro said matter-of-factly.
"Even Ehlek?" asked Jaller with a surprised cocked eyebrow.
"Yeah, though not by me," Kit answered. "Someone already beat me to the punch."
"Uh . . . I thought you were supposed to give-deliver a message, Kit, not challenge him to a battle-fight," said Kongu, confused.
"It's a figure of speech, Kongu. I mean somebody else already told him."
As the Toa of Air nodded his head in understanding, the girl then asked, "So, what's the next step?"
"The, as I believe you call it sometimes, 'fun' part," replied Jaller, not at all sounding like he thought it was going to be fun. "We go tell Defilak he and the other Matoran of Mahri Nui have to evacuate."
Back at Mahri Nui, Defilak waited. It had been hours since the Toa Mahri and their human friend left meet with their comrade, Hahli. Now, he was wondering if something happened. He was about to leave when he heard a voice outside the bubble call to him. It was Kit, with the entire Toa team. The girl passed through the bubble, retracted her fin extensions, and took off her helmet before the Le-Matoran could speak. "Defilak, there isn't a lot of time. You and the Matoran have to evacuate the city."
"Why?" asked Defilak.
"Up above us, connected to the other end of the stone cord, is an island called Voya Nui," Kit replied. "That's where you and the other Mahri Nui Matoran came from; it was once your home. It was once a part of a continent, but, during an event called the Great Cataclysm, it broke off and shot up to the surface world."
Defilak almost couldn't believe it. He and the other Matoran of Mahri Nui once lived on an island that was floating high above their heads? The news was overwhelming, to say the least. "You were there," Matoro continued, recapturing the Matoran's attention. "You and your fellow Matoran. Over time, new land formed around the island, and Mahri Nui was built on that land. But, the ground was unstable; it broke off and Mahri Nui sank down here. Until a few days ago, everyone on Voya Nui thought you were all dead."
"I said when we first met there were friends who would want to meet you," Hahli said gently. "They will welcome you back with joy."
"Back? How do we go back?" asked Defilak.
Jaller pointed to the cord that Kit mentioned moments ago. "We came down it to get here. Now, you and your people will travel up to get to safety. It's the only way."
"Even if what you speak-say is true, we can't fear-flee our home," the Le-Matoran replied, shaking his head. "We can't let-allow the Barraki win."
"They're not," Matoro assured with determination in his voice. "It's possible that no one is going to win. Maybe all anyone can hope for at this point is to survive, and this is your best chance at that."
"Matoro's right, Defilak," said Kit. "Your sacrifice is honorable, but not necessary—that's our job. Your job is to live and make sure your friends can do the same."
The heroes waited for several minutes as Defilak looked at Mahri Nui, the Matoran operating the defenses, and the surrounding black water. Finally, the Le-Matoran made his decision—this might've been their home for the past millennia, but they didn't belong here, "What do we have to do?" While Jaller discussed the plan with the Matoran, Kit thought back to what Matoro said and made a decision of her own—neither side winning this fight was as out of the question as the Barraki winning; they couldn't afford it. And so, she made a personal vow that as long there was a way, and if she found it, she would make sure that the good guys came out on top.
Before everyone knew it, the Toa Mahri and Kit were leading the citizens of Mahri Nui through the stone cord toward Voya Nui. The girl and Toa were as vigilant as Kit when she met with Ehlek on his own turf; senses alert for any movement. They hadn't forgotten their encounter with the Zyglak when they first came down here. However, to their amazement, there didn't seem to be any sign of them; even Kit's scanner didn't pick them up. 'I don't like this,' Kit thought to herself. 'This is even more unnerving then having to fight them again. Are they somehow hiding in a way that my scanner can't detect them or have they left the cord? If they did leave, where could've they gone?' Realizing that the only other way out of there was up—toward Voya Nui—Kit suddenly got a sickening feeling in her stomach.
"I'll swim ahead; see if I can find anything," said Hahli.
"Alright, but don't go too far," Jaller said.
The Toa of Water winked at him and moved forward. No more than three minutes passed when Hahli's startled cry was heard, followed by what sounded like someone colliding into the wall. Before anyone could stop her, Kit pushed on to find out what was wrong—only to see a Zyglak drifting in. She was about to fire an energy ball when she realized to her horror that the creature was dead, as were the two that followed it. Suddenly, the visor on her helmet came to life showing a gray dot 'attacking' the blue one she identified as Hahli. What was more, five more of the threatening gray dots were heading right for them from behind.
She was about to warn the others when she heard Jaller say, "Everyone get ready. We've got company." Apparently, the Toa of Fire, thanks to his mask power, detected them, too. Kit and the Toa prepared themselves, the girl watching both the dots on her visor getting closer and the darkness of the tunnel where they just came from.
At first, she wasn't sure if it was some trick of her mind, or if she was really seeing what she was seeing, but, before she could figure it out, she was slammed into the tunnel floor and immediately felt something serpentine wrapping around her body. When she saw the face of her attacker, she couldn't believe her eyes—it was a face she hoped never to see again.
"You!" she exclaimed.
"Me," answered the head of Thok, amused.
Thinking fast, Kit grabbed him and hit his head against the ground. Stunned, the Piraka let go and she moved to gain some distance. It was then that Kit got a good look at the Piraka—or rather what was left of him. There was practically nothing left of Thok except his head and spine. Hearing what sounded like a battle ahead of her, she found the rest of the Toa as well as the rest of the Piraka, who now, like Thok, resembled something more like a snake or an eel.
"Didn't we already beat these guys?" asked Hewkii as he slammed Vezok into the floor with a whip of his chain.
Kongu dodged one of Zaktan's laser blasts, "Not good-well enough, I guess, or they're just stubborn."
"I vote for stubborn," Kit said as she released a barrage of energy balls at Thok, who deftly dodged them and continued to advance toward her.
When he was close enough, Thok noticed something he found a bit odd. 'Why is she smiling?' Before he could stop himself, he got his answer when the girl hit him with a charged up, more powerful and larger ball from her fist—he was doing exactly as she wanted. The white Piraka floated in the water, unconscious.
"Your fault!" Avak screamed as he coiled his body around Nuparu's arm. The Toa of Earth grabbed hold of his enemy's throat to keep his sharp teeth away from him. "If you had just let us have the Mask of Life, this never would've happened!"
"Excuse me, but . . ." said Kit's voice. Before the brown Piraka could react, he suddenly found himself screaming in incredible pain. When he managed to turn his head to look behind him, he found the young human holding his tail-like spine in a vice-like grip and bending it backwards. To make matters worse, with Nuparu holding his neck, he couldn't fight back. "Whatever made you think in the first place that we were just going let you have that Kanohi?" Kit asked in a low voice. "Now, either get off of him, no tricks, or I break it, section by section if I have to."
Considering how intense the pain was, and the look in her eyes, Avak had no doubt the girl meant business. And so, begrudgingly, he released his grip on the Toa's arm. 'Stinkin', miserable flesh-creature. I'll get you for that,' he thought to himself as he swam a short distance away. About then, Kongu used his Mask of Summoning to call on swarms of underwater insects. At first, Kit was skeptical about what the small creatures could do until they attached themselves to the Piraka and began to sting them continuously.
"What's the point of this, Zaktan?" asked Jaller as he tried to down the Piraka leader with bursts of flame, without success. "You want the Mask of Life, but we don't have it. Fighting us accomplishes nothing."
The Piraka used his spine to seize a Ga-Matoran named Idris by the neck and slightly squeezed. "Wrong," he replied. "It brings you pain, and we want to go on bringing you pain, Toa. Now, lay down your weapons and surrender, or this Matoran dies—along with many more, and you know how many we can kill before you can stop us."
Kit growled, wanting so much to do something, but unable to do so without risking an innocent. Thankfully though, Idris had a plan. Her questioning eyes met with Jaller's, the Toa gave her the ok, and she fought back against her captor with her electro-blade. Zaktan's erupted in a bright flash as he screamed, causing him to let go. Idris leapt aside as Kit fired a double-handed sure shot at the Piraka, tearing away a good portion of his body and making him scream some more before his protodites began to compensate for the damage.
"Whoa, that's new," said Jaller, eyes wide in surprise.
"I've been meaning to try it for some time," Kit said proudly, and she blew off an imaginary wisp of smoke from her conjoined index fingers.
However, the victory was short lived. Out of nowhere, Reidak attacked, tearing the tube on Kit's Mahri suit that pumped air in and out of her helmet clean off its helmet socket. Before anyone could do anything, walls suddenly appeared on both ends of the tunnel, cutting the heroes off from the Matoran; they were boxed in. On top of that, Kit was just as quickly entrapped in a sphere full of water and the water in the new chamber began to rapidly drain out. Instantly, the Toa Mahri began choking and gasping in a vain effort to breathe. On her end, water had filled up her helmet so fast, Kit wasn't able to grab a breath of what air was left. She frantically pounded, kicked, and used any energy attack she could muster, but nothing seemed to faze her prison. Though Jaller's vision was beginning to fade badly, he could plainly see that Kit's eyes were reaching out to him, pleading to be set free.
Meanwhile, Avak chuckled as he watched from the other side of the wall. "Fish out of water and a Kikanalo in water. Gasp and fight for breath in your last moments, Toa and human, but don't worry—we'll take care of your Matoran friends once you're gone."
'I . . . won't . . . let you,' Kit thought to herself, despite the fact she was beginning to lose consciousness. She had taken in a mouthful of water a moment ago and it was her last thought as her eyes closed and she sank to the bottom of her sphere. She became very, very dimly aware of a loud humming that resounded in her ears. Then, she knew no more.
When Kit opened her eyes, she found herself blinded by a small bright light that gave her a momentary headache, but she could feel that she was lying on her back on solid ground. She heard voices, but, due to her cloudy mind, couldn't make out how close they were, or what they were saying. But, she could recognize the tone—pure joy. "Have I died and am on my way to Heaven?" she mumbled as she attempted to shield her eyes.
"Nope, you're still alive," a voice chuckled next to her. "By the way, what's 'Heaven'?"
As Kit forced her eyes to focus, her blurry vision saw the shape and form of a familiar red Great Huna. "Vakama?" she asked, confused.
"Vakama? Who's Vakama?"
Kit rubbed her eyes to clear them, only to find that she couldn't believe what—or rather who—was in front of them. "Balta?!" she exclaimed as she sat up so fast, the startled Ta-Matoran toppled over onto his back.
"Nice to see you again, too," Balta commented as he looked up at her.
Feeling something different, she looked at herself and discovered, to her surprise, that she was back in her regular clothes. "Where . . . what . . . how did I get here?" she finally managed to choke out; she was so astounded at this exciting turn of events, she was nearly speechless.
"Axonn was beginning to lead us down the cord when he noticed you and the Toa were having some trouble," Balta answered. "Trouble with a capital 'p', if you know what I mean. So, he knocked them, and you guys, out with a jolt of electricity."
That's when it all came back to her: the evacuation of the Mahri Nui Matoran, their fight with the Piraka, the prisons Avak trapped them in. "The Toa," she said with concern in her voice, "are they . . .?"
"They're fine; see for yourself," Balta assured her, and pointed to a small crevasse—the same one that Kit recognized as the one where Axonn carved out for her and the Toa to follow the Mask of Life to the sea.
The girl got up and peered down. All six of the Toa Mahri were reviving in a pool of water. Breathing out a sigh of relief, Kit turned her attention to what all of the celebration was about. All around, the Matoran of Voya Nui were receiving their lost Mahri Nui brethren with the joy and happiness that Hahli said they would. "Hey, Kit," a voice called. It was Dalu, followed by Garan and the rest of the resistance members.
"Hey, guys how are you doin'?" Kit greeted.
"Great, now that the Piraka are gone," said Piruk.
Just then, Axonn appeared so suddenly, Kit took an involuntary step back. "You and the Piraka took the brunt of the blast," he said to Jaller below, as well as to Kit, who was beside him. "I am glad to see you all survived."
"Me too," agreed Kit.
"Me three, and, speaking of which, where are the Piraka?" said Jaller.
"They're not down there?" asked Kit, confused. The Toa of Fire shook his head in answer.
"There's no need to worry about them anymore," Axonn said as placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "They've been . . . taken care of." Before Kit could question him further, the red and silver titan said, "You have all been in a war, I see."
After taking a moment to examine his damaged armor and weapons, Jaller replied, "And, it's still going on."
Matoro then swam up next to his comrade and told Axonn that the time for mysteries was past. "I was told by . . . someone . . . that we have to shatter the cord linking Mahri Nui and Voya Nui to complete our mission, and that will result in the destruction of both islands. Is that true?"
"It is and it is not," Axonn answered, and he went on to confirm that the cord did have to be severed and Mahri Nui would be destroyed as a result, but explained that Voya Nui would not suffer the same fate.
The island would return to where it originally came from, and the heroes had to go there with it for that was where the Mask of Life had to be in order to complete its task. "All right," said Jaller, "then we use the Cordak blasters and blow it now."
"No! You mustn't, not yet!" said Axonn. "First, you must have the Mask of Life in your hands, for once you sever the cord, you won't have time to retrieve it."
"What about the Matoran?" asked Kit. "They'll all be killed if they stay on the island."
"That's where the second part of what you must do comes in," Axonn replied. "You must give me time to get the Matoran to safety. There are chambers underground where they can stay until Voya Nui is back where it belongs."
"Got it," Kit said, giving the giant a thumbs up.
And, as Kit summoned her Mahri suit, breathing tube fixed and all, and dove in to rejoin the Toa, Matoro reached up and grasped Axonn's hand. "You do what you have to do. We'll get the mask, I promise you that."
Both Kit and Jaller glanced at the Toa of Ice, hearing a grim and resolute tone in his voice. "Determined, isn't he?" said Kit. "Was he always like this?"
The Fire Toa shook his head, "He's definitely not the Matoro who left Metru Nui with us."
Axonn told the group to follow him, dove in the water, and, as told, they followed. He led them into a side chamber and pointed at a rather bizarre sight. At first, Kit thought with all of the mechanical add-ons and weaponry, it was some sort vehicle. But, when its front part and legs moved, she realized with a start that what they were all looking at was a giant species of marine Rahi.
Wasting no time, Axonn used his axe to carve out the words: "Get in." Initially, Kit was confused. How were they supposed to get inside something that was alive without getting eaten first? Then, she noticed that the Toa were slipping in between the beast's armor plating. She looked at Axonn, who urged her to go on, then, doing her best to ease down her squeamishness about the whole idea, she slipped in.
Inside, she found all of the Toa seated on chair-like apparatus. She noticed that Hewkii was no more comfortable about being here than she was. Suddenly, without warning, the Rahi darted forward and the Toa found themselves holding tight to the armrests to keep from being thrown off while Kit fell with a yelp. Before anyone knew what was happening, small techno-organic limbs reached out and took the Toa's armor, masks, and weapons. "What the . . .?" wondered Kit, then, as quickly as they were taken away, the items were returned. "Hey, check it," Kit said, amazed. All of the battle damage the armor, weapons, and masks had sustained was repaired; everything looked as good as new. As the Toa refitted their armor and masks, Kit commented, "Wow, a few more of these things and Metru Nui would be up and running again in no time."
"A few more of these Rahi and all of Ta-Metru would be out of work," Hewkii corrected, as he continued to closely examine his weapon and armor.
"Right now, let's worry about our own jobs," said Hahli as she adjusted her mask. "We still have a mask to find and a cord to shatter."
"If someone doesn't beat us to it," said Matoro.