When Turaga Dume and the others entered the kolhii arena, they found Ahkmou laying tightly bound in the centre of the arena, on closer inspection they realized that one of Nixie's juggling balls was stuffed in his mouth and he looked dishevelled
As they reached the tower entrance Norik, Kualus and Pouks met them, Kualus holding a compress to his left eye, "What happened?" Dume enquired as they headed back inside and joined the other Rahaga, Nixie who looked livid and Wotzit who was peering curiously at the green flecked yellow butterfly perched on the window ledge.
"That pile of Maha droppings punched Rahaga Kualus." Nixie muttered, then blushed as Vakama glanced at her, he then chuckled, "And I'm guess you decided silence is priceless."
Nixie giggled, "Yes, he was being disrespectful to you and the Toa." she then sniggered, "I used the ball Wotzit had been playing with."
"Yuck, it'll be soggy-wet!" Matau commented as everyone began chuckling, before they sat to eat.
As afternoon shifted to evening Pouks and Iruini went to see how Onewa was doing and returned to let everyone know he was still reassuring the Po-matoran, "So where are we going to keep Ahkmou until the Toa return?" Bomonga was first to ask, as the light began to fade.
While Pouks and Iruini went to bring Ahkmou into the tower, the Turaga quietly thought for several minutes, then put forward some suggestions, the one that got most approval was taking him over to the Great Temple and making sure he didn't talk to any of the matoran.
"If we do it tonight while Ga-metru is asleep, then take shifts watching him that should do it." Norik commented, then looked at Nokama as she stood up, nodding in agreement.
"We'd better pick one of the unused rooms, it would trouble the matoran who work there to find us preventing them doing their duties." she added, everyone nodded as Pouks and Iruini rejoined them, "Well he's awake." Pouks commented, as they listened to what everyone had worked out, then Iruini chuckled dryly, "If looks could kill, we'd be in the depths of Karzahni."
"We had better start over to Ga-metru." Dume said after watching the fading light for several minutes, the others agreed and while they left the conference room, Nixie asked if they should take Wotzit, as he'd been a bit restless and had spent most of the day looking for everyone.
"No problem." Gaaki and Kualus said, as Wotzit bounced alongside them before he went over to sniff at Ahkmou, who tried to shove Wotzit away only to fall off the bench he'd been placed on.
Silently Bomonga and Norik hoisted him up and carried him outside, while Nokama 'spoke' with Wotzit and explained what was going to happen, barking excitedly Wotzit bounced over to Gaaki and nudged her hand.
"Right we'll meet you at the Great Temple and work out where to keep Ahkmou." Norik said as everyone walked across the arena towards the exit, Gaaki and Iruini then carefully caught hold of Wotzit then started towards Ga-metru, following Norik and Bomonga, while Pouks and Kualus went with the Turaga and Nixie to the chute station.
xXx
Reaching the main chute station at Ga-metru, the Turaga, Kualus, Pouks and Nixie were met by Kai and Pelagia, who listened as Nokama explained why everyone had come, "After all that's happened, you'd think he'd learnt." Kai murmured annoyed, while they walked towards the main square.
On the way there, the matoran who were still awake bowed quietly to the Turaga as they passed before retiring to their homes, when they reached the square, Turaga Nokama asked Nixie to take Wotzit over to where Pewku rested, then insisted that she rested too.
Stifling a yawn, Nixie agreed and led Wotzit towards her home, Kai and Pelagia going with them, "Worry-hurt but strong-brave." Matau commented softly as they watched Nixie, Kai, Pelagia and Wotzit heading down a side street.
Walking towards the street that led to the park before the causeway to the Great Temple, Vakama told the others about the vision which had rendered him unconscious.
"Well we learnt long ago that our destinies are not set in stone." Whenua commented, as the causeway came into sight, Pouks smiled then glanced towards the Great Temple, "We'll join Norik and Bomonga, I think they might need some help."
"Alright, see you shortly." Dume agreed, then watched as the Rahaga went ahead, Nuju said something to Vakama as they reached the causeway and began to cross to the Great Temple.
Halfway across, Matau and Nokama saw someone curled up on one of the benches sleeping, several covered sheets laying on the ground beside the bench where Suna rested.
"Suna, you can't sleep here, it'll make you stiff." Nokama commented softly, as she gently roused the sleeping matoran, while Dume murmured they would carry on to the Great Temple, "Mmmm... Oh my, what time is it?" Suna muttered, as she sat up rubbing her eyes, then still half asleep blinked curiously at Turaga Nokama and Matau.
"It's the middle of the night, Suna." Nokama quietly explained, "Nixie will be think-wondering where you are." Matau added smiling gently as he put the sheets in Suna's bag.
When Suna stifled a yawn that started from her feet, Matau offered to escort Suna back to her home, "Alright brother, I'll explain what's going on." Nokama smiled, as Suna tripped only to be supported by Matau, who began leading the sleepy matoran back over the causeway.
Nokama quickly looked at Suna's work before replacing it back in her bag and headed to the Great Temple, on catching up with the others, she explained what Matau was doing.
The Turaga nodded, as Ahkmou struggled, trying to break free from the hold Norik, Bomonga, Kualus and Iruini had on him, "I hope it's somewhere sound proof." Kualus muttered, glancing at Turaga Vakama as everyone entered the Temple and started down to the main chamber.
"I bet Ahonui would know a good room." Whenua smiled briefly, then listened as Vakama told them where the room was, "Ahonui once told me that he went there as he found it peaceful." he said, leading them down a short passage which branched off into several more.
Pushing open the door into a fairly large room which had several slit windows looking eastwards, it was fairly bare except for several benches and blankets, but everyone could sense that the atmosphere there was peaceful.
Reaching Rahal's home, Onewa quietly talked with the matoran who'd helped carry Kela there while Rahal went to see how she was, "You can come in now, Turaga." Rahal murmured, as he came to the door, the matoran Onewa was talking with, bowed to him then went to rest.
Following Rahal, Turaga Onewa wasn't too surprised to see a small carving of a Ga-matoran sitting on the table of the main room, they entered Rahal's bedroom and went over to where a pale looking Ga-matoran was propped up against several pillows.
She kept glancing quietly at the broken carving, running her fingers over it, "How are you feeling, Kela?" Turaga Onewa gently asked, as she looked up at him before trying to get up, only to slump back, gasping in pain.
"Not too good, Turaga." Kela replied softly as Rahal helped her get comfortable again, "My leg got broken." she added, glancing sadly at the ruined carving while a tear slid down her mask.
"Turaga, could you tell Kela what is happening, she got knocked out too." Rahal whispered before he went to get them something to eat, Onewa nodded and carefully sat on the bed to explain what was happening.
When Rahal returned later, baring a tray with enough for all three, Kela was drying her eyes while Turaga Onewa quietly reassured her, "But what if the Toa don't find it in time?" Kela whispered, Onewa looked at her sorrowfully, "I've no idea," he admitted.
"But we will not abandon you!" he then added emphatically, before accepting the bowl and beaker Rahal passed to him, both matoran nodded, still too unsettled to say any more and everyone silently had supper, when they'd finished, Turaga Onewa said he'd return to his home.
"You're welcomed to stay the night, Turaga." Rahal said, putting the empty bowls away, Onewa smiled, "That's most kind, but I think you and Kela should have some peace and quiet." he replied, hiding his weariness, Rahal bowed, then insisted on walking back with the Turaga, Onewa nodded, thinking about the days events.
On the way back Turaga Onewa and Rahal were joined by several matoran, who formed a guard around them, Hafu nodded to Rahal, understanding why he'd offered to accompany their Turaga back to his home.
On reaching Turaga Onewa's' he asked Rahal to come in for several moments, curious Rahal followed Onewa inside, while Hafu and the others waited for Rahal they quietly chatted.
Heading into the main room, Onewa went over to some shelves and after a few minutes searching lifted down a small canister, "This is a mild sleeping draught. Kela will be too sore to sleep easily and this will help."
"Thank you, Turaga." Rahal bowed deeply, then rejoined his friends, listening as they left still softly chatting, Onewa sighed deeply, then went to rest.
When Rahal and Hafu reached his home, the others wished them good night before heading for their homes, Hafu then asked Rahal if he'd need any help, "No, thanks anyway," Rahal grinned as Hafu chuckled, "Well if Kela wants anything to keep her amused. I've got some offcuts of stone not doing much." "I'll let her know." Rahal replied, as Hafu headed to his home.
Hurrying to Kela's side, Rahal explained about what Turaga Onewa had given him, before pouring some of the draught into a beaker, "It smells like freshly cut harakeke." Kela murmured before she drank, then placed the beaker down and yawned before laying down, when she'd fallen asleep Rahal wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and settled in the chair nearby.
xXx
"We'll take first watch." Norik said as Kualus and Bomonga agreed, watching cautiously as Matau and Nuju carefully untied Ahkmou, while Gaaki, Iruini, Vakama and Whenua blocked the door.
"We'll relieve you at dawn." Gaaki commented, as Ahkmou spat the ball out and tried to shove Matau away from him, failing that, he attempted to do the same to Nuju.
Turaga Nuju muttered in disapproval then rapped Ahkmou's knuckles hard with his ice-pick. After several tries to get out of the room, Ahkmou retreated to the corner by the windows and sat down, watching the Turaga and Rahaga.
"Be careful, brothers." Gaaki whispered, as those not on duty left the room and returned to the main chamber, Norik nodded, as he Kualus and Bomonga made sure Ahkmou didn't move, "We will." Norik winked at her, while Kualus and Bomonga moved to sit closer to Ahkmou.
Returning to the main chamber they met Matau as he reached there and paused to let him know what was happening, as Dume explained no-one noticed a glowing silver mist forming around the Toa Suva before moving to surround them.
Sitting down Nokama blinked tiredly as the others did likewise, then as the mist deepened in colour, everyone there slipped into sleep and the mist slowly vanished.
As the night steadily turned towards dawn, sitting on the roof of her home, Nixie stifled a yawn as she carefully made charts of which stars had disappeared, knowing she should rest, but too keyed up to sleep.
Eventually she climbed back down and placed the filled sheets on the table before staggering through to her bed and collapsing on it.
...
Wanimua stirred, awoke and quietly preened as dawn slowly coloured the sky, then flew up to the top of the Great Temple, landing beside the butterfly flock, he chirped softly as they began to stir, curious as to why their colours were paler than usual.
While the butterflies warmed up in the early morning light, Wanimua glanced into the Great Temple through the skylight, then fluttered inside to see why the Turaga and Rahaga were sleeping on the floor.
As he landed and went over to Nokama, the butterflies, their colours still pale, streamed into the main chamber and settled on the Toa Suva.
After peering closely at the sleeping Turaga and Rahaga, Wanimua began singing, watching as they started waking and sitting up.
Looking around at each other, before standing up to stretch, Gaaki, Nuju and Matau gave the others a hand up, Nokama moved to look at the butterflies, while Dume and Nuju started discussing why they'd fallen asleep like that.
Their conversation was interrupted by several Ga-matoran coming down the stairs, glancing curiously at the Turaga and Rahaga as they came over to where they stood.
"Kai told us you had come over here." Nireta explained as she, Akara and Kaike handed everyone some fruit and water canisters, when Gaaki, Pouks and Iruini had finished they went to relieve their brothers, Nireta offered to go with them.
"Better not, he's caused enough trouble." Onewa's voice reached them, as he came down the stairs, "Vira gave me a lift." he added before telling Nokama where Kela was, Kaike murmured anxiously as Norik, Kualus and Bomonga rejoined them, then asked to go and see her sister.
While the Turaga, Rahaga and matoran left the main chamber, Wanimua and the butterflies flew out the skylight and as the flock landed on the roof to bask, Wanimua headed towards Po-metru.
Kualus glanced up and watched Wanimua until he was out of sight, then quietly asked Nireta how Wotzit and Pewku were, while the Turaga, Bomonga and Norik talked with Akara and Kaike.
"Kai was feeding them as we headed over," she replied, "I'm a bit worried about Pewku, she seemed nervous about something." Nireta added as they reached the park by the causeway.
"I think we're all nervous-worried." Matau commented softly to Dume as he overheard Nireta's comment, Vakama and the others nodded, Nokama was talking with Kaike, then watched as she went to speak with Vira as he stroked Shiori.
"We'll go and check the rest of the matoran, then meet up at the coliseum at midday." Turaga Dume stated when Nireta enquired what would be happening, Norik said that he, Kualus and Bomonga would get some rest then change places with their brothers and sister.
"It is best to try and carry on as usual." Nokama smiled slightly, while Onewa went to ask Vira if he and Shiori could give both him and Kaike a lift to Po-metru, "It'll be a tight-squeeze," Vira began, then glanced at Kaike, both giggled, grinning while the other Turaga hid their amusement.
"But if Shiori doesn't mind, we can." Vira managed to say after a few minutes, as Shiori warmed up to fly, the rest of the Turaga decided after they'd met in the coliseum to spend their day making sure things stayed fairly calm.
"I think we should gather everyone together at the coliseum and hold a vigil tomorrow night." Vakama murmured absently, as they made their way to the chute station.
"Why tomorrow?" Nuju commented, just as Whenua asked the same question, Vakama blinked, then glanced at everyone puzzled, "I'm not sure." he replied quietly as they reached the chute that passed through all the metru.
"It's a good idea, we'll pass the word on." Onewa smiled, as they entered the chute watched by Nokama and Kualus, "When will you swap with Gaaki and the others?" Nokama enquired as they left the chute station and returned to her home.
"Around midday." Kualus replied yawning, thinking of falling asleep where he stood, Nokama smiled, caught his arm and led Kualus back to her home.
After settling Kualus in the room where Norik and Bomonga were out cold, Nokama went with Nireta to check on Wotzit and Pewku, when they reached Pewku's pen, Kai was trying to entice her to eat, while Wotzit looked on curiously, occasionally nudging Pewku gently.
"Here Kai, let me have a go." Nokama murmured as Kai placed the fruit down, shooed Wotzit away from it and bowed to her, "I'll take Wotzit for a run, he's wanting to play which might be putting Pewku off." Kai explained, as she caught hold of his ruff and tugged gently.
He jumped up and bounced around Kai until she, and Nireta at Nokama's insistence, went with them, turning back to Pewku, Nokama gently stroked her shell and listened to Pewku as she chirruped softly for several minutes before eventually accepting the fruit Kai had left for her.
xXx
Leaving the Le-metru chute station, Matau was met by Tamaru and Lomako, "The gukko birds are hush-quiet this morning." Lomako said, as they headed towards Matau's' home, "And the phase dragon?" Turaga Matau asked, nodding to the matoran who paused in what they were doing to greet their Turaga and find out what was happening.
"Tahchi caught a glimpse of him fly-soaring through the sky a while-time ago, some of the gukko with him." Tamaru replied, as they eventually reached the square near to Matau's' home. "Could you get-fetch everyone? I have something to explain-tell them."
"Of course, Turaga." Tamaru and Lomako chorused, Lomako whistled for his gukko bird Aikel, while Tamaru hurried towards the moto-hub, spreading the news that Turaga Matau wanted a word.
xXx
Landing in the main square, Turaga Onewa and Kaike dismounted and thanked Vira and Shiori before watching them head for Le-metru.
Turning to Hafu and Olcas, Turaga Onewa asked Hafu to escort Kaike to Rahal's as she wanted to see Kela, nodding Hafu and Kaike bowed then they headed off.
"How are the others doing?" Onewa enquired, while he and Olcas watched the tidying up of the square, those there smiled reassured that their Turaga was nearby, "The ones who got hurt are more angry than those who didn't. And all of us want to know what'll happen to Ahkmou."
"We'll talk with the Toa about him before deciding." Turaga Onewa replied as they approached his home, "And I'd like you to arrange transport for the injured, as we've decided to hold a vigil tomorrow night at the coliseum."
xXx
In Ta-metru, Vakama and Dume were met by Kapura and Aodhan, who listened intrigued then nodded and headed off to tell the other matoran, "It seems quiet without Takanuva and Jaller around." Vakama commented, while he and Dume sat on the bench nearest to the street that led to the furnaces.
Dume chuckled, "Takanuva will always be a matoran at heart." he replied, thinking of the last antic they had pulled with help from Lewa and Malie, "Roclas's mask when he realized it wasn't a Kanohi dragon chasing him." Vakama replied, trying to keep a serious expression on his mask and failing, as Dume's chuckle turned to laughter.
When the matoran joined the Turaga in the main square a while later, they bowed to them and waited for the other matoran to join them, several quietly talked with Turaga Dume and Vakama about what they'd seen the Hikaki doing.
xXx
Kopeke, Luhi and Ehrye were patiently waiting at the chute station for Turaga Nuju and bowed as he joined them, "Everyone is waiting in the square for you." Luhi was first to speak as they headed towards the main square.
Turaga Nuju nodded, then glanced at Ehrye, as he explained how the ice bats had been acting, "Another sign?" Luhi softly asked, as they approached the main square, Nuju sighed then confirmed what the matoran had guessed.
They quietly murmured then bowed to him, before standing with the other Ko-matoran who stopped talking amongst themselves and patiently waited for their Turaga to explain what he and the other Turaga had decided to do.
A murmur of anger briefly rippled through the crowd, when they heard what Ahkmou had done, then everyone listened intently as Nuju told them what Vakama had said about a vigil the following night and after bowing to their Turaga, everyone headed off to do their tasks.
xXx
Tehutti and Nuparu glanced up from the artefacts they were discussing, then bowed to Whenua as he joined them, "How are the Turaga, Rahaga and other matoran?" Nuparu asked, as they walked through the archives.
Pausing at the display near the main exit, Turaga Whenua glanced around at them, while other matoran looked on curiously as they carried on working, "The Turaga are making sure things are calm in their metru," then he smiled "If everyone here can pass the message on to meet in the square outside the archives and I'll explain what's happening."
The matoran nodded, carefully stacked and placed the artefacts they were working with and went to pass the message, Turaga Whenua, Tehutti and Nuparu were about to leave when they were joined by Onepu and Taipu, both looking a bit stunned, "A whole load of archive moles just streamed past us, completely ignoring me and Taipu!"
