(A/N): We're heading into the home stretch now, folks! Ten chapters left to tell this story, and every single one of them is gonna be packed to the gills with action, plot, and character moments! In this chapter and the next two, we're knocking out two tedious collect-a-thons in interesting and varied ways - we're grabbing all the Makoki stone pieces on the Toa and RWBY side of the story, and we're gathering up the Chronicler's Company on Penny and Takua's quest! Strap in, cause there's no brakes on this train! (Mostly because the characters in the Bionicle universe never invented the wheel…or rails…)
In any case, hope you enjoy!
Also! RWBY RETURNS WITH VOLUME 9 ON FEBRUARY 18TH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
"There!" Tahu cried triumphantly as the liberated Nui-Jaga scurried away into the drifts of lower Mount Ihu. "The Great Mask of Water-Breathing is mine. And that means - "
" - all the masks have been found," finished Pohatu with a triumphant grin.
Yang collapsed into a nearby snowbank with a loud sigh of exhaustion. "Freaking finally," she groaned. "After two weeks of running around the island collecting facewear, there's only three things I want right now. A hot bath, a fresh change of clothes, and to never see another mask buried in the ground ever again."
Neo flopped down on her side next to the blonde brawler, propping her head on an arm as she leaned on her elbow. She snapped her fingers and changed her appearance into that of a familiar black-haired Faunus, one that was making doe-eyes at Yang.
"…alright, fine, make that four things," she admitted, playfully pushing "Blake" away even as her partner's doppelganger leaned in with puckered lips. "Ew, no, get away, I'm not kissing you in a million years!"
The pair descended into their own giggles, while the Toa watched with smiles beneath their masks. A few days ago, Yang would have never imagined that she'd be working alongside the small mute woman who'd knocked her out on the train, let alone roughhousing with her like she was an older little sister. Then again, two weeks ago she never could have imagined that she'd be on an island populated by biomechanical beings, so maybe the island of Mata Nui just had a way of making the impossible happen.
Hopefully one of those "impossible" things includes a way back home.
Pushing aside the doubting darkness that lurked in her mind, Yang pulled out her Scroll and started typing excitedly. Neo snapped her fingers and shifted back to her usual form, claiming one of the brawler's arms as her own with a hug and a nuzzle.
She raised an eyebrow. "Huh, I never would have pegged you for a cuddlebug, Shortstack."
Neo blinked, as if she was hoping she wouldn't get caught, then pouted and looked away. After giving her unlikely ally some headpats, the blonde brawler sent a message to her team.
And that's mask number six for Big Red! We're finally done yaaaaaaay.
The replies came rolling in almost all at once.
Wooooo! :D
Ah, excellent.
Took you long enough to catch up with me. ;)
Not bad, Blondie.
Sensational! ^.^
Yang chuckled as Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Emerald, and Penny all celebrated in their success. She let pride in the accomplishment warm her heart a little bit, before she looked up at Tahu and Pohatu with a grin.
"So…" she said as she snuggled deeper into her bed of snow, "we've got all the masks. Now what?"
That single question seemed to take the wind out of both Toa's sails. They shared a glance, seemingly to see if the other had an answer, before they both turned to Yang and shrugged.
"Turaga Onewa didn't tell me anything that far ahead," admitted Pohatu, "and I didn't think to ask."
Tahu furrowed his brow behind the brand-new Kaukau. "My judgment upon arrival was…not the best."
"No worries, guys," reassured Yang. "Lemme just hit up the girls and see if they've got any ideas. One sec…"
Her tongue poked out of her lips as she concentrated on typing.
Hey so…our boys are stumped about what to do next. Any suggestions?
Ruby was the first to respond. Maybe you and Tahu should go and see Vakama? That's what Gali and I are doing - we're on our way back to Ga-Koro right now to talk to Nokama. Weiss and Kopaka left a little while ago to meet with Nuju, so maybe everyone else should do the same?
That does seem the most logical thing to do, agreed Blake. Onua had the same idea, so he and Lewa split not long after we found the latter's Pakari. We're underground right now; Emerald's with him up in the jungle.
Yeah, we're heading to Le-Koro right now, added Emerald. He actually seems…eager to go and talk with Matau this time. Hopefully this means he's actually gonna LISTEN.
That's good. Gods know his foolishness has caused enough trouble already…
Tell me about it, princess. :/
Excuse me! She's a QUEEN now! (llll]:D
…why does that one have a hamburger on its head?
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A CROWN BLAKE I'M TRYIMG MY BEST HERE
So the ice queen is an ACTUAL queen now, huh? Emerald seemed amused, if nothing else. Then what does that make you, the court jester? :P
Please, we all know that Ruby would be the royal baker.
You're both incorrect. Her official role in my court is lady-in-waiting. ;)
Oh my, how scandalous! :o
Weissssss you're making me bluuuuush! (O|||O)
It was…incredibly strange to see Weiss and Ruby using emojis in chat messages now, especially in reference to each other and their new relationship. Not that Yang was about to complain - she was proud of how her adorable little sister had bloomed into a new side of herself, and it was also heartwarming that the formerly-guarded heiress now felt comfortable and safe enough to let her hair down around them. Being able to act on her love for her own partner was one of Yang's best memories on the island of Mata Nui…she was glad that the other half of their team was able to say the same.
That said, now she knew how the others felt about her and Blake flirting publicly.
Come back to me, Weissssss. I miss youuuu. T_T
I'll come find you later, dolt. ^3^
Awwww, okaaaaaay. :( I'm gonna give you so many kisses though…
I look forward to each and every one. :)
Emerald clearly found the display less-than-heartwarming. Ugh, this is all so sweet I think I'm gonna puke. Is this what eating ten pounds of raw sugar feels like?
Yes :P
Of course you would know, Neo. -_-
This is so adorable to watch! I am very happy for you, Ruby and Weiss. ^.^
Where are you now, by the way Penny? asked Blake. Are you still in Ko-Koro with Takua?
No, he finished having his Vision an hour ago. We are…
There was a brief pause before Penny's next message.
Oh. I am sorry. I cannot actually say where I am or what I am doing. Takua says that it is better if as few people know that as possible, to minimize the chance of Makuta knowing it. In fact, it may be better if I turn off my Scroll, just to be safe. There is no telling whether or not he has found a way to tap into the location tracking software…and this is too important to risk being spied on. The Rahi are moving across the island to surround all the villages. Navigating will be dangerous enough without being tracked…
That seemed to break the spell over the little rose. Penny?…
Do not worry! I am safe, and I am not in danger! And even if I do get into trouble, I will be fine! I am combat-ready, after all, and I know how to help the Rahi. Hopefully I will see you soon, my friends. I love you all!
And then, after one final text containing a full rainbow of heart emojis, there was nothing but silence.
Neo and Yang both shared a silent look of concern. Penny was being…weirder than usual, and refused to say why. The rest of the girls asked questions with further messages, but the former Maiden gave no answer in the group chat. Clearly, she'd made good on her decision to turn off her Scroll, meaning that no one had any way to contact her remotely.
Blake, as usual, acted as the voice of reason within the group. We know Penny can handle herself, and we know that she's not alone. If there's one thing that Takua's good at, it's looking out for her. We just need to trust that she'll be okay….whatever she's doing.
I know. :( I'm still worried, though…
Me too, Ruby. Me too. :/
"Have you heard back from your allies yet?"
Yang almost jumped out of her snowbank at the sound of Tahu's voice, pulling her mind out of the conversation. "Oh! Yeah, sorry, got sidetracked. It looks like the other Toa are heading back to the villages, to meet up with their Turaga. Maybe they know what to do next." She decided to leave out the part about Penny going radio silent for now - no need to worry the Toa any further.
"Then Pebble and I shall take our own leave to seek out Onewa's guidance," said Pohatu as he bowed respectfully. "Farewell for now, brother Tahu and little sister Yang. Let us meet again with a plan of action."
Neo pushed herself out from the snowbank and curtseyed with the hem of a nonexistent dress. Yang snickered and did the same, then watched as the former assassin crawled onto the shoulders of her Toa of Stone. With one meaningful nod between the two, Pohatu activated his Mask of Speed and started his long run to Po-Koro in a bronze-gold blur of light. Given how close they were already to the great Mangai volcano, Tahu and his Huntress chose instead to venture towards Ta-Wahi at a swift but steady pace, taking in the snowy scenery as they walked.
"So…Lien for your thoughts?" she asked as they made their way across the icy tundra. "Or whatever the local currency here is. I get the sense that we're not rushing because you're in the mood to chat, so let's chat. What's on your mind, big guy?"
The Toa of Fire hummed thoughtfully, never stopping his march. "I am…confident in the abilities of myself and the other Toa, especially with all the Masks of Power in our possession. Still, I cannot help but privately fear somewhat for the task ahead, much as I loathe to admit."
"Well, at least you're being honest," said Yang with a nod. "Trusting your team is something every leader should be doing, so you're making progress on that front. And there's no shame in admitting that you're afraid - it's not a bad thing to be a little scared, especially when it's for someone else. Like my uncle says, 'being brave without being scared is just being stupid.' He liked saying that one a lot when Ruby and I were kids."
Tahu nodded. "I do not know what an 'uncle' is…but he sounds like a very wise human."
"Eh, he's got his moments," she admitted with a shrug.
"Should I ever find a way to visit your world, I would very much like to meet him."
The blonde brawler snorted. "He'd probably take up drinking again if he ever saw you."
"Drinking…what?" He raised an eyebrow. "Is that not something organic beings need to do anyways?"
Yang felt like that was a can of worms that was better kept sealed, so she shrugged and switched gears of thought. A frown overtook her face as a sour memory washed over her.
"I just hope he's alright," she said quietly. "Uncle Qrow, that is. Last we heard from him he was escorting Tyrian back to prison with Robyn and that smug Ace Ops guy, and we didn't see any of them while we were evacuating Atlas and Mantle. Ruby and I couldn't get in touch with him at all during the siege, so we've got no idea where he is…or if he even made it out."
The blonde brawler let out a heavy sigh. "Guess I'll find out one way or another when we get back…if we get back."
Tahu laid a hand on her shoulder. "If this Qrow person is even half as strong and tenacious as you, Yang, I am certain that he would have found a way to survive," he promised with firm conviction in his voice. "Through our travels you have proven to me time and again that humans are a resourceful and resilient species; not only have you built cities under siege of shadowy monsters, you have adapted remarkably well to a strange new world and aided us Toa in ways we could never have imagined. If defeating Makuta and awakening the Great Spirit does not provide you with a path to your home, then I will move the heavens and the earth to create one. You and your friends deserve nothing less than that, after all you have done for us. You will one day be reunited with your uncle, and your other friends. This, I swear with all my might."
Her smile came back as she clasped the Toa's arm with her own mechanical hand. "Thanks, Tahu. I appreciate the vote of confidence." Then she smirked. "You know…that almost sounded like an inspiring speech right there. I think you've got a pretty good handle on this whole 'being a leader' thing."
The Toa of Fire nodded, though he raised an eyebrow under his mask all the same. "I was not aware that giving such speeches was a requirement for leadership."
"It is if you ask Ruby. The kid loves her pep talks."
As they walked and talked, the icy fields of Ko-Wahi eventually gave way to the roaring fires and fresh lava flows of Ta-Wahi. It was a sight that Yang had grown to appreciate, even with its heat and obvious danger to non-biomechanical beings like herself. Only this time, as the pair made their way to the top of a cliff overlooking Ta-Koro, she found the view spoiled by something else. Something that set off her fight, flight, or freeze response all at once.
Rahi.
Lots and lots of Rahi.
Yang's muscles tensed up as she saw a sea of black and red and gray surrounding the village of fire. There were packs of raptor-like Hikaki flicking their tails in anticipation, swarms of glowing Hoto bugs scuttling and buzzing around, and even herds of Kane-Ra bulls snarling and blowing smoke out of their nostrils. Unlike the mass attack that she and her friends had repelled a few days ago, this army of darkness wasn't visibly on the move to assault Ta-Koro - and Yang wasn't sure if that made her feel less anxious or more.
"Just like Penny said," she muttered. "The Rahi are getting ready to attack all the villages as soon as we make a move on Makuta. And this time, they won't have us around to help."
"So they gather and wait for the call of their master," Tahu growled. "A disgraceful move on Makuta's part, to threaten the Matoran in their darkest hour when we are otherwise occupied…"
"Then we'll just have to make sure that we give their master hell on behalf of the little guys," said Yang. "No point in trying to bust through them now - think you can use that Mask of Speed to slip by before they notice us?"
The Toa of Fire hummed thoughtfully with a furrowed brow, before switching to his beak-like Miru. "I have a better idea. Climb onto my back, Yang."
She did as instructed, wrapping her bare arms around Tahu's neck with an excited grin as she guessed the Toa's plan. Sure enough, Tahu took a running start and leapt off the cliff, triggering his Mask of Levitation in mid-air to make himself and his passenger float. He pooled power into his palms and feet to summon gouts of flames from each limb, which gave him enough thrust to aim himself towards the village of fire and soar over the Rahi like a burning red comet.
"Man…" said the Huntress with a glib grin. "Lewa is gonna be so jealous you figured out how to fly before he did."
"Or he may immediately challenge me to an aerial race," said the Toa of Fire, clearly pleased with himself.
The pair set down inside the walls of Ta-Koro a moment later, landing in the center of the village. All around them the fiery villagers scrambled to transport and load ammo for lava launchers and magma mortars, while also passing out obsidian throwing disks and two-pronged crimson battle staves. The Ta-Matoran barely even reacted to the presence of their patron Toa touching down in their midst; their thoughts were solely on the coming battle and what they needed to do to survive.
At least they're taking more initiative than the folks in Atlas, thought Yang. Some people were out having picnics when the Grimm were battering against the hardlight shields…
Setting aside dark memories of the past, she shook her head and made her way to Vakama's hut alongside Tahu. The Turaga, who was consulting with Jaller just outside his office, looked over to them and bowed in reverence while the Guard Captain snapped a salute to the new arrivals. Yang smiled and returned the gesture to both, while the Toa of Fire simply nodded in greeting. Vakama shared a brief unspoken conversation with his lieutenant, then dismissed the yellow-masked Matoran and ushered both travelers into his dwellings.
"It is good to see the two of you again," he intoned as he stepped into his hut. "My time and attention is limited, but I will spare all that I can for you. I take it you have found all the great Kanohi?"
The red-armored giant nodded and ducked his head as he stepped inside. "I have, Turaga; I was the last among the Toa to do so. My brothers and I stand ready to fulfill our Duty and Destiny - point us in the direction of Makuta's lair, and we will see that his shadow darkens this island no longer."
The Turaga nodded, then turned to face Yang as she filed in behind Tahu. "And what of you? A fearsome foe awaits you and your allies should you join the fight, one unlike any you have seen on your world. Will you challenge it for our sakes, even though you stand to gain nothing from victory?"
She just smirked and slammed her fists together. "That's just it, sir - we've got everything to gain from this. If it means going home, me and the girls are ready to kick some masks. Preferably Makuta's."
A soft chuckle escaped the village elder's lips. "I suspected you would say that. Very well, I shall show you the way. The Makuta dwells deep within the island, in a place of darkness known only as Mangaia. To reach it, you must journey…here."
Vakama went over to the wall-sized map in his hut, one carved out of glass-like obsidian, and pointed at the center of the island with his firestaff. Yang and Tahu both stared in disbelief, confusion visible on their faces. The Huntress pulled out her Scroll and double-checked her notes, while her red-armored ally simmered silently in annoyance.
"…um." Yang was the first to find her voice. "Are you pulling my leg, old man? That's Kini-Nui. We've already been there, and we didn't see Makuta."
"That is because his lair lies beneath the Great Temple itself," explained the Turaga. "There are many entrances into Mangaia, located all around the island; all of them are either broken or sealed beyond our ability to open, save for this one. It is currently locked, but…there is a way to open it, one that you are now ready for."
His firestaff glowed dimly as he pulled it away from the map, pointing instead to a picture of…two circles, broken up into sections? Yang had no idea what she was looking at.
Tahu seemed similarly confused. "What is that?"
"This is a diagram of an ancient relic called the Makoki stone," said Vakama. "It is the key to unlocking the seal at Kini-Nui, which will allow you to travel into Mangaia, brave his defenses, and confront Makuta himself. Unfortunately, he knows this is the only way to access his realm, and so he has split the stone into six separate pieces and scattered them across the island - the first of his many safeguards to ensure he remains beyond the reach of the Matoran. To gain entry into his lair, each Toa must retrieve their own piece of the Makoki stone from within their Wahi. Only then will you well and truly be ready and able to face the darkness at its very heart."
Yang's irritation flared up. "Wait. Hang on. You're seriously sending all of us on another fetch quest right before the big fight? Are you really saying that we need to go into a dangerous place and collect some vaguely important artifact just to unlock the path forward?" She shifted her stance and folded her arms across her chest, rolling her eyes with a sharp scoff. "What is this, a video game trying to pad out the playtime? Next you'll be telling us that the only way to beat Makuta is to buy season passes and randomized loot boxes. Oh, sorry, surprise mechanics."
Tahu raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. "…though I do not understand all of her words, I am inclined to agree with Yang. Turaga, are you certain there is no other way into Mangaia? We have spent the last two weeks scouring the entire island for the Kanohi Masks of Power - surely that is proof enough that we are ready to face the Makuta? Why must we seek out these stone pieces, if we are already at our most powerful?"
Vakama merely shook his head. "Power alone is meaningless unless it is tempered by both wisdom and valor. You will need the former to know how best to use your abilities, and the latter to use them at all in the face of danger. Retrieving and assembling the Makoki stone will not only give you access to Makuta himself, it will also test your mastery of both your Kanohi masks and your elemental powers. The Master of Shadows has assigned some of his most cunning challenges and fiercest foes to guard the fragments; should you succeed, you will prove beyond all shadow of doubt that you are prepared for what lies ahead."
At the crestfallen expressions of the pair, he smiled hopefully. "Rest assured that this is no mere errand. When you and the other Toa gather at Kini-Nui with the Makoki fragments in hand, you will be rewarded with a new power - one that will give you a much-needed edge in the coming battle. And furthermore, you will not need to search for your pieces as you did with your Masks of Power. With my guidance, you will know precisely where to seek it out, and how to reach it."
That seemed fair enough for the Toa of Fire, who sighed in a puff of smoke. "Very well. Where can we find this Makoki stone?"
The Turaga once more pointed his firestaff to the carved map along his wall, this time burning a mark into a valley against the side of the biggest volcano. "You must venture to the ruins of Ta-Kini, the Temple of Fire, on the hottest edge of the burning Mangai. It was constructed centuries ago in your honor as a place of worship, where we once gathered to pray for the arrival of the Toa…before it became a haven for Makuta's beasts. Be cautious when entering; time and endless flows of fresh lava have turned the floor into a swirling pit of magma, one that can prove fatal even to the Ta-Matoran. You will find your Makoki stone fragment within the main hall. Retrieve it quickly, but not recklessly."
Yang pointed her Scroll at the map and snapped a picture with a flash and a click. "Alright…sounds like a plan. Find a rock piece, go to Kini-Nui, beat up Makuta, and maybe go home. Got anything else for us?"
Vakama seemed extremely glad that she asked. "There is one more thing," he intoned as he shuffled over to a nearby table, digging into a stack of metal plates. "I have a very special gift for you and your friends, Yang, one I spent the last several days tirelessly forging. The battle ahead of you is fiercer than any you have faced on Mata Nui thus far, and I will not send you into such danger empty-handed."
She smirked and stepped closer, watching the Turaga rummage through protodermis scraps. "Ooh, what is it? No wait, don't tell me - you guys finally figured out how to make guns? You found some Dust deposits hidden away? Am I getting close with my guesses?"
The village elder chuckled. "Not quite. Your handheld cannons and elemental powders still elude even my smiting skills…but with this at your side, you shall require neither."
Yang's comment died in her throat as Vakama finally pulled out an eighteen-inch-wide metal disk and set it on the table between them, one with a sharpened edge and a golden finish to complement its silvery sheen. It was the same size and shape as the weapons she'd seen Matoran use all across the island, but instead of bearing a solid color or a painted copy of the wearer's mask in the middle circle, this throwing disk proudly boasted the image of a flaming yellow heart at its core. She reached forward and picked up the offering with trembling fingers, marveling both at how light and balanced it felt in her hands as well as the craftsmanship on display.
"Do you recall how, during your battle with the Kanohi Dragon, you and your team managed to pry out a single metallic fang?" She could hear the smile in the elder's voice as he explained his work in pride. "That trophy contained a very rare alloy known as protosteel, a material with unparalleled durability and an edge so sharp it can cut through nearly anything. It took some effort, but I was able to melt that fang down and use its metal to create six very special throwing disks, each one forged and decorated specifically for you and the other Huntresses. I have already sent Kapura to deliver the remaining pieces to my fellow Turaga, on the way to his next destination - they will present them to your friends on my behalf when the Toa return to their own villages, as you and Tahu did."
The Turaga guided Yang's good hand to a special ridge along the edge, closing her fingers around a shaped handle molded into the metal itself. "There is another feature that makes these disks special, beyond the protosteel used to create them. They are capable of channeling and receiving your Aura; bind your energies to one and focus before you throw it, and not only will it fly swiftly and strike true, it will always find its way back to your hand. They can also serve as handheld shields, allowing you to protect against attacks that your Auras could not withstand alone, to say nothing of their utility as close-combat weapons. Of course, whether or not you use them is up to you…but regardless, may they serve as a reminder of your time in Mata Nui, and of the lives here that you have changed for the better."
Yang stared at the disk - her disk, complete with her own personal Huntress emblem lovingly painted into the center - and flipped it over in her hands several times, tears welling up in her lavender eyes. "I…I don't know what to say, Vakama. What else can I say, except thank you? Thank you for the new weapon, thank you for taking us in…thank you for thinking of us."
"You and your kind have done much for us, Yang Xiao Long," answered Vakama with a proud smile. "We seek only to repay at least some of that debt, in whatever way we can. If you have any rituals for taking a new weapon as a Huntress, feel free to do them now."
The blonde brawler nodded slightly, humming thoughtfully. "Well, back home there's only two things we do when breaking in a new weapon. The first thing we do is practice reinforcing it with our Aura, which I can do on my own later. The second thing we do is give it a name." She looked over to Vakama. "Hmm…doesn't feel right to just give her a Remnant name. You wouldn't happen to have a Matoran word that means something like 'sun,' would you? Or 'star?'"
Vakama nodded sagely. "The word you seek is 'akuavo.' Roughly translated, it means 'by the light which allows me to see.' It is a term from ancient times, when the Matoran were more prosperous and the Great Spirit lived and breathed alongside us, but nowadays it refers to any celestial body that serves to guide others with its brilliance."
Yang grinned and hugged the disk to her chest. "Then from now on, I'll call her that. Akuavo."
The Turaga seemed to glow with pride. "A most fitting appellation. May she serve you well, Yang."
Wiping the tears from her eyes before she could fully break down crying, Yang pulled out a spare magnet (for backup weapon storage) and clipped it to the back of her overalls, mounting the newly-christened disk between her shoulders. Akuavo fit snugly and hung lightly from her new home, as if the weapon had always belonged there. She had seen some Matoran store their own disks in such a way, using hooks or slings built into their backplates, and now she could see why. It felt comforting, having something to protect her back, as well as having something she could easily reach to draw and throw in one smooth motion.
"Alright then," she said as she looked up at the Toa of Fire. "You up for one more adventure together, Big Red?"
Tahu nodded. "I am. We will do our sworn Duty, Turaga…with your blessing."
Vakama's eyes twinkled behind his mask as he bowed. "May Mata Nui smile on you and your brothers, Toa Tahu. A great battle lies ahead for all of us, but I have faith that we will all endure to face our Destiny. And Yang Xiao Long…should this be our last meeting before you return to your world, know that it has been an honor to have you in this one. If you and your friends can brave the Makuta, then I am certain that you will find similar success against your Salem. Remember us as you go forth…and walk safely in the light."
The blonde brawler smiled and gave a bow of her own, once again forcing back tears. "Thanks for everything, Vakama. I'll be thinking of you, and everything you've done for us. I swear…I'll do everything in my power to make sure that you won't have to worry about Makuta anymore. I promise."
"I know that you will. Wherever you go, may wisdom and valor go with you. Farewell."
After that, the pair solemnly took their leave. Yang was extremely proud that she managed to keep herself from crying until after she and Tahu had left Ta-Koro one final time.
"You gave him the list?"
"I did."
"And he's on his way here?"
"As soon as he recruits Kopeke, yes. He said so himself."
Jaller narrowed his eyes as he looked around the main square of Ta-Koro, watching Tahu and Yang grow more distant in the ash-gray sky. "Hmph. Forgive me for being skeptical of that, Kapura."
"You were also skeptical of my practicing," noted the unusual Guardsman as he kept one hand on an anxious-looking Ussal crab. "Yet I have mastered the art of moving great distances by moving very slowly. Perhaps you should have more faith in the unknown mysteries of Mata Nui, Captain. You may just be rewarded."
"We'll see," said the veteran Ta-Matoran tersely. "I'd rather put my faith in what I know for sure."
"Then can you truly call it faith?"
Jaller groaned inwardly. How could someone as slow-bodied as Kapura be so quick-witted in other ways?
A call from a scout stationed along the wall interrupted their conversation as she called down to them, her obsidian Matatu peering over the edge.
"Captain! The cable car is on its way back! Three passengers - a Ko-Matoran, a Ta-Matoran, and one of those humans!"
Grateful for the distraction, he responded with a tight nod and a salute. "Send them down here as soon as they arrive, Kalama. The faster they're on their way again, the better."
Kalama snapped a salute of her own, then disappeared back over the wall. Moments later, a trio of visitors came down the stairs and entered the courtyard. The Captain instantly recognized Takua - he'd know that red, yellow, and blue color scheme anywhere - as well as the tall human with burnt-orange hair that followed him. To his surprise (and relief) he also saw a Ko-Matoran walking with the pair, the white of his torso and arms contrasting with the deep icy-blue of his Komau, legs, and eyes.
He wasn't exactly happy to see the Chronicler…but someone else obviously was.
The Ussal crab chittered excitedly and instantly took off running with the cart still in tow, clearly intent on barreling over the strange Ta-Matoran. Takua grinned and held out his arms to let the impact happen, laughing as a long tongue slithered out and started licking him as the crab pinned him to the floor. Penny giggled and started giving the Rahi scratches behind the eyestalks, which drew out a noise that almost sounded like a purring feline. Jaller shared one look with Kapura, who seemed quite vindicated, then sighed and moved to approach the newcomers.
"Hah…haha…good to see you too, Pewku!" Takua kept laughing even as he pulled himself to his feet. "Don't worry, I don't plan on leaving you again anytime soon. You didn't give Kapura any trouble, did you, old girl?"
"She was reluctant to allow my approach at first," said the slow-footed Ta-Matoran as he and Jaller came closer. "But then I showed her your pack as instructed, and her attitude changed entirely. She was quite eager to go after that."
"Aww, she must have missed us!" Penny cooed as she kept scratching the crustacean's metallic carapace. "I certainly missed you, Pewku. You are such a good girl, yes you are! Oh, who is a good girl? It is our Pewku girl!"
The Ussal crab squealed in delight, cooing under all the praise and affection. Jaller cleared his throat and stomped his foot, and soon everyone - even Pewku - stood at attention to face him.
"Kopeke, good to see you again," said the Captain with a nod to the Ko-Matoran. "Glad you're on board with the mission."
Though Kopeke said nothing, his ice-blue eyes spoke volumes alone. Satisfied with the response, Jaller turned to the other travelers and continued. "Kopeke sent word of your findings up in the North March, and he's been a stalwart ally to both his own village and ours. You'll be in good hands with him."
"I have no doubt about that," said the human with a smile. Then her eyes deepened in regret. "I am sorry that we could not save your scouts, though…"
"It's not your fault," reassured Jaller. "They knew what they signed up for when they took that position. We'll honor them properly once this is all over. And as for you, Takua…"
He looked at the former Ta-Matoran, whose yellow gaze beneath a blue Pakari didn't meet his own. The sight hardly filled him with confidence.
"…try to live long enough to write down whatever happens next. It'll be a pain to find someone else Koli-headed enough to be a Chronicler."
With that, the Captain turned and started to walk away. There were a million other things he needed to do right now, and saying goodbye to an exiled Ta-Matoran wasn't one of those tasks -
"Jaller, wait."
…or maybe it was. He stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Look, I get it," said the Chronicler with a sigh. "You're mad at me. And to be honest, I don't blame you one bit. If any other Matoran did half of what I've been allowed to get away with, I'd probably hate their mask too. Even if they gave every possible excuse for why, or what they were thinking…and especially if they hurt me trying to save me."
His brow furrowed behind his yellow Hau. Did he…actually remember what he'd done? Had he regained his lost memories? The cynical part of his mind still wondered if the amnesia angle was just a ruse, that he hadn't forgotten anything at all and was just trying to get sympathy after getting thrown out. If it was all a trick, Jaller would make sure he never lied again - with force.
But if it wasn't…?
He could hear Takua's feet shuffling against the cobblestone floor of Ta-Koro. "I…I remember everything now," he continued, his voice tight and small. "What we've been through together, what I said and what I did…and what got me banished. I won't apologize for breaking village law to go and summon the Toa, but I am sorry that I wasn't a very good friend to you in the process. You gave me more chances to prove myself than any other Ta-Matoran ever did…more than Vakama, even, and I threw it all away like it never mattered to me. I hope that when this is all over, you can forgive me for that and so much more…and maybe, we can start over, if you want. Assuming we both live, of course - which is definitely something I plan to do."
Glowing yellow eyes blinked in surprise. An apology? From Takua, of all people? An admission of what he'd done wrong, and a promise to do better? Jaller had seen a lot of strange sights in the last thousand years, but this was certainly something he'd never expected.
Then again…maybe the blame didn't rest entirely on the Chronicler's shoulders. Maybe Jaller should have stood up for him more, should have supported him and his crazy plan instead of being an obstacle for him to overcome. Maybe his reluctance to do anything besides survive in this dark world had blinded him to the possibility of a better and brighter life, one that Takua alone had the courage to see. Because at the end of it all, his former friend had been right. He did manage to find a way to summon the Toa, to whom Ta-Koro owed its continued existence, and they'd all rewarded him with exile and shame.
Turaga Vakama always says that it's a lot easier to forgive someone for being wrong than it is for being right, he thought to himself. Thing is, I don't know which one applies here.
Takua seemed to accept his pensive silence as an answer in its own right, because Jaller heard a grunt of exertion as the Chronicler pulled himself up onto Pewku. The sound of two more Matoran clambering into the cart soon followed, as well as a soft whisper from Penny that was meant for her friend's audio receptors only. But there was a very good reason that the Captain didn't turn back around, because even though he wore a mask, there was something he didn't want anyone else to see.
A proud smile.
"Thank you, Chronicler," he said, back still facing him and his company. "Hold out at Kini-Nui for as long as you can. As soon as we've confirmed that Ta-Koro is safe, I'll personally lead every Guardsman I can muster to reinforce you."
"Looking forward to it," said the Chronicler resolutely. "Good luck out there, Captain."
As the Ussal crab chittered and scurried away, pulling the smooth-bottomed cart along behind her, Jaller's parting words came a moment too late to be heard.
"You too…friend."
"There it is. I can see Onu-Kini down at the bottom of this chasm. Are you ready, Blake?"
The feline Faunus tore her gaze away from the newest addition to her arsenal - a metal disk with a purple belladonna flower painted in the center - and nodded to Onua. He nodded back and changed masks from his lens-bearing Akaku to the beak-like Mask of Levitation, waiting for her to stow the disk and climb onto his shoulders before he stepped off the ledge and dropped feet-first into the underground ravine. When he was halfway down he triggered the power of his Kanohi Miru, enveloping him in a field of gravity-reducing energy that slowed his descent. Blake held on tightly with both arms around his neck, feeling her stomach rise into her chest and her knuckles turn white as she held on for dear life.
"Have you given any more thought to what you wish to name your new weapon?" asked the Toa of Earth, likely in an attempt to take her mind off the fact that they were in semi-controlled freefall.
"Krahkava," she answered with a terse nod. "If I understand the Matoran language correctly, kra- is a prefix that means 'shadow,' while kava describes something that's quick and nimble. I felt it was appropriate to give her a name that represented both her wielder, and the culture she came from."
Onua gave a thoughtful hum as he slowly nodded, emerald eyes focusing behind his mask as he leaned to steer on the way down. "A fine name for a fine weapon. Use her well, Blake, and have her ready. Whenua warned us of a shapeshifting Rahi lying in wait within the temple - be on your guard once we are inside."
Blake nodded once more. "Right…because I guess giant mechanical bulls and rats were a little too subtle for Makuta this time around."
"These Makoki stone fragments are the key to accessing Makuta's lair. It is not difficult to believe that his most common beasts would be ill-suited to the task of protecting them. Ready yourself, we are coming in to land."
The Toa of Earth stretched out his claws as he gently touched down on an extended steel platform, which led to what Blake could only describe as a massive pig-iron pyramid. Half its sloped, weathered structure was embedded in the ravine wall, while the other half hung precariously over a distant river of lava that burned with a faint golden glow. A pair of ancient amber lightstones flickered in their mounts along the wall, barely illuminating a huge doorway.
A doorway that was suspiciously wide open.
"Why do I feel like this is a trap?" Blake asked as she hopped off Onua's back.
"Because it most certainly is," he answered with a furrowed brow, switching back to his preferred Pakari. "And we have no course of action but to spring it. Shall we?"
She gave a tight nod, her ears fully open and on alert. "Ready when you are, Onua."
With one single nod the Huntress and the Toa entered Onu-Kini itself, the former's hands never straying far from her weapons while the latter kept his claws raised and poised to strike. An empty and silent central chamber was all that greeted them inside; Blake's amber eyes quickly scanned her surroundings to reveal that the room was over a hundred feet wide in a perfect octagon, with walls that stretched up twenty feet high before sloping inward to match the pyramid outside. Various relics and tools from better days lay strewn around in various states of disrepair, murals painted on the walls depicted the Toa of Earth in various battles and legends, and the floor itself was tiled with black and gray slates that formed beautiful mosaics. Not that the artwork put either visitor at ease; beyond the weathered lightstone-bearing chandeliers hanging from long rusted chains, the chamber was dark and cold and emotionally oppressive.
The feline Faunus narrowed her gaze as she looked at the cluttered ground, drawing Gambol Shroud and experimentally poking the unshattered half of an urn. "Oh…fun. Lots of stuff for our mystery guest to hide as."
Onua hummed thoughtfully, switching once again to his Mask of Vision. "Indeed. Let us find the Makoki stone quickly then, before it reveals itself. I will see if the walls hide any secrets; if you could patrol and search for the fragment yourself, I would be most grateful."
Blake nodded and waited tersely as her taller counterpart swept his lenses over the cluttered antechamber, her own amber gaze glaring at the shadows as they danced along the walls. Her grip on Gambol Shroud tightened until her knuckles were white as snow, her ears turned on swivels to face each sudden sound warily, and every fiber of muscle was coiled and ready to pounce on whatever monster jumped out at them. But no such creature appeared to ambush them, which only made the knot in her stomach grow tighter with each moment spent waiting in anticipation and each second spent searching.
It was during this episode of heightened anxiety that her Faunus senses picked up on an unusual sight: the overhead lanterns themselves.
She had never seen lightstones that shone blue before, but that wasn't what piqued her curiosity. What did get her attention was how one of them - the one in the center of the entire chamber - had something else sitting in the cylindrical metal cage, something that almost went unnoticed in the thin line between darkness and light. A quick channeling of the Kanohi Akaku let her see the hidden object in greater detail; to her delight she noticed that the mysterious object was a palm-sized chunk of stone, one that had several faces that were sharp and jagged and several that were curved and smooth.
In other words, it looked exactly like one of the diagram pieces Whenua had shown the pair.
The oldest trick in the book, she mentally remarked with a smirk. Hiding the treasure in plain sight.
She toggled off the channeled mask power with a thoughtful hum, debating to herself the best way to retrieve the Makoki stone piece. Her first instinct was to grapple up with Gambol Shroud and snatch the keystone shard, but she reminded herself that there was still a shapeshifting Rahi somewhere in the temple - and she wouldn't put it past Makuta to try and disguise his beast as the chandelier holding the stone, or even as a false copy of the stone itself. She considered shattering the chain with an Aura slash or a well-placed bullet, but both of those were resources she was hoping to conserve for the final battle she knew awaited her. As she kept weighing her options, her hand made a decision for her; slowly she drew Krahkava off her back, staring down at the metal throwing disk with a pensive stare.
Turaga Whenua said that if I bind my Aura to this disk, she'll hit whatever I focus on, thought Blake as she looked between Krahkava and her target. Let's see if that works…
She locked her eyes on the chain holding up the lantern, drew her arm back, and flung the disk with all her might. Her ears flattened in dismay when the flying metal plate missed the mark by a hair, only for her Faunus features to perk up again when Krahkava bounced off the back walls and sheared through rusted links on the return flight. The disk returned to her hand with a satisfying heft and weight; the lantern hovered in midair for just a moment before it came clattering down, ancient steel shattering as soon as it made forceful contact with the ground.
Yep, I'd say it works.
"Blake?" Onua's rumbling voice almost made her jump out of her skin. "I heard a loud crash. Is everything alright?"
"You tell me," said the feline Faunus as she sifted through the shattered chandelier with her sword, eventually fishing out the Makoki stone when she was certain it wouldn't transform in her hand. It felt cool and slightly metallic to the touch, slightly heavier than she expected, and it seemed to vibrate with inexplicable energy. Blake could only guess that the jagged edges along its rough faces were made to slot into similar recesses on the other pieces, so that the entire keystone would form an orb when assembled.
She showed her prize to her taller ally. "This is what we're looking for, right?"
The Toa of Earth turned to face her, focusing the lenses of his Mask of Vision on the piece before nodding in approval. "I believe it is, yes. Excellent work, Blake. Now let us leave before - "
GRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAA.
The peaceful silence was shattered by the sound of rushing wind filtered through worn-down gears, like the gasp of a beast yearning to breathe. Every hair on Blake's ears stood on end as she felt the ground beneath them shift and separate, some sections rising while others dipped downward. And as all of Onu-Kini rumbled and roared around them, the feline Faunus was struck by one horrifying revelation.
That shapeshifting Rahi's not hiding in the temple, she thought with a grimace. It is the temple!
She tucked the Makoki stone piece into her leafy satchel and looked at the entrance gate, which was predictably sliding back down to seal them in. "Onua! We need to go, now!"
Thankfully the Toa of Earth came to the same conclusion, because he'd already swapped to the Mask of Speed and rushed toward the exit with Blake in tow. The pair shot out of the collapsing room and soared across the ravine, digging their claws and blades into the earthen walls to anchor themselves. After wordlessly nodding to each other, they looked over their shoulders to see the exposed metal plates of "Onu-Kini" open up and expand into half of a fanged maw, four huge spider-like legs, and blood-red eyes that burned with hunger.
"Great, another giant monster that's trying to kill us!" groaned Blake. "Why can't this island ever have anything cute and fuzzy for once?"
Onua didn't answer - the Rahi shifting one of its limbs into a massive blade proved to be more important than the current conversation. He and Blake leapt in opposite directions to avoid the leg crashing down to cleave through them; the Toa of Earth grabbed the opposite wall and burrowed into its depths, while the feline Faunus took a more aggressive approach. She jumped off a midair Shadow and landed carefully on the edge of the Rahi's leg, slashing experimentally as she ran towards the main body. To her complete lack of surprise, the temple's thick metallic walls now formed the skin of the beast - or was it the other way around? - and not even Aura-infused slashes left so much as a scratch mark. Still, it got the job done of keeping the monster's attention on her, instead of on the Toa tunneling into the wall with a clear plan in mind.
Whatever you're gonna do, you'd better do it fast! Blake thought with a tight frown. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do against…whatever the hell this thing is!
As if he could read her mind, the Toa of Earth reappeared above the beast and slammed his claws into the wall, emerald eyes blazing with fury behind his Pakari. The Rahi turned to face him and greeted him with a guttural growl, which seemed to only fuel the silent rage of the elemental warrior. The ravine shook and shuddered as the earth began to crumble overhead, raining down rubble that bounced off the creature's armored hide.
"Onua, wait!" she called out again, flipping in the air to avoid a slashing leg with the compacted mass of a small house. "That thing's made of metal - you won't be able to break it with your element!"
"I have no intention of breaking the beast itself!" he shouted back as he narrowed his eyes. "Only the earth around it! You need to get clear, Blake!"
What? How would that - ?
Oh.
Oh.
Blake grappled to safety as she watched trails of green lines burn their way through the ravine wall, cutting around the half of the beast still embedded in the earth itself. Too late the Rahi realized Onua's gambit, and no matter how rapidly it tried to shift its mass to stay balanced, the rocks and stone that anchored it still withered away and pulled apart. A deafening metal roar escaped its maw as it tried and failed to dig its legs into the other side of the chasm, only to slide down like a cat with one claw stuck in a curtain. After a few moments of fighting gravity, its own weight, and the Toa's elemental mastery, it lost its grip and fell away with a piercing metallic wail.
She almost felt sorry for the beast as it plunged into the river of lava far, far down below.
…almost.
The feline Faunus let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding, then swung on the ribbon of Gambol Shroud to rejoin Onua. She just clung to the wall for a moment as she let her ally catch his own breath, neither of them in the mood to talk about what they'd just seen. Finally, she broke the silence with a small, tight whisper.
"Think it's too much to hope that the lava finished it off?"
"Oh, it most certainly yet lives," panted the Toa of Earth. "But seeing how it awakened only to feed on us, its first visitors in centuries, I do not think it will be a concern for us going forward. I wonder, though…if this creature disguised itself as my temple, what happened to the original Onu-Kini?"
Blake looked down at the distant river of lava with a small frown. "I think we can guess."
Onua gave a small grunt and furrowed his brow, but said nothing. The feline Faunus felt the urge to give some words of comfort, but what could she even say? How do you comfort someone who'd just witnessed Makuta's callous destruction of history, someone appalled by the enemy's willingness to desecrate sacred sites just to pull a trick on unsuspecting visitors? How many Matoran had come here to pray for their Toa's arrival, only to find themselves in the literal belly of the beast? And how many centuries of culture and identity - something that the islanders clung to like a lifeline in a storm - now lay at the bottom of a bed of magma?
She didn't know what to say. She might have never known what to say.
But whatever words Onua needed to hear, he clearly managed to tell them to himself.
"…we have what we came for," he finally rumbled brusquely. "Let us depart, and put a stop to Makuta's madness once and for all."
Blake nodded and, after checking to make sure the Makoki stone was still in her satchel, leapt onto Onua's back as he righted himself. She wrapped her arms tightly around his armored neck, settling in as he began the long, long climb back up the ravine. Her mind wandered beyond the underground caverns of Onu-Wahi, and she found herself torn between hoping to never see another tunnel in her life and wishing she didn't have to leave at all.
Tamaru heaved a sigh as he paced once more around the great tree that held Le-Koro in its branches high above, running his turquoise knuckles across its ancient bark. He couldn't help but be disappointed at his current situation; while his fellow leaf-runners were on scouting duty and his Gukko-riding friends were roaming the skies, he was stuck down on the ground floor, as far away from the action as possible. Oh sure, Turaga Matau had said that this was a very important task, that guarding the roots was a job he was uniquely qualified for, but he saw his current assignment for what it really was.
A way to keep him and his stupid fear of heights out of everyone else's way.
It sounded ridiculous when said out loud. A Le-Matoran afraid of heights? That was like a Ta-Matoran who feared open flames, or a Ga-Matoran being scared of the ocean. But no matter how much Tamaru tried to rationalize it, he couldn't shake the paralysis that came from being too high off the ground, or the vertigo, or the shaking, or the cold chill of coming death. It took him centuries to be able to leaf-run without looking down - and even then he slipped up a few times, in every sense of the word.
So he understood why the Turaga had chosen to give him an assignment that required being on the ground, when the biggest battle of all would soon come to the skies of Le-Koro.
That didn't mean he had to like it, though.
A loud crack from the tree got his attention, and he whirled to face it while drawing both rectangular blades off his back. He lowered his guard, however, when he was confronted not by a fearsome Rahi bursting out of the wood, but rather a Taku digging its beak into the bark in search of worms. Tamaru sighed, stowed his swords, and reached out with a berry from his pack. The little bird instantly chirped and hopped onto his arm, perching on his metallic wrist and pecking at the offering made in the interest of friendship.
"Oh, how I wish I was like you, little brave-bird," he bemoaned to his new companion. "So graceful in the sky, soaring unafraid with no thought to the hard-fall waiting for you should you fail. Why, if I didn't have this silly heights-fear, I might be able to do the same, and then I wouldn't be stuck down-root during this dark-time."
Tamaru heaved a sigh as he looked up mournfully. "Le-Koro is my home-tree as well; I would very-much like to fight for it with my friends, too."
"Perhaps that can be arranged, friend!"
He let out another sharp cry as a female voice rang out, and Tamaru realized that in his moodiness he'd completely failed to notice the new arrivals. Two Ta-Matoran, a Ko-Matoran, an Ussal crab, and a familiar human girl all approached the great tree, most of them riding on a cart pulled by their crustacean companion. It was a good thing they weren't the dangerous sort of Rahi - if they were, it would mean that he'd failed at the one job the Turaga had asked him to do, and that would have only worsened his plummeting sense of self-esteem.
"Ah, story-keeper and Rahi-tamer," he said to the newcomers with a wave of his non-bird-bearing hand. "Welcome back to the deep-woods. I see you come with new-friends as well…honored to meet you, travelers."
"Salutations, Tamaru!" Penny said with a salute. "It is good to see you again, and it is good to be back in Le-Wahi!"
"Speak for yourself," grumbled Takua. Then he looked around. "You're down here all alone? Where's the rest of the village?"
"All the other Le-Matoran are uptree," he explained. "They're flying defense against the Rama-swarmers that trickle in from the main dark-force. High-branch home is locked and protected now. Downtree guard am I, set here because… I fly not."
He didn't elaborate further, but a quick glance between the adventuring party told him that they already guessed his weakness. Nevertheless, Penny smiled as she and Takua approached him, kneeling alongside the Chronicler as he cleared his throat.
"Well, the Turaga have been in talks with one another," said Takua, "and they've tasked us with setting up a defense force to be stationed at Kini-Nui. Our job will be to protect the Toa from the rear when they go to face Makuta - he plans to set his Rahi on the great temple itself, just like he's going to launch mass attacks against the villages themselves. It's gonna be dangerous, and it won't be easy, but Jaller and Matau both recommended you for your courage, your agility, and your skill with the blades. Tamaru of Le-Koro…will you join the Chronicler's Company?"
Tamaru's eyes widened behind his pale green Rau. "Turaga Matau…recommended me?"
"That is what Vakama told the Captain of the Guard," said the other Ta-Matoran from his spot in the cart. "Yours is the name we were given, and the one we were told to seek out."
"Emerald speaks very highly of you as well," added Penny with a sweet, sweet smile. "She says that she would not be half the leaf-runner she is now without your guidance. You are very brave, Tamaru; we would be honored to have you come with us."
The fearful little Le-Matoran was silent for a long moment, almost as silent as the icy villager staring at him. He was still reeling over the idea that someone had thought of him for a task as important as this, and that both the Chronicler and his human friend would go out of their way to recruit him among all the other brave jungle-dwelling warriors. While at first he was tempted to think of this as yet another way that his own people wanted to keep him out of the way, he quickly disregarded the idea; what battle could be more important than guarding the backs of the Toa themselves, at the holiest of holy places on the island of Mata Nui?
Maybe this was why Matau had truly put him down here, so that he would be ready to join with Takua and Penny on their quest.
"Yes, yes, join you I will!" he said excitedly. "High-branch home safely guarded, no Rahi approach through brush, only from sky! I am Tamaru, high-fly Vinesman and deepwood leaf-runner! Of great help to you can I be!"
Takua smiled behind his mask. "Glad to have you! Go ahead and take a seat with Kapura and Kopeke back in the cart. Pewku will make sure that it's a smooth ride, won't you girl?"
The crab chittered and chirped in praise, her eyestalks wavering and watching Tamaru clamber into the cart between his fiery red and icy-blue counterparts. Penny joined all three of them a moment later, as did the little Taku bird that he'd befriended.
"It would seem we have recruited two additional members instead of one," said the Ta-Matoran with a soft chuckle.
"Indeed, Kapura!" giggled Penny. "Tamaru, does your little friend have a name?"
He hummed thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled. What better name for a little fearless bird than the root Matoran word for "courage?"
"Yes, yes she does. Aki shall wind-fly with us to victory!"
Takua chuckled as he saddled up onto Pewku, and the Chronicler's Company departed with two new members.
For the first time in a long time, Tamaru didn't feel afraid.
"Ready, Pebble? Got everything locked down?"
Neopolitan double-checked that Hush was mounted tightly to her back, pressed between her shoulders and the newest addition to her arsenal. The metal throwing disk - the one she'd decided to name "Shusano," which Pohatu had said meant "silent precision" - clung snugly and protectively to its magnetic clip, proudly bearing the triple tomoe painted in the center that matched her own personal emblem. Once she confirmed that her weapons were secured, she gave a thumbs-up to the Toa of Stone.
"Excellent," said Pohatu with a smile behind his mask. "We'll need to pick up speed and launch ourselves at the crumbling ruins of Po-Kini, which lies on an isle of unstable sandstone out at sea. Wouldn't want you losing anything on the flight over, Pebble. Climb on up when you're ready - and make certain you hold on tightly."
She nodded tightly and did just that, looping her arms around the armored titan's neck. Once she signaled Pohatu he hummed thoughtfully and faced the east horizon, extending one black two-fingered hand and lining it up with a distant sandstone pyramid. The Toa of Stone double-checked his angle of approach, crouched low to the ground, triggered the power of his Mask of Speed…
And ran.
A silent cackle escaped her lips as she and Pohatu sped across the desert. Hills of tan and skies of blue became little more than colored blurs, the wind whipped through her long pink-brown hair, and her insides felt like jelly in the best way possible. The edge of the island (and the known world) came at them at an alarming rate, but the Toa of Stone didn't slow down. He kept going.
"Here comes the jump! Get ready, Pebble!"
The Toa and his passenger rocketed off the cliff at a sharp upward angle, their momentum carrying them across the sky like pink-and-brown projectiles. Neo felt her stomach rise into her chest as they soared over the churning sea below, her hair whipping behind her as gravity released its grip on her and her partner for one glorious moment. Eventually they came back down as the side of Po-Kini rushed to meet them, and at the speed they were going they would have been reduced to very squishy pancakes. But Pohatu switched to his Hau in the nick of time, activating an amber shield of pure energy just before impact.
CRAAAAAAAASHHHHH!
Bits of marble and sandstone and other valuable rocks showered over the pair as they crashed through the temple wall, shattered both by the impact with the Mask of Shielding and by Pohatu's own control over the element. Neo held on tightly as the Toa of Stone finally skidded to a halt, digging his armored feet into the floor to slow himself down. When both of them finally managed to get their breath back, they laughed together in both disbelief and relief; Pohatu's hearty chuckle may have been louder, but her own silent giggles were just as potent and genuine.
"Hah…hah…that's one way to get inside a sealed temple!" Pohatu grinned beneath his mask as he looked at the Toa-shaped doorway he'd just made. "I realize fun isn't something we usually consider, but that was quite an enjoyable method!"
Rumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumble…
Neo stopped laughing when she felt bits of stone fall from the ceiling and bounce off her skull. Pohatu's own amusement seemed to die as well, but it wasn't until the floor started to sprout a sudden spider web of fractures that he truly began to question his life choices.
"…then again, perhaps this wasn't the best method after all."
CRAAAAAACK! CRUUUUNCH!
A massive chunk of one corner suddenly split apart under its own weight, tearing away from the main structure and falling into the sea far below. Neo gulped as she watched more rubble fall towards their precarious position, including several boulders as big as she was and several times heavier. Pohatu bunted a falling rock away with a backhanded swipe and dug his fingers into the collapsing stone, exerting his elemental power over the crumbling pyramid to stabilize it even as it fell apart around him.
"I'll keep the temple intact for as long as I can!" shouted the strained-sounding Toa of Stone. "Quickly, Pebble! Find the Makoki piece!"
Neo nodded and tapped the icon of a lens-bearing Kanohi on her Scroll, channeling the power of the Mask of Vision through her own eyes. The world around her went black and white as she looked through the walls of sandstone, searching for anything that was denser than the surrounding rocks. She saw rusted metal tools, a broken powerless mask…
There! A chunk of thick stone with one curved face and three jagged ones! That had to be it! Of course, the only problem was that it was near the top of the structure, sealed inside some kind of ornamental urn.
Which wouldn't be an issue for long. She loved smashing pottery.
The silent Huntress toggled the Akaku back off and unsung her weapons, leaping off Pohatu's shoulders with Hush in one hand and Shusano in the other. The hooked handle of her parasol proved an excellent navigation aid, allowing her to seamlessly pull herself up shelves and hop off the sides of walls. Once her natural talent at acrobatics got her close enough, she leapt and twirled and launched the metal disk straight at the ceramic urn. Shusano flew straight and true, smashing right through pot and bouncing off the corner to return to her hand; in one smooth motion Neo stowed the disk, plucked the Makoki stone out of the falling pottery shards, and popped open Hush to gently float back down to the Toa of Stone.
"You have it?" Pohatu asked.
She smiled and showed her prize to her friend.
"Excellent! Hold on tight, then - I'm going to drop us into the ocean!"
…he was going to what?!
Even if she could voice her displeasure, she wouldn't have gotten a chance to do so before the Toa of Stone relaxed his grip over his element. The rock walls began to crumble once again, toppling over into pieces as the floor gave way around them. A near-silent scream escaped her lips as she hooked Hush's handle on a gap in Pohatu's armor, gripping both her weapon and the Makoki stone for dear life. In contrast to her voiceless panic, her armored ally didn't seem all that freaked out as he reached up with one hand to grab her waist, narrowing his eyes in determination as he once again changed masks.
The two of them hit the water amidst a rain of rubble with a deafening wet splash.
A swarm of bubbles tickled her skin as the sea claimed her and Pohatu, salt water flooding into every hole in her face that she didn't plug quickly enough. She tightened her throat and sealed her lips to keep hold of whatever air she hadn't screamed away, pinching her nose to squeeze out the water and keep it shut. Neo opened her stinging eyes, expecting to see the Toa of Stone flailing helplessly in the open ocean…
Only to see the opposite.
Pohatu was indeed sinking like a stone, but he didn't seem worried at all. His body had taken the brunt of the impact with the water, yet his bronze armor barely even looked scuffed. And he was breathing quite comfortably, thanks to the transparent amber-like mask with a triangular visor and bubbles spilling out the sides. If anything, he seemed happy. Way, way, way too happy.
She couldn't help but wonder if this wasn't the Toa of Stone's idea of a joke.
"And to think that you derided me for my choice of first mask, Pebble," chortled Pohatu as he sank downwards, secure in speaking with the Mask of Water-Breathing active. "Don't suppose you'd like to activate your own Kaukau and take a walk with me at the bottom of the bay, would you?"
Neo puffed her cheeks in a bubbly pout, playfully whacked her Toa right on the mask with Hush, then wriggled out of his grip and kicked for the surface before it could get too far away.
"Hah, fair enough!" called the sinking Toa of Stone. "I'll come find you on the shore then, my little friend. Hold onto the Makoki stone for me!"
Despite rolling her eyes as she swam up, a bubbly smile spread across her lips all the same.
Neopolitan didn't want to admit it, but she was going to miss Pohatu.
Taipu had been restless ever since his return to Onu-Koro.
He wasn't unhappy, exactly. On some level, he was glad to be back in his element, pickaxe in hand and surrounded by kios and kios of earth and stone that needed tunneling through. And he really did enjoy digging - after all, he was very good at it. But after spending many moons working on the highway to Le-Koro, seeing the jungle and the tree-villagers with his own optics, and being part of a high-stakes rescue operation…the young Onu-Matoran had to admit, digging trenches and excavating protodermis veins just didn't seem quite as exciting as it once did.
So when Penny and Takua came to visit the Great Mine with a cart full of Matoran from other villages, Taipu leapt at the chance for another adventure before they had even finished speaking.
"Yes, I will join you!" he said excitedly as he hopped into the Ussal-drawn transport. Then the young Onu-Matoran blinked several times as he looked at the gathered company. "…what are we doing, exactly?"
Penny laughed softly as she took her seat on the edge of the cart, gently patting the eager little newcomer on the head. "We will explain on the way to Po-Wahi, Taipu. We must gather a few more friends first…and then the adventure will truly begin!"
He grinned behind his coal-black Ruru, holding onto his disk and pickaxe excitedly. He was going on another adventure with Takua and Penny! He was going to see more of the island! How fascinating! How exciting!
How wonderful!
(A/N): -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Oh wow, was I screaming for the entire chapter? Dang, I really must be excited about Volume 9 then, haha.
Credit where it's due - the names of the disks that Ruby and her friends got this chapter and next chapter were derived from the fan-made Matoran conlang, which has an excellent dictionary that was made by OutOfGloom over on Tumblr. Specifically, I pulled the root words and prefixes from A Matoran Dictionary, 2nd Edition, since the most current version doesn't have a complete A-Z glossary of terms yet (that I could find, at least). I'm not 100% sure I did the conversion from English phrases to Matoric correctly, but I'm proud of what I came up with all the same. I wanted to give the disks names that represented both the girls themselves and the world of Bionicle - a synthesis of the two things I'm crossing over, if you wanna get all academic up in here.
Also! I just realized that tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of Destiny's Divide going live! AAAAAAAAAAAA! Thank you all so much for reading, both this chapter and for keeping tabs on this story over the past year, and I hope you enjoy the rest of what I've got in store! Until next time, keep being awesome!