… You know that old adage: "Great minds think alike?" I hate that. I really freaking hate that.

:pfft: stupid psychic connections…

Chains of Memories

Dragon of Courage

When Hell Froze Over

It was Christmas Eve. To Tahu's terms, it was the day before the day of giving. To Kopaka, it means more snow.

"Merry Christmas, everyone!" Pohatu joyously hollered inside the hotel room, dressed in his brown pleated shorts and white thin shirt.

"Pohatu, settle down," Kopaka snapped, put his pale hands on his hips that held his long black pants. His gray turtleneck captioned "Anti-social" hung loosely on his shoulders.

"Oh come on, my dear albino friend," Pohatu wrapped his arms around the white-hair boy's neck and gave him a noogie.

"I'm gratefully thanking you for inviting us to your cabin for Christmas break!"

When Pohatu said "us", it meant that ten people came. Gali came with Tanui, while Makuta, Tahu's butler, arrived on Tahu's family Landrover, carrying Tahu, Kopaka, Tahu's cousin, and Zara. Onua provided a ride for Pohatu and Lewa. They're currently residing in Kopaka's winter cabin on Mammoth mountain.

"Say," Zara cleared her throat, "Why are you generous, anyway?"

Kopaka blushed. "It gets lonely whenever I ski. Tahu suggested bringing the group so we can discuss our piece for the Battle of the Bands."

"Oh…that! I nearly forgot." Pohatu chuckled nervously, releasing Kopaka's head.

Zara, dressed in dark purple turtleneck and lavender pants, raised her eye brow and then continued to work on her Bionicle model with a screw driver in her mouth.

Tahu looked up from his music notes that Gali gave him. He was wearing a bright red fleece pullover and black sweats to match. He had a black pen inbetween his lips.

"Neh… I believe that we can pull this one off. I mean…we've got two guitarists, percussion, bass, drummer, synthesizer, and a disc jockey, thanks to Zara."

Zara shrugged, "Hey, no problem."

Takaishi, still dressed in his usual outfit, asked, "So, what is the Battle of the Bands?"

"It's a high school competition where bands play out their piece and the judges decide the winner. The winning band gets to perform at the community concert hall for free," explained Pohatu as he took a sip of hot chocolate that Gali served him. "And I can get myself some fan girls."

Tanui cocked an eye at the boy and gave a silent snort. Gali and he were resting on an armchair near the fireplace. He had Gali in a protective hug as they snuggled near the cackling fire.

Lewa sat near Zara, amazed at her skill with the screwdriver as she flipped out a chest-armor from her Bionicle figure with a mere flick of her hand.

"Hey, Zara?"

"Hmm?"

"You seem to know about your Raijinuva."

"Heh. Yeah. It took me forever to find a model that could discharge energy. Tahu managed to find one for me. He said that the semiconductors were a bit more unstable than the infamous Raiju, which makes me to fix her more often," The female chuckled as she slapped on a new chest-armor.

"Tahu? Semiconductors? Does he dissect them?" Lewa was appalled.

Zara gave a snort as she set the doll down onto the table. "No. He…well…makes them."

Pohatu sputtered hot chocolate as he eavesdropped on the conversation.

"No shit. Tahu?"

"Yeah?" Tahu looked up from the music notes again. He gave a quick mark before his glowing red eyes fell upon the trio on the floor.

"You make the models? The official ones of Bionicle Battle Arena?" Pohatu looked at him curiously.

Crap, Zara…Tahu thought as he looked casually at them. "I just design them."

"But wouldn't that make you a millionaire with all those models sold all over the world?"

"All I got was a free trip to Japan," Tahu gave a short sigh. It was always these questions that annoyed him due to the fact that the reporters used to stalk his house. But, of course, 'kaasan had installed extra security and traps to make the reporters more appreciative for their lives.

"And the Asian house you live in?"

"Designed by mother, built by my relatives," Tahu replied curtly.

"Do you have like every model in your basement?"

"Only one."

"And what would that be?"

"Tahu II."

"Really?"

"No."

"How 'bout the Mod Chips?"

"Over my dead body, Pohatu."

"Oh come on! I'm your friend."

"No."

"Aren't you a little greedy?"

"You're killing the economy, Pohatu," Kopaka snapped, annoyed by his insistence to get a freebie from Tahu. "so, shut up and let us open our gifts in peace."

Pohatu quieted down as Tahu stripped a large slap of wrapping paper from his first gift. A canister jingled from its containment and fell onto his lap. Tahu picked it up and laughed.

"Takaishi, you amuse me."

In his hand was the original model before the BBA craze grew.

"Ano…Dad did break your toy a long time ago."

Tahu gave the small brother a pat on the head. Then he looked inside the can.

"Ohh! It even has the original Hau that I've always wanted. Thanks, Takaishi."

Takaishi shrugged. "Iie."

"Well, sweet mother of god," Murmured lewa as he pulled his gift out of the bag. It was a stuffed green bird. It was the size of his torso as he played with its large wings.

"It's from my Dad," Lewa gave a sigh of happiness.

"Aww. It's cute," Gali touched the bird. The large eyes looked backed at her with a bright shine, despite the fact that they were fake.

"Adorable, Gali," Tanui impatiently spoke as he brought out a present to her. Gali opened the gift and pulled out a silvery metal watch. Though design by Rolex, the figure is slim and fits Gali's personality.

"Oh wow, this is quite an expensive gift. I…don't have much to say about this…" Gali's stammered as Tanui leaned over her shoulder and gave her a peck in the cheek.

Tahu could hear Kopaka give a slight growl. He smiled to himself before he handed his cousin a small package.

"Eto…" Takaishi fumbled with the well packaged box, peeling off the tape carefully. Then he eyes widened.

"It's a a….ahaha!" He grinned as he pulled out a black box and slid it open. Inside lay a real silver cross pendant with a serpent wrapped around it. At the top of the cross embedded a crown with wings at the side. He took the leather thong that came with the pendant and flung it over his head. His mouth was still smiling.

"Niisan, Arigatou!"

Tahu gave a thumbs-up.

After most of the gifts have been exchanged and received thanks, there was one left. It was massive compared to others, but it sat on the floor wrapped in a great blue mystery.

Gali looked at the gift and was puzzled to see her name written on a piece of fine paper attached to the large box.

"What is this?" she queried.

She slowly ripped the present open and her jaw dropped.

"I-it's the electric keyboard... at the mall. I had always wished for one. Who-?"

"We all did, sweetie," Zara interrupted.

"For the band, ya know?" Pohatu added in.

Gali felt tears welling up in her eyes. It was the first time in sixteen years that she had wept for joy.

"T-thank you, guys." She smiled.

Kopaka stretched the black beanie he got from Tahu, "Don't mention it."

When the party was over, everyone returned to their rooms. The boys slept in one room, and the girls slept in the other. Kopaka slept on the couch, sadly.

After Gali finished brushing her teeth, she walked to the sliding glass door and gazed across the white barren landscape. She heard a door slammed shut and saw a figure walking out on the balcony. He leaned oh the snow covered railing as he looked up to the sky.

"Tahu? What is he doing out there?" She wondered as she slid open the door.

Tahu quickly turned his head and saw Gali approaching him.

"Hey." He gave a quick smile before he looked outwards to the sky.

"Hey, Tahu."

It was quite for a moment, before there was a loud thunk followed by a "POHATU! I'M GONNA FREAKIN' KILL YOU!", which was voiced by an irritated Kopaka.

Gali stifled her giggle as Tahu chuckled at his friend.

"I don't understand why he's your best friend."

"He may be an ass sometimes, but he has a heart of gold. We were friends since when we were four years old…"

"Wait, you guys knew each other for 12 years!" Gali eyes widened.

"You didn't remember?" Tahu queried.

"I-I uh…I don't remember."

Tahu gave a small frown of disappointment. "It must be the coma. I'm sorry to bother you about your memories."

"Oh no, Tahu. I just had some relapses sometimes…heh."

"Hm…well, I have something I really want to give you, but I couldn't wait for your birthday." Tahu nervously laughed to himself.

"Well, what is it?"

"Well…um….here." Tahu brought out something that made Gali gasp.

In the palm of his hand lay a round, deep blue teardrop-shaped pendant, strung on a black thong.

"This is…"

"I found it at an antique store. I hope that you'll like it." Tahu unclasped the necklace and flung it over Gali's neck. Gali looked down at the jewel and felt a sleeping power hidden within. I could feel it…a power I had lost years ago and I had finally found.

Gali looked up into his bold red eyes and she put her cold hands to her cheek, blushing.

"Aww, Tahu. You're so sweet."

"It's no big. That's what friends are for, right?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Tahu craned his back backwards and gave a sigh of relief.

"Well, I'm heading inside to get some shut-eye. I'll see ya in the morning, Gali-chan."

"Good night, Tahu…" Her eyes watched the young man enter the boy's room and dimmed the lights.

She sighed as her yellow eyes caught sight of the silvery moon. Taking one last look at the dark room, she returned to the girl's room.

It was late at night. All was silent except for some occasionally snoring emanating from the boy's room. Kopaka eyes fluttered as he curled his body on the couch, his crystal blue pendant glowing fiercely in the dark living room.

Meanwhile, Gali's body tossed and turned in her comfortable bed. Her dreams troubled her, for it was only the way for her horrified memories to haunt her.

"Kopaka…" she muttered as Tahu's gift emanated a soft blue glow beneath her comforter.

She was suddenly transported to a world where she knew so well. That swirling darkness wrapped its tendrils around her pajamas. To her it was the torture chamber, the dark abyss, and the world of darkness. To others, they called it hell.

Why am I doing here? Oh, god, I can't die right now!

She panicked. Her body was healthy and strong. It was impossible to die.

Then in the darkness, she heard a loud moan. Then the voice hit her.

"Kopaka!"

"…Gali?" the voice moaned.

Suddenly his chained body appeared into view as the swirling darkness parted and she nearly vomited. His mask was also stripped away. His bloodied pale body was in ruins. Pitch-black chains were wrapped all over his appendages and torso as he hung there in an X position. Smoke rose from his white mangled body in which Gali could not understand. Black fluid dripped to the floor.

She swatted, scooping the mysterious liquid with her index finger. It was not blood when she examined it. Sniffing her finger, she reeled back in horror. Oil! That means…

He was being boiled alive in oil.

"Kopaka! Why did you end up like this?"

His clear blue eyes opened and he looked at her.

"It was something that I didn't unders-AAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!"

The burning pain was too much for him. He screamed as the chains that were tied to his arms secreted the black liquid. He panted, closing his blue eyes. More steam rose from his trapped form.

"I wish you do not have to see this, Toa Gali."

Gali gripped her hands to fists.

"How can I help you?"

"They said you should know." The eyes looked at her pale countenance.

"But I don't know! I was freed by a miracle."

"Well so can I." He tried his best to drawl.

"...So you better free me out of this hellhole."

"Why do you talk so much?" Gali questioned.

"Because I have changed, just like you, but not physically."

Gali looked at him. He had indeed changed since the last time she saw him. Well, he was dead the last time she saw him.

"There has got to be a way to free him." She said to herself.

"I think there is." Another voice answered behind her. She turned around and saw Kopaka, the human albino, dressed in a black shirt and checkered boxers. His white hair was bedraggled, as if he just woke up. He looked at Gali in a dull expression.

"Why are you here?"

Gali replied, "I was brought here."

Suddenly she did a double take at the two Kopakas.

"Holy crap. There are two of you!" she pointed at the human. Kopaka arched his eyebrow.

"It's rude to point, Gali." He muttered, rubbing sleep from his blue eyes. He walked forward and touched the chains that held his other self.

"Man, I've been visiting him for weeks and couldn't figure out the key."

"Key?" Gali questioned behind his back.

"Yes. These are chains that are connected to a lock. I just need to find a key. I looked all over this place and further into myself, but I just couldn't find it."

"You can't give up," whispered the other.

"I know I can't. Saying that will make me look weak. Come on, Gali. Do you remember anything that might help him?" The boy impatiently gripped the oil-stained binds. The fluid was seeping over his hands.

The girl stood in the darkness.

"I don't exactly remember, but there is something about a heart being the ultimate weapon…but that doesn't tie with this situation."

"The ultimate weapon?" Kopaka quirked.

"I just don't know." Gali dropped to her knees, pained to the fact that the real Kopaka, her Kopaka, might stay suspended in the air for eternity.

"Well, then. I thank you." Kopaka clapped his hands and started to rub them against each other.

Gali looked up at him. "Why?"

"The key is the ultimate weapon to open the lock, but what is my heart?" the boy touched his left side of his chest.

"..." Kopaka Nuva looked at him, eager to free himself.

It was quiet as the words lingered in the dark air. At last, Kopaka, the human, slapped his head.

"Of course! The Kyuubi is attached to my heart!" He waved his hand around. The outline of his fingers glowed ghastly white as the center of his palm glowed a bright iridescent light. Gasping the small orb of the energy, the albino revealed it to be the same round crystal that Gali had encountered in the fight with Tahu!

"Let hell freeze over," Kopaka grinned with great confidence. The jewel started to elongate into a key, purely made of crystal. The base of the key was carved like an old Akaku with the old fashion four-eyed mask. It was not just any traditional mask seen on earth, but a more technical type. The head of the key became a complete crystal-like ice, glowing a healthy white, as if purely made from a heart. The albino's heart to be exact.

"My memories have been chained. Let them be free. Here I shall open them with valor!"

He brought it outward towards the chained being and the light glowed. The black chains that bounded Kopaka Nuva shuddered and exploded into gleaming shards of ice.

The Toa of Ice collapsed on the dark floor, which soon transformed into a solid white floor, speckled with ice crystals and stalagmites. He struggled to get up, but a hand came to his view.

"Need a little help there, buddy?" Kopaka Nubanu grinned.

The toa nodded and grasped his hands.

Suddenly, memories began to flow between the two figures. Almost simultaneously, both of them grasp their heads and started to moan from the throbbing headache that the memories presented them…

"Tahu!" screamed Kopaka, "What in Mata-Nui! Are you doing!"

"I'm going to have my revenge, Kopaka." The other replied as he drew his sword towards the tentacle creature, which is undisturbed by the rage Tahu emitted.

"It doesn't matter! Tahu! Our comrades are dead and there's nothing we can do!"

"Kopaka! I am sick and tired of running away. I am a toa of no fear. It's about time we have to strike back." Tahu shouted as he pointed one of his swords at the monster.

"Tahu…" Kopaka felt his eyes stinging with helplessness as the swords ignited with fire.

"Go and get Gali away from here. I order you to do it." Tahu growled as he charged at the dark tentacle being.

"…" Kopaka said nothing as he turned his back and grasped Gali by the hand.

"Kopaka…Tahu…" Gali's eyes were filling up with tears.

"He will be fine." Kopaka bit his lips, unable to decide whether to leave Tahu, or to aid him. Despite the fact that he hated the Toa of Fire, there was an unbreakable bond between himself and that hothead.

At least he gave a sigh of despair and looked directly into Gali's eyes.

"Gali, listen to me. He might be right, or he might be wrong. But I'm going to keep him alive. If neither of us returned, run away and warn any Matoran that are left on this damned island."

Gali stared at him in horror.

"No…you can't die. None of you can die."

Kopaka glared at her. "I said I'm going to keep him alive."

"Kopaka…" Gali realize what he had meant. "You can't. Our unity…"

"Our unity had been broken long ago, Gali. The virtues no longer apply to this enemy. Remember that."

With those last words he spoke to Gali, he grasped his ice spear and walked steadily towards the fight scene.

Kopaka saw Tahu sprawled against a tree, struggling to get up. The silvery creature merely gurgled as several of its tentacles changed into several long spears. Then the spears launched themselves at the fallen toa.

Tahu only had the time to blink before he braced himself for the impact, which never came.

Kopaka never had the time to activate his Hau.

I think too slow. He scolded himself as he grasped the silvery rods that protruded from his chest. He eyed the dancing tentacle being before it disappeared into the ground.

Pain.

The pain was absolute. His entire body was at the mercy of pain.

Then the view of that familiar red Hau hovered over his dying figure. Those red eyes showed greater emotion than Kopaka had ever imagined. Eyes of fear, pain, sorrow, broken pride, and an odd sense of wisdom stared into his dimming blue eyes.

"Tahu…" Kopaka groaned as he felt his body slowly drifting towards the ground.

"Quiet, Kopaka." Tahu snapped, trying to hold back tears.

"…You were a great leader." He coughed, trying to smile for the last time.

"Stop it."

Kopaka had ignored him. Life was flashing before his eyes. Clutching the rods that protruded from his wounds, he remembered the very day he landed on Mata-Nui, the day he changed, and the day he took a visit to Metru-Nui. After all this, he knew that his time on Mata-Nui was over. Kopaka wondered if it was worth it to use his body as a shield. Was it really worth it to protect them two?

He knew that he would someday see his brethren again. He wished that he could just punch Tahu across his face for being such an asshole before the island was endangered. That would have to wait.

His broken lens gazed over Gali, who was sobbing at the scene she had to burden. Taking Tahu's right hand with his bloodied ones, he gave his last breath.

"Kopaka! No!"

"…Take care of her well." And he felt his soul slipping away into eternal darkness.

They just stood and stared at each other. Kopaka Nuva could feel a burden being lifted by an invisible hand. He could feel his body changing as the memories of the young child poured into his own. Memories of innocent times, as well as brave ones cleared away the mess his torture had created during his imprisonment of nearly sixteen years.

He stood up and stared at the pale, white hands. It was his hands. White hair sprouted everywhere on his head, and he could feel his face soften. White clothed enveloped his well-defined body, followed by silvery pieces of armor.

The child of ice took a long look at him and just gaped.

"Oh my god. You look like me."

Kopaka Nuva's sharp blue eyes widen as he realized that Kopaka's childhood memories had done to him.

"I really do." He frowned.

The teenager just muttered.

"Who the hell thought of this stupid transformation?"

"…" Kopaka Nuva only shrugged.

Gali just stared. She walked slowly up towards Kopaka Nuva. The other Kopaka looked at her and stepped away.

Suddenly, Gali gave a airtight hug to Kopaka.

"…!" Kopaka silently gawked as Gali nearly burst into tears.

"Oh Mata-Nui…You don't know how much I missed you."

The toa said nothing as he gave a slight smile to his serious demeanor.

"How is Tahu?" Kopaka Nuva broke apart the hug.

Gali frowned and shook her head.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"Kopaka…I died before him."

There was dead silence. Then Kopaka broke the silence with a small whistle.

"Haha…I guess that once Tahu remembers, he'll be in a world of hurt."

Gali looked at the albino in the pajamas.

"Hey Kopaka?"

"Yeah?"

"How come you know that I'm Gali from Mata-Nui?"

"Because I knew the Gali from my world. Judging by the personalities, you are not the Gali I once knew." He winked at the girl.

"But Tahu… does he know?"

"No. He'll understand if I tell-"

"No! Kopaka! Please…" Gali blurted out.

The two figures looked at her in puzzlement.

"I-I will tell him myself. Thank you," Gali nervously said.

Kopaka Nuva looked at her. "You like him, don't you?"

"What? Tahu Nu-"

"No. The boy."

Gali's eyes widen. She, the ex-toa of Water, liking Tahu Nubava, a human?

"No, I'm not. If I do, it would be well…odd."

"That would be kinda fucked up." Kopaka Nubanu cocked an eye.

"Fucked up?" Kopaka Nuva repeated in puzzlement.

"Uh…Erm…eh…" Kopaka looked at his partner.

"That sounds like a nice word. Fucked up."

Kopaka paled. "Uh…erm…Not really…"

"Not really? What does it mean?"

"You don't really wanna know."

There was a moment of silence before Kopaka Nuva broke into a small chuckle.

"I'm just kidding you."

"You know what it means?" Kopaka eyed the floating spirit.

"And acronym for 'Fortification Under the Consent of the King'? Yeah, I recently acquired that information from your memories."

"Oh god… you know everything from me?" Kopaka's pale skinned turned white with indescribable horror.

"Including the time when you wetted your pants watching Snow White and had to hold hands with Tahu? Yes. I know as much as you know me." The spirit stated in a-matter-of-factly.

Kopaka face faulted as Gali began to giggle.

"Oh my god…this is not cool. Not cool at all." Kopaka began to ruffle his hair in embarrassment.

Then the two toa laughed.

Gali woke up, remembering those words when she encountered the voice. You'll have new friends. They will help you.

She looked out the illuminated glass door to see that it was morning. Looking out the window, Gali saw the familiar flaming blond hair and the flash of green as Lewa attempted to catch a squirrel that scampered up a large sycamore.

"My new friends…I understood what the voice meant."

"Tahu Nubava, Kopaka Nubanu…all of them…they're my new friends." She smiled at her first success of releasing Kopaka from his prison. But a pained heart had saddened her as she watched Tahu drinking his hot chocolate. She had an unexplained feeling about her new friend. His carefree attitude and thoughtful heart made Gali wished that her Tahu, Tahu Nuva, would be just like him.

Tahu turned towards the window that Gali is looking through and he smirked. Gali blushed as he waved.

Just a day,
Just an ordinary day.
Just tryin to get by.
Just a boy,
Just an ordinary boy.
But he was looking towards the sky.

- Vanessa Carlton

…fuck, I had made a Tahu/Kopaka moment. D:

I'm terrible.

Oh well.

:Runs off to play more KH2: