Author's Note: New chapter, as I promised :D Oh the joys of teamwork. I'd also like to say thanks to my reviewers. Your comments make me happy.

Chapter 14

As much as he enjoyed sleeping wherever he liked across the icy region, Kopaka preferred waking in the Sanctum. The sunlight hit the Temple first, spreading though the icy walls and creating a pleasant bluish glow. He watched the light show in silence as he contemplated what to do. He could wait for Nuju and see if the Turaga suddenly got new information overnight. Unlikely. He could continue combing Ko-Wahi like he did yesterday. His aching legs told him what they thought of that idea. He could spread his search to the other regions of Mata Nui. He grimaced as he recalled his traverse in Le-Wahi and his nearly fatal visit to Ta-Wahi. Traveling outside his realm also increased the odds of running into one of his fellow Toa.

"Toa Kopaka." He was drawn out of his thoughts and looked at the speaker, a Ko-Matoran, who bobbed his head respectfully. "Toa Pohatu is at the gate and is requesting your presence."

Kopaka nodded in understanding and strode out of the building. He wondered what the Toa of Stone could be doing here, so early in the day too, and why he did not come find him himself. Seeing Pohatu's bulky form on the other side of the narrow ice bridge answered his last question. He had no doubt it wouldn't hold the brown Toa's weight when it creaked under his own.

"Good morning, Kopaka," he greeted, annoyingly cheerful as always. "Hope I didn't wake you."

Kopaka shook his head. Enough with the formalities. Just get to the point.

"Oh, that's good. Well, Tahu has called a meeting again, same place as last time too. He asked me to gather you guys." He tapped his Kakama. "Speedster and all, you know. You're actually the last, so why don't we…"

Kopaka started walking off before he could finish. Pohatu caught up and continued to try and stir up conversation. Though he found his fellow Toa's chipper attitude irritating, the Toa of Ice graced some of the attempts with brief, dead-end answers that yielded a few minutes of peace before Pohatu tried again. Kopaka considered this as another test to his growing patience, and that helped him endure.

A familiar growl caught his attention. Grabbing his sword and shield, he zoomed in on the Muaka on a mountain pathway above their heads. To his surprise, he noticed the Rahi bore no infected Masks. It was prowling by, ignorant of the two Toa below. When it stopped to sniff the wind, Kopaka continued on his way with his shadow in tow. He did not want to cause trouble for the free-willed Rahi. He wondered if it was ever one of the enslaved creatures the Toa had fought and freed.

As they approached the Onu-Wahi grove designated as the meeting spot, Lewa's loud voice was easily heard. They found the brightly colored Toa leaping about the treetops, animatedly telling a story. With fists clenched, the Toa of Fire was glaring at the swiftly moving Toa.

"Brothers!" Lewa exclaimed happily when he noticed the newcomers. Tahu sighed in relief when the incessant chattering stopped. He quickly growled when the noise started right back up.

"Been here long?" Pohatu asked, ignoring Lewa's storytelling.

"He won't shut up," Tahu bit out. He looked at Pohatu. "You – you're good with people. How do I make that thing stop?"

Pohatu frowned at him. "Lewa is not a thing; he is your brother. And he's not hurting anyone. He is talking to himself more than to you and he knows it."

The crimson Toa clearly did not like being rebuked. He huffed and crossed his arms, looking away. Pohatu apparently did not like his advice being ignored like that. Kopaka groaned inwardly at the look on the Toa of Stone's Mask. An argument was incoming, and the meeting hadn't even started. Fortunately, Onua and Gali arrived on the scene. The presence of the quiet Toa of Earth and the tranquil Toa of Water had a calming effect on the situation. After greetings were passed around, Tahu started the gathering.

"We can't go on like this," he began. "Turaga Vakama says that only by uniting can we ever hope to defeat the Makuta. I know that none of us have completed our Mask searches, and time is being wasted. We need to learn to work together, as a team, to finish our quest."

There was a groan from the tree Lewa was currently perched in. "Again? If I remember correctly, we only search-found two Kanohi together. By myself, I have search-found twice that."

"Tahu is right thought," Gali spoke up. "We do need our unity if we are ever to face the Makuta. Unless," she looked up at Lewa pointedly, "Turaga Matau has said you can do it all by yourself, brother."

"No," Lewa said sullenly. He brightened and declared, "I can be way-finder and sky-scout!"

"Sure, why not," Tahu grouched with a shrug. He looked at the others. "Are we all in agreement then?" When no objections came forth, he continued. "Then let us begin. Does anyone know of any current Kanohi locations?" A quick "nope" from Lewa followed by four head shakes. The Toa of Fire looked irritated and disappointed. "Really? Well, I do, for starters. One of the Ta-Koro guard found a Miru while on patrol."

"Why didn't he collect it?" Pohatu asked.

Tahu frowned at being interrupted. "Because it was in the ocean."

"Oh." Pohatu grimaced. "Oh."


They ran into a few infected Rahi while on their way to the shores of Po-Wahi, but they were no match for the six Toa. When they reached the desert that spanned much of Pohatu's realm, Kopaka wished he had a Greak Mask of Speed like the Toa of Stone did. Thinking about the Kakama, he got an idea.

"Wait," he said, stopping. He instantly got everyone's attention. "Who possesses the Kakama?"

Tahu scowled. He already did not look happy, and Kopaka could only guess it was because of how quickly he could get everyone to listen. "I do. Why?"

"I do, I do!" Lewa sang, shooting his hand in the air.

"Me too, obviously," Pohatu answered with a chuckle.

"And yet we have wasted so much time with walking," he pointed out, crossing his arms.

"I see," Gali said. "Those with a Kakama can carry those who do not. That is a good idea."

Lewa smacked his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?" He smirked at the Toa of Fire. "Why didn't you think of that, dear leader?"