Author's note: I only have two more chapters prepared for posting right now, which lead up to the end of Kopaka's Kanohi quest. I've always planned to end this particular story with the defeat of Makuta as portrayed in MNOLG, but I might stop with the end of the Mask quest. I haven't even started working on that part of the story, and I don't want to leave this story hanging for months on end without any update. I don't know, haven't decided yet. But for now, I'll still be updating for two more weeks.

Chapter 17

Instead of walking all over the shifting sands, the trio got to walk on a stone pathway that was clearly Matoran made. On the way, they came across a fork in the road with an ornate stone sign. A Po-Matoran with a chisel was carving the already perfect looking road signs.

"Greetings, Hafu," Pohatu bellowed cheerfully from a distance.

The tan and black Matoran yelped and held his chisel out like a sword before he recognized the Toa. "Toa Pohatu," he breathed in relief. "Don't startle me like that." Then he noticed the other Toa and hastily bowed to them.

"Turaga Onewa needs you back in Po-Koro," the Toa of Stone informed him.

"I'm sure that Huki can handle it," Hafu said bitterly with a scowl. "He told me so much yesterday, that –" He stopped and covered his mouth, looking mortified. "I am so sorry, great Toa. I didn't mean any disrespect."

Pohatu looked at him sternly and somberly. "Huki is too sick now to do anything. Onewa told him to stay in bed."

Lewa mouthed the word "bed" with air quotes, followed by a grunt when Kopaka elbowed his side hard.

Hafu looked ashamed. "I'm sorry. I'll go right now."

Pohatu seems to have quite the reputation for peace keeping, even among his villagers, Kopaka mused. Meddlesome busybody.


The letter from Turaga Matau only spoke of two Noble Kanohi being sighted in Le-Wahi. Since there was no map included, not even directions, the trio began searching as best they could, which was pretty much looking for large groups of infected Rahi. As soon as they entered the jungle, Lewa took to the trees. Kopaka knew from his short experience in Le-Wahi that walking on roots or stones was always preferable to the deceptive ground. No one informed the heavy Toa of Stone, and he quickly got stuck in the mud. After a quick rescue, Pohatu followed whatever path Kopaka was taking.

The two grounded Toa grew steadily annoyed with Lewa. The Toa of Air, moving easily through the treetops, kept dashing off only to return and tell them to hurry up. Then Lewa reappeared silently.

"I found it," he whispered, loudly. He began stealthily leading them toward the Kanohi. Even though they were trying to be covert, the infected Nui-Rama still noticed them.

The flying Rahi had an advantage over Kopaka and Pohatu. But Lewa proved to be a powerful ally when in his element. Switching from Miru to Pakari to Kakama, he was a green blur striking bug after bug from the sky. Pohatu did his part by kicking rocks and logs into the sky with great accuracy. Kopaka found himself growing frustrated as nothing he did had any effect. Any attempt to freeze the agile creatures failed. He also forgot to factor in gravity, which made some of his shots fall embarrassingly short. Then it was over. Every Nui-Rama had either fled or been knocked down. Kopaka waited bitterly for jibes from Lewa about his uselessness. When not even a single joke came forth, he surmised that, thankfully, no one noticed his ineptness.

After collecting the pair of Noble Kanohi, it was decided that a visit to Le-Koro would be the next course of action. Lewa chattered away and Pohatu concentrated on not falling prey to the soft mud in their path. Acting as the lookout, Kopaka was the first to notice a pair of Nui-Rama flying towards them. With his scope setting, he saw that they were carrying something disturbingly Matoran-shaped. By this time, Lewa also noticed the newcomers and, by the look on his face, he must have guessed their cargo too.

I will not be shown up, the Toa of Ice determined. Not again, not ever.

Before Lewa could launch into the skies, Kopaka switched to his Mask of Strength and concentrated. He swung his sword in their direction, sending an arc of ice their way. He kept concentrating on the ice while he switched back to his Akaku. He had calculated the trajectory, even adding gravity and wind; now he needed to add precision. He couldn't risk hurting the Matoran. As the ice collided with the Nui-Rama, he commanded it to shift around the Rahi and immobilize them. The Rahi dropped their cargo, which Pohatu and Lewa caught.

There were four Le-Matoran altogether. One had received a gouged shoulder from the Rahi's talons. Lewa wouldn't stop fussing over them, repeatedly asking them if they were okay. At least, that was all Kopaka could understand. The Le-Matoran and Toa of Air were speaking so fast it was a wonder they could understand each other. Again Kopaka was impressed with Lewa's hidden talents. To keep up with that level of communication so naturally, the Toa of Air had to have a mind that was quick and sharp.

One of the Le-Matoran brandished a gray Kaukau proudly. Lewa praised the brave little Matoran while still scolding them for placing themselves in danger.

The sky was beginning to darken, and the Toa decided to carry the Matoran so they could reach Le-Koro before nightfall. Pohatu, strong as he was, held one in his arms and another on his back. The two were all too happy to verbally help Pohatu avoid any unstable ground. Kopaka chose to carry the injured Matoran. He figured that his cold body would help numb his pain. When the Matoran flinched at his touch, he was reminded that his definition of numbing cold was probably not good for a small Matoran. Despite the discomfort it caused him, the Toa of Ice raised his temperature until the villager stopped shivering.


Le-Koro was a marvel. Entire trees had been intertwined through their branches, and woven platforms rested on these branches. The huts were all cocoon shaped with circular doors and either rested on the platforms, hung from a higher branch, or anchored to the side of a tree. Everything was very round and there was no uniformity anywhere. Where there were no branches to hold platforms, there were bridges. And all this was so very high off the ground. The only visible way to access this village in the sky was a Matoran-sized elevator pod, which the Le-Matoran quickly used.

"So, Lewa, how do we get up?" Pohatu asked, watching the Matoran take turns going up.

Lewa grinned. "Watch-see."

A large bird-Rahi suddenly appeared above them and dove. Both Pohatu and Kopaka instinctively fell into their battle stances. But a Le-Matoran was riding the creature and seemed to be directing where it was going. The massive Rahi landed before them and screeched loudly. It was large enough to hold a Toa, maybe two.

"See you top-side!" Lewa leaped into the air, using his Miru and elemental power to bring him swiftly to Le-Koro. Pohatu and Kopaka looked back at the Matoran who grinned and patted the bird's backside. "Kahu can take-carry both Toa," the turquoise-green Matoran reassured them, "for this short fly-hop."

Pohatu seemed reluctant to get on board. Kopaka thought it very unreal to be sitting on something alive. Without a warning, the bird shot straight into the air. Though ascending, the Toa of Ice felt his stomach drop. In mere seconds, they landed and Kopaka quickly dismounted, giving the grinning pilot a glare. Pohatu practically fell off and just sat on the platform for a few moments.

"Please tell me we don't have to do that to leave too," he moaned, looking up at a snickering Toa of Air. Lewa shrugged and helped Pohatu to his feet. The branches beneath their feet shifted and creaked. This did not help calm the ill-looking Toa of Stone. Lewa led the paranoid Toa to the central platform, which was far more stable and made no unsettling noises no matter how many Matoran ran or hopped across it. The three Toa were quickly becoming a spectacle, drawing all the Matoran around them.