Author's Note: Sorry this is a bit later than usual. But, it is extra long. I was going to split it originally, but I thought better of it. In my head, I think that Kopaka, even though he knew better, would have tried to go after Makuta on his own. So, I made something bad happen to make him fully realize how weak he is when fighting alone. Only the part at the end, when Kopaka gets his last Kanohi, is a part of the canon. I got the idea for that part from one of those old Bionicle playing cards which stated that Kopaka got his final Kanohi, the Miru, on a mountain and gets a ride from a Kahu.
Like I said before, I want to take this story to the battle at the end of MNOLG, but I don't know when I'll be able to get around to that. So, you can consider this story on hiatus for now.
Chapter 19
His village was fine. All the villagers were fine. The Ko-Matoran who lived in the wastelands moved to Ko-Koro temporarily due to an increase in infected Rahi activity.
It seemed to Kopaka as though the Makuta knew he was searching for his last Mask. Large gatherings of Rahi did not mean a Kanohi was nearby now. It made his search that much more frustrating. Sometimes he would fight the Rahi even when he knew there was nothing to be gained but experience. And it wasn't just Muaka anymore either. Large Rahi not native to Ko-Wahi were appearing regularly.
They were acting with an unnatural unity. He began to suspect that the Makuta was more involved, maybe directly controlling them instead of leaving them to act out on their own madness. He became certain of this when dozens of Rahi managed to corner him.
He regretted wasting energy on needless fights earlier. His elemental power and physical strength were weakening. He activated his Hau to buy him time, but even that was draining what little energy he had left. Then his shield failed too. He tried to activate his Pakari, but it didn't work. He summoned all his remaining elemental power and froze everything around him.
For a few seconds, there was silence, and Kopaka hoped it was over and he would have time to retrest. Then Nui-Jaga rained from the sky. With not even enough strength to power a Kanohi, Kopaka was defenseless. It took only a few strikes before Kopaka blacked out.
He didn't expect to wake up. Ashamed and angry with himself, he didn't want to either. But he did wake up and was met with darkness and pain. He tried to figure out where he was. He wondered if the Makuta had him. That thought brought panic to the injured Toa. He had to get out of the darkness. But an attempt to stand only brought a cry of pain to his mouth. Deep green eyes filled his vision and he flinched when large claws wrapped around his shoulders, forcing him back down.
"Easy, brother," a familiar voice rumbled. "Those Rahi got you good."
"Onua?" He hated how weak his voice sounded. He hated how weak he felt. He hated losing to a few Rahi. He hated the whole situation.
The green eyes bobbed. "I was searching for a Kanohi under Ko-Wahi, when I felt a disturbance. I wish I could have made it there sooner," he said apologetically.
"I'm fine," Kopaka grunted angrily, forcing himself to stand despite the agony it put him in. It was embarrassing to be rescued, to even need to be rescued. His anger was quickly overcome by the pain that lanced though his body as he tried walking. He fell to the ground, writhing, whines escaping him.
"You try that again and I will sit on you," Onua threatened reproachfully. "You won't be walking for a while. What made you fight all those Rahi alone? Those would have been a challenge for all six of us."
Onua's words were like an insult to injury, but Kopaka knew he was right. He should have backed off when he felt the Makuta's hand at work. And he should not have broken the team so readily. He knew the Toa could not fight the Makuta alone, but this incident made him realize it fully. He needed to rely on the others.
"I need to get back to Ko-Koro," he wheezed, coughing after.
Onua's eyes bobbed in the darkness again. "I was planning on taking you as soon as the storm let up."
"Storm?" Without thinking, he activated his Akaku, wincing when the use made his head hurt. He observed the snow storm raging outside, worse than he had seen before. He closed his eyes and focused. Kopaka discovered with relief that his elemental power was back to its usual strength and did not cause him discomfort to use. "I can handle the storm," he said at last, already shaving the blizzard down to a gentle snowfall.
"You shouldn't be – " The Toa of Earth stopped when he glared at him.
Kopaka pushed himself up to a sitting position, hissing in pain. "I am the Toa of Ice," he declared firmly. "The snow and ice will always obey me." He reluctantly lifted his arm toward Onua.
The Toa of Earth did not help Kopaka stand up. Instead, he picked the wounded Toa up with ease that spoke of his immense strength. "I said you won't be walking anywhere for a while. You handle the storm, and I'll handle you."
Kopaka was far too humiliated at this point to protest being carried like some little pet Rahi. Once out in the brightness of the snow, he could see the damage done. The Nui-Jaga left deep gashes all over his body. Their venom mixed with his blue blood made the wounds look especially ugly. There were other puncture wounds and cuts he guessed must have been from their pincers.
All of a sudden, he didn't want to return to his village. He didn't want the Ko-Matoran to see him like this. He especially didn't want Nuju to see him. He didn't know how the Turaga would react. Would he be disappointed? But he couldn't fix this on his own. He needed help with the consequences of his pride. Lulled by Onua's steady steps and the serenity of the snowfall, he fell back into the darkness before they reached Ko-Koro.
He woke up in a place he didn't recognize, again. This time he was inside some large structure that was clearly a Ko-Matoran construct, but it was far too big to be for a Matoran. Sitting up, he noticed the bed he was lying on. Toa-sized. Recalling Pohatu's and Lewa's personal huts, Kopaka realized this must be his. He didn't know he had his own dwelling place. He frowned, thinking that frustrating old Nuju must have known and didn't tell him because he didn't ask.
Kopaka stood up and nearly lost his balance. He took a few staggering steps to steady himself. He remembered what happened and looked down at himself. All his wounds had been cleared of venom and blood, some even filled with a strange metallic substance that looked like it was being absorbed by his body. He took a few more experimental steps, gauging how much he had healed. With as good as he felt, he worried about how much time must have passed.
"When the storms returned, we thought you had perished."
He knew he should have expected the Turaga and his shadow to show up, but their sudden appearance startled him. He turned to see them entering the domicile. "When the storms returned?" he asked, remembering the strangely powerful storm.
"After the Makuta began tormenting us, the storms were always like that. It was impossible to go anywhere without risking your life. On the day you arrived, the storms ceased. Our hope was lost until Toa Onua brought you to us yesterday morning."
Kopaka glanced upwards and saw that beyond the ice ceiling it was night. Three days had passed, lost because of his actions. He looked back at the Turaga and Matoran. Nuju was expressionless as always, but Matoro was watching him with apprehension hidden in his eyes. Kopaka felt guilt bearing down on him for the scare he had given those he had sworn to protect. He wished Nuju would scold him or say something more. When silence continued awkwardly, he gathered up his shield and sword, which had been lying near the door. That got an immediate reaction.
Nuju began chirping and beeping rapidly. "Have you learned nothing? Are you such a – " Matoro stopped, staring open-mouthed as the Turaga continued on his tirade. "I can't say that to Toa Kopaka," he blurted, though Nuju ignored him. When the Turaga started saying things Matoro didn't deem disgraceful, he continued translating. "You are not to leave Ko-Koro without my saying so. You can do nothing in the state you're in. Think beyond the present."
"I was not planning on leaving." Kopaka sat back down on the bed. He set his tools down by the head of the bed. "I was a fool, and I am sorry." The apology stung more than he thought it would. He winced and rubbed one of the wounds as the material in it began to harden.
"Toa Onua sent us a special mineral that quickens healing," Nuju explained via Matoro. He didn't acknowledge Kopaka's apology, which annoyed him. "Without it, it would take weeks for those injuries to heal. You would be wise to thank him when you are able."
Kopaka sighed and nodded. He was in Onua's debt now. Then he made a face, noticing a strange, sweet taste in his mouth. He didn't know why he didn't notice it before, or that there was something in his mouth. He abruptly coughed into his hands, making Matoro jump, and he stared at the squishy, gross pink thing.
Matoro looked sheepish. "It was really, really hard to get you to eat it while you were out. I'm sorry we used your fruit without asking, but Turaga Nuju said it would help."
Kopaka realized it was the energy fruit the Le-Matoran gave him. It certainly tasted like he would expect it would. After Nuju and a self-conscious Matoro dismissed themselves, he popped the fruit slice back in his mouth. He would tell no one he thought it tasted wonderful.
While cooped up in Ko-Koro, Kopaka used the confinement as an opportunity to get to know his villagers. Aside from Matoro, he did not even know anyone else's name. There were so many more than he thought, and they all looked up to him. That made him feel guilty all over again for worrying them. And the more he learned about his reserved little wards, the more he wanted to finish his quest and give them peace.
In only two days, Nuju told Kopaka he was allowed to continue his quest. Upon hearing this, Kopaka headed for the shore. While he talked with the Ko-Matoran, he learned that Toudo the Rahi hunter thought he saw a Kanohi on the sea cliffs once. When he arrived, Kopaka discovered that the cliffs were more like a sheer wall of stone facing the sea. He found that there was indeed a Kanohi at the very top, his Kanohi Miru.
He found it ironic that the Kanohi was in a place only a Miru-clad Toa could reach with ease. Though he had resolved to be more unity-minded, he didn't want to go running for help every time something was hard.
There were, oddly, no Rahi in sight. Kopaka began his climb cautiously, not trusting this good fortune. The cliff got progressively steeper and smoother until there were no more natural handholds. He began creating supports with ice. He wanted to move faster, but he knew impatience led to neglect. He did not need to fall to his death, especially when he already decided to ignore the lessons he already learned about working solo. His arms began to tire when he was only half-way up, but he couldn't use his Pakari. He needed the Mask of X-Ray Vision to shield against any nasty surprises. He was grateful for this decision when he spotted several objects flying his way.
Creating a stable ice ledge to stand on before the buzzing Nui-Rama could even be heard, he then took careful aim with his sword and began shooting them out of the sky. He made quick work of the half-dozen bugs and resumed climbing, a bit faster this time. There was no telling if more would be coming, and the bugs would only stay frozen for so long in the sunlight. Even though he was working under a time limit, he stopped at the peak to look at Ko-Wahi. He was reminded of how he felt when at the top of Mt. Ihu, thought the cliffs were not nearly as tall. The desire to climb that mountain again began to fill him.
When he heard buzzing again, he got back to business. He found the Miru in what looked like a nest. He found out whose home it was as a large bird dove at him. He recognized it as the species the Le-Matoran rode when he visited Le-Koro. He didn't know the Rahi lived in Ko-Wahi too.
He observed it was not diseased and hatched a plan. Using his new Kanohi, he leaped high into the air to dodge the bird and landed on its back. Then with the Komau, he made the bird take him to the ground. While it took him down, he refroze the approaching Nui-Rama.
After landing and releasing the bird from his control, Kopaka found that the Kahu did not want him to leave. To his surprise, the large bird nudged him and churred happily. He patted its beak awkwardly, unsure of what to make of its affection. Then he began walking away. The bird cawed, a long, sad sound. He glanced back at its disappointed face but kept walking. Hearing the flapping of wings, he looked back again but saw the bird was returning to its nest, not following him. He shrugged and continued on his way.
Who knows.
He suddenly realized that he didn't know what to do next. Was he supposed to seek the other Toa? Were they already finished and waiting for him? He decided to go back to Ko-Koro. Maybe Nuju would be willing to divulge answers now that he had found all the Kanohi.
