Silently following Aikane, Nuju realized she was moving towards a carving of the Great Spirit, they had passed earlier, as he watched, she bowed to it, then sat down and began meditating.
A while passed, then Nuju sensed they were being watched, glancing around, he saw a small sphere of blue light floating towards them, as the sphere moved around him, Nuju heard Mata Nui whisper, "Rest, Turaga of Ice." as He spoke, Nuju found that he was overcome with tiredness and had just enough time to get comfortable before sleep overcame him.
Then the sphere floated over to where Aikane sat, as it touched her, the sphere dissipated and the light flowed over Aikane. When the light vanished, she stood up, bowed to the carving again, before going to where Turaga Nuju slept, she lifted him up then returned to the camp.
While Aikane placed the Turaga of Ice on his bed, Vakama opened his eyes and glanced enquiringly at her, as she covered Nuju with a blanket, Aikane nodded, "We will find our sisters at the end of the seaway tunnel." she whispered, crouching beside Vakama, he nodded.
"Get some rest, I think your sisters will be glad to see you." Vakama replied, as Aikane moved back to her blankets, she nodded and a few minutes later, when Pohatu glanced into their tent, all were asleep.
"Everyone's sleeping." he murmured as he rejoined Onua, who chucked a bit of wood on the fire, sending up some sparks, "It's nearly time to wake Tahu and Lewa." Onua said after they'd watched the stars for a while, Pohatu smiled as they went to their tent and gently shook their brothers awake, "Things are quiet, brother." he said to Tahu.
"Good, rest well, brothers." Tahu smiled, as Lewa stretched, before grinning at Pohatu and Onua as they settled down for the remainder of the night, after checking around, Lewa and Tahu met back at the fire.
"Our sisters and the Turaga sleep-rest well." Lewa commented, sitting beside Tahu, "The matoran are sleeping too." he replied, as they both looked over to the seaway tunnel.
"I hope Kokua and our colour-bright sister are alright." Lewa murmured, as false dawn brightened the sky, "We'll find out soon enough, brother." Tahu quietly replied, resting his hand on Lewa's shoulder, Lewa nodded.
Then they glanced around hearing a flutter of wings, followed by a soft thud, then Wanimua came into the fire light, ruffling his dishevelled feathers as he settled beside Tahu.
While Wanimua carefully preened his feathers back into place, dawn began to break and the stars to fade.
The suns were just peeking above the horizon, when Wanimua fluttered over to where the butterfly flock roosted; perching beside them Wanimua started singing.
A few minutes later, everyone came out the tents and over to where Tahu and Lewa sat, as they ate, the Toa and Turaga discussed what could lay ahead in the tunnel, when they'd finished, the matoran folded the tents, with the Toa helping.
"What about the butterfly flock and Wanimua?" Macku asked curiously as they prepared to enter the tunnel, Nokama glanced at Wanimua, who chirped several times, "He says, he came to escort the flock back to Ga-metru." she translated smiling.
xXx
Anuenue woke slowly becoming aware as she woke, that Shenu, Resha and Tane were anxiously whispering to each other, "What's wrong?" she asked, opening her eyes, "Where are we?" They were in a small room with barred windows and a sturdy door, laying near where the Turaga been put, was an unconscious Onu-matoran, then she glanced around concerned, "Where's Kokua?"
"We think they are trying to find out what she is, Turaga." Tane whispered, as they looked worriedly at the rainbow hued Turaga, then everyone glanced towards the door as they heard footsteps approaching.
When the door was opened, Anuenue was hard pressed not to cry aloud, as Avak entered carrying Kokua, she was unconscious and covered in cuts and bruises, he was followed by Reidak, who dropped some canisters and fruit on the floor.
While Avak placed Kokua on one of the benches, Reidak came over to where the incensed Turaga stood silently watching them, "Your companion is an interesting combination. Who'd have thought Toa and Rahkshi could merge." he leered at Anuenue, trying to provoke a reaction, she just stared at him, not trusting herself to speak, he snorted with laughter, "She'll live."
Then as they left, Anuenue noticed that Avak had covered Kokua with a blanket, when those trapped could no longer hear their footsteps, the Turaga quickly moved to Kokua's side, as Resha joined me Kokua regained consciousness with a startled cry.
Staring wildly around, Kokua slowly relaxed, when she realized who was with her.
"Hold still sister, let me help you." Anuenue whispered gently, while wondering if she could still heal, she nodded wincing, then they heard a groan and glanced around to see the Onu-matoran sitting up.
"What am I doing here?" he murmured puzzled, as Shenu and Tane glared at him, "You're the one who told them." Resha replied angrily as she joined her friends, blocking him from Kokua and Turaga Anuenue. "Easy, we can discuss this later. But for now I need to concentrate on healing Kokua." she commented, hoping to prevent a fight.
"Yes Turaga, there will be plenty of time for talk-chat." Shenu agreed, glancing back at her, she smiled relived, then turned back to Kokua, "Just try and relax, sister." Anuenue murmured as she focused her energy and somehow made a small sphere of light. When it began glowing blue she gently placed it on Kokua's chest and raised her hands over it.
Closing her eyes, she then sent a second pulse of energy into the sphere which then spread over Kokua, healing her, then lowered her hands to grasp the edge of the bench as dizziness swept over her. She was vaguely aware of Resha and Tane helping her over to some blankets, then nothing else.
As the glow surrounding Anuenue and Kokua faded, Resha and Tane hurried to Anuenue's side as she held onto the bench Kokua lay on, catching hold of her as she swayed, they helped Turaga Anuenue to the blankets just before she lapsed into unconsciousness.
Looking at the sleeping forms of Turaga Anuenue and Kokua, Shenu glared at the Onu-matoran. "I hope you're happy-glad, Ferus." he commented dryly turning to join Resha and Tane as they watched over Anuenue and Kokua.
"I'm sorry." Ferus whispered after several minutes had passed, Tane glanced up,
"It's not us you need to apologize to." he replied, while Resha and Shenu nodded silently, then watched as Ferus made his way to Anuenue's side, glancing nervously at the others, Ferus cautiously took hold of her hand, "I didn't realize they would hurt your friend. I'm really sorry Turaga." he whispered softly.
For several moments nothing happened, then Anuenue's hand slowly closed around Ferus's as her eyes flickered open, gazing at him, she said nothing, then covered his hand with her right one, still holding his hand firmly she drifted back to sleep.
A while later Anuenue's hands opened, letting Ferus go, he glanced at Shenu, Tane and Resha puzzled, then crouched beside the blankets where Anuenue slept.
Kokua stirred and slowly awoke, then sat up and pushed the blanket off, before moving to see how Anuenue was. Glancing anxiously at her, Kokua was about to cover Anuenue with the blanket when everyone heard footsteps approaching. While Ferus quickly sat on the bench he'd been placed on, Kokua swiftly returned to the bench she'd been put on and covered herself with the blanket before closing her eyes.
A few moments later, the door swung open and Avak moved into the room, while Hakann waited outside, after looking at Kokua for several moments and the silent matoran, he lifted Anuenue's sleeping form up and went to leave the room.
"No! Don't hurt her!" Ferus suddenly yelled out, running over and wrapping himself around Avak's leg. Without slowing down, Avak backhanded Ferus, stunning him, and as Ferus slumped to the floor, the door closed with a thud.
Before their footsteps had faded away, Kokua had silently moved from the bench to kneel beside Ferus and gently lifted his head up, placing the blanket under it.
As Resha, Shenu and Tane joined Kokua, she glanced towards the door, "Great Spirit protect her." Kokua whispered as a tear ran down her cheek and landed on Ferus's mask, Tane glanced at Shenu and Resha, unsure how they could help, then Resha moved to gently hug Kokua.
Rejoining his fellow Piraka, Avak set Anuenue on a table, then looked at Zaktan, "So, got any idea why they turned up?" he asked as they gathered around the table, Zaktan thought for a few moments.
"Could be one of those dull prophecies the matoran set their hopes on." he growled, turning his attention back to Anuenue, as she stirred and opened her eyes, Vezok took hold of the Turaga's shoulders and hauled her upright.
"What are you doing here, Turaga?" he snarled as the others drew closer to listen, while she blinked sleepily at them. "I've no idea why I'm here, or where here is." she murmured drowsily trying to stay awake, the Piraka looked at each other surprised at her lack of fear, "Ach, she's no use to us like this. Take her back, we'll 'talk' with her when she's awake." Zaktan commented ominously, as the Turaga fell asleep again.
Grumbling as he carried the Turaga back to the cell, Avak wondered if the pretty blue/silver one had awoken yet. Pushing the door open, he entered the room and carried Turaga Anuenue over to the bench.
Kokua shrank back when he entered, then looked concernedly at Anuenue, "She sleeps," Avak commented.
"What's your name?" he then asked, as the matoran watched them anxiously, Kokua jumped shocked as Avak tapped her shoulder, having not heard him.
"I said what's your name." he repeated, as she stared at him, "K-kokua." she whispered nervously, he grinned, "Nice name, cute like you." Avak nodded, then patted her cheek before he left the room and locked the door.
Kokua shuddered horrified, as Tane passed her a water canister, pouring some into her hand; Kokua rubbed it over the cheek Avak had patted.
xXx
Making their way carefully down the tunnel to where the seaway began, the Toa and matoran began shifting the debris and rocks to the sides. Jaller, Macku and Ahonui had scouted ahead, when everyone heard Macku yelp startled, hurrying to where they were, they found her, Jaller and Ahonui staring at dust covered Toa armour and masks.
Dume walked over to where the masks lay and gently lifted them up, Ahonui silently held his hands out and Dume handed him one of them, carefully Ahonui wiped all the dust off it before passing the mask to Vakama, then he did the same with the other mask.
"We'll take these masks with us and when we return to Metru Nui, place them in the Great Temple. They were brave fighters and good friends." Turaga Dume said after a long moment of silence had passed.
"Toa Aikane, Amaya, you are to guard these Kanohi." Dume said as they came over to him, Vakama and Ahonui, they quietly nodded, gently taking the masks, Aikane passed the indigo coloured one to Amaya.
After they and everyone had silently examined the masks, Aikane and Amaya placed them carefully away, while Takanuva, Onua, Gali and Tahu built a cairn of stone over the Toa armour.
Hewkii and Onewa carved an inscription onto a flat piece of stone which Pohatu then placed in front of the cairn, they then bowed to the resting place of the missing Toa.
"You'll have to tell us about them sometime, Turaga Dume." Tahu gently said, as they continued towards where the sound of water could be heard lapping against the walls could be heard.
They had reached the edge of the seaway, which was blocked by a cover which had been welded round the edge, "They did a through job, but I will be able to melt the welding." Tahu said pulling one of his Magma Swords out, as he moved closer to the cover, Lewa realized Aikane wasn't with them.
Tapping Takanuva's arm, he quietly whispered, "Our shadow-sister's missing, I'm going to look-see where she is."
"I'll come with you." Takanuva replied after glancing around at the others, who were watching Tahu intently, Nokama, Whenua and Nuju glanced at them and nodded, having overheard their conversation.
Making their way back to where Jaller, Macku and Ahonui had found the armour and masks, Lewa and Takanuva became aware of a blue glow emanating from that part of the tunnel.
Glancing around the corner of the tunnel, they were astounded to see that Aikane had been joined not only by the Great Spirit but another two spirits, who were unmistakably Toa.
As Lewa and Takanuva silently watched, the spirit Toa nearest Aikane held his hands over the mask she held, when the mask started glowing, that spirit bowed to Aikane and Mata Nui before he slowly disappeared. Then the second spirit, as Aikane placed the mask away, moved closer to her, Lewa and Takanuva watched stunned as this spirit Toa merged with Aikane, while Mata Nui's spirit nodded as he too faded from sight.
A change came over Aikane as she turned and strode purposefully towards where Lewa and Takanuva stood; pausing as she reached them, Aikane silently nodded and continued towards where the others were.
Following her, Takanuva nudged Lewa, "Did you see her eyes?" Lewa nodded.
"Yes, they've colour-changed to silver." he murmured. As they caught up with and walked beside Aikane they also noticed that she was now indigo hued.
When Takanuva, Lewa and Aikane reached the others, Tahu was a quarter of the way round the cover. Aikane looked towards Amaya, who was quietly talking with Dume, then glanced at Lewa.
"Do you want me to get-fetch them?" he asked curiously, when she nodded, Lewa quickly went and whispered to Dume, glancing over to Aikane and Takanuva, Dume's eyes widened, seeing her altered form, as he and Amaya came over, she bowed, then smiled.
"Toa of Colour, let your sister hold my mask." a whisper echoed throughout the tunnel, catching everyone's attention, Amaya looked curiously at Aikane while she took the mask out, then moved closer to hand it to Aikane.
Bowing to Amaya, an indigo glow then surrounded Aikane, as the spirit of the second Toa moved out of her and bowed again to Turaga Dume.
The spirit then turned back to Aikane, who nodded at her as she placed her hands over the mask, when the mask began to glow, she bowed to Aikane who smiled and bowed back, as the spirit Toa disappeared, handing the mask back to Amaya, Aikane then sat down quickly, feeling giddy.
"Are you feeling alright?" Dume asked, sitting beside her, as Lewa, Takanuva and Amaya drew closer to them, while Tahu went beck to melting the weld and the others quietly talked amongst themselves.
"Father said I'd feel tired after the spirit Toa left me." she whispered, as her eyes closed and she would have slumped to the ground if Lewa hadn't caught and supported her, "You just sleep-rest sister, we'll wake you when it's time to move-go."
"Thank you." they heard Aikane whisper as she drifted into a deep sleep, Amaya sat beside Lewa as he gently lay Aikane onto the ground.
Amaya looked carefully at the mask she held, which now had a soft indigo glow around it, putting the mask away, she glanced at Lewa and Takanuva, "Does the mask Aikane carries glow too?"
"It did have a glow around it, a silvery/white colour." Takanuva replied, as they watched Tahu getting some help from Kopaka who'd switched to his Miru, "I wonder what power-strengths those masks had?" Lewa mused, while Dume went to have a word with the rest of the Turaga.
"I think Turaga Dume will tell us when the time is right." Takanuva commented as Tahu reached the last part of the welded cover and the others switched to their Pakari and prepared to move the cover.
"We'll go help the others." Takanuva added as he and Lewa also switched masks and headed over, Amaya nodded, "I'll stay with Aikane." she replied, shifting closer to her sleeping sister.
xXx
Resting on a cushion of mist Aikane opened her eyes, and slowly sat up as the spirits of the Toa and Turaga Lhikan joined her, then the Great Spirit appeared and smiled gently, "You've done well, Daughter." Mata Nui said as he sat beside her, placing His arm around her shoulders, gently hugging her.
Aikane blushed as she glanced up at him, then looked at the spirit Toa who waited with Turaga Lhikan's spirit, they smiled and bowed to her, before returning to their rest.
"Those masks are destined to be used again," Mata Nui murmured softly to Aikane as she lent against his side, "Now rest and recover your strength." he whispered, as her eyes slowly closed.
He then placed his hand over her mask, when he took it away, the diamond on her mask shone as brightly as the crystal orb for several moments.
xXx
It was nearly midday when the Toa placed the cover of the seaway tunnel to one side, then Kopaka, Takanuva and Pohatu scouted ahead with their Akaku, while Gali, Onua and Tahu checked under the water for any dangers, rejoining the others a while later with their news.
"The sea tunnel is clear and though the boats have been damaged, they are repairable." Gali reported, after Kopaka briefly told them about the other cover at the far end of the seaway, "Our fallen brother and sister must have sealed that end first." Amaya murmured as everyone sat close to where Aikane slept.
Hahli joined Amaya and they chatted while Hahli began making notes, when they'd finished refreshing themselves, Gali, Lewa, Tahu and Takanuva went to fetch the damaged boats.
By early afternoon they had dredged up four of the boats and Hahli and Macku were closely examining the extent of the damage.
"They will not take long to mend. If we get started, the boats should be watertight by tomorrow." Macku grinned, as Hahli went to examine the cover that lay against the wall.
"We can use bits of this to patch the boats." she added, returning to where Macku was measuring one of the holes.
"It looks like the Toa deliberately did as little damage as possible," Macku commented, noting down the size of patch needed, "All the holes are the same size." she added, glancing at the others, who were talking with Nokama about boat repairing, while Gali joined Amaya to see how Aikane was.
"I think our sister's dreaming again." Amaya murmured after they'd talked about mending the boats.
"Ahonui, would you watch our sister, while we lend a hand with the boats?" Gali asked when he came over with a water canister, "Of course I will." he smiled and sat close to Aikane while Gali and Amaya rejoined the others, not long after the Turaga joined him, as they sat beside Aikane and Ahonui, she stirred and softly murmured, but didn't wake.
Glancing at her, the Turaga began discussing what had taken place when Aikane had rejoined them.
After a few minutes the Toa and matoran had split into two groups, one group began preparing the boats, while the other started marking and cutting out patches from the tunnel cover, when Takanuva had finished cutting out the last patch, he helped Hewkii, Macku, Kongu and Gali take the pile of carefully measured patches back to the upturned boats.
Watching with the Turaga, Ahonui wondered what lay ahead for them, "Don't worry Ahonui." Aikane whispered to him as she woke and slowly sat up, quietly the Turaga waited to see if Aikane had anything she was allowed to pass on, after a few minutes, Ahonui passed her a canister and some fruit, after having a drink, Aikane smile at him and the Turaga, then told them about her dream.
"I've never heard of that happening before." Dume murmured, as he and the other Turaga talked about the masks reactivation, he then told Aikane and Ahonui a bit about the platinum and indigo Toa whose masks she and Amaya now carried.
When Aikane had finished eating, they rejoined the others as Tahu and Jaller finished welding the final patch on, while Macku and Hahli checked the first boat as Lewa and Pohatu held it as it slowly bobbed in the slight swell, "Perfect!" Macku grinned after watching the repair intently for several minutes.