Amaya, Dalu, Takanuva, Jaller and Piruk were first to wake, as false dawn started to brighten the sky.
While Takanuva and Piruk started to rouse the others, Dalu and Jaller started getting breakfast together and Amaya went to see how Aikane was.
On reaching her, Amaya found that Aikane had turned over and buried her mask in her arms, kneeling beside her, Amaya silently called out to Aikane gently rousing her.
A few minutes later, Aikane stirred and rolled over, Amaya rocked back, surprised as Aikane blinked and focused on her.
"Sister, what's happened?" Amaya whispered, as Gali, on the other side of the camp, glanced up sensing something was occurring,
Aikane glanced towards Mount Valmai, then hugged Amaya tightly, "The Mask of Life is the only thing that can save Mata Nui." Aikane's voice rang out across the camp, she then told Amaya and Gali, what she'd seen while asleep.
While everyone discussed what Aikane had said, Gali moved to sit with Amaya and Aikane.
"Sister, your eyes and the diamond on your mask have changed colour." Gali whispered softly, as she also gave her a hug, then as they rolled up the blankets, watched Lewa's Aikane's and Matoro's shadow twins greeting Kokua and her shadow twin when they appeared close by.
It didn't take long after that for everyone to be ready and while the Toa switched to their Kakama, the shadow twins scouted ahead, relaying what they could see to Hahli's' who wrote it down, before passing the sheets to Tahu, Lewa was watching Aikane closely, then glanced at Onua. "Our shadow-sister's distracted by something huge-big. We'd better keep a close-near watch over her."
After looking at Aikane, who was gazing at Mount Valmai as though entranced, Onua nodded.
"I'll tell the others." he quietly replied.
While they formed into groups, Aikane went over to where Kokua was talking with Takanuva, Macku, Kongu, Velika and Kazi, as the groups began to racing towards Mount Valmai, Kokua flew overhead.
Keeping pace with ease, she thought about why Aikane's eyes were now the same colour as Mata Nui's, her thoughts were interrupted by a movement in the distance, swiftly Kokua swooped down and waved to the Toa and matoran, as they slowed down, she told them what she'd seen. "I think we've nearly caught up with the Piraka."
"How long before we reach them?" Garan asked cracking his knuckles, while Dalu growled as she pulled out her chargers out and went through a series of parries, even Piruk looked eager for a fight.
"Not long, I think roughly half an hour." Kokua murmured, startled by their reaction to her news.
"When we get closer, the Toa, matoran and Kokua should head for Mount Valmai. Kazi you go with them." as Garan said 'matoran' he glanced at Jaller and the others.
"We and the shadow twin will distract the Piraka for as long as possible." he finished and watched the Toa as they glanced at each other.
"Alright, but send one of the shadow twins if you need help." Tahu said, then he, Kopaka and Pohatu followed the others towards Mount Valmai, Onua was close to Aikane, as everyone picked up speed.
Her eyes were locked on the volcano and if he hadn't guided her, Aikane would have stumbled and fallen several times.
Slowing to negotiate their way around a ravine, Kopaka and Gali glanced back using their Akaku to see how the Resistance and shadow twins were fairing against the Piraka.
"Sister, wait!" Takanuva suddenly called out, swiftly Kopaka and Gali turned back and saw that Aikane was disappearing from sight.
"She's taken Kazi and he's the only one who knows our destination." Amaya exclaimed worriedly.
"Not really, Kazi told me about the paths leading to the volcano." Matoro said, as Kokua took off and hovered above them.
"I'll see if I can find her." she called, Kokua then flew towards Mount Valmai, spotting a violet dot speeding towards the volcano, Kokua quickly soared back and told the others which direction Aikane had taken.
"You'd better stay with them, sister." Gali murmured as the Toa switched to their Miru and crossed the ravine, before switching back to their Kakama.
Kokua nodded as she helped with carrying the matoran over the ravine, placing Hewkii down, Kokua then spread her wings and flew towards where she'd last seen Aikane.
Kazi looked at the ravine and was wondering how quickly the Toa could get around it, when he felt someone lifting him up, glancing up startled, Kazi watched as Aikane's mask changed and they soared over the ravine, as she gently landed, her mask switched to her Kakama.
"Toa Aikane, what's going on?" Kazi asked as the slopes of Mount Valmai grew closer, Aikane made no reply as she gazed unwaveringly at the volcano.
Then Kazi glanced over her shoulder and saw Kokua catching up with them, he waved to reassure her that he was alright and Kokua waved back as she approached them.
Several minutes later, Aikane slowed down and stopped, then placed Kazi on the ground, before collapsing beside him breathless, Kokua landed and hurried to Aikane's' side, as Kazi glanced around.
xXx
Malie, the shadow twins, Kewe and Lari sat and watched the sun rise, then Malie tapped Lari's arm, when she glanced around, Malie pointed down, indicating that he was going back inside.
"Going to check on Turaga Anuenue?" she asked as everyone stood up, Malie nodded, smiling, as his fingers brushed over Kokua's feather.
Kewe glanced around at the view from the Fortress and went to chat with Toma while Malie, Lari and the shadow twins headed back inside.
"It's odd-strange having seven hush-quiet friends." he commented quietly, as they gazed towards Mount Valmai, Toma was about to reply, when he saw Resha's and Shenu's shadow twins returning.
They must have over heard Kewe, as Resha's signalled to Toma not to say anything, while Shenu's grinned as he removed the lid from the water canister he carried.
Reaching the sleeping quarters, the shadow twins hung back as Malie entered, Resha's and Shenu's then saw Analu passing with some water canisters for those on guard duty, they joined her and indicated they'd carry the water up for her.
"Thank you." Analu said, then grinned as she joined Lari and the other shadow twins, who were keeping an eye on Malie, he went over to where Anuenue lay, then stopped suddenly, realizing what had slipped everyone's minds when they had suddenly appeared last night.
Turning back to the others, Malie gestured at his mask, then at Anuenue's comatose form, Analu frowned, gasped, caught Tane's shadow twin's arm and they raced off.
Lari and the remaining shadow twins joined Malie, as he returned to the bed, and with the shadow twins help, carefully shifted Anuenue, so that she rested on her back.
Analu and Tane's shadow twin came hurrying back carrying several masks, Lari swore at not realizing sooner as she looked at the masks.
Malie glanced swiftly at them, then picked one, looked closer at it, nodded and gently placed it over Anuenue's pale face.
Watching anxiously, Lari moved closer and squeezed Malie's hand, as everyone gathered around, waiting to see if Anuenue would awaken.
Several long moments passed silently, then a sigh came from Anuenue and colour slowly moved over the mask, as it did, the lightstone shards on her staff lit up, casting rainbows around the room.
Malie picked Anuenue's staff up, then rested it beside her, placing her hand over it, while Analu and Lari hugged and the shadow twins patted Malie in silent joy, then everyone sat on the beds and waited to see when she would awaken.
xXx
The spirit Toa and Turaga Lhikan watched anxiously over Mata Nui's and Anuenue's unconscious spirits.
Since she'd placed the song-made mask onto the Great Spirit, the fading of his colour had slowed considerably, but Anuenue's spirit's colour was fading as they watched.
Atinu glanced at Nahele, who shrugged, at his wits end as to how they could help Anuenue's spirit, Turaga Lhikan patted one of the spirit Toa, before standing up and moved closer to both sleeping spirits.
"Mata Nui!" Lhikan's exclamation of surprise, caused the spirit Toa to join him quickly, as they watched a mask slowly appeared on Anuenue's face.
"That's not her Ruaorea." Lhikan murmured softly as Anuenue's colour began to grow stronger, while the wisps of mist nearby glowed with a pale rainbow hue.
"Maybe not, but it's saved her." Phira replied, moving to hug Anuenue.
xXx
After the Toa, matoran and Kokua had headed for the volcano, Garan turned to the shadow twins.
"We need to block them, would you take us ahead of them?" He asked, Tahu's nodded and everyone joined hands, while the shadow twins gathered around them, then they walked into the shadow cast by some bushes.
Piruk out of curiosity, kept his eyes open and when they came out of their brief journey, far enough ahead of the Piraka to set up their defences, he looked pale and dashed behind a tree.
Lewa's and Hahli's shadow twin went to see how he was, while the other shadow twins grinned, 'We did warn everyone.' the note that Aikane's had written said.
Chuckling, the Resistance swiftly got ready and had just finished their preparations when Matoro's and Piruk's shadow twins returned and signalled that the Piraka were close.
The shadow twins glanced at each other, then listened as Garan outlined what he wanted them to do, nodding, most vanished to their positions, while Aikane's, Kongu's and Dalu's paused as Kokua's then wrote a note and looked at Garan as he read it.
"Alright, that will be a great help. Just be careful." he said, as she caught the kolhii stick, Kongu's shadow twin threw her, then he and the others tapped fists and went to join the rest, while Kokua's spread her wings and flew towards the approaching Piraka.
Flying past where the other shadow twins waited, Kokua's nodded as they silently wished her well, landing a couple of kio ahead of them and taking comfort from the other shadow twins, Kokua's watched as the Piraka came into sight and on seeing her they slowed down and spread out.
Moving closer, Zaktan frowned "How did you escape, freak?" He snarled, Kokua's shadow twin glared at them as she stood there, clasping the kolhii stick, her wings half open.
"Avak, you like her, take care of her." Zaktan snapped, while he and the others moved past Avak, who nodded, a nasty grin spreading across his face.
When the rest of the Piraka were out of earshot, Avak moved closer to Kokua's shadow twin, "You look cuter than ever," he commented as he readied his weapons and innate ability.
"Why don't we team up?" Avak added, as they began to circle, Kokua's shadow twin looked sick at that comment and shook her head emphatically, while scooping up a stone with the kolhii stick.
Avak's grin grew broader, "You think you can defeat me with rocks? You must still be feverish."
Tahu's and Kopaka's shadow twins were standing with Dalu's, Kazi's and Balta's as they watched for sign of the Piraka's approach.
A short time later, Lewa's gestured to the north, as he and Velika's caught a glimpse of the remaining Piraka as they advanced towards where the shadow twins were positioned.
As the five Piraka approached, Takanuva's shadow twin watched as Tahu's glanced at Hahli's, who nodded and returned to the Resistance, before taking out his Magma Swords, as the rest did the same and readied themselves.
"When are you fools going to realize you're no match for us." Zaktan growled as the Piraka stopped a short distance from the shadow twins, the Resistance's shadow twins moving to stand in front of the others.
xXx
As Anuenue's senses slowly returned, she could feel that someone was firmly holding her right hand and she was being held by someone else.
"Turaga Lhikan, I think Anuenue's waking." the one holding her called out as her eyes flickered open and slowly focused upon Lhikan's worried mask.
"Hello brothers." Anuenue whispered as she smiled at Lhikan and the flame coloured spirit Toa who supported her, as she spoke, Mata Nui's grip on her hand relaxed and hers slipped onto her lap.
Gently the flame coloured Toa hugged Anuenue, before letting Phira and the others take turns, he then placed her back beside Mata Nui's spirit form.
"Rest sister, it will be a while before you regain your strength." Turaga Lhikan said, as Anuenue's' eyes slowly closed.
Turaga Lhikan nodded at Nahele, who called up the image of the sleeping quarters where Anuenue's body rested. Then everyone watched the image intently, as Anuenue's spirit returned to her body.
A sigh of relief rippled around them as they watched Anuenue's eyes open and she smiled at those who watched over her.
xXx
Awaking for a second time in such a short space of time left the rainbow hued Turaga feeling light-headed and it took a few moments for her to focus on who she was smiling at.
Gently some of the matoran propped her up and a Le-matoran offered her a drink, after carefully taking a few sips, she let him put the beaker down.
"What your name?" Anuenue murmured softly, as the matoran rested me back down, he blushed, then one of the Ga-matoran replied. "This is Malie and I'm Lari."
Anuenue nodded, yawned and slipped back into slumber, a slight smile on her mask, Malie then hugged Lari, both relieved that Anuenue had awoken.
"It'll take a couple of days for Turaga Anuenue to regain her strength." Lari murmured, as the shadow twins decided which one should take a message to Kokua. Malie nodded absently, as he watched the sleeping Turaga, Lari glanced at him and smiled.
"I'll get us something to eat." Lari said to Shenu's shadow twin as she moved towards the door, he nodded, handing her a note as he walked beside her. 'Resha's' shadow twin is taking a note to Kokua.' Lari read as they headed through the Fortress.
"Hey Lari, how's our guest?" Kewe called as he came charging down a flight of stairs, with Analu close behind him.
"She awoke for a few moments, we're just getting something to eat." Lari explained, Kewe glanced at Shenu's shadow twin, who laughed silently.
"I'll lift-carry the canisters." Kewe chuckled as he walked beside them.
When Lari and Shenu's shadow twin had left, Resha's' hugged Malie, before taking the note Haki's had written and headed off.
He watched her vanish into the shadow, smiled at the remaining shadow twins, then shifted to sit on the edge of Anuenue's bed.
They watched curiously at Malie as he sat there, slowly brushing the feather Kokua had given him, over Anuenue's hand. She didn't wake up, but Anuenue's smile deepened as her hand twitched, when the feather touched her palm, a few moments later Malie put the feather away, hugged Anuenue and sat back on the nearest bed.
Then Ferus's and Haki's shadow twins joined him, as Malie watched her, a few seconds later Haki's passed him a note, 'Lewa's shadow twin says Anuenue is tougher than she looks.' Malie silently chuckled and tapped fists with them.
xXx
"Sister, what's wrong?" Kokua gently asked as she helped Aikane to sit up, to her surprise Aikane hugged her and began crying, while she cried, Kokua gently wrapped a wing around Aikane and listened as Kazi explained what had occurred before she and her shadow twin arrived.
When Aikane's sobs lessened, she told Kokua and Kazi about what she'd seen while she had slept, deeply shocked, both hugged Aikane, while Kokua ineffectively tried to stem the tears that streamed down her face.
As they sat there, Aikane suddenly glanced at the shadow cast by Kokua's wings and managed a small smile as Resha's shadow twin appeared, she bowed to Aikane and handed her a note.
"Malie's picked a spare mask for Anuenue. She's awoken and will be alright." Aikane read out, then hugged Resha's shadow twin tightly.
"We will find the Mask of Life, Toa Aikane." Kazi said as he spotted the others approaching, "All of us." Kokua added, hugging her again.
"I know," Aikane murmured, "It's just..." then she couldn't finish her sentence as emotion choked her, Gali and Amaya put Kongu, Hahli and Hewkii down, then joined Kokua as she hugged Aikane tightly.
As Tahu and the others reached them, he gestured quietly to them and they waited a short distance away, Kazi joining them, while waiting for Gali and the others to join them, Takanuva asked about where they were heading.
Kazi quietly explained, "We have to go two thirds of the way up Mount Valmai's slopes, and look for a rahi shaped outcrop."
"What kind of rahi-beast?" Lewa asked curiously as they slowly moved back to where the others sat, Kazi glanced up at him. "I'm not sure, I've never its like before."
"Hmm, I've seen a few." Kopaka commented, gazing up at the volcano as he switched to his Mahiki, Kazi watched as Kopaka changed into all the rahi he knew, with each one Kazi shook his head.
"There are two more we know of." Onua said as Kopaka switched back to his Akaku.
"Wotzit?" Lewa grinned, switching to his Mahiki and activating it, Kazi gasped as 'Wotzit' bounced over and nudged his hand.
"No, I'm sorry it's not this one." Kazi murmured, watching as 'Wotzit' went over to Aikane, Tahu switched to his Mahiki.
"That just leaves Wanimua." he smiled activating it, as 'Wanimua' blinked at Kazi, he nodded, "Yes that's the one."
Tahu switched back and glanced over to watch as Gali, Amaya and Lewa joined them, while Kokua sat with Aikane, who was gazing up at the volcano.
"Let's go." Pohatu commented, as Aikane got up and began to head up the slopes of Mount Valmai, quickly Kokua joined her as everyone else followed.
Kazi was puzzled as how Aikane knew the path, when he had only told Matoro, before asking him not to tell anyone else.
Resha's shadow twin walked beside Kokua and Aikane, glancing up at Kokua, she patted her wing and when Kokua glanced at her, Resha's shadow twin signalled that she wanted to return to the others.
Kokua smiled and spread her wings, casting a shadow for Resha's shadow twin to use, "Give Anuenue a hug for me." Kokua heard Amaya say as they watched Resha's shadow twin walk into the shadow, she glanced back, nodded smiling and vanished.
xXx
As Avak lunged at Kokua's shadow twin, she flew up out of reach of his weapons and launched the stone at him, it struck his left hand hard, causing him to roar in surprise and drop his Zamor Sphere Launcher.
"You'll pay for that!" Avak snarled, blood running from the gash in his hand, as Kokua's shadow twin landed a bio away, scooping up a couple more stones, which sat snugly in the kolhii stick.
Avak's eyes narrowed as he watched Kokua's shadow twin, as she waited for him to make the next move, "I'm gonna clip your wings!" Avak hissed as he unleashed his innate ability, enclosing Kokua's shadow twin in a spherical transparent prison.
While she glanced around it curiously, Avak stalked over, "Enjoy your stay. I'll free you when I return." He told her ominously, before turning and heading after the rest.
Watching as Avak raced out of sight, Kokua's shadow twin called out to the others, telling them what had happened.
Then she glanced around the prison again, grinning as a nearby bush started to cast its shadow into the prison. She moved to sit in the shadow then disappeared into it.
Though she wanted to join up with the others, Kokua's shadow twin went back to the Fortress as Aikane's had asked and was greeted by the others and Malie.
Sitting beside Malie, Kokua's shadow twin watched as Ferus's went to find Shenu's' and the others, Tane's grinned as he told Kokua's what Shenu's had done to Kewe, she silently laughed as Ferus's shadow twin returned with Shenu's, Lari, Kewe and Alanu.
After smiling at them, Kokua's shadow twin turned her attention to Anuenue, who had been quietly watching them as she propped herself up on her elbows.
When Anuenue woke up again, she saw Kokua's shadow twin arriving and watched the others greet her, before she sat beside Malie. He realized the Turaga was awake, but didn't alert the others when she winked at him.
After Kokua's shadow twin had smiled at them, she glanced at Anuenue and hugged her, delighted that she was awake, as her wings encircled her, Anuenue felt something land on her arm.
Glancing up at her, Anuenue realized she was crying with joy, hugging her tightly she brushed the tears away.
"Hush shadow sister, things will be alright." the Turaga of Colour whispered as she blushed and rubbed her face dry, then helped her to sit up, before Lari passed Anuenue something to eat.
Lehua's shadow twin glanced at Kokua's and mimed writing, when she nodded, he passed her some writing materials, passing the empty bowl back to Lari and thanking her Anuenue settled back and listened to the sound of Kokua's shadow twin writing.
Glancing up from the sheet she'd just filled, Kokua's shadow twin smiled as she realized that Anuenue had drifted back to sleep.
Malie grinned and read the sheet Kokua's shadow twin passed him, before handing it to Lari, as morning shifted to midday, a small pile of sheets accumulated beside Analu.
"So any thoughts on what you'll do now?" Lari asked when she'd finished reading, Kokua's shadow twin shrugged and quickly scribbled on a spare sheet. 'I'm wanting to help Aikane, but the time's not right yet.'
"Well, why don't I show you around?" Lari smiled, as Kewe passed Analu the last two sheets, Kokua's' shadow twin nodded, grinning.
As they stood up, Kewe said he'd come too, before leaving the sleeping quarters, Kokua's shadow twin glanced at the feather that Kokua had given Malie, as he brushed it against his fingers, then plucked a smaller one of her's and handed it to him.