Sorry for the delay, some dozy plank knocked coffee over her laptop
Acha and Acirru glanced at Rinia as they headed to the 'kitchen' to wash up and start preparing the 'paste', she nodded as she carried a load of metal parts over to be sorted.
Entering the building, Acha was able to glance into the 'sleeping area' where Turaga Anuenue lay, a gasp of surprise caused Acirru to join him and they watched for a few moments then turned towards the bowls and pot and began cleaning them.
A few seconds later two figures glanced curiously around the door, then joined them, several minutes later, the white one passed Acha a note, managing to wedge it under a dry bowl, he read it out.
"We are shadow twin Toa and have come to see if we can do anything to help you." Placing the final bowl down to drain, Acirru grinned, "I think Turaga Anuenue will be happy-glad to see you." he murmured.
While Lewa's and Kopaka's shadow twins went to see the two matoran they'd spotted looking at them, Gali's, Onua's and Amaya's knelt beside the pallet Anuenue lay on.
Gently Amaya's took Anuenue's right hand and gently squeezed it, they watched surprise as a glow surrounded her bandaged hand and glanced at each other wondering what it could mean.
Then shortly after Anuenue's eyes opened and she gazed at them before sitting up and hugged the nearest shadow twin, as tears began streaming down her mask, gently Onua's hugged her back while Gali's hugged both and Amaya's glanced towards the 'kitchen'.
When Anuenue brushed the last of the tears away, she got up, driven by the order to work, and headed into the kitchen, picked up the spoon she'd used earlier and joined Acirru who was mixing the 'paste', as they stirred it, she quietly told the shadow twins, Acirru and Acha what had occurred.
xXx
While Toa Kaita Alohi's shadow twin glanced around at everyone, smiling serenely and nodding as her brothers explained what was happening.
As Amaya switched masks, she gazed up at Alohi's shadow twin amazed, as Takanuva hugged her, while Amaya quietly discussed the plans they'd made earlier with him, Kokua's shadow twin was stood near Onua, looking shyly up at the other shadow twins.
Then everyone moved into position, quietly talking, as they watched the distant forms of their adversaries coming slowly up the side of Mount Valmai.
While Axonn and the Toa readied their weapons and elements, the shadow twins listened to Kopaka's relaying what Turaga Anuenue had told them, and concentrated their concern and anger into energy to use against their foes.
xXx
Halfway up the volcano, Zaktan paused to catch his breath and watched the others as they tried to make things tough for each other, then he glanced at Brutaka.
"You're not fooling me." Zaktan thought, as he began climbing again, Brutaka was frowning as he climbed, then glanced towards where they'd sensed the Mask of Life's presence.
"What's bugging you?" Reidak rumbled, as he drew level, Brutaka stayed quiet for a moment, then explained.
"Something's different, we all sensed the masks appearance," Reidak snarled, annoyed, then listened as Brutaka continued, "Yet it seems like the mask is out of reach and none of you have been effected by its presence."
Reidak bit back the sarcastic comment he was about to make, as he realized Brutaka was right.
xXx
While standing beside Pohatu, Aikane sensed that Mata Nui was close by, she whispered to Pohatu, who nodded quietly, then drew back a few paces and sat down.
Everyone cast a quick glance over to Aikane, then returned to watching the distant figures approaching, a few moments later the shadow twins joined Aikane and sat around her.
As Akamai's, Wairuha's, Alohi's and Kokua's shadow twins watched, an aura of blue light surrounded Aikane while she listened to Mata Nui, then it drifted down to her hands and Aikane nodded as she stood up and turned to Akamai.
Gently, Aikane brushed her glowing hands over his Aki, before doing the same to Wairuha's Rua and Alohi's Niji, turning to Kokua's shadow twin, Aikane smiled, then passed her hands gently over Kokua's shadow twin's throat, making it glow blue.
"Father, what just happened?" Aikane silently asked, as she watched the Toa Kaita shadow twins rejoin the others, while Kokua's looked at her curiously.
"Watch and see, Daughter. I will be close." Mata Nui softly replied, as Akamai's shadow twin suddenly looked over to Tahu.
"Brother, we will help the best we can." he murmured, everyone looked over to him, surprise, "Thank you." Tahu replied, bowing slightly, then while they watched, double checking their weapons, he smiled hearing Alohi's and Wairuha's shadow twins softly talking with Kopaka, Takanuva and Axonn, nodding from time to time.
Kokua's shadow twin then cocked her head, listening as the Great Spirit whispered softly, "You have a song to sing, but not just yet."
Kokua's shadow twin glanced at Aikane, then bowed to her before they rejoined the others, who were talking about what had happened to the shadow twins.
"They've stop-halted" Lewa muttered, as Aikane joined him and Onua, while Kokua's shadow twin stood beside Gali and Axonn.
"They will try and sweet talk us into handing the Mask of Life over, then will threaten to harm Turaga Anuenue." Axonn commented, his eyes narrowing as he watched the distant form of Brutaka.
"Our shadow twin brothers and sisters will protect her and the matorans Alohi's shadow twin replied firmly, as Gali stifled a curse, "Why sister, I didn't know you could swear so eloquently." Onua grinned, as Gali blushed slightly, then everyone hushed as a distant shouting match ensued amongst the Piraka, before Zaktan moved closer to where they watched, standing in the morning sunlight.
xXx
When the door closed firmly behind Axonn, the remaining shadow twins glanced curiously at Kokua then hugged her, while Hahli and Matoro began telling Shenu and the others of their adventures.
Jaller, Ahonui, Macku, Hewkii and Kongu also listened avidly, even though they knew the stories back to front.
Sitting on the edge of Axonn's bed, Kokua was stroking Makeo's wings, while the shadow twins looked curiously at the glowing orb she held.
A while later Hahli had just finished telling Shenu and the others about Sherries' and Wotzit's first visit to Mata Nui and was having a drink, Malie went over to Aikane's shadow twin, she smiled and lifted him onto her lap.
Waiting for either Hahli or Matoro to begin the next story, Malie had just taken out the feather Kokua had given him, when he felt Aikane's shadow twin shiver slightly.
Looking up, he was surprise to see a blue glow surrounding, not just her mask, but the other shadow twin's masks too.
Everyone watched fascinated as the shadow twins glanced at each other curiously, when the glow vanished, and Resha and Lehua asked what happened next, Tahu's shadow twin shifted closer to Kokua and hugged her.
"Sister, will you sing for us?" he whispered softly, as Makeo crooned quietly, Takanuva's and Pohatu's smiled eagerly, while Aikane's was softly whispering to Malie, he nodded, snuggled down in her arms and drifted off to sleep.
While the others chatted, amazed by the shadow twins ability to now speak, Kokua stammered surprise, then nodded blushing slightly as she returned Tahu's hug.
"I will when Malie wakes up." Kokua murmured, peering over to Aikane's shadow twin as she hugged Malie.
xXx
Malie stirred as he felt himself being passed to someone, opening his eyes, Malie gazed awed at the brilliant white form of Mata Nui then shyly smiled.
"I'd like to see the sphere Nahele gave you little one." the Great Spirit said, as he placed Malie down, nodding as he glanced around, Malie saw that Turaga Lhikan and the spirit Toa were sitting around them watching intrigued.
When he'd taken the green light sphere out, Malie looked up at the Great Spirit, as he gently coaxed the sphere from Malie's hands and it floated between his.
Mata Nui gazed at the sphere for several minutes, then smiled as he passed it back to Malie, shyly Malie smiled again, as he placed the sphere away, then glanced around at Nahele, before sitting beside him and Phira.
"Take good care of it Malie." Phira whispered, as the Great Spirit began talking with Turaga Lhikan, Malie nodded, as he began to feel sleepy.
Noting that Malie's spirit had lent against Phira and was falling asleep, Mata Nui smiled,listening while Turaga Lhikan continued to explain what had happened while He'd been comatose.
When Lhikan had finished, he rejoined the spirit Toa and they watched quietly while Mata Nui gently returned Malie's spirit to his body.
"Rest and finish regaining your strength." the Great Spirit murmured softly, as he watched the spirit Toa and Turaga slowly settle onto the mist and drift into sleep, then he moved a short distance away so as not to disturb them and settled down to speak with Aikane.
xXx
When Anuenue finished speaking, Acha glanced at the shadow twin Toa, as they watched Anuenue concerned, Acirru finished putting the bowls out, then realized that Anuenue was shaking, as she continued to stir the 'paste'.
Anxiously he glanced over at the shadow twins, Kopaka's nodded, quickly joining him and caught Anuenue as she crumpled to the floor.
Lifting her up, Kopaka's shadow twin nodded, at Acha and Acirru, who watched anxiously, then began to place the bowls out, quietly discussing what Turaga Anuenue had told them.
"I wonder if she will tell us about her past?" Acha murmured, casting a glance to where they rested, "Guess we'll have to wait-see I think she'll need some more think-time" Acirru replied as they left the 'kitchen'.
Feeling one of the shadow twins catch her as her strength failed, Anuenue managed to open her eyes and focus on Kopaka's and Lewa's shadow twins anxious gaze.
Carrying Anuenue back over to the pallet, Amaya's and Onua's rejoined Kopaka's as he placed her down, a few moments later Lewa's joined them, glancing at Anuenue, as she slowly fell asleep.
Anuenue's eyes were nearly closed, when she saw a blue glow surround their masks and struggled to stay awake, but was too exhausted by not having enough time to recover from the blood loss.
Glancing at each other puzzled, as Anuenue slept, the shadow twins watched the glow slowly vanish, then asked the other shadow twins if the same thing had happened to them, they then quietly tried their new ability.
xXx
When Malie awoke, he smiled up at Aikane's shadow twin, she was quietly talking with Lehua, Jaller and Macku, and smiled at Malie, as he shifted slightly.
"Hiya sleepyhead, have a good nap-sleep?" Shenu grinned, as he came over from where he was sat beside Takanuva's shadow twin and Hahli, Malie nodded and when Aikane's let him down hugged Shenu.
"I asked Kokua if she'd sing for us." Tahu's shadow twin commented, as he held a piece of fruit out to Makeo, on hearing this Malie looked over to Hahli and mimed writing, when she passed him some writing materials, he wrote something and passed it to her.
"Why not wait and ask Kokua and her shadow twin if they'll sing together?" Hahli read out, then they glanced over to Kokua, she giggled, blushing.
"That sounds like a good idea." Takanuva's shadow twin commented, as Makeo crooned from where he was coiled up between Tahu's shadow twin and Kokua.
Everyone chatted about hearing both Kokua and her shadow twin singing, after Pohatu's had asked Kokua's and she'd agreed, then Kazi asked if they could hear more about Sherrie and Wotzit.
"I'll start." Matoro said, passing some fruit to Hahli, Ahonui, Haki and Resha, Hahli nodded tucking into her snack and listened along with everyone else.
While the shadow twins listened, Aikane'' lifted Malie back onto her lap again, while Tahu's briefly glanced towards the door, as Akamai's relayed what was taking place nearby, then Tahu's told Akamai's what he and the others had discovered when he'd been hit by a Zamor Sphere.
Having noticed Tahu's shadow twin had looked over to the door for a few seconds, Kokua looked at the orb in her hand, it shone steadily, reassured, Kokua listened to Matoro until he finished and Hahli continued.
xXx
"I believe you have something we want." Zaktan growled, stopping close enough to see who the Piraka would crush this time.
The Toa, Axonn and the shadow twins watched, as the rest of the Piraka and Brutaka joined Zaktan, then Aikane took a step forward.
"We cannot give you what we do not have." she said calmly, Axonn stared at Brutaka, as he blinked, puzzled by what that Toa'd just said.
Spotting Kokua's shadow twin, Avak snarled and launched a Zamor Sphere at her, only to see it defected back by the shield of the Toa Kaita beside her.
"You lie!" Zaktan snarled, "One of you has the Mask of Life!" as everyone watched their adversaries, only Axonn saw a blue glow briefly shimmer around Brutaka's mask.
"She does not lie, if we had the mask your worst fear would have been made real." Axonn replied, still watching Brutaka, while the rest checked their weapons.
"Should we ready those shields, Velika gave us?" Amaya whispered to Tahu, he nodded, "Yes, you alert Aikane and Gali and I'll pass the word to our brothers." Tahu replied, Amaya nodded as she glanced at him, then passed what she'd just talked about to Aikane and Gali.
Kokua's shadow twin glanced up at Alohi's, as she lowered her shield and smiled her thanks, Alohi's shadow twin nodded, while they both checked on what the Piraka were doing.
They were joined by Pohatu, who softly explained what Tahu and Amaya had talked about.
"I don't think they believed Axonn." Gali murmured, as they watched the Piraka and Brutaka huddle together muttering.
"He's right, none of us have been effected by the Mask of Life." grumbled Vezok, casting a dirty glance at their opponents, "Look, let's just get on with it." Hakann snapped, glancing pointedly at the position of the sun, then ducking Reidak's swipe at him, started towards the Toa, who readied their weapons.
"I'm not letting him have all the fun." Avak growled, before he raced after Hakann, the rest were close behind them, Brutaka grinned viciously, as he reached the area below where Axonn, Aikane and Lewa stood.
"Remember what I said." Axonn murmured, before moving slowly towards his former friend, they nodded and watched him, before joining Tahu and Wairuha's shadow twin, as they prepared to take on Zaktan and Thok, while Avak and Reidak moved towards Kokua's and Alohi's shadow twins, Kopaka and Pohatu.
When Axonn was close enough, Brutaka spoke, "So you still think that the matoran weren't deserted by the Great Spirit?" he hissed, as they circled warily, their weapons poised for action.
Axonn smiled slightly, anger shining in his eyes at the memory of Brutaka's betrayal, "Yes I do 'old friend', and I think you're in for a shock." he replied, parrying a blow from Brutaka's blades, then there was no time for talking, as they slowly moved away from the Toa and shadow twins, trading blows.
A while later, Brutaka found enough breath to speak, "What did that Toa mean?" he growled, jumping over Axonn's great axe and trying to bury his blades in Axonn's shoulder.
Dodging it with ease, Axonn chuckled, "I suppose you should be told. What Aikane meant is she gave the Mask of Life to her Father." Brutaka pulled back to catch his breath, "Her Father?" Axonn nodded, "Yes. The Mask of Life was given to Mata Nui."
xXx
A couple of hours had passed and the shadow twins who were with Turaga Anuenue had split into groups, Gali's and Onua's were watching over Anuenue, while the rest were keeping an eye on the matoran
Several times Anuenue had awoken and tried to get up, only to slump back, having no strength.
"Sister, try and rest." Onua's shadow twin commented gently, as she gazed up at him and Gali's.
"It's the virus... I can't." Anuenue whispered, brushing tears of frustration from her mask, before trying to sit up again.
"It'll only cease when night falls." she added, as Onua's shadow twin caught Anuenue when she slumped back and glanced at Gali's while she gently brushed her hand over Anuenue's forehead as her eyes closed in sleep again.
"When our sister wakes again, hold her close." Gali's murmured, as they glanced towards the window, noting the suns' position.
Kopaka's, Lewa's and Amaya's shadow twins had found Garan, Dalu and Balta pushing a cart of rock fragments away from the area where most of the matoran were digging into the side of Mount Valmai.
While Kopaka's went to have a closer look at the tunnel, there was a rumble from deep within it, swiftly he and the others vanished into the shadow and appeared at the far end, several matoran were struggling to resist the virus and get away from the approaching lava.
"Close-shut you eyes." Lewa's shadow twin yelled, as he grabbed hold of the nearest matoran to the lava flow, then he and the others vanished into the shadows, dragging the matoran to safety, before returning for those not so close to the torrent of lava.
When the matoran were out of the lava tunnel, the shadow twin Toa were joined by Gali's and they managed to prevent the matoran returning to certain death by awakening their shadows, who helped pull the matoran away from the now swiftly flowing lava.
"See if you can divert them to do other things in this place." Amaya's said to Lari's and Piruk's, as they hugged their real selves tightly, while Lari, Piruk and the others gazed thankfully at the shadow twin Toa.
As the matoran' shadow twins firmly led them away, one matoran pointed at the tunnel, then pointed to another area where more matoran could be seen digging.
"Another tunnel?" Kopaka's shadow twin murmured, the matoran nodded, then as Gali's, Lewa's and Amaya's made sure the matoran would stay where it was safer, he went to check the second tunnel out.
Onua's shadow twin glanced down at Anuenue, as she murmured in her sleep, then reached out as though to touch someone while tears began trickling down her mask.
Gently he lifted Anuenue up, rocking her as she wept, a while later Amaya's returned, looking angered by what she'd witnessed, sitting beside Onua's as he carefully watched Anuenue, who was slowly awakening, Amaya's told him of how she and the others had had to rescue some matoran from a tunnel.
"The others are just as angered." Amaya's shadow twin added softly, as she stood up to return to watch with the others over the second tunnel.
Onua's nodded, as Anuenue opened her eyes and began struggling to free herself, driven by the virus to return to work, she looked gratefully at Onua's shadow twin as he firmly held her in his arms.
When her struggles eased as she exhausted herself, Anuenue whispered, "Thank you shadow brother, please don't let me go."
"I won't sister." Onua's shadow twin reassure her as sleep claimed Turaga Anuenue again.
~xXx
"YOU LIE!" Brutaka's shout of disbelief echoed over Mount Valmai, causing the others to pause for a few moments, then everyone staggered as the volcano quaked slightly.
Thinking he'd catch her unaware, Avak launched himself at Kokua's shadow twin, only to find himself face down the dirt, as she flew out of reach and had to scramble back as Pohatu launched a massive boulder at him.
Aikane glanced towards where Axonn and Brutaka fought, then turned her attention back to where Zaktan stood watching, as Thok traded blows with Lewa and Tahu.
"You've handled the mask, where is it!" Zaktan snarled at her, while she watched him, for a few seconds he could have sworn the violet Toa was listening to someone else.
As Wairuha's shadow twin stood close behind her Aikane glanced around at her brothers and sisters who were managing to hold their ground.
Then she nodded imperceptibly as Mata Nui whispered to her, Zaktan was about to split up and attack Aikane, when she suddenly smiled at him.
"I gave the Mask of Life to the Great Spirit." her voice rang out clearly, reaching all the Piraka and Brutaka, who looked up angered at where Aikane stood, with her Quarter-staff resting in the crook of her arm.
"Why? He abandoned us." Brutaka snarled, as he tried to get at Aikane, only to be blocked by Axonn's axe, meanwhile the Piraka glanced at Zaktan who nodded, then started going at the Toa and shadow twins again.
"Don't touch that Toa," Zaktan growled, gesturing towards Aikane, as she readied her staff to fight.
"I'll deal with her." he added ominously, as the protodites of his form shifted eagerly, ready for action.
Aikane didn't answer Brutaka's outburst, instead she just gazed at him sorrowfully for a few moments before going to fight beside Lewa and Tahu.
Reidak watched Alohi's shadow twin as she effortlessly deflected the missiles Avak launched at the Toa who were fighting Vezok and Hakann.
He was about to launch his own barrage at her, when Kokua's shadow twin caught him across the head with a stone from the kolhii stick she brandished.
Unexpectedly, the volcano rumbled again and Tahu glanced at Onua, as the others scrambled back up, watching their opponents warily. Kokua's shadow twin stayed airborne, glancing worriedly towards the top of Mount Valmai.
"The volcano's gonna erupt fairly soon." Onua muttered, as he nodded at Tahu, Akamai glanced around, as he over heard them talking about it, "I'll see what I can do." he commented calmly, as the Piraka regrouped.
Zaktan stared back to where the matoran were held and grinned darkly, "Let them worry." he growled, while watching the Toa catch their breath.
Angered at the Toa who'd spoken, Brutaka tried again to reach her, only to be prevented by Axonn.
"Who is she?" he snarled, pulling his blades away from Axonn's great axe, as they faced each other, watching intently for the other to make the next move.
Breathing hard, Axonn wondered if he should tell Brutaka, "It's alright." a calm voice whispered to him, at that Axonn smiled slightly, holding his great axe defensively.
"Toa Aikane is Mata Nui's Daughter, that is how she was able to give him the Mask of Life." as Brutaka choked on that incensed, Axonn continued, "The Great Spirit did not abandon us."
"So she's his daughter, is she? Well let's see him save her!" Brutaka snapped, suddenly whirling around to face where the Toa and Piraka fought, and chuckled evilly as his mask activated.