XX

"Hooray for the protectors!"

The excited cries from the crowd nearly deafened Makuta. He didn't mind being the center of attention, so long as there were six people or less. But there were at least a hundred faces he could see, none of which he could recognize. At least the protectors' coming had diverted the crowd's attention.

"Look, Makuta! The protectors have arrived!" said Ekimu, becoming an absolute master at stating the obvious. How could anyone miss them? They were on a giant floating platform!

But Ekimu seemed intent on saying things Makuta already knew. "Citizens have come from every region of Okoto! What a joyous occasion this is!"

Makuta let out a long sigh. "Indeed, Ekimu. I can hardly contain my enthusiasm." He took a glance behind him. "But I hope this celebration ends soon. I want to return to the forge."

Ekimu closed his eyes for a second. Makuta could tell he was rolling them.

At that point the crowd had begun to chant. They wanted a speech. Makuta didn't have to worry about it, though. Ekimu had said he had a speech in mind.

Ekimu cleared his throat. "Citizens of Okoto! It is a rare occasion when all six protectors are together in one place! Join me and my brother, Makuta, in welcoming…" He threw out a hand. "Agarak, Protector of Jungle! Uganu, Protector of Ice! Owaki, Protector of Water!"

As Ekimu continued to name off protectors and talk about their wondrous deeds, Makuta played a game he liked to play when bored. He would look through the crowd, seeing how many masks he had made, and how many his brother had made. The villagers must have all been wearing their best armor today. But for some reason, he couldn't find one of his own masks.

"Makuta, would you like to say anything?"

Makuta froze for a split second, thinking fast. "Just a few words," he said, keeping his voice steady and trying not to think of the crowd staring at him. "Please join me in thanking the protectors for their service. We owe them so much, and someday…" He smiled. "…I hope to pay them back." He glanced at Ekimu, who nodded slightly but had a strange look in his eyes. Makuta extended a hand in what he hoped looked like an enthusiastic gesture. "The festival won't last forever. Enjoy it while you can!"

The crowd burst out into applause and cheers of "Long live the mask makers and protectors!" along with various shouts of "Hooray!"

Eventually, the cheers died down and the crowd dispersed. Makuta glared at Ekimu, speaking in a harsh whisper. "I thought you said you were handling the speeches."

"I said I had a speech in mind," Ekimu said, "not that I was saying the whole thing. Besides, I couldn't give myself all the glory. I thought you had a speech planned as well. Just a moment. Mamuk, Kerato, come over here. How would you all like a tour of the Great Forge?"

Makuta scoffed. He didn't have time for this. He wanted to get back to the forge, and Ekimu wasn't going to convince him otherwise.

After an embarrassingly long time, Makuta finally found a metal container the right size. He could hear Ekimu talking with the protectors near the garden—probably showing them his own creations. But just they wait, Makuta thought, taking the two masks into the container.

"So long as we live in harmony with one another and our island's elemental forces, these masks will grow more powerful in the years to come!" Ekimu was saying.

While that didn't necessarily annoy him, Makuta wasn't surprised. He picked up the container, surprised at its heaviness.

"Makuta has also made new masks," Ekimu added. "I'm sure he's eager to present them to you."

Now that was a surprise. Finally, his brother was sticking up to him. Now was the perfect time to announce his presence, the perfect time to show them all his creations.

"And we're eager to see them!" Agarak replied, feeling his mask. "But I must say, it's hard to imagine any masks as fine as these."

Makuta's mouth fell open. That protector had ruined his entire monologue, his only time to shine in front of them all. This was unacceptable. He cleared his throat loudly.

"Makuta!" Agarak whipped around, eyes as wide as his own mask. "Please forgive me," he stammered. "I meant no disrespect. I was only trying to say—"

"Calm yourself, Agarak," Ekimu said in a soft voice. "Everyone knows Makuta and I are equals." Giving Makuta a significant look, he spoke in a less-soft voice. "Makuta, you understand Agarak was complimenting both of us, yes?"

Makuta felt something hard in his throat. The metal container felt heavier than ever. "Yes, of course," he heard himself say. He forced a smile and gestured to the door. "Won't you all join me outside?"

A/N: Hey guys, thanks so much for reading this until the end! The text may end here, but the story continues in LEGO Bionicle: Battle of the Mask Makers (Graphic Novel #2)! If you don't have it, it's available on Amazon, eBay, and other online stores. I highly recommend it because it really goes in-depth about the various citizens of Okoto and their culture, as well as tell the character dynamics between Makuta and Ekimu, and I could not have written this without it.

If you want to see what happens next from Lelaka's point of view (or don't want to spend less than $3 on a comic book), I'm working on a sequel exclusively from Lelaka's point of view that takes place at the same time as Battle of the Mask Makers, and some scenes from it will overlap with the story itself.

Anyway, thanks again for reading. Until next time!