*Over 17,000 years ago*

Naromia moved out of the way as Xipher stormed from the Turaga's hut. "What happened in there?"
"What do you think?" he growled. "Another insulting lecture on how poorly I did my duty."
She followed him out of the village and to a stream, where he sat on a large boulder and buried his head in his hands. His sister sat down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Xipher, I don't care what he says. You should be glad no one was hurt." He rubbed his forehead. "Well that's easy for you to say. You still don't have a splitting headache." After rubbing he looked at the palm of his hand.
"What's on your mind?"
"It's that vile. Hakkan said we're oblivious to what's going on and he's right. Whatever was in that vile couldn't have been good. The only question how is how to track it." He thought for a moment but clenched his teeth and placed a hand on his throbbing head.
Naromia slumped back and folded her arms. "Well you'll have to play energy hound another time." Then an idea came to mind and she smiled. "How about we go for a swim? That'll clear your head."
He looked over and raised an eyebrow. "In case you haven't noticed I'm a Toa of stone."
"Yeah and I'm a Toa of water, but that doesn't stop me from staying on land." She stood up and pulled his arm.
Stubbornly he got on his feet and approached the stream. He stood at the edge and looked into the water. He dipped his foot in and pulled it out.
"Why does water have to be cold and wet?"
"Oh come one. You're a Toa. Where's your sense of courage?"
"I'm not scared," He huffed and took a step forward. His feet were half submerged. "I just don't like water."
She giggled. "That's okay, the water likes you." With a big grin on her face she pushed him.
He flailed his arms and raised his leg to catch his balance, only to fall in with a large splash. She let out a loud giggle.
Xipher surfaced and gasped for air. When he saw her he gave a dirty look, but then it was accompanied by a dirty smile. He concentrated and a mound of stone underneath her rose up. She yelped as she was launched into the air and landed in the water. Her head surfaced and she looked at him.
He had a smug look on his face. "From the looks of things I'd say that stone likes you."
She smiled and splashed water at him. He jerked his head away and retaliated with his own splash. The two laughed as they tried to get the upper hand on each other. Soon they tired out and stood there in the water.
"Just so you know," Xipher spoke up, "I still hate water."

The forest was filled with the sound of chattering birds. As they chirped their daily conversations, a deep roar shot out. Most of the birds screeched in panic and flew away, while those still perched on their branches stayed quiet for a moment. Soon their conversations continued. Xipher's ears and spikes went down.
"Stupid birds," He muttered to himself. He then continued his walk back home when he heard Saber on the distance calling his name. "I'm over here!" He waited for a few minutes until Saber's white body could be spotted in the distance. She smiled as she panted, and leaned against a tree for rest.
"How did it go?" she eagerly asked.
His response was dry. "It went fine."
Saber gave him a look. "Just fine?"
"Yeah."
"Well, what have they done this past week?"
"We built a boat. Now they're building another one." Behind his cloak he was clutching his fist. "Once they have it done they'll be gone." He hissed.
"Why do you take it as a bad thing? You like to be alone."
"I know, but despite what I've been teaching them, they will never make it out there. They must stay."
"But then why teach them?"
"So they won't suspect a thing when I sabotage their craft."
Saber's ears and spikes went down. "Xipher," She scowled. "I can't believe you would think to do such a thing."
From the distance they could hear Sam and Amanda conversing with each other as they approached them. Xipher got close to her face and hissed quietly.
"I'm a Toa aren't I? I'm protecting them from what's out there. This is what's best for them and you know it." He pulled away just before the girls walked around some bushes and saw them.
The Toa were stumped to see the two Humans wearing only a tank top, shorts and a small metallic necklace. Each had a towel on their shoulders.
"Hey guys," smiled Sam. "We're going for a swim, do you want to join?"
Xipher's expression already read no, but as he opened his mouth Saber stepped forward and butted in.
"We would love to, but just give us a moment first."
The girls nodded and went farther up the trail. Saber's eyes followed them until they were far enough away, then faced Xipher with a cross look. He took a half step back in surprise. It was her turn to hiss.
"I don't care how bad it is out there, they don't belong here. They have a home Xipher, where their people need them. If you don't want to help them, fine, but they trust you. Do you really want to betray them like that?"
Xipher had a blank look across his face. Her spines and shoulders sank.
"Think about it. Until then I'm going to the stream."
He watched as she began to disappear into the vegetation. He stood there thinking about what she had said. But his concentration was poor as the chirping birds proved to be too much of a hassle for his ears. He snorted as his shoulders, ears and spikes dropped.
"Stupid birds," he muttered.

Sam smiled as she floated on her back in the clear, cool water. A large rock extended out into the stream, where it dropped off into deep water. Amanda cried out and cannon-balled in. Water from the splash splattered onto Sam's face. She flinched and pulled herself upright. A few feet from shore Saber perched herself and watched the two of them laugh as they engaged in a water fight.
Soon Xipher emerged from the forest and sat on the boulder. His head peered over and he extended his foot towards the water.
Sam saw his toes dab the water and grinned. "Care for a swim?"
Xipher's ears went down. "Sorry, but I don't do water."
"It's not that deep. You could stand in it and still have your shoulders dry."
"Nope, not going in."
From the corner of her eye she saw Saber silently jump to the ground. The Toa took off her cloak and crouched down. Her eyes dilated and her tail wagged back and forth like a cat as she slowly stalked Xipher. Despite his acute senses, he didn't appear to notice any of it. Sam decided to play along.
"What's the matter, afraid to get wet?"
"No."
"Then what is it?" She slowly swam backwards.
Saber stopped and prepared to pounce.
"I just don't like to-"
"BOO!"
Xipher didn't scream, but he did flinch hard enough to launch himself off the rock and into the water. Splash! Saber leaped again and across the stream, where she then climbed up a tree and onto a thick branch. Xipher pulled his head out of the water and gasped. Like a frantic cat, he clawed his way out of the stream, leaving long gashes in the rock. The sight was more than enough to get the girls giggling. Once out he looked around for the perpetrator, and spotted Saber, her eyes large and her tail flickering with pride.
"What was that for?!" he snarled.
"You've got to have a little fun once in a while. Besides Toa of grumpiness, you kind of deserve it."
Xipher answered back with an irritated growl. He was then interrupted by Scott arrival. The leader wore shorts and had his towel around the back of his neck. He stood next to Xipher and looked up.
"How's the water?" he asked, as an honest question.
The Toa gave him a dirty look for a moment and pushed him in the water. All the girls burst out in laughter.
Scott surfaced and looked around. He had a bewildered look on his face. "Did I miss something?"
"Not much." Xipher had already hanged his cloak on a branch. "I just pushed a human into the water. You should've seen the look on his face." He then sat on the ground and curled up.
"Oh come on," pleaded Sam "You're already wet, so you might as well come back in."
"Fat chance,"
"Don't you want to relax?"
Xipher raised his voice a little, "That's what I'm trying to do." He rested his head on his hands and closed his eyes.
Scott and Sam looked at each other. He shrugged and started to swim, when he noticed the gash marks on the stone. He quickly realized they matched the ones on the hut. His discovery was short lived as the rest of his team arrived.
Some had lain down to relax, while the rest swam. Even Saber joined in, dog paddling whenever the water was deep enough. Soon the sun was close to setting and the marines packed up and returned to their camp, with Xipher and Saber trailing behind. The campfire was refueled and the humans sat down around it. Saber joined in, while Xipher sat in the hut. Scott noticed and made a space for him.
"Don't you want to sit with us?"
"Thanks, but no thanks," he said flatly.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded slightly.
"Your loss," said Josh. He walked over and sat down on the reserved spot. Xipher didn't show any sign of caring.
As the food cooked above the fire, Daniel sat with his chin rested on his fist. He was quiet and stared into the flames as he pondered. When he decided it was the right time he spoke up. "Xipher,"
The Toa glanced over at him, "What is it?"
"Who's Turaga?"
The two Toa were surprised.
"Where did you pick up that word?" asked Saber.
Realizing he had overlooked that, Daniel made up the first thing that came to him. "A Vortixx mentioned it."
Xipher appeared to be unsure of his answer but accepted it. "Well it's more of an occupation than a single person. Turaga are chief elders. Once a Toa completes their destiny they give up their powers and become Turaga."
"Wait, you have powers?" interrupted Scott.
Xipher did his best to hide his regret for mentioning it, and rubbed the back of his neck. "I had Toa powers. Now all I have is X-ray, night and heat vision." He answered a little rushed.
Sam shifted herself into an inattentive mode. "Well what happened to your other powers?"
"I- Uh, well." He looked over at Saber, who had an apprehensive look across her face. "I don't really want to talk about it."
"Why not?"
"It just… brings up bad memories."
"I see," said Scott. He leaned back against the log with hands behind his head and legs crossed. "You know back home our kind fantasizes about having powers. Flight, strength, speed, practically every child looks up to these mythical heroes. You're lucky just to have had them."
"Thanks," he said softly, his eyes darting around as he thought of a way to get their conversations away from him. "So, what's it like in your world?"
Scott shrugged. "It can't be anymore impressive than this place. There are a few differences though. Only one sun and one moon, blue water, and all life forms are purely organic."
"It's beautiful there though." Sam added. "There's the towering Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Niagara falls,"
Mike butted in. "Hey, I think I have a photo of it with me." He jumped of his seat and ran to his backpack.
Xipher and Saber were confused. "You have a what?" he asked.
After digging frantically he ran back with a picture and handed it to the Toa. He took it and first examined the material of the picture.
"What is this?" He finally looked at the image and allowed its context to sink in.
It had Mike with his hands around a woman and the large waterfall behind.
"This is amazing. How did you get an image to look so real?" asked Saber.
"It's hard to explain," said Scott. "I'm surprised an advanced world like this doesn't have photography."
"We also don't have radios remember?" said Saber.
"True."
Xipher continued to look at the photo. "Who's this woman?"
Mike grinned. "That's my wife. We've been married for almost a year now."
"She must miss you." said Saber.
"Yeah, back home I only get to see her a few months every year. I can't wait to see her again."
"Same here," said Daniel, but then realized what he said and felt embarrassed. "I don't mean your wife, of course, I meant my family."
Everyone chuckled.
"I know." Mike replied, and then looked over at Xipher. "Do any of you have family?"
The duo gave each other looks. Instead of replying he kept quiet and stared at the fire. Mike's smile disappeared.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Xipher replied. "You didn't know." The Toa stood up and walked away, appearing a little slumped in his posture than normal. "I'll be right back."
Saber didn't say anything and let him walk into the forest before addressing the Humans. "He just needs a little time to himself. And as for your question, Vaptech and I are all he has." She then stood up. "It's probably for the best you stay out of his personal life. He's been through a lot." She walked over to the same tree Xipher had been sleeping in and climbed up to the thickest branch. There was an awkward moment of silence between the Marines.
Sam rubbed her shoulder. "I feel bad for him."
"Yeah," replied Josh. "At least he finally opened up… a little."

Sam stirred in her sleeping bag. A low moaning sound bothered her. She tossed and turned, even covered her ears, yet nothing made it go away. Frustrated she awoke and sat up. She looked around until she found the culprit. Surprisingly it was Xipher. He was asleep on the sand, wriggling around as he moaned, yet the way he did so didn't indicate he was in any physical pain.
He turned over and whined. She sat there, not sure what to make of it until he uttered out a word.
"Naromia."
At that moment she got out of her sleeping bag and quietly tiptoed over. She knelt down, but memories of her last experience waking him up kept her hesitant. She took a few deep breaths and gently placed a hand on his shoulders.
Xipher flinched a little and his eyes opened. He didn't lash out, but was certainly startled.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah." He rubbed his eye. "Just a bad dream."
"You want to talk about it?" She rubbed the back of her neck. She already knew the answer and mentally wondered why she asked at all.
"No." he said plainly.
"Do you at least want to stay in the hut? There's plenty of room."
Xipher stayed motionless as he thought about it. The suspense left Sam sitting stiffly.
He quietly stood up. She gave a silent breath of relief and escorted him to the hut. While she snuggled in her bag he laid down behind her. Both had their faces toward the ocean. The twin moons were full and the stars around glittered the sky. The light blue rays of the moons sparkled and gleamed off the ocean waves.
"It's a beautiful night."
He sighed. "I guess."
"Is there something bothering you?"
Xipher spoke quickly under his breath. "No."
She turned partway to look at him. "Well then, care to explain who Naromia is?"
His mouth gaped open. His ears drew back and he whispered loudly, "Where did you here that name?!"
"You said it in your sleep."
He was silent for a second before sighing in defeat, and then laid his head down. "She's my sister."
Sam then turned herself completely over. "You must miss her."
"You don't know the half of it. She was always there for me. No other Toa could make me laugh or smile like her. She was my best friend."
"What exactly happened to her?" She caught herself in her mistake and tensed up, worried that he would walk away again. He didn't.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay, that's fine." She said with some disappointment in her voice. "Can you at least tell me how you lost your tail?"
He gave her a surprised look.
"Yes I noticed, at the stream today. I didn't want to bring it up, because I thought it would embarrass you."
His glowing, blue eyes were enough to tell her she was right. "I lost it in a fight. Against a Makuta: beings of shadow. Powerful and dangerous, you should avoid them at all cost.
"Worse than Vortixx huh?" She turned back over and looked at the ocean. Feeling things were getting too awkward and personal, she switched the subject.
"So, if your home is out there, why haven't you left?" She was unaware that his face lit up with a mix of worry and embarrassment.
"I uh, can't swim," he said uncomfortably.
She them smiled. "Well that explains what happened at the stream."
"Yeah," he replied.
"Well don't worry; the boat will be designed to not tip over."
Xipher raised his head and looked at her with a gaped jaw. "You're- you're taking us with you?"
"Yeah. No one should be stranded for the rest of their lives."
His mouth remained half open until he could say something, but it ended up being stuttered. "Thank you." He laid his head back down and watched the crashing waves until his eyes couldn't stay open any longer.

By the time sunrise came, Xipher was still half asleep and sprawled out on the floor. His limbs weaved around everyone except for Josh, who had the weight of his foot on his side. He squirmed around a little until he couldn't tolerate it anymore and pushed it off, which took more effort than he thought it would.
The Toa didn't seem to mind. He turned his head over and took a deep breath and exhaled right into Scott's face. The Marine's closed eyes squinted at the sudden rush of air. When it subsided he opened them and saw a set of sharp teeth just inches from his face. He yelped in panic. Before anyone could wake up and see what the fuss was about he had flailed out of his sleeping bag and rolled off the floor and onto the sand.
Xipher opened his eyes and raised his head. He saw an arm come up and onto the floor, which helped hoist the tired Marine on his knees. He rested his head and elbow on the floor and shook his head in slight disbelief.
"What got you up?" Xipher asked.
"A mouth full of teeth, that's what," he spat. "And since when did you decide to sleep with us?"
Xipher shrugged "Last night."
Scott sighed at the answer and stood up. Xipher looked up at Saber, who was still perched on a tree, looking back confused. He stretched and slowly got on his feet. As he left the campsite she jumped out of the tree and followed.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To get more thick branches."
"You're still going to sabotage them?!" she scowled.
He stopped and faced her. "No. I've been thinking over what you said and you're right. They need to go home, and so do we."
Her face lit up with astonishment. "What?"
"You heard me. They've offered to take us with them. We can finally get off this rock and make things right."
To his surprise she was hesitant to respond.
"But, they don't know. Aren't you worried that someone out there will tell them the truth?"
His spikes and ears dropped. Saber watched as he stared at the ground with guilt in his eyes.
"Xipher," she sighed "Sooner or latter they're going to find out. The real question is who would you rather have tell them: You, or someone else?"
He still had his head down. She walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Please understand. I'm not trying to keep you here; I just don't want to see you go though those moments again."
"I know." He took her hand off and looked her in the eyes. "But I fear telling them would do the same thing."