A/N: I think I've kept you all waiting enough. Let's wrap up the first half of infection. As some of you are aware some interesting stuff happened last chapter and I am excited to share with you all what's going to happen now. This chapter has been completed for a few weeks now but I wanted to ensure that I got some headway into the next half before I posted this. So let's begin this mid-arc finale and let's ROCK AND ROLL!

Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan story. RWBY and Bionicle are owned By Rooster Teeth and Lego, respectively, and are the respective intellectual property of Monty Oum and Christian Faber, respectively. Please support the official release.

"It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule."

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

Yang couldn't believe what she just saw, Takua had just charged at the pilot and then a brightlight engulfed the cavern as she heard the Nui-Jaga scream as they recoiled in pain and the Rahi holding her let go and dropped her on the ground. When the light subsided, she noticed the Nui-Jaga struggling and writing in pain. The blonde huntress's eyes returned to their lilac hue as she noticed the claws of the scorpion Rahi had infected Pakari but strangely, the infection seemed to be steaming and some of it looked like it had been burnt. The Nui-Jaga pulled back and Yang was about to pursue when she heard a faint aching groan. She turned to the sound and saw Takua getting on his feet, the pilot on the stairs, Ahkmou rubbing his eyes before looking around and rubbing them again, and Ruby on the floor of the cavern.

"Ruby!" Yang said in a dash. Takua looked where Yang was running and followed beside her. The sun dragon lifted her sister to see if she was okay.

"Sis, you okay?"

Ruby's eyes slowly opened.

"Come on, wake up. That is it." Yang said. Ruby looked at Yang.

"Sis?" Ruby called. Yang's eyes began to water and she hugged her sister.

Takua sighed and turned to Makuta and Ahkmou with the latter's eyes finally adjusting. Takua figured they would worry about them later but for now, they needed to leave. The Ta-Matoran reached his hand to Yang but stopped when he noticed the faint glow of light on his hand. He pulled it back to examine it further. This was strange. Ta-Matoran naturally had heat, something he didn't have, but this was something different. The light soon faded and vanished from his hand. Curious, He'd have to ask Vakama about it when he met his Turaga again.

Takua turned around to see Yang getting Ruby on her feet again.

"Easy sis." Yang said. Ruby looked around and noticed how empty the main chamber was.

Makuta's eyes opened and he began to rise

"What happened?" Ruby asked.

"You tell me. One minute the pil-"

"Master!" Ahkmou's shout interrupted Yang causing her, Ruby, and Takua to turn their attention to the traitorous merchant and Yang's face paled along with the face of his sister Takua's mask

"Master, are you alright?" Ahkmous said. Makuta's proxy body looked at the ground. It was then that Ruby noticed the burns on his left arm. Some were more severe than others and then she noticed that it wasn't just his arm. Most of his body was singed and burnt. Makuta began to giggle, that giggle grew and it soon became laughter.

"Oh I've never been better. In fact…" Makuta turned to look at Takua and the two huntresses. That's when they saw his face. Two thirds were scarred by similar burns and the edge of his left ear had parts that were almost singed black. A quarter of his mouth was burnt and there were holes in the burnt side of his cheek that exposed the teeth inside his mouth with a few strands holding together with the faint outline of a fist on the side of his burnt cheek.

"I've never felt more alive." answered the master of shadows.

Our heroes stood in shock as he looked at his proxy body and touched its face.

"But the light, the Matoran's disrespect. Are you sure you are not in pain?" Ahkmou asked.

"Oh the pain is excruciating, don't get me wrong. In fact, my quick healing might take longer because of it." Makuta said. He then looked at his arm which began healing itself as steam rose from his arm and the skin began to heal, albeit very, very, slowly.

"Regardless, my plan remains unaltered. I got to finally meet the one who will free me." Makuta said. He walked past the group and kept his eyes on a visibly confused Ruby who turned to her sister who glared at the god of darkness.

"What's he talking about, Yang?" Ruby asked. Yang looked at Ruby and then back to Makuta who smirked as he approached the infected mask.

"Nothing sis, don't worry about it." Yang replied.

"You can deny her the truth but in time she'll come to know the truth. I have waited a millennia for this moment. My brother's offspring has come at last. Tell me Ruby, what would hurt more than seeing your own flesh and blood devoured by my pets?" Makuta asked.

At that, the Nui-Jaga re-emerged and surrounded the trio as Makuta looked on in amusement.

"Or, would the sight of your hands stained in the Sun Dragon's blood be more than you can bear?" Makuta inquired.

"Master, we need to leave." Ahkmou said. Makuta turned with a glare that would have turned lesser beings to stone.

"I will not let you sour this moment, Ahkmou. I want to savor the sweetness of my inevitable escape." Makuta scolded.

"Then how about I do it for him." a voice declared. Makuta turned around and found himself on the receiving end of a kick from a brown, biomechanical foot. Makuta was sent flying into one of the walls and cutting the mucus pillars that were unfortunate enough to be in the path of his collision. Makuta crashed into the wall causing several Nui-Jaga to panic. Pohatu picked up Crescent rose before turning to Ruby, Yang, and Takua and gave them a smile.

"Sorry it took so long. Once Onewa informed me of what happened, I felt that I had to investigate. Thank Mata Nui that you are alright." Pohatu said. Yang smirked and walked up to the patron of Kolhii and gave him a fist bump.

"Glad you made it when you did. The party is just getting started." Yang replied. The sun dragon activated Ember Celica again and took a stance while Pohatu tossed Crescent Rose to Ruby much to the red reaper's joy. Takua meanwhile raised his fists defensively. He may not have known how to fight but he wouldn't let these Rahi get him without one.

Makuta got up and out of the crater he was in on the wall and used the shadows to hide from the four. This was not what he had planned. The Toa of Stone's arrival was unexpected. Perhaps he was why Ahkmou was so anxious to leave. Speaking of, the master of shadows took note of his disciples' quick departure. He watched as Ahkmou quickly fled the scene. The Sun Dragon also saw this and attempted to chase him but his Rahi would keep her and her friends occupied for now. As much as he hated to admit it, Makuta had to leave. Certainly he could take the Child and kill the rest but where's the fun in that?

Consider this a momentary reprieve, Child. Makuta thought. After all, the Sun Dragon may be safe but she is not your only weakness.

With that, Makuta turned his proxy body into a shadowy mist and slid up the stairs as the Nui-Jaga pounced on the four. Yang punched one and dodged another's stinger. She grabbed the tail and threw the Nui-Jaga over her head and sent it flying toward the wall. Another tried to grab her with its pincer but she punched the side with the infected Pakari causing the Kanohi to shatter. The fragments quickly began to disintegrate before her eyes. The Nui-Jaga then reeled its tail back and fired a ball of sludge from the tail. Yang dodged the attack and shot at its face again.

Ruby and Takua were doing their best to fend off the Nui-Jaga on their end. Ruby sliced off one Nui-Jaga's arm and one of its legs while stabbing the infected mask on its other arm. Like the other one, the infected mask turned to smoke but upon doing so, the giant scorpion panicked and fled. This confused Ruby who quickly found herself on the ground after Takua pushed her out of the way of an incoming stinger.

"Thanks." Ruby said

"Don't mention it." Takua replied. The two got back up and resumed their battle. Takua picked up a sharp rock and began to use it as a makeshift knife while Ruby turned Crescent Rose into gun form and began to shoot at the Rahi.

Pohatu Meanwhile switched between his Hau to block attacks, his Pakari to push back the Rahi and pull larger stones from the ground that he normally would, and his Kakama to disorient the Nui-Jaga. However, the Rahi just kept coming.

"At this rate Makuta's beasts will overwhelm us. If anyone has any ideas on a solution, I'm all ears." Pohatu said. Yang and Ruby tag-teamed one of the Rahi with the silver-eyed sniper shooting a pair of wind dust shots to disorient the giant scorpion while the blond brawler fired off Ember Celica and propelled herself toward the Nui-Jaga. Yang flew overhead and grabbed the stinger of her target and spun around and tossed it into several more of the Rahi. The impact caused several mucus columns to snap and small pebbles and dust fell. Takua noticed this and came to a realization about the columns. The Ta-Matoran looked around and noticed how they all not only connected to the ceiling but also made other structures in the nest possible. If they could knock out enough of those mucus columns… Takua dodged a wad of mucus from one of the Nui-Jaga and turned to his friends.

"Aim for the columns! Knock them down!" Takua shouted. The others heard this and as they began to look around the nest, they quickly understood what he was saying. Yang smirked and was about to charge but she was shot in the face with the Rahi's mucus. Pohatu was soon hit by the Nui-Jaga's slimy secretions as well and gave a brief grunt from the hit. Ruby saw this and immediately began dodging the shots of snot with Petal Burst and deflected more with Crescent Rose.

"Ruby? Takua? Guys?" Yang called out. Her eyes were covered in a green substance. Though the mucus didn't hurt her eyes, she found that it was harder to see. Ruby heard this and rushed to her sister's side. Pohatu was in a similar situation as Takua ran to aid the Toa of Stone.

"Toa, are you alright?" Takua asked. Pohatu shook his head to get rid of the initial shock and turned his head in the direction of Takua's voice. Pohatu's vision may have been blurred but he was certain that he was facing the Ta-Matoran.

"Fine for the most part but my vision is impaired by the Nui-Jaga's attack. Still, you said we need to take out the main columns and I assume you can still see?" Pohatu said. "Yes, Toa, Ruby and I are the only ones that are." Takua answered with a nod. Pohatu smiled.

"That's more than enough for me." Pohatu turned his head back slightly. "Ruby!" Pohatu called. "You and Takua will be me and your sister's eyes and ears. Tell us where to strike and we can bring down the nest together."

Yang and Ruby heard and Yang just smirked while Ruby gave a thumbs up and the four began their attack.

Onewa was in a hurry. Until very recently the market was quiet. He rushed outside his window and looked outside as a swarm of Po-Matoran clashed over the Kolhii balls. The Po-Koro Guard was called in and despite being outnumbered, they were able to knock out anyone who got too close.

Suffice to say, things were not great but they would quickly get better. The Turaga turned to leave.

"You and your Epi-Toa friends are more persistent than I imagined." a voice said. Onewa almost froze but quickly remembered who he belonged to. "They are also stronger than you think, Makuta." Onewa retorted. He turned to see the scarred proxy body of Makuta who simply laughed.

"You think I care? Of course they're stronger than I imagine. However, it is pointless. In the end the Child will free me and I will lay waste to this world and when all is said and done, you, the Matoran, the Champion, and all of your allies will be powerless to stop me like before." Makuta answered. Onewa smirked. "Funny, if I recall it wasn't just the Champion of the Great Spirit that brought you to your knees. What about your champion?" he replied. Makuta's scarred face contorted with rage as he recalled her treachery. "When I escape, I will deal with her first." Makuta said in a hushed but venomous tone. The Turaga of Po-Koro's mask turned serious.

"Your plan has failed, Makuta. Why not crawl back into the cave you came from." Onewa rebuked. Makuta however smiled. "Failed? Why my noble Turaga Onewa, once again your mind is as dull as the rock you once wielded. Who said my plan failed?" The master of shadows then pulled out a red rose in one hand, and a small yellow, draconic Rahi in the other. Onewa looked confused. "What is this?" the Turaga questioned. Makuta grinned with sadistic pleasure.

"Your friends are alive but thanks to you and your… desperate plea to end this plague, I was able to have an encounter I have so longed for. Now, I know how I am going to break the Child and that's…" Makuta paused as he crushed the rose and disintegrated the stem. He then held out the Rahi in his hand. It was then that he noticed how crystalline it was. Suddenly, the crystal Dragon Rahi breathed a white fire from its snout. Out of the flames emerged a small white crystal bird. The fire turned black and out popped an onyx leopard. All three then settled onto Makuta's hand and fell asleep. "…well, I don't need to say more, do I?" Makuta then closed his hand and crushed the crystalline Rahi in his hand. Onewa paled at the realization of what Makuta meant.

"They will never let you harm their friends." Onewa replied. "True," Makuta began. "But would you have done the same all those years ago?" With that, Makuta disappeared as his proxy turned into smoke and shadow. All that remained was the shattered remains of the lifeless crystal creatures Makuta held in his hand.

Onewa was mortified by what he just learned, he would have to warn the Turaga, Team RWBY. They needed to be warned. For now, however, he had a job to do. Without hesitation, Onewa opened the door and left his hut.

"Far-right side, you'll want to curve the boulder so the Nui-Jaga doesn't get it." Takua instructed. Pohatu did as he was told and the stone went flying. The Nui-Jaga scrambled to intercept but missed by just a few inches as the rock crashed into the pillar causing the mucosal pillar to break further and onto its last strands. "Three more pillars on your left. Aim high." Ruby told her sister who did as she was instructed. Yang even shot to the side for good measure to widen the space. All three pillars split in half and began to burn. The roof shook and some of the outer areas of the nest caved in causing several Nui-Jaga to panic.

The frenzy saw several Rahi flee out of the cavern as the roof became more unstable.

One Nui-Jaga attempted to blast Yang with a beam from its tail but Ruby got in front and blocked the attack before swinging wide. The massive scorpion scurried backward causing Ruby to slice off the infected masks on its pincers. The Rahi then scurried away as the Ruby backed up and fired several shots at the other Nui-Jaga to keep them at bay.

Ruby then saw one more column on her side and turned to see how Takua and Pohatu were doing. "Hit the one on the left, it's clear. After that, we've got a few more on the right." Takua directed. Pohatu kicked another rock and snapped the columns in half causing the ceiling to shake even more and some pieces of rock to fall. Ruby smiled at Pohatu and Takua's team work. It was nice to see that things were going well. It was time to finish this.

Without warning, Yang fired several shots causing Ruby to panic.

"Yang, what are you?-" Several explosions were heard as the last few remaining columns in front of her split in two causing that side of the ceiling to shake and large cracks to begin to form. Yang looked at Ruby. Her lilac eyes were more vibrant, though dulled in some few parts by the mucus from the Rahi. Yang looked her in the eyes.

"Did I hit them?" Ruby looked between Yang and the part of the nest they were attacking as Nui-Jaga fled the nest, their instincts overriding Makuta's control. She hoped that her successful shots without her help meant what she thought it meant.

"You got em, and panicked the Rahi too." Ruby replied. Yang smiled. "Sweet. I can't wait to see the look on Weiss's face when I tell her this.

"Don't celebrate just yet, we still have one more." Takua replied. Pohatu smirked. "Then it's time for one last goal." the Toa remarked. Pohatu kicked a ball up and began to bounce it off his feet, then bounced off his chest and onto his head before letting it roll down to his feet again. He kicked it into the air and jumped. Pohatu activated his Kakama for a millisecond but that was all it took to kick the rock and send it flying like a bullet and tearing the last column in two.

Upon splitting the column in half, the whole nest began to shake as cracks formed on the roof and the Nui-Jaga bolted for any exits they could find as they panicked. Pohatu looked back at his companions.

"Time to split! Lest you want to join that Kanohi in the rubble!" Pohatu declared as he grabbed Takua and ran for the exit. Yang and Ruby also did the same and left the chamber as its roof crumbled down onto the comet balls and the infected mask.

Ruby and Yang caught up to Pohatu as they ran. They found that the cracks were following them out too. It didn't take a genius to see where this was going. Yang began propelling herself with Ember Celica while Ruby started using her semblance to gain extra speed.

Yet, neither of these gave a major edge as the cracks got faster and the ceiling began tumbling down behind them. Takua, who was holding onto Pohatu's back, looked back and his mask pale as he saw the collapsing ceiling gain on them inch by inch.

Takua, Ruby and Yang continued to run and closed their eyes as they braced for impact while Pohatu activated his mask and in an instant, the group disappeared from the collapsing tunnel.

The Po-Koro guard continued to hold their own against the mob of angry Po-Matoran wanting the balls they had confiscated and their numbers were beginning to grow. Hafu had volunteered to help hold off the mob as best as he could. He smacked the side of one carver who attempted to stab him with a chisel. Hafu responded by knocking the wind out of his attacker.

The carver looked around as the mob began to swarm the guardsmen and tackle some to the ground. This was madness. Their orders were to incapacitate any attackers but the sheer number of his fellow Po-Matoran on the offensive was starting to get overwhelming. Hafu knocked out another Po-Matoran only to find himself on the ground.

He looked to see three Po-Matoran on top of him having rushed him together. They began pounding on him with fists flying at his chest, stomach, and occasionally, his mask. Punch after punch rang out until Protodermis was leaking from the mouthpiece of his powerless Ruru. By then his vision was blurry as liquid protodermis blinded one of his eyes. He saw his three assailants loom over him. Their fists raised high. Hafu couldn't move, even if he wanted to. He didn't know how badly beaten he truly was nor did he want to. Hafu stared defiantly at his assailants who readied themselves as their dulled eyes steeled themselves and brought them down.

Hafu flinched as he heard rock and stone crack and split apart. However, he felt nothing. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the same Po-Matoran standing over him. This time, there eyes were either a bright orange, a vibrant red, or a mixture of the two. The color they once had was restored and they seemed surprised to see Hafu in his state. Hafu's head plopped to the side as he saw more and more of the guardsmen seeing the same thing as the mob quickly began to disperse. The guardsmen that were still able began gathering the wounded and taking them to the medical clinic near Onewa's hut.

Hafu then felt himself being lifted as the Matoran who were attacking him earlier picked him up slowly before hurrying off to get Hafu to the same clinic as everyone else.

The last thing the Po-Matoran carver remembered was lying on a stone bed waiting for the Turaga.

Yang was in a daze along with her sister. One minute they were escaping the collapsing tunnel in the quarry. The next they knew they were teleported to the other end on the surface in an instant. Takua was no worse for where though a little shook up from the speed.

Just then, Pohatu appeared out of thin air.

"AH!" Ruby shouted as she landed on her back. Yang meanwhile fired a shot from Ember Celica in the Toa's direction causing Pohatu duck. "Whoa!" Pohatu cried. He turned to see Yang ready to fire another shot only to back down immediately when she realized who she tried to shoot at.

"Sorry, a little shaken from… whatever just happened." Yang said.

"Don't be," Pohatu said, "I found myself in a similar situation when I first used the Kakama." Pohatu sat down for a brief moment.

Ruby sat up and stared at Pohatu.

"You alright Ruby?" Pohatu asked.

"Yeah, just surprised by how fast that was. It was faster than my semblance." Ruby said.

"The Kakama is no joke. Still, we are fortunate to all be alive." Pohatu said. Takua stared at the ruined tunnel they had just escaped. "Still, we took care of those infected Kolhii balls. Shame we couldn't grab the mask though." said the Ta-Matoran. Pohatu stepped up next to Takua with Ruby and Yang following suit with Ruby beside Takua and Yang beside Pohatu.

"We couldn've nail Ahkmou to the wall with it. Now he'll get off scot free." Yang grumbled. Pohatu looked on solemnly. "Maybe, but he is the least of our concerns. I fear that Makuta's influence may go beyond the Rahi now. Though how that is a far more frightening question." replied the Toa. Takua looked at Pohatu. He didn't know why but the thought of Makuta controlling Matoran was indeed terrifying. If Ahkmou was under Makuta's control, it is all the more reason to stop the master of shadows.

"So, what now?" Takua asked. Pohatu turned to the Ta-Matoran.

"For now we must finish what we started and return to Po-Koro. I will help dispose of the infected Kolhii balls and you must help aid in the village's recovery." The Toa of Stone answered before turning around and addressing Takua along with Ruby and Yang. "Thank you for your help my friends. Perhaps we can work together again soon; until then." Pohatu said. The Toa then turned to leave. Pohatu started with a walk and began to pick up the pace into a job and briefly into a run before the Toa vanished in a flash of red. Yang and Ruby blinked at the speed Pohatu had acquired through his mask. However, this was met with the realization that he also just left them there.

Oh come on! thought Yang.

By the time the trio got back to Po-Koro things had already begun to settle down. Ahkmou had already fled and left a sign on his kiosk that said he had gone fishing. Yang figured he would hightail it but if Pohatu was right, she couldn't help but worry who else might be under the Makuta's control.

Speaking of, Po-Koro had seen better days but the damage was minor. The trio were shocked when they learned that a riot broke out while they were gone. Fortunately, most injuries were minor and the major ones weren't life altering with a few Po-Matoran carvers having bandaged arms or legs at worst.

Still, the group was relieved that people would be able to get back on their feet in no time. The fact that the bazaar was practically buzzing was already a good sign. Even more so was the sound of cheers and chanting from the Kolhii stadium. Chants of "who ate all the pies?!" could be heard for over a mile. The group began their journey down the avenue before once again entering Onewa's hut. The Turaga of stone was just getting up from his nap having just finished putting on his robes. He then quickly noticed and smiled as they all entered the hut.

"Hail, heroes of Po-Koro. I am pleased to see you all have returned." Onewa greeted. "Thanks Turaga, I'm glad things are settling down." Takua answered. Onewa then walked over to his table and took a chisel from his bench.

"Pohatu has already come and gone. The infected Kolhii have been hurled into the sea and those infected are recovering. As for the trader who sold them, he vanished before Pohatu arrived." Onewa said.

"Shocker" Yang muttered.

"What happened while we were gone? It looks like an earthquake hit the village." Ruby asked.

"I'm still trying to understand it myself. The madness seems to have been more frightening than we imagined. As we gathered the Kolhii balls, the infected rioted seeking to reclaim the infected Kolhii." The trio became worried after Onewa said this and the Turaga noticed. "Fortunately, many who were harmed received minor injuries and will be able to recover quickly."

"What about the more severe cases?" Ruby asked.

"They will take longer to recover but thank Mata Nui that none of the injuries they sustained are life altering. Though their minds may never be the same after today." the Turaga replied. Ruby looked out the window with worry. To think that there were people here who would work with the most evil force on their home and ruin lives like it didn't matter. It made her sick and Yang seemed to share her sentiment.

"Is there anything we can do to help them?" Takua asked.

Onewa shook his head. "Not here, I believe that the Great Spirit, Mata Nui has a greater destiny for you. As do you two, young Epi-Toa. A destiny that lies beyond this village of rock and stone." he answered

"But we can't just leave the village after everything that's happened. What about rebuilding, the people who were hurt, Ahkmou? What about that? We can't just up and leave now." Yang said in a raised tone of voice. Her lilac eyes filled with worry. Onewa smiled.

"Your heart is in the right place and that is why you must leave. This is not the first time disaster has befallen us but if Makuta is vanquished, many more can be averted. You all have a role to play in the rescue of this island. However, that will only be hindered here. I do not wish for you to leave either but the future of Mata Nui and its inhabitants requires that you fulfill your destiny. All of us have a destiny but how we find it is the question you all must ask yourselves." Onewa explained.

Yang listened to every word he spoke. It pained her to admit it but the Turaga was right. She had to mentally admit he was right. She cursed under her breath in resignation as if to acknowledge his foresight.

Takua looked between Yang and the village outside. After everything that happened here, and listening to Onewa's words, the Ta-Matoran turned back to the Turaga of Po-Koro with determination in his eyes.

"We'll head out as soon as we can." Takua said. The Turaga didn't show it but he was grateful for their decision.

"Before you go, I believe you will need this." Onewa said. He handed Takua a brass chisel of ornate design.

"Nokama sent a message before you arrived. She had told me of you and young Ruby's actions at Ga-Koro and that her Astrologer believes you will witness the major events that will transpire and to watch for you. Combined with what Pohatu has told me of your adventures, I believe that I feel her message holds true." Onewa said.

"Thanks, I guess. What about this?" Takua asked

"The proud symbol of our greatest carvers, this carving tool carries my approval. Should you return to Ga-Koro, please present this to Nokama."

"Then what?" The Turaga smiled.

"She will know what to do." Onewa answered.

"I'll keep that in mind." Takua replied.

"I wish you the speed of Pohatu, heroes. And may Mata Nui guide you." Onewa said. Takua thanked the Turaga and the three left the hut. Before leaving, Ruby gave one last glance to the Turaga.

"We won't let you down." Ruby said softly. The silver-eyed huntress then turned and left the hut as Onewa watched her leave.

"I know you won't." Onewa answered

The trio left the hut and prepared to leave but as they did, something caught Yang's eye.

"Hey, isn't that?" Yang said, pointing in the direction of one lively Po-Matoran. Takua and Ruby's eyes widened

"No way." Takua said

"Already?" Ruby mused.

They both stood as they saw Hewkii practicing just outside his hut. Takua, Yang, and Ruby rushed to meet him.

"Hewkii!" Ruby called. The Po-Matoran didn't answer.

"Hup! Hup-up-up!" He said as he focused on his practice. He then caught a glance of the three.

"Oh, hello. How are you?" Hewkii asked as he practiced.

"I'd be asking the same thing." Yang remarked.

"Last time we saw you, you couldn't get out of bed." Ruby said.

"Yes, indeed. However, once we got rid of those Comets, I felt my health improve rapidly. It was as if I never was sick." Hewkii answered. "After a few days of practice I should be back to the field."

"Glad to hear it." Takua said.

"You going to stay for some Kolhii, Epi-Toa? Your match with Pohatu a few weeks back was legendary." Hewkii remarked. Yang gave a slight blush.

"Thanks, I'd love to, but we're about to head out of Po-Koro." Yang answered.

"Bummer, I hope to see you around. Perhaps we'll play next time we meet." Hewkii said.

"Perhaps we will." Yang said. As the group began walking away, Hewkii paused his practice for a moment.

"Wait," he said, the three stopped and looked to Hewkii. "If by any chance you happen to travel to Ga-Koro, tell Macku I'm looking forward to her next visit." The Po-Matoran requested.

Ruby smiled at his request. She wasn't all that familiar with romance like her sister but she knew what he meant.

"We will." Ruby answered. Hewkii thanked her ast they left and the Po-Matoran returned to his practice.

As Yang, Ruby, and Takua left the village, a sense of excitement and anticipation enveloped them.

"Well, where to now?" Yang asked, "I don't know. We could go back to Ga-Koro. It would be nice to visit Nokama and tell her everything that happened. But we still need to find the others." Ruby replied.

Yang immediately remembered her meeting with Weiss, Blake, and the rest of the Toa. She knew Ruby would want to hear it.

"Actually, we might not have to." Yang said.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked as she looked toward her sister.

"Before I came to Po-Koro, I met up with Blake and Weiss when the Toa first met each other." Yang began.

"You found them?!" Ruby said with excitement. "Where did they go? Can you take me to them? Can we go now?" Yang couldn't help herself but laugh a little at her sister's excitement.

"Now hold on Rubes. We found each other but they went with the other Toa to cover more ground."

"Aww." Ruby groaned. "Then how do we meet up with the others?" she asked.

"I don't think we have to worry about how we meet instead of when we'll meet up. Besides, we might run into either Blake or Weiss along the way. We all split to look for you and now, we found you." Yang explained.

"Then where does that leave us?" Ruby questioned.

"What about that other path at the fork near Po-Koro? We might be able to look there." Takua spoke up.

"I don't see why not. If anything our friends could be at one of the other villages." Yang replied. Ruby sighed.

"I hope you're right." Ruby said.

As the group continued to travel down the road, they failed to notice the cloaked figure of Ahkmou outside the walls of Po-koro. The former merchant turned away with a smirk as he walked around the Koro to a small cave entrance. He walked down into the darkness and faded into the shadows.

Soon he emerged to a dimly lit room with the only source of light being a burning ball of darkness with metal limbs, hands and black rubbery tubes swirled above. The corpse of the Pilot hung on the wall and still bore the scars from the Child's power. The orb had tethered itself to a titan of black and purple energy. His body was made only of shadow with only a set of goat horns and his great mask of shadows molded to fit him. His arm outstretched toward the orb as a tentacle wrapped around his arm and face to heal his wounds. Ahkmou bowed before him.

"The Epi-Toa and their Ta-Matoran companion have left Po-Koro. Shall I follow them for you, master?" Ahkmou asked.

"No" Makuta replied. "Your task is done. What has happened in Po-Koro was merely a prelude to my future plan."

"But Makuta, the humans seek to reunite. If they manage to reunify and help the Toa complete their quest, what's to stop them from fully destroying you before you can escape?" Ahkmou question.

The orb erupted with another pair of tentacles made of metal hands. They grabbed the Po-Matoran and began to constrict him before smashing him into the wall. Makuta let the orb release him and he walked toward his slave.

"Even if the Toa do manage to collect the masks, it will not matter. The Child will come to me and I will take her power and free myself from this prison but she will do so alone." Makuta spoke.

"But how will you accomplish tha- ACK!" The multitude of hands constricted the merchant further silencing him.

"If there is one thing I know about humans, it's that they are more malleable than Matoran. They are pathetic; driven by emotion. And my brother's virtues are not ingrained into their cultures. They rely on expression, art, and opinion to dominate their world. Emotions are what make their cultures." Makuta began. "It's their emotions of fear, hatred, greed, lust, and apathy that feed my pets. It's these very things that will give me the edge I need."

"Then, why not destroy them. Or simply go after Ruby like you did before?" Ahkmou asked.

Makuta laughed. The tentacle of hands uncoiled and dropped Ahkmou who began gasping and coughing.

"And miss all the fun? I highly doubt that forcefully taking it in her current state will accomplish anything useful. If I am to take the young Rose's power…" Makuta thought of Ruby for a moment as he mentally observed them as they continued forward to a mountain in the distance. The Master of Shadows smiled, eyeing Yang as she talked with Ruby. He then looked inside the mountain and into Onu-Koro where a certain cat Faunus walked with a patrol of the Ussalry through the tunnels of the village. Then he looked to the jungle of Le-Wahi as Weiss made her way through the thick vegetation and then he looked back to Yang.

"…I must pierce that which the Child holds dear."

A/N: Man I loved writing this chapter and I hope you enjoyed me going the extra mile in certain scenes. With that said, it seems Makuta got what he wanted but just not how he expected it and will be enacting his masterplan for this story very soon. However, Yang and Ruby are back together. Let's hope that the journey continues on this track for our heroes but on the island of Mata Nui, anything can happen.

So that wraps up the first half of the Infection arc. Only three more chapters left in this arc to go and for all of you bionicle fans you probably know what's coming with these next three chapters.

See you all soon. Until then, live life to the fullest and God bless you.