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“Quickly. This way,”
Kopaka snapped.
“But Kopaka, you can’t go down there it’s too
hot!” exclaimed Kaiwera.
“Chosen of Fire, keep your mouth shut. It is no
hotter than the burning in my chest to get my
friend back.”
The Chosen walked with the Toa. The eleven of
them made a force to be reckoned with. The
Chosen had left their swords in Ga-Koro, instead
favouring their Toa weapons. For they knew they
were Toa. Protectors of Mata Nui.
The group began to walk down the slope under Ta-Koro,
leading them closer and closer to the heat and
shimmering air of the lava. Kopaka led them,
with Kaiwera behind him.
Kikia tried to liven the dead silence with a
joke.
“Hey! I’ve got a good joke. Whatta you get if
you cross Tahu with Kopaka?”
“Kikia this isn’t the time for jokes,” said
Pohatu. The other Toa looked at each other in
shock. Pohatu, knowing when it was inappropriate
for jokes? Unheard of!
“The Toa of Steam!”
As one the Chosen and Toa turned on Kikia’s
grinning face, which gradually seemed to realise
that now really wasn’t the time for
jokes. They carried on in silence.
For a while they walked, until Kohuke whispered,
“Hey… look at Kopaka.”
They looked. Kopaka was visibly wilting, holding
onto the walls for support.
“Kopaka buddy, you ok?” asked Pirihi, who
himself was feeling a little under the weather.
“I… I… heat… Tahu-” but Kopaka didn’t manage to
finish his sentence. He slipped on a pile of
loose stones.
As if in slow motion, he fell, sliding and
tumbling down the narrow path… rolling closer
and closer to the edge. His sword and shield
slid off his back and clattered along behind
him, until they both plunged down into the fiery
abyss.
“NO!” shouted Pirihi, “Now he has nothing to
fight with!”
Lewa and Lekopo jumped forward and summoned a
buffeting wind which slowed Kopaka.
“Quickly everyone, after him! If we don’t move
fast we won’t have a Toa of Ice at all!” cried
Moana, leaping after Kopaka.
They kept running, but they couldn’t catch up.
Kopaka was now at break-neck speed, his prone
body bouncing off rocks and boulders, the wind
did nothing to slow him.
As they rounded the next corner, they saw what
each was dreading. A clear pathway leading down
to a platform in the lava.
“But… but he can’t have gone!” screamed Pirihi
running to the side of the path, scanning the
lava. “NO! KOPAKA! KOPAKA! YOU CAN’T LEAVE US!”
“I don’t… intend to Pirihi!”
“What?”
The Chosen looked down further across the lava,
and saw a white speck approaching at speed.
Kopaka became visible, battered and tired,
keeping balance on his shield which was racing
across the lava like a surfboard. With amazing
skill he flicked himself lightly up onto the
platform. Presently he said,
“I’m not dead yet,” then collapsed in a heap.
“He looks pretty bad. I don’t think he can stay
in this heat much longer,” said Pirihi, “I too
feel weak and slow.”
“But we must go on! We must save Tahu!” said
Kaiwera, “We can’t go back now!”
“But we can’t leave Kopaka on his own, he’ll
die!” Pirihi said.
“Pirihi… you stay with Kopaka,” said Gali “See
if you can bring him round. The rest of you,
come on, or we’ll all let the heat get to us…”
There was mumbled agreement and then the nine
remaining figures set off again.
“Keep yourself armed,” warned Onua, “there will
be Rahi guarding him.”
“Look! Over there on the wall!”
Fikou looked up at the noise of Lekopo’s shout.
Their glittering black eyes were bulging and
bloodshot. They stretched the entire wall,
through their bodies a door could be seen.
“Looks like we have to defeat them. Toa? Chosen?
Attack at will!” said Kaiwera.
There was a flash of elemental power and the
Fikou fell off the wall, echos of their exo-skeletons
hitting the rough stone floor spreading out
through the emense space.
“Quickly! They are stirring!” warned Moana,
“They must be stronger than normal Fikou!”
Onua and Kohuke ran over to the door and pulled
at the bottom.
“Too… heavy… Pohatu, Kikia!”
“Right here Mr. Clawses,”
Together they managed to pull the door up enough
to let the party slide through, where upon they
dropped it shut on the advancing Fikou.
“Well, that wasn’t so hard,” said Kikia, “If
that’s all they’ve got-”
“Kikia?” said Moana.
“Yes shnookums?”
A rumbling filled the narrow cave.
“I really wish you hadn’t said that.”
The torches flickered as three Nui Jaga, a Muaka
and a Kane-Ra emerged into the light.
“We in big Husi poodo now,” said Lewa.
Tahu’s mind was in turmoil. He didn’t know where
he was or what he was doing. He felt drained and
lonely, and had a feeling of guilt he couldn’t
remember what from. There was someone else in
his mind, screaming and giving instructions to
his body. No… it wasn’t his body any more. It
was Makuta’s. Tahu’s mind jerked. He could
remember things, people, friends, enemies and
places. Kopaka, he remembered Kopaka. Where was
he now? Was he hurt?
No, Kopaka is fine, friend, do not trouble
yourself over him. I did not just say that.
That settled it then, Kopaka must be ok.
There are enemies coming soon. You must kill
them all. I didn’t say that either.
Enemies ‘eh? Tahu liked fighting.
You like chaos.
Chaos, Tahu liked the Chaos of war.
“Kaiwera… can’t keep this up… too MANY!” shouted
Moana. Gali was straining too.
“It’s the heat, it’s getting to them too,” said
Kohuke.
“I don’t feel too leafshiny either,” moaned Lewa.
Lekopo nodded in agreement.
“Die you, thing! Die!”
Kaiwera was battling with the remaining Jaga,
who was already looking peaky. A bolt of flame
finished the job, sending the Jaga, who had
survived most of the attacks, running away down
into the cover of darkness.
“Look everyone, another door,” said Moana, sweat
beading on her forehead.
“I think it’s time for us to step in again Mr.
Feets,” said Kohuke quietly, looking to Onua for
agreement.
“I don’t like Mr. Feet. How about… Mr. Toes? Or
Mr. Soles? No, Mr. Toes I think.”
“Whatever you want to be called Kikia, help the
Onu-Koronans and Pohatu with the door will you?”
spoke Kaiwera.
The door was gradually lifted, and a wave of
heat swept out over them.
“Pheeww-ee! Man, I’m glad I had a shower this
morning or I’d really STINK!”
“I’m sure no one would notice the difference
Kikia,” drawled Gali.
Kaiwera felt more alert, more angry. The heat
was driving him on. The others were weak, they
weren’t accepting the flames.
No, don’t be angry at them. Be angry at Makuta.
He started this. He is the one that is the
problem.
“Kaiwera? Should we enter?” asked Lekopo.
“Yesss…” said a voice like wood over sandpaper,
“Pleassse… join me.”
“Who’s there?” ventured Onua, “Show yourself!”
“You do not remember your preciousss Toa of
Fire? Ha! Hahahahahaha!” laughed the voice.
A red foot protruded out of the shadows,
followed by the body of Tahu.
“Tahu! We’ve come to free you! You must come
away now!” said Kaiwera, “Your in great danger
here!”
“Tahu doesn’t want to come with you! He will
stay with me.”
“What… what do you mean?” said Gali.
“I am Tahu,” said the voice, and stepped out of
the shadows. He was wearing a Hau, but it was
deformed and stretched so it looked like a
wolf’s face. Sickly green eyes spied out of the
lengthened sockets. His movements were jerky, as
if two people were trying to control the body.
“Tahu? Is that you?” ventured Kaiwera,
“Yesss… and now I will ssshow you how powerful I
have become!”
Evil Tahu brought forth his red firesword, which
suddenly burst into flame. Suddenly Kaiwera fell
to the floor, screaming. His own firesword was
blazing as well, as he frantically tried to
remove it from his back.
“Ha! You cannot control your own weapons!”
With that, he spun his sword round, sending a
wave of heat over the Chosen’s heads which
knocked down Lewa and Gali. He then sent lava
towards Onua and Pohatu, then froze it,
rendering them prone.
“I thought I would like to see how well you
short-stuffs perform, you PITIFUL little band.”
“You know,” said Kaiwera, getting up off the
floor, “I don’t know why but I remember someone
saying that before. We won then too, Makuta.”
“You were ssslane. You didn’t win!”
“It is true then. You are blind to the obvious.
What are we?”
“You are Tohunga, a useless, weak, Tohunga.”
“Mata-Nui’s Tohunga. We live on to fight another
day, and you live on to die, another day.”
“You may have defeated my Toa once, but you have
never beaten me!” Evil Tahu cried, his sword
glowing more intense.
“Well there’s a first time for everything ‘eh?
Chosen of Mata Nui?”
“Ready Kaiwera,” said Kikia.
“At your command captain,” Kohuke grunted.
“I’ll stand by you always Kaiwera,” said Moana.
“Um, I’m here too. To infinity and beyond!”
piped up Lekopo. Kaiwera stared.
“I heard it in a movie once!” defended Lekopo.
“Toy Story is for 5 year olds Lekopo,” said
Kohuke.
“I liked it,” Lekopo said a little deflated.
“Kaiwera watch out!”
Kaiwera jumped backwards away from a slash of
the angry Firesword. His own began to fizz with
more intensity.
Kohuke and Kikia began to advance on Tahu, but
were fended back with more waves of his sword.
Moana attempted to attack, but the water
evaporated on contact. Kaiwera advanced, and
this time parried the attack from Tahu. He leapt
off the ground and began to swing towards the
infected mask. This is too easy, he thought.
Then he realised why; out of the corner of his
eye he saw Tahu’s sword approaching, in a deadly
arc he couldn’t defend…
But he didn’t have to.
A bolt of ice slammed into the sword and it flew
out of Tahu’s hand. Kaiwera landed and looked
around. The other Chosen had retreated to the
walls of the cavern, in the middle of which two
rocks stood, one smaller than the other.
“You OK Kaiwera?” was the muffled question from
the smaller rock.
“Pirihi!? How are you… still alive?” Kaiwera
said in shock.
“It doesn’t matter! We must leave here now!”
“Who is in the other rock, Pirihi?… Oh no…”
The larger rock split in two, glittering ice
lined the inside, out of which stepped… a very
worn Kopaka.
“Chosen! Chosen. You must leave. This is my
fight… I must… save Tahu. Tahu? Tahu hear me. My
powers are yours to command.”
Inside the Wolf Hau Tahu’s eyes flickered, then
turned a brilliant red.
“Kopaka? Help me… Urrrghh urrrgh arg arg… he is
in me…. CONTROLLING MEEEE…!”
Now Tahu’s voice was raspy again.
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Your powersss are no match for me,
Toa of Ice. Tahu isss mine, and you ssshall
never have him back.”
“We shall see.”
Kopaka was swaying, but kept an unbreaking icy
stare on Tahu.
“Kaiwera we have to help him!” whispered Moana,
“He can’t fight like he is!”
“Agreed. Step forward if you are willing to
stay, my friends.”
All six Chosen stepped forward.
“How… romantic. Sssix little villagersss and a
weakened Toa against me… hmm… I wonder who will
win?”
“ATTACK!” screamed Kaiwera.
The six small figures leapt towards Tahu, who
looked momentarily surprised. Moana and Lekopo
came whirring in first, and managed to plant two
blunt hits on Tahu’s back before ricocheting off
his shoulders. Tahu staggered, and did not get
up quick enough. Kohuke and Kikia ran forward,
taking the open chance. Kohuke ripped at Tahu’s
legs and Kikia planted a firm kick in the Toa’s
chest. Crouching now, Tahu looked up to see a
brilliant red sword rushing forward to meet him…
A metallic clang rang through the small cavern.
Dust and grit fell from the ceiling, shrouding
Tahu and Kaiwera in mist. Through the smog the
glows of the two swords could be seen, snapping
and hissing.
Then there was evil laughter once again.
The Chosen moved to help, but Kopaka held up a
hand.
“This is my and Pirihi’s call,” he said, tapping
his Akaku. They stepped into the cloud and were
lost to the naked eye.
“Kaiwera’s hit didn’t knock off the mask?!” said
Moana shrillily.
“Don’t think so. Maybe he missed?” ventured Kika.
“Can’t we help?” said Lekopo.
“How would we tell which was which? We might hit
one of ours.” Kohuke said solemnly.
“Lets put an end to that darkvision yes?” Lekopo
said, and took a step back. The air swirled
around them, and the dust trailed with it,
disappearing in corners and crevasses. As the
fight became visible, two figures lay on the
floor. One red, one white.
“Which?” said Moana, who had her hands over her
eyes.
“Kopaka, and Kaiwera.”
Pirihi stood panting, standing over his fallen
comrades.
“Sssee? Sssee, how powerful I am now,” Evil Tahu
said, “Join me, and I can make you powerful like
thisss.”
“We will never join you,” Lekopo said, and threw
his axe with all his might. It banged off the
side of the mask.
“Ha. You make me laugh. This is no ordinary
mask. It has leached onto my face and will not
come off easily…” Evil Tahu grinned. Then the
world exploded.
The boom was heard on the surface. Trees rustled
and rocks jumped.
“What the fudge was that?!” asked Jala, who was
sitting on an Ussal crab next to Vakama outside
of Ta-Koro.
“A great clash of good and evil. I don’t know
which won.”
More dust fell down from the ceiling, but as it
cleared the remaining occupants of the
underground cavern saw the scene. Kopaka, Pirihi
and Kaiwera had lodged their swords in Tahu’s
mask, which slowly came away from his face,
revealing a disgusted expression. The murky glow
lurked for a minute in his eyes, then they went
blank, and Tahu collapsed.
Vakama and Nokama stood on the beach, with the
villagers of Ta-Koro and Ga-Koro behind them. In
front, the golden sunset glinting off their
masks and bodies, the Chosen stood, weapons on
their backs.
“Now you must leave us brave Chosen,” said
Nokama.
“The villages of the island hereby exile you
from Mata Nui,” said Vakama.
There were gasps from the islanders.
“What do you mean, exiled?! These brave people
have stood to fight Makuta! They are one of us!”
shouted Jala.
“They cannot leave! We love them all!” said Maku.
“They are on a great quest,” said Vakama.
“This mask,” Vakama held up the Wolf Hau, which
had three long scars in it, “must be taken away
from the island.
“This mask contains great evil. It’s origins are
lost in the records of Mata Nui. It holds part
of Makuta’s will, no-one on the island can
resist this mask, they do not know the power of
it.
“That is why only those blessed by Mata Nui who
are aware of the masks incredible power and
destructive force must sail around the world to
the remains of the furthest island. There they
can venture into the caves and seal the mask
away. Away from touch, away from harm, away from
evil. For not only is this mask an evil relic –
but it is also the seal to the tomb of the Dark
Ones.”
The crowd was now silent, the sea breeze and the
waves lapping at the Chosen, who stood rigid,
staring at a spot six inches to the left of
Vakama’s head.
“By taking it away they seal it more fully, and
we can live in the security that they will never
rise again.”
Vakama paused, and then gave the mask to Kaiwera.
“Anyone who wishes to may pay their respects to
the Chosen may do so now,” he concluded.
Maku ran out of the crowd and hugged Moana, then
the rest of the Chosen. Then Jala strolled
towards Kaiwera, shook hands and then did the
same with the five others.
“Are we too late?”
The crowd turned to see a huge cart, pulled by
four Mukau. On it were Tohunga from the other
four villages.
Kongu, Onepu, Matoro and Huki led the group that
jumped off the cart, and ran to their friends.
After, Okoth strolled up to Kaiwera, and gave
him a hug that seemed to him to go on forever.
Then, slowly, came down a bandaged Tohunga.
“Rellka?!” cried Kaiwera with surprise.
Rellka waved a stub of an arm at him, and then
embraced him in a hug.
“What happened to you?” said Kaiwera, sadly
looking at Rellka’s stumps.
“Do not worryabout it, Mr Kaiwera sir. At least
I getout of cablecar duty until Nokama can fix
me up…”
Kaiwera laughed, and Rellka smiled.
“We must leave you now,” Kaiwera said, turning
to address the crowd “And we may be a long time.
Your Turaga will no doubt tell you of our
adventures across the island. You can listen to
them with the knowledge that nothing like this
will ever have to happen again – for now your
protectors are here, the great Toa.”
Kaiwera turned to the Toa, who stood in a line
at the side of the crowd.
“We never did get a chance to thank you for
summoning us. We know how the story will end now
– we have only to defeat Makuta and Mata Nui
shall be free,” said Gali.
“I never got a chance to thank you for helping
to save me,” said Tahu, who had just recovered
from his trance from meeting Kaiwera.
It was an interesting experience.
Kaiwera had been brought to Tahu’s bed in
Ga-Koro, the other Toa around him. Kaiwera came
over, took Tahu’s hand and looked at him.
Tahu’s eyes had widened, and he sat up in shock.
“Kaiwera?” he said meekly, and then fainted.
Kaiwera smiled at the crowd, and nodded to the
Toa. With that he started the trail off to the
boat, which was moored to the Ga-Koro jetty.
Once the Chosen were aboard, the rope thrown
back onto the shore, the small motor started up.
As the Chosen began to sail away, they looked
back at the shore. Kikia began to cry, and Moana
comforted him.
“As soon as we finish our quest, we have to
start another,” said Pirihi gravely.
“Like they say: ‘time flows like a river, and
history repeats’,” said Moana.
The Chosen saw the Toa waving at them. Gali
solemnly, Lewa and Pohatu frantically, Onua
slowly, Kopaka jerkily, and Tahu just holding
his hand up to them.
Then there was a cry of emotion, and the crowd
shouted and waved too, trying to smile though
their tears.
Nokama turned to Vakama.
“Do you think they will return, Vakama?”
“Yes Nokama, they will return. When we need them
most, they will return.”
The Chosen’s boat was soon a speck on the
horizon.
Then, with a bolt of fire from Kaiwera’s
Firesword erupting into the sky, it was gone.
THE END
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