Bionicle Mara's Story, Ch: 25

Bionicle Mara’s Story
Chapter 25



First there was darkness, the only light was from lanterns and Takanuva as he made his armor glow softly. Then as they finally left the tunnel they were greeted with a sight that left many of them speechless. Below was a massive city, all the buildings were either destroyed or toppled over. But you could still tell that at one time the city had been amazing.

"Wow, looked at that," Gresh suddenly exclaimed.

The group besides the jungle Glatorian was also  made up of Takanuva, Mara, Kiina, Lewa Kongu, Berix, Tarduk and Mazeka. Kongu was piloting their Airship while the others joined Gresh.

"Whoa," Kiina gasped as she gripped the rails to lean over for a better look.

"Metru Nui," Takanuva muttered softly. The Spheres Magnus inhabitants looked around in aw while the Matoran Universe inhabitants looked on in great sadness.

"It's amazing," Kiina said softly.

"No it's not," Takanuva snapped. A heavy silence hung in the air after that as everyone watched the ruined world below pass by.

Finally Berix broke the tense silence, "Now what?"

"Will pass through the Sea Gates and the journeys pretty much a straight cross to Destral," Takanuva answered.

"If the way's clear," Mazeka added.

"Ah don't worry." Everyone turned to see Kongu standing by the railing, "I can get us there safely. No problem."

"Hey wait! Who's flying this thing?" Kiina demanded. At that moment the ship started to tilt.

Kongu stiffened, "Snap-crud, sorry everyone." He ran back inside the cockpit. Kiina groaned and followed. Soon the others went inside leaving just Lewa and Gresh.

Gresh still looked around in wonder, "Still can't believe you live inside the Spirit Robot."

"Well to be fair Glatorian-brother I spent most of that time in stasis then on an island."

"What are you two talking about?" Both green armored warriors turned to see Kiina had joined them again. Lewa grinned at her.

"Oh nothing interesting-important." Kiina eyed him a moment before turning her attention back to the ground below. "Looks like we get to spend more-lots time together," Lewa added reaching a hand around the female Glatorian's shoulders.

"Touch me and your dead," Kiina warned.

"Okay," Lewa said pulling his hand away.

Kiina eyed him before going back inside. Gresh and Lewa stayed by the railings and watched her leave. Gresh noticed Lewa's grin. "Lewa your my friend so I feel I should warn you, I don't think she likes you. At least not like that."

Lewa continued to grin and elbow the Glatorian, "Ahhh she'll warm up to me."

Gresh groaned and laid his head against the rail, "You say that about every female you meet. . . Well almost every, you never hit on Mara."

"I can't-wont hit on a female in a relationship," Lewa sounded offended.

"You hit on Vera all the time," Gresh pointed out. "And she's in a relationship with Kopaka. Wasn't that the reason he froze you up to your neck in the market square last week."

Lewa grinned, "Aww, that's just to bother-annoy my icy brother. . . plus I think she likes me."

Gresh face palmed.


*****


A few days into the journey the group had decided to make camp in a abounded village in the Northern Continent. Everyone was quiet as they docked the Airship and made camp, one thing they agreed on was they would be more than happy when the journey was over, even the Matoran Universe inhabitants could agree. The Spirit Robot was just. . . so empty, there was no life in it anymore.

"We should arrive there soon," Kongu announced.

"I'll be glad when this is over," Kiina groaned as everyone settled down.

Well almost everyone, Mara thought as she watched Takanuva walk away. She quickly followed, the Toa had been so quiet on the journey and she was worried about him.

Takanuva suddenly stopped and she almost collided with him. "Mara please go back."

"I. . . Takanuva are you okay?"

He glanced at her, he then leaned against the wall of a crumbling house and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at the ground, "Am I okay. . . no. That Shadow Toa. . . going to Destral, it's just a lot on my mind."

Mara winched wishing she could think of something better to say. "Have-Have you ever been to Destral?"

Takanuva looked down, "Actually I have." Mara gave him a surprised look. "After Teridax's takeover Pohatu and I headed to the Makuta's former base to try and find something to help us fight Teridax and. . . GAH!" He whirled around and punched the wall. "I SHOULD OF LOOKED HARDER! How could I have missed what the Makuta had done!"

"You couldn't of known," Mara reached for him.

Takanuva scoffed and shoved her hand away, "I should of known. . . Garr! I don't know what to think anymore!" Mara grimaced whishing she could do something for him. She tried to reach for his hand again but Takanuva pulled away. "Mara. . . I need some time."

"Time?"

"I-I just have a lot to think about and. . . I need time to get my thought's in order."

"O-Okay," Mara said.

"Thanks," Takanuva answered as he turned and walked away.

"Sure. . . anytime," Mara whispered.


*****


Takanuva wandered from the camp and settled on the edge of a cliff, he gazed at the ruined land below. It was as barren and broken as they rest of this ruin world. Hard to believe this had been his home. Takanuva couldn't remember much of his time as Takua before the Order of Mata Nui had relocated him to hide him from the Makuta. His time in Metru Nui. . . weren't the best. It had been the same for the island of Mata Nui, he hadn't belong. He eventually became the new Chronicler and it had seemed the perfect job that had lead him on countless adventures and saving Mata Nui many times. Then he had found the Avohkii. After losing the Kolhii Championship the mask had tried to lead him to his destiny but he had ignored it which had lead to Jaller's death. He had finally expected his destiny as the Seventh Toa and Takanuva had finally started to fell he belonged.

It had been one adventure after another, from defeating Teridax to traveling back to Metru Nui and being attacked by a Shadow Leech and dimension hopping. Finally he had helped in the battle of Karda Nui. Unfortunately from there Teridax had finally seceded in taking over their Universe which had lead to their arrival on Bara Magna and Teridax's defeat and Spheres Magna's revival. After that Takanuva couldn't admit to his friends but he was at a loss on what his destiny was now, a new world and new beings and he had never felt so lost and out of place before. And then. . . he had meet Mara.

"Widget for your thoughts," a voice announced behind him.

"Lewa I want to be alone."

"And that's why I came," the Toa of Air answered sitting besides Takanuva. "You know it's funny, after we fought-won the Battle of Bara Magna we thought our trouble-problems were over. Instead we get more."

"Your not kidding," Takanuva muttered.

"Aw light brother, you got to admit there's plenty great-good as well."

Takanuva had to admit Lewa was right, despite everything he had meet Mara and Lyra and Lokan. "Yeah. . . I guess. But. . . this shadow Toa, it's-it's my fault. . ."

"Really. . . so your saying this is all your fault," Lewa arched an eyebrow ridge at him. "Your fault that the Makuta quick-snatched all those other Takanuva's."

"YES! I mean No. . . I mean-AGH! I don't know anymore." Takanuva placed his face in his hands.

"I may not always seem the quickest-smartest but I do know this Shadow Takanuva being here is not your fault.

Takanuva didn't answer. He looked up, he could see bits of the sky through holes in the robot. "I need to handle this on my own."

"On your own," Lewa replied sarcastically. "You didn't let Mara push you away-far when she discovered she was pregnant did you?"

"Of course not!" Takanuva snapped glaring at the other Toa. "But that was different, she needed me and I wasn't going to let her distanced herself because of something that was out of her control. . ." Takanuva trailed off.

Lewa was giving him a rather smug look, he jumped to his feet and walked back to the camp, "If you say so light brother. I'll go-leave you to think on that," Takanuva gave him a disbelieving look, Lewa was the last person he would expect advice from.


*****


A few days later the Airship hovered over Destral. It was a barren island dominated by the remains of what was a massive fortress.

"Well welcome to Destral, former home of the Brotherhood of Makuta," Kongu announced.

"Wow, a real vacation place isn't it," Gresh whistled.

"It was never a great place to visit," Mazeka added.

Takanuva didn't answer, he looked at the land below, He glanced up to see Mara talking to Kiina about the island. The two hadn't spoken to each other, they barely looked at each other.

"Landing now," Kongu called bringing the ship down in a clearing.

As soon as the ship was settled everyone disembarked and looked around. Takanuva took command, "Okay everyone were going to split up, Kongu, Berix, Tarduk stay with the ship. I'll take Mara, Kiina, Lewa, Gresh and Mazeka and will scout out the fortress." Everyone nodded and Takanuva's group headed towards the damaged fortress. "Mazeka," Takanuva kept his face neutral, he and the Ice Matoran hadn't spoken to each other during the trip. "Where's the lab?"

"Follow me," Mazeka headed towards the ruins with the others behind him.

"Wow," Mara muttered looking around. Not much of the fortress was still standing.

"Don't worry, the lab we need to reached was under ground, it should be pretty much intact," Mazeka assured her.

They soon found themselves in front of a stairway, it had been hidden and the bottom was filled with debris from the collapse.

"No wonder no one found it," Gresh remarked.

"This is not a place for visitors," a voiced echoed from the shadows causing everyone jump.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Takanuva yelled into the darkness.

A tall black and silver figure stepped into the light, he wore a kanohi shaped like the. . . Kraahkan.

"TERIDAX!" Takanuva cried. He charged forward and took a swing at the figure, the stranger dodged his attack with ease. Takanuva tried to take another swing but the tall being moved with incredible speed.

"I don't want to hurt you," the stranger warned him as he continued dodging the Light Toa's attacks. If anything this made Takanuva madder.

"Takanuva WAIT!" Mara cried but Takanuva continued his attack. Finally Lewa grabbed him. "That's not Teridax!"

But it wasn't Lewa who spoke. Takanuva turned to Mara shocked, "How can you say that? Of course it's him!"

Lewa spoke, "I think-know she's right light brother."

"Are you sure?" Kiina held her trident at the ready with Gresh and Mazeka by her side, their own weapons also out.

"Well for one thing. . . you all saw him die remember," Lewa replied.

"He's tricked us before," Mazeka pointed out.

"Still, I've faced him many times," Lewa spoke confidently.

Everyone turned to the one in question. The mysterious being was just standing there watching them calmly, Mara approached him to Takanuva's horror. "MARA STOP!"

Ignoring him the Glatorian stopped before the tall figure, "I know you're not Makuta. Who are you?"

The figure regarded her for a moment, "I am Marethyu."