Bzprpg - Le-Wahi

[Wade.]

IC: Alfon (The Fowadi)

 

Well, would you look at that: fireworks between Plagia and the newbie. Yuck. I simply raised my eyebrow at the whole thing, glancing back and forth between the pair as Kehuri's rambling went on.

 

This guy needs help. Badly.

 

"This never happened." I said, before whispering a joke, "Plagia, I thought we were an item."

 

Suddenly, the sound a facepalm rang background, veering my eyes to a female Toa of plasma. I merely waved.

[25K Now!]

IC:

 

She had told herself she wouldn't cry, but watching Skyra give the final eulogy for the Turaga - their father, had brought out her tears faster than the words of Merror. She would never be able to laugh with him on his walks through the streets again, nor would she be able to escort him to important events in the village - he was gone, forever, and she wouldn't even be able to say goodbye. Instead, all she could do was mourn alongside every other villager, her tears freely running down her mask as she continued to sob.

 

The rain had already gotten worse, as if the heavens too were shaken by the parting eulogies for Matau. It did not matter if she would wake up the next morning with a cold or not - Kunitu had lost her beloved leader, and nothing could compare to the pain of losing the person who was a father to them all.

 

"Care for an umbrella?"

 

Kunitu blinked back tears, realising that the rain had seemed to have stopped. A quick glance upwards revealed that there was a wooden umbrella hanging above her, and was held by ...

 

"Darylhii," she said, hoping to choke back her sobs. "Why are you here?"

 

The Toa of the Green holding up the umbrella shrugged, returning his gaze to Matau's casket. Although it may have not been obvious to most, Kunitu had known the other being for a long time, and knew that the emotions in his red eyes were sadness and grief.

 

"Mourning the death of the Turaga," he replied quietly.

 

There were no more questions asked, the two former friends watching the memorial for their beloved leader, one barely keeping in his own emotions, while another crying her heart out.

[Jean Valjean]

IC: (Nixie - From her house to the Fowadi)

 

Nixie woke up from a nightmare that was more than just a dream, but a vision. The difference between dreams and visions was as plain as the difference between sleep and consciousness. She was on a beach on a far away land. Nobody knew her. In fact, nobody was there at all. The sands went on and one. Wet grains clung to her like dust, and salty, moist, and cold air whistled through the hols of her mask. She was disoriented for a moment, blinded by the sun, holding her hand up to provide a visor, and then her eyes adjusted. Out on the horizon there was a ship coming. It was just a blur, and its colors were dulled by slight opaqueness of the air above the water. She looked behind her to the other horizon and saw the beach continued on forever like a desert. She tried walking away, but she felt lonely. The ship was calling to her, calling her name. It needed her, longed for her, and it was an imperitive that it must be seen. There was also a lone figure on the ship. She did not know who, but she felt that she knew this blurry individual personally. She ran out into the shallow waters. The heavy salt water clung to her sweater and threatened to drag her down, but the ship continued to call her, and for some reason all she knew was the desire to bring it back to the shore. She couldn't imagine what it was like to not want to drag in the ship. Out in the deep water, she swam up to it. It was only a small boat, big enough only to fit a few people on it. There was a rope in the front, and she grabbed onto it. She kicked her feet and pulled the boat in. Her feet met sand as she got closer to the shore, and she kicked off even harder. Then Nixie and the boat were on the shore, and she would have collapsed save that she forgot how. She did not know how to be exhausted. She only knew how to be a witness to the person on this boat. It was then that she realized that she was having a vision, and that there was somthing terribly wrong. She looked into the boat, and the person standing there, without saying a single word, was Vakama. The scattered masks of the other Turaga were there, and they were covered in dust. He was looking out beyond the shore, as if he had arrived somewhere. This wasn't somewhere; this was the middle of nowhere. Why had he come here? Why? Then he collapsed. Blood was coming from his back, and a slug was wriggling on the floor. She looked up and a dagger in the sky. "O Captain! My Captain!" she cried. "What have you died for?" She held his hand in her head. "This can only be a dream. Please let this be a dream. What will ever become of us when you're gone?" Vakama did not answer. His heart would beat no more forever. She looked at the blackness behind the eyes of his mask, where his soul no longer shone. She wrapped him in her arms and cried, and the wind picked up, blowing salt and sand into her face, but the only salt that she felt was that which leaked out of her eyes. And his heart would beat no more forever. She staggered up, shocked and scared, but grieving, shouting "No, Vakama!" as she stumbled into the desert that banked the beach, wandering in the direction her leader had been gazing. It was then that she woke up. It was only a vision, but she could still feel the burning light of the sun in her eyes and the smell of salt in her face. She cast the sheets off of her, letting herself out of bed without there being any real waking state transition between her slumber and her morning blur. Her sleep had been like being awake anyway, and the change from vision and the reality of her physical existence was seemless.

 

Nicie's haste was broken onto to grab her journal. She rushed down the ladder of her house and let herself drop hen she was only halfway down. Her feet sank into the soft soil upon impact, and she ran into the forest. She didn't know where. She was still disoriented, much like in her vision, and had no sense of direction. On a normal day she would have known to simply follow the path and it would take her to Le-Koro to see for herself the burial of Turaga Matau, but she ran into the forest and kept on going.

 

And kept on going.

 

Then she came onto a shore, and the endless ocean splashed upon her feet.

 

She saw a boat.

 

It was not small, but big. A ship with a crew. Was it waiting for her? Why was it that she came here, of all places? There was something familiar about this, where it was like her dream, but wasn't. This wasn't the endless beach, nor was that the ship she she had seen. But was there purpose for her being here.

 

She wandered toward the ship, not knowing why. It wasn't quite like the pull she felt in the vision, where going to the ship was the only reality she knew. She just felt that in order for the calling presented in the vision to be completed, some parallel must be met in real life. Her soul was searching...searching for some resolution.

 

There was a group of Toa on the shore next to the ship. The recognized one of them as a Toa of the ILF, Kethrye, Toa of Ice. They were laughing over something nonsensical, something strange. One of them turned to see her. His face melted from the relief found in humor to a contagioyus sadness, something he caught while peering into her sad eyes. Perhaps he did not know why he was sad, or didn't even know the sadness yet, but there was a newfound spirit in the air, the intuitive understanding that somehow, for whatever reason, there ought to be sadness.

 

"Hello, Nixie," said Kethrye when he turned to follow his brother's glance.

 

Nixie walked into the center of the group and fell to one knee. "The Turaga are dead," she said with a tear.

 

24601

[- JL -]

IC: JL

 

Toa were protectors. Back in the day, they were considered impossible to defeat.

 

JL took this seriously, and to him, he considered this a failure. While he wasn't a Le-Koroan, and didn't have the privilege to actually know Turaga Matau, he did know people who knew him, and he had stood beside the Turaga once.

 

And there was a bit of regret. While the lack of a relationship didn't bring tears to his eyes, he was moved, saddened at someone else's loss.

 

Soon it would be his.

[BenLuke]

IC: Kethrye (Near the Fowadi)~ "Yeah, let's just pretend this never happened," Kethrye replied to Alfon, leaning over to murmur a return to his old friend's overheard whisper. "Alfon, you're one talk. You do know women only put up with you out of pity, right?" he said with an exaggerated tone of serious advice, glancing along with him as a newcomer emerged from the dense jungle that surrounded the river that's shore they stood upon. "Not all that different, really." As it turned out, the Matoran that has striding hastily towards them was one the Toa of Ice recognized. Nixie, Le-Matoran. Le-Koroan fire brigade. Always writing things down. thought Kethrye. He and the Le-Matoran had only met a relatively small number of time in the centuries following the disappearance of the Toa Mata, him as a wondering hero, and mercenary when the widgets were short, and Nixie as a firematoran protecting her village from the elemental force that could deal significant damage to a city composed purely of wood. Really, the fact he would even keep her name and mask straight with the other Le-Matoran he had known over the years was a surprise, considering how many that had been. "Hello, um-Nixie," he said, metal eyebrow raised. Hmm, what's this about. . . "The Turaga are dead," Nixie said, stumbling to the ground in exhaustion, tears streaming down her Kanohi.

 

The grin Kethrye had been wearing returned to a grim and stoic frown. "Really?"

 

The Matoran nodded.

 

It was as if the world had ended.

 

Kethrye's eyes grew distant, his mind trying to process the revelation. The Turaga had been the one constant, the only solid rocks in the sinking sand of eons of darkness and war. Even the power of Makuta had not trumped them, and he and his friends has freed them and allowed to return even after they were infected with the Master of Shadow's parasites. Island of light in a sea of shadows.

 

Truly, these are dark days we live in, he thought, And they're only getting darker.

 

He expected to be overwhelms by grief and rage at this- this tragedy, and yet he wasn't. He felt the emotions, yes, but as if they belonged to another man, another time. Kethrye closed his eyes fir a moment, and when he reopened them they were wet with tears. The only thing that felt more distant was the laughter and smiles of the moment before, which might as well been from before Mata Nui himself. There was only one thought that felt real and not memories of a nightmare:

 

Whoever did this is so going to pay.

 

"Slight adjustment of plans," he said, trying to remain brave for the rest. That was what a leader did, after all, what Madrihk did when the ILF had faced similar trials. Fear would only be their destruction. "We'll weep for the fallen elders later, now we focus on our jobs, and while we go hunting down the other threats we're up against, we check out the scene of each Turaga's murder. Justice will be served, and I hope we'll be the one's to do it."

 

His right hand shifted to the sword at his waist, its' round pommeling providing a comforting shape to grasp tightly. "Trust me, whoever did this fell deed is dead, they just don't know it yet."

 

That, or we'll be the ones to die, he thought. Along with the hundreds of others that will also perish in the inevitable scrabble for power. Order will be restored, or death will reign, and that's without Makuta or these "Peer" people pushing thier advantage.

 

Truly, these are dark days. . .

Edited January 3, 2013 by Javert

[Krayzikk]

IC: Krayn

 

Near the rear of the ship, a single De-Toa sat alone. He could hear every word that was spoken, dimly acknowledging the demise of the other Turaga, but he said nothing. From a distance, he appeared impassive, unmoved, uncaring. But any closer and that illusion shattered.

 

His eyes were a window past the facade, to the inner grief, to the inner turmoil. Rage, grief, shame and regret swirled together in a maelstrom of bitter emotion. But it was kept hidden, walled up behind the false calm he did his best to put on. It was, he told himself, his duty. He was a lieutenant in the Le-Koro Gukko Force first and foremost. All else came secondary to the safety of his village.

 

But as much as he may not have wanted to admit it, that was not the only reason. No, if that were the only reason, he would have felt free to go to his cabin and dropped the false mask he forced himself to wear. He did not do so because it would serve no point. There would be no one to listen. He bottled the emotion out of habit, a habit formed because there was no one to listen. No one had ever bothered to give him the time of day, no more than a "Good job, Lieutenant", or a brief interview with the force's psychologist as was mandatory every few years. He would never admit it, not even to himself, but it was a lonely existence. He tried to ignore it, tried to cover it up with more and more work, but it never went away. No amount of work or duty could ever fill the hole left behind, and subconsciously, it annoyed him. His more prickish tendencies were the result, a way of channeling the negativity that he refused to acknowledge.

 

The same negativity that combined with the bitter cocktail of emotions that welled within him, threatening to send him spiraling into a dark abyss, a despair event horizon, from which he might not ever return.

 

But he showed no sign of this, maintaining his rigid posture stoically, working to bury his feelings, to become the false mask on his face. The only crack, the only flaw in his guise, were the windows to his heart.

[ARROW404]

IC: Kehuri"Y...yeah, let's just forget this happened." He agreed. "So...about the-" he was cut off by Nixie's approach. When he heard the Matoran's revelation. At first he was sceptical, but the memory of his talk with Whenua leapt to his thought unbidden. Something the elder had said nagged at him. And then it struck him. Whenua had known of his death beforehand. And he had dropped a hint in his discussion with him. Hearing this now, Kehuri cursed himself for not having noticed before. It sounded so obvious now. Ordinarily he would have cursed himself for not having protected his Turaga, for not having done his Duty. But the Turaga had known that nothing could change his fate. Or the others'. His eyes stung, but the tears didn't fall. He folded his arms, "He knew." He said.

[Void Emissary]

OOC: Okay, I'm getting the feeling here that Plagia has met Ril, but for the love of me, I cannot remember that.

 

IC: Plagia Simul - Outside the Fowadi

 

I snorted at Alfon's joke, "Hey, c'mon Casanova. Just because everyone knows you're madly in love with me doesn't mea--"

 

I stopped talking after Nixie made her announcement. The Turaga were dead. Plural. All of them. The Turaga of this island were dead. Deceased.

 

Murdered.

 

I looked up Kethrye, who appeared as if he was only barely holding his emotions back. He was playing the part of the leader well, trying to look brave for his teammates. It broke my heart to have to watch.

 

I noticed that even Kehuri seemed crushed by the news, his dorky, loveable attitude replaced by a cloud grief.

 

And me? I barely felt anything, which, somehow, was even worse than breaking down. The Turaga here had never been my leaders, they had been the guides and sages for others. Somehow, it didn't seem possible, or even right for me to grieve over their deaths.

 

However, the weight of sadness radiating from everyone else... I could mourn the death of their happiness, and whatever shreds of innocence they had. Those seemed to have just died now, killed by the news.

 

Yes, I could mourn that.

 

I wrapped an arm around Kehuri, hoping I might be able to help him somehow. I said nothing, though. What could I say?

 

IC: Rynekk Simul - Fowadi

 

I turned, watching as Krayn sat, most likely listening to the conversation on the shore. His posture was rigid, completely stoic; the very image of a perfect soldier. Except for his eyes. They say those are the windows to the soul, and if so, his soul was breaking.

 

Slowly, I got up, and moved over to the Toa of Sonics. I didn't know what to do, only that I had to do something, to at least try and help him. It was worth a shot, in any case.

 

Now standing next to him, I waited a few long moments, before opening my mouth, "I'm... sorry."

 

IC: Peho Eniblad - Le-Koro Square

 

Eniblad waited silently for a few moments, before turning to Ril and asking, "What Genno said... I'm a 'Toa'?"

 

-Void

[sunflower]

IC: Naru

 

The Toa of Plasma blinked.

 

And then blinked again.

 

They're... dead?

 

Naru stood there, completely shocked by the sudden news. Too stunned to do anything. Her head was in a daze, and not from hitting it on the metal beam. They couldn't have just... died. Naru refused to believe it. That was it? They're just gone? A ball of super-heated gas melted a portion of the treeline, leaving a burnt area of charred plantlife. It didn't help. It didn't make her feel better. Not in the slightest. Naru hated being powerless!

 

Again it had happened! Just like before! Naru hadn't been able to stop the Turaga from being kidnapped, and now they were dead! She wasn't able to stop it the first time, and so she tried to make sure that it didn't happen again. But look what happened! She blamed herself. She blamed the killers. She blamed the whole blasted island. No matter what they did, something always happened. Why couldn't they do anything in return?! Where was the disconnect with these people?

 

At that moment, Naru was ready to march off to the Kini Nui itself and give Makuta a piece of her mind, regardless of what happened. But then what? Makuta crushes her like an ant.

 

Powerless.

 

Defeated, the orange-armored Toa dropped to the ground limply, legs hugged close and staring ahead at the charred ground. Even her, not one to cry even in the worst of situations, felt her eyes tear up.

 

They were all powerless.

[ARROW404]

IC: KehuriKehuri's heart didn't react to Plagia's arm. He didn't quite feel comfortable like this, though. He cleared his throat, eyes still stinging but not flowing. "He knew," he said louder. "Whenua knew he was going to die, and I'm sure the other Turaga did too. He hinted at it when we talked... And like a moron, I missed the hint. But... It makes me feel better." He stepped out from Plagia's hug, slowly so as not to give her the idea he resented it, "The Turaga had time to prepare for this, I'm sure of it. I will miss Whenua dearly... But I'm a defender, not a healer. Rather than mourn, we need to ensure it doesn't happen again."He was surprised the words came out so fluidly. He stepped towards Naru and offered her a hand, "There was nothing we could have done, but there is much we still can. Come on." He glanced at the others, "So about that Iden idea... Are we going to go with it?"

Edited January 3, 2013 by Draezeth

[sunflower]

IC: Naru

 

The Toa of Plasma glanced at the offered hand, before looking up at Kehuri. He was right. There was nothing she could have done... But sitting around crying over it wouldn't help either. Naru took the hand, and rose to her feet, if somewhat unsteady. She blinked a few times, wishing that there was a rahi power that she could copy that delt with strong emotions. No such luck.

 

Trying to move on from the depressing subject, Naru tilted her head to the side slightly as the Toa of Earth mentioned an Iden. "What Iden idea?" she asked somewhat quietly.

[Wade.]

IC: Alfon (The Fowadi)

 

"Ouch." I chuckled. Close friend or not, Kethrye was always blunt with his choice of words, more so as of late. Probably due to tension. Well whatever little bit of it which floated in the air seemed to vanish with the arrival of a Matoran, apparently acquainted with our Ko-Toa. No one I knew.

 

That was when she dropped "The Turaga are dead," bomb, stunning everyone into silence. And just like that, sadness and anger oozed through every single pore of each individual here while a silent grief threatened to engulf us.

 

All but me, who stood there with crossed arms and a troubled frown. Frankly, I had no special place for the Turaga in my heart. In my eyes, they were political forces keeping the island in check and guiding its people, nothing more. Yet their deaths meant none of us are safe. I mean, they're gone just like that. The worst part? We couldn't do anything about it.

 

The island's gone to the dogs. Karz, a one-way ticket off Mata-Nui started sounding great. In the span of just a few days, this place has gone to the dogs. The Matoran have endured Makuta's tyranny but not without struggle. Now, islets can be sunk, a legion of patriotic criminals want to burn down the island, our leaders are gone, the ILF is weakened and it happened all at once.

 

Saving this island seemed more like a fantasy now. Still, it was do or die and I refuse to sit idle in the face of such madness. In the end, I didn't feel any sadness, regardless of the others. No, my resolve was weakened and doubts began to cloud my judgement.

 

Whatever the case, we really had to step up our game.

Edited January 3, 2013 by TX Wade

[Dapper-Sama]

[OOC] JL, prepare to receive a lance to the face.

 

[iC] Petorgas had already learnt of Matau's demise. He had many, many things to do, however. He first went to retrieve his finished lance.

[25K Now!]

IC: [Ril]

 

"Well, you could be a being that looks like a Toa, but I'm sure you're a Toa."

 

OOC: Plagia met Ril on the wall. Before it blew up.

[Krayzikk]

IC: Krayn

 

"Nothing for you to be sorry for. Not like you could have done anything, nor are you responsible." The De-Toa replied without looking toward Rynekk, his voice deceptively calm. But it wasn't truly calm, it was simply empty. Devoid of any life or substance.

[ARROW404]

IC: Kehuri"An idea I suggested as we were headed to get the Turaga," Kehuri explained to Naru. "You were there at the time, actually. Since Ambages is a De-Matoran, using a Huna or a Volitak wouldn't be a good idea. And Iden, on the other hand is virtually untraceable. So I figured that if we had anyone with an Iden, that that would be the best way to get the job done."

[sunflower]

IC: Naru

 

The Toa of Plasma nodded. Right. "You think it'll work?" she asked, hope being in short supply at the moment. Never before had she felt so defeated. Even when Nokama had been kidnapped right in front of her, there was still a measure of hope that the Turaga were still alive. But now... Nothing. Naru glanced down at the ground, closing her eyes momentarily.

[Wade.]

IC: Alfon (The Fowadi)

 

Wrong. A Volitak turns the user completely silent. Wasn't worth mentioning though.

 

I looked around and as far as I could tell, no one here sported that, nor an Iden. Some who didn't know me spared a few glances in my direction, only because my own Kanohi resembled the latter. I only caught those when I bothered to lift my troubled gaze from the ground, still frowning slightly and my arms always crossed.

 

"Don't look at me. This is a Calix." I explained, annoyance permeating my voice. My mood was more sour than I thought. "I say we get rolling. We don't have the tools for this plan of yours," I think. "and we don't have the time to obtain them."

 

I turned to Kethrye now, awaiting his final word on the subject since apparently he was in charge now. How we'd proceed wasn't exactly clarified yet either.

Edited January 4, 2013 by TX Wade

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

OOC:Maybe I ought to change masks on some members of my team for investigative purposes later this year.

IC: Cy dropped to one knee out of respect for Matau. Inside his mask, beyond his control, a single tear flowed. Others followed, and there was a series of quiet whimpers, as he mourned the passing of his Turaga. "Matau will be missed."

 

Several minutes passed before Cy looked up, air axe drawn.

---

Whenua.

 

That was the first thing Vorok though when he heard the news.

 

Loading a bolt to his crossbow, he raised it up at a fourty-five degree angle, and let the superlight* arrow fly. He watched as it disappeared into the sky, and hoped that it would land in Onu-Wahi.

----

Kivar quietly mourned Matau as well. The Village of Air had a deeper respect for nature, and for this Kivar respected them. For him, the loss was not as deep as Cy's, for to Kivar, nature was his Turaga.

----

Cy did not rise, but commented, "The Volitak hides noise completely, and the only flaw of both is shadows if the Huna is given to a Toa of Sonics. But that doesn't matter. Kethrye, I will be off with your approval. Shall we meet at Pala-Koro?"

*OOC: Gravity-lightened arrow.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Tabby: Toa of Cats

[ARROW404]

IC: KehuriThe young Toa nodded to Naru, eyebrows lowered with a gaze of confidence. "It has to."Hearing Cy's explanation, he turned back to the group, "Oh. I thought it just reduced sound. Still, I think it would be best to avoid any possibility of being caught. But yeah, Toa Kethrye, what's your final word? I'll say again that I think it would be best to avoid drawing attention within Ko-Koro." He thought for a moment, "You... Mentioned something about 'Peers' earlier on. Is there more to Ambages and this plot than I'm aware of?"

[sunflower]

IC: Naru

 

The Toa of Plasma nodded. Ha, the last thing she would have expected was Kehuri of all people to try and inspire confidence. She listened, not having much to add as far as the plan went. If anything, atleast Naru would finally have someone to blame for all of this. And of course, give a piece of her mind to. If anything, the thought of that made her feel slightly better.

[BenLuke]

IC: Kethrye (Near the Fowadi)~

 

Kethrye nodded at Alfon's words.

 

"Yeah, the time for planning is done, right now actions will speak louder then words," he growled. "We spread out, visit each the scene of each murder and take care of other required business in the area, then report back in, let's say, Ga-Koro. We'll be splitting into pairs to accomplish this, okay? Me and Alfon will take Ko- and then Ga-Koro the two lovebirds can take care of Le and Ta, and thanks to his mask Ril's the best to pay Po and Onu a visit."

 

Hearing Kehuri's question, the ILF leader sighed. "No, he's not alone, and to be perfectly honest we're not yet completely positive about his involvement in the first place. What we do know is that a group of conspirators calling themselves the "Peers" are the ones responsible for the fall of Pala-Koro's defense's turning the Followers of Makuta's attack, and Ambages is currently suspect number one."

 

Turning to the crew of the Fowadi, Kethrye continued. "Try reaching us with carrier birds if there's any sign of the other two ships, will you? One to each of the Koros should do it, and alert the local militias besides." He gave a nod to Dehkaz, Naona and the rest before turning and beginning to walk along the river towards the icy peak looming in the distance.

 

"Anyone have more questions? Because if you do, I don't want to hear them. We just don't have the time."

 

Yes, his words were blunt, but they had spent enough time loitering in there duty as it was. Aparangi's condemnation of the ILF's inaction still humg over him, and it was long time the Island Liberation Front actually did some liberating for once.

Edited January 7, 2013 by Javert

[sunflower]

IC: Naru

 

"Hey wait I'm still here," the Toa of Plasma spoke up. She didn't particularly know anyone here, besides Kehuri, but that didn't mean she was just going to sit around while everyone else was looking. Actually, she wasn't going to just sit around, whether they liked it or not. Naru was currently mad, and she wanted something to burn. Preferably some bad guys.

[BenLuke]

IC: Kethrye (Near the Fowadi)~

 

"Um, right, guess anyone I didn't mention can just tag along we me and Alfon or one of the other groups, yeah."

Edited January 4, 2013 by Javert

[sunflower]

IC: Naru

 

The Toa of Plasma nodded. Good, she didn't want to get left behind on this. She glanced over Kehuri and asked, "Mind if I tag along?"

 

She wanted to go with the Toa of Earth partly to keep an eye on the novice Toa, make sure he didn't get himself into trouble, and beca- No, no, no, that was it, nothing more. Besides, if he ever got hurt, Naru would probably hold herself responsible for it.

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

He moved through Le-Koro as if he was on autopilot. Lathon felt numb, and it wasn’t from the chilling rain. The Le-Toa eyed the casket, covered with flora. It was fitting for Matau in Lathon’s eyes. Even the Windrider band’s music sounded more melancholy then usual, and that was understandable.

 

Lathon listened to Kongu’s words on Matau. It was strange but Kongu was in charge of the village now, Lathon knew how much Matau had trusted him. Kongu would need strong warriors to help protect the village from further threats, to protect then while they were venerable. Lathon wanted to be one of those Toa. He listened to Skyra and Merror’s speeches as well.

 

When the funeral seemed over to Lathon he turned to Kaithas. “Alright, what now?” he said.

[Light]

IC: I had stayed silent for the entire funeral, thoughts racing through my head. "We go to Ihu and pick up Merla and Slannak's gear. It gives us a better chance of getting the others." I fell silent once more as a strange feeling settled in my stomach. "Besides, I feel a strange pull toward that place..."

[Ghosthands]

IC (Merror)

 

Merror, having given up the podium to Skyra, stood silent as she added her own words to Matau's farewell. The Toa of Fire stood tall, sentinel-like, arms folded. Only his eyes betrayed the pain he felt.

 

And suddenly, he knew. Somehow, he knew that this event was not isolated - that across the island, similar processions and farewells were being made. The other Turaga were lost as well.

 

And yet, Merror was at peace. There was nothing he could do now. And rightly so; for he felt that though these murders had been carried out by dark beings, serving a dark cause, even now, Mata Nui was working to use these events to the greater good.

 

The Turaga had not died in vain.

[ARROW404]

IC: KehuriThe Toa of Earth nodded to Naru, "I was about to ask you first." He then turned to Kethrye and nodded, "Ready to go, sir!" So it seemed he was okay with him going with Plagia after all. He thought he wasn't, but he supposed he had just misunderstood. Seems the nickname "lovebirds" was sticking too.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Draezeth

[Mad Scientist BioBeast]

IC:Miha ~Le-Koro~

 

The small Matoran glanced at Zealokan, and nodded, before going back to using Havon as a snot/tear rag.

 

~One Funeral Later~

 

"I'm gonna go home now." Miha said, having managed to compose herself during the hour it took for the Funeral to get set up. "You guys mind?"

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

"Lead the way then," he said nodding his head. It had been too long since he returned to the small village the Maasi had revived. "What do you mean by their gear?" he asked as he walked away from the funeral.

[Light]

IC: "Someone showed up and told us about saving the island by using this stuff he left there. Evidently in the same group as the guy who broke us out of jail, then proceeded to nearly kill me." I grinned despite the situation. "I'll explain all this on the way to Ihu. Let's go."

 

OOC: Unless contradiction, Maasi to Ko. We're gonna FINISH THIS.

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

The emerald armored Toa simply raised a brow and said nothing at first. "I see, sounds like I will need to hear a lot of explaining." he said.

 

OOC: Lathon to Ko-Koro.

[Jean Valjean]

IC: (Nixie, Outside of Fowadi)

 

The grief of the moment had seemed to pass in many ways. The Toa had their way of getting over those emotions fast and turning them into action, which was just as well if they were supposed to be the island's protectors. Still, in her heart, Nixie couldn't shrug off the feeling of loss. She had grown up on this island all her life and had always looked up to the Turaga in ways only a humble Matoran could. She would conceal her sadness for now; like the Toa, she recognized the need to channel emotion into action, and inside she was burning to see the body of the leader she dreamed about one last time, as if that place was calling her.

 

"Toa of Stone," she said to thje supposed lovebird. "I wish to come with you to Ta-Koro. Perhaps we will be better acquainted as we go."

 

24601

[Hanako Herupa]

IC: (Hari)

 

Dead. The whole seemed muffled after that, Hari already looked crushed under the immense gravity of the news delivered. Dead. She wobbled a bit, having taken Kale's help with her leg a few minutes before. She took a few minutes to ready herself and walked to Krayn. His village damaged, his Turaga dead, but not just his it seemed, everyone. With them gone for so long withe Chronicler's Company dead and now them, it was like all the supports had crumbled and so had hope with it. She walked over to Krayn. She couldn't pretend to know what life was like in his eyes. He had lost so much, so much and he hurt so much, she could see it and she wanted to help. She didn't speak, she didn't say anything. No words could heal wounds like this, not right now. So the yellow and green Toa sat near Krayn, her hand in his. Nothing could be said to make things right.

[Krayzikk]

IC: Krayn

 

For a long time, it was silent. Krayn stared straight ahead, barely acknowledging the world around him, lost in his own mind. FInally, he spoke, in a hauntingly quiet, empty voice.

 

"It's over." His expression tightened slightly, almost imperceptibly. "The Turaga are dead. Le-Koro lies damaged, in disrepair. Enemies stalk the island that we cannot find, but remain powerful enough to sink an entire island chain. Our greatest allies, the Island Liberation Front, have been attacked in their home and been reduced to a paltry force. Makuta's followers gather in force, and the best of us are dead or dying."

 

"It's over, finished. I had one duty, and I failed at every turn. I failed to be there for my village when it was attacked, and I failed to be present when Matau was killed. I could have, should have, done something."

 

"Instead, I was elsewhere. I was on vacation. And while I've been on vacation, the island has gone to Karzahni.""The good are scattered and broken, the evil unite and rise. The last bastions of hope are gone, and soon enough, the rest of the island will follow.""We failed."

[Hanako Herupa]

IC: (Hari)

 

"It's not." Hari spoke quietly. "You can't blame yourself for this, no one can, Krayn. This wasn't your fault. You cannot carry the weight of the world solely on your shoulders, it'll kill you." Hari paused and spoke with a little more strength behind her words. "They want us to give up, to wallow in guilt. Do I felt guilty Krayn? Everyone of us does. Everyone thinks we could have done something and we were all doing something wrong. We are sad, we are angry, we are broken, but we are not gone." She said.

 

"We still have our unity, we have friends who will fight by our side. Friends who will lay down their lives for us and us for them. At a time it may seem like we stand alone, that we're all on our own islands but that isn't true. We're always together. Unity can never be truly broken. These people will fail because they don't have a sense of duty, of conviction. We will see things through to the end, we will fight, will sacrifice and we will find a way to stop them. We still have our duty to stop them and bring them to justice. They can never win, they are self-fulfilling prophecies. They do not make their own destiny, but we do and it is our destiny to change, to stop them. To set this right." Hari sighed.

 

"Krayn I know you, by the spirits I'm in love with you. This, this isn't you. People like you, like Naona, like Kale, like Kethyre and the ILF. You are heroes, you have suffered so much and still you continue. The whole world could be against you and you fight, you'd struggle and in the end you'll win. You'll find these people, you'll bring them to justice. Why Krayn? Because you'll never give up." Hari said and then wrapped Krayn in a hug. the hug was tender, affectionate, protective. She just wanted to shield Krayn from the world. Maybe her words seemed idealistic, maybe she had no grounds to say them, but there was evidence that things could be made right.

[ARROW404]

IC: Kehuri"Earth," corrected Kehuri, "And as far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to come along. I wouldn't call myself the leader, though," he said with a friendly smile, "Think of me as the pep support."OOC note to self: Get his supplies from the ship. He doesn't magically carry them everywhere. Give those on the ship (ex. Dehkaz) some spare mining explosives. Tell the Onu-Koro team what he knows about Kyju. Don't make a joke about how he's surrounded by girls, now is not the time.

Edited January 5, 2013 by Draezeth

[Emzee]

IC: Matau’s Funeral

 

Many words were spoken that day in the Town Square, and finally, it looked like the funeral would draw to a close.

 

Before that, though, there was one, final speaker.

 

This speaker was an elderly Ko-Matoran, adorned in robes that were currently hidden under a durable poncho. However, people in the audience could still see the many rings, bracelets, and other jewelry that this man wore. He was obviously a man of high regality.

 

“My friends…,” the Ko-Matoran began, his voice withered with sadness, but also warm with fatherly reassurance, “This day is a day that will live in infamy. Please accept my most sincere thoughts, and know that you shall be in my prayers”

 

The Ko-Matoran, named Koropaki, continued, “I remember Turaga Matau’s kind visage, his willingness to also take a joke as well as deal one out. I remember when he literally laughed in the face of danger that day the dreaded Mystix invaded. I remember how supportive he was last time we lost a beloved Le-Koronan icon. As has been said, as long as individuals like myself and you all keep and cherish these memories, Turaga Matau will live on, in our hearts”

 

Koropaki, had a slight, comforting smile, and he continued to look over the crowd as he continued his speech.

 

“However, I must remind you all of a point that may prove most beneficial. I believe that what happened today and what happened two nights ago are related. While Makuta may be a culprit, the attack on our village, creating fear in the hearts of our people, coupled with both a terrible and cowardly assassination of our most beloved, are related,” Koropaki said, “The evening before the attack, Tuuli and the Cultured Gentry volunteered to work with your village, remove all traces of Makuta’s destruction and make it so that the Le-Matoran will never be fearful again”

 

Koropaki continued, “I plan to follow through on that promise. After this service, I shall meet with Kongu. I will send word to gather whatever supplies Le-Koro needs that I can buy”

 

Koropaki eyes narrowed with determination, “My friends, with the funding of my club, we shall fight back”

 

Koropaki’s dark visage then melted away, reverting to his fatherly demeanor, “But not now. War is not something we should work towards this instant. We all need our time to mourn, but know that a war is coming, and that the Cultured Gentry, while generally opposed to violence, will stop at nothing to make sure no more lives are lost in this village”

 

* * *

 

After the funeral ended, crowds began to disperse, and a special team of Matoran took the adorned casket of Matau.

 

It would be taken to a hidden tomb far from here, where no one would be able to find it.

Edited January 5, 2013 by Emzee

[Mad Scientist BioBeast]

IC:Miha ~Matau's Funeral~

 

"You know, if he was such a nice guy, why brag about it?" Miha asked Havon, glaring at Koropaki. While she had regained her composure, she was still furious at the world for Matau's death, an anger that seemed to be pointed at Koropaki at the moment. "I can't believe that he's using Matau's death to advertise for his group! Why that little..."