Gali's Heart, Deep Inside the Toa of Water Options

[GaliGee]

Thanks, Master of Purity!

Gali's Heart


Chapter 1: Lewa’s Place

“Prepare yourselves!” ordered Tahu. “The ultimate challenge is about to begin!”

Gali braced her feet against a rock and raised her hands. The Toa of Water still halfway expected to see blue hooks, but the shapes of her transformed arms and hands were gradually becoming more familiar to her. She glanced around and selected a victim -- Lewa. Naturally. She grinned.

“Ha!” she scoffed. “After our struggles with the Bohrok, defeating these three will be no problem at all!” She directed a high-pressure water jet at her green friend and was amazed at the force of her own blast.

But Lewa, similarly enhanced as a Toa Nuva, leaped high with the power of his Miru. “Think what you like, Gali,” he retorted, “but you’ll have to be faster than that to stop me!”

Gali laughed as she watched the Toa of Air soar to safety on his new katana wings. Her easy, playful rivalry with Lewa had developed gradually, as she had come to appreciate his wit and intelligence during one grueling battle after another. The more the enemies of Mata Nui massed to destroy the people and even the landscape of the beautiful island paradise, the stronger the bond that formed between all the Toa, forged in adversity and reinforced by the obvious need to work together.

But she hadn’t always been so comfortable with the other Toa. As she watched them continue to spar against each other, testing their new powers, she let her mind wander back to her first days on Mata Nui, and to her first meeting with Lewa.

Gali’s first moments of consciousness were hazy, as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. She became aware she was inside a small, closed space. She opened her eyes, and the faint yellow glow illuminated a curved interior surface and a jumble of mechanical parts. She felt vaguely reassured by the gentle rocking sensation of her container. But suddenly there was a sharp jolt, and the canister was still. A faint hissing noise preceded the explosion of pyrotechnic bolts, and the lid burst open, spilling pieces of Gali across the beach.

One eye buried in the sand, she blinked the other in the unexpectedly bright sunlight. She willed herself to move, and watched which parts responded. A jointed hook dragged itself across the sand and connected itself to an arm. It assembled some gears into a torso and snapped itself to a shoulder. The hook put its counterpart together, and soon the two were lifting the head off the ground and placing it onto a plus-rod neck. Gali turned her head from side to side and looked at her surroundings. She was lying on a beautiful beach, soothing waves lapping at the pieces of her feet and legs. She rolled over, dragged herself toward the leg parts, and snapped them on. Then she reached for a transparent mask lying a couple of bios away.

As Gali fitted the Kaukau to her face, she felt a strange sensation of power. She inclined her head and looked at the water again. There was something inviting about it. She slowly stood and moved her arms and legs. Then she walked toward the water’s edge. Without hesitating, she plunged in.

The water embraced her like a mother. The cool fluid provided support and oxygen, and seemed to move according to her will. She tried to direct it with her hooks, and found she could make it flow faster, spray into the air, and spin into a whirlpool. She looked around underwater and saw a myriad of elegant and whimsical creatures making their way – hunting, feeding, playing. She joined their game, weaving and twisting herself through submerged caves, feeling the wisps of aquatic plants brushing against her body. She spent hours discovering her new world.

But the tranquility of Gali’s swim was shattered as she spotted a large creature heading straight toward her. Instinct galvanized her into a defensive position, and she deflected a blow from its long, jointed arm with her hook. She felt a wave of pain run up her arm from the impact. The monster spun in the water and came back at her. She gathered her legs under her body and pushed with a powerful motion, propelling herself sideways in the water. She swam as fast as she could until she reached a narrow crevice in the coral, where she hid, her heart pounding, until the creature lost interest and continued on its way. Some of the residents of the deep were not friendly, after all.

Swimming upstream into the mouth of a river, she noticed the flavor and buoyancy of the water changing. The freshwater creatures were different, too. Smaller, leggier animals appeared as she moved away from the sea. Finally she decided to explore the land, and crawled out onto the bank.

As she stood and looked around, she was startled to see a tall green being. It had a flat left hand with fingers and a rounded mask, and it was holding a long tool with a blade in its right hand, but otherwise it was almost exactly like her. It was sitting high in a tree, looking at her. “I wonder what it is,” she thought to herself. She was aware of the words forming in her head, perhaps in response to the presence of another apparently sentient being. And she was aware of the possibility of danger, after her encounter with the sea monster.

“Hello!” called the creature. Gali jumped at the sound. Although she had never heard speech before, she knew it was a greeting. She responded with words she didn’t know she knew how to say. “Hello, who are you?”

“Good question,” it replied. “But you seem to be the same sort of thing as I am. Do you have a name?” Its voice was lower than hers, and it was slightly larger than she. Something about it seemed different. She decided it would be better described as a “he” than an “it,” although she was unsure what the distinction between the words really meant.

He dropped lightly to the ground and approached her. They stood a dozen paces apart and looked at each other, unsure whether to flee, fight, or trust.

“If I do, I don’t know what it is.” Gali felt herself smile. “Do you like to swim?”

“No way!” He tilted his head back and laughed. Gali liked the sound, which put her at ease somehow. “But I can tell you do.”

“I love it,” she agreed. “What do you like to do?”

“This!” The green being jumped and hovered in the air, then caught a vine with his hand. He swung himself back into the tree.

“Why are you here?” asked Gali, looking up. She was hoping he could give her a clue to her own purpose. As similar as they appeared, perhaps they had a similar reason for being here.

“Again, a good question,” he shrugged. “I think it has something to do with these vicious animals I keep running into. And I feel like I’m supposed to protect someone. Maybe it’s you.”

Gali’s heart jumped. She wasn’t expecting him to include her in his purpose. But as the memory of a dream suddenly filled her mind, she found she didn’t really agree, anyway. “I know what you mean,” she replied. “I’ve run into a really ferocious sea monster, too. But I think we are supposed to be protecting someone smaller and less powerful. Water people. I had a dream about some water people who were in trouble.”

“Really,” he said, leaning forward. “I had dreams of little people living in trees, being dive-bombed by giant insects. But why don’t you come up here with me, so I can hear you better?”

Her mind raced. Instinct told her he was trustworthy, though she didn’t really trust her instincts. And she wasn’t sure how she would get up there. But she took a deep breath, looked up, flexed her legs, and jumped. She flew into the air and flipped backwards. He grabbed her hook as she passed the branch and pulled her onto it, next to him.

“Thanks,” she said cautiously, looking at the light green eyes glowing through the slanted eyeholes of his mask. She could see a gray face through the openings. The mask looked like it was made to fly, as if it had been shaped into a sleek cone by the wind. “So water is my element, and air must be yours.”

“Yes. But you’re pretty good in the air, too.”

“I didn’t know I could do that,” she laughed. “What else can you teach me?”

“Follow me,” he invited her, leaping down to a lower branch. “Hold onto this vine.”

The air being showed Gali how to use the jungle vines to travel high in the treetops. Hesitating and careful, she followed his freewheeling form through the branches. He used his axe to chop though brush and vines as he went, so her path was clear. Although she found herself able to navigate fairly well, she could tell he had a natural ease and confidence she would never possess, in addition to a mysterious ability to float in the air. And she was sure he was nowhere near the limits of his abilities.

Gali’s mind stopped wandering as she suddenly realized she was falling. She had missed her footing on a slippery branch. Panic clouded her mind for a split second before she began to grab for a nearby vine. But she felt herself swept upward. Her green companion carried her to safety, landing in a fork of a tree with Gali in his lap. As they looked at each other up close, she felt a strange sensation run through her body, and her relief turned to a new form of alarm. She released her arms from around his neck and scrambled backwards to a branch higher in the tree.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Are you all right?”

“Sure,” she replied. “Thanks for catching me. I just felt – funny for a moment.”

“Me, too.” After a few minutes of uneasy silence, he spoke again. “So, in my dream there were more beings like us. Do you think we should try to find them?”

Gali nodded. “We need to find someone to explain things to us. I don’t like this not knowing.”

“Let’s go to that mountain. From there we may be able to see if there are others.” The green creature led the way as they traveled toward the snow-capped peak in the distance.

Several hours later, the two voyagers were sitting on an icy bluff, resting. Gali spotted a red figure walking toward them. A black being dug out of the earth next to them. And two more creatures, one brown and one white, climbed down from the crags to join the group.

Gali looked around and perceived that they were all allies, each with a different element, weapons, and mask. She learned their names from the ice being, who had spoken with some wise long-time residents of the island. Her feeling was confirmed, that they were to use their powers to fight a mighty evil. And she realized that she was the only “she” among the six.

The discussion of their dreams, and their experiences in their short time on Mata Nui, was amazing. Gali felt her mind expand with the knowledge of her purpose, and her heart beat faster as she imagined the dangerous destiny she would share with these intelligent and powerful beings. She felt inspired to be singled out as a hero for the vulnerable, and she longed for the moment when she would meet her charges.

The Toa, as they were called, decided to split up and seek their respective villages. Gali traveled through the jungle toward the sea. But when she dropped from a vine into an estuary to swim to her new home, the waters began to boil angrily. A strong whirlpool sucked her legs downward. Once again she felt herself being pulled to safety by Lewa, the green being, who had swung down from the treetops and grabbed her hooks.

"Now you see why I hate water. You should be more careful, Gali," he advised, lifting her into a tree. "Next time, I might not be here to save you."

"Thank you, Lewa, but I can look after myself. The waters are normally my ally. But these… these seem so… strange, so angry." Gali was puzzled by what had happened in the water. She wondered if it was the work of the evil spirit Makuta, their newfound enemy.

Lewa laughed. "Water can't be angry. It can't be anything but wet. I'll stay in the treetops, well away from it."

"Without water, there would be no trees," Gali retorted. "Where are you going?"

"Up. So what do you think of the other Toa?"

"They are very noble and powerful," she replied. "I regret that we will all be traveling our own paths, rather than working together."

Lewa shook his head. "I don't. I'm going to find the six Kanohi masks of power, as the legends say, and free this island from Makuta. The last thing I want is someone else slowing me down."

Gali smiled as she remembered her tree-swinging lesson. "Your dreams are as grand as these trees, Lewa. I hope they do not come crashing down around you." But the Toa of Air had already sailed away into the green shadows.

Gali watched the streamlined shape of Lewa Nuva spinning out of control in Pohatu's cyclone, as the brown Toa used his Kakama to speed the very air in which he floated. She thought about how much Lewa had changed, from a wild loner to a compassionate friend. His playful side continued to lend a levity to the Toa's dire mission, and that helped keep them going during the toughest times. For this, Lewa held a special place in Gali's heart.



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This post has been edited by GaliGee: Oct 5 2003, 05:58 PM

[GaliGee]

Chapter 2: Nokama’s Place

Gali Nuva's thoughts drifted into the past once more as she watched her friends practice with their newly enhanced powers. The warm memory of her first sight of Ga-Koro flowed back into her mind like a sunlit stream.

Still breathing hard from her narrow escape from another sea monster, Gali swam from the wide ocean into a sheltered bay. She surfaced and saw a floating village near the shore. "These must be my people!" she thought excitedly. She submerged again and propelled herself toward the floating huts with a powerful kick. She could see that the giant lily pads which supported the dwellings were anchored to the sea floor by strong stems, and small blue creatures swam among them, apparently making repairs and removing debris. As she approached, the creatures hastily retreated topside. She broke the surface of the water to find herself facing a row of them, poised to fling shiny black discs at her.

"Wait!" Gali heard a voice call out. "Hold your discs! This is the one we have been expecting!" A slightly taller creature with a rounded light-blue mask and a blue trident in hand approached the edge of the pad closest to Gali and bowed low. "I am Nokama, Turaga of the water village of Ga-Koro," she said solemnly. "And you must be Gali, Toa of Water."

"I am," replied Gali. "I'm so happy to meet you all."

The creatures, visibly relieved, scurried to help her out of the water, but Gali did a forward flip and landed lightly on the broad leaf. They burst into a wild cheer. Gali looked from one mask to another, and noticed that the villagers were various shades of blue, like herself. Some of their Kanohi looked familiar, as they were identical to the ones worn by the Toa. Others were new to her. One Ga-Koronan even had the same transparent blue Kaukau as Gali herself.

Gali had a thousand questions for the village elder, whom she immediately realized was female from the way she moved and the pitch of her voice. Although Nokama was less than half the height of her Toa, the Turaga carried herself with a poise and composure that made her seem taller. Gali began with the most basic concerns: How did you know I was coming? How do you live? Where will I find these Great Masks? Nokama introduced her to the Matoran and gave a short description of each one's strengths and character. Gali was impressed by how well the tiny leader knew her people. And she was relieved to learn that all of them were girls, like herself and Nokama. For some reason, that made her feel more at ease.

"Nokama, why are some of the residents on this island male and others female?" asked Gali.

Nokama laughed. "The Great Beings made us different so we would have different viewpoints and talents, and so we could complete each other," she replied. "Remember this above all else: being female gives you a certain power over the others. Always use it wisely."

"How can I have power over them? They are larger and stronger than I," wondered Gali.

"You'll see soon enough," smiled Nokama. "They will go to great extremes and brave great danger to protect you, more than they would for anyone else."

"I admire the other Toa, but I don't need their protection. I have my own powers."

"No one is safe on Mata Nui now, with the coming of Makuta. Even the Toa, I think. You will all need to protect each other, as well as us Turaga and Matoran."

Gali recalled Nokama's words over and over as she was tested by the Spirit of Evil. She returned to the village to report on each new Kanohi she found, and to get news of possible locations of more masks. And this allowed her to soak up more of Nokama's amply flowing wisdom. Gali learned the legend of Mata Nui and Makuta, and the reverence of all the island's residents for the Great Beings, who had mapped out their destiny like the plot of a magnificent epic. She became familiar with the prophecies of great struggles and enduring hope. Some the astrologer had seen in the stars with the telescope on the cliff in Ta-Wahi, land of fire; others Nokama had read from from the ancient writings with her Rau.

Gali's biggest test came after she had found most of the masks. It was a bright, sunny day, and Gali was admiring the tiny reflections that sparkled like jewels on the water as she absent-mindedly listened to Nokama. "Hahli spotted something while she was fishing. It may be a mask, lying on the sea floor. She wasn’t able to dive deep enough to see it clearly, although she thought it could be a Pakari."

"Hmm? Oh, yes," Gali replied. "Where?"

"Out that way." Nokama gestured at the deepest part of the bay. "Hahli has gone to Po-Koro with a load of fish to sell, and Maku went as an escort. But that's what she told me before they left."

"May the Great Beings protect them on their journey," said Gali. She didn't think it necessary to ask their protection for her own quest… yet.

Gali plunged into the cool water and swam easily to the spot Nokama had indicated. She dove to the bottom and saw, half-buried in the gravelly sea floor, a gray Pakari. She gripped it with her hooks and pulled. But the Kanohi seemed to be fixed to the floor. She planted her feet on either side of it and tried again. This time the mask came loose and sent her spinning backwards in the water. But just then, Gali was hit by a strong underwater wave, and she tumbled out of control. Something about this wave seemed very unnatural. As she struggled to right herself, she struck her head on a submerged boulder, and her Kaukau came loose. Quickly she put the new Pakari on her face. She felt a surge of power run through her body and limbs, but at the same time she began to feel the lack of oxygen weakening her. She pushed off the rock with her feet. The Pakari enhanced her natural strength so much that she shot out of the water and flew several bios into the air.

Gali took advantage of her brief flight to draw a deep breath before she dove back into the water to find her other mask. But in the moment she was poised above the sea, she saw something alarming. The wave which had knocked her over was part of a huge waterspout, dozens of bios high, and it was headed straight for the water village. Why was there such an immense whirlpool in the sheltered bay? It could only be the work of a powerful and evil intelligence. She saw her Kaukau glinting on the bottom of the sea, and she swam for it. It swirled just out of reach. But she used her elemental power to reverse the current and bring it back to her. She placed it over the Pakari and felt the warm humming of combined energies as the masks blended together.

There wasn't a second to lose. She took another breath with the Kaukau, and then she changed back to the Pakari. In her mind she asked the Great Beings for strength. She braced herself against the floor of the bay and used all her force to send a tidal wave back at the waterspout. She felt the power flowing from her chest, through her arms, and into the fluid all around her. She pushed against the ground and surfaced again to see what was happening. The wave crashed against the whirlpool with a mighty roar, and water sprayed everywhere. The vortex was weakening. Again Gali used her elemental power to push the water back. And this time the waterspout was overwhelmed by her wave, and it diffused harmlessly into the wall of steadily moving fluid.

Gali breathed a sigh of relief. Drained by the intensity of her work, she turned to glance at Ga-Koro. The entire village was gathered on the closest lily pad to watch. She was filled with anger. "Why didn't you seek shelter?" shouted the Toa of Water. "What kind of fools would --"

"Gali! Look out!" cried Kotu. Gali spun to see a huge wave coming toward her. It was the reflection of her own tidal wave off the far shore of the bay. She summoned her remaining strength and willed the water to stop. All around her the surface turned glassy, spreading in a circle away from her. The smooth water met the wave, and the wave subsided.

Gali closed her eyes, slid weakly back into the depths, and rested on the bottom of the sea. She was dimly aware of hands tugging at her hooks. Nokama and Kotu were pulling her up to the surface. They heaved her limp body over the side of their boat and rowed back to Ga-Koro.

Gali sat up. She was in Nokama's hut. Nokama came quickly to her side. "Are you all right, Gali?" she asked, concern in her voice.

"Yes, Nokama. I'm a little tired, but I'm fine. But why was everyone standing there watching? That was so dangerous! You could all have been killed!"

"Because we have faith in you, Toa of Water," replied the Turaga. "And you showed yourself more than worthy of it."

Gali felt a surge of warmth for these little people who believed in her and depended on her. She fumbled for words. "Well, thank you," she smiled.

Nokama turned back to the fishing net she was mending. "The Great Beings know what they are doing," she mused.

Gali contemplated the events of the day. Her heart was full of rage against Makuta, for threatening her people with her own element. But the confusing weakness of hatred was transformed into steadfast resolve by the faith of her villagers and the loyalty of their brave, wise elder. Nokama gave Gali advice like a mother and encouragement like a sister. For this, Nokama held a special place in Gali's heart.



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[GaliGee]

Chapter 3: Tahu’s Place

As Gali Nuva watched Onua set an earthen trap for Pohatu, she shook her head with amusement. “Those two get pretty rough with each other,” she thought. “Good thing they never take it personally.” She considered the trust the Toa shared and recalled a time when she doubted. “If Tahu had been the first one I met, I might have ended up a hermit!” she laughed to herself as she remembered.

Gali scrambled up the rocky crag by the sea, her eyes on the smooth gray Miru at the top. Her hooks were ideally suited for climbing, and she was breathing steadily with the moderate exertion. But then she felt the rock shifting under her. A landslide! Desperately she reached for the mask. As the ground beneath her feet finally gave way -- undeniably the work of Makuta -- she grabbed the inactive Kanohi and slapped it over her Kaukau. “This had better work!” she muttered. And it did, beautifully. “Amazing!” she thought. “This mask lets me float on the air!” Gali levitated above the crumbling rock and drifted earthward.

But as the dust cleared, she realized she was alighting in the middle of a circle of snapping Nui-Jaga. The infected scorpions approached, poisonous tails hovering. “Perhaps this was not the wisest place to land.” She looked around frantically. “The creatures are closing in. Great Beings, give me strength!”

And they did, in the form of Tahu and his fire sword. A huge cloud of flame enveloped the Rahi. She looked up to see the Toa of Fire standing in front of her. “Tahu!” she called gratefully. But he was warning her of more perils. “Gali, behind you!”

Gali’s flip wasn’t quite enough to get her out of reach of the Tarakava’s powerful arm, which hit her squarely in the back. With a groan, she lost consciousness and fell into the water. There she saw a vision of the Toa Kaita, the two sets of three combined Toa. She recognized her own parts in Wairuha, Toa of Wisdom. The Kaita spoke to her of the future. “Only by uniting will the Toa find the strength to triumph. For now, child of the waters, farewell…”

“Wait!” she cried. “I must know more!” Gali found she had been washed up on the rocky shore.

Tahu was crouching next to her. “It’s all right, Gali. The Rahi have fled.”

“Tahu? I had the strangest vision…”

“We can talk about it later. Onua has called a meeting – the others are waiting for us near his landing site.” He extended his hand to help her up.

Gali took the red Toa’s hand. She kept thinking about the strange apparition of the giant combined beings. “The Toa Kaita,” she said. “We will merge into two powerful beings. Uniting our minds and bodies.”

“Gali, do you have the Kakama?” asked Tahu.

“No,” she replied. “Not yet.”

“Then why don’t you ride on my shoulders?” he suggested. “It’ll be faster.”

Gali, who had been lost in her daydream, suddenly returned to reality. She noticed the intensity of Tahu’s red eyes looking into hers. When she had first seen him in the group of Toa, he had impressed her with his confidence, which contrasted so strongly with her own uncertainty. With all the decisions she had faced so soon after arriving on Mata Nui, she was glad to accept a ride. “Sure,” she agreed, and climbed on his shoulders.

Tahu stood and changed to his Kakama. Gali noticed he was very warm to the touch. His movements were very assured and seemed unaffected by the extra weight. She heard the whine of his legs powering up, and they were off in a blaze of red light. Gali was enjoying the ride, feeling the wind in her face and watching the objects around them appear to compress as they shot through space. She looked forward to getting her own Kakama. But Tahu stopped abruptly in a clearing in the woods. Gali hopped down.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Gali,” he said softly, changing to his Hau, “I think it is our destiny to be together.”

Gali looked at him nervously. Her heart began to beat very fast as he stood before her, his hands on her shoulders. “Of course, Tahu. The prophecies say we Toa all share a common destiny.”

“That’s not what I mean, Gali,” he replied. “Just you and me.”

She panicked and twisted out of his grasp. “I don’t think…” she began, but she looked up when she heard a whirring sound. “Tahu! It’s a Nui-Kopen!” Gali switched to her Huna, making her invisible, and ducked behind a rock as the enormous insect dove straight for the two Toa.

Tahu pivoted and ignited his sword. A jet of fire shot out of the blade, setting the creature ablaze. It plunged into the forest with a screech. Trees burst into flame where it crashed. Tahu strode into the bushes and returned with two infected Kanohi. He tossed them in the air one at a time and incinerated them with his sword.

“Gali?” he called, looking around. Still wearing her Huna, she was shooting water at the forest fire. The stunned Rahi, now harmless, rose slowly above the smoke and steam and buzzed away. Tahu walked up to Gali as she changed back to her Kaukau. “Gali…” he said again, putting his arms around her. She could sense the heat of his breath on her mask. She stumbled backwards.

“No, Tahu, I – I don’t think it would be wise,” Gali stammered, gradually finding her voice. “We Toa form a perfect hexagon of elemental powers. If two of the vertices draw together, there is no more symmetry. And Makuta would be the only one to profit from any jealousy among us. The Nui-Kopen was a sign that we shouldn’t.”

Tahu smiled. “The Nui-Kopen was a sign that you are safe with me.”

“No one is safe on Mata Nui!” She turned and bolted into the forest, crashing carelessly through the underbrush, her heart pounding like it would explode.

Suddenly a red blur appeared in front of her. As Tahu materialized again with his Kakama, Gali crouched into a fighting stance, her hooks ready.

Tahu sighed. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said gently. “At least let me give you a ride.”

Gali dropped her hooks. “All right.” Trembling, she got on his shoulders again, and he ran the rest of the way to Onu-Wahi. They arrived in the middle of the group of Toa. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the look Kopaka, Toa of Ice, shot at Tahu, and it was cold, indeed.

After the meeting, Gali returned to Ga-Koro, anxious to talk to Nokama. When the Matoran who had arrived to greet her finally left her alone with the Turaga, Gali took a deep breath. “Tahu scares me.”

“Oh?” Nokama looked up from the papers on her desk. When Gali remained silent, she added, “You can tell me about it if you like.”

Gali crossed her legs on the floor of the Turaga’s hut and leaned forward. “He was trying to tell me that it was our destiny to be together, just him and me. But I told him ‘no’.”

Nokama smiled. “I thought he would be interested in you.”

“Why didn’t you warn me?” demanded Gali. “Then I could have avoided being alone with him!”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. Some things you need to experience for yourself.”

“Nokama!” said Gali angrily.

“You were never in danger,” shrugged Nokama. “Although I see why his intensity may have alarmed you. So, what frightened you more, Tahu himself, or the fact that you were tempted to say ‘yes’?”

“But I wasn’t -- ”

“Gali,” Nokama interrupted softly, “the beginning of wisdom is to know yourself.”

Gali looked down at her feet. “The second thing.” She shifted her legs underneath her. “But how did you know?”

Nokama grinned. “How could I be the leader of this village for so many years without gaining some understanding of the female mind?”

Gali finally smiled. “So, do you think I did the right thing, Nokama?”

“Yes, I do, Gali. There are no prophecies of a union for you, at least for now. I think something that important would show up in the stars.”

But Gali was still a little worried. “I hope he’s not mad at me. I tried to explain that it would throw things out of balance between the Toa. And only Makuta would benefit if there were any jealousy among us.”

“I’m sure he understands, Gali. What you said was very wise. Tahu has always been willing to sacrifice anything for the safety of Mata Nui. Even his own deepest desires, I think.”

The Toa of Water felt immense relief. Nokama had a gift for doing that. And Tahu didn’t seem angry. At first Gali was nervous around him, after their conversation in the woods. But the days stretched into seasons, and his fierce dedication to protecting her, along with the rest of Mata Nui, became clearer than ever. She felt more and more comfortable in his presence. Nokama was right, he would risk anything to defend his people. For this, Tahu held a special place in Gali’s heart.



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This post has been edited by GaliGee: Jan 10 2003, 06:05 PM

[GaliGee]

Chapter 4: Onua’s Place

Gali was frustrated. After digging for three hours, she seemed no closer to the Matatu. She could see it clearly with her new Akaku, but it was buried under many bios of sticky sediment in the Hura-Mafa River delta. She looked at the giant pile of silt she had unearthed and shook the muck off her hooks in disgust. “The very thing that makes me good at climbing makes me pathetic at digging,” she sighed.

The Toa of Water stretched her tired limbs and looked at the setting sun. “I suppose I should check up on Ga-Koro and make sure everyone made it home for the night,” she thought. She dove into the water, relishing the cool cleanness of it, and swam for home.

As she approached Ga-Koro, she saw Nokama pacing on the lily pad next to her hut. “Gali, where have you been? Maku isn’t back yet, and I’m worried about her. Would you please go see if she’s all right?”

“Of course, Turaga,” Gali replied. “I was trying to dig up that Matatu I saw this morning in the delta.”

“Still?” asked Nokama incredulously. “How deep is that thing buried?”

“Really deep. And I’m afraid I’m not progressing very fast. My hooks just slice through the slime, and I’ve tried using tools, but they get all gummed up and heavy. I guess I’ll finish digging it out tomorrow.”

Nokama tilted her head. “You know, Gali, Onua could dig that mask up in no time. Why don’t you go ask him to help you, while you’re out looking for Maku?”

Gali stepped back. “Oh, he has a lot to do, I’m sure. I don’t want to inconvenience him, Nokama.”

The tiny Turaga rolled her eyes. “Gali, you Toa are here to help each other.”

“Well, yes,” Gali admitted.

“So take advantage of that. It’s for the greater good of Mata Nui, if you need a reason to get over being shy.”

Gali laughed at her own foolishness. “You’re right as usual, Nokama. I’ll go to Onu-Koro after I find Maku.” She plunged into the lake and swam toward Po-Koro, since she had a hunch the missing Matoran would be there.

Sure enough, Gali spotted the bottom of Maku’s canoe just off the coast of Po-Wahi. She popped up next to the boat. Maku jumped in surprise. “Oh, Gali, you scared me!”

“Well, you scared Nokama. What are you doing out so late?”

“Um, well, I’ve been patrolling,” said Maku quickly.

“For what? Koli players?” joked Gali. “Come on, we’re going to Onu-Koro. I need to ask Onua something. Then I’ll tow you home.”

“Oh, thanks, Toa Gali!” exclaimed the Matoran. Gali could see her yellow eyes sparkle with excitement at the prospect of traveling with one mighty hero to meet another one.

The two blue girls docked the boat and crossed the desert toward the entrance of the network of tunnels that formed Onu-Koro. As they walked, Maku told Gali the good news from Po-Koro, where a terrible epidemic had finally come to an end. Most of the desert village had been sickened by infected Koli balls. Then a wandering Matoran named Takua had discovered the source of the balls – a Nui-Jaga nest in a statue in the quarry – and had helped Pohatu to defeat the ferocious scorpion guarding it. Gali was appalled at Makuta’s cruel trick. But she was impressed by the depth of Maku’s devotion to her beloved Huki, the island’s Koli champion.

Gali greeted the taxi crab driver at the entrance of the tunnel. She asked for an Ussal for Maku and ran alongside the crustacean as it carried her little friend through the tunnel. They emerged from the dark passageway into a large underground clearing with earthen huts, lit with lightstones. Gali marveled at the strange environment in which the Onu-Koronans lived. She liked the cool dampness, but she didn’t understand how anyone could live without the sunlight that caressed her beautiful water village.

They were in luck, for the Toa of Earth had just arrived at his village. They found him in Turaga Whenua’s hut. Gali felt awkward asking for help, but she took a deep breath and spoke. “I was wondering if you could help me, Onua. You see, there’s a Kanohi, and it’s buried deep in the Hura-Mafa delta. I can see it, but I’ve been digging, and I’m just not making much progress.”

Onua looked at her steadily with his emerald-green eyes. “Certainly, Gali,” he replied quietly. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do it right now, if it’s inconvienient…” she began.

The hunched black Toa waved his claw. “No time like the present,” he smiled. “Follow me.” He led the way to the Ta-Koro tunnel. “This will take us part of the way.”

“What about my boat?” asked Maku.

“Oh, yes, her boat’s at the Po-Wahi dock,” frowned Gali. “Maku, I’ll swim over later and get it for you.”

Onua nodded, lifted Maku onto his shoulders, and started to run down the tunnel. Gali followed a few paces behind, wearing her Ruru. After a short time, Onua stopped and set Maku down. He dug into the side wall with his claws. At first Gali and Maku crouched to one side to avoid the furiously flying dirt and rock, but soon Gali was following him down the new passage, carrying the Ga-Koronan. Gali was amazed to see how fast Onua tunneled through the earth. Before long they had emerged into the moonlight, next to the delta.

“It’s over there.” Gali pointed to the pile of dirt she had spent all afternoon to produce. Onua looked at it and smiled. Without a word he tore into the earth. In a few minutes he emerged from the hole, holding a gray Matatu in his claws.

“Why, thank you, Onua!” beamed Gali. “That would have taken me so long!”

“No,” replied Onua, “thank you, Gali.” He turned toward the tunnel.

“But you are the one who helped me,” said the puzzled Toa of Water.

Onua just inclined his head at Gali. Then he disappeared back into the ground.

Gali stared at the tunnel entrance. “Why would he say that?” she wondered. The Toa of Earth had spoken perhaps a dozen words in the time they were together. She shook her head. “Well, Maku, let’s get you home. Nokama will be worried sick.” The Matoran rode on her back as she swam on the surface of the lake, back home to the floating village. Nokama thanked Gali as she steered the chattering Maku toward her hut. “I’d love to hear all about it, Maku, in the morning. Now go to bed!”

Gali thought about Onua as she swam back to Po-Wahi the next morning. "Onua is even more shy than I am!" she laughed to herself. Perhaps this was what Nokama had meant when she said that the other Toa would gladly do anything for her. As she approached Maku's boat, she saw the Koli balls lying on the bottom of the ocean, as far from shore as Pohatu could kick them. Now the infection was gone, and they were merely inert rocks again. Gali marveled at the healing power of the water. She unhitched the canoe from its mooring and towed it back to Ga-Koro.

Onua Nuva's words brought Gali out of her reverie. "Oh, no!" he said. "I think I overdid it… I'd better make sure he's all right." Onua powered up his all-terrain tracks and headed across the forest. His trap had worked well, and Pohatu, yelling at the top of his lungs, had been flung off the hillside into the air.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," laughed Gali, watching Onua's black form recede into the trees, kicking up dirt and rocks. "The Toa of Stone is pretty durable." But she knew Onua's concern for others wouldn't let him rest until he found out for certain.

She considered the second time Onua had gone out of his way to help her. He had found four Pakari underground, and was delivering them to the other Toa. He came to Gali first. “How sweet!” she smiled. “But I already have that one. I found it underwater this morning.”

Onua looked very disappointed. “Oh,” he said.

“See?” Gali switched to her Pakari.

“Wow, you look really good in that,” he said. Immediately he looked down at his feet.

Gali laughed, changing back to her Kaukau. “Thanks.” They spoke of the Rahi she had just fought, and the multi-colored traveling Matoran that had rescued her Turaga and villagers. She had felt an instantaneous connection to him that she couldn't explain. Later she would learn this was Takua, a small misfit destined to become a great hero.

When Onua asked if there was anything else he could do for her, she had an idea -- even though she didn’t really need any help. “Um, sure. Would you please get that Tarakava out of the water and into this hut? It needs to be cared for. Now that its infected mask has been removed, the villagers can tame it.” Gali pointed to a dwelling at the edge of the village.

“No problem.” The Toa of Earth took a deep breath and swam to the bottom. Gali watched him lift the enormous creature over his head and heave it out of the water onto the lily pad. Before it could slide back off, he surfaced and shoved it toward the middle of the giant leaf. He had to use his Miru to levitate onto the center of the pad, so his considerable weight wouldn't submerge the edge. Then he dragged the monster into the hut.

“Thank you,” said Gali. “Now, we have a town meeting, so I have to go. See you later! Good luck finding your Kakama!” It was the only mask both he and she were missing.

“You, too," said Onua. Gali smiled at him, then turned to Nokama. "I'm lucky to have such a friend," she said to the Turaga. She looked back at Onua and waved, but he had already disappeared into the beach.

Shortly after Onua’s visit, Gali finally got a chance to help him. Tahu showed up in Ga-Koro carrying two Kakama and handed one to Gali. "Thank you so much!" Gali was thrilled. "This is my last mask! Now I can get my Golden Kanohi!"

"I know. Onua told me." Tahu's usually fiery eyes glowed softly through his own golden mask. "Go ahead, Gali. Put it on!"

Gali did, and she sensed the familiar merging of Kanohi powers. She felt a vibration in her legs, as if they were anxious to run. But first, she wanted to go to her Suva. "Will you come with me?" she said to the Toa of Fire.

“Gladly,” he replied. He stood next to Nokama and the excited villagers as Gali descended into the Suva and rose again, radiant in her gold Kaukau. She tingled all over with the powerful energy of the shining mask. She stood, speechless, as the Ga-Koronans swarmed around her and hugged her legs.

Tahu lingered a few moments, smiling at Gali. He sighed and switched to his Kakama. “Now, I’ve got to take this other Kanohi to Onua. Start heading for the temple at Kini-Nui. We all have our golden masks now. It’s time to face Makuta. May the Great Beings protect you!” He turned and raced across the causeway toward land.

But a little while later, Tahu reappeared. “Gali, would you mind taking this to Onua? You could try out your own Kakama that way. And besides, I think he could use some encouragement, and you’re just the one to give it.”

“I am? Why does he need it?” asked Gali.

“He’s been particularly hard-hit by Makuta,” replied Tahu. “He’s been trekking all over the island, without a Kakama, delivering a Pakari to everyone. And in the process, he was pounded by Lewa, whom he fought to remove an infected mask. Then he was crushed by a Muaka. Kopaka had to freeze him along with the Rahi, just to get him out of its jaws.”

Gali was astounded. “Makuta’s using infected masks on Toa now? How horrible!” She had seen Lewa in combat, and wasn’t surprised that Onua had sustained serious injury to overcome him. And being crushed and frozen must have added immensely to his pain. “Well, I’d be delighted to help him. He’s done a lot for me, as well as everyone else.”

“Thanks, Gali. Then both of you come join the rest of us at Kini-Nui.” Then Tahu was gone again.

Gali said an emotional goodbye to Nokama and the villagers. She didn’t know whether she would see them again. Still, she had faith that somehow the Toa would prevail. But first, she needed to deliver the mask to Onua. She remembered how exhilarating it felt to move with the speed of a Kakama. Now she enjoyed the sensation of her own legs producing it. In the blink of an eye, she was in the Onu-Koro town square.

Gali stopped in front of Onua, who was poised to strike whatever appeared out of the blur. When he recognized her, Onua relaxed his arms. “Hello, Gali. You found your Kakama!”

Gali smiled at Onua. Then suddenly she felt a wave of pain radiating from him. It was as if there was so much agony that his body couldn’t contain it all.

“Actually, Tahu found it for me. And look what he found for you!” She handed Onua the gray Kakama. “He was going to bring it to you himself, but then he came back to Ga-Koro and asked me to deliver it instead. I told him I would be delighted to.”

Onua looked as if he would fall over. “Gali, this is wonderful. Would you care to come to my Suva with me?” he asked.

“Of course,” replied Gali. “I’d be honored.” She switched to her Kaukau and followed him across the village square. She winced to see how he limped.

Onua took a deep breath and stepped into the middle of the Suva. The center stone slowly descended into the ground and came back up. Onua’s gold mask gleamed by the glow of the lightstones all around. The usually reserved Onu-Koronans, who had gathered to watch, broke out into a loud cheer.

“You look really good in that,” she grinned.

“You sure do,” said Whenua. “And you have definitely earned it.”

“Thanks,” Onua replied. He stumbled, and caught himself, as he got off the Suva.

As she looked into the green eyes so full of suffering, Gali had an idea. She remembered the Koli balls Pohatu had kicked into the sea. Maybe if the water could cleanse the infection from those stones… “But you could still use some improvement,” she said, touching his dented shoulder with her hook. “Stand still, and close your eyes.”

Gali raised her hooks over Onua’s head and let a fine mist of water descend onto his mask. It began to flow down his shoulders and arms, dissolving the crust of dirt that covered him. And Gali could feel the grip of the pain loosening and letting go. The sensations she felt through the water turned from tension and anguish to a calm energy. The waters had restored him! Gali struggled to hide her excitement. “You can open your eyes. All better now?”

Onua looked at Gali, and at the puddle of muddy water at his feet. “Yes, thanks. You are truly an angel.”

Gali waved a hook, and the water was absorbed back into the air. “Well, if I am, then you certainly are,” she said. “Think about what you did for everyone!”

He smiled.

“So, are you ready to try out that Kakama?” asked Gali, changing to hers. “The others will be waiting for us at Kini-Nui. It’s time to go rid our island of that Makuta monster for good.”

“I can’t wait!” Quietly, Onua added, “Thank you so much for renewing me like that.”

Gali put her hooks on his claws. “No problem. What are friends for?” Then she turned and waved at the entrance to the Kini-Nui tunnel. “It’s that way, right? You go first, you can see better, and you know your way around.”

“OK. Follow me!” Onua changed to his new Kakama and they headed for Kini-Nui. The other Toa cheered when Onua arrived, whole and ready. Gali was overjoyed that her healing waters had worked. And the Toa would need all their strength to battle the Spirit of Evil. Makuta fought the Toa with everything destructive – vicious minions, deceitful shape-shifting, demoralizing lies, and, finally, overwhelming physical force. But Gali’s faith was prophetic. The Toa prevailed, because they attacked as one. And when they returned to Kini-Nui to rest after their victory, Gali looked fondly at Onua and remembered his quiet but steadfast drive to serve his fellow creatures, whatever hardships he had to endure. For this, Onua held a special place in Gali’s heart.



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This post has been edited by GaliGee: Jan 12 2003, 01:51 PM

[GaliGee]

Chapter 5: Pohatu's Place

Gali Nuva heard Pohatu's laughter ring out across the valley. "Sounds like he's all right, after all," she thought. There were more sounds, of rolling rocks and earth, and some enthusiastic shouts. Then Onua and Pohatu appeared out of the jungle.

"Yeah, well, next time, it's going to be YOUR turn to fly!" Pohatu snapped his protodermis claws menacingly behind Onua's back.

"Oh, but you looked so stylish up there!" laughed Onua, jumping away.

Gali smiled. Their joy was contagious. In fact, Pohatu was a constant font of it. She recalled one particular day during the Bohrok invasion that exemplified his jovial spirit, and let herself become immersed in her memories again.

After the exhilaration of their victory over Makuta, the Toa had been startled to learn of a new threat, one the Turaga had hoped in vain was only a legend. The Bohrok, powerful bio-mechanical creatures driven by small brain-like krana, seemed bent on leveling and destroying all that made Mata Nui a paradise. The Toa learned they must collect the krana to unlock the secret to defeating the swarms. Though no taller than the Toa, their sheer numbers had forced the Toa to work together in different, more clever ways. One day Nokama spoke to Gali about an upcoming assignment.

"Kopaka was just here," Nokama began. "He said your help is needed in Po-Wahi, at the Komo-Lai canyon. He and Onua have set up a trap for the Tahnok, and you and Pohatu will spring it."

"Sounds interesting," mused Gali. She imagined that any plan devised by the wise Onua and the brilliant Kopaka would be ingenious. And she looked forward to working with the Toa of Stone, who was always pleasant company. "Do you need anything else before I go?"

"No, thank you," answered the Turaga. "We are as prepared as we can be, for whatever the Bohrok will do next."

"You can never be prepared for the Bohrok," remarked Gali. "But I'm sure you've done what you can, Nokama. You are a prudent and insightful leader, and you deserve all the respect and love the villagers have for you." Gali watched the village elder blush modestly. As the Toa of Water grew in understanding and experience, she enjoyed turning the tables on Nokama once in a while. "Well, I'd better be off." She plunged into the lake and swam for Po-Wahi.

She climbed out of the water on the sandy beach and changed to her Kakama. But as she neared the desert village with its enormous stone gate in the cliffs, she felt a strange sensation of overpowering heat and slowed again. Switching to her Akaku, she peered through the telescopic lens at the scene before her. She was horrified to see a swarm of Tahnok massed around Po-Koro. Pohatu stood on a boulder in their midst, holding a Matoran -- it looked like Hafu, the stone carver. Suddenly Huki kicked a rock from the bluff above, knocking loose another and launching Pohatu and Hafu like a catapult. They landed gently on the ledge above with the help of Pohatu's Miru. And Huki and Hafu hugged each other tightly.

"What a beautiful rescue!" thought Gali with relief. She sighed as she watched the Po-Koronans. Her heart was heavy from the constant fighting that had occupied her since she arrived on the island, she longed to be able to take simple comfort in the embrace of another creature her size. But her unique situation as the only female Toa meant that would never happen. She shook her head and considered how to attack the vicious horde of Tahnok. "My Kakama… then the Pakari, and a blast of water…" She was off in a flash of blue.

Gali appeared between the swarm of fiery bug-like creatures and the village. She changed instantly to her mask of strength and shot water at the invaders with all her might. They rolled backwards and sprang to their feet again. Behind her, she heard Pohatu shout, "Thanks, Gali! Way to go!" He kicked a barrage of massive boulders over her head at the Tahnok. She heard them whistle past her, but she was not afraid, for she knew his aim was unerring. With grim determination she hit the Bohrok with her powerful stream again and again, until they were exhausted from the cold, wet assault. A final burst of water and stone sent them tumbling into a ravine, where they lay steaming.

Gali was weary as well, but she began to scramble up the cliff with her hooks. Pohatu chipped a few footholds in the cliff and met her halfway down. He put his arm around her waist and jumped with his powerful legs. Both Toa changed to their Miru and alighted on the cliff.

Pohatu smiled at Gali. "Good work, my fine blue friend." He turned to Turaga Onewa. "You must evacuate the village," he warned. "Those Tahnok will be back. Gali and I are going to trap them and retrieve some krana, but the goat-dogs will bring them fresh krana. They will surely return to finish melting their way through the statues that Hafu knocked over in front of the gate."

Onewa nodded. "Onu-Koro has been flooded by the Gahlok. And Le-Koro is so far away… Do you think the Ga-Koronans could accommodate us, Gali?"

"Of course, Onewa. Nokama will be glad to see you, despite the unfortunate circumstances."

"Then so be it," declared the brown Toa. "I'll kick an opening in the cliff at the far side of the village. Gali, can you help them put together a few boats?"

"You won't believe this," said Onewa, "but we actually have some boats, in case of emergency. Nokama gave them to us long ago. Since the air here is so dry, they should be well preserved, and still seaworthy."

Gali marveled at her Turaga's foresight. "Then let's get them to the beach."

The Toa helped Onewa and the Po-Koronans carry the water craft to the seashore. As they set out across the sea, the anxious villagers, whose dislike of water was well-known, crouched down low in the boats. Gali turned to Pohatu, worried. "I just hope they don't get seasick."

Pohatu grinned. "You know they will… but it's better than being roasted."

She smiled. Pohatu always had a way of making her feel at ease. “Well, they are safe, for the moment. Let’s go.” She changed to her Kakama, and they raced to the Komo-Lai canyon. There was a solid plug of ice embedded in the side wall. Gali looked at it, doubtful. “Are you sure this will work, Pohatu?”

“It has to. We can’t outfight the Bohrok – not without risking harm to the island. So we have to outsmart them. This canyon is our trap, Gali. Onua dug a tunnel from the canyon wall to the sea, then Kopaka froze the tunnel entrance solid, like plugging a hole in a dam.”

“I hope you planned well, then,” replied Gali.

“When the Bohrok come, I’ll -- ”

Gali sensed the heat of the relentless destroying swarm as their red domed heads appeared around a bend in the ravine. She heard the ominous “Chikt, chikt” of their jointed necks extending rapidly, gouging chunks out of the stone. “The Tahnok are here!”

“Then let’s make them feel welcome,” grinned Pohatu. He slammed a boulder into the ice plug with his powerful foot. “Rock shatters ice… and fire meets water!”

Gali leaped off the ledge and dove headfirst into the turbulent water. “The Tahnok will not be stunned for long,” she said to herself. “I will have to be swift to gather their krana! Already it feels like I’m swimming in a cauldron!”

The Toa of Water struggled to keep her bearings in the swirling chaos. She grabbed the nearest Bohrok and pried its head case open with her hook. Quickly she removed the rubbery dark blue krana and slid a rope through its eyehole. She reached for the next Tahnok. “I can survive the icy cold of the sea bottom. I can only hope I have the strength to survive this.”

With her rope securely knotted around the krana, Gali decided she had better get out or risk succombing to the scalding heat. She looked up and was shocked to see that the Tahnok had melted through the rock above, and large chunks were falling toward her. She dodged them as she shot upward and surfaced. Pohatu was ready to dive in after her, despite his hatred of water. She yelled, “No, Pohatu! Stay there!”

“Are you all right?”

“Barely. If I had been even a little too slow… What matters is I have four krana… and we must go now!” The menacing Tahnok had only been delayed a short time by the water. Now they were melting handholds in the rock, and climbing up toward the Toa. With their Kakama, Gali and Pohatu put a comfortable distance between themselves and the swarm. As they made their way back to Kini-Nui to see how many krana the other Toa had gathered, and which were still missing, they slowed down again so they could talk. The conversation turned to the powers of the mysterious parasitic creatures.

“There is no telling what they can do. Drive the Bohrok on their insane mission… control others…” Gali stared at the rubbery creature in her hook.

“Then you believe what Vakama said? That krana can control the mind of anyone who wears one?” asked Pohatu.

“Yes, and that just makes me more concerned for the others – especially Lewa. Days have passed since he left for Le-Koro. If he encountered a Bohrok swarm, who knows what might have happened?” Gali sighed as she thought of her agile green friend, who had once before been overcome by evil because of his youthful boldness. “I cannot rest until I know the answer…”

Pohatu stopped and turned to the Toa of Water. “Listen, Gali. It’s wonderful that you care so much about Lewa. But you are only tormenting yourself, when there is nothing you can do. Onua has gone to find him. And if there is anyone who can get Lewa out of trouble, it’s Onua.”

“I know, but…”

“We must concentrate on what we CAN do. And remember the beauty that once was Mata Nui. The forests, the canyons, the cliffs, the rivers, the snowy slopes. The harmonious cycle of birth, growth, and harvest. The joy in the people’s hearts at the great feasts and the sporting competitions. The Great Beings have equipped us with whatever we need to defend our island. And with the wisdom of the Turaga, and the hard work of the Matoran, we can do this. Just keep that in mind.”

Gali sighed. Pohatu was right. And his encouragement was just what she needed. Emboldened, she turned to face him. "Pohatu, if I were to ask you for a hug, would you take it the wrong way?"

"If you want a friendly hug, I can do that," replied the Toa of Stone. He put his arms around her. She wrapped hers around him, resting her head on his solid shoulder for a few moments of blissful peace.

He loosened his grip and held her at arm's length. "Now, that doesn't mean I'll ever stop dreaming," he added with a wry smile. "Come on, Beautiful, we've got some ground to cover."

Gali laughed. "Thanks, Pohatu.”

As they used their Kakama to speed onward to the meeting place, Gali reflected on what Pohatu had said. She had fought so hard for so long, that she had almost forgotten what she was fighting for. But the Toa of Stone was always there to remind her. And with renewed joy inside, she was able to face increasing dangers outside. For this, Pohatu held a special place in Gali’s heart.



Review topic here.

This post has been edited by GaliGee: Jan 7 2003, 11:27 AM

[GaliGee]

Chapter 6: Kopaka’s Place

Now only two Toa Nuva remained in the contest. "That just leaves you and I, Tahu Nuva," said Kopaka coolly, slowly raising his ice blades.

"No, that just leaves me," replied Tahu, standing up straighter and gripping his magma swords.

Gali smiled nervously at their competitive banter. She knew there was some real animosity between the Toa of Ice and the Toa of Fire. She had seen the incredible prowess of both as they battled the enemies of Mata Nui. Each commanded amazing powers, directly opposite from the other's. She wondered who would prevail in this practice match.

When she first met Kopaka, he seemed so cold and remote to her that she assumed he was devoid of all emotion. But that all changed when she witnessed the depth of passion that he, perhaps even more than the other Toa, was capable of feeling. All the Toa had saved her life at one time or another, just as she had saved theirs. But Kopaka's rescue of Gali had been unlike any other.

During the Bohrok invasion, the Toa often worked in groups for their own safety. The creatures were so numerous that one hero, though powerful, could be overwhelmed. And one day Gali found herself teamed up with Kopaka. She headed to Ko-Koro to help him fend off an attack on his village by the Lehvak, the most dreaded of the Bohrok breeds. These ferocious green swamp creatures were capable of shooting a potent acid from their hand shields that would melt through anything it touched.

As she sped toward the frozen peak of Mount Ihu with her Kakama, Gali wondered what it would be like to work with the Toa of Ice. She knew little about him, aside from his obvious intelligence. All she had learned from his occasional witty comments was that he felt a disdain for fools. She halfway feared that his silence toward her meant she was included in that category. But he had always been very polite to her.

Gali materialized in the thick of the battle. She immediately switched her mask to the Hau until she could better assess her situation. Kopaka, also wearing his Hau, was swinging his sword in a circle over his head, spraying shards of ice at the green scourge all around them. "Oh, hello, Gali," he nodded. He stood with his back to her so they could each attack half the creatures. She shot a high-pressure stream of water at the ones on her side. Blobs of yellow-green venom bounced off the invisible shields of their Hau and dropped, hissing, into the snow. Gradually the two Toa beat down the crowd of Lehvak.

"Change to your Huna, and follow my footprints!" yelled Kopaka. She did, and followed the marks his invisible feet left in the snow. They ran a safe distance away from the fallen Bohrok, who were beginning to stir again, and Kopaka switched back to his Akaku. He briefly scanned the ice-clad peaks around them and then turned toward one of them. Waving his blade, he invoked a massive avalanche. As tons of snow rolled down onto the Bohrok, he grabbed Gali's arm and pulled her behind a boulder.

"We'll get their krana later," he said. "Let's make sure the village is all right." They ran to Ko-Koro, a few hundred bios away. The structures, huts built from blocks of ice, were severely damaged, but the villagers had taken shelter in an emergency underground chamber deep in the ice pack below the temple. Kopaka pried open the frozen door with his blade. "Nuju, it's me," he called. "Is everyone all right in there?"

Matoro's voice answered after a brief pause. "Yes, Turaga Nuju says we're all accounted for. Thank the Great Beings for your bravery, Toa Kopaka, in luring the intruders away while we sought safety."

Gali realized what Kopaka had done. As the foul beasts had assaulted his village, he had created a showy diversion with his spinning blade. This had distracted the Bohrok long enough for the Ko-Koronans to slip into the shelter unnoticed. And he had drawn the invaders far enough away that he could crush them with an avalanche without risking further destruction of the dwellings. Once again, the Toa of Ice had put his own life on the line to save others.

"I'm impressed, Kopaka," she said admiringly. "That was very quick thinking."

Kopaka looked surprised by her compliment. "Just doing my job," he replied quietly. But Gali thought he seemed pleased, despite his modest words.

"Turaga Nuju asks if it is safe to come out," called Matoro's voice.

"Not yet. Let us check it out," replied the cautious white Toa. "Gali, you take the west side. I'll take the east."

Gali changed to her Akaku and peered through the lenses. She searched for any sign of heat or movement. Finding none, she returned to the entrance of the shelter. Kopaka was waiting for her, sliding two red krana onto a rope. Gali looked at them, then at his face. "Good thing you checked," she smiled.

"It would have been foolish not to. All clear, Nuju! Well, Gali, let's get the krana out of those buried ones." He led the way toward the avalanche debris. With a wave of his sword, the mass of snow slid downhill, exposing the motionless Lehvak. He changed to his Hau and leaned over the first one. "Be careful, Gali. They are only stunned. They could spring to life any minute."

"I know," she replied. "They are tricky creatures. They may be communicating by telepathy even as we speak." Clad in her own Hau, she popped open a head case and lifted out the krana. "But you've done all the work here, and all the thinking, too. I'm sorry I haven't been more useful."

"Nonsense," he scoffed, kicking open another Bohrok. "I'm glad you're here."

It was such an uncharacteristic thing for him to say that Gali looked up from a Lehvak to glance at him. At that moment the creature raised its hand shields and shot a stream of acid, hitting Gali in the neck. She collapsed in the snow. Kopaka jumped over and dispatched the creature with a savage blow of his sword. He slung Gali over his shoulder, and, backing up, he brought another heap of ice crashing down on the Bohrok, burying them twice as deep as before.

"Oh, no, Gali!" Kopaka moaned, as he lay her carefully on the ground. "Gali! Speak to me!"

Gali was partly conscious. She could hear Kopaka's voice as if it were in the distance. Fluid was leaking out of the wound in her neck and spreading into the snow. Her gold eyes fluttered open, then closed again.

Kopaka took his blade and very carefully froze a patch onto her neck to stop the bleeding. He stared at her with his Akaku. Then he took off his mask and lay his head on her chest. "No heartbeat! Oh, Gali! But she's breathing…" He sat and thought for a moment as he put his mask back on. Then he stood and shouted, "Kopeke!" When the Ko-Koronan appeared around a snow drift, Kopaka spoke quickly. "Get me that Onu-Koronan recording device. And a cable. Hurry!" The Matoran scurried off toward the village.

Kopaka knelt by Gali. "Gali, please don't die," he implored her, holding her hook in his hands. "Help is on the way." Kopeke returned and handed the equipment to Kopaka and stood silently to one side. "Please let this work," Kopaka whispered. He put his sword on his back. "I'm so sorry, Gali, this might hurt a little." He pulled off her blue chest piece and connected one end of the wire to the hand-held computer and the other end to the plus-rod on Gali's chest. He punched a sequence of keystrokes and watched the display. "No, that's too fast… here we go…" He lay the device in the snow next to her arm. "Gali, your heart is beating again. Can you hear me?"

Gali's vision had gone black. Kopaka's voice sounded as if he were underwater. She tried to form words to reply to him, but she just made a gasping sound. Kopaka squeezed her hook and spoke softly. "Come on, Gali… you mean so much to me…"

Gali saw Kopaka's mask swimming in and out of view, and his worried ice-blue eyes were staring into hers. Gradually he became clearer. She gurgled again. "Kopaka… I'm… I can see you… "

"Oh, Gali!" he whispered. He leaned back and shouted into the sky. "She's alive! Praise the Great Beings!" He put his hands on either side of her face and looked into her eyes again.

Kopeke ventured closer. "Toa Kopaka, you saved her!"

"Well, I revived her," he corrected the Matoran. "Now I have to figure out how to heal her. The signal for her heart to beat has been interrupted by the injury to her neck. And as soon as she leaves Ko-Wahi, that patch will melt, and she'll start bleeding again."

"Could you…. weld her neck?" asked Kopeke hesitatingly.

"Maybe so," replied Kopaka. "That’s a good idea. But it would be a delicate operation. Only one very skilled in the use of fire could succeed." The Toa of Ice sighed. "Kopeke, go find Tahu and send him here."

Kopeke nodded and started to walk down the path to the cable car. Then he turned back toward the Toa of Ice. "You did say Toa Tahu?" he asked doubtfully.

"Go!" yelled Kopaka.

The Ko-Koronan ran. Soon Kopaka could hear the groaning of the massive gears of the tramway machinery. He sat with Gali, holding her hook and stroking her mask. "Keep talking to me," he urged her. "I have to know you're still alive." Gali had closed her eyes again. She mumbled and fell silent, unable to concentrate. "All right, then, sing me a song."

Gali heard his request. Although she was incapable of organized thoughts, the words of a song began to flow out of her as if by their own will. "Pour over me… water to clean all my intentions…"

"Yes, go on," Kopaka whispered.

"Baptising streams… I swim in the freedom of redemption…"

Kopaka listened as she continued. "Floating on the sea of purity… knowing I can dive in the love that rescues me…"

He looked up to see the Toa of Fire standing over them, his sword and eyes blazing. "Kopaka, what have you done to her?" he raged.

Kopaka dropped Gali's hook and stood, weaponless. "Either kill me or help me, but decide quickly," he replied solemnly. "And yes, it was my fault. She was hit in the neck with Lehvak acid. Her heart wasn't beating, but I restarted it." He pointed to the recording device.

Tahu extinguished his sword. "Sorry, brother," he said grimly. "How can I help?"

Gali opened her eyes. She glanced up at Tahu and smiled weakly.

Tahu knelt next to Gali and patted her shoulder. "Gali, it's me, Tahu. You're going to be all right. Just stay with us."

Kopaka showed Tahu the ice patch. "This has kept her from bleeding to death, but she needs a permanent repair. Can you weld her neck?"

Tahu gasped. "I -- well, I think so," he said slowly. For the first time Gali saw the slightest hint of fear in his eyes.

"I'll freeze the area around it, so you won't damage anything else."

Tahu ignited his fire sword. "All right. Go ahead, Kopaka."

Gali felt the cold on her neck and closed her eyes again. Then she felt a searing heat. “Look, Tahu! I think it worked. She’s not bleeding anymore.” Gali felt hands touching her neck.

“Kopaka, I only hope I haven’t further damaged the nerves. Gali, can you hear me?”

She opened her eyes again. “Huh?”

“Start singing again,” said Kopaka. “Tahu, how can we restore those nerve connnections?”

Gali continued her song in a feeble voice as they talked. “Healing waters…”

“Maybe we can rig a parallel cable from her head,” suggested Tahu.

“Are you crazy? How are we going to find the right connection in something as complex as a brain?”

“Well, do you have a better idea? You’re the one who caused all this!” retorted the Toa of Fire angrily.

“Healing waters… solace flows from the river of forgiveness to my soul… I need you… healing waters… ” Gali’s voice trailed off.

“That’s it!” shouted Kopaka. “Tahu, melt some snow! Remember what Onua said? Gali healed him with water. Let’s try it!”

Tahu held a piece of ice in his left hand and melted it with his sword. Kopaka caught the drips with his cupped hands. When they were full, Kopaka leaned over Gali. “Spirit of the waters, heal your daughter!” He poured the water slowly on her wound.

"Look, Tahu! Look at this! A second rhythm!" Gali sensed a strange thumping in her chest, and then it stabilized into one beat. She heard the clicking of the keyboard. "It worked!" And she felt the cable being pulled off, and her chest piece being put back on.

She opened her eyes and saw something she never thought she would see. Tahu and Kopaka were facing each other and smiling broadly. “Thank you, brother,” said Kopaka gratefully, putting his hand on Tahu’s shoulder.

“No, thank you,” replied Tahu. He placed his arm around Kopaka. “And I don’t even need to know how it happened. Mata Nui is a dangerous place.”

“It wasn’t his fault, Tahu” Gali said quietly, sitting up. Both her companions dropped to their knees to help her. “Thank you so much, both of you. I owe you my life.”

"Don't forget Kopeke," smiled Kopaka.

"And Kopeke, thank you, too." Kopeke did a modest little bow.

“Turaga Nuju says that even in her weakness, Gali's intuition is strong. She is very wise for one so young,” said Matoro. The Toa turned to look in the direction of his voice. The entire village of Ko-Koro was watching from a nearby snowdrift. “And Kopaka and Tahu, you have performed a miracle. The healing required both pure water and strong faith. The prophesy is truly fulfilled.”

“Gali,” said Tahu, “I’m so glad you’re alive. I don’t know how I would go on without you here.”

“She’s not here for you, Tahu,” said Kopaka icily. “She’s for all of Mata Nui.”

Tahu gave Kopaka a fierce look and stood up. “Well, I’d better be going. I’ve got one more Tahnok krana to capture. A Xa. Take good care of her, Kopaka.”

They watched him change to his Kakama and vanish. Kopaka helped Gali up. “Can I take you home?” he offered.

“Yes, that would be nice,” replied Gali. She switched to her own mask of speed.

“I meant, can I carry you?” he said, changing to his Kakama, too.

“Sure,” she replied, smiling. She climbed slowly onto Kopaka’s shoulders. They said goodbye to the Ko-Koronans. The Toa of Ice gave Nuju instructions to keep the Lehvak buried until his return, and he sped toward Ga-Koro.

Gali was too groggy to remember much about the ride. But despite the cold sensation of Kopaka’s shoulders, she felt warm all over. He had done something brilliant to save her life. And in healing her heart, he had revealed the depth of devotion in his own. Now she understood what drove the icy, solitary hero to put everything on the line for his people. For this, Kopaka held a special place in Gali’s heart.



Review topic here.
The words Gali sings are from the song "Healing Waters," by Michelle Tumes, on her Listen CD.

This post has been edited by GaliGee: Oct 7 2003, 09:44 AM

[GaliGee]

Chapter 7: No Place Like Home

"Enough!" said Gali Nuva sharply, stepping between Tahu and Kopaka. "We have learned what we set out to learn. As Toa Nuva, we have greater power -- and greater control over that power -- than ever before! It is a shame we cannot control our tempers as well."

She glanced at Kopaka, whose steely gaze was still locked onto Tahu's fiery eyes. The Toa of Ice lowered his blades and stepped back. And then she turned to the Toa of Fire. With a low growl he extinguished his magma swords.

The other Toa were uneasy. They grasped at explanations for their friends' lack of restraint. "Perhaps we are all on edge, Gali," ventured Pohatu. "The struggle with Cahdok and Gahdok… our transformation into the Toa Nuva…"

"Not to mention making sure the Bohrok swarms and Bohrok Va got put to work repairing the damage they did!" added Lewa.

Pohatu continued. "Maybe Tahu and Kopaka did get a little carried away, but --"

"No, Gali is right," interrupted Tahu. "Maybe it would be best for us to go our separate ways. Our villages need us -- more than we need each other."

Kopaka nodded. "I agree. This alliance is no longer necessary."

Gali was dismayed that her own words were being used to justify such a bad decision. She felt certain that the Toa should stay together. The way their Kanohi Nuva worked -- with only one power each, but extending to those around the wearer -- convinced her that the heroes of Mata Nui would be many times more effective as a team than as individuals. And the new armor and deadlier weapons they now brandished made her suspect that the Great Beings were preparing them for future perils. "The Turaga have said all along that we are six who share one destiny. Is this how we honor their wisdom? By splitting apart?"

Lewa leaped over a tree trunk. "Maybe the Turaga don't know everything, Gali. If you want me, I'll be helping to rebuild Le-Koro."

The group was breaking up, and each Toa was heading for his village. Gali stood in the clearing and raised her hands in despair. "This is a mistake… I can feel it. Please -- what if we are needed once more?" She was horrified that the camaraderie she had worked so hard to encourage was degenerating into hostility and apathy. She dropped her arms and stared blankly at the forest floor.

"Gali," Tahu's voice called softly. "May I speak to you for a moment?"

Gali turned to face him. Maybe there was hope after all. Maybe Tahu, ever the natural leader, would bring everyone around again somehow. After all, he had always been in favor of working together, too.

And she had gradually changed her mind about Tahu since the early days, especially after he had put himself in so much danger to protect her in the Bahrag nest. Maybe he was right so long ago when he approached her in the woods, and they were destined to be together, after all. He was the one who always made her heart beat faster. At first it was because she was afraid of him. But fear had been replaced by a different emotion, an unfamiliar one, that made her smile whenever he looked her way.

"Of course, Tahu," she replied.

He gestured toward a path through the trees. "Let's walk together."

She looked up at him as they walked. No, it definitely wasn't fear any more. She wondered about Nokama and her prophecies. Would Nokama have told her if there was a new one about her and Tahu? Or would the Turaga let Gali find out for herself? The enemies of Mata Nui had all been defeated, and the Bohrok had been put to work rebuilding the island. Maybe this time she should say 'yes'…

"I just wanted to thank you," said Tahu. "You saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life."

"I did?"

"Yes, back when we were collecting the masks. Remember the day you were attacked by Nui-Jaga and Tarakava, and you had the Toa Kaita vision, and I was carrying you to the meeting, and I stopped in the woods?"

"How could I forget?" teased Gali.

"Well, I'm so glad you said 'no' to me. I was out of line even to ask you."

She was stunned. She hadn't expected him to say that.

"It was wrong of me to try to claim you as my own. You belong to all of Mata Nui. What you said about the symmetry between the Toa was very wise."

Gali looked down at her feet as they walked. Her face felt hot. "I suppose it was."

Tahu stopped and looked at her, his eyes shining softly. "Will you forgive me? I'm so sorry I frightened you."

Gali's voice caught in her throat. "I -- yes, I forgive you, Tahu." She wanted so much to put her arms around him. Instead, she stood silently, her heart sinking.

"Listen, Gali, I know you're sad that the Toa won't be working together anymore. You put so much effort into getting us all to be a team. But it's not like we'll be strangers to one another. Even though we don't need each other to protect the villages anymore, you can come to Ta-Koro to visit me sometime. I'd like that."

"Maybe I will," she replied quietly.

"You know what they say. 'There's no place like home.' Well, goodbye," he said, turning toward Ta-Koro. "May the Great Beings protect you."

Gali smiled a weak smile and watched him walk away. When he was out of sight, she turned and walked slowly toward her beloved sea. Finally reaching the shore, she plunged in and felt the cool water surround her body.

At first she was too dejected to enjoy the beauty of the deep. But soon her mind joined the harmony of the water, and she began to feel rejuvenated. The Toa of Water swam for many hours, exploring her new powers. It was like her first day on Mata Nui, when she learned of her elemental connection with the sea. With her aqua axes, propellers, and Kaukau Nuva, Gali was an even more powerful swimmer than before. She raced the fastest creatures, and did circles around them. She boxed a playful Tarakava, and she wove in and out of a school of Takea. She dove to the deepest part of the ocean, where the darkness folded around her like blue velvet and she had to rely on the golden glow of her eyes to navigate. In the embrace of the sea she cherished, she found comfort for her tired and lonely soul.

The fiery red sun was sinking in the eastern sky as she swam home to Ga-Koro. Streaks of purple and orange clouds formed graceful patterns just above the horizon. Silently, she surfaced next to Nokama's lily pad. And she found herself surrounded by the light and noise of a big party.

Gali sighed. She didn't feel like participating in the celebrations. She slipped unnoticed into the large hut, hoping to find Nokama, but the dwelling was empty. She stretched out on the floor and closed her eyes.

Soon Nokama came in, looking for something. "Oh, welcome back, Gali! Why aren't you out there enjoying yourself?"

"I don’t really feel like it," replied the Toa, sitting up. "I just got back from a long swim. I had a lot on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?" asked Nokama.

"All right," replied Gali. "The Toa have decided to split up, and not to work together anymore. Each has gone to his village to stay. But I have a bad feeling about it."

"I can understand that," said the Turaga sympathetically. "With the new Kanohi powers --"

"Exactly," interrupted Gali. "It just doesn’t make sense to separate. You Turaga can run the villages without us. We need to maximize our power, and the way to do that has always been to work together."

"Maybe everyone needs a break from the others,” suggested Nokama.

“No doubt. But I still worry that something will happen. And that we’ll find out too late to help each other. What do your prophecies say?”

“They are rather vague at this point. But I feel that danger still lurks, somewhere deep within the island. I can’t really explain why. Tomorrow Nixie and I will go over the old prophecies and chronicle the recent events, and then we can focus on what the stars are telling us for the future.” The Turaga looked intently at Gali. “But that’s not all, is it?”

Gali shook her head. “No.”

Nokama waited patiently. Finally Gali spoke again. “Five of them, one of me. And still I manage to feel lonely.”

“It’s about Tahu, isn’t it?”

“Am I that obvious?” Gali glanced sideways at Nokama.

“Only to me,” the Turaga smiled.

“Well, that’s good, I suppose. But how do you see through me like that?”

“I was once like you, full of energy and passion. But the Great Beings saw fit to calm me down, to prepare me for a leadership role. Now I take satisfaction in more serene comforts.”

“Have you ever…” Gali began, but Nokama cut her off. “Someday I’ll tell you about me. But for now, let’s talk about you.”

Gali shrugged. Nokama always evaded questions about herself. But Gali trusted her village elder, so she bared her heart. “I think I missed my chance with Tahu. Now he’s telling me how wise I was to turn him down.”

“You weren’t ready, Gali. And your time still hasn’t come yet. But I don’t see your life as lacking in love.”

Gali looked out the doorway of the hut at the celebration. In addition to her own villagers, Matoran from other parts of Mata Nui had joined the revelry. Their joyful shouts and singing echoed on the water. “You’re right, as usual,” she agreed. And she thought of Lewa’s affectionate roguishness, Onua’s unwavering loyalty, Pohatu’s joyful encouragement, Kopaka’s quiet devotion, and Tahu’s faithful protectiveness.

“Home is where the heart is,” quipped Nokama, picking up the fishing net she came into the hut for. “Well, I’m going back to the party. Come on out, if you like.”

The Toa of Water watched her leave the hut and join a group of villagers that were sitting together, fishing and chatting. Laughter rang out as one pulled a flopping fish out of the water and tossed it into another’s lap.

Gali, stooping to clear the low doorway, stepped out of the hut and slid into the water next to the lily pad. She rested her elbows on it and quietly watched the party. The beach was lit up by Ta-Koronan torches on poles stuck in the sand. Lightstones glowed softly in the twilight, illuminating the garlands of orange flowers strung between the floating huts. Several Ga-Koronans were making sweet music with flutes, xylophones, and drums. A choir of blue Matoran sang, swaying to the rhythm. Takua and Jala were carrying Nixie and Hahli on their shoulders in the shallow water near the beach, and the girls were trying to push each other off. A loud splash and a squeal followed, with Hahli yelling, “Gotcha!” Hafu, Huki, and Maku were roasting nuts over a bonfire on the beach. As Lili walked past, Hafu pulled her down next to him and offered her a few. Kapura was dancing with Paki, vanishing and reappearing behind her to make her laugh.

Gali sighed. These Matoran, so carefree now, had endured so many perils and hardships, with such courage and loyalty to each other. Her eyes scanned the crowd and stopped on Takua. He stood out among the Matoran, and not just because of his unusual coloring. Her first meeting with him was when he had saved Nokama and the Ga-Koronans from drowning after a Tarakava attack. Though no words were exchanged, she had immediately felt a deep connection with him. She had used this bond to convey visions to him during the battle with Makuta. And more than once since that time, her mind had been filled with an image she knew was being seen through his eyes, as he helped Jala and Nuparu defend the villages from the Bohrok onslaught. But even more than his bravery, his main accomplishment was bringing unity to the Matoran. While the islanders had always come together for feasts, sport, and trade, as Takua wandered the island solving problems and saving others, he transformed them from citizens of their individual villages into citizens of Mata Nui. For this, Takua held a special place in Gali’s heart.

She gazed back at the colorful sky behind her, then at the partially rebuilt waterfall and the giant amorphous stone covered with scaffolding, soon to be carved into a statue of a Kaukau. She was startled to see a lone figure standing on the cliff. She squinted to see who was there. It was Kopaka. The warm light of the setting sun made his armor shine like gold. He raised his swords in a salute, then turned and disappeared behind the rocks.

“I suppose he wanted to see that I made it home,” Gali thought. “How kind of him.” She shook her head. “I’m so blessed to have all this love around me. Maybe we will face dangers again, but for now, Mata Nui is finally the paradise we have so long dreamed of.” And her heart felt as if it would burst from all the joy inside.

“Gali’s here!” called out a voice. A great splashing sound warned her the villagers were coming. She ducked under the water and swam beneath them. The she surfaced in their midst. They giggled and shrieked and slung water at her while she tossed them into the air over the lake, one at a time.

When the party was over -- the torches extinguished, the instruments silent, the revelers back in their huts -- the Toa of Water drifted off to sleep on the beach. All was quiet except for the croaking of the Ghekula, the gentle lapping of the waves, and the tranquil beating of Gali's heart.


THE END

Review topic here.

Thank you, friends, for all your help and ideas:

Israeli Toa
Haine
TheBlindMan2
MataNuiHero
kairos windwanderer
Takea
Jasaga
takua rocks
and of course, Greg Farshtey, from whose comics I appropriated lots of action and dialog.

This post has been edited by GaliGee: Oct 12 2003, 12:15 PM