Kalama and Ta Rahkshi

"So?" Lei said. "We've eaten Kraata before and haven't suffered. Yuni here make a mean Boiled Kraata Stew.""Iz all inna spoicies." The cook said. " 'course iz loike Splattarfeesh. Ye don'a preepare eet proparlay an' eet can keel ye."

OOC: I don't do it unless I have an OOC to post. Ruins the story look for me.IC: "Well that sounds terrible dear." Nala said. "But if he was already dead then what would it matter for you? Whoever this Telric was would have gotten what he deserved and you wouldn't have to worry. Or is this more you need to watch the light drain from his eyes personally? Know that he has paid for his crimes?"

"And what particular closure would that be?" Nala asked poking at his Kanohi absentmindedly.

Dren shrugged. "Has it's moments." Someone knocked on the door.Dren went to investigate before he turned."You boys have a visitor."The steady THUNK of a staff echoed in the block as the Turaga of Ta-Koro entered.He glanced at Utu before turning to Tank."These are the ones you say claim to have something of importance with which they claim make it necessary to free them from incarceration?" He asked Dren."Indeed Turaga Vakama.""One of them is a killer with no remorse. That much I know. But I have not seen the other one here before... Speak child and tell me why you thought it necessary to free such a criminal and why I should have you released." Vakama said turning to Tank.

The Marines stared at Ussalaius."You sure about that?" Kalama said waving the dead Kraata in the Toa's face. "I don't know about you but I feel fine.""...I vote we eat it!" Lei announced. "We killed it therefore we eat it!"Kalama shrugged. "Have at it." He tossed it at JL. "But I think Thama may want her arrow back.""Hey Commander!" Kalama caught the heatstone tossed at him by Hotu. "What do we do about this thing?" She kicked the Rahkshi armor which fell over."Have Nuraka dismantle it." Kalama said thawing out his frozen arm. "There's plenty of wild Kraata on the loose. One might find it's way into that armor if it's still in one piece and cause trouble for someone else.""Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's off to work I gooooo!" Nuraka sang as she fired up the wielding laser grinning as she started pulling the Entorahk apart.

"Burdens should never be carried on one shoulder alone." To demonstrate this, Nala leaned over so her weight was spread evenly across both of the Toa's shoulders. "This is the reason you were given two shoulders with which to carry your loads. Even so some shoulders were not meant to carry such heavy burdens like the one you burden yourself with." She picked at her teeth cleaning them before running her tongue across them. "Maybe it's time you stopped trying to carry that guilt alone and helped Kuyre carry his. Strength in numbers after all." She giggled. "You can tell I'm Ga-Koroan since I'm talking about Unity all the time can't you?"

OOC: AGAIN with the lack of attention to detail! You're killing me Smalls! You're ing killing me!Taken from the back story found on page 1 of the discussion topic: Rahkshi breeds have been running loose over the island for over a hundred years if I'm interpreting this correctly. They're just a rare elite enemy.You're ing killing me Smalls.IC: The Entorahk scratched madly at it's eye trying to get the arrow out.Spotting his chance, Xibre leaped up and smashed the arrow further in with the flat of his blade.The Rahkshi shuddered and went still before collasping as the controlling Kraata died.Yuni pried open the faceplate and dragged the dead Kraata out. "Aye, inssseckut cun'troll."The Glass Trappers seemed to pause for a minute as they were released from the Rahkshi's control. Scenting the smell of thousands of their dead brethren they screeched and retreated from the area in mass exodus.The now purple colored Marines wandered up to Yuni and Lei."You get it?" Kalama asked."Aye lad, iz deed. Saw ye get cught inna nuzer blast. Ye aight?""Deep chilled but we'll thaw out. I'm more worried about Kali.""Mmmalright." Kali said still supported by Maya. "I can at lease feel cold again so that's something." She shivered before erupting into a coughing fit."Take it easy." Maya said letting her down gently. "You're lucky that blast didn't fry you like those spiders.""Mmm surprised I survived myself." Kali grinned. "Kote ra Ky'ram Shipper.""Kote ra Ky'ram indeed Ma'am." Maya returned the grin before looking at Lei and Yuni. "You two alright? Nobody infected?""It was only a level 4." Kalama said taking the dead Kraata from Yuni. "I don't think anyone got close enough.""Can we eat it?" Lei asked curiously.

Nala clapped happily from her treetop. "Now we're getting somewhere!" She crowed.THUMP! The Ga-Matoran flew from her perch landing somewhat heavily enough on Alrin's shoulder to make the landing audible and felt but strangely light enough that Alrin wasn't jostled."Anger is a perfectly natural and normal emotional response to stress." She said. "Demonstrating anger should not be an embarrassment. A line was crossed that should not have been and you reacted accordingly. Perfectly acceptable."Nala took a thoughtful pose. "Come to think of it. I don't know what I'm doing out here ether." She looked back at Alrin. "Strange world. Don't you think? You're just... compelled to certain locations and the next thing you know you're involved in some complex problem resolution." She put a hand on his head. "What you said needed to be said, at the very least out loud so you can admit it to yourself if not those you believe responsible. You're grieving sweetheart. That much is clear to me."Nala drummed her fingers on Alrin's skull silent for a moment. "So, what do your instincts tell you? Are you compelled to stay here or go off to seek something else?"

I used to have that problem too.Then I had enough and punched life in the face.We still don't get along that well so I have to beat it down every so often.

OOC: And now for something... completely different.IC: "Awwwww... are you two fighting over little ole me?" Nala said brightly watching as the aggression levels rose. "You two certainly know how to make a girl feel special."The Matoran suddenly transformed into a small black whisp that dissipated vanishing from between the two Toa."By all means! Carry on!" She called out from the relative safety of a nearby tree. "I enjoy watching guys fight for my affection."

Yuni rushed up past Xibre whacking him in the back of the head as she went past."Loon!" She said. "Rackshee dunna fe'l pain! Ther'a no feedback froom the armour too deh Kraata!"Glass Trappers under the Rahkshi's control suddenly descended on Agarin tearing him off the Rahkshi."Agarin!" Tanuka make quick work out of most of the Trappers leaving Agarin able to free himself of the rest.The Rahkshi turned on Xibre punting the Matoran out towards the hoard.Something caught the Matoran's foot yanking him back in the opposite direction."Stop trying to take this thing on alone!" Lei berated him as she caught him. "Even Hotu isn't crazy enough to try and bring down a Rahkshi on her own!""Nice to hear I have your support Lei!" Hotu called out from some where in the swarm."A leetal assistance pleese Corporail!" Yuni said dodging another blow from the staff swinging wildly at the insects the Entorahk sent to bother her with her frying pan trying to swat them away from her."Commming!" Lei sang skipping over to the fight and easily vaulting the Rahkshi.The Entorahk turned to hit the agile Marine which Lei simply did a hand spring sailing over the blow.GONG! The Rahkshi turned as Yuni hit it's flank with her frying pan. "OI! DOON 'ERE YA BUFFOON!"The Entorahk lunged falling short as Lei's chain suddenly revealed to be around it's neck. It got up on all fours trying to turn and wave it's staff in her direction.WONG! It's paid for it's gross lack of attention as Yuni wailed on it's head with her weapon. "Can't ye focos on two Matoreen a' woonce ye great lumoox?" She taunted.

"I guess I don't have much of a choice." The Water Toa said readying her weapons.The Entorahk charged barreling over Xibre meeting Tanuka's shield head on as the Toa held her ground. Spear and staff tangled as the Toa pushed against the Rahkshi both in a deadlock holding fast.

*sigh* Yes Xemnas. That's why.RL has a nasty habit of surprises that require attention once spent here.He'll probably show back up when he's good and ready.

OOC: Let's not forget we're facing a Rahkshi here guys. The armor is actually a Kraata mutated by energized protodermis. There's no telling HOW strong it actually is so simply smashing it apart isn't going to work.That leaves only one weakness to exploit...IC: The Entorahk stood up before glancing at it's back where Xibre's sword pinged uselessly on it's armor. It cocked it's head as if to say "Really?" before casually swatting the Matoran off it. Hearing the roar of flame the Rahkshi reformed it's staff before deflecting the lunge upward. Not stopping there it proceeded to get it's staff under the Toa chest and easily flipped the female Toa of Fire sending her flying into JL.The Entorahk snorted before turning on Agarin and Tanuka. It's squared it's shoulders as if to say "Now let's try this again..."

Tanuka quickly scrambled back to her feet after having the Rahkshi knocked off her and shook herself shivering at the image of the Kraata.

The Rahkshi shook itself off and got back to it's feet. With a wave of it's staff Thama suddenly found herself being swarmed with small insects that bit at her.Xibre suddenly found himself surrounded by Glass Trappers while the Rahkshi turned its attention to Tanuka.The Toa flinched as the Rahkshi leaped at her pining her to the ground. The face plate split open as the Kraata hissed in Tanuka's face. Tanuka screamed."GET DOWN!" Simultaneously the Marines brought down Nen before tossing Kali in his lap before they surrounded him and shielded everyone as best they could from the exploding snow brought on by Wrath."WHAT IS WITH EVERYONE AND AREA BLASTING?!?!" Kalama snarled now thoroughly irate as he couldn't feel his left arm due to the extreme cold. The other Marines were experiencing similar problems due to the fact they were missing three of their number and couldn't protect everyone as well. Kali and Nen had been spared the worst as the frozen Marines decided it was best to withdraw from the hoard as best they could considering the number of injuries the Matoran were picking from from the careless elemental power usage.

"Bah. Lies and slander." She said airily dismissing the news. "They're with Kalama heading for Rock Frost. So what have you been up to lately? Visiting old memories and the like? What have they said to you?"

"That's a negative!" Kalama snapped. "There's too many Trappers and I've got wounded! Clear the Trappers first, THEN engage the Rahkshi! Yuni and Lei can distract it while we take out it's support! I've already got one casualty from one dangerous stunt, I'm not having another!"The Entorahk tripped up as Lei yanked on her chain sending the Rahkshi sprawling. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?!" Lei snapped elbowing another Trapper in the face before quickly bringing it down. "Nobody takes a Rahkshi alon-"To demonstrate her point the Rahkshi proceeded to turn on Lei and flew in her direction. The Matoran narrowly evaded the blow and subsequent biting insects swarming around it by diving into the snow before popping back up. "Airborne! It's airborne!" She called out.The Entorahk landed in front of Agarin and proceeded to smack at him with it's staff."Oi hate when it does tha'!" Yuni snarled as the two Marines proceeded to carve their way through the Trappers toward the Toa.

"OI! RAK'SHEE!"The creature born of Makuta glanced upward only to take Yuni's foot to it's head as the Marine barreled out of the sky at it. The Rahkshi bowed under Yuni's surprise attack stumbling backwards as the cook bounced off the armored Kraata drawing the meat cleaver from her left thigh."Ye' wan' o' pace o' meh ye filthy leezard?!!" She challenged.The Entorahk shook it's head before spotting Yuni and shrilled at her raising it's staff to bring down on her head.Lei's chain snaked out of nowhere and yanked the staff as the Rahkshi brought it down narrowly missing the Gunnery Sergent.Lei whistled sharply attracting the Entorahk as Yuni rolled left out of sight. Lei grinned at it waggling her fingers in a 'hello!' gestured.-------Hotu clubbed another Trapper out of the way. The Corporal was covered in blood and webbing but continued to press the spiders back toward Ara'kas snarling obscenities about their questionable parentage and sharing the same existence as Maha Dung piles.Juno silently aided her sister marine calmly continuing to carve her way into the fray.Nuraka was covering both the empty right flank and rear cackling madly as she turned Glass Trappers from insects to piles of half melted slag at an astonishing rate.Kali grunted as she managed to cut herself and Maya free spearing the Trapper that tried to root them in place. "Getting... kind'a hard... to keep control... GGggruenengugagn... of my body." She coughed."Just hang in there Major. We'll get this taken care off." Maya encouraged her. "Just keep us moving."

"Ye sa'd Endtoeraak?" Yuni said."Yeah! Entorahk!" Lei pointed out toward the Orange Rahkshi shape in the distance."Tha' exp'lans the Glass Trappa's. Roight! Bring uus dune on 'is 'ead! Wee'l take it frum t'ere!" Yuni said to Sisk.-------"Could use all the help we can get now!" Kalama said to the new arrival. "Not many arctic insects for an Entorahk to control but Glass Trappers are dangerous enough on their own for those that aren't careful!"

Lei looked over the large hoard. "This doesn't look right." She said curiously. "There shouldn't be that many... oh no."In the distance, Lei could just make out an orange figure."KALAMA! ENTORAHK!"-------"KALAMA!" The Matoran spared a glance upward at his name. Lei was gesturing wildly toward the west. "ENTORAHK! THERE'S AN ENTORAHK OUT THERE!""RAHKSHI! BE ALERT! WE GOT A RAHKSHI ON THE LOOSE!" He thundered. "Yuni! Get up there and help Lei keep it distracted!" Kalama signaled at Lei.-------Lei watched Kalama gesture back at her. Nodding she grabbed Sisk's shoulder. "Buzz the Marines." She said. "We're gonna pick up one to help fight the Rahkshi while the others clear out the Trappers!"

"Alrin!" Nala said brightly. "What a surprise meeting you here!" She laughed before turning to Kuyre."Hmmm... perhaps I don't know what I want. Or it could be I was here wanting someone to talk to and now I have two people which which to converse!" She clapped happily. "Wishes do come true! Isn't life wonderful?"She turned to Alrin. "Hello again Alrin! What brings out here to the desecrated temple?"

Hearing the assertions from the group around him the Marine Commander yelled at his XO. "Come on Kali! Get up!"Weakly the Matoran manage to sit up with major effort. "NnnnNNMMMata-Nui that stung!" She hissed twitching slightly as her nerves didn't quite obey what her brain was telling them.Maya was instantly at her side. "Come on Ma'am! We need to get you up!" She threw Kali's right arm over her shoulder and helped to pull the Marine upright. "How you feeling?""Like a thousand Kofo all bit me at once." Kali groaned."Can you still fight?""To the last breath!" She snarled before erupting in a coughing fit."Take it easy killer." Maya laughed. "I'll watch your right flank you watch my left.""Hotu on point!" Kalama barked. "Push 'em to the fireballs! PUSH!"With a colossal effort lead by Hotu, Juno and Yuni started hearding the Trappers toward Ara'kas. Maya supported Kali as they limped along behind the three Marine front with Kalama and Nuraka covering their rear.

The dark colored Matoran swung easily clearing the tree and catching the branch of another before swinging up to it."I don't know what you would do. I'm not you. I can't answer that. Only you can answer that." She struck a thoughtful pose. "IF I were you... I'd push forward. Life is never easy. It's not a short as some would like it and it's not as long as other would think ether. It's a wonderful changing mystery. Don't you think? Never knowing what comes next..." She dropped into the bushes below the tree before peeking out a round them."Around every corner, danger..."She retreated behind the bush before exploding from it sending leaves everywhere. "Excitement!"Then she became somber. "And yes, tragedy. Tragedy is inevitable. It will happen. There some truth however to an age old saying." She said now pacing back and forth in front of the Toa."What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger. Both physically and mentally. You've obviously overcome a lot of personal tragedy and there is more coming. But riddle me this... you've also found a lot to live for already if their deaths meant something to you. Does that mean that there is more to find if you've found it once?"

A scream echoed from inside the hoard as lighting blasted out of it."SON OF A SEARAG! MOVE IT MARINES!" Kalama barked stirring the Marines up into a vicious frenzy as they cut their way into the hoard at a speed that could only be out matched by the Ussalry.The Raider managed to clear their way into the hoard carving out a pocket.JL's lighting blast had hit everything including the Marine caught in the middle of the hoard which turned out to be Kali.She was on the ground spamming as electricity coursed through her body leaving her helpless and unable to move. Had the Raider not responded as quickly as they had, the Glass Trappers would have fallen on the paralyzed Matoran and torn her apart. For now they created a defensive pocket in the thick of the hoard defending the Helm Major until the affliction had run it's course and she could move again."ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR EVER LOVING MIND!?!!?" Kalama roared at the Toa of Electricity. "SMALL. LOCALIZED. CONCENTRATED. BURSTS! NONE OF THIS AREA BLASTING MAHA DUNG YOU'RE DOING! YOU'VE GOT MATORAN IN MELEE RANGE! WATCH FOR FRIENDLIES! Maya!""She'll be fine!" Maya called back spearing another Trapper. "Just need to hold out! GRRUMPH!" She swatted one to Hotu who used it to beat another one into pus."Watch your footing!" Juno called out. "It's starting to get slicker with all these fluids mixed in the snow!"-------Lei winced seeing Kali get fried in the blast area. "Ow! Glad that wasn't ME in there! Kali is not going to be happy when she wakes up." She looked over the other side. "Well! Tanuka seems to be doing well in there! MAKE 'EM BLEED TANUKA!"-------Not even twenty seconds into the fight and Tanuka had already forgotten how long she'd been at this. Right now it was the least of her worries. Block, thrust, retract, swat, kick, block, water blast, thrust, sling, roll left, swat, swat with spear, crush with downward kick, counter tackle, force to ground, gut, block, shove, jab, jab, kick off spear, block, area water burst.Tanuka's mind cycled through everything the Marines taught her. Keep moving, keep the tempo, don't slow down, meet them, defeat them, move on."Force them to dance to your music. Never give them a chance to counterattack." Kalama's words echoed.Why am I doing this? She asked herself. I'm not cut out for this... but then... I'm not here alone am I? Tanuka watched as the Marines rushed to Kali's aid."Courage never fights alone."Kali wasn't scared was she? She had to have known the Marines would come to her aid. Tanuka grabbed several with a jet of water and flung them into Nen's nearby earth pillars. They have each other and I have my friends.I don't need to be scared. She smile swatting aside another Trapper gutting the one behind it as her shield warbled with the hit. All this time I've truly been afraid of being caught alone. But I don't have to be...Not anymore....