The Tale of Toa Xarana

The Tale of Toa Xarana is story about Xarana's life as a Matoran, and how she became a Toa.

Epilogue
"Hurry up, Xarana!" Xarana struggled to climb up the muddy hill, and her friend Laila yelling at her wasn't helping much. "Coming!" She said aloud, hoping her friend had heard. Laila stood, waiting for Xarana, along with their friend Eria next to her. Xarana finaly managed to pull herself up the muddy ridge, and got to the top. "Well, that didn't take long." Laila said, giggling. Xarana slugged her in the shoulder playfuly. "Well, if you hadn't of shoved me down in the middle, I would've got up faster!" She exlaimed. Eria laughed. "Suuure." She said mockingly. Xarana scowled at her friends, and kept walking. "So where are you taking us, Laila?" Eria asked. "Well, I saw a huge building in ruins up a few miles." She said. Xarana got curious. "That's all?" She asked. Laila and Eria looked at her. "Just a building? We see those all the time." Xarana said. Laila grinned. "But this one... is special." She explaned. "How is that?" Xarana asked skepticaly. Laila frowned. "Just come on." She said. Eria giggled. "I just hope there's no more muddy hills, eh Xarana?"

"Here!" Laila said finaly. Xarana looked up and gasped. It was a ruined building. Eria stopped dead in her tracks. "Uh, are y-y-you sure we should go in there?" She asked nerviously. "Oh, stop being a coward, Eria." Laila said. "You with me, Xarana?" She asked. Xarana pretended not to hear. "What?" She asked. Laila frowned. "Are you going in with me, or join our cowardly friend?" Xarana thought. She wanted to know what was inside, yet didn't want to at the same time. "Sorry Eria." She said finaly. Laila grinned. "That's what Iike to hear." She said. She entered, but Xarana stood. She didn't know why, but she felt she didn't belong. Like none of them did.

Chapter 1
Laila entered the building first, oblivious to any kind of trap. Xarana took a few steps, but stopped. Eria walked up behind her. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked her troubled friend. "I'm not to sure. I want to know whats in there, yet I don't" Xarana explaned. "Coming?" Laila said from in the building. Xarana grinned. "Well, someone has to keep Laila out of trouble." she said.

Xarana entered, and saw Laila a few feet ahead. The building was in bad shape. Pillers layed smashed, parts of the floor was busted, and small rodent Rahi ran around the place. "There's nothing in here!" Xarana exlaimed. Laila frowned. "Well, this was a waste of time." She said to her friend. "You think!?" Xarana yelled. Laila sighed. "Well, let's go- wait. Look over there." She said, pointing. Xarana looked. A small trunk lay on the other side of the room. "You want THAT?" Xarana asked, looking at Laila. Laila smiled. "Of course." She said. She began walking, but stopped. Xarana looked at her. "Follow me." Laila said. "Why?" Xarana asked. "So you can share in some of the treasures that await us!" Laila exlaimed. "And if any crazy beings attack us, they'll get you before me." Laila said giggling. "Unless some sort of poisonous bugs crawl out, they'll bite you first, giving me a chance to escape." Xarana shot back laughing. Laila began to walk forward, Xarana behind her. They almost reached the trunk when they heard a crunch. Xarana pulled out her swords, and Laila pulled out her trident. Both were pitiful Matoran weapons, but their only means of self defence. They then relized the crunch came from below them. They both looked to see a crack in the floor. "Uh, Laila?" Xarana asked. "Y-yeah Xarana?" Laila replied. "I think we took the wrong step." Just as Xarana said that, the floor collapsed. Both Xarana and Laila went flying down a deep hole, screaming the whole way.

They fell for about two minutes, before hitting water. They resurfaced, and gasped for air. The walls were covered in lightstones, and it lit the icy water. "A-are you okay?" Xarana asked her friend. "Yeah" Laila replied. "So we're trapped in a hole miles below the surface." Xarana said. "How do we get out?" Laila thought about it. But nothing came up. "I-I don't know." She said. "So basicaly we're trapped dpwn here forever" Xarana asked nerviously. Laila looked down. "No..." Xarana began. But then she looked past Laila. "Look over there!" She said. Laila turned to see a rock platform up ahead. "Well, it's worth a try." She said. They began swimming over to it, and reached it. Xarana climbed up it first, then Laila. But when they did, they saw a doorway. "Odd." Xarana said, approaching it. "Who would put a door down here?" Walking up to it, Xarana pushed on the door with all her strength, but it didn't budge. "I-I could use some help here!" She said groaning. Laila ran over, and assissted Xarana in pushing the door. It finaly opened creakily, and they walked inside. Xarana gasped. Laila looked in total awe. There was eleven stone slabs in a circle, Kanohi mask on each one. In the center, a red stone. Xarana walked forward, up tp one of the slabs. Laila noticed something. "Xarana wait!" She said. Xarana turned. "I-I think this is a..... crypt." Laila said. Xarana's eyes went wide. "D-D-Do you think we're disrupting them?" Xarana asked. Laila only waled forward. "Look at this." Laila said, walking up the nearest slab. "Pilarus." She said aloud. Xarana suddenly remembered that name. "Remember those Legends Turaga Teraki told us?" Xarana asked Laila. "Yes. There was thirteen, one went bezerk, and killed all but one." Laila said. "Well, I think we found them." Xarana finished, but was paying attention to the stone on a pedastal. She walked up to it, followed by Laila. "Is this... what I think it is?" She asked. Laila only stared at it. "Shoud I... touch it?" Xarana looked to Laila. Laila looked back. "Only if both of us can." She said. Xarana agreed. Slowly, they both reached a finger out, going twards the stone. At the same time, they're fingers touched it. Instantly, they were hit with a bright beam of light. "L-Laila!" Xarana screamed. Laila was looking franticaly around her, but the beam got brighter. Groaning, Xarana was forced to her knees by the power of the stone. She couldn't see anything outside of the bright white light. Then everything went black.

Chapter 2
Xarana felt shaking on left shoulder. She groaned and rubbed her eyes. She turned to see a being she had never seen before,. She gasped and rolled over, away from the being. "Wh-Who are you?" Xarana sputtered. "Xarana, don't you reconize me?" The figure said. Xarana reconized the voice. "L-Laila?" She asked. The blue figue grinned. "The one and only." she said. Xarana was confused. "How?" She asked. But then remembered the stone. Xarana sat up. "Laila, am I the same?" She asked. "Look for yourself." Laila said, pointing to the lake. Xarana scrambled to the edge and gasped when she saw the reflection staring back at her. A Toa. She was a Toa. Xarana stood up. "So we're Toa." She said. "I know! Isn't it great?" Laila responded. Xarana smiled. "It is." She said, turning around. "Well, lets test drive our abilities." Xarana said. She turned to the lake and aised her hand. Instantly, a massive wave shot up, almost to the celing. Xarana stared in awe. "Whatever." Laila said, trying to act like she didn't care. "Now let the master work her magic." She said, walking past Xarana. Laila raised a finger. Only a little stream shot up. Xarana laughed. "Concentrate" Xarana said to her friend. Laila did, and a wave as big as Xarana's shot up. "Wow. This- This is incredible!" She said, stepping twards Xarana. Xarana's grin faded. "But how are we going to get out of here?" She asked. Laila pondered. "Raise our waves?" She suggested. Xarana grinned. "Lets do it." She said.

Xarana and Laila stood back-to-back. "Ready?" Xarana asked. "Of course." Laila assured. At the same time, they raised both arms, and a huge wave of water shot up, carrying both of them towards the opening. "Almost..." Xarana said. Then the wave gave out. "Noo!" Laila yelled. But Xarana grabbed a loose board, hoping it would stay. It did. Laila grabbed Xarana's foot and tryed to hold on. "Laila!" Xarana said. "Yeah?" She asked back. "If I swing, do you think you can make it up?" Xarana asked. Laila looked up. It was a wide jump. "Um, I-I'll try." She said. "Okay. Jump when I say it." Xarana said. She began swinging back and forth, and eventualy said the word. "Jump!' She screamed. Laila let go, and flew over to the other side. She looked down. It was about a 50-ft fall, and the wave had stirred some Alligator Rahi, who were watching her, hoping she'd drop so they can have their next meal. But Laila made it. She grabbed a board, and pulled herself up. She then walked over and helped Xarana up. "Thanks." She said to her friend. They were back at the building. "Eria!" Xarana whispered. No answer. "She problebly left." Laila said, shaking her head. "Her loss." Xarana said giggling. "Wait. Xarana, our weapons!" Laila said. Xarana looked to her swords. her simple Matoran swords had turned into long Katanas. "You too!" Xarana said, pointing. Laila looked down. Her trident now was a longer more powerful one. "This is incredible!" She said. They walked out. Laila slung her arm around Xarana's shoulder. "Well, those nasty Makuta better watch out for the sisters of water!" Laila announced. "Sisters of water?" Xarana asked. "Eh, I'll work on the name." Laila said.

They never saw the figure watching them. ''Any nasty Makuta? ''He thought. ''I'll show you, females. ''Then with a quick move, teleported away.

Chapter 3
Xarana and Laila quickly made it to the village setlement. But when they got there, the Matoran reacted differently then whet they thought. They ran and screamed for their lives. Xarana tried reasoning with them, but they refused to listen. "Um, Xarana?" Laila asked. "Yeah?" She responded. "Are they going to attack us?" She asked. "I don't know" Xarana said. Just then a group of Matoran, armed with Zamor Launchers. Xarana and Laila both raised their hands in the air. "You strangers have the right to remain scilent." A Ta-Matoran said.

The armed group took their weapons. They lead the two to the main housing of Turaga Teraki. When they arrived, the same Ta-Matoran opened the door, and lead them in. The almost ancient Turaga sat on a seat in the end of the room, behind the desk. Teraki gave a look of suspicion. "Who are you two?" Teraki asked in his old, raspy voice. Xarana stook step forward. "Turaga Teraki, it's us! Xarana and Laila!" She said. "Xarana and Laila?" Teraki said. "My best warrioirs? I doubt it." "He's not going to believe us." Laila whispered to Xarana. "I'll make him." Xarana responded. "But, but, it's us!" SHe said, pleading with the Turaga. "Fine." He said, getting up. "Prove it. Prove your Laila and Xarana." Xarana and Laila exchanged looks. "How can we?" Laila asked. "Step forward." He said, getting up. Xarana stepped forward first. "Kneel." He said. Xarana obeyed his orders, and kneeled before the Turaga. He took her hands and stared into her eyes. Xarana had no idea what he was doing, but she remembered the rumors of him being a pyhsic. He eventualy let go of her hands and called Laila over. He did the same, and when he was done, he finaly spoke. "You two, wait outside." The Matoran lead them outside, and sat them down. "What do you think he'll say?" Laila asked. "Hopefuly he'll believe us." Xarana said.

About an hour later, Teraki finaly came out. "Come in." He said, motioning them in. They walked in, but two armed Matoran followed them in. "You two, leave us." Teraki said, sitting down. They shrugged and walked out. "Now, you two." Xarana gulped. "I have a confession." He said. They exchanged glances again. "I am a Physic." He told. "And I know you two are who you say you are." he announced. Xarana and Laila grinned. "Bu, we have to talk." He said. Their grins dissappeared. "Since you are Toa, you have to protect us." He said. "The Brotherhood have split. A Makuta named Teridax lead a rebillion and overthrew Miserix." He said. Xarana looked down. Laila just stared. "They know I know about something important." Xarana looked up. "And?" SHe asked. "They want it. It could control this whole place." He said. "So I need you two to protect me." He said. "That should be easy." Laila said. "I sure hope so." Teraki said. "Anyone would get their hands on what I know." Laila grinned. "Well, me and Xarana can protect you!" She exlaimed. "Right sis?" She asked. Sis? Xarana thought. "She grinned. "Right sis." She said. Teraki grinned. "Exellent." he said. "I trust you two to help me." He said. "We will." Xarana assured.

After a few weeks, Xarana and Laila succeded in their mission. A few Makuta Attacked, but nobody got hurt, and the Makuta were stopped. "This is way to easy." Laila said one day. "And I thought Makuta were dangerous." Xarana said back. Just then, a Matoran guard tower exploded. They quickly turned to see Matoran running away, and in the gateway stood a massive being. He was clad in red and black armor. He had a spear mounted to his arm. The other had a chainsaw. He had sharp, spear-like claws. "Laila!" Xarana yelled through the screams on the Matoran. "Get to Teraki's housing!" She screamed. "I'll hold this one off." Laila wasn't sure. "B-But we're sisters!" She said. "Are you sure you want to do this alone?" SHe aske. Xarana nodded. "We have a job to do, Laila." She said. Laila nodded. "GO!" She yelled. Laila turned and ran towards Teraki's house. Xarana turned to face her attacker. The being began killing every Matoran around him. Xarana ran towards the being, Ready for combat.

Chapter 4
Xarana stared in total awe as the figue apporached. He was more powerful than she thought. And more fightening. As he walked towards her, Matoran were running everywhere. Mercelously, he hacked them up with his chainsaw. "Stop!" Xarana screamed. The figure looked dead into her eyes, pure hatred in them. A Le-Matoran ran by, and he used the chainsaw to slice off part of his head. Xarana stared in horror as the pieces split in two. She didn't know what persuaded her to run towards him. Fear? Hatred? Bravery? SHe didn't know. But as she was close, he swung the chainsaw, nearly missing her head. "Enough, female!" He said. He had a deep, booming voice. Xarana didn't listen. She swund her blades, and sliced the thick armor of the Makuta. He simply laugh, and backhanded her onto the ground. Recovering, she stood back up. She raised her blades again, this time striking him in the shoulder. It made a slight gash. He growled in anger. Xarana only backed up. But with a switf move, he delevered a blow right in her face. She staggered backwards, struggling to stay up. But she couldn't take it anymore. She collapsed.

Laila didn't stop running. She just kept running until she reached Teraki's housing compound. Teraki ran out, suprised as she was. "Whats happening out there?" He yelled over the paniced screams of the Matoran. "Get back inside!" Laila yelled. "Theres a Makuta attacking!" Teraki's eyes grew wider. "W-WHo?" He stammered. "No time." Laila panted. "Get back in." Teraki nodded and went back in the hut. Laila then managed to stand up, pulled out her trident, and waited. Come on Xarana, don't let us down. She thought.

Meanwhile, Xarana was struggling to stand. She maganed to get to her knees, but then saw the Makuta executing more Matoran. The huts were stained red with blood. Limbs layed scattered aroung the puddles. She groaned at the sights and looked away. But then she saw the being.... holding Eria by the arm. "L-L-Let me go!" She protested. The Makuta chuckled. "I don't think so." He said evily. Xarana managed to stand. "Please!" Xarana said. "Let her go!" The Makuta looked at her. "You know her?" He asked. Xarana nodded. He smiled disturbingly. Then raised the chainsaw, and drove it through Eria's stoumach. "NOO!" Xarana yelled. The blood sprayed out of the wound. Then he stopped the chainsaw, and promptly dropped the corpse. Xarana looked to her dead friend. Feeling tears coming to her eyes, she imediatly shut them, and charged the Makuta. However, this was short-lived. As soon as she was close, the Makuta grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her into a rock. She groaned slightly, dropped her swords, and looked to her attacker. "Do you know who your messing with?' He asked. Xarana didn't answer, due to risk of losing air. She was choking and gagging to start with, but what ever air she had in her lungs would do. "I am Makuta Veartax." He said. The counqurer of death!" Xarana remembered that name all to well. The brother that went insane. The brother that murdered the others. Xarana was running out of time and air. She started punching the hand clamped around her throat, but Veartax wouldn't budge. She started kicking and squirming, but he still kept a good grip. "Please......" she wheezed. Veartax grinned evily. "Since you asked so nicely..." He heaved her up, and slammed her head onto the ground. She landed in a puddle of blood, and rubbed her head. She opened her eyes to see Veartax walking away, causing more bloodshed. She got back up, and charged Veartax. SHe was scilent, and she knew he didn't hear her. But she slipped on a puddle of blood, eminating from a Ta-Matoran, and slid towards the Makuta. He turned, grabbed he wrist, and heaved her through a window. She landed hard on the floor, glass landing around her. She felt to weak to get up. She just gave up and layed down, hoping the glass wouldn't effect her. "I'm sorry Laila." She whispered.

Outside, Veartax was pleased. Not only was there a whole village to slaughter, but ut's defenders were girls. More pitiful Matoran were trying to escape, but he knew they couldn't hide. A Ko-Matroan ran in front of him, trying to get back to his hut. But Veartax promptly sliced the poor fool in half. The chainsaw was getting bloody faster than he expected. But, it was getting boring. He then reached for an Onu-Matoran that was trying to hide behind a piece of equiptment. He grabbed onto his head, and squeezed until it popped. The body went limp, and he dropped the headless body. But all fun things aside, he had a mission to accomplish.

Xarana could here the pained crys of the Matoran, only to be scilenced by the chainsaw. She couldn't let them down. She couldn't let Teraki down. Fighting against her muscles, she maganed to grab the broken window frame. She looked out. the entire ground was stained red and covered in corpses. She shut her eyes tightly at the sight, and forced herself out the door. She hated the feeling of walking through the puddles of blood, but she had to do it. She could see Veartax up ahead. But he was just standing there. She looked strangly at him. But then the image flickered away. She cursed. Hologram. She heard the sound of footsteps, and turned. Right as Veartax's fist came along. It struck her dead-on in the face. She flew back and hit the ground. She could feel blood running down the side of her mouth, but didn't get up. Veartax walked up to her, grinning. He picked her up by the arm and threw her again, this time hitting another giant rock. Face first into the boulder. She slid down, leaving a trail fo blood. Felling as though she got it, Veartax walked away, resuming his quest.

Laila stood guard outside Teraki's hut. She saw the Matoran running towards her. She felt the footsteps i the ground. He was coming. He was close. Then she saw him. Walking up the main road. He was cutting down any Matoran in his way. Laila took a deep breath, and held her trident up. Veartax approached her, and stopped. "Move. I don't wish to hurt you like I hurt your friend." He said. "If you hurt my sister, i'll..." Laila started, thinking if Xarana was okay. "You'll what?" Veartax asked. Laila took a step back. "I-I don't know she admitted. She raised her trident. "But I won't let you have this Turaga." She finished. Veartax shrugged. "Have it your way." He responed.

Xarana finaly managed to pull herself up. SHe couldn't tell if her whole face was covered in blood, but she didn't care. She used her elemental abilities, and washed her face off. Taking a deep breath, she continued on.

Laila stared into Veartax's eyes with anger. But she was afraid. Laila charged, but Veartax punched her in the face, and grabbed onto her wrists. Laila tried to pull free, but Veartax kept a good grip. She felt her wrists get warm. First luke warm. But then they were burning. She yelled for help, but the Matoran stayed in their hiding places, to scared to come out. Then She screamed in pain at the boiling hot sensation around her wrists. Veartax laughed evily. But then a sword flew through the air and struck Veartax in the neck. He let go of Laila and fell backwards into a hut. Xarana came running up. "Sis!" Laila screamed. "Laila!" Xarana sao back. Xarana saw her. SHe was battered and bloody. Laila looked to her wrists. They were charred black. She groaned. Xarana saw her wrists and gasped. See used her elemantal powers to make some water rise form a barrel, and ome to her hands. "I'm not sure if this will help, but it chould keep the burning down." She told her sister. She grabbed Laila wrists with the water. Instantly, Laila let out a sigh of releif. Xarana looked confused, and pulled her hands away. Laila's wrists were fine. Xarana stared at her hands with amazment. But then a shadow blast came and struck Laila, causing her to be blown away. Xarana looked to see Veartax emerging from the wreckage of the hut. "Move aside." He said. "I don't want to have to kill you." Xarana held her last sword up. "Bring it on." She said. Veartax growled. He charged her, but she met his blade with her own. But she let her guard down, and Veartax slashed a deep gash into her arm. SHe cringed at the stinging of the cold metal blade. But she had to press on. Xarana swung next, but was blocked. Veartax swung, and they got locked. Xarana used all her strength to force Veartax's blade back on his side, but instead, Veartax used his brute strength to elbow Xarana, causing her to slide on her back, and stopped right next to Laila, who was out cold. Xarana looked to her sister, but then looked at Veartax. He grinned, and made his way to the door. "NOOO!" Xarana yelled. She got up and ran to the door, but Veartax was quicker. He opened the door, and just as Xarana got there, shut and locked it. "NNOOO!" She said again, pounding on the door. Xarana heard Teraki's screams. But the then were scilenced by the chainsaw. She looked to the window. Blood splattered on it as the chainsaw was going. Xarana then began shoving the door, trying to get it open. The chainsaw stopped, and Xarana gave one last hard push. But as she was leaning to do so, the door opened up. She fell face first into a puddle of blood. "No." SHe said quietly. She saw the Turaga, or what was left of him, laying on the floor. Blood splattered the walls, the floor, and the ceiling. Xarana got to her knees. Laila walked in, rubbing her eyes. "Xarana?" She asked. But then gasped at the gruesome scene. Xarana turned her head towards her sister. "We failed." She said sadly. "We failed." Laila looked down. "I-I thought we were Toa." Xarana continued. She stood up. "But we're just a couple of failures!" She screamed, kicking a chair. "Xarana." Laila said softly. "Laila, just shut up. We failed Teraki, we failed the Matoran, and more importantly, we failed Mata Nui." She said. Laila walked closer. "Xarana we-" Xarana turned angrly towards her friend. "You don't care." She said. "All you care about is adventure and fun!" Laila looked down. "Exactly" Xarana said. Laila could here shaking in her sister's voice. "W-W-We're failures." She choked out. Laila looked up. "We failed. I admit that. But we're not deemed failures." Xarana looked at her. "We screwed up once." Laila went on. "But remember who we are. Remember who YOU are, Xarana." With that, Xarana threw herself towards Laila and hugged her, crying. "We're okay." Laila said, hugging her friend back. Just then a Po-Matoran walked in. "Um, Xarana? Laila?" He asked nerviously. The sisters stopped hugging and turned towards him. Xarana rubbed her eyes. "Theres someone here to see you two."

As they walked outside, they saw who he was talking about. A Toa of Water, wielding a shield and mace, stood in front of the Turaga's compound. "Xarana? Laila?" She asked. "Yes?" Laila answered. "I understand you've been attacked." She went on. "Yes." Xarana said, stepping around a puddle of blood to go up to the Toa. She looked up from talking to an axe-wielder. "Oh!" SHe said. "Where are my manners? I am Toa Helryx, first Toa of Water." She said. "Leader of the Order of Mata Nui." Xarana stared in total awe. "So what did the Makuta who attacked look like?" She asked Xarana. Xarana desribed, and Helryx stared at her. "Is this really what the Makuta looked like?" She asked. Xarana nodded. "This is Makuta Veartax." She said. "The most wanted Makuta in all the Order." She turned to her fellwo Toa. "You two survived?" She asked. Laila nodded. "Xarana, your arm." Laila said, pointing. Xarana looked. He arm had a gash in it and was bleeding. "Oh." She said, using her hand to stop the bleeding. She remembered Veartax had got her with the end of that spear he had. Helryx looked the two over. "You two could use some medical attention." SHe said. "Axonn, come over please." She said. The axe-Weilder approached. "Yes Helryx?" He asked. "Get these two to Odina. And get them patched up." She said. Axonn nodded. "But wait, what about the Matoran?" Xarana asked. "They will be moved to Metru Nui where they'll be safe. But you two could use some jobs, right?" She asked. "I-I guess." Laila answered. "Would you two like to join the Order of Mata Nui?" She asked. Xarana turned to Laila. "Want to sis?" She asked. Laila grinned for the first time in that day. "Only if you want to sister." She said. Xarana turned to Helryx. "I guess that's a yes." She said. Helyrx smiled. "Exelent!" She exlaimed. "Axonn, get these two patched up." She repeated. "And have Johmak train them." Axonn nodded. They all walked away.

Meanwhile, Veartax watched from the forest. ''One of these days, Xarana. ''He thought. One of these days.

Chapter 5 (Around the Voya Nui saga)
Xarana and Laila sat in the infirmerey section of the Order of Mata Nui fortress. Their woulds were being treated by a Vortixx doctor. "So you two really took on Veartax?" He asked them. "Yep." Xarana said. "Wasn't easy." Laila added in. The doctor rubbed some disinfectant on Xarana's gash in her arm. Xarana cringed at the stinging. The doctor looked up. "Aside from some scrapes and buises, you'll be fine." He said. Xarana grinned. "Thank you." She said. She got up and sat by her sister. Just then Helryx came in. "You two feeling better?" She asked. Xarana and Laila nodded. "Good." She said. "Time to begin training." She started to walk out. "Wait. What?" Xarana asked. Helryx turned around. "Time to begin training." She repeated. "But-but we just faced Veartax." Laila whined. Helryx was getting annoyed. "And you two lost." She said. Xarana looked down. Laila just stared st Helyrx with a sad look. Helryx lightened up. "Look, all I meant was that you two need to be trained." Xarana raised her head. "If you want to be in our organization and fight Makuta, you need to be trained." Xarana agreed. "Laila?" She asked. Laila looked down. Xarana knew her friend was stubborn, but she needed to agree. "Fine." Laila said coldly. Helryx left the room. They were both still sore from the fight, but they would survive. "NOW!" Helyrx's voice rang from the hallways. Grumbling, Laila got up, and then Xarana. They walked out the door, ready to be trained.

The training was long and grueling, but the results had paid off. They were trained by Johmak to shield their minds from mental attacks. Laila never really got a hold of it. "Can't we work on something else?" Laila whined. Johmak sighed, "Do you want to be a member of this order?" She asked. Laila looked dead in her eyes. "Well, I never knew it would require this much mental work." She grumbled. "Come on Laila." Xarana said. "Just concintrate. Laila sighed and tried again. Johmak slowly closed her eyes. "Good." She said. Xarana stared in amazment. Her sister was accualy succeding. Johmak opened her eyes. "Good, pupil Laila." She said. Laila opened her eyes. "Now when you two are ever under fire from Makuta, you can shield your minds from Makuta mental attacks." Xarana smiled. "Thank you Johmak." She said, she got up and walked out. "Yeah, thanks." Laila grumbled. She got up and hurried out the door. "What's with you, anyway?" Xarana asked. "Well, I just don't seem to fit in that kind of catagory." Laila explaned. "You point?" Xarana asked. "Well, i'm more of a warrior." She said. Xarana looked at her funny. "What I mean is that I'm just built for combat." Xarana smirked. "Oh, and I'm not?" She asked. Laila glanced at her. "Well, your kinda soft..." She explaned. "SOFT!?" Xarana cried. Everyone on the hallway looked at them. "I was the one taking hits from Veartax!" She exlaimed. "I was the one with the gash in my arm!" She yelled. Laila just stared at her. "I was the one who witnessed Teraki's murder!" SHe yelled. That made Laila stop sulking. "O-Oh. S-Sory." She stammered. Xarana looked down. "Apology accepted." She said.

Appearenyl Helryx had overheard they're conversation about Laila bragging she was meant to be a warrior. Helryx called Laila down to her chamber. When she returned, she looked sad. "Whats wrong?" Xarana asked. "Helryx said I'm leaving next week." She said to her sister. "What?" She asked. Laila looked at her. "Apperently theres issues with the Brotherhood in Xia. She wants me to go." With that, Xarana lept from her bunk and walked out the door. She arrived at Helryx's chamber and knocked on the door. "Come in." The voice replied. She walked in to see Helryx at her desk. "What is it Xarana?" She asked. Xarana walked up to the desk. "Why are you sending Laila to fight on Stelt?" She asked. Helryx sighed. "Xarana, take a seat." She said. Xarana sat in a chair. "I'm sending her to fight because she thinks she's the best warrior ever." Helryx explaned. "So this is teaching her." Xarana lept up. "SO teaching her means killing her!?" She cried. Helryx sat back in her chair. "I'm not having her killed." Helryx said. "I just want her to test her abilities in combat." She said. "Where ever my sister goes, I go." Xarana said. "I'm sorry." Helryx said. "Your not on this mission." Xarana's mouth gaped open. "B-But if i'm not there, she'll get herself killed!" She exlamed. Helryx sighed. "If that's what happens, that's what happens." Helryx explaned. With that, Xarana got up, and walked out, slamming the door.

So a week later, it was time for the mission. Laila stood in front of a boat. "I-I can't believe your leaving." Xarana said. Laila shrugged. "I didn't choose to do so." Xarana looked back. "Don't get yourself killed." SHe said. Laila grinned. "Have I ever almost gotten killed?" She asked. "Lets see..." Xarana started. Laila laughed, followed by Xarana. The bells on the Odina tower rung. Toa and others began piling into the boat. "Well, this is goodbye, sis." Laila said sadly. Xarana reached forward and hugged her sister. Laila returned the hug. Xarana felt like bawling, but managed to keep it in. "Well, see you around." Laila said. She climbed into the boat, and away they sailed. As the boat became a dot on the horizon, Helryx approached. "Xarana, about what I said last night-" Xarana cut her off. "Say no more." She said, then walked away. She was about halfway across the coastline when she saw something ahead. Something green. ''A person? ''She thought. She just stared. It didn't move.

Chapter 6
Xarana just hid behind the rock as she watched. The green figure didn't move. She felt like going over there, but then looked at her bandage. She remembers what could happen. But she couldn't be scared forever. She walked forward, slowly and cautiously, to the form in the sand. When she approached him, she kneeled down beside him. Carefuly, she reached her hand down to the being's forehead. WHen she made contact, the being's eyes opened. She gasped and fell backwards. As she did, the figure groaned and struggled to get up. Xarana got to her knees and tried to help him up. She helped him sit against a rock. He looked exaughsted. "Um, hi." Xarana said to him. He turned and looked at her. "Hi." He said back. Their eyes met, and they just stared at each other for a long time. He then looked away to the water. She was trying to figure out what to do now. SHe then reached for a canteen, which was loopeda round her waist. "Water?" She asked him. He looked at her and smiled. "Please." He said. He took the canteen and began to drink. As he did, she studies him. He had deep cuts and gashes all over. She wondered what ad happened. He stopped, and gave it back. "Thank you." he said. Xarana grinned. "Your welcome." she replied. He then struggled to stand up. Xarana helped him get up to his feet. "I-It's okay. I can take it from here." He said. She let go obediently, and he stood adn walked a bit. Xarana instantly had a million questions, but only chose one. "So who are you?" SHe asked. He turned and looked at her. "Tearox." He said. "Toa Tearox, Toa of acid."

Xarana found out it was fun to be around Tearox. He was very kind to her, and was a pretty humorous guy. She felt happy around him. But then he looked to her bandaged arm. "What happened?" he asked, motioning to her injury. She looked at it and took a deep breath. "It's a long story." She said. Tearox put his hand on her shoulder. "I've got time." He said. She gave a half-smile. SHe explaned the whole thing that happened. When she finished Tearox was amazed. "Veartax?' He asked. "You took on Veartax?" She nodded. "It... was horrible." She managed to say. Tearox got sullen. "I know a thing or two about Veartax." He said quietly. Xarana looked at him, but it appeared he was deep in thought. "Tearox?" She asked him. He snapped back into it. "Wha?" He asked. Xarana grabbed his arm. "Are you okay?" She asked. Tearox shook his head. "I'm fine." He said. "Just..... thinking about me past." Xarana looked into his eyes. "Would you like to tell me?" SHe asked. He sighed, but then they reached the OoMN Headquarters. "Well, I guess it's time for you to meet Helryx." Xarana said, rolling her eyes. Tearox looked confused. Xarana noticed this, and took his hand. "Just follow me. I'll explane everything." She said.

Helryx sat in her chamber, quiet as Xarana rambled on. "So, you found him on the beaches?" She asked. Xarana nodded. Helryx sat back. "Do you have fighting experience?" She asked him. "Yes, I do." He replied. Helryx nodded. "Do you want to join our organization? She asked. Xarana grabbed his arm. "Say yes." She whispered. Tearox smiled. "Yes, yes I would." He said. Xarana squealed with glee, causeing the attention of Tearox and Helryx. She just giggled nerviously. Helryx looked dead at Tearox. "We're at war here." She said. Tearox nodded. "I understand. Makuta want to prevail, but we won't let them." He said. "Correct." Helryx said. They then walked out together. "What was that?" He asked Xarana. "What?" Xarana asked, trying to hide her happiness. "You know, the squeal." Xarana looked around nerviously. "W-what are you talking about?" Xarana stammered nerviously. Tearox smiled. "Oh, don't try to hide it." He said. Xarana remained scilent. "But it's okay. I would've done that two, since I met the most beautiful Toa today." Xarana turned towards him. "What?" She asked. "Oh, nothing." Tearox said, walking away as Xarana stopped. Slowly following him, she blushed.

The next day, Tearox and Xarana got their first mission together. Appearently, two Makuta were causing trouble on Stelt. "You think you two can hadnle it?" Helryx asked. Tearox nodded. "We can handle anything." He said. Xarana smiled. "Count on us." Helryx nodded. "Dissmiss then." She ordered. They saluted her, and went on their way. But, the boat was the smallest thing they could ever see. "Well, theres a 99% chance we sink." Tearox joked.

..........................

When the got to Stelt, the palce was a mess. factories were destroyed, shipyards demolished, and Steltian laborers fleeing. "Keep your guard up." Tearox ordered. Xarana nodded and pulled out her swords. Tearox also had two longblades of his own. "Miekka?" Xarana asked. Tearox turned around. "You in it, too?" He asked. She nodded. Tearox heard her say something under her breath. It sounded like; 'We have so much in common.' But he couldn't tell. They stealthily sneaked around demolished ships, which were strewn all over the place. But then they heard laugning. Tearox gestured for her to halt. She did. Tearox turned the corner, and saw two Makuta. He reconized them Knockout and Breakdown. A part of Veartax's gang. Breakdown turned around. "Um, Knockout? See Toa." He said. Knockout looked. "Ah, Toa." He said. "I was waiting for some fun." He used his power over manipulation to move the boat. Tearox got his swords out, ready for combat. "Get ready, Xarana!" He yelled. No response. "Xarana?" he asked. He looked she had dissappeared, leaving him to face the two. Knockout only laughed. "I hope you told her how you felt, becasue you'll never see her again."

Chapter 7
Tearox gripped his swords. Xarana had dissappeared. Two Makuta are in front of him. Breakdown charged. Tearox jumped back, out of the way. Breakdown rammed his head into the wall. But it didn't seem to effect him much. Tearox fired his mortar cannon, causing the roof to collapse on the brutish Makuta. He turned to Knockout. He shielded his face with his arm. "No!" He screamed. "Not the paint!" Tearox shrugged, and walked towards the cowering Makuta. But then Breakdown ran out and tackled Tearox. They went rolling down a hill by the ship yards, but Tearox managed to shove Breakdown forward, and into a water tower. He grunted slightly. He then charged again, but missed. Tearox ran after him, firing his arm-mounted shotgun. It hit Breakdown in the foot. He stopped, and got his longsword out. His blow met Tearox's sword, and again. But they got locked. Breakdown used his strength to shove Tearox onto the ground, knocking his swords away. Breakdown stood over him, grinning evily. But then Tearox glanced up to see a blue figure hurtling from the sky. Xarana did a spinning kick, and kicked Breakdown right in the face. He uttered a yell in pain, and fell over. She stook her hand out, and Tearox grabbed it. She helped him up. "Where were you!?" Tearox yelled. Xarana grinned. "Hey, it took a while to climb that water tower." She simply replied. But she didn't see Knockout coming. Using his electric prod, he stabbed Xarana in the back, electrocuting her at the same time. She screamed at the intense shock. Then he deactivated it, and she fell over, unconcious. Tearox scowled. "Don't. Touch. her." He simply said. He charged and caught Knockout off guard. He punched the Makuta in the face. "Don't scratch the paint!" He snapped.Tearox frowned. "I'll do more than scratch it. He said. Knockout growled, and thrust the electocuter prod towards Tearox's head. He ducked, and grabbed it, shoving it into Knockout's stoumach. He groaned and let go. Tearox spun it around, and jabbed him in the neck. It electrocuted him. Not being able to take it, he teleported away, as did Breakdown. He stood up and took a deep breath. He walked over to Xarana, who was still knocked out. He hauled her over his shoulder, and left the area. He got into the boat, and sailed away. He sat Xarana next him, and waited for her to awaken.

Xarana shook her head, and rubbed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she saw Tearox looking over the railing. "Tearox?" She asked. Tearox turned around. "Hey, your up." He said. He sat down next to her. Close to her. "Are you okay?" Tearox asked, concerned. She rubbed the spot in her back were Knockout got her. "Just- just a little dizzy." She said, cradling her head in her hands. Tearox put his arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll be fine." He said. Xarana smiled. "I'm glad your concerned." She said. She looked away and frowned. "Becasue nobody else would." Tearox looked confused. "W-why wouldn't anyone?" He asked her She looked sad. "I don't know." She said. "Well, Laila would." She said, thinking about her sister's condition. Tearox looked into her eyes. "Don't be so sure." He said. "I care about you." He said. Xarana took advantage of that moment. "And thats all that matters." She said. Tearox knew what she meant. "Well, Xarana, I'm glad you say that." He said grinning.

The rest of the way there, they just talked with eachother. Xarana felt like she was really getting close to him. Their boat pulled to shore, and they got out. They walked side-by-side to the fortress. But Xarana gasped. On the ground, layed a body. It was a Toa of Air, horribly mangled and cut to pieces. Most of the internals were torn out and strewn everywhere. And everywhere was pools of blood. Xarana looked away, gagging. But she forced herself to take one more look. But when she did, she knew who did it. "Veartax...." She muttered under her breath. Helryx was standing at the head, shaking her head. When she saw Tearox and Xarana, she walked up to them. "Someone came in and killed one of our guards!" She yelled. "Tearox looked at the corpse, and back to Helryx. "How does this involve us?" He asked her. SHe held up a piece of paper with a dagger through it, and the end was dripping blood. Tearox took the note. Xarana also looked at it. "This is only the begining." Tearox read. "Each day, more and more will die. Unless you turn over Tearox." He couldn't be bothered to read the rest of it. He looked to the body. "So.... this was becase of me?" Tearox asked nerviously. "I believe it is." Helryx said, shaking her head. Xarana had it. "Look, this is isn't HIS fault!" She yelled at Helyrx. She simply frowned at the rambling Toa of Water. "You can't blame him for something that doesn't even involve him!" SHe yelled. Helryx took the note. "It says Tearox!" She said. Tearox remained scilent. Xarana crossed her arms. "But we wern't even here!" She protested. Helryx scowled. "If you blame Tearox, then that just proves what a lousy leader you are." She said. "XARANA!" Tearox yelled. "Watch your mouth, Toa." Helryx said angrily. "Or I won't be aftraid to make you." She raised her mace. Xarana reached for her swords. "Bring it." She said. Tearox grabbed her by the hand and lead her away, before any more trouble could be caused. "What is wrong with you?" Tearox asked angrily. She looked at him. "ME!?" She cried. "What's wrong with you!?" She yelled. "Are you really going to take that?" She asked him. Tearox grabbed her by the shoulders. "Get this through your head." Tearox said. "Whoever killed that Toa was looking for ME. That means I'm involved." He explaned. He let go of Xarana. The walked back to their quarters. Tearox sat on his bunk. "Maybe I should just leave." He said. Xarana leaped towards his bunk. "No!" She screamed. "Don't go Tearox!" She yelled. She felt like bursting into tears, but she forced them back. Tearox looked down. "The longer I stay here, the more Toa die." Tearox said. Xarana tried to get him to change his mind. "W-we could double security!" She said franticaly. Tearox looked at her. "You really don't want me to go, do you?" He asked. Xarana looked back. "Of course I don't." She said. Tearox looked at her. "Fine." He said. I'll stay. Xarana smiled. She reached over and hugged him. "Thank you." She said.

But the next day, things got worse. As soon as Tearox and Xarana emerged from their bunks, they saw a crowd outside the main building. They pushed through the crowd, and saw what everyone was talking about. Xarana gagged. A Toa of Psionics layed on the ground. But her lower half was missing. The internals were pulled out. In her chest, a dagger with a note on it. Tearox took it. It said the said the same thing as the first one. Helryx looked at Tearox funny, but didn't talk to him. Xarana was forced to turn away. But she walked away. Tearox followed her. They turned behind a wall. "You see what I mean?" Tearox said. Xarana looked down. "The longer I stay, the more Toa die." He continued on. "That's why I have to leave." Xarana looked at him. "No, please don't go!" She said. Tearox looked at her. "Don't you get it?" He said. She just looked at him. "Get this through your thick skull." Tearox said aggressivly. "If I stay here, more die! Why don't you get it?" Xarana looked hurt. Her lower lip quivered. She turned away. Tearox exhaled. "Xarana, I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't mean what I said." She turned back around. She was really hurt. Tearox kept trying to aplologize, but she didn't seem to listen. It seemed nothing could make it right. He just reached forward and hugged her. She didn't do anything at first, but then she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry, too." She managed to say. He let her go. "Well, I'll give it another chance." She looked happy. "R-really?" She asked. He looked at her. "Really." She smiled. He returned it. Then they walked tot he main fortress.

But the next day, it didn't get better. A Toa of Iron. He lay in two pieces. Sliced in half. He looked like he had been strangled with his own intestines. Xarana stared in horror. Tearox did as well. His face was covered in his own guts, and blood was everywhere. His heart was on his chest, a dagger with a note through it. Helryx was nowhere in sight. Tearox turned and walked away. Xarana followed. "I'm not leaving." He said. "Even after what happened?" Xarana asked. "Yes." Tearox said. Xarana was left standing there, and Tearox walked away. He wasn't seen all day. Xarana returned to the bunk, but he wasn't there. She just went to sleep. When she woke up, her still wasn't there. She saw a note laying on the desk beside the bed. She picked it up and read it. It read:

"Dear Xarana,

I'm sorry to have to say this, but with the recent events, I have no choice but to leave. With this, I hope things get better. I'm sorry to break your heart like this, but I have to do it. To help protect more Toa, and to keep you safe. You couldn've easily been the next one. And Xarana, even with everything that happened, I still care greatly for you. No matter what happens, I will always care about you. You were the best thing that ever happened to me.

-Tearox."

Xarana dropepd the note and ran out the door, tears streaming down her face.

Chapter 8
Xarana ran through the hallways, asking everyone she saw if they saw Tearox. None of them did, but she didn't give up. She then thought. ''Helryx. ''She thought. Xarana ran to Helryx's chamber. SHe was sitting in her chair, doing some kind of paper work. "Where is he?" Xarana asked. No response. "Where. Is. He?" Xarana asked again. "He's gone." Helryx said without looking up. "He said he didn't want to endanger anymore lives." She continues. Xarana was speechless. "B-but he said he wasn't leaving." She sputtered. Helryx looked up. "He lied to you." She said. Xarana looked down. "H-H-He wouldn't." She said. Helryx shrugged. "Believe what you want." She said. Xarana was about to storm out, but Helryx stopped her. "Xarana, please." Helryx said. "I'm sorry. He just didn't want anyone else getting hurt." Xarana understood and shook her head. "Here." Helryx said. She handed Xarana a package. She opened it to see two powerful looking pistols. "Wow..." She said. Helryx grinned. "Concider it a gift." She said. Xarana smiled, and walked out..

Xarana sat on the beach, being bathed in the afternoon sunlight. She hugged her knees to her chest as she watched the tide go in and out. Despite her wonderful gift, she felt like crying, but she couldn't. She may of felt sad, but she wasn't about to express it. She was well known as being fearless, and very strong. But if her teammates saw her crying... She just sat there, watching the tides. "What happened to you?" The voice behind her came. Xarana turned. Then gasped. "Laila!" She cried. Laila grinned. "Hows my favorite sister doing?" She asked. Xarana stood up. Xarana shrugged. "Fine I guess." Laila's grinned faded. "What's wrong?" She asked. "Nothing." Xarana said coldly. "So what happened?" She asked. Laila grinned again. "Well, we caught those Makuta off guard, and sent their rears back to Destral!" She exlaimed. Xarana smiled. "Good" She said. They exchanged hugs, and walked back to the fortress. But then they saw dots in the sky. "Laila, look." Xarana said, pointing, Laila looked. "W-what are those?" She asked. Xarana squinted to see better. Then she gasped. "MAKUTA!" She screamed. Other Order members looked, and began scrambling to thier positions. Xarana got her swords out. "Get ready for Karzahni." She muttered. Laila got her trident out. Then the Makuta got more detailed. An Order cannon went off, and struck a Makuta clad in Blue and black armor. He fell, but regained his flight. All members fired any projectiles they had. The Makuta also fired. It became a massive fire fight. Xarana and Laila tried to get cover, but shots bounced everywhere. One almost hit Xarana in the shoulder. "We got to get out of here!" Laila screamed. Xarana shook her head. "We can't. We have a post to defend." But before she could do anything, she was struck with a projectile. She yelled on the impact, and hit the ground. Laila stared down at her. "Get up!" She yelled. "I-I can't!" Xarana said. "I can't control my muscels!" She said. Laila kneeled by her friend, but was blasted away. Xarana struggled to look, but couldn't. Just then she was picked up. She expected one of her allies, but it was a Makuta. He was in yellow and black armor. "Ah." He said. "The first kill of Makuta Clorosc!" Xarana struggled to move, but he dug his claws into her shoulders. SHe groaned in pain. "Oh, does that hurt?" Clorosc asked. Xarana didn't respond. "He dug his claws further, making sure it cut. She whimpered as the claws sunk deeper. "But enough play." He said. He picked her up, and shot into the sky. Xarana didn't know what to expect. He went up to the highest point in the sky above the fortress. Laila stood, staring in disbeleif. Clorosc held her high above his head. "Now what shall we do with you?" He asked. "When I regain my control, your going down." Xarana threatened. Clorosc laughed. "Shall we drop you here and let you hit the concrete?" He asked. "Or shall we drop you on one of those spires?" He said, reffering to the razor-sharp spires on the top of the towers." He chuckled when he could feel her trembling. "SO you fear me." He said. "Veartax told me you get scared, but me?" he laughed. "Y-your Veartax's henchman?" She asked. Clorosc snarled. "No, I am no ones henchman." He said. "Oh, and it'll wear off in about 5 minutes." He said. Xarana thought. I only need 5 minutes. She thought. "So, your not Veartax's servent?" Xarana asked. "No! Of course not!" He yelled. "You sure?" She asked him. "I'm no ones minion!" He screamed. She could feel her strength returning. Clorosc then raised his head. "I know what your doing." He said. "Trying to stall." He smiled. "Good one." A minute was left. She could feel her muscels working again. "But you shall not stall me!" CLorosc exclaimed. ''30 seconds. ''She thought. "Your inferior! Your weak!" He screamed. 10, 9, 8, 7. "But you shall die!" 3,2,1! She raised her arms, and punched Clorosc in the eye. "YYYYEEEEEAAAAGGG!" He screamed. He began reeling around, flying eradicaly. When he was close enough to the ground, Xarana jumped. She landed perfectly. Laila ran up to her. "Are you okay?" SHe asked. Xarana looked to her shoulders. Blood spurted out. "No." She said. "But I'll survive."

Just then some came up behind her and grabbed her by the ponytail. She yelled at the pain. "Sis!" Laila screamed, but she was aprehended by two Makuta named Fearwing and Swindle. Xarana flailed about, trying to get the mysterious attacker to let go. "Hello Xarana." He said. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew that voice. Slowly, she turned into the grinning face of Makuta Veatax. Her heart thumped in her chest. "I see we meet again." He said. "But this time I will win." Xarana managed to speak. "No. No you won't. I won't let you." She said. He yanked his hand up, casuing her more pain. "Oh, I'll bet." He said. "But. I'll spare you if you answer one question." He said. Xarana looked at him. "Just bring Tearox and you get to live." Xarana didn't know what to say. "He's not here. He left." She said. "Who's Tearox?" Laila asked. "Aw, shut it!" Swindle backed, punching her in the face. Xarana turned away from her friend's pain for a moment. "Oh, I thought we could settle this..... in a non-barbarian matter." He said. Two more Makuta approached. They were Pummel and Uppercutt. He threw her to the ground, and the other two grabbed her by the arms. Veartax raised his left arm up, and turned on his chainsaw. Xarana squirmed and strained, but the Makuta were to strong. "I-I swaer it's the truth!" She screamed. Veartax placed the murder weapon in front of her stoumch. "Last chance." Veartax said. "I don't know!" She said. "He left earlier!" Veartax shrugged. "You asked for it." He replied. He raised his arm. "N-no!" Xarana screamed. "I-I-I don't know! H-He left!" She screamed. Veartax grinned. Then with a sudden move, chainsaw running, swung and slashed her in the stoumach. She instantly let out a long wail in pain. Blood came spurting out the massive wound. She started crying with the pain. "XARANA!!!" Laila screamed. Veartax laughed. "Well, you shouldv'e told the truth." He said. They dropped her, and let her roll on the ground, screaming and crying. "Meh. Releace the other one." Veartax said. Fearwing and Swindle let go of Laila. She ran over to where Xarana layed, still squirting blood. Then Veartax, Uppercutt, and Pummel left. Laila looked over the wound. It was extremely bloody, and Laila could even see some of Xarana's insides throught the wound. But despite loosing about a quart of blood, she still remainded alive, still screaming and crying with pain. Laila desperatly thought about what to do. She used her powers to make water come over the wound. But that just made Xarana scream even more. "I-I'm sorry!" She screamed. Xarana couldn't speak, due to her crying. All Laila could do was put some more water over it, hoping she had some on Xarana's healing abilities. All it did was make her get in even more pain. Laila knew the doctors could help her and possiple save her. But the medical wing was on the other side of the fortress. Laila comforted her friend, and she had tears rolling down her face. Xarana was still screaming, and the wound kept bleeding. But she managed to speak. "L-Laila." She said. Laila held her close. "What?' Laila said softly. "J-just know." She screamed again, because Laila accidently bumped into her wound. "Y-you are the best sister anyone could have." She sputtered out, blood running down her mouth. "Your not saying..." Laila started. Xarana looked sad. "You-your the best sister anyone could have." She said. Just then, Xarana's head and hand dropped. "No..." Laila said.

She put her hand on Xarana's chest. Her heart was still beating, but not for long. Laila picked up her sister and ran. All the way through the battlefield. Dodging dead corpses of Order members, Laila ran. Runing over instesines, hearts, and other insides with a disgusting squishing noise. Xarana was leaving a trail of blood as she ran. But as she was approaching the medical wing, a Makuta was standing in the way. Swindle. Laila stopped dead in her tracks. Swindle grinned. "Now both of you shall die!" Just then a gun emerged from his chest. Laila didn't know what to do. Xarana raised her head. "L-L-Let me." She managed to sputter out. SHe weakly reached for one of her new pistols. She got it, and fortunaly drew before Swindle. The bullet struck him in the head. He screamed and dropped, dead. Xarana weakly set her arm down. Laila continued on. When they reached the main floor, the Vortixx doctor was still there. He looked in her direction. His eyes went wide. "W-W-what happened?" He asked. Laila rushed her over to a bed and layed her down. the dorctor hooked her up to a machine, adn her heart was still beating. He carefuly covered her deep wound with a cloth rag. Then the doctor removed it, and began sewing her back up. Laila took Xarana's hand as the surgery commenced. Though she was unconcious, Xarana squeezed Laila's hand in pain. Laila looked down, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She opened her eyes, and looked at Xarana. She looked weak.

Chapter 9 (Around the Mahri Nui saga.)
Xarana moaned and opened her eyes. She was in the Medical wing of the Order's fortress. She struggled to think. Her stoumach hurt greatly, but not very much. Beside her was Laila, head down. Xarana put her hand on her friend's shoulder. When her hand made contact, Laila awoke. "Xarana!" She cried. Xarana smiled weakly. "How are you doing?" She asked. Laila smiled back. "Great. Now." Just then the doctor came in. The same Votrixx. "How do you feel?" He asked her. Xarana shrugged. "I could be better." She said. He chuckled. "Really, how do you feel?" Xarana took a deep breath. "Well, I'm hurting in the stoumach area." She said. The doctor nodded. "Natural." He said. Xarana turned to Laila, who was looking at the doctor. "How long was I out?" She asked. Laila turned towards her sister. "About a week." She said. "But you have made a full recovery." the voice answered. They all turned to see Helyrx in the doorway. Xarana put her head back down on the pillow. She walked further in, up to the bed. She held both arms out. "Here's your swords." She said. She set them next to her on the bed. "Thanks." Xarana said. She looked at Helryx. "So can I go back into the field?" She asked. Helryx looked at her funny. "You really want to go back out there after all this?" She asked. Xarana nodded. "I must serve." She said. Helryx looked at the doctor. "Is she able to go out there again?" The doctor looked down at the injured Toa of water. "Well, yes. She made a full recoery. But I think she should stay out of it. She might get....different feelings." He said. Xarana sat up. "What do you mean?" She asked. The Vortixx looked at her. "Well, it's a mental thing." He said. "When you're out there, you might get traumatic memories that might get you killed." He said. Xarana crossed her arms. "I don't care." She said. "I want to leave." The doctor looked up. "If you want to, then okay." He said. Xarana pulled back the blankets that covered her up. She looked to her stoumach. It had a slight mark on it, but it looked okay. She then stood up, but almost collapsed if not for Laila's fast reaction. She then stood up un her own, and proceded to walk out the door. "Where are you going?" Laila asked. She stopped walking. She turned around. "To find Tearox." She said.

Xarana took a boat to the island of Xia. She arrived on an untouched part of the island. When she got off the boat, she saw in instant obstical. A huge rock cliff. She groaned at the sight, but had to press on. She grabbed the rockside, and began climbing. She reached the top within 10 minutes, and stood on the edge, looking at the coastline. Just then, she heard a voice. "Uh, Hi' It said. She turned around to see a Toa of ice, and a Po-Matoran. "Um, hello." She said. "So what are you doing out here?" The Toa asked. "I'm just looking for someone." Xarana answered. "So whats your name?" The Matoran asked. She took a step forward. "My name is Xarana. Toa Xarana." She said. "I am Toa Desead, Toa of ice." He said. "And this is Sedlar, my friend." Sedlar grinned. "Nice to meet you." He said. Xarana smiled. "You too." But then she got serious. "So, have you too seen someone in green?" She asked. Desead shook his head. "Nope. Have you Sedlar?" The Po-Matoran shook his head. "Sorry." Desead said. Just then a thunderous footstep was heard. Desead pulled out a longsword, and Xarana pulled out her swords. "You walk to thw south." Desead said to Xarana. She obeyed, and walked to the south. Jus then she heard a scream. She turned and ran back to the Toa and Matoran. Only the Matoran wasn't there. Desead was looking up. Xarana did as well. Then she felt like hurling. Sedlar was in the tree, but was shoved through a branch, heart on the end. A stream of blood dripping to the ground. Desead turned to Xarana. "Get out of here!" He screamed. Xarana took a step back. Just then a massive shadow appeared behind Desead. "Desead!" Xarana yelled. "Whu?" Desead yelled. Just then, two hands were wrapped around his head. He yelled with suprise. Xarana ran forward, but Desead waved his hand. "Xarana!" He said. "RUN!!" Just then, with a sickening crunch, the figure snapped his neck. The corpse of Desead dropped to the ground. Xarana stared in total horror at the figure. Then he emerged from the shadows. A Makuta. He was clad in green and black armor. he carried a very long spear, and wore a Kanohi Taiku. Xarana raised her swords, ready for combat.

The Makuta raised his spear, and thrust it forward, neary missing Xarana's throat. She used her strength to break it. The Makuta looked to the stick and growled. "Who dares challenge Makuta Annodox!" He roared. "Me." She said. "Toa Xarana." He looked suprised. "Xarana huh? Makuta Veartax is looking for you." Annodox said, chuckling. "Tell him I'm not going." She said boldly. He laughed evily. "But I don't intend on bringing you to him." Then he charged. Xarana managed to get out of the way. But there she made her mistake. She turned around, only to see the broken spear stick. It whacked her arcoss the face. She yelled on the impact. She fell over, too weak to get up. Annodox turned around, and walked up to Xarana, who was starting to get up. He charged her again, and Xarana gave a spinning kick, and hit him in the face. but he managed to hit her with the stick again, in the face. She yelled with pain. He got up. He then started beating her with it. Weak, injured, and bleeding, she just layed there. Annodox used his foot to spin her over, onto her back. He walked over to the broken tip, which still had some pole on it. He threw the stick end off to the side. He walked up to Xarana, who was breathing hard. He put a foot oh her stoumch, on her stitches. She screamed as his heavy foot hit her wound. He laughed. "Does it hurt?" he yelled. Xarana moaned. "Good." He said. He raised the end high above his head. Xarana shut her eyes tighly, and turned her head away so she doesn't have to see it coming. She then felt blood splatter on her face. But didn't feel any pain. She opened her eyes, and looked at Annodox. He had a suprised look on his face. She looked a little lower, and saw a sword through his chest, the source of the blood on her face. Annodox roared one last time, and fell over dead. Behind his was a Toa. He was clad in yellow and red armor. He walked over to the Makuta's corpse, and pulled his sword out. Then he walked over to Xarana, and held out his hand. She took it, and he helped her up. He noticed she was bleeding from the face, chest, and arms. But he also saw a small dripping of blood coming from her stoumach. "You poor thing." He said, putting his hand on her forehead. Xarana looked sad, and he noticed. "I'm guessing you've been through alot recently?" He asked. Xarana shook her head. He nodded. "Do you have a boat?" He asked. "Y-yeah. It's right over there, she said, pointing over the ridge. "I'll help you there. He picked her up, and jumped from rock to rock, all the way down. He sat her in her boat. "Do you want me to come with you?" He asked. Xarana nodded. "Yes please." He climbed into the boat with her, and drove it out to sea. "So who are you?" Xarana managed to say, trying to stop her stoumach wound from bleeding. "Tahon." He said.

Chapter 10
The boat ride back was quiet. Tahon drove it, while Xarana sat in the back, cradling her wounded stoumach. She would occasionally glance up at the Toa, but he didn't turn around. "Hey." Xarana said. Tahon stopped the boat and looked at her. "Yes?" He asked. Xarana yawned. "That fight left me kinda tired, do you mind in I rest my eyes?" She asked. Tahon shook his head. "Not at all." He said. "But arn't you concerned about your bleeding wounds?" Xarana looked at her stoumach, which had stopped the bloodstream. "I'll survive." She said. She laid down, and curled up into a ball to sleep. Tahon turned around and started the boat back up. Once in a while, he'd look back at her, to make sure she was doing okay. She was, but fast asleep. He grinned at the sight of a tormented Toa at peace.

About an hour later, Xarana awoke. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Are we there yet?" She asked. Tahon nodded. "We're apporaching the island now. She stood up and walked to the bow. She looked out to see the island of Daxia. "Wait." She said. "How do you know where I'm going?" She asked. "Your a member of the Order, right?" He asked. "Y-yeah." She said. Tahon smiled. "As am I." Xarana returned the smile. They pulled up, and jumped off. She walked with Tahon back to the fortress. She felt... safe around him. Just then Laila ran up. "Xarana!" She exlamed. "Hi, Laila." Xarana said, walking over to her friend. Laila noticed the dried blood around her origional wound. her grin faded. "What happened?!" She said, concerned. Xarana shook her head. "Just a little scuffle." She said. Laila noticed the wounds on her face, chest, and arms. "Oh, Xarana!" She exlamed. She took her sister by the hand and lead her to the infirmery. "It's not that big of a deal." Xarana said, but Laila ignored her.

The approached the hospital ward, and entered, Tahon behind them. The doctor stood by a bed. "Xarana, what happened?" He asked. "Nothing to big." Laila seems to be overeacting to it." Laila turned to her friend. "You need to be more careful!" She said. "Why?" Xarana asked. Laila glanced nerviously at the doctor. He exhaled and bowed his head down, and walked away. "Why are you so worried?" Xarana asked. Laila didn't respond. "Why?" She asked again. No response. "Why" She said, more sternly. "BECAUSE YOU DIED!" Laila screamed. "Wh-WHat?" Xarana asked, suprised. Laila had tears running down her face. "You-you-you died during the surgery." Laila said, sobbing. Xarana looked around the room, feeling dizzy. Tahon was scilent. "I-I-it was all my fault." Laila said. "If I was quicker, I would've got you back before you died of blood loss." Xarana turned to her crying friend. "Am-am-am I still alive?" She asked her sister. Laila nodded. "They managed to revive you, but I couldn't believe you died." She said, still sobbing. "It's all my fault." Xarana got up from the bed and hugged her distressed sister. "It's not your fault." She said, trying to comfort her. "Yes it is!" She screamed. "No. It's not your fault." She repeated. "If I wasn't so foolish and ran, I wouldn't of got a chainsaw in my stoumahc." Laila continued crying, burying her face in Xarana's shoulder. "It's fine." She said. "Everythings fine." She repeated to calm her sister down. But she wasn't so sure herself.

A couple days later, Helryx called Xarana and Tahon to her chamber. They entered. "I'm sorry you had to find out, Xarana." She said sympotheticaly. "It's fine." She said. But she still felt strange. "Anyway, an Order strike team is on there way to Destral." She explaned. "But they're out of radio contact now. So I want you two to get there location and bring it back." Xarana grinned for the first time in two days. "Thats it?" She asked. "Pretty much." Helryx said. Tahon shook his head. "We'll do it." He said.

Xarana and Tahon walked out the door, and on their quest. She thought it would be easy, but it turned out to be one of the worst days of her life.

Chapter 11
Tahon walked with Xarana. They made it to Destral in a few days after Helryx assighned them to it. Xarana looked around, cautious of everything. "Are you still thinking about what Laila told you?" Tahon asked. Xarana looked down. "I-I still can't believe it." She said. "I was dead. Dead. Not breathing, not moving DEAD." She said. Tahon looked at her. "I'm sorry that happened to you." He said. "I'm just glad you're still alive." He said. She looked at him and smiled. "Thanks." The sun was going down. "We'd better make camp." Tahon said. Just as they were entering a clearing, Xarana stopped him. "What?" Tahon asked. Then Xarana moved forward, and kissed Tahon. It lasted a long while, and she finaly let go with a smile. She walked forward, found a soft patch of grass, and laid down. "Good night." She said. Tahon just stayed in the same spot, staring at her until he felt sleepy.

The next morning, Xarana trusted herself with Tahon even further. As the walked along the woods, she held Tahon's hand. Tahon seemed to go through with it, and walked closely to her. After a few hours of walking, they met up with the strike team. The Toa of the team watched them as they walked into their camp. Then the team's leader, a Toa of The Green. "You must be here to tell Helryx of our location." He said. Xarana nodded. "SO where is this exactly?" She asked. "On the southern river. On the south side of the Brotherhood's fortress." He said. Xarana nodded. "Resede, are you giving information to Makuta again?" The voice asked. They all turned to see a Toa of lightning, covered in scratches. "Fall into a Bula berry bush again, Kiah?" Resede asked. Kiah frowned. "When DON'T I fall into those things?" She asked him. Resede laughed. "True, true." He said. Kaih playfully punched him in the shoulder. "So, we'll just take this to Helryx." Tahon said. Resed nodded. "Be safe!" He said. They walked out, and in their campsite from the night before, Rahkshi. They turned and saw them, and charged.

Tahon and Xarana walked side-by-side. Tahon was nursing a wound in his left arm. "I guess your aim could use some improvement." He said playfully. "As can your sense of direction. She shot back with a grin. "Sure we defeated that first group of Rahkshi, but if you hadn't of lead us into that backup platoon of Rahkshi, I maybe wouldn't of missed that Lehrahk attacking you." She said with a chuckle. Eventualy they came to a fork in the road. "You take the left, and i'll take the right?" She asked. Tahon smirked. "I'll beat you there." He challenged. "Wanna bet?" Xarana said playfully. But then Tahon got serious. "Be careful." He warned. "Anyone will try to get this information." She flashed him a warm smile. "I will." She said. Tahon returned the smile. "Just don't get hurt." She smiled, and kissed him. She pulled away. "I'll be careful." She said. Tahon went his way, and Xarana went her way.

A few miles down, Xarana felt uneasy. She felt someone was following her. She turned around. Mothing but her own tracks in the sand. She quieted her breathing down and listened. Nothing but the distant sound of a rattlesnake and her own uneasy breathing. She checked a second time. Nothing. She turned back around and kept walking. But she heard the footsteps again. Closer. She stopped and held her breath. She put her hands to her Aqua Katanas. But then a hand brabbed her wrist. She gasped in suprise. Before she could fight back, the attacker threw sand into her eyes. She screamed in pain, and felt a blow to her left temple. She reeled, fell to her knees, and everything went black.

When Xarana awoke, she was suspended in air. She looked up. Electrical chains. Popular to the Brotherhood of Makuta. Any move could result in a powerful electrical shock. She gazed at the room. Not much light, and the only light came from a small window. She moved her eyes to the right, where she saw a pile of Kanohi masks. But what made her scared was the mask on top. A Kanohi Kaukau. Her mask. With a huge hole in the top. She moved her eyes to the right. A huge machine with a screen. And a two doors were on the opposite wall. She despreatly tried not to move. But she was feeling dizzy. She felt like she was in a room that was spinning. She was getting scared. She desperatly tried not to move a muscel. But then she accidently lowered her head. A massive bolt of electricity jolted through her whole body. She groaned with pain. When it stopped, she was panting rapidly. She swollowed and sruggled to stay in that one place. But she made the mistake of taking a deep breath. Another volt coarsed through her whole body. She yelled with the pain, and was forced back down after it was over. Just then a door opened. She slowly moved her head up to see who it was. Too fast. She was electrocuted again. This time, screaming. She fortunatly was the right position. She managed to look. There was three in the doorway. She started to tremble. But was jolted with electricity. She pulled herself up with the pain and groaned. The one figure standing in front of the others As it approached Xarana saw more. It was a female Makuta. She wore what looked like an Avsa, had two blasters attached to her arms, and sharp claws. She approached Xarana. She walked around her, studying her. When she was done, she went to the other two, who were standing gaurd at the door. She reconized them Clorosc and Fearwing. "This is the one!" The Makuta said. Clorosc laughed. Fearwing nodded. "W-Who are you?" Xarana managed to say, as a volt of electricty went through her body. The Makuta turned around. "I am Makuta Sharka." She said. "And you know what I want." Xarana looked confused. "Wha?" She asked. Sharka glared at her. "You know. Where the Order is striking from." She said. Xarana gave no response. Sharka pressed a button on her wrist. Xarana couldn't hold her pose anymore, so she had no choice but to relaxe. She expected to be filled with electricity, but there was none. She looked up. Sharka grinned evily. "I turned it off." She said. "Oh, thank you!" Xarana said greatfully. Sharka shook her head. "But it's not to help you." She said. Xarana's grin faded. Sharka raised her finger to Xarana's face. She thrust her head away from Sharka's finger, but that left her cheek an open target. Sharka placed the tip of her finger on Xarana's cheek, and slid it down, creating a deep gash. Xarana could really feel the pain. She clenched her hands into tight fists at the pain. When Sharka stopped, Xarana hung her head low. Blood dripped from the wound. She only moaned with pain. It burned and stung, but she wasn't about to make herself look weak. The blood ran down her face and onto her chest. Sharka grinned evily at Xarana's pain. She walked up to her prisoner. She walked to her side. She placed the tip of her finger on Xarana's thigh, making her feel uncomfortale. But then Sharka sliced down Xarana's thigh. She moaned at the cold finger slicing down her thigh. Sharka stopped and walked away, angered. The blood dripped down her leg. She hated the feel of the cold blood running down her leg. Sharka walked back to the torture rack. "Let me guess." She started. "No matter what I do to you, you won't talk, will you?" She asked. Xarana responded in an ugly glare. Blood still spurted from her face. Sharka smirked. "That's what I thought." She turned and walked to the door. But before she left, she pushed another button on her wrist. Xarana instantly felt a powerful surge of electricity. She screamed loudly. Clorosc and Fearwing laughed. Sharka made a hand gesture to Fearwing and Clorosc. They followed her out. Before she closed the door, she looked to her in pain captive. "Have fun!" Sharka said. She slammed the door. Xarana then was filled with a powerful surge of electricity.

About an hour of toture, Sharka finaly entered. Xarana was very weak from the intense torture. She smiled evily. She pressed the button on her wrist and the intense shock had stopped. "Well, was this fun?" She asked. Xarana moaned in pure agaony. Sharka grinned. "So are you going to tell me the information." Xarana groaned. "I-I don't know what your talking about." She said. Sharka shrugged. "I thought we could do this without anyone dying." She said. Just then Clorosc and Fearwing came in with a hostage. Xarana gasped. "T-T-Tahon?" She asked quietly. Tahon weakly groaned. and looked up. He was in worse shape then she was. He had lots of gashes in his face. He also had gashes in his stoumach. "Wh-what did you do to him?" Xarana asked nervously. "Oh, nothing. Exept my friends roughed him up a bit." She explaned. "But you can guess what happens to Tahon if you don't tell." Sharka said. "No..." Xarana said. Sharka walked up to Xarana. "So guess what?" She asked. She pulled up a dagger. "So what is it?" She asked. Xarana looked to Tahon. He was weak. "I-I don't know where the strike team is." She said sternly. Sharak shrugged. She walked past her. "I-I-I swear it's the truth!" Xarana screamed. Sharka turned around. "We'll see." She said. She walked over to Tahon. "N-No! Please!" She screamed to Sharka. She paid no attention. She walked over to Tahon Xarana could feel tears rolling down her face. She raised her hand. "I-I'll tell you!" Xarana screamed, almost crying. Sharka looked behind her. "It's too late for that." She said, and slit Tahon's throat. "TAHON!!!" Xarana screamed at the top of her lungs. Blood splattered everywhere. Tahin uttered a small noise in shock, and dropped to the floor. A small puddle of blood was forming. Xarana's lower lip trembled. She started sobbing. Sharka laughed at Xarana. "The team is striking from the south!" She screamed. Sharak grinned. "That's what I wanted to hear." She said. Sharka walked over to the machine with the screen. She pressed a button. Instantly an image appeared. Sharka bowed. "My liege." She said. Xarana knew who it was. Veartax laughed. "You got the information?" He asked. "Yes. The team is attacking from the south." Sharka said. Veartax chuckled. "She gave up roo easy, huh?" He asked. Sharka chuckled. "Move." he said. "I want to see her in pain." Sharka turned for Veartax to see. Xarana looked up, tears in her eyes. Veartax grinned. "Exelent, my queen." He said. "I'll get ready." The screen flashed off. Sharak turned around. "Oh, how sad." She said. "Tahon seemed like a nice guy." Sharka said, laughing. Xarana felt anger through her sadness. "GO TO KARZAHNI!!!" Xarana screamed. Sharka grinned. "You first." She then went over and raised her finger again. She sliced Xarana's cheek deeper and further. Xarana screamed the loudest she could. Sharak laughed. Then there was a knock at the hard iron door. Sharka turned "Oh what now!?" She said. She turned to walk to the door, but stopped. "Just in case..." She said. She took the dagger, and stabbed it into Xarana's bicep. She wailed loudly with agony and pain. Just then the door bust down. Xarana looked up and gasped. "Tearox!"

Chapter 12
Through her pain, she managed to stare at the figure at the door. It was Tearox. Beat-up and scratched, but still looking powerful. He shot down Clorosc with his arm-mounted cannon, then another Toa came in. He was clad in red and carried another gun. He shot down Fearwing. Sharka reacted quickly, wraping her around Xarana's throat. "Ugh!" She groaned as the arm went around. Sharka stood behind her, with a gun to the Toa's head. "Can't hit me without harming her." Sharka said evily. Tearox and the other Toa stood, waiting for all of it to play down. Xarana tried to gulp, but Sharka's arm prevented it. Sharka smiled. "Well, since you don't want to hurt her, I might as well!" Xarana glanced up with suprise. Shara walked to the side, and smacked Xarana across the face. She moaned and blood spewed out of her mouth. Tearox looked down at her pain. "Let her go." He said. Xarana managed a weak smile. It was good to hear his voice. But then Sharak socked Xarana in the stoumach. "Oof!" She cried, the wind knocked out of her. Tearox scowled at what was happening. Sharka pranced around to the other side of the captive Toa. She placed the dagger close to the gash on Xarana's thigh. "Shall we make this one bleed even more?" She asked, as if this was a game. Tearox suddenly thought of something. But he just stood there. Sharka shrugged. She placed the dagger in the allready bleeding cut, ready to cut it further, but with a quick move, Tearox fired his gun. The bulled struck her in the shoulder. Sharka screamed at the sudden pain. But managed to shove the bloody dagger deeper into the bicep wound. Xarana only whimpered at the pain. Sharka shook her head, but teleported away. Fearwing and Clorosc, who also recovered did the same. Tearox ran over to Xarana. "I-Is it really you?" he asked. Xarana smiled weakly. Tearox reached up and opened the chains. Xarana's wrists were red and almost cut open with the cold metal digging into them. "Can you walk?" Tearox asked. "O-Of course." Xarana assured. But as she hit the floor, she instantly collapsed. The wound in her side hurt too much, and the slightest pressure made it hurt. Tearox reached down for her, but she shooed him off. She turned to Tahon, who was laying lifeless on the floor. The sight made Xarana burst into tears. "I-I'm so sorry!" She sobbed, as if the corpse could hear her. Tearox ignored what Xarana said and picked her up, hand around her shoulder, other arm under her knees. He was about to carry her out, but she stopped him. "Xarana, I'm sorry but it's too late for him!" Tearox yelled. Xarana let out a sigh. Tearox and the other Toa exited. Outside it was dawn. She had been tortured all night. She was tired. She yawned, but forced her eyes open. But she couldn't take it anymore. She got a little more comfortable, and drifted off into sleep.

When she awoke, she felt an intense heat by her. She opened her eyes. She was in front of a campfire. Nighttime. She had a pleasent sleep. No nightmares, just nice dreams. She managed to sit up, but instantly fell back down, her thigh hurting her too much. But she looked at it. It was bandaged up. As was her bicep, which also caused her pain. The bandages were soaked with dry blood. She managed to pull herself up, her bad leg moved out of the way. When, across the fire, payed Tearox, fast alseep. She sat up, and looked around. The woods. Around Destral. She moved her good leg, and accidently bumped her foot against a can. Tearox muttered something in his sleep, and looked at her. He got up, and looked at her. "How are you feeling?" He asked. Xarana looked down. "It still hurts." She said. "Well, that's natural." He said. "You don't get it, do you?" She asked, now sounding angry. "No. What are you talking about?" Tearox asked, confused. Xarana galred at him. Not angrily, but more of a sad one. "You should know. For leaving me!" She said, raising her voice. Tearox sighed and looked down. "Xarana..." He started. Xarana cut him off. "How could you do it?" She asked. "How?" Tearox didn't respond. "Do you know how heartbroken that made me?" She asked. But Tearox heard shaking in her voice. "Tearox, that was the worst thing you could ever do." She said, almost in tears. Tearox finaly spoke. "Xarana, I left to keep you safe." he said. Xarana looked at him, confused. She managed to crawl over to him with her good arm. "What do you mean?" She asked. Tearox looked down. "Those Toa that were killed, remember those notes?" he asked. Xarana nodded. "I didn't read the bottom out loud. It said; 'and Toa will keep dying, and then your girlfriend.' I knew it was Veartax." Xarana stared in shock. "I knew he would kill you, too." Tearox said. "but they still attacked!" She protested. "I even DIED during that attack!" She screamed. Tearox looked at her, eyes wide. "Y-You DIED?!" He asked, suprised. Xarana's lower lip quivered. "I did. Blood loss. After Veartax had sliced my stoumach open with a chainsaw." She explaned. Tearox was speechless. "I-I-I'm sorry." Tearox said sympaheticaly. "But I couldn't control that." Xarana looked at him. "You couldn't?" She asked. Tearox shook his head. She crawled closer. She was right next to Tearox. "I'm very sorry." Tearox said. "I didn't mean or want all this to happen." Xarana looked at him with big, sad eyes. He looked into them. "Xarana, will you forgive me?" He asked. Xarana looked at Tearox, and threw her arms around him. "Of course I do." She said. Tearox wrapped his arm around her, too. Then they let go. Tearox grinned. "You slept all day." He said. Xarana chuckled. "You know me." She said. "So, what happened with you?" Xarana asked. Tearox was about to answer, but then the Toa of FIre approached. "Ah, Vearanax." Tearox said. Vearanax nodded to him, and turned to Xarana. "Who was this again?" He asked. Tearox frowned. "Xarana? Remember?" He asked. Vearanax snapped into it. "Oh, yeah. The one you like?" he said. "What?" Xarana asked. Tearox chuckled nerviously. "Vearanax is just joking." He said, looking at him with a scowl. Vearanax shrugged. "So who's taking the last watch?" He asked. "I guess I can." Tearox said. Xarana looked down, thinking about what Vearanax said. "No, I'll do it." She said. "Are you sure?" Tearox asked, suprised. She turned to him. "You helped me. Now I have to help you." She said clearly. She struggled to get up, and walked over to Vearanax. "Get some rest." She said to him. "Sure thing." Vearanax said, eagar to get some sleep. He layed down, and Xarana walked off into the woods. Tearox watched her go. He layed back down and smiled.

Chapter 13
Tearox woke up. A warm late morning sun bathed him in it's rays. He sat up. The fire had died, and Vearanax was still alseep. No sign of Xarana. He got up, and followed her footprints. They lead to a bush. He parted the branches to see Xarana, dreary-eyed. She slowly turned to him. "I kept watch." She said, yawning. Tearox chuckled. "Uh, Xarana?" He asked. "Y-Yeah?" Xarana said, exhautsed. "You could've stopped at dawn, and woke us up." He said. Xarana sighed. "Really?" She asked. Tearox nodded. Xarana groaned, and stood up. Her wounded thigh was still serving her problems, but she managed. As she stood up, she almost collapsed. "Are you okay?" Tearox asked. Xarana nodded. "I'm fine. Just tired." She said, yawning again. Tearox held out his hand. "Here." He said. Xarana looked at him strangly. "Really?" She asked. "Yes. You're wounded. You need help." He replied. Xarana smiled, and walked over to Tearox. He picked her up and carried her back to camp. Vearanax was awake, and packing things up. Vearanax looked up at them. :She dead?" He asked. Xarana held her head up and glared at him. Vearanax shrugged. Tearox set her down on the ground. She yawned, and fell asleep. "We're going to be behind schedule." Tearox said to his friend. Vearanax sighed in annoyance, and sat down.

Tearox let her get a couple hours of sleep, then woke her up. He shook her gently until she awoke. Her eyes opened slowly, and she looked at Tearox. "Morning." She said cheerfully. She sat up. "How are you?" He asked her. She shrugged. "The same." She said. Tearox helped her up, and the three went their way. "So, what happened with you?" Xarana asked Tearox. "Well, after I left, I went to Metru Nui, and that's when I met my firend here. Vearanax sighed. "Your firend has a name." He said. "Then I met up eith another Toa of Water." Xarana looked at him suspiciously. "She accualy mentioned you a few times." Tearox said. Xarana perked up. "Whow as it?" She asked. "Her name was Laila." Tearox said with a sad sigh. Xarana's mouth dropped. "You know Laila?" She asked. Tearox stopped. "Yeah. I guess you could say we were... together." He admitted. Xarana looked down. "Oh." She said. She couldn't believe her own sister was going out with HER first love. "But then...." Tearox started. Xarana looked at him nerviously. Her heart started beating. "What happened?" She asked. Tearox looked hurt. "We-We were attacked by Veartax." He said. Xarana felt tears come to her eyes. She knew how ruthless Veartax is. "Is she...." Xarana didn't finish her sentence. "No." Tearox said. "But she's badly wounded." He added. Xarana paniced. "W-We have to get to Daxia!" She said franticaly. She then ran, ignoring her thigh. "Xarana, wait!" Tearox said, chasing her. Vearanax followed. They caught up to her when she was at the boat. "Xarana, wait!" Tearox repeated. Xarana wa getting ready to push the boat into the water. "What?!" She screamed franticalty. "We're getting to Daxia as fast as we can!" Tearox said. "But I have to see her! She's my sister!" Xarana said, praticaly screaming. Tearox grabbed her by the shoulders. "Xarana." He said. She looked into his eyes. "We'll get there." he said.

The boatride almost took all day. When they got to Daxia, Xarana didn;t wait for it to pull up. She leapt into the water, chest deep. She managed to wade to shore, and ran to the medical wing. The Vortixx doctor looked at her. "You're here for-" She cut him off. "Yes. Were is she?" Xarana asked. The doctor held his hand out to the side. "This way."

At the end of the medica beds filled with pacients, there was a lone bed, surrounded by a curtain. Xarana pushed pact the doctor, and ran past the curtain. She gazed sadly at the horrible sight she saw. Laila layed in a bed. Her eyes were sealed shut, and mouth open. She had a layer of bandages around her head, soaked with dried blood. Her right arm was almost completely torn off, and she had multiple chainsaw wounds to the stoumach. Tearox came up behind her. Xarana took her sister's hand. It was cold. She started sobbing. The machine still beeped, saying she was alive. Tearox put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry." He said. Xarana squeezed Laila's hand, as if she would wake up. She glanced up. The doctor was on the other side of the bed. "Is she going to make it?" Xarana asked. The Vortixx looked at her. "We're not to sure yet. But... It's unlikely." He said sadly. Xarana started crying, sobbing loudly. Tearox looked down.

After a couple of hours, Xarana came out. She had dried tears around her eyes, and looked tired. Tearox walked over to her and gave her a hug. Xarana accepted it. She sniffed. "Please don't cry anymore." Tearox said. "It'll be okay." Xarana squeezed her eyes shut, holding tears back. Tearox let go, and stood back. "I know your in pain, but can I talk to you?"

Chapter 14- The siege of Ga-Metru
"You want me to WHAT!?" Xarana screeched, staring at Tearox. "You have to, you're the quickest." Tearox replied. Xarana turned away from him. "I'm not being anyone's decoy." She snapped. "But it's your people." Tearox said. She turned around. "WAS my people." She said. "I'm a Toa now." He started into her eyes. "And Toa protect others." Xarana stared at him after he said that. "Fine." She sighed. "So we need to infltrate the city of Ga-Metru." Tearox said. "You the fastest. Just draw thier fire away from the Matoran." Tearox said. "A-Are you sure?" Xarana asked. "We're talking about Ma-Ma-Makuta?" Tearox could see she was shaking. "I know your past encounters with Veartax and his gang weren't pleasent, but you have to overcome your fears." Tearox said to her. She looked at him. "You sure?" She asked again. Tearox smiled. "You won't get hurt. I promise."

The boat ride took a few hours, but they reached Ga-Metru. The place looked okay, but half the buildings were demolished. Bodies of different Matoran were covered with blankets. Xarana was horrified. "So you know what to do?" Tearox asked. Xarana nodded. "Get to Turaga Nokama." She replied. Tearox shook his head. "Yes. When you speak to her about the stratigies, return at once." Tearox ordered. Xarana nodded in understanding, and took off running.

Xarana was halfway to Nokama's housing, when she got really tired. She was breathing hard, and struggling to catch her breath. But then she heard something. It sounded like claws running across a hut. She looked to see a dark shadow behind a hut. He had glowing red eyes, two long blades, and was tall. She reconized him imediatly. "Sludge!" She said aloud. The Makuta sulked out of the shadows. "Well, Well." He said. "Toa Xarana. Well known for escaping Veartax alive two times." He said, chuckling. Xarana looked down. "I died and you know it!" She screamed. "I know, I know." SLudge said. "But not as dead as Tahon is." Just then Xarana felt very weak. It wasn't a mental blow, or physical blow. He was playing with her emotions. She slightly fell, and caught herself on a piece of machinery. "Oh, whats wrong?" Sludge asked. Xarana was starting to breath harder. "You miss Tahon?" Xarana felt a very huge wave of depression and guilt. "As Sharka told me, you two seemed to have a strong relationship." Xarana let go of the machine, and fell to her knees. "Until, well you know. Sharka opening up Tahon's throat. Xarana got on all fours as she struggled to get ahold of herself. Sludge knew she was doing that. "I have a present for you." he said. He reached into a pouch he was carrying, and pulled out a Kanohi. Xarana looked up. She was horrified. It was Tahon's mask. His Kanohi Huna. Sludge sat it on the ground, and kicked it over to her. She looked into it's empty eyeholes. Her lower lip was trembling. But she held her tears in. But not her memories. She instantly started getting images in her head. Sharka torturing her, bringing Tahon in, his death. Xarana was overwhelmed. She fell over, not moving. Sludge chuckled. "Playing possum won't save you." He walked over. "What? You're not? Then again, your not dead." He snarled. SHe wasn't dead. Or knocked out. She just layed there, defeated. She let the horrible images run through her mind. But she kept seeing the one of Tahon getting killed over and over. She didn't cry. "Well, JOIN TAHON IN KARZAHNI!" Sludge yelled. That perked her up. She sat up. "What?" She asked angrily. Sludge grinned an ugly grin. "Tahon went to Karzahni, did her not?" Xarana felt the anger boiling in her. SHe raised her swords and charged Sludge.

The battle was brief. Sludge hit the ground, bleeding from the throat. But not dead. Xarana walked up to the Makuta and kneeled beside him. "You know I don't want to kill you." She admitted. "But say anything like that again, and I WILL." Xarana got back up and walked away. A few feet away was a canal. Xarana looked at it, and couldn't help herself. She walked over to it. She put her foot in it. Just right. Oh, a little fun won't hurt. She thought. She turned around, and did a double backflip into the water. It felt cool and relaxing to be in it. Xarana activated her Kanohi Kaukau, giving her the pwoer to breath underwater. She swam around, seeing the sights to be seen. A pipe had been broken, and now brightly colored fish swam around. She grinned at the sight. Such... beauty. She thought. Just then a black object hit the surface and floated dpwn. Close to her. She gasped. Grenade. She struggled to stop her swimming, but was too close. The genade exploded, and sent her flying back to where she started. She hit the wall hard. She looked up sadly. All the fish had been killed by the explosion. She swam to the top. Keeping her head underwater, she put hand onto the saide to hold herself in place so she can think. But then a hard foot stomped on her hand. She yelled with suprise and pulled it down. It was bruised. Nothing broken. She glared and swam back up to the surface, but before she did so, two pairs of hands grabbed her and pulled her up. When she saw her attacked, she gasped. One was Fearwing,.the Makuta that whitnessed her being tortured. The other was... Swindle. She sttod in confusion. But then Fearwing spoke. "After our friend Swindle was killed by... you. Veartax demanded we made clones. And we did." She stared at the copy. Looked just like the origional.But then the two dunked her back under. She sctivated her Kanohi again, allowing her to breath. Just then they lifted her up again. But this time, they removed her mask. She gasped, then they dunked her under again. She knew she couldn't breath without her mask. She flailed and squirmed, but the kept a good grip. She felt herself losing air from her lungs fast. Xarana reached for her swords, and swung, but were grabbed by Fearwing. She was unarmed, unmasked, and unprepared. She just gave up. Killed by what I love the most. She thought sadly. Killed by my own element. She saw her sight getting black, and she knew sghe was going into unconciousness, or worse. Just then Fearwing let go, and was flung into the water. The Swindle drone was shot down as well. She held her pose, waiting for whoever it was. Then two srong hands grabbed her.

She flailed about as she was being lifted out. But then one let go and put it on her forehead. "Xarana, calm yourself." The voice said. She opened her eyes. Tearox looked back at her, concerned. "Tearox!" She said, out of breath. She then started gasping for breath after her almost drowning. "Xarana, lets go meet Nokama ourselves. She nodded and they started walking.

When they reached the house, they were in for a suprise. Veartax stood, blade to the Turaga's throat. Xarana started trembling and cowered behind Tearox. Veartax laughed. "Well, if it isn't Tearox and his girlfriend." He said. Tearox glared. Xarana sulked farther behind Tearox. "But not it's time for you two to finaly meet your ends." He said coldy. "And the Turaga."

Chapter 15
Veartax stood with the captive Turaga. Tearox stood, gun pointed at the Makuta. Xarana still cowered behind her friend. Veartax grinned nastily. "So I guess we'll do things more violently." He said. He put his blade closer to Nokama's throat. But then the ground outside was being rocked. Veartax lost his footing and tumbled backwards. Nokama broke free and ran over to Tearox. "Your the agent Helryx sent?" She asked. Tearox nodded. "I am. And she is as well." He pointed behind him. Xarana poked her head out from around Tearox. "Hi." She said. Then she started backing out the door. But as she turned, she ran into an unfortunate suprise. Clorosc stood, gun pointed in her direction. But he wasn't alone. Two more stood. They looked exactly like him. One was purple and black, and the other blue and red. Clorosc grinned and walked up to her. "We meet again, Toa." He snarled. Tearox turned. "And allow me to introduce Skywarp and Thundercracker." He continued. "May I decapitiate this one?" The purple and black one asked. "No Skywarp, you may not." Clorosc said, turning to him. "She's mine." But as he turned back to the Toa, all he saw was a blue fist heading his way. Xarana's fit met him strait in the mouth. He uttered a groan in pain and flew back. Skywarp reacted and fired his gun. Xarana flipped out of the direction of the bullets. Thundercracker had joined in the firefight. Xarana took a chance and lept towards the two. She stuck out both feet and hoped they were a terrible shot. Turns out they were, and her kick sent them both on top of Clorosc. Xarana turned to Tearox and Nokama. "Come on!" She screamed. "Before others arrive!" Tearox and Nokama ran out, and the three ran. But then they heard a whizzing sound. Xarana turned and looked up. A blue and black jet was heading their direction. Fearwing. Tearox and the Turaga stopped as well. Fearwing flew crazily across and through buildings in his path. Then he transformed and landed in front of the three. "Ah. Veartax's prizes." Fearwing scoffed. "Now it's time to complete what he started." Fearwing raised a gun, and fired. The shot sent Xarana flying towards a building, and Tearox and Nokama to the east. "This is going to be too easy." He said. He raised both guns and fired at the same time. Xarana reacted and jumped out of the way. The explosion rocketed her father, but she grabbed a pole and held herself in place. Fearwing walked over to her, and fired somekind of glue at her hands. She uttered a confused groan. The material hit her hands, sticking them in place. She struggled to get free, but failed. Fearwing raised his cannon. "I shall enjoy thi-" Fearwing didn't get to finish his sentence. Tearox came up from behind and stabbed him through the stoumach. Blood squired everywhere, and the corpse dropped. Tearox look at her. "Okay?" He asked. "Fine." She replied, struggling to get free. Just as Tearox walked over to Xarana's location, a huge explosion rocketed the ground around them. Tearox and Xarana both looked, and saw the rubble of Nokama's hut, Vearta standing on top of it. He grinned evily. "Fools!" He yelled. "My armies are just arriving!" Just as he said that, three massive ships loomed overhead. Makuta dropships. The lower sections opened up, and thousands of Rahkshi, rouge Vahki, and Swindle drones flew from the ships, landing on the ground. Veartax laughed evily as Sharka appeared next to him. "Lord Veartax!" She said, bowing. "The Makuta you requested have answered your call!" Veartax looked to her. "Exelent." he said. He put a clawed finger under Sharka's chin. "You never fail, my queen." He said. "Send them out!" Sharka nodded and flew back to the lead ship. Tearox had broken the glue from Xarana's hands from the pole. Xarana looked at Tearox. "Any plans?" She asked. Tearox looked at her. "Just one." He said. "RUN!"

The three ran to the origional reondevou point, where Vearanax sat. He looked at them. "Find the Turaga?" he asked. Nokama stepped forward. Veartax nodded. "But, erm, theres some here to help us." He said. Helryx apporached. Tearox and Xarana saluted at the approaching leader. "At ease." She said. They lowered thier arms. "I had spys tell me that Veartax is attacking Metru Nui. Is that correct?" Tearox looked at his arm. It dripped the dark red liquid. "Well, we know so." He said. Xarana noticed as well. "Tearox!" She said. "Your bleeding!" Tearox groaned. "Thanks for noticing." He said. Xarana put her hand on the wound. "Don't worry." She said. "I know what I'm doing." She shut her eyes and concitrated. A bright formation of water came to her hand. Then Tearox felt releif. She pulled her hand away, and opened her eyes. Tearox's wound stopped bleeding, and was perfectly fine. He looked at it in shokc. Xarana grinned. "Natural talent." She said. But then Xarana looked into Helryx's eyes. "How is-" She started. "Laila?" The voice said. Xarana turned. Laila stood there, perfectly fine. "Laila!" Xarana cried. She ran over to her sister. "A-are you okay?" She asked. Laila looked down when she saw Tearox walk up behind Xarana. "Laila, how are you doing?" He asked. She looked at him. "Oh, I'm okay. I guess." She replied. Tearox looked at Xarana. "So, uh, your not mad about us?" He asked. Laila looked at Tearox. "Oh, there wasn't much between us anyway." She said. Xarana looked at him. "I'm not to sure yet." She said. "But I'll let you know when I make my decicion." She walked away. Tearox watched her go.

"Veartax, wait! She caught me off guar-" Veartax kicked the chattering Clorosc in the face. "I've had enough of your constant failures!" He roared. "But she got me off guard. I couldn't react in time-" Clorosc said. But Veartax stepped on his throat. "Enough babbling!" He exclamed. He kicked Clorosc over to SKywarp and Thundercracker, who huddled in the doorway, frightened. Veartax walked over to Sharka who stood off to the side. "Clorosc is utterly deemed a failure." He said. "But not you." Sharka beemed happily. "Why thank you, my king." She said. Clorosc recovered. "I'll show you what a leader is." He muttered. Veartax looked in his direction. "What did you say?" He asked. Clorosc stood up. "Nothing. Lord Veartax." Veartax walked over to him. "Oh, you said something about showing what a leader is." He said. CLorosc stared confused. Veartax put his hand on Clorosc's wing. Then with a swift move, tore it off. Clorosc yelled with pain. Veartax threw it off to the side, and kicked the gabbering Makuta towards his colleges. "Oh, Clorosc." He said. "Maybe you'll be leader one day." Veartax said. "But not today." Clorosc angrly walked away. Skywarp and Thundercracker remained in the doorway. Veartax turned to Sharka. "This is not to upstage you, my queen, but I've brough in some help." Shakra looked at him confused. Two Makuta apporached. Veartax turned around and acknoleged them. "Ah, Makuta Harponok and Makuta Struxx!" He said aloud. Harponok grinned. "You called for us?" He asked. Struxx looked at him as well. "I did." Veartax said, walking up to them. "As you know, there is an extremely powerful source of power beneth this island." He said. "And I need you two to help eleiminate the... resisitance." Struxx scoffed. "And whats in it for us?" He asked. Veartax loomed over him. "You shall have glory! Power! ANd whatever the gem has for it's finder!" Struxx nodded. "Your offer intrigues me." Veartax looked at him supsiciously. "I'll do it." He said. Veartax turned to Harponok. "And you?" He asked. Harponok nodded "I'll serve you as well." He said. "But only if we're generals." He added. Struxx nodded. Veartax thought. "I migh move things around." He said. Sharka walked over to them. She stook out her hand, expecting them to shake it. But Struxx grabbed her by the wrist and flung her into some Kraata pods. She moaned with disgust as the worms crawled all over her. Veartax chuckled. "That's accualy your other boss." He said. "Sharka, queen of my armies." Struxx reacted, shocked. He ran over to the Makuta. "I apologize, quee-" Sharka kicked him slightly forward. "Get away from me!" She said angrily. She pulled a Kraata off of her head and flung it at the brutish Makuta. It hit his armor and hit the floor, dead from impact. Struxx growled. "Slime on my armor?" He started. "The many ways I can crush you...." Sharka gave him and ugly look as she walked up to Veartax. "We're really letting these two join us?" She asked. Veartax turned to her. "Do you want me to do worse to you?" He asked. Sharka rolled her eyes and walked away. "Oh, don't worry about her." Veartax said. "You two will do exelent." Harponok slammed his spear into the ground. "We shall, Lord Veartax!" Struxx slammed his into the earth as well. Veartax grinned. "Exelent." They looked to him. "Your first mission. Destroy the resistance."

Chapter 16
Tearox awoke with a start. He was having terrible nightmares. He saw Xarana... trying to face Veartax. All he really remembered was it not ending well. He glanced over to her. Her upper back was against a rock. Her left arm was draped over her eyes, and her right rested on her stoumach. She was muttering something in her sleep. ''She looks so.. peaceful''. He thought. But his gaze drifted over to a building, which was filled with light. He stoos up, and looked around. Everyone was accounted for ans asleep. He scowled and started to walk over there. "Going somewhere?" The soft, sweet voiced asked sleepily. Tearox turned. Xarana was up, and looking at him. "Investigating that." He pointed. Xarana looked past him, and to the lite up building. She hoped up. "I'll go too." She said. Tearox grinned. "ATleast it's better now." Xarana looked at him and returned the grin. Then they started over there.

Xarana ran ahead, oblivious to any kind of trap. They came to the building. Tearox stood on one side, Xarana on the other, both had thier guns drawn. Xarana stepped forward and walked in. Tearox took a few steps backwards, waiting for her to return. Xarana causiously walked in. The bright light was coming from a box in the center of the room. She went up to it. She couldn't reconize is right away. SHe lookes around the room. It was bare. But then she heard a beeping. She looked to the box. Then she remembered. A core generator. And it was overloading. She gasped in shock and forced her tired legs to move. She was helfway, but was too late. The building exploded. "XARANA!!" Tearox screamed as flaming debris landed everywhere. He stared into the flaming building. But he forced himself to move. Ignoring the scortching floor, he ran in. He looked all around until he saw her. She was laying under apile of wood. He ran over to the Toa. She had her eyes closed, and he coouldn't tell if she was breathing. He moved it out of the way, ignoring the flames hitting his hands. Once she was fee, he picked her up and ran out of the building.

Harponok and Struxx stood on a cliffside, far away. Harponok frowned. "I don't think she's dead." He growled. "You should work on giving it less time to explode." Struxx growled at his comrad. "Can't you ever be quiet?" He snapped. "Of course she's not dead. We need them alive for the plan." Harponok looked at him. "Your a fool! That wasn't part of the plan!" Struxx scowled. He got out his spear, which came from his armor. "Enough of this nonsense!" He bollowed. He charged down the hill. Harponok grinned. "The hunt begins!" He yelled, got out his spear and charged.

Tearox ran over to a small rock fence. He say Xarana down. She was burned all over, and covered with ash. She was still breathing, but barely. Helryx, Vearanax, and Laila crowded around. Tearox waved his hand around. "Back up!" He yelled. "Give her some air!" As everyone backed off, he turned to her. She was breathing in slow gasps. She inhailed too much smoke. Tearox put his hand behind her head. "Come on, please Xarana!" He said aloud, not caring who heard. Xarana still held her condition for about a half-hour. Tearox began to give up hope, when she started coughing. "Xarana?" He asked. She slowly opened her eyes. "T-Tearox?" She sputtered. Tearox put his hand on her shoulder. She was shaking. "Are you okay?" He asked franticaly. She weakly nodded. "I-I'm okay." She said. She tried standing, but was prohibited. She moaned, and looked to her body. It had burns all over. She moaned, and layed on the cool ground, and huddled up into a ball. She was trying to say something, but she was shaking too hard. Just then Tearox heard something. It sounded like thundering footsteps. He looked up to see two Makuta charging. He quickly scooped Xarana up and ran. She was still trying to say something, but still couldn't. He ran into a hut, where nobody was. He sat her down on a bed. Laila ran in as well. "You go. I'll try to heal her." She said. Tearox nodded and ran out. Laila looked to her burned sister. They were focused in her stoumach-chest area. Laila then felt her heart sink. She had never tried this before. She took a deep breath, got some water to her hands, and began.

Outside, the battle was just starting. "You take the two Toa, I'll take the Order leader." Harponok said. Struxx nodded in agreement. Then charged at Vearanax and Tearox. He slammed his spear into the ground, just missing Vearanax's foot. He lept out of the way, firing his machine gun. The bullets had no affect on the tough armor. Tearox clanged his sword against Struxx's spear. He simply sent the sword back to the Toa. The flat hit him in the face, causing him to fall backwards. Struxx grinned, satisfied, and turned to the Toa of Fire. "It's a shame I have to crush you, bug." He said. "You would've made a fine slave." Vearanax glared. "And you'll make a better trophy!" He said. Struxx rasied his head and laughed. Vearanax squinted at the laughing Makuta. There was a weak spot in his armor between his head and body. Vearanax took the chance and fired. It worked, and struck him in the neck. Struxx groaned, only to growl with pure anger. He raised his spear high, and charged Vearanax. The thundering footsteps caught him off guard, and Struxx slashed him in the knee. It instantly split, and blood gushed out. He moanes at the sudden pain, and fell over. Struxx walked up to him. "Well, here's how it ends." He said.

Harponok threw Helryx at a stone wall. She groaned at the fight he just put her into. She managed to get back up, and raised her mace. "This is where it ends, Makuta." SHe said. Harponok chuckled. "Like the Order is succeding much." He shot back. He activated his Jutlin, and Helryx's shield had rotted away and rusted. She stared in awe and the Makuta ran up to her. She saw him, and defected his blow with her mace. She scowled. "Makuta..... just don't..... give up?.... DO they?" She groaned, trying to keep the spear on his side. Harponok grinned. "We like to fight. And kill." With a quick move, he shoved her backwards. She placed her hands on her knees, struggling to stay up. She looked over to Tearox and Vearanax. Vearanax had fallen, and Tearox was about to go down. She took a deep breath. "I'm not letting you win" She said. Harponok chuckled. "So brave, yet so stupid." He said. He rasied his spear for a second go.

Meanwhile, Laila had no sucess. He attempts had no effect. She exhaled. "Come on, please!" She said. Water went to both hands. She placed the water on a burn on Xarana's stoumach. She moaned at the touch. "Just calm down," Laila said quietly. Xarana nodded at her request. She panted with the pain. Laila shut her eyes tightly and concentraited. For about 5 minutes, and did this, then opened her eyes and pulled her hands away. No effect. She let out a cry in frustration. She fell into a seat in front of Xarana. She cradled her head in her hands. "Mata Nui, please!" She begged. "Let me have this ability!" Xarana raised her head. "Laila." She gasped. Laila looked up at her. "What?" She asked, defeated. "You-You tried your best." Xarana said, looking into her eyes. "No, You died before, I'm not letting you now!" Laila screamed. She made water come to her hands again, and placed it on all the burns. She strained and groaned. Xarana started feeling better. She let out a sigh in releif. Laila opened her eyes. She took her ands away. Xarana's burns dissappeared. "Xarana." Laila started. Xarana grinned. "Thank you." SHe said to her sister. Laila grinned and helped her up. Xarana sat on the end of the bed. "How did you do it?" She asked. Laila shrugged. "I'm not to sure." She said. Xarana leaped down. "We better help the others." She said boldly. Laila nodded.

They exited, only to see a terrible sight. Vearanax and Helryx had fallen, and Tearox was about to, up against two skilled Makuta. The sliced him with the edges of thier spears, but he refused to go down. He sliced at Struxx's thick armor, which proved no success. Harponok turned to Xarana and Laila, who stood with weapons drawn. He laughed an ugly laugh. He triggered his power of slow, and made thier every movement slow. Then he promptly threw his Javelin. It struck Laila in the shoulder. He dropped the power, and resumed the normal speed. Laila screamed the loudest she could, and hit the ground in a puddle of her own blood. "Laila no!!" Xarana said. She got to her knees and looked over Laila, who was still screaming. She placed her hand by the wound, which was gushing blood. She saw it was getting infected. She used her water powers to place on the wound. Laila was breathing hard, and trembling. Xarana then triggered her healing powers. She quieted her screams, but not by much. She removed her hands, and saw it was slightly better. She placed Laila's hand over it. Just keep it there." SHe ordered. "I have to help Tearox." Laila nodded. Xarana walked over to Struxx, who just about had Tearox beat. But then Harponok tackled her. They went skidding across the courtyard. She smacked him in the face. He recovered, and forced her to the ground. He held her wrists down, and kneeled over her. She couldn't move, because he had immence strength. But that didn't stop her from trying. She groaned and strained, but it was no use. She glanced over to Tearox. Struxx had forced him to his knees. He rasied his spear, and was about to serve the killing blow. "NO!" She screamed. Struxx looked at her. "DON'T HURT HIM!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. "Yes!" Harponok said. "She's more fun to defeat then them!" Xarana glared at the Makuta. Struxx walked over to her, and looked down. "Just pathetic." He said, brutaly kicking her in the side of the head. She moaned as she struggled to stay awake. The Makuta just laughed. She felt her bravery leaving her body. It was being replaced with fear. "No! No!" SHe screamed. "I'm not letting it take over!" The Makuta looked at eachother, confused. Just then, summoning all her powers, she sent a huge wave of water up, sending both Makuta flying up into the sky, screaming all the way. Xarana recovered, and let her bravery return. She wan't going to become a coward. Harponok and Struxx fell back down, and hit the ground. It affected Harponok more, due to his light armor. She looked at them. "Go back to your master!" SHe screamed. Struxx growled. "I'LL KILL YOU NOW! I WON'T HOLD BACK!" But Harponok held him in place. "Struxx! He said aloud. "It's over! This battle is over!" Struxx looked down. "Beaten by a girl." He muttered. They then teleported away. Xarana plopped down, exaughted. She was breathing hard. The sun was rising over the horizon. SHe crawled over to Tearox, who was starting to wake up. "Tearox?" She asked. He looked at her. "Y-Yeah?" He said. "Are you okay?" SHe replied. He sat up. "I'm fine. But are you?" She looked at him funny. "What do you mean?" She asked. "You fought all night." He said. "Do you want to sleep?" She yawned. She was pretty tired. "No. I'm okay." She said. She stood up, and helped Tearox up. "I'm going to meet up with Helryx, you check on Laila." She ordered. Tearox nodded and walked over to the fallen Toa. Xarana walked over to Helryx. "So renforcements are arriving?" She asked. Helryx nodded. "By dawn." Just then, Xarana heard a foghorn blair. She looked up to see three massive ships floating in the ocean. "And there they are."

Harponok hit the wall hard. "What do you mean you failed!?" Veartax raged. Harponok looked up. "Well, we wounded one-" Veartax grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up. "Nobody fails me!" He said. Harponok nodded. He threw him to the ground, next to the punished Struxx. "You two have done terrible." He said. "For that, you'll be relieved of your general positions." He said. Struxx and Harponok started complaning, by Veartax put his chainsaw next to both of them. "Anyother words and you lose your heads!" He raged. The two ran off, to somewhere in the base. Veartax shook his head and turned back to the viewscreen infront of him. ''Soon. he though.Soon all will be dead.''

Chapter 17
Xarana walked over to help Vearanax up. His knee was badly bleeding, and blood squirted out whenever he put pressure down on it. "Are you sure you'll be okay?" She asked. Vearanax looked at her. "You've seen me before. Of course I'll be okay." Xarana sighed and sat him down on a rock. She got back up and looked to the shoreline. Helryx and Tearox were up standing up in front of an army. She letf Vearanax where he was and walked up to the army. She stood next to Tearox, who looked at her. "Where were you?" He asked. "Just tending to Vearanax. Are you feeling better?" Tearox nodded. "I'm better. All because your the best medic around. Xarana grinned. Helryx turned to them. "Glad you could make it." Helryx said. Xarana nodded and looked out to the massive platoon. There was atleast 1000 Toa, Xians, Steltans, Skakdi, and a few Matoran. But even she knew that wasn't enough. Helryx stopped talking and turned to a few Toa in front. They walked up in front of the army. Helryx then turned to Tearox and Xarana. "These are your fellow commanders. Jareroden, Phyrrus, and Watak. Tearox looked at the three. "So your the newest cammanders, eh?" Jareroden nodded. "We saw this place needed help, so we answered. Tearox nodded. "Spoken like a true Toa." He said. Xarana looked at the rest. Watak was a Toa of Magnetism, and Phyrrus was some kind of fusion. And he was looking at her. She started back for a little bit before Tearox innterupted. "Xarana, are you listening to Helryx?" He asked. "What? Huh?" Xarana suddenly asked. She turned to Helryx who was about to announce something. "So these are your commanding officers." SHe said. "Jareroden, Watak, Phyrrus, Tearox, and Xarana." Xarana suddenly looked suprised. "Woah, Woah, Woah." She said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at her. "Whats wrong, Xarana? Tearox asked. "I-I can't lead a platoon!" She said aloud. "Xarana..." Tearox started, but she turned to Helryx. "I can't lead a team! I-I don't know how!" Helryx looked dead into her eyes. "I chose you to give you a chance." She said. Xarana stared at her with confusion. "I know your past isn't the best thing ever, so I hope to make you forget that." Helryx said. Xarana shook her head. "I let one I know die becasue of me, I can't let more die." Xarana said sharply. Xarana felt a hand on her back. "Come on, Xarana." Tearox said. "I've seen you bark orders before. This is no different." Xarana looked at him. Finaly she talked. "Fine. I'll do it." She told Helryx. Helryx nodded. ''I know some will die. I just hope not becasue of me. ''Xarana thought to herself.

Clorosc angrily walked up the hallway of the main command ship, grumbling. "Who does Veartax think he is?" He asked himself, fiddling with his busted wing. "He's the leader of the Empire." Clorosc yelled in shock and turned around. There was Knockout, leaning against a wall, his arms across his chest. "How long have you been there?" Clorosc asked nerviously. "The whole tme."Knockout replied, walking up to Clorosc. "And I now know what you think of our leader." Clorosc chuckled nerviously. "What THINGS?" Clorosc asked. "Oh how Vear-" Clorosc quickly went up and covered Knockout's mouth with his hand. "Not out loud." He whispered. "That blasted Sludge will hear you." He let go of Knockout. "The eyes and ears of the Makuta?" He asked. "No, the communications officer!" Clorosc angrily said. But then lowered his head down next to Knockout. "If you must know, I'm planning to betray our leader. Don't tell." He said. Knockout grinned. "Every leader needs a second-in-command." He said slimily. Clorosc snarled. "I suppose this could work." He said. "meet me by th-" His gaze turned to the figure standing at the end of the corrador. Sludge. "Sludge!" Clorosc exlaimed. "How... pleasent to see you." Sludge didn't reply. He was praticaly scilent after his encounter with Xarana. "We wern't disscussing anything... bad." CLorosc assured. "Right, Knockout?" No answer. "Knockout?" He turned, but Knockout wasn't seen. Sludge looked dead into Clorosc's eyes and walked down the halway.

Xarana and Tearox stood side-by-side, overlooking thier army. Tearox got 50 Xians and Skakdi, while Xarana got 30 Toa and Steltans. "Are you sure I can do it?" Xarana asked Tearox. "You should." He said. "I've seen you lead before." Xarana shrugged. "Just once." She replied. Helryx approached them. "We're ready to head into the city." She said.Tearox nodded. "Ready Commander Xarana?" Xarana grinned. She liked the sound of that.

Xarana was first introduced to her first lieutenant. Luckily it was Laila. "Are you sure you can go through?" Xarana asked. Laila nodded. "Just a small wound." She replied. "Small?" It went right through your shoulder!" Laila was about to reply, but then a Toa of Ice apporached. "Commander, another one of the generals is here." He said. Xarana nodded. "Bring him in." The Toa saluted, and walked away. Sooner, it was Phyrrus. "I'm not to sure if I introduced myself earlier, but I am Toa Phyrrus, Toa of Fire, Lightning, and Sonics." He said. Xarana looked suprised. A multi-element Toa. Interesting. She thought. "Yes, it's nice to meet you." She said. He walked up to her. "So how many are you commanding? He asked. "30" Xarana replied. "Only 30?" Phyrrus asked. "You should command the whole army." Xarana giggled. "Why thanks you." She said. Just then they all got a message from Helryx on thier comlinks. "Well, got to go." Phyrrus said. Xarana stuck out her hand out for him to shake, but he took it and kissed it. Xarana felt herself blushing. Phyrrus smiled at her and walked to his army. Xarana turned around, and saw Laila sitting on a supply crate, shaking her head. "What's wrong?" Xarana asked. Laila shrugged. "I guess you really don't care for Tearox anymore." She said. Xarana could feel anger creeping in the place of her current happiness. But she also felt something else. Something... dark. "What do you mean, SIS? Xarana asked angrily. Laila smiled. "Well, since you got eyes for Phyrrus now, I guess I'll get Tearox." Xarana felt her anger boiling all through her body. But she couldn't stand holding it in. She ran forward, and tackled Laila. She uttered a suprised groan. When the two hit the ground, she made sure Laila hit her wound. It did. She moaned with pain, but Xarana didn't care. They were skidding on the ground, and she made sure Laila's shoulder was skidding too. Laila screamed at the pain of her wound getting worse. Even more worse, dirt and all sorts of bacteria were getting in it. They finaly stopped, and Xarana slapped Laila across the face a couple times. Laila stared at Xarana with pure fear in her eyes. This isn't my sister. Laila thought. Xarana pinned her to the ground, on all fours on top of her. "Don't. Ever. Say. That. AGAIN." She said sternly. Laila weakly nodded. But Xarana wasn't done. She let go of Laila's wrists, and wrapped them around her throat. Laila yelled at the instant cut-off of air. She gagged, struggling to breath, but Xarana wouldn't loosed her grip. Laila gagged and choked, but managed to look at her sister. She was grinning as if she enjoyed it. "This..... isn't.... you..." Laila managed to gasp out. Xarana continued her chocking. Laila could feel death creeping up on her. "Please..... sister..... you.... don't... want.... to.... do.... this..." Laila gasped. Xarana loosened her grip. "Yes.... this.... isn't... like... you.. at.. all." Laila said. But then the grip got tight again, and her eyes glowed red. "Xarana, please...." Laila begged. "I'm... your... sister..." And with that, Laila let go of Xarana's wrists. She wasn't breathing.

Xarana saw that. "No." She said. But the darkness fell over her again. "NO!" Xarana screamed, and forced the entity out of her head. A long, black shadow with glowing red eyes came out of the back of her head. She turned around and looked at it. "Look what you made me do!" Xarana screamed, tears streaming down her face. The shadow formed. Xarana stared in horror as it morphed into the shape of Makuta Veartax. He laughed. "See what I can do. Toa?" He asked. "I can control any of you. I can have complete control over any of you." He said. He walked over to Laila. "What a shame. I always liked her. An easy target." He then walked away, and looked behind him. "So return to your little island of Daxia." He said. "Or more will die." And with that, he went away like a whisp of fog. Xarana blinked and rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She wasn't. She ran over to her sister's body. "Laila!" She whispered franticaly. She didn't move. Nor was she breathing. "Mata Nui, please!" She screamed. Laila still didn't stirr. She balled her hands into a flat surface and pushed on her chest, hoping to get oxygen pumping again. After about 15 minutes, Laila coughed. Xarana looked at her closely, making sure she wasn't imagening it. But she wasn't. Laila slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Xarana, she instantly gasped and tried to pull back. "Laila wait." Xarana said. "That wasn't me back there." She said. Laila stopped struggling and looked at her. "It was... Veartax. He was controling me." Laila frowned. "Why do I not believe you?" She asked. Xarana helped her up. "Look." Xarana said, pointing. Laila looked to see Veartax's tracks. Laila stood, staring at them. She saw them before. With a sigh, she puched past Xarana and walked away.

Back on the main Makuta command ship, Sharka sat in her throne, sitting it funny, feet hanging off the side of the arm rest. Then Veartax appeared, and Sharka jumped up. "My king." She said, bowing. "Rise my queen. Have the Makuta I requested arrived?" He asked. Sharka nodded. "Just arrived." SHe said. She held out her arms, leading the way for Veartax. About a few miles down the ship, there was the unloading dock. There was the three Makuta. The Makuta were well-known, and well feared. They were Nikron, Blazrox, and Karox. Veartax grinned at the three new allies. He walked up to Karox, the female of the group. "So you are a great tracker, yes?" He asked. Karox nodded. "Best of them all." She said. "Exelent...." Veartax said. He put his finger under her chin. "You shall serve me greatly." He said. Sharka noticed what he was doing. She walked over, and pushed Karox out of the way, uttering an "Ugh!" as she hit the floor. Nikron and Blazrox chuckled. "Looks like you have some competition, Karox." Nikron said laughing. Karox shot a nasty look at him, and stood up. "What are you to push me?" Karox asked angrily. "I can push you because I want to." Sharka shot back. Karox glared at Sharka. Then she jumped her, and the two started fighting. Veartax had to force a smile to see the two brawling over a position. He looked to a Swindle drone. "Seperate them." He said. The drone nodded, and went over to the fighting Makuta. He tried to stay far away from the battle, but was sucked in and tore to scrap. Veartax chuckled as the parts spread everywhere. Eventualy, he walked over to them. "STOP!" He ordered. Karoz was in the middle of pulling Sharka's ponytail, and Sharka was about to tear off one of Karox's arms. "This constant fighting is getting us nowhere! Yout wo will get along or you two will face me. Get it!?" Sharka and Karox nodded. He walked away, and Sharka followed. Karox growled with anger and reached for a Fearwing drone. She grabbed his head, and crushed it. He screamed, but was ended. She dropepd the head and walked over to the other two. "You two will obey my commands." She said. Nikron rolled his eyes and Blazrox looked elsewhere. She growled again, and the two looked and agreed with her. She opened the lower gate up, and it slowly slid open. She jumped out, and flew towards the city. "Veartax wants a success?" She said to herself. "I'll give him success. The head of Toa Xarana!"

Chapter 18
Clorosc stayed up with Sludge. "Nothing happened!" Clorosc assured. Sludge didn't reply, just came walking. "We were just disscussing... attack stratigies." Sludge stopped and stared at Clorosc. "Does your scilence mean you trust me?" SLudge just kept scilent. He then walked away, leaving Clorosc to stand in the corrador, staring blankly. "Ah, I guess you'll get a little talk from Veartax." Clorosc turned to see Knockout, grinning. "Where did you go off to?" Clorosc asked. "Just needed.... a little tune up." He said. "Ah, but I'll be sure to tell Veartax that you assisted as well." Clorosc threatened. "But how do you know he'll trust you?" Knockout asked, chuckling. Clorosc grinned. "I have my ways." He said. But niether of them noticed Sludge, who was peeking around the corner, with his recorder rolling. Grinning, he walked to Veartax's chamber.

Laila walked through the camp, with Xarana following her. "Laila, please!" Xarana said, trying to reason with her. They were out of the camp, and walking up the main path, leading to Ga Metru itself. "Laila, just listen to me! That wasn't me!" She said. Laila kept walking. "Please! Sister!" Laila stopped. Xarana walked up next to her. Laila grabbed Xarana's wrists, and with her other hand, shoved Xarana to the ground. She landed on her rear with a pained grunt. Laila held her trident to Xarana's throat. She stared at Laila with fear and sadness. "Don't ever call me that AGAIN." Laila said sternly. Xarana didn't speak. Laila withdrew her weapon and walked away, to her scouting position. Xarana shut her eyes tightly, and punched the ground. "Lost me best friend." She said to herself. "All because of that Makuta!" She said, fighting the urge to cry. She took a deep breath and stood up. Laila was a small speck now, and then turned to her position. She sighed and turned to walk back, when she heard the flutter of wings. She turned to see a shape in the sky. She shielded her eyes from the sun's rays to get a better look. But by the time she got a look, she was kicked in the face, and thrown a few feet. She managed to keep herself from falling in the canal, and then recovered. She saw a female Makuta. She was clad in blue and black armor, sharp claws, and a saber. She stood up, and drew her swords. The Makuta laughed. "So this is the Xarana I've been hearing about?" She asked snottily. Xarana glared. "Like your so great" She shot back. Kaarox growled, and fired her Nyrah Ghost Blaster. Xarana dodged, but was hit by another shot. She groaned and fell in mid jump. She hit the ground, and stared at the Makuta. She walked up to Xarana. "So do you like my paralizer Ghost Blaster?" Karox asked. Xarana glared. "Real great." Xarana said sarcasticaly. Karox grinned. "Ah, I've heard so much about your bravery and determination. Maybe because you lost Tahon..." Xarana suddenly got quiet. She stared at Karox, with a sad look on her face. Karox laughed. "So you miss him, huh?" She asked. Xarana blinked and shook her head. "No. No! I won't give in!" She screamed. Karox shrugged. She picked her up by the arm and flung her to the side. Xarana groaned as she hit the ground. She suddenly felt her strength returning. She reached for her swords. But Karox got her sword out and charged. Xarana quickly got one of her Aqua Katanas and met her blow. They held thier position, and nobody could force their oponait's blade back, becasue they had equal strength. Xarana groaned and strained to push the sword back onto Karox's side, but she still held out. Karox then looked for an advantage point, and saw one. Karox then used her other arm, and struck Xarana in her side, right on her pressure point. She yelled in the sudden pain. The Toa of water dropped her sword. Karox used her blade to slice Xarana's back. She screamed at all the pain she was enduring. She dropped on all fours. Karox walked up to her, and stepped on her back, and forced her to the ground. Xarana gave out, and fell, defeated.

Karox grinned and used her foot to shove her forward. Xarana landed on her side, but still managed to get to her knees. Karox sighed and raised her sword. She then brought it down, ready to give the killing blow. But Xarana pulled out her other sword, and deflected the blow. She struggled to keep Karox's blade from slicing her throat open. She ignored the blood running down her back, and tried to prevent anymore injuries. Karox glared and used all of her strength to push her blade lower. Xarana was using up all her strength to stop the sword. Karox laughed. "So, you still keep fighting even when facing death?" she said. Xarana groaned. "I fight for.... freedom." She said. "I'll gladly sacrifice myself to prevent death." Karox laughed. "Well, you can forget about not preventing any deaths, but keep the part about sacrificing yourself." Xarana growled. "Don't... try... to make me underestimate you." She said. Karox shrugged. "Then die." She said. She kicked Xarana in the stoumach, and flung her to the side. Xarana groaned, and forced herself to stand up. She did, but Karox had plans of her own. When Xarana fulyl stood up, Karox grabbed herr by the throat. She instanly gasped at the cold sharp claws digging into her throat. She kicked, and struggled to break free. Karox almost lost her grip, but managed to recover. Xarana jerked her head back and forth, trying to make the Makuta let go, but she failed. Karox kept her grip. Xarana felt light-headed, but then spotted someone approaching. She got a better look. Laila. "Laila!" She gasped out. Laila looked at her in her situation, but didn't do anything. "Laila?" Xarana asked sadly. Laila just shook her head and walked away. "LAILA!!" Xarana screamed. Karox laughed maniacly. "She won't help you. Not after you attacked her." Xarana looked at the Makuta. "That wasn't me!" She said aloud. Karox shrugged. "Who or whatever it was, I personaly don't care. Now I have my prize." Xarana felt a cold chill go down her spine. ''I'm, I'm, I'm sorry Tearox. ''She thought to herself. Karox chuckled. "Well, now you won't have to face pain anymore." She said. Xarana sighed what would be her last breath. Karox raised her claw, ready to deleiver. Xarana then thought of something. She struggled to get her pistols out, which was on a mechanism under her arm. She concetrated, and it slid out, and quickly shot Karox in the shoulder. She screamed at the sudden shock, and dropped Xarana, clutching her wounded shoulder. She then glared and shot her blaster. Xarana jumped out of the way, mover forward, and gave Karox an uppercutt in the jaw. She groaned and fell back. Xarana kneeled next to her and mercelously started punching her in the face. Karox spat and backhanded Xarana off of her. As Xarana recovered, Karox got up, swiped one of Xarana's swords, and took off, flying quickly. Xarana ran up, trying to catch up to the Makuta, but was too late. SHe was now a spec, flying away. Xarana sighed in annoyance and walked back to the camp. But when she got there, she saw everybody fighting. ''A deversion. ''She thought. ''That slirmish was a deversion. ''She spied Jareroden and his team getting pummled. She ran up to find he was sheilding a Toa of water. She looked down and recognized her as Galika, Jareroden's girlfriend. Jareroden looked up at Xarana, walking into firefight. Bullets whizzed past her head and body, luckily missing her. "Get down!!" He ordered. Xarana obeyed and got to her hands and knees. She looked at Galika, who was suffering a shoulder wound. "Do you think you can help her?" Jareroden asked. "I might" Xarana said.

Karox walked up to Veartax, who was sitting on his thrown, Sharka in hers. When Karox approached, Sharka scoffed. "What do you have to report?" Veartax asked. Karox bowed. "My liege, I bring you a gift!" She exlamed. She took out Xarana's sword, which was hidden behind her back. She took it out, and threw it in his location. He caught it and looked over it. "This is hers, all right." Karox beemed and gave Sharka a supirior sneer. Sharka just simply rolled her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. Veartax stopped looking at the wepon and looked at Karox. "I see you don't fail me, unlike two others." He said, looking at Harponok and Struxx, who were by the southern door, stading guard. "Hey!" Harponok replied. "Yes, we almost defeated her, and you know it!" Struxx complaned. Veartax looked to the two of them and held out his hand, electricity coursing through it. The two backed off, and left the room. "You two." Veartax said, motioning to Nikron and Blazrox. They stepped forward. "Seeing the success your sister brought, I am now giving you a mission." Veartax said. The two nodded and awaited commands.

To be continued.

Characters

Xarana

Tearox

Vearanax

Laila

Eria

Helryx

Axonn

Veartax

Sharka

Clorosc

Swindle

Fearwing

Pummel

Uppercutt

Johmak

Teraki

A Vortixx doctor

A dead Toa of Air

A dead Toa of Psionics

A dead Toa of Iron

Deaseas

Sedlar

Tahon

Annodox

Skywarp

Thundercracker

Harponok

Struxx

Jareroden

Phyrrus

Watak

Nikron

Blazrox

Karox

Trivia

 * Harponok and Struxx belong to Baterra1202
 * Jareroden and Galika belong to Jareroden97
 * Watak, Nikron, Blazrox, and Karox belong to Matoro1
 * Phyrrus belongs to Phyrrus362