Brutaka's Game: Ch 14

Brutaka’s Game Ch 14

    When Turaga Whenua and B.J made their way around a cliff, B.J. stopped himself.Straight ahead was the water village of Ga­koro. The village floated on massive lily pads, with bamboo reeds surrounding the village. Carved into the cliff face was Gali’s mask with a waterfall pouring out the mouth. However it wasn’t the scenery that made him pause.
    Turaga Whenua stopped and turned around. “Are you coming or not?” Then he grinned,“Don’t worry, Nokama doesn’t bite.” He then chuckled before walking on.
    Without looking down, B.J. placed a hand on his holstered gun. He only had a few rounds left. He still had the option of using his knife, but around Toa, he doubted it would get him far.
    After taking a deep breath of reassurance, he followed the Turaga through the gate and into the village. B.J spread his arms out to keep his balance while crossing from one lily pad to the next.
    A Ga­Matoran spotted them and alerted the village. At first, they were coming one at a time, but soon, the whole village seemed to run at them. The Ga­Matoran looked at B.J. with wonder, while B.J. looked around for the Toa.
    Someone ended up catching his attention, but it wasn’t a Toa. Instead it was another Matoran­like being, a few inches taller than the Matoran.
    Whenua spoke with a smile. “Turaga Nokama.”
    “Whenua.”
    Both bowed to each other before Nokama set her attention to B.J.“And just who and what are you?”
    B.J. straightened himself, while clearing his throat. “I’m B.J.”
    “He is a Human.” added Whenua.
    Everyone was aghast. B.J. almost shuddered at the response, while Whenua’s face contorted in confusion.
    Nokama gripped her staff tightly. "Humans? I thought you said they were dangerous creatures?"
    Whenua raised an eyebrow. "I never said anything about them. Whom ever told you was lying."
    The Matoran began whispering their concerns to each other. Nokama saw the restlessness almost her villagers and raised her hand. "Silence, please?"
    The Matoran quickly hushed themselves.
    “Then what do you know about them?”
    Whenua shrugged. “Not much. Anything I do know is the result of B.J. and I being taken prisoner by Makuta.”
    Some of the Matoran gasped.
    “But thanks to B.J., we were able to escape. However, it seems that someone is spreading lies about us to the Humans.” He then looked around. “Where are the Toa?”
    “They left to find Lewa. They fear the Humans know about his infiltration.”
    B.J.’s face went blank. “Uh, actually we already did find out.”
    The Turaga looked at him. “And just what exactly did you do?” Nokama asked with concern.
    B.J. hesitated. He feared that saying the wrong thing would anger the Matoran, or solidify their fears of him. “Cou­-Could I tell you privately?”
    That got the Matoran quietly talking with each other. B.J. then felt like he blew it. Nokama paused, then nodded. She signaled for him to follow and led him and Turaga Whenua to her hut. B.J. thought he heard another set of footprints and looked over his shoulder. A Ga­-Matoran with a tablet in her hand followed him.
    “I thought I asked for privacy?” said B.J.
    “I’m the Chronicler,” she replied bluntly. “I record everything that happens to the Toa, good or bad.”
    B.J. sighed. “Alright. And you are?”
    “Hahli.”
    Right as B.J. turned his head back around, he walked straight into the roof of the door.
    Hahli giggled. “Don’t worry, some of the other Toa had the same problem.”

---

    "Where did she go?" asked Pohatu.
    "I thought you were watching her," Onua replied.
    "I thought Lewa was."
    The Toa stormed through the village.
    “Whenua is going to be so cross,” Onua said.
    “Crosser,” corrected Pohatu. “He’ll get so mad his mask will look reader than Tahu’s.”      
    He then sniffed the air. “What is that?"
    As they approached Onepu’s hut, they could hear Lewa humming. They stopped right at the doorway and found Lewa around a cauldron.
    “Lewa," Onua asked. "What are you doing?"
    "I'm food-­cooking."
    The two gave him a confused look.
    "I think maybe the Turaga was right. There's something wrong with you." said Pohatu.
    "What do you mean? I'm fine. Besides, this stew­soup is for Sarah."
    "Why?" Onua asked.
    "Humans eat three times a day and that's not including short­-snacks."
    Pohatu still had a dumbfounded look on his face. "Lewa cooking. That's something the others would want to­-" His face went blank for a moment before his eyes grew wide. He placed a hand over his face. "Mata Nui! I forgot to tell Tahu and the others where we are! They must be worried sick."
    Sarah approached Onepu’s hut, when she watched in amazement as the Toa of stone bolted out of the village with great speed. She then saw Onua. "If Lewa can fly and he can run fast, what can you do?"
    He looked at her and grinned. “Super strength.”
    She gulped. "Alright then. I won’t wrestle you." She then looked at Lewa. "What are you doing?"
    "Cook-­making stew. Tell me, would a kitu be a good replacement for that thing, what did you call it? A potatu?"
    "Potato."
    "Right."
    She shrugged. "Don't look at me. I don't know anything about the plant life here."
    The Toa stared at the diced root before shrugging and throwing it in the stew.

---

    Hahli gasped and dropped her stencil.
    Nokama gripped her staff, trying to keep herself together. “You what?!”
    B.J. placed his palms up. “I’m sorry, this was before I was taken away by ‘Makuta’. I was doing was I thought was best for the safety of my... ‘people’.”
    Nokama took deep breaths and regathered herself. Whenua was shocked at what he had heard, but already having some idea as to what was really going on, was a little more understanding.
    “However, a Toa of stone intervened. The next thing I knew I was being launched into the air. That’s when I found out that Mark wasn’t a Human.”
    Hahli took a sigh of relief, and picked up her stencil.
    Nokama was quiet as she contemplated it all. “If what you say is true, then why haven’t the Toa returned with Lewa?”
    Just then they heard a commotion outside. A Matoran barged in.
    “Turaga, Toa Pohatu has returned.”
    B.J. got up on his feet, while the Turaga walked out. He stood behind the door and peeked outside. He could see the Toa of stone surrounded by cheering Matoran.
    Nokama was the first to speak. "Pohatu, where have you been? Your brothers have been worried sick."
    Pohatu faced her and gave a quirky smile. "Sorry Turaga Nokama and-­" he stopped at the sight of Whenua. His jaw dropped before he stuttered. "Whenua? What are you­- How did you-­ But you were­-"
    Whenua raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What are you trying to say, boy?"
    "How did you get here so fast?"
    The Turaga stared at him before simply replying, "I walked."
    Pohatu had a dumbfounded look on his face. "What? I just saw you in Onu­-koro. How could you get from there to here so fast by walking?"
    Whenua raised a brow. "Pohatu, I haven't been in Onu-­koro for days."
    Pohatu was stumped. "All right, something strange is going on and I don't like it. Turaga, I need to get you back to your village to get some things straightened out." He then faced Nokama. "Where are my brothers?"
    "They went off to find you and Lewa."
    He let out a deep sigh. "All right then. If any of my brothers show up, could you please tell them that Lewa, Onua and I are alright?"
    She nodded and stood back as the Toa picked up Whenua and dashed off.

---

    Sarah walked back into Onepu’s hut and found Nuparu, back facing her, going through her backpack. "What are you doing?"
    The Onu-­Matoran jumped and spun around. "Oh, sorry. I was just looking at all of these cool gadgets of yours" He picked up the backpack and dumped its contents on the table. He picked up a bag. "What is that?"
    "That's my First Aid kit."
    "What about this?"
    "It's a radio."
    He looked at it curiously. "What does it do?"
    She shrugged. "It plays music, and broadcasts news across a large area."
    "Okay. Hey, what is that?" he asked, picking up a Swiss Army Knife.
    "Uh, that's a personal thing," she said, snatching it from his hands and putting it in her pocket.
    "Sorry. Well, what about this?" He held up a pistol.
    Her eyes widened. "No, no, no. You do not want to be handling that." She grabbed it out of his hands and removed the ammo clip.
    He looked at her in surprise. "Why? What does it do?"
    "It’s just something you shouldn't be playing with."
    Just then a hand came from behind and grabbed the gun. "It's something you shouldn't be playing with either," Onua said.
    "Hey, that's mine."
    "Not anymore. You aren't to have any weapons, period."
    She gave a loathsome stare as he walked out. She looked back at her backpack. She looked though the rest of her pack and saw that she still had a tranquilizer dart.
    "I could use it to escape tonight. But who to use it on?" She already knew the answer: Onua. His strength was too much for her to handle and there was the fact that he had her gun. Once she got a hold of it, the other Toa wouldn’t stand a chance. Her thought was interrupted as her stomach growled.
    "Lewa, is that stew ready?"
    "In a few minutes." replied the Toa of air.
    She let out a deep sigh and began to put her belongings back in her pack. While she packed, she could hear a commotion going on outside. She looked out the window and saw Pohatu running in the village with the Turaga in his arms. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see another Turaga Whenua.
    “Twins. Just what I needed." She walked out and could see everyone surround the Turaga in a quarrel.
    "He is an impostor," said one Turaga.
    "No, you are," said the other.
    The Matoran began to talk to each other, trying to decide who is who.
    Sarah then jumped as a hand touched her shoulder.
    "Sarah, your soup-­stew is ready," smiled Lewa, holding a large bowl and a spoon.
    "Thanks," she said, taking the bowl.
    He then looked at the crowd in confusion. "What's with the word­-fighting?"
    "Apparently one of the Turaga is fake." She took a bite of the stew, and followed the Toa to the growing crowd.
    "Lewa," said Onua, "we have a problem. One of these Turaga is a fraud, but we can't tell who it is."
    He and Sarah stared at the two identical Turagas.
    "This is a plot, I tell you. A plot!" said one, "To destroy us. You claim to be the true Turaga so that you can grant full amnesty to that treacherous Human."
    Sarah wasn’t amused at the comment.
    The other Turaga looked at her. “As far as I know, as long as you don’t threaten her, she won't be a threat to you.”
    "That's what you want us to think. But look at the facts. She nearly killed two of our beloved Toa.”
    Some of the Matoran nodded in agreement. Lewa was about to speak in protect, but the other Whenua beat him to it.
    “Yet from what I’ve heard from the other Humans is she acted in self defense.”
    Sarah stopped eating and decided to pay more attention to the conversation. “It’s true. Your icy friend... Kopaka was it? He made the first move, not me.”
    Lewa and the other Toa were surprised at the news.
    “But what about Gali?” asked Pohatu. “She didn’t attack anyone.”
    “I thought she would. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
    Lewa spoke up. “See Turaga? If you took the time to get to know them, then the light-truth will show itself.”
    The Turaga gripped his staff tightly and pointed at the Toa. “I knew it. She’s controlling all of you! You need to break free of her spell! Especially you, Lewa. You’ve had your mask infected and had been controlled by Kraana. It’s no surprise you’ve succumbed to her power.”
    “What, you mean like mind control?” asked Sarah. “I don’t have that kind of ability.”
    “That’s what you want everyone to think!”
    Sarah then began to look irritated. “I don’t know where you got these weird ideas about me, but they need to stop!”
    “Never!” barked the Turaga. “I won’t stop until you and your kind are brought down for your heinous acts.”
    At first, Sarah began to look cross, but then a devilish grin grew on her face. “Heinous acts, huh?” She walked up to him. “You mean like this?” She took her bowl and poured the contents on his mask before putting it on him like a hat.
    Everyone was taken back by the move. Lewa was the most shocked, but a look of dread spread across his face. Pohatu noticed the look on his face and leaned over.
    “Well, there goes your case.”
    “That’s not what has me worried.”
    The Turaga took the bowl off and glared at Sarah angrily. Before he lashed, out the Matoran and Toa gasped, except for Lewa. Sarah tilted her head in curiosity.
    "What?" asked the Turaga.
    "Lewa," said Pohatu, "Please tell me you didn’t—"
    "I did.”
    “Did what?!” the Turaga asked impatiently.
    “I took a Kraata we captured­held a while back and used it in the stew. Humans eat them.” He paused. “Sorry for infecting your mask."
    Those words made the Turaga freeze.
    Onua then raised a brow. "Okay, so if your mask is infected, then why aren't you being controlled by the Makuta?"
    Even though infected, they could tell the Turaga had gone pale. Then the Other Whenua took a step back and gasped.
    "Because he is a Makuta!"
    Everyone but Sarah was in shock.
    Sarah tilted her head over it all. The false Turaga's face went from surprise to a sinister smile. When he spoke, his voice changed. "Well then, I guess there’s no point in staying like this."
    In an instant the small Turaga transformed into a towering, black and gray being. The Matoran screamed and ran to the safety of their huts. Sarah twitched at the sight of the near ten ­foot robot and took a few steps back. Onua was the first to act, drawing out his quake breakers and charging. The Makuta grabbed him by the arm and tossed him over.          
    While doing so, he made the Toa land mask­ first into the stew on the ground. As Onua recovered he felt the infection take hold of him. He grunted as he struggled to fight it.
    "Onua, no!" yelled Pohatu.
    He and Lewa rushed over to help his brother, but the infected Toa summoned a mound of Earth and launched the two in the air.
    "Thank you Onua," said the Makuta. “Keep Pohatu busy.” He then noticed the gun on the ground.
    As he picked it up Sarah’s eyes opened in realization. "Oh no, I forgot to empty the chamber!" She took a step back.
    The Makuta caught her movement from the corner of his eye and faced her. "Where do you think you're going?" he smiled.
    Her heart jumped and her breath became short and heavy as he walked toward her. She walked backwards until her back hit a pillar. As he got closer thoughts race through her mind screaming.
    "Run, get out of the way, move, do something!!" Overwhelming fear kept her frozen as a statue until the Makuta was right in front of her.
    He knelt down and locked eyes with her.
    "Who are you?" she whispered.
    He chuckled. "Forgive my lack of manners Sarah, I am Makuta Ruunaja."
    She screamed as he pulled her by the arm.
    “Now, where’s Lewa?”
    “Right here!” The Toa of air dropped from the ceiling and landed right in front of Ruunaja. “Release her!” He ordered as he drew out his air katana.
    The Makuta smiled, amused. "Lewa, I need you for something." In a flash he stretched out his hand and shot a bolt of lightning.
    The shock sent the Toa back and onto his back. As he slowly recovered, Ruunaja grabbed him by the arm and teleported out of the village.
    As the world spun around, Sarah began to feel sick to her stomach. When her vision cleared she found herself in a forest. "Where are we?"
    "We are near Kini­ Nui my dear." answered the Makuta. He tossed her to the ground and threw Lewa behind himself.
    Lewa quickly got on his feet and readied himself to attack. Before he could strike, several roots came out of the ground and wrapped around his arms and waist. Ruunaja then summoned vines that wrapped around Sarah's waist. She screamed as the vines lifted her several inches into the air.
    "There, is everyone comfortable?"
    The two looked at him with worried looks on their faces.
    "Good, now on to business." He walked to Lewa and took one of his swords, then casually strolled towards Sarah, while playing with the katana. "You know, I really enjoyed being a fake Turaga. I had a lot of fun ordering the Matoran to do my bidding.” His smile then disappeared. “Then you showed up. You just had to get hungry."
    He didn't notice Lewa beginning to use his other blade to cut himself loose. "However, despite my cover being exposed, the remaining Toa and Humans still don’t know. And I need to ‘push’ them into all­out war." He rubbed the edge of the blade along Sarah’s neck.
    She took short and heavy breaths.
    "So I'm going to kill you, make it look like Lewa did it, and make sure your friends find your body.” He then drew the blade away and held up the pistol. “But first I’m going to shoot Lewa and make sure his brothers find him.”
    Lewa ran up from behind and grabbed the Makuta into a headlock. Ruunaja gagged and took a few steps back. As the two wrestled, Sarah reached in her pocket and pulled out her knife.
    She then began to cut the vines. She occasionally looked up to see the progress of Lewa’s quarrel.
    “Grab the gun!” she shouted. She then cut herself free and landed on the ground.
    Ruunaja heard it and turned around. "Oh no you don't." He ran at her and readied to strike.
    Lewa made a mad dash and stood between him and Sarah. He screamed as the sword went into his stomach.
    Sarah's eyes widened. "Lewa?" she whispered. In the midst of shock her knife fell out of her hands.
    Ruunaja looked at him with frustration. "Idiot! That's not how you're supposed to die."      
    He drew the sword out and placed his hand on the Toa's stomach.
    In a few seconds the pain disappeared. Lewa looked at his injury and saw it was gone.
    "There." said Ruunaja.
    In a split second Lewa saw him aim the gun. He launched himself forward and grabbed it.
    The Toa then struggled with Ruunaja to pry the gun loose. He then felt his strength fading and knew exactly what was happening. Lewa looked up and saw Ruunaja smile as he stole Lewa’s strength from him. Soon he could no longer keep the gun away and watched as it was slowly aimed towards him.
    BANG!
    Lewa gasped as the impact knocked the wind out of him. His grip on the gun loosened and he fell onto his knees, before landing on his side. Slowly, he turned his head and looked at the hole near his waist. He didn’t notice the gun now being aimed at his head.
    “Good, now stay right there while I make it look personal." Ruunaja pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. "What?" He pulled the trigger again. Still, nothing happened. He looked at Sarah.
    "Looks like you're out of ammo," Sarah snapped.
    He gave her a dark glare. “Fine. I’ll just let him bleed.” He then approached Sarah.
    Lewa used the last of his energy and shot a powerful torrent of wind at the Makuta, sending him flying in the air and crashing into a tree.
    Sarah faced Lewa. He managed to get up on one elbow, while taking shallow breaths. She ran to him and tried to help him up, but was blocked by his other hand. "Sarah, you need to ever flee."
    "But you­"
    "Go! I'll be fine-­sure."
    She hesitated for a moment, then jumped as she heard Ruunaja begin to move. She quickly ran into the thick underbrush. When Ruunaja got back on his feet, he looked around. He gave Lewa a dark glare. "You son of a Kardas monkey," he spat. As he marched toward him, he stopped and noticed something on the ground.
    "Well, well," the Makuta smirked. "Looks like she left a present." He picked up the object, then went up to the Toa and grabbed his neck, choking him.
    Lewa's eyes locked with his.
    A devilish look came over the Makuta's face. At that moment Lewa screamed.