Bionicle: The Mask of Imitation

Chapter 13: The Toa Koreta

“Yes Ekimu.” Tahu nodded, motioning for the rest to follow as he made his way out the doorway.

“Come everyone.” Kopaka said, waiting for Onua, Gali, Lewa, and Pohatu to leave before going out behind them. The six of them made their way down the steps.

“Kasai. Girl. Stand.” Ekimu said, watching the Toa as they left.

“Yes Ekimu.” Kasai replied, standing up once the purple, black, and silver armored girl had gotten off of him.

“My name is Mirishiki.” The girl said, looking at Ekimu, then Kasai.

“Scraps, Siri, Taiga, Mizu, Strider, come forward, the seven of you. Stand in a line.” Ekimu ordered, each of them doing as he instructed. He made his way down to the end of the line.

The Mask Maker looked each of them over, walking down the line. “Taiga. Siri. Mizu. Kasai. Mirishiki. Scraps. Strider. Each of you have demonstrated skills great enough to convince the Toa to take you as students. But each of you have power nearly equal to that of the Toa locked inside you.” As Ekimu arrived at the end of the line he turned back around, walking in front of Kasai. “Because of this. And my brother’s increasing strength.” He said, placing his right hand on Kasai’s chestplate, in doing so, six of the energy projections of Ekimu appeared, resting their hands above chests of the other six. As Ekimu shut his eyes, a pulse shot from each Ekimu’s hand, shaking the room.

“Your power has come. But it may take time to control it.” The Mask Maker continued, stepping back as his projections faded. “Now, the six of you shall be honorary Toa, known as the Toa Koreta.” Ekimu said, looking to Takeru, whom was sitting down on the bench against the wall. “And you young one. I could use my own student.”

Takeru’s eyes widened as he jumped off the bench, running towards the mask maker. “Really? You want me to be your student?” He asked, Ekimu nodding and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Ekimu.” Kasai said, looking to him. 

“Yes?”

“If we’re now Toa. Should we not have new armor?” Kasai asked, Ekimu giving a smirk and nodding.

“You should. And seeing as the Toa will be receiving new armor and weapons, some of you may receive new masks as well.” Ekimu answered, nodding to Takeru who ran out to the steps.

“Toa, you may return now!” He called out.

It took a week’s time to prepare, first Ekimu made new masks for Tahu’s Toa, each mask looking similar to their originals, but still different with a fade to jagged silver spikes at the top of each mask.

Once the Toa Koreta received their new armor, which they got before Ekimu even began to make the new armor for the Toa, Ekimu called the seven of them to his forge.

“Toa.” Ekimu said, placing his hands behind his back as the seven members lined up. “A week ago I told you of a dark being that stole the mask of Imitation.” He said, snapping his fingers. “My assistant has found someone who can track the locations of specific masks based on their energy.”

As he spoke, Takeru stepped out from the back room, his grey armor now shining a bright gold, and his mask had been replaced with Ekimu’s burial mask. “Toa.” Takeru said, walking towards them. “I’d like you to meet, Alpha.” As he said this,  a faint hovering sound echoed from the back, a small metallic form flying out, whizzing over to Takeru’s side. The robot’s body consisted of a slightly elongated gunmetal body, three dark silver clamps holding his bright green energy cylinder. Two black arms hanging from the front of its body. The robot’s head was an odd grey cube, with a single large, flat eye. 

“Hello, Toa. I am A.L.P.H.A. The Automatic Locating Protocol Historical Assistant. I would be happy to help you locate any historical artifacts you may desire.” 

A voice spoke, coming from a small speaker on the front of his body.

“Alpha.” Kasai said, kneeling down to observe the robot. “Can you help us locate the Mask of Imitation?”

“The Mask of Imitation? That is quite the popular request as of late.” Alpha looked to Ekimu, then back at Kasai, the screen with his eye turning black. After a few moments his eye blinked back on. “Mask located.” His eye switched to a map of Okoto, with a blinking red dot over the earth region. “I can also provide accurate historical accounts regarding the mask if you desire.”

“Not now Alpha.” Kasai said, standing back up. “So Ekimu, shall we be off?”

“Yes. I’m counting on the seven of you to bring back the mask and defeat that beast.” Ekimu nodded, turning away and walking off, Takeru following behind him.

“Okay Alpha, lead the way.” Kasai said, motioning to the doorway. 

“Yes sir.” Alpha nodded. Quickly, the robot began floating towards the stairs, making his way out to the city.

“Come on team.” Kasai called behind him, running out after Alpha.

“Kasai!” A voice called out, the honorary Toa of Fire looking around to see Toa Tahu standing by the doorway.

“I’ll meet you by the gate.” Kasai said to his team, who all kept moving.

“Come here.” Tahu said, stretching his arms. His new golden armor glowing in the sunlight.

“Yes Toa.” Kasai said, bowing before his master. Tahu placed a hand on Kasai’s shoulder, looking through his red and silver mask at Kasai’s smooth grey mask.

“I’ve put my trust in you. Taught you as much as I can. You’ve been an amazing student...and I am honored to call you friend.” Tahu said, his eyes watering. Kasai looked to the ground, nodding. 

“And I am honored to know you Toa Tahu.” He said.

“Kasai, I wanted you to have this…” Tahu said, pulling a mask off his hip and holding it in front of Kasai. The honorary Toa paused, the mask in front of him was Tahu’s own mask.

“Tahu…”

“Take it Kasai. May it serve you well.” Tahu replied, handing it to Kasai.

“Y...Yes Toa.” Kasai sighed, taking the mask, pulling off his grey mask and placing the Mask of Fire upon his face. “Thank you Toa…”

“You’re welcome. Now, get out there and lead your team to victory.”

“Yes Tahu. I’ll see you when we return.”