Chapter 1

Kongu flew fast and hard across the island, Tamaru clutching his back with an iron grip. He had to get to Ta-Koro, and he had to get there now. Leaning down, he petted his Gukko bird, Ka, urging more speed. Though he and the other Le-Matoran riders favored the Kahu breed in battle, it was the regular Gukko breed that flew fast and true. Now his decision was paying off.

As he glided low over the Ta-Koro ramparts, he saw the Toa on the lavaplains, each starting in six directions, presumably for their respective villages. Holding Tamaru with one hand, he launched into a powerdive and shouted, “Wait!”

This caught their attention. All six turned and looked at him in confusion.

“Far-rider, what brings you from our nest-home?” asked Lewa. His usual light demeanor was replaced with alarm. As Kongu looked around at the scene of battle, he could see why: Lewa was worried about what had happened when he was away.

“Bohrok quick-assault our hightop lands,” he said quickly. “Acid-poison bubbling at the long-roots of Le-Wahi. Our riders fast-defend, but the junglelands forever tar-marred. Some hard-damage has tarnished the town beauty, and the village is much damaged and deplete-exhausted. I return now.”

“They have attacked Le-Koro?” Lewa shuddered. “I must fast-go,” he told the others. “Captain, quick-lead.”

Kongu shook his head. “Le-Wahi village defenses holding, if dented, but Ta-Koro needs you again. I followed the swarm assaulting our lands, but half-split they have. Lehvak and Pahrak inbound from Fau Swamp across Mangai slopes.”

“Wait,” Tahu said, translating in his head. “Lehvak are cutting across the Mangai? Heading here?”

“They are,” Kongu nodded. “A great-force, too. Larger than any Rahi-force.” He gestured to the fallen Bohrok on the lavaplains. “Larger than these too.”

Tamaru stirred. “A great-force,” he said woozily.

Tahu nodded. “I am grateful for your warning. I will send Ta-Koro scouts to follow the movements of this swarm.”

Kongu nodded. Directing Ka back into the air, he shot off to deliver Matau’s message. The faster he did, the sooner he could return to Le-Koro.

Tahu looked at the others. “I know you are eager to return to your villages, but I ask you for your help. The Mangai is close, and on the way for many of you. If we hurry now, we can stop this force before they get here.”

Four of the other five looked uneasy, but they nodded. Only Lewa struggled with his decision.

“Lewa, I understand if you must go—” Tahu started.

The Toa of Air exhaled. “No. Kongu say Matoran of Ta-Koro need my help. I will protect them as I would my own… But I cannot dawdle-linger.”

Tahu nodded. “Understood.”

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Section from BIONICLE Synopsis

Lewa, Gali, and Pohatu stood at the rim of the Mangai volcano. The heat was intense. More than once, Lewa found himself wishing for the cool breezes in the treetops of Le-Koro. Then he remembered why he was here… and what the Bohrok had done to his village… and he knew he would plunge into the fiery heart of the volcano if that would only make things right.

“You’re certain this is going to work?” he asked the Toa of Stone.

Pohatu nodded. “If it doesn’t, none of us will be here to worry about it. Tahu and Kopaka are in position… and Onua has seen to the evacuation of Ta-Koro in case… something goes wrong.”

In the distance, Lewa could see a cloud of dust kicked up by the approaching swarms. Scouts had reported that Pahrak and Lehvak were on their way, ready to launch a second attack on the lava plains.

“It’s time,” Pohatu said.

Lewa and Gali took their places on either side of the volcano’s mouth. Looking down, they could see the seething cauldron of lava within. Neither said a word, fearful of breaking the other’s concentration. A single misstep… a shade too much power here or there… and the Mangai would explode, taking Ta-Koro and much of the rest of the island with it.

Grimly, the Toa of Water and the Toa of Air focused their powers through their tools and sent it hurling into the volcano. Gali’s energy met that of Lewa, and a storm began to grow inside the peak. Winds howled and lightning flashed where there should have been none, and waves of magma crashed against the sides of the volcanic cone. Even as they fed the storm, making it stronger, the two Toa fought to keep it compressed inside the mountain.

“Pohatu… it’s too much…” Lewa said.

“Just another moment, Lewa,” Pohatu replied. “The Bohrok are almost here.”

Pohatu shifted his mask to Kanohi Akaku, so he could take advantage of its vision powers. Yes, the two swarms were close now… any second…

“Now!” Pohatu bellowed.

Far below, Tahu heard the Toa of Stone cry out. He swung his mighty fire sword and tore a gash in the side of the Mangai. The pressure inside the volcano at last found release, and lava spewed from the wound, arcing high through the air to strike the approaching swarms head-on.

The lava staggered them, but no more. Their shells were designed to handle far worse punishment. But even the Bohrok could not be prepared for Kopaka’s sudden strike, as his sword froze the lava around them. Helplessly pinned by the ice, the Bohrok could do nothing as the Toa of Ice removed their krana.

“This won’t hold them for long,” Kopaka said. “But it has done its job. The krana are ours.”

“Now the true test begins,” Tahu said.

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The Ta-Matoran quickly filled back in to their places in the village. With the Lehvak assault beaten back, the scouts reported movement stirring again from the original direction. But the five Toa of the other villages had fulfilled their promise to Tahu. Now they were gone.

Vakama frowned as he saw Jala and Tahu directing defenders and villagers. What was foretold has come true, he thought. Should we have told them the truth?

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As Kongu and Tamaru glided back over the border between Ta-Wahi and Le-Wahi, he frowned as he saw ripples in the tree canopy. Some smokey vapors billowed up from near Le-Koro.

Kongu frowned. Was he going to regret not bringing Lewa back with him?

“Bad-plight on Le-Koro,” Tamaru said softly from behind him. “Listen.”

Kongu listened. Someone was banging the drums of Le-Koro. Stay away, they said. Travelers beware.

Then, all at once, the drums fell silent.

As Ka swooped lower, Kongu held his breath. He could not possibly anticipate what lay ahead of them…