The Turning Point

"I . . . I don't know," Vakama said, looking over his old city Ta-Metru.

"I understand," Roodaka said. "You need time to think it over. That is understandable." She tapped her chin in thought, making a metallic click as she did so. "I can give you until this afternoon."

Vakama grunted. Roodaka smiled and walked towards the door, her blue Visorak scrambling to get out of her way. "Oh, and Vakama?" she asked from the door. "Make the right decision. I would hate to lose a potential friend." With one last chilling smile the door closed leaving Vakama alone with his thoughts.

He slipped down to the floor, leaning his back on the wall and sighed. The queen's offering was tempting, but how could he? How could he betray his fellow Toa?

Because they betrayed him. His one fist clenched tightly at the thought of his former friends. They who said they wanted him as leader, but then criticized every decision that he made. No, not everyone, he thought. Nokama was usually supporting him when others would not. Nuju made helpful criticisms about the consequences and Whenua used his knowledge of Metru Nui's history to make suggestions to help the plan succeed. And when Vakama himself doubted his idea Onuwa gave him confidence, reminding him of past victories. They always seemed confident in Vakama.

Not Matau. The thought of the Toa of Air enraged him. Matau never had any hesitation to point out any flaws in Vakama's plans, or how they came out. The green Toa was also the most vain Toa Vakama had ever met. Not to mention he had never held belief in Vakama. He had called Vakama's visions madness, calling him cross-wired at every chance. Vakama growled. Maybe it would be worth working with Roodaka just to make Matau pay.

But, wasn't Matau also the very first one to congratulate Vakama when he found his mask power? And hadn't they made civil, even pleasant, conversation on the ride from and back to Metru Nui? And wasn't he the one who blamed Vakama when the ship crashed, an angry voice asked.

"That was his fault," Vakama growled. "He was steering badly. But . . . There was a storm. But it wouldn't have mattered if I drove; he would have blamed it on me despite the weather. But . . ." His fist came down on the metal floor, making a resonating clang. "Why can't I make up my mind?" he yelled.

"Perhaps you aren't thinking of the right question." Vakama jumped. He hadn't planned on being answered. On all fours, with his Rhotuka spinner up and ready, Vakama looked for his visitor. "You aren't going to shoot a fellow Toa, are you Vakama?" the stranger asked, appearing in front of Vakama. When the Toa-Hordika saw him he gasped.

"L-Lhikan?" he asked, standing up.

Lhikan smiled in as friendly a manner as he ever had. "Yes, Vakama. Is it so hard to believe?"

"But—but you're dead. I saw you die," Vakama stammered.

"True. But strange things happen in visions." For the first time Vakama looked at his surroundings, to find there were none.

"I—I'm having another vision?"

"Of a sort. You need help, Vakama. You're faced with a difficult decision and the Hordika poison is affecting your mind."

Vakama sighed. "I'm so confused, Lhikan. Part of me is screaming that this is madness, and that this isn't my destiny. That I'm deserting my duty by leaving the Toa."

"So, what's keeping you from that decision?"

"There's another part of me that says that the Toa deserve to be abandoned and punished, that there's nothing else I can do. And, oh Lhikan, she offered me Ta-Metru. Surely nothing can be more important than my home."

"I'm afraid I must disagree with you, Vakama. The Great Spirit is more important, and our duty to him should be above all else."

"Maybe for Toa. But, for Hordika? How can I?"

"Go back to your fellow Toa, Vakama, help them find Ketongu. He'll be able to cure all of you and return you to your true Toa forms."

"No."

"No?"

"Lhikan, I'm stronger now as Hordika. I can prove myself to them now. I'll prove that I can be a good leader."

"Vakama you're mad."

Taken aback Vakama asked "What? You're calling me mad now?"

"Yes. Are you so gone as to forget the three virtues? Unity, Duty, Destiny: it starts with unity. Together with the other Toa, you are strong, and not before."

But Vakama was no longer listening. "You, of all people, would call me crazy? Before you died, you said 'trust my visions.' Are you taking that back? You would betray me as well?"

Seeming to realize that he had made a mistake, Lhikan took hold of Vakama by the shoulders. "Listen to me, Vakama. I would never betray you. But what you speak of is madness. The Vakama I know would never think such thoughts." Vakama looked down at his feet until Lhikan gave him a violent shake and said, close to yelling, "Listen to me! The Hordika is getting a hold on you. Don't forget who you are, Vakama. You are a Toa."

Vakama growled. He threw Lhikan off and said in a harsh voice, "Not any more." Lhikan gave one last look at Vakama, one of regret and betrayal, before Vakama was once again surrounded by Visorak webs in the Coliseum. The sun had sunk down in the sky and in its light Roodaka stood tall and menacing. "Well, Vakama?" she asked.

"Tell me what to do."