- Okay everyone! This is the final chapter for The Turning Point. A special thanks to Saya Moonshadow for giving me the inspiration to write it. Enjoy!-

Chapter 14

"Ha ha! We're done!" Matau announced, placing the last Matoran sphere into the airship and wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "Now we can leave-go!"

"We can leave, but our work is far from over," predicted Nuju, walking to stand beside Matau. "We have a whole new life to build on Mata Nui."

"He's right," Whenua agreed, securing the last of the spheres. "We have to wake up the Matoran, build six villages, learn to deal with the environment changes―"

"Alright, alright! I get the point. You guys―always so full of happy-cheer," Matau complained. "I'm just excited to drive the ship! I mean, just look at it!"

"You do know how to drive it without crashing, right Matau?" Onewa asked, joining the group.

"Of course I do! I've ridden everything on Metru Nui and can drive any vehicle," the Toa of Air boasted, smiling confidently at his brothers.

"Not everything," Nuju said, giving one of his rare smiles. "You've never ridden a Gukku bird."

Matau growled, turning angrily to Nuju. "How many times are you going to past-remind me that you've ridden one of those stupid birds and I haven't?" he fumed, gesturing wildly.

Smirking, Nuju replied, "As many times as you've annoyed me."

Stepping out of the ship, Whenua patted the green Toa on the back. "Don't be too mad," he added. "Just remember that this is only payback for being so annoying."

"I am not annoying!" Matau yelled.

"Oh, yes you are."

"You're all just jealous of my good looks!"

"What good looks?" Nuju asked, positively grinning.

"You should be talking, lens-eye! You looked better as Hordika!"

"At least I don't smell like one."

"Now, now you guys," Onewa intervened. "Remember, it's not Matau's fault he's ugly as well as stupid!"

Nokama chuckled as she watched all four of the Toa laugh, something that would never have happened a few weeks ago, as they continued throwing mild insults at each other. Our experiences have truly brought us closer together, she thought happily, and nothing is going to tear us apart. All of the city seemed to be reflecting the team's bright mood. The heavy shadow that had covered Metru Nui when the Toa arrived had dissipated and sun was shining brightly, reflecting brilliantly off the ships. Birds were singing happily and their song mixed with her brothers' laughter made Nokama feel like the luckiest person in the world. A slight, warm breeze only added to the joyful atmosphere. Closing her eyes, Nokama turned her face toward the sky and reveled in how good it felt just to exist.

"Hey, Nokama, could you tell Vakama that we're ready to leave?" Onewa shouted, bringing Nokama back to reality.

"Sure!" Nokama called back. Standing up, the Toa of Water walked toward where Norik and Vakama were talking, taking in the view of the city.

" . . . And now we know that the Matoran are in most capable hands," Norik was saying. The elder put a hand on Vakama's shoulder. "Your hands."

Vakama smiled and stood straighter than Nokama had ever seen him. A little regretfully, Nokama gently cleared her throat, attracting the attention of the two Fire beings. "All the spheres are in the ship, Vakama," she reported. "We're ready to go whenever you are.

"Thank you, Nokama," he replied, smiling at her. "I believe it is time for us to go. Thank you again, Norik."

"You are most welcome," the Rahaga replied, bowing deeply to the two Toa. "Good luck on your journey and on the island above."

"Thank you, Norik," Nokama said. "The same to you."

Vakama started walking towards the ship, calling to the other Toa as he did so, "Alright everyone! We're going!"

The Rahaga, Keetongu, and the Toa gathered around the entrance to the airship, trading brief 'goodbyes' and 'good lucks.' Advice was given and 'thank yous' exchanged. Finally, the friends went their separate ways. The Toa went into the airship, and everyone headed toward the bow to wave to the Rahaga and to Keetongu except for Matau, who went to the ship's controls. He sat down and pressed the buttons to release the ship from the docking bay. The cables detached themselves from the bottom of the vessel and as Matau grabbed the steering lever and pulled back, the security claws let go of the ship and retracted back into the Coliseum. The Lhikan II was ready to begin its journey.

Smiling, Matau announced, "Next stop: Mata Nui!" The line of ships slowly began to rise and Matau started to steer the ships toward the Great Barrier. When those not on the ship were out of sight, the Toa turned their gazes to their home, knowing this would be the last time they would see it for a very long while. Still, as sad as it was to think of leaving their home, they were all excited to start their new life on Mata Nui. Everyone was smiling and talking happily until Onewa spotted something. Startled, the Toa of Stone grabbed the rail and leaned forward to get a closer look. Everyone else did the same and even Matau leaned over in his seat to see what the commotion was about. The protodermis that once held the Makuta had been shattered, leaving only an impression of the villain behind.

"The Makuta," Onewa whispered, transfixed by the sight of the empty protodermis shell on the face of the Great Barrier. "He is gone."

"Hah! I told ya!" Matau shouted, turning back to his steering. Onewa slightly rolled his eyes and muttered something about swelled heads, but said nothing.

"Yes, I imagine we'll be seeing the Makuta again very soon," Vakama said, looking darkly at where the villain had last been seen.

"And . . . when we do?" Nokama asked.

"We'll find a way to defeat him," Vakama told her, "because that's what Toa do."

Everyone smiled and agreed with their leader. They would deal with that problem when it came. Against the united Toa Metru, even the Makuta didn't stand a chance.

---------------------

"Matau, can we stop here for a minute?" Vakama asked only a few minutes after the departure.

Matau glanced over, confused. "Why?" he asked. "Did you forget something?"

"You . . . could say that. It won't take long, I promise."

"Alright," Matau relented. Pulling gently on the steering, the ships slowly floated to a stop.

"Thank you," Vakama said before turning to Nuju. "Nuju, can you get me to the top of that pillar right there?"

"Yes. Back down too?"

Vakama smiled. "Yes, if you would."

"Hey, Vakama. What's up there?" Onewa asked, as Nuju and Vakama went outside.

Vakama turned and gave a small, sad smile. "An old friend that I need to thank," he said.

---------------------

"Hey, Onewa, have you seen the fire-spitter?"

Onewa looked up from the tablet he was reading to find Matau standing over him. "Uh . . . no," he replied. "I thought he was on the bridge with you."

"Nope," Matau said shaking his head. "He's not on guard duty either."

"You sure?"

Matau nodded.

"Did you ask Nokama?"

"Yep, she didn't know either. I'm gettin' kinda worried. No one's seen him since he came down from where . . . well . . . " Matau trailed off. Both Toa knew the end of the sentence: to where Turaga Lhikan had died.

Onewa stood up. "Alright, I'll help you search."

"Thanks," Matau said gratefully. "I'm going to search the back areas of the ship. Could you look on the bridge in case he went back there?"

"Sure."

Matau turned to continue his searching when Onewa called him back.

"Hey, Matau, wait a minute!"

"Yeah?"

"If you're here searching, then who's driving?"

The green Toa grinned. "Nuju!" he said.

"Nuju?"

"He was near-closest!"

Onewa's eyes grew big. "Oh boy," he groaned. "Come on! Let's find Vakama quickly and get you driving again before we end up underwater."

---------------------

"Fire-Spitter! Vakama! Vakaaaaaama . . . . Vakama!! Where are you hiding?" Matau took a moment to listen for a response, but only heard his last few calls echo around the main part of the ship, bouncing off the rows and rows of spheres. The space was huge, being both wide and extremely deep; it had to be to fit the entire population of . . . Ta Metru, if Matau remembered correctly. The inhabitants of the other Metrus were in the other ships, being dragged along by cables.

He couldn't be in one of the other ships, could he? Matau asked himself, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Nope, not unless he quick-learned to wind-fly. "Vakama!" he called, hoping he wouldn't lose his voice anytime soon. He walked a little further on the walkway that ringed the inside of the ships, stopping when he reached the end. "Toa Vakama Metruuuu!!!!"

"Heh. You're not going to leave anytime soon, are you," a voice said from above.

Matau jumped a little bit, looking above him. Retracing his steps the green Toa found another walkway right above his head. Although he couldn't see Vakama he could guess where he was now. Backing up a little more, he jumped up onto the overhang, landing with a loud clang that resonated around the large room. The red Toa was on an outside balcony, leaning on the rail and facing away from Matau.

"Nope, " Matau said, entering through the doorway and leaning on the rail beside Vakama. "Can't get rid of me that easily."

"Thought not," Vakama muttered softly.

Matau turned his gaze to match his friend's. The other ships stood plainly in view, the sun reflecting on their tops, giving off a bright glare. Beyond that was the faint outline of Metru Nui, once glorious, now abandoned.

"So!" Matau started, "What are you doing here?

"I needed to think a bit."

"How did you creep-sneak past everyone? No one saw you leave."

Vakama tapped his mask.

"Oh, right. You frightened-scared us pretty bad. Everyone's trying to seek-find you."

"Are they now."

"Yeah. Didn't you hear me loud-shouting for you?"

"I heard," the red Toa replied. "I just . . . wasn't ready to come back yet."

The two Toa were silent for a bit, Matau occasionally glancing at his friend. Finally, Matau broke the silence. "I know I'm probably not first on your list of friends to confide in, but if there's something on your mind . . . Well, I'm here for you, Vakama." The Toa of Air stood and stretched. "Well, I better go and speak-tell everyone that you're okay-fine." He turned to leave, but Vakama's voice stopped him.

"Wait, Matau?"

Matau turned and came back. "Yeah, Fire-Spitter?"

"I . . . I-I'd like to say I'm sorry," Vakama blurted. "For everything. For betraying everyone, for burning the Great Temple, for being a bad leader, for―"

"Hey, hey!!" Matau interrupted. "Now that's no way to speak-talk. Everyone makes mistakes, even me occasionally."

"But you don't understand!" Vakama said suddenly, spinning around to face Matau. "I tried to kill you! I wanted to kill you!"

"Well, you wouldn't be the first. I'm pretty sure that Nuju wanted to kill me too at times!" the green Toa said, trying to cheer up his friend. But he wasn't being very successful.

Tears were starting to run down Vakama's Kanohi Huna. "You're not taking me seriously," he accused.

Matau sighed. "I'm taking you dark-seriously, Vakama. But you're obsessing. Do you want to kill me now?"

"No! Not at all!"

"Are you going to betray us to Makuta?"

"I'd never do that!" Vakama yelled.

"And you're going to try your best to lead us well, right?"

"Of course!"

"Well then, what's the problem?"

Vakama blinked and thought about Matau's last statement. Meanwhile, Matau continued.

"Exactly. Now, you said you were sorry and we said we forgive you. If you mean it, so do we. So, if you need to deep-think, I'll leave you. Just quick-return when you're done."

The Toa of Fire smiled and nodded, wiping at his eyes. "Thank you, Matau," he said a bit shakily. "I'll be back in a bit. I'm going to apologize later tonight so I'm going to think over what I'm going to say to everyone."

Matau nodded and grinned, putting an arm around Vakama and clanking fists with his brother. He then turned to go but stopped short. Vakama's eyes widened and his mask turned a deep shade of red. Standing in the doorway was the rest of the Toa Metru, all of them smiling.

"No need to apologize," Onewa said, walking over and putting his arm heavily on Vakama's shoulders. "We've already forgiven you. You just need to forgive yourself."

"Why, Onewa. I do believe that is the most sentimental thing you've ever said," said Whenua, following the Toa of Stone out onto the balcony.

"I was thinking more along the lines of 'sappy'," Matau said. "How long were you guys sneak-listening?"

"We weren't trying to eavesdrop," Nuju replied.

"We heard a crash and thought that maybe one of the spheres had come loose," Nokama explained. "When we came to investigate we found you two instead."

"We only heard a line or two," the brown Toa assured. "Just enough to know why Vakama here disappeared on us."

"Quick-stop! Who's driving?" This question came from Matau, who was suddenly staring hard at Nuju. Nuju visibly stiffened as he turned to the Toa of Air. "No one's driving??" Matau asked, suddenly running off towards the bridge, Nuju not far behind.

"We were all looking for Vakama!" Nuju said.

"Augh! You star-gazers! I told you not to move from that seat under any circumstance until I quick-returned!"

"I couldn't drive it anyway!"

"You can ride a Gukku bird, but you can't drive a simple ship?"

The two voices were soon lost among the spheres as the Toa ran further towards the bridge.

"I better go and help," Whenua said. "Onewa, Nokama, you both better come too."

"See ya later, fire-spitter!" Onewa said, leaving with Whenua at a much slower pace than the previous two. Nokama hesitated for a moment, then gave a small wave accompanied with a smile, and left Vakama alone

"Vakama?"

The red Toa jumped and spun around to find the person he least expected to see.

"Toa Lhikan!" Vakama said, staring at the faint outline of his hero. "This is another vision?"

"Of a kind," Lhikan said, his voice, like his image, faint and blurry. He walked over to stand in front of Vakama. "It's more of an unofficial visit."

"Just a short one, I'm guessing."

"Yes. And, I'm afraid, also the last."

"The . . . last?" the young Toa asked.

"Yes, it's time for us all to move on, including me." Lhikan smiled and put a hand on the younger Toa's shoulder. "I just wanted to tell you how proud I am. You and your team have battled against the most fearsome villain you'll ever encounter: yourselves. And you, Vakama, have come out triumphant. Not many Toa can boast that. Now I know that the Matoran's safety are in the best hands I could have chosen. You'll be a great leader." The hero backed away, slowly starting to fade. "May the heart of Metru Nui live forever!"

Then, Lhikan, the hero of Metru Nui, was gone.

For a moment, the silence was overwhelming. Then the birds started to sing again and the lapping of waves from the sea reached Vakama's ears. "Thank you, Lhikan," he whispered, feeling more peaceful than he could remember. "For everything. You won't be forgotten." Then he turned and headed towards the bridge, full of new confidence. He wanted to be with his team when they reached their new home.

---------------------

Nokama lazily swung her legs back and forth, crossing her arms on the railing and resting her head on her arms. Sitting on the walkway near the bridge she could clearly hear her brothers in the control room, but it was muffled enough to give her some silence in which to think. But she really wasn't thinking of anything in particular. Her legs swinging back and forth, Nokama realized that, more than anything, she was bored. Really, really, bored.

Nokama's legs paused their continuing pattern as the sound of someone coming up the stairs to the bridge interrupted them. Vakama came running up, looking much happier than when Nokama had last seen him. She said so out loud.

"You look happier."

Vakama paused on the stairway, turned, and gave the Water Toa a big smile. "Oh, Nokama! Um, yes, I'm much happier. Why are you out here alone, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Nuju and Matau are giving each other lectures on the meaning of 'responsibility.' I decided to leave before things got out of hand."

"Ah. Well then, if you don't mind, I'll think I'll join you."

"Please do," Nokama invited, patting the space next to her. Still smiling, Vakama completed his journey up the stairs, then took a left and sat next to the blue Toa.

"So, did the thinking help?" Nokama asked.

"Yes, monumentally," Vakama replied. "Though, it was the vision that really helped."

"A vision?" asked Nokama, intrigued.

"I saw Toa Lhikan."

"What did he say? That is, if you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all," the Fire Toa assured, smiling. "He said it was time for all of us to move on and that he was proud of what we did. That he was proud of me. I just feel so . . . " He laughed. "It's so hard to describe! I should be sad right now, because I know I'm never going to see Lhikan again. But I'm not! I'm . . . I'm happy! Really happy. And I . . . I feel confident. Like I could take on the whole world and win."

Nokama smiled. "Well, self confidence is always good. Just don't let it change you too much."

The red Toa laughed. "Don't worry, I won't."

"Good. I'd hate for you to get a swelled head like M―—" Nokama bit her tongue, surprised at herself. She hadn't meant to say anything negative about the Toa of Air, but that had just slipped.

"Like . . . Matau?" Vakama finished.

The Toa of Water shrugged, not wanting to admit her degrading comment, but knowing lying would be useless.

"I won't tell him you said anything," the Fire Toa assured.

"You sound almost happy that I said that," she accused.

This time, Vakama was the one who shrugged. "Maybe I am," he confessed.

"Why?"

"Well, because that means you don't think he's perfect."

Laughing, Nokama replied, "No one is perfect."

"Then you don't believe that there's a perfect someone out there for you?"

She turned towards her companion who was calmly staring at the spheres across from him. "That's quite a change of subject," she commented. "But I do believe in soul mates, if that's what you're asking."

He nodded, apparently deep in thought.

"Do you?" she asked back.

"I think so, yes," he replied. "Or at least, the concept of 'true love.' Which, uh, reminds me." He turned to face Nokama fully and she saw a small flicker of the old doubt in his eyes. "I've been meaning to talk to you about the, um, proposal incident in the Coliseum."

"Oh, the proposal. What about it?"

"I'm sorry if it was . . . offensive, in anyway," said Vakama. "Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have asked. Uh, I mean, wait, no . . ." He closed his eyes and sort of slapped himself. "That didn't come out like I meant it to," he mumbled. Taking a deep breath he tried again. "What I meant was I wouldn't have asked at that precise moment if I had been myself. But . . ."

"But . . ." Nokama encouraged, heart pounding hard in her chest.

Vakama opened his eyes again. "I-I did mean it, with all my heart. And I would ask the question again in a moment, if I thought you'd say yes. Because . . . because I care about you, more than words can express, and I would do anything for you, and . . . and I . . . I love you. I needed to tell you that before my new found confidence wore off," he finished. He then exhaled heavily, dropping his head and turning back towards the spheres.

For a few moments Nokama couldn't breath, partly out of shock and partly because the the acrobatics that her heart was performing. He loves me? Really loves me? When breath came back to her, Nokama smiled and asked, "Truly?"

The Fire Toa turned and nodded. "Truly."

"Say it again."

Vakama looked a little surprised, but obliged. "I love you, Nokama." He was even more surprised when Nokama threw herself forward, hugging him tightly.

"Good!" she exclaimed, half laughing. "Because I love you too, Vakama!"

After the initial shock wore off, Vakama starting laughing too, and hugged the blue Toa back.

"So when's the wedding?"

Nokama and Vakama turned to find Onewa standing at the bridge doorway, looking very amused.

"You should really stop listening in to my private conversations," Vakama scolded, letting go of the Toa of Water.

The Stone Toa shrugged. "Yeah, I probably should. So anyway, you guys are getting married, aren't you? I mean, you proposed and everything."

"I, uh, never gave an answer," said Nokama.

"Well, then give him one. I need something to do and organizing a wedding doesn't sound too bad."

"Who said we were getting married right away? Besides, organizing a wedding takes weeks and we have more important things to do."

"We don't even have a Turaga to marry us," Vakama added.

"Well, I think I heard that a ship's captain can marry a couple," mused Onewa. "But, who's the captain?" He turned and headed back towards the bridge, calling to his team mates, "Hey, guys, who's the captain of the ship?"

"Do we need one?" Nuju asked.

"Ooo! I'll be the captain!" offered Matau.

"Wouldn't it be Vakama? He's our leader," Whenua said.

"I'm the one steer-driving, I should be captain!"

"I suppose it'd be Vakama, but he's the one getting married," Onewa explained.

"Married?"

"Really?" asked Nuju.

Vakama shook his head, smiling, and turned to Nokama. "I'd better go and stop this before it gets too out of hand," he said.

"You do that," Nokama said. "I'll stay out here until things calm down."

The Fire Toa nodded and stood. "Oh, before I forget," he mumbled. He reached behind him and pulled out a mask. "This is yours."

Nokama took the mask as Vakama held it down to her. She smiled as the familiar replica of her Kanohi Rau stared back at her. "Thank you."

"No problem." With that the Toa of Fire walked onto the bridge, saying, "No one said anything about getting married right away!"

"But you proposed."

"Can I still be captain?"

The door closed behind him and Nokama once more had a chance to think. This time, she had plenty to think about: how to awaken the Matoran, how to build Ga-Koro, Vakama's proposal, and when they would see Metru Nui again. A wedding might be in her future somewhere and there was a possibility that the Makuta might attack their new home. There's so much responsibility, so much to do. Nokama stood up as a crash resonated from the bridge, followed by a surprised and angry cry, shaking her head. But for now, she thought, I'll just concentrate on trying to keep my brother's from killing each other. The real problems can wait until we reach home.

---------------------

"I was right. Makuta would follow us here and threaten to cast our new world and all who came to call it home into everlasting shadow. It was in those days I discovered that our destinies are not written in stone, we have to find them for ourselves. I found mine. Now it is time for you to make new legends, for this is the way of the Bionicle."

- Author's Note: The last paragraph is the last few lines from the movie Web of Shadows. I'd like to thank everyone for being so kind and taking time to review this story. A big thanks to everyone! I'd like to know what you thought of the ending. So, any last reviews?-