Author's Notes: Whoo! Spring break baby! XD I've missed being able to sleep in. Anyway, thank you guys sooo much for the 1000+ hits and all the reviews for this fic! I love you all very much for that! It makes me real happy to know that this has gotten so much attention because it's my baby and most beloved story. And now it must sadly come to an end, but not to worry, there can always be a sequel if you wish/review it so. And so, without further adieu, I give you the final chapter. Hope you like! X3

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters mentioned in this story except for Lehu and Lewa's Mix form. They all belong to Lego and/or anyone else who owns them where as Lehu and the Mix belong to me. This story also contains yaoi, slash, and/or shounen ai which all mean boyxboy love. If you don't like those kinds of things, leave now or forever be scarred by the horrors you are about to witness. Enjoy! XD

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"The Greatest Love"
By: Green Devil
Part VI "My Green Angel"

With the Rahkshi gone, it was clear sailing through the various tunnels of the Makuta's lair, for the most part. Takanuva's mask fought back the shadows with its brilliance and kept them on the right track, but Kopaka's Akaku Nuva wasn't picking up any forms of life with its x-ray scope. This troubled them greatly.

"Do you think he could be hiding out in a new place or something? He's not dumb enough to be here again, is he?" Lehu ventured to ask. He wasn't as familiar with the spirit as the others so didn't know how he did things.

"He doesn't have any other lair that we know of." Tahu answered. Anger was evident in his tone, but who he was mad at the Toa couldn't be certain of.

"I think your assumption of him is pretty accurate though, Lehu." Pohatu chimed in. The lame attempt at a joke went without even a pity smile, let alone a laugh, everyone's faces stony and determined. The auburn Toa sighed. If Lewa were there he would've laughed, or at least added to the joke to help liven the mood. He wanted him back, as did everyone, and they'd try their hardest to get him.

A life form finally showed itself through the Ice Toa's lens and a far off cry reached Onua's sensitive ears, causing him to stop in his tracks with wide eyes. He turned to Kopaka.

"Where is he?"

The snowy one pointed to the wall beside them. "But he's still pretty far. This place is nothing but a giant labyrinth."

Jade eyes narrowed. "We'll just have to cut our way straight to him them." He placed a palm on the rock wall while drawing back the other into a tight fist. When he let his punch fly, however, it was engulfed by jelly-like shadows, the surface proving to no longer be solid. The ebony Toa quickly pulled away inspecting his hands for any kind of injury. There was none, but that's when he finally noticed something. He could no longer feel the earth, neither below his feet, above his head, or on his sides. No connection existed between himself and his element there, which could only mean—

"It's all an illusion." Takanuva offered. "We played right into his trap by coming down here. This whole place was set up . . .by his power alone."

A grand laugh echoed through the passage and the group frantically looked around for the source only to find nothing but the darkness surrounding them. It spoke. "Ah, another smart one it seems. The Toa of Ice figured things out almost as quickly last time. My, what a smart group of Toa you are. That, or just lucky anyway."

"Shut up and show yourself Makuta!" Tahu shouted, patience nearing its end on his very short fuse. Lewa had told him that he had been captured by the dark spirit for his ploy with Nuhvok Emperor to work and that only added fuel to the fire. He wanted some payback.

"Now why would I make it that easy, especially after all the trouble I went through to get you here?" his tone was playfully hinting.

Onua growled, shy demeanor evaporating, and a part of him was scared by that. Did the master of shadows still have control of him? No, this was his anger and his alone. It just hurt that much to lose the one he loved. "Give Lewa back and I might spare you life."

"Let me keep him and I might spare yours." Another sinister laugh resounded. "Just kidding of course. You're welcome to try and take him, but I'm not sure if he'll be very willing to go back with you." The smirk could almost be heard in his voice.

The Toa of Earth gave a snarl and continued down the tunnel at top speed, knowing that the longer Lewa was exposed to the darkness the harder it would be to get him back. His fellow Toa followed, the Mask of Light still illuminating the path, but thick shadows that even it could not penetrate surrounded and flowed around them like water, barring them from heading anywhere but where the path lead. A fork unlike the others soon halted their progress.

"What is it?" the Toa of Fire grumbled from behind the three leading—Onua, Kopaka, and Takanuva.

Icy eyes squinted to try and see more clearly through his telescopic lens. "I'm getting two different bodies down these tunnels, one at the end of each." He paused, trying to discern if he was seeing things correctly. "They both show up as Lewa."

"My mask is pulling me down the left tunnel." The Toa of Light replied, unsure.

"But I know I'm hearing Lewa's voice from the right." The ebony one added, ears picking up the sounds the others couldn't. There was a barely audible cry for help and without a second's hesitation he had taken off down the tunnel.

"Onua, don't!" Tahu tried to stop him, but he had already disappeared. Ruby orbs smoldered, angered by the act of defiance. "Kopaka, you and Lehu follow him. The rest of us will take Taka's lead. Hopefully we'll meet back up at the end of this."

Gali's words momentarily stopped their departure. "Be careful brothers. I sense something terribly wrong with this situation." The warning didn't go unheeded for the Toa Nuva had learned to trust the Water Toa's hunches through the years. The Mix on the other hand just had a feeling that she was wise beyond her years and would respect her intuition.

So they separated, not a one of them knowing exactly what lay ahead, and they sincerely hoped that that wouldn't be their downfall.

xXx

Warm breath ghosted over the cheek of a shivering body. "Isn't this wonderful my little Toa of Air? They're playing right into my hands without question, just like they always do. They're so easy to manipulate. Not the brightest of heroes, are they? But they have their moments. They're not like you though." Large, clawed fingers took hold of an emerald hand that looked to be fighting against changing to ivory. "You've gotten stronger since last time. It didn't take nearly as much effort to change you then."

Lime green pools screwed shut as a ripple of pain shot through his body. A kiss was placed on his forehead that did nothing but spark a feeling of disgust.

The larger one smirked. "If you would just give in to it you wouldn't be hurting like this."

Breathes came in pants as another shock flew through the younger. Though he managed to get out a few words, they only served to infuriate the other. "I'd sooner die than let you control me again." A slap with the back of a raven hand sent him skidding across the ground. His body writhed with the coming of another bout of torture, fingers clawing at the earth beneath him as if it were an anchor that would keep him sane—keep him who he was—if only for a bit longer. He knew he was losing, but he had to hold out. Everyone reached their limit eventually and with the amount of power the Makuta was putting out he'd reach his soon enough. The Toa of Air just hoped he could last that long.

A spark up the back of his neck forced his eyes to go out of focus and ripped a cry from his throat. His hand turned white and stayed that way as the light green of his arm began to flicker gray, like a virus moving on to the next part of his body. His control was slipping. He wouldn't last much longer.

The haunting laugh of the dark spirit sounded in his ears, and he shuddered.

xXx

"Onua, stop! Let's think things through here!" Lehu tried to reason, reaching a hand to try and grasp an ebony shoulder as they ran. Kopaka just shook his head, however, and the multicolored Toa took the hint. They'd let the Earth Toa rush into things and be there when he needed help. After all, there was no stopping someone fighting for the one they loved.

The darkened passageway they traveled through soon shone with a light at the end of it and the Ice Toa's mask told that that was where they needed to be. Onua's pace turned frantic as another muffled shout reached his ears and the other two stuck by him as best they could. How the earth dweller's bulky form was able to maneuver faster than their lighter ones they weren't sure.

Only a few seconds later was their journey's end illuminated by torchlight, a circular room with no visible exit other than the one they entered through. Standing in the center, looking just like he normally did, was the one they had come searching for. He regarded them with a cold, almost dead gaze.

"Lewa?" the Toa of Earth choked out, feeling tears well up in his eyes. He took a step forward, but the Air Toa did nothing to match him. Onua inclined his head in question, this time really looking him over. It wasn't what he was expecting to see.

Lehu and Kopaka came to stand on either side of the ebony Toa, noticing the change in the emerald one before them as well. It was even clearer to the Mix.

"He's missing something." The multicolored one murmured, though couldn't quite place his finger on what. Those eyes gave it away. The Toa of Ice could see it too, even if his scanner continued to say otherwise. It still dubbed the one before them as Lewa. Maybe he really was the Toa of Air then, but under the Makuta's control? Were they too late?

"Onua . . ." the Earth Toa watched with baited breath as the voice he loved poured from those lips. "I . . .hate . . .you." Time seemed to stand still as Onua clutched at his chest, the words hurting like the slash of a fine blade. His heart broke in two.

Dull, lime green pools ignited with rage and a hurricane-force blast of wind sent Lehu and Kopaka flying back into the tunnel where darkness swiftly sealed them within. Lewa wanted to fight his former lover without any interference. The Mix and the Toa of Ice could only watch through the semitransparent web of ink.

"Damn it!" the multicolored one seethed. His brother was wrapped in a familiar blinding light and an Ice and Air Mix was revealed when it faded. 'If only the seal hadn't been broken.' He thought sorrowfully.

Makuta's voice returned to them. "What if I told you I could recreate that seal?" there was a grin in his tone.

"We don't want anything from you. Everything you say is a corrupt lie." Kopaka returned, drawing his ice blade.

"Aw, you hurt my feelings Toa. I don't lie about everything." The dark spirit chuckled.

Lehu snarled. "Just show yourself so we can kill you already!" he was growing impatient and itching for a fight.

"I've got a better idea." Two very Toa-looking shadows shot up from the ground. "Why don't you play with my Shadow Toa instead? If you survive, maybe you can take me on next."

The Mix smiled, weapons in hand. "Gladly."

Unbeknownst to the Toa, a quick flicker shot through the realm they were trapped within and all the creations. Makuta was finally nearing the bottom of his once thought infinite well of power and it was beginning to show.

xXx

"Lewa, snap out of it! I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to." Tahu growled, parrying the strike from the other's air blade with one of his swords while the other was caught on the Mix's shield. "Can't you bring him out of it Taka?" He pushed the multicolored one away with a burst of strength.

The Toa of Light shook his head. "I tried, but it's like he has no mind of his own; like he's just an empty shell." A ray of brilliance drove Lewa back, an ivory hand thrown up to save his vision while Pohatu ran circles around him to add to the confusion.

"If he's just a shell then he must only be a clone. Tahu, don't hold back! He's not the real Lewa!" Gali shouted, mind working overtime. It wasn't unusual for Makuta to use clones. He lived to deceive after all. The female wondered why she hadn't noticed it sooner and spared them the time they'd already wasted. Her horizontal geyser of water sent the Mix crashing into the far wall of shadows, which he immediately sank into. It took a moment for the Toa to decide whether or not that was a good thing. Once Lewa had jumped out from a different position and sliced Pohatu's arm, they figured it wasn't.

With a roar, a jet of flame was sent at the supposed Lewa-copy, easily melting through the immediately erected wall of ice that was to serve as protection and the wind that was kicked up only served to fan the fire and allow it to burn hotter. The Mix crouched behind his shield, but when the blaze finally died down his back and other various body parts sported large black patches, which still steamed with heat.

The pain seemed to spark something within the dead blue of the clone's eyes and a sudden life came back to them. He made no move to sooth his injuries with patches of ice, only stood with tears beginning to blur his vision.

Takanuva's eyes widened. "Lewa, is it really you then?" His mask seemed to glow to impart the knowledge that yes, it was truly their Toa of Air. However, he could've sworn that he'd felt no mind or heart there a second ago.

Gali gasped and hurriedly called forth a soothing rain to calm the burns decorating the younger one's body. "We're so sorry for that Lewa. How could I not have known you were you? I can't believe I thought otherwise." She couldn't help mentally kicking herself. Never had she ever wanted to see her little air-head beaten up like he was. "Come. We must hurry and get you back to Onua. Then we can go and—"

"Onu . . .a . . ." Lewa muttered, eyes downcast and looking at his air blade. It glistened in the light Takanuva gave off.

"Yeah. He's been real worried and will most likely kill me after he's done with Makuta for what I did to you." The Fire Toa heaved a sigh, scratching the back of his head with an annoyed look.

"He sure will." Pohatu added with a chuckle, clutching his arm but not really worried about it. The wound wasn't very deep because he had been able to move to the side fast enough to avoid the worst of it.

Not a one was prepared for what happened next. There was a splash of crimson liquid and the Toa Nuva's expressions turned to ones of horror.

"I don't want to . . .cause him pain . . .anymore."

"Lewa!" The Toa of Water screamed, rushing to his side when her legs were no longer locked in place by fear. Taking his fallen body into her arms, she hovered a trembling hand over the blade protruding from his stomach, not sure whether she should pull it out or not. The other three ran over as well.

"What's gotten into you Lewa?!" The Toa of Fire roared, yanking the Mix's blade free in one swift motion to cause as little pain as possible. A gasp issued forth from blood-stained lips and orbs of crystal were squeezed shut. "Don't just lay there. Cover the wound with ice you dolt! I know you can." There was a slight quiver to the elder's voice now.

Gali's tears fell like a waterfall as the four of them tried to stop the flow from the gaping hole with their own hands, Lewa refusing to use his own power. He opened his eyes only to see that it was getting to be just as dark as when they were closed. The black was moving in.

"He won't hurt now." He snuggled into the azure one's embrace, as comforting as that of a mother's, the movement sending a fresh wave of crimson over the hands of the Toa Nuva.

"Please don't move Lewa. You'll only make it worse." Gali pleaded, droplets of water leaking onto his emerald Miru Nuva as she placed a sisterly kiss on his forehead.

"What do you mean he won't hurt? This is gonna kill him." Pohatu grit his teeth, trying to keep in his own tears. Tahu seethed beside him, but his eyes held sorrow. Outward anger was the only way he could deal with the situation. A glace at the Toa of Light showed that the boy must've been in shock for his eyes were wide and fixed on his shaking, blood-covered hands.

"Tell him I . . .I . . ." there was a pained cough followed by a shuddering breath, "love . . .him." Lewa's voice trailed off with the last word and the heartlight that once shone so brightly blinked out of existence.

The Water Toa wailed at the loss of her brother, sobbing against his chest until Pohatu pulled her against his, as well as Taka's still expressionless form. Tahu just stared for a moment and was the last to remove his hand. He had to be strong, for the sake of the others but, what was he going to tell Onua?

Another unnoticed flicker passed through the world.

xXx

"Please Lewa, I don't want to do this." The Toa of Earth cried, knocking aside a shard of ice that was aimed at his head. His arms then quickly shot up to protect his face from the icicles that were hiding in the gale that came at him next.

"Hmm, where have I heard that line before?" the Ice and Air Mix replied, smirking. "I don't see why not. If you're being attacked you should fight back, or you might find yourself dead." He got into a crouch, ready to spring forth at the slightest provocation.

Jade orbs glistened with unshed tears. "Fine. If this is what you really want, I'll fight you, so long as I get back the one I love when I win." His quake breakers appeared in his hands.

There was a melodious laugh and it struck at Onua's heart worse than any physical blow could. "Don't you mean 'if' you win?" Lewa smiled and leapt forward, blade catching on the other's weapons with the sound of steel striking steel. From that clash it was easy to see who was superior in brute strength, as the Mix could attest after being thrown onto his back with what seemed to be a simple push from the elder. He quickly rolled to his feet and absorbed the following kick with his shield, though it left his arm tingling.

The ebony Toa wasn't holding back even though that's what his heart was screaming for him to do. His mind was saying otherwise, plan to simply wear the other down until he could talk to him without being attacked, and with how much energy the Air Toa always had it might take a while. He'd already tried getting through to him like he had before, but he hadn't seen even a glimmer of his lover. Makuta's hold was obviously stronger this time.

It was apparent that Lewa wouldn't win in a physical fight so got out of the Nuva's range with a few hurried backward jumps. He summoned a tornado to encompass the elder, but the Earth Toa merely set his feet and stood his ground, not giving in to the force pushing against him. It was a trick the mountains taught him—no matter how hard the wind blows, the earthen mountains cannot be moved by it.

Lewa growled, angered that his main element could not harm the earth dweller. He still had one other, however. Ice formed beneath Onua's feet causing him to slip up and allow the tornado to swing him across the frozen shadows. He was slammed into a surprisingly solid wall and bit back a groan as the back of his head connected with it. A grimace set his features as he felt a slick, wet substance slide down the back of his neck.

The ebony one took a step forward, forgetting the ground's condition, and promptly fell on his rear. 'Well, this isn't going to work.' There was no earth for him to wield, but he could summon a bit for attacks if he concentrated. If Lewa wanted an elemental battle, he'd have to oblige. The frozen water that quickly took over the area turned the place into a giant ice rink that he couldn't move around in anyway.

He didn't want to kill the Mix, so when he summoned a few spears their ends were blunt. There was no way he could spill his lover's blood—he wouldn't. The projectiles were flung with great accuracy, his eyesight flourishing in the near darkness. They were easy for the most acrobatic of the Toa to dodge, however, and with a few twists, turns, and summersaults all of them had impacted the wall or ground. Lewa smiled, only slightly out of breath.

"Are you just gonna have me dance or what?" the multicolored Toa taunted, throwing more ice shards, which were less forgiving than Onua's earthen spears. Unable to evade as well as the other with his larger frame, he caught one in his left shoulder and thigh, the sharp pain bringing him down to one knee. Luckily they didn't go in too deep and the cold soon began to numb the sensation. With a remorseful gaze, the jade-eyed Toa pulled the ice from his limbs and crushed them in one hand, the tiny blood-spattered crystals slipping from his palm.

"I'm sorry Lewa. I didn't want it to come to this, but you leave me no choice." Particles of earth began forming on the younger one's body and he looked at the patches warily, trying to brush them off only to find that they stuck like stubborn clay. "My green angel, come back to me." A salty droplet slid down Onua's cheek as his element began forming more rapidly, trapping the Mix in a cocoon up to his neck.

The smell and feel of the earth succeeded in igniting a flame of remembrance, "Onua, he—" but it was quickly snuffed out. "Stop putting things in my head!" Wind began whipping around snow and ice in the beginnings of a blizzard and jade eyes saw nothing but white, but he could still feel that his love was trapped within his prison. He was pushed back against the wall, slipping along the ice, and his vision darkened as his head connected with it once again. He tried to stay standing, but his world spun before his eyes and plopped him on the ground. A moan escaped his throat, eyes closing in an attempt at stopping the throbbing in his mind. He poured the last of his power into the dirt and rock he had summoned.

A form began chiseling itself out of Lewa's shell and he was soon pressed against a broad chest by a strong pair of arms, their bodies molding perfectly, like he was shaped to be held by those arms alone. Crystal orbs widened when the Mix found himself curling into the earthen embrace of Onua's clone and burying his face in the crook of its lean neck. It was all achingly familiar.

"No!" The storm died down and lime green began bleeding into crystal. Lewa pulled away, though didn't go far thanks to the lock those arms had on him, and began pounding his fists on the other's chest. He found comfort against it and that scared him. "I don't—" Each blow broke off tiny fragments of rock and Onua took the punishment like nothing, face solemn. "I can't . . ."

Multicolored knees gave out and ivory hands clawed at the larger one's torso as he slipped down, crying. The earthen form followed him, not once letting him go. "I'm sorry. I did it again and I hurt you. I'm weak. I don't deserve your love." Lewa croaked through his sobs. "Kill me before he regains control. Please! You'll die if you don't!" The Mix looked up to see fake eyes widen and a Pakari Nuva shake in defiance. He was pulled closer and a bitter laugh fell from his lips. "If you weren't knocked out I could've heard your voice . . ." Onua's unmoving form could be seen over the clone's shoulder, slumped against the wall of shadows, "one last time."

The copy couldn't understand what he was seeing. Blood spilled out the corner of his love's mouth, but why? He found his answer when his gaze drifted further downward and found an ebony spike protruding from both of their chests. He couldn't feel—he wasn't real—so never knew it had been. Lewa was dying in his arms and he couldn't do anything to save him, couldn't even share a final kiss or say he loved him.

"At least we'll go together." The younger whispered with a smile. The earth was replaced by the one he loved in his mind's eye and with his last bit of strength he leaned upward to ghost his lips over the elder's. If only Onua could feel through the clone.

When orbs of lime dulled and the body went limp, the earth broke apart with what could've been a mournful cry if listened to closely enough.

The darkness flickered once again, this time more apparent.

xXx

"Did you see that?" Kopaka questioned, stabbing his blade through the Shadow Toa's stomach before kicking it away. He had finally found a break in its defense and went for it without mercy. It had mostly been thanks to what just happened.

Lehu nodded, pulling his air katana from his foe's chest as it lay on its back. "Yeah, and it gave us just the edge we needed. But what was it?"

"Maybe Makuta losing control? The others could be fighting him alread—"

"Not us." A gruff voice suddenly spoke from behind them. "We were hoping you were though." Tahu and his group stepped closer, the Kanohi Avohkii lighting them.

Tears still glistened in Gali's golden eyes. "Where's Onua?"

"He was through there fighting Lewa, or trying to talk to him. We were thrown out and forced to fight some shadows." The Fire and Air Mix explained. Just then the barrier shimmered and disappeared, prompting the Toa to look at each other uncertainly. Kopaka stepped in first and his scope told him the outcome from afar. He blocked the way before Lehu could run through.

"What the hell Kopaka? Is Lewa okay or—"

"That can't be." The Toa of Fire broke in. "We fought Lewa before coming here, so how could Onua have gone against him?"

The Mix furrowed his brows. "What do you mean? If you fought him, why didn't you bring him back with you? The one in there must be a fake."

"We thought the one we were fighting was a fake, and in the end . . .he . . ." the ruby one couldn't bring himself to continue. Takanuva still stared blindly downward and fresh tears misted Gali's eyes, Pohatu's arm wrapped around her shoulders to offer comfort. His eyes glittered as well.

Lehu noticed the grave features of the others and was almost too afraid to ask. "He . . .what?" his voice shook with dread.

Tahu let out a great sigh and a miserably whispered, "He's gone," left his lips. Crimson orbs much like his own went wide with doubt.

"You're lying." The multicolored Toa shot back in denial. "He can't be . . ." Shaking legs refused to support him any longer and buckled under his weight. Kopaka caught him around the waist before he could hit the floor though.

"He's not." The Toa of Ice declared, knowing something was wrong with the situation. Now they couldn't even trust their own eyes. "Apparently there's a dead Lewa in there as well. He couldn't have died twice and he couldn't have been in two places at the same time like I saw before we split up. Makuta's messing with our heads, now snap out of it and let's get Onua so we can continue our search." He ordered, icy eyes not giving into the deception.

"But, he was so real; said he didn't want to cause Onua anymore pain." The Water Toa replied, remembering the words he spoke as she held him. "He'd seemed so there."

"I'm sure this other fake spouted the same thing to Onua and we'll have to explain this again, but neither was the real Lewa." Kopaka retorted. If they'd just take his word for it they could've moved on already.

Tahu was still unsure. "How could the Makuta fool yours and Takanuva's masks like that then?"

"We believed them too readily and deserve what we got for it. I don't know but, the more time we waste here, the more that monster has with Lewa. Now come one." A snowy hand began dragging Lehu behind him into the chamber they'd been thrown out of and the others followed. "Don't look," he whispered to the Mix, knowing the image of his brother locked in eternal sleep wouldn't bode well on his mind, even if the body was a fake.

A little splash of water and a few pats to his cheek were sufficient in rousing the Toa of Earth from his unconscious state and tears immediately sprung to his eyes as he remembered his lover's final moments. It was explained, with many protests otherwise, that the one he had held was not the real Lewa and when it all had finally sunk in he grew angry, hating that he'd been fooled so easily. He clenched his fists and stood, breathing deeply in an effort to keep from exploding and possibly bringing harm to his friends.

"Makuta! Stop with the deceit and fight us! Or are you too afraid?" Onua called into the cavern. Once the question was poised the shadowy walls began to sputter and a new pathway was opened for them to continue.

"Very well Toa. Let us stop with the games. The one you seek is down this tunnel, but to get to him you'll have to defeat me and I must warn you, he doesn't have much time left." The ebony Toa was already sprinting down the corridor, but with each step he could feel his energy seeping from him. He'd used it all up on the clone and hadn't regained nearly enough to battle the Makuta. "Every second you waste brings him that much closer to being my mindless and willing slave." The dark spirit's laughter sent chills down the spines of the Toa.

Onua finally reached the cavern at the end, lit with a sickly green light that radiated from six pillars spread throughout the room. His breath caught in his throat when he gazed at the center. Hanging over a pool of energized protodermis, wrists bound above his head by black tendrils and more than half his body sporting his Mix color scheme, was Lewa, face contorted in pain. The Earth Toa made to step forward, but a dark shadow materialized before him and blocked his way. His fellow Toa came up behind him.

"Ah, so glad you could join us protectors of Mata Nui." Makuta chuckled, stepping over to where Lewa hung on his own bridge of darkness while weapons were pulled out. A large arm wrapped around a slender emerald waist and a claw lifted his chin, encouraging lime green orbs to crack open a slit. They were glassy and unfocused. "Beautiful, isn't he? How I'll enjoy ruling with him by my side." Onua's growl only brought a smirk to his lips. "Tell me Fire and Air Mix, what happens when one of your kind is exposed to energized protodermis? Can I look forward to an even stronger being?"

Lehu glared. "He'll die if he's dropped into that! That stuff is toxic, you should know that!" he snarled, hands clenching the hilts of his swords so tightly they might have shattered if they hadn't been so expertly crafted.

"Yes, but these Toa took a swim in it before and became what they are now. Surely a Mix could survive as well." The spirit's look and voice then took on a bitter quality. "Besides, Mata Nui won't let this one die."

A sudden cry left the Toa of Air's mouth and another part of him was lost with the appearance of an inky lance of electricity, which licked its way up his torso and briefly flashed across his eyes. Onua could've sworn a hand was yanking at his heart. It hurt to see his love in pain and this time it was truly him.

"Enough! Defend yourself spirit of darkness. You're fighting us all." Tahu declared as he stepped forward. Unity would be needed for this and for once he wasn't going to question it. There was too much at stake for him not to be taking Gali's advice.

Makuta withdrew his hands to his side and his staff materialized in his clutches. "As you wish Toa, but don't expect to beat me. I'll send you all to an early grave for the interference you've caused my plans!" A great shake rocked the area and brought down stalactites on the Toa's position, forcing them to scatter. A barrage of different elements was their response, but they were warded off by a shield of shadows.

An intense light shone through, however, expelling the darkness and twin jets of flame immediately closed in followed by a gigantic wave that crushed him against the far wall. Stone bindings erupted from the rock and clamped down on his limbs. Makuta mock-struggled for a few seconds, enough for Onua to force an earthen spike from the ground and into his chest, but the being simply smiled slyly and melted into the blackness, armor only singed by the fire of the first attack and nothing more.

"This isn't working." Tahu muttered, teeth clenched tightly. He had to keep his anger in check.

"Light up the cavern Taka. If there are no shadows, he won't have any place to hide." Kopaka suggested. He hoped he was right.

The Toa of Light nodded in understanding and focused his power through his mask. All at once a blinding brilliance shone from and into every dark crevice, forcing the master of shadows out of hiding. He snarled.

"How very perceptive of you, but you should know, there can never be light without darkness," he leapt at Takanuva, large frame easily bowling him over, "and in the absence of light darkness reigns!"

"Taka!" Pohatu shouted, dealing a kick to one of the pillars and sending it crashing down atop the Makuta, allowing the golden Toa to leap away. As he tried to get up from the rubble his body was frozen in a block of ice. A loud crash let it be known that he easily broke out of it, however, he was met with blasts of fire right after. When the inferno ceased he looked down at his armor in horror. A large crack tore its way through it.

Tahu grinned. "When you freeze something then heat it up right away,"

"It breaks." Lehu finished, mockingly blowing steam from his magma blade.

The dark spirit sneered. "You may have damaged my armor, but you hav—" Blood red eyes widened and liquid of the same color bubbled up his throat, spilling from his mouth as his body staggered. A quake breaker had once again lodged itself in his abdomen because he had been careless and a wound that had yet to fully heal was reopened. The last of his power dripped to the ground and he let out a curse. He fell to his knees and Lewa's bindings disappeared sending him plummeting to the pool below.

Onua didn't have time to think, just acted. He leapt off the edge and took his love into his arms, knowing the jump wouldn't clear the liquid. He braced himself to break through the silver surface, but felt something cold and hard meet with his back instead. When he opened his eyes, wondering if he was surrounded by protodermis, Kopaka was looking down at him with a small smirk.

"Couldn't let you get all the credit." The snowy Toa chuckled, helping him up. Ice had formed over the pool to keep them from diving into it. Before Onua could utter his thanks Makuta was brought back into the picture as he let out a wounded roar. The Earth Toa's hold on Lewa unconsciously tightened.

"Damn you Toa! This isn't over!" the shadow master snarled, trying to get back on his feet. Blasts of dark energy shot out from his staff, taking out Gali, Pohatu, and Tahu—the ones that were closest.

Lehu trapped him in a cyclone. "Give up Makuta! You've lost."

"No. Not yet." He dug down into his reserves of power—his life force—and sent a wave of black at the remaining Toa. It spread too far to dodge; all they could do was try to block it. They didn't want to find out what would happen if the spikes that lined it got through to them.

With his waning strength, Onua threw up the strongest wall of earth he could muster and the Toa huddled behind the barrier. Takanuva, determination shinning in his gaze, hurriedly took action and poured what was left of his power through his mask. He had used up a lot of it to dispel the darkness earlier so wasn't sure if he had enough for this, but he was sure as hell going to try. His friends and all of Mata Nui were counting on him. 'Even Jaller . . .'

Light collided with dark in an exceptional display of might. Shockwaves were sent out with each clash, the waves pushing and grappling with one another. They swirled up together like two Kanohi Dragons tangled in combat and finally canceled each other out with an explosion that shattered the Earth Toa's shield and sent them all careening into the wall where everything went black.

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"Oh Mata Nui, please let him be all right."

There were muffled voices beside him and they sounded worried.

"He'll be fine once we get him to a healer. All the ice will be able to do is stop the bleeding. It's the best we can do for now."

'Ice?' He let out a hiss. Yes, there was definitely something cold lining the small of his back.

"Onua? Are you awake?"

Orbs of jade tiredly fluttered open and were met with the most joyous sight the Great Beings could've granted him—his lover, unharmed. He quickly shot up straight from his hunched over position, but regretted it as a stab of pain shot up his back. He winced, yet still managed to pull Lewa into a loving embrace. "You're okay and," his hands moved to the other's face, thumbs stroking tear-stained cheeks, "you're you."

The smile that graced the Air Toa's features was the happiest one Onua had seen since the Bohrok-Kal and it in turn brought a grin to his own lips. "I held out as long as I could and you made it. I knew you would." Their kiss was of pure love, passionate and wonderful. Lips parted and immediately recaptured each other, each meeting needier than the last. A loud cough finally brought them back from their own little world and they hastily pulled apart, blushing in embarrassment.

Lehu gave his brother a sly look and Lewa sunk further into the Earth Toa's embrace in an attempt to hide, face flushing even more. Pohatu let out a laugh and Gali smiled happily. It was a fake no longer; this was their real Toa of Air.

"Wait. So what happened? Where's Makuta?" Onua questioned, mind finally recalling that they had been in a battle before this.

Tahu shook his head. "We don't know. When we came to there was no trace of him."

The ebony one wasn't sure if he wanted to ask the next question after hearing that answer. "And . . .Taka?"

A lighthearted voice popped up. "What do you mean? I ain't kicking the bucket yet, I just got here." The Toa of Light chuckled, hands on hips and chest puffed out in a heroic pose. Onua gave him an apologetic smile.

"We were thrown around like rag dolls by the explosion of Makuta's and Takanuva's powers meeting and you got caught in the back with a spike, protecting Lewa." Lehu's lips turned upward fondly. "You're really good to him and I thank you for that."

Jade eyes turned to meet with lime green. "I'd never be any other way." He murmured, kissing his lover's cheek. Lewa giggled, burying his face in the crook of the other's neck and inhaling the scent he was so fond of.

"So what now? If Makuta didn't disintegrate he's probably still out there." Pohatu pointed out, getting everyone back on track.

"Then we'll deal with him if he ever decides to return. For now though, I think I found something else of importance." Kopaka pointed to a far wall where a huge stone carving of a Kanohi Hau rested. A great gate, cracked enough to allow passage, was where a mouth would've been. Light poured in through the opening.

"Shall we check it out Tahu?" Gali's eyes held curiosity.

The Toa of Fire nodded, leading the way. The Hau was a symbol for Mata Nui. Maybe this was their chance to finally awaken him. Pohatu, Takanuva, and Gali followed him, the rest choosing to stay behind.

The multicolored Toa kneeled beside his brother once they had gone. "Can you still feel it? In the back of your mind?" Worry shone in his crimson orbs.

Onua wasn't sure what he was talking about, but Lewa pulled back from his chest and bowed his head, a frown forming his mouth. "Yes, and it scares me. I don't like it."

"It wouldn't be so much of a problem if you could only learn to control it." Lehu sighed.

A cold chill in the air announced that Kopaka had made his way over. "Can't you teach him to?"

"Not if he doesn't want to. If he's scared if it he'll never gain control. You have to make peace with your demons or they'll overtake you Lewa." The Mix lifted the younger's chin so he could look him in the eye. "Can you do that?"

The emerald Toa was hesitant in answering, eyes darting to look anywhere but at his brother. "I—I'll try, but later. Okay?" he just needed some time.

The elder nodded. "It'll turn out fine. I promise." Lewa didn't respond.

"Don't be scared love. I'll always be here to protect you. I love you and I won't let you get taken over again. Never again." Onua's whispered words brought with them an immeasurable amount of comfort and returned Lewa's beautiful smile.

"I love you too, so very much." Their lips met in another, tender kiss. Ice blue and crimson were prompted to meet by this, but both quickly turned away, faint blushes on their cheeks. Without knowing it, however, Kopaka might've scooted a little closer.

An awkward silence hung around the four before being blown away by Pohatu's voice shouting to them. "Hey guys! You won't believe this, but there's another island through there!"

Unbelieving glances were exchanged, yet the Toa of Stone zoomed right past them, on his way to gather the Turaga.

Metru Nui, as the island was called, was a place filled with even more danger but, as the village Elders explained, it was the original home of the matoran. The Toa Nuva would have to return them.

Back in Le-Koro, after a long day of storytelling and a beautiful night of bliss, Onua held his lover and kissed him fondly, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "You sure you can handle the possibility of greater evil?"

Lewa simply smiled while snuggling closer. "I'm a big Toa; I can handle it. Besides," his hot breath came out in a long puff as he nuzzled the other's strong chest, "you'll always be there, right?"

The Toa of Earth could only grin and whisper the words, "Of course, my green angel, of course."

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A/N: Holy freaking crap! -dies- I actually finished it! Hells yes! XD And I've already planned the sequel. It shall be called "Still the One" so be on the look out for it. A preview can be found on Bioniclefangirl's Bionicle forums if you're interested. Link's in my bio since it won't show up here. Please review and let me know if you liked it or not and if you actually want to see this continue! It'll prompt me to get working on it sooner. Thanks so very much for reading and I hope you enjoyed it! X3

Also, I've created a Yahoo!Group called BionicleSlash. Can you guess what it's for? Yes, it's for archiving Bionicle fan fiction featuring yaoi, slash, and shounen-ai. Yuri, femslash, and shoujo-ai are welcome as well. If you're interested, join us. I'll have my fics up there as well, even the unedited versions of some and fics that were written especially for the group, meaning there're lemons there that cannot be viewed here because of new (Or should I now say old?) policies. Want to see? The link's in my profile since it won't show up here.