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The sands outside Ga-Koro grew swift before dislodging with a crunch. Lewa righted himself and sheathed his Air Katana; losing his Toa Nuva powers made it difficult to grow used to them. No time to dwell—he'd an invitation to accept.
Turaga Nokama, flanked by Ga-Matoran in a Huna and Rau, awaited as he completed the stone gates' puzzle; far less complicated with Gali's instructions. Nokama smiled under her Rau as the bars opened. "Hello, Toa. I trust your journey went well?"
He smiled back and bowed. "Turaga. New-powers are a blessing, especially for wind-flying, but this island isn't danger-free." Too many lurking Krana and Kraata.
She nodded. Defeating the Bohrok-Kal won the battle, not the war; until Mata Nui was awakened from Makuta's slumber, the Matoran, Toa, and Rahi faced lingering risks. "We are well-protected in that case." She held out a hand with a bracelet on its palm. "I officially welcome you to Ga-Koro."
He ever so slightly raised a maskbrow—why not a fistbump?—before mentally shrugging and crouching and taking her hand. "Thank you, Tur—" A sting worse than a Nui-Jaga's! He yelpingly yanked his hand and shook it as if it were bitten. "What was that for?"
"That's how we welcome distinguished guests," she said with barely-restrained mirth. "Have fun!" He frowned and nodded and entered the village. Strange customs these water-maidens have, he thought as he walked the floating platforms towards the guest hut. I wonder if the ocean makes them insane?
***
Nokama couldn't hold back longer. She pumped her fists and collapsed to the ground. "We did it!" she got out through breath-robbing laughter. "Does Turaga Nokama know he's here?"
Kotu smilingly shook her head. "She's meditating with Toa Gali. We have time to make an excuse that doesn't get us imprisoned." Macku cringed as they looked at her. "Sorry."
"I had it coming," she muttered. "Couldn't have used the Bog Snake can? I worked hard on it!" She chucklingly crossed her arms as their glares intensified. "Fine. Nuparu helped."
Nokama stood with an evil grin. "His hut has amenities." She nodded at Kotu, who closed her eyes. With an eye-shielding shimmer, the Turaga of Water was replaced by her real left hand and her fake left hand became a Mahiki-clad Ga-Matoran. "Thanks, Kokua. We'll make this up somehow."
"Ice is fine," Kokua slurred with a weary look. "I think I'll pack in early." As Kotu and Macku exchanged glances, she tottered down the pads.
"Where are we getting ice on short notice?" Macku asked as Kotu removed her bracelet. A defensive invention Nuparu lovingly termed a "joy buzzer", it had enraptured Matoran in a sillier way.
Kotu wound the buzzer's spring and placed it in her bag. "You're in the Chronicler's Company. You tell me."
"Don't need to know the Chronicler to know you'd need a Toa." Macku's eyes widened. "Wait a minute! I'm no medical expert, but Toa Lewa's control over air—"
"He could make some gas! Brilliant, Macku!" Kotu smiled and held out a buzzer-free fist. "I'm glad you're my friend."
Macku grinned back and forcefully clanked. "Same here. Let's hurry before he finds—"
"SPIRITS ALIVE!" someone yelled nearby. "WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?"
She cringed harder. "Let's explain ourselves before he explodes at Turaga Nokama! Better to apologize to him now than her later."
"Agreed." Hand in hand, they approached their leaf-brought fate.