Just A Random Fandom Blog

“It’s hard to replace the Matoran we lost. Having Matoran die is a lot easier than bringing more in." Mavrah took a deep breath. "Most are adapting well enough though."

Lhikan and Nidhiki followed the One-Matoran as they walked past numerous cell-like rooms, all housing different Matoran that would go to different Metrus. The one they were walking toward was at the far end of the hall, and both winced at the sound of screaming. The sound being carried by the stone did not help at all.

"Mata Nui," one of the new Matoran growled. "Can you shut that one up!?"

"That's what the Toa are here for, Kai," Mavrah said almost dismissively. "Try to rest, please."

"I would if I could have some quiet for a while!" she snapped.

Nidhiki huffed. "So why are we hear specifically? What are we dealing with?"

"Well, it started off like normal," Mavrah explained as they reached the door to the room, and the screaming somehow got louder. "He was assembled, he was observed while we waited for him to wake up, then he actually did wake up, and now..." He gestured to the door, where the screaming Matoran resided. "I would knock, but I doubt he'll notice."

The two glanced at each other and Lhikan nodded. "Open the door."

Mavrah did as he was told.

Lhikan was honestly expecting the room to be trashed or at least a little disrupted. Instead, everything was still neat and mostly untouched. The only proof anyone was in the room was the Matoran himself, huddled into a corner and screaming, his hands on his head, knees curled into his chest, and his mask against his knees.

And he was still screaming.

"Ta-Matoran, number 8601," Mavrah recited off of his tablet. "Vakama."

The Matoran gasped and glanced up at Mavrah, his breathing ragged and harsh. It gave enough of a view for the Toa to see his red Huna and matching armor.

Lhikan lowered to a crouch to get a better look.

Then Vakama's eyes met his, and flicked to Nidhiki.

And Vakama wailed like the two attacked him, scrambling back to press himself against the wall as much as he could before curling back up and covering anything vital, just as he had before.

The Toa of Air grimaced. "So what do we do if we can't fix this?"

"I'm not discussing that when we're ten feet away from him and where he can hear us," Mavrah replied.

Lhikan picked up on the implications.

Vakama would be marked as defective and likely destroyed, possibly to be remade into someone else, if they had the resources.

Whether or not Vakama knew that was debatable, but it wasn't something Lhikan was going to test, not when the Matoran was reacting like a frightened rahi.

Lhikan blinked as an idea crossed his mind.

He'd been a tool and weapon maker when he was a Matoran, but he'd also had to deal with rahi entering his forge and refusing to leave, scared enough to back into a corner and show their teeth.

Vakama was obviously not showing teeth, but...

"What are you doing, brother?" Nidhiki asked, watching Lhikan stride across the room and lower himself in front of the Matoran.

The screaming stopped once more when he placed a hand on Vakama's head. Vakama peered at him over his knees, and tensed further, enough to make his armor creak.

Lhikan gave him a soft smile. He wasn't sure he could blame him.

"Can you hear me?" Lhikan asked.

Vakama only continued to stare at him, still fearful, but also looked at the ground and back.

Lhikan carefully reached over and moved Vakama's hands away from his ears, where sound would find possibly sensitive audio receptors and reach a mind that was just born.

Vakama yelped and tore his hands free, hiding once more.

"Hm," Lhikan hummed.

"Really?" Nidhiki leaned to the side until his head hit the door frame. "One Matoran comes out wrong and instead of trying again or leaving him be, we're playing babysitter."

"Are all the new Matoran like this when they wake up?" Lhikan asked.

Mavrah screwed his eyes and looked up at the ceiling for a moment. "Like what, exactly?"

"How much do they know?"

"Enough," Mavrah wagered. "Some know more than others, some take time to really process they're alive and know what's around them before we start integrating them in."

Lhikan turned back to Vakama. "Guess you're probably a mix of both, aren't you?"

Vakama said nothing before screaming again, making Lhikan flinch.

"He'll ruin his voice, if he keeps that up," Nidhiki said.

Lhikan looked between his own hands and carefully reached for the Matoran, who began to squirm and panic as he was effortlessly lifted off the ground.

And Lhikan carefully put his arms around Vakama in such a way that he would not fall, holding him securely against his chest.

The screaming stopped and was replaced once again with ragged panting.

"There you go," Lhikan sighed. "See? You're okay."

Vakama gulped, but ultimately said nothing, even when Lhikan stood.

"I would scream too. It's a lot to take in. You'll get used to it."

Mavrah watched with clear fascination, taking notes on his tablet.

Nidhiki whistled. "Mata Nui. Would you look at that? Do not ask to keep it. The answer's 'no.'"

"You're cruel," Lhikan joked as he stepped toward the pallet bed.

He set Vakama down onto it, and the Matoran's mask quickly became awash with fear and growing panic.

Just as he began screaming again, Lhikan scooped him back up and held him.

Vakama clung to him, trembling against him.

Mavrah took a breath. "I'll have to ask my team how we're going to handle this," he explained. "It looks like that's the only way he'll stay calm."

Nidhiki stepped toward Lhikan and held his arms out. "Is it only going to work with Lhikan or could Tuyet or I step in?"

Lhikan tapped Vakama and started to pass him to Nidhiki.

Vakama let out a sound that reminded Nidhiki of birds he heard in the Tren Krom peninsula.

Lhikan held him close once again and chuckled nervously. "I guess that answers that."

"Good," Nidhiki stated. "That one can be your problem." He leaned close and said in what he thought was a joking tone, "So keep it far away from me."

Vakama tried hiding against Lhikan's armor, but the Toa of Fire patted his head.

"That's just Nidhiki. He's not so scary when you get to know him. Just not very funny."

Vakama looked up at him slightly.

"My name is Lhikan," Lhikan said. "Do you know your name?"

The matoran looked away for a second and nodded.

"Can you tell me your name?"

Vakama groaned and kept his head against Lhikan's armor, blinking slowly and struggling to keep his eyes open.

Lhikan got the hint. "All right. Try to rest up."

"You'll have to stay until he wakes up," Mavrah added quickly. "I'm sorry, Toa, but it's better he rests and if this is the only way he does..."

Lhikan nodded. "I understand." He sat down on the pallet and adjusted his hold so Vakama's head was resting more comfortably on his arm.