“How do you get your tattoos?” Moana asked.
“They show up…when I earn ’em,” Maui replied.
“How’d you earn that one?” asked Moana. “What’s that for?”
Maui glanced back, noticing the one she was asking about. “That tattoo is man’s discovery of Nunya.”
“What’s Nunya?”
“Nunya business.”
Maui tried to lie back down, and Moana knocked him with her oar. “I’ll just keep asking. What’s it for?”
Maui didn’t respond, and Moana whacked him again.
“You need to stop doing that,” said Maui.
Moana paused for a moment, then reached out with the oar and tapped him on his man bun. “How’d you get the tattoo?” she asked.
When he didn’t answer, she gave him another whack.
“Back off,” Maui said, his irritation growing.
Moana hit him with the oar again. “Tell me what it is,” she insisted.
“I said back off.”
She whacked him again. “Is it why your hook’s not working? ’Cause—”
Fed up, Maui spun around and knocked Moana into the water, hard. Moana floated there, staring up at Maui in surprise. He looked down at his hook, embarrassed by what he had done, but he still felt angry.
He walked to the other side of the boat. Moana studied Maui for a moment, and then she climbed back in. She stared at him, trying to figure out what to do and say.
“You don’t wanna talk. Don’t talk,” she said, trying to converse with him as he sat with his back facing her. “You wanna throw me off the boat, throw me off. You wanna—you wanna tell me I don’t know what I’m doing? I know I don’t. I have no idea why the ocean chose me. You’re right. But I came anyway….My people don’t even go past the reef….But I am here…for you…and I want to help, but I can’t if you don’t let me.”
Moana looked at Maui, who sat silently, as if ignoring her. She started to turn away, but he began to speak.
“I wasn’t born a demigod…”
Moana stopped and listened as Maui turned toward her.
“I was born human. My parents were human. They, uh, they took one look…and decided…they did not want me. They threw me into the sea. A baby. Like I was nothing.”
Moana looked at his tattoo and realized the lady pictured was Maui’s mother, tossing him away.
“Somehow I was found by the gods. They gave me the hook.” He gestured to his hook sitting on the edge of the boat. “They made me Maui. And back to the humans I went….They needed islands, fire…coconuts. Anything they could ever want. There I was.” Maui looked out at the water, lost in his memory, lost in sharing his story. “And they loved me. I was Maui…the Great Maui.”
He turned and looked at Moana. She could see a deep sadness in his eyes and felt sympathy for him. Feeling vulnerable, Maui quickly looked away.
Moana eyed the tattoo of him being thrown into the sea. “Maybe the gods found you for a reason,” she said gently. “Maybe the ocean brought you to them because it saw someone who deserved to be saved.” Moana looked out at the rolling waves and then turned back to Maui. “The gods aren’t the ones who make you Maui. You are.”
Maui let her words wash over him and sink in as he tried to hide his emotions, uncomfortable with having revealed so much about himself. “Pretty good speech,” he said. He looked down to see Mini Maui giving him a hug. Maui hugged him back. “Okay, now it’s weird. Let’s get to work.”
Moana and Mini Maui helped him return to training, and this time Maui got better. He practiced using his hook and improved his skills, working hard to become stronger and stronger. Soon, Maui gained control of his shape-shifting powers and was able to transform as he wished.
Feeling confident, he turned into a giant hawk and slashed with his hook to cut a cliff in half. He landed on the boat and gave Moana a triumphant fist bump, thrilled to feel like his old self again.
Then Maui picked up the oar and offered it to Moana. The time had come for him to willingly teach her, so that she could become a master wayfinder. She was surprised and hesitated, but Maui nodded his head, holding the oar out to her, insisting. Moana smiled and accepted, feeling truly honored. She gripped the oar, more than ready to learn how to wayfind.
Maui reached his hand to the sky to read the stars, and Moana raised her hand, too. Maui lifted her arm a little higher, placing it in just the right spot, showing her the proper way to navigate.
A moon bow shone brightly above as the ocean carried their little boat into the night.
With a little help from Maui, Moana managed to lead the way, navigating using the stars and the moon. He was proud of how well she did and believed she was well on her way to being a great wayfinder.
As dawn broke and a bright sun rose over the horizon, Maui sat perched on the mast of the boat, looking out through the haze. He watched Moana for a moment as she guided the boat, appreciating her skills. Then he looked back out at the sea, deep in thought. He turned to Moana and smiled.
“What?” Moana asked curiously.
“I figured it out,” Maui said, grinning. He jumped down to the deck of the boat, landing on both feet with a great thud. “The ocean used to love when I pulled up islands…’cause your ancestors would sail her seas to find ’em. All those new lands…the people…it was the water that connected them all. And if I were the ocean, I think I’d be looking for a curly-haired non-princess to start that again.”
“That is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” said Moana. “Probably should’ve saved it for Te Fiti,” she added playfully.
Maui smiled. “I did.”
Maui gestured out over the boat. As the haze began to lift, Moana saw something in the distance. Beyond the rolling swells of the ocean, she could make out a clear ring of islands rising up out of the water. They created a barrier to Te Fiti. The great island goddess was resting within their protection. Moana couldn’t believe it…they had actually made it.
“Moana of Motunui, I believe you have officially delivered Maui across the great sea,” Maui said. Then he turned to Mini Maui and said, “Round of applause.”
Mini Maui cheered, and a group of tattoo figures bobbed up and down as Maui imitated the roar of a crowd. “Haaaa…Moanaaaa…you’re so amazing.”
Moana chuckled, and the two looked at each other with pride, feeling good about how far they had come.
“It’s time,” Maui said, holding his hand out to her.
As Moana pulled the heart of Te Fiti from her shell necklace, a deafening, high-pitched noise broke the silence. Clouds of smoke and ash began to build.
Moana handed him the heart and said, “Go save the world.”
Maui took the heart and his magical hook. Then he transformed into a hawk. Flapping his mighty wings, he rocketed toward the rough waters around the barrier islands.
Moana cheered him on. As he approached the plumes of ash, a horrific face appeared through the clouds: Te Kā. The molten monster screamed and shrieked with rage as it revealed itself. It was the size of a mountain and grew as it moved, reaching up into the sky. Te Kā dripped with lava and flashed with the fires of Earth’s inner forces. It was a terrifying sight.
“Maui…” said Moana, her body stiffening with fear.
Before Maui could even react, Te Kā knocked him hard, and his powers fritzed. He shook it off and flew higher and higher. Te Kā raised a molten fist and, with one ferocious swipe, knocked Maui from the sky.
“No!” Moana screamed.
As Maui plummeted toward the ocean, Moana filled her sail and raced to try and catch him. Maui hit the water hard, but Moana snatched him up as she sailed past. Then she ran back to the oar and started to steer toward a gap in the barrier islands.
“Wh-what are you doing?” asked Maui, confused.
“Finding you a better way in!” she said. She slalomed the boat and was lined up to break through the barrier islands, but Te Kā was approaching fast.
“We wo
n’t make it!” shouted Maui. He grabbed the oar and tried to take control of the canoe. “TURN AROUND! STOP! MOANA, STOP!” he shouted.
Determined, Moana ignored him and continued to steer the boat, dead set on succeeding in their mission. Te Kā was gaining on them, racing faster and faster. When the monster was a few feet away, Maui shoved Moana, knocking her aside with the oar. But it was too late. Te Kā’s fist came down toward her. At the last second, Maui raised his hook high in the air to block it.
As Te Kā hit Maui’s hook, a huge shock wave rippled out, causing ocean swells that blasted Moana and Maui farther from Te Fiti. Te Kā lunged over the top of the waves, trying to reach them, but couldn’t. It was as if Te Kā was tethered to the barrier islands. The enormous tidal surge continued to carry Moana and Maui, pushing them into the darkness.
When the water finally calmed, Moana picked herself up off the hull and saw the damaged canoe. The sail was torn and the sides of the boat were cracked. She felt terrible, knowing it was all her fault, and looked around for Maui, fearing the worst. She spotted him and called out with great relief, “Maui! Oh, thank—You’re okay!”
Maui slowly turned, revealing his hook. A deep crack cut through the center of it from one end to the other. Moana’s heart sank.
“I told you to turn back,” he said softly.
“Maui…I’m…” Moana whispered.
Maui finally lifted his eyes to hers, and she could see how upset he was. She looked down at the fractured hook. “We can fix it,” she said.
“It was made by the gods! You can’t fix it.”
“Next time, we’ll be more careful. Te Kā was stuck on the barrier islands….It’s lava; it can’t go in the water. We can find a way around.”
Maui stared at Moana, incredulous. “I’m not going back,” he said firmly.
“You still have to restore the heart.”
“My hook is cracked. One more hit, and it’s over.”
“Maui, you have to restore the heart,” Moana said, unwilling to give up.
“Without my hook, I’m nothing.”
“Maui—”
“WITHOUT MY HOOK, I AM NOTHING!” his voice boomed.
Maui’s anger took Moana’s breath away, and she stared at him, speechless. He dropped the heart of Te Fiti onto the hull of the boat.
“Maui…” Moana said as he pushed past her, “we’re only here because you stole the heart in the first place.”
“We’re here because I keep listening when humans beg for my help. And I’m done.”
Moana picked up the heart of Te Fiti and faced Maui, standing strong. Determined, she started her speech once again. “I am Moana of Motunui, you will board my boat—”
“Goodbye, Moana,” Maui said, interrupting her, unwilling to listen.
“Sail across the sea—”
“I’m not killing myself so you can prove you’re something you’re not—”
“And restore the heart of Te Fiti!” she said desperately, holding up the heart, waving it at him. “The ocean chose me!” she cried.
Maui turned away. “It chose wrong,” he said. Then without another word, he transformed into a hawk and jumped up into the sky. Flapping his giant wings, he took off.
“Maui? Maui!” yelled Moana, watching him disappear into the darkness.
All alone, Moana looked down at the heart, now scratched and covered with ash. She touched its spiral with her finger and felt a rush of emotions. She couldn’t believe it was all over. She had come so far and tried so hard, but she had failed.
Under twinkling stars above, she looked out at the ocean. Its dark, rippling waves quietly stretched out as far as she could see. Moana had never felt so disappointed in herself. She stood on the boat as it bobbed to the beat of the waves, feeling empty and alone.
The ocean slowly drew up a small wave that faced her. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her eyes full of sadness. “He’s gone; you chose the wrong person.” She held the heart out. “You have to choose someone else. Choose someone else! CHOOSE SOMEONE ELSE!” Moana’s voice dropped as she said, “Please…”
In the light of the moon, the ocean reached up and gently surrounded Moana’s hand. It took the heart, letting it float for only a moment. Moana watched as the heart slowly sank and disappeared once again, swallowed up by the sea.
Moana stood motionless. Overwhelmed by her failure, she fell to her knees at the bow of the boat and wept. With tears in her eyes, she looked down at the empty necklace and thought about Gramma Tala. The memory of her made Moana feel even worse.
Suddenly, a glimmer appeared far off on the horizon. It streaked through the dark ocean, racing toward her. The light rocketed under her boat, and she could see that it was a spectral manta ray. Moana watched as the beautiful ray effortlessly flapped its great fins, circling the canoe. Then, without warning, it vanished.
“You’re a long way past the reef,” said a familiar voice. Moana turned to see Gramma Tala sitting on the bow of the boat!
“Gramma?”
“Well, you just gonna sit there?” Gramma Tala asked.
“Gramma!” Moana said, stumbling across the boat to reach her. She fell into her gramma’s arms. “I tried, Gramma. I—I couldn’t make it….”
Gramma Tala wiped Moana’s tears. “It’s not your fault. I never should have put so much on your shoulders. If you are ready to go home…I will be with you.”
Moana nodded and reached for her oar. She lifted it up, but as she went to dip it in the water…she stopped. She stared at the oar, feeling confused and uncertain.
“Why do you hesitate?” asked Gramma Tala.
“I don’t know,” said Moana, tearing up again. She didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t hear her voice inside and feared it might be gone forever.
Gramma Tala told her that her voice was always there; she only had to listen. Moana thought about her family and her island, the things she loved most. She recalled all she had been through and reflected on everything she had learned on her journey. She remembered finding Maui, learning to wayfind, and fighting off scary monsters in a strange underworld. She realized the history of where she was from, and her voyaging ancestors inspired her. As she continued to think of those strong, fearless ancestors, their ghostly images appeared in large ocean-voyaging canoes before her, encouraging her to continue on her quest.
As Moana looked into the sea, contemplating everything and listening to Gramma Tala’s wisdom, she heard a tiny voice inside herself again. She dug down deep, listening hard for it, and it became louder and stronger.
As she leaned over the side of the boat, she caught sight of the heart, far below the waves, glowing on the ocean floor, and she knew exactly who she was and what she had to do.
Feeling empowered, Moana dove off the side of the boat and swam down into the darkness, deeper and deeper, searching for the heart of Te Fiti. Just as she was about to run out of air, she reached the heart and grabbed it. She clutched it tightly, and the ocean pushed her through the water at lightning speed until she surfaced. When she got back on the boat, Gramma Tala and the ancestors were gone.
The night was silent when Moana resurfaced…she was all alone. But she knew what she had to do now, and she was determined.
Moana repaired the damaged canoe, sewing the sail and mending its cracked sides. As she worked, she repeated to herself, “I am Moana of Motunui. Aboard my boat, I will sail across the sea…and restore the heart of Te Fiti!”
Reinvigorated, and feeling more determined than ever, Moana tightened a line, swung the boom, filled the sail, and took off toward Te Fiti.
Using her wayfinding skills, Moana sailed into the morning. As her boat rode over huge rolling swells, she spotted the ring of barrier islands surrounding Te Fiti in the distance. When she approached, she found a gap wide enough for her canoe to pass through.
“Te Kā can’t follow us into the water….We make it past the barrier islands…we make it to Te Fiti.” She put Heihei in a basket. “N
one of which you understand because you are a chicken.”
Moana gripped the heart and prepared herself as she sailed toward the small opening. Through a thick cloud of ash, she could see the bright fires of Te Kā.
Moana eased the boat forward. Te Kā roared as it emerged, rising up and covering half the sky. It spit and spewed hot lava and raised a massive fist, about to destroy the boat, but Moana was ready. Using one of Maui’s tricks, she jumped on the boat to make it flip up on its side and then headed toward a second gap, managing to escape Te Kā’s violent blow.
Fueled by even more anger, Te Kā screeched as it raced across the barrier islands at full speed, trying to cut Moana off. The ferocious volcano monster hurled chunks of molten lava, which exploded in huge plumes of ash and steam as they hit the water with an angry hiss. Moana slalomed the boat to avoid the lava and made her way closer and closer to the pass.
But Te Kā was too fast for Moana and blocked the opening with lava. When the steam cleared, Moana was nowhere to be found. Te Kā’s flaming head whipped right to left, scouring the area, hunting for her. To the monster’s surprise, Moana appeared out of reach, unfurling her sail. She had doubled back and was rocketing toward the first gap!
Te Kā shrieked with rage and threw a gigantic ball of lava. It smashed into the mountains above Moana. She pulled the line hard and sliced through the gap, but enormous boulders crashed down, falling all around her. Moana lost her grip on the rope, but to her surprise, Heihei grabbed it just before it slipped away! Moana took the rope and made it through the barrier islands!
“We did it!” Moana shouted. “We—” She turned to smile at Heihei but realized he wasn’t on the boat. He was flailing in the water behind her. “Heihei?”
Unable to leave the rooster behind, she thrust her oar into the water to stop and spun her boat around. She sailed toward Heihei and plucked him out of the sea. Just as she was about to continue sailing toward Te Fiti, a deafening noise blared as the mighty volcano monster emerged once again, snarling and growling. The force of Te Kā’s movement sent a sky-high wave toward Moana, and her boat didn’t stand a chance. It capsized and Moana was tossed into the water!
Moana Junior Novel Page 6