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[Toa Of Virtues]

Return of the Shadow

Chapter 1
The Plan

The evil Makuta Teridax had caused countless tragedies and deaths in order to claim the universe he lived in as his own. For a short time, he succeeded in doing this, however the light eventually triumphed over the darkness, and the Makuta was no more. However, Teridax devised a plan B if all was to fail. About ten thousand years before the Great Cataclysm, while Teridax was plotting his takeover of the giant robot he lived inside, he came up with a backup plan.

Teridax rushed down to one of the deepest layer of Mangaia and pulled out a spear from his collection of weapons and armor. This is the spear of fusion, a spear with special powers. This weapon could not only fuse two beings together, but could also split one being apart into two. Makuta chuckled in satisfaction. Teridax pointed the spear at the center of his chest as if he was to stab himself, and fired. A great jolt of energy shot through Mangaia, as the Makuta was flung towards a wall, and fell with a heavy thud. When Teridax opened his eyes, he was surprised to see a pair of identical eyes looking back, but though a dark red, and slightly demented Kraahkan.

Makuta felt his mind more controlled and organized, but his copy was not as lucky. The Makuta and his newly formed copy staggered to their feet. “You are a vezon of me, almost identical to me in every way except for your armor and mind” the original Makuta said, “so therefore, your name is Vezidax; let’s just hope no one will have to use it.” Vezidax seemed very jittery and instinctual. He scratched, tore, and bit as Teridax easily tied a chain around his neck and brought him down to a deep, remote part of Mangaia and tied him to a wall. Teridax said “If my conscious is ever to cease to exist, this chain will break, and you will continue my destiny.” Teridax then took a small box, and put some energized protodermis into it. Teridax then scraped off a small piece of his Kraahkan and put it into the same box. “In this box” Teridax said to Vezidax, “is everything you will need to continue my quest. Just touch the liquid, and all my memories and sanity will be transferred to you. I will store it safely deep within the walls of your cell, so you don’t become rebellious and get to it before I die.” Vezidax could not understand anything this creature was talking about. In fact, he couldn’t even understand his own thoughts. Teridax soon buried the box within the walls, and closed the door on Vezidax’s cell. Then, Vezidax waited.


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Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:15 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 2
Trapped Freedom

Vezidax rested. After thousands of years of clawing at his chain and anything else he could reach, he was able to realize that there would be no escape. So Vezidax rested, hoping to regain enough strength to break free of his chain. But even with a mind as mangled up as his was, he knew that he would have no where to go even if his chain did break. Then, the earth grumbled beneath his feet.

The earth shook, the walls creaked, and it seemed to be the apocalypse, at least for Vezidax it did. The two giant robots, Teridax and Mata Nui, were fighting to the death, and Mangaia was but a small speck within Teridax’s grand head. The two beings battled and fought, and just as Teridax seemed to be winning; Mata Nui smashed Teridax’s head against the incoming moon of Aqua Magna. Stone slabs fell everywhere around Vezidax, as he was surely to be crushed. The walls turned into the floor, and almost every last air pocket was filled with rock and debris. The dust that was scattered everywhere was almost unbearable, forcing Vezidax to gasp for clean air. The entire island of Metru Nui soon turned into a mangled mess of stone slabs and buildings. The head of Teridax was flattened, mashed, and buried under a piece of the former moon of Aqua Magna. The horrific incident soon came to a stop, and Vezidax was still alive.

As alive as Vezidax was, he was in bad shape, having most of his armor cracked and shattered from the incident. Vezidax stood up, only to find that his chain broke like a twig. He was finally freed, yet trapped more than ever. The collapse of Mangaia surrounded him in almost pure stone, and left him in a small, cramped area. The crazed Makuta did one of the only things he knew how to do: claw. For decades the insane copied creature of darkness would claw at the walls in every direction, hoping for a way to escape.

For years Vezidax dug. For decades Vezidax dug. For centuries Vezidax dug at the obliterated Mangaia in hope for his freedom. For thousands of years Vezidax dug, for what else could he do? Vezidax scratched on a wall of pure stone for millenniums, and it got him seemingly nowhere. Even if he did get out, a happy crowd won’t be there to greet him. After years of digging, Vezidax became very deformed, and no one would be able to tell he was a copy of the infamous Teridax. His form had become very thin and hunched, while his hands turned into claw-like digging machines.

One day, an unimaginably long time after the fall of Teridax, Vezidax found what his entire existence was made for. That day, Vezidax found his destiny in a small box embedded in the wall.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:19 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 3
The Box

After years of doing nothing but digging, Vezidax found himself growing a mind. However, he did not have any memory before he achieved internal peace, so could not recall anything about Teridax, or the collapse of Mangaia. As far as he was concerned, he has always been in the small room of stone. But now, something was different. Vezidax came across a box carved into the wall, he finally found something different than the stone he has been scratching for millenniums.

Vezidax smiled, not because the box may help him get out, but because it was different. Vezidax did not hope to get out of the room he was trapped in, since he did not know what “out” was. Instead, he hoped to find change. He liked the darkness, he felt protected and at home in its blanket of shadow. However, it had been far too long for him, distorting his mind and evolving it at the same time. Vezidax got excited at a different kind of stone he found in the wall, since that was usually the only thing that would ever change in his small room. But a box, what excitement! To him, just finding this box was freedom for him, because it told him that the world was not just everlasting stone.

Vezidax examined the box carefully. He set it down on the ground, and opened the box. At first, Vezidax thought he broke it, but when he looked at the smooth walls on the inside he knew it was supposed to come apart. Vezidax then saw a silvery, metallic like fluid resting on the bottom. Vezidax reached a curious hand to the liquid.

As soon as Vezidax dabbed one of his sharp fingers into the viscous liquid, he got a mental shock. Every memory that Teridax had up until his death and his ingeniously controlled mind was now under the will of Vezidax. Sweet knowledge flowed through Vezidax’s mind, and every question he ever had, has been answered. Vezidax laughed, he may finally get out of here, and see the world for himself.

Soon, rage tainted his mind. He recalled how the Brotherhood of the Makuta was pushed aside and given little to no respect for their duties to Mata Nui, while the Toa were praised for doing nothing. Mata Nui was now dead, but the Matoran got away scot free for disrespecting the Makuta. Revenge was a necessity. Teridax screamed “Wherever the Matoran and Toa are now, they will pay the price!” He knew to every detail how to use his Kanohi Kraahkan and could easily knock the walls away in an instant with a blast of shadow, but it’s time that someone worked for him, so he got the little bit of the energized protodermis from the box, and started making Rahkshi.

“This time” Vezidax muttered to himself, “I will fight fire with fire, and in a quite literal sense.”

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:20 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 4
The Krahi

Vezidax prepared himself to make a kraata that had his favorite and least favorite element of them all besides shadow: fire. Vezidax liked fire because it raged, consumed, and destroyed anything in its path. However, Fire gave off light, something almost every creature of the shadows hated.

Vezidax planned to make Rahkshi of the same element of the Toa in hope that the fact that they are the same element would make their elemental powers useless. But unlike the shadow Toa the original Makuta once created, the Rahkshi could not be simple "absorbed" by any Toa. Sometimes, in order to defeat the enemy, you must use their successful tactics.

Vezidax activated his Kraahkan and put his hand over the ground to make the first ever kraata of fire. A red slug-like form started to materialize underneath Vezidax’s hand. But something was different; the kraata was changing in an odd way. A clear set of arms and legs formed on the kraata, Vezidax thought it somehow got exposed to the energized protodermis early and was already transforming into Rahkshi armor. But no, this form looked different. The red body grew to a large size, but remained on all fours. Sharp claws and a serpentine head formed, followed by a natural disk launcher on its shoulder. Finally, the growing was complete, and the beast looked somewhat like a large cat, but with kraata-like qualities. The animal was powerful, and Vezidax could tell.

“This somewhat deformed Kraahkan has a few surprises in it, doesn’t it?” Vezidax said to the newly formed beast of darkness and fire. “You appear to be a rahi, and yet you are truly a kraata, so it would only be fitting to call you a Krahi” Vezidax said, “Let’s see how your brothers and sister do at this, shall we?”

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:22 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 4.1
Water

Vezidax lifted his hand above the ground, preparing to make another one of these beasts. Like last time, a slug-like creature materialized under his hand, except this one was blue. A kraata of water was soon made, and continued evolving. Four spider-like limbs grew out from its torso, and armor covered its body. Its legs sharpened into long blades, and a serpentine head emerged. Finally, a natural water launcher in the form of a zamor sphere launcher emerged from its front-left leg. The Krahi of water was born.

Chapter 4.2
Stone

Makuta Vezidax put both of his hands over the ground and once again activated his demented Kraahkan. This time, a kraata of stone materialized. Then, it grew. The kraata grew to a tremendous size, with broad shoulders and muscular legs. Heavy armor plated its body from head to toe, and claws formed on its front legs. The bear-like figure then grew a natural rhotuka spinner on its back. The beast let out a loud roar. The Krahi of stone was born.

Chapter 4.3
Earth

With two Krahi already down, Vezidax was getting used to his new mask. With ease, he brought a kraata of earth into existence. It soon grew arms, legs, and pitch-black fur. It grew a tail as sharp as a knife, with a stinger at the end. It grew clawed feet, and a stone launcher which was mounted on its shoulder. Overall, the beast resembled a vicious looking wolf. The creature then sent a spine tingling howl through the room. The Krahi of earth was born.

Chapter 4.4
Air

Already halfway done, Vezidax began making the next creature of shadow. A kraata of air appeared under Vezidax’s claw-like hand. The growing limbs of this one, however, appeared different than the others. Two bat-like wings sprung from its sides, and two hooked legs formed underneath the figure. With wings now as sharp as a blade, an air cannon grew on its shoulder. The Krahi of air was born.

Chapter 4.5
Ice

Now was the time for Vezidax to make the deputy leader of the Krahi (next to the Krahi of fire): the Krahi of ice. A white kraata materialized under the Makuta’s hand, and it soon started growing limbs. Unlike the others, it was growing six limbs, each sharpened to a point. The beast now resembled an insect of some sort. Finally, an ice cannon grew on one of its middle limbs. The Krahi of Ice was born.

Chapter 4.6
The Team

Vezidax faced his new team of shadow creatures. Each held tremendous power over their element, not to mention their shadow powers. As developed as they were, they were completely spiritless, even more so than the vahi (if that was possible). They held no curiosity, pride, or emotions of any sort. More obedient than the Visorak horde, they stood facing Vezidax with their serpentine heads, waiting for a command.

“Well, what are you all waiting for?!” Vezidax yelled, “Get me out of here!”

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:23 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Matoro I

Toa Matoro put on the Mask of Life, a great surge of energy pulsed through his body as he resurrected the Great Spirit Mata Nui. He became one with the mask, learning its history, and the unfortunate ends to its wearers. As he gave life again to the giant robot, he felt his own life force deplete. Matoro had but seconds left to live, so he first teleported his fellow Toa Marhi to the surface, once again giving them the ability to breathe air. He knew he had less than a moment to live, so as a last attempt to save his own life, he de-evolved himself back into a Toa Inika, and with his Kanohi Iden he projected his spirit from his rapidly dying body.

He knew that if his body died, he too would die. However, under the Kanohi Ignika’s own conscious, it decided to give Matoro’s spirit individual life. The Ignika then re-evolved Matoro’s body into a Toa Marhi and drained the rest of its life force. Matoro’s mind was now able to soar endlessly through the universe. However, he was not the only spirit floating in the world.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:23 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 5
Freedom

It took only a few weeks before the Krahi broke free from Mangaia, and they were half buried under a former moon. The Krahi wielded tremendous power, more than a Toa could ever dream of. Under the will of Vezidax, they were unstoppable. Once the Krahi found the first speck of light from an opening, they all shielded their eyes. After spending their entire lives in complete shadow except for some fire from the Krahi of fire, they were all extremely light sensitive. The Krahi of fire, being the most used to light, stepped out first. The others, however, had to wait in the safety of the cave until the blinding glare diminished into only a few specks in the sky.

The Krahi stepped out of their cave, soon followed by Vezidax. The shadow has finally returned Vezidax thought. Vezidax looked around. He saw plant life flourish all around him, and for a moment, he regained his inner peace. His memories soon replaced his feelings of peace, as anger filled his body. A plan he thought, I need a plan. While Vezidax and the Krahi walked in search of shelter, he plotted his revenge.

“First” Vezidax said to the Krahi, “We must learn about this new world, and learn its fears and weaknesses.” Vezidax’s new mask would not let him see the outside world, because of its deformity. As soon as he would be able to gather information about this new world, he would be able to scheme again.

Finally, after days of searching, Vezidax and the Krahi found a deserted cave to serve as his new lair. The Krahi instantly went to work constructing their new home. After a few days, the cave began to look a lot like Mangaia, with shadows lurking everywhere. The Krahi began digging into the tunnel so deep, not even the smallest speck of light would reach the bottom. Vezidax, however, remained on one of the upper levels of his new lair, or Mangaia II as he calls it, because it would bring back torturous memories of being trapped underground.

One day, while the Krahi were adding an extension to one of the upper layers of Mangaia II, Vezidax saw a pair of bright red glowing eyes. Most of the Krahi had red eyes, but this pair was different. These eyes emitted a bright, evil red that seemed to burn away the surrounding darkness, and add to it at the same time. This was not a Krahi.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:23 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 6
The Red Eyes

Deep in the rebuilt caves of Spherus Magna, Vezidax and his Krahi found out that they were not the only creatures of shadow drawn to the caves’ darkness. Vezidax mentally summoned his Krahi to this area to find out what this creature with burning red eyes was. The Krahi prepared them selves for battle, loading their natural projectiles and readying their weapons. The Krahi of earth summoned the ground, where this creature was standing, to slide forwards. The beast was then revealed, and Vezidax let out a big laugh. Stood before them, a confused Rahkshi of heat vision stood, already drawing energy into its eyes.

“Back down, Rahkshi” Vezidax said, “I command you!”

The Rahkshi did not back down. The Rahkshi fired its lasers at the confused Vezidax. Why did my creature disobey me? Vezidax wondered. Just in time, the Krahi of air threw itself in front of Vezidax and blocked the lasers with one of its mirror-like wings. The reflection drilled a hole into a nearby wall. The Krahi of ice then fired its ice cannon at the Rahkshi, freezing it instantly. Then Vezidax realized why the creature did not obey him, it was only following orders from the original Teridax. Then, the Rahkshi melted its way through the ice with its laser vision, and came to attack. Then, the bear-like Krahi of stone summoned nearby stone slabs to surround the beast. The laser vision cut through the stone slabs like butter, but not before its head was encased by a bubble of water, summoned by the Krahi of water. The lasers became so refracted by the water; it only caused a few burn marks in each of the Krahis’ armor. It then started excreting powerful waves of shadow.

“Isn’t that cute” Vezidax said, “It’s trying to infect me with the Makuta Virus.”

The Rahkshi then shook off most of the water surrounding its head and charged straight towards Vezidax.

“Wait” Vezidax said, “This mask may have a few more tricks up its sleeves.”

Vezidax raised a clawed hand towards the Rahkshi of heat vision and activated his demented Kraahkan. What followed looked like the birth of a kraata in reverse. The kraata drifted out of its Rahkshi armor and started floating towards Vezidax’s hand. It appeared purple in color, so was obviously a shadow kraata. Then, the kraata started dissolving in mid air into a purple cloud of gas. The gas then traveled into Vezidax’s hand, where it was absorbed by his body.

“Nice trick” Vezidax muttered to himself, “This absorbed shadow kraata may come in handy” he said, looking at his hand the kraata was absorbed into.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:25 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 7
The Visitor

Metus has been traveling all over Spherus Magna in hope of finding an uninhabited place to call home, since every village despised him for his doings. But each time he found a perfect place, these pesky robotic-like beings called Matoran moved in. He knew very well where they came from; they came from the same thing that had turned him into a serpent long ago. He never knew what happened to Mata Nui, but the curse wore off after his visit with Annona. After he ran away from the battle between the golden skinned being and Annona, he had nowhere to go. And now, he was being run out of wherever he went.

Metus wanted to bury himself in the ground. Everyone hated him, he had nowhere to go, and he had no hope for revenge. He hoped that maybe some of the remains of Roxtus are uninhabited, so that’s where he was going. When he got there, he was able to find a cave entrance. He looked inside, and saw that it was pitch black.

“Hello?” Metus shouted into the cave.

No response.

“Is anyone in there?”

Metus started walking into the cave. It was not a good idea, since the cave was in complete and utter darkness. Metus stumbled and tripped around the cave, causing quite a racket. This place could use a few lightstones Metus thought to himself. Then, from out of nowhere, two giant, red eyes appeared in front of him.

“What is your business here?” The eyes grumbled in a low, menacing voice.

Metus squealed, ran, tripped and fell. The eyes showed up again in front of him.

“I said, what is your business here?” The eyes shouted at Metus.

“I-I-I-I” Metus stuttered.

The eyes squinted at Metus, and then with a booming voice, it said “You don’t have a history of being nice, do you? Don’t worry, neither do I.”

The eyes disappeared, and two forms walked towards him. They seemed to be lit by a dim fire coming from one of the figures. As the two walked forwards, one looked like a rahi, and the other looked like a Skrall. As they got closer, however, Metus could see this was not the case.

“My name is Vezidax” The Skrall-like figure said, “And this is one of my Krahi, who would tear you apart at the first sign of you trying to escape.”

Metus looked at the beast Vezidax called a “Krahi” and shuddered. It had a masculine body, vicious claws, a snakelike head, and not to mention it was also on fire.

“You have something I want” said Vezidax.

“W-w-what?” said Metus.

“Knowledge.” Said Vezidax, “Tell me everything you know about this planet. Tell me its strengths, weaknesses, fears, everything. Thanks to my mask, I know we are both aiming for a common goal: revenge”

Metus was shocked and confused, he would have run away right now if it weren’t for the Krahi. His eyes darted around the room in hope for a quick exit.

“You want payback, don’t you?” Vezidax said, “Well I can help, but you must first help me.”

Things were now different, Metus could smell a bargain a mile away, and this seemed like a really good one. Fear turned into business, and Metus started asking questions.

“How come you don’t know anything about this planet?” Metus asked, “Are you one of those things that Mata Nui brought here?”

“That’s none of your business” Vezidax growled, “Just tell me what I want to know and I’ll help you, or else...”

Metus was to scared to bargain any more. He then started telling the master of shadows the history of the planet and its people. He told Vezidax about the core war, the Skrall, the Elemental Lords, the retired Glatorians, and his experience with Mata Nui. He also told Vezidax about The Ageing, a current event that is turning Toa into Turaga randomly. He then told Vezidax about how he wanted revenge on Mata Nui.

“Mata Nui?” Vezidax said, “He’s already dead, so I can’t help you with getting revenge.” Vezidax turned to the Krahi of fire and said “Well we won’t need him anymore.”

Metus let out a sigh. Finally, Vezidax would let him go. Although he was kind of disappointed that he could not carry out his revenge on Mata Nui for himself, he was glad he could finally get out of that cave.

“Kill him.”

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:26 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 8
The New Plan

The deed was done quickly. Nothing was left except his helmet, which Vezidax pinned to a wall. For a short moment, Vezidax felt grief. He second guessed his actions, and wondered if what he did was wrong.

“He was a coward!” Vezidax shouted to his Krahi, “He had it coming.”

The Krahi stared at him blankly. Since they only responded to demands, they didn’t know how to respond to this. Vezidax paced back and fourth for a little while, and the thoughts of revenge soon justified the death of Metus. There was a battle within Vezidax’s mind: His own will vs. Teridax’s morals, and Teridax was winning.

“Fear is our friend” Vezidax said to the Krahi, “It can make people do things they would never dream of doing. All we need is a factor of fear, and a spark to ignite the flame.”

The “fear” had to seem different than the work of the Makuta; it had to be based off of a previous tragedy, but bigger than ever. The planet has been through a number of tragedies that he didn’t cause, so he had a nice selection. An idea came to mind, but it must first be tested, brutally tested, with unknown results. But if his theory was correct, and he could do such a thing, revenge would be easy. Vezidax activated his mask and got to work.

Viruses, viruses meant to suck all joy and happiness out of a being, and replace it with darkness and fear. Viruses meant to drain a person of their sanity with fear. But there was a catch to this virus; it would only take effect while the victim is unconscious. While it may not destroy dreams, it could pass as a form of the original. Vezidax was recreating the dreaming plague.

The virus had to be just right in order to work properly. It had to have no symptoms while the victim was awake. It must create enough nightmares for the victim to go insane, but not enough to kill them. It had to be curable by Vezidax and the Krahi, since he did not want all mad subjects when he was the king. But the trickiest part to it was that it had to work on all Matoran and Agori, Glatorian, Toa, and Turaga. Now, Vezidax needed some test subjects.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:28 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Matoro II

Matoro knew that Axonn was the only being that would be able to see him. However, someone had prevented him from contacting Axonn. This was the Makuta. As spirits, the two beings could contact each other without any problem.

“Makuta!” Matoro shouted at the floating figure.

“Matoro, I didn’t expect to see you here.” The being of darkness said.

“Why are you here, Makuta?” Matoro asked, “Or, more importantly, how did you get here?”

“It’s all part of the plan.” Said Makuta, “But your interactions are not, so let’s see if a dead being can die even more.”

Makuta let out an enormous blast of shadow from his figure, knocking Matoro kio’s away. Makuta, knowing that his job was not yet completed, flew over to Matoro’s spirit.

Matoro was defenseless; he had no weapons, no powers that would be of any use in spirit form, and a vulnerable mind. He could already feel Makuta ripping his mind apart from so far away.

So Matoro flew. He flew for help. Only the great beings would be the only beings that had the power to help him, so Matoro started searching for them. Matoro flew away from his home, away from his friends, away from his brothers and sister, away from his life in hope to one day return. Matoro saw planets, stars, galaxies, all filled with life, the Great Beings were busy.

For years he searched the galaxies for a sign of the Great Beings, but all he found was their endless trail of life across the many planets he came across. Each civilization flourished in unique and beautiful ways.

He flew and swerved from galaxy to galaxy, and was lost in the never-ending maze of stars. His only hope now was to search for a being of great power he could contact. Matoro then came across a possible sign of the Great Beings: construction.

Matoro could see artificial machines everywhere, it might have been a possible construction set by the Great Beings. This civilization was obviously more technologically advanced than his own, since everything seemed so futuristic. He then flew down to what seemed to be the main planet, and noticed a large slanted building with a big “H” on the side.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:30 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 9
The Cave

Nohro was an Onu-Matoran. He had been paired with Ventris, an Agori from the rock tribe in order to search for more habitable places. The planet still had many places left uninhabited, but they seemed to get harder and harder to find. Most people stay away from the remains of Roxtus, mainly because it was pretty much destroyed when Mata Nui was reassembled into that giant robot that had reunited the planet so long ago. There were also rumors of evil creatures within the caves, but it was mostly just superstition.

“Do you think there is anything in there?” Nohro asked.

“Probably not” Ventris said, “Maybe a rahi or two, but we came prepared.”

Nohro looked at his weapons. He and Ventris each had a kanoka disk, and a sword. But something felt wrong, something that the weapons couldn’t reassure him. Was it Ventris? Nohro wondered to himself. He always felt odd working with Agori from the rock tribe, since they were known to be vicious, and had a bad history. But long ago, the Agori from the rock tribe formed an alliance with the Matoran, and they never again caused trouble. He looked at Ventris, who was staring off at his former home.

The two walked in silence towards the remains of Roxtus, and Ventris reminisced about his past.

Ventris recalled the great city of Roxtus. It may have been a nasty past, but it was his home. Then Mata Nui came along and destroyed the city. He had his reasons Ventris reminded himself, but he couldn’t help holding a small grudge on Mata Nui for the damage caused to his city. After the giant robot brought back prosperity to this once barren planet, most of the rock tribe Agori moved into the Newspike Mountains, a mountain chain that Mata Nui grew before his death, so he kind of did pay off his debt to Roxtus. It has been a long time since Ventris returned to see the original city of Roxtus, and now that he has finally come back, he felt kind of depressed.

Both marched on into the abandoned city, and the deeper into the city they went, the more uneasy both of them got. The city was dark and full of ancient mysteries. Shadows loomed over every corner and an eerie silence filled the air. The two then came upon a small cave.

They entered the cave with caution, with weapons at the ready. The cave was dark and damp with no sign of life.

“Do you think this would be a good spot?” asked Nohro.

“I don’t think so” Ventris replied, “It seems a bit small. Let’s go look for a different cave.”

But just as Nohro turned around to leave the cave, he could have sworn he saw a pair of red eyes…

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:30 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 10
The Nightmare Plague

Vezidax was amazed. He did not plan for it to be this easy, but here they were. One Agori and one Matoran, he had everything he needed. He summoned his Krahi of earth and stone to shut off the cave entrance, and the two were trapped. All he had to do now was release the virus, and knock them out.

…

“I could have sworn the entrance was just over here.” Nohro said, pointing towards a wall.

“Well, obviously it’s not.” Ventris said.

“Then where did we come from?” Nohro asked.

The two looked around the perimeter of the cave, and found nothing. They were entirely surrounded by pure stone.

“We’re trapped!” Ventris yelled.

"Now you know how I felt” a deep booming voice said.

The voice came from everywhere, and nowhere. Nohro knew this voice like no other. But how could it be? Did the master of shadows return from the dead?

“Makuta!” Nohro yelled, “But how?”

“I am not the Makuta you fear, but I am the Makuta you will fear” The voice said.

“What do you want from us!?” Ventris asked.

“I don’t want anything from you” the voice said, “I just want to see your slow descent to madness.”

In that instant, a solid wave of darkness hit their heads with a large impact, and they were out.

…

Nohro was running. He wasn’t sure what it was from, but it was breathing down his neck. The room was a dark, misty place with millions of pillars and the ceiling nowhere in sight. He was lost; he did not know where he was, or why he was there. But he was being chased by some monster. He didn’t dare to look at the beast chasing him, because it was right behind him. Then he stopped moving. He was still running, but he wasn’t moving. With all his strength he burst out running, but he remained in the same place. He was panting heavily, but he was stuck. The beast then surrounded him. It was a cloud of darkness with two bright red eyes. The creature engulfed him, and soon there was nothing but the eyes. The ground dissolved beneath his feet, and he was falling into darkness. The red eyes looked down on him, and he woke up.

…

Nohro woke up in a sweat. He looked around, and he was still in the cave. Ventris was sleeping on the other side of the cave. He was twitching uncontrollably.

“Wake up!” Nohro shouted at Ventris while shaking his shoulders.

Ventris sat up quickly and yelled. He looked around the cave and let out a sigh.

“It… was just a dream...” Ventris panted.

The same thing would happen the day after that, and many more days to come. They felt themselves slowly drifting away from sanity every day…

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:32 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Matoro III

Robots were everywhere. They were building, constructing, working on making a civilization. One of the robotic beings looked up at Matoro’s spirit and flew up to him.

“I haven’t seen a Toa in a long time” the robotic being said in a soft and ancient voice, “I thought that system had failed a long time ago.”

“Who are you?” Matoro asked, amazed that the being could even see him.

“I am of the kind that created what created you” the being said, “I may not look like much now, but I’m in disguise for this civilization.”

“Are you… A Great Being?” Matoro asked the robotic figure.

“Yes” The Great Being replied softly, “I am a Great being. What you see before me is hopefully a utopian society. Ever since the beginning of time, we Great Beings have been searching for the perfect civilization. We have tested civilizations with different proportions of organic matter to robotic matter. The one I am working on now is 100% robotic.”

Matoro was amazed. He was entirely speechless. He stared at the great being with awe.

“Great being, I used the Kanohi Ignika to revive the Great Spirit…” Matoro said.

“Yes, yes, I know.” The Great Being cut him off, “When you used it, you were able to project your spirit from your body, and the Ignika gave you independent life. Now you are stuck as a spirit, and you ask for a new body.”

“Yes” Replied Matoro, soon realizing that his mind has just been read.

The Great Being thought, and finally said “I can not give you a body here, I need every material I have. However, I will grant you the ability to possess a spiritless body in your own world.”

Before Matoro could thank the Great Being, his spirit was standing over the wreckage of Mata Nui’s giant robotic body on Spherus Magna.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:33 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 15
Success

It had worked perfectly. The two gibbering maniacs had almost exactly replicated the symptoms of the dreaming plague. All he had to do was put them in a highly populated area, and the rest would be history.

Vezidax summoned his Krahi of air to fly them into a nearby city. The Krahi followed his command, and flew away. Within a few weeks about half of the Matoran and Agori population would be raving mad. People would be confused and scared, no one will no who to turn to. And that is where the Krahi would step in.

Vezidax had been experimenting with small rahi in the cave. He was not testing any more viruses, but was testing his mask. He has discovered that he is able to release the potential darkness within a being into a physical form. However, the more he played with the physical form of a being, the less of a mind it had. Some of his experiments turned into mindless bodies, unable to do anything but live. There were few, however, that were not too far gone mentally. Where they could not think for themselves, Vezidax could think for them. They were dangerous beasts under control of Vezidax, but for now they are not important.

He predicted that since the Krahi were made out of his own essence, he may be able to evolve the Krahi to look more like him. He would evolve them just to the point that they are standing on two legs. Then they just might pass as Toa…

…

The two gibbering wrecks were dropped off in the near a city full of Onu-Matoran. They were immediately put into a recovery center and tied to their beds. No one knew how to help them, but people theorized that they are suffering from shock of some kind.

“THE EYES!” Ventris and Nohro kept shouting at the ceilings. Anyone listening to them could understand the pain they were going through. But no one could guess what these “eyes” were, or why they were afraid of them. It was a sad sight, and no one could help.

Pretty soon, every Matoran and Agori that went in the same room as Nohro and Ventris started having nightmares about villainous red eyes. The virus continued to spread, giving people nightmares that they lived to regret having. At first, no one told each other about the problem, since they all thought it was personal. When they started to catch on, it was too late.

Soon enough, everyone started getting the nightmares. Some Agori blamed the Matoran for bringing a new disease to their planet, but most were almost sure that it was the dreaming plague. People locked themselves in their homes, kohli matches were canceled, and madmen started roaming the streets constantly shouting “THE EYES!”

At night there was hundreds of blood curdling screams. Some people refused to sleep, but the tiredness would overwhelm them and they would slip into a long nightmare that sometimes lasted for weeks. There were some, however, that were immune to the virus. Only five matoran remained unaffected by the nightmare plague.

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, May 14 2013 - 07:34 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Griston

 

Griston was a Po-Matoran. He is usually quiet and shy, but that was because he had felt true pain. Griston had been ripped apart, put back together into a weaker form, ripped apart again, and rebuilt into the body he has now. Griston wore the mask of aging, a mask carved by the insane Karzahni himself. Most of the other Matoran that were rebuilt by Karzahni abandoned their former masks, saying that their powers were “immoral”. Griston never understood why this was the case, because they could not use their powers anyways. He kept his mask because he saw no need in changing masks, and felt it would be a waste of a mask not to use it.

 

Although he knew he could not access his powers, his mask had been acting strangely recently. He wondered if he was the cause of The Aging, and decided to change masks soon just to be sure. However, the second dreaming plague hit his city hard, and no one in his city was left mentally unscathed. All but him, that is.

 

One day, Turaga Onua came up to Griston holding a stone in his hand.

 

“Griston…” He uttered, already a victim to the second dreaming plague, “You seem to be special, as you are unscathed by the plague. This brings upon a heavy responsibility to you, to possibly save our village. I do not know how far this plague has already spread, since are village is under quarantine. We have received news from Turaga Takanuva via light signals that the plague has hit his village. I want you to travel to the New Coliseum, and use this.” He grumbled as he handed the stone over. Instead of asking questions, Griston simply took the stone and left, leaving the Turaga without a word.

 

 

Obstes

 

Obstes was a Ga-Matoran. She daydreamt a lot, in the hope that her dreams would come true. But she never wished for power or wealth, but for the ability to help others. This is why she was a healer; she could rebuild a Matoran from head to toe, if she wanted to. She had learned this skill by rebuilding herself long ago after being trapped in Karzahni. The Turaga insisted on helping her be rebuilt, but she managed to do it herself, which was not an easy feat. However, since she had no help from the Turaga rebuilding herself, she kept her old mask, the mask of conjuring.

 

In recent times, her skills as a healer have risen dramatically. She found out that if she concentrates on her patient hard enough before healing them, they heal faster. She believes it is just her own superstition, but her mask has been acting strange recently, but no matter what the cause of her quick-healings are, they were useless to victims of the second dreaming plague. But she somehow managed to stay away from the nightmares…

 

“Obstes” Turaga Gali quietly intruded, “I apologize to disturb you from your studies...”

 

“Is it more urgent than finding a cure to the plague?” Obstes replied quickly, “I am finding out more and more how this illness works, I must not be disturbed now. I have just found out that the illness is not spiritual, as it was thought, but something of flesh and blood, something that can be touched. Why you can’t see or feel it now, I do not know, which is why I need my time to find out. I am sorry, Turaga, but could you find another time to talk?”

 

“But I have something that may help you” She uttered, holding out a blue stone.

 

“Fascinating, but how will a rock help me?”

 

“Matoran are becoming ill” The Turaga said sternly, “The plague is spreading like a wildfire, everyone who is touched by a victim seems to contract the illness for themselves.”

 

“I know this.” Obstes impatiently mumbled.

 

“And you work with these victims on a daily basis, and yet you show no signs of the plague. I must admit, I too have started seeing the red eyes. Yet you avoid it, why? You are special, Obstes, and you can save our village. Yes, you have been making progress here, but a prophecy is being fulfilled, and you must do your duty to our village. Take this stone…” The Turaga said, pushing the stone into her hand “And may the Great Beings guide you on your trip to the New Coliseum.”

 

Akata

 

Akata was a Le-Matoran. He was very fast to talk, and often didn’t think before he spoke. He would often find himself in a situation where he said something that he was not supposed to, making him one of the most honest Matoran on Spherus Magna. In recent times, however, he stopped talking as much as he used to because he found that people were annoyingly hard to talk to. Lately, people have begun to mumble, and he could hardly understand what people were trying to say to him.

 

He felt it was ironic that people could not speak clearly to him, and he had the mask of incomprehension. He knew it was powerless, so it must be a coincidence. He had this mask because of a simple mishap on the part of the Turaga. At the time, the Turaga that was rebuilding him ran out of Kanohi masks, and went to get some more. During the time that Akata waited, he wandered off, forgetting about the mask, and didn’t bother to get another one since the one he had was doing a fine job at letting him not slip into a coma.

 

“How is the contraption working?” Turaga Kongu asked.

 

“Perfect” Replied Akata, taking a short break from his tapping, “There is a little wonder-confusion with the code, but other than that, we just got the nearest stone village connected. We just got a Toa of Lightning to extend the circuit, but she recently fell dream-ill…”

 

“It seems as if everyone is getting these nightmares, even I started to get them. For the first time in centuries, I feel afraid. Yet you are not dream-ill, how? Is it wind-luck, or set-fate? I would like to think set-fate, but with that small hint of doubt in my mind, I will give you this” He said, holding out a green stone. “Take this to the new coliseum. If it is set-fate, and you are the one, you can quick-save us all.”

 

 

Panah

 

Panah was a Ta-Matoran. He was a disk maker, along with making a number of other items. He paid extreme attention to detail when making his items, and his disks were considered one of the best in the city, with the least number of rejects. Unlike other disk makers, who made their disks with a disk press, a machine that molded molten metal into several disks at once, he still makes his disks by hand. He had often said that his mask, the mask of sensory aptitude, allowed him to pay so much attention to detail, but he knew this was impossible because it was powerless. However, in recent years he is now not so sure it is impossible, because his mask has been acting strangely. It has been glowing slightly every now and then, and making him feel odd occasionally.

 

“It seems like just yesterday I was making disks like you, Panah.” Turaga Vakama said to the Matoran. “And a certain Toa came in and changed my life forever. Now I can do the same for you.” He said, holding out a red stone.

 

“A Toa stone?” Panah said, aware of what they did. “But, why?”

 

“An, so you remember the stories?” Vakama said, looking around the room for Dark Hunters, forgetting he wasn’t the Matoran this time. “Spherus Magna needs you, and a shadow is once again spreading.”

 

“You mean the Second Dreaming Plague?”

 

“Yes, that is the Darkness sweeping over the planet. But darkness can not touch light, and light is hope. I have kept my eye on you, Panah, and you are not a victim of the Plague. The plague can not touch you, because you are light. You are our hope. Take this stone to the Suva in the New Coliseum, and become what you were meant to be.”

 

“But how can I stop a plague? How do I fight a disease?”

 

“You have much to learn, Panah. You will find the answer on your journey.”

 

 

Deleh

 

Deleh was an Onu-Matoran. He was rough, anti-social, and many Matoran were scared of him. He caused no harm to anyone, but looked intimidating. It was mostly because of his mask, the mask of undeath. It may have been powerless, but it still looked terrifying. Deleh said that he kept the immoral mask as a reminder for why he needed repaired and was sent to Karzahni. He would never say why he was damaged, but he regrets it deeply. Recently, the mask has been acting strangely; Deleh was being depleted of energy, acting sluggish, as if the mask was leeching from his life force. However, he knew his mask was powerless, so it couldn’t possibly work, could it?

 

“Deleh!” Turaga Garan shouted, bursting into Deleh’s hut. “The eyes, I see them, it’s too late for me. Everywhere, watching, running, hunting in the night. Take this!” He said, pushing a stone into Deleh’s hands. “Six will lead the way in the New Coliseum. You are one! Please, make the eyes go away! I have faith in you, I am counting on you!”

 

It was not worth trying to get the Turaga to say any more, he was too far gone. Deleh took the Turaga and laid him out on his bed and tied his arms to the sides of it, so he would not hurt himself. He had heard too many cases of suicide in attempts to get rid of the nightmares…

Edited by Toa Of Virtues, Dec 09 2012 - 05:34 PM.

[Toa Of Virtues]

Chapter 16

The New Coliseum

 

Akata walked into the New Coliseum to find three other Matoran waiting.

 

“Are we the only four straight-thinking Matoran left in the world?” Akata asked the Matoran.

 

“No, there are two others.” Said Deleh, “A Turaga told me there would be six left.”

 

Akata looked at Deleh and flinched. “No offense, but your mask is scary-bad looking.”

 

Deleh glared at Akata and said “Well, you don’t have the prettiest mask either.”

 

Akata touched his mask and felt its jagged edges, and he looked at the other Matorans’ masks and saw they were all odd in some way.

 

“Hey” Akata said, “your masks, they’re all...”

 

“Yes” Said Panah “They’re all made by Karzahni. If I’m not mistaken, yours is too.”

 

“So is mine” a Ga-Matoran said while walking through the doors of the New Coliseum “My name is Obstes, by the way.”

 

“I’m Akata” said the Le-Matoran.

 

“I’m Panah” said the Ta-Matoran.

 

“I’m Deleh” said the Onu-Matoran.

 

“Griston” whispered the Po-matoran in the corner.

 

“Well, I’m glad we got introductions out of the way” Said Panah, “But I believe we are missing one.”

 

“Ice!” Akata shouted, “We are missing a thinker.”

 

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a Ko-Matoran” Deleh said, “Your Turaga just said “six would lead the way”; it doesn’t have to be a Ko-Matoran, or even a Matoran, for all we know.”

 

“Then where is this mysterious being you speak of?” Akata asked sarcastically, “Maybe we must find a magical rock to be our sixth member.”

 

“Do we even need six members to do whatever it is wee need to do?”

 

“We are going to turn into Toa.” Panah said, walking towards the Suva. “Vakama told me his story of how he became a Toa, we must do the same.”

 

Panah walked towards the Suva and placed his stone in the corresponding hole. Immediately, the stone lit up, and a beam of light erupted from the middle of the Suva.

 

“Well” Panah said, “Go on.”

 

The other matoran proceeded to place their stones in the holes in the side of the Suva. The beam of light grew brighter, but nothing else came. No transformation, no voice, nothing.

 

“We need a sixth.” Obstes said, “We can not transform without him.”

 

“But where should we search-look for this to-be-Toa?” Akata said.

 

“Let’s search in the icy regions of Spherus Magna, maybe he’s there, but the Turaga was too mad to give him the stone.” Griston quietly said.

 

And with that, the five matoran set off to Iconox to look for the sixth Toa.