Through the Unknown

[Toa Kopaka TJByrum]

Hey all, this is my epic. It is about a team of Toa who awake in a mysterious landscape with absolutely no recollection of their past or why they're there. The Toa do not know their names, nor that they're even Toa. They're not even sure if others exist yet, but they're smart enough to look.Chapter 1: Kutoro, Toa of IceCold. Snowy. Windy. Desolate. Those were the words that described the setting. No ordinary Matoran could survive such cold weather, even a Ko-Matoran would admit they felt a bit chilly. The ground was caked in snow, several feet deep. The wind lashed out like a whip, threatening to tear apart all that stood in its way. Snow flew all around, it was a snowstorm. Any being could not possibly hope to see through such a storm, except for maybe those with the Akaku.But it didn't matter to one being. The cold, the snow, the wind, none of this mattered to the figure who simply walked casually through it all. He was clad in white armor. The swords he had on his back were made of a silver metal. His mask was also white, like his armor. Those who saw him would have guessed he was a Toa of Ice, but they would not have been able to identify his mask.But he didn't know that. All he knew was that the cold did not affect him, and that it was probably best to pick up the spare Kanohi and the two swords. Where am I? thought the Toa of Ice. Who am I? It didn't make sense. How could a being simply wake up in the middle of a desolate, snowy wasteland, with absolutely nothing around except the whipping wind and the snow that trailed behind it. Even worse, the Toa didn't know who, where, or even what he was. He simply awoke in the snowstorm, picked up a mask and swords, and simply walked forward for hours, looking for any hints for others... if there even were others.Weapons... and a mask, thought the Toa. Who would drop someone in the middle of a snowstorm, supply them with weapons and a mask, and leave them? Curious, the Toa reached back and grabbed a handle on one of the swords to examine it. Emblazoned on the metal itself was the word 'Kutoro'. Kutoro... well, I guess it's as a name as any, said the Toa, who figured if he did not have a name, he might as well adopt one. It was a shortsword, probably so the user could dual-wield them easier. It was a curved sword, kind of like a scimitar, and it was made out of what seemed to be a very strong metal material. For some reason, the Toa felt connected to it, as if it were part of him. The bond seemed to grow when Kutoro examined it further, almost as if it was beckoning to be used.Gripping it in his hands tightly, Kutoro stopped walking and decided to give it a few swings. On the first swing, a powerful energy could be felt surging through it. The Toa looked curiously at the blade. Again, he swung it through the air, energy once more seemed to course through it, but this time it seemed to siphon the energy from his own body. In turn Kutoro seemed to feel similar energy from the environment entering through his body, as if it were replacing the lost energy.Interesting, he thought, it's like I can channel my energy through this blade. The Toa closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and then focused all of his thought on the blade. He could feel the raw energy coursing through the material, ready to burst out. He gave it one big swipe. Much to his surprise, the snow cleared all around him in an instant, as if the storm has just completely dissipated, although the powerful winds still blew.Speaking aloud this time, he said "Oh yes... I'm going to enjoy using this."

Edited October 4, 2012 by Toa Kopaka TJByrum

[Toa Kopaka TJByrum]

Chapter 2: EncountersKutoro, the Toa of Ice, had been walking for hours. Earlier, he had channeled some energy through a shortsword that cleared the snowstorm. It wasn't the cold snow that bothered him, just the simple fact he could now see clearly. And now, he was headed in the direction of a tall mountain, which he figured was a good spot to look around and scan his surroundings. Had only I seen this mountain earlier, he thought, I could have been there by now. But this was not the time to fret about the past. Kutoro just wanted to find some company, no matter who it was or what they looked like.The ground was still caked in snow, but Kutoro could tell that it was not as thick as before. Even in the distance, Kutoro could tell the snow was fading, and the mountain did not even had any snow. Behind him, a large plain of snowy expanse seemed to go on forever. The mountain ahead was very grassy, or was that trees? It extended up at about a thirty-degree angle, until both sides reached the pinnacle, forming a pointed top, which didn't seem to have much vegetation on it. Perhaps I could see some others... or even create a signal... or maybe there are others who have the same idea as myself, and we'll meet up there.Thinking back on his experience with his shortblade, Kutoro had tried to channel energy through his hands, but found that the result was not as strong as the shortblade. He kept thinking on how else he could do with his powers of ice. He had already cleared a snowstorm, formed ice out of thin air, and shot some ice from his hands. It was nice to know that the very snow and ice around him listened to his every command. He then came up with the idea to channel his energy through his mask, perhaps he could launch ice out of his eyes?He stood still, channeling his power through his mask. Nothing happened. Disappointed he removed the mask from his face and looked at it. It had two eye sockets, a smooth forehead and cheeks, and a circular opening on the mouth-piece. But then Kutoro noticed a slight change in his mentality... like something had just completely left. Confused, he put the mask back on, and it the feeling came back. Interesting, he thought, maybe if I channel power through it again...Before Kutoro could act, and before he even knew what was going on, he instinctively dodged an incoming projectile that was coming from his right. Whoa! How in the world did I-"Don't move stranger!" Kutoro looked around and spotted a figure clad in brown armor, much like his own. "Put down your weapons and your mask! Do it now!" The stranger had a mask on as well, and some hook-like weapons in his hands, ready for combat.Kutoro drew his own weapons and readied himself, "I'm not taking orders from anyone, my armor and my mask are mine to keep. Now let me ask you to put away your weapons and-""I'll do it for you then!" With that, the brown figure bent down and lifted a large boulder from underneath the snow. He threw it at Kutoro as fast as he could. Kutoro channeled his energy through his blade, and created an icy ramp in front of him. The boulder hit the ramp and slid up it, sending it flying over Kutoro and behind him."Wrong move stranger." Kutoro focused his power in his blades and summoned a snowstorm. "The powers of ice and snow are mine to command, and a couple of rocks won't stop me." Kutoro himself could not see through the snow, but at least neither could the rock-thrower. "Now sleep!" Kutoro began to turn the very air around the area as cold as he could get it, hoping to subdue the stranger."No! Ah! Agghhhh!" The figure let out several bloodcurdling screams. When they stopped, Kutoro whisked the snowstorm away. What he saw was not exactly what he wanted.Lying on the ground, torn apart in many pieces, was the brown-clad stranger. Armor, shredded to pieces; tissue, all over the place; and a strange liquid all around it, frozen. The very snow, turned to ice by the sudden decrease in temperature, had ripped the figure to shreds, literally. Feeling absolutely no remorse, Kutoro simply walked over to the remains of the figure, picked up his mask, and walked off."Sorry... but you started it," he said.

[Toa Kopaka TJByrum]

Chapter 3: Of Air, Acid, and WaterKutoro grunted as he pulled himself up the rocky slope. Down at the bottom of the mountain, it simply rose at about a thirty-degree angle, one that Kutoro didn't mind. But the higher he went, the more rockier it got, and soon Kutoro had to climb up the mountain. I hope I get a reward for this, or at least some information. Kutoro started thinking about the brown-clad figure he had saw earlier. If only the fool hadn't attacked me, I would probably have some information! Kutoro didn't mean to kill the guy, just subdue him. But that didn't matter, not know, especially since Kutoro didn't really care what had happened to him. That was then, this is now. He took the dead figure's mask though, tied onto his waist and hanging down.Suddenly he could hear the large crunching sound of a rock. Looking up in the direction of the sound, a group of boulders came rolling down the mountain, threatening to send the Toa of Ice tumbling down with it. Their was almost no time, he had to do something! But no, he didn't do anything, but rather something else did. Suddenly, his body instinctively positioned itself one way, a boulder passed by, and then quickly shimmied over to dodge another boulder. Kutoro did nothing, but it seemed something inside of him forced him to, much like what had happened when the rock-thrower had threw the boulders at him. Kutoro thought nothing of it, apparently it benefited him - so why bother?Finally! Kutoro placed his hand on a rock and pulled himself onto the top of the mountain, not bothering to see what was up there. "Look, Akar, Nika, another!" Kutoro looked up to see three figures before him. One clad in blue armor, and the other two in green armor. The green figure who had spoken came to help Kutoro to his feet. "Climbing doesn't seem like it's your thing, friend.""No, it isn't. Thanks for not attacking me by the way." Kutoro looked around to further investigate the others. They were all identical, except their stance, masks, armor, and weapons.Laughing, the figure began, "I'm Fithar. This is Akar," he pointed to the other green figure, "and this is Nika," he pointed to the blue figure.Nika said "Greeting brother, glad to another with us." Kutoro smiled at her, thankful this trio did not attack him. Kutoro looked over at Akar, who simply frowned and looked at the ground when they met eyes. Nika looked at him, and then back at Kutoro. "He... can't talk. He was attacked by... something. Luckily, Fithar there was able to help fight off the creature."Kutoro simply looked at Akar. Too bad, he said to himself, should've done better. "I myself was attacked, but not by a creature. As a matter of fact, he was exactly like us... only he had brown armor.""Attacked? Perhaps he was confused too. Where's he at now?"Kutoro shrugged then said, "Dead. In the snow." After he said that, a dark shadow seemed to fall over the four Toa. Nika's expression basically said 'Dead?'."You... you killed him?" Fithar grabbed onto Kutoro's shoulder, shaking him as he said his words. "You just killed him?"Shrugging Fithar off and stepping back, Kutoro said, "Yes... yes I killed someone who tried to kill me. Is that so bad?" Reaching behind him, he grabbed the mask from the fallen being, "Here, this is the mask he wore. I didn't try to kill him in the first place, just subdue him, but it seems my powers got out of hand and I shredded him to pieces." Akar, Nika, and Fithar looked suprised. Kutoro just stood there, same as ever.Nika spoke up, "Well... that's done with... let's not talk about it anymore... at least you kept his mask, for his honor." Kutoro did not take the mask for honor, rather he just wanted it. "But... you did say something about powers? What powers?""Of ice. The snow, the ice, the very temperature of my surroundings... I control it all. It does what I ask, when I ask. You yourself can probably do the same, all three of you. The very air, the soil beneath my feet, it seems to supply me with the strength I need, and my blades I have seems to siphon the energy, and I can unleash it." The trio just stared, confused. Sighing, Kutoro said "Try it."Closing her eyes and concentrating, Nika tried to channel her power through the small hand-axes she held in her hands. A light rain began to fall. Fithar slapped Nika on the shoulder, "Haha, Kutoro here can kill with ice and you can't do much but make it rain!" Nika's eyes glared at Fithar, as if she was annoyed at him. Suddenly, it began raining harder, a torrential downpour. Surprised, Nika smiled."Water... I can control the skies and water! Oh Akar, see what it is you can achieve!" Akar pulled his longblade out with both hands and focused on it. The wind picked up, leaves, grass, and snow swirling all around. Akar looked satisfied and then seemed to loose focus, as if he didn't enjoy it. "What about you Fithar? Air, like Akar?""Let's find out!" Fithar said, annoyingly. He drew his spear out and started swirling it all through the air, ridiculously. Laughing, he stopped and started focusing. A green liquid started pouring from the edge of the spear, dripping down onto the ground, burning the ground and whatever it came into contact with. It was like an acidic power. Strange.Kutoro smiled at the group. "Good. Ice, water, air, and acid. We should be able to stand against any and all that oppose us. Now, tell me how you all came into contact, and where you are from."Nika spoke up first, "I don't know much... just that I awoke on the shores of a beach with a mask and these hand-axes. I walked through the woods for hours, until I ran across Fithar and Akar, who was already wounded. Fithar's name was on his weapon, and he informed Akar of his own name on his weapon, and so now I am Nika... which was on my weapon. And as I am aware, you're Kutoro because that's what was on your weapon... correct?""Indeed," said Kutoro. Almost suddenly, an extremely loud explosion occurred down the slope of the mountain, in the forest. Bellowing smoke, molten magma, and fire was everywhere, threatening to burn the whole forest."What was that?" yelled Fithar."Answers," said Kutoro.

[Toa Kopaka TJByrum]

Chapter 4: Not All is QuietAt the sight of the explosion, Kutoro was determined to find out what it was, but mostly because he was bored. "Follow me," he told the Fithar, Akar, and Nika. He looked down the slope of the mountainside. He extended one of his blades and froze the ground before him, and then jumped on, sliding down the slippery surface and creating more ice to continue his slide. He glanced behind him to see the other three Toa followed in suit. The four Toa was speeding down the mountain and would reach the bottom in mere seconds.Finally, reaching the bottom, Kutoro slid to a halt. Akar and Nika also slid to a halt, but Fithar kept going and slammed into a tree. Nika rolled her eyes, and Akar smiled at her. Kutoro just turned and started running to the explosion site. Nika spoke up, "So... Kutoro, do we have a plan?"Kutoro looked over at her, "Not yet, but I'm improvising. Just get there, find out what's going on, and if they're enemies, kill them. Simple." Nika frowned and looked mad."Killing and slaughtering anything in your path isn't the best way to handle things you know. You should really stop to think what you're doing Kutoro.""The way I see it, if someone wants to kill me, then I'll want to kill them too. Eye for an eye, Nika." Kutoro glanced at Akar, who also seemed to disapprove of his behavior. "Don't criticize me Akar, you can't talk because you didn't act." After Kutoro had said that, there was silence until they reached scorched earth.One combatant was clad in red armor with a spear that spewed fire. The other combatant was a brutish fellow with a large axe that seemed to control the very earth. Strangely, they were identical to the four Toa, which made Kutoro even more curious about who they were. It was a back-and-forth battle. The earth-wielder sent rocks and other gravel at the fire-wielder, who in turn just turned it to magma.Stepping forward, into the view of the two fighters, Nika yelled, "Stop!" The two combatants stopped fighting for a moment to see who was yelling. They saw the four newcomers and started readying their weapons for a fight. Kutoro drew both of his blades and was ready to start fighting, but Akar intervened and kept him from charging. Unfortunately, the Toa of Fire had sent a ball of fire towards Nika, but she was able to defend herself by extinguishing it with her powers over water. "I said stop!" Nika suddenly summoned a torrential downpour, much to the surprise of the Toa of Fire and the Toa of Earth. Both Toa sheathed their weapons as a sign of surrender, but traded angry glares at one another."Fine, who are you and what do you want?" The Toa of Fire walked up to them, arms folded, demanding answers."I am Nika, and I control water. This is Fithar, Akar, and Kutoro, masters of acid, air, and ice, respectively. I see you can control fire, and your friend here can control the earth?""He's not my friend. But yes, fire is mine to use. I am Tuvar. Now where are you from... Nika?""I... don't know... rather, we don't know. None of us do, we were hoping you knew something."Butting in, the Toa of Earth stepped in front of the Toa of Fire. "I am Nuaka Nika, and I am more likely to listen to reason than Tuvar here. The answers you seek, we cannot give. But perhaps we each contain clues to find out?"Nika seemed cheerful when Nuaka seemed to cooperate. "Yes, yes, perhaps friend. Water, ice, earth, fire, air, acid..." There was a slight pause in her sentence as she remembered Kutoro's story. "Anyway, I think the point is for us to stay together and find out. We were put here for a reason, and I believe together we will find out." Nuaka, Akar, Nika, and Fithar seemed to agree that unifying was a good idea, while Kutoro and Tuvar despised this idea discreetly. Tuvar was about to reply, perhaps object Nika's decision, but he was cut short by a clambering of branches.A figure fell on the ground near the six figures. He had blue armor, a big nasty grin, red eyes, spikey spine, and clawed feet. Kutoro and Tuvar both readied their weapons, ready for a fight, while the other four simply stood at the ready in case a fight did ensue. "No! Stop Toa! I've done nothing wrong, you have to help me!" The strange person was on his knees and hands, begging for mercy."Who are you? And what did you call us?" Tuvar once again demanded answers. He began sending his fiery powers through his weapons."I am Kinaka... but that doesn't matter now Toa. Your duty is to protect the innocent... right? Right!?" Kinaka was begging for help, as if he was in deep trouble. "These... Matoran, they're after me cause they think I'm trying to kill them... but I'm not, by Irnakk, I'm not!"Kutoro sighed and stepped forward, grabbing Kinaka by the throat and lifting him high into the air. No one would admit it, but Kutoro was indeed very strong. "I'm tired of this. Someone's going to tell me what's going, and very soon! Tell me you spined being, where are we and why do you call us Toa? Is that one of our names? And who is matoran and what does he want?"Gagging for breath, Kinaka struggled, so Kutoro lessened his grip. Kinaka let out a loud grunting noise. "Toa! You're Toa! You're suppose to protect the innocent... like myself! And we're on Kirui..." There was a pause as Kutoro still held the Skakdi in the air. "Please let me go Toa of Ice!" Kutoro dropped the Skakdi, who fell to the ground. Again, a rumbling of branches and running footsteps. Little tiny strangers, about waist-high, entered the clearing, weapons in hand.A matoran spoke up, "Toa? Stand back, this doesn't concern you! This Skakdi deserves justice by only his victims!" The matoran raised there weapons, aiming at Kinaka, who shook with fear.Nika's body moved, but it was Fithar who put his arm in front of her and took the initiative. "Hold on here little guys, I believe we can-"The same matoran spoke up, "Out of the way Toa! Or face the Skakdi's same fate!" Fithar reached for his weapon, but only to intimidate the matoran. Unfortunately, the matoran shot the Toa down, blowing holes through his very armor and mask, incinerating the tissue beneath. In an instant, Fithar, Toa of Acid, fell to the ground dead.

Edited October 5, 2012 by Toa Kopaka TJByrum

[Toa Kopaka TJByrum]

Chapter 5: Unity, at Any PriceThe dead, pulverized body once inhabited by Fithar fell to the ground, lifeless. Nika gasped and the other Toa were stunned at the loss of another, save Kutoro who didn't mind the death of the annoying Toa of Acid. Nuaka jumped forward, "You matoran tyrants will pay for what you did!" The matoran focused their attention on Nuaka, and fired at him. Fortunately Nuaka had created a wall of earth and the shots hit it instead. The result was a large forceful explosion that sent everyone flying back.Nuaka got to his feet and saw two matoran readying their weapons. "Shoot! Shoot these renegades down!" they yelled, but they were no match for the Toa of Earth, who opened a gaping hole in the earth and swallowed them.Kutoro, the Toa of Ice, stood up and a matoran was dazed, scrambling for his weapon. The matoran picked up the gun and fired at Kutoro, who simply dodged it unknowingly. "Foolish little bugs!" Kutoro yelled at the matoran. He fired a bolt of ice at the matoran, freezing him solid. The eyes of the still-living matoran inside watched as Kutoro made his way over and smashed the matoran to bits."Akar, behind you!" yelled Nika, who swept away a matoran with a blast of water. Akar quickly turned and sent a gust of wind to the attacker's way, blowing him back into a tree. "I don't want to kill you, but it's like I'll have to defend myself!" Nika yelled, and then kept sending water the matoran's way to drown him. When the matoran's eyes dimmed, Nika felt like a part of her had died.Tuvar was surrounded by at least five matoran, who figured he was the strongest. Tuvar slammed his spear down on the ground, igniting the are around him and setting the five attackers alight. Looking around, the team of five Toa was satisfied. The matoran were all dead, thanks to the elemental powers of the Toa. Scrambling to his feet, Kinaka looked astonished.Toa... killing matoran? Kinaka had never seen Toa slaughter matoran before. Perhaps they really have no idea who they are... I could use them... "Toa! Thank you, really, thank you! You're doing your job. Now, would you like me to tell you your true purpose...?" The Skakdi was attempting to trick the Toa into raiding a nearby village.Kutoro spoke up, "If it means we have to kill more of these little critters, sure, count me in, I could use it." Kutoro could feel the glaring eyes of Nika and Akar, but he knew Tuvar and Nuaka agreed to his choice.Nika was disappointed, "I don't know... I mean, we don't even know who these people are... what if they were allies?"Tuvar put his hand on Nika's shoulder, "Nika, we're Toa, Kinaka tells us we're suppose to protect the innocent - and we did just that. Surely even you would not go against that would you? We're doing the right thing. Agree and come with us, we could use you."Nika was still disappointed, but she said "Alright... sure let's go... come on Akar."And so the group set off to slaughter matoran, following closely behind the Skakdi.

[Black Six]

Closed by request.