Toa Andrew

Chapter 8 - Alone we fall Gagged by his captor; no sound could reached the Toa from Golyo's mouth. The Toa stones were lost, sealed in the bag of a servant of Shadow, but no member of the group would abandon their friend to a fate of torment. With angry determination the heavy footsteps of the warriors made sure the mine would not fall silent just yet. Behind them the Bahki and undead Matoran continued their butchery, and the group feared more was to come for all of them before they were done. The tunnels led the Toa to the largest, and deepest part of the underground mine. The room was enormous and filled with wooden scaffold platforms and mine cart tracks. The scaffolding was multi levelled, stretching even further into the dark. What's more the entire room screeched and echoed with the clambering of Zombie life (or non-life depending on how you see it). "A way out would be much appreciated." Tahu asked the group, exhausted. "He must have escaped somewhere." As quick as they could the other Toa scanned the chasm before more creatures could assail them. "There!" Pohatu spotted the way ahead. The only other exit was two floors down and across the room. Below them was unlike anything they had ever seen. Hundreds of Matoran climbed the rocky walls of the chasm and wooden platforms. There was no time to delay. The wood creaked and the metal tracks echoed under the weight of the Toa. It was soon clear how unstable the floor was when Hewkii crashed right through the rotting planks. With inches to spare he grabbed part of the next level with one hand. He looked down with despair as he saw the Matoran glare up with bright red eyes. Something was forming them into the monstrosities they now were. Towards the stairs the Toa carried on; Hewkii couldn't be rescued from above. Swarms of undead bit and clawed at their armour, slowing them down. Nuparu was brought to the floor by a vicious grip from below. The creatures screamed when Takanuva attempted to blind them with the power of his Light staff, and a lunging Matoran was split in two by Onua's weapon, his mask power increasing his strength to the very limit his body could withstand. There was no way they could pass through to the stairs in front of them, from every floor of scaffolding and from every wall more came at them. There was only one thing for it, jump and hope the floor beneath them would hold! One by one they reached the platform below, Takanuva going first. Still the Toa found no luck, Onua, Jaller and Tom fell straight through. With varying degrees of success they all grabbed out for dear life at any nearby platform. Hanging over the edge, Tom groaned as he tried to pull himself up. "Tom!" Andrew couldn't both reach him and fight off the two Zombies clinging on to him. The hanging boy saw the drop below him, he had no idea if he could survive it with his new body. That was when something caught his attention. Right at the bottom of the pit he could see light sparks being let of from something. A group of Matoran stood around the object, as if to guard it. Around him the Toa pulled themselves up and cut Matoran away. If he was to discover what was causing this outbreak, he would have to do it alone. Leaving his life to fate, he released his grip and fell further down into the depths. Multiple floors of wood helped slow his fall as his metal bulk split them apart. Undead lost their balance and collapsed down with him as he crashed through floor after floor. He prayed his ordeal would be worth it, for he knew not if there was any way back up from the lowest level. The spinning stopped with a crunching thud. Thrown debris and pieces of wood splintered around him. Immediately the horde was on him. Thinking back to his training, he flung the creatures off of him and began to carve up every one that drew too close, but he could not get past the sheer weight of numbers to reach the glowing object. Andrew could see his friend fight alone below his feet. He couldn't spot anyway to get down. The stairs had collapse and everywhere more enemies flooded towards him. There was one way however he could offer protection. A spinning kick on one, the handle of his sword smacked against the head of another, one by one Tom brought the hideous creatures down, but he stood no chance against the entire horde. Even with his Toa strength he could not hold himself up with his foes jumping on him. He fell onto his front, zombies biting their way through his thick armour. He reached his one free arm out at the item resting against two rocks but it wasn't long enough. The biting stopped and suddenly Tom was able to move again. Above him Andrew had emitted a shield to help his friend. Now standing Tom looked up in time to see Andrew be pulled back by two zombies. The shield dissipated in front of him, now was the time. Slicing a Matoran out of the way he took the object in his hand and broke the short antenna that erected from its top. The chasm echoed with the scream of the monsters around him as the objects power drained from them. No more would they bother the Toa, the Matoran were at peace. The bodies fell lifeless around the group, many fell from the scaffolding and platforms into the depths below. Tom had done it. "Yes! By Mata Nui you are a true Toa!" Jaller cheered for Tom. "Need a lift?" Nuparu used his mask power to fly down to the trapped boy. "It would be appreciated." He joked. The battle was over, and the Toa had won. Together they looked at the odd object that Tom had deactivated. It was a device similar to an old phone, except it was inscribed with an unknown language. "This must be one of the artefacts Shadow spoke of." Tahu took a closer look at the device. "Why would anyone make something that would do this to the Matoran?" Onua asked the group. "Perhaps our world's history is more sinister than we realised." Takanuva spoke truthfully. "Where is Andrew?" Pohatu had noticed a second missing member of the group besides Golyo. He was nowhere to be found. It had been there mere minutes ago. Without another moments delay the Toa moved on through the only exit. He breathed heavily as his strong legs carried him as fast as they were able. He had become accustom to the dark in the hour they had spent deep under the mountains. He felt his way through the winding tunnel, hoping that it was soon end. He knew that if someone didn't journey on they would lose the helpless Toa to the Bahki forcing him further into the dark. Why did Andrew feel this way? He sympathised with him. In a way Golyo reminded in of himself. Someone forced into helping the Toa in their quest, only for him it was not for his own world. Perhaps through all his gloating and wicked desire for domination Shadow had spoken truthful words. Maybe the Toa were keeping him and Tom on their world for their own benefit? After all, they were bound to follow the three virtues, Unity, Duty and Destiny. But at what cost would they do so? To destroy Shadow had cost the lives of many Matoran already, how many more would die in the Toa's conflict? Andrew shut out all these thoughts from his mind and focused on one thing, rescuing Golyo. The pathway brought the Boy Toa to another chasm similar to the last, only this one was much smaller, about half the size. Around lay the scattered remains of the now unanimated Matoran, and below him ran a familiar being. It was speeding off so quick Andrew didn't know whether he would catch him. Down the stone stairs in front of him Andrew sprinted down. Now was his only chance to catch up. He didn't dare shoot at the beast in fear of harming his captive. He would need some form of clever idea up his sleeve. Further and further down the Bahki fled, from platform to platform. The tunnel echoed once again with the clang of minecart tracks as feet hammered over them. "Fancy a jog Toa!?" Even now the creature couldn't help but gloat. Determined to close the distance Andrew vaulted over the broken fence next to him. He had covered one stairway with great speed and the Bahki was finally only metres away, but one thing stood in his way. It had reached the end of the room and in desperation it let go of his captive… after placing him in a minecart and pulling the level. Andrew tried a risky move. He jumped over the Bahki to reach his friend, but this was no ordinary Bahki. The speed of a Bahki Hunter is devilishly difficult to match. With its arms flung upwards it threw Andrew hard on his back. Steel tracks bent under his weight. "I'm going to destroy you Toa, I'm going to make sure you never see you Blue planet again." It bent down over the fallen Boy, its blade gleaming, soon to be stained with Toa parts if Andrew didn't act quickly. But what it had just said to him worried him more. "How do you know my home world is blue?" There was no anger in his voice, only fear. "We know more about you than you realise. How amusing! How does it feel, to know that as you die down here, all those you care about back home are about to be slaughtered. That's right human, you have angered them, and now, the Shadow Toa want vengeance!" Andrew was overcome with dread. They day this all began, the day Tom and Andrew himself had been attacked at Tom's house. Those things disguised as Bionicle models, they were Shadow Toa. "When you are gone, the Shadow Toa and their master will bless us all with their power, and then Shadow's power will rival that of Mata Nui!" That was it. Andrew's family was at risk and that would be Shadow's downfall. With great anger Andrew blasted back the beast with a shield, swiftly followed by a kick to the stomach and a slash of his sword downwards. The creature was resilient enough to survive the attack, but his prey was now fleeing. There was no way to reach Golyo on foot. Andrew would have to do it 'Indiana' style. Two mine carts remained at the entrance of the torch-lit tunnel. With a forceful kick it was on its way. Just in time the young Toa jumped into the cart. "You are such fun Toa! The chase is indeed the best part." The Bahki Hunter shouted at him. Taking his own mine cart he began the chase. It was a bumpy ride. Andrew sped up as the track curved downwards. He hoped in his mind that his cart would be faster than Golyo's, and that the tunnel wouldn't lead them to a dead end or even worse, another chasm. The Bahki was hot on his tail. Andrew had just enough time to see it reveal a sonic blaster from above its wrist. Balls of energy swirled towards him. His mask power was to be his saving grace, able to protect him from most assaults. Realising the Toa would be a handful it began targeting his cart. Again Andrew stretched his shield to cover himself and his ride. Becoming impatient the Bahki shot three blasts at the track ahead. Andrew's mine cart jolted as it passed over the now broken piece of track. It was enough for the Bahki's to reach Andrew and collide. Andrew turned to see the creature's blade swinging down right for him, the Bahki now in his minecart. Andrew brandished his own weapon and parried. "You won't reach him in time, he'll die down here with you!" Blow after blow Andrew deflected, remembering Takanuva's training. He even found himself lightly humming the rhythm he had made up to match a foe's expected blows. In the end though the Bahki was too strong. Losing his balance Andrew fell to his knee and banged his head on the side of the cart. The boy saw the fury in the beasts face, it believing itself to be mere seconds from murdering the Toa. A searing pain and loss of balance came over the Bahki. Something hard had smashed into the side of its head. As if by fate Golyo's cart had sped past them on a different track. With lucky timing the Matoran had whacked the creature over the head with a metal bar as he went past. Now free Andrew let out another shield to further loosen his foe's balance. He was unable to force him out of the cart but now he had the upper hand. Knowing himself in a bad position the creature saw an opportunity. Up ahead was a switch to change the track junction. The Bahki barged Andrew back with his shoulder and proceeded to kick its own mine cart, still behind them, backwards. It then shot a ball of energy at the switch and jumped backwards into its own cart. Now on opposite tracks Andrew realised that the Bahki was heading straight for Golyo. The confounded beast waved at him as it sped off. It was all over if Andrew couldn't do something, and do something he did. The track he now sped along was rising. Ahead it had broken somehow, just as it bridged over Golyo's and the Bahki's track below. Now metres away the Bahki jumped over to Golyo. The Matoran held up the metal bar to cover his face, knowing he stood no chance in a fight. With his blade swung backwards over his head the Bahki moved to strike, but one stubborn Human wouldn't allow it. Just at the right moment Andrew summersaulted out of his cart as it crashed downwards through the broken track. Upside down and directly above them he released a shield, sending the cart spinning out of control off of the track and towards another steep chasm. His landing was less than impressive though, as he landed face first and rolled across the dusty floor. In front of him the cart was upturned and bent, but no one was in sight. He rushed with little hope to the chasms edge. To his relief the little Matoran was still holding on, but the Bahki hung onto him. The Matoran couldn't take the creatures weight for long. Andrew shot out his arm. "Grab hold!" He yelled to him. "I can't!" The distance between them was too great. As carefully as possible Andrew scuttled down closer, trying not to fall himself. "Reach!" He was so close… just a few more inches and his hand could reach Golyo's. Golyo stared up at him and smiled. "Don't blame yourself." The Matoran relieved his grip, and both Golyo and the Bahki fell into the darkness of the pit. There was no strength that could bring Andrew to move, nothing to be said to save his sunken heart. The echoed crash pulled the tears from his eyes. "Don't blame yourself." Andrew repeated tearfully. He could not oblige the final wish of Golyo of Po-Koro, the bravest Matoran he had ever known.

Chapter 7 - Power Amongst the Dead The sun rose again and vanquished the cold for another day, but the previous night's events stung the boys' memories. What they had seen shocked them to their core. Was that the future of Mata Nui if they failed, or was there more to it? So many questions and no answers to find in the desert sand. Tom kicked at the grains beneath his feet as the group closer to the mines. The journey that morning had mostly been silent, with the boys being too traumatized to speak and the other Toa not having anything themselves to say to heal the mood. Both boys felt an unconscious need to walk next to Takanuva almost as a form of apology for what they had nearly done to him. The Toa of Light had no harsh feelings for Andrew and Tom, but he was generally concerned. "I'm sorry if I have pushed you too hard. We all forget at times that you are different to us. We have no idea of the power stored within you." Takanuva broke the silence at last. The other Toa took a sigh of relief that it hadn't ended up being one of them. Tom put his arm on Takanuva's, despite him being noticeably taller than the boy Toa. "No worries. Maybe our Masks were trying to warn us of Shadow's plan?" Tom tried to find an answer to why their strange vision had occurred. Jaller fell back and joined the boys and his life-long friend and battle brother. "If what you have described is Shadow's plan, then it's essential we retrieve your Toa Stones today and find Shadow's lair as soon as possible." Tahu, leading the group from the front with Golyo beside him, listened to the conversation and interrupted. "That is if we can make it there today! For the last three days it's been nothing but sand!" He yelled. "Oh we're nearly there all right" Golyo spoke as he read his map. "You see those mountains? The mine entrance rests at their foot and the tunnels themselves go deep underneath them." What he said was true. The mountains themselves did not stretch up through the clouds like those at the borders of Le-Koro and Ko-Koro, but the tunnels beneath stretched further than most on the island. "Exactly how low do these tunnels go?" The more Tahu heard from the Matoran, the more he feared he was leading them into a trap and the other Toa could hear the interrogating tone in his voice. "At ease brother, no tunnel is a match for Onua!" Toa Onua bragged. "Well apart from the time the old tunnels in Uno-Koro took a tumb-" "Not another word brother." Onua cut off a smiling Pohatu. Another hour of trekking past until the party reached the Raven Home mine Entrance. True to its name, a conspiracy of Bionic Ravens flew overhead, say for one. One sat alone, perched on a boulder by the mine entrance. It did not move, it simply stared at Andrew and Tom as if it knew why they were there. The dark tunnel ahead didn't feel the group with confidence either, although Onua and Nuparu didn't seem too bothered. "Anyone fancy a trip in the dark? No? Then better watch your step!" "Onua, you're jokes are as bad as Kongu's." Hewkii wasn't impressed. With Nuparu's mask revealing the way ahead the group entered the Raven Home mine. Oh, what fun they would have inside. The first tunnel worried Golyo. He could remember the way but it felt different, which of course it shouldn't have considering no one had worked there in years. The air felt damp and the walls were covered in some form of rot. He shivered both from cold and fear. "We're hear little one." Takanuva reassured him. The path reminded Tom and Andrew of the cave where they found the Olmak with Nuparu. It had only been about a month since and yet it felt like a lifetime to them. "So where is this tunnel system the book showed us?" Tahu asked. "About four floors down. There should be some stairs further this way, assuming they haven't collapsed." Golyo closed his eyes to try and remember. The group soon stopped when Jaller's foot hit something hard, letting out an incredibly loud bang which echoed through the mine. Nuparu looked down at the object, enabling the rest of the group to see. It was a Bahki. With haste Jaller drew his sword and stabbed it through the chest. It barely moved apart from the force the blade put upon it. The creature was already dead. "So Shadow's beaten us to it! But… What killed this?" Tahu spoke out angrily. "If his Bahki hordes have been here, then he may have the Toa Stones!" Hewkii pointed out. The situation was dire, but not nearly as much as it was about to become… A sharp crack emanated from the tunnel ahead. The group was at an intersection with a choice of two paths, straight ahead or to the left, and it was the left from where the sound could be heard. Following the crack were further sounds of movement. "I knew it! Shadow's minions are still here." Tahu drew his twin blades. "It so much worse than that…" Golyo spoke with terror. "I told you! I told you!" "You have got to be joking." Jaller saw what Golyo was speaking of, as did the rest of the group. The site prompted them all to wield their weapons and prepare for a fight. From all three directions they revealed themselves. From under the floor and in through the wall, rotting fists found their way into the tunnel. All around them the former miners appeared. They were rotting, many were missing limbs and major body parts, but all of them were undead. "Bloody Zombies now! What next? Next time you invite me round your house Tom you can forget it!" Andrew shouted. The horde let out file screams as they clambered with what parts they had left, some outside force driving them to destroy. "I bet the Bahki got more than they bargained for when they came in here." Tahu spoke. "So have we, run!" Jaller called. The group took flight, taking the tunnel straight ahead under the guidance of Golyo, who was now on Takanuva's back to keep up. The wailing of Guns, Zamor sphere's and mask powers rattled the tunnel walls as the zombie Matoran were reduced to even less than what they now were. With unforeseen strength they latched onto whatever part of a Toa they could reach. All refused to let go as the Toa passed. With mighty swings of their blades though the group cut themselves free. "Left up ahead!" Golyo still gave instructions upon Takanuva's back. The hordes of Matoran kept coming from every direction. Hewkii tripped over another Bahki's body and fell to the dusty floor. "Hewkii!" Jaller screamed. The Matoran were on him in a second. Clawing, biting and stomping they unleashed everything they had on the poor Toa, but no amount of them was going to stop the brute strength of Hewkii. Dragging every one of them that could hold on he pulled himself to his feet and repeatedly smashed and swung at them. With the rest of the group distracted, the Matoran behind them took the opportunity to charge. The whole group would have been covered in them if not for a timely shield from Andrew's mask power. "Nice one" Tom complemented his manoeuvre. Tom attempted to use his own power to control their pursuers' minds, but it could not help them. The Matoran had no living minds left to control. There was little they could do in their position, the tunnel was too narrow and endless undead swarmed on their location. "Andrew get your shield down!" Tahu commanded. Not knowing why but with no time to disagree, Andrew obliged. With that Tahu and Jaller made it to the front of the group in unison. Before the creatures had a chance to reach them the two Toa unleashed a torrent of flame from their weapons. The Tunnel ahead was consumed in it and the heat brought scorch marks to the Boys' armour. "Get moving!" Tahu kept the group rolling along on their path. There was little left of the undead Matoran ahead, say for a few that screeched hellishly before finally finding rest from their torment. "What's caused this nightmare!?" Pohatu asked the Toa of Light. "There must be another power source down here somewhere, perhaps one the artefacts Shadow spoke of." Takanuva wasn't sure, but that seemed to be the most plausible answer. "He seems to know more about this island than we do. I fear the Makuta may have discovered something about our world's history." Jaller added. The further they went on their journey the more worrying their people's situation became. At last the tunnel ahead led them to a large room marked with the start of huge caverns in its walls. To their right was a flight of rickety looking steps, just as Golyo had said there would be. "Thank Mata Nui." Hewkii sighed. "Don't relax yet brother." Tahu could hear more creatures clabbering up the staircase. The horde behind them was still on their tail and wouldn't give up. Before they could react they all found out that being in a confined tunnel was much safer than their current position. The room exploded with undead that surrounded every angle. The Toa clashed with them with every ounce of strength they had. The boys did the best they could but Takanuva's training hadn't prepared them for fighting the dead. "Get off me!" Onua shouted as multiple creatures attempted to pull of his arm. "Do something! Anyone!" Golyo wailed as he slipped off Takanuva's back. The poor Matoran was assaulted by one of his co-workers. He recognised him only by his mask, everything else about him was nothing less than a mindless killer. He jostled with it and managed to bring it to its feet, but more were soon on him. "To with this! Aagh!" Onua screamed as he used his elemental power to grab the rock above them. He swiftly brought the ceiling down on the unrelenting host of Matoran. The floor above collapsed and the dust blinded all in the room. The Toa's plan didn't go exactly to plan though, as wood, mine carts and scaffolding fell into the room, nearly crushing them. Members of the group headed for the stairs but it was too late. The floor couldn't take any more weight, and with an echoing crunch Toa and deceased Matoran fell into the darkness. The tunnels below had previously collapsed when the outbreak began, so there was no floor below to stop their descent. More and more rock gave way as the group tumbled down through collapsed tunnels. The weak and rotting walls around them fell under the pressure, separating them as they all fell down different paths. At last the spinning stopped, but the mine did not fall silent. Somewhere around them they could hear their brothers still falling into the shadows of Raven Home Mine. Andrew grasped the floor with his metallic fingers and made it to his feet. With eventual success he stood alone in the dark. That was until he felt something grab his leg. "Don't attack, it's me!" It was Tom's voice. "Andrew, Tom is that you?" Another voice they recognised. "Jaller! Is there anyone else there?" Tom asked with some form of relief. "Just me a think." Nuparu's mask lit the darkened path ahead. The Toa Inika re-joined the two boys. "Now what the do we do?" Andrew prayed for some sort of advice. They heard another grown from the dark ahead. A battered and bruised Matoran scraped the rubble off of himself. Unlike the other creatures this one was very much alive. "Golyo, we're over here." The boys ran over to him and pulled him up. "I knew we shouldn't have come here." The Matoran wiped the dust from his mask. "Don't despair Golyo. We'll find the others and get out of this retched place." Nuparu calmed him. "At least the sound of those things has ended." Jaller was right. The place was quickly becoming silent. The other Toa could have been anywhere. Now that the tunnels had collapsed above to reach them would need more than Golyo's memory of the place. Once again they made their way through rotting tunnels towards whatever was ahead. "Do you recognise this part Golyo?" Jaller hoped for any sense of direction. "Hmmm… we must be on the lowest floor. Look!" He pointed to something above their heads. Before them was another of the date plaques they had seen in the Tome. "The date is similar to the one in the book. Some luck at last brothers." Nuparu smiled. The much smaller group journeyed on, hoping that the stones would still be there when they arrived. "Well done Golyo." Tom spoke. "For what?" he asked back. "You held your own up there even though you were petrified." Golyo grinned. As they travelled they could here faint yells and clanging metal. The other Toa must not have been fortunate enough to be alone. "I hope they are alright." Golyo feared the worst. "It will take more than some shambling bodies and falling rock to stop a Toa." Nuparu reassured him. Since meeting up again Andrew hadn't said a word. "You alright?" Tom puzzled. "Nothing." That's all he answered with. "We'll find your Toa Stone Andrew, and a way out." Jaller added. Andrew didn't answer him. The sound of battle met them from beyond the tunnel. "That could be the others!" Nuparu queried. The Toa sprinted towards the noise, Golyo now resting on Jaller's back. Crashing rock and falling bodies continued as the group reached the source. To their dismay there was no other Toa in sight. In front of them undead Matoran and Bahki tore each other apart. The creatures paid no attention to their new audience and simply continued the slaughter. "The tunnel with the stones is up ahead!" Golyo pointed the way. "Great…" Jaller sighed. A massive Bahki brute joined the battle. The Toa remembered how nasty the last one they faced in Fau Swamp had been. "At least he's distracted." Andrew spoke at last. "Straight through, no stopping." Nuparu readied his weapon. The group joined the clash. Barging Bahki and Matoran from their path, they crossed the room. At first the plan worked, with their enemies being distracted and all, but once their presence was noticed they were in for a surprise. "Smash the Toa!" The brute grumbled. With its great fist it cracked the floor, narrowly missing a summersaulting Nuparu. "Tom behind you!" Jaller warned. A set of hellish teeth bit deep into his shoulder plate. With a grunt of pain he positioned his weapon at its face ready to fire. With a pull of the trigger Tom's laser drill split the Matoran's mask in half. Tom pulled the teeth from his arm and carried on. Andrew unleashed unending volleys of bullets from his Gatling sword. "Me crush Toa!" Still the brute swung out at the Toa, unharmed by anything the Zombie Matoran could do to him. A lucky grab brought Nuparu into its grasp. It didn't stop to think what it would do to him. With its strength still in its swing it let go, sending Nuparu plummeting back-first into the wall. Jaller and Golyo had reached it past the Chaos to the final tunnel, but Nuparu, Andrew and Tom were still in peril. "Get to the stones!" Tom commanded him. Knowing there was nothing he could do to help, Jaller sped off deeper into the Mine with Golyo holding on for dear life. The brute punched downwards to pummel Andrew into the dirt, but a swift use of his shield left it falling backwards. Seeing his chance Nuparu rose to his feet, sheathed his sword and revealed his claws. As the brute lost its balance and fell backwards the Toa of Earth rolled underneath it and plunged his claws through the back of its metal skull. The beast was slain. "Follow Jaller!" Nuparu just managed to finish his sentence before the floor above caved in. Along with rock and dust, swarms of Bahki, Matoran and the remaining Toa tumbled down. It reminded Andrew of a Bee hive falling to its destruction, its inhabitants desperately attempting to escape. "Come on brothers!" Nuparu called to them, hoping they could reach the tunnel Jaller had fled through. Takanuva was the first to his feet. He blinded the room with beams of light from his staff and guided his brothers to safety. At last they had reached the room foreseen in the Tome, but safety was still far away. Andrew and Tom held Takanuva and the others back, another horde of Bahki stood before them. Jaller and Golyo were both in choke holds, unable to fight back. It was Shadow's new breed of Bahki hunters, the black armoured beasts Golyo had spoken of before. Fast and deadly, the Toa could not reach their captives in time to attempt a rescue. In the centre of the torch-lit room was a pedestal. Once there stood two Toa stones atop it, but now it was empty. Leading the hunters was the new captain, created from the same strand as the Black Bahki hunters. He was mounted on a corrupted Ussal Crab; foam building up in its growling jaws. "You are too slow, warriors of Mata Nui. You seek your stones of power? You will not find them here." The leader taunted them with the usual deep Bahki voice. "You will not stop us from protecting our people demon. Tell us where Shadow is and we will let you leave with whatever lives you have." Takanuva negotiated, rather violently. "You are in no position to demand anything Takua! All you are is a glorified Matoran. Shadow has been shown the future of this Island, what it could become. There are forces at work that you cannot stop." It continued Impatient, Tahu let out an outburst of frustration. "Enough of this! Riddles, every time. If Shadow is so certain of his victory then tell us what is coming." The leader smiled. "You wish to survive? You wish to save them?" He pointed his glowing lance at his captives. "You wish to retrieve your Toa stones? Then Shadow wishes to see you two alone." They knew who he was speaking of. Hewkii lent down to the boys ears. "It's a trap, don't fall for it." No one moved. "These two have mere seconds to live if you do not comply. You think you are Toa? Show us your worth. Save their lives, be the 'brave' ones." The leader was enjoying his confrontation with his enemies. Tom was calm, for he was the only one in the tunnel with a plan. "We will show you our worth." He answered. With his mask power, he controlled the feeble mind of the Bahki grasping Jaller. With no will strong enough to resist, it raised its gun and let out a volley at the Ussal crab. Knowing not what had happened the mount immediately pounced on the controlled Bahki and tore him to shreds. Unable to get the beast under control the leader panicked. Fearing the wrath of his master if he were to fail, the Bahki holding the last prisoner, Golyo, slunk deeper into another tunnel. The Toa were free to destroy their foes, but they were unlike any Bahki they had previously fought. With both speed and ferocity they pushed them back. Only with teamwork could the Toa overcome them. The leader finally calmed its mount with the long chain clutched in his fist. "Fools! You Po-Koro to the fire!" Part of Shadow's plan had been revealed. At great speed the Ussal Crab ran along with its master. Amongst the ensuing clash Andrew caught a short glimpse at a bag hanging over the leaders shoulder. It contained two glowing stones. "You'll pay for this Shadow..." He whispered to himself.

Chapter 6 - Fists and Embers "Still scribbling in that?" Tom's Golden, armour plated friend sat next to him by the fire. The cold air and the endless sand dug back into his mind as reality returned. He didn't let go of the small book in his hands, containing his story from the very beginning. "Thinking of calling it anything?" Andrew asked whilst leaning back and resting on his metal hands. "What do you mean?" Tom puzzled. "No one will believe it. Might as well say it's a work of fiction." Tom knew Andrew had a point. "I did have one idea. 'The Diary of a Toa'". As Tom spoke he scratched the title into the front of the notebook. Andrew stared at him. "That sucks. How about "Bionicle – Toa Andrew, kicking !" Tom swiftly threw the pencil at him. Unbeknownst to the duo, Toa Tahu had been listening to their boyish banter. "You speak about your people like they are cynical. Why would they not believe you?" The fire Toa interrupted. "Hmm? Well, that's what their like. Would you believe it if someone told you that they had been with people from another world for a month?" Tom answered. "We did." Hewkii answered for him. "Fair deuce." Andrew replied, knowing that they could never understand. Bionicle society was completely different to Earth's resource guzzling people; little did they know how different the world they stood on was, millions of years prior. "Your life won't be the same when you go back." Golyo joined the Toa's chatter, causing Tom to jump from his sudden presence. "If we go back." Andrew muttered rather loudly. The violent delivery of his mutter Took Tom back a bit. The fire crackled in front of them, most of the Toa sat by the flame's warmth whilst Takanuva and Jaller looked to the horizon and spoke a few yards away. The Toa were reluctant to let Andrew and Tom speak of their own people as they were, they simple couldn't comprehend why they would feel the way they did. "Maybe one day our people can life together." Golyo sat down next to Tom and looked at the contents of his diary. He was like the height of a ten year old compared to the Human Toa beside him. "I doubt it, but maybe you could come visit us in Broadmoor when we get the Olmak repaired." Andrew joked. "What are broad moors?" Tahu queried. Once again the boy forgot who he was talking to. Speaking to humans after this was going to feel strange. The night's conversation was ended when Takanuva approached the duo. "It's time for the next stage of your training." The boys looked at each other. "Now?" They said in unison. "Of course. We can't afford to waste these nights. Until we retrieve your Toa Stones you are vulnerable." Takanuva moved away from the group and the two boys followed. "Five." Jaller whispered to Tahu. "No at least 10 each." He answered back. "What are you two doing?" Andrew could hear them scheming. "Just a friendly bet that's all, try not to fall flat on your face too many times!" The two fire-spitters gave him huge grins. "Ignore them." Takanuva rolled his eyes through the mask of Light. "Weapons at the ready." Takanuva revealed his Light spear. Channelling the power from their Toa masks, the duo summoned their blades. "So what is it today? Blocking, tiring, dodging?" Tom listed off possible training exercises, but anything he thought of they had already done. "Not quite." Takanuva led go of his weapon, letting it collide with the soft sand. "You are both relatively confident with a blade now, but how safe do you feel when you wield nothing? A Toa is equally capable without a weapon as he is with one." The boys found themselves grasping their swords all the harder all of a sudden. "But why would we ever not use our only source of protection?" Andrew looked at his blade. "You are mistaken Andrew. A Toa is the strongest weapon and shield of them all. Now both of you, try to knock me to the ground." The Toa of Light walked slowly but confidently towards them, monitoring their every movement. Using what they had learned in weeks past, together they would win. If a Toa really is the strongest weapon as he said, then two were surely unstoppable. A fleeting lunge towards the left of his head from Andrew and a jab towards his torso from Tom. He had seen them use this opening many times, too predictable. A simple duck felled Tom's strike and with his left arm, Andrew's swing was blocked, but Takanuva wasn't finished there. A failed attack leaves your opponent open for a counter. He quickly grappled Andrew's sword from his control and swung it sideways, Andrew holding on the whole time. The swing brought it in contact with Tom's hands and knocked his weapon away from him. He groaned as the metal hands throbbed from the strike. With Andrew to his knees trying to keep his weapon in hand, Takanuva was free to swing his right arm at Tom's mask and knock him down. Before Andrew could recover, his trusty weapon, the one thing he relied on to survive was relieved from him by a swift kick. He saw the blade bounce away just as Takanuva's foot did the same thing to him. Both Toa on the floor, two knockdowns in Jaller and Tahu's pot and five seconds past. They rose to their feet as quick as they could. Tom was the closest and attempted to reclaim his sword and show Takanuva what he had learnt, but it was no longer there. It was outstretched straight towards his neck by the mighty Toa in front of him. "How safe do you feel?" Tom gulped. Andrew wiped the sand from his scratched sword. Takanuva flicked the handle of Tom's weapon and flipped it. Without even looking he caught it by its blade with little effort and offered it back. "You are partly right about what you said Andrew. A Toa will usually always take his weapon or items of power with him to a fight, but in the chaos of battle it doesn't take much for a foe to disarm you. How long will you last with nothing to fight back? Tonight you will both learn hand to hand combat, disarmed combat and how to disarm your opponent yourself. If you are disarmed, there is nothing wrong with re-balancing the odds by returning the favour." The boys felt stupid. They should have learnt not to underestimate the Toa teaching them. After all, he had defeated Makuta Teridax once before. "To be fair Takanuva, a Bohrok or Bahki is not as good as you are." Andrew pointed out. "I know. But if you learn to defeat a powerful opponent like me, then anything weaker should be of little trouble. Now, relieve yourself of your weapons, you will not need them." Hours past as the fire flickered away, freshly fed with further wood from Tom's backpack. The boys learnt to respect how powerful a Toa was even without his weapon. They surprised themselves on how much they had learnt in the past month. The training past by as the other Toa slept or took guard duty. Alone in the desert on a strange world the boys trained with a robot hero. The beauty of it started to give Tom confidence he had never felt before in his life. Andrew on the other hand was acting stranger by the hour. He had seemed down the last few days but now it was as if something was biting at him. Still he carried on with a bitter determination, but one that was being severed. "That's it, block with both fists. Protect your face but don't leave yourself blind or vulnerable in other areas." Takanuva encouraged them as they fought hand to hand, their weapons being covered with the sand as the wind quickly breezed past. Soon they grew with further confidence and experience. The fight was drawing to a close as both Andrew and Tom were drawn almost by instinct, into an unblockable dual attack on their foe. Relentless punches found their way to Takanuva's mask, his chest and his legs. He was soon finding himself on his knees. He couldn't hold out any longer. Tom pulled Takanuva head back in a grasp Tom himself couldn't weaken. Driven by something other than his own will, he raised his other fist ready to strike. Something had taken hold of them. Tom felt his own desires change as if something was erasing his own and replacing them. He wanted to strike Takanuva down, straight through his mask and crush his metal skull. Tom was ecstatic with this thought, but deep down his own conscience was petrified. Andrew stood back with the same emotions chaining him down, allowing his fighting partner to continue. Tom saw the emotion in Takanuva's robot eyes. He felt fear. With all his strength Tom held his fist where it was, but nothing was going to stop it. The world around him seemed to slow, as if time wanted this moment to happen. Jaller, Tahu and Pohatu ran towards them, but they would be too late. At the last second before Takanuva's imminent end, Tom was blinded by a vision, as was Andrew. It lasted for a mere moment, but to them it felt like hours. They stood alone in the wreckage of what was once some sort of civilisation. The ruins of a million lives lay at their feet. They saw the horizon. There was nothing but flames, death and the wailing of innocents. Their emotions changed again. This time to match those of whoever's eyes they saw this nightmare through. They were cold, empty as if something should be there, but deep down they were screaming. They wielded a single blade in there right hand. Below them they stood upon countless bodies amongst the rubble. They were robotic, but not Bionicle. The being began to cry and fight the will to drive his weapon through his own body. The impending darkness approached as the world burnt around him, and the harvest took him… The boys found themselves shaking. They fell to the floor from lack of strength. Whatever they saw, the vision had ended. Takanuva simply stared at them with disbelief, fear and relief to be alive. "What… you..." He couldn't form a sentence. The three approaching Toa had reached them but had no clue what to do. "…It wasn't… It wasn't us. Tom tried to explain, but the truth is he had no clue himself. "The Toa of Legend. What is happening to this world?" Tahu was taken over by a feeling of hopelessness. "…Shadow?" Takanuva finally found his voice. "No… Something worse. Something that dwarfs even him." As if on cue Tom's bag glowed brightly by the campfire. The tome was speaking again. Golyo pulled the heavy book out of the bag and dropped it onto the sand, he regretted doing this after the sand thrown up nearly choked him. The two boys were the first to reach it, their strength returning. Tom turned to the first page. The Time draws near. 4.54 Billion. "We need to found our Toa stones and stop Shadow. Something bigger is coming and if we don't survive this, who will be here to confront it?" Tom told the others with a chilling pragmatism. "How Tom? Who are we? Look at us. We're just two kids from Earth drawn into this world. We don't have a clue what we're doing, why we're here and neither do the Toa. All we have is an old book." Andrew had lost all hope, and right then nothing was going to retrieve it. "I know. This is crazy. But my eyes have been opened up. Whatever is coming, whether it's Shadow, Makuta or something else, it's our job to confront it and win." The Toa surrounded them as they listened with weak hearts. It was true. They didn't know who these Other-worlders really were, but they did know that they would be by their side to face whatever approached. "What did you feel in the vision Thomas?" Andrew sounded on the verge of tears. Although the feeling had gone, Tom could remember it, and it was a memory that felt heavy on his soul. "I saw the end of a civilisation. The person I saw it through was one of them. The last one standing deviant. Everyone he knew was dead. He wanted to join them. I don't want to remember it Andrew." Tom slowly made his way towards the camp fire. "My vision was worse. I could see a figure in the distance, alone, just standing there in the rubble; around me were screams and people being slaughtered. Buildings tumbled down like they were made of sandpaper. I was there amongst it all… and I enjoyed every second of it. I wanted it… Death." Andrew and Tom stared at one another, wondering what life really meant, and where it was leading them. … The humans below them beeped at their horns as they attempted to make their way home. The city was sprawling as it always was. Life, the city was full of it, and the being staring down was disgusted by it. "This is the world they have come from? The glory is all but spent." It was not alone. It's newly rescued partner watched them below as well, both standing atop one of the cities tall buildings. "It has been so long. The sweet taste of their corpses falling to the floor, joining the others in the void. I have missed it." He recollected the previous night's events. "We all have. It was a mere smell of what is to come. This city below hides the biological creators of our enemy's human forms. With their genetic information we will be able to lock-on to their location in space-time." It explained. "How is that possible? Our knowledge is lost in this realm." The first creature looked at his partner and revealed a small device in his black palm. "It is not. Much of it resides here. With the remains of this reality beacon I was able to contact a being from another dimension. A being we can manipulate. They are with him, on his world. I have fooled him into thinking me a deity. He has betrayed his creator and now worships our cause. With the Toa's DNA, we can transport them here." The humans living below had no idea how their lives were about to change. "Every last one will die until we find them. And when we do, the others will join them… in the harvest."

Chapter 5 - Security Breach The cool night air had left the military base's security team feeling at less than their best. Most of team A had been posted outside for the last four hours, and without any further orders they had let their guard down. Phillip and Johnson continued their rumour filled conversation until the searchlights and lamps were suddenly shut off outside. "For God's sake what now?" Phillip complained, spilling some of his coffee down himself. At least that helped to keep him warm. "Justin! Check the power boxes!" Johnson shouted up to a guard on the roof. He nodded and headed up the metal step ladder on the balcony. The darkness made it difficult to traverse the slippery rooftop but Justin was familiar with the buildings layout; he had to be in the event of an emergency. He unstrapped his torch from his belt to get a better look. He had the idea that a fuse must have blown or something. Before he could switch it on however, he heard a sharp crack come from the power boxes built into part of the building in front of him. "What the ?" He pointed his torch towards the mangled mess. The boxes had been torn open and some even torn completely out of the wall. He tried to get a better look whilst avoiding the sparks but something caught his foot. He managed to stop himself from tripping over the object and moved his torch's attention to whatever had nearly brought him to the floor. What he saw caused him to cover his mouth in horror. One of the security guards lay dead at his feet, a huge whole through his chest. Justin grabbed his radio as quickly as possible to call in the situation, but he wouldn't have the chance. He was stopped by an incredibly sharp pain stretching from his back to his front. The shock had pretty much paralysed him, as if someone had punched him with a Taser. With the little strength he had he looked down to meet the cause of his pain. There was a thin but long piece of metal protruding from his chest. He dropped the torch and grabbed the metal bar. It wouldn't move, for it wasn't a bar at all. Through the pain the guard turned to meet his attacker. Before him looking into his eyes was a metallic face, filled with a hunger and disturbingly joyful expression of what it was doing. It was huge, over seven feet tall and towered over its latest victim. Justin joined the lifeless guard and left the red and black monstrosity to the it was about to unleash on the military base. "I wonder what's going on up there." Phillip said to his colleague as they still puzzled over the light situation. His question was answered when a massive explosion ripped a hole into the side of the base. Immediately sirens went off throughout the area and security staff headed to the breach. "And I thought this would be boring!" Phillip shouted as he threw away his coffee. Both of the security staff checked their ammunition and ran towards the new 'entrance' in the wall. Inside the base several bullet-proof doors shut down sections to stop the intruder's path. "Get your men to the machine's room now! The commander ordered his best unit. The bald-headed man who had interrogated the machine during the investigation met up with the commander ready for his own orders. "You keep me posted on what happens in that room. If that thing is telling the truth then all is about to break loose." The commander grabbed a machine gun from a nearby guard and sprinted away with his men. The base was swarming with heavily armoured soldiers heading to their designated locations. They had been trained for this very situation, or at least that's what they believed. The commander gathered another unit of ten men and headed to a smaller room next to where the machine was currently located. He opened the door into the room to speak with the two couples who were currently in custody. "We need to leave now." He ordered them. Andrew and Tom's parents were surrounded by guards. They led them out of the room and towards the hangers. They were too startled and bewildered by the last month's events to speak, all they could do was run. "Easy men." A unit sergeant kept his men at ease as they waited with their weapons ready near the breach. As the debris, fire and smoke cleared, a figure of destruction replaced it. There was not one guard that did not freeze on the spot at the sight of the metal man. It stood with broad shoulders and was mostly black except for some dark red features on its shoulders and a single mark on its chest; The Mark of the Beast. But out of everything they could see, its face was the most horrific feature. Its mouth had blood dripping from its metallic teeth and its eyes sent some men into a state of shock. Some screamed and ran, and some froze. One man in the group shot himself in the head, followed by another, and then another. "Fire!" The Sergeant yelled before he lost all of his men to this horror. The men's screams were replaced with the roar of machine gun fire and ricocheting bullets. Nothing could penetrate the robots hide as it laughed through the entire volley; it was enjoying itself. With no hope left the men stopped firing and awaited the inevitable. The men's wails repeated again as bodies were flung across the hall and against walls. Flesh was torn and limbs severed as the machine cut through the bases first wave, and the men in the hangers could hear every minute of it. There was a short and eerie silence before the attacker continued on its rampage. Hundreds of men stood ready in the hanger for the creature, but would it be enough? The door crumbled away and revealed the beast to them. The hanger repeated the events of the first wave. Some men ran, others committed suicide and others were driven insane, only the truly brave and honest were immune. The sound of gunfire this time was almost deafening as it echoed through the hanger. The monster was beginning to smoke as the heat of the volley was sent bouncing off of its skin. It was clearly annoyed by the attempted defence, but nothing much beyond that. This time however it stood still when the men ended their attack. It had learnt the world's many languages prior to its onslaught, and now was the time to practice. "Why…should I… have all the fun?" Its voice was heavy on the ears and filled the men with further dread. It raised its right hand in the air and below its feet clouds of darkness entered the hanger. They appeared to flow across the floor and up the walls to the higher balconies where more men were stationed. Right in front of their eyes the darkness materialised into physical entities similar to the creature, only this time they were armed with great spears. Ten of them in total began the battle. Guns rang out and grenades were thrown in desperation. The hanger became a blood bath as men were cut down everywhere. The dark creatures were unstoppable. They were stronger, faster and frenzied. The leader simply walked through the carnage towards its ultimate goal. It was time to free the hostage. With one quick swipe it tore the door off its hinges and received another volley of bullets. Again all it had to do was stand and wait for its prey to realise their doom. In the centre of the room sat the Bionicle that had started it all. Still in its glass box it stared out at the hopeless guards and chuckled. " comes to Earth young species. Prepare for the harvest." One by one the men's' lives were ended. The last survivor was the bald man, cowering in the corner with a radio. "The machine is lost." He spoke to the commander. "As is your life." The creature finished. With one simple stomp it crushed his skull. The prisoner was excited to finally be released and free of the body it had possessed. The creature smashed the glass box open and returned its captive's power. Its body changed as it received it and grew to its original size. "Thank you brother. I fear I have failed to destroy the Toa of Destiny. I do not know of their current location." It spoke to the creature. "Not need to worry, they cannot hide from us for much longer. The master cannot return until they both perish, along with the other four…" "But we do not know of their location either, or their current form. We have no leads." The creature thought to itself. "We have one lead. The parents!" They both turned with hunger and salivated blood from their mouths. The first roared with an indescribable sound, almost like a lion but more robotic. With great speed they ran after the escaping civilians. Through the chaos the commander and his unit had slipped Tom and Andrew's parents to a chopper just outside the hanger. Two men had finally reached the hanger from the outside as they approached it. It was Phillip and Johnson, still freezing but now petrified also. "You two with me!" The commander yelled ordering them on board. "Open fire!" The rest of the unit fired upon the two marauding machines heading towards them in the hopes of some distraction. The choppers blades slowly span round above them, but the machines were closing fast. They launched many of the unit into the air with swift barges and hurls. The hanger was quickly being emptied of human life and all that remained was Bionic. Many souls of the slain men had been harvested that day, and many had joined the dark creatures in new bodies created from shadow and their own mangled forms. This horrific sight sealed the deal for the commander; the human race had no way to counter this, but he was if his was going to die that day. "Strap in." He ordered the four surviving soldiers on board. The parents were already strapped in and praying that they would survive. In defiance the commander fired wildly with is pistol into the creatures face. "You like that you metal son of a !?" The helicopter was taking off as the last member of the unit died. They were losing their chance to find the Toa. "Where are the boys!?" The creature screamed at them. Their parents immediately looked down at the two machines and feared for Andrew and Tom's safety. "They are gone." The now free prisoner spoke as the chopper flew further away from sight. The anger raged in the metal creature and in one burst he released it. His roar they say, could be heard five hundred miles away, and the whole world shivered in that moment. The Toa of Destiny had eluded them… for now.

Chapter 4 - We Don't Go To The Raven's Home... There were many questions to ask and many ears wanting to hear the answers. Sitting on a stool in the centre of Po-Koro Hall, Golyo worried about his future, and about things he was yet to reveal. "I just can't believe you would do such a thing. You are a trusted member of the village. What drove you to switch the Kohlii ball in the arena?" Pohatu questioned the short Bionicle. He didn't answer, but instead closed his eyes and bowed his head to the floor. The voices in his head were unrelenting, just one wrong word would destroy his life. "I'm still not convinced that the Po-Koro team did not put him up to it." Tahu was still furious on the day's events. "Just shut up Tahu if you aren't going to help." Gali silenced him. Tahu breathed out ferociously and Tom could have sworn he could see steam rising from his mask. The boys just stared at the Matoran. They were not Bionicle deep down, and seeing the way the Toa looked at Golyo startled them. They glared as if he was badly behaved child, as if they saw themselves as above him. They were sure that the Toa did not mean to be like this, but it still agitated the boys. They themselves could feel nothing but sympathy for him. He had nearly crushed Tom under a sandbag and sent Andrew crashing through scaffolding but still they felt sorry for Golyo. Perhaps it was their human personalities causing it, or maybe it was more than that… Gali, Tahu and Pohatu had now been accompanied by Hewkii (whose head was still sore), Jaller, Nuparu, Hahli and Takanuva in the Village hall. Since Shadow's retreat into the North, most of the Toa had been staying in Po-Koro to hunt him down and keep the Po-Matoran safe. So far it had been a catastrophe. Shadow showed no signs of revealing himself, and even worse more advanced Bahki hybrids had been attacking the outskirt settlements. More and more Matoran died daily and Matoran causing mischief was the last thing that they needed, not to mention having to find the boys Toa stones. Wanting to suffer from the agitation of the spectacle in front of them no longer, Andrew and Tom stood up from the desk at the back of the hall. They passed the Toa in front of them and approached the frighten Golyo. Andrew bent down on one knee to his level (kind of) and gave him an understanding smile. "Can you look at me Golyo." Andrew's tried to sound as calm as possible. Slowly he raised his head and opened his eyes. Clearly this was not someone who was proud of his actions, there was no way he did this of his own accord. "If you have been threatened, or forced into this you can tell us. If you don't want to tell the other Toa then tell us. We aren't like them." The mysterious Tome rested on the desk of the hall, the same place it had been since their arrival. It had not shown them anything further until that fateful day. Now ready to reveal more to the Toa of destiny the book filled the hall with blinding light. The two boys stayed where they were, as if they didn't, or couldn't notice it. Andrew placed his hand on the Matoran's shoulders. "Trust me." Something was strange. The voices in his head grew fainter, as if they were being shut out by something stronger. He looked at Andrew's hand on his shoulder. The Toa of destiny's' presence shut out the darkness in his head. He was free to tell them. "He forced me to do it." Now he had the Toas' attention. "Who made you?" Tahu asked. The Matoran began to explain his actions. "They attacked us when we were carving for the stadium. We had just found some perfect boulders to use outside the village when we were interrupted. They were like them Bahki things, but they were so fast, and completely black with bright red eyes. They were so fast… they captured or killed everyone in the village except me, I was the only one to get away. I was good at hiding you see. I slipped away as they burnt our tools, but one saw and chased after me. It let me live, but it told me to keep switching the Kolhii ball from now on with a fake one it gave me. If I refused then he would let the survivors die." The Toas' eyes had been opened. But one questioned remained. "But why would Shadow want to rig Kohlii matches? It doesn't make sense." Jaller asked. Turaga Onewa brushed past him. "I believe it must have been to sow the seeds of mistrust amongst you. If you are divided then Shadow is at his strongest." Tahu and Pohatu looked at each other. "Well I must say so far it has worked fabulously." Gali murmured. Most of the group had been distracted by Golyo's answer and had not yet checked on the Tome, but Takanuva was now already reading its new contents out loud. "To embrace new destiny, life must fall where the dead rise." The boys pulled themselves away from Golyo's side and joined Takanuva by the table. "Morbid." Andrew answered. Tom pointed at a new image on the page. "Look it's our Toa stones." The page did indeed show two new Toa Stones resting on a podium, but its location was dark and none of them recognised it. All of the Toa gathered around but none of them could shed some light so to speak on the image. The image did however give away some clues. There appeared to be an upturned metal cart of some sorts behind the podium. As the Toa had no idea of the place depicted, Tom decided to give someone else a try. "Golyo, do you know where this is?" He passed him the book. The Matoran held it with some difficulty, Tom had forgotten how heavy it must have been to a non-Toa. He scanned the page for a minute before revealing a look of shock. "I know where that is, and take it from me you don't want to go there." Tahu took the book off of him and looked at it again himself. "How do you know just from this image, and why should we trust you after what you have done?" Tahu was still reluctant to let him off the hook. "That is a Po-Koro mine. Every mine section has a date stamp on it and during that date that mine was the only one being dug, look there's a plagued above that arch with the date engraved in it." Golyo pointed to an archway that the Toa had missed. The arch itself was almost impossible to tell apart from the rest of the room but someone who was accustom to dark mines like Golyo could see. "Where can we find this mine Golyo?" Tom asked him. "What!? You don't want to find it, you want to find the place as far away as possible from it! That's the mine up by Raven Rock, that's the Raven Home mine." The boys could see a couple of the Toa recollecting. "The rumours about that mine are just that Golyo, rumours." Gali tried to calm him. "Have you been to the mine yourself Toa Gali? I used to work there you know before… the accident. There was more than just a cave-in there I'm telling you!" Tahu slammed the book shut, making a much louder bang than he had wanted to. "Collapsed mine or no collapsed mine, we need to find these lads' Toa stones so they can stop sucking and actually be strong enough to help us defeat Shadow." They both looked at him in disgust. "What you too never heard a joke before?" Gali Responded for them. "I'm sure they have Tahu, but from you they come out as pleasant as bile." Tahu ignored her and instead looked at Golyo. "You're coming with us." He pointed at the Matoran. "Whoa, whoa no, no! I can't go there, the mines full of-" Tahu pulled him to his feet "You seem to know a lot about this mine and we need a guide, so like it or not you're coming." Tahu told him. Golyo looked at the boys for support, but Tahu had a point. All they had was a picture to go by, and maybe with Golyo's knowledge they would be able to find a way down and through the structurally sound parts of the mine. "We'll look after you Golyo." Andrew reassured him. The Matoran just groaned. … The party waited on the outskirts of the village. The group would be made up of Toa who would be instrumental for an underground search. Takanuva and Nuparu discussed their plan together by a wooden fence. Hewkii stood beside Jaller and Pohatu and looked back towards the village as they waited for Toa Onua, the Toa Nuva of Earth. He had only arrived a day before the Kohlii match due to 'an unfortunate' bumping into with a group of Bohrok, unfortunate for the Bohrok anyway. He slowly made his way across the sands and his silhouette looked hazy in the heat. Tom was sitting by the Sandy, wooden fence and scribbled away in his notebook. "Are you still writing that diary?" Andrew asked him with his arms crossed. "Of course I am. Not every day you get shot off into a robot world with the destiny to stop a homicidal killing machine." Andrew laughed at him. "You're not wrong there." Andrew could see Onua approaching from below the hill now. "Why are you writing it? It's not like anyone's going to believe it." Andrew didn't have a clue how instrumental Tom's little book was going to be in their near future. "I know, but it helps keep me sane. It keeps the thought of never returning home out of my head. But knowing my luck we'll tell our story on the news and get sued by Lego." Now that really did made Andrew laugh. "That would be an interesting turn of events." He answered "What took you so long brother? You walk slower than a three legged ash bear!" Pohatu put his arm over Onua's shoulder. "Unlike some Toa I'm not used to constantly brushing sand out of my feet" Onua spoke in his deep and booming voice. "Is our Matoran ready for his journey?" Jaller turned to find Golyo was no longer where he had been standing. For a second he feared that he had fled when their back was turned, but to his relieve he was just heading towards the two boys. The Matoran cleared his throat to get their attention. "Thank you." They stared at him. "What for?" Andrew asked rather a bit more bluntly than he should have. "Oh, nothing." He hadn't told anyone about the voices in his head and the two boys had no idea, the only one who had figured it out was the Turaga. Curiously though he had kept it a secret from the Toa. "I was wondering if you would tell me about your world." Golyo continued. Of all the questions he could of asked, that was the one they had least expected. The duo were stumped, where would you begin with a question like that? Seeing their struggles he gave them a simpler one. "Who are you on your world?" The little Matoran was genuinely interested. "No one special really, just normal boys living normal lives." Tom began. "I've heard the stories of your world. It must be such an amazing place." Every sentence made them reflect on their lives more and more. "I suppose it is." Tom answered. They had taken their home, and families for granted. They lived what they thought was a normal life, but seeing for themselves that there were other worlds out there and new civilisations, how normal were their people? Apart from Makuta and his creations, the Bionicle were mostly a peaceful race, perhaps their own species the human race was evil in comparison. "Do people suffer on your world like on ours? Do you have Toa?" The Matoran was engrossed in the conversation. They thought back at the things they had seen on the news, and through historical events. "Yes, people do suffer, and no, we don't have Toa." Andrew said. They were starting to feel strange, almost guilty. Golyo was confused. "But, then who saves you from the darkness?" He asked. His question opened many thoughts in their heads. They had no one. Humanity had no guardians, they merely wondered alone and tried to do what they believed was right. But this world had the Toa. Their people were held together by the three virtues, Unity, Duty and Destiny and it made the duo wonder, was the Human race destined to have its own saviours to save it from itself? Their thoughts were interrupted by Tom's bag lighting up brightly. The Tome was revealing something new. Tom opened the leather sack and opened the heavy book to the first page. The image of the mines was still showing. He turned to the next page, but what was revealed had previously been shown, but its relevance was becoming stronger. 'They will not return to the World they know.' Tom stared at the page, and his hope of going home began to splinter. Nuparu had told them about the first time the book had said this, but seeing it for himself hurt him deeply. "I'd like to see your world one day." Golyo smiled at him. "Maybe you will Golyo… Maybe you will." "Alright you lay-abouts, let's find these Toa Stones." Tahu pointed out the fact that they were moving off. Tom carefully put the tome back into his bag along with his diary and they joined the column of Toa. "You better go up front with Takanuva little one, you know the way." Tahu told Golyo. All Andrew and Tom could see was desert stretching out for miles in front of them. They had had the same situation in the Jungles of Le-Koro but at least then their vision was cut off by countless trees. Here they could clearly see the endless abyss of Sand they were about to traverse. "The mine is to the East, right before the Motara Desert." Golyo pointed out towards the horizon. The boys walked beside Tahu. "What was the rumour about Raven Home Mine anyway Tahu?" Andrew questioned him. "Oh, you don't expect me to ruin the surprise do you?" … Autumn was fast approaching but already the cold nights were beginning to take their toll. English weather is not well known to be the most pleasant but even still that particular night saw the cold biting the security staff. The base had been tightly shut and every inch monitored since their new 'guest's' arrival and rumours were spreading amongst the men. "Any point in that Phillip? I've had two already and I'm still freezing." One guard spoke to his colleague, referring to the fresh and steaming coffee mug he grasped in his glove. "Better than nothing. I'm not being reprimanded for leaving post like the last lot Johnson. When we die of hyperthermia they'll get the message." Phillip answered sarcastically. Johnson breathed in and out deeply. He could see his breath in the moonlight it was so cold. "Why have they tightened security out here anyway, that thing they're so interested in is inside." Johnson asked his friend. "Why don't you ask them if you're so interested?" He told him knowing full well they would likely get the sack for such an act. "Truth is I wish they would at least tell us what's going on with that thing, all this secrecy is starting to me off." The security staff at the base had been told very little about what they were guarding. It had been flown in from its previous location after startling investigations with it. If what it revealed was true then the public were in danger. Phillip moved closer to Johnson after checking that no one else could see them nearby. "Don't tell anyone, but I overheard some of the lads coming out of the lab earlier on. I think the rumours are true." Johnson looked back at him. He held his gun more firmly through his thick gloves and gulped. "You mean… Aliens?" He asked in shock. "From what they were saying, yes." Phillip took a sip to check the coffee's temperature. "Jesus. Sounds like utter to me." Phillip grinned. "I don't know. I've never been a sceptical one. I mean there must be more out there right? It can't just be us." Phillip answered. "You mean 'The Universe is so huge and full of wonder and we're the best it could come up with?' sort of thing?" Johnson joked. "Whatever. They were running tests in there on the others, the ones they found smashed up at the house. I didn't hear everything they were talking about but I did hear one of them say that they were machines, and that whatever they were made of isn't on the Periodic Table." Phillip continued. Johnson looked at him with a confused pout. "Phil you know I failed Chemistry, just speak English." Phillip carried on with his Coffee. "We still have the parents in custody by the way, God knows why." Johnson knew that much. "Maybe they're alien spawn from Mars?" Phil laughed. "Shut up and drink you Coffee."

Chapter 3 - Eyes of Fire The match continued on as Po-Koro fought desperately to at least equalize. They could always focus with planned matches, but the day's events had left them with no time to prepare. If Ta-Koro won, then their victory in the recent tournament would be annulled, possibly causing the entire tournament to be replayed, as was Pohatu' and Tahu's agreement. Ta-Koro had possession of the ball. Running their little metal feet into the ground the Po-Koro attackers cornered him. He flicked the ball upwards and smacked it over their heads to his partner. The pass was not quite high enough. At last Po-Koro had control of the ball again and dribbled it ever on. The match continued for another hour. Both teams were merciless in their pursuit. Po-Koro had finally equalised, but it looked as if Ta-Koro was about to score their third and final goal to win the match. The Po-Koro goalie felt more pressure than in any match he had been in since his first; if he let this go in then the villages reputation would be stomped on like the sand grains beneath his feet. The ball was heading straight towards him. He didn't have enough time to raise his shield as the ball moved abnormally fast. He could have sworn that the attacker hadn't launched it that quickly at him. All he could do was hope his Kohlii stick would be up to the task. He swung at the approaching ball… a direct hit! His hammer sent the ball heading in the other direction at break-neck speed. The Ta-Koro goalies jumped up to receive it but it carried on straight over their heads. The ball was heading unnaturally towards the Ta-koro goal. The goalie was caught completely by surprise as the ball flew across the whole stadium directly at him. He raised his shield and panicked as it came at him like a bullet. Something was wrong; this wasn't the ball they had started with. The ball collided with the goalie's shield, relinquishing his feet from the ground and sending him crashing into the back of the goal. The entire stadium froze. No one spoke a word, not even the announcer. The poor goalie made his way into the Stadium after recovering with his freshly broken shield in his hands. The match had been a fix. Someone did replace the ball after all. "Stop the match!" Tahu yelled into the stadium. The Matoran muttered amongst themselves. "I knew that you were making a web of lies from the start!" Tahu was pointing at Pohatu. "Wait, brother! I…" Pohatu couldn't continue before Tahu's fist reached his face. Gali caught him as the attack sent him hurtling backwards. "Po-Koro's reputation has been a lie!" Tahu was now addressing the group. "Brother restrain yourself!" Pohatu recovered from the attack and grabbed his enraged brother. "Don't touch me!" Tahu span round and pushed Pohatu's grasp away from him. Andrew and Tom sat on the bench not knowing what to do. The two Toa grappled for a moment as the crowd began to leave. "Stop this madness Toa!" The Turaga shouted upward from the stand below. Gali was about to separate the two unruly Toa when something caught her eye. It looked as if someone had placed an object under the bench where Tahu had been sitting. With the Toa distracted she bent down for a better look. She crawled under the bench and pulled out a small sack. Andrew and Tom saw her and were curious of its contents. She rattled the bag and something moved around inside. She ripped the string off and spilt out the contents into her hand. A single Kohlii ball now rested in her palm. "It was Tahu!" She yelled over the chaos. The fighting Toa froze. Tahu stared at the Kohlii ball in her hand. It looked like he had some explaining to do. "It looks like you've slipped here, doesn't it Tahu?! You couldn't help yourself, oh no. You had to give your team an advantage for this rematch, because that's the only reason you agree to it wasn't it!?" Gali was furious and was pushing Tahu as she spoke. For once in his life, Tahu was speechless. He just stared at her like he was in a void, sucked in by utter disbelieve. "… That's not… I didn't." He stuttered as the crowd began shouting profanities at him. The boys watched the uproar take place in front of them. There was nothing they could do and as other- worlders they didn't feel that they had any right to meddle in the Bionicles' affairs. They forgot that that was the exact reason they were there in the first place. Tom watched the arena as more and more Matoran stood up out of their seats. Some headed for the exit to avoid the situation whilst others wanted a better look at what was going on at the Toa's balcony. Tom felt strange, everything was slowly becoming quieter. The roar of the crowd disappeared from his ears and he could no longer here the furious Gali, there was only one thing he could hear, and as if by instinct he was drawn to it. A new mask power was revealing itself and something new came to his attention; the hunt was on. To his right, through the wooden planks of the stadium wall he could see a pair of eyes staring back at him and the other Toa. They froze as whoever they belonged to realised Tom's vision was now on them. There was a mixture of emotions in the silhouettes face, but strangely one of them appeared to be fear. Tom lent his elbow slowly towards Andrew beside him, causing him to turn and see the pair of eyes for himself. Knowing its position was compromised the creature behind ran away from the wall. The Toa instincts the boys were developing continued to grow stronger after every encounter, and here they sprang into action. Simultaneously they jumped up from the bench and headed towards their target. Tom span backwards across the bench as Andrew ran at the wall, knowing himself to be the stronger of the two but not the fastest it was up to him to 'create and entrance'. The rowing Toa were quickly silenced when the wall splintered away in a defining crash of tearing wood. With a simple barge Andrew mustered his newfound strength and opened the path for the both of them. Gali, Pohatu and Tahu stared in confusion but quickly collected themselves and headed after them. The area behind the stands was mostly filled with scaffolding left behind from the recent repairs, say for a deep trench between the two halves. Traversing it would be difficult but at least the training Toa Lewa had given them in the jungles of Le-Koro would come in handy. They ducked and weaved under the various poles and wood planks that made up the platform to find the fastest route, but their target was surprisingly fast and had gotten a head start. "There he is!" Andrew shouted to his friend. The watcher was running for his life and had already made an impressive distance between itself and the boys. "Blasted thing!" Tom answered in frustration. The platforms were beginning to lower as they ran along the outside of the curved field. Andrew was just ahead of Tom, but his grab upwards towards a metal pole was caught short and sent him smashing through the scaffolding below. It was up to Tom. Andrew brushed the dust, sand and broken wood from himself, breathed out deeply with annoyance and reluctantly continued after them. "I better be faster in P.E after this!" Tom had reached the sandy floor and was sprinting at great speed. His new Bionicle body allowed him to run twice as fast and to a human that sort of speed rivalled professional runners. Still his target was far off and rapidly reaching the exit. It turned around and saw Tom gunning for it and it panicked. Seeing a sand bag above connected to a rope keeping part of the broken scaffolding together, it unsheathed a short dagger from a homemade belt and cut the rope in one swoop. The high up sandbag came crashing down towards the poor Toa. As fast as he could he slid downwards along the floor and barely managed to beat the bag. With the target's only defence gone it was a straight shot between them. It had turned round the corner with the gate in sight, but Tom was if it was going to get away, It was time for some payback. Tom's back began to glow as he called for his blade with his mask. Grabbing the handle firmly he threw it as straight as possible at the gate mechanism. The target ran passed Hewkii, who had just finished dealing with business in the village. "Wow! Where are you going so fast?" Hewkii asked it as it barely missed him. Tom started to realised as he got closer that his target was a lot shorter than he appeared before, almost as if… he was a Matoran! His blade flew past Hewkii's head, and it's safe to say that he was less than impressed. "What are you doing!?" Hewkii yelled at him. "Stop that Matoran!" Tom commanded. Hewkii looked back at the person who had just passed him. He had no choice but to trust his new brother. He began to pursue the Matoran as well, but it was too late. The blade had severed the rope holding the gate up and with little strength left it snapped under the weight. Neither Hewkii, Tom nor Andrew who had just managed to catch up could reach him in time. The Matoran dived to the floor and squeezed through the gate as it finished its descent. Hewkii ran straight into the gate head first. "Son of a bog snake!" He held his mask in dizzying pain. Tom tried to pull the gate up but it was enormous, he could only watch the Matoran run further into the distance. Unless… "Hewkii, can you lift the gate up?" The Toa rubbed his head and looked up at it. "I can try." Hewkii grabbed onto a bar firmly and yanked upwards with all his might. To Tom's disbelief the gate began to move. "I've still got it!" Hewkii was impressed with his own strength. He had managed to lift it about a metre off the ground but that was all he needed. Tom rolled under the gate just as Hewkii lost his grip on the heavy bulk. Tom made his way to his feet and did everything he could to run as fast as possible. The fleeing Matoran had no chance now, and with no time to react he was sent hurtling to the floor as Tom tackled him. He crawled away from Tom and rolled into a ball. "Please don't hurt me, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The poor thing was scared half to death. Tom finally got a good look at the Matoran, and to his disbelieve he recognised him. "Golyo?" Tom couldn't believe it. I'm sorry is all the Matoran repeated. "I think you have some explaining to do little one." Tahu was standing over them with fire in his eyes.

Chapter 2 - A Test of Truths With the Matoran safely back at Po-Koro village Tahu had retreated to the village hall. He knew Hahli would have something to say when they returned but he didn't care. Pohatu was one of his closest friends amongst the Toa, but after what he did he had broken that trust. Po-koro had recently hosted the Kohlii tournament, in which three villages come together to play nearly a daylong match. Po-koro had been winning, as it usually does, when Tahu focused on the ball. As Po-Koro scored its final goal, he could have sworn the ball curved in mid-air around the Ta-Koro Goalie as it reached him. From then on Tahu was convinced that Po-Koro had cheated, and that Pohatu's continuous attempts to defend them when confronted were to hide the fact that he was in on it. If this was true, then Po-Koro's success for hundreds of years could be a lie. Of course, the other Toa don't believe a word of it. "What do you mean you left them out there?!" Toa Gali, the Toa Nuva of water was the next in line to yell at Tahu. Had he known that Gali was there, he wouldn't have walked within a mile radius of the place. He never saw eye-to-eye with Gali, and that's saying something considering his reputation with the other Toa at the time. "Pohatu is a big boy now." Tahu snapped sarcastically. "I'm sure they know the way home." "You are so stubborn over that ridiculous Kohlii match that you can't see how much we need each other, especially with what's going on!" She wasn't going to let Tahu go until he saw sense. "We had that match in the bag. All we needed was one more goal when Po-Koro cheated!" Tahu was yelling back at her now. "This again… more stories of magical Kohlii balls?" The whole thing sounded ludicrous to her. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was in on it, the way he defends them…" At that point the heavy, wooden doors of the hall began to slowly open. Pohatu revealed himself behind them, along with the other four Toa. "Brother." Pohatu greeted him whilst holding his rent chest with one hand. "Liar." Tahu greeted him back. Before Hahli could say anything, pohatu continued. "I know you have it drilled into your head that the Po-Koro team cheated in their last match, but I assure you that they did not, and even if they did I'm definitely not in on it. But I know you won't listen to me or anyone else on the matter, so I propose a rematch." The group were stunned. "A rematch? What, so Po-Koro can gain more undeserved glory?" He looked away from Pohatu as he spoke. "No, so that we can all watch the match this time. That way we can be sure that no one is cheating." Tahu was intrigued. "How do I know someone won't switch the ball again?" He asked Pohatu. "No one can if you are the last one to monitor the equipment and the Po-Koro team." Tahu thought the idea over for a moment. "Then I suggest you tell the Po-Koro team to prepare themselves. I better hurry, the Ta-Koro team is meant to be leaving today. Tahu walked past the Toa, still not making eye contact with any of them, not even Andrew or Tom. In recent days they had treated both of them more as brothers than outsiders, and as such Tahu saw them both as being on the other Toas' side. Opening the large doors Tahu made his way down the steps and into the village. "Well done." Hahli praised Pohatu. Turaga Onewa, the Turaga of Stone had left his study and was now approached the remaining Toa. "I heard your plan Pohatu, and I must say it is rather intriguing, but surely Tahu must think that the Po-Koro team will just simply not cheat this time as they were 'caught out' in his mind?" The Turaga asked him. "You just wait and see Turaga Onewa…" Three hours had passed and the match was about to go underway. Most of the village had been packed into the stone field to watch the rematch; however the Toa were yet to make their way to their seats. Tahu had double-checked the equipment and both Kohlii Teams. Everything seemed to be in order as far as he could see and the Teams nervously awaited the crowd down below. Andrew and Tom were making their way to their seats above the stadium with the other Toa when they saw Toa Gali talking to the last group of Matoran as they headed for their own seats. "Toa Tom, Toa Andrew, I would like you to meet Golyo." She pointed down to one of the Po-Matoran. "Oh my goodness! I'm delighted to finally meet you both in person!" He forced his way through the crowd and shook their hand with both of his, one Toa after the other. "Gali hear says that you have been training with Takanuva and the other Toa. I myself know a few tricks about tactic so if you ever need help just come to me!" He was very sprightful Matoran and as soon as he was finished speaking with them he was off to watch the match. "He is always like that towards new Toa." Gali told them. At last they had made it into the stadium. They climbed the tall steps behind the main stands and found their way to their bench. Tahu, Pohatu and Hewkii were already waiting for them. "Where are Hahli and Jaller?" Tom asked them. "Not every Toa gets the luxury of watching Kohlii matches every day I'm afraid, although I must admit Tahu never misses one." Gali answered him. Tahu simply grunted. The crowd waited with anticipation as Turaga Onewa approached the landing below the Toa. "Thank you one and all for taking part in this… conciliation match by being here today." The crowd began muttering. Clearly words had been spreading around the village. The Turaga continued. "And of course, may I introduce our protectors! From the Fire village of Ta-Koro, Toa Tahu!" The Ta-Matoran in the stadium cheered as Tahu stood and waved to the crowd. "From the Water village of Ga-Koro, Toa Gali!" All of the Ga-Matoran cheered. "Watching from his own home village, the Stone village of Po-Koro, Toa Pohatu!" The cheers were considerably louder for Pohatu as was to be expected. "And lastly, from a world beyond our own, the Toa of destiny themselves, Toa Thomas and Toa Andrew!" To their surprise the entire stadium cheered, stories really do spread fast on Mata-Nui. The Turaga nodded towards a Matoran standing on a podium by the right-hand side stands. The Matoran spoke out loudly through a large horn in front of him. "Po-Koro welcomes two teams!" As the Matoran spoke the two Kohlii teams, each with three players, walked into the arena and waved to the crowd. Each of the four attackers was carrying their Kohlii sticks whereas the two goalies also carried shields. The Matoran above introduced the players and the attackers met in the centre of the stadium. Crossing their Kohlii sticks together in a sign of honour all four said in unison, "Play well!" The match was underway! The Matoran on the podium above gave coverage of the match as it proceeded. Po-Koro began with a strong lead. A Po-Koro attacker was first to seize the ball. Dribbling with the hammer side of his stick he fed it towards the Ta-Koro goal. A Ta-Matoran seized the ball just in time and flung it towards his partner across the stadium. Catching it in his net with ease he dribbled it onwards once again. The Po-Koro team was hot on their tail though. Surrounded by both the opposing attackers, the Ta-Matoran leaped into the air and swung the ball towards the goal. The ball rebounded loudly off the Goalie's shield. "A great save!" Shouted the announcer as the crowd roared. The boys had to admit, they were totally engrossed in the match. For once in their time on Mata-Nui, they could forget their current situation and the danger Shadow faced to really enjoy being on a foreign world surrounded by robotic beings. Tahu stared constantly at the ball, still determined to ensure himself that Po-Koro had not cheated. "Come on Po-Koro!" Pohatu yelled. The ball was heading towards the Ta-Koro goal. The Po-Koro team knew exactly what they were doing. No team on Mata-Nui could match Po-Koro's skill in Kohlii, another factor that fuelled Tahu's doubts. Quick as a flash the Po-Koro attacker scooped up the ball and swung it over his head sideways towards his teammate on the left. Both his teammate and a Ta-Matoran attacker jumped up. Their Kohlii sticks clashed as both players failed to gain possession of the ball. It rolled towards the Ta-Koro goal when both players ran back towards it. Losing his balance, the Po-Koro player stumbled into his opponent, sending both hurtling towards the floor. "That's gonna leave a mark!" It was up to the other two attackers. The Ta-Matoran ran as fast as he could whilst knowing the skill of his pursuer. He grasped his stick in both hands and slammed the ball away from him like a golf club just as the Po-Matoran reached him. The slam was ferocious and sent the ball towards the goalie's shield and simply sent him flying backwards. The ball bounced slightly but otherwise carried on straight into the goal. "That's a powerful goal for Ta-Koro!" On the same wall as the Toa stand a Matoran pushed a heavy boulder down a runner into a metal net. One point to Ta-Koro. The Toa couldn't help but laugh when Tahu stood up and spouted a loud yes. There was no time to rest on one victory though, as one would simply not be enough to take down the Po-Koro team. Now back on their feet all of the attackers returned to the centre of the stadium again as the ball, now placed back in the shooting mechanism, was propelled into the air. Surprisingly, all of the players missed it. The ball fell back down and bounced across the floor. A Po-Koro player scooped it up and headed towards the goal. Both Ta-Matoran flanked him, covering both sides. They closed in and in unison swung at the floor in front of the Po-Matoran, who lost possession of the ball. The ball flew backwards towards the Ta-Koro goalie. The second Po-Koro attacker helped it along a smacked it towards his opponents goal. The goalie was prepared however and shield-bashed the ball away quite roughly. The ball flew back over the Po-Matoran's head towards the Ta-Koro attackers. One ran in front of the Po-Koro attacker whilst the other jumped sideways, firmly grasped his stick in both hands and launched the ball into the Po-Koro goal. "Another goal for Ta-Koro!? They really are on fire today!" Another boulder rolled into the score track. Pohatu was concerned. Was his home team about to be defeated? Or was his secret plan about to reveal the thing he feared to be true? He saw Tahu's reactions of excitement… could he….

Chapter 1 - Crippling Rivalry Everywhere around them the huts were burning. Matoran fled for their lives in all directions as Shadow's beasts laid waste to their livelihoods. Bahki creatures broke their way into homes not yet burnt to a cinder and dragged out their terrified occupants. Shadow was unleashing a wave of horror on the North, and the Matoran were feeling its full force. One poor Matoran was dragged away from his family and pinned to the sandy floor by a Bahki Grunt. He pleaded for his life but it would be no good. Doomed to die he closed his eyes and turned away. With one clean shot the Bahki's head was split open and the Matoran below him freed. "Nice shot jaller." Hahli complimented him. He cracked an embarrassed smile towards her. The settlement around them was lost but some of the Matoran could still be saved. Hunting down any Bahki they saw along the way, the Toa guardians searched for any survivors. Toa Tahu approached the terrified but now free Matoran. "Get yourself to safety and leave this to the professionals." Tahu put out a hand to help him up which he gratefully accepted. The Bahki attack squad was small, but still deadly to the near useless Matoran. Although they were from Po-Koro and therefore physically stronger than the other Matoran, Shadow's minions still out powered them immensely. The Matoran ran for safety whilst Tahu, Jaller and Hahli met up with the other Toa. The intense heat of the desert was burning down on them and making the Matoran's job of putting out the fires impossible. "Let's see if this works." Hahli raised her weapon as gushes of water spewed out from it towards a burning hut. The fire was killed almost immediately. "Don't bother. The place is lost." Tahu commanded sharply. "Focus on the Matoran." "Watch out!" Hahli yelled and pointed out in front of them. A herd of Mahi, Robotic goat-like creatures was heading towards them in fear. Effortlessly the Toa avoided the stampede. Hahli and Tahu used a backwards summersault to escape whereas Jaller rolled sideways. The Cattle was heading as far away from the fire as possible. It would take hours for the Poor Matoran to herd them back together. "Still not as agile as me, brother!" Tahu gloated as Jaller returned to his feet. The rest of the escaping Matoran were now huddled together as they ran for safety. They ran as fast as their little metal feet would carry them. Behind them Toa Hewkii fought alongside Toa Pohatu, the Toa Nuva of Stone. "I suppose we better help them." Tahu Joked. "Do me a favour and put your differences with Pohatu aside for today." Hahli requested sharply. Tahu scowled as she walked past. "The nerve of her. Having to tolerate him is one thing but being told what to do by someone from Ga-Koro is beyond my temper." Tahu confided in Jaller. "I'm not going to argue with you now brother. You make up with him after this for all our sakes." Jaller ran past him to engage the Bahki. A group of Ten Bahki warriors and a bahki Warlord was covering the force's escape. They were faster, stronger and far more intelligent than the ones they faced back at Le-Koro. Jaller and Hahli worked as a tag-team to overwhelm the Warlord, but the rest of the group wouldn't be fooled. Hewkii used his brute strength and surprising agility to slam one Bahki into another. The Toa were being encircled. Around them the flames of a nearby barn was beginning to cover them in smoke. The attacks had stopped as the Bahki thought of what to do; the smoke was blocking their sight and burning their eyes. If they didn't act quickly the Toa might escape. Seeing an opportunity, the Warlord barged into Pohatu and slashed at him as he fell. The Warlord's weapon created a huge gash through Pohatu's chest. Screaming in horrific pain, Pohatu fell onto the rest of the Toa. Falling like dominos they were now at the mercy of the Bahki. "Dig in." The Warlord invited his men to the slaughter. With mere seconds left, Hewkii used his mask of Accuracy to lob his blade towards the Warlord. Seeing the throw it backed away, but it was not quite quick enough. The blade severed its left arm and carried on heading towards its target. The Warlord's arm flew across the closest Bahki's face and distracted him, allowing Hahli to curl her legs around its own and snap it. Above them the blade passed through the red-hot rock, sending the remains of the wall tumbling down. The Bahki looked up as they were crushed. The wall was cut perfectly to avoid the Toa. "Nice shot Hewkii." Hahli complimented him. Jaller frowned, feeling somewhat outdone. The dust and floating debris cleared, revealing the silhouette of the Warlord, still standing. None of the Toa saw him in time. With his one good arm ready, he stabbed towards Hahli. She turned just as the blade was inches from her face. Without warning, the Warlord's arm shot upwards, the blade merely scratching Hahli's mask. The warlord fell to the floor with just one arm-stump left. Tahu stood over them with his ignited blade over his shoulder. "I'm really starting to worry about you lot. Do you deliberately get stuck in situations to make me look awesome or what?" Hahli couldn't take it anymore. "I am so sick of your constant bragging! Do you think you're better than us? Is that it? We might not have all been a Toa as long as you, but we all certainly show more maturity than you." Hahli poked him in the chest as she finished. "Well that's the strangest thank you I've ever heard." Hahli gave up and tended to the wounded Pohatu. Tahu followed her and look at his wound. "Maybe you should have taken a page out my book and looked where you were going for once." He gloated. "Just shut your mouth hot-head." Pohatu was not one for arguing, or even being rude but his wound was causing him much irritation. The last thing he needed was another irritant like Tahu. "What you are both arguing over in the first place is stupid. Both of you have a strong bond and your letting a Kohlii match get between that?" Jaller wanted to clear the situation up as soon as possible. "I'm not listening to this." Tahu walked off and met up with the Matoran. He turned round and called back to the Toa. "I'll apologise when he admits what he did. See you back at Po-Koro when you've finished dressing the liar's boo-boo." And with that Tahu and the Matoran were gone. "And I thought we were causing problems." The Warlord still lay on the ground. Jaller rolled it over onto its back and put his blade to its throat. "What is it Shadow is looking for? You have been pillaging these lands for weeks now with no motive. Has he found out about another artefact of power?" "You think I'm going to say anything?" The Bahki spat at him. Jaller calmly wiped the spit away and then punched the beast directly in the face. "No games." Jaller jabbed his blade into the remains of the Bahki's right arm. "Stop it!" It wailed in pain. "Last chance!" Jaller screamed in its face. "Toa Stones!" Shadow knew that they were searching for Andrew and Tom's Toa Stones for them to receive their full power. Jaller thought for a moment. "Where are you yet to search?" The Bahki was doomed at this point. This Toa would finish him or Shadow would, what did he have to lose? "The collapse mines, North of Motara Desert." Jaller stood up. He thought twice about what to do this with this butcher. In the end he simply walked off, as did the others. The Bahki was left lying amongst the flames. "We need to get back to Po-Koro now. If the Toa Stones are anywhere near the mines then we need to be there first." Jaller told them. "But you know why the Matoran don't mine there anymore. You know why the mine collapsed." "That is just a legend. It has been hundreds of years since they collapsed, those stories could have been twisted beyond recognition." Jaller had Pohatu's arm over his shoulder to help him walk. "But still… The things we've heard about that place. I don't know." Hahli looked concerned. "It's not that I'm frightened, it's just if things go wrong, then the Matoran might suffer." Jaller tried to reassure her. "If we don't try then the Matoran surely will suffer further. If the legends were true then why would Shadow go snooping around? If our confrontation at Kini-Nui tells us anything, it's that he is a coward." The collapsed mines are feared by all in Po-Wahi, the Northern land that Po-Koro resides in. They say that something dark lives down in the tunnels, something no one has survived to speak of. But if that is true, then where did the Legend come from? Andrew looked up at the scorching desert sun. Having robotic eyes gave them much better protection than any sunglasses could on Earth. Around him the Matoran moved around the village. The Po-Matoran were great carpenters and Andrew could see one Matoran carving a new pillar for the Hall. Another was carving a model of Toa Pohatu to go with his collection of wooden Toa. The Matoran always made Andrew laugh inside. They were less than half his height and looked like children moving around on metal feet much too large for them. They sort of waddled when they ran; dinky was the word that came to mind. Andrew rested against the outer walls of the Kohlii field. Another intense training session had left him knackered. He could see Tom buying some supplies from the venders in the village centre. The Turaga had given the boys a large amount of Widgets to spend. Andrew span one between his fingers, the cog-shaped currency reminded of him of how simple their lives were here compared to Earth. Were they too brash when they desperately wanted to go home? Besides the occasional apocalyptic attack from Shadow, this world was like a paradise. The people were friendly, for the most part, and they treated Andrew and Tom like celebrities. "What you thinking about?" Tom was now standing over him with a number of random items under his arm. "Just the usual." Andrew put the widget back in his bag. The Matoran had made them both a back-pack to carry their things. They had also been given a hut each in Po-Koro to live in. They had been on Mata-Nui for over a month. They had sworn to help the Matoran to defeat Shadow before they returned home. A mask maker in Ta-Koro had said that fixing the Olmak, the mask they needed to return home, would be relatively easy. Still they couldn't help but think about their families. They were haunted every night by thoughts of how their parents must have felt. By now they would have thought they had lost them forever. They also thought the Bionicle lying around the garden would give forensics something to think about. Tom was now sitting down beside Andrew. He had a pen in one hand and was scratching away in a notebook he had bought from a vender. "They have pens here?" Andrew asked. "Nope, it's a pencil. Don't ask me what it's made of though." Andrew watched him scratch away for a while. It had been so long since he had written anything. The amount of school they would have missed in their absence would have been ridiculous, although that was the least of their worries. "What are you writing?" He asked him another question. "I'm keeping a diary. It might help us keep sane for the time we're here. Plus it might help the police believe us when we get back." Andrew looked pessimistic. "So you don't think they'll thing we would have just made it up, or been drugged then?" "Made up? Who do you think could sit down and make up rubbish like this?!" Andrew laughed. It had been a while. Everything had been so serious of late. Matoran had been killed throughout the north and every day they had to train for hours on end if they every hoped of being as could as the other Toa. Tom carried on scribbling when Andrew looked on to the horizon. He could see fuzzy shapes in the distance, distorted by the desert heat. He stood up to get a better look. It was the Toa returning. He could see one being aided and ran to help them himself. Tom looked up and closed his diary, placed it in his back-pack and followed Andrew. "What happened to Pohatu?" Andrew asked concerned. "The Bahki were more powerful than we thought. They are getting stronger." Jaller told them. Tom lent his shoulder for Pohatu to put his other arm over as they headed towards the village. "Where is Tahu?" Hahli asked blankly. "He's in the hall" Andrew was confused by the way she spoke. "Then meet us there. We need to have a chat."

The Prologue for the second story in the Legend of Earth saga is up now

Bionicle Legend of Earth 2 The Diary of a Toa “I know everything that’s happening is petrifying. I know that I might look like a brave Toa, but right now I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this. I’m a human, not one of you. I wasn’t born with a brave heart. I wasn’t born with a destiny written in my soul. But despite this… I will do everything that I can to show you all… and Golyo… that Evil will not prevail this day.” Toa Andrew, Toa of Legend during the Battle of Shadow's Realm. Now stuck on a foreign world with incredible powers, two teenage boys must fight alongside robotic Guardians to defeat their Terrifying new foe, Shadow. With his armies marching on the Village of Po-Koro, it will take all available Toa to defeat him. It is time for Toa Andrew and Toa Tom to embrace their destiny... and discover a history hidden across the stars... Prologue It had waited for hours in the dark. Every day they would surround it with scanning devices and cameras. Each day they tried to piece together a vague idea of what it could be. Every day it waited, every day its anger grew. That day would be different though, this time they would get some answers. The room was flooded with light as six armed guards lined up in threes along each side of the room. They were accompanied by a tall man in a suit and tie. He was bald and had a piercing glare. In the centre of the room it sat, sealed by a bullet-proof glass box. It had shown them what it was capable of before, they would not make the same mistake. The man took a fold up chair resting against the wall by the main door and approached the box. He sat down and stared at it, not once did it look back at him. "My colleagues tell me that you yelled something in English yesterday. Do you understand me? Do you speak English?" The man's words were cold and even unnerved the prisoner. "Every day you come back. Every day you find out nothing. Are you so desperate that you must ask me?" The prisoner spoke back to the man just as coldly, never looking at him. The man paused for a moment. "They also told me you spoke of two human boys. Are they the missing boys?" Every sentence he spoke grew sterner. "I said are they the missing boys?" It would not answer. "Are they!" The man stood up and slammed his fist onto the top of the box, shocking it into answering. "...Yes." At last they were getting somewhere. After twelve days they were getting answers. "We have scanned every inch of you, and the others back where we found you. You don't have a trace of metal in your body. No wires or circuits. The laboratory says you are made of nothing but plastic." It started to laugh. "You're so fascinated by me when you should be concerned about them missing boys. They are the ones you should fear. They are not like you. They are like me! They may look like you, even they didn't know of their true power. Not until we were sent to kill them." The team was growing increasingly concerned. "Where are they?" The bald man asked. "Beyond your reach. I assume a young species like yours has wondered if there are other worlds out there like this. Well I can tell you now; you will have far more to fear than yourselves in the near future." The rest of the team stared through the one sided window. The recording going on beside them would be classified top secret by the end of the day and the UN warned of the day's events. "What are you?" "What are we? We are… the Bionicle."

Chapter 12 - Legends of Earth The celebrations in Le-Koro village could be heard for miles around. With Shadow fleeing to the North and his army following suite, the South was safe once again. The Matoran celebrated with music and plenty of drink! Andrew and Tom got to see their first Kohlii Tornament in the arena, dedicated to them for their bravery in Shadow's lair. Their battle seven days prior had been the talk of the village, and everywhere across the island the people were hearing of these new saviours. The boys were becoming legends in their own right. Every Matoran in the village wanted to meet them and hear of their stories of the Knight, and the Bahki, and everything else that had happened to them. The boys told them of their journey through the Jungle, being chased by the Ash Bear, of Andrew being saved by the mysterious Golden figure at the waterfall and about the battle in Fau Swamp. Tom and Andrew could hardly believe themselves that the stories they told actually happened to them. Two boys from Faversham, England had gone on the most incredible journey. "Once again, thanks." Nuparu was standing behind them. "If it wasn't for you two, well…" "We've said this three times, there really is no need to thank us." Tom answered him. "You have no idea what your journey with us has done have you? The entire island is talking about you. The Toa from another world! You have opened the Matorans' eyes to what else is out there." The boys thought for a moment. What if their world new of this one? It would change everything. Perhaps knowing about it would change their own society. But thinking again, maybe the repercussions would be too great. After all, humanity is not the friendliest of species, or the most believing. When the celebrations were finally at an end on the seventh day, the six Turaga called the Toa to the Great Hall. The burnt wrecks of some houses could still be seen along the route, but the Matoran were notoriously fast builders and it wouldn't take long before they returned them to their former wooden glory. Inside the hall the Toa now stood. The boys, Takanuva, Jaller, Nuparu, Hahli, Kongu, Hewkii and Lewa waited for the Turaga to reveal the reason for their meeting. At last Turaga Vakama stepped forward. "As you are all aware, after your journey to Shadow's tunnel in Kini-Nui, he, along with his army have fled to the North of Mata-Nui. Although we celebrate our newfound safety, I fear the north is now in great peril. If Shadow's threats are true, he intends on attacking the Rock village of Po-Koro. We have already heard from Gucko-bird flyers of hordes of Bahki crossing the Sand Dunes and building camps. Shadow is preparing for war on all of Mata-Nui." The Toa looked concerned for their own villages, but they realised that if Shadow was to be stopped, they would all have to take the fight to the North. "Toa Andrew, Toa Tom. Please step forward." Vakama told them. Reluctantly they walked up the steps towards the back of the hall. "We realise how much you both want to return to your own world, but as a friend, I beg you. Please stay and help us to save our home. When Shadow is finally slain, we will do whatever it takes to rebuild the Olmak." The broken pieces of the Mask of Dimensional Gates rested on the table behind the Turaga. Nuparu suddenly had a brain wave whilst Vakama spoke to Andrew and Tom. "Wait! Tom and Andrew, did you ever discover your Toa stones?" He asked them excitedly. They both looked at him bewildered. "Of course! A Toa's power inside destined Matoran is unlocked with their Toa Stones. That is why you can't fight or move like us. If we find them then your full potential should be unlocked!" Jaller told them. Vakama pondered for a moment. "You were transformed into Toa by your Masks, sent to you by the Great Spirit Mata-Nui himself. It is curious that you lack the natural abilities of your brothers and sisters here. Perhaps Nuparu and Jaller are right." Maybe Andrew and Tom would not have to continue training after all. "And what about those Artefacts that Shadow mentioned? If Shadow or the Makuta has discovered something about our worlds past, then we could all be in further danger. That Knight must have been made by our ancestors or the Brotherhood of Makuta." Hahli pointed out. "It would appear that there is much yet to do. Shadow must be defeated, your Toa stones must be found and these Artefacts secured from Makuta's hands. Shadow is the greatest threat we have faced in recent days. To defeat him Toa, you will need to unite." Vakama pointed his stick towards the doorway at the back of the room. From behind the Table, the remaining Toa Nuva revealed themselves. Lewa's brothers and sister were there. "Brothers, sister." Toa Tahu, the Toa Nuva of fire and the leader of the Toa Nuva greeted them. "The Turaga hear tell us we are all in a spot of bother. Allow us to, ahem, help you light the way." And with that, Tahu brandished his blade and set fire to it with his elemental power, grinning with amusement as his brothers and Sisters did the same. The battle against Shadow had begun. Eleven days had passed and there was still no sign of the kidnapped boys. It had been on the news worldwide. Not because of the two boys' disappearance, but because of what was discovered at the scene. Amongst the ruined garden furniture, Bionicle toys were broken over the garden, but one had dumbfounded the world. The government was calling it a Hoax and was trying to hide the truth, but the media was too quick. Footage had been uploaded on the internet of this impossible toy, screaming and shooting at police officers. Now locked away in a classified location, the Bionicle constantly roared and smashed against the sides of its bullet-proof glass container. Many of the country's top scientists had been called under the greatest secrecy to make light of the situation. Some considered it an experiment gone wrong; a Chinese or Russian weapon, but all of these ideas had no credibility. Whatever this thing was, it was about to change the world, and two missing boys would be the world's last hope. The End... For Now

Chapter 11 - Shadow's Game Their two day journey finally came to its end. Standing before them was another clearing. The trees surrounded the large open space that was Kini-Nui. In the centre stood a large shrine with four stairways leading to the top; four sharp pillars had been erected by the stairs. It had been a while since Takanuva had defeated the Makuta in this realm, but once again evil returned to this sacred place. "Kini-Nui. Why is it always Kini-Nui?" Jaller asked. "At least we didn't have to walk all over the island this time." Takanuva answered. The Mask of Light led Jaller and Takanuva all over the island to find the seventh Toa Nuva. Little did Takua, as he was called then, realise that he himself was destined to become the Toa of Light. The area looked the same to the group. Finding Shadow's lair would be no easy feat. Luckily for them, Bahki were not known to be quiet creatures. Atop the hill the group stood on, partly concealed by the last of the Jungle they could see a Bahki scout party returning. They all knelt as low as they could get as not to be spotted. "Do his armies ever end?" Kongu complained. "I fear that we haven't even scratched the surface." Jaller replied to him. The scout party searched the area around Kini-Nui to make sure they were not followed. Eventually they made off further East into the Jungle. "Let's go." Takanuva told the rest as he slowly made his way down the hill. Tom took one last look at the Tome for encouragement. The Horror Waits. Not encouraging at all. Whatever Shadow had hidden away in his tunnels, Tom thought it would be disastrous if it was ever set loose. The Toa followed the scout party back into the Jungle, ensuring that they made as little sound as possible. Of course that's not easy when you're traversing a Jungle with giant metal feet. The group came to an area devoid of life. The ground had been dug away and the trees around it wrenched from the Jungle floor. A huge stone door had been ruggedly placed in front of the newly-made tunnel dug into the Hillside. One Bahki approached the door and placed its hand upon it. An electric jolt was sent through the entire structure as the door began to split into two pieces and slip downwards. The scout party made their way through, well, all but two. They stood outside the door to guard it. "Two guards? Shadow needs to hire some better security." Kongu bragged. Takanuva approached them from behind as silently as he could. He stood up behind the closest, firmly grabbed its head and ripped it sideways. As he did this he kicked the other over onto its side. Before it could make a noise, Jaller ended its life with one thrust through its head. Knowing what to do, Jaller cut his victim's hand off and placed it upon the door. The same jolt was sent through it as it fell into the floor. Shadow was waiting for them. The tunnel ahead was barely lit by a few torches chained to the walls. "Blades ready all." Jaller commanded. Nervous as , Tom and Andrew readied their weapons. Were they really about to do this? Would their training be enough to stop a servant of the Makuta? They struggled to put all thoughts of home out of their minds so that they could concentrate on the fight ahead. The tunnel sloped down further underground, leaving some of the Toa wondering if it would connect with Makuta's old lair. The group were on their guard and ready for any Bahki they may come across. The Bohrok had tried to dig the tunnel as smooth as they could, but their attempt at the floor was rather pathetic. Trying not to twist their angles, if that was even possible anymore, the boys followed Nuparu who was now ahead of the group with his mask glowing. It seemed that Shadow had further surprises for them. Without warning Nuparu took one more step forward and found the floor cave-in below him. What light was left in the tunnel was shrouded by dust and rubble as Nuparu disappeared into the darkness. " it! I'm going after him." Kongu yelled. "Don't go near that hole. That might have been a trap." Takanuva warned him. "All the more reason to get down there." Jaller butted in. "We find our way down, stop Shadow and then find a safer route to get him out. The last thing we need is to split up in this place." Reluctantly they gave in. Takanuva had not led them astray before and they hoped he wouldn't this time. Taking the outmost care, the group hopped across the newly made gap in their path. Tom stared down. The glow from Nuparu's mask was nowhere to be seen. He hoped for the best and joined up with the rest of the Toa. Finally the tunnel levelled off and joined up with a large room. The atmosphere was dank and the Toa found it hard to breathe. The room was mostly empty. Looking closer they could see a large throne concealed at the end of the room; its dark colour contrasted with the rest of the cave. A small stone glowed on the arm of the Throne, The only source of light besides four torches on the walls. The Toa stepped forward, looking in every direction for their enemy. More tunnels lead in different directions cut into the side walls. To the right of the Throne two Bohrok hung from nails, their heads sloping downwards. "Show yourself!" Takanuva's voice echoed. "Welcome. You are just in time to try out my new Toy." Shadow's deep voice returned. "Enough of these Games Shadow! People have died because of your ambitions. Surrender to us now and we will spare you." Takanuva's negotiations were futile. "Please do come in. Let us put this nasty business behind us." The side tunnels and the exit behind them were closed with huge pieces of stone that fell from the ceiling. In front of them the wall and Throne was raised. The seeing stone rolled from its resting place and smashed against the floor; dark power dissipated from it. "He sure does like his sliding doors." Kongu joked. Light flooded the room as its size was more than doubled. With determination the Toa moved forward. The entire room was becoming an arena. The stands were filled with Bohrok. Atop the centre of the arena sat Shadow, blanketed in a veil of darkness, disguising his true form. The Bohrok wailed with excitement. "So how did you like my army, Toa? Shadow asked the nervous heroes. "Disgusting, vile creatures created for an evil purpose." Jaller answered him. "And are you any different?! You are lower than the Matoran you relish. You were made as protectors, simple walking statues to protect the Great Spirit's Toy Puppets. Do you think they would have a shred of care for you if you were not 'Mighty' Toa? Perhaps we should test this…" "We care not for your opinion of us. You have taken these Machines and turned them into monstrosities. You created souls for them; you tortured them with their own existence! I saw the fear and pain in your experiments eyes!" Takanuva showed his opinion of Shadow quite clearly. "And wasn't it beautiful? These are just the start. I have huge plans for the rest of this rock you call a home. My armies in the North will conquer the village of Po-Koro, and then who knows? Ga-Koro? Ta-Koro? The island will overflow with the torn bodies of Matoran for miles! The sad thing is you will not be there to see it." The Toa couldn't believe what they were hearing. The Makuta had attempted to enslave the Matoran to his will countless times, but this 'Shadow' was planning on a massacre. "What even are you? You have power beyond anything the Makuta could create." Jaller asked him. "Yes… My creation has left him weak. But Hidden from all of you, great artefacts of power lay buried across this island and others across this world. With these, he will return to his former glory. As for my own ambitions, they go beyond this putrid world. Yes Toa, there are other worlds out there. Look at those things that accompany you." Shadow had referred to Andrew and Tom. "I think we have all had enough of this chat. Would you like to play a game?" The tunnel began to rumble. Below Shadow a great machine formed from glowing wires and pillars was raising from the floor. "My new Toy, my new Artefact has lost its power over the years, but its potential is still impressive. If only I had a being of great power to channel from… Oh of course! I have one!" The machine rising from the floor did indeed have a being of power wired into it, a guardian of Mata-Nui. "Nuparu!" Jaller yelled. He began to run to his aid when the left wall of the arena broke away. The Bohrok above were sitting safely away from the impending hole. From the gap something was stirring. "Say hello to a weapon of ages past." Before them was an ancient construct. A huge metal knight limped into the arena. The years had clearly rusted parts of it away and battle damage could be seen all over its body. Its leg was damaged but it was still able to walk. Nuparu's eyes were glowing red as power was drawn from his mask. "Let's have our first players. Other-Worlders? Andrew and Tom stood just where he wanted them, ahead of the group. Shadow raised his arm and stretched his veil of darkness. The boys were split off from the other Toa. They raised their weapons and slashed at the cloud. Nothing would work; it was like it was made of solid metal. Shadow used his power to float down to them, transforming into Shadow itself. "They have told you that you are to be heroes. What do you think? This is not your world. Their concerns are not yours. For them to ask you, nay, order that you will fight with them for their world is obscene. Ask yourself, how old are you? Who are you? You may have been clad in this armour but in your heart you are infants to this world." Shadow revealed an arm. He waved it once across Tom's face. His metal body faded in front of him and was replaced with his human form. Tom looked at his human hands. He had never felt so vulnerable. Shadow did the same to Andrew. Standing as humans in this arena, they didn't stand a chance. "Poor humans. Forced into a war for a world that has nothing to do with them. Go home. Join your species. You are nothing here... except fodder." Shadow's words pierced them further than any sword ever could. In their heart they knew Shadow was right. What on Earth where they… Nothing made sense any more. A dark thought came into Andrew's head. "Give him the mask, allow him to fix it, and return home." Andrew was ready to tell him of the mask. He opened his mouth to speak. Shadow stared at him through his cloud with anticipation. Perhaps destiny was easier to manipulate than he thought? Andrew saw his friend Nuparu wired into the machine. He wasn't really a friend, was he? He wouldn't have come to their aid if they hadn't been Toa, surely? With all his might, Nuparu reached out through his mask to the Boys. "Please." They heard him in their head. They knew would they must do. It would be harder than anything they had ever done in their life, beyond anything the people they knew back on Earth would ever face in their life. They would fight this ancient weapon. "We may not be from this world, but we are Humans, and we fight to the death for the ones we love. Threaten us, and see our wrath." Andrew knew there was no going back. Shadow's spell was broken. Their metal bodies returned to them, it had all been an illusion. The cloud behind them disappeared and the bar fence was revealed. Behind them the Toa fought off waves of Bohrok and Zamor spheres jettisoning from wall turrets. Shadow had returned to his seat. It had begun. "Kill the s." The knights readied its ancient gears. It brandished a huge blade, nearly the height of either of the boys. "Have we just killed ourselves?" Tom asked Andrew. "Probably. But if we survive, it'll make one of a conversation back at sixth Form." The Knight swung its blade down at them. They dived in opposite directions to avoid the construct's blow. They desperately tried to remember their training. They pictured Takanuva in front of them, but how the would their training help against something this big? This time it swung sideways. Tom jumped over its Crystal encrusted blade but Andrew was too slow. The blade hooked the side of his foot and sent him swinging into the wall. The knight turned towards Tom. He backed away in fear, panic strangled any battle strategy. "Stick together". Nuparu tried all he could to speak to Tom through his mask. The knight raised its fist and punched out at Tom. He dived around the fist just in time for it to slam into the Metal bars. He ran to Andrew and helped him up. "All I wanted to do was play Minecraft…" Andrew joked. The Knight grabbed at them but they were too quick. They ran circles round it, never letting it see them. It turned to crush them, but there were too swift. They swung at its legs to weaken it but even in its rusty state its armour was impenetrable. The knight used the slashes to its legs to coordinate its movements. Finally it saw them and didn't hesitate to grab. Ruthlessly it pulled Tom up from the ground and began to crush him. Andrew ran at it from behind and rammed into it. The Knight had made the mistake of leaning on its weak leg. Its joints began to snap as it let go of Tom. It supported its fall with its hands and swiftly returned to its feet. New target. The boys turned to Nuparu. If they could cut him down then the Knight should stop. Tom began to climb up the pillar. "I'll distract it!" Andrew called to him. "Alright them Megatron, do your worst!" He taunted it. The knight was learning its opponent's tactics. Unexpectedly it kicked out at him with its weak leg. It hit Andrew dead on in the face and sent him crashing into the pillar. Tom hung on as the structure became weaker. The Bohrok cheered as their doom drew nearer. "Finish them." Shadow whispered. The knight punched at the pillar, crushing Andrew against it. There was no choice. Tom jumped as high as possible and swung at the wires nearest to Nuparu. His blade cut effortlessly through them as the two Toa fell. Nuparu was free. The Knight stopped its attacks. Tom rushed over to Andrew. Miraculously he was fine, although his chest armour was mostly bent inwards. The Knight began to topple. With a great thud it fell to the sand. The arena was silent. The Toa behind the bars had defeated the Bohrok, and the boys had beaten the Knight. Shadow though did not look concerned. The knight moved again, this time slamming its great fist at the Toa. Its attack missed its mark but spelt trouble for all in the arena. Its fist had broken completely through the floor. The ground beneath them fell into the depths as Andrew, Tom and the Knight followed it. The boys screamed as gravity pulled them ever on. At last they reached the bottom. They ricochet of metal platforms, bending them as they headed for the floor. The Knight had fallen directly towards the ground. They had stopped spinning and were now free to stand up again. The room they had fallen into was filled with huge tanks all containing a silvery water. Metal floors hovered above them from Shadow's power. "This must be Shadow's laboratory, where he created the Bahki." Tom guessed. Both of them could barely stand but with no time for recovery they fled the area. Heavily damaged but defiant the Knight chased after them. The room was huge and contained nothing but huge pipes and glass tanks. Hoping to lose the Knight they split up, using the tanks as cover. The Knight had absorbed enough power to be free of Nuparu's mask, and was now able to repair itself. Searching behind every tank it hunted them. The boys looked around the room for something to use against their pursuer. A control panel was located in the centre of the room. Sensing a way to stop the Knight Andrew headed for it, but ended up straight in the Knight's path. Seeing him before he could double back the Knight hit him with the back of its hand. Its brute force sent Andrew hurdling into a Water tank. The glass was strong enough to hold back the water and Andrew's collision, but its strength had been compromised. Cracks appeared above the tank and ran down. Andrew stood up and recovered from his fall. Silver liquid began to flow from the growing cracks. Andrew saw it spray onto his arm. He felt an excruciating burning sensation run through his arm as, to his horror, he watched as part of his armour burned away. In a panic he ran away from the Tank as fast as possible, colliding straight into Tom. "The liquid, its corrosive! Look." Andrew showed him his new wound. "We have got to get out of here before we both melt." Tom answered. The boys were discovered as the knight's huge spherical heard shot round the corner of a tank. Tom and Andrew yelled in shock and headed back to the control panel. The knight Lunged with its great blade but stabbed the floor instead of its target. Struggling to break it free it watched the boys run for their lives. Scanning their bodies it noticed Andrew's new wound on his arm and quickly scanned the contents of the tanks. It had a plan… The boys reached the control panel and saw three buttons and a small screen. The screen showed a complex chemical makeup at twenty per cent concentration. The boys could only imagine what one hundred per cent strength would do. Reaching the boys the Knight swung its blade to cleave them in two. Ducking just in time, they avoided its attack. Its blade smashed against another glass tank, once again causing it to crack. The Knight knew what it needed to do. It swung out with its free hand and managed to grab Tom before he could flee. He pinned Tom against the glass and with the other arm stabbed the glass Tank with its blade. Luckily for Tom it did not smash, but he felt the liquid ooze from the gap onto his shoulders. Tom was doomed if Andrew couldn't figure something out fast. The Knight pulled its sword from the Tank just as Andrew threw his sword up at the platform straight above the Knight. The throw unbalanced the floating platform and sent it straight towards the Knights head. The Knight was forced sideways in an effort to rebalance itself, giving Tom enough time to cut himself free. With its left hand now having several severed fingers, the Knight changed its plan. He punched sideways into the glass tank to spew its contents over the Toa. With a loud crack the liquid broke free of its container. "Run!" Andrew wailed. The boys sprinted down the corridor; taking a turn round a new tank each time they could to avoid the wave. The Knight continued to smash every tank in its path. With no soul the machine cared little of the damage it was doing to itself, which surprisingly was very little. It's almost impenetrable body repaired itself as it slowly burnt away. The boys reached the end of the room. It wouldn't be long before the Knight reached them, or the water dissolved them. They had just minutes to spare, it was now or never. Tom looked at his surroundings. To their right side was a metal stairway up to the platforms. "Andrew, get back to the control panel, I'll distract him." Before Andrew could answer, Tom was already running up the stairs. With no choice but to trust him, Andrew headed towards the centre of the room. Tom could see the Knight coming ever closer. Seeing its prey in its sights, it stopped smashing the tanks and ran towards him. Andrew followed the safest route to the centre of the room. The floor was damp with the liquid and he could feel it burning through his feet. Ignoring the pain he carried on. At last the panel was in front of him, but what did Tom want him to do? The knight followed Tom up the metal stairs which were large enough for it after being designed to accommodate shadow. Tom stood in the centre, right above one of the tanks. "I hope this works." The knight hesitated no longer. It slammed its blade down towards Tom. Rolling sideways Tom was sent over the edge, with just enough room to hold on. The platform was cut in two and Tom was losing his grip of the platform. The Knight was not so lucky. The silver liquid splashed upwards as the Knight sank into the corrosive ooze. The robot's body sparked as its mechanisms were eaten away. Seeing these events from across the room, Andrew approached the control panel. He saw the percentage and a smaller screen below, hidden from their view when they first saw the control panel. The room was split into four pump systems. Andrew touched the furthest away from him and pressed the lower button. The Percentage suddenly rose from twenty to one hundred per cent. The tanks quickly filled with the higher dosage of corrosive mixture. The Knight exploded, further loosening Tom's grip. He had nowhere to go. He was too far from the edge to jump and the platform was all but gone. He looked down and saw the wrecked slag of the robot as it flowed away from the smashed tank. As soon as he let go he would be gone. With no hope, Tom closed his eyes and loosened his grip. His hand left the platform. Andrew saw his friend fall behind the row of tanks in front of him. Andrew was all alone now on this strange planet. "I think it's time for us to leave." Andrew heard the familiar voice above him. "Nuparu!" The Toa's mask was glowing as he flew above him. "I never did show you my mask power, did I?" Nuparu offered his hand to Andrew to take. The Toa flew back up to the arena. "I was too late… Tom was…" Andrew couldn't tell him. "Tom is fine, look." Nuparu was right; Kongu had reached him just in time. The rest of the Toa had finally cut their way through the metal fence. Whatever it was made from, it was almost as strong as the knight. Looking at themselves the boys were more wounded than they originally thought. The liquid had burnt through multiple parts of their armour. "Those wounds will heal; just give your mask some time." Nuparu told them. The arena was silent. The Bohrok feared what their master was about to do. Behind his mist, Shadow was furious. His hand was crushing the arm of his chair. "…No matter. Your home is still doomed…" Shadow's cloud grew even bigger and then dissipated, He had gone. "The coward!" Kongu screamed. With their master gone the crowd suddenly changed. Shadow no longer needed his work force. The light of their eyes disappeared as the souls Shadow had created for them left. The Bohrok returned to their original shells. The parasitic masks inside them, the Krana, were no longer controlled. With the two queens of the bohrok swarms still asleep somewhere in the world and Shadow's power gone, the Bohrok were left with no purpose; they would bring no harm to the island anymore.

Chapter 10 - Nature's Wrath The Fau swamp is a dangerous path to traverse. The Bahki could not delay. As much as they feared entering the swamp, they feared their Master's wrath far more. The Toa had their hands bound with thick rope; those who were still unconscious were carried or dragged through the murky swampland. They could try to escape if they wished, although the Bahki's numbers were more than enough to overpower them. Without their weapons the Toa wouldn't last long. Unbeknownst to the Bahki though, they were leading the Toa exactly where they wanted to go. With luck, they thought, they should be lead right to Shadow. The Bahkis' grief from the swamp was clear. The soft ground was challenging to traverse and the Bahki's thick feet struggled to free themselves from the bog. The Toa however were much more nimble. Out of spite, one Bahki pushed Kongu forward towards a thick puddle. He landing face first in the muck, giving the Bahki a much needed moment of laughter. Kongu scraped the swamp water from his mask and stood up; he felt every ounce of his strength in his body preventing himself from strangling the Bahki to death. It would be easy, and he would revel in seeing the heartless beast's neck slowly crumple inwards. Any force now though would result in further beatings from the rest. The land was no longer clear. Great trees now surrounded the Toa and the Bahki horde as they drew ever closer to Shadow's domain. The Toa's captivity was about to come to an end though as Toa Kongu knew all too well the Rahi that dwelt in this land. He knew that they were heading straight towards a trap. "Watch your step guys." Kongu whispered to the group hoping that the Bahki wouldn't hear him. Andrew turned his gaze towards the floor, as did Tom. It seemed safe enough at first apart from the slippery floor of the bog, but something stirred in their peripheral vision. Something was moving below them, slithering across the Swamp; the inhabitants had been woken. Some Bahki had also noticed the floor moving below them. One stamped at it to make whatever Rahi that was following them leave, big mistake. The creature itself crawled out of the water and lunged at the Bahki. It sunk its long, red syringe-like fang into the Bahki's leg. Screeching enough to give Andrew and Tom a headache, The Bahki grabbed its leg and fell backwards into the bog, splashing the Toa with the fowl ooze. The Bahki's screech lowered as the creature's poison took its toll. The Bahki horde swept the floor frantically with their weapons whilst also trying to keep the Toa in their sights. Swords splashed through the bog and further muck was thrown into the air as the horde's snarls flooded the air. "The whole place is infested with Bog Snakes!" Kongu warned the group. Turaga Matau had also discovered the dangers of this area when he himself was a Toa. The group was encircled by the serpents. One bite to a weak area of armour is all it took and they would be doomed. It was now or never, they had to escape the Bahki before they lead them through yet more treacherous lands. "Hewkii!" Jaller shouted. Hewkii grabbed the electrified chain attached to his back and used it as a garrotte to strangle his Bahki captor. Before the Bahki could react, Hewkii used the chain to twist the Bahki round and smash him into his nearby allies. The Toa were free at last and the Bahki were now lying in the muck or distracted by the serpents that now bit at anything they could grasp with their fangs. "Keep away from the water!" Kongu instructed the group. "One last thing to do." Takanuva said as he faced the largest Bahki amongst them. He was twice the height of a Toa and wore a large, dark Brown sack that sealed the Toas' weapons away from them. With brute strength the large foe tried to crush the shiny Toa who bounded over him at just at the right moment. The Toa had gone. Totally confused the stupid creature searched around him. Takanuva hung on for dear life as the Bahki he clung to searched the Swamp. He pulled at the sack to tear it open, but the Bahki felt him in time. He grasped the Toa and flung him into the water. The beast stomped at Takanuva who was still too quick even whilst covered in half the swamp. Kongu flew over the top of the Huge Bahki in an attempt to rip the bag open himself but the creature simply waved his arms as if to swat him like a fly. Takanuva stood back up and ran for cover with Andrew and Tom who were talking shelter from the snakes behind a rotten log. Takanuva wiped the muck off his mask with his forearm. "We can't stop him. I'm useless without my spear." Takanuva told them. The other Toa fought the Bahki that panicked around them or attempted to bring the Huge Bahki down. Around them the Swamp had turned to utter chaos. "Listen as I curse us all, how could this get any worse?" Andrew joked. The stump shattered as Jaller was flung through it. The boys and Takanuva splashed into the swamp water around the log to avoid him. "Andrew! Stop saying that you… complete… moron." Tom took a pause between his words to punch Andrew in the arm. "That wasn't the Bahki." Takanuva told the boys as he moved to help Jaller. The Bahki were now fleeing towards them. Behind them even more fearsome foes approached. "Nui-Jaga!" Hahli yelled. The group were being charged by gigantic scorpion-like creatures. They were armed with huge, metallic pincers and electric stingers that hung down towards their backs, almost as if they were staring at the Boys before pouncing. Each was about the size of a large car, and very angry. They preyed on the Bog snakes that lived in the area, and they saw the Toa and the Bahki as a threat to their food supply. The bogs snakes fled into the ground or further into the swamp. Some Nui-Jaga grabbed at them to feed whilst others tore the Bahki apart. Things were desperate, the Toa either got their weapons back at that moment or they all died. Takanuva, Jaller and Andrew ran at the large Bahki. Tom however didn't move. His Silver mask began to glow just as Andrew's did back in the cave. Almost by instinct he walked towards the Nui-Jaga. "What the is he doing!?" Andrew shouted at the group. "He'll never survive!" Jaller warned them. Takanuva was ready to run at him when the large Bahki Slammed his monstrous fist down at them. They had no choice but to dive out of the way and abandon Tom. A million thoughts went through Andrew's head. They were surrounded and unarmed and his best friend was walking to his doom. Where to go he had no idea. If he ever got back home by some miracle, how would he explain that Tom had been murdered by giant scorpions? Tom's head was clear though. As he approached the slaughtering Rahi they stopped their charge as his mask did its work. Through the powers of his mask he spoke to them. "We mean you and your people no harm. We have been held captive by these Bahki creatures. It was the monsters that they were mutated from them that destroyed your home. Please, if you help me and my friends we promise to bring justice and prosperity to you and your people. Tom's mask was not only allowing him to speak to these impossible creatures, it was also calming them and partly persuading them, showing them all the reasons why they should obey. The leading Nui-jaga bowed to Tom and agreed. Tom was delighted, they were saved from the Nui-jaga and he had proved himself right that his mask power was way cooler than Andrew's! The Nui-Jaga didn't leave its bowing position. It pointed towards its back; it was offering Tom a lift! Tired, filth-ridden and bruised the Toa fought on against the large Bahki. The sack was weakening and they could see their weapons through the newly made holes. Finally Jaller was able to tear the sack open and the Toas' weapons came tumbling out. Grabbing them as quickly as possible, the Toas' morale returned to them. The beast was brought down with continuous stabs and slices to its legs. One final blow to the temple ended its rage. It was no time to celebrate however. Many Bahki were still willing to fight and were heading towards the Toa, including their leader. Readying their weapons the tired Toa prepared for another fight, but they were rewarded with a sight they did not expect. Tom led the Nui-Jaga in a charge atop their leader. The fifty-odd Bahki heard the scorpions behind them and turned to face their doom. "Oh sh-" The Rahi obliterated the last of the Bahki. Limbs were thrown everywhere as the Toa dodged them. Once again the swamp grew quiet. Tom stepped down from his steed and joined his brothers. "You're alive! Kohlii head! You could have been Scorpion bones!" Andrew embraced his friend. "Could have been, but I'm…" "Are you sure you've never been here before?" Jaller interrupted Tom. Andrew and Tom shared in a pragmatic laugh. Lying in the swamp, one Bahki still struggled and crawled away. That was until Takanuva stood on his arm. "Arrgghh! When will you idiots give up and realise that you can't survive Shadow's retribution? When he has dealt with you, your human friends will be next!" Kongu approached the taunting leader with his blade ready. "When you threaten my friends you threaten my blade, and he doesn't take kindly to threats." "Stand down Kongu, we need him." Takanuva warned him. Kongu stood down with disappointment. "Why on Mata-Nui would I help you?" Takanuva twisted his spear into the Bahki's wounded arm. "No! I'll tell you what you want." The sound of the mechanics tearing apart in its arm was strangely cringe worthy for Tom and Andrew by now. "Oh, we don't want you tell us anything. We want you to show us." Takanuva smiled at him. "But he'll kill me!" The Bahki protested. "Not before we do." Takanuva pulled his new prisoner to its feet. He placed his spear to its neck and made clear that any attempt to escape would be swiftly ended. The rest of the Toa cleaned the swamp muck from their weapons and prepared to set out. "Now tell me Bahki, where exactly is your master." Takanuva threatened him again with his spear. "He's waiting for you in his tunnel beneath Kini-Nui. We built it before we were..." The Bahki hesitated. "Before you were mutated. He formed you from Bohrok and Vahki didn't he? One designed to wipe the island clean of life and the other to protect it back on Metru-Nui. He even gave you personalities." Takanuva continued his sentence for him. "Yes." Jaller looked puzzled. "To create personalities or souls for drones would require an unbelievably amount of power." Jaller spoke to the group. "Even the Makuta wouldn't be capable of that without some sort of foreign power source. The Bahki decided to continue. "He has it. An ancient artefact and he's searching for the rest." Takanuva was concerned by what the Bahki was revealing. "The rest of what." He asked with fear brewing. "An ancient horror. Like the one we discovered." The Toas' worst fears were being realised. Shadow was more of a threat than anticipated. "No more. No more…" The Bahki would not reveal anything else. Takanuva stared into the eyes of the beast for a moment perplexed. He saw a monster, bred for nothing but carnage but when he looked past that he saw a victim. "You hate your own existence. You hate what you are but you have been programmed to survive." Without warning Takanuva ended the Bahki's life with a single thrust of his spear. With its chest pierced the Bahki's life drained away. "Let your life of misery end, and may the misery of others die with it." Takanuva whispered. The Toa were all filled with different emotions. Confusion, anger, and perhaps just a hint of pity. "We continue onwards until we find this Shadow and put an end to him." Takanuva walked on towards the North. Leaving the Nui-Jaga and the body-filled swamp behind, the Toa pressed on to finally meet their new enemy face to face.

Chapter 9 - The Great Gateway The sun rose over the jungle and reflected off the damp wood. It had been raining most of the night which had cooled down the previously burning wood. The village was still quiet from the grief of the day before. The village would have a few villagers less now. “Do you think they are ready?” “They showed great promise, but I feel that their heart is not in it.” “It’s only to be expected. They just want to get back to their world.” “You heard the book. They are here to stay for now and are destined to help us. If they complain then I could always thump them until they see sense.” “Kongu!” “Hey I’m joking! Jeez Hahli, you have no sense of humour. Maybe I need to thump one into you.” “Try it and I’ll break your arm, wind walker.” The Toas’ discussion had woken the boys. All of the Toa besides Lewa were ready to go. One Toa had to stay and Lewa opted to secure the village. “I hope you two are well rested, because we may have a long walk ahead of us.” They rubbed their eyes, almost breaking them with their metal hands. Two days had passed and they were still not used to their new bodies. “So where are we going?” Tom asked them, still partly asleep. “Exactly where the book has told us. We promised to find the Great Gate to get you home, but I fear it may not be that simple. Once we have found it, we are heading straight to this ‘Shadow’s’ lair.” Nuparu explained whilst waving the book. “You know where it… he is?” Andrew was dumbfounded. “The book showed us last night. He’s right in the centre of the island here.” Nuparu showed them the tome and pointed to their destination. “Kini-nui.” Andrew read it out loud. “Before you ask, it’s an age old temple. Makuta Teridax built his lair underneath. That is where Takanuva defeated him a while back and pushed him off the island.” Jaller told them. Andrew thought for a moment. “So you think this Shadow has taken the lair for his own ends?” Andrew asked the Toa. “No, that would be too obvious. I think that is what he may suspect us to believe. We think that his lair may be part of the temple itself.” “He could have a trap set up for us.” Tom warned them. “Of course he has a trap! That’s why we’re going. We walk into traps and come out fine all the time.” Kongu gloated. “But this time it will be different. We will all be caught and defeated once and for all in this brilliant trap. Isn’t that right, Shadow?” Nuparu spoke to the air, his voice echoing around the hall. “What are you doing?” Andrew asked him more confused than ever. “Speaking to the enemy. How else do you think that he was able to know our every move? He knew exactly where you two would be. He knew where to ambush you in the jungle and where we would take you. He has been watching us all this time.” The Master watched this Charade with interest. The Toa were not as dim-witted as he imagined them to be. For the first time the Master was able to do what he had been aching to do since the start of his conquest. He increased the power of the seeing stone using dark magic and spoke to his arch-enemies. “Very Good Nuparu, you are more than a match for me. Please, find time in your busy schedule to drop by and visit me soon, I am dying to show you what I have been up to.” Shadow spoke with an incredibly deep and almost God-like voice. “We have seen enough blood shed by your hands coward. So what are you? One of Makuta’s cronies?” Nuparu was determined to clear the cloud of mystery Shadow had placed them under. “Cronies? You have been listening to those Matoran you love so much for too long. You are a Toa Nuparu, speak with a mightier vocabulary. I am no Crony as you crudely suggest, I am his successor.” The Turaga were listening along with the Toa and joined in with the interrogation. “So you are a creation of the Makuta? Another of his pawns to idolise himself?” Vakama asked him. “I am his greatest servant. I could crush all of you worthless excuses for guardians before you could blink. Do you think that two aliens can give you hope? I have an army, a weapon even you could not defeat and knowledge of the Great Gate from you. What do you have? A dusty book and two petrified organics?” Shadow’s ploy was working. The boys were losing any hope they may have had of standing a chance against him. “If you are as strong as you say, then reveal yourself and let us end this!” Jaller drew his sword. “Don’t be so quick to commit suicide fire-spitter. I could strangle the life out you in a second but why should I have all the fun? Besides, I have a new toy to test out on you. Come to Kini-Nui and learn a little about your world’s history.” “This guy is starting to hack me off something chronic!” Kongu drew his sword at this point. “Goodbye Toa, I have a Gateway to dismantle.” And with that the talk was ended. “We need to get moving as fast as we can.” Jaller sheathed his blade. Andrew and Tom were already on their feet. Shadow may have been ready to destroy the last hope they had of getting home. The Toa left the hall in a hurry, saying goodbye to the Turaga as they walked through the huge doors. The Matoran watched them as they passed. Many even left their wooden houses just to see them. To their surprise the Matoran started to speak. “Thank you Toa.” “I owe you my life Kongu.” “We all owe you our lives!” Some started to clap. Others cheered and whistled. Andrew and Tom felt like failures. They weren’t heroes. This wasn’t their world. Takanuva may have been able to show them how to use their weapons, but they were humans at heart. The Toa had a long journey ahead of them and little time to dally. Down the ladders they went as Andrew and Tom took one last look at Le-Koro, this may be the last time they see any form of civilization. The Toa left the clearing and the grateful village behind. The group headed up north. The Jungle had taken a huge expanse of the South and many have been known to get themselves lost for months. The Jungle was still damp from the rain and the smell of wet leaves was overpowering. The ground got thicker as they journeyed on. Andrew and Tom’s metallic feet were caked in mud. Eventually they had had enough. “Couldn’t we have picked a better route?” Andrew complained. “The other way goes around the whole island. Fancy a stroll that way?” Kongu’s answer quickly shut him up. “So what path are we taking?” Tom wanted some clarification as well. “The Map says that the Great Gate is northwards. We can find it and then continue north to Kini-Nui.” Nuparu was still holding the book and leading the way at the front of the group. “Is the ground going to get softer?” Tom asked. Kongu looked at Jaller. “Do you want to tell them or should I?” Jaller turned round and explained their path. “The Fau Swamp still lies ahead before we get to Kini-Nui. Well it was a swamp; it’s more of a bog now after the Bohrok had their way with it.” The boys didn’t ask any more questions, they feared what the answers might be. The Jungle rose up as it met the roots of Mangai Volcano. True enough, the ground became more slippery as they approached the swamp. Hours had passed and there was still nothing but jungle and hills. “The swamp is just up ahead.” Kongu explained to the rest. Andrew and Tom had shut off. The last three days had been exhausting and they had begun to hallucinate. They pictured home far away from the trouble this land had caused them. Still, their experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity, a secret that could never be told, one that would have to go with them to the grave. “You said the swamp was up ahead! All I see are more hills.” One more mile and Andrew felt he would collapse. “After the hills then!” Jaller called back. The boys groaned with frustration. The hill they were now traversing took them high over the jungle. The land ahead was covered in tall and dangerously sharp rocks. They path was uneven and curved along the side of the hills. The air had grown quiet; the group could no longer here the noisy wildlife that lived below their feet. The silence was cut short however when the rocks above began to fall. Just small stones rolling down the hillside they thought, until a huge boulder went tumbling towards them. The group split off just in time and hit the deck as the boulder disintegrated over the pathway. The path fell into oblivion below along with boulder fragments. “I was wondering when they would turn up!” Kongu saw the cause of the ‘gift’ that just came rolling towards them. The Bahki were back. Although the group was mostly unharmed, a few were not so lucky. Andrew, Tom and Nuparu had been dragged away with the path. The whole world span as their dizzying fall refused to stop. The remains of the boulder cratered the ground, revealing a tunnel underneath. Unable to stop, the Toa fell straight through. Their landing rumbled the remaining ground above causing it to cave in. The tunnel was darkened and the Toa were left alone as their brothers fought for their lives high above them. “Right who’s not dead?” Nuparu’s deep voice echoed through the tunnel, making it almost inaudible. The two boys groaned. “So, let’s see where this tunnel leads.” Nuparu was already back on his feet. Strangely the tunnel ahead was filled with light. Nuparu’s mask was glowing! “What? I come from Onu-Koro, I’m used to underground villages.” The Matoran in Onu-Koro had adapted to living in the dark and digging a larger village for themselves. They were Mata-Nui’s very own Dwarves. Tom and Andrew’s armoured bodies were further scratched and chipped. The amount of war scars they had received over the last couple of days was ridiculous, and growing. Nuparu checked the Tome. The map was still clearly printed in the first page. “I think this might actually be it!” Nuparu called back to the boys as the group progressed through the tunnel. “Be what?” They called back. “You way back home.” They had reached the point on the map where the Great Gate supposedly resided. The entire island had been searched by the Matoran over the years but new discoveries and chronicles were being written every day, it would make sense that the Matoran would not have found the Gate if it was hidden under the hills. The tunnel expanded further and further outwards until the Toa came to a huge chamber. The room ahead was lit by an eerie green glow in the centre. Surrounding it was an archway carved from stone. Large runes covered the front, back and sides of the arch. “I’ve never seen this language before.” Nuparu told them. “Perhaps this was built by your ancestors?” Tom suggested. “I think it may have even been built by the Great Spirit himself.” The two boys looked confused. Before they could ask Nuparu had begun to explain. “Our world was built by the Great Spirit. All of us came from him and this language looks similar to that etched onto the inside of Toa Takanuva’s mask of Light. He was the Great Toa sent by the Great Spirit himself to stop the Makuta. I think you really do have a destiny beyond what we can comprehend.” Unable to hold back the anticipation anymore, Andrew and Tom approached the arch and began walking through it. Nuparu was concerned, were they about to abandon him and his people? Had his journey over Mata Nui for them been in vain? They boys passed through the gate and… nothing. The Great Gate was nothing but an arch with carvings in it. “Now what!” Andrew yelled in frustration. He kicked the stone only to hurt his foot. The ground began to shake below them. Dust and cobwebs broke away from the arch as it sank into the floor of the cave. The centre of the arch broke apart as rectangle hideways opened up in the floor. The two boys grabbed the archway pieces to stop it, but nothing they did worked. The holes closed, leaving the Toa with no hope. “Well that’s a huge kick in the…” The ground shook again. This time though, a pedestal rose from where the arch once stood. Slowly their hope returned to them. The map disappeared and the tome and was replaced with text. The Gateway is open. Your world waits for you, but wait it must. Their time on Mata-Nui was not yet over. Not while Shadow still threatened the Matoran. The pedestal had stopped. It was just less than half the height of Nuparu. The top of the pedestal fell apart and inside the Great Gate rested. “A great Kanohi Mask!” Nuparu was in awe. Before them was a new Golden mask. It had flattened triangular eyes and fan-shaped circles on each side. It was far larger than any of the Toas’ usual masks. Nuparu, strangely, seemed to recognised it. “I’ve seen this before. Or at least it must be the brother of the mask we’ve seen. Back when Jaller, Hahli, Kongu, Hewkii and I first became Toa, we fought a traitor called Brutaka. His mask looked exactly like that.” Tom had pulled the mask away from its hovering position above the pedestal. The mask felt extremely heavy in his arms. He couldn’t imagine how it would have felt to a human. “At least we’ve found our way home.” Before the group could celebrate, they were distracted by something crawling towards them on the floor. A robot slug-like creature was moving towards them slowly. “What are these Nuparu?” Andrew asked as he bent down to look at it. As he did the creature opened its large, circular mouth and revealed its razor-sharp teeth. The beast lunged at Andrew’s foot and refused to let go. “Get it off!” Andrew was kicking around to release his foot but the slug’s iron-clad jaw wouldn’t budge. “Hold still!” Nuparu commanded. He unsheathed his blade and sliced the creature from tail to head. His was inches away from Andrew’s foot. Its grip finally withered and its two halves fell to the stone floor. “Now let’s go before you get into any more trouble.” Nuparu put away his sword. Once again the cave began to rumble. The walls crumbled away and chunks of the ceiling barely missed the group. “I don’t think that thing was alone…” The group was surrounded by hundreds of the things. They headed for the exit, their metal feet echoing through the room as loud as gun shots. Many creatures jumped at them as they reached the doorway on the opposite side of the room to the one they came through. Even the walls through the exit were falling away. “So what are these?” “Parasites I assume.” Nuparu answered the boys. Clearly no help was going to come from Nuparu. There were so many Rahi on Mata Nui that had gone undiscovered by the Matoran. Finally the exit was in sight, but to their dismay a large boulder acted as a door. Even with Nuparu’s digging skills they would never get away in time. Too many to fight, not enough time to run; the group were screwed. Nuparu began digging all the same. The parasites reached them. The boys closed their eyes and Andrew covered his face with his arms as they jumped, their sharp teeth poised to rip them apart. The Parasites went no further. The boys still stood seconds after the parasites had leaped at them. They opened their eyes. Many parasites lay in front of them unconscious or in pain. Their vision was crackling as if they were inside an electric dome. They had been protected. Andrew had discovered his mask power. His Golden mask was able to emit a shield to protect him and the group. “Now this would have come in handy days ago!” He said to himself. Tom felt slightly jealous of Andrew but he knew that his own power would be revealed soon enough, and he was sure it would be much cooler. The parasites gave up. Unable to penetrate the shield and being shocked each time they even attempted, they skulked back into their cave. The new mask was safely with them still in Tom’s hand, and Nuparu had managed to shift the boulder. The daylight almost blinded them after their trip underground. The sun was still shining and steadily drying the wet ground. They had emerged into a set of ruins. They looked back at the tunnel now that Andrew’s shield had dissipated. The parasites dare not follow them into the sunlight. Nuparu stood and stared at the ruins. His face was filled with disgust. “These weren’t ruins last week. We’re in Le-Kini. This was a temple built by the Matoran to dedicate to Toa Lewa, and The Makuta has destroyed it…” Nuparu’s left fist was clenched. The Kini temples were the only way the Matoran could give something back to the Toa in return for everything they had done for them, and Makuta had taken that away from the Le-Matoran. Andrew and Tom looked around for any sign of the other Toa. The hills were too high to see past now; the only thing in site was Fau swamp up ahead. Above though, they were being tracked. The last Bahki Leader had split off his forces to find the three missing Toa. It had been a long fight, and countless of his forces had been cut down, but at last the Toa had been subdued, their weapons taken and the Bahki’s morale restored. Upon his great Ussal crab the leader called the charge. Tom, Andrew and Nuparu turned to see a mass of Bahki marching towards them down the hillside. The survivors of the village attack had amassed anew and were ready for revenge. With blades in hand the Toa prepared themselves. Remembering their training the boys scanned for possible targets. The two forces classed. Bahki were cut down. Nuparu, now angry at seeing the devastation of Le-Kini carved his way through the beasts. The boys training had paid off as they found themselves now much more capable of fighting their foes. Bodies were falling everywhere, but the Toa’s success couldn’t last. The leader charged his Ussal Crab towards Nuparu. Unable to counter its giant claws he was grabbed and tossed into the crowd. He was beaten and his weapon taken. Continuous kicks and punches followed one after the other until Nuparu struggled no longer. Now in fear of their lives the boys continued hopelessly. The large group bested them. Suffering the same fate as Nuparu the boys groaned in pain. Their blades joined their brothers’, and the mask was torn from the backpack Tom had been given by the Matoran. The mask was handed over to the leader, who now had dismounted his snarling steed. Immediately he had an idea of what it could be. The master had told them to hunt the Toa, bring them to him and destroy any strange objects they had in their possession. The mask quickly found itself on the floor. The leader stomped on it to no avail. The bahki smashed it with their weapons, nothing having any effect. The boys were relieved… until they heard a cracking noise. The Bahki continued until the Mask finally gave in. The mask broke apart into two pieces. Together the Bahki cheered as Tom and Andrew’s last hope of seeing home fell to pieces.