Bionicle: The Return - Chapter 13: War Begins

Shycle: Look! Trees!

Jonn: I see them. We should be there by tomorrow morning.

It has been two days since we last were with the Toa of the Golden Armor, the only water source that they came across being a day’s worth each.

Guanka: I think I sense water over there.

Bolder: Think you could pull some over here.

Guanka: Let’s camp here. It’ll require a lot of concentration, but we’ll have water by the hour.

Everyone: Yay!

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Unknown: Tr… Trisa?

She jumped as someone knocked on her door. She picked up her sword and drove it through the door. The vapors making up her blade leaked through the cracks, and would’ve turned any unsuspecting individual into stone. Of course, Tyrant is much smarter than that.

Tyrant: You need to be more careful than that.

Unknown: You can’t be too cautious.

Tyrant opened the door.

Tyrant: But you can. You just made a prime example.

Unknown: No, I just gave an example of being too nervous.

Tyrant: What are you nervous about?

The Unknown suddenly realized she slipped her thoughts right out of her mouth.

Unknown: NEVER YOU MIND!

Tyrant then ducked out as the blade flew over his head and caught a dizzy fly. He then ran, calling back to her.

Tyrant: Teridax calls for you! He has an idea I think you’ll enjoy!

Unknown sat on her bed, sword reached out to the place where Tyrant’s head was standing. Why was she nervous? What was she afraid of?

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Unknown walked into the Throne Room. There, Teridax, Tyrant, Branar, and a few Rahkshi were standing around, waiting for her.

Teridax: Another nightmare?

Unknown: If I am able to get any sleep this week, it will be a miracle.

Teridax: Sorry, we make our own miracles.

Branar then pointed at the map.

Branar: We have been gathering information on the Toa and Glatorian since the fall of the Titans. But when they showed an increase in strength, Stronius sought to become a part of that strength. So he became a part of the Alliance. Still, we few loyal to our old ways remained apart, raiding merchant and trade transports. But then they took to the skies, with their flying Rahi, Toa and Glatorian.

Teridax: What about any flying machines?

Branar: They still have not figured out how those work. The Jetrax is especially trying. Apparently, one of your own, Makuta Antroz, connected with the Jetrax in a way unmatched with the others.

Teridax: He literally became one with the machine. Its power was greater than anything the Matoran have created.

Tyrant: And the source of its energy is unknown. Toa Lewa, according to a victim of mine, claimed that Antroz spoke of energy as old as the stars.

Unknown: But what energies are that powerful, or that ancient?

Teridax tapped his finger on the table.

Teridax: Creation and Chaos.

Tyrant: Sir?

Branar: Whatever created the universe must’ve held great amounts of energy. But there must be a form of Chaos that is strong enough to do the same thing.

Voyeyahk: But why would the Great Beings place the Universe’s most dangerous weapon in such an easily obtained vehicle as that?

Teridax: That’s a good question. And that’s why I called you here.

Unknown: So you knew all of this?

Teridax: Part of being a leader is allowing your people to figure it out for themselves. Now, the Jetrax is being held in one of the Villages of the Water Tribes, Tajun. Branar.

Branar: For a time, the Agori Berix was working on discovering how it works, along with multiple Matoran, till he was given the opportunity to become a Glatorian. Now, the Jetrax is being held in a chamber below the Communication Temple.

Tyrant: So we’re going to go get it.

Teridax: Only you and Branar will be attacking Tajun. The rest of us will be moving south. We must ready our troops for one great assault.

Branar: My Skrall warriors, and our brethren Bone Hunters, will begin a siege on the west side of the village. You, Tyrant, and an army of Vahki will attack on the east side. You will make a direct attack towards the temple, and obtain the Jetrax, while I keep them distracted. But remember, attack two minutes after I begin the assault.

Tyrant: When will this begin?

Branar: Sunrise, in one week.

Tyrant: Very well. Let’s get going.

Teridax: Wait. That isn’t the only reason why I called you here.

Everyone stared at Teridax, wondering what else he has in store.

Teridax: We can’t forget why we’re here. Each of us has the same goal: revenge. Not conquest. Not power. Revenge. By any means necessary.

Unknown: How far are you willing to go?

Teridax looked at her.

Akingi: As far as it can.

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Immediately, the two armies of Skrall and Vahki departed, destined to reach Tajun. But as they marched on, the Unknown is left wondering if the cost of revenge is too much.

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Jonn looked as campfires were put out, and the troops started moving.

Jonn: And I was hoping for a bread.

Bolder: Guess we march on?

Shycle: Shouldn’t we go check on the village? There may be survivors.

Jonn: I agree with Shycle. We can’t ignore the possibility that there may be survivors. And besides, Bolder, you can feel the tremor of their footsteps for miles. We’ll catch up to them.

Tayr: Well, let’s get going. If there are any survivors, I’d hate being them.

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The Toa of the Golden Armor crept up to the village. Not much was left standing, and most of the basements had been crushed in. But there was one place Shycle suspected wouldn’t be so easily smashed.

Shycle: Under the village capitol, there is a chamber made of 10 foot thick stone walls. It is a hundred yards wide, twenty feet tall, with five foot wide pillars spanning ten feet apart.

Jonn: So it’s really strong.

Bolder: Most structurally sound place I’ve ever heard of. Except for the titanic bodies the Great Beings made for Mata Nui.

They climbed over the ruined walls of the once proud structure that had kept watch over Teridax’s Tomb. Soon, they found the stairway that led down to the basement.

Shycle: Let’s go.

Shycle went first, while Bolder was last. Soon, they were at the door. It looked like something already had tried to get in. Beside it, ten Matoran and Agori laid, after paying with their lives to keep the attackers out.

Jonn: Close their eyes. They need to rest.

Guanka then closed their eyes, and washed all their armor of dust.

Shycle knocked on the door. Almost immediately, the door was opened. There, a Matoran stood, looking amazed and excited, as well as very dirty.

Matoran: Toa! We’ve got Toa!

A great commotion rose as Matoran and Agori swarmed the door way.

Jonn: What’s your name?

Matoran 1: My name is Ishklisa. I’m the leader of the surviving villagers.

Shycle: Pleased to meet you, miss.

Ishklisa: Pleasure’s all mine. But, how did you get past the army?

Clarrik: They left. They’re heading east.

Female: Not all of them.

The Toa then turned around to see a Rahkshi, one of a new color.

Rahkshi: I’m a Voyeyahk, a Rahkshi of Voices. And we’ve come back.

Bolder then sent a chunck of the wall at the Rahkshi, only for it to pass through.

Voyeyahk: Oh, I’m sorry, maybe I should be clearer. This is an illusion of the Voyeyahk. In reality, I’m a Shakerahk, a Rahkshi of Illusion. And I’m here to thank you. You see, we haven’t had any luck opening that door.

Jonn: So you waited for someone to come and open it for you.

Shakerahk: Well, not exactly. The door can only be unlocked from the inside. So, allow someone trustworthy to go in, and we come in from behind. Now how about you come out. I’d like to see how good of a fight you really are. Not a tossup like your rocky friend here.

Bolder: Why you…!

Bolder jumped at the illusion, only to get battered down by a swing of a staff from above.

Shakerahk: The thing about an entryway that faces up: sometimes, your predator is standing behind you.

Jonn: Quick. We must use our masks to create a shield that’ll allow us to exit.

Shycle: On it!

Shycle jumped at the entry way. As she reached it, she created an ice shield around her, strengthened by her mask.

Shycle: Let’s go, people!

All of the Toa burst out of the opening, and sent waves of elemental energy at the surrounding enemy. However, Rahkshi of all sorts swarmed them, some of them being illusions.

Jonn: We’re out numbered. Quick, form a shield around us and the villagers. We’re retreating!

They then created a dome around them, and ran. The Rahkshi attempted to follow them, but a shadowy figure appeared before them, and raised its right fist.

Ishklisa: Why aren’t they following?

Jonn: They don’t think we’re worth the effort.

After running to a safe distance, Jonn rested on one knee, looking into Ishklisa’s eyes.

Jonn: Go. Warn the nearest village of what’s happening. Take your people with you.

Ishklisa: What about you?

Bolder: We must go after the enemy. I don’t know where they’re going, but it isn’t good.

Jonn: We better go. Take care.

They then went off their separate ways. But as they ran, Jonn couldn’t help but wonder what they’re up against.

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Thesto looked to the west.

Thesto: Something’s coming this way.

Tahu and his party were on their way to New Mata Nui, and had just reached the bottom of the cliff. Tahu was still a distance up, but he jumped down and landed next to Thesto.

Tahu: Where?

Thesto: To the west.

Alizuo flew up over the trees, and headed in that direction. After a few minutes, she came back.

Alizuo: There’s an army heading west. But it is not heading in this specific direction.

Tahu: Where’s it headed?

Alizuo: To the Water Tribes.