Bionicle: The Return - Chapter 5: A Shadow

One of the Young Turaga, apprentices of the Turaga Metru, had gone to consult the Mask of Life, in hopes that it would finally reach out with its wisdom. But no words, or connection of any sort, came from the mask. Even Gali tried contacting Ignika, but for no response. Now, Gelu, Takanuva, Vakama, Berix, Jaller, Mazeka and Gresh were gathered in the Council Lobby.

Gelu: So, we must fend for ourselves.

Takanuva: And it seems that our newfound enemy is forming a team. Already, she has gathered a Dark Hunter, a team of rogue Bone Hunters, and a team of Bota Magna Vorox. But what they’re doing is a mystery.

Vakama paced across the Council Lobby, stroking his chin.

Vakama: My apprentice wasn’t able to contact the Ignika. And Mata Nui cannot give us the guidance we once had.

Berix: What about the Red Star? Can’t we contact them?

Nokama: We’ve made no discovery of a way to contact them. Unless you want to go up there. But I should inform you, the last time one of our own went up there, it was near suicidal.

There was a knock on the front door. When opened, they all focused on one thing in particular: the Mask of Shadows.

Jaller: Freeze! Who are you?

Mazeka: Wait! This is the light Teridax!

Jaller kept his Cordak blaster up.

Jaller: Just to be sure, if you do anything funny…

Teridax: I understand.

Vakama: What is it you seek, my friend?

Teridax: Only to warn you. I am at present unable to help you in this area, but I fear the war will spread throughout the entire planet.

Gelu: What makes you think that the threat is that big?

Teridax gazed across the lobby at everyone there. His eyes eventually rested on Takanuva.

Teridax: What keeps light from erasing shadow?

Takanuva thought for a time.

Takanuva: An obstruction in between.

Teridax: There is still an obstruction. A shadow is not yet gone.

Vakama: What is this shadow?

Teridax: One you’ve faced before.

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Tyrant and the Unknown were staring into an abyss. There was a ladder that went down, but it seemed to be miles deep.

Unknown: The army is down there?

Tyrant: After the “Final Battle,” the Toa, Glatorian, and their puny friends dumped both Rahkshi and Vahki into this pit. And about ten percent of the Bohrok were…

Unknown: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Be more specific.

Tyrant: *sigh* There are two different species of mechanical creatures, each of six kinds, that can aide you in this war. However, there is an equally dangerous species of mechanical creatures that are guarding this place.

Unknown: And where are we?

Tyrant: The Mouth of Teridax.

The Unknown looked up and around. Of cource. This is part of a humanoid structure that hosted billions of Matoran and Toa. But then…

She looked around, to see a village about fifty miles away.

Unknown: Won’t they notice?

Tyrant: If you succeed, by the time they notice, it will be too late. Now, come on, your army awaits.

The Unknown, Tyrant, and a few of their Bone Hunters climbed down. After ten minutes, the Unknown got tired of climbing down.

Unknown: Ah, let’s get this over with.

She jumped down, only to land about twenty feet down.

Tyrant: The bottom must be closer than we thought.

Tyrant then looked at the ladder. She then realized that the ladder was really moving quietly upward. It was so quiet, they didn’t even notice.

She then charged it, and pinned it. A few Bone Hunters bounced off her shoulders, while Tyrant hit his head on the ladder.

Tyrant: Ow, give me some warning, please. What are you doing down there?

Unknown: The ladder was moving up.

Tyrant: What? But… oh, never mind.

Suddenly, he and the remaining Bone Hunters flew down on the opposite side of the ladder, just barely touching the wall. When they were all down, the Unknown let go, and the ladder continued up.

Tyrant: Well, our trip up will be faster.

Female: Maybe.

Everyone drew their weapons, and turned around to find a Tahnok Va staring at them.

Tahnok: Or maybe your trip is over.

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Vakama: What do you mean?

Teridax: A shadow is rising. It’s growing in strength, and size.

Gelu: We already known about the Unknown. Or do you mean the Shadowed One.

Teridax: Neither. It’s a different threat altogether.

Takanuva: Do you even know who it is?

Teridax: *sigh* No.

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The Unknown and her team had just fought through about two thousand Bohrok, and they were still coming. However, they had stopped going for melee combat, and were instead attacking from long range. Good thing the Bone Hunters were such skilled warriors.

They had barricaded themselves in a room filled with what Tyrant calls Vahki.

Unknown: Could you hurry up with that? We need those monsters active now.

Tyrant: Patience, these things aren’t your average computer, like your rocket. Besides, you can get out of here whenever you want.

Unknown: But I’d rather finish the Toa as quick as possible. And that won’t be possible without you lot.

Bone Hunter: They just took out two of us. Master, if your armor can withstand their fire, can you hold them off?

Unknown: I have no ranged weapons. And I can’t hold your puny Thornax launchers.

Tyrant: We’re going to have to fix that.

Unknown: After you’ve taken care of these things.

Tyrant: Alright!

Unknown: Why are you backing away from it?!?

Tyrant: It’s done.

The Vahki began moving. It then made strange clicking noices, and all the other Vahki activated. They then began charging the Bohrok, and the Bohrok retreated.

Tyrant: There. Thirty Vahki reactivated. A few thousand left.

Unknown: Good job, Tyrant.

After a few hours, running into resisting Bohrok, they had activated about half of the Vahki, who were now gathering the Rahkshi. The Bone Hunters had gone to check on the work, while Tyrant and the Unknown went in separate directions to search the place.

The Unknown was travelling down a hall in the 89^th floor, when she came upon a dark, empty hall. As she stared down it, she felt a chill run down her spine, but also a feeling, like someone was calling to her. She slowly walked into the hall.

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Teridax: I must go now. Please, head my warning, and let me know when you find out who it is. I must go now.

Teridax reached his hand behind a pillar, and melted into the shadow.

Vakama: Call the rest of the council.

**********************************************************

The Unknown looked back and forth as she came upon each empty room. But then she came upon one with a dim, red glow. Curious, she walked in, unaware of the two eyes staring at her from the shadows.

Male: Hello, child.

***********************************************************

Vakama: The Teridax that Mazeka brought to this universe just paid us a visit. Apparently, we have another threat upon us. But he says that it is one that we’ve faced before.

Gali: It could be the Dark Hunters. They are growing an army, as we speak.

Jaller: Teridax made it clear that it is not them. Even so, he doesn’t know who it is.

Nokama: So who is it?

Vakama: Takanuva… what was it Teridax said about obstructions?

Takanuva: “There is still an obstruction. The shadow is not yet gone.”

Gaaki: Well, he is wearing the Mask of Shadows.

Vakama: But he controls literal shadows. He means figuratively. But who?

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Unknown: Who are you?

Male: I am the cold. I am the stench. I am the whispers in the caves. I am the shadows on the wall. I am the hand of Death.

A figure suddenly appeared like vapor in the door way behind her.

Shadow: I am your nightmare.

The Unknown stared at the figure.

Unknown: You’re the figure from my dreams!

Shadow: I am.

Unknown: Well, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. But who are you?

The shadow chuckled.

*******************************************************

Vakama: What do we know about this… threat?

There were some whispering, but no one answered.

Vakama: It’s a shadow. That leaves the Dark Hunters, and the Makuta. Teridax directly said that it isn’t the Dark Hunters, so that leaves the Makuta.

Nokama: But we know for a fact that all the Makuta were killed by the other Teridax.

Vakama: Indeed. So, a shadow? A shadow of one of the Makuta? Of one of the most dangerous?

Jaller: And that is?

But Vakama had gone silent. Immediately, everyone knew who it was they were facing.

******************************************

Unknown: I demand: Who are you?!?

Shadow: Teridax.

Suddenly, the shadow grew to match her height.

Shadow: My name is… Teridax.

Bionicle: The Return - Chapter 4: Memories

Female: Trisa! Wait up, honey!

A little girl was running across a field on the planet of Orbala, near the Allied Countries’ command center. Calling out to her was her mother. The grass was a bright red, and the summer sun was up in the sky. Hidden in the grass were bright green and yellow flowers of many kinds.

Trisa’s father was in a meeting with the Representatives of every Allied country. Apparently one of the other nations is threatening nuclear war, whatever that is. Trisa’s mother stayed to watch over her as the meeting was in session, and they planned on going to the park afterwards.

Mother: Trisa, five more minutes.

Trisa: Yes, mother.

Trisa had been gathering her mother’s favorite flowers. She was planning on making the best bouquet that her mother has ever seen.

Fifteen flowers later, her mother called her back. But before she turned around, she noticed someone standing about thirty yards away. As she stared at him, he seemed to grow bigger in size. A shadow seemed to reach out to her. He beckoned to her, as if wanting her to come to him. But she felt as if a shadow had blocked out all of the sun’s light.

Mother: Trisa, come on now, time to go. Trisa? Trisa!

Again, the figure beckoned to her. Suddenly, the scene changed. Around her was a wasted land, decaying from radiation and erosion. There was no life to be seen, no breath heard but her own. Suddenly, the figure stepped out of the shadows, and slowly began to walk to her. She couldn’t explain it, but she suddenly felt as if a sword that had been frozen for years had pierced her chest. She couldn’t move, and the figure continued to step closer to her. And closer. And closer.

Suddenly, he reached out his hand and grabbed her heart.

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Unknown: ARRRRRH!

She sat up as fast as she could, shaking the ground and crushing the trees next to her. She sat there, panting, and then stood up and walked out of the woods.

The dreams have been more frequent. She keeps on seeing what the past was like, but with a slight change: the Shadow.

She has no other way to describe it. It doesn’t seem to be Orbalan, or even made by the Great Beings. But its presence is indeed cold.

What is it? And what does it want?

***********************************

After Takanuva had left to go find Pohatu, Vakama told Tahu to lead a research party, with a militia of thirty Glatorian and Toa, to go study the crash site. After much gruesome traveling, they eventually made it, with no sign of the Unknown.

The crater was about a mile wide, and melted, torn, burnt metal was all over.

Tahu: Look at this! This thing must’ve been huge.

Gali: I don’t think I’ll consider anything huge until I see something bigger than the Titans.

Lesovikk: Mata Nui and Teridax sure were a sight to behold. But, I must agree with Tahu. Whatever this was, it was much bigger than us. Probably thousands of times bigger.

Suddenly a figure came up out of the wreck.

Hewkii: About time! What have you guys been doing, chasing Bohrok?!

Tahu: Worse.

Hewkii: Rahkshi?

Gali: You don’t want to know.

Hewkii stood there as the research crew moved in. Evidently, he couldn’t picture a worse threat then Rahkshi after so many years.

Tahu: Have you had any luck by yourself?

Hewkii: This alloy is not like anything I’ve ever seen before. It withstood every gravitational force I did on it, even a micro black hole. But it is so light weight, it’s like aluminum.

The research leader came up.

Researcher: He’s right. This material is not like anything on Spherus Magna. But, we did find an air tank.

Tahu: What kind of air?

Researcher: Same kind as what is here on Spherus Magna. However, our electric researcher, Toa Klahda, detected a mysterious energy reading. He had us pull back, so it doesn’t affect us, but he is absorbing it for a bit of research.

Tahu: Tell him to be careful.

The researcher went back to the wreckage. Hewkii looked at Tahu.

Hewkii: Whatever this threat is, are there more?

Tahu shook his head.

Tahu: Not as far as we know. Besides, I don’t think that is why this vehicle was so huge.

Hewkii: What do you think?

Tahu: I think… that it came from another world. One far away.

Hewkii: That’s absurd.

Tahu: The Glatorian used to think so. Then Mata Nui came, and proved them wrong.

Hewkii: But we came from here.

Tahu: And we travelled across the universes. Couldn’t we have passed another species?

Hewkii looked at the ground as he contemplated over Tahu’s words. He wouldn’t answer.

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Two Skrall were standing in front of a tunnel entrance in the side of a mountain, far away from the Toa. Inside, they could here explosions, and clanging echoed throughout the tunnels.

Suddenly, a sound was made that did not match. The crunch of stone… in front of them.

Skrall guard 1: Who’s there? Show yourself!

Suddenly, a large figure jumped down from above them, and unarmed them. Just as quickly, it jumped back, and stood staring at them.

Titan (female): Here I am.

Skrall guard 2: Who are you, and what do you want?

Titan: What I want is to meet your leader. Who I am… well, that is a good question. One which I am… unable to give to you. But, you may call me the Unknown.

One of the Skrall went inside, while the other stood watch over her. He knew he would be no match for her, and yet she stood there. She definitely had the strength and speed to kill him, maybe even a hundred Skrall. And that whip looks like it is strong enough to destroy anything.

Suddenly, the “whip” swung to the side. The Skrall froze in place, as his companion came back out.

Skrall guard 1: The Shadowed one will see you now.

As the Unknown walked in, the second Skrall couldn’t help but look at the tail.

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Unknown: So, will you fight alongside me?

The Unknown had just offered the Shadowed One a chance to fight with her against the Toa, and declare war on the Great Beings. The Shadowed one was sitting on his throne, stroking his chin.

Shadowed One: We would need time to consider your offer. After all, we can’t just rush in to every offer we get. What’s in it for us?

Unknown: Spherus Magna.

Shadowed: A large reward. And a larger claim. Can you back it up?

The Unknown stood up, and took out her sword. All the Dark Hunters drew their weapons, but the Shadowed One waved them down. As they lowered their weapons, the Unknown swung her weapon through a Maxilos. Suddenly, its power died down, and a dark substances covered it from the chest to the rest of the body. What she failed to notice was that the Shadowed One clenched his hands hard when she did this.

Unknown: Well?

Shadowed: Impressive. But, as I said, we must think this over. Silencer, could you lead our guest outside to wait for our word.

A Dark Hunter came out, and beckoned her to follow him. The Shadowed One watched until the doors closed.

Shadowed: You’re right. She has come to destroy us.

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

Angonce: But not immediately. She doesn’t see you as a threat, as you are considered an enemy of the Toa. But it is my people that she is here for.

Shadowed: You Great Beings definitely got yourselves in a fix.

Angonce: What are you going to do?

Shadowed: You are now considered as our greatest friend. We won’t turn you in.

Angonce: So you’ll listen to me?

Shadowed: I never thought your stories of another world were real. I thought you were exaggerating, that the Orbalans were here, on Spherus Magna. I agreed with you that we must prepare for their coming. But this I did not expect. One lone warrior, with power greater than any Toa that ever existed.

Angonce: So?

Shadowed: Yes, we’ll do as you say. But we mustn’t show our true colors, yet. She’s too powerful.

Angonce: Understood.

Angonce then walked back to the shadows he was hiding in. The Shadowed one nodded, and the doors were opened again. The Unknown walked in, with Silencer behind her.

Unknown: Well?

Shadowed: I appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid we must decline. We have no… major fude with the Toa.

Unknown: But what about power? Conquest?

Shadowed: We don’t seek either of those. However, if you do well, we… might reconsider your offer.

Unknown: As you wish.

She then walked out of the cavern, and out of the mountain.

******************************************************************

The Unknown was a few miles away from the mountain when she looked back. She had a feeling that they knew she wouldn’t keep her side of the deal. But, she would deal with them later.

Male: So, I take it the meeting didn’t go well.

The Unknown drew her weapon, and stabbed, only to solidify a tied up Agori prisoner.

Male: Hey! That was my cook!

The Unknown looked to her left to see a figure trying to start a fire.

Male: A nice bit of Graalok, and now no one to cook it for me. Well, it’s burnt Graalok for dinner.

Unknown: And who might you be?

Male: People call me Tyrant.

Tyrant picked up a chunck of meat, and placed it over the fire.

Unknown: What do you want?

Tyrant smiled.

Tyrant: Why, revenge. The Shadowed One had my team try to kill me for attempting to take his place as leader. But, I escaped. Now, I ask you: You want an army?

The Unknown smiled a colder smile.

Unknown: You got one?

Tyrant: No, but I know where we can start.

The Unknown sat down next to him.

Unknown: Never had Graalok before. Can I have some?

Tyrant: The rest is behind that sand hill… master.

Bionicle: The Return - Chapter 3: Fear

It has been twenty days since the scout team left to inspect the crater. There has been no word.

Of all the Toa, Gali is the most anxious of them all. So, to ease Gali’s conscience, Tahu invited her to a performance of Water Arts.

Gali: I thought you didn’t like Water Arts.

Tahu: Don’t be ridiculous. I think it’s a fantastic thing they do. As they say, “A gracious piece of art.” I just prefer a more… a stronger performance.

Gali: Their performance is strong.

Tahu: That’s not what I mean. It’s too peaceful. I prefer something that tries to make me jump.

Gali: I understand.

As they walked into the cavern, Matoran and Agori began cheering. Tahu and Gali waved to the crowd, and went to find a seat.

As they were sitting down, Toa Gaaki came up to them.

Gaaki: And for what do we owe this fine pleasure.

Gali: You know very well why, sister.

Gaaki laughed.

Gaaki: Oh, don’t make me laugh to hard, I’m too old to support myself.

Tahu: Then sit with us.

Gaaki: Oh, no, I can’t. I’m leading the performance.

Gali: You always lead the performance. Won’t you at least watch your accomplishment?

Gaaki: Maybe next time.

Male: Isn’t that what you told me?

Tarix had walked in on the conversation.

Tarix: Sit. Have one of your assistants lead.

Gaaki: Next time. It’s too late for me to change my mind.

Tahu, Gali, and Tarix: Fine.

Gaaki then started walking down.

Tarix: Next time, then. I’ll force you if you don’t.

Gaaki: Alright!

The three heroes laughed, and then looked at each other.

Tahu: So, how’re things in Tajun?

Tarix: Busy, but nice. Your technology has helped us greatly. And we couldn’t have done it without the Matoran.

Suddenly, a hissing sound surrounded them as water was poured onto the torches throughout the stadium.

Tarix: Well, gotta go.

Tahu: Who’re you with?

Tarix: It’s more who am here to see. Talk with you later.

As Tarix walked away, the floor of the stadium parted to reveal a pool. In the pool, you could see people moving into position. After a few seconds, the entire stadium grew quiet.

Two Toa walked to the edge of the pool opposite each other, and began to make hand movements. Then, they swung their hands to their right, and two tentacles of water began spiraling slowly to the top. For five minutes, as the water climbed on, others performed dances in the water, shaped flowers, and many other stuff. A few Glatorian were using their tools to take water with glowing algae and decorate the floor with a beautiful green.

Then the spiraling water reached the top. Two Toa of Ice, a male and a female, swung down from the monkey bars at the top, and landed on the water, freezing the tip to stand on it. They then grabbed each other’s left hand, and began to slide down the spiral while freezing the water in front of them. When they reached the bottom, the stopped and stared at each other. They then grabbed the other’s left hand with their right, and threw back their heads. As they did so, the ice turned to powder, and fell. Even the ice under them fell apart. As the two ice Toa fell into the water, the water dancers jumped into the pool. As the water splashed up and landed on the edge of the pool, a ripple of color ran across the water, showing a beautiful, glowing water marking.

Many other performances were like this, all of which beautiful. After three hours, the performance was over, and the crowd began to disperse.

Tahu: Shall we?

Gali: Sure.

They then left the stadium, and Tahu took Gali to the West Wall. As they were walking across it, they talked about the days of old, of their lives on Mata Nui.

Suddenly, Gali noticed a small figure out in the plain. She ran to a Matoran on guard duty, and snatched his telescope.

Tahu: What do you see?

Gali scanned the valley, till she saw who she was looking for.

Gali: It’s Gelu.

Tahu: So their back?

Gali lowered the telescope.

Gali: It’s only Gelu.

Tahu looked at her for a second. Then he took the telescope, and looked in the same direction.

Tahu: Where are the others?

He then lowered the telescope.

Tahu: OPEN THE GATES!

The Matoran and Agori ran to open the gates. He then looked at Gali.

Tahu: He just collapsed. We need to get over there.

When they got there, Gelu was trying to crawl to the city.

Gali: Gelu! Are you okay?

Gelu laid on his side and looked up at her.

Gelu: Gali.

Gali: What is it?

Gelu reached out his hand. In the palm was a little green heart stone.

Gelu: Lesovikk said he’s sorry.

Gali slowly took the heart stone. As she stared at it, tears began to fall down her face.

Tahu: And everyone else?

Gelu slowly shook his head.

Suddenly, Gali felt a surge of anger rise out of her. She stood up and started running west. Tahu quickly grabbed her arm.

Tahu: Gali…

Gali: LET GO!

She tore out of his grasp and began running as fast as she could. But she couldn’t out run Tahu. Tahu pounced on her, and held her down.

Gali: Get off. GET OFF!

Tahu: Gali, calm down!

After minutes of restraint, Gali had spent off her energy, and she grew tired of resisting. She stopped fighting, and leaned on Tahu’s arms. As she cried, Tahu held her against his chest. They had been together for years. And now he’s gone.

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Vakama: So, this Unknown is searching for the Great Beings.

Gelu: That’s right. And I don’t think she cares who gets in her way.

They were gathered together at the CGT. Gelu had just finished telling the leaders what happened on the journey, including the message the Unknown had for them.

Tahu: And no one else survived. This is one formidable foe we have here.

Nokama: Is there any other purpose she seeks?

Gelu: None that I can see. She didn’t even say why she is doing this.

Stronius: Do we even need to know? She obviously considers us a threat, else she wouldn’t have attacked them like that.

Takanuva: They attacked her.

Stronius: And she brushed it aside like snow. No offence, Kopaka.

Kopaka: None taken.

Stronius: She could’ve simply jumped in the middle and said that she didn’t want to fight.

Vakama nodded.

Vakama: That is indeed correct. But that is the past that never happened. Now, we must act from what did happen. Takanuva, go find Pohatu. Then start spreading word to the nearby cities to prepare for war.

Takanuva: Yesir.

And he was gone.

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The Unknown walked through the small hut that she had just demolished. Idiot, she thought. For one who obviously has enemies, his defense is hardly that.

She was inside the hut of the ex-slaver, Sahmad. Apparently, a ten thousand years ago, two “gods” created by the Great Beings engaged in combat when the land was a dessert. Though his explanation of how the land was covered with vegetation was erratic.

Unknown: I’m going to need more information of that battle.

Bionicle: The Return - Chapter 2: First Encounter

Bionicle Chapter 2: First Encounter

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It has been three hours since the meteor was first spotted. A team of ten Toa and ten Glatorian was organized, that will be led by Gelu and Lesovikk.

Vakama: Take care, defenders. We don’t know if how dangerous this thing is, or if it is. Don’t be hasty, nor rash.

The team nodded and took off on ground, high speed vehicles, heading west, towards the smoke in the distance.

************

Gelu: Arro, you’ve got the Mask of Range. Can you tell us how much farther we have?

It has been forty hours since they left Greater Mata. Yet the smoke seems to be no closer.

Arro touched his hands to the sides of his head.

Arro: At this rate, we’ve got about another twenty hours left.

Lesovikk shook his head.

Lesovikk: We can’t go that late. We’ve only had two hours of sleep. Gelu?

Gelu: Alright, everybody, let’s find a good camping spot.

Thirty minutes later, they found a nice group of trees at the base of a cliff. They set up their tents, unaware of the figure watching them.

************

(Over ten thousand years ago)

Gelu was walking among his home mountains. Kiina had invited him to meet before sunrise at a practice duel in a small, ancient arena she found at the highest peak, designed to keep the cold out. To get there, though, he needed to take a crumbling trail along a cliff side.

He looked down the cliff side. He was about fifteen thousand feet above the bottom, and the trail was only two feet wide. If he made one error, it would be the end of him.

Five minutes later, he looked up. The peak was in sight. But as he rounded a corner, he saw that the trail was cut off. A small avalanche had piled snow on the trail. He then proceeded to climb the snow pile.

Suddenly, just as it seemed he would make it, the snow started moving. As he tried scrambling to get off, the snow fell, taking him with it. But as he reached forward out of instinct, a trident flew into his grasp.

Kiina: If you had just looked behind you, you would've noticed the stairs I made.

Kiina pulled him up.

Gelu: How’d you know I was going to do that?

Kiina: You’re too predictable. Like Gresh.

Gelu: Guess I’m going to have to work on that, else you’ll beat me every time.

Kiina: That’s why we’re here. Come on. The rest of the trail is clear.

They then walked the rest of the way. At the peak was a big hole in the ground about fifty feet wide. Along the wall was a stair that spiraled around the arena down below. The arena itself was about thirty feet wide, and the remaining area of the fifty foot wide bottom was made of ascending seats.

Gelu: How come I've never known about this?

Kiina: Who knows!?! All I know is that this is here. Shall we?

He looked at the arena.

Gelu: There’s about three feet of snow down there.

Kiina: Then you better watch your footing.

When they reached the arena, Kiina went over to the side and picked up two wooden objects.

Kiina: These are dull imitations of our weapons. Here’s yours.

She handed him a perfect imitation of his weapon. Gelu stared at it. The detail was so…

WHACK!!!

Gelu: OW!

Kiina: Pay more attention, Gelu. Not every acquaintance is a true friend. There are those who use you, and will not hesitate to strike if it was to their advantage. Now, are you ready?

Gelu balanced the weapon on his wrist, then swung it around a bit.

Gelu: I think so.

Kiina: Don’t think so. Know.

Kiina jumped Gelu. Quickly, he blocked the head of the trident as it swung at his head. Just as quick, the bottom of the shaft snuck between his legs and knocked one of them out, making him fall to the ground.

Kiina: Pay more attention to what the weapon is doing. If I was really attacking you with the head, they would’ve been pointing at you. Instead, I swung it downward. The head posed no threat. Then, you left your feet exposed.

Gelu rolled to the side as Kiina drove the head of the trident in where he was. He then kicked her back, allowing him time to get up. Kiina then charged at him, planted the head of the trident into the snow, and swung herself around the shaft. Gelu attempted to jump out of the way, but her feet got him in the back.

Kiina: Legs apart, knees bent. It’ll be easier to evade attacks.

Gelu charged at her, swinging his sword at her chest. She side stepped it, and he stumbled past her. As he turned around, his right foot got stuck in the snow.

Kiina: First, don’t charge in like that. Be more strategic. Second, watch your footing. I know you can tell where air pockets are.

She then jumped at him, trident pointing head towards him. He lifted his weapon, catching the trident. But she locked his weapon, and tore it out of his hand, sending it flying across the arena.

Kiina: Again, strategize. That was a good defense, but one for when you have a shield.

Gelu got out of the hole and faced her. She then charged him, but he grabbed the shaft just below the head, and maneuvered to hold the entire trident shaft across her throat. She then elbowed him in the gut, tore the shaft out of his grip, and knocked him back.

Kiina: That may seem like a good maneuver, but you allow your opponent to go through your defenses. Only Malum has ever succeeded in that maneuver outside of training.

Gelu: Let me guess, you trained the others who attempted that escape.

Kiina: No. It was Tarix.

She jumped at him again, but he knocked the head to the side, and knocked the shaft out of her hands. He then jumped her, attempting to pin her in the snow. But she rolled backwards, grabbed him on his sides, using his momentum to roll them over and land on top of him.

Kiina: For the third time, strategize. You don’t pin someone like that unless you don’t have to jump. This doesn’t give your opponent time to dodge, and you can use the thrust in your legs to help in the push.

She then stood up and helped him up. She then looked up at the sky.

Kiina: The sun’s coming out. I’ve heard the sunrise is amazing up here. Come on.

Kiina ran up the stairs, with Gelu following close behind. At the peak, they looked to the east. The sun hadn’t come up yet, but birds were already in the air.

As they sat staring east, Gelu looked at Kiina. Her armor shined like sapphire, glittering beautifully. He watched as she stared in awe as the edge of an orange sphere began to climb over the dessert.

He suddenly felt like he couldn’t hold it anymore.

Gelu: Kiina.

Kiina looked at him, her eyes calm and friendly.

Kiina: Gelu?

************

Male: Gelu. Gelu? Gelu!

Gelu stood up with a start to find a hand across his mouth. He almost grabbed his weapon, but he saw that it was Lesovikk.

Lesovikk: We’re being watched.

Gelu slowly grabbed his weapon. Lesovikk then pointed over his shoulder to another patch of trees forty feet away. Gelu nodded and readied his Thornax launcher.

Gelu: One.

Lesovikk spread his feet out.

Gelu: Two.

Lesovikk reached his hand out towards his sword and Zamor Sphere launcher.

Gelu: Three!

As Lesovikk jumped to the side for his weapons, and those around woke up, Gelu aimed at the trees and fired. At the same time, a giant burst out of the trees, and deflected the shot. It then continued towards them, with strides of a good fifteen feet.

The rest of the team pulled out their weapons. Arro created an ice wall in front of the titan, and fired icicles at it. The titan broke through the wall with little effort, and the icicles shattered on impact. The rest of them then fired their weapons at it, but it jumped a hundred feet up and grabbed onto the cliff. A Kanoka disk changed course, heading straight for the titan, but something like a tail swung out and knocked it into the cliff. The titan then jumped down towards them.

Everyone scattered as the thing came crashing down in the middle of camp. Toa and Glatorian alike fought as the thing attacked them. Fire had no effect on it, ice shattered with ease, and no amount of firepower could bring it down. A Toa of Earth even tried bringing part of the cliff down on it. Still it fought.

Lesovikk: Retreat! Retreat!

The titan’s tail swung out and knocked him into the cliff. The monster then proceeded to attack the rest of them. Only Gelu was able to get out of there, but he didn’t go far. He hid in a group of trees nearby, and watched as the tall figure held up one of his companions.

Titan: Where are the Great Beings?

Gelu noticed that the voice was female.

Arro: I don’t know. Ah! We don’t know. The Great Beings haven’t been here for years.

Titan: Don’t lie to me!

Arro: Ahhh! I’m not. We seriously don’t know where the Great Beings are.

Titan: Hmmm. Very well. And I suppose you wouldn’t happen to know where the nearest population is?

Arro laughed.

Arro: You just decimated them, you idiot.

The titan growled, then roared in his face. She then threw him on the ground, and crushed him with her foot. Arro didn’t scream, cry, or yell. He just laid there as the foot came down.

As the titan began walking away, Gelu went to check for survivors. Not one of the New Defenders survived.

Suddenly, he heard coughing. He ran to find the source, Lesovikk.

Lesovikk: Did any of the others… *cough*

Gelu shook his head.

Gelu: We’re the last ones.

Lesovikk: *sigh* I was afraid that was the case.

He looked up at Gelu.

Lesovikk: Gelu, I have a request for you.

Gelu: Name it.

Lesovikk: Can you… *cough.* Can you take my heart stone to Gali?

Gelu took his hand and nodded. Lesovikk then smilled.

Lesovikk: Thank you.

He then stared into the sky.

Lesovikk: I’m sorry, Gali. I failed you.

His heart stone then died. Gelu gently reached and took it out of his armor. It was still warm.

Suddenly a giant shadow surrounded Gelu.

Female: Gelu!

Gelu turned around to find the titan staring down at him.

Titan: Go home! Tell them, “The Unknown has come for you.”

She then turned around and began walking away. Gelu stared at her for a second.

Gelu: Wait! Why do you call yourself “The Unknown?”

The Unknown stared up into the sky.

Unknown: Even I don’t remember my name.

Gelu nodded.

Gelu: And why are you here?

The Unknown looked at him with her burning, hate filled eyes.

Unknown: You’ll soon know.

She then moved off to the north. Gelu stood there till she was out of sight, then turned east and ran. And ran. And ran.

**********

Kiina: Gelu?

Gelu stood there, staring at Kiina for a few seconds, then turned away.

Gelu: Never mind. It’s nothing.

Kiina stared at him for a second. Then, a beam of light hit her face, and she stared as the sun began to rise into the sky. And Gelu smiled as the light seemed to move across her armor like the waves of the ocean. He wanted nothing more than to be with her.

Bionicle: The Return, Chapter 1: The Unknown

Since I have now started a blog, I've decided to repost every chapter I've released for Bionicle: The Return since I started the series on LEGO Cuusoo. I will release 1 chapter per day, until I catch up with my most recent chapters. Then, I will go back to releasing a chapter for each set.

So, here is Chapter 1: The Unknown.

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It has been years since Makuta Teridax was defeated by Mata Nui. Ten thousand, to be exact. And many of the old heroes have died off. However, the memory of what they did lives on with the few remaining from that time, and in the scrolls written by the Chroniclers of that time. The Toa, Matoran, Glatorian, and Agori have gathered together, sharing their technology, and they have rebuilt much of what Teridax destroyed.

Here, in the village of Greater Mata, life is as it pretty much was like before, but not as trying and difficult. What’s left of the aggressive Rahi has been pushed out past the dessert, Bara Magna. There has been no sign of some of the Rahi, and many Matoran went missing during the Final Battle. But they have been remembered, as a stone pillar was erected for every life that was lost.

But the greatest sight in Greater Mata is the Temple of Golden Armor, built in honor of Mata Nui. Made of Iron, it stand fifty yards high, with a square base of 100 yard wide. Inside, in the main chamber is the Ignika, the Mask of Life, placed on a statue of Mata Nui’s Toa form. On the wall to the left is the Golden Armor the Ignika gave to Toa Tahu, while on the right is Mata Nui’s sword.

Toa Bomonga has grown old in time, and as the Toa and Glatorian are dying off, new defenders must be found. Here, in the Temple of Golden Armor, he speaks to one of his pupils.

Bomonga: You have done well, Clarrik.

Clarrik: Thank you, teacher. I am glad you’re pleased.

Bomonga: Pleased, but not proud.

Clarrik: What do you mean?

Bomonga: You have excelled with every weapon we’ve handed you. You seek to help people, and do not tolerate crime. There you do well. But you are aggressive. You jump in swords out without a second thought.

Clarrik: When have I done that?

Bomonga: First of all, never interrupt me.

Clarrik: Sor…

Bomonga: Second, you remember that incident in the jet factory in Taka?

Clarrik: He had a knife.

Bomonga: A table knife. A dull knife. Otherwise they both were unarmed.

Bomonga leaned on his staff.

Bomonga: If you want to earn the title Toa, you must consider the life of all beings, good and evil alike. Think over whether or not you have to harm the target, or even if they are a threat.

Clarrik: I didn’t kill him.

Bomonga: But you did sever his forearm. Now go. And think upon what I said. If I hear that you harmed another person needlessly, you’re out of the class.

Clarrik nodded, and left.

Female: Well, that went better than I expected.

Bomonga turned around to see Gaaki standing next to the tablet below the Golden Armor.

Bomonga: He just needs time.

Gaaki nodded.

Gaaki: Time is something we have.

Bomonga looked up at the Ignika.

Bomonga: Do we?

Gaaki: What?

Bomonga: Do we really have the time? I can’t shake the feeling that something is coming.

Gaaki: You’re not the only one. Vakama and Nokama have the same feeling.

Bomonga: Do they know what it…

Suddenly, a huge explosion shattered the windows around the place, and shook the entire temple. Grabbing their shields, Bomonga and Gaaki ran out of the Temple. There, they met one of Kiina’s pupils.

Bomonga: What was that?

Pupil: There was a giant meteor that entered our atmosphere heading west. It must’ve broke the sound barrier while flying over our head.

Bomonga and Gaaki ran to the west side of the Temple, watching as the meteor moved towards the sun.

Gaaki: Think that is it?

Bomonga watched as the meteor flew on. It was spouting green and red flames, with no trace of smoke. And as he stared at it, he felt as if a hand had grabbed his.

Bomonga: There’s only one way to find out.

(Two thousand years earlier)

Thousands of light-years away, a planet has been decimated by nuclear war. Whole villages are destroyed, and there is almost no trace of life.

Almost. In one of these decimated lives a single soul, who has worked on trying to rebuild its home for years. Entirely alone, it has been around since the nuclear war began. After the war, after trying fruitlessly to save its race, the mind has been torn. She has been alone so long, she has forgotten everything, except two things: the former beauty of her world, and who she blames.

For years, she blamed herself for the death of her race. Then she blamed her father, for not saving others as well. But eventually, her blame landed on a people that had created them. That hadn’t been there for over a million years.

Or was it two million? She never could keep track all she could think of was their name, and where they went. The Great Beings. Spherus Magna.

For ten years, she has been working on a vehicle to take her after them. Now, it is complete.

As she stares at the rocket from the shadows, she tries to think of her life before all this. Before the war. But she can’t. It was gone.

That angered her. She stood up, and walked out of the shadows, a good thirty feet tall, lacking almost all traces of feminism. Her feet left imprints in the ground, and her prized playground collapsed. She paused, trying to remember when she built it. But then she moved on.

As she climbed into her stasis chamber, she thought of the war, the lives she couldn’t save, of the time she spent trying to rebuild it all. Now, that all ends.

She stares up into the sky, to the stars beyond. Then she stared at one dark patch, in the direction of Spherus Magna.

Unknown: I’m coming for you.

Then she pressed the launch button. As the engines ignited, the stasis chamber activated, slowly freezing her in a thick layer of ice.

She wouldn’t wake up for another two thousand years.