Brutaka tried to close his eyes. It didn’t help. He couldn’t get the image of Tren Krom out of his mind – a writhing, crimson mass of tentacles emerging from a gelatinous central core, with two dead yellow eyes that somehow followed every movement without ever moving themselves. At least, that was what he had seen at a glance – somehow, Brutaka knew to gaze for long at Tren Krom would be to invite madness.
The entity seemed over time to have merged with the stone floor and walls of its cave, so that lurker and place of concealment were one. The acrid stench of decay hung over everything. In vain, Brutaka tried to break free of the grip of Tren Krom’s tentacle. He could feel the strange being trying to probe his mind, but so far, Brutaka’s mental training had allowed him to resist. If that should fail, he knew, the secrets of the Order of Mata Nui would be exposed to this monster.
“What wonders have come into my universe in the millennia since my exile?” Tren Krom said softly, his voice as revolting as his form. “I must know!”
Hesitantly, the other members of Brutaka’s team had entered the cave, only to wish they hadn’t. It was only Lariska, protosteel dagger in hand, who kept them from fleeing.
“You think me an alien... an ‘other’...” Tren Krom continued. “But I am of the substance of this universe, and I walked here long before you or even Mata Nui himself. Have you not heard the tales?”
“There is a Tren Krom in legend,” said Brutaka. “But... the tales obviously left some parts out.”
Tren Krom laughed. The sound made the team wish death would come for them right now. “Before the Great Spirit Mata Nui was born, the Great Beings created one being who was purely organic. They taught me the ways of the universe they were creating and they placed me in its core. There I was to remain, maintaining the heat, the light, all the forces that made their creation whole...”
Brutaka had managed to work an arm partway loose. With a little luck, he would be able to get his hand on a dagger and cut himself free... all he needed was time. “So what happened? How did you end up here?”
“My time was always to be short,” Tren Krom replied. “I was to shepherd this universe until Mata Nui was prepared to take power. A Matoran of Light came to me and said the hour had come for me to move on... a crafter of canisters he was, whose sanity did not survive our encounter. I surrendered myself to my fate, only to be exiled here by the Great Beings and bound to this rock.” His voice tuned heavy with bitterness. “The universe, it seems, did not need two entities supreme.”
“What... what do you want with us?” whispered Vezon. “And please don’t say someone to hold your mirror for you.”
“I would know what has gone on in the universe in the last 100 millennia,” Tren Krom answered. “My visitors have been few in number. You seven will remain here and I will gain the knowledge I need from your minds... of course, sadly, you may have no minds left when I am done.”
“Why ask us?” said Lariska. “You obviously don’t really care.”
“Would you shut up?” hissed Carapar. “Rule number one: don’t annoy the giant, tentacled monster, or don’t they teach that one in The Shadowed One’s school?”
“Be quiet,” snapped Lariska. “Tren Krom... your universe is in danger. It’s our job to help save it. If you keep us here, you’ll be hurting the one thing you helped bring into being.”
Carapar edged slowly to the side, sword in hand. No one paid any attention – all eyes were on Lariska, who had been grabbed by one of Tren Krom’s many arms. Without the discipline Brutaka possessed, her mind was an open book to the entity. She screamed as a lifetime of memories were sifted through in an instant, screamed as she saw glimpses of the ancient mind of Tren Krom. When he finally released her, she collapsed on the stone floor.
“Mutran,” Tren Krom muttered to himself. “So long ago now, I entered his mind … and he mine … and so he learned how best to strike at Mata Nui. He and his kind have dared reach for power that fate chose to deny them. How... intriguing.”
“It’s more than that,” Brutaka said. “Tell him, Spiriah – tell him what will happen to him if the Makuta succeed in their plans.”
“If the Plan succeeds...” Spiriah began. He glanced around as if one of his former comrades might be somewhere nearby, listening. “A shadow will fall... Makuta will rule the universe, their will enforced by Rahkshi. Anyone with the power to threaten that rule will die... and that means anyone.”
“Impossible,” said Tren Krom. Suddenly, the minds of every team member were filled with nightmarish images projected by the tentacled entity, visions that would sicken even the mad. “No one can approach without my assent. No one can fight me. No one can kill me. I am eternal!”
Brutaka had his dagger in hand now. “Maybe not,” he said. “But I’m betting there was a time you said no one could bind you... and look what happened.”
Tren Krom paused in thought. Brutaka started to make his move, then caught Carapar out of the corner of his eye. The Barraki was raising his sword to strike the entity. It was too late to shout, too late to stop him.
Carapar brought his blade down, confident he had taken his enemy by surprise. Then a third eye suddenly appeared on Tren Krom, one gazing right at Carapar. The Barraki froze in mid-blow. A shaft of energy shot out from the eye, bathing him in its glow. The next instant, Carapar shattered into fragments as if he had been made of crystal. Then there was nothing left of him but a pile of glittering dust on the stone floor.
“I helped to birth a world of order,” Tren Krom whispered. “But from what I have seen in the female’s mind... you have turned it into a universe of madness and fear. It is not worth saving. But it is the universe you and your kind deserve.”
Tren Krom hurled Brutaka at his team. Spiriah used his magnetic powers to catch him before he could slam into the wall. The tentacles withdrew then, wrapping themselves around the core of Tren Krom’s being.
“Go,” the entity said. “Take yourselves from my prison... take your memories and plans with you... for the horrors already in your minds are worse than any I could visit upon you. I condemn you to your fate – life in the universe you and your kind have made.”
No one was going to take the time to argue. Gathering up Brutaka and Lariska, they fled the cave even as the stone walls that surrounded the island receded into the sand. Only Takadox paused to look back at the cavern where Carapar had died, wondering for a moment just what it would take to end the life of a being older than the stars.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Tanma Game
Tanma game on bionicle.com!
You must dodge enemies (or hit 'em in the stomach) and rush through tunnels, all in an attempt to survive, I guess.
You must dodge enemies (or hit 'em in the stomach) and rush through tunnels, all in an attempt to survive, I guess.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The fifth Mutran Chronicles has arrived...and things just got crazier.
It's here! Also, there appears to be an important spoiler hidden in it, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
The Mutran Chronicles
Chapter 5
Wherever you may travel in this vast universe of ours, it is likely you will run across someone who will tell you that Tren Krom is no more than a myth... just a legend of antiquity, no more real than Irnakk or any other figment of the imagination. Setting foot upon his island will not bring terrible consequences, they insist, just a pleasant walk on a rocky beach. To those beings, of course, I say, "What would you like for your memorial upon your death? So I can start planning it now."
For it is a well known fact to those who know it well that Tren Krom is no myth. He is older than the stars themselves, born in a time when there was no Mata Nui, no Makuta, only never-ending darkness that encompassed all. He walked through a universe in the throes of its birth, and even the shadows feared him. To meet Tren Krom was to court madness, or worse... so naturally, the Brotherhood chose me to seek him out.
The reason for the meeting was obvious: the Brotherhood could not allow a being of such power to dwell unchecked in our universe. We had to know his intent and whether he posed a threat to the lands we watched over. Thus I followed a trail of half-remembered stories told by the mad until I reached the shore of an island whose shores had not welcomed a visitor in millennia.
In the interests of writing a complete record, I should include every detail of my time there. In the interests of the sanity anyone reading this, I will not. Even when I look back now, I remember only a scarlet mass, a face that was not a face, tentacles lined with tiny, sharpened hooks, eyes that were little more than holes in a gelatinous skull, and that voice... oh, that voice made Makuta Teridax sound lilting and sweet.
I expected to die. When Tren Krom's mind touched mine, and I saw the reality of what he was, I almost wanted to perish in that moment... better that than to live with the memory. But he saw something in my thoughts that must have intrigued him... hard to imagine what it might have been, given how alien he was to any form of life. Rather than crush me in his grasp, Tren Krom explored my consciousness, like an Archives mole rooting about for a meal. It was amazing... it was horrifying... it was a view into a mind as far beyond mine as mine is beyond a fireflyer's... and it was feeling my mind turn into a nest of serpents, hissing and slithering and trailing slime.
Then everything went black.
When I awoke again, I lay on the deserted beach. There was no sign of Tren Krom, or even the cavern in which I had encountered him. I thought perhaps the whole thing had been a nightmare, some trick of my fellow Makuta... and then I knew it could not be. For I understood now... I knew how the universe worked, and as much as my mind could stand, why the universe worked.
And I knew one thing more – that Makuta Teridax's mad dreams of overthrowing the Great Spirit Mata Nui were not just fantasies. It was possible. It could work. The knowledge I held was the ammunition for the weapon Teridax would one day wield, a weapon that would win us a universe.
Did you find the spoiler?
The Mutran Chronicles
Chapter 5
Wherever you may travel in this vast universe of ours, it is likely you will run across someone who will tell you that Tren Krom is no more than a myth... just a legend of antiquity, no more real than Irnakk or any other figment of the imagination. Setting foot upon his island will not bring terrible consequences, they insist, just a pleasant walk on a rocky beach. To those beings, of course, I say, "What would you like for your memorial upon your death? So I can start planning it now."
For it is a well known fact to those who know it well that Tren Krom is no myth. He is older than the stars themselves, born in a time when there was no Mata Nui, no Makuta, only never-ending darkness that encompassed all. He walked through a universe in the throes of its birth, and even the shadows feared him. To meet Tren Krom was to court madness, or worse... so naturally, the Brotherhood chose me to seek him out.
The reason for the meeting was obvious: the Brotherhood could not allow a being of such power to dwell unchecked in our universe. We had to know his intent and whether he posed a threat to the lands we watched over. Thus I followed a trail of half-remembered stories told by the mad until I reached the shore of an island whose shores had not welcomed a visitor in millennia.
In the interests of writing a complete record, I should include every detail of my time there. In the interests of the sanity anyone reading this, I will not. Even when I look back now, I remember only a scarlet mass, a face that was not a face, tentacles lined with tiny, sharpened hooks, eyes that were little more than holes in a gelatinous skull, and that voice... oh, that voice made Makuta Teridax sound lilting and sweet.
I expected to die. When Tren Krom's mind touched mine, and I saw the reality of what he was, I almost wanted to perish in that moment... better that than to live with the memory. But he saw something in my thoughts that must have intrigued him... hard to imagine what it might have been, given how alien he was to any form of life. Rather than crush me in his grasp, Tren Krom explored my consciousness, like an Archives mole rooting about for a meal. It was amazing... it was horrifying... it was a view into a mind as far beyond mine as mine is beyond a fireflyer's... and it was feeling my mind turn into a nest of serpents, hissing and slithering and trailing slime.
Then everything went black.
When I awoke again, I lay on the deserted beach. There was no sign of Tren Krom, or even the cavern in which I had encountered him. I thought perhaps the whole thing had been a nightmare, some trick of my fellow Makuta... and then I knew it could not be. For I understood now... I knew how the universe worked, and as much as my mind could stand, why the universe worked.
And I knew one thing more – that Makuta Teridax's mad dreams of overthrowing the Great Spirit Mata Nui were not just fantasies. It was possible. It could work. The knowledge I held was the ammunition for the weapon Teridax would one day wield, a weapon that would win us a universe.
Did you find the spoiler?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Mazeka?
Apparently, our mysterious store-exclusive set just let loose some info. (but not much)
1. He will have his own summer serial.
2. He and Vultraz are enemies (this suggests that Mazeka is good as Vultraz is evil)
3. He is not a Shadow Matoran or an Av-Matoran.
4. He is a Matoran.
5. He has a vehicle.
1. He will have his own summer serial.
2. He and Vultraz are enemies (this suggests that Mazeka is good as Vultraz is evil)
3. He is not a Shadow Matoran or an Av-Matoran.
4. He is a Matoran.
5. He has a vehicle.
Polls and Surveys Now Rule the World...and I told them that you would make a good zoo exhibit.
Got the idea for the title from Calvin and Hobbes.
Anyway, note the poll on the right. Please take part in it, as I would really like results. Thank you!
Anyway, note the poll on the right. Please take part in it, as I would really like results. Thank you!
the quizzery
Ever heard of it? You can take polls and surveys and find out what Bionicle you are. Or how smart at it you are. Check it out now!
http://www.thequizzery.com/
http://www.thequizzery.com/
Dark Mirror
Finally, my favorite: Dark Mirror!
Dark Mirror
Chapter One
Plunging through the void between dimensions, Takanuva, Toa of Light, could hardly believe what had happened to him in the last day. While patrolling the shores of Metru Nui, he had been attacked by a creature he later learned was a Shadow Leech, and barely survived. When he awoke, he discovered that his light had been partially drained, leaving him with the ability to fire light from his left hand, and Shadow from his right.
His rescuers turned out to be members of the secret organization called the Order of Mata Nui, who tasked him with a vital mission. He was to bring important information to the Toa Nuva in Karda Nui, and if he failed, the six Toa were surely doomed. The fastest way to get him there was using the power of a Mask of Dimensional Gates worn by reformed member Brutaka. But the mask was ever so slightly damaged and the ride had already been a rough one.
A circle of light opened ahead of him. He plunged through it hoping he'd reach Karda Nui in time. Instead he went flat on his mask in the familiar surroundings of the city of Metru Nui. Or was it familiar? The city was intact and beautiful as it had been when he left, but something was odd. There were statues of Toa everywhere: Tahu, Gali and the others, but not in their Nuva forms; as they had been before they transformed. There were other statues too of Toa Takanuva did not recognize. And looming over them all was a massive sculpture of a Kanohi mask: the Mask of Intangibility. "How long have I been gone?", wondered Takanuva, "And who decided to re-decorate?" He spotted a Matoran he knew well, Kapura, scurrying quickly through the street. Takanuva stepped in front of him and said:
"Wait friend. I don't think I've ever seen you run before. What's the hurry?"
Kapura looked up at him, there was shock and fear in the Matoran's eyes, but no recognition. "Forgive me great Toa," he said so fast the words tumbled over themselves, "Was I not running fast enough? I promise I will try to do better."
"Kapura it's me, it's Takanuva, what's come over you?"
"Nothing, nothing!" insisted Kapura, "All is well great Toa, for how could it be anything else with such wise and benevolent leaders?"
"Alright, I've had about enough of this," said Takanuva, "Where's Turaga Vakama? Where are the Toa Mahri?"
"I don't know who you're talking about," insisted Kapura, "Let me pass, please, before..."
The temperature suddenly dropped all around. The next moment Kapura was locked in a foot-thick shell of ice from his neck down. The Matoran cried out from the intense cold. Takanuva looked up only to see Tahu and Kopaka standing nearby, frost still drifting from the sword of the Toa of Ice. "Tahu, Kopaka, thank the Great Beings you're here," said Takanuva. "Something's wrong with Kapura... maybe with the entire city."
"The only thing wrong here, stranger, is you," said Tahu. "Who are you? Why are you here? Where is your identity tablet?"
"I-I'm Takanuva! I live here! You know me, and I don't know what an identity tablet is!"
Kopaka raised his sword and unleashed a hail of ice that shocked Takanuva, knocking the Toa of Light to the ground. Standing over him, Kopaka held the point of his sword to Takanuva's neck. "Well, 'Takanuva', if that is your name, you are now a prisoner of the Toa Empire, against which you've committed an act of war."
Chapter Two
Tahu and Kopaka dragged a protesting Takanuva to the Coliseum. Vahki guardians saluted and stepped aside to let the Toa enter. Wordlessly, they hauled Takanuva through winding corridors, finally tossing him into a cold, dark cell.
"Make yourself comfortable." said Tahu. "Someone will be back for you when Toa Tuyet is ready to question you in a day, or a week."
"If this is some kind of a joke, it isn't funny anymore," said Takanuva, "what is going on around here?"
But Tahu and Kopaka had already walked away.
"What's going on, stranger, is that you came to the wrong place at the wrong time," said a weak voice behind Takanuva.
The Toa turned, surprised to find he was not alone. Hanging on the wall from chains around his wrists and ankles was a Matoran. Using the merest fraction of his Light power, Takanuva illuminated the cell. He stumbled back against the cell door in shock. The imprisoned Matoran was none other than Takua - a fact that seemed impossible since Takanuva had been Takua before becoming a Toa.
"This is insane!" said Takanuva. "You're me - I mean, I'm you, how..."
"I see," said Takua, "you're not one of the smarter ones. You wouldn't happen to know how to pick a lock would you?"
Takanuva shook his head. If this was a dream or an illusion, it was a whopper. But just in case it wasn't, he fired a thin beam of laser-light from his left hand and sliced through Takua's chains. A quick move let him catch the Matoran before he fell to the stone floor.
"That's a neat trick," said Takua, "so what are you in for?"
"I-I don't know," said Takanuva, "I'm not even sure where I am."
"Metru Nui, City of Legends." said Takua. "Of course, these days all the legends ended when Toa crushed anyone who got in their way. Or, in my case, spent more time wandering than working. When the Vahki treatment didn't take, they put me here."
"I can't believe this." said Takanuva, "Tahu and Kopaka insane, or worse, Matoran jailed, and me sitting here talking to myself. Listen, where's Gali?"
"In Ga-Metru, of course," the Matoran replied. "She and Karzahni run the re-education center."
"Listen, umm..." Takanuva paused, unable to bring himself to say the name 'Takua'. "What happened here? How did things get so crazy?"
"It was about 3,500 years ago now," said Takua, "Toa Tuyet tapped into the power of something called the Nui Stone, which gave her the power of maybe a hundred Toa. When Toa Lhikan tried to stop her, he got killed by her and his traitorous friend, Toa Nidhiki. And that's it. Tuyet took over Metru Nui and convinced the other Toa it was their destiny to smash anyone who posed a threat to the Great Spirit. That meant anyone from the Makuta, to the Dark Hunters, to Toa who didn't seem enthusiastic enough, and Matoran who didn't work quite hard enough."
Takanuva suddenly reached up and took off his mask of power. Before Takua could protest, he had placed it on top of the Matoran's mask. Nothing happened. Takua tore the Mask of Light off, saying, "What are you trying to do, smother me?"
"Just testing a theory." said Takanuva, rising and putting his mask back on, "Come on, we're getting out of here."
"And go where?" asked Takua.
"We have a date in the Archives," the Toa of Light answered, "or rather, below them. And here's hoping Vakama's stories about what's down there, who's down there, were all true."
Chapter Three
"Where are we going?" asked Takua."How did you take out those Vahki guards so fast? What's down here? Have you been down here before?"
"Would you be quiet!" Takanuva snapped.
He had never realized before just how annoying he was as a Matoran.
"There's no telling who, or what, is down here and I'd rather not have unexpected company."
In truth, it was more than Takua's chattering that was bothering Takanuva. In his universe, the Metru Nui Archives were filled with exhibits of Rahi beasts, carvings, tools and other things that Onu-Matoran and Ko-Matoran scholars might study. But in this strange world that he had stumbled upon, the Archives were more like a museum of conquest. A long dead and mounted Visorak stared from the shadows with glassy eyes. A collection of weaponry was nearby, each item identified with a small inscribed tablet. The staff of The Shadowed One, the Spear of Fusion, Zamor Sphere Launchers, Rhotuka launchers, and more. Next to that was the most amazing sight of all: the Kanohi Mask of Shadows, the property of the leader of the Brotherhood of Makuta, now nailed to the wall like just another trophy. Moving further into the depths of the Archives, the Toa and Matoran came upon a group of stasis tubes. These were used to keep Rahi in suspended animation so they could be studied. At least that's what they had been used for in Takanuva's universe. In this dimension, he saw with shock that they served a quite different purpose. One tube stood apart from the others, the glow of a Lightstone playing on its face. Takanuva wiped the dust from the crystal and gasped: inside, trapped in stasis was Turaga Dume, ruler of Metru Nui.
"I can't believe this," Takanuva said, "Even Toa as mad as they are here would never do this."
"Dume talked too much," said Takua sadly, "and coming from me, that's saying something. When Toa Tuyet took over, he stood up and said that true Toa value justice and mercy, and she had neither in her heart. You had to admire him for it, all the way up to the moment when they hauled him off and stuck him in there."
Takanuva fired a beam of laser-light from his left hand, slicing open the crystal case. Takua grabbed his arm, trying to pull away.
"Are you crazy?! What if there are alarms? You can't do that!"
"I just did," said Takanuva, catching the falling Dume. Consciousness slowly returned to the Turaga, and when he saw Takanuva, he said, "Who are you?"
"I'm a... friend," Takanuva replied.
"You? A Toa? No Toa is my friend." said Dume.
"I don't have time to argue with you," said Takanuva, "Somewhere down here there is an intelligent Rahi called a Krahka, at least I hope she's here. We need to find her, something is very, very wrong in this world, and I'm going to need help if I'm going to make things right."
"Help is exactly what you need, Toa," said a voice behind Takanuva.
He whirled to see the one figure he never expected. Takua and Dume both backed away in fear. Standing before them, was the leader of the Toa Empire, the wielder of the Nui Stone and the unquestioned ruler of the known universe: Toa Tuyet.
Chapter Four
Takanuva, Takua, and Turaga Dume walked in single file to the depths of the Archives followed by the silent Toa Tuyet. The ruler of the Toa Empire had not spoken a word since capturing the three of them, simply gestured with her Barbed Broadsword. They marched for what seemed like hours through twists and turns past long forgotten exhibits and into regions that probably even the Archive care keepers didn't know existed.
Takanuva was puzzled. Tuyet could have just brought them back to a cell on the surface, or for that matter killed them. Why go on a tour of the Archives? Things got even more disturbing and bizarre as they rounded a corner and entered a large chamber. In the back were a half dozen badly damaged Rahkshi and an Exo-Toa armor suit missing its right arm. Even more surprising was the sight of two figures clad in black armor, sprang to their feet at the sight of the newcomers, Shadow energy crackling in their hands.
Takanuva turned around, but Tuyet was no longer there. Standing in her place was another Makuta, this one wearing a scarred and pitted Kanohi Hau. When he spoke it was in the familiar, grating voice of the Makuta of Metru Nui.
"A simple strategy," he said, "Tuyet has left us little choice but to use our shape shifting powers when we venture out. Even then we were captured, just as we have captured you."
"I don't understand," said Takanuva, "Why aren't you wearing the Mask of Shadows? I saw it hanging in the Archives."
Makuta gave Takanuva a look that would have chilled the snow atop Mount Ihu.
"The mask is warded. If it is so much as touched, Tuyet and her minions will know at once. She keeps it there on unguarded as a taunt to me, knowing how I long for it and cannot touch it."
The two other Makuta and those Rahkshi that could still move closed in.
"But you are not so protected, Toa. Give me one good reason why we should not kill you now as your kind has killed ours for so many centuries."
"I'm not..." Takanuva began, then stopped as he debated how much to tell his captors. These were, after all, Makuta, the most evil beings in the universe from which he came. Here, though, they were hunted fugitives in a world gone mad. "I’m not one of Tuyet’s Toa. My name is Takanuva. I am a Toa of Light."
The three Makuta recoiled. Takanuva understood why; a Toa of Light was the ultimate weapon against beings of shadow.
"Listen to me," he continued, "I come from someplace else, where there is no Tuyet, no Toa Empire. I can’t claim I understand what happened here, but I do know this: I don’t belong here, and I need to get back to my own universe."
The three Makuta were silent for a moment. Then they began to laugh, a horrible sound that echoed throughout the chamber for long minutes.
"And just how," said the Makuta of Metru Nui, "Do you propose to get back to this universe of yours, my poor, mad Toa?"
"By finding the one who sent me on my journey," Takanuva replied, "A being named Brutaka."
One of the Makuta nodded. He was tall, with armor lined with short, curved, and very sharp blades. "I have heard of legends of a Brutaka. It's said he is a great hero who guards a valuable treasure. But in Matoran legend, every pile of rocks is a treasure, every Rahi larger than a Stone Rat is a monster, and anyone who doesn't scream and run when the thunder cracks is a hero of great courage."
"Very true, Krika, very true indeed," said the Makuta of Metru Nui, "Very well then, you, Toa, are either a liar, a fool, or a mad man, I know not which, but if you need our help, you have to pay a price."
"And what is that price?" asked Takanuva.
"A Matoran expedition, escorted by a pair of Toa, left Metru Nui weeks ago, bound for the island of Artakha," said Makuta. "They were sent to retrieve an object of power; the legendary Mask of Time, one of the few weapons that might be effective against Tuyet. By now they have it, and are on their way back. I want you to attack their force and steal the Mask of Time for us. In return we will smuggle you out of the city so you can find your Brutaka. But be warned, the Matoran leader is a fanatic, who would rather die than surrender his prize. You will have to grant him his wish."
"And just who is this leader?" asked Takanuva.
"No one you would know," said Makuta Krika, "A Ta-Matoran, someone named Jaller."
Chapter Five
Toa Takanuva had experienced many strange things since arriving in what he now knew had to be some kind of alternate universe. But nothing quite equaled what he was experiencing right at the moment: the sensation of flying under his own power over a vast stretch of ocean. Even stranger was the fact that he had Makuta to thank for this ability. After telling him roughly where to look for the caravan that would be carrying the Mask of Time, Makuta Krika had commented that he would never be able to intercept them in time by sea, even if he managed to steal a boat and slip away from Metru Nui. Flight was the best choice. Before Takanuva could argue that he didn't have the ability to fly, Krika had blown a fine powder into his face. The Toa of Light couldn't help but breathe it in. With a laugh, Krika explained that he had just been exposed to a Makuta Virus, which would, at least temporarily, give him the power of flight. If it had any other side effects, Krika chose not to say. Takanuva didn't know whether to thank him, or hit him.
Still, his directions had been good. Up ahead on the land, Takanuva spotted an Ussal crab-drawn cart driven by a Matoran, flanked by a Toa of Ice and a Toa of Earth, mounted on Muaka tigers. Takanuva could only guess that both cart and Rahi had been loaded and unloaded from a ship, since part of the journey to Artakha had to be made by sea. Despite the Makuta's warning that he would have to kill the Toa and the Matoran with them, Jaller, Takanuva had another idea. He was a Toa, after all, in a world dominated by them. It was worth trying, anyway. He landed right in front of the cart, prompting Jaller to reign it to an abrupt halt. The two Toa raised their spears and shields and took a step forward.
"Who are you?" said the black-armored warrior, "Speak or face the power of my Seismic Spear."
"What my grim friend is trying to say," said the Toa of Ice, "is that we were not expecting visitors, not even multi-toned ones such as yourself. Surprises make us nervous, and when we are nervous, other beings sometimes get hurt."
"Lower your weapons," said the Toa of Light, "My name is Takanuva, I am here on business of the Empire."
"I am Toa Kualus," said the white-armored Toa, "My surly friend is Toa Bomonga; and what might your business be, Takanuva?"
"I don't trust him," said Jaller.
Takanuva barely recognized him in his red Kanohi Komau.
"Kodan keeps a record of every Toa in the universe, and I've never seen his name before."
Takanuva fired a thin beam of light at Jaller, shooting the reigns out of his hands. Pewku, the Ussal crab, reared up, startled.
"When I want your opinion, Matoran, I'll ask for it," Takanuva said, trying to sound like a Toa from this universe.
Kualus' response was a blast of Ice from his Sub-Zero Spear, but Takanuva easily shattered it with another light beam. Bomonga made a move to attack, but the Toa of Light temporarily blinded him with a flare.
"If you're done," said Takanuva, "Tuyet has received word of a plan to steal the Mask of Time. She has decided that two Toa are not enough to guard it. Particularly you two, so she has sent me to join you."
"And just what makes you the right choice?" growled Bomonga.
The Toa of Light thought fast, "Have you ever heard of... Takutanuva?"
Both Toa shook their heads.
"How about Graalok the mighty Ash Bear?"
Again they shook their heads.
"And I suppose you haven't heard of the beasts of Mount Ihu, or the flame serpents of the Tren Krom Break, or even," he dropped his voice for effect, "even the Kolhii creature of Ga-Wahi."
"We haven't heard of any of those things," said Kualus.
Takanuva smiled, raised his lance high, and then plunged it into the sand in front of the two Toa. "There is a reason you haven't heard of them, brothers... and if I could defeat them, I could surely handle a threat to the Vahi."
Bomonga and Kualus glanced at each other, then Kualus shrugged, "Very well, brother, you may travel with us to Metru Nui, but since you're so powerful, why don't you walk in front of us? That way you can meet any challenge head-on. Incidentally, who is this that plans to steal this mask from us?"
"A very powerful and evil being called Brutaka," Takanuva replied.
This time, the two Toa obviously recognized the name. Bomonga even smiled.
"You know of him, then?" asked Takanuva.
"And well I should," said Bomonga. He plunged his spear into the ground next to Takanuva's lance, "After all, I killed him."
Dark Mirror
Chapter One
Plunging through the void between dimensions, Takanuva, Toa of Light, could hardly believe what had happened to him in the last day. While patrolling the shores of Metru Nui, he had been attacked by a creature he later learned was a Shadow Leech, and barely survived. When he awoke, he discovered that his light had been partially drained, leaving him with the ability to fire light from his left hand, and Shadow from his right.
His rescuers turned out to be members of the secret organization called the Order of Mata Nui, who tasked him with a vital mission. He was to bring important information to the Toa Nuva in Karda Nui, and if he failed, the six Toa were surely doomed. The fastest way to get him there was using the power of a Mask of Dimensional Gates worn by reformed member Brutaka. But the mask was ever so slightly damaged and the ride had already been a rough one.
A circle of light opened ahead of him. He plunged through it hoping he'd reach Karda Nui in time. Instead he went flat on his mask in the familiar surroundings of the city of Metru Nui. Or was it familiar? The city was intact and beautiful as it had been when he left, but something was odd. There were statues of Toa everywhere: Tahu, Gali and the others, but not in their Nuva forms; as they had been before they transformed. There were other statues too of Toa Takanuva did not recognize. And looming over them all was a massive sculpture of a Kanohi mask: the Mask of Intangibility. "How long have I been gone?", wondered Takanuva, "And who decided to re-decorate?" He spotted a Matoran he knew well, Kapura, scurrying quickly through the street. Takanuva stepped in front of him and said:
"Wait friend. I don't think I've ever seen you run before. What's the hurry?"
Kapura looked up at him, there was shock and fear in the Matoran's eyes, but no recognition. "Forgive me great Toa," he said so fast the words tumbled over themselves, "Was I not running fast enough? I promise I will try to do better."
"Kapura it's me, it's Takanuva, what's come over you?"
"Nothing, nothing!" insisted Kapura, "All is well great Toa, for how could it be anything else with such wise and benevolent leaders?"
"Alright, I've had about enough of this," said Takanuva, "Where's Turaga Vakama? Where are the Toa Mahri?"
"I don't know who you're talking about," insisted Kapura, "Let me pass, please, before..."
The temperature suddenly dropped all around. The next moment Kapura was locked in a foot-thick shell of ice from his neck down. The Matoran cried out from the intense cold. Takanuva looked up only to see Tahu and Kopaka standing nearby, frost still drifting from the sword of the Toa of Ice. "Tahu, Kopaka, thank the Great Beings you're here," said Takanuva. "Something's wrong with Kapura... maybe with the entire city."
"The only thing wrong here, stranger, is you," said Tahu. "Who are you? Why are you here? Where is your identity tablet?"
"I-I'm Takanuva! I live here! You know me, and I don't know what an identity tablet is!"
Kopaka raised his sword and unleashed a hail of ice that shocked Takanuva, knocking the Toa of Light to the ground. Standing over him, Kopaka held the point of his sword to Takanuva's neck. "Well, 'Takanuva', if that is your name, you are now a prisoner of the Toa Empire, against which you've committed an act of war."
Chapter Two
Tahu and Kopaka dragged a protesting Takanuva to the Coliseum. Vahki guardians saluted and stepped aside to let the Toa enter. Wordlessly, they hauled Takanuva through winding corridors, finally tossing him into a cold, dark cell.
"Make yourself comfortable." said Tahu. "Someone will be back for you when Toa Tuyet is ready to question you in a day, or a week."
"If this is some kind of a joke, it isn't funny anymore," said Takanuva, "what is going on around here?"
But Tahu and Kopaka had already walked away.
"What's going on, stranger, is that you came to the wrong place at the wrong time," said a weak voice behind Takanuva.
The Toa turned, surprised to find he was not alone. Hanging on the wall from chains around his wrists and ankles was a Matoran. Using the merest fraction of his Light power, Takanuva illuminated the cell. He stumbled back against the cell door in shock. The imprisoned Matoran was none other than Takua - a fact that seemed impossible since Takanuva had been Takua before becoming a Toa.
"This is insane!" said Takanuva. "You're me - I mean, I'm you, how..."
"I see," said Takua, "you're not one of the smarter ones. You wouldn't happen to know how to pick a lock would you?"
Takanuva shook his head. If this was a dream or an illusion, it was a whopper. But just in case it wasn't, he fired a thin beam of laser-light from his left hand and sliced through Takua's chains. A quick move let him catch the Matoran before he fell to the stone floor.
"That's a neat trick," said Takua, "so what are you in for?"
"I-I don't know," said Takanuva, "I'm not even sure where I am."
"Metru Nui, City of Legends." said Takua. "Of course, these days all the legends ended when Toa crushed anyone who got in their way. Or, in my case, spent more time wandering than working. When the Vahki treatment didn't take, they put me here."
"I can't believe this." said Takanuva, "Tahu and Kopaka insane, or worse, Matoran jailed, and me sitting here talking to myself. Listen, where's Gali?"
"In Ga-Metru, of course," the Matoran replied. "She and Karzahni run the re-education center."
"Listen, umm..." Takanuva paused, unable to bring himself to say the name 'Takua'. "What happened here? How did things get so crazy?"
"It was about 3,500 years ago now," said Takua, "Toa Tuyet tapped into the power of something called the Nui Stone, which gave her the power of maybe a hundred Toa. When Toa Lhikan tried to stop her, he got killed by her and his traitorous friend, Toa Nidhiki. And that's it. Tuyet took over Metru Nui and convinced the other Toa it was their destiny to smash anyone who posed a threat to the Great Spirit. That meant anyone from the Makuta, to the Dark Hunters, to Toa who didn't seem enthusiastic enough, and Matoran who didn't work quite hard enough."
Takanuva suddenly reached up and took off his mask of power. Before Takua could protest, he had placed it on top of the Matoran's mask. Nothing happened. Takua tore the Mask of Light off, saying, "What are you trying to do, smother me?"
"Just testing a theory." said Takanuva, rising and putting his mask back on, "Come on, we're getting out of here."
"And go where?" asked Takua.
"We have a date in the Archives," the Toa of Light answered, "or rather, below them. And here's hoping Vakama's stories about what's down there, who's down there, were all true."
Chapter Three
"Where are we going?" asked Takua."How did you take out those Vahki guards so fast? What's down here? Have you been down here before?"
"Would you be quiet!" Takanuva snapped.
He had never realized before just how annoying he was as a Matoran.
"There's no telling who, or what, is down here and I'd rather not have unexpected company."
In truth, it was more than Takua's chattering that was bothering Takanuva. In his universe, the Metru Nui Archives were filled with exhibits of Rahi beasts, carvings, tools and other things that Onu-Matoran and Ko-Matoran scholars might study. But in this strange world that he had stumbled upon, the Archives were more like a museum of conquest. A long dead and mounted Visorak stared from the shadows with glassy eyes. A collection of weaponry was nearby, each item identified with a small inscribed tablet. The staff of The Shadowed One, the Spear of Fusion, Zamor Sphere Launchers, Rhotuka launchers, and more. Next to that was the most amazing sight of all: the Kanohi Mask of Shadows, the property of the leader of the Brotherhood of Makuta, now nailed to the wall like just another trophy. Moving further into the depths of the Archives, the Toa and Matoran came upon a group of stasis tubes. These were used to keep Rahi in suspended animation so they could be studied. At least that's what they had been used for in Takanuva's universe. In this dimension, he saw with shock that they served a quite different purpose. One tube stood apart from the others, the glow of a Lightstone playing on its face. Takanuva wiped the dust from the crystal and gasped: inside, trapped in stasis was Turaga Dume, ruler of Metru Nui.
"I can't believe this," Takanuva said, "Even Toa as mad as they are here would never do this."
"Dume talked too much," said Takua sadly, "and coming from me, that's saying something. When Toa Tuyet took over, he stood up and said that true Toa value justice and mercy, and she had neither in her heart. You had to admire him for it, all the way up to the moment when they hauled him off and stuck him in there."
Takanuva fired a beam of laser-light from his left hand, slicing open the crystal case. Takua grabbed his arm, trying to pull away.
"Are you crazy?! What if there are alarms? You can't do that!"
"I just did," said Takanuva, catching the falling Dume. Consciousness slowly returned to the Turaga, and when he saw Takanuva, he said, "Who are you?"
"I'm a... friend," Takanuva replied.
"You? A Toa? No Toa is my friend." said Dume.
"I don't have time to argue with you," said Takanuva, "Somewhere down here there is an intelligent Rahi called a Krahka, at least I hope she's here. We need to find her, something is very, very wrong in this world, and I'm going to need help if I'm going to make things right."
"Help is exactly what you need, Toa," said a voice behind Takanuva.
He whirled to see the one figure he never expected. Takua and Dume both backed away in fear. Standing before them, was the leader of the Toa Empire, the wielder of the Nui Stone and the unquestioned ruler of the known universe: Toa Tuyet.
Chapter Four
Takanuva, Takua, and Turaga Dume walked in single file to the depths of the Archives followed by the silent Toa Tuyet. The ruler of the Toa Empire had not spoken a word since capturing the three of them, simply gestured with her Barbed Broadsword. They marched for what seemed like hours through twists and turns past long forgotten exhibits and into regions that probably even the Archive care keepers didn't know existed.
Takanuva was puzzled. Tuyet could have just brought them back to a cell on the surface, or for that matter killed them. Why go on a tour of the Archives? Things got even more disturbing and bizarre as they rounded a corner and entered a large chamber. In the back were a half dozen badly damaged Rahkshi and an Exo-Toa armor suit missing its right arm. Even more surprising was the sight of two figures clad in black armor, sprang to their feet at the sight of the newcomers, Shadow energy crackling in their hands.
Takanuva turned around, but Tuyet was no longer there. Standing in her place was another Makuta, this one wearing a scarred and pitted Kanohi Hau. When he spoke it was in the familiar, grating voice of the Makuta of Metru Nui.
"A simple strategy," he said, "Tuyet has left us little choice but to use our shape shifting powers when we venture out. Even then we were captured, just as we have captured you."
"I don't understand," said Takanuva, "Why aren't you wearing the Mask of Shadows? I saw it hanging in the Archives."
Makuta gave Takanuva a look that would have chilled the snow atop Mount Ihu.
"The mask is warded. If it is so much as touched, Tuyet and her minions will know at once. She keeps it there on unguarded as a taunt to me, knowing how I long for it and cannot touch it."
The two other Makuta and those Rahkshi that could still move closed in.
"But you are not so protected, Toa. Give me one good reason why we should not kill you now as your kind has killed ours for so many centuries."
"I'm not..." Takanuva began, then stopped as he debated how much to tell his captors. These were, after all, Makuta, the most evil beings in the universe from which he came. Here, though, they were hunted fugitives in a world gone mad. "I’m not one of Tuyet’s Toa. My name is Takanuva. I am a Toa of Light."
The three Makuta recoiled. Takanuva understood why; a Toa of Light was the ultimate weapon against beings of shadow.
"Listen to me," he continued, "I come from someplace else, where there is no Tuyet, no Toa Empire. I can’t claim I understand what happened here, but I do know this: I don’t belong here, and I need to get back to my own universe."
The three Makuta were silent for a moment. Then they began to laugh, a horrible sound that echoed throughout the chamber for long minutes.
"And just how," said the Makuta of Metru Nui, "Do you propose to get back to this universe of yours, my poor, mad Toa?"
"By finding the one who sent me on my journey," Takanuva replied, "A being named Brutaka."
One of the Makuta nodded. He was tall, with armor lined with short, curved, and very sharp blades. "I have heard of legends of a Brutaka. It's said he is a great hero who guards a valuable treasure. But in Matoran legend, every pile of rocks is a treasure, every Rahi larger than a Stone Rat is a monster, and anyone who doesn't scream and run when the thunder cracks is a hero of great courage."
"Very true, Krika, very true indeed," said the Makuta of Metru Nui, "Very well then, you, Toa, are either a liar, a fool, or a mad man, I know not which, but if you need our help, you have to pay a price."
"And what is that price?" asked Takanuva.
"A Matoran expedition, escorted by a pair of Toa, left Metru Nui weeks ago, bound for the island of Artakha," said Makuta. "They were sent to retrieve an object of power; the legendary Mask of Time, one of the few weapons that might be effective against Tuyet. By now they have it, and are on their way back. I want you to attack their force and steal the Mask of Time for us. In return we will smuggle you out of the city so you can find your Brutaka. But be warned, the Matoran leader is a fanatic, who would rather die than surrender his prize. You will have to grant him his wish."
"And just who is this leader?" asked Takanuva.
"No one you would know," said Makuta Krika, "A Ta-Matoran, someone named Jaller."
Chapter Five
Toa Takanuva had experienced many strange things since arriving in what he now knew had to be some kind of alternate universe. But nothing quite equaled what he was experiencing right at the moment: the sensation of flying under his own power over a vast stretch of ocean. Even stranger was the fact that he had Makuta to thank for this ability. After telling him roughly where to look for the caravan that would be carrying the Mask of Time, Makuta Krika had commented that he would never be able to intercept them in time by sea, even if he managed to steal a boat and slip away from Metru Nui. Flight was the best choice. Before Takanuva could argue that he didn't have the ability to fly, Krika had blown a fine powder into his face. The Toa of Light couldn't help but breathe it in. With a laugh, Krika explained that he had just been exposed to a Makuta Virus, which would, at least temporarily, give him the power of flight. If it had any other side effects, Krika chose not to say. Takanuva didn't know whether to thank him, or hit him.
Still, his directions had been good. Up ahead on the land, Takanuva spotted an Ussal crab-drawn cart driven by a Matoran, flanked by a Toa of Ice and a Toa of Earth, mounted on Muaka tigers. Takanuva could only guess that both cart and Rahi had been loaded and unloaded from a ship, since part of the journey to Artakha had to be made by sea. Despite the Makuta's warning that he would have to kill the Toa and the Matoran with them, Jaller, Takanuva had another idea. He was a Toa, after all, in a world dominated by them. It was worth trying, anyway. He landed right in front of the cart, prompting Jaller to reign it to an abrupt halt. The two Toa raised their spears and shields and took a step forward.
"Who are you?" said the black-armored warrior, "Speak or face the power of my Seismic Spear."
"What my grim friend is trying to say," said the Toa of Ice, "is that we were not expecting visitors, not even multi-toned ones such as yourself. Surprises make us nervous, and when we are nervous, other beings sometimes get hurt."
"Lower your weapons," said the Toa of Light, "My name is Takanuva, I am here on business of the Empire."
"I am Toa Kualus," said the white-armored Toa, "My surly friend is Toa Bomonga; and what might your business be, Takanuva?"
"I don't trust him," said Jaller.
Takanuva barely recognized him in his red Kanohi Komau.
"Kodan keeps a record of every Toa in the universe, and I've never seen his name before."
Takanuva fired a thin beam of light at Jaller, shooting the reigns out of his hands. Pewku, the Ussal crab, reared up, startled.
"When I want your opinion, Matoran, I'll ask for it," Takanuva said, trying to sound like a Toa from this universe.
Kualus' response was a blast of Ice from his Sub-Zero Spear, but Takanuva easily shattered it with another light beam. Bomonga made a move to attack, but the Toa of Light temporarily blinded him with a flare.
"If you're done," said Takanuva, "Tuyet has received word of a plan to steal the Mask of Time. She has decided that two Toa are not enough to guard it. Particularly you two, so she has sent me to join you."
"And just what makes you the right choice?" growled Bomonga.
The Toa of Light thought fast, "Have you ever heard of... Takutanuva?"
Both Toa shook their heads.
"How about Graalok the mighty Ash Bear?"
Again they shook their heads.
"And I suppose you haven't heard of the beasts of Mount Ihu, or the flame serpents of the Tren Krom Break, or even," he dropped his voice for effect, "even the Kolhii creature of Ga-Wahi."
"We haven't heard of any of those things," said Kualus.
Takanuva smiled, raised his lance high, and then plunged it into the sand in front of the two Toa. "There is a reason you haven't heard of them, brothers... and if I could defeat them, I could surely handle a threat to the Vahi."
Bomonga and Kualus glanced at each other, then Kualus shrugged, "Very well, brother, you may travel with us to Metru Nui, but since you're so powerful, why don't you walk in front of us? That way you can meet any challenge head-on. Incidentally, who is this that plans to steal this mask from us?"
"A very powerful and evil being called Brutaka," Takanuva replied.
This time, the two Toa obviously recognized the name. Bomonga even smiled.
"You know of him, then?" asked Takanuva.
"And well I should," said Bomonga. He plunged his spear into the ground next to Takanuva's lance, "After all, I killed him."
Mutran Chronicles
Well, next is the Mutran Chronicles. Personally, I don't enjoy this one as much as the others.
The Mutran Chronicles
Chapter 1
As I, Makuta Mutran, recline in my hive in Karda Nui, carving this record, I am gratified by the sight of Shadow Leeches taking form in their bubbling vats. The invasion of the universe core is proceeding well, my newest creations are spreading darkness and corruption, and in general, it is good to be alive.
My assistant, Vican, is busily stuffing a failed experiment back into its crate. Normally, I dispose of any "accidents" as soon as possible... but in this case, this hissing, biting, and incredibly toxic creation would make a fine gift for Chirox.
Ah, Chirox... it was only 100 millennia or so ago that we were the best of friends, working together to create new and better Rahi to aid the Matoran.
It was during the reign of Makuta Miserix, first leader of the Brotherhood. The fortress of Destral had only recently been constructed and all Makuta were based there. Our sole job at the time was Rahi creation. I recall one particular day when Chirox and I were bent over our slab, trying to make something useful out of one of Spiriah’s experiments.
"Too many legs," muttered Chirox. "And those teeth..."
"Do we break it down and start over?" I asked. "Or simply lock it in a room with Spiriah?"
Miserix chose this moment to enter. He took one look at the squirming thing on the table and snorted in disgust. Then he glanced up at us. "We have a... situation," he said. "The inhabitants of Xia are demanding higher payments for their goods than most Matoran cities can afford. I want one of you to go with Makuta Icarax and his aide, Pridak, to explain the necessity of cooperation to them."
After he left, we flipped the Rahi to see who would have to go. Unfortunately, it had two heads and no tail, so it took quite some time to arrive at a decision.
The mission was successful, of course. After days of negotiations, Icarax lost his temper. Later, after the rubble had been cleared away, the Xians were more than willing to be reasonable. We practically had to drag Pridak off the island, so taken was he with the place's potential.
It was only when we were close to Destral that I realized I had forgotten my pet project, my favorite sentient rock. "I must have left it in the center of the island when we were inspecting the factories," I said. "Most disturbing... I never travel without it, but it can be... difficult."
"What's the problem?" growled Icarax. "It’s a rock."
"Well, true," I answered. "That is, unless it starts eating Xians and grows into a Mountain. Still, what are the odds of that ever happening?"
We sailed on then, leaving behind an island full of factories, a hard-working population of Xians... and a very, very hungry rock.
Chapter 2
Ah, Pridak ... it was not so very long after our excursion to Xia that he left the service of the Brotherhood of Makuta for "greater things." I gather that Makuta Miserix kept an eye on him, through an easily corruptible character named Takadox. And so the formation of the League of Six Kingdoms came of little surprise to us.
That's not to say we were happy about it. Oh, my, no. It was one thing to know you were always below the Great Spirit on the ladder of power – quite another to be receiving strongly worded "requests" from six jumped-up warlords who didn't know their proper place in things.
Well do I remember sitting in a cold, damp chamber in some Barraki tower, listening to Pridak and Kalmah discuss how they intended to carve up the known universe into territories. We Makuta would continue to provide Rahi beasts and anything else they might need that was within our power to give them. Miserix listened to all this with growing impatience until he could take no more.
"Insolent gnats," he spat. "The Makuta serve only Mata Nui. We do not put our secret knowledge to work for every being with a strong arm and legions of rabble behind him."
Pridak leaned forward, smiling. "That 'rabble' is prepared to march on Destral on my orders. Before your Toa and Rahkshi can even marshal their forces, we will have taken your fortress ... and claimed your precious secrets. You would do well to remember that, while you serve Mata Nui, we are his chosen rulers in this universe."
"Then perhaps the Great Spirit is not as smart as we have been led to believe," said Icarax.
I glanced at Takadox then. A member of the League and a seller of information to the Brotherhood, he truly belonged with neither side. Perhaps that is why he looked like he wished he could sink into the floor.
Pridak rose, followed by Kalmah and the others. "You have a choice, Makuta – cooperation, or conquest. I trust you will choose wisely."
"What about the places not on your map?" asked Makuta Chirox. "Artakha ... Metru Nui ... the unknown lands to the south ..."
"We are in ... discussions with Metru Nui," said Kalmah. "As for Artakha, let the old fool putter among his creations. And the southern lands are fit only for stone rats and lohrak."
"Then this lot should fit right in," I muttered, earning a glare from Kalmah.
"This meeting is over," said Pridak coldly. "We will expect fresh war beasts as requested. If you choose to obstruct the designs of the Great Spirit, then your fate will be on your own heads."
One by one, the League members filed out, Takadox shooting a worried glance at Miserix as he departed. After they were gone, Miserix turned to his most trusted lieutenant and spoke the words that (though we did not know it then) sealed the Barraki’s fate:
"Swords so easily drawn beg to be used ... and are rarely so easy to put away again. These Barraki may prove troublesome. Watch them."
Chapter 3
The war was over.
Not that I got to witness the final, grand battle between the forces of the Brotherhood of Makuta and the upstart League of Six Kingdoms. Oh, no – Miserix's lieutenant claimed the honor of leading the attack and getting all the glory. I and another Makuta, Gorast, were sent on what amounted to clean-up duty in the fortress of Kalmah.
Needless to say, I was not excited about this task. If you have ever been to the northwestern regions of the League's territory, you know that it stinks like the breath of a Kanohi Dragon and is littered with the carcasses of dead Rahi. Of course, that last is my fault – Kalmah never showed the proper respect due a Makuta, so I never sent him Rahi with a lifespan of more than three days.
Add to that the company of Gorast, as warm and friendly as cuddling up with a spiked lava eel. She said nothing on the trip north, other than to urge me to move faster, which was fine with me. Gorast is a fierce warrior, but once you have finished discussing dismemberment, slaughter, carnage, and decapitation, she has nothing much left to say.
Kalmah's "fortress" was hardly that. Word of the League's surrender had spread and that remnant of his army that had been left behind had sacked the place. They had fled before we arrived, so that all we found was a pile of rock and debris. A brief search revealed no signs of any weapons, charts, equipment, or anything else that would be of use.
After a while, Gorast spotted a few stragglers and hunted them down. I tried to clear some of the rubble to make a space to sit down. That was when I spotted the carving. Looking it over, I realized that some of my creations – the Rahi beasts I named "Blade Burrowers" – had defied the odds and survived. What's more, Kalmah had discovered something most interesting about them. When enough blade burrowers are present, they start to tunnel every which way. At first glance, the tunnels look random – two long, curved ones running north and south, with smaller ones in between them – with the same pattern of construction, repeated over and over again. But Kalmah had realized they were not random at all, as any fool could see. No – the blade burrowers were constructing a map.
But... a map of what?
That question plagues me to this day. The shape of the tunnels looks like no land mass I know of. I even once tried having an imprisoned Toa wearing a Mask of Translation communicate with the burrowers, but to no avail. It seems the burrowers don't know why they are building the tunnels in this pattern either, only that they must.
I felt certain then, and still do now, that this means something ... perhaps something devastating. But it is a mystery beyond even the Brotherhood’s capacity to solve ... and although a Makuta should never admit to feeling fear, I confess the memory of that carving haunts my dreams.
Chapter 4
There is nothing quite so... amusing... as Matoran at war with each other. There they are, with their powerless masks and their little weapons, trying to look formidable as they march into battle. One has to laugh.
Of course, Makuta Miserix did not find the situation at all amusing. A mere 500 years after the defeat of the League of Six Kingdoms, the Matoran of Metru Nui had gone to war with each other. It had begun as a simple dispute over boundaries and trade between Ta-Metru and Po-Metru. It escalated when Po-Matoran sank some of the transport barges and Ta-Matoran destroyed a Po-Matoran warehouse with molten protodermis. Onu-Metru sided with the fire Matoran, Le-Metru with the stone. The Ko-Matoran attempted to intervene and were rebuffed, which pushed them into the Po-Matoran camp. Ga-Matoran efforts to remain neutral failed miserably and they eventually sided with fire and earth as well.
Work ground to a halt as arguments evolved into pitched battles. Entire blocks of streets were badly damaged or destroyed. With no Toa stationed there, and the Turaga ineffective, it seemed as if nothing could halt the destruction. This suited me just fine, since I was using the chaos as an opening to slip new Rahi into the city to test their destructive potential.
Miserix ordered his lieutenant to step in and stop the fighting. By this time, that particular Makuta was already contemplating the overthrow of the Great Spirit Mata Nui, so no doubt he saw this as an opportunity to show how well the Makuta could impose order. Unfortunately, his solution was to seal large numbers of the opposing armies in the Archives and unleash the exhibits on them. It was, needless to say, quite a mess to clean up later. And it did nothing to inspire great love for the Brotherhood in the hearts of the Matoran, though they certainly behaved themselves afterwards.
What happened to the war leaders, we do not know. Possibly they were spirited off as the Barraki had been, to parts unknown. But from that time on, Miserix decided that each of us would be assigned a particular region to watch over. His lieutenant was assigned the prize of Metru Nui, while I was given the center section of the Matoran mainland. (Not that I ever paid much attention to what was going on there, being too busy with my experiments. Really, who cared what happened to a few Matoran here or there? There were always more where they came from.)
Of course, much of what I have related here, I did not witness personally. No, after the war was well underway, I was given another job by Miserix. By the time the Archives Massacre took place, I was well to the south, heading for a meeting with a legend... a legend named Tren Krom.
The Mutran Chronicles
Chapter 1
As I, Makuta Mutran, recline in my hive in Karda Nui, carving this record, I am gratified by the sight of Shadow Leeches taking form in their bubbling vats. The invasion of the universe core is proceeding well, my newest creations are spreading darkness and corruption, and in general, it is good to be alive.
My assistant, Vican, is busily stuffing a failed experiment back into its crate. Normally, I dispose of any "accidents" as soon as possible... but in this case, this hissing, biting, and incredibly toxic creation would make a fine gift for Chirox.
Ah, Chirox... it was only 100 millennia or so ago that we were the best of friends, working together to create new and better Rahi to aid the Matoran.
It was during the reign of Makuta Miserix, first leader of the Brotherhood. The fortress of Destral had only recently been constructed and all Makuta were based there. Our sole job at the time was Rahi creation. I recall one particular day when Chirox and I were bent over our slab, trying to make something useful out of one of Spiriah’s experiments.
"Too many legs," muttered Chirox. "And those teeth..."
"Do we break it down and start over?" I asked. "Or simply lock it in a room with Spiriah?"
Miserix chose this moment to enter. He took one look at the squirming thing on the table and snorted in disgust. Then he glanced up at us. "We have a... situation," he said. "The inhabitants of Xia are demanding higher payments for their goods than most Matoran cities can afford. I want one of you to go with Makuta Icarax and his aide, Pridak, to explain the necessity of cooperation to them."
After he left, we flipped the Rahi to see who would have to go. Unfortunately, it had two heads and no tail, so it took quite some time to arrive at a decision.
The mission was successful, of course. After days of negotiations, Icarax lost his temper. Later, after the rubble had been cleared away, the Xians were more than willing to be reasonable. We practically had to drag Pridak off the island, so taken was he with the place's potential.
It was only when we were close to Destral that I realized I had forgotten my pet project, my favorite sentient rock. "I must have left it in the center of the island when we were inspecting the factories," I said. "Most disturbing... I never travel without it, but it can be... difficult."
"What's the problem?" growled Icarax. "It’s a rock."
"Well, true," I answered. "That is, unless it starts eating Xians and grows into a Mountain. Still, what are the odds of that ever happening?"
We sailed on then, leaving behind an island full of factories, a hard-working population of Xians... and a very, very hungry rock.
Chapter 2
Ah, Pridak ... it was not so very long after our excursion to Xia that he left the service of the Brotherhood of Makuta for "greater things." I gather that Makuta Miserix kept an eye on him, through an easily corruptible character named Takadox. And so the formation of the League of Six Kingdoms came of little surprise to us.
That's not to say we were happy about it. Oh, my, no. It was one thing to know you were always below the Great Spirit on the ladder of power – quite another to be receiving strongly worded "requests" from six jumped-up warlords who didn't know their proper place in things.
Well do I remember sitting in a cold, damp chamber in some Barraki tower, listening to Pridak and Kalmah discuss how they intended to carve up the known universe into territories. We Makuta would continue to provide Rahi beasts and anything else they might need that was within our power to give them. Miserix listened to all this with growing impatience until he could take no more.
"Insolent gnats," he spat. "The Makuta serve only Mata Nui. We do not put our secret knowledge to work for every being with a strong arm and legions of rabble behind him."
Pridak leaned forward, smiling. "That 'rabble' is prepared to march on Destral on my orders. Before your Toa and Rahkshi can even marshal their forces, we will have taken your fortress ... and claimed your precious secrets. You would do well to remember that, while you serve Mata Nui, we are his chosen rulers in this universe."
"Then perhaps the Great Spirit is not as smart as we have been led to believe," said Icarax.
I glanced at Takadox then. A member of the League and a seller of information to the Brotherhood, he truly belonged with neither side. Perhaps that is why he looked like he wished he could sink into the floor.
Pridak rose, followed by Kalmah and the others. "You have a choice, Makuta – cooperation, or conquest. I trust you will choose wisely."
"What about the places not on your map?" asked Makuta Chirox. "Artakha ... Metru Nui ... the unknown lands to the south ..."
"We are in ... discussions with Metru Nui," said Kalmah. "As for Artakha, let the old fool putter among his creations. And the southern lands are fit only for stone rats and lohrak."
"Then this lot should fit right in," I muttered, earning a glare from Kalmah.
"This meeting is over," said Pridak coldly. "We will expect fresh war beasts as requested. If you choose to obstruct the designs of the Great Spirit, then your fate will be on your own heads."
One by one, the League members filed out, Takadox shooting a worried glance at Miserix as he departed. After they were gone, Miserix turned to his most trusted lieutenant and spoke the words that (though we did not know it then) sealed the Barraki’s fate:
"Swords so easily drawn beg to be used ... and are rarely so easy to put away again. These Barraki may prove troublesome. Watch them."
Chapter 3
The war was over.
Not that I got to witness the final, grand battle between the forces of the Brotherhood of Makuta and the upstart League of Six Kingdoms. Oh, no – Miserix's lieutenant claimed the honor of leading the attack and getting all the glory. I and another Makuta, Gorast, were sent on what amounted to clean-up duty in the fortress of Kalmah.
Needless to say, I was not excited about this task. If you have ever been to the northwestern regions of the League's territory, you know that it stinks like the breath of a Kanohi Dragon and is littered with the carcasses of dead Rahi. Of course, that last is my fault – Kalmah never showed the proper respect due a Makuta, so I never sent him Rahi with a lifespan of more than three days.
Add to that the company of Gorast, as warm and friendly as cuddling up with a spiked lava eel. She said nothing on the trip north, other than to urge me to move faster, which was fine with me. Gorast is a fierce warrior, but once you have finished discussing dismemberment, slaughter, carnage, and decapitation, she has nothing much left to say.
Kalmah's "fortress" was hardly that. Word of the League's surrender had spread and that remnant of his army that had been left behind had sacked the place. They had fled before we arrived, so that all we found was a pile of rock and debris. A brief search revealed no signs of any weapons, charts, equipment, or anything else that would be of use.
After a while, Gorast spotted a few stragglers and hunted them down. I tried to clear some of the rubble to make a space to sit down. That was when I spotted the carving. Looking it over, I realized that some of my creations – the Rahi beasts I named "Blade Burrowers" – had defied the odds and survived. What's more, Kalmah had discovered something most interesting about them. When enough blade burrowers are present, they start to tunnel every which way. At first glance, the tunnels look random – two long, curved ones running north and south, with smaller ones in between them – with the same pattern of construction, repeated over and over again. But Kalmah had realized they were not random at all, as any fool could see. No – the blade burrowers were constructing a map.
But... a map of what?
That question plagues me to this day. The shape of the tunnels looks like no land mass I know of. I even once tried having an imprisoned Toa wearing a Mask of Translation communicate with the burrowers, but to no avail. It seems the burrowers don't know why they are building the tunnels in this pattern either, only that they must.
I felt certain then, and still do now, that this means something ... perhaps something devastating. But it is a mystery beyond even the Brotherhood’s capacity to solve ... and although a Makuta should never admit to feeling fear, I confess the memory of that carving haunts my dreams.
Chapter 4
There is nothing quite so... amusing... as Matoran at war with each other. There they are, with their powerless masks and their little weapons, trying to look formidable as they march into battle. One has to laugh.
Of course, Makuta Miserix did not find the situation at all amusing. A mere 500 years after the defeat of the League of Six Kingdoms, the Matoran of Metru Nui had gone to war with each other. It had begun as a simple dispute over boundaries and trade between Ta-Metru and Po-Metru. It escalated when Po-Matoran sank some of the transport barges and Ta-Matoran destroyed a Po-Matoran warehouse with molten protodermis. Onu-Metru sided with the fire Matoran, Le-Metru with the stone. The Ko-Matoran attempted to intervene and were rebuffed, which pushed them into the Po-Matoran camp. Ga-Matoran efforts to remain neutral failed miserably and they eventually sided with fire and earth as well.
Work ground to a halt as arguments evolved into pitched battles. Entire blocks of streets were badly damaged or destroyed. With no Toa stationed there, and the Turaga ineffective, it seemed as if nothing could halt the destruction. This suited me just fine, since I was using the chaos as an opening to slip new Rahi into the city to test their destructive potential.
Miserix ordered his lieutenant to step in and stop the fighting. By this time, that particular Makuta was already contemplating the overthrow of the Great Spirit Mata Nui, so no doubt he saw this as an opportunity to show how well the Makuta could impose order. Unfortunately, his solution was to seal large numbers of the opposing armies in the Archives and unleash the exhibits on them. It was, needless to say, quite a mess to clean up later. And it did nothing to inspire great love for the Brotherhood in the hearts of the Matoran, though they certainly behaved themselves afterwards.
What happened to the war leaders, we do not know. Possibly they were spirited off as the Barraki had been, to parts unknown. But from that time on, Miserix decided that each of us would be assigned a particular region to watch over. His lieutenant was assigned the prize of Metru Nui, while I was given the center section of the Matoran mainland. (Not that I ever paid much attention to what was going on there, being too busy with my experiments. Really, who cared what happened to a few Matoran here or there? There were always more where they came from.)
Of course, much of what I have related here, I did not witness personally. No, after the war was well underway, I was given another job by Miserix. By the time the Archives Massacre took place, I was well to the south, heading for a meeting with a legend... a legend named Tren Krom.
Federation of Fear
Well, posting Dark Mirror gave me some ideas. Why not post the whole thing? Well, the idea stuck and I'm going with it. First, with Federation of Fear.
Federation of Fear
Chapter 1
Vezon opened his eyes, astonished to still be alive. The last thing he remembered, he was surrounded by Zyglak, who seemed immune to his wit and charm. Then there was a flash, the sensation of being grabbed by someone far stronger than he, a weird sensation of travel, and darkness.
He looked around. The room he occupied was a large cell and he wasn’t in it alone. Vezon didn’t recognize any of the other four occupants, all of whom stood well away from the others. By reflex, he started calculating how long it would take to disable them and how quickly he could pick the lock of the cell door.
Vezon's musings were interrupted by the appearance of a sixth figure outside the cell. He was tall, lean and strong, wore a domed helmet, and carried a wicked double-bladed sword. The newcomer looked over the five prisoners as if they were cargo-hauling Ussal crabs up for auction.
"My name is Brutaka," the visitor said. "I know you have questions - I’m not here to answer them. Where you are, who I work for, what this place is - you don’t need to know. What you do need to know is that there are two, and only two, ways you can get out of here."
A Xian female stepped up to the bars and said in a dangerously soft voice, "And they are?"
"You can walk out, Roodaka, under your own power, and carry out a mission for some friends of mine," Brutaka replied. "Or I can carry you out, plant you in a hole outside, and we’ll see if anything grows."
Brutaka turned his attention to the others. "All of you have something in common – you have all had dealings with the Brotherhood of Makuta. Roodaka, here, betrayed them to the Dark Hunters, then betrayed the Dark Hunters as well – now both sides want her dead. Takadox and Carapar over there are Barraki, whose armies were crushed 80,000 years ago by the Brotherhood. The Makuta in the corner is Spiriah, who fouled up an experiment on the island of Zakaz so badly that his own people marked him for death."
Vezon timidly raised a hand. "Excuse me, oh brutal, blade-wielding, lover of gardening. I have never met any Makuta face to mask and wouldn’t know one if he stepped on me and ground me into the dirt. I think maybe you wanted someone else ... I’m Vezon with an 'n,' you see, not Vezok with a 'k,' and --"
The crab-like Carapar loped over, picked up Vezon by the neck, and bounced him off the back wall. "You talk too much," the Barraki growled.
"Oh, yes," Brutaka muttered, shaking his head. "This is going to work out just fine."
Chapter 2
Roodaka was furious. As she walked along the waterfront, clad in a cloak made of plant fibre, she imagined over and over again all the disgusting things she would someday turn Brutaka into with her Rhotuka spinner. One way or the other, he was going to pay for this.
Brutaka and his team – Roodaka, Vezon, Carapar, Takadox, and Makuta Spiriah – had arrived on the shores of the island of Stelt in a small boat. As soon as Roodaka recognized the skyline, she began to protest. Stelt was the home of the late Sidorak, her former comrade, and his people. Worse, Roodaka had set Sidorak up to be killed, and it was likely everyone on Stelt knew that. She would be about as welcome there as a Kikanalo stampede.
But Brutaka had insisted they would need a bigger boat to get where they were going, and this was the easiest place to get one. The only other team member to voice an objection was Spiriah, who believed Brotherhood of Makuta agents were waiting in every village to grab him.
"And just how are we going to purchase this boat?" Roodaka hissed. "We have no equipment, no arms other than yours, not even those ridiculous Matoran widgets. We have nothing of value to offer in exchange."
"Of course we do," Brutaka answered, as he pushed open the doors of a trading house. "We have you."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Carapar had seized her from behind. The team, along with the struggling Roodaka, stepped inside the dimly lit and foul smelling shack. The proprietor was one of Sidorak's species.
"We're here to make a purchase," said Brutaka. "Your fastest ship, outfitted with supplies for a long voyage to the south."
"To the south?" snorted the trader. "Meaning I will never see my ship, or you, again? Unless you can make me rich --"
Brutaka took the hood off Roodaka, who glared at him with murder in her eyes. "Would the reward you’ll get for capturing the killer of Sidorak be payment enough?"
The trader smiled and invited the party out to view his prize craft. So excited was he by visions of the wealth that would soon be his that he never noticed Takadox had slipped away. The boat turned out to be good-sized, well armed with disk launchers, and large enough to accommodate at least a dozen beings. A crew of large, blue and gray armored bruisers were at work on it now.
"We'll take it," said Brutaka. There was a loud splash from the ocean side of the ship, but no one paid much mind to it.
"And I'll take the murderer," the trader said. "Sidorak was no prize, but we can't let Vortixx and Rahi kill our kind and get away with it, now can we?"
There was another splash, then another, and another. Brutaka ignored them. "Of course not. But if you want people to believe you caught this dangerous criminal, you will need to look like you've been in a fight. A light tap to your head would do the trick, perhaps. My colleague, Vezon, can handle it – you won't feel a thing."
"Ever again," Vezon chimed in, smiling.
Splash. Splash. Splash.
The trader looked over Vezon, who was nowhere near as physically imposing as the rest of the team. How much damage could he do? "All right," said the trader. "One blow – a light one! – just to look convincing."
Vezon's grin grew wider. Roodaka struggled against Carapar’s grip. Brutaka walked casually away from the scene, surveying the boat. Vezon drew his fist back. Then, in one smooth motion, Brutaka whirled and whacked the trader in the back of the head. The trader crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"Hey!" said Vezon. "He was mine! I woudn't have hurt him ... much ... and I only would have needed three or four hours and the right tools, just to make sure he would be no trouble."
"That's the point," Brutaka replied. "You enjoy your work a little too much. Now everyone on board – that includes you, Roodaka."
They climbed on the ship to find Takadox standing alone. The Barraki took a little bow, pointed to his hypnotic eyes, and said, "The crew decided to go for a swim, all at once. Imagine that."
"Why all the trouble?" muttered Carapar. "We could have just stormed in and stolen the ship."
"And had all of Stelt after us?" asked Brutaka. "Not to mention every Dark Hunter and Brotherhood member around, as soon as they heard Roodaka was here?"
"But what about the trader, you fool?" said Roodaka. "He saw me!"
Brutaka laughed as the ship moved slowly away from shore. "Who's going to believe anyone stupid enough to stand still and get hit?"
Chapter 3
Brutaka and his bizarre crew had been at sea for three days when he called them all together. "It's time to let you know our mission. And before you ask, you were all chosen for this trip for one very good reason: You're expendable. No one is going to care if any of you live or die, which makes you ideal for this job."
Carapar grumbled something unspeakably foul. Brutaka chose to ignore it.
"We are going to an island far south of anything on any chart," Brutaka continued. "But it's not uninhabited. In fact, it has one very special resident: a Makuta named Miserix."
Now it was Spiriah's turn to mutter something, though his words were more in shock than in anger.
"Miserix, for those of you who don't know, was the leader of the Brotherhood of Makuta before the current holder of that title," said Brutaka. "He was overthrown and wound up imprisoned on a volcanic island. He's guarded by Rahi and the Great Beings know what else – things someone figured would be able to kill an escaping Makuta. And it's our job to break him out."
At first, none of the team members said anything. Then Takadox spoke up. "And what do we get out of this? Money? Power? Our freedom?"
Brutaka smiled. "You get to live another day."
"And what do we do with him after we have him?" asked Roodaka. "Hold him for ransom?"
"That's not your concern," Brutaka replied. "All of you have a role to play in this mission. When we get close to the island, you will be given weapons and equipment. Try to run, at any time, and friends of mine will hunt you down – friends who make me look like a big, cuddly Ussal crab."
It was Vezon who spotted them first. A small fleet of ragtag vessels was approaching from the west. They were about the ugliest boats one could imagine, slapped together from remnants and wreckage and barely sea-worthy. But he wasn’t focused on the look of the ships, but rather the identity of their crews.
"Zyglak!" he shouted.
The others rushed to the rail to look. Sure enough, the reptilian beings known as "the Great Beings' mistakes" were manning the ships. Notoriously violent and destructive, Zyglak hated the Great Spirit Mata Nui and anything associated with him. It was doubtful they were paying a social call.
Brutaka tried to steer the ship away from them, but the wind and waves were not cooperating. After a few minutes, he realized why: Makuta Spiriah was using his power over weather to keep the ship in place.
"Did you really think it would be this easy?" said Spiriah. "I deduced our goal days ago and passed a message to my Zyglak friends through channels on Stelt."
Vezon looked horrified. He had spent many days a captive of the Zyglak not so long ago. It wasn't an experience he was anxious to repeat. "Friends? Zyglak don’t have friends... just meals they haven’t eaten yet."
"They are outcasts," said Spiriah. “And so am I. Now, Brutaka, I am taking command of this ship. We will be setting a new course, for the island of Zakaz. It was there that I met defeat and disgrace – there that my grand experiment failed, because the inhabitants were too savage to know what to do with my gifts. It is their fault I was cast out of the Brotherhood – and now they are going to pay!"
Chapter 4
It had been three days since Spiriah's takeover of the team’s vessel. Since then, they had steered a course for the island of Zakaz, surrounded on every size by boats filled with murderous Zyglak. Spiriah had been acting every inch the captain of the ship, ordering the others about and being particularly hard on Brutaka. Through it all, Brutaka said nothing and made no attempt to strike at Spiriah.
"To think, we were beginning to feel a little afraid of him," Takadox said, gesturing toward Brutaka.
"Speak for yourself," Carapar replied.
"Home," beamed Vezon. "True, I’ve never been to Zakaz... I'm not even really one of the native species... in fact, they'll probably kill me on sight... or worse, tie me upside down over a spiked dagger plant... but at least I'll die at home."
Roodaka had abandoned any hope that Brutaka was going to act and concentrated instead on Spiriah. "The Brotherhood has overextended itself in recent years," she assured him. "Warring with Dark Hunters and Toa... they are weak. If you struck at them now with your army, you could take over Destral and rule the universe. Of course, you would need someone by your side who knows all the factions and how best to use them..."
Spiriah looked at her as if she were something stuck to his boot. "I would sooner offer my neck to a dull axe blade than trust you, female. Your name has become another word for 'treachery.'"
"Better that than being another word for 'failure,'" Roodaka muttered.
The conversation was ended by the appearance of land off the port bow. It was the island of Zakaz, in all its ruined "glory." A handful of Dark Hunter vessels could be seen in the waters nearby, on patrol. At a word from Spiriah, the Zyglak vessels attacked. Taken by surprise, three of the Dark Hunter ships were sunk immediately. The others beached on the shores of the island, only for the crews to be slain by a mob of Skakdi natives.
Spiriah laughed at the sight. "The Skakdi believe they know what savagery is," he said. "But they have never met the Zyglak. And the Makuta believe they know all the colors and shapes of revenge... but I will introduce them to a shade darker than even they could imagine."
The mini-armada surged forward, Zyglak already preparing to storm the beaches. They were still 500 yards from shore when the first Zyglak ship suddenly lurched and began to sink. This was followed by another and still another. Soon, Zyglak vessels on every side were taking on water, gaping holes torn in their hulls below the water line.
Takadox rushed to the rail. He caught a glimpse of beings just under the water, attacking the Zyglak craft. From a distance, they almost looked like his old ally, Ehlek. Whatever they were, they moved like fish underwater and the ships were no match for their claws.
Shocked by the abrupt annihilation of his force, Spiriah was unprepared for Brutaka's attack. An energy blast knocked him off his feet, a well-placed kick kept him on the ground, and then Brutaka’s blade was pressed against his chest armor.
"Go ahead," Brutaka said, coldly. "Use one of your powers. Think you can do it before I rip open your armor? And how long do you think your energy will last out here, with no body to occupy? Or maybe I should just throw you overboard right now."
"How... ?" Spiriah began.
"How did I deal with the Zyglak?" said Brutaka. "Simple. You have friends; so do I. Mine are an species of water dwellers who were specially modified by my employers to kill Makuta. They live off the coast of Zakaz, and right now they are practicing their skills on your Zyglak. You don't want to look... it's messy."
"Wait a minute," said Takadox. "Not that I am complaining, but how did you manage to get in touch with these 'friends' of yours? You never left the ship.”
Brutaka hauled Spiriah to his feet. All around, the ocean was littered with wrecked ships and dead Zyglak. "Spiriah had his friends following us. And I had someone following us since we left Stelt, just in case of emergency... and here she comes now."
The others turned to see a small skiff approaching from the east. Its lone pilot was a female, lithe and well-armed. As she came alongside and clambered above the ship, Roodaka noticed that her left arm was completely mechanical. For a moment, she almost felt sorry for Spiriah.
"This is the last member of our team," said Brutaka. "Treat her as you would me... and be sure she will treat you even worse than I do. Her name's Lariska."
Chapter 5
Lariska stood at the bow with Brutaka, watching the ship cleave through the water. Behind them, the other members of the team were keeping a careful eye on Makuta Spiriah - not that they could have done much to stop him if he tried to make a break. But Brutaka had done a little math and explained to Spiriah how many hours he was likely to survive once the Brotherhood of Makuta knew where he was. Then he assured Spiriah that if the ship and its occupants were all destroyed, the Brotherhood would be notified immediately where to start looking.
That was a bluff, of course. But Spiriah had spent a lot of his life fleeing from his former comrades, and running and hiding get to be habits after a while. As Brutaka expected, Spiriah bought it and backed off.
The ship had veered away from Zakaz and was on its way south. There was one more stop to make before they headed for their ultimate target. This was the one Brutaka dreaded – it was time to arm the team.
The island that came into view was little more than a piece of barren rock. It was not the original site for this meeting, but plans had changed. Two Order of Mata Nui members, Botar and the nine-foot tall warrior named Trinuma, had been dispatched with a cache of weapons for a rendezvous on a small, wooded island just off the mainland. But a Makuta named Icarax had spotted their appearance and attacked. The fight was furious, but brief. Botar was slain, crushed by the Makuta's magnetic power, and Trinuma barely escaped to tell the tale. In desperation, he stored the weapons at the first place he came to before returning to Daxia with the tragic news.
The ship dropped anchor just off the coast. Brutaka warned Takadox and Carapar he would be keeping a careful eye on them on the swim over, just in case they got any funny ideas about diving deep and escaping. Vezon was the first to react when they set foot on the rocky shore.
"There is something... wrong here," he said, his tone unusually serious. "Something beyond even my powers to cope with."
"You don't have any powers, freak," Carapar roughly reminded him.
"I don't?" Vezon said, seemingly confused. "Where was I when they were being handed out? Let me see... Makuta's lair... Voya Nui... tunnels... prison... how could I have missed the meeting, I was always where the action was."
"Quiet," said Lariska, dagger drawn. "There is one true statement in your babble. There is something not right in this place."
Brutaka approached, carrying the weapons. Takadox took a long, thin blade, while Carapar grabbed a broadsword. Roodaka pounced on a Rhotuka launcher. Brutaka handed Spiriah a projectile weapon and warned him with a cold smile not to point it at himself... or anyone else. Vezon got a spear, which he turned over in his hands with no real enthusiasm.
"What's it do?" he asked.
"Nothing," Brutaka answered. "But with your powers, you don't need it, right?"
Vezon brightened. "Right," he agreed, having forgotten once again that he had no powers. Carapar growled in frustration and stalked away.
"We have what we came for," Takadox said nervously. "Let's go."
"There's something in that cave up ahead," said Lariska. "I can hear what sounds like breathing, but it's a... wet sound, as if the being were inhaling through mud. And there's something else... it almost sounds like... something slithering."
Spiriah took a step back. "I know where we are," he said, his eyes darting from side to side as if expecting an attack. "Mutran told me of this place, though it didn't look like this ages ago. We have to go. We have to go now!"
But it was already too late. Vast walls of rock suddenly sprang up from the shore line, forming a 200-foot high wall around the island and cutting the team off from their boat. "Blast it down," Brutaka ordered. But even the power of his blade was not enough to penetrate the stone.
Spiriah had shapeshifted himself some wings and was trying to fly over the top. A sharp spear of stone erupted out of the top of the wall and impaled one of his wings, sending him spiraling toward the ground. Lariska ran, leapt, hit the wall feet first, and propelled herself into mid-air to catch the falling Makuta.
There was no time to marvel at her athletic feat or make other attempts to escape. For now a voice was coming from the cave, but not a voice like anyone present had ever heard before. It sounded like the slimy, repulsive sound that comes when a nest of feeder worms is disturbed. Even Brutaka had to suppress a shudder.
"Visitors," said the voice. "At last."
"Who are you?" said Brutaka. "Did you imprison us here? I warn you, you don't know the power you face."
A massive tentacle shot out of the cave, wrapping itself around Brutaka and pulling him inside. The next moment, he was in the presence of something so horrible, so alien, that it took all his willpower just to hold on to his sanity.
"Now," said the entity that held him in its grip. "Now tell Tren Krom of your power."
Federation of Fear
Chapter 1
Vezon opened his eyes, astonished to still be alive. The last thing he remembered, he was surrounded by Zyglak, who seemed immune to his wit and charm. Then there was a flash, the sensation of being grabbed by someone far stronger than he, a weird sensation of travel, and darkness.
He looked around. The room he occupied was a large cell and he wasn’t in it alone. Vezon didn’t recognize any of the other four occupants, all of whom stood well away from the others. By reflex, he started calculating how long it would take to disable them and how quickly he could pick the lock of the cell door.
Vezon's musings were interrupted by the appearance of a sixth figure outside the cell. He was tall, lean and strong, wore a domed helmet, and carried a wicked double-bladed sword. The newcomer looked over the five prisoners as if they were cargo-hauling Ussal crabs up for auction.
"My name is Brutaka," the visitor said. "I know you have questions - I’m not here to answer them. Where you are, who I work for, what this place is - you don’t need to know. What you do need to know is that there are two, and only two, ways you can get out of here."
A Xian female stepped up to the bars and said in a dangerously soft voice, "And they are?"
"You can walk out, Roodaka, under your own power, and carry out a mission for some friends of mine," Brutaka replied. "Or I can carry you out, plant you in a hole outside, and we’ll see if anything grows."
Brutaka turned his attention to the others. "All of you have something in common – you have all had dealings with the Brotherhood of Makuta. Roodaka, here, betrayed them to the Dark Hunters, then betrayed the Dark Hunters as well – now both sides want her dead. Takadox and Carapar over there are Barraki, whose armies were crushed 80,000 years ago by the Brotherhood. The Makuta in the corner is Spiriah, who fouled up an experiment on the island of Zakaz so badly that his own people marked him for death."
Vezon timidly raised a hand. "Excuse me, oh brutal, blade-wielding, lover of gardening. I have never met any Makuta face to mask and wouldn’t know one if he stepped on me and ground me into the dirt. I think maybe you wanted someone else ... I’m Vezon with an 'n,' you see, not Vezok with a 'k,' and --"
The crab-like Carapar loped over, picked up Vezon by the neck, and bounced him off the back wall. "You talk too much," the Barraki growled.
"Oh, yes," Brutaka muttered, shaking his head. "This is going to work out just fine."
Chapter 2
Roodaka was furious. As she walked along the waterfront, clad in a cloak made of plant fibre, she imagined over and over again all the disgusting things she would someday turn Brutaka into with her Rhotuka spinner. One way or the other, he was going to pay for this.
Brutaka and his team – Roodaka, Vezon, Carapar, Takadox, and Makuta Spiriah – had arrived on the shores of the island of Stelt in a small boat. As soon as Roodaka recognized the skyline, she began to protest. Stelt was the home of the late Sidorak, her former comrade, and his people. Worse, Roodaka had set Sidorak up to be killed, and it was likely everyone on Stelt knew that. She would be about as welcome there as a Kikanalo stampede.
But Brutaka had insisted they would need a bigger boat to get where they were going, and this was the easiest place to get one. The only other team member to voice an objection was Spiriah, who believed Brotherhood of Makuta agents were waiting in every village to grab him.
"And just how are we going to purchase this boat?" Roodaka hissed. "We have no equipment, no arms other than yours, not even those ridiculous Matoran widgets. We have nothing of value to offer in exchange."
"Of course we do," Brutaka answered, as he pushed open the doors of a trading house. "We have you."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Carapar had seized her from behind. The team, along with the struggling Roodaka, stepped inside the dimly lit and foul smelling shack. The proprietor was one of Sidorak's species.
"We're here to make a purchase," said Brutaka. "Your fastest ship, outfitted with supplies for a long voyage to the south."
"To the south?" snorted the trader. "Meaning I will never see my ship, or you, again? Unless you can make me rich --"
Brutaka took the hood off Roodaka, who glared at him with murder in her eyes. "Would the reward you’ll get for capturing the killer of Sidorak be payment enough?"
The trader smiled and invited the party out to view his prize craft. So excited was he by visions of the wealth that would soon be his that he never noticed Takadox had slipped away. The boat turned out to be good-sized, well armed with disk launchers, and large enough to accommodate at least a dozen beings. A crew of large, blue and gray armored bruisers were at work on it now.
"We'll take it," said Brutaka. There was a loud splash from the ocean side of the ship, but no one paid much mind to it.
"And I'll take the murderer," the trader said. "Sidorak was no prize, but we can't let Vortixx and Rahi kill our kind and get away with it, now can we?"
There was another splash, then another, and another. Brutaka ignored them. "Of course not. But if you want people to believe you caught this dangerous criminal, you will need to look like you've been in a fight. A light tap to your head would do the trick, perhaps. My colleague, Vezon, can handle it – you won't feel a thing."
"Ever again," Vezon chimed in, smiling.
Splash. Splash. Splash.
The trader looked over Vezon, who was nowhere near as physically imposing as the rest of the team. How much damage could he do? "All right," said the trader. "One blow – a light one! – just to look convincing."
Vezon's grin grew wider. Roodaka struggled against Carapar’s grip. Brutaka walked casually away from the scene, surveying the boat. Vezon drew his fist back. Then, in one smooth motion, Brutaka whirled and whacked the trader in the back of the head. The trader crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"Hey!" said Vezon. "He was mine! I woudn't have hurt him ... much ... and I only would have needed three or four hours and the right tools, just to make sure he would be no trouble."
"That's the point," Brutaka replied. "You enjoy your work a little too much. Now everyone on board – that includes you, Roodaka."
They climbed on the ship to find Takadox standing alone. The Barraki took a little bow, pointed to his hypnotic eyes, and said, "The crew decided to go for a swim, all at once. Imagine that."
"Why all the trouble?" muttered Carapar. "We could have just stormed in and stolen the ship."
"And had all of Stelt after us?" asked Brutaka. "Not to mention every Dark Hunter and Brotherhood member around, as soon as they heard Roodaka was here?"
"But what about the trader, you fool?" said Roodaka. "He saw me!"
Brutaka laughed as the ship moved slowly away from shore. "Who's going to believe anyone stupid enough to stand still and get hit?"
Chapter 3
Brutaka and his bizarre crew had been at sea for three days when he called them all together. "It's time to let you know our mission. And before you ask, you were all chosen for this trip for one very good reason: You're expendable. No one is going to care if any of you live or die, which makes you ideal for this job."
Carapar grumbled something unspeakably foul. Brutaka chose to ignore it.
"We are going to an island far south of anything on any chart," Brutaka continued. "But it's not uninhabited. In fact, it has one very special resident: a Makuta named Miserix."
Now it was Spiriah's turn to mutter something, though his words were more in shock than in anger.
"Miserix, for those of you who don't know, was the leader of the Brotherhood of Makuta before the current holder of that title," said Brutaka. "He was overthrown and wound up imprisoned on a volcanic island. He's guarded by Rahi and the Great Beings know what else – things someone figured would be able to kill an escaping Makuta. And it's our job to break him out."
At first, none of the team members said anything. Then Takadox spoke up. "And what do we get out of this? Money? Power? Our freedom?"
Brutaka smiled. "You get to live another day."
"And what do we do with him after we have him?" asked Roodaka. "Hold him for ransom?"
"That's not your concern," Brutaka replied. "All of you have a role to play in this mission. When we get close to the island, you will be given weapons and equipment. Try to run, at any time, and friends of mine will hunt you down – friends who make me look like a big, cuddly Ussal crab."
It was Vezon who spotted them first. A small fleet of ragtag vessels was approaching from the west. They were about the ugliest boats one could imagine, slapped together from remnants and wreckage and barely sea-worthy. But he wasn’t focused on the look of the ships, but rather the identity of their crews.
"Zyglak!" he shouted.
The others rushed to the rail to look. Sure enough, the reptilian beings known as "the Great Beings' mistakes" were manning the ships. Notoriously violent and destructive, Zyglak hated the Great Spirit Mata Nui and anything associated with him. It was doubtful they were paying a social call.
Brutaka tried to steer the ship away from them, but the wind and waves were not cooperating. After a few minutes, he realized why: Makuta Spiriah was using his power over weather to keep the ship in place.
"Did you really think it would be this easy?" said Spiriah. "I deduced our goal days ago and passed a message to my Zyglak friends through channels on Stelt."
Vezon looked horrified. He had spent many days a captive of the Zyglak not so long ago. It wasn't an experience he was anxious to repeat. "Friends? Zyglak don’t have friends... just meals they haven’t eaten yet."
"They are outcasts," said Spiriah. “And so am I. Now, Brutaka, I am taking command of this ship. We will be setting a new course, for the island of Zakaz. It was there that I met defeat and disgrace – there that my grand experiment failed, because the inhabitants were too savage to know what to do with my gifts. It is their fault I was cast out of the Brotherhood – and now they are going to pay!"
Chapter 4
It had been three days since Spiriah's takeover of the team’s vessel. Since then, they had steered a course for the island of Zakaz, surrounded on every size by boats filled with murderous Zyglak. Spiriah had been acting every inch the captain of the ship, ordering the others about and being particularly hard on Brutaka. Through it all, Brutaka said nothing and made no attempt to strike at Spiriah.
"To think, we were beginning to feel a little afraid of him," Takadox said, gesturing toward Brutaka.
"Speak for yourself," Carapar replied.
"Home," beamed Vezon. "True, I’ve never been to Zakaz... I'm not even really one of the native species... in fact, they'll probably kill me on sight... or worse, tie me upside down over a spiked dagger plant... but at least I'll die at home."
Roodaka had abandoned any hope that Brutaka was going to act and concentrated instead on Spiriah. "The Brotherhood has overextended itself in recent years," she assured him. "Warring with Dark Hunters and Toa... they are weak. If you struck at them now with your army, you could take over Destral and rule the universe. Of course, you would need someone by your side who knows all the factions and how best to use them..."
Spiriah looked at her as if she were something stuck to his boot. "I would sooner offer my neck to a dull axe blade than trust you, female. Your name has become another word for 'treachery.'"
"Better that than being another word for 'failure,'" Roodaka muttered.
The conversation was ended by the appearance of land off the port bow. It was the island of Zakaz, in all its ruined "glory." A handful of Dark Hunter vessels could be seen in the waters nearby, on patrol. At a word from Spiriah, the Zyglak vessels attacked. Taken by surprise, three of the Dark Hunter ships were sunk immediately. The others beached on the shores of the island, only for the crews to be slain by a mob of Skakdi natives.
Spiriah laughed at the sight. "The Skakdi believe they know what savagery is," he said. "But they have never met the Zyglak. And the Makuta believe they know all the colors and shapes of revenge... but I will introduce them to a shade darker than even they could imagine."
The mini-armada surged forward, Zyglak already preparing to storm the beaches. They were still 500 yards from shore when the first Zyglak ship suddenly lurched and began to sink. This was followed by another and still another. Soon, Zyglak vessels on every side were taking on water, gaping holes torn in their hulls below the water line.
Takadox rushed to the rail. He caught a glimpse of beings just under the water, attacking the Zyglak craft. From a distance, they almost looked like his old ally, Ehlek. Whatever they were, they moved like fish underwater and the ships were no match for their claws.
Shocked by the abrupt annihilation of his force, Spiriah was unprepared for Brutaka's attack. An energy blast knocked him off his feet, a well-placed kick kept him on the ground, and then Brutaka’s blade was pressed against his chest armor.
"Go ahead," Brutaka said, coldly. "Use one of your powers. Think you can do it before I rip open your armor? And how long do you think your energy will last out here, with no body to occupy? Or maybe I should just throw you overboard right now."
"How... ?" Spiriah began.
"How did I deal with the Zyglak?" said Brutaka. "Simple. You have friends; so do I. Mine are an species of water dwellers who were specially modified by my employers to kill Makuta. They live off the coast of Zakaz, and right now they are practicing their skills on your Zyglak. You don't want to look... it's messy."
"Wait a minute," said Takadox. "Not that I am complaining, but how did you manage to get in touch with these 'friends' of yours? You never left the ship.”
Brutaka hauled Spiriah to his feet. All around, the ocean was littered with wrecked ships and dead Zyglak. "Spiriah had his friends following us. And I had someone following us since we left Stelt, just in case of emergency... and here she comes now."
The others turned to see a small skiff approaching from the east. Its lone pilot was a female, lithe and well-armed. As she came alongside and clambered above the ship, Roodaka noticed that her left arm was completely mechanical. For a moment, she almost felt sorry for Spiriah.
"This is the last member of our team," said Brutaka. "Treat her as you would me... and be sure she will treat you even worse than I do. Her name's Lariska."
Chapter 5
Lariska stood at the bow with Brutaka, watching the ship cleave through the water. Behind them, the other members of the team were keeping a careful eye on Makuta Spiriah - not that they could have done much to stop him if he tried to make a break. But Brutaka had done a little math and explained to Spiriah how many hours he was likely to survive once the Brotherhood of Makuta knew where he was. Then he assured Spiriah that if the ship and its occupants were all destroyed, the Brotherhood would be notified immediately where to start looking.
That was a bluff, of course. But Spiriah had spent a lot of his life fleeing from his former comrades, and running and hiding get to be habits after a while. As Brutaka expected, Spiriah bought it and backed off.
The ship had veered away from Zakaz and was on its way south. There was one more stop to make before they headed for their ultimate target. This was the one Brutaka dreaded – it was time to arm the team.
The island that came into view was little more than a piece of barren rock. It was not the original site for this meeting, but plans had changed. Two Order of Mata Nui members, Botar and the nine-foot tall warrior named Trinuma, had been dispatched with a cache of weapons for a rendezvous on a small, wooded island just off the mainland. But a Makuta named Icarax had spotted their appearance and attacked. The fight was furious, but brief. Botar was slain, crushed by the Makuta's magnetic power, and Trinuma barely escaped to tell the tale. In desperation, he stored the weapons at the first place he came to before returning to Daxia with the tragic news.
The ship dropped anchor just off the coast. Brutaka warned Takadox and Carapar he would be keeping a careful eye on them on the swim over, just in case they got any funny ideas about diving deep and escaping. Vezon was the first to react when they set foot on the rocky shore.
"There is something... wrong here," he said, his tone unusually serious. "Something beyond even my powers to cope with."
"You don't have any powers, freak," Carapar roughly reminded him.
"I don't?" Vezon said, seemingly confused. "Where was I when they were being handed out? Let me see... Makuta's lair... Voya Nui... tunnels... prison... how could I have missed the meeting, I was always where the action was."
"Quiet," said Lariska, dagger drawn. "There is one true statement in your babble. There is something not right in this place."
Brutaka approached, carrying the weapons. Takadox took a long, thin blade, while Carapar grabbed a broadsword. Roodaka pounced on a Rhotuka launcher. Brutaka handed Spiriah a projectile weapon and warned him with a cold smile not to point it at himself... or anyone else. Vezon got a spear, which he turned over in his hands with no real enthusiasm.
"What's it do?" he asked.
"Nothing," Brutaka answered. "But with your powers, you don't need it, right?"
Vezon brightened. "Right," he agreed, having forgotten once again that he had no powers. Carapar growled in frustration and stalked away.
"We have what we came for," Takadox said nervously. "Let's go."
"There's something in that cave up ahead," said Lariska. "I can hear what sounds like breathing, but it's a... wet sound, as if the being were inhaling through mud. And there's something else... it almost sounds like... something slithering."
Spiriah took a step back. "I know where we are," he said, his eyes darting from side to side as if expecting an attack. "Mutran told me of this place, though it didn't look like this ages ago. We have to go. We have to go now!"
But it was already too late. Vast walls of rock suddenly sprang up from the shore line, forming a 200-foot high wall around the island and cutting the team off from their boat. "Blast it down," Brutaka ordered. But even the power of his blade was not enough to penetrate the stone.
Spiriah had shapeshifted himself some wings and was trying to fly over the top. A sharp spear of stone erupted out of the top of the wall and impaled one of his wings, sending him spiraling toward the ground. Lariska ran, leapt, hit the wall feet first, and propelled herself into mid-air to catch the falling Makuta.
There was no time to marvel at her athletic feat or make other attempts to escape. For now a voice was coming from the cave, but not a voice like anyone present had ever heard before. It sounded like the slimy, repulsive sound that comes when a nest of feeder worms is disturbed. Even Brutaka had to suppress a shudder.
"Visitors," said the voice. "At last."
"Who are you?" said Brutaka. "Did you imprison us here? I warn you, you don't know the power you face."
A massive tentacle shot out of the cave, wrapping itself around Brutaka and pulling him inside. The next moment, he was in the presence of something so horrible, so alien, that it took all his willpower just to hold on to his sanity.
"Now," said the entity that held him in its grip. "Now tell Tren Krom of your power."
Dark Mirror: Chapter 5
Well, as the title says, I'll make it easy on you and just post Dark Mirror: Chapter 5.
Lights...camera...action!
Chapter Five
Toa Takanuva had experienced many strange things since arriving in what he now knew had to be some kind of alternate universe. But nothing quite equaled what he was experiencing right at the moment: the sensation of flying under his own power over a vast stretch of ocean. Even stranger was the fact that he had Makuta to thank for this ability. After telling him roughly where to look for the caravan that would be carrying the Mask of Time, Makuta Krika had commented that he would never be able to intercept them in time by sea, even if he managed to steal a boat and slip away from Metru Nui. Flight was the best choice. Before Takanuva could argue that he didn't have the ability to fly, Krika had blown a fine powder into his face. The Toa of Light couldn't help but breathe it in. With a laugh, Krika explained that he had just been exposed to a Makuta Virus, which would, at least temporarily, give him the power of flight. If it had any other side effects, Krika chose not to say. Takanuva didn't know whether to thank him, or hit him.
Still, his directions had been good. Up ahead on the land, Takanuva spotted an Ussal crab-drawn cart driven by a Matoran, flanked by a Toa of Ice and a Toa of Earth, mounted on Muaka tigers. Takanuva could only guess that both cart and Rahi had been loaded and unloaded from a ship, since part of the journey to Artakha had to be made by sea. Despite the Makuta's warning that he would have to kill the Toa and the Matoran with them, Jaller, Takanuva had another idea. He was a Toa, after all, in a world dominated by them. It was worth trying, anyway. He landed right in front of the cart, prompting Jaller to reign it to an abrupt halt. The two Toa raised their spears and shields and took a step forward.
"Who are you?" said the black-armored warrior, "Speak or face the power of my Seismic Spear."
"What my grim friend is trying to say," said the Toa of Ice, "is that we were not expecting visitors, not even multi-toned ones such as yourself. Surprises make us nervous, and when we are nervous, other beings sometimes get hurt."
"Lower your weapons," said the Toa of Light, "My name is Takanuva, I am here on business of the Empire."
"I am Toa Kualus," said the white-armored Toa, "My surly friend is Toa Bomonga; and what might your business be, Takanuva?"
"I don't trust him," said Jaller.
Takanuva barely recognized him in his red Kanohi Komau.
"Kodan keeps a record of every Toa in the universe, and I've never seen his name before."
Takanuva fired a thin beam of light at Jaller, shooting the reigns out of his hands. Pewku, the Ussal crab, reared up, startled.
"When I want your opinion, Matoran, I'll ask for it," Takanuva said, trying to sound like a Toa from this universe.
Kualus' response was a blast of Ice from his Sub-Zero Spear, but Takanuva easily shattered it with another light beam. Bomonga made a move to attack, but the Toa of Light temporarily blinded him with a flare.
"If you're done," said Takanuva, "Tuyet has received word of a plan to steal the Mask of Time. She has decided that two Toa are not enough to guard it. Particularly you two, so she has sent me to join you."
"And just what makes you the right choice?" growled Bomonga.
The Toa of Light thought fast, "Have you ever heard of... Takutanuva?"
Both Toa shook their heads.
"How about Graalok the mighty Ash Bear?"
Again they shook their heads.
"And I suppose you haven't heard of the beasts of Mount Ihu, or the flame serpents of the Tren Krom Break, or even," he dropped his voice for effect, "even the Kolhii creature of Ga-Wahi."
"We haven't heard of any of those things," said Kualus.
Takanuva smiled, raised his lance high, and then plunged it into the sand in front of the two Toa. "There is a reason you haven't heard of them, brothers... and if I could defeat them, I could surely handle a threat to the Vahi."
Bomonga and Kualus glanced at each other, then Kualus shrugged, "Very well, brother, you may travel with us to Metru Nui, but since you're so powerful, why don't you walk in front of us? That way you can meet any challenge head-on. Incidentally, who is this that plans to steal this mask from us?"
"A very powerful and evil being called Brutaka," Takanuva replied.
This time, the two Toa obviously recognized the name. Bomonga even smiled.
"You know of him, then?" asked Takanuva.
"And well I should," said Bomonga. He plunged his spear into the ground next to Takanuva's lance, "After all, I killed him."
There it is!
Lights...camera...action!
Chapter Five
Toa Takanuva had experienced many strange things since arriving in what he now knew had to be some kind of alternate universe. But nothing quite equaled what he was experiencing right at the moment: the sensation of flying under his own power over a vast stretch of ocean. Even stranger was the fact that he had Makuta to thank for this ability. After telling him roughly where to look for the caravan that would be carrying the Mask of Time, Makuta Krika had commented that he would never be able to intercept them in time by sea, even if he managed to steal a boat and slip away from Metru Nui. Flight was the best choice. Before Takanuva could argue that he didn't have the ability to fly, Krika had blown a fine powder into his face. The Toa of Light couldn't help but breathe it in. With a laugh, Krika explained that he had just been exposed to a Makuta Virus, which would, at least temporarily, give him the power of flight. If it had any other side effects, Krika chose not to say. Takanuva didn't know whether to thank him, or hit him.
Still, his directions had been good. Up ahead on the land, Takanuva spotted an Ussal crab-drawn cart driven by a Matoran, flanked by a Toa of Ice and a Toa of Earth, mounted on Muaka tigers. Takanuva could only guess that both cart and Rahi had been loaded and unloaded from a ship, since part of the journey to Artakha had to be made by sea. Despite the Makuta's warning that he would have to kill the Toa and the Matoran with them, Jaller, Takanuva had another idea. He was a Toa, after all, in a world dominated by them. It was worth trying, anyway. He landed right in front of the cart, prompting Jaller to reign it to an abrupt halt. The two Toa raised their spears and shields and took a step forward.
"Who are you?" said the black-armored warrior, "Speak or face the power of my Seismic Spear."
"What my grim friend is trying to say," said the Toa of Ice, "is that we were not expecting visitors, not even multi-toned ones such as yourself. Surprises make us nervous, and when we are nervous, other beings sometimes get hurt."
"Lower your weapons," said the Toa of Light, "My name is Takanuva, I am here on business of the Empire."
"I am Toa Kualus," said the white-armored Toa, "My surly friend is Toa Bomonga; and what might your business be, Takanuva?"
"I don't trust him," said Jaller.
Takanuva barely recognized him in his red Kanohi Komau.
"Kodan keeps a record of every Toa in the universe, and I've never seen his name before."
Takanuva fired a thin beam of light at Jaller, shooting the reigns out of his hands. Pewku, the Ussal crab, reared up, startled.
"When I want your opinion, Matoran, I'll ask for it," Takanuva said, trying to sound like a Toa from this universe.
Kualus' response was a blast of Ice from his Sub-Zero Spear, but Takanuva easily shattered it with another light beam. Bomonga made a move to attack, but the Toa of Light temporarily blinded him with a flare.
"If you're done," said Takanuva, "Tuyet has received word of a plan to steal the Mask of Time. She has decided that two Toa are not enough to guard it. Particularly you two, so she has sent me to join you."
"And just what makes you the right choice?" growled Bomonga.
The Toa of Light thought fast, "Have you ever heard of... Takutanuva?"
Both Toa shook their heads.
"How about Graalok the mighty Ash Bear?"
Again they shook their heads.
"And I suppose you haven't heard of the beasts of Mount Ihu, or the flame serpents of the Tren Krom Break, or even," he dropped his voice for effect, "even the Kolhii creature of Ga-Wahi."
"We haven't heard of any of those things," said Kualus.
Takanuva smiled, raised his lance high, and then plunged it into the sand in front of the two Toa. "There is a reason you haven't heard of them, brothers... and if I could defeat them, I could surely handle a threat to the Vahi."
Bomonga and Kualus glanced at each other, then Kualus shrugged, "Very well, brother, you may travel with us to Metru Nui, but since you're so powerful, why don't you walk in front of us? That way you can meet any challenge head-on. Incidentally, who is this that plans to steal this mask from us?"
"A very powerful and evil being called Brutaka," Takanuva replied.
This time, the two Toa obviously recognized the name. Bomonga even smiled.
"You know of him, then?" asked Takanuva.
"And well I should," said Bomonga. He plunged his spear into the ground next to Takanuva's lance, "After all, I killed him."
There it is!
2 New Movies
As "anonymous" helpfully said, there are plans from Tinseltown Toons to create 2 new movies after the 2009 one, in 2010 and 2011.
Biosector's New Skin
A nice blend of darkness with red.
Go look at Swert's new design!
(it's on the home page)
( http://www.biosector01.com/ )
Go look at Swert's new design!
(it's on the home page)
( http://www.biosector01.com/ )
Dark Mirror 5
Head on over to bioniclestory.com to find the latest update of Dark Mirror, where you can follow Takanuva's adventure in the Toa Empire pocket dimension to find and "kill" Jaller. He meets the altered Toa Kualas and Toa Bomonga and has a little talk with them. His best friend, slave to the Toa Empress, Tuyet? Find out in Dark Mirror: Chapter 5!
Rush of Technology
Here it is!
Bionicle Ringtones (for cell phones)
Chirox game,
Antroz game,
and some others.
Right there and now on Bionicle.com!
Bionicle Ringtones (for cell phones)
Chirox game,
Antroz game,
and some others.
Right there and now on Bionicle.com!
Matoran Madness
Must include the Matoran, right?
Here goes!
Kirop
Leader of the evil Matoran!
Once he was the leader of the Matoran in Karda Nui -- now he rules the evil Matoran who threaten their lives! Large claw blades and wings are his most formidable weapons.
Tanma
He strikes for justice!
The only member of his village to survive a shadow leech attack, Tanma is out for revenge on the Brotherhood of Makuta. With his twin power blades and rocket booster, he has what it takes to fight and win.
Solek
A new ally!
An expert on the ancient legends of the Toa, Solek has always wanted to be a hero like them. Now he has the chance to fight alongside his idols! Fights with dual power blades and rocket booster.
Photok
Air warrior!
Taking crazy risks, Photok uses his twin power blades and rocket booster to prove he's as good as any Toa.
Gavla
Out for revenge!
The first Matoran of Light to be corrupted by the Makuta, Gavla is out to avenge years of being shunned by her own people.
Radiak
A hero gone bad!
Once a great Matoran hero, Radiak now fights his former friends with wings, fangs and four wickedly sharp blades.
There it is, folks! Stay tuned for more updates.
Note: Check out Bionicle.com for games and bios.
Here goes!
Kirop
Leader of the evil Matoran!
Once he was the leader of the Matoran in Karda Nui -- now he rules the evil Matoran who threaten their lives! Large claw blades and wings are his most formidable weapons.
Tanma
He strikes for justice!
The only member of his village to survive a shadow leech attack, Tanma is out for revenge on the Brotherhood of Makuta. With his twin power blades and rocket booster, he has what it takes to fight and win.
Solek
A new ally!
An expert on the ancient legends of the Toa, Solek has always wanted to be a hero like them. Now he has the chance to fight alongside his idols! Fights with dual power blades and rocket booster.
Photok
Air warrior!
Taking crazy risks, Photok uses his twin power blades and rocket booster to prove he's as good as any Toa.
Gavla
Out for revenge!
The first Matoran of Light to be corrupted by the Makuta, Gavla is out to avenge years of being shunned by her own people.
Radiak
A hero gone bad!
Once a great Matoran hero, Radiak now fights his former friends with wings, fangs and four wickedly sharp blades.
There it is, folks! Stay tuned for more updates.
Note: Check out Bionicle.com for games and bios.
A Bit of Info
Here's some information on the summer 2008 sets, from www.entertainmentearth.com.
Let's see...
Onua Mistika
Wise and powerful, Onua Nuva challenges the Brotherhood of Makuta with his jet rockets, Nunrah ghost blaster, multi-resistant shield, and high-tech wings. WIll his power of earth prevail against evil, or will Bitil defeat him?
Bitil
Time is Bitil's greatest weapon, allowing him to call on other versions of himself from the past to fight by his side. With his spikes, longsword, Nynrah ghost blaster, and army of diplicates, he may well be unstoppable!
Gali Mistika
With two powerful foot-mounted jet rockets and a Nynrah ghost blaster, Gali Nuva is the master of the low-lying muddy waters of the Karda Nui Swamp.
Tahu Mistika
She's joined by Tahu Nuva and his powerful jet rockets! The fire warrior has a high-speed rotating blade and his Nynrah ghost blaster so he can strike fast and hard throughout Karda Nui.
Krika
These ghosts are going to haunt the Toa! Krika strikes from the mist like a phantom, appearing and disappearing at will! With his venomous fangs and Nynrah ghost blaster, Krika may be the strangest and most ruthless enemy the Toa Nuva have ever faced.
Gorast
He's joined by Gorast, who uses her stinger to feed on the light of the Toa Nuva with her Mask of Disruption. She has four claw arms, a Nynrah ghost blaster, and two blades to attack her foes.
Takanuva
The warrior of light is here to stop the darkness! Partially drained of his light by a shadow leach, Takanuva struggles to hold off the corruption eating away at him. Armed witha Midak skyblaster that really fires and a mighty 3-pronged power lance, his mighty power of light is a match for any foe!
Vultraz
He's up against the evil Vultraz on his ultra-fast skyfighter. Firing devastating bolts of shadows from his Midak Skyblaster, he has the Toa in his sights for destruction! Can they survive his sudden strikes, or will he bring their plans to a crashing halt?
Toa Ignika
Fight, or flee? These awesome warriors are ready for anything! Toa Ignika was created when the Mask of Life gathered stray molecules and became the mortal Toa Ignika. Now, flying on a powerful skyboard and armed with a Midak Skyblaster and his sword, he's determined to become a hero!
Rockoh T3
Packed with power, the Rockoh T3 can trap enemy ships in an energy field or ram them out of the sky! Fold out the wings for flight mode, or fold them back in to prepare for a power dive. This awesome vehicle includes a special edition Pohatu Nuva figure!
Jetrax T6
Antrox hijacked the Jetrax T6 and now it flies against the Toa Nuva! Open the cockpit to put him inside, then launch your attack with three powerful Midak skyblasters that really fire!
Axalara T9
Lewa Nuva is ready for battle with this massively powerful battlecraft! With dual Midak skyblasters and tri-arms featuring lasers and force field capacitors, its mission is to smash the Brotherhood of Makuta while there is still time to save the universe!
Lewa Phantoka
Warrior of the air! With his high-tech jet pack, Mask of Levitation, and wing blades, Toa Lewa roars into battle! Tall, strong and armed with a razor-sharp sword and Midak Skyblaster, he is a force to be reckoned with.
Vamprah
He's coming to fight Vamprah, the silent hunter of the sky! Diving silently through the air on his huge black wings, Makuta Vamprah strikes fear into the hearts of even the other Brotherhood members. He's ready to crush the Toa Nuva with his Mask of Hunger, vicious hook claws, razor-sharp wing knives, and Tridax Pod with shadow leeches.
Kopaka Phantoka
Master of ice and snow! Strong and agile, Kopaka soars through the sky on his high-tech wings. Armed with his Midak Skyblaster tipped with an ice bayonet and Mask of X-Ray Vision, he is ready for serious combat in the air.
Pohatu Phantoka
He's joined by the lord of stone, Pohatu! Using his massive propellers to fly through the sky or bash his enemies, Toa Pohatu is as tough as they come. His Mask of Speed and shoulder-mounted Midak Skyblaster make him a devastating fighter.
Icarax
Warrior of shadow!
Icarax is the ultimate winged Makuta warrior! With his twin sword, rotating shadow blades, Mask of Shadow, and Tridax pod, he is ready to crush any Toa opponent! Can any power in the universe hope to stop him?
Chirox
Mad master of shadows!
When there is evil to be done, insane genius Makuta Chirox unfolds his wings and takes to the sky. Armed with a Tridax Pod, blade hooks, and Mask of Silence, this twisted being creates bizarre creatures and brings darkness to Karda Nui.
Antroz
Dark ruler of Karda Nui!
Armed with a Tridax Pod, Mask of Corruption, powerful claws and poisonous fangs, Antroz leads the Brotherhood of Makuta forces in Karda Nui into the fight. This powerful warriors tears through the air on bat-like wings.
Mutran and Vican
Mad genius of the Makuta!
Deep in the heart of a vast hive, evil Makuta Mutran and his servant Vican guard the shadow leech vats. With claws, blades, spears and armored wings, they are prepared to fight off any attack.
There's some. More information on the Matoran later.
Let's see...
Onua Mistika
Wise and powerful, Onua Nuva challenges the Brotherhood of Makuta with his jet rockets, Nunrah ghost blaster, multi-resistant shield, and high-tech wings. WIll his power of earth prevail against evil, or will Bitil defeat him?
Bitil
Time is Bitil's greatest weapon, allowing him to call on other versions of himself from the past to fight by his side. With his spikes, longsword, Nynrah ghost blaster, and army of diplicates, he may well be unstoppable!
Gali Mistika
With two powerful foot-mounted jet rockets and a Nynrah ghost blaster, Gali Nuva is the master of the low-lying muddy waters of the Karda Nui Swamp.
Tahu Mistika
She's joined by Tahu Nuva and his powerful jet rockets! The fire warrior has a high-speed rotating blade and his Nynrah ghost blaster so he can strike fast and hard throughout Karda Nui.
Krika
These ghosts are going to haunt the Toa! Krika strikes from the mist like a phantom, appearing and disappearing at will! With his venomous fangs and Nynrah ghost blaster, Krika may be the strangest and most ruthless enemy the Toa Nuva have ever faced.
Gorast
He's joined by Gorast, who uses her stinger to feed on the light of the Toa Nuva with her Mask of Disruption. She has four claw arms, a Nynrah ghost blaster, and two blades to attack her foes.
Takanuva
The warrior of light is here to stop the darkness! Partially drained of his light by a shadow leach, Takanuva struggles to hold off the corruption eating away at him. Armed witha Midak skyblaster that really fires and a mighty 3-pronged power lance, his mighty power of light is a match for any foe!
Vultraz
He's up against the evil Vultraz on his ultra-fast skyfighter. Firing devastating bolts of shadows from his Midak Skyblaster, he has the Toa in his sights for destruction! Can they survive his sudden strikes, or will he bring their plans to a crashing halt?
Toa Ignika
Fight, or flee? These awesome warriors are ready for anything! Toa Ignika was created when the Mask of Life gathered stray molecules and became the mortal Toa Ignika. Now, flying on a powerful skyboard and armed with a Midak Skyblaster and his sword, he's determined to become a hero!
Rockoh T3
Packed with power, the Rockoh T3 can trap enemy ships in an energy field or ram them out of the sky! Fold out the wings for flight mode, or fold them back in to prepare for a power dive. This awesome vehicle includes a special edition Pohatu Nuva figure!
Jetrax T6
Antrox hijacked the Jetrax T6 and now it flies against the Toa Nuva! Open the cockpit to put him inside, then launch your attack with three powerful Midak skyblasters that really fire!
Axalara T9
Lewa Nuva is ready for battle with this massively powerful battlecraft! With dual Midak skyblasters and tri-arms featuring lasers and force field capacitors, its mission is to smash the Brotherhood of Makuta while there is still time to save the universe!
Lewa Phantoka
Warrior of the air! With his high-tech jet pack, Mask of Levitation, and wing blades, Toa Lewa roars into battle! Tall, strong and armed with a razor-sharp sword and Midak Skyblaster, he is a force to be reckoned with.
Vamprah
He's coming to fight Vamprah, the silent hunter of the sky! Diving silently through the air on his huge black wings, Makuta Vamprah strikes fear into the hearts of even the other Brotherhood members. He's ready to crush the Toa Nuva with his Mask of Hunger, vicious hook claws, razor-sharp wing knives, and Tridax Pod with shadow leeches.
Kopaka Phantoka
Master of ice and snow! Strong and agile, Kopaka soars through the sky on his high-tech wings. Armed with his Midak Skyblaster tipped with an ice bayonet and Mask of X-Ray Vision, he is ready for serious combat in the air.
Pohatu Phantoka
He's joined by the lord of stone, Pohatu! Using his massive propellers to fly through the sky or bash his enemies, Toa Pohatu is as tough as they come. His Mask of Speed and shoulder-mounted Midak Skyblaster make him a devastating fighter.
Icarax
Warrior of shadow!
Icarax is the ultimate winged Makuta warrior! With his twin sword, rotating shadow blades, Mask of Shadow, and Tridax pod, he is ready to crush any Toa opponent! Can any power in the universe hope to stop him?
Chirox
Mad master of shadows!
When there is evil to be done, insane genius Makuta Chirox unfolds his wings and takes to the sky. Armed with a Tridax Pod, blade hooks, and Mask of Silence, this twisted being creates bizarre creatures and brings darkness to Karda Nui.
Antroz
Dark ruler of Karda Nui!
Armed with a Tridax Pod, Mask of Corruption, powerful claws and poisonous fangs, Antroz leads the Brotherhood of Makuta forces in Karda Nui into the fight. This powerful warriors tears through the air on bat-like wings.
Mutran and Vican
Mad genius of the Makuta!
Deep in the heart of a vast hive, evil Makuta Mutran and his servant Vican guard the shadow leech vats. With claws, blades, spears and armored wings, they are prepared to fight off any attack.
There's some. More information on the Matoran later.
Bionicle Legends#9: Shadows in the Sky
The book has been seen at bookstores over the US (I don't know about other countries)
I myself have it, and I highly recommend buying it. That's all.
(got it at Barnes and Nobles)
(They sell it on their website)
It's pretty good. I can post an overview, or synopsis, of it if wanted.
I myself have it, and I highly recommend buying it. That's all.
(got it at Barnes and Nobles)
(They sell it on their website)
It's pretty good. I can post an overview, or synopsis, of it if wanted.
Store with Stocks of Old
Try iBrickshop.com.
You would never think that Boxors were still being sold!
You would never think that Boxors were still being sold!
Biosector01
Just a bit of info: For more facts and trivia, visit biosector01.com.
Also, you can become a member there and help to update it.
Also, you can become a member there and help to update it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Pricing info on '08 Summer Sets
Let's see...
Tahu Nuva-$12.99
Gali Nuva-$12.99
Onua Nuva-$12.99
Bitil-$12.99
Gorast-$12.99
Krika-$12.99
Vultraz-$19.99
Mazeka-??? (Store Exclusive)
Takanuva-$29.99
Rockoh T3-$39.99
Jetrax T6-$49.99
Axalara T9-$79.99
Keep watching this blog for more info on the actual sets.
Tahu Nuva-$12.99
Gali Nuva-$12.99
Onua Nuva-$12.99
Bitil-$12.99
Gorast-$12.99
Krika-$12.99
Vultraz-$19.99
Mazeka-??? (Store Exclusive)
Takanuva-$29.99
Rockoh T3-$39.99
Jetrax T6-$49.99
Axalara T9-$79.99
Keep watching this blog for more info on the actual sets.
2008 Sets
Title says all. Here goes:
Tahu Nuva
Gali Nuva
Onua Nuva
Bitil
Krika
Gorast
Vultraz
Mazeka
Takanuva
Rockoh T3
Jetrax T6
Axalara T9
That's all.
More info on pricing and such later.
Tahu Nuva
Gali Nuva
Onua Nuva
Bitil
Krika
Gorast
Vultraz
Mazeka
Takanuva
Rockoh T3
Jetrax T6
Axalara T9
That's all.
More info on pricing and such later.
New Serials
Federation of Fear,
Dark Mirror,
The Mutran Chronicles,
all part of the 2008 Online Serials of http://www.bioniclestory.com/
More info on them later.
Dark Mirror,
The Mutran Chronicles,
all part of the 2008 Online Serials of http://www.bioniclestory.com/
More info on them later.
Anyone out there?
Please comment if you are.
I am trying to find out how many people come here, and whether I should abandon this blog. Even people without Google accounts can comment.
I am trying to find out how many people come here, and whether I should abandon this blog. Even people without Google accounts can comment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
