The Dystopian Island

"If you can hear me, Bandiaca, then listen. We are the Toa Cyril! We are united and will stand against you. We will stop you, and anyone else you throw at us! Remember this: I am Toa Hoji, Toa of Fire. Leader of the Toa Cyril. Pro and expert at this game of Light verses Shadow. We are the Light, you are the Shadow. We will stop you."

- Hoji, The Dystopian Island

The Dystopian Island is the first book of the Legacy of Power Epic Series written by BZPower and C.I.R.C.L.E. member Koji.

Chapter 1: The Witch Appears
Cyril Nui. A depressing gray sight. While it had its moments that made it less depressing, most everyone would agree with the fact that it was dystopian, or at least, nearly dystopian. It was a sizeable island, with crashing waves coming up onto its shores, with spires of rock out at sea, sometimes creating small islands, but most times creating what seemed to be a prison around the island.

Towers rose up from around the island. These spires twisted and deformed as they went higher up, having been beaten around by weather conditions. The sky was almost always gray and bleak. The island was a safe haven, but the depressing sight of it kept some away. But the Turaga took care of it, if a Turaga was to be found. Most of the time the island had political strife, with multiple Turaga vying for the single seat of power. Currently it was political strife once more, so not much was getting done. Yet the Matoran pressed on, doing whatever jobs they had to do in order to keep things going for everyone.

The spires towered above all other structures on the island. Their point was to supply power to the various buildings, to link together and create a grid network. But their blocking of the sky — not that there was much to look at — made people hate them. There had to be a better way to do things like recharge lightstones instantaneously, provide heat to everyone, give people comforts.

There were no real dangers to the island, and there never had been. But now, midway through the year 999 A.G.C., there was danger coming to threaten the island.

Ships appeared in the distance, sailing into the Dome of Cyril Nui. They bore no specific flag, banner, marking, anything. They were all unadorned, but all together in one group. No marking was all the marking they needed.

The ships stopped at the farthest stone spike erupting from the sea. The ships began to empty onto the minimal ground that the rock created as it went up in what almost looked like layers. The final being to emerge from the largest of the ships was a woman, clad in black, silver and gray armor, powerful looking, wearing a black cape down her back. She carried a staff with a silver, gripping end with a burning crimson crystal inset into it.

She waved the staff out at the rock, warping its dimensions, removing and reshaping matter. The mass that she didn’t want was gone, and the rest remained, possibly becoming denser for defensive purposes, possibly becoming furnishings or dark, decorative objects, such as oppressive looking pillars and spires to adorn this new base with.

One man stood at her side the entire time, unmoving from his position. He was clad in orange, gray and silver armor, with thrusters coming off of the backs of his legs, sleek jet-like pieces coming off of his arms and chest for a sleek look, and a rounded, silver, robotic head with a crimson, glowing eye. His body was mostly mechanical, with only two percent organic remaining. He had a bad run-in with a group who modified his body and released him into his mistress’s custody. He knew they had to be keeping tabs on him. Why else release one of their test subjects like this?

Still, he remained ever loyal to his mistress, Bandiaca, the witch. He hadn’t known anything about himself and she had taken him and made him her second in command, her personal bodyguard. She had watched him grow with proficiency in his blade and had given him the name of "Forte". It was no real name, but rather, a codename, since nobody knew his true name from his former life. "Forte" was a name given to him to represent his skill. Combat was his forte. Killing was his forte.

"Forte" was more than a name. It was an honor.

Bandiaca sat down in her newly crafted throne, crafted like everything else from her vast powers. She utilized an unknown ability that was hers, not the power of her staff or her crystal. Anything she could do was her own doing. Some called it magic. Some didn’t know what to call it.

She called it magic.

“Cyril Nui…” She said simply in a soft, acidic tone, “This island will soon be ours. Who among you will go and claim this island for me?”

Her various minions of various species and origins all tried to get her attention. They were an odd lot, but a powerful one. "Forte" was one of the only ones with her of his own free will. Everyone else was bound to her with the power of her Kanohi Zeyat, Mask of Infatuation.

Her Kanohi robbed them of their free will, causing them to fall in love with her and do her bidding. Through this manner she managed to gain a small army of professional warriors. All of them wanted to attack, but only one would go.

“Chou'ri, the honor is yours.” Bandiaca said.

A sharp shout came from near the middle of the group. The others spread out in disappointment as Chou’ri moved forward, pleased beyond all expectations. Chou’ri was a strange one, clad in lime green and black armor, with some silver. He was a snake warrior. He had a lime green and black slithering tail, tipped in a spiked, fanged end. He had a black and silver torso with black and lime green arms coming off, tipped in claws. His shoulders had large silver blades curling back for tackling and cutting. He had a vicious green and black maw, and a single crimson eye burning above his head.

“It would be my honor!” Chou’ri said in his higher pitched voice, nodding furiously to Bandiaca, “It means so much to me that I was chosen!”

“Go.” Bandiaca told him.

“How shall I get to the island?” Chou’ri asked.

“I shall give you a way.” Bandiaca answered, waving her staff out before him, “Just go and you will have your way.” She then looked to a small green and white armored man. He was around the size of a Matoran, but he wasn’t one of them. He wielded a small staff with three crimson crystals atop it, “M'hou, are the Anaroids ready?”

The small man nodded, speaking in a soft, wise voice, “A batch of Anaroids are ready for deployment, Mistress Bandiaca.”

“Perfect. Bring them to me.” Bandiaca said.

Blue and silver armored machines rampaged through the city of Cyril Nui. They had primarily blue bodies, with silver torsos, parts of their legs and arms, and silver heads. They had blue legs and arms primarily, as well as a minimal part of their torsos. They all wielded silver curved broadsword weapons with a silver, rounded guard over their hands. They moved the same, always cautious, always together, with Chou’ri in the lead of them, spitting acid as he went.

“This is easy!” Chou’ri laughed, “Mistress shall have her island in no time!”

“That’s far enough!”

Chou’ri looked ahead, confused. The Anaroids behind him moved up into position but stayed still as they waited for Chou’ri to continue on.

Standing ahead of them were five warriors. Five Toa, all of varying color.

The first one, in the center, was a crimson and orange armored Toa of Fire with a sidearm on his hip. The second was a black and gray armored Toa of Earth, holding two curved knuckle blade weapons, with a sidearm on his hip. The third was a light and dark blue armored Toa of Water, wielding a shaft that ended in a curved blade. She also wore the sidearm on her hip.

The fourth member was a dark green and silver armored Toa of Air. He carried a scythe with a wicked tip, and a sidearm on his hip. The final member was clad in white, blue and yellow armor, carrying no visible weaponry except the sidearm on her hip. Hints of something on her back were detectable, but they weren’t sure what it was.

The Toa of Fire threw his right arm forward, snapping his fingers, “The burning heart of passion! Toa Hoji!”

The Toa of Earth brought both arms up, bringing them together and passing both in front of his chest and face in almost a full circle, turning his closed fists up and his blades out to the sides. He brought them to rest by his hips, bending his elbows there, “The overpowering strength of the ground! Toa Agri!”

The Toa of Water held her right arm out, spinning her weapon around her hand. As she did this, she brought her other arm up, bending it underneath her outstretched right arm, bracing it as she lowered the weapon down, pointing the tip at the enemy forces, “The serene and soothing waves! Toa Eri!”

The Toa of Air span around, throwing his arms out to the side, using his powers to send some leaves at his feet around his body. He reached his right hand up as he lowered his left, brushing his fingers across the forehead of his Kanohi. He cast his arm sideways after that, “The magnificent gale! Toa Magis!”

The Toa of Lightning went last, sending both arms forward and making a circle with them in the air in front of her body, stopping when they reached each other again. A small spark danced between her hands, “The sizzling sensation of lightning! Toa Rei!”

“Five Toa united to defend this island! We are the Toa Cyril!” They shouted as one.

Chou’ri regarded them and laughed, “Toa, eh? Fun! Mistress will be pleased when I bring your heads! Anaroids, attack!”

“Mistress?” Hoji questioned as the machines raced forward.

“Mistress Bandiaca, the witch.” Chou’ri said.

Hoji nodded, “Good to know what we’re up against.” He looked at the others, “Rei, you’re field leader when I’m not around. You make the orders.”

“You’re not fighting?” The Toa of Lightning questioned of their leader.

Hoji shook his head, “No.” He said, taking a step back, “I want to observe.”

Rei nodded, “Understood.” She reached to her back, removing a total of six daggers that she kept sheathed there, holding one between each finger on each hand, except for between her pointer finger and thumb, “Here’s the plan. Agri, Eri, take care of the machines. Magis, you and I will handle the snake. Got it?”

The Toa nodded in understanding. Agri and Eri raced forward into the group of Anaroids, slashing into them with their weapons. Eri would slash with her shaft weapon, cutting them down from the chest and blocking with the shaft, while Agri would jump in and start punching any target close to him, tearing their chests apart with the blade weapons he carried.

Magis and Rei raced around the outside of the fight in the middle of the street. Chou’ri watched as they came and went down onto his belly. He pushed himself forward, shooting forward like a missile, getting ready to use his bladed shoulders.

“Magis, stop him!” Rei shouted.

Magis nodded, “Fine.” He grumbled, irritated to be taking orders from the field leader. He span around, throwing his arm out. The spin served no purpose other than for his own appearance, to make him look good.

A cushion of air appeared in front of Chou’ri, stopping him. Rei dashed forward, at his side, using her high speed to instantly clear the distance. She drew both arms back and plunged them forward, ready to stab Chou’ri in the side.

Chou’ri shot his arm out, backhanding her, knocking her aside. He looked forward at the approaching Magis, who span and lifted his scythe, the Topgaler. He slashed his weapon down at the apex of his spin, but Chou’ri parried with his claws.

“You’re not very good.” Chou’ri hissed.

“Quiet.” Magis hissed. A kick would be perfect at that moment, but Magis didn’t strike.

“Magis, hit him!” Rei shouted.

“Look at him!” Magis snapped, “He’s…disgusting!”

“Disgusting?” Chou’ri laughed, “But enough to defeat you!” He rose up onto his tail, gaining height. He slammed his tail forward, smashing Magis in the chest with the end of his tail, with the fanged tip he had, throwing the Toa of Air back, sending sparks from the impact, leaving a dark mark on his torso armor.

“Magis!” Rei shouted, dropping her daggers. She reached for her weapon at her hip and lifted it up. The weapon was silver and black, with the center being black as a grip, and a silver, rounded guard beneath it, but it only served to protect the bottom side of the hand. Atop the grip was a silver rounded end sloping back and also going forward, serving as the end of the firearm. Atop that was another black piece that held a blade on it, but the blade was sloped back so it would rest partially above the arm.

“Blade Blaster!” She shouted, firing on Chou’ri with energy bullets from the sidearm that all of the Toa Cyril carried.

Chou’ri dodged it with his slithering speed. He came atop Rei and drew his claws back, getting ready to attack.

She rolled aside and threw her left hand forward, firing a bolt of Lightning into his side, throwing him to the ground. He hissed and came up, his armor darkened from the impact burns. He threw himself forward, spitting acid at Rei.

She dodged back and fired from her Blade Blaster, but the glancing blows didn’t do much to the serpentine warrior. Magis rushed forward, taking a few slashed with his scythe, but couldn’t connect any. He leapt back to avoid taking a slash.

Eri and Agri had retreated and taken to their Blade Blasters to deal with the Anaroids. The Anaroids, however, had other plans. They lifted their weapons, blocking what they could with the guards of their blades, and returning fire, able to use the guards as a blaster, getting some hits in on the Toa of Water and Toa of Earth.

Agri threw his arms out, sending a ripple of ground into the Anaroids, while Eri sent a blast of Water into another group. Still, the machines continued, unfazed by the elemental attacks for the most part.

Hoji walked forward, his Blade Blaster up at his shoulder, ready, “My turn.” He said, firing with quick, expert shots into the group of Anaroids, taking headshots each time. As they turned their fire on him, he leapt up, spinning in the air to the side. He landed, span around, and fired more rapid shots, combing the energy bullets with bursts of Fire from the Blade Blaster as well.

He raced forward into the flaming group of Anaroids. He grabbed the blade of his weapon and snapped it up and around, affixing it to the barrel of the Blade Blaster. He shifted the guard up, using it as a hand guard, and the grip moved, affixing itself to the end of the sleek barrel of the weapon, changing it from firearm to sword.

He dodged the slashes as they came, slashing into each one of them in turn. He wielded it with one hand, sending random bursts of Fire into the Anaroids with his left hand.

He span around, cutting a group around him down across their chests. He raced out of the group and at Chou’ri. He leapt forward, kicking the snake in the chest, throwing him into a building.

“You want to try me?” Chou’ri shouted.

Hoji lowered his weapon, staring over the blade, “Yes, try me.”

As Chou’ri leapt for Hoji, Rei recovered her daggers and holstered her Blade Blaster. She looked to Eri and Agri who cleaned up the rest of the Anaroids, and then to Magis, who was watching the fight.

For every slash Chou’ri made, Hoji expertly blocked it with his blade. He ducked and span around to avoid attacks, using the spin to mock Chou’ri, who shouted at each evasion of his strikes, even his acidic attacks.

Hoji leapt back and slid. He quickly flipped his weapon back into its blaster mode and fired on Chou’ri’s chest, darkening him and causing sparks to fly, enraging the serpent even more. As he shot forward, Hoji switched back to his blade and leapt forward to meet him head on.

In the point blank range, he dodged the claws with his expert skills. He rammed his blade up, piercing Chou’ri’s ribs, watching the blade erupt out the other side, watching sparks fly down around the blade. But Chou’ri was still alive. Hoji was an expert, after all. He was keeping his foe alive, not to toy with him, but to deliver a stern message, in case the witch, as he had said, was listening.

“If you can hear me, Bandiaca, then listen.” Hoji said, “We are the Toa Cyril! We are united and will stand against you. We will stop you, and anyone else you throw at us! Remember this: I am Toa Hoji, Toa of Fire. Leader of the Toa Cyril. Pro and expert at this game of Light verses Shadow. We are the Light, you are the Shadow. We will stop you.”

He withdrew his weapon and span around in one smooth moved. He holstered his blaster on his side, having changed it smoothly in the spin.

Chou’ri collapsed, falling on his side behind Hoji. Hoji walked away, looking at the remains of the Anaroids, and then to his team.

“Come on.” He said, “We have to be ready for the next attack. I’m sure it’ll come.”

The team departed, leaving the mess of death behind them, about to ready for the next encounter.

“I may be a pro, but I know my limits. I know that the enemy can harm me, and I know how to take care of the enemy in turn. I have things I fear, like anyone does. But to beat this foe, I’ll need to push through my fears. Next time: “Chapter 2: Appear! Dragon Missile!” My turn!”

Chapter 2: Appear! Dragon Missile!
Bandiaca’s soft, acidic voice drifted through the room.

“M'hou, the Anaroids were a failure here!”

The smaller being was hunched, leaning on his staff, fearing the retribution that would come from his mistress. He feared that the failure of the mechanical soldier legion, the Anaroids, would reflect on him, not on the strength of the Toa Cyril. He feared that he would be the one to be fully blamed.

“Mistress…the Anaroids aren’t meant to be a powerful fighting force on their own. They aren’t supposed to be able to hold their own, one-on-one, against people like Toa. I send them so they can act as backup for your followers who go into battle. They’re meant as a numerous power, not a strong one.”

“Fix the problem.” Bandiaca hissed.

“I would, but…”

“But what?” She hissed. Her hiss at that moment was equal to her answering with a scream. The hiss, the way she did it, showed M’hou that she was very mad, irate. She wanted an answer to her problem.

“I can upgrade the Anaroids.” M’hou said, “But not many. I do have another model idea for a field leader class that I call the Batsuroid.”

“Will they be any better?” She questioned.

“The Anaroids are maybe five-to-one on a Toa. The Batsuroid should be able to go at least two-to-one, if not one-on-one.”

“The odds still don’t please me.” She said, “Make me something even better.”

“I can’t mass produce something too powerful.” M’hou said, “That’s why the Batsuroids are limited…”

She silenced him with a glare, “No. Make me not a soldier, nor an army. I want an individual. A mechanical warrior.”

M’hou bowed, “Any specifications, Mistress Bandiaca? I can have it done in two days, I’m sure.”

She nodded, “Yes, make him invincible.”

Two days after the initial attack by Bandiaca, the witch, on the Isle of Cyril Nui, the Toa were finally meeting with their superior.

The Toa weren’t an autonomous force on the island. Hoji did lead the team, and Rei was second in command, but they were by no means the heads of the Toa Cyril. The head was a Turaga by the name of Gorma.

He was a Turaga of Air, hunched, wearing both dark and lime green armor. He carried a Badge of Office, but wore no robes or anything of the sort.

The position of Turaga on Cyril Nui was a complex one. It was a symbol of respect and authority, but it was also one of politics. Being a Turaga meant being constantly at odds with other Turaga in a game of politics. There was only one leadership position on the island, and all of the Turaga wanted it.

They had to constantly appeal to the Matoran of the island, always promising them something better than they currently had. Most lied, and the island remained a dystopian one. However, Gorma, from what the Toa Cyril could tell, had a good plan for the island. His goals were just. But he was losing.

The Matoran started to stop listening and simply vote someone into office. They hated being lied to like they were, and figured that they didn’t have to care about anything, so they simply voted on a random Turaga, more often than naught.

That was terrible for Gorma, someone who had plans on how to change the island. But it couldn’t be helped, unfortunately. Even as the head of the Toa Cyril by association with Hoji, they didn’t believe him enough to vote for him, instead of placing random votes, as they currently were.

“That attack two days ago, what happened exactly?” Gorma questioned.

Gorma had been locked in office with the other Turaga during that time. He and the others didn’t really know what had happened. It was just a blank. All they really knew was that some force had come to the island with a legion of mechanical warriors and a field leader, but the attack had been thwarted by the Toa Cyril; they had destroyed everything, and even killed the leader of the attack.

The Toa Code didn’t matter. Not on this island.

“A being known as a witch, Bandiaca, came.” Hoji said, leaning against a wall in the small temple the Toa met in, his arms folded across his chest, “She sent that man, Chou'ri, to attack with those machines. We crushed the attack. There are certainly more coming.”

“I’m sure there are.” Gorma said.

“How are politics going?” Rei questioned, speaking with a smooth accent.

“Not very well.” Gorma admitted, “Fides is giving me a hard time. He seems like he’s going to win.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” Agri put in, “No one cares who they vote for anymore. How is he so confident?”

“Because they’re listening to him, for some reason.” Gorma clenched his fist, “Why would they listen to that man? Why not me?”

“You’ll win.” Hoji said, “We’ll help to see to that.”

“I appreciate the sentiment and offer, Hoji.” Gorma replied, “But don’t help me. I want to do this on my own.”

“You’ve helped us for years.” Eri said, touching the Blade Blaster at her hip, “You helped bring us together, helped us by giving things like these weapons, helped build the Anverius X3 models…you’ve helped us become efficient Toa, heroes. We need to help you, now.”

“I appreciate the offer, once again, but…”

An explosion could be heard in the distance. The Toa raced out of the temple and looked up, seeing smoke rising off of one of the spires that stood on the other side of the island. It had been hit by a powerful attack, but it didn’t go down.

“If that falls, then many lives will be lost.” Gorma said, looking at the five Toa, “Everyone, go!”

They all raced towards a building next to the temple. It was sizeable, but not too big. It served as a warehouse of sorts for the Toa, protected by a seal of their Elemental Powers. The five touched their hands to the spot, sliding open the doors to reveal a set of five vehicles, black and gray. All of them were the same, cycle type vehicle. All of them had a bladed front for ramming, as well as thrusters in the back and a small launcher mounted under the front.

The Anverius X3 model of vehicle. The five Toa mounted and hooked their armor in. The vehicles lifted into the air and shot through the streets with incredible speed.

The team split up, with Hoji going on a straight shot through the street he was on, and the others took the street next to him. Matoran were fleeing, hiding in buildings. There weren’t many out, as they had fled as soon as the spire was struck.

Hoji soon saw his foe up ahead, while the others weren’t so lucky. They had to slow due to a congested street, filled with Anaroids and a few upgraded Batsuroids. The Batsuroids had the same silver and blue armor, but it was much thicker. They were more well armed and prepared for a fight. They carried the same swords, but had a new weapon in their left hand, which was a crimson and red spiked shield of sorts.

The five Toa got off of their vehicles and drew up their personal weapons, racing into battle.

Hoji got off of his vehicle and walked towards his foe. It was a black machine, taller than him due to the elongated and rising head. It had a fairly wiry frame to it, as far as Hoji could see, but it had long armor on its legs and arms, capable of protecting it from any attack at the front. He could see that the smaller arms each had a weapon. The left had a fairly large and shielded blaster weapon, while the right was tipped in claws for close range.

Hoji drew his Blade Blaster up to his shoulder, watching his foe. He waited for it to lift its left arm up. He leapt and rolled as soon as it fired a large concussion blast at him. He came swiftly to a knee and fired with precision and expertly placed shots.

The energy blasts from the Blade Blaster bounced harmlessly off of the machine’s body. The plates of armor were too strong for even a scratch to be left. There was also too much armor for him to get a clear shot at the body. Even the head appeared armored, giving him some trouble.

Hoji rose and threw his left hand forward with a shout, letting loose a blast of Fire. The power struck the machine, but did nothing.

“What are you?” Hoji demanded, changing his Blade Blaster into its sword mode.

The thing spoke in a mechanical, monotone voice, “Go'On.”

“So, is that all I’m getting? Some name designation?” Hoji questioned, “Are you with Bandiaca?”

“Mistress.” It said in the same tone as before.

“Well then, if that’s the case…” Hoji muttered, holstering his blade on his hip.

He threw his right arm forward, snapping his fingers, “The burning heart of passion! Toa Hoji!” He swiftly redrew his weapon and raced forward.

Why had he stopped to do that? He and the others had a habit of performing a rollcall. But why was that? It was just habit for them, even in the middle of a fight like this.

It was probably dangerous, but their habit, wherever it actually started from, made them do it.

As soon as he got close, he started slashing at Go’On, but his slashes did nothing except for create a fly of sparks, but with no apparent damage.

Hoji’s eyes widened in realization that he had fallen into a trap. The claw shot forward with great speed, but Hoji tried to dodge. He wasn’t fast enough, and he took the claws across his chest, sending a rain of sparks out and hitting the ground hard, rolling away, large black streaks across his chest armor.

Hoji came to a knee, panting. He quickly switched back to his firearm mode and opened fire on Go’On’s face, but the blasts did nothing. He ran forward, dodging a swing of the claws. He put his weapon right to Go’On’s unprotected chest and opened fire.

Two shots got off before a kick sent Hoji back. He rolled away as a concussion blast erupted, destroying the ground where he had just been. He came to his knees, panting, watching Go’On’s approach.

“How…?” He muttered, trying to come up with a plan. He was called and considered a pro by the others. There had to be a way for him to win. He couldn’t afford to lose.

Then he wondered where the others were, and began to fear for them.

Rei slashed through the Anaroids with her daggers in each finger. She rolled forward, under the swing of the sword of one of them. She span around, charging them with her Lightning powers, projecting one of them forward like a bullet, smashing through the Anaroid.

She retrieved her weapon and dashed aside as another slashed. She was swift, running through them, slashing at necks and chests, doing moderate damage with each blow.

Agri was using his powers on the Anaroids, lifting barriers in their ways and smashing a few with spikes and fists of Earth, but his focus was on the Batsuroid he fought. He punched, but it used its shield weapon to block and catch his fist in the opening. It twisted the weapon, biting into his wrist, causing him to drop his knuckle weapon with a shout.

As the blade came in at him, he thrust up with his other knuckle weapon, smashing the Batsuroid’s wrist and a piece of arm. He rammed his knee into it and then punched it in the chest for good measure, putting it down.

Eri was blocking every move a Batsuroid made with her blade. She rolled under the swing of its spiked shield weapon and span around, slashing its calves.

The Batsuroid fell to its knees, sparks flying from wiring and mechanical pieces. She span around, slashing its head off with one clean move. She was gifted with grace and speed, like Rei, able to use it to deadly effect.

Magis span and ducked under the swing of three Anaroids. He slashed his Topgaler scythe up, repelling their weapons. He span it overhead and began to infuse it with his Air powers, sending a cycle of wind flying into the group, slicing them down.

He swiftly span around, putting his scythe up his back to parry a Batsuroid as it slashed down at him. He span around, ducked and span again to get behind it. He put the blade at the machine’s neck and pulled, decapitating the stronger machine.

After a few minutes, the Anaroids and Batsuroids were crushed, leaving the Toa panting from effort. Rei rushed to her cycle and climbed on, motioning for the others to follow, rather than waste breath telling them.

The four continued on, leaving the scraps of steel behind them.

“I need to win.” Hoji muttered, shaking his head.

He was afraid, afraid of what he would have to do next. He did fear things, as any sensible man would. But now, for everyone’s sakes, he would have to face his fears.

He threw his arm up as Go’On lifted its concussive blaster again. Hoji raced forward as it fired, striking both his body and the ground, causing dust and smoke to rise up into the air around him.

As soon as he exited, he had a large weapon on his right arm. It was crimson and orange in color, almost like a ‘Y’, with spiked blades erupting up as the ends, and the long end tipped in a claw-like object. The back ends would allow for flight, allowing the semi-sentience it possessed to reach him.

He slid forward, wielding his Toa Tool for the first time in a long time. He slid up to Go’On, ramming the end into his chest.

“Let’s see your defenses survive the Dragon Missile.” He hissed, “My turn!”

He fired, unleashing a massive, condensed power of Fire. Unlike his actual powers of Fire, the Missile would unleash it with enormous amounts of power and force, destroying anything in its path.

Pointblank, Go’On’s defenses stood no chance.

As the other four arrived, Hoji was blown back from his own attack. He struggled up to his feet, grinning with victory.

“Got him.” He said, using the Dragon Missile to help hold himself up.

But he hadn’t won. Go’On somehow made it out of the explosion and stumbled towards him, still alive, still with enough armor to keep going.

“Another Dragon Missile won’t work.” Hoji muttered, “After that pointblank shot, it can’t fire again. The sentience it has won’t let it.”

“Then we’ll have to take another approach, won’t we?” Agri questioned, throwing his arm out, making a small platform of Earth rise up in front of them.

Hoji nodded, putting the Missile out. Magis put his Topgaler in, making it act as a leg for the Missile, while Eri put her weapon in to do the same. Rei lined it with daggers, providing some support or legs for it, while Agri finished by placing his knuckle weapons on as well to help support it.

Hoji stood right behind it, throwing his right arm out over it. The others stood, two on each side of him, throwing their arms out. Elemental Power flew from their hands, into their Toa Tools and into the weapon as a whole.

“Cyril Buster!” Hoji shouted, unleashing the attack from the Dragon Missile.

A massive burst of power, containing Fire, Lightning, Air, Water and Earth energies flew from the end of the Dragon Missile, careening down the broken street towards Go’On.

The neigh-invincible machine was struck and almost instantly obliterated by the superior power of the Toa’s combination.

The Dragon Missile rose up, attaching itself to Hoji’s arm again, allowing the others to reclaim their weapons. They turned as Go’On remains continued to spark.

“Did you see, Bandiaca?” Hoji questioned softly, “We won. Again! And we shall continue to win! We are five Toa destined to rid this island of the accursed witch! We are the Toa Cyril!”

The five bumped fists together and looked up at the gray sky.

For a moment, it looked like sunlight was coming down.

“A rival appears and faces me while the others deal with a new machination of Bandiaca’s. But this one is much different, and my foe is much stronger than anything else we have faced in the past. Next time: “Chapter 3: Man and Machine” My turn!”

Chapter 3: Man and Machine
“Failed? Again?” Bandiaca screamed at M'hou.

“I’m sorry, Mistress Bandiaca! Please, forgive me!” He pleaded.

“You get another chance, because I need you. But this time, we’re doing something a little…different.”

“Different, Mistress?”

“Make me a new warrior. Another machine, but this time, also part organic. Take a volunteer from my men and combine them! I want the intelligence and capabilities of one of my servants along with the power of a machine, as we saw Go'On use.”

M’hou bowed, “Understood, Mistess. I can finish today, I believe.”

It had been one day since Go’On was defeated. M’hou wanted to work fast for Bandiaca’s sake, but he also knew that it would be a proper build, even that quickly. They also wanted to keep the pressure up, and send machines out first, instead of waste too many men, if they fell to the Toa Cyril.

“Also, the machine won’t go alone.” Bandiaca said, looking to the silver and orange armored swordsman who remained ever at her side, “You shall go as well, "Forte". Show them your power.”

He bowed, speaking in a mix of a normal voice and a mechanical one, “Yes, Mistress Bandiaca. I would be honored to show them my power.”

“When the new machine is complete, you shall enter the fray.” Bandiaca told "Forte". Her loyal guardian bowed in response, simply waiting to please his mistress.

Gorma walked into the temple, sighing from the pressures of the day. After Go’On’s defeat, the Toa had returned to find him missing, back at the arguments with the other Turaga again. He had yet to hear of the battle.

“I’ve called on the Dragon Missile again.” Hoji admitted.

“You overcame the fear it brought?” Gorma questioned.

For Hoji, it was a sore subject. After all, what other Toa feared their own Toa Tool? He feared it to the extent that he all but abandoned it in place of the standard sidearm, the Blade Blaster. But the situation had been desperate, so he needed it.

“I overcame my fears.” Hoji confirmed, “Just in time to crush the enemy. Nothing else could stop it.”

“And even then, you couldn’t.” Magis put in simply, his voice not befitting a fighter, but rather, a diplomat, with its smooth, refined voice.

“What does he mean?” Gorma questioned, looking at Magis, sitting on a stone block.

Hoji looked to Magis, then to Gorma, “We had to combine all of our weapons into the Cyril Buster. That’s what destroyed Go’On.”

“Odd name.” Gorma said.

“A machine with a nearly invulnerable defense.” Hoji replied, “It took everything to bring it down.”

“And the normal soldiers got upgrades as well.” Eri said, “They weren’t much stronger,” she shrugged, “but they were stronger. Just not enough to stop us.”

“Don’t get cocky.” Gorma warned.

“I’m not.” Eri replied, “I’m just happy that we proved that we could crush those things this time. Without Hoji’s help, that is.” She cast a glance to the Toa of Fire.

During the fight with Chou'ri, Hoji had come in and saved Eri and Agri from the Anaroids with his marksmanship. He was always amazing to watch, but that he nearly wiped the entire invasion force out on his own was a very impressive accomplishment.

“Well, I’m going to go and take a look at the Dragon Missile.” Gorma said, “I’ll check on it, after its long inactivity.”

“Please do.” Hoji said, “Pointblank might have damaged it.”

“You fired that machine pointblank?” Gorma snapped, “Are you a fool or something?”

“I had no real options.” Hoji shrugged, “But it fired the Buster’s shot.”

“That doesn’t mean much.” Gorma challenged, “That could have damaged it beyond use, if the pointblank damaged it originally.”

“You’re a technical genius, you’ll fix it.” Hoji said, “Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” Gorma said, walking out to go next door to the holding facility of the weapons and gear. He would fix it in no time, they all figured. He built them their cycles, Blade Blasters, and the Dragon Missile, after all.

Though the partial sentience of the Dragon Missile wasn’t from him. He claimed to have built the Missile from scraps of something else, and apparently that’s where the sentience originated from. They still didn’t know what it was that he had built it from.

Nor did Gorma. It didn’t really matter, but it would be nice to know, possibly.

“Well guys, I think we should start patrol.” Hoji said, “We don’t know when the next attack will come. Best to be at least partially ready by patrolling.”

The others nodded in agreement and set out across the island.

Black armor, with two clawed toed feet. He stood with four arms, the back right arm wielding a shield, while the front right was a silver claw. His front left was a black and silver claw, while his back left was a series of two blades. He had a powerful, thrashing tail ending in a curved blade. On his chest was a head, silver and black, with fangs, while his actual head was almost naked, with a claw curling over the top, and a piece of armor jutting over the right side.

Usou. A combination of an actual being, and machinery. Just like "Forte", he wasn’t a complete machine, nor a complete man. Rather, a combination of both, robbed of most of his organic body and combined with a mechanical body.

“He is complete, Mistress.” M’hou said, bowing before Bandiaca, “Usou has the mind of the person I used, while also utilizing a high-tech AI system that I developed. Two minds working together in symbiosis.”

“Will he win?” Bandiaca questioned.

M’hou didn’t answer. He couldn’t answer.

“Do you think he will win?” Bandiaca questioned, amending her question.

“I believe so.” M’hou said, “I wouldn’t have built him like this if I didn’t think he would.”

“Understood. "Forte", go with Usou. No Anaroids or Batsuroids, just the two of them.” Bandiaca said.

"Forte" walked towards Usou, both of them bowing. The two of them bowed and walked out of the cave, ready to attack Cyril Nui.

The five Toa met back up on foot in the middle of a square. The squares in the city served no real purpose other than for Matoran to meet and listen to the Turaga who were speaking, if there were any Turaga there at the time. They also served as points in the city, making the layout simple to remember.

This square was the closest one to the sea, the eastern end of the island, where the enemy was believed to appear from. They did patrol the entire island, but met at this point.

“Ok, keep going.” Hoji told them, “Switch routes.” He was referring to the fact that his route would now be taken by another Toa, who would go the way he had just come from, and he would take another’s route, going the way that that Toa had just come from.

Before they left, Eri stopped and pointed, “Guys.” She said simply, “Someone’s here.”

The Toa turned to the ocean, watching as two figures came up the landscape towards them. One was a black armored figure with four arms, walking somewhat hunched, not like a normal being. His steps were slightly off, meaning a machine? But they did have the motions of a normal being, yet. It was a combination of both, it seemed.

The other being was hard to read. He walked normally. So was he a normal being? But he gave off an odd feel. His crimson optical eye and the silver of his body made him feel like something different. When he spoke, it was confirmed.

“I am "Forte".” The silver and orange figure said in a partially mechanical tone, “Toa Cyril, surrender to Mistress Bandiaca! I don’t want to cut you down!” He leveled his blade at them in threat.

“Who’s that?” Hoji questioned, glancing to the other figure.

“Usou. A cyborg in the purest sense of the word.” "Forte" replied, “A machine and a man put together, all for Mistress Bandiaca!”

Hoji threw his right arm forward, snapping his fingers, “The burning heart of passion! Toa Hoji!”

Agri brought both arms up, bringing them together and passing both in front of his chest and face in almost a full circle, turning his closed fists up and his blades out to the sides. He brought them to rest by his hips, bending his elbows there, “The overpowering strength of the ground! Toa Agri!”

Eri held her right arm out, spinning her weapon around her hand. As she did this, she brought her other arm up, bending it underneath her outstretched right arm, bracing it as she lowered the weapon down, pointing the tip at the enemy forces, “The serene and soothing waves! Toa Eri!”

Magis span around, throwing his arms out to the side, using his powers to send some leaves at his feet around his body, leaves he brought with him just for rollcall. He reached his right hand up as he lowered his left, brushing his fingers across the forehead of his Kanohi. He cast his arm sideways after that, “The magnificent gale! Toa Magis!”

Rei went last, sending both arms forward and making a circle with them in the air in front of her body, stopping when they reached each other again. A small spark danced between her hands, “The sizzling sensation of lightning! Toa Rei!”

“Five Toa destined to rid this island of the accursed witch! We are the Toa Cyril!” Hoji shouted.

“Go.” "Forte" told Usou. He watched as Usou raced forward, mute as a result of the combination and work done on him.

As Usou raced at the Toa, Hoji glanced back to the team, “I’ve got that other guy. Can you four handle Usou?”

“We’ve got him. Take care of "Forte".” Rei assured Hoji.

Hoji nodded, drawing his Blade Blaster in its sword mode. He ran forward slashing up, but "Forte" was swift, slashing down, slashing his weapon into the ground.

Hoji threw a punch forward with his left hand, but "Forte" caught it in his open palm with ease. He pushed back and span around, using the thrusters on the backs of his legs for a spin. He slashed up, cutting Hoji across the chest, sending his body flying. His body hit the ground before the sparks from the wound.

Hoji pushed himself to his hands and knees, shaking his head, muttering to himself about "Forte" and his strength. He looked up and rolled aside as "Forte" leapt for him, slashing down.

Hoji put his weapon into its blaster mode and opened fire. "Forte" was swift, blocking each shot with the flat of his blade. He shot forward, kicking Hoji in the chest, throwing him into a building.

“Is that all you can do?” "Forte" mocked.

Hoji pushed himself up, swaying on his feet as he tried to aim. "Forte" raced in at him, running side-to-side to avoid Hoji being able to get a clear shot.

He rolled forward, using his thrusters to remain slightly off the ground. He slashed Hoji across the chest, sending sparks flying, causing Hoji to cry out.

He hit the ground, switching back to sword mode as he swayed back up to his feet.

“You’re good.” Hoji muttered.

“You’re not.” "Forte" answered, “I don’t know why Chou’ri or Go’On had problems with you.” He leveled his blade at Hoji, “I’ll claim your head today, Toa.”

Usou was swinging around, slashing his tail around, spinning his body, swinging wildly with his arms. The four Toa couldn’t get too close to him, so they all dodged back and drew their Blade Blasters, opening fire.

The blasts struck Usou, causing sparks to fly out. He couldn’t cry out, but looked to be in pain from the shots. He moved in at Magis, blocking the Toa of Air’s shots with his shield.

“Stop him!” Magis shouted, drawing up his Topgaler scythe. He slashed it up in an arc, but Usou caught the weapon on his left claw, punching Magis in the face with his shield.

Magis flipped around and hit the ground, losing grip of his weapon. Usou span around, taking a punch to the chest from Agri and his weapon. Agri punched rapidly, but didn’t get too much damage in.

“Duck!” Rei shouted, charging Lightning into one of her daggers in her fingers. It shot forward like a bullet, plunging into Usou’s chest, causing the cyborg to stumble back from the force.

Eri raced forward, jumping off of Agri’s back. She span around, slashing Usou as she came down, getting him across the face. He stumbled back, his face sparking from the wiring and components inside of his mechanical head.

“How much of this guy is…real?” Eri questioned.

“A cyborg should have some balance.” Agri agreed.

“Forget it!” Rei snapped, firing another dagger into Usou’s chest.

Hoji slashed at "Forte", meeting his blade head on. They pushed apart and slashed, parried, and slashed again and again. They both span past each other and span around, slashing once more.

"Forte’s" sword went right through Hoji’s, breaking it, slashing Hoji across the chest. The Toa of Fire fell to his knees, crying out, sparks flying from contact.

Agri span around, “Hoji!” He shouted, throwing his arm forward, sending a snaking pattern in the ground at "Forte", sending a spike up at the last moment.

"Forte" dodged up to the side with his jets, slashing the spike. He landed as another one came at him. Again, he did the same move, slashing the spike.

This time the Blade Blaster that Agri was formerly wearing at his hip was in the spike. The slash freed it, sending it to Hoji. He took up the weapon, span around, flipping the sword up, and slashed "Forte" across the chest, taking him down.

"Forte" stumbled back as Hoji stepped through, opening fire into his chest, “My turn!” "Forte" fell back and shook his head.

“It’s over.” He said, shooting up until he was about double Hoji’s height. He lifted his sword high, holding it in both hands. He cut his thrusters, dropping down, then turned them on again, shooting down now; ready to slash Hoji in half.

“Dragon Missile!” Hoji shouted, drawing back and slashing, stepping through, cutting "Forte" across the chest, interrupting his powerful attack.

"Forte" hit the ground and rolled. He instantly came to his knees and span, readying for another attack, only to find the end of the Dragon Missile in his chest.

“It’s over!” Hoji shouted, pulling the trigger.

"Forte" dodged back, just keeping a hair’s width away from the flame attack. He couldn’t keep his speed high enough, however, and took the blast, going down.

Hoji ran towards the others, throwing the Blade Blaster back to Agri, “Let’s take this machine down!” Hoji shouted at them, sliding forward, lifting the Dragon Missile.

They weren’t using the Cyril Buster. Hoji stood in the center, while Rei and Agri stood at his right, and on his left stood Magis and Eri.

Agri held his Blade Blaster up in his right hand, facing his chest at Usou, bracing his arm with his left. Rei held it in both hands in front of her body. Hoji held the Dragon Missile forward, his body turned to face Magis. Magis had his body turned towards Eri, only his right arm out and holding the weapon, and Eri held her weapon in her right hand, her body forward.

“Fire!” Hoji ordered.

Usou stumbled back as they fired. A bullet of Earth Elemental Energy, Lightning, the Dragon Missile’s Fire attack, a bullet of Air Elemental Energy, and a bullet of Water Elemental Energy. They all flew in at Usou, smashing into his chest, causing him to fall to his knees, his chest missing from the combined attack.

“It’s over.” Hoji said, turning around with the others as Usou collapsed, exploding from his destroyed mechanical parts.

"Forte" pushed himself up, watching as Usou fell. He raced away, eager to report to Bandiaca.

He may have failed, but he had proved his strength.

“Visions of the past. What is Bandiaca trying to do to us? Try to make us remember our failures? But what failures do I have? How is she going to exploit me? And is it on purpose, or a happy accident for her that she has this warrior on her side; one who reminds me of an old friend? Next time: “Chapter 4: Toa Hoji” My turn!”

Chapter 4: Toa Hoji
“Mistress, you require someone stronger than a machine.”

Bandiaca looked up from her throne. It was the dead of night, hours since the destruction and death of Usou. She wasn’t in the mood to listen to anyone, especially not at that hour.

“Who are you again?” She questioned.

“Am I that forgettable?” He questioned.

“No; I can’t see you.” She muttered to him.

“I’m sorry!” He apologized, “I forgot about my armor! My stealth!” He apparently went to a knee. That’s what it sounded like, “Your loyal Voeren assassin. Bouk.” He said.

“A Voeren?” She questioned, a grim spreading across her face, “Then you can eliminate the Toa Cyril in the darkness, can you not, Bouk?”

“I can, and will, Mistress Bandiaca.” Bouk answered, his voice chilling and sly.

“Can you go now?” She questioned.

“I shall.” He answered. It sounded like he had risen to his feet, “Leave them to me. I’ll do it with my own power; without any help from M'hou's machinations.”

“Very good.” Bandiaca said, “Now go.”

She could hear his footsteps leaving the chamber, out into the pale night. From the angle at which the sky went, and at which she sat and he stood, she could make out his armor as black and gray, sleek. He carried two weapons. Both of them were simple ribbed blades, but with handles bent at ninety degrees, so they ran up his arms like tonfa.

He would be the one to eliminate the Toa Cyril. She just felt it.

Toa Eri walked around the dark streets. It was her turn for patrol that evening. She had her weapon hanging at her side, on the left hip, while her Blade Blaster hung on her right.

As she turned a street corner, she didn’t see the dark figure crouching on the rooftop nearby. He watched her move, and then leapt down, landing with absolutely no sound, landing right behind her.

He drew his right arm up, putting the blade out at Eri’s back. He let he take three more steps, and then pushed off with his back leg, launching himself forward, going for a silent instant death attack at her neck.

She turned to take another corner, sooner than he had planned. But he was a professional at his job of assassinations. It wouldn’t matter. She was still as good as dead.

She caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye, her hands instantly going to both of her weapons. She wasn’t able to draw them fast enough as he reached her.

He slashed, taking her down, leaving a deep slash across her shoulder and neck from where he had caught her. Sparks had momentarily lit up the darkness more than the gray sky could, showing the shock on the Toa’s face.

Bouk walked away, leaving her body behind. When she would fail to report in, since he assumed she was on a patrol, she would be found later by her replacement. All he had to do was wait in the general area.

When Eri had failed to report in, Magis and Agri had been dispatched to locate her. Eri was a responsible woman, she wouldn’t have failed to report if something wasn’t wrong.

As they wandered the dark streets, they both had their weapons ready. Magis had his Topgaler scythe and Agri had his knuckle weapons in hand, fists clenched.

When they came onto the street where Eri had been taken down, they raced to her body, almost throwing away caution, it would appear.

Bouk took his chance, dashing out of the alley that she had been trying to turn into. Both of their backs were turned to him.

“Now!” Magis snapped.

Agri span around, throwing his arm out. A fist of Earth smashed up, smashing Bouk in the gut, throwing him to the ground, rolling into the darkness.

“Magis!” Agri snapped.

“I know.” He answered, throwing his left hand forward, causing the Air to obey his command, trying to draw Bouk to himself. The winds he generated tugged at Bouk, pulling his body forward, towards the two Toa.

Bouk played dead, waiting for a few moments, until he was close.

As Agri reached down to subdue him, he rolled to the side, giving a quick kick up and into Agri’s side to stop the Toa of Earth. He rolled back, over his head, and landed on his knees. As Agri shouted to Magis, Bouk was already leaping forward, slashing both of them across their chests, sending sparks flying to illuminate the night.

As they both fell, right next to Eri, they stayed down, despite the wounds not being mortal. He would deal with them soon, killing them just as he had killed Eri already.

After about half an hour of waiting, his patience paid off as the last two Toa approached. Rei had all of her daggers in her fingers, while Hoji had his Blade Blaster drawn out, in blade mode.

“There!” Rei shouted, running with Hoji towards the bodies. He crouched, looking them over, while she stood, covering him from any potential attacks. “Are they…?”

“Dead?” Hoji finished, checking their bodies, “Eri is in critical condition; a slash across her shoulder got her neck, it looks like. She’s lucky to be alive. Agri and Magis aren’t in terrible condition, but downed.”

“Do you think whoever did this meant to keep them alive?” Rei questioned.

“Looking at Eri’s wounds, I doubt she was supposed to live, but whoever did this must have assumed that she was dead. The others…their wounds aren’t mortal. Anyone could see that.”

“Bait?” Rei questioned.

“Likely.” Hoji replied, rising to his feet, “Look, we need to get them out of here, but we can’t, especially not if our enemy is nearby. We can’t risk anything. We need to find whoever did this and fast!”

“How?” Rei questioned, looking up and down the streets, into the alleys at either side of her. But Bouk had moved, up onto a rooftop. He was lying down at the moment so that the sky wouldn’t allow him to be seen. But now, as he saw their backs turn, he rose, clenching his weapons tightly in hand, ready to kill the leader and second in command.

He pushed off of the roof, lunging down, his arms out to his sides, blades turned at both Toa. He was going to kill them both in one move.

Rei glanced back, letting out a shout. She drew her arms up, pointing the daggers at their foe and attempted to fight back, but he was faster. He slashed her across the chest with both blades, sending sparks up to illuminate the night.

As she fell, Hoji’s gun was leveled at him, at the side of his head. “My turn.” He hissed.

Bouk glanced at him, “Seems you have me where you want me.”

Hoji studied him for a moment, from top to bottom. He looked back into the man’s eyes, “What are you?”

“I’m Bouk, a Voeren.”

Voeren.

Why did he know that word? That species? He had certainly heard of them before, as an assassin species, typically. But why was he so focused on that word right now? What else did he know about the Voeren species that made him freeze in realization?

Then he saw it. Then he remembered what he knew about the Voeren. He looked the man over once more, and then spoke.

“The Voeren...they’re a subspecies of the Kabarn...right?”

“Those fool treasure hunters?” Bok muttered, “Unfortunately, yes.”

“What’s with your hostility?” Hoji questioned.

“We fight and die! They look for treasure. They have no real hazards, unlike us. We put ourselves in danger, we actually have lives! But no; we’re the sister species, the subspecies. It isn’t fair!”

“So…the Kabarn…they are connected.” Hoji muttered.

“What?” Bouk demanded.

“You…you look like…Hyak…”

Hoji walked down an open street of Xia, armed with no weapons. He was new to being a Toa, but could control his powers of Fire enough that he needed no weapon, not on Xia, where he was unlikely to find too many people after him, if any.

He was only on Xia to help his friend, a Kabarn named Hyak. Hyak had known him since he was a Matoran, and had helped him in finding the Toa Stone that had transformed Hoji from a Ta-Matoran into a Toa of Fire. They were good friends, and it was all that Hoji could do to return the favor and help Hyak track down an item he believed he could find on Xia.

Hyak was meeting some Vortixx at the moment, so that left Hoji time to look around, not that he wanted to. But he didn’t want to stay in one place, either. He just decided to walk down one street, and go back on another, to the building where Hyak was currently bargaining at.

The acrid skies disgusted Hoji. He had been a Matoran on the Isle of Angelus Nui, where the buildings were majestic; the landscape was welcoming and pleasant. Not a place like this nightmarish island, full of steel, acrid smoke and dread.

“You!”

Hoji glanced to the Vortixx whom had spoken to him. It was one of the women. The men were always gone, working in the factories. They were no better than slaves, really.

“What?” Hoji questioned flatly.

The woman approached him. Then he saw two more coming, but these were men, dragging someone between them. Hoji was shocked when he saw that it was Hyak, his black armored Kabarn friend. He was beaten down, his head hanging down, arms out and being held, dragged, by the two Vortixx males, who looked little better.

“What did you do to Hyak?” Hoji demanded, holding his fist up, generating Fire into it.

“What did I do?” The female Vortixx questioned, quickly producing a handheld weapon with a bayonet. It was a blaster of some sort, “I have a client who wanted this repaired…but I’ll use it on you instead of waiting for him to pick it up.”

“Do you think you can fire first?” Hoji questioned.

“You’re still a rookie, Toa.” The Vortixx hissed, “You can’t beat me.”

“How’s your aim?” Hoji questioned, “You’re not familiar with that weapon. I’m familiar with my powers.”

“Try me.” She hissed.

As she fired, Hoji leapt up and flipped around in the air, easily evading it with a flashy dodge. The weapon that was fired wasn’t an energy blast or anything similar. It fired a steel projectile, or something similar. Something small and fast. It would probably have been lethal if Hoji had been struck.

Hoji landed, span around, and threw a bolt of Fire forward, smashing it into the woman’s chest. She cried out, falling to the ground, her armor scorched, flames eating away at her organics.

Hoji rose and walked closer to the four of them. He regarded the downed Vortixx with cold, uncaring eyes. He was a Toa; he had morals to live up to. However, they had harmed his friend. They deserved to pay for that.

He glanced to the two males, “Release him.” He ordered, lifting his hand, generating Fire into it again, “I’ll take you two down as well.”

He felt the cold steel of the bayonet in his back. He heard a voice speak with a distinct accent, “Hands up, mate.”

“Who are you?” Hoji hissed.

“I said, hands up.”

Hoji put his hands up, still generating Fire into his right hand.

“No.” He said to Hoji.

Hoji absorbed the flames back into his body. He took a slight step forward and turned around, looking at the emerald armored man standing before him, using the firearm.

“The name’s Marcko.” The green armored man said, “I came to retrieve my weapon, but saw your skills. Impressive, Toa.” He pulled back on his weapon, flipped it around on his finger, and attached it to his hip.

“So that’s it?” Hoji questioned.

“No.” He said, throwing his arm forward, landing it to the side of Hoji’s head and snapping his fingers. Hoji span around, watching the two males leap at him, taking him down.

Hoji cried out, but Marcko ignored him, walking away. He stopped next to the woman’s body and dropped a small pouch of widgets as payment for his weapon, and then walked off.

“Hyak!” Hoji shouted at his friend, but his friend wasn’t moving. He was either unconscious or dead. From his wounds, it looked like it could have been either. And he had no idea what had happened. Did the deal go bad? Just what had happened to him?

The woman was getting up. She glared at Hoji, “This is for your attack!” She shouted, kicking him hard in the head. He cried out. She reared back and kicked again, causing him to cry in more pain.

After a few hits, the woman walked away. The men got off of Hoji and dragged Hyak away. He was still unconscious.

Hoji tried to get up, but he couldn’t. He cried out, “Hyak! Hyak! Come back!”

Hoji would never see Hyak again. This was eight hundred years after the Great Cataclysm. He had only been a Toa for a decade, and had known Hyak for one hundred years.

The current year was nine hundred and ninety nine years after the Great Cataclysm, halfway through the year.

Was Hyak dead or alive? He didn’t know. He never found out what had happened with Hyak or that business on Xia. But as a result of his loss there, he had become the pro that he was. He already had skill, such as with his dodge with Marcko’s firearm, but he had only improved in time.

Because of Hyak, Hoji had become the man he was.

“So, are you going to fire?” Bouk questioned.

“You wouldn’t happen to know a Kabarn named Hyak, would you?” Hoji demanded.

“Hyak? I don’t know. I would never associate with a Kabarn.” Bouk hissed, “I’m a proud Voeren!”

“Then you have no reason to live.” Hoji hissed, pulling the trigger without remorse.

As Bouk fell to the ground, dead, Hoji holstered his weapon on his hip. He crouched down by Rei, “Rei, get up.” He knew she wasn’t too wounded and could, so he needed her, despite Magis and Agri arguably being less wounded, “Please.”

Rei soon began to stir. As she began to get up, Hoji was pulling Eri onto his back. He gestured to the other two fallen Toa, so Rei crouched and began to get them up.

As the other two began to stir, Magis questioned Rei, “What happened?”

“An assassin attacked.” Rei replied, “Beat you two, it looks like. He nearly killed Eri. Hoji killed him.”

The two male Toa looked at the body of Bouk. A chunk of his head was missing from the pointblank energy blast that Hoji had fired into him. He had executed the man, not killed him in battle.

“This is…” Agri muttered, shaking his head, “How could he do something like this?”

“Disgusting.” Magis muttered, shaking his head. He felt the wound on his chest, “How could he do this? To my beautiful armor?”

“Forget it.” Rei told Magis, then looked back at the body of Bouk, “Something’s wrong with Hoji.”

“Or Hoji just took revenge for him nearly killing Eri.” Agri put in.

“Whatever happened, it was intense for Hoji.” Rei said, “It’s none of our business…but we should find out what made this happen.”

“I failed in the past. My duty as a Toa failed the people who depended on me. Never again! I will dispel the visions before my eyes! Next time: “Chapter 5: Toa Rei” Come!”

Chapter 5: Toa Rei
Rei sat alone, looking out at the gray sky of the day. It truly was depressing, bringing back flashes of pain, flashes of memory that she had long buried, now resurfacing.

It was for good reason that she had buried these thoughts. She had no intention of ever seeing them again, but they were forcing their way up, against her will. Why?

As she saw flashes of fire, of nothing, of the pounding waves, she snapped out of it as Hoji sat next to her, looking down from the higher building down into the streets.

“Hoji…” She said.

He looked to her, “What were you thinking about?” He asked.

“Nothing.” She answered, “Hoji, about yesterday…what happened exactly? Why did you kill him?”

Hoji was silent for a moment. Hours ago, in the night, they had faced a Voeren called Bouk, who had defeated everyone except for Hoji. Hoji, in some sort of rage, had killed Bouk, confusing the other Toa as they started to awaken. They wondered what had happened, and why Hoji had done what he had.

“He…he angered me.” Hoji admitted.

“Hoji, you don’t get angry.” Rei replied.

“I know.” He said simply, “It’s quite a feat for him to have angered me to that point.”

“What did he do, exactly?” She questioned.

“He reminded me of an old friend who I failed. He berated me.” Hoji said, lying. He had actually shot because the man was both an enemy, and he didn’t know about Hoji’s friend, Hyak.

Rei rose, “Hoji, that was still no reason to kill him.”

“We kill when we have to. We go against the Toa Code.” Hoji said, rising to join her, “I felt it was appropriate once more.”

“If we just continue to kill, then we are no better than those we fight.” Rei said.

“Try saying that when you’re in the situation I was in.” He replied.

“You weren’t in a situation!” She snapped, “You just felt like doing it, near as I can tell! You were just angry! Anger is no reason to kill!”

He was silent for a moment.

“You are right.” He said, “But…I did it, and I don’t feel remorse. Does that make me a bad person?”

Silence for a moment again.

“No.” She said, “You had the need to protect the Matoran. You did what was right, even if it was extreme.”

“Thank you.” He said, clasping her on the shoulder and walking away, towards the ladder he used to get up. He stopped and looked back, “You staying?”

“I’m going to stay up here for a bit.” She replied.

He nodded, “Ok. We’ll patrol in a few hours.”

She nodded and then sat down, looking at the city, “I’ll find you guys when it’s time.”

He nodded, but she couldn’t see, so he added, “Ok.” He walked away and began to climb to the streets below.

Rei continued to look at the city, the flashes coming back to her of her past, of the pain that she couldn’t help stop.

She wanted to scream.

“I need a better weapon.” Bandiaca hissed, “Who among you can defeat the Toa Cyril?” She demanded of her assembled men.

After some eager warriors started to call out for attention, Bandiaca dismissed them, claiming that they were only taking on the job to attempt to please her, since they were bound to her by her Kanohi Zeyat.

Finally she pointed to one who was eager, but not as eager, one who really wanted to do the job, who wasn’t just under the control of her powers.

“You.” She told the red and black, somewhat reptilian being.

He came forward. He was tall, muscular, reptilian. He had a crimson and black Kanohi over his face, giving him a fearsome look with the curves and hooks in it. He had claws near his hips for pure aesthetics, as part of his species. He was armed with arm blades coming off of his wrists, trailing down at an angle.

“What is your name?” Bandiaca questioned.

“Denji.” He said in a reserved hiss of a voice.

“Denji. Do you think you can defeat the Toa Cyril?” She questioned.

“I do.” He answered, keeping his reserved tone.

“How do we know this?” Forte questioned, standing beside his mistress.

“Because of what I am.” Denji answered, “My people are not fighters, but we are powerful fighters, when we need to be.”

“What are you, then?” Forte demanded.

“You’ll see, if you watch the fight.” He said, referring to Bandiaca’s ability to project the battle for all to see. Denji wanted them to watch. Most didn’t, in case they failed. After Chou'ri, the only one who wanted to have it be seen was Bouk, but that was in his nature. Go'On obviously had no opinion, seeing as he was a machine, but Usou had objected.

Now Denji wanted to show everyone his abilities, and what made him worthy to be the one to fight the Toa Cyril.

“Go.” Bandiaca said, “Do you require any backup?”

“Anaroids?” He questioned, “I’ll take fifty, but I won’t need them for too long.” He answered.

“M'hou!” Bandiaca snapped.

The little man nodded, “I’ll see to it right away, Mistress Bandiaca.” He said, hurrying away.

Denji walked towards the exit, “Send them as they are ready. I’m going off ahead.”

Denji walked through the streets. Matoran fled, screaming, despite him not doing anything. They were sure he was an enemy, one of Bandiaca’s men. They were right, but he had no interest in them. He had no intention of killing innocents.

That was against his better judgment, against his beliefs.

As he continued, he was stopped by two figures. One in green and silver, one in blue. The green one lifted a scythe while the blue one lifted a blade with a long hilt.

The Toa of Water held her right arm out, spinning her weapon around her hand. As she did this, she brought her other arm up, bending it underneath her outstretched right arm, bracing it as she lowered the weapon down, pointing the tip at the enemy forces, “The serene and soothing waves! Toa Eri!”

The Toa of Air span around, throwing his arms out to the side, using his powers to send some leaves at his feet around his body. He reached his right hand up as he lowered his left, brushing his fingers across the forehead of his Kanohi. He cast his arm sideways after that, “The magnificent gale! Toa Magis!”

“Two Toa? I’ll deal with you two, and then get at the others.” Denji said, lifting his arms up, lowering his body slightly, “Come get me!”

As Magis and Eri raced forward, Denji also ran to meet them. They both slashed from the sides, hoping to bifurcate him, or do similar damage. He blocked by twisting his arms, parrying with his blades. He kicked Eri, and then Magis, throwing them both aside.

As Magis nearly hit the ground, he produced a bubble of Air below himself, stopping himself from hitting. Eri rolled to her knees. Both of them raced forward, attacking from the sides, just in his blindspots.

“Too easy.” Denji said, spinning around, using his extending blades to slash them both across the chest, sending sparks flying rapidly as he span again and again and again, continually hitting them with his same attack, keeping them trapped until he stopped, and they collapsed.

The dark gashes across their armor stood in testament as ugly scars to Denji’s power. Denji walked away, until someone else stopped him.

“My turn!” He shouted, leaping up and firing from a blaster weapon.

Denji span around, blocking the shots with his arm blades. He stumbled back and span around, parrying the punch from behind with a bladed knuckle weapon. Denji pushed back on the Toa of Earth, kneeing him in the chest and then delivering an uppercut with his blade, taking him down.

He span around, parrying the Toa of Fire’s sword, which had come from his blaster. He pushed back and kicked him hard with a side kick, sending the Toa flying back.

He span around, lifting his blade to shield himself from a blast of Lightning. He could see another Toa rushing at him, and span around, blocking the blast of Fire from the corresponding Toa, using his blade again. Denji leapt back, hitting a wall. He span around, quickly scaling it and reaching the rooftop.

The two Toa met up and used their firearms on him, sending energy blasts up at Denji. The reptilian warrior blocked with his blades, quickly defeating their attempts.

“Hoji, I’ll go around the back.” The Toa of Lightning said, loud enough for Denji to hear.

Hoji nodded and ran off one way, while the Toa of Lightning ran the other. Denji’s eyes went to the Toa of Fire, Hoji, when but he glanced down, catching sight of the Toa of Lightning back in the original spot, firing a blast up at him.

He blocked with his blade and threw it down, smashing the Lightning into Hoji, taking him down, sending massive sparks flying, resulting in the Toa of Lightning shouting his name.

It was just the two of them now. Denji looked down at her. She back up at him, drawing two daggers, holding them point down.

Denji leapt down, landing behind her. They both span to face each other, both slashing, resulting in a parry.

“Who are you?” She demanded.

“Denji.” He replied simply.

“Rei.” She answered.

They pushed back, both of them leaping away. They kept their eyes locked against each other, in which case Denji began to chuckle.

“What?” She demanded.

“I’m a special being.” He replied, holding his hands up. A faint bluish glow came around them, projecting voices and images into the air. Rei watched them, astounded as they took form, taking on Matoran and Turaga forms, calling out to her, trying to talk to her.

She collapsed to her knees, seeing the faces that she had failed.

“What…?”

“I can see that you lost people. I can conjure their spirits” Denji said somberly, “In your eyes, I see it.” He walked closer, keeping the power up, “I can show them to you, show you the lives, the people you failed to protect, Toa.”

His blades lowered, closer to her neck. One move would kill her.

Rei rushed through the foliage, trying to reach the village before it was too late. She had just become a Toa a few years ago, but she had no teacher other than the three Turaga of the village. They had taught her how to use her powers, how to use her Kanohi, and tried to teach her how to fight, but the sword she carried wasn’t something she could get used to.

But she had to use it. Tradition dictated that the Toa of that village used the sword. It was heavy, flat, and a double handed blade with writing inscribed into the blade itself. She didn’t want to break tradition. When another Toa would come from the people, she would pass on the sword to him or her.

She knew something bad was happening. She could feel it. Her Doite had picked up faint distant screaming. She had to hurry before it was too late.

She arrived, breaking through the last of the foliage, seeing fires rising up in the sky, seeing no bodies, but knew that death had come.

The pounding waves smashed against the shore on the other side of the village. She could see them acting angrier than she had ever seen the sea before. Some of the fires were being rained down upon by mist spraying up, but it could do nothing to control the blazes.

She ran into the village, screaming out, but she couldn’t find anyone or anything alive. Not even the pet Rahi that some kept. No bodies, no signs of life. There was nothing other than an ugly scar in the ground that hadn’t been there earlier. What was it? What had happened?

She fell to her knees, feeling the scar, but there was nothing. It was as if the ground had opened and then closed again, sealing perfectly. There was no indication of any opening, just a scar that probably ran deep.

Rei looked around, rising to her feet, swiftly drawing the sword from its sheath on her hip. She shouted, turning around, looking for any signs of hostiles.

“Where are you?” She screamed, “Come out! Come out and fight me!” She screamed, her voice carrying across parts of the Northern Continent, but not enough for any other villages to hear her. She was alone, and whatever had done this was gone.

“Take me too!” She screamed, falling to her knees, unable to accept that she had failed in her mission as a Toa, “Take me too!”

After about an hour she had finally risen and began to burn everything with her powers, using them to start fires. As the village burned as a funeral pyre, she threw the sword into the center, making it stick out of the ground.

She walked away, with the flames lighting her as she left, never to return to the people she failed.

“You…” She muttered, “You killed them…”

“No.” Denji said, “I don’t even know who they are. My powers simply allow me to project the images of spirits to you. My people converse with spirits constantly. That is what we do. We seek knowledge, we seek peace.”

She pointed a dagger up at him, “But Bandiaca twisted you, didn’t she? You don’t want peace, do you?” She screamed.

“I’m here to fight.” He said, drawing his arm back and stepping back, allowing her to rise to her feet. He drew his arms up, banishing the spirits, ready to fight her.

“Come and fight me!” She screamed, unleashing a bolt of Lightning into his chest, throwing him back with a surprised look on his face. He rolled, coming to his knees, ready to continue.

The others were starting to get up and gather around her. Eri shouted, pointing away at the approaching Anaroids.

“Deal with them.” Rei ordered, “This guy is mine!”

Eri rested a hand on Rei’s shoulder, “Rei, what’s wrong?”

“He’s mine.” She hissed, looking deeply into the Toa of Water’s eyes, “Do you understand?”

“I do.” Eri replied, “Everyone, Cyril Buster!” She ordered, as if taking the thoughts from Rei and shouting them for all to hear.

Eri threw her daggers to Rei, who assembled the Buster with the others. As Denji ran at her, she fired a bolt of Lightning to keep him at bay, and then moved to the assembled Buster, taking the lead position instead of Hoji, who took hers.

“Five Toa destined to rid this island of the accursed witch! We are the Toa Cyril!” Rei screamed, firing the Buster, clearing the Anaroids in one shot. She quickly took the weapon, still partially charged, and ran at Denji, sliding under his slash and spinning around, ramming the entire weapon into his chest.

“Die.” She hissed.

“You’ll kill yourself.” Denji told her without much emotion. He never had much emotion.

“You’ll die.” She hissed, pulling the trigger, releasing the stored remains of their powers, blasting Denji through the wall, vaporizing his body and destroying a chunk of the building in the process. Rei was blown the other way, losing the Buster as she flew, hitting the ground hard and staying down.

Hoji ran over, “She’s alive.” He reported, “Thank the Great Spirit…she’s alive…”

“My vanity is not my weakness. Vanity is no sin! Vanity is no weakness! I’ll show you that vanity never harmed anyone! …Angelus Nui…? My home…? What happened? Tell me! Next time: “Chapter 6: Toa Magis” Feel the Magnificent Gale!”

Chapter 6: Toa Magis
“Where are you now, my friend?” Magis pondered, looking at the night sky, wishing he could see the sparkling of stars. He recalled Rei’s nearly suicidal attack two days ago, wondering if he could blast away the clouds to see the silver sparkles in the sky.

Silver.

Magis smiled his vain, proud smile, and looked at his body in the minimal lighting. He could see the silver stand out in the night. His silver and green armor.

His pride, his vanity.

Magis was a Le-Matoran on Angelus Nui long ago. Many, many years ago. That island had been a majestic one, one watched over by Turaga Otoka, by the Four Seraphim, strange, strange beings, but they were effective, when they actually acted, that was.

The island’s main problem were Rahi attacks. But the Toa Angelus; Gaila and Lewin, they were always there to hold the attack back. It was very odd to think that the island of peace and beauty, faith and religion, needed any Toa, any guardians. But it did. It had its guardians, and the Matoran felt good about having them.

Magis? He couldn’t really care less. After all, he and his friend were beautiful. He had sparkling silver armor with his green. Silver was an uncommon secondary color for armor on any island he had ever been to, and he was looked up to by some, looked upon like some sort of god by others. His friend was also a spectacular vision of beauty. He may have only had green armor, but it was like an emerald. He had an uncommon mold for his mask, making him unique. Just beautiful armor.

The two of them were great together. Great friends and partners. Partners in what, though? It didn’t matter. They did have jobs, yes, but they were simple jobs. Their beauty didn’t always help them, but those in their professions who looked up to them for their beauty would often take some of the workload for them.

They used people to get ahead. But that’s not how they thought of it. They thought of it as people showing kindness to their betters.

As the light began to shine through some of the clouds, the gray sky was temporarily not an issue. Magis could see his silver armor shining for a few moments before the clouds killed the pure light. Now the diluted light filtered down onto the island.

Magis rose and leapt into the streets below, walking towards a grove of trees that sat nearby. The trees were able to survive on the minimal light, to his pleasure, and to the pleasure of many others. Magis only appreciated them for the leaves.

He collected leaves on a fairly regular basis, always keeping them on him so that he could use them during the Toa Cyril’s rollcall. It made him look better, to use his powers to scatter and twirl the leaves around his body.

Ever since Angelus Nui, he had associated leaves with beauty.

“So, a Toa.”

Magis span around, drawing his Blade Blaster and training it on his foe. The being was clad in black and green armor, with primarily green, other than a black helmet or mask, and black shoulder armor. He had some silver on his chest, but not much.

His leg armor had sloping, claw-like designs. He wielded a launcher weapon of some sort in his right hand, while in his left he wielded a bow-like weapon, which seemed to actually be two blades. A twin edged slicer of some sort.

Magis kept his firearm trained on his foe as they circled around each other. “Who are you?” Magis demanded.

“Kaku, one of Mistress Bandiaca’s warriors.” He answered, lifting his launcher, generating a small energy sphere into the rounded tip.

“Do you think you can beat me?” Magis questioned.

“Tell me, Toa, what is your name?” Kaku questioned.

“Magis.” He answered.

“Magis…” Kaku said, as they circled back to their original positions. He fired once, showing a slight recoil on his arm as the energy sphere launched forward with an explosive projection.

Magis rolled aside, but then glanced back. He leapt forward, throwing his body in front of the attack, taking the hit and falling to the ground, explosions going off all over his body, sending sparks flying constantly. He cried out as his glorious silver and green armor darkened, as pain filled his body.

“Interesting.” Kaku said, drawing his slicer up. He slashed his arm up, sending an energy blade rippling forward at Magis from it. It sliced through the ground, seemingly able to cut through Magis, if it would hit him.

“You’re a monster.” Magis hissed, throwing both arms forward, stopping the blade with his Air powers. He lifted his weapon and fired, but Kaku used the flat of his slicer to parry the blasts.

“Weak.” Kaku hissed, firing another blast from his launcher.

Magis knew he was done if another one hit him. He screwed his eyes closed, waiting for the end.

The attack stopped, he assumed.

He opened his eyes, seeing his partners standing in front of him. Agri had raised a wall of Earth to parry the attack, absorbing it into a rounded off, enclosed tomb.

“Interesting parry.” Kaku said, drawing his slicer back, shouting as he sent two blades flying out this time.

“Move.” Hoji hissed, dodging with the others, except for Magis, who remained on his knees, in the way of the attack.

“Magis!” Eri snapped, rushing for him, grabbing him, “Are you crazy? Do you want to die?” She questioned, grabbing, trying to pull him away, but he wouldn’t move.

“You can’t move me.” Magis hissed at her, never moving.

“Move!” She pleaded.

Agri grabbed Magis by the other arm, pulling him away with ease. Eri dodged forward with them, determined to add her power to Magis’s to create a storm. As soon as this was happening, however, Magis was screaming out, trying to break Agri’s grip.

The slicer attack crashed into the tree, breaking it, causing it to explode into thousands of shards. Magis screamed at Kaku and pushed himself to his feet, racing forward, flipping his weapon into its sword mode. He slashed wildly, out of control, but Kaku dodged with ease, using his slicer to parry two slashes.

He rammed the tip of his blaster into Magis’s chest, “I’ll send you with the tree.” He said coldly.

“Magis!” Hoji shouted, throwing a blast of Fire at Kaku, forcing Kaku to roll to evade being scorched terribly. Hoji rushed over, pulling Magis aside.

“Let me fight him!” Magis screamed, pushing Hoji away. He ran at Kaku, drawing his blade back, holding it in both hands to force more power into the upcoming slash.

“What’s with him?” Rei muttered.

“It’s like he’s possessed by some anger, or hate, at this man.” Eri observed.

“Why?” Agri questioned.

Hoji looked at the tree, thinking of Magis’s wounds, how Magis wouldn’t move. He couldn’t believe it as he came to an answer.

“It’s the…tree…” He said.

As Magis and Kaku exchanged blows, Magis never touched Kaku himself, only his slicer. The slicer cut Magis multiple times, causing him to cry out with each blow.

“You remind me of a story I heard recently.” Kaku said.

“What?” Magis questioned.

“I’m one of the newest recruits into Mistress Bandiaca’s forces.” Kaku answered, “Very recently I went to Angelus Nui…”

“My home!” Magis screamed, kicking Kaku back and spinning around, slashing as he span.

Kaku parried, “I didn’t destroy it, if you’re angry at me for that.” Kaku answered, returning the kick, “I heard some stories, though. I heard about a Matoran, kind of like you. Vain. I know you’re vain, from what the intelligence reports we have state. I’m hoping this gets at you.”

“Emerald armor?” Magis hissed.

Kaku nodded.

“My friend…what did you do to him?” Magis screamed, running forward.

“Nothing. He was already dead. Killed by the Toa Angelus.” Kaku hissed, “He was interesting. He became a man possessed by nothing other than vanity, at his appearance. He killed to remain good looking. His armor faded, decayed, while you became a Toa.” Kaku said, slashing Magis aside, “How do you feel about that?”

Magis shouted and plunged his weapon at Kaku’s side. Kaku span to the side and kicked Magis’s arm, forcing him to drop the weapon.

“He’s dead.” Kaku said, lowering the slicer’s blade to Magis’s neck, “You’re dead, too. Look at what vanity got you. You tried to protect that tree, and took nearly fatal wounds. You can’t fight me with those.” He chuckled, “Nor without! You’re dead!”

As the others attempted to reach him, to save Magis, Magis thought back to his days at Angelus Nui, to the trees, to his friend.

Where his standings had come from, and why he was going to die here.

“What’s so special about this tree?” Magis questioned his friend.

The other Le-Matoran looked to him, “We value beauty. Our own beauty. Why shouldn’t we admire the beauty of anything else in this world?”

“But a tree?” Magis questioned, “And besides, it isn’t beautiful!”

“What are you talking about?” The other questioned, “Of course it’s beautiful!” He threw his hand to it, directing to it, “The elegant branches, seamless body! The crimson and emerald leaves changing over time!” Currently the leaves were a brownish color as they were becoming crimson, but even the duller color was beauty in itself, “The leaves provide elegance, grace.”

“I don’t see it.” Magis answered, shaking his head.

“You will, someday.” His companion replied, “I’m sure of it.”

“I would never see beauty in something like this.” Magis said, shaking his head again, walking down the slope towards the city.

“Magis!” His friend shouted.

“What’s the point?” Magis shouted back up, “I don’t see it!”

“No, Magis!” His friend screamed with more urgency.

Magis looked up again, seeing an approaching Rahi, and his friend in trouble. Magis shouted and ran up, unsure of what he could even try to do. This was a Rahi attack, but that was his friend. He had to try something, even if it killed him.

“Stand aside!” A voice shouted at him.

He was pushed to the ground as a Toa of Water and a Toa of Air ran up the hill. The two members of the Toa Angelus, Gaila and Lewin. She wore a Water Bow on her arm, and he used a double sided Air Swords.

The two leapt up, attacking the Kuma-Nui. It was a rare Rahi to see on the island, but a dangerous one. It roared and drew its claws back, ready to strike.

Gaila lifted her weapon, firing multitudes of arrows at the Rahi. It roared and stumbled back, as Lewin slid to the Matoran, pulling him away and pushing him towards Magis.

It was rough, but it was a dangerous situation. He needed to be out of there, and Lewin was seeing to it.

Lewin span around, shouting and slashing, sending a blade of Air forward, slashing it into the Rahi. It roared and stumbled back.

“Should we?” Gaila questioned.

Lewin nodded, “Usually I’m asking.”

“Well, for something this big, we’ll need it, and I’m making a call.” Gaila answered, holding her arm up. He put his sword against the arrow that generated the elemental arrows. Elemental Energy poured through both weapons, combining into a teal color where they crossed, forming into a small sphere. It flew up and spread out, becoming a widening maelstrom of power.

The clouds began to darken around the outside. Power raged on the inside, crashing around on the inside, coursing through. Wind began to tear down, rain began to fall, and lightning began to crash. The two exerted their control, slamming the funneling wind at the Rahi, sending the pounding rain and lightning into it as well.

It roared, falling to the ground, a massive wound in its chest. It was alive, most likely, but it probably wouldn’t be for long. As the winds and power died down, the trees began to stop shaking and settle into a fairly normal shifting along with the breeze.

After a few moments, leaves began to fall, shaken loose by the storm, but only falling now. The stems had been weakened, but were only now snapping off.

Magis and his friend looked. His friend was angry at the falling of the leaves, at the stripping bare of his beautiful trees, but Magis was shocked by what he was seeing.

Leaves falling around the two Toa as they looked down at the two of them, checking on them. The water droplets coming down off of their armor, the leaves falling around them. Magis was shocked by this sight, by the elegance and beauty of the two Toa Angelus at this moment.

He saw the beauty in the trees.

“I protected the trees for a reason.” Magis hissed.

“What possible reason could you have?” Kaku questioned.

“It was shown to me by a friend. One who, according to you, is now dead.” Magis hissed, “And the two Toa of my island showed me the beauty, inadvertently, of course. I had to do what I could, for the precious Toa, the precious defenders of my homeland. For my friend…”

“What are you talking about?” Kaku demanded.

“Gaila and Lewin…” Magis muttered.

“Both dead.” Kaku answered.

“I know.” He replied, sending minuscule amounts of power out, forming it up behind Kaku. He began to pour more power into the spot, causing a swirl of wind to appear. Kaku was taken off guard for a moment and pulled back. Magis took his chance to fire three shots into Kaku’s chest and roll back, shouting, “Eri!”

Eri ran forward, extending her personal sword. Magis put the tip of his Blade Blaster’s blade up, both of them combining their powers into a single point.

A storm began to appear over their heads. Magis shouted in rage, pointing the swirling vortex of energy at Kaku, unleashing all of the powers into him, just as Magis had seen Gaila and Lewin do on Angelus Nui.

Just like on Angelus Nui, it worked. The attacks swirled into Kaku’s chest, causing him to scream in pain and go down. Unlike the Kuma-Nui, this wound was more than a mortal wound. It was an instant death for Kaku.

Magis stumbled two steps away, and then fell to the ground. The others called for him and rushed to his side. Eri put her hands over him, washing her power over his body, “He’ll live.” She said, “His wounds aren’t that bad. He’s just tired. He didn’t collapse from his wounds, but from weariness.”

“That’s fortunate.” Hoji said, heading to Kaku’s corpse. He looked over the man, but there was nothing of interest. He rose to his feet, “We’ll see to the corpse later.” He said, “Get Magis to the temple, have Gorma see to him. Eri, help Gorma. He may not need healing, but I think, for some reason, he could use you. He chose a storm for a reason, I believe.”

“Will do.” Eri replied, using Agri’s help to get Magis’s body up and onto her back. She headed off towards the temple while Agri, Rei and Hoji stayed by Kaku’s corpse.

“What do you think happened on Angelus Nui?” Rei asked Hoji.

“It’s none of our business.” Hoji said, “We all have pasts. I know I wouldn’t want mine known by everyone. We won’t pry, for Magis or anyone else.”

“This man dares to stand against me, proclaiming what he is proclaiming? He believes me to be a peaceful Toa of Water, but I will bare my fangs for this! Next time: “Chapter 7: Toa Eri” The waves crash!”

Characters

 * Bandiaca
 * "Forte"
 * M'hou
 * Chou'ri
 * Anaroids
 * Hoji
 * Rei
 * Agri
 * Eri
 * Magis
 * Batsuroids
 * Go'On
 * Gorma
 * Fides (Mentioned Only)
 * Usou
 * Hyak (Flashback Only)
 * Marcko (Flashback Only)
 * Bouk
 * Denji
 * Mata Nui (Not Mentioned By Name)
 * Kaku
 * Otoka (Mentioned Only)
 * Seraphim (Mentioned Only)
 * Lewin (Flashback Only)
 * Gaila (Flashback Only)
 * "Beauty" (Flashback Only; Not Mentioned By Name)