Bionicle Mara's Story
Chapter 1
On the planet Spheres Magna in a small village nestled near the mountains at the edge of the Great Barren a young female warrior named Mara watched a patrol of solders heading out to join the Element Lord of Fire's army. Since the discovery of a strange silvery liquid the Element Lord's had gone to war over control for it. Mara wasn't sure why it was important but she fumed over the fact that she couldn't go with them because she was to young, she was now the last warrior in her village.
As long as Mara could remember she had lived in her small village at the edge of the desert. And though the whole village had raised her Mara sometimes felt alone, she was an orphan with no knowledge of her family or where she was from. Looking into the distance Mara gazed towards the mountains, she longed to leave the village and explore Spheres Magna. The Great Jungle, the Great Sea, the White Quartz Mountains, all the mysterious lands beyond. . .
"Mara!" she whirled at the shout. The village leader was walking towards her, "It's getting late we need to head back now."
"Alright," Mara answered as she followed him back towards the village.
"And no more sneaking out at night," he warned sternly.
"It was one time," Mara argued as they passed the outer buildings and Sand Stalker pens. She took one last look into the desert before following.
Mara was sleeping peacefully when someone started shaking her, she awoke with a start. "Hurry!" the Agori cried.
"What's going on?" Mara demanded as she followed him outside, Agori were running around the village in a panic. "What's going on!" Mara cried again.
"Jungle tribe warriors are headed this way," the Agori said, "Hurry hide here." Mara didn't have time to protest as she was shoved behind some crates. "Stay down," he told her before running off. Mara huddled behind the boxes as she heard the sound of many feet pounding into the village.
She heard arguing. "We know this village has a supply run for the fire army. Give us the supply's and there won't be any trouble," a mysterious voice demanded.
Taking a chance and peering over the crates she saw the Agori had been gathered in the center of the village surrounded by jungle warriors. The village leader stood before a tall warrior in armor with images of Talon Snakes. "Please, the supplies are in that building," the Agori leader answered pointing to a large shelter, "Take them and go."
The lead jungle warrior nodded and several warriors went into the building and reappeared carrying boxes as other warriors lead Sand Stalkers out of their pens to hitch up to wagons. Mara couldn't believe it, she had to do something. But what? Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and yanked Mara from her hiding place. "LET ME GO!" she cried trying to twist out of the iron grip.
"Hey Vastus look what I found," the warrior called dragging her towards the group.
The warrior with Talon Snake armor turned at the same time as the village leader. "NO!" the Agori cried, he turned to Vastus, "Please she's just a child!"
Vastus was surprised all warriors had been recruited into their Lord's armies, though looking at her he saw that she was too young. He looked from Mara to the worried looking Agori villagers, "Let her go."
"But sir she's a warrior," the soldier argued pushing Mara forward.
"She's a child," Vastus answered with a edge in his voice.
"But Vastus. . . "
Quick as lighting Vastus grabbed the warrior by the throat and pulled him close, the look in his eyes was dangerous. "Were warriors since when do we harm children?" The warrior could only look down, "Get the supplies loaded and lets head out." One of the Agori had pulled Mara away from the warriors, she watched them load the wagons and head out of the village. Before following Vastus looked back. He walked to Mara and put a hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eye said simply almost sadly, "Stay out of the war." He swiftly turned back to his unit leaving her standing in the fading light.
The desert was hot and dry as Mara walked through it her eyes wide open for anything interesting among the barren landscape. Keeping a lookout a rumble caused her to look up at a high mountain range. The villagers had warned her time and time again not to venture far beyond the village, especially here near the mountains that hid a valley. No one was allowed in it, it was said the Great Beings were working on a secret project within.
Suddenly a glint before her caught her eye, spotting something shiny half buried in the sand Mara pick it up. It was a flat round smooth piece of metal that fit in the palm of her hand. Mara turned it over, on the other side was an image of a circle surrounded by two smaller one's then flanked by two curved lines. What could this mean, she wondered. Suddenly Mara was thrown off her feet as the ground shock. Something started to rise from the Great Beings valley, Mara watch in fascination and fear as a giant made of metal stood. The strange being seemed to survey his surroundings when his bright yellow eyes appeared to settle on Mara. She wanted to run, hide, do anything, but she was in the open with nowhere to go and fear kept her rooted in place. The giant could easily destroy her. But he only watch her for a moment then turned his gaze to the sky, causing another quake the giant lifted off and disappeared into the sky.
Mara stood there she wasn't sure how long watching where the giant had disappeared. She shook her head wondering if what she'd seen was real. No one's going to believe this, she thought as she headed back to the village.
If the quake from the rising giant was bad she was nowhere near prepared for the earthquake that struck a week later. Mara was back near the mountains trying to find a trail, she wanted to see what else was inside the Great Beings valley and what further mysterious it held. I could climb the mountains, she thought, but knew the villagers would be worried about her if she was gone too long. As she pondered this the ground started shaking, first slowly but then with greater force. Thrown to the ground Mara tried to grab anything to steady herself as the ground shook more violently and great cracks and fissures appeared in the earth. As she watched mountains crumble Mara was sure the world was going to end, the tremors got worst and Mara felt her heart pounding as she watched in horror as the very planet broke apart and the world went dark.
Mara awoke to a dark sky, how long had I been out. Suddenly she notice that two chunks of the planet were drifting around it. She jumped to her feet and started running back to the village, were the others worried about her. Had anyone been hurt. Was the village badly damaged. She ran into view of the village and stopped in her tracks. Ahead laid her village buried in rubble. Mara rushed over, whatever had happened had brought the mountain down on the whole village.
Mara threw herself to the ground shouting for anyone as she started digging, it seemed like hours before she made the grim discovery of what happen to the villagers.
A week later Mara stumbled through the desert trying to find a village. The problem was she had no idea where she was and her supplies were running out. All the Sand Stalkers had either escaped or been killed and she was stuck walking through the dry desert.
With the sun going down she walked on until a sound made her stop and turn. Looking around she didn't see anything, continuing her journey Mara only reached a few steps when she heard it again. Whirling around she saw movement under the sand.
A Sand Bat!
Mara started running when something moved in front of her. Two Sand Bats! She change direction running towards some cliffs. The movement under the sand got closer and Mara realized she wouldn't make it, the creatures were too fast. Mara instead ran to a large bolder a few yards from her, as she started to climb a Sand Bat jumped into the air sailing a few inches by her. For a moment Mara thought she was safe. Until she felt its tail wrap around her leg.
With a yelp she was yanked from the bolder and landed in the sand. The creature turned and reared over Mara bearing its fangs, she was sure it was the end.
Before it could strike a blast struck the creature stunning it. Mara turned to see a tall warrior in red armor aiming a Thornax launcher at the creatures. The other Sand Bat hissed at the attacker before diving under the sand in retreat. Mara was to stunned to move as the warrior made his way to her. "Are you all right?" he asked helping her up.
"Yes, thank you. I'm Mara."
"I'm Ackar, what are you doing out here alone?"
Mara looked down, "My village was destroyed in a rockslide, I'm the only survivor." It hurt to think about it but she also couldn't believe she was actually talking to Ackar, the fire army commander.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You should come me to Vulcanus." He beckoned to her as he turned and Mara followed him.
As they walked Mara decided to ask, "What happened? What was that?"
"Everyone's calling it 'The Shattering!'" Ackar answered, "It had something to do with that silver liquid. A lot of cities and villages were destroyed and many died, only Atero still stands."
Mara was shocked, "What are the Element Lords doing about it and the Great Beings?"
"They disappeared," he answered grimly.
"What!"
"No one's seen them since the disaster." Suddenly he stopped and pointed ahead, Mara turned to where he directed and saw several fire Agori building a village near a lava flow. "Come on," Ackar lead her down a path.
In the village Perditus, Kyry and Crotesius were busy trying to fix a damaged Dune Chariot when Malum walked towards them. "You're never going to get that fixed," he sneered.
"You'll be surprised." Perditus shot back.
Kyry and Crotesius shook their heads in annoyance when Ackar walked by them with a young female by his side. All four watched them curious about the new arrival.
"Who's that?"? Kyry asked.
"I don't know," Perditus answered watching the pair.
Mara looked about the village in wonder when a Agori walked up to Ackar, "Good your back we need. . . Who's this?" he asked catching sight of Ackar's companion.
"This is Mara. Mara this is Raanu," Ackar turned to the Agori, "She lost her village in a rockslide."
"I'm sorry," Raanu told her, "So many have been lost." He took her hand and looked into Mara's eyes. "Your certainly welcome to stay here."
"Thank you," Mara said turning to look at the village and a new life.
It had been weeks since arriving in the village, Mara walked out of her shelter into the blazing sunlight and looked around. Another hot day, she thought as she watch Agori begin their work. Mara spotted Ackar talking to the village leader, he had a bag slung over his shoulder. When the leader walked away she ran to the warrior, "Where are you going?" she asked.
"To Atero," he answered. "Iconox and Tesara almost came to blows over resources." The look on his face went serious, "We can't let another war happen."
Scared at the thought she asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Tarix, Certavus, a few others and myself are going to discuss more peaceful ways for the villages to settle disputes."
"Can I come?"
"No Mara, I want you to stay here," He turned to her with a serious look, "We still don't know what kind of dangers are out there."
"But. . . "
"Please Mara stay here," Ackar said gently but firmly.
"Alright," she sighed watching him go.
Not long after that the Glatorian Arena system was started, Ackar soon became the first Glatorian of Vulcanus while Malum became second Glatorian. It wasn't long until the Grand Tournament was held in Atero. On one of the few times she was allowed to travel there Mara meet another young warrior named Gresh from Tesara.
Upon first meeting the two got into an argument that half the arena heard, with Gresh convinced that Vastus would win and Mara insisting that Ackar would be champion. By the end of the Tournament with Tarix the winner the two had left the best of friends.
Mara was soon taught how to repair weapons and tools, she was renowned for her work at even the smallest of details. Mara was putting the finishing touches on a sword, it had been in bad shape but there was little she couldn't fix. She looked about the forge she worked in, as well as weapons there were several small figurines Mara had made out of spare pieces of scrap metal that had been too old or twisted for reuse. She loved to make them in her free time, it gave her something to think about besides work. Rock Steeds, Sand Stalkers, Dune wolves, all kinds of creatures. Even Glatorian and Agori she knew lined shelves here and in her home, everyone said they were a work of art.
She was shaken from her thoughts when several Agori run by the open door of the forge. Then she remembered, the match today between Vulcanus and Tajun. Mara placed the sword she was working on besides some unfinished weapons and left the workshop. She knew she should be proud of her work but couldn't help but feel there was something more she could be doing. Cheers erupted from the Arena as Mara walked in, she spotted Perditus leaning against a wall watching as Malum entered the Arena. "Who's he up against?" she asked.
Perditus turned as she came to stand beside him, "The secondary Glatorian of Tajun, Kiina."
"Kiina?" Mara hadn't heard of this Glatorian.
A female warrior in blue armor came into the Arena. Mara was shocked, she had never heard of a female becoming a first or second Glatorian. Quick as a Dune Snake the female Glatorian struck at Malum and retreated. Before Malum could recover she struck again, he would charge but she keep out of his reach keeping him off balance.
"She's good," Perditus noted, "I went up against her once she's a fierce one." Hearing no answer he turned to discover Mara gone.
Mara waited outside the Arena exit when Kiina emerged. "Hi," Mara said nervously walking up to the water Glatorian.
Kiina eyed the newcomer, "Hello."
"It must be great being a secondary Glatorian. I never heard of a female being one before."
"There are only a few female Glatorian. And I'm the first one to become second Glatorian," Kiina said with pride, "Are you one?"
"Me! No, I repair tools and weapons."
Kiina eyed her for a moment, the fire Glatorian moved with balance and grace. "You should think about it."
After talking to Kiina Mara rushed into Ackar's shelter, she found him sorting through armor. "What are you up to," he asked with a smile. He could always tell when she was up to something.
"I want to become a Glatorian!" she gasped almost out of breath.
"WHAT!" Ackar dropped the armor he was holding and turned to her shocked.
"I want to be a Glatorian," Mara repeated, "Like you and Kiina."
"Kiina! Of course," Ackar said more to himself then her.
"Ackar I'm serious, I always felt there was something more I could be doing."
"Mara I don't think this is a good idea."
"Please, I really want to do this, and I want you to teach me." Ackar could only look at her, he recognized that determine look she gave him. "If you won't then I'll find something who will," Mara declared.
"All right," Ackar agreed, thought's of Malum or Starkk teaching her passed through his mind. He sighed, "Will begin tomorrow."
A month later Mara found herself sprawled in the sand yet again. Ackar helped her up, "You need to keep your guard up." Mara could only look down, practice had not been going well, "Let's start again."
Up in the stands Raanu watch in disproval, he wasn't happy about Mara's decision but like Ackar knew how stubborn she could be. "She's fast," Raanu turned in surprise, he hadn't heard Metus coming up behind him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Its my job to watch for new talent," the ice Agori said with a nod towards Mara. He frowned when she was sent reeling again. "She attacks to soon," he noted.
"I've tried to talk her out of it but she refuses to listen," Raanu sighed.
"Don't worry if she can't win no one's going to hire her," Metus said with a shrug. Raanu looked at him then turned his attention back to the fight wondering if Metus was right.
"That's enough for today," Ackar reach down to help her up but Mara shoved his hand away and pushed herself up.
"No a little longer," she begged.
"No Mara were stopping," Ackar answered firmly. With a huff Mara stormed out of the Arena, Ackar watch her go when Raanu joined him.
"I'm worried about what she might do," Raanu admitted, Ackar could only nod.
Mara walked out of the arena and leaned against a wall to think. Her training was not going well, all she wanted to do was help her village, her people. But she was feeling frustrated over the whole thing. She tried, she really was, but she knew no one expected her to secede. Spotting Metus she ran towards him, "Wait!"
"Huh?" Metus turned, "Well hello Mara, done with your training today."
She looked at him pleadingly, "Metus honestly what are my chances of becoming a Glatorian?"
His face went serious, "Look kid your fast and agile but if you can't win there's nothing I can do." He put a hand on her shoulder, "But a lovely girl like you shouldn't have to worry about fighting. Find something easer to do." With that he walked away, Mara watch him go in growing anger.
Ackar found her standing in the same place not moving. "Mara maybe we should forgot about this," he said gently.
She whirled on him anger flashing in her eyes, Ackar had never seen her so mad. "Why!" she demanded.
"I don't want you to get hurt."
"You mean you don't want me to leave!" Mara was shouting now, "No one believes I can do anything!"
"That's not. . . "
Mara cut him off, "Stay in the village, that's all anyone ever wants me to do! Well not anymore!" she turned and stormed away leaving Ackar behind.
The next day Ackar was in the Arena practicing with Perditus when Raanu rushed in, "She's leaving!" he shouted.
"Who?" Perditus asked confused but Ackar already knew. He dropped his sword and rushed after Raanu, they found Mara in her shelter packing her belongings.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Ackar demanded.
Mara didn't bother turning, "There's a caravan leaving for Tesara today I'm going with them."
"What? No!" Ackar snapped.
"Sorry but it's my choice," still not looking at them Mara picked up her bag and walked away, tears were in her eyes but she didn't look back.
