The Toa stood over the great machinery. Their long journey had finally brought them to the core. Amongst them was a stricken warrior.
"You are the only one who can make this choice." Gali explained what had to be done.
"Long have I watched others fight over the power I possess. With this body I finally have the chance to decide my own future." The new Toa was reluctant.
"There is someone who has no future without your help. You are the Mask of Life, only you can awaken Mata Nui."
With Artahka's help, the Toa Nuva had travelled to Karda Nui and found the Legendary Mask of Life. The Brotherhood of Makuta had clashed with them in their selfish attempt to obtain the Mask, but it had formed a body of its own, known as Toa Ignika. They stood together inside the Codrex, the colossal dome in the centre of their universe.
"We don't have much time!" Toa Tahu yelled, watching as the Brotherhood of Makuta swooped down to confront them.
Gali placed her hand on Ignika's arm.
"You will always be our brother. Please, save us all."
He turned to see the brotherhood closing in. He had only one choice, his mind had been made up. It was his duty and his purpose to reawaken the Great Spirit. The Toa's power left him and transferred to the control panel in front of them. The engine in front of them roared into life. Lights flooded the Codrex, but such power reawakening the Great Spirit caused terrible consequences. The Matoran looked to the sky as they were evacuated to see a might storm. The sky screamed with the wail of thunder. The mountains themselves were destroyed as the heavens clapped and bolts of energy tore them apart. The Mask of Life became one with the machine and was left behind as the Toa fled on the vehicles they had discovered in the Codrex. As they flew away, Karda Nui, and the rest of the surviving Makuta, were obliterated behind them.
"Mata Nui!" They cheered in triumph.
The celebrations were larger than any other ever held on Metru Nui, or indeed on any other island. The Toa were met as the heroes they were. Rockets filled the sky with bright lights across the world. The Matoran had finally won, and the Great Spirit was awake. Outside their world, covered in a vast ocean, the moon of Aqua Magna began to stir. Two bright lights appeared below the surface. Waves began to crash as a construct of unbelievable size appeared out of the sea. A face broke out of the water. Slowly, the Great machine sat up. Its huge limbs pulled itself out of sea and stood to its full height. Inside this planet sized robot, the Toa and Matoran rejoiced. The islands and oceans inside his body were unfazed, protected by his own gravity and complex devices.
But their happiness was not to last.
The sky began to fall dark. Rain fell on them as storm clouds descended. The Matoran took shelter, wondering if something had gone wrong. The Toa gathered together, ready to face anything. Mata Nui held his head in his hands. He lost control of himself. He was unable to move, unable to do anything. His head faced the sky as his eyes turned red. Across the world, a maniacal laugh could be heard.
With his soul imprisoned in the Mask of Life, Mata Nui was banished from his own body. The Mask was cast out towards the stars.
"What's happening Tahu!?" Gali shouted.
"We just lost."
Their enemy felt the power of controlling such a body. Inside him, the universe was his. Mata Nui had been banished and the Matoran enslaved….
Makuta Teridax ruled all.
…
The two Boys had no idea of the terror their friends now faced and they in return could not see the horror in front of them now. Tom and Andrew stood over the city of London, atop an office building as the carnage unfolded beneath them. They felt weak. The strength they once had as Toa was leaving them. Slowly their bodies began to fade from under them. They fell to their knees. They watched as their hands change from metal to flesh. They were human once again. They had fought so hard to return to their home world but now they felt inferior. No longer did they feel like the heroes they had been on Mata Nui.
"What's happening to us!?" Andrew panicked.
Their Toa forms had gone, leaving them with nothing to fight against the Shadow Toa. Below them people ran for their lives and fires spread from building to building. Once again the duo felt utterly alone…