*Over 17,000 years ago*

For once Xipher was enjoying being a Toa. Defeating a Tahtorahk was certainly a challenge, but getting recognition and appreciation from the village he helped saved made him feel good inside. He left the village with his brothers with a smile on his face. His sister took notice immediately.
"Why the good mood?" Naromia asked.
Xipher panicked a little, not wanting to admit what he was really feeling. "Uh, it's just a nice day." He lied.
She raised an eyebrow. "It's cloudy."
"But it's not raining."
The Toa of Water rolled her eyes and smiled. "You're a horrible liar, you know that?"
"Nope." He said with a smirk. "But just wait until the Turaga hears about this."

"Such recklessness!" Exclaimed the Turaga. "Such irresponsibility! Do you know what would happen if someone was in the way of that landslide?"
"No one was in the way. I had it under control." Xipher protested.
"That level of destruction is not what I would call 'under control'. Using force instead of thinking things through, aggressive behavior around your brothers and not using caution when needed. You fight more like a rahi than a Toa. I expect better from you next time." The village elder waved his hand, gesturing towards the door. Xipher cringed his teeth and stormed out of the hut.
Outside, Naromia noticed him leave and followed him outside the village. She called out his name, but he continued his march. It was when she grabbed his arm that he spun around and shook her hand loose. He gave her a dirty look.
"What?" he barked. She took a step back in surprise. His eyes widened and he looked down, taking a few breaths to calm down.
"Sorry. Turaga is giving me a bad time… again."
"About the usual?"
He nodded.
"You really should attend your lessons more often. Where exactly do you run off too?"
Xipher's mouth struggled to spill the right words. "I-I just like to be alone. Where no one complains about me, ridicules me, or has some smart remark to make."
"Sounds like you've had it rough as a Matoran. I hear you haven't always been the best behaved."
"Yeah," he spat "I've tried to make up for it, but no one seems to have noticed. Even as a Toa, they still think I'm the same old Xipher." She placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "For some people, it takes a long time to realize if someone has changed."
The Toa of stone let out a deep breath. "I know, but I just wish change was easier to notice."

* * * *
"They must be out of range." Sam theorized.
"Daniel, Mike, where are you?" Scott asked. He placed the radio up to his ear. There was no reply. "The beach can't be that far. Is there anyway to give out a stronger signal?"
"Ask Daniel." Josh reminded.
Frustrated, Scott sat down and stared at the ground.
"What do we do?" asked Amanda.
"Xipher has a good sense of smell. He could track them." Sam suggested.
"But he doesn't want to be bothered." Said Scott. "We'll wait until morning and send a search party, but we'll stay in range of the plane."


Scott rested on a large rock. The amplifier for the radios was heavier than expected. Even with the longer range, the two-day search for Mike and Daniel has wound up fruitless. To make matters worse, two more have disappeared.
"This doesn't make sense." He was quietly talking to himself, but Josh could hear what he was saying. "Four men gone. No blood, bones, sign of a struggle or anything left behind. It's like they just vanished."
"Either they fell in the energy stuff, or they've been kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" Scott said with sarcasm. "Marines don't get kidnapped without a fight."
"What if they were caught off guard? Xipher's pretty good at doing that."
"You think he's behind this?"
"Perhaps. He did say not to bother him didn't he? Maybe it's so no one finds out what he's up too."
Scott lightly shook his head. "I don't think so. He's probably just spending another day hiding from that-" his eyes lit up in an epiphany. "The Vortixx!"
"The what now?"
"The woman Xipher accused us of being affiliated with. She's some kind of poacher that visits this island often."
"So they're dead." muttered Josh.
"I hope not, but we need to keep an open eye out for them." He pulled out the radio and talked into the speaker.
"Guys, I think I know what's going on." He waited for a reply, but got static. "Michael, David are you there?" There was static for several seconds.
Josh shrugged. "Maybe they're out of range."
"Impossible, they can't be more than a few miles from us." Suddenly a voice came through.
"I'm afraid Michael and David can't talk to you right now." The voice was sharp and feminine. Both were flabbergasted.
"Where are they?" Scott demanded.
"They're right here with me. Don't worry they're fine. As are the other four." Scott cringed his teeth.
"So you're the one kidnapping my men."
"I'm merely getting them out of my way. It's Xipher I want, and jugging how you and your friends are equipped, you're looking for him too." Scott and Josh gave each other looks.
"What's an Xipher?" Scott lied.
"Don't play games with me Scott." He was blow away at the response. "I know you two have crossed paths. So how about a trade? Xipher's location for the safe return of your brothers."
Scott thought about it for a moment. "When and where should we meet?"
"If Michael's sense of direction is right then we'll be meeting you in the northwest in a few hours. We'll see you then."
"No, we'll see you." Josh mumbled to himself. "You're not really going to tell them are you?"
"No. But we need to tell Xipher what's happening." He put his pack on and walked east.
"There's no need to tell 'Mr. Personality'." Complained Josh. "He can take care of himself."

With all that he had left of his voice Scott called out Xipher's name one last time. He waited for a moment, but once again his call went unanswered. Frustrated, he sat down. His head sunk down as he rested it on his hands. Josh sat down behind him.
"It's been an hour. Forget it, he doesn't want to see us." Josh tried to reason. "Besides, we can tell him when we're done with our little pen pall meeting."
"That's the problem. I don't trust her. If she can capture six of us without a fight then there's no telling whether for not we can stop her." There was a moment of silence. Scott found it odd that Josh wasn't delivering a smart remark. Before he could turn around something struck him on the back. He lunged forward a bit startled, but it didn't hurt. It was quite the opposite. It was numbing. The sensation spread through his body faster than he could comprehend it all. His limp body could no longer hold itself up and he fell forward, landing face first into the ground.
"You were right." Mocked the feminine voice. "You shouldn't trust me. But that's okay, I didn't trust you either." He felt a large hand grab his pack and lift him into the air. After being spun around he got a good look at his captor. From the corner of his eye he could see Josh being handled by another one of her kind.
"I must admit I wasn't expecting a bunch of organic freaks. And jugging from your bodies you're a fragile race. So I'll make this simple: tell me where he is or you will see just how creative I am at killing you."
"What makes you think I know where he is?"
"Because according to your brothers: you are one of two who have been to his hideout." She hissed.
"Well sorry to disappoint, but even if I did tell you, he doesn't want anything to do with you."
She chuckled. "I really don't care what he wants. I'm just doing what's… best for him."
A growl filled the air. "And let me tell you what's best for you."
She spun around, then looked up a near by tree. Xipher was perched on a branch, his pikes and ears pulled back. "You let them go and leave or else I'll have someone drag your body back to Sorza."
The Vortixx smiled. "Do you really think she is still after you? I have good news and bad news. Good news is she gave up and sold the information to me. Bad news is this is your last day of freedom." A launcher arose from her back and began to glow. A spinner of energy launched out. Xipher jumped off the branch before it struck and landed on the ground.
"Do I even bother asking who my new 'friend's' name is?" He snarled.
"Deskera, and believe me, you'll never forget it."
The Toa smirked. "Sorry, I just did."
She cringed her teeth and fired again. He jumped out the way and ran towards her, with blades drawn out. She dropped the Marine and drew out her sword.
The two Humans watched in awe as Xipher and Deskera fought. Their styles were quite different. The Vortixx was light on her feet and making strategic strikes, while Xipher seemed to be fighting more like an animal, occasionally trying to bite her. At first the outcome seemed to be a draw, but Xipher's ferocity was beginning to give him an edge.
He blocked her sword and kicked her in the stomach. She staggered back and tried to block a blow from him. But the angel she held the sword was poor and his blow knocked it out of her hands. Startled, she took a step back and found herself against a tree, with the points of Xipher's blades at her neck.
"I'm only going to tell you this once: Get out! And never come back." He growled.
"Fine." She spat. "But we're taking the Humans with us."
"No you won't." he barked.
"Aw, Are they you're pets?" she taunted.
Xipher growled louder. Neither he nor the Humans noticed the other Vortixx readying her launcher and firing. Xipher was oblivious to it; His back turned towards them. Scott called out to warn him, but it was too late. The spinner struck him and a net of green energy began to surround him.
He screeched and fell to the ground. The energy web held him flat against the ground. Even with all of his strength, Xipher couldn't force himself out, let alone get up on his hands and knees. It didn't take long for him to tire himself out. He let out three loud and deep bellows, that reverberated through the forest, before collapsing. Deskera smiled.
"So much for the infamous Xipher."
He replied with a deep growl. "Fine, you have me. Now set them free." He gestured his head towards Scott and Josh.
"And let a new species be left undiscovered? I don't think so." Her assistant began to bound Scott and Josh's hands behind their backs. Deskera did the same to Xipher. Once tied up she deactivated the energy net. When it dissipated he could feel his strength slowly returning. He stood up and stumbled a little before Deskera brought his head up to face hers.
"You're quite the specimen." She smiled. Xipher gave her a dirty look and jerked his head away. The Vortixx shrugged it off and walked around him. "I've heard so much about you. All of your 'heroic' deeds, your strength and power…" she hissed "and your habit of escapes. Sorza told me all about her attempts to capture you. I'm surprised she hasn't tried my approach."
"Actually she caught me once in a similar way." He snapped. He felt himself getting stronger. A few more moments of delay and he'll be able to run off and they would never catch him. She walked behind him once more.
"That wasn't what I was referring too."
The Toa could hear something going on behind him, but couldn't see that she was changing launchers. Scott didn't waste anytime warning him.
"Look out!"
Xipher turned around and a purple spinner struck him on the chest. His body twitched and flexed, like he was being electrocuted, as pain surged though his body. The Toa felt metal inside him bending and twisting while his organic parts were crawling around him. The whole ordeal lasted for six seconds. After screaming over excruciating pain, Xipher felt it disappear as fast as it came. It took a few wobbled steps for him to notice he was considerably weaker. It wasn't that his energy was drained, since he could still stand. He felt like he simply never had his strength to begin with, and his armor felt unusually heavy. When his toes dug into the ground he realized something was wrong. His feet didn't feel right. In fact his whole body felt different. He looked up at the Humans, who looked back with gaped mouths and a mix of shock and horror on their faces.
"What?" he barked.
Deskera walked up and stood next to him. He turned, and noticed right away that although he was standing, he was looking at her waist. He looked up at the Vortixx, who had a big grin across her face.
"What did you do?" he asked and took a few steps back.
"Your bands are loose, see for yourself." She raised a hand and lightly shook it to make her point. He was hesitant at first, but did as she said. When he looked at his hands, his face he was confused at one moment, then it quickly transitioned into shock, and finally horror.
"No. No. No, no, no, NOOO!" He repeated to himself as he frantically looked all over himself; feeling his arms and torso to see if this was even real. Then he felt his face and hair and screamed.
"What have you done to me?" he looked up at the Vortixx. "What have you done!?" he screamed.
"What do you think?" she spat with delight.
"You change me back right now!" he demanded. He ran up and punched her in the knee. A sensitive place to strike, but it ended up hurting him instead. He cringed his teeth and cussed as he rubbed his throbbing hand.
"How embarrassing." She smiled. "The great and powerful Xipher reduced to a mere Human. Don't worry I'll change you back. Right when it's time to sell you. By then you'll be bound by chains even you can't break apart."
Xipher looked up at her and slowly stepped backwards, shaking his head in denial. He turned around and made a mad sprint towards a tree. He grabbed hold of the trunk and attempted to climb it. Having no claws and heavy armor weighing him down made his fall all the more humiliating. As he got on his hands and knees he heard the Vortixx walk up. He looked up to see her smiling as she held out a rope.
"Told you this would be your last day of freedom."


Saber's ears perked up and she raised her head, scanning her surroundings. She could hear three faded bellows that could've only come from one person. She knew it was coming form Xipher, but the 'secret' message he was sending to her wasn't a good one: The Vortixx was back.
He would never actually use that signal unless caught, which troubled her. While they both have had many successful escapes, she always feared the day neither one could get out. Part of her wanted to investigate, but she eventually talked herself into waiting a day, and then go looking for him.


"Evete, you're not going to believe who I caught today." Smiled Deskera as she tossed Xipher on the table. He laid there, curled up and moaning. Scott and Josh were also brought in and left on another table. Evete turned around and noticed Xipher first.
"Is that who I think it is?" She held his face up and examined him. "Fascinating. An exact replica of a Human. He's a lot thinner than the others. Smaller too." She then had a wicked smile "This is going to be fun."
Xipher gave her a dirty look. "There's nothing fun about throwing up the whole trip here!" He laid his head back and kept moaning,
"Don't worry your sickness will wear off as you get used to your new body. Either that or she forgot an organ or two." She placed a finger on her chin. "Thinking about it I probably should check to make sure she got it right." She opened a bag and pulled various items out.
Xipher got a quick look and noticed most of them were medical related. It was when she pulled out a scalpel and held it with pride that he got worried. "What are you doing?" he asked nervously.
"Just a little 'examination'." She smiled, " Now if you could lay on your back so I can get to work."
Xipher squirmed away from her. "No, no, no! You are not cutting me open!"
"I have to make sure you don't die from being Human."
"Then make me a Matoran or anything else that doesn't involve a dissection!"
Deskera walked over and placed a hand on the table and leaned her weight on it. "Xipher, even compared to a Matoran, Humans are weak. They run out of energy too quickly, have only half the strength and must constantly find and consume energy to live. It's the perfect way to keep you out of trouble."
He looked over at Scott and Josh. "Please tell me you have some kind of natural ability or power that can get us out of this." He pleaded.
"Sorry," Shrugged Scott. "Even though I've never seen a Matoran, I don't think it's wrong to say that she's right about us."
His eyes widened. He then noticed Deskera removing his armor and jerked away. She placed her hands on her hips.
"You're not going to make this easy for us are you? Evete if you would?" The Vortixx readied her launcher and fired a spinner. Xipher braced himself, but didn't feel any pain. In fact he couldn't feel anything at all. The next thing he knew he fell to his side. Saliva was slowly oozing out of his mouth. Evete rolled him on his back.
"Don't worry this will be quick."
Xipher's eyes grew wide. He tried hard to yell at her, but only found himself drooling more.
She raised her scalpel. "Relax, you wont feel a thing."
"Leave him alone!" protested Scott. She didn't even bother to glance at him as she began with her procedure. "I said leave him alone!" He stood up and jumped to the other table. Deskera snatched him off and held him by the neck. She grabbed Josh as well and took them outside and to the cages, where she tossed them in and slammed the cage shut.
"Great," Josh spat "now what?"
Scott looked around. His six missing teammates were locked up in another cage, all appearing to be unharmed.
"I-I don't know. The only ones who can get us out of this are Saber and the others."
"I doubt they can do it." Murmured Mike. "They already have half of us. What's going to stop them from hunting down the rest?"
Scott paused. "Give me some time to think."

Xipher had his arms around his bandaged stomach as he curled up in his cloak and moaned.
"I see your examination went well." He looked up to see Deskera with a smug look on her face.
"Shut up." He barked, but quickly coiled back and moaned again.
She brought forth her hand and began to pet him on the head. "Poor Xipher." She mocked. "I bet you're in need of some medicine." He raised his head and saw a small vile in her hands filled with a purple liquid. Right as he reached out for it she pulled it back.
"First you tell me where Saber and Vaptech are."
He expressed a look of disgust. "I'd rather suffer." He hissed.
She shrugged. "So be it." Grabbing him by his cloak she dragged him to the cage. She opened it and pushed him in. He laid face down on the ground moaning. Scott and Josh rushed over to him.
"Xipher, you all right?" asked Scott.
He slowly got on his hands and knees and looked him straight in the eyes. "You." He growled and threw himself at Scott and pushed him to the floor, then began to choke him. "This is your fault! If you meat bags hadn't come here none of this would've happened!"
Josh grabbed hold of him and yanked him off.
"We would be living our normal lives and out of danger!"
Scott got on his feet and rubbed his neck. Xipher shook himself free and charged again. The marine's reflexes kicked in this time and he punched him in the face, sending him to the ground. The other Marines where shocked by what they had just seen. Everyone was silent.
Xipher noticed an odd feeling in his nose and opened his eyes. He saw a small pool of blood on the floor. A drop then fell into the pool. He put his fingers across his face, then took them off to find blood on the tips. Then a throb of pain in his torso reminded him what really needed attention. He crawled to the corner of the cage and laid on his side, curled up. Scott gave a deep sigh and grabbed something behind him and brought it over.
"Here, you'll need it." Xipher opened his eyes and saw a pair of clothes. "If you're going to be Human you might as well dress like one." The two helped bring him up and get his clothes on. When done they took a step back. Xipher examined himself. The outfit was too big and very baggy. His pants were longer than his legs, while the selves of his shirt almost reached the tips of his fingers.
"You guys are horrible at making these the right size." He murmured. He looked over Scott and Josh to find that Mike had his shirt missing and Daniel was without pants. He heard some of the men yawning and from the corner of his eye the sun was setting. He grabbed his cloak and held it up.
"Here, the nights can get chilly." He didn't bother looking as Scott brought the cloak to them. While the other six used it as a blanket he, Scott and Josh curled up together for warmth. As Xipher's heavy eyes closed he silently prayed to himself that Saber got his message: stay away.