"And so their journey continues as they finally acquire a map to guide them to find the Makuta Temple but as they first must unite before they fight for the great battle that is coming towards them."
Zuro and his friends travel through the vast jungle searching for the Aqua Magna Region but they came to a halt as Zuro can't make of the map.
"I can't make of the map."
"That's because you're probably reading the map wrong. Give me that."
Torix snatches the map out of Zuro's hand and begins reading the map but realizes that he can't read it because of it being in another language.
"You can't read it, can you?" Zuro asks
"No I cannot."
"Ugh, just give to Muai."
Torix hands the map to Muai as she begins reading the map.
"Hm, I'm not an expert on Rahkshi language but I'll try."
"Here let me see if I can get information for you." Tau joins in as he scans the map and dials in codes for the translation as Muai gazes at him. Tan finishes scanning.
"There. Now if you translate we know might trail or road the map is telling us."
Muai begins to read the map but she was not to clear seen of the inscriptions written in their language but she tries to make of it.
"If I'm correct, the map shows us that the Aqua Region is just over that mountain but I don't know the route over the mountain." As Muai points to the west
"I may be able to help you with that."
As they heard a mysterious voice coming from a bush as a Magnetism Matoran with a Kakama mask.
"Who are you?" Kadima asks
"Aukume, I'm a navigator."
"A navigator? I was hoping to someone like you. Do you know a best route over that mountain?" Tan asks
"Yes, I do. This route through the mountain of Vezel it's the best shortcut I know from here. Follow well or you will intend to get lost in the mountain."
"Thank you and may I ask. What brings you out in this vast jungle?" Artemis asks Aukume
"I am nothing but a wanderer after the Great Battle of Spherus Magna. The Great Spirits giant body became homeless. I have nowhere else to go and I dream to be a Toa one day but it's all dream."
Zuro joins in the conversation "No. Becoming a Toa is no dream my friend. It is a destiny to achieve from any Matoran or Agori to become heroes today. Dream no longer and become that you seek on your journey."
"Thank you, Zuro. Let us be on our way."
Everyone jumps into their vehicles and drive through the route as they continue their journey. During their departure something once again was lurking in the shadows following them for the entire journey waiting to introduce herself but not yet as she continues to follow them.
Meanwhile at the Makuta Temple…
Bron and Metus return to the Temple defeated as Lord Nazar and Roodaka did not look very pleased. They approach to them by throne as they kneel and bow to them.
(Both) "My Lord."
(Low Growl) "Care to explain yourselves of why I do not see the mask of Toa that I sent to destroy."
Metus rises and tries to explain in hesitation. "Uh… they had… uh… the upper hand with the Rahkshi. More trained than the Skrall."
"I either see a Toa mask at my feet or it'll be your heads at my feet. Fail me again or don't come back at all."
"Of course, Lord Nazar we shall not fail."
Nazar rises from his throne walks away from them into the lab as Roodaka follows and the other two leave the throne room. Nazar looks over his tubes and pods of filled Antidermis with creatures inside them.
(Sigh) "It is hard to find good help these days even with an army."
"Yes, my sweet. The servants are quite pathetic as Sidorak when he was a king before his end."
"Yes, he was quite pathetic. I remember that you told me that my son; Teridax had Rahi to keep control of the island. Am I correct?" Nazar asks
"Yes, he once had Rahi at his control."
"Maybe it is time to relive that tale once again and you'll be the one to lead. Better than Sidorak."
"Of course, my love."
Nazar shows Roodaka the pod as she looks closer and sees a white demon rabbit like creature inside curled up.
"But for now let the Vorox, Skrall and Skakdi army handle them for now. It is only a matter of time for before they're ready."
Meanwhile at the Turaga Tower in the Northern Region…
Salamis stares towards the snow storm upon the Mountain of Vezel as Turaga Nuju approaches behind her to see what was wrong.
"Salamis, you don't seem like yourself. Are you feeling well?" Turaga Nuju curiously asks
"No, I'm fine. It's just I fear the worst for my father and his friends out in that storm. I don't know the worst to come. It's giving me bio-bumps just thinking about it."
"Fear not my darling. Your father is a strong Toa. He and the Toa will come out unharmed I guarantee it."
"I hope you're right."
Back with Zuro and his friends…
As they walk through the storm trying to get through but they are blinded by the strong winds as they push forward as they were in the heart of the storm.
"The winds are too strong. I can't see anything." Said Kadima yelling out
"I can't see anything either." Gala yelling out
Muai spots a dark shadow in the distance but she cannot see.
"Look there's something up ahead." She points north but as they grow closer until a white Skakdi about to attack her.
"Muai, watch out!" Tau yelling to her
Aukume jumps in the way blocks his attack and pushes it back. Kadima jumps in and shoots his Zamor launcher at it knocking it down but rises and roars echoing the surrounding.
"Uh-oh. I don't like that." As Torix was shocked to see multiple Skakdi's appeared from beneath the snow as each more rise. Aukume, Torix, Kadima and Artemis draw their weapons and prepared themselves.
"Get ready."
The Skakdi charges towards them as the Toa do as well and collided. Elasewhere with Zuro and Ontar were wandering through the snow storm trying to find the others as he calls out for them.
"Torix?! Kadima?! Aukume?! Artemis?! Tan?! Tau?! Muai?! Gala?! Anybody?!" Said Zoro calling out
Ontar spots a cave and barks twice at it and runs towards the cave as Zuro follows him.
"Ontar, wait!"
Zuro follows him into cave and Ontar was sitting waiting for him.
"Nice place to hide until the storm passes and I have to find others."
Back with Zuro's friends as they continue to fight of the Skakdi as Torix was wondering of where Zuro was.
"Where's Zuro?!" Torix asks
"I don't know. We've must have gotten separated in the storm."
"We'll have to find him later. Right now we have to deal with this."
"I hope Zuro is okay." Muai hoping
They continue to fight off the white Skakdi. Returning to Zuro and Ontar as venture through the mysterious cave. As he goes deeper into the cave he finds writings on the wall as it leads to a large door.
(Speaking to himself) "What is this? What are you leading me to?"
He firmly brushes the dirt and dust off the door as he pushes a panel button that opens the door widely. He enters and finds a large tomb as he finds ancient language on wall that contained legends wisdom and knowledge of the Great Beings themselves including Artemis. Zuro sees the largest one in the middle but he doesn't recognize him as it leads him to a giant red crimson crystal.
"What is this? There's something inside."
Zuro takes a closer look at the crystal and sees that there was being inside trapped. He compares the image on the wall to the crystal and sees it was correct.
"I've heard the tales of the lost Great Being and it's true."
Zuro draws launcher and takes two shots to the crystal cracking the shell of it until he draws his sword, plugs it into the crack and begins to winch the crack until it started breaking. As he stabs deeper into the crystal the crack begins to open even more as it finally begins to shatter. A huge sound wave throws Zuro and Ontar to the wall as crystal finally breaks splitting it in half as there was nothing but steam. The mysterious being begins to pull himself out Zuro sees a silver and red large body made of prototanium with immense wings and a tail with spikes as he drops to all four on the ground weaken.
"Where… am I? How long have been gone?" The mysterious being asks
"You were sealed in this crystal for decades now."
"I am aware. I teleported myself into this body as a last resort."
"Who are you?" Zuro asks
"I am Vantrax. I am a Great Being."
"I'm Zuro; Glatorian of Ice. I have heard rumors and tales about a lost Great Being but I didn't think it would true."
Zuro helps up Vantrax but is still weaken from his slumber as he still tries to regain conscious. He manage to regain full eyesight as he gets a clear look at him as he was able to pick himself up.
"What are these writings on wall?"
"They contain knowledge of great Kanohi masks I created. (Gasps) The Kanohi masks!"
"The Kanohi masks? Which one are you talking about?" Zuro asks curiously
Vantrax checks the Kanohi masks and sees that they remain but three were missing.
"No! Three are missing." Said Vantrax in shocking surprise
"What is missing?" Zuro asks
"The Ignika, Vahi and the Mask of creation is missing. Where are they?" Vantrax asks
"The Ignika mask is being held at the center of Spherus Magna granting life as we know it. The Vahi mask was stolen by a dark hunter after the Great Battle of Spherus Magna."
"Wait. The Great Battle of Spherus Magna?" Vantrax asks
"Yes. A Great Battle took place Mata Nui the very light and darkness of the Makuta. They both used giant robots to settle their fight once and for all. The Makuta met his end as Mata Nui rebuilt this world with life."
"When was this?"
"It was 100 years ago but now that changes everything."
"What do you mean?" Vantrax asks curiously
"I've been having visions of this great evil returning to reclaim what was his. He called himself Lord Nazar he's a Makuta. He is one of the first Makuta that ever existed and he's making his return. Which is why I'm on a journey to unite a team and stop him."
"What about the Mask of Creation?"
"Nobody knows what happen to it. The last time anyone has seen it was worn by Artakha but the mask I'm not sure."
"Then what brings you here into my tomb?" Vantrax asks
"I had to get out of the storm."
"You're an ice Toa. You should be able to get rid of the storm."
"I can't because I'm not able to control my powers yet."
"I may be able to help you control your powers."
Meanwhile with the others as more continue to appear and charges towards them as they were surrounded in a circle.
"Artemis, there's too much of them!" Aukume yelling out
"He's right. They'll keep coming until we do something about it." Said Kadima admitting
"But what can we do? Without Zuro we don't stand a chance."
They continue to fight off the rest of Skakdi as Zuro trains with Vantrax to learning control his powers.
"Now in order to control your element power. You must be one with nature of this element."
"I understand."
Vantrax notices the scars on Zuro's mask and wonders about it."
"Your mask contains many scars."
"Yes, I faced many enemies that reminds me how I am alive today."
"Now bring inner peace into yourself. Let the cold flow through you as it becomes part of you."
Zuro swirls his arms and takes deep breathes as he begins to feel the energy flowing through in him. He begins to charge through his hands into his sword.
"Now release that power."
Zuro releases a blast from his sword as he froze a stone and relieved from the strain.
"I did it, Vantrax."
"Yes. Can you feel cold flowing through your hands?"
"Yes, I can feel it."
Zuro brings the cold back and forward with his bare hands as he feels the wind between his fingers bringing in snow as it forms an orb in the palm of his hands. It formed from a snowball to an ice diamond.
"You are now ready."
Zuro senses tingle in his mind as he senses that his friends are in danger being ambushed by Skakdi.
"What is wrong, Zuro?" Vantrax asks
"My friends are in danger. They're being attacked by Skakdi. I have to go. Come on, Ontar."
"Let me join you."
"Why?" Zuro asks
"No Toa should ever fight alone."
Vantrax grabs his blade as they all ran out the cave to rescue his friends. Back with his friends as they are still fighting off the Skakdi as they were surrounded and couldn't fight anymore One Skakdi knocked down Torix and grabbed Aukume by the neck.
"There's too much. We can't handle it anymore."
"What do we do now, Kadima?" Torix asks
"We keep fighting until we fall."
Just as the Skakdi was about to take his shot Zuro jumps into the air and shoots an ice beam at it freezing it and dropping Aukume. They were all surprised that he returned.
(All) "Zuro!"
Zuro uses his might and clears the snow storm around them exposing the Skakdi in the open as Artemis was shocked about his new powers.
"Zuro, you can control the weather now."
"Yes." Zuro takes a large swing in a circle clearing out the surrounding the Skakdi. Then Vantrax glides from the air then drops straight down as he draws his blade dropped right on top of the Skakdi. He then stabs it right in the back through it as he begins to absorb its life source until it was no more.
"What did you to it?" Zuro asks curiously
"I've taken the very live of the Skakdi with my Crux blade."
"What does it do?" Zuro asks
"It's a powerful blade that siphons the life energy out of enemies to fuel my new body. Do you have sympathy for it the Skakdi?" Vantrax asks
"No, I have no sympathy for the creature. They were created by the Makuta."
Vantrax uses his tail and stings the Skakdi behind him as his body begins to freeze up immobilizing it. Zuro uses the ice wind rounding up the Skakdi as he holds them.
"Torix, help me with this."
Torix assists Zuro as he adds more wind power causing a small tornado rounding up the Skakdi as it threw them into the air and into a pond.
"Let's finish them."
"No, let me. It's time to put you on ice."
Zuro twirls his sword and stabs it into the pond as it freezes the entire pond. One arm rose but it was caught before it could get out as the remaining Skakdi retreated.
"Where did they come from?" Tau asks
"I suspect this was Bron's doing. He was always strategic. Is everyone okay?" Zuro asks
"Yeah, were okay."
"Vantrax, these are my friends. Kadima, Torix, Ontar, Tan, Tau, Muai, Gala and the Great Being; Artemis."
"We've met before. It has been too long old friend."
"Far too long."
They shake hands as Zuro was willingly confused about this.
"You know him, Artemis?" Zuro asks curiously
"We were very much old friends before the Core War."
"What about the Fa-Matoran?"
"His name is Aukume. He is helping us through this route to get to the Aqua Region."
"May I ask you this? You have mentioned to me about Nazar, yes?"
"Yes. Why?" Zuro asks
"I knew him once before his betrayal and his creation of the Brotherhood of Makuta. Let me join your journey."
"Why would you join us?" Tan asks
"I do not want to see this world be destroyed like the Great Shattering. I refuse to let that happen. I will not stand here while plots another plan."
"So you'll join us then."
"Yes."
"Then let us continue to the Aqua Region. Let us go."
"Just out of curiosity Vantrax, how will you get around?" Torix asks curiously
"I have my wings therefore I need no transportation."
They jump back into their vehicles as they continue to journey over the mountain back down to the bottom. Countless ours driving and traveling until they finally arrive to the Aqua Region as they arrive to a small village on the surface of the ocean.
"Here we are. Well this where part our ways."
"Why? We were doing great." Gala asks
"I have my own path to follow if I'm ever going to be a Toa one day."
"Wherever that path takes you I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you, Zuro. Maybe one day we'll cross paths again someday."
"I hope so as well."
"And do what you can to defeat this great evil."
"How did you know about the great evil?" Zuro asks
"I overheard you speaking about this Makuta. Well I must be on my way now."
"Safe travels."
Aukume leaves them as everybody waves goodbye to him as he walks back on the trail.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Aukume by jdeo1997, Vantrax by The-Ablazed-Vantrax (Google plus) (Bionicle Community)