1.10: Face The Truth
TEN
Spherus Prima, Magna Nui, Spherus Magna
Lasky watched the Matoran hustled back and forth. Some looked at him, wary.
They were afraid of him. Or the four well-armed Spartan-IVs escorting him to his destination.
A translator walked up to him- he knew because of the stone tablet the Toa carried on their wrist. It was amazing how advanced yet primitive these indigenes could be. They never needed to invent certain technologies, as they already had some built into them.
"Captain Lisky, right?" The Toa asked.
"It's 'Lasky'."
"I said it on purpose. The High Turaga want to see you."
Lasky nodded. "Why do they want to see me?"
"Didn't say. But you're the leader of the Offworlders."
"One of the leaders. Used to be more. Thel 'Vadam, the leader of the Sangheili, disappeared several days ago."
"I am sorry, Captain."
"Not your fault."
"I was expressing sympathy, Captain."
"Just call me 'Lasky'. I was a Captain of an UNSC ship, and the UNSC doesn't exist anymore."
"Yes, it does."
"No way it's survived two million years against the Forerunners."
"It has. It lies in here." The Toa tapped Lasky's chest, right where his heart was. "And in them." He pointed to the Spartans. "And in everyone you brought to our world."
"I'm here to talk with some 'High Turaga', not talk about spiritual bullshit." Lasky was getting angered at this Toa.
The Toa grabbed him by the shoulder. His Spartans raised their weapons. Several of the robots- Vahki, where they called?- raised their weapons, too. "You need to hear this."
"Why?" He asked, then motioned for the Spartans to lower their weapons.
The Toa towered over him. "Because there's an old Matan proverb: 'Total darkness may seem crushing and indomitable. But it takes only a single candle to push it away'. You are that candle, Lasky."
"Just take me to the damn Turaga."
"As you wish."
After a long walk,they entered a hall. The translator borought them to a small room, and activated some sort of hologram. Six Turaga appeared. The one in front bowed. "I am High Turaga Jaller. I take it you are Captain Lasky of the Infinity?"
"You're correct." Lasky said, putting his hands behind his back and standing straight.
"And you lead the settlement of the island to the Northeast, correct?"
"Yes. We're calling it 'Infinity's Sword' because of the name of our ship, the Swords of Sanghelios, and the fact it looks a bit like an Energy Sword if you squint and tilt your head."
"We want to discuss our relationship with your settlement, your ship, and your race."
Please don't kick us out. "We have no place else to go, High Turaga. The only reason we were even able to settle was because some sort of golden being terraformed it for us."
"A golden being… terraformed it for you?"
Lasky expected laughing. "I know it sounds crazy, but-"
"Oh, no, it doesn't sound crazy at all." One of them said. "High Turaga Hahli, pleased to meet you."
Jaller nodded. "We are not surprised that a good friend gave you some assistance."
"And who would that be?" Lasky asked.
"The Great Spirit himself: Mata Nui."
"So, if he has god-like powers on this world, then why is there still so many systemic problems here? I've noticed that there's been quite a few handful of wars, plenty of racism, and even a religion that endorses xenophobia." Lasky said calmly. "And 'He works in mysterious ways' isn't an answer."
"Mata Nui is powerful, but he is… unable to do certain things without revealing his presence to dark forces. He also has limits and needs time to regain strength."
"That sounds like an excuse."
"You're really complaining about that real estate you've got." Another one said. "High Turaga Nuparu, at your service. Occasionally. WIth an asterix."
Lasky nodded. "We've burned too much time with this whole conversation. So, what do you want to talk about the settlement."
"There are other nations on Spherus Magna. Some of them do not like Offworlders." Jaller said.
"And?"
"In exchange for protection, we will take in a share of revenue from your port."
"Nobody will want our goods. We can't trade foods because they're incompatible with your biology, and our technology is in low demand." Lasky was trying to constrain his frustration.
"What about your 'Slipspace drive'?"
"We are not sharing that technology. It's dangerous when unregulated. A single error can cause it to send out halves of a ship in two entirely different locations. I've seen it myself. A miscalculation on re-entry can cause you to warp into a supernova. It's not like dusting crops."
Jaller sighed, shaking his head. "Protection is expensive, Captain."
"Then tell us how to protect ourselves. We fought the Covenant with a technological disadvantage and won. We fought the goddamned Didact of the Forerunners and won. We. Aren't. Children." He placed his hands on the sides of the holotable, leaning in and looking Jaller in the eye.
The High Turaga glared at him. After several seconds, the Turaga started to laugh and smile. "You and I are kindred spirits, Lasky. You remind me of when I was a Matoran. Captain of the Guard of Ta-Koro in the Old World." He nodded. "We will teach you."
Le-Koro, Magna Nui, Spherus Magna
John entered the mess hall that had been set up for them and grabbed a ration. The rest of his team was sitting near a table, so he walked towards them. He sat down next to Kelly, and started to eat.
"John, you look worried." Kelly said. "Anything bothering you?"
"Talk with you later." He told her as he unwrapped his ration bar.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the hammock." Fred muttered.
John glared at him.
"I was joking, John."
"I know that." The leader of Blue Team said.
After they finished, John got up and motioned to Kelly. They went into a secluded area., and he turned to her.
"The Warden talked to me."
"Yeah, like three days ago."
"No, last night. In a.. dream of some kind."
"John, it was just a dream."
"Made too much sense to be a dream. Explain how I got this." He showed her the cube.
"John, that's a forerunner artifact."
"So either some schmuck hid it in my bed and my subconscious picked it up or-"
"Wait, did you say 'schmuck'?"
"Yes." He continued: "The Warden said that he knows where we are. That he's always known where Spherus Magna was. And he gave me this because he said it could help us."
"'Help us' what? Die?" Kelly said as she shook her head. "You're not telling me the entire story."
"He said that him and I aren't so different. I don't know what that means. He… told me I could either be a hero and abandon my family or be a nobody and stay with my team."
Kelly took a deep breath. "What did you choose?"
"I told him that if being a hero means I leave my family behind, then I don't want to be one."
"How did he react?"
"He said he knew if I made the right choice, and he wouldn't tell me if I did."
"Cryptic. What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to tell Halse-"
There was some sort of humming sound in his hears, and he collapsed in pain. The Warden's face appeared in his vision. "What are you? A child, telling their mother about the nightmare you had?" The Warden said. "Are are you a soldier, One-One-Seven?" The Warden disappeared.
"-ohn! John!" He heard Kelly's voice again. "Are you alright?"
"I'm… I'm fine."
Le-Koro Outskirts, Magna Nui, Spherus Magna
"Spartan Locke!" Some robotic voice yelled towards Osiris' direction.
"That's me." Locke said, turning around. There was a Vahki with Buck slung over his shoulder.
"Found this son-of-a-Energy-Hound in a port in Bolkan. Your Captain Lasky told us to find him." The Vahki said as he tossed the Spartan-IV to the ground.
The ODST-turned-Spartan-IV groaned.
Locke looked at Buck, and Tanaka said exactly what was on Locke's mind. "How the Hell did you get across an ocean?"
"Long story." He said as he got up and took off his helmet..
Locke shook his head. "What you did was irresponsible, stupid, and could have gotten you killed, Spartan. What do you have to say about that?"
"How 'bout 'sorry'?" Buck could tell something bad was going to happen. Locke's face was calm, but his eyes burned with an inner fire of rage.
Locke grabbed him by the throat, looking him in the eye. "We've already lost one human since we landed on this world. I don't want to lose another." He let go, and walked away.
"So, what did I miss?"
"Nothing major," Tanaka said. "Only that the Arbiter ran away and it's over two-million years since Cortana took over the galaxy."
Buck's cheery facade dropped. "Goddamnit!" He sat down, covering his face with his hands. Everything's gone… Everything. Veronica's probably dead. Romeo, and Dutch, too. He tried to get himself together. Come on, Ed, look on the bright side. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or whatever the hell they drink on this planet.
Three Months Later…
New Harvest, Infinity's Sword, Spherus Magna
"Hey, Blue, we got something on the horizon." Lance Corporal Sarah O'Connell told her CO.
"What is it?" Sergeant Rico Blue asked.
"Looks like those Nurok things, but different."
"And what else?"
"Some… Oh, shit, we've got romeos. Old-schools." She used the nickname for Rahkshi.
"Roger." He activated his communicator. "November-Hotel Command, this is Magnus One-Actual. We have romeos and bravos inbound."
"Understood, Magnus One-Actual. Sending an intercept squad." New Harvest Command said.
Three Warthogs speed across the field, flanking the hostile Matans. These vehicles were equipped with engines that made over ninety-percent less noise and over thirty-percent more speed. The miniguns were exchanged for Gauss Cannons. The passengers had Railguns. All of these weapons were tailored for puncturing the Matan's armor and needing very little sustained fire to do damage. It was all hit-and-run.
"We are three kay-emm away… two-point-five…" The lead driver counted down. At one kilometer, they would fire, then run away. The intercept squad was never meant to destroy an army- just whittle down the numbers while the defenses were prepared.
"Formation Bravo. Split off in three… two… one." Hog One said.
"Splitting." Hogs Two and Three moved into diagonal trajectories.
"Attack now."
The Panrahk leading the charge did not expect the Invaders to do anything but wait. After all, they wouldn't dare engage in a fair fight.
But then a formerly-bohrok pile of scrap flew past it and hit several of its brethren. One of the Invader's vehicles blew past, ramming the remainder.
That was unexpected. But not uncounterable. The Panrahk sent a wave of fragmentation energy outward, sending the vehicle flying. It switching to its flight mode and tried to keep moving. Staying still was suicide.
A turahk sent out a cone of paralyzing fear towards the Invader's vehicles as a Heat Vision Rahkshi blasted them. Unbeknownst to the poor creature, the vehicles had reflective plating, meaning that the heat beam was bounced back at it.
The Gauss Cannons fired twice, and the passengers fired their railguns at the two Rahkshi.
The Panrahk landed, about to fragment the vehicle, but saw something arcing from the Invader's base. It landed in a squad of Rahkshi, killing them in an explosion. It felt an arc of electricity fry its systems, and it fell over. Its body was sent flying by a blast of sonic energy, landing next to a silver-and-blue Bohrok.
A Gahlok-Kal. The Bohrok-Kal crushed the Rahkshi, and tossed its remains at a Guurahk. It sent a telepathic message to the Offworlders: The Bahrag Queens sent us to assist you in your defense. These Bohrok have been stolen by a dark force and robbed of their Krana. They are no longer our own.
The driver of the first warthog had recovered from the little trip the Panrahk had sent it on. "November-Hotel Command, this is Hog One. We have backup. Looks like some silver Bohrok or something."
"Roger that."
"Wait, we've got rumbling."
A Tahtorak bursted out of the ground, with an infected Kanohi controlling it. The only thing that could be heard coming out from its mouth was not a roar, or a moan, but a "WHY?!"
"Ah, Hell. It's godzilla with an existential crisis."
"The Kal can take care of the Tahtorak. Scorpions and Wraiths are firing salvo one." New Harvest Command said.
The Kal seemed to turn into orbs and meld into two different, larger Bohrok. They fought the Tahtorak, trying to wound it and remove the Kanohi, but not kill it.
The rest of the swarm was easily dispatched by the hit-and-running Warthogs and the barrages of canonfire and plasma mortars.
Teridax watched this battle happen from his lair. The Invaders were much stronger than he had thought. No matter. It would only be a matter of time. His machinations on other worlds were more important than this.
Three days later...
Spherus Prima, Magna Nui, Spherus Magna
Lasky watched Turaga Jaller walk towards him. "Turaga."
"Captain Lasky. In the light of your victory at New Harvest, the other members of the Council and I were wondering if we could hold a celebration in its honor."
"Trust me, you do not want to miss a Matan celebration." One of the Agori senators said through a translator.
"I hope it could be a way for you and many of the other offworlders to experience our culture." Jaller held up his fist. Lasky didn't know what he was supposed to do, and the Turaga's eyes narrowed. "You're supposed to bump fists, bonehead."
"Sorry."
"How is your race adjusting to life here?"
"The best we can do when we're in the far future with no way to go back home."
Jaller nodded. "Then I hope the celebration will help them forget."
"Thank you, High Turaga."
Jaller noticed Lasky never made eye contact. "Is something bothering you?"
"Spartan-117 told me a while back that the Warden Eternal knows where your world is and that he always has. He could attack at any time now."
"Perhaps this 'warden' wants to use paranoia to control you."
Lasky didn't respond, only looking at the window that overlooked Infinity's Sword.
Ta-Metru, Magna Nui, Spherus Magna
Thirosa continued staying at Grava's hospital bed. Her leg was in a cast and there were several IVs hooked up to kill the pain and sedate her while the doctors had worked on her, fixing bones and muscle and motors and wiring and nerves.
Her eyes opened. "You're still here, huh?" Her speech was slurred and slow.
"Yeah. I was afraid they'd do something to you."
Joru entered the room with something in his hands. "Hate to break the mood, but, Grava, I need to know if you have any relatives who can help pay your medical bill. The Lawkeepers can pay a portion of it, but we can't pay the entirety."
"No." She said. "Don't have any relatives."
"Well, you should be alright to go in a day. We'll do a PdNA check and see if there's any matches." The Vahki motioned for Thirosa to get up, and the Toa Hordika did, albeit reluctantly.
One Day Later…
Thirosa walked out the hospital with Grava at his side. The Matoran Hordika they'd recovered was walking oddly because of her cast, but she was managing.
Several of the Offworlder "marines" were watching and talking amongst themselves. Joru walked over to them and started talking, and both the Vahki and the marines were laughing and joking. He led them towards the Hordika, and Thirosa backed away, ready to strike these Offworlders if they made a move. Joru shook his head. "They're friendly, Osa. This is Fireteam Magnus-two. They're one of the units deployed here from Infinity's Sword."
"Then why are they watching us?"
"It's not because they're afraid of you. They want to give something to you." He turned to the marines, and seemed to give them the go-ahead. They placed a collar onto both Thirosa's and Grava's heads. It was made with olive-green leather or something and had a bird-like creature on a small metal piece attached to it. "They said that since you're Toa Ultia's friend, they're also indebted to you."
Grava was confused. "Thanks?"
"Apparently, if you need something, you can just ask them."
"We could use a ride to Spherus Prima." Thrisoa said. "Heard there's a celebration about to go on there."
"I LOVE CELEBRATIONS!" Grava said, running around in circles excitedly.
"Don't run too fast. I don't want you breaking your leg again, cub."
She stopped, then stuck out her tongue and blew Madu seeds at him. "Buzzkill."
Spherus Prima, Magna Nui, Spherus Magna
Sergeant Rico Blue entered the room that the festivities were being held in. There was a small table that the Vahki guard next to him motioned him to.
"It's your assigned seat. You're a hero to a lot of these people." The Vahki said. Rico only knew the Vahki was female because she had said it herself. All of the automatons had similar voices- mechanical, cold, yet commanding and calming.
"I'm not a hero. Just a marine."
"Even to a lot of Matans and Magnans, you're a hero. You helped defeat a dark force."
"Lance Corporal O'Connell was the one who spotted the hostiles."
"And you were the one who told your commanders about it."
"That was my job. I shouldn't get commended for it."
"The both of you did grab a M6 G/GNR and hit a few Bohrok with it. I'd say that's rather heroic."
"Thank you, Glan."
"No problem."
He sat down. There was a red-colored Turaga wearing some sort of mask. He turned to O'Connel. "Who is that?"
"High Turaga Jaller."
"And he's not guarded? That's a pretty ballsy move."
One of the Matoran shushed him. The Turaga was beginning to talk.
A Toa was at the High Turaga's side, with a Mask of Translation. The Turaga spoke, and he translated. "Greetings, everyone. We are here to celebrate the fruits of a joint training program between Magna Nui and Infinity's Sword, and the Humans' defeat of their attackers at New Harvest."
After those words, everyone cheered. Rico didn't. War was war. It wasn't something to celebrate.
The Turaga continued, making beeping and clicking sounds. The Toa translated. "But before we celebrate the heroics and bravery of the Humans, we must acknowledge the bravery and courage of our own."
Of course. They'll say something about how this was all their work, Rico thought.
"Matorans Bora, Itshe, Gija, and Nori, please come here. Toa Ultia and Thirosa, please come up here, too." After they were all assembled, the Matoran were handed some sort of stones glowing with inner power by Jaller. The looks on all of the Matans' faces was that of awe. "Bora, for your discovery of the UNSC Infinity, we would have never been able to bring these refugees and newfound friends onto our world. Your defense of Ko-Metru against the vile Skakdi also deserves praise, too. Itshe, for your attempts at saving the life of the Human Corporal Miles during the Battle of Le-Koro, you have been given this great honor. For Gija, leading your fellow engineers to safety when you were taken hostage by terrorists shows your courage. And for Nori, your assistance during the Siege of Bolkan shows your bravery and indomitable spirit. Ultia, thank you for assisting the Humans in the Battle of Le-Koro. And for Thirosa, thank you for hunting down the Visorak swarms." Something rose from behind Jaller. It was a half-sphere, with six slots spread around it. "Approach the Suva, if you so want to."
"Suva?" Rico asked O'Connell.
"I have no idea what that is and- OH MY GODS!" As the two talked, they had missed the Matoran placing the stones in the "Suva", only seeing that there were four beams of energy hitting the Matoran, pushing them onto the ground and surrounding them with light. When the spectacle was over, there were four Toa standing where the Matoran used to be. Itshe's knife had become a sword of some sort, Bora's wrist-mounted mineral scanner was some sort of beam weapon, Gija's whip was now arcing with energy, and Nori's staff was a polearm.
The Matans cheered, and Jaller continued speaking. "In honor of our new friends, a new Toa team has been created: The Toa Infinitus."
"Aww, they named them after our ship." O'Connell smiled.
"We will celebrate this new age, and when that is over, the Humans will hear the Legend of Mata Nui." Jaller exited, with cheering in his wake.
John watched the entire thing. He turned to Lasky. "Did you know of this?"
"Yep. I suggested the name. They might be ambassadors." Lasky smiled. "Part of my deal with Jaller."
After what felt like a half-hour of eating and talking, Jaller returned. He pressed a button and a hologram of some sort of picture appeared, showing two c-shaped structures, a large sphere between them, and two smaller circles next to it. He began to talk.
"Gathered friends, let us listen to the Legend of the Spherus Magna, the Great Beings, our Great Spirit Mata Nui, and his evil brother, Makuta."
"In the Time Before Time, the Great Beings blessed Spherus Magna with indescribable wonders. Glatorian and Agori, in the Tribes of Iron, Rock, Sand, Fire, Jungle, Water, Ice, and Earth, lived together in harmony."
"But the Great Beings wanted to focus more on experiments. They appointed six Element Lords to watch over the realms of Rock, Sand, Fire, Jungle, Water, and Ice."
"The Great Beings discovered a substance that would change everything: Energized Protodermis. It empowered those destined to be empowered and destroyed those destined to be destroyed."
"The Element Lord of Ice found some of this substance in the border between Ice and Fire, and the Element Lord of Fire wanted it for himself."
"The Glatorian of each realm were organized into armies by their Elemental Lords, and a war over this substance broke out."
"The World was shattered by this conflict into three: Bara Magna, a planet of desert; Aqua Magna, a planet of water; and Bota Magna, a planet of jungle."
"The Great Beings created a plan to reunite Spherus Magna, and created Mata Nui, our Great Spirit, as the first stage of this quest."
Jaller took a breath and the lighting changed. It turned to a picture of two masks- one yellow, one black- next to each other.
"Mata Nui was given a world of his own, away from the Shattered worlds. The Great Beings sent him off until the time was right."
"Fearing for Mata Nui's safety, they created six Guardians; the first Toa team."
"There was Tahu, courageous Toa of Fire; Lewa, agile toa of Air; Kopaka powerful Toa of Ice; Gali, noble Toa of Water; Onua, wise Toa of Earth; and Pohatu, mighty Toa of Stone."
"These Guardians were placed into stasis, to wait until they were needed. When Mata Nui's life was in danger, they would be there."
"Mata Nui was given many races: the Matoran to worship him and dedicate their work for him; The Toa to protect them; and the Turaga to guide them with wisdom. He blessed them the Three Virtues of Unity, Duty, and Destiny."
"The Great Beings gave Mata Nui a brother, Makuta, who would populate the world with creatures and protect the ones below the siblings."
"But Makuta was jealous of Mata Nui, and hatched an evil plan. He would cast Mata Nui into an Eternal sleep, and take over the his brother's world."
"In Metru Nui, Lhikan, a Toa of Fire, sensed something was wrong, and put his power into six Toa Stones, giving them to six matoran: Vakama, Nokama, Matau, Onewa, Nuju, and Whenua."
"The Matoran were transformed into Toa, and their duty was revealed: To prevent Makuta's plan from being completed, and protect Metru Nui. They found six Great Discs, and forged them into the Kanohi Vahi, a powerful Mask of Time."
"They were ready to fight against the evil Makuta and his forces of Darkness. But it was too late- Makuta had masqueraded as Metru Nui's Turaga, and tricked the Matoran into stopping their work and worship, putting Mata Nui into what was assured to be an eternal sleep."
The lighting changed to a sickly green. A ruined city appeared.
"The Toa Metru, as these heroes would come to be known, had no other choice but to bring the Matoran away from Metru Nui, away from the Shadow of Makuta. But Makuta tracked them down, and fought them."
"Uniting their powers together, the Toa Metru sealed Makuta's physical form away, but at a great cost. Lhikan, now a Turaga, sacrificed himself to buy time for Vakama to use the Vahi to stop Makuta."
"But they could not carry all of the Matoran with them to the Island they discovered beyond the Great Barrier. They had to return to Metru Nui."
"But there, they faced new enemies. Makuta had called the Visorak Horde, lead by Sidorak and Roodaka, to do his evil biddings."
"Falling into the Horde's trap, the Toa Metru were mutated into nightmarish versions of themselves: Half-beast, half-Toa creatures. Time was running out until the transformation was complete."
"They were helped by the Rahaga, former Toa and victims of Roodaka's mutations, who gave hope to be rid of their burden: the mysterious Keetongu, a wise creature that could cure Visorak venom. But Vakama, angered at his transformation and controlled by instincts, betrayed his brothers and sister, siding with the Visorak."
"The Toa, along with the Rahaga and Keetongu, battled the Hordes. Matau dueled Vakama, attempting to turn him back to the Light, and succeeded at the last minute."
"Reunited and cured, the Toa Metru brought back all the remaining Matoran to the island, which they called 'Mata Nui' in honor of the Great Spirit. With their Destiny fulfilled, they sacrificed their powers, becoming Turaga."
"Mata Nui was asleep, but Makuta was imprisoned, unable to do anything to advance his plan. The Toa had won- or so they thought…"
The picture switched to six Toa-like figures standing next to each other.
"The Matoran lived in happiness, but they had forgotten their old lives and old ways. The Turaga had not."
"They knew of an ancient legend of six Guardians, and hid away six stones for safekeeping. These stones were not ordinary stones, nor were they Toa stones- they were stones that, when united, would summon these Guardians, who would awaken Mata Nui and defeat Makuta, once and for all."
"But Makuta knew of these Guardians, too. He feared what they could do, and sent Rahi, controlled by Infected Masks, to stop the Matoran from summoning the Guardians."
"But a Chronicler named Takua summoned the Guardians, who defeated the Rahi and found their Golden Masks. Equipped with their newfound powers, the Toa headed into Makuta's lair, defeating him."
"But Makuta had other plans. What the Toa believed was their victory was, in truth, his."
"He woke the Bahrag and their Bohrok swarms to buy time until the time was right. The Toa fought the Swarm Queens, and fell into vats of Energized Protodermis, gaining new powers, armor, and weapons, and a new name: The Toa Nuva."
"The Bahrag sent out the Bohrok-Kal to free them, but the Toa Nuva stopped the Bahrag's plan. Peace came onto the Island, but it would not last."
"The Kanohi Avohkii, the Mask of Light, was uncovered, with the prophecy of the Seventh Toa revealed. Makuta sent out his sons, the Rahkshi, to find its Herald and destroy them."
"Takua wore the Avohkii, transforming into Takanuva, the Toa of Light. He faced down Makuta, and defeated him."
"Makuta's defeat revealed Metru Nui, and the Matoran returned to their home. The Turaga revealed something that they had felt for a long time, but did not believe until now: Mata Nui was not merely asleep, but dying."
The lighting switched to gray, and a mask appeared on the screen, with an outline of a robot as a visor.
"The Turaga sent out the Toa Nuva to where the Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life, could be found. This Mask could revive the Great Spirit, but without it, everything would be doomed."
"Six Matoran ventured to find their lost heroes: Jaller, Hahli, Nuparu, Kongu, Hewkii, and Matoro. On their journey, they lost their masks, their weapons, and almost fell into the clutches of the demented Kharzani."
"They were looking for heroes, but little did they know that they simply needed to look inside themselves. Heroes are not simply born, my friends, they are created from actions, starlight, and hope."
"They arrived in Voya Nui in canisters, and were struck by lightning from the Red Star, with divine energy surging through them. They were now Toa- The Toa Ignika."
"Makuta's machinations had brought the Piraka- six murderous Skakdi- to Voya Nui, using his essence to enslave the Matoran here. But one of the Piraka's own, a demented half-creature called 'Vezon', who found the Kanohi Ignika and was turned into a guardian for the Mask, lay waiting."
"Through many trials and sacrifices, the Toa Ignika freed the Matoran and defeated the Mask of Life's guardians, but the Mask fled into the sea below. The Toa pursued it, heading into the cord that linked Voya Nui to the rest of Mata Nui's world."
"But they were defeated, and were swallowed by the deep. The Mask of Life, with its amazing powers, changed them into new forms to search for the Kanohi Ignika and fight new foes."
"They faced the terrible Barraki, Warlords who had attempted to dethrone Mata Nui long ago, now mutated into terrifying forms: Pridak, the leader, the Shark, whose blade, teeth, and speed could shred even the bravest Toa; Kalmah, the breeder, the Squid, whose created the weapons the Barraki used; Carapar, the brute, the Crab, whose durability and strength were unmatched; Tadadox, the cunning, the Mantis, whose hypnotic vision could turn friend against friend; Mantax, the lurker, the Sting Ray, whose stealth tactics and paralyzing spines could kill an unwary prey; and Ehlek, the enraged, the Eel, whose powers over electricity and bitter determination made no one safe from his anger. With Mata Nui's life on the line, the Toa would stop at nothing."
"But they were too late- Mata Nui was dead. The Toa, outnumbered and outgunned, had no choice but to attempt to hold the line as Matoro prepared to use the Kanohi Ignika, which would drain his life force, transferring it to the Great Spirit."
"In his final moments, Matoro used the Ignika to teleport his friends to Metru Nui, saving them from destruction. The Matoran of Voya Nui were safe, brought into shelters as their island was reunited with the rest of the Universe, and Mata Nui was alive, though asleep- but our tale does not end here.
The picture now showed a swamp, with some sort of silver bulge showing through.
"The Toa Nuva, now with new armor and weapons given to them by the master craftsman Artakha, were on the last step of their Destiny set so long ago: Wake the Great Spirit, and save him from the clutches of the Dark. Makuta's brethren were here to stop them."
"The Toa Nuva split into two teams: Phantoka, consisting of Lewa, Pohatu, and Kopaka, and Mistika, consisting of Tahu, Onua, and Gali. They hoped to find the Keystones that would allow them to awaken Mata Nui."
"But the Matoran here were no ordinary Matoran- they were Matoran of Light. Thought to not exist, they had been hidden from the rest of the Universe until now."
"The Toa discovered that they could link up with these Matoran of Light to gain new powers that would help them defeat the Makuta, once and for all."
"When they arrived in Karda Nui, the Toa Nuva began to remember their past lives. They would need all their training, all their skill, to defeat Makuta."
"Allies new and old joined the fight, with Takanuva- now half-Shadow, half-Light- assisting the Mistika and the Kanohi Ignika- inspired by Matoro's courage and now wanting to be a Toa itself- assisting the Phantoka."
"If the Toa's courage and bravery was not stifled by the darkest waters, or terrifying Rahi, or murdering thieves, or manipulating shadows, then it would not be stopped now. They had the Keystones, and had found the device needed to awaken Mata Nui: The Codrex."
"The Ignika activated the Codrex, waking Mata Nui. But as the Toa celebrated their victory, Makuta dethroned Mata Nui while the Great Spirit woke up, and exiled him through the Kanohi Ignika into the world below."
It switched to a desert, with yellow lighting.
"Mata Nui awoke on Bara Magna after the Ignika created a new body for him, modeled after the locals. Mata Nui befriended a small Scarabax beetle named Click, who could become his shield."
"In the Matoran Universe, the forces of the Light fought against Makuta."
"Mata Nui encountered new allies and enemies, fighting the Skrall who wanted to conquer Bara Magna."
"Makuta sent his forces to Bara Magna to stop Mata Nui. But when he found that the Great Spirit had discovered a way to fight against Makuta in his god-form, Makuta came to Bara Magna to destroy his brother."
"But Mata Nui's goal was not to defeat Makuta. It was to undo the Shattering- a purpose he was given long ago."
"In the battle that ensued, Mata Nui attempted to buy time as he reunited Bota, Bara, and Aqua Magna. Tahu and Takanuva found the Golden Armor and used it to defeat the forces of Makuta."
"Makuta was killed during the reuniting of Spherus Magna. Victorious but drained, Mata Nui used the last of his power to heal the damaged world."
There was a picture of the same landscape, now teeming with life. The lighting was now a pale blue.
"With Makuta defeated, and Spherus Magna reunited, the Matans left Mata Nui's world, as the Great Spirit did not have the power to keep it stable. Mata Nui wished the Matans and Magnans peace and stability, and retreated to regain his strength, always watching over the world."
After the story was over, everyone went back to celebrations. Jaller motioned to Lasky to follow him. They walked through a long, long hallway.
"You're a good storyteller." Lasky said. "How many times have you told it?"
"Many. Too many to count." Jaller replied.
"There was something familiar about those Toa mentioned during it."
"Which ones?"
"The Toa Ignika. They all had names similar to yours."
"'Jaller' is a very common name."
"No, it's not. Roland ran a check during your tale."
"Well, you got me."
"You watched as one of your friends sacrificed their lives to save your world."
Jaller was silent for a very long time. "Yes. Matoro was a great friend, and a hero- though he never thought of himself as that."
Jaller pressed a stone panel. A door slid open, then closed behind them. There was a small holotable in the middle of it, which activated a showed a ship. "Captain Lasky, what you are seeing is something you cannot tell others without my authorization."
"What's the ship?" Asked Lasky, crossing his arms.
"It is a… 'generation ship', in your terms. We sent it to colonize other worlds. We lost contact so long ago."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want your ship, your crew to find it. Divided, we cannot possibly stand a chance against the full might of the Created. United, however…"
"What was it called?"
"An Old Agori word for 'Voyage'. Okoto."
-End Part I: Contact-