Exhausted, Mata Nui's sensors followed the trajectory paths both moons had taken when they spiraled into a crash, ensuring that both had been on course. When Bara Magna shook with the twin impacts, dust, water, and vegetation covered the sky. Spherus Magna was whole once more, but he still had one final task to complete.

Mata Nui looked down at the various populations meeting so far below and felt like he was seeing the future. The Matoran and Agori had much to learn from each other. The Toa teamed with the Glatorian would safeguard both sets of villagers from any threat. Natural alliances were being forged even now.

He turned his attention to the fallen form of Makuta. There was another alliance that should have existed, but never came to pass. Had he and Makuta worked together, they could have restored Spherus Magna without the devastation and loss of life. He thought about all the good Makuta might have done, but Makuta's greed and ambition wouldn't allow that, and they controlled him. In the end, both his mad dreams and the body he had stolen were wreckage. Perhaps, in Mata Nui's heart, he mourned one who could have truly been his brother, but refused.

But Makuta was in the past now. It was time to worry about today and tomorrow for this world. It was time to think of the future.

When he had gone to Raanu and asked to take the Agori's city away from them, Mata Nui had made a vow to himself. If he succeeded in rebuilding the planet, he would not stop there. He would give the Agori a new life, a new chance to thrive here. Now it was time to begin that work.

Mata Nui scanned the body he wore. It was badly damaged and power levels were barely high enough to do what had to be done. But if he could call upon the Mask of Life one last time, combine its energies with the robot's, then maybe…

Of course, there was one other aspect of what he was about to do that he tried to ignore. There was no way he would survive it. The robot was already dangerously unstable and channeling so much power through it at once would surely mean its destruction.

Mata Nui would die with it.

If that was how it had to be, so be it. The Great Beings owed this world and its people a debt, and he was going to pay it.

Mata Nui looked toward the sky and stretched out his arms with large, frail, and shaking hands at their ends. He summoned the last reserves of energy that coursed through his body, even as he called out to the Mask of Life. The mask at first resisted—it, too, knew that it might well not survive this, and it did not want to cease to exist. Mata Nui could have forced it to aid him—he had a stronger will—but he did not. Instead, he simply pictured in his mind how Spherus Magna could be if this was successful. He knew the mask would sense what was in his thoughts and that it would know this would be the ultimate use of its power.

A moment later, Mata Nui felt the power of the mask merge with what little remained of his own. Then he willed that power to flow from his body and sweep across the planet. Everywhere it touched, mountains rose, forests flourished, life appeared where none had been before. In the desert of Bara Magna, time seemed to flow backwards as barren sand gave way to a jungle teeming with trees and plants and long-dead rivers returned to life as the elements of Bota, Aqua, and Bara Magna reformed and melded together.

In an act that fulfilled Mata Nui's destiny, the desert of Bara Magna bloomed, bathed in the power of life. It was Mata Nui's gift—a new world where Toa, Glatorian, Agori, Matoran and all the rest could live and thrive. Grasses, trees, buds, and shrubs grew and flourished across the planet. The elements of Bara Magna, Aqua Magna, and Bota Magna were influenced to coexist in a new balance with new life. Fertile ground gave rise to new plants while oceans connected the gaps between land.

The vast ocean of Aqua Magna felt Mata Nui's touch as well. Underwater, plants flourished, providing a bounty for the fish that swam in the sea. The power of the Mask of Life touched even the twisted, mutated beings who lived in the depths, curing them of the worst of their afflictions while leaving them able to survive beneath the waves.

In the great forest of Bota Magna, the giant, bio-mechanical reptiles created so long ago by the Great Beings watched, amazed, as their homeland shifted and changed all around them. Areas where trees and foliage had ceased to grow suddenly were green again. Smaller animals scurried from their hiding places to feast on the new growth.

Agori and Glatorian stood in the once-desert and were speechless. This was not the world of Spherus Magna they once knew—it was better. After 100,000 years of struggling to survive, of scraping for every morsel of food and drop of water, now there was enough for all. As they watched in awe, clouds gathered above their heads and, for the first time in living memory, it began to rain in Bara Magna.

"He did it," whispered Kiina. "I can't believe it."

"It's amazing," said Ackar, in shock. "I can't even…I don't know how to put it into words…"

"He promised me, Ackar," Kiina continued. "He promised to bring me to a new world. Instead, he brought the new world to me."

"Wait," Ackar said, a new note of urgency in his voice. "Look at Mata Nui! He's…he's collapsing!"

It was far worse than that. The overwhelming strain had taxed Mata Nui's unstable robot body past its limit. The metal that made it up was disintegrating rapidly, along with its interior mechanisms. Even from a distance, the two Glatorian could see the destruction spreading rapidly. As it collapsed, a dust storm stirred up in its wake.

It appeared that the reformation of Spherus Magna would be Mata Nui's final gift.

"Come on!" yelled Kiina. "He needs our help!"

Hearts heavy, Ackar and Kiina leapt atop sand stalkers and urged the beasts forward. Behind them, other Toa and Glatorian rushed to the site, including Gresh, Tahu, and Takanuva. Kiina couldn't give voice to what she was feeling inside—Mata Nui, her friend, was dying for them. He had given his last bit of energy to defend them from Makuta and save their world, and there would likely be nothing they could do for him in return.

Except mourn, she said to herself.

Before they got too close to the site of his fall, they had to rein the Sand Stalkers to a halt. The air was filled with metal dust—along with a few larger pieces of the body scattered here and there, this was all that remained of the giant robot.

"We're too late," Kiina said softly. "He's gone."

Ackar stood silently amid the metallic refuse that had once been inhabited by his friend. Mata Nui had done more than save the Agori from the Skrall. He had saved Ackar from himself. The veteran Glatorian had been on his way to forced retirement, and a life spent training young fighters who didn't remember him or wandering between villages trying to find one more match. Mata Nui had been the one who showed him he still had value, that a Glatorian was more than a strong right arm and a suit of armor. He'd had faith in Ackar when Ackar had none in himself, even calling him "Toa."

"Our troubles weren't his," said the fire Glatorian. "He could have gone north in search of his own answers and left us to deal with the Skrall, if he had wanted. Instead, he fought beside us and risked his life for people he didn't even know. There will never be another like him."

Kiina looked around. Toa, Agori, Matoran, and Glatorian had gathered now, drawn by the sight of the great robot's collapse. Some looked grief-stricken, others merely puzzled, and some fearful. Mata Nui had granted them a new life and a new world, and no doubt they expected him to lead them into the future. Instead, he was gone and they were on their own again.

She turned back to the pile of wreckage, damp from the gentle rain. For a moment, she thought a shaft of sunlight had forced its way through the clouds, for there was a faint glow in the center of the rubble. But then the glow grew brighter. Ackar saw it, too, and climbed over the twisted metal to reach the source. He reached down and emerged with the Mask of Life, now gleaming brighter than the sun. It appeared to be the only thing intact.

"Watch out!" yelled one of the Toa. "That's dangerous! You shouldn't touch that mask!"

Ackar returned to Kiina's side, cradling the mask in both hands. He knew the Toa was probably right and holding onto this object wasn't a smart move. But something told him he was meant to retrieve it and keep it safe.

And the day had not seen its last miracle.

The mask flared so brightly Ackar and all those present had to close their eyes for a moment. When they opened them again, the Mask of Life was hovering in mid-air, having floated out of Ackar's hands. As if that was not enough to astonish them, a voice came from the mask as well—the voice of Mata Nui. "My friends," he said. "With a final burst of power, I have completed my destiny. The Mask of Life has caused the splendor that was Spherus Magna to blossom once again. The debt owed to all of you has been repaid. You have your world back again; it has been restored. Live on it in peace."

"That's Mata Nui's voice!" Ackar exclaimed in happiness.

"Mata Nui?" said Kiina in wonder. "We thought you were dead."

"My mind and spirit lived inside this mask, inhabiting it for so long that when the body I wore perished and died, it was drawn back to it," answered Mata Nui.

"The mask can do amazing things," said Toa Tahu, out of the crowd. He stepped forward to address the Great Spirit. The warrior's red and orange armor still gleamed with his adaptive and Golden Armor sets. "You could use it to make a body for yourself again, couldn't you? We could all use your wisdom and your guidance, Mata Nui."

"I think…" There was a pause. "I think perhaps this is not the time for me to walk among you. You all have a new life to build. My destiny is fulfilled, but for many of you, it has yet to be written. You need to find your path without my shadow hanging over you."

"But…but all the battles we fought, all that we endured, was to bring you back to us," said Takanuva.

"And in so doing, you grew as a people past the point where you needed a Great Spirit to guide you," Mata Nui said gently. "The true power does not reside with me. It lives inside all of you."

"So this is…goodbye?" asked Kiina.

"Never goodbye," answered Mata Nui. "Even I cannot predict the future, or if the time will come when I shall be at your side once more. But the future belongs to you, never forget that. Perhaps the day will come when I will return…but until that day arrives, I have something I must ask of you."

"Anything," said Ackar. "Name it."

"The Great Beings," said Mata Nui. "They vanished 100,000 years ago, not long after creating me. They were tormented by guilt over what they knew would happen to Spherus Magna, and their role in causing it. Find them…tell them the planet is whole once more…convince them to share their gifts with you. I learned what it can mean to have friends, not subjects; allies, rather than workers or soldiers. Perhaps they can do the same."

"If that's what you want, it's done," said Ackar.

"The time has come," said Mata Nui. "All journeys must come to an end, but this time, the ending heralds a new beginning as well. There will be challenges to face and enemies to fight, but I know you will overcome. All that has gone before, my friends, has only served to give birth to this new day, and rebirth to your lives. Let unity, duty and destiny be your guides. Be well, be strong, care for this world and for what you have been blessed with. Love each other. Farewell." The light faded from the mask until it was the dimmest of glows as it gently floated lower. But no one present doubted that, somehow, Mata Nui's consciousness still lingered there.

Kiina caught the Mask of Life in an embrace as it slowly fell to the ground. "Mata Nui!" She hugged it tightly as Tahu approached. She looked at him, asking, "Is he…gone?"

"No," Tahu said, with a shake of his head. "Not gone, not really."

She stared at the mask in silence for a long time, before saying, "I always knew it would end one day. I never thought it would end like this. It's too soon, Ackar."

"I think any time would have been too soon," said Ackar. "I hope none of us ever have cause to regret what just happened."

"No. Mata Nui was right," said Tahu. "The best way to honor him for the gifts he has given us is to make this world what he wanted it to be: a place of peace, a living world where Matoran and Agori can achieve their destinies. We will honor him, and all those who fought for him, in our memories. But the time has come to move on and build a new world for ourselves."

Tahu reached out. After a moment, Kiina handed the mask to him. He cradled it in his hands, remembering all the victories and defeats, the arguments, and the moments of revelation. He recalled the times it seemed there was nowhere to go next, no way to solve a mystery—and how things would suddenly fall together and the way became clear. He thought about the Matoran villagers, whose curiosity could sometimes drive him to distraction…but whose love for Mata Nui and for justice and peace could never be questioned. It was the Matoran who lived to hear the tales of the past, and it was they who would keep those tales alive in the future. True, there were dangers on this world, both known—Skrall, Skakdi, and more—and unknown. Ackar and Kiin also informed him that in the chaos of battle, a warlord named Tuma had managed to escape the Glatorian's custody. But as they always had before, somehow they would find a way to overcome.

The Toa of Fire raised the Legendary Kanohi Ignika, the golden Mask of Life, high overhead, where it reflected the bright sunlight above the crowd of new and old faces.

"It is time to begin. Come, my friends," he said, at last, leading Spherus Magna into a new dawn. "It is time to go."

X X X

Angonce studied his ancient equipment. It told him much about the state of the newly restored Spherus Magna. Mata Nui had gone dormant, at least temporarily; the original Mata Nui robot and its prototype had both been destroyed; the nanotech Matoran inhabitants of Mata Nui had somehow survived and were emerging onto Spherus Magna and interacting with the local Agori inhabitants.

The Great Being should have been pleased by all this. After all, it was he and his brothers and sisters who had created Mata Nui and sent the robot on its mission, which culminated in the restoration of the planet. But they could not foresee the fate of Mata Nui—his overthrow by one of the beings created to serve him, the trapping of his spirit inside a Mask of Power, and the subsequent expulsion of that mask into outer space. Nor could they have ever dreamed that one day Mata Nui, robbed of his original body and his great power, would return to Bara Magna. Despite that, perhaps in part due to it…things had changed a great deal in the last 100,000 years; what might once have been cause for celebration now provoked very different emotions.

They will seek the Great Beings now, he thought. They will want to tell us that all is well. Toa and Glatorian, Matoran and Agori, will join together on this 'joyous' mission. But all is not well…and if they go in search of those who brought so much glory and so much misery to this world…I fear they will find nothing but their destruction.

It all ends in "BIONICLE - Phase 09: Divinity - Part I: Epilogue"...

(Journey's End was compiled from the novel Journey's End; the podcast Sahmad's Tale; the story serial Reign of Shadows; and the guide book Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

Author's Note, on the last story page of the final comic:

Thanks to BIONICLE fans everywhere for nine wonderful years writing this comic - and watch for more new BIONICLE tales on BIONICLESTORY .com. Special thanks to Carlos D'anda, Randy Elliott, Nick Hort, Brian Bowler, Joanna Gale, Jenne Green, Kelly McKiernan, Bob Thompson, Heidi Bailey, and Leah Weston Kaae.

- Greg Farshtey -

Editor's Note:

Thanks for reading. Well done making it this far. We're nearly where the canon left off. If I'm continuing percentage approximations, there's about 1.5% of the story left. In fact, many BIONICLE sources originally claimed this as the "official" ending. Three sources depict the final scene of Mata Nui's goodbye: the novel 'Journey's End', the final comic 'Journey's End: Part 2 - Rebirth', and the online visuals 'Mata Nui Saga'. Of the three, only one source (the novel) even details Mata Nui's request to search for the Great Beings. The other two sources completely omit that segue into the next part of the story. However, fans that followed along in the serials and paid attention (or you readers here, who have it compiled) know that this wasn't the end.

Unfortunately, the coming material following the "Reformation of Spherus Magna" was so small, it didn't even make a comparable story length. So there is one more story/part after this, but it's slightly shorter than any so far. However, the material was still a new enough part of the story that it made sense to end Phase 08 here and start a new Phase.

So read on, see where BIONICLE came to a sudden close, finish it, and get brainstorming on what you'd like to see in the ending. I'll need all the input and help I can get if I'm going to do an appropriate, colossal, satisfying ending for this amazing story. I know I can't please everyone (life lesson...you never can) but the more diverse thoughts and ideas I have, the better.

Thanks for hanging out for so long. Keep sharing this with friends looking for a good story - preserve the legend. Let's finish this.