Disclaimer: I don't own BIONICLE, but I do own Subject H1, James Masterson/Subject 37, a new Matoran and Makuta Xociv. Now that's done and over with, let's move on, shall we? And a little warning: This might have some… suggestive refernces around the end, something not for kids. You've been warned.

Chapter 3: First day of training

2 years since first capture

H1 was sleeping on the floor, curled up into a ball. He muttered in his sleep, shaking in fear.

In his dream, he was trapped in a damp, dark chamber. The only source of light was a small Lightstone, hanging above him. Suddenly, he heard something 'clink!' in the shadows and whirled around. A hand of pure Shadow Energy slithered from the darkness, grasping towards the human. Before the 7-year-old could run, the hand grabbed him.

He remembered once seeing one of the prisoners being grabbed by this. The black monster (Chirox he believed his name was) once shot one of these hands at another prisoner, pulled him right into him. He never saw that person since then. And now he was going to share the same fate. As the Shadow Hand dragged along the barren, rough stone floor, he could see a faint light at the end. The closer he and the Hand came, the brighter the light became. And the greater the boy's fears became. When the Shadow Hand reached its destination, H1 could only get a glimpse of the beholder, but it was all he needed. He didn't know the Kanohi's name, but he knew it as the Great Mask of Shadows. And he knew its wearer as well:

Makuta Teridax.

The boy screamed as the Teridax absorbed him into his essence.

H1 awoke, screaming at the top of his lungs. Sweat covered his entire body, soaking his tan suit. He heard a quite chuckle. He turned to see a Makuta clan in Green-and-black armor, wearing a Kanohi Shelek. He remembered this one from meetings Tridax had. This was Mutran.

Said Makuta chuckled again. "May, may. Quite jumpy are you?" Mutran taunted.

If H1 could, he would've punched him in the face. Even then, however it wouldn't do any good.

"Tridax went to see some of the other Subjects, so he put me in charge of overseeing you until he returns. He did leave a request for me to send you to Icarax, though why, I'm not certain. If I were to guess, he wishes for you to learn basic combat. Now that this conversation's done, let's move on, shall we?"

Mutran waved his hand, and the next thing H1 knew, they were someplace completely different. Practice dummies littered the place, most of which were in pieces; burnt, disintegrated, the list goes on. Standing there was a large Makuta, clan in red-and-black armor. He wore what H1 knew only as a Great Mask of Scavenging. Beside him was a Ko-Matoran who wore a Mask of Incomprehension.

"Icarax, my brother. How goes your day?" Mutran asked, trying to sound as 'polite' as possible. Icarax snorted.

"Other than crushing a dozen Dark Hunters in one minute, it was quite boring," The brute replied.

Mutran turned to the Ko-Matoran. "And your's, Ignavus?"

The Ko-Matoran smuggler grinned. "Just dropped this shipment in for an information broker on Stelt. Seemed rather pleased considering the payment. Had a run-in with my pal, Vultraz. Think yawl might like him," He turned his head to see H1. "That's one of Tridax's prized pets?"

Mutran nodded as H1 stepped back a little. Ignavus laughed.

"We were just about teach H1 here some basic moves. Would you like to join us?"

"Join yawl?" He laughed, tossing his blade around like a toy. "Buddy, I'll make him the greatest warrior that ever lived! Well, besides myself, of course."

Before he could move, Icarax grabbed him by the shoulder.

"As much as I would like to see some blood be shed, we need him alive and intact. After all," Icarax paused, glaring at the child. H1 hid behind Mutran, letting out a small 'eep!' "It's not like he can harm us. He's a mere insect, and we are Makuta. You and he are both at equal ground."

The Ko-Matoran criminal snorted, juggling his knife. "If that's the case, then where's his weapon?"

Mutran chuckled. "That's the thing: There're no weapons involved."

Ignavus' eyes widened, dropping his blade. "Eh!?" Icarax laughed at the reaction.

"What's the matter? Not the warrior you call yourself?" The Makuta taunted.

Ignavus turned to Icarax, trying to sputter out something in respounse. He growled at him, then at the human.

"Fine." The Ta-Matoran snarled. "You want me to show my moves off so badly?" He crackled his knuckles. "Then fine!"

H1 tuned to Mutran for advice, but all he did was shrug. "I'm a scientist, not a boxer. Just punch him -or slap- or something," Mutran stepped back as a massive cage of Elemental Energy trapped the smaller beings inside.

Ignavus charged forward, yelling something in Matoran. H1 yelped, ducking as Ignavus threw his punch. H1 kicked him in the stomach, but didn't do anything. The Ko-Matoran just shrugged it off, and punched him in the eye. H1 reeled back in pain, smacking Ignavus across the mask. Again this didn't harm him, but it did push him back him. Ignavus charged forward again, ready to punch. H1 knew what was gonna happen, so he balled up his fists. But Ignavus did something unexpected. He duck and spun around, leg-sweeping as he did so. This knocked the human down on the ground. Ignavus lunged his foot at H1, but rolled out of the way. Icarax chuckled as the two fought.

"So Tridax plans on making an army of these... humans?" Icarax asked, dumbfound by the species' name. Mutran nodded.

"Indeed. He seems to find some use in them." He said as he watched the fight. "So far, a few of them are proven worthy soldiers."

Icarax laughed. "Them? Warriors? HA! They won't even last long in a Koro!"

Mutran laughed as well. "Perhaps," He began. "But a little rebuilding and some training and-POOF!" He waved his arms out. "They're almost like Toa!"

Icarax looked at the two fighting. Ignavus had the upper hand, but H1 managed to land some blows to him. Icarax grabbed them by the back of their necks, bringing them to his head-level.

"When you two are done playing in the dirt," He began, narrowing his eyes. "Chirox would like to see you about your medication, H1." He turned to the smuggler. "And you still have a delivery to make."

He teleported them to their reprehensive locations. H1 sighed, going back to sleep on the cold stone floor as he waited for Chirox.

Meanwhile at another lab…

Tridax looked through the window, from the chamber, a grin on his Kanohi. Down in the lower chamber were two more Subject on the left was H21, a female Human. She was around 19-years-old, had short black hair, hazel eyes, and (as some of the other prisoners thought), quite a matured body. On the left was H89, a male. He was around H21's age, but was more muscular. He had white hair, brown eyes, and a couple inches taller.

"Where the hell am I?" Wonder H89.

A loud chuckle from a certain Makuta echoed across the prison.

"You're in my world now." Came the voice. From the safety of his chamber, Tridax pulled a lever down. The ceiling above opened, releasing a strange, powder-like substance. The two coughed and gaged, barely awake from lack of air. When the haze, they relaxed, their breaths normal again. Seconds later, though, they turned husky at the sight of each other.

Tridax knew what was going to happen next. It was rather disgusting, how they reproduced and multiplied. If he was going to farm for materials and test subjects, however, then he'll let them have their fun. Besides, most of them might not live that long anyways.

Xociv teleported beside Tridax, holding a tablet.

"Greetings, br-" He looked down at what was going on at the lower chamber, dropping his tablet. It shatter like glass. If Xociv could, he would've vomited. He shield his eyes. "What in the name of Tren Krom are they DOING!?"

Tridax sighed, leaning toward his brother's ear. "Procreating," He whispered. "Abominable, but sadly necessary."

"Necessary for what?"

Tridax glanced around, checking to see if anyone was around. "Necessary due to lack of employment… and trust. I don't want too many of our brothers here, now with the extra Olmak I 'acquired' with our original copy."

Xociv glanced back at his employer, puzzled. "If that's the case, then why not just find more recruits with your copy?"

The red-and-purple Makuta laughed. "Please, don't be-" He paused. "Actually, that's one of the best ideas I've ever heard in a long time."

He motioned toward Xociv, bidding him to follow him. After a series of twists and turns, they came across a simple wall. Tridax made a few certain taps in a few certain places, and it vanished. Behind it was an extra Olmak.

"Come along now, " The head of Project ONU said as he donned the mask. "We're going to make some new friends."

A/N 2, 11/14/2015: Okay, I edited this part to fit with a little recon. This takes place before Vultraz started serving the Brotherhood, so I had to remove him for continuity reasons. Still, I left a nod to the old version of this chapter by having Ignavus' mutual partnership with him.

I also edited the section about H89 and H21's… moment. Hopefully, that'll reduce the risk of yawl losing your sanity and innocence. :/