Chapter Nine: First Contact

The glow flickered, and the door slowly began to waver, image distorting somewhat.

"Uh, roboman?" 'z asked. "What's happenin' heres?"

"Perception filter," Malum responded. "I told you I I knew what was going on here.

Ah... Energized Protodermis; EP, as some kids used to call it. Its discovery was so magnificent that it brought the Gr- them out of their hideyhole for the first time in years- something around 10,000 years. The thing became a masterpiece after they figured out how to manipulate it to create anything they desired. Protodermis became a pop culture phenomenon. Everyone wanted some, and at first, they did. But greed gets one nowhere in the end...

As it did, soon enough. People began to fight over Protodermis. Supplies dwindled, and most of the remaining stock was taken into the fortress, expanded into a huge valley. The Maze, news termed it. Bit of a tricky thing to understand. Not like anyone did; they were fighting, after all! Sometimes violently! The whole thing was horrible, I tell you. The Bei- they took action. Using what little Protodermis they were able to scrounge, a group of robots dubbed the Element Lords and assassins, Battera, were made, created in hopes of stopping the conflict or at least quelling it.

They didn't.

We went to war, basically. Element Lord against Element Lord, faction against faction. I was called up to fight with the Lord of Fire, who quickly told his men that he would not take no for an answer, shoving us into training and stopping us long enough to throw armour and weapons in our faces.

The armoury was the last time I met Velika. I will tell you that right now. I'm being too sappy as is.

A group of his people were building armour with Protodermis, trying to find a way to make a way to make us last longer and go stronger. It was tough business, but I am pretty sure it worked. I was one of the last few called in to have it put on. I walked into the armoury- and wouldn't you know it, there my friend stood... Things had been somewhat unkind for him in the last 1,000 decades. After he retreated into the Valley of the Maze, some of his higher compatriots had reprimanded him for such close contact with others. They felt it wasn't necessary. I can't blame them; they didn't though. He had been sentenced to work in the field for his troubles, and it showed in his face.

Velika took me in his arms and smiled again, hugging me. 'It seems time has treated you kindly,' he beamed.

'Yeah, well, you're not one to talk,' I retorted. 'Seems to've barely had an effect on you at all.' It was true; he hadn't aged at all in the last 60,000 years, or the aging was too insignificant to notice. I don't know. I had quite a bit, my skin wrinkling and my strength a bit unnerved by middle age.

My friend smiled. 'That is the power of higher technology, brother.' He walked over to a cabinet. 'Now, on the topic of armour...'

'You're going to put it on me, right?'

Velika frowned, pulling out a drill. 'Not... really... I must apologize, Malum. Take a seat. The process... is not as simple as you might think. I must... graft... the armour onto you. In you!' He grinned wistfully. 'It will aid greatly in your battles against the other factions, I am sure, but reward always requires great cost.' Pushing me down into a chair, he sighed. 'The price for war is quite high, I am afraid... to tell you the truth, I don't know why we're not doing anything. I feel it's as if the council wants you to die.'

'They wouldn't. They really like us.'

'Yes, of course... but we have never interfered too much. It is too costly and too morally demanding, so I have heard. I fear we must take matters into our own hands sooner or later.'

'You can't do anything yourself?'

Velika's face fell, hood crumpling a bit. 'Unfortunately not. This war has gone too far for that. Thankfully,' he lightened up a bit, 'we have been building a new gateway! The hopeful end to all this tomfoolery! The answer to the question! The light at the end of the tunnel-'

'Velika?' I inquired.

'Sorry. I do not know if I can tell you...'

I smiled grimly. 'I'm probably going to take it to my grave. Might as well.'

'All right then,' he began. 'The Higher Council has proposed... a new robot, one that will allow us to fix the conflicts and take steps to prevent future ones. It will, when it is done, be able to compute legible solutions and create situations that enable it to take loopholes to get around them. We have created many smaller robots, failsafes that will protect the robot when necessary, and we have created many smaller robots to be protected, and we have made so many failsafes-"

'Velika!'

My friend turned to me. 'Yes?'

'You're losing me. More to the point, please?'

He flushed. 'Ah, yes, certainly. This robot... will be the leader. The guide to a newer, better, more productive future for us all...

A great spirit. Mata Nui.'"

The kiss was unexpected.

When Lewa had first heard of the existence of aliens- creatures from different worlds, much unlike the ones he and the Toa were familiar with, he'd imagined first contact with them to go one of three ways- a quick scoffing before instant vaporization, an abduction to be experimented on or probed, or tenuous flirting leading into a possible romantic advance. Kissing was not on that list. It had come way too soon, too early to be real; in fact, it almost seemed criminal.

But no; so she had. Seemingly ignoring the Toa's offer, the lifeform had taken a step towards him, flung onto his chest, and planted a sucker right onto his mask. Lewa could do naught but blush, helpless as to what was going on; thankfully, the situation quickly eased, the girl jumping off of him and returning to her previous place one step away.

She giggled, pearly tones escaping onto the rocky wall above her. "My apologies for the ignoring you," the alien began. "I merely needed to do the kiss on you in order to learn your language. Could you say that again?"

Flustered beyond belief, the Toa quickly turned to his friends for advice, receiving confused glances in return. Turning to the stranger, he was only able to let out a timid whisper in reply, a far cry from his usual loud yelling.

"Um… my name is Lewa. Sorry for the scuffle back there." He covered his forehead in embarrassment. "I didn't… know exactly what you were. You don't have to forgive me- GAK!"

Any further response was quickly muffled, as Lewa found himself swept up in a tight hug, the girl's face pressed up close to his armour. Surprisingly, he could not breathe; her embrace was crushing his chest! What a surprise! Even more surprising was her response; "Oh, friend!" she squealed. "Of course I will the forgive you! Anyone who is the willing to be dropping her weapons like that deserves the second chance."

The Toa gawked, both in bewilderment and from a lack of air. "Really? That… easily?"

His assailant only hugged him harder. "Yes!" She soon frowned confusedly. "You… are not doing the same with your people?"

"Well," Lewa gasped, "I… don't know… much about these… people…" He nudged Kiina, who had been frozen the entire time, the Glatorian looking around quickly.

"Um… What?" She gazed at Gresh, who did nothing, then Lewa, who indicated his condition and the person giving it. Her eyes widened, then narrowed, smoke beginning to waft off her armour.

"You… you… you…"

Everyone gaped, most of all Kory.

"The thing was a robot," Malum finally sighed, "designed to repair the planet. As you know, it didn't."

"We don't," the Corporal hissed.

"Ah," the Glatorian scoffed, "of course you don't!" His face darkened. "Spherus Magna was destroyed when its core exploded, in an event called the Shattering. Horrible event. It was a good thing I survived."

Sm'ist's partner quickly contained him. "But… whats of Velika?"

Malum gazed to the wall in remembrance. "He did okay. Implanted my armour on me then left. Again, horrible event, but well worth the pain. It's done me well for the time I've had it. The Great B- he knew what he was doing."

"Didn't Velika go into the robot?" Akhmou asked. "I seem to remember him… wait… WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT STORY?"

SLAP.

"I'm getting there. Anyways..." the Glatorian continued, "yes, Akhmou, you're right. He'd told me he wanted to see what his creations were up to, given that they had A.I. and all… didn't expect the man to actually do it."

"But he did."

"Yeah… so he did. A shame he had to go that way, though. Toa's attacks are very painful, and I only had to take on one!"

Jone'z yawned. "Kid's right, roboman. We's gettin' to a point yet?"

"Yes… we are." Malum frowned. "Look… Velika was a smart man. He very much knew what he was doing. The- Beings wouldn't have recruited him if he hadn't."

"So?"

Sm'ist grabbed Akhmou by a ridge in his armour and bared his fangs menacingly.

"Stop this cheekiness now."

The Po-Matoran whimpered. "Y… yes… sir!"

"The conman does have a point, Glatorian," the Gordanian sighed. "What did that diatribe even entail?"

"Velika wasn't just smart, he was daft. He liked to invent a lot of things with the scraps he found on his travels. Do you recall why he gave me that gold brick?"

"Yeahs, but-"

"I used it in my armour. It became a centerpiece. I think I still have it today."

Malum walked up to the door, which had by now flickered and faded entirely to reveal… a small, circular pool, glowing silvery liquids flowing inside.

He slowly turned around to the others and shook his head. "Velika was a Great Being. Like others of his species, he liked to build and create using various sources, and this pool of protodermis… was among them."

Akhmou gasped. "But that means-"

"Yes, Akhmou. He used this to experiment with new toys, robots if you will. I know this for a fact, because he told me. This…

This was Velika's lab. He would make new life here. I don't know why we've found it."

H'ssiah kept walking. The sounds grew louder. Correspondingly, his anger grew as well.

He was about to punch a Locrix in rage; thankfully, it was saved by the annoying, moaning beeping of his communicator.

"What."

"Sir! Youse won'ts believe what we'ves found!"

"I don't care."

"But-!"

"Don't test my patience."

"I won't-"

"Forgive my compatriot, H'. What he means to say is that we have unearthed something very… interesting."

The Gordanian's mood lessened; just a bit, though. He had to keep some emotion for the rutan'gah.

"And…" he said, now curious, "what might that be?"

"A substance," the communicator buzzed. "Protodermis. It has very valuable properties, and I am certain it will interest you-"

"The rutan'gah."

"It will aid us greatly in battle-"

"The rutan'gah."

"It will allow us to capture her more efficiently-"

"The rutan-"

"Sir!"

"Don't test MY PATIENCE!"

The buzz dimmed to a rumble. "Yes… sir. Just know that it may be helpful to mark this planet down, for future reference… both for the Protodermis and some… other reasons." Blip.

"Yes," H'ssiah grumbled, "good reasons. Good reasons my foot." He trudged on, still very much steaming.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"

"Wait," the being said, "what is to be the unbelieved?"

Gresh sighed. "I think she means that she doesn't think you should-"

"WHY WOULD YOU TAKE SO LONG?" Kiina roared. "IT'S BEEN TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND FREAKIN' YEARS! You could have come at any other time, any time at all, and you pick NOW?"

"Uh…"

The exile's inquiry apparently went unheard, as she was soon lifted up in her own hug. The Glatorian began to sob, tears wetting the girls' armour. "I don't- I don't believe it! You're here- you're finally finally here- but why now?"

Lewa was very quickly running out of oxygen, but he was quick to offer his opinion. "Don't you… think… Mata… Nui… was an-"

"Lewa?"

It was no use. He had fainted.

Kory quickly held him closer to her, now sobbing as well. "Oh, friend! Lewa! Forgive me for my transgressions! I was unknowing that my gesture would cause much of the harm-"

"Girl. Alien."

She turned to the Tesaran. "Yes?"

"Put him down. I don't think he could… handle that much hugging, strange as it may seem."

"Oh!" Her expression brightened. "Of course! I am confused as to why he was not the telling me earlier…"

Dropped on the ground with a whump, the Toa quickly gained consciousness. "Ugh," he groaned. "Thanks. Was kinda out of breath there. Like I was saying," he continued, swatting Kory away, "don't you think Mata Nui was an alien? Or me, for that matter? We did technically come from another world, after all…"

"Nah," Kiina scoffed. "The Great Beings-" she put extra emphasis on that word- "based you off of us, elemental powers and all. Plus, Mata Nui was made in the Valley, from Protodermis found here. You don't really count."

"You don't think my behaviours are alien?"

She ruffled his mask. "Sorry, junior, but as far as I'm concerned, you're really not." Turning to the alien, she resumed her inquiry. "Why're you here, anyway?"

Kory quickly paled, slumping over in sadness. "Um… I was not the supposed to be here. The Gordanians captured me as the slave. A rutan'gah," she spat. The others gasped. "They wish for me to live out my days in servitude. I will not allow it. That is why I did the escaping, you see."

"That's pretty courageous," Gresh remarked. "Any reason why you came here, specifically?"

"It was the closest planet to their ship, and I did not want to be risking myself flying any farther out-"

He sighed. "No, why did you come here? To the ridge? It can't have been by luck. Nobody really knows of this place."

"Oh!" The alien perked. "I was the informed of this location by a brave warrior and his friend. They told me it would be a good place to stay."

"Brave… warrior? Any details?"

"Yes, he gave me many of the details. It was a place he did the discovering of recently, near the city of 'New Atero', and he says that it might not have been the good idea telling me of it-"

"WHAT DOES HE LOOK LIKE?" Kiina screeched.

Kory frowned. "There is no need to be the rude. It does not seem the proper of-" She sighed. "Ah, I suppose I will tell you. I was not able to get much of the description of him- from what I can remember, he was tall and red, and his companion was short and brown and was called Akh…mou-"

"Malum!"

"Akhmou!" Lewa growled. "Wait… you ran into him? That's pretty serendipitous! Last I heard of those two they hadn't wanted to meet up with anyone. Why would you ask them for advice."

"Er… they were the only two I had the access to at that moment?"

"Oh." He chuckled. "Understandable. I would've too."

Kiina walked to the window, looking at the trio in confusion. "So, now that you're here… what're you gonna do? Hide here until the Sand Stalkers come home?"

"Only for the little while," the alien replied. "I had planned to go back to Tamaran, my planet, and confront my sister, Komand'r- she is the one who has gotten me into the mess. Sadly, I have not an idea where Tamaran is, and if I will even be able to be the geting there-"

"You could always go down to New Atero and speak with the Turaga and Dune," Gresh commented.

Kory gazed out the window. "But… the Akmou, or the Malum, told me I could not? He said it would be too much of the dangerous, and frankly, I am disposed to do the believing of him." She willed two starbolts into being, bathing the cave in neon green light. "These powers were… gifted to me by the Gordanians, and I do not know if I can do the controlling of them well. Truly, it would be the nice if I could, but I would not want to put anyone in the danger…" A quiet breath tickled Lewa's mask.

He put a hand on her in a calming manner. "Don't worry, um… Glatorian? I never actually got your name…"

"Oh, please be the forgiving!" Kory squealed. "I am Koryand'r of Tamaran, though I am not sure that is the applying now. My sister has effectively booted me out of the Royal House. I am not… a Glatorian though. Just a Tamaranean."

The others gawped. "Um… you do not understand?"

"It's not a name we've ever heard before," Gresh remarked. "Most are usually a lot simpler, so I don't know if it would work in Agori…"

"Ta-Inika!"

Everyone's eyes were on Lewa now.

"What?"

"Yeah, Ta-Inika. Or Tanika, for short. The fiery energies of a star…" he dropped his head, "or at least that's what I picked up…"

It did not matter, as he was quickly pulled into a bone-crushing hug. "Um- can't… breathe!"

"The apologies!" The alien… Tanika loosened her hold. "That is amazing! Tanika…" she giggled. "It works the well. I think I would like to use it! It is just… I was supposing it would be Starfire. But that does not the matter."

"Cool," Gresh said. "Nice to meet you, Tanika."

Kiina waved. "Hey."

"I guess it's nice to meet you too," Lewa grinned, putting up a fist in excitement.

"Excuse me… but what is that supposed to mean?"

The Toa looked at his hand in confusion. "Oh? It's a fist bump. A gesture of camaderie and brotherhood… or sisterhood, really."

"Then I shall gladly be returning the gesture!"

POW!

Tanika gazed at the floor and was surprised to see her friend there, lime hand writhing in pain.

"Oh, friend! Did I hurt you? Forgive me, I am not quite the sure of my own strength myself…"

Lewa limped into a standing position, keeping his hand away from the floor. "It's okay. Just… ow! Try not to be so forceful next time…"

She saddled up to him and put her hand on him. "Like I was saying… don't worry, Tanika-sister. We're Toa-hero and Glatorian-warriors. We know what we're doing, and I'm sure we'll be able to cheer-help. Right, guys?"

"Right!"

"Oh… thank you, thank you, thank you!"

This time, all three of them were swept into Tanika's embrace. The louder complaints did not seem to peturb her, however.

"Kinda… breath-"

"Are you well, friends?"

No answer. They had fallen unconscious. The girl quickly set them down.

"Sorry… I did not notice."

"That's okay," Kiina gasped. "What now, you two? Should we take her out of this grimy place and into the paradise that is Spherus Magna?"

Gresh gave his approval. "Sounds good to me."

"As to me. Wait!" Lewa stiffened. "Do the… Gordanians know where you are?"

"I would not do the supposing," Tanika said. "They did not make much of the effort to… follow me…"

"What do… they look like?"

"Oh, they are horrible creatures. Big, reptilian, long tails, the bad morality…"

"Hissy, screeching voices and an awful personality? Because I think I just saw one by my hut. He…"

"What, Lewa?" Kiina inquired. "What'd he do?"

"He… he destroyed it! Yeah, I know he did! Told us to stop arguing then… bombed the thing to Karzahni…"

"Who is… us?"

Lewa sighed. "Oh. Yeah. See, Tanika, my relations with my Toa brothers and sister haven't been much-great lately, and we recently…"

"Split off?"

"Yes, we… how did you know?"

"My relationship with my sister was not the best either. We frequently did the squabbles. I think she was the jealous of me… it is the shame I will not be able to make amends now."

"The other Nuva. I thought so," Kiina scoffed. "Figures a machine designed to destroy Toa would technically end up destroying them anyway."

"Am I the needing to hear of this story?"

"It's complicated," Lewa said. "Either way, I'm pretty sure, going by your 'description', that that was a Gordanian outside my house. Shouldn't be too much of a problem if we work together-"

Tanika gasped. "They are here! They have the followed me! Oh, k'norfka, what am I going to do?"

Gresh put up his daggers hesitantly. "Remember what Lewa said? We'll help you. With luck, the other Glatorian will as well… and the other Toa, if we can find 'em. Where are the other Toa, anyway?"

"Beats me. Heard something about the Great Beings, but… bleh. Who cares? I think we're more than enough to take on some slimy wrinkle-lizard."

"Yeah," the Tajunan said, "I think we are! You needn't worry. If anything, we can keep you in the cave until we defeat them or they go away." She smiled slyly. "That's what happens with all thieves who try to disturb the sanctity of my people."

"Really? You will… do that much? All for me?"

"If the situation calls for it-"

He grinned. Finally. He'd found her.

Clop. Clop. Clop.

"Oh, this is the glorious! I cannot believe the luck in my finding you three! Would you not do the saying yourself, friends?"

Clop. Clop. Clop. CLOP.

The exile looked at her newfound companions curiously. "Er… friends? Is something the wrong?"

H'ssiah growled, both in agony and triumph. She was close.

"Has something the ailed you? Might I find the cure for this affliction?"

CLOP. CLOP. CLOP. DRIP. CLOP.

"Friends? Answer me! ANSWER ME!"

"Tanika…" Gresh whispered.

"WHAT IS IT?"

"Tanika… BEHIND YOU!"
She gasped. "What…"

"BEHIND YOU!"

"Lewa! What… MMMPHH!"

There was no use running. H'ssiah had won. The rutan'gah had lost.

"So," Superman said as he gestured everyone to take a seat, "I trust you all know why we're here."

Flash frowned. "Uh… no we don't? Kinda called us on extremely short notice, dude."

"There's good reasoning for that, though."

"Then I trust you will be able to tell us?" Wonder Woman said. "None of us came here on our own free time. There is still justice to be served."

"Yes," the Man of Steel sighed, "we'll get to that sooner or later. First I wanted to make everyone aware of something. J'onn?"

Martian Manhunter stood up and coughed. "Thank you, Superman. Recently," he began, looking at everyone, "I was made aware of a psychic transmission from a girl. It wouldn't be anything too interesting, except she seemed to have numerous supernatural abilities and kept talking about a curse."

"A curse?" Hawkgirl asked. "What for? Darkseid up to no good again?"

"No, thankfully not. It seems this one might be even worse though, for a very specific reason..."

Aquaman turned to the Martian. "Anything in specific?"

J'onn smiled, gaze specifically focused on Batman. "Ever heard of the concept of destiny?"

The League gasped.

"Yeah," Flash said, "from all of those old comic books. Why?"

"You see," Manhunter replied, "this girl has one. I was unable to find out exactly what (she seems to be very strong mentally, I was blocked;) but it seems hers is to… I don't know if you all are ready to hear this… destroy the world."

Everyone gasped again.

"WHAT?" Green Lantern roared, banging his ringed hand on the table. "Why weren't we told? Why aren't we doing anything?"

"That is a bit complicated for me to explain… let Clark tell you."

The others turned to the Kryptonian expectantly. "Eheheh… well… look… the thing is… we won't. We're not going to."

The Amazon exhaled. "Why? Surely a world-threatening event can be out under our control?"

"I know, Diana," Superman replied. "It's just… Martian Manhunter just told you all about destiny, right?" Everyone nodded. "Kind of goes hand in hand with this situation. See, J'onn thinks that the girl will end up needing our help to try and stop it. Thing is… if she does, the world might be just as badly off."

"How can you know?" the Lantern grumbled. "I know J'onn's got some majorly good mind-reading powers and all, but… don't you think he might be wrong, this time? A girl is in danger. The world is in danger. It'd be against the Corps rules to stand by."

"We will deal with the Guardians later," Martian Manhunter sighed. "I believe… if we do take her in our steed, and assist her in defeating the threat, others will ravage the earth. And she will not be part of a team able to stop them."

"And that is?"

"I do not know the name yet. Just know it will be big, in time. With it, the girl may-"

"J'onnz," Batman growled, "what's the point of telling us? Leave the girl to her lonesome and let us do what we need to do."

"I just thought it would be nice to warn you," Superman suggested. "Besides, she's apparently something to do with that ward of yours- Robin-"

The detective's eyes shot up. "What about him?"

"He's supposed to… help her… I think…"

"He can't, Clark. He's gone."

We're now at the end of Chapter Ten, and things are finally starting to ramp up! Phew! Aren't you glad you slogged through all of that backstory?

1. Velika was the only Great Being who actually tested out Mata Nui. Makes sense that he'd be the one pulling the strings. (The flashback takes place over 60,000 years and ends right before the Shattering. The guy was probably an expert by then.) I don't know why Malum was his friend; didn't everyone hate the Great Beings?

2. Lewa and Starfire talk for the first time! Did I overdo it? Did I underdo it? Was Mata Nui actually an alien? Why did I pick the name Tanika?

3. Actually, why did I name Kory Tanika? I dunno. Was just looking through the Matoran language and it was the first thing that came to mind.

4. I hope the whole thing was interesting enough to whet your tastes. Prepare for a lot more of this later.

5. They're all screwed.

6. The Justice League scene, again, takes place in the comics but I just HAD to half-ass an excuse on why they wouldn't help fight the Gordanians. I hope it makes at least the littlest modicum of sense.

7. On that note, the protodermis pool is a little half-assed too. Try to ignore it, please. It's going to be important soon.

Read and review!