*Over 17,000 years ago*
"Hey, you're on time for once," scoffed the Toa of fire.
Xipher gave him a dirty look.
"Ease off," pleaded Naromia. "At least he's here."
The Toa assembled in a secluded place not to far from their village. Evidence of their past training exercises lay in the piles of crushed rock, split a nd fallen trees, and the occasional scorch marks that littered the area.
"You ready, rock head?" the Toa of water smirked.
Xipher took his stance on the other side and cracked a smile. "Yep." A hand of stone suddenly erupted from the ground.
She jumped out of the way before it could grab her. "Too slow," she mocked, and then drew out her water swords. They glowed and shot a powerful jet of water. A slab of stone came out of the ground and blocked the attack. He was pleased with his move, but realized he celebrated too soon. He leaned back right before a second stream of water shot past him. After staggering backwards, he summoned another hand.
As Naromia was in a mid-air back flip, it grabbed her leg and yanked her to the ground. The Toa yelped in surprise. The hand dragged her leg partway into the ground and stopped. She cringed her teeth as she tried to pull herself free. While doing so, two feet came in her view. She looked up and saw Xipher with a fat grin across his face.
"I'd yield if I were you," threatened Naromia
The Toa of stone crossed his arms. "If I'm not mistaken, I just need to drag you in a few more feet to win, which is why I'm giving you the change to give up."
It was her turn to have a wide smile. His quickly disappeared. Suddenly a large orb of water floating over him gave way. There was a giant splash followed by all laughter from all the other Toa. Naromia couldn't help but chuckle at the soaked Toa of stone, who appeared to be pondering over his blunder. The ground around her loosened and she pulled her leg out.
"You might want to consider a different strategy next time," she smiled, "Because giving your enemy some time to make a move isn't a very good one."

The first thing Xipher did when he woke up was place his hands on his face. Human. So much for his bad dream theory. He let out a disappointed sigh and sat up. Although not as bad as yesterday, his stomach still hurt and he took his time moving around. After yawning and stretching, he looked over and saw all the other humans already up and whispering to each other. He couldn't make out what they were saying, yet their occasional glance for ease droppers hinted they didn't want him to know. It wasn't long until the Vortixx he now despised so much arrived.
"Everyone sleep well?" she asked, with no sense of real concern. "I sure hope so because I need a volunteer to hunt down Saber and Vaptech. Preferably a certain 'Toa'."
"Forget it," spat Xipher, "I'll never help you."
"Believe me, I have ways of getting what I want," she smirked as she cracked a knuckle.
"Perhaps a compromise."
Both looked at Scott.
"And what would that be?" Deskera asked.
"I know where Saber is hiding. I can take you there, if you set us free."
Xipher's eyes grew wide. "What in Mata Nui's name are you doing?!"
Deskera tapped a finger on her chin. "Bring me to Saber first, then we'll see where this goes." She opened the cage and allowed the leader to walk out.
"Scott, you son of Karzahni!" Placing an arm around his torso, Xipher groaned as he tried to stand up. "She won't make good on her promise. You know that!"
"Yeah, but I need to do what's best for my men."
"So you're betraying me. After all I helped you with," Xipher vented.
"Sorry, it's nothing personal."
Xipher watched as the two walked away. His deep angered breaths soon transitioned to worry. He knelt down as the though of either one of his friends coming back as a human began to scare him.
Josh walked over and leaned his face close to Xipher's. "You know he's acting, right?" The former Toa gave him a dirty look. "I'm serious. He's taking them to our place, where we can fight them."
Xipher dismissed his explanation and slowly walked to the farthest corner from the Humans and sat down. "Lies," he softly spoke to himself.

As midday drew near, Saber became more worried. It took all of her might to resist the temptation of calling out to him. It was okay to do so at night when it was harder for any enemies to see them, but that was hours away. From the canopy she gazed down. All of her senses were on full alert, ready to pick up anything that came from him. Still nothing. Dismayed, she felt it maybe necessary to get the Marines help.
She recalled sensing Sam's presence close to her home and made her way there. When she got close she picked up her sent and followed it east. After traversing downhill she made it to a large creek and followed it up stream for several hundred yards before finding Sam and Amanda resting along the bank. But instead of receiving a warm welcome, Amanda aimed her gun at her. The being took a step back, startled.
"What's going on?" she asked in confusion and worry.
"You tell us," replied Amanda. "Where are they?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Sam took a few steps forward. "For the last few days, our comrades have been disappearing. Four of them disappeared just yesterday. We believe Xipher has something to do with this."
Saber's ears perked up. "You don't say. Xipher gave out a distress signal yesterday. I haven't seen him since. I was hoping you'd seen him."
"We haven't," replied Amanda.
"Think these events are connected?" Sam asked.
"The only explanation would be that the Vortixx have returned," Saber replied with concern.
"If that's the case, then we'll have to mobilize quickly." She pulled out the radio and called the campsite. There was no reply. She quietly swore under her breath. "We'll have to get back in range."
The two got their gear on and made the trek back to camp. Saber followed from the canopy, staying alert for any sign of danger.
As they drew near, Saber stopped and sniffed the air. Her eyes grew wide and she quietly called out for Sam. Both stopped and looked up.
"Vortixx!" she whispered. "They're near by."
They drew their guns and proceeded with caution. Only a small slope was left to go over. When they reached the top, they could see the osprey below. As they approached they noticed something wasn't right. It was quiet. It soon became obvious why. Everyone was gone. There were bullet casings on the ground, but not a single drop of blood was there. Crates and equipment were turned over and scattered across the site, while the charcoal in the campfire gave an idea of how long ago they left.
Saber came down and smelled some of the items.
"Vortixx," she gasped. "They were here."
"Can you track anyone that might have escaped?" asked Amanda.
"I can try."
The two sat and watched Saber walk on all fours, walking around the camp and sniffing the air above the ground. She stood up and shook her head.
"Great," spat Amanda. "How are we supposed to save everyone?"
"We should be more focused on making sure we don't get captured," replied Sam. "Then we can figure out something."
"Vaptech could help." Both gave Saber odd looks. "He's a friend of ours. Prefers to be alone on his own adventures."
"Is there anyone else on this island that can help?" asked Amanda.
Saber shook her head. "It's always been the three of us."
Sam sighed. "This is problematic. We don't know how many Vortixx we're dealing with. And to go at this with just four people?" She took off her helmet and rubbed her forehead. "Lets just focus on surviving another night. We'll get Vaptech tomorrow and start our search."
Saber nodded. "I'll call for him tonight."

_

Deskera came into the camp somewhat happy. Behind her, two Vortixx carried paralyzed marines while another escorted the remaining marines, bound by ropes. The men that were already captured gazed at the sight with wide eyes and gaping mouths. While their expressions pleased her, she noticed one Human was missing. Not sure whether to be worried or angry, she pushed Scott back in the cage and placed the rest in a larger one.
"Evete!" she called as she walked to her partner's tent. She walked in and found her examining the Human. Playing was a better term as she was stroking his hair. "How is he?"
"He's doing well. The wounds are healing slowly, but he'll make a full recovery. He's actually kind of cute this way," She turned his face towards her. "Especially when he's mad."
Xipher cringed his teeth. "Just wait until I change back," he growled, "Then I'll show you mad." He sunk his head down as Deskera patted his head.
"While I do enjoy seeing you two get along, I have a little problem. Today I went out in search of your friends. Instead, I come back with more Humans."
Xipher looked at her with surprise. She leaned against the table.
"Apparently, Scott was trying to lead me to his camp, where his men could save him," She hissed, but then grinned. "Too bad we caught some while they were scouting. They told us everything. Those at the camp never saw it coming." She then grabbed Xipher's arm and twisted it.
He yelped and landed on his side, trying to rotate himself to stop the pain.
"So, since I can't trust Scott, I'm going to ask you very nicely: where are they?"
He gave her a dirty look. "Rot in Karzahni," he spat.
The Vortixx frowned. "Wrong answer." She twisted his arm further.
He closed his eyes and yelled louder.
"I can do this all night if you want." She made her point by twisting it even more.
Xipher was at the point of tearing up. "They're at a cave!" he cried. "Northeast of their camp."
She let him go and allowed him to cradle his arm for a moment before pulling his head back by this hair.
"Tomorrow, you'll show me," she hissed. She pulled him out of the tent and took him back into his cage. The new prisoners didn't recognize him until he cursed out something in Matoran. He noticed their ongoing stare and replied with a dirty look.
"What?" he spat "It's not like you've never seen a Human before." He then turned to Scott. "I see your plan didn't work out. How are you going to save us now that everyone is behind bars?"
"Not everyone," Scott shot back.
Xipher looked around and realized who was missing. "They'll never do it," he scoffed. "And don't ask about Saber; she isn't the fighting type."
"Don't be so quick to give up," said Mike. "They don't know about Sam and Amanda, so we still have a chance."
Xipher crossed his arms and leaned against the bars. "I didn't say I gave up. I'm just being realistic. If anyone of them gets captured, it's over."

Saber cautiously walked through the forest. Morning had brought a welcome relief, but even after calling out, there was no reply from Vaptech. It worried her. Though he stayed mostly on the other side of the island, he visited on a regular basis. She then heard her name through the radio.
"Any sign of him?" Sam asked.
Saber pulled it out and took a moment to remember how it worked. "No," she replied.
"Well, you need to hurry back. It's too risky to keep going."
Saber quietly whimpered to herself. Not wanting to wait another day, she let out one more howl.

A shove from behind encouraged Xipher to keep walking. He was finding it difficult to move on the terrain in his current state, especially since he had been walking all morning and there was no sign Deskera was going to give him a break.
It was the cry of an unknown creature that made everyone stop. The Vortixx were tense as they looked around for the source. They heard it again. Deskera noticed Xipher's eyes grew wide, then smiled.
"They're close. Keep a sharp eye."

Saber leaped through the canopy, discouraged. Thoughts raced through her mind explaining what may have happened to him. The more she thought about it, the more it scared her.
As she began her ascent up a ridge, she picked up the scent of Vortixx. She stopped and looked around. With caution she searched for her pursuers, hoping to figure out what they were up to. She soon found them down hill. In front of them was another human, but one she didn't recognize. They were approaching her, but she was so high up that no one noticed her presence. She was grateful about it, but her attention was suddenly redirected as a low bellow echoed. It was too soft for the Voritxx to hear, but she heard it clear as a bell.
"Vaptech," she whispered. Calling out to him now was suicide. She had no choice but to wait for them to pass and run for it. But then it occurred to her that the hunting party was in a rush. They had a clear sense of where they were going. It soon occurred to her that they were heading for the camp. Before she could rethink her plan, a message came through the radio.
"Hey, did you hear what we just heard? Please tell me that's you-"
Saber turned it off in a panic, but it was too late. She froze as she realized the Vortixx were looking straight at her. The Human locked eyes with her and his mouth gaped open in horror.
"Saber, run!" he yelled.
"Xipher?!" she gasped.
Suddenly the Vortixx drew their weapons and fired. She made a mad dash up the hill. Spinners and Kanoka disk shot and whizzed pass her, some missing her by inches. One clipped a large branch off in front of her, forcing her to move below the canopy.

Dissatisfied by their performance, Deskera changed her Rohtuka spinner and fired. The first one went over, while the second one would've hit her target had there not been a tree in the way. She took a deep breath and concentrated. Anticipating Saber's movement, she fired again. It silently traveled in the air and struck her in the back. Saber fell, hitting every branch along her way as she screamed her lungs out.
"NO!" cried Xipher.

Saber lay on the ground moaning. Whatever pain the fall brought was muffled by the torment the spinner gave her. She slowly stood up and noticed something wasn't right. It was when she saw her hands that she screamed.
"Saber!"
She looked down hill at Xipher. "Don't stand there, RUN!" he pleaded.
She didn't hesitate and ran up the hill. Even with a head start she was tiring out from the weight of her armor. She frantically pulled as much of it off as she could.
"Hey, get back here!"
Saber looked over and saw Xipher running in a different direction with half of the party after him. Two others made their way towards her.
Saber was relieved to make it to the top of the ridge, but the Vortixx were catching up faster than anticipated. She went into a full sprint. Remembering the radio, she frisked herself, but couldn't find it. Panic immediately set in as she realized she lost it in the fall.
"Sam! Vaptech!" she cried. She then attempted to climb a tree, but without her claws, she failed miserably. Looking back, she saw her pursuers catching up. She ran harder, choking up as the thought of capture became embedded in her mind. The hill began to slope downward and she found it to be relief to her tired body. However, her foot got caught on her cloak and she stumbled a few steps before tumbling down the hill.
She rolled halfway down the hill before she was able to stop. She slowly stood up, ignoring the scuffs and scratches, and ran. The forest turned to brushes as she approached a large stream and ran across. She let out a yelp as the freezing cold water reached up to her chest, but refused to let it deter her. Once crossed, another incline was all that separated her from help, but it was higher than the last one. As she ran up she let out several more cries for help, which went unanswered.
Her ascent uphill was quickly getting slower. Saber panted heavily while her legs wobbled. She got back on her feet several times, only to take a few steps before collapsing. She could hear the Vortixx right behind and turned around.
"Go away," she choked while a tear rolled down her cheek.
They showed no sign of slowing. Saber let out on final cry.
"Vaptech!" she cried.
Suddenly, a roar from behind startled her. The Vortixx couldn't react in time as a figure jumped over her and knocked one of them off their feet. The other fired a spinner, but the newcomer jumped out of the way, leaving her partner to take the blow. The being grabbed her and tore her launcher off, then threw her against a tree. There was a moss-covered log next to the creature. As the Vortixx charged, the powerful being picked the log up and swung, striking her on the side and sending her flying down the hill.
The creature panted, then tossed the log aside and faced Saber. His head was more geometric, with a sky blue crest extending out the back. Despite the difference, the lack of a cloak showed that the rest of his body shared the same characteristics as Xipher and Saber.
"Vaptech," She weakly smiled.
The white and gray being looked at her with surprise. "Saber? What in Mata Nui's name happened to you?"
"The Vortixx. They have Xipher and turned us into Humans."
He tilted his head and then sniffed the air around her. "Wait, I've smelled this somewhere."
The moan of the laying Vortixx startled them. Saber tugged on his arm.
"Vaptech, we have to go," she pleaded.
"Why? I can take them."
"No! If you get turned into a Human, it's over!"
"And just where would you have us run to?" he scoffed.
She pointed up the hill. "There's a camp on the other side of this ridge. Two Humans should be there."
He picked her up and scaled the slope with little effort. They soon reached the camp, where the Humans were surprised at their presence.
"Sam," cried Saber, "we have to go."
"Wait, what?" Sam was too flabbergasted to utter a complete sentence. "Saber! You- you're Human!"
"I don't have time to explain. The Vortixx will be coming soon. Get what you can and get out."
The two wasted no time and packed their rations, ammo and any other gear they could carry.
"Okay,"said Sam, "but where too?"

"You son of a Barakas," Deskera spat. She leaned a little more weight on her foot, where Xipher laid groaning under the stress. "Did you really think you could outrun me? You're pathetic."
"I wasn't trying to outrun you," he gasped. "Just buying her time."
She was not amused at his reply. "What makes you think all of us would go after you at once?"
He looked over and noticed two Vortixx missing.
She took her foot off. "Admit it: You lost."
"Vaptech is still out there and he's always on the move. You'll never find him," he growled.
"I don't need too. I studied Sorza's failures, remember? Vaptech likes to take the battle to his enemies. Why go looking when I can just wait for him to come to me?"
Xipher cringed his teeth. He knew she was right. Soon he would be reunited with Saber in a cage and there was no telling when Vaptech would show up. He stood up and was greeted with another push to start moving.

Getting to Vaptech's place of refuge required traversing through a small and narrow canyon carved out by a stream. There were sections where they had to tread through water that reached their knees in some places. They soon reached an area where the canyon opened up. Fifty yards away was a punch-bowl waterfall over eighty feet high. To the right was a river rock and pebble beach with a massive slab of stone jutting out of the cliff face. It was covered in moss on the top with ivy and vines weaving up and down the face.
It was when Vaptech moved the curtain of foliage did they realize it was cave. When inside, they were impressed. While nowhere as big as Xipher's home, it was large enough to store two double decker buses. While they unpacked, Sam pulled out a uniform and underwear and gave them to Saber.
"Change into these."
Saber looked at them for a moment before taking off her cloak.
Amanda stopped her right before she took off her chest armor. "Could you give us a moment?"
Vaptech tilted his head to the side.
"It's a Human thing," She explained, showing an awkward smile.

Saber stared at her reflection while Amanda tied her hair into a ponytail. She never realized how long it was until now. Even when tied back it reached down to her ankles. The marine pulled out a knife and brought it up to her hair. Saber moved her head away.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt." Amanda twirled the hair in her fingers before turning her head back at her.
Saber closed her eyes, but only felt a slight yank. The tension on her hair disappeared and her hair moved back in place. Turning her head around, she saw her long lock of hair with the bow still attached. Amanda let out a sheepish smile.
"It grows back, if you ever stay Human long enough.
Saber returned the same smile. Her attention was suddenly redirected as her stomach experienced another churning feeling. She moaned.
"You okay?"
"I don't know," she whimpered. "I've been feeling this way since I became Human."
"Are you sure you're not just hungry?" asked Sam.
Saber nodded.
"Then you should go lie down."
Saber did so and as she walked to the cave she placed her hand on her stomach. The other was placed on a boulder and she leaned her weight against it. She took a few deep breaths while trying to hold something in. She soon lost and drew everyone's attention as she threw up.
She placed a hand over her mouth in shock. Sam came over and held her close for comfort as she started to tear up.
"What's wrong with me?"
"It's probably a side effect. You're not used to your new body." Sam then escorted her inside and laid her down.
Saber pulled the sleeping bag tightly around her and continued to cry. Sam wasn't sure what to do and began to walk out.
"Sam."
She stopped.
"Thank you," whispered Saber. "For your help."
Sam looked back and acknowledged with a light nod and left. She sat down with Amanda and Vaptech around the campfire.
"Tell me we have some kind of plan," spoke Amanda.
"Simple: we go in, rescue Xipher, and change them back," Vaptech said with pride.
Sam folded her arms. "That's the worst thought out plan ever," she scoffed. "We don't even know where their camp is."
"I do."
The girls gave him surprised looks.
"Since when?" asked Amanda.
"About two days ago."
"And you never told anyone because?"
"They were all over the place. Try finding two friends in a forest on an island without hollering."
Amanda looked over at Sam, who was staring into the fire. "Something on your mind?" Sam blinked a few times as her trance broke and she looked up to Vaptech. "How far away is the camp?"
"At least a half day's walk. Why?"
Sam looked at the cliff face. The shadow of the trees had risen almost to the top. "I say we get what rest we can and leave early tonight. Those Vortixx are going to get a rude awakening."

"What do you mean you lost her?!" yelled Deskera. "Vaptech!?"
Xipher sat with his back against the bars, picking up small bits of her conversation. The news of her escape gave him relief. However, Scott and the others didn't share the same feeling.
"So, Vaptech finally showed himself." Said Scott.
Xipher was quiet at first. "It was foolish of him to, but I am grateful he did."
"You really care about them, don't you?" asked Mike.
Xipher sighed. "Saber and Vaptech are all I have."
Scott moved himself closer
"What happened?"
Xipher was quiet for a moment. He brought his legs up and rested his head on them. "I don't want to talk about it," He said coldly while he stared at he floor.
"You sure?"
Xipher didn't answer. To end the awkward silence, Scott made the call for everyone to go to bed. Xipher stayed where he was until it got too cold. They were finally given blankets, but they were thin and did little, if anything, to keep them warm. He wrapped himself in one and decided not to sleep next to the others. It took a half hour of shivering to change his mind.