*Three years after leaving home*

Xipher leaned back in his chair with legs crossed on the table. His eyes were shut and he heard two figures approach him.
"Are you Xipher?"
He opened his eyes and looked up at the Toa of Fire. Next to him was a Toa of Air, and neither appeared to be in a mood to for making friends.
"Yeah," he replied in an uninviting tone. "What about it?"
Both sat down on the opposite side.
"We're hoping you would assist us in a rescue mission." The Toa of Fire then gestured to the bartender for two drinks.
Xipher crossed his arms. "There's plenty of Toa of stone out there. So why choose me?"
The Toa of air spoke up. "While your lack of a happy-mood is a problem, we believe we'd benefit each other."
"I don't see how." he replied coldly.
"We get our brother back and you might be able to get answers." The Toa of Fire presented a small vial with a sickly green, transparent liquid.
Xipher carried an astound look on his face as he uncrossed his legs and leaned up against the table.
"Where did you get that?" he said in amazement.
"Our icy-brother was foot-tracking a smuggling operation in Xia. Figured it was something important. He sent it to us the same day he was quick-snatched."
Xipher gently held the container and examined it. "Do you know who was smuggling it or where too?"
The Toa of fire shrugged.
"Don't know where, but we do know who provided the means of getting it smuggled. However I can't promise you'll get the answers you want. But any lead is better than no lead."
Xipher thought about it, and then firmly clutched the vial and gave the Toa a stern look. "I'm in."

The iron bars opened and the Rahkshi pushed Sam in. The door creaked as it closed behind her. All she could see was pitch black, with the exception of a few small barred-windows what allowed moonlight to illuminate whatever it could touch. The light in her cell barely showed the outline of Mike. He was sitting on a bench against the wall, slumped over as he buried his face in his hands.
"Mike."
He didn't reply.
Sam slowly walked over and sat next to him. "Mike," she said more softly "I'm sorry this happened to you. If it makes you feel better he still doesn't know where they are."
He raised his face up and Sam looked into his watery eyes.
"It's not that, it's all of this. Even if we did make it home I don't want to go to my family looking like this."
"I'm sure he was bluffing about the antidote. Why have venomous creatures with you if you don't have a cure to go with it? After Scott and the others rescue us we'll find this…. Kee-to-non-gu and cure you." She noticed he didn't seem reassured by that.
"You mean if they come." He slumped back over.
Realizing this was going nowhere; she leaned on his shoulder and stared out into the darkness. Around her she could see a few faint pairs of glowing orbs. Even though she could only make out their eyes, it was uncomforting for her to see them all carrying the same expression: Hopelessness.

Sam stirred around until she was comfortable again being slumped over Mike's shoulder. A loud whisper shot out.
"Pst!"
Sam didn't hear it the first time.
"Pssst! Hey, wake up."
She slightly opened her eyes and closed them again. The half asleep Marine then leaned too far forward until gravity got a hold and pulled her farther. She woke up in a jolt, catching herself mid fall. Mike was oblivious as he kept snoring. She decided not to wake him up and had another look around.
The mid-morning light did a better job at illuminating the cells, but they were still very dim. However, they weren't dim enough to keep her from seeing her other inmates. They were short, nearly chest high with elongated torsos and short limbs. They had large hands and their fingertips almost touched their feet. All of them were of various colors and mask designs. The robot to her left was green, from across was a white one and with him a brown being. The next prisoner made her jaw drop.
"Mike." She shoved him.
He opened his heavy eyes and rubbed them. "What?" he yawned.
She pointed to the other inmate. "Tell me if I'm seeing things."
With eyes still heavy he looked over. His need for sleep was forgotten and he stood up with wide eyes and mouth partially a gaped. Across from them was a flight attendant huddled along the wall.
"Hi," she weakly smiled. But her tone wasn't cheerful. "Welcome to Destral."

"Xipher!"
The scream awoke him in a jolt. He frantically looked around the forest.
"Sister?"
"Xipher!"
He faced the direction it came from, eyes lit up in shock at the familiarity of the voice.
"Naromia!" Without hesitation he ran.
They exchanged cries until he found her. To his horror her cries were that of pain as she lay on the ground, scarred with cuts and bruises and a sword going through her torso.
"Naromia!" He got on his knees and held her head up. "Who did this to you?"
She choked. "Why didn't you come for us?"
He had a confused look across his face. "What?"
"Why are you letting them do this to us?"
"Sister what are you talking about? I would never allow such a thing."
A twig snapped behind him. He spun around and saw nothing. When he looked back at his sister he was shocked to see Sam in his arms. She had all the same injuries as Naromia. She stared at him with pleading eyes and spoke with both hers and his sister's voice.
"Then please, help us."
His ears twitched and he turned around in time to see Makuta Ruunaja smiling as he swung the end of his staff at his head.
Xipher screamed as he woke up. He frantically looked around and found no sign of his sister, Sam or Ruunaja. In fact there was no sign of anyone. The fire was smoldered and the camp void of Saber and the Marines. He got to his feet and walked to the head of the trail where several footprints, including Saber's trekked down the trail. His ears and spikes faced downward and he flared his teeth.
"Not on my watch," he growled.

When Saber saw Xipher running out of the forest she turned and ran at the Marines in a panic.
"Hurry, he's coming!"
Everyone began boarding the raft. Saber gave a final push. The raft moved and was finally far enough out to float. But not before Xipher splashed in and ran to the front of the raft, where he grabbed the platform and pushed back.
"What's wrong with you?!" he snarled.
"What's wrong with you?!" Scott snapped back.
"Don't change this towards me. You're the one stupid enough to lead a suicide mission."
"You're the one stupid enough to forget how to be a Toa."
Xipher's spikes rattled. Saber's ears and spikes went down and she sunk her head low.
"How dare you," he growled.
Saber spoke up. "Xipher, you-"
He gave her a dark glare. "Stay out of this!"
She whimpered and took a step back.
"Hey! Don't get mad at her. She's just trying to help," barked Scott.
"The only thing she's helping you with is getting away from that place."
"What is it with you and that island? Have you been there before?"
"No."
"Then why are you so afraid?"
Xipher paused. His mouth gaped slightly open as he tried to find his next words. "I-I," his shoulders sunk and his head went down. "I'm afraid you'll get killed… or worse."
Everyone was quiet. Scott sighed and scooted closer to Xipher.
"We're Marines. Death is part of the job. Under normal circumstances a better-trained and experienced group would be sent to save them, but right now we're the only ones who are available. We know we might die, but we'd rather die trying than abandon our comrades. Think of it this way, what would you do if Saber was in Sam and Mike's situation?"
Xipher looked up for a split second and put his head down as if ashamed.
"I- I'd save her." he muttered.
"Then please, help us save them."
Xipher looked up at him almost with surprise. He hesitated in answering and looked down again. "I will." he said reluctantly. "Just let me get Vaptech. We'll need everyone for this."
Scott wasn't completely satisfied with the answer. "You have till sunset."

"So I wasn't hallucinating. Ruunaja did attack a teenage girl," said Sam.
"What are you talking about?" asked Mike. "I don't remember seeing that."
"Because I got a look into his mind." She faced the flight attendant. "Do you know her? She has short, curly hair and wore a yellow shirt."
"That's Sarah," gasped Takara. "Those must have been her final moments. We were the only ones taken. What happened to the others is unclear."
"Wait, more are here?" Mike asked eagerly.
"Were. I was captured with three kids. They all died in recent experimentation."
Sam and Mike's jaws dropped. The flight attendant curled up and tried to hide the tears filling her eyes.
"And I'm next." She rubbed a bulge on her belly.
Mike shook his head and buried half his face in his hand. "Please tell me you're not."
She nodded. "They're very fascinated with him." She cried. "They want to see how it all works, and then they're going to take him away."
Sam covered her gaping mouth and sat down. "How can they be so cruel?" she whispered.
A male voice interrupted. "Um, excuse me,"
They looked to the cell on the left.
"What exactly is this process you all talk about?" asked the mechanical being.
"It's best you don't know," answered Mike. "You probably wouldn't understand any of it." He tilted his head at the robot. "What exactly are you guys anyway?"
"Matoran," he answered. "I'm Tiranu."
Sam walked over to the bars to get a better look at him.
"Has anyone tried to escape before?"
The green Matoran shook his head. "We gave up a long time ago. There are just too many guards out there."
Suddenly everyone was startled as the prison doors clanged open. Three Rahkshi marched in, one holding a chain with a metal collar attached to it. They stopped at Mike and Sam's cell. The Turahk holding the chain screeched at Mike. He stepped forward and replied with a roar. Sam looked at him with surprise.
A Vorahk drew out its staff, which then began to glow purple. Sam stared with amazement as she saw the energy being visibly drained from Mike. She could even feel her own strength begin to fail her and leaned against the bars for support. When Mike began to rely on his knees for support the Rahkshi entered and locked the collar around his neck. He let out a whimper and tried to get it off. With one hard pull on the chain he yelped and moved forward.
"Wait, where are you taking him?" demanded Sam.
They closed the door and walked away. Mike looked back with worry-filled eyes. Another hard yank reminded him to keep up with the Rahkshi. They escorted him down several hallways and into a large room where Ruunaja stood waiting with hands behind his back and feet apart.
"Mike," he said with cheerfulness. "How's your first day as a Hordika?"
Mike gave him a bitter look while the Rahkshi hooked the end of the chain on to an anchor in the ground.
"Silent treatment huh?" He chuckled and walked up to him. "So cute." Mike closed his eyes and pulled his head back in as Ruunaja rubbed his head. He pushed the Makuta's hand away.
"What do you want?" he snarled.
"I was hoping you were ready to tell me where your friends are hiding."
"Fat chance." he spat "You've already tortured and mutated me, there's nothing else you can do to make me talk."
"Oh I disagree." he said with a fat grin on his face. "I can still humiliate you." Lightning began to spark and crackle out of his hands. With a flick of his wrist it became a whip of lightning. "Lets see how well you obey commands." His tone turned serious and sharp. "Now kneel."

Perched on a branch, Xipher bellowed out a deep and low call. His ears shot up and like radar dishes scanned around for any reply. There was nothing but chattering Rahi.
"Vaptech where are you?" he said with worry.
"Xipher."
He looked down at Saber, who stood on the beach.
"It's time."
He looked up at the sky. Clouds changing their hue to purple accompanied the red-orange sky. His spikes and ears went down. "Coming." He leaped off the branch and onto the sand, where they then walked over to the raft. Scott climbed on top and locked eyes with Xipher.
"Well?"
"Couldn't find him."
The Marine folded his arms. "We'll have to go without him then."
"I know." he replied in a disappointed tone.
Daniel took a step on the raft. Xipher grabbed him by the collar and helped him over. He and Saber then pushed the craft into the water. When they were knee deep they jumped on board. Oscar and Josh then raised the makeshift sail and a gentle breeze blew it forward.
"So what's the plan?" asked Xipher.
Scott sat at the front end of the raft. He looked over his shoulder with a look of confidence.
"Well, I was thinking that once in we'd use your sense of smell to track them."
"You make it sound too easy." he replied, with his tone doing the criticizing.
"If we're covert enough, it will be."

Sam was about to go to sleep when the doors opened up. She jumped to her feet and ran to the cell door. Two Rahkshi dragged the moaning Hordika by the arms and when the cell doors were opened, threw him in. Rather than run out, she ran to Mike's aid.
"Are you alright?"
She tried to move his large body over, but pulled back when he began to get up on his own.
"No." he growled. "I had to deal with Ruunaja again. He tried to make me his lap dog!" He took a moment to settle down. "What about you?"
"I've been talking with Takara. Turns out there are more of us out there. Men, women, children, they're struggling to survive, and no one knows about it but the Makuta and the natives on that island. What's most disturbing is that both them and us arrived in this world around the same time."
Mike took a moment to contemplate it all.
"Mike,"
He looked up.
"We have to tell Scott and the others about this."
"We have to escape first," he moped. His stomach growled, and he looked around until he saw a bowl sitting by the wall.
"Is that dinner?"
"Yeah. I left some for you," she answered softly. As he crawled towards the food, she tilted her head. "Are you feeling okay? You've kind of been acting like-"
Mike went head first and devoured his meal in a few bites. The scene left her speechless for a moment.
"An animal."
"It's the venom," said Tiranu. "It not only mutated him into a monstrous version of himself, but slowly the beast within will take complete control of him. By that point the venom will be permanent."
Mike perked his head up. "So there is a cure."
"A myth. Keetongu's kind went extinct ages ago."
Mike's hopeful expression turned to devastation. He slowly faced the ground and shook his head.
"Mike," Sam said in a comforting voice.
When she placed a hand on his shoulder he jerked away and walked to the opposite side of the cell. His breathing became deeper. Sensing she should give him time to himself, she sat down. Even from across the cell she could hear him vent through his nostrils. Suddenly he clenched his fist and punched the bars. Everyone jolted in surprise.
Slowly his fist relaxed and dropped, while his other hand grabbed onto a bar. He placed his forehead against the bars and he choked up, fighting back his tears. No one dared say anything to him. But right as Sam was about to turn her head away she noticed something different about the bars.
"Mike? Was that dent there before?"
He didn't respond. She stood up and walked over to him. Delicately she grabbed his wrist and positioned his hand in the same spot he punched. His fist fit perfectly into a two-inch deep dent in the steel bar. Mike turned his head and stared at it.
Sam looked up at him. "You don't think?"
"It's worth a try."
She stood back while he grabbed two bars. He began to flex. Slowly the bars squealed in opposition as they began to pull apart. Takara and the Matoran stood up and watched with awe. Soon he had pulled them far enough apart that he could squeeze through. Once out he took a step back to take it all in.
"This is it," he gasped. "This is our way out."

The raft bobbed up and down while the Marines on board gazed up at the hundred foot cliffs above them. They stretched left and right for miles with no end in sight.
"So," said Josh. "Still think this is going to be easy?"
"I don't see any other option," replied Scott. He handed a long, wound up rope to Xipher.
The two Toa jumped onto the cliff and began to scale upwards. The cliff eventually became a smooth wall of stone and they dug their claws in to get a hold. When they reached the top, Xipher scanned around. There was no immediate sign of Rahkshi. They climbed over and while Xipher did a quick scan ahead, Saber fastened the rope along a nearby pillar. Then she tossed the other end over the wall, where it unwound itself and reached the boat.
One by one the Marines held onto the rope and scaled cliff. When they all reached the top they were meet with an overwhelming view of the base. The soft, eerie glow of light stones along buildings revealed a stronghold that stretched for miles in every direction.
"Where do we even start?" asked Daniel.
Xipher pointed to a dome building a half-mile a way. "That looks like a laboratory. It's probably our best bet."
They made quick dashes from walls to piles of crates and barrels and sometimes backtracked as they avoided patrols of Rahkshi. Soon they were hiding in an alleyway leading to the front doors. Two Rahkshi guarded the entrance, a Turahk and a Panrahk. Xipher faced the Marines and placed a finger to his lips.
Silently he crept up to the guards, his cloak blended him with the shadows. When he got right behind them he tapped their shoulders. They chirped and turned around. Like a bullet he snatched the Kraata out of their armor before they could even screech. The suits fell to the ground like dolls.
The muted Kraata squirmed and wriggled around. He took them to the wall and smashed their bodies against the stone until they were dead. Saber ran over and the duo pulled the Rahkshi armor out of view and into the dark alley. They ran back to the door and working together, they pushed it open. Xipher gave the Marines the signal and one by one they ran in. They then closed the door right before another patrol passed by.
"Xipher, I have their scent," said Saber.
Xipher took a few whiffs near the ground. "I do too. It's faint, but traceable."
Scott readied his gun. "Lead the way."

"I don't like this," whispered Takara.
"Just stay close okay?" reassured Mike.
Quietly he, Sam, Takara and the three Matoran sneaked their way through hallways. Mike then stopped at a vent. He grabbed the bars and right before he bent them Tiranu spoke out.
"No!" he whispered. "We tried the vents and the drains. Kraata heavily patrol them."
"Then what haven't you tried?"
The Matoran shrugged.
"The front door?" another Matoran replied sarcastically. Mike was not impressed with the answer.
Sam flinched and tapped Mike on the shoulder. "I hear one coming." Everyone scrammed to the corner. Sam peeked her head out and saw a small patrol of Rahkshi on the other side of the hall passing by.
"This is getting too risky." She wiped the sweat off her face. "We need a weapon."
"But where do we find one?" snapped Mike.
"A guard maybe?"
"We don't know how to use their staffs."
Takara interrupted them. "Guys, there's another one coming."
They all flatten themselves against the wall. The heavy footsteps of a lone Rahkshi echoed through the halls. Mike slowly tiptoed to the edge of the corner and waited. Soon a Kurahk walked passed. It stopped and noticed the escapees. Mike pounced and hung on to it by the shoulders. The Rahkshi staggered back a bit and opened its head armor. As it screeched Mike went in and bit the head. He pulled it out and bit harder until he heard a crunch. The Kraata went limp.
The armor dropped and released its staff. Sam watched with disgust and concern as he spat the Kraata out of its mouth.
"Mike I'm worried about you. You're acting like a savage beast."
"I'm fine." he growled, and then picked up the staff.
"No you're not. Just look at you. You roar, growl, hiss, and then you fight like an animal instead of a Marine."
Mike tightened his grip. "I said I'm fine."
"Well see about that when we make it out. Then we'll have Oscar evalu-" Mike spun around and roared. "I'm fine!"
Sam flinched and jumped back against the wall. The Matoran cowered behind her. After several deep and heavy pants Mike's eyes opened wide and he took a step back while rubbing the side of his head.
"I- I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me."
"It's the staff," said the Ko-Matoran, "It has the power to make people angry."
Mike immediately tossed the staff aide.
"I don't think that was the staff," said Tiranu. "It's the beast within."
Mike had a worried look in his eyes. For a while his mouth opened and closed, trying to find something to say. He then looked at his hands. "It's just like in the monster movies." They weren't the words he was looking for at all and it reflected in his face and stance.
"Mike you're not a monster and you know that. Deep down you're a Marine. You're Human."
For a moment her words seemed to have sunk in. But when he spoke his voice was filled with doubt.
"Thanks," he said softly "I needed that."
Her shoulders sunk. "At least try to remember that."
He acknowledged with a glance and then walked down the hallway. They followed him until they were about to reach another corner. Mike stopped and raised his hand in the air. She and the others froze. Mike looked over his shoulder and slightly jerked his head sideways. Sam nodded and went with him, backs against the wall as they tiptoed to the corner.
A shadow walked along the opposite wall. It seemed to be alone and rather small compared to a Rahkshi. Mike faced Sam and with hand signals suggested their plan of attack. She nodded and they both readied themselves. But right as they were about to pounce, Sam noticed the shadow's shape. It had a certain familiarity to it. The round, domed head, arms seemingly short, compared to every robotic creature she's meet, and it was holding something that resembled a gun. There was no denying it. They were about to ambush a Marine.