| It
happened long ago, when the world was young, and evil was new.
A pattern was set, that neither good nor evil would rule, that
a balance would exist. But the darkness, by nature, was greedy...
Darkness wished to rule.
When the elements were being empowered
by the god of the world, Mata Nui, not all were taken. Some were
corrupt- four dark elements. Famine, Pestilence, War, and Death.
They easily tainted Mata Nui's corrupt brother... Seduced by their
power. And, like the six elements of good, they formed Toa. Dark
Toa...
A war shook the world as good and evil
clashed, crushing land and mountains, forest and plains, until
but one island remained. And there, upon the peak of Ihu, good
made a final stand.
“KOPAKA!” cried Tahu, Toa of Fire. His
opponent took this distraction as an opportunity to swipe a blow
at Tahu, using its giant scythe. The red Toa only just ducked
in time, and blasted a flame bolt at Death. Death, the leader
of the Dark Toa, was very much like his name. Every living thing
he touched was weakened, crippled. Plants died and wildlife were
destroyed as he walked. His mask was a Skeleton Hau, with protruding
cheekbones and sharp cornered edges. His body was pale like the
moon, and he carried the scythe. Tohunga feared the sight of the
scythe; it was too long, too sharp.
“Tahu! TAHU! Help… ME!” screamed Kopaka, the Toa of Ice. He was
being crushed by Pestilence, the horrible, crusty, disease ridden
Toa. Kopaka could smell it’s putrid breath on his face. Tahu tried
to help, but Death kept him busy. The six Toa were on the verge
of defeat…
A large crowd had gathered around a small
podium in Ta-Koro. The audience was rapt with attention. The Tohunga
on stage turned round, and began to speak.
“I believe that we all have a chance to prove ourselves. I believe
that everyone will, one day, face their destiny. And I believe
that this is our destiny, and our chance!
“This moment… will forever prove our character. Will you be a
hero? Or will you be a coward? Will you stand and fight? Or will
you run and hide? Will you prove yourself worthy of being a Tohunga
of Mata Nui?
“My friends… are you ready?”
The crowd of Ta-Koronans cheered madly, banging on dustbins and
walls. The thunderous shaking stopped, as Kaiwera held up his
hand.
“I want the guard to set traps for the Rahi. I want all available
men and boys fitted out with discs and armour. We may have let
them in before, but by Mata Nui we’re not going to do it again!”
“Toa! We must work together to destroy
them! We are weak on our own, we must combine our strength!” shouted
Toa Gali over the din of the battle.
“But Gali wait… what is this?”
The battle atop Ihu stopped.
Six villagers of the island stood proudly on the slopes, bearing
swords and armour. One from each village, with no apparent fear
of the Dark Toa. Kaiwera stepped forward.
“You’ve outstayed your welcome, and we’re here to kick you out.”
“Whhhhhy should weee beee arfraidd of somme… PITIFUL little band
like yoursss?” wheezed famine, grinning madly.
“I never said you should be afraid. We’re here to kill you, not
scare you.”
A rumbling began. The Dark Toa were laughing, sneering at the
six little Tohunga, trembling in the cold. Darkness didn’t notice
the Toa slipping away, moving closer to each other.
“We could crush you like FIKOU if we wanted to,” sneered War,
“Those weapons will not harm us, they are too big for you to carry!”
“Perhaps,” Kaiwera agreed, looking down on his sword. But when
he looked up, there was fire in his eyes. “But those will.”
The Dark Toa whipped round to find themselves in the way of six
elemental attacks. Screaming, darkness turned back on the Tohunga,
only to find they weren’t there.
“What the-”
“AAAAAAAIIIEEEEE!” screeched Kikia, a Po-Koronan, as he landed
on Death’s head, smashing the skeletal face with the butt of his
sword…
"Darknessss, darknessss shall rule
thisss island. FOOL! Join usss or die!"
Kopaka threw himself back from the wide slash from the putrid
green Toa before him. It recovered from the miss quickly, and
thrust it's spear forwards, coming very close to impaling the
Toa of Ice. Kopaka twisted away, and looked carefully at his enemy.
It was Uruta, the Dark Toa of Pestilence, the second of the Four
Dark Toa of the Apocalypse. A filthy deep green he was, and had
a build similar to that of Pohatu. However, his legs were further
back, giving the impression of a potbelly. His mask, looking somewhat
like a Kanohi Kakama, had tusks emerging from the 'cheeks' and
nose line. From one side towards the rear, a spear type pole emerged.
His body had touches of brown mixing in with the green, and holes
were present in his armoured 'skin'. Inside, wires and tubes were
visible, and insects could be seen crawling around. Flies seemed
to swarm around him constantly. This, thing was an insult to the
word Toa. It was the most disgusting creature in existence. And
by Mata Nui, he would kill it or die in the attempt. With a cry,
Kopaka charged and swung at it. It span round, reaching out with
one arm at the base of the spear, giving the counter considerable
range. The Toa of Ice halted, raising his weapon to the right,
hilt upwards to stop it taking his head off. Thankfully, the parry
succeeded, and he followed it up by dragging his sword back upright,
taking the spear with him. The simple move threw Uruta off balance,
making him stagger to keep from falling on his back.
Kopaka quickly took the advantage and slashed.
Uruta managed to duck, narrowly missing the blow. Realising that
being off balance would only get him killed; the Dark Toa leant
forwards and ran past the Toa of Ice. Kopaka was moving with his
slash, but was not quite quick enough- he only succeeded in taking
a chip out of one of the 'wings' on Uruta's mask.
They were now a distance away from each
other, and as they both came to a halt they turned. Their eyes
met, and Kopaka couldn't help but feel sickened at the sudden
look of glee that came into Uruta's eyes. The Dark Toa raised
his spear in one hand, and gestured at the Toa of Ice. 'Bring
it on,' was the unspoken message.
The Dark Toa jumped forwards, and began
to make a series of thrusts with his long weapon. The size of
it prevented Kopaka from getting anywhere close, so he deflected
the blows. Until he caught the perfect one.
He parried it well, knocking the spear
to the side. He stepped forwards, taking his sword in both hands,
and brought it down on his opponent. The attack would have cleaved
a Nui-Rama in two, but here it was merely deflected by the pole
of the spear, which had somehow been brought up to protect it's
owner. Uruta thrust his spear upwards, forcing Kopaka back. He
then swung wildly, but Kopaka ducked easily. He swung again, but
before it hit, the Toa of Ice had leapt up and back, putting him
out of range of his enemy. They stood a distance from each other,
both thinking of how to dispatch their opponent. Uruta, apparently,
felt that the best way was to attempt to discourage Kopaka.
"Sssee?" his hissing voice spoke. "You shall not
defeat me, boy. I am more powerful than any sssingle Toa. Join
usss, and rule the island with usss! Brother!"
"I am no Brother of yours," Kopaka said, followed by
kicking some dirt in the Dark Toa's direction. He used it as cover
to unleash a new attack, forcing Uruta back. The Dark Toa was
clearly not expecting this, and only managed to stop the Toa of
Ice by using it's elemental force: a sudden blast of flies shot
at Kopaka, making him take a few steps back. Kopaka looked around.
They were at the peak of Mount Ihu, making a last stand against
the Dark Toa of the Apocalypse. The sky was dark and pulsed with
purple lighting, and the very land seemed to radiate evil. And
this was only their first time on the island. Suddenly, a cry
interrupted his thoughts. A white Tohunga ran past him, wielding
a rather long sword. He ran at the Dark Toa, who simply laughed
at him.
"Fool! You think you defeat me?" He was in for a surprise.
The Tohunga leapt at him, the sword already swinging with lethal
intent. Uruta barely recovered in time, jerking his head back
from where the blade was about to hit him. It did miss his face.
But not his mask.
The filthy thing was smashed by the sword. The two halves fell
to the ground with a heavy clang, as the Tohunga dropped lightly
down by them. He held his sword out to the ready, and backed up
to Kopaka who as watching him in shock.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Pirihi, great Toa! I couldn't sit by whilst you fought,
so I came with my friends to help!"
Kopaka looked around to see a Tohunga from each village battling
on the summit. He couldn't help but feel a sudden sense of… pride?
Honour? Either way, he was going to defeat this Dark Toa.
"My lad, I admire your spirit. Be careful-"
He was cut off by a cry, signalling that Uruta had recovered.
He engaged him again, but after a brief duel Kopaka was knocked
to the floor by another blast of flies. Pirihi stood by his Toa,
ready to die for him. The Dark Toa charged, and with speed that
should be impossible for someone of his size, kicked the Tohunga
in the stomach. He flew back, and came very close to the edge
of the mountain. Pirihi growled, and got to his feet. As Uruta
came to finish him off, he leapt up into the air. Uruta grabbed
him, just as the Tohunga thrust his sword into the enemy's body.
The Dark Toa of Pestilence gave out a yell, and staggered back.
Utterly infuriated, he simply threw Pirihi from the top of Ihu.
The brave warrior fell without a cry, accepting his death. Kopaka
though, was completely different. He ran to the edge, and leant
over it as the villager fell. Slowly, he dropped to his knees.
"Look out!" a gruff voice said from behind him. He turned,
just in time to dodge an attack that would have cut him in two.
In a cry of rage, Uruta came in for another blow. Kopaka knew
even then that he could not avoid this attack.
But he didn't have to.
Tahu strode in, saving him for the second time. Swearing revenge
on this pitiful creature, Kopaka rose and charged.
The Tohunga stood by their heroes to fight
till death. Death came shortly for them, but their sacrifices
saved the island, and what remained of the population.
The six Tohunga were blessed by Mata Nui
for their bravery and courage, and became his Chosen warriors,
to assist the Toa when they were to be called, to be reborn when
the world was in peril. The villagers were thankful, monuments
were erected in the Chosen’s honour, and the inhabitants named
their island in honour of Mata Nui, their generous god.
Like an iron fist, Rahi and dark places
now enclose the island, forcing the Tohunga to split up into villages,
in order to defend themselves from Makuta. Infection runs wild
and free, and anyone it touches becomes enslaved by the dark lord.
But history became legend, and legend became myth. A few remembered
the Chosen, and eagerly awaited their return, for they would come.
It was destiny.
Because time flows like a river...
And history repeats... |
