I started this wanting to create a simple novelization of the Hordika Animations for my novelized collection. However, I ended up not really liking the animations as a story, it turns out they’re pretty dry when translated into a medium that doesn’t have cool Samurai Jack esque action and animation. So, I decided to make something a bit more divergent from canon, a retelling of the same events with some changes. Here I have chapter 1, I will update the topic with each consecutive chapter. Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 1: Ta Metru
Norik and Gaaki quivered, holding their staffs up as they backed up against a pile of rubble. Surrounding them was a group of Visorak, charging viciously with venom dripping from their pincers. The two Rahaga jabbed at them with their staffs, but the attacks were futile. Gaaki lamented for a moment the loss of her Toa powers, before a shadow suddenly swept over them. In an instant, one of the Visorak was flung to the side, landing on it’s back.
With an enraged huff, Vakama stomped his large right foot onto the belly of the spider, pressing down until the beast stopped squirming. His gaze turned with a jolt to the other two, who had shifted their focus to the new opponent. He charged at the second, a blue boggarak, and jabbed forward with his blazer claws, sending the creature flying upon impact.
Seeing a window of opportunity, the final Visorak leapt through the air in an effort to surprise the Toa Hordika, but Vakama was too quick. He swiftly dodged to the side, and in an instant, fired his Rhotuka spinner, sending the beast flying off into the streets below. His enemies defeated, Vakama released a howl of victory.
“Well done, Vakama,” Norik said, helping Gaaki to her feet, “but mind your anger. The beast inside thrives on your rage.”
Vakama glared at the short elder, but said nothing for a moment. “What were you two doing all the way out here, anyway?” he finally asked, with ill disguised annoyance.
The two Rahaga shared a look. Gaaki nodded to her brother. “We were searching for something we had hidden here long ago,” Norik began, “something which would be beneficial to keep out of the Visorak’s clutches.”
“Before we took this form,” Gaaki continued, “we had liberated a powerful Kanohi mask from the Makuta. The Kanohi Avohkii, the Mask of Light.”
Norik nodded. “We kept it hidden in the Archives. But now, with Metru Nui compromised by Visorak, it would be wise to move it’s location.” He retrieved a tablet from his satchel, and placed it in Toa Vakama’s clawed hand.
The Toa Hordika of Fire simmered as he read over the tablet. “That,” he said, pointing to a circular depiction on the tablet, “what is that?”
“That,” Norik replied, “is the Makoki stone. It is divided into six fragments. Only when all six are collected can you unlock the seal that holds the Avohkii. The first was hidden in the Great Forge, here in Ta Metru. I recommend starting there.”
With a pause, Vakama set down the tablet and nodded. In an instant, he had taken off once more, darting across the ruined city and leaving the Rahaga behind.
“I worry for him,” Norik sighed, “I can sense his anger building.”
“We all have that anger,” Gaaki said, placing a hand on her fellow Rahaga’s shoulder, “it is what we do with it that determines who we are.”
“Then, for all our sakes, I hope he’s learned what to do with it.”
Not too long ago, Vakama had often walked through the metallic halls of the Great Forge, in his previous life as a Matoran mask maker. He had often spent his time hours after the other Matoran had returned home, toiling away at his seemingly impossible task of completing the Mask of Time for who he had believed to be Turaga Dume. Through the hours, he had grown used to the ambient metal groaning that echoed through the darkened halls.
Now, the Forge was in a state of eerily similar ambience. The midday suns bathed the halls in a warm orange light, but it did little to alleviate the cold air that hung over the ruined building. The dilapidated ruins made it difficult for any normal observer to pass through, and the Visorak webs only made it more hazardous.
Vakama walked in silence as he entered the main area of the Great Forge. The furnace, once constantly exhausting flames, now sat in silence. The Toa of Fire paused, scanning the area. The silence was eerie, yes, but it would work to his advantage. So long as he stayed still he could hear anything sneaking up on him.
Sure enough, the chittering sound of metallic fangs caught his attention.
Onewa ran at full tilt. Through a hole that had formed in the wall of the Great Forge, he watched as a swarm of Visorak spiders charged at Vakama, backing him up ever closer to the pit of idle magma below. His brother had been vigilantly fighting off the swarm, but sheer numbers had overwhelmed him. The Toa Hordika of Stone had just leapt through the gap in the wall as the Toa of Fire was shoved off of the edge, plummeting down into the lava pit below.
Thinking quickly, Onewa fired his Rhotuka launcher directly below Vakama, solidifying the lava into stone upon impact. Just in time, Vakama landed hard on the stone floor, only for Onewa to land on his feet right beside him.
“Too much for you to handle, brother?” Onewa laughed. “Come on, get up. These beasts are no Makuta.”
Vakama took a heavy breath, and chuckled as he grabbed his brother’s hand. “True enough, but there’s much more of them.” He got up to his feet with a grunt, and assumed a battle stance back to back with Onewa. “But against two Toa, how bad could they be?”
Onewa nodded with a chuckle. “Against these two, no less. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” With that, they charged their weapons back in unison as a seemingly endless sea of Visorak poured out over the upper level of the Great Forge. Onewa batted off the first few beasts that came charging down, swinging his claw clubs at the horde. Vakama charged his blazer claws, and unleashed a barrage of fire, reducing a few Visorak to ashes. Two keelerak landed at the Toa of Fire’s feet, but were just as quickly stomped upon.
The Toa of Fire let out a groan. “We’re getting nowhere. They just keep going.”
Onewa concurred as he looked up at the balcony from which the Visorak continuously threw themselves. “I’ve got an idea, though. Boost me?”
If Vakama was confused, he didn’t show any hesitation. He held out his clawed hand, and waited for Onewa’s foot to land on it. As soon as it did, he heaved up, tossing his fellow Toa into the air. Onewa waited until he reached the apex of his jump, and fired his Rhotuka at the balcony. As soon as he did, a wall of stone emerged from seemingly nothing, separating the two floors.
As soon as the barrier was created, the two Toa defeated the remaining Visorak with relative ease. At last, surrounded by a litter of spider corpses, the two sighed in exhaustion, taking a seat on the stone platform that had been created.
“What were you doing here, anyways?” Onewa finally asked.
Vakama handed him the tablet that he had been following. “I’m on a mission for the Rahaga. These Makoki stones will lead us to a great mask of power.” He let out a disgruntled groan. “Clearly, the Visorak have already found out about it.”
“Well, I’m surprised the mask isn’t in here. Look at this mess!” He gestured to the hundreds of discarded, incomplete Kanohi laying around in massive piles throughout the Forge.
Vakama’s eyes scanned over the vast hordes of masks. As a mask maker, he had gone through several failed attempts of masks he had made, but the most discarded attempts by far were results of his mission to craft the Mask of Time. The piles were mostly populated by discarded shards of what would’ve been the Vahi, but something within the the pile of rejects seemed to be… glowing?
Vakama looked over to Onewa, who had apparently already seen the same thing, as the Toa of Stone picked up a rock and chucked it at the pile of masks. Before Vakama could protest, hundreds of Kanohi masks flooded the floor, the pile spreading out everywhere. He gave Onewa a sarcastic smack against the head. “Proud of yourself? Now this place is even more of a mess.”
Onewa smirked, and gestured towards the remains of the pile. “Well, what’s that?”
Vakama looked to meet Onewa’s target of attention. Sure enough, laying on the floor amidst the masks, sat a small box, letting a golden light emanate from within it. The two Toa slowly approached, being careful not to step on any of the scattered masks, before at last Vakama picked up the box and slowly removed the lid. Inside, they discovered a small stone, seemingly a slice of an orb, faintly glowing golden.
Onewa glanced at the tablet that Vakama had handed him. “Sure enough,” he remarked, “looks like a Makoki stone to me.”
Before they could fully comprehend the new information, the sound of crumbling earth turned their attention upwards. Two Visorak fangs broke through the wall of stone. It wouldn’t be long until the barrier came down.
“Here,” Vakama said, handing the tablet to Onewa, “head to Po Metru and find the next stone. I’ll take this one and head to the Archives. I’ll meet you there.”
Onewa hesitated, but took the tablet into his hands. “Okay,” he said, “but be safe. Don’t want to have to rescue you again.”
Vakama let himself smirk. “You won’t have to worry about it.”
With that, Onewa ran for the entrance of the Forge, leaping across rubble and earth.
