Core War: Standoff

All Tarix could see was the blood stained of heroes, his eyes closed and opened in a confusing blurr. His Army were fighting against the strongest legion on Spherus Magna, The Fire Army led by Ackar! Swords and Shields counter attacked in an amazing display of fighting, unfortunatly the War had led members of diffrent tribes to drain the Energized Protodermis, which had slowly started spreading into the regions of Spherus Magna, for themselves. The source was dangerous and direct contact had meant death to unlucky Agori...

"Sir, Ackar and his forces are rushing past our warriors, we can't keep holding them off, they'll eventually destroy us!" screamed a Water Soldier
"If we let them win the sacrifice of our allies will be in vain, we will stand and fight Warrior!" exclaimed Tarix

The Water Warrior started firing his long-ranged weapons at incoming Fire Agori warriors. Ackar watched his Soldiers perish at the guns of his enemies. Ackar grabbed his Sword and ran rapidly, his fury great. He eliminated his opponents in single, powerful strikes. Ackar continued on feeling no happiness in the termination of his Tribe and even his enemies. Tarix quickly got up and pounced onto the back of Ackar, he pulled Ackar down and disarmed the Fire Commander. After two of Ackar's advanced Elite Warriors, Incendiz and Flamma, kicked Tarix away from their Commander. Fire Warriors launched in Assault All-Terrain Vehicles which decimated the Water troops. Tarix sensed the fate of battle, however jumped up and in an impressive play of swordsmanship; disarmed Incendiz and Flamma and weakened their armour.

"Surrender and call of your soldiers Ackar and we will let you and your army live!" ordered Tarix
"Never, I will not concede and I will not lose!" replied Ackar
"Sorry then Ackar but I can't allow you to win, Water Lord's orders, Kirbraz activate the Turrets!" shouted Tarix

Luckily Incenduz used his Shield to block the Turrets painful and disentrigating ammunition, Ackar thanked his comrade and called his soldiers to fall back. The Water Soldiers mistook this for surrender and was ambushed by Malum who led a small platoon of Fire Soldiers. A lot of Warriors perished in the attack. Tarix saddened by the loss called of the attack. Malum asked to pursue and capture but Ackar decided to instead capture the source of contained energy and bring back to Vulcanus to which Malum reluctantly agreed.

Core War: Warfare I

"We will march through this place and end the War, with the Rock Tribe being the victor!" exlaimed Stronius the Commander of the Skrall Legion

The Skrall legion shouted in ferociousity, it's raucous sound heard from miles away where Vastus, commander of his Jungle Army, moved up through the calm whispers of the Jungle. They were expecting to intercept various Ice Tribe Convoys, containing Protordermis Boxes, but the Rock Tribe also knew about the Convoys and were ready to take the Energy for themselves! Two massive armies, the Jungle Legion and the Rock Batallion were going to clash in the tip of the spear.

"Where are the Convoys then Field Commander Vastus?" asked Irox
"They are coming directly west from this position, our objective is to take down the convoys without causing the energy to go volatile, might be a difficult task but this is war!" exclaimed Vastus
"Umm Sir, we've got some Rock Soldiers approaching us, what's your command!" asked Gigha
"Oh great company, Soldiers take your positions, Agori Warriors stay behind the Warriors, Warriors ready your Launchers, fire on my mark. I will take on Stronius!" ordered Vastus
"Ready your weapons!" shouted a combatant
"3. 2. 1. FIRE!" exclaimed Vastus

The Skrall Battalion charged through the Jungle Tribe, swords clashed shots were fired. Stronious was an expert in War, his strategies were excellent, even for a brute like him his expertise in War was amazing. Stronius lashed out with his club, some of the Warrior-Class Skrall leaping into the scene and moving while fighting Jungle Tribe Combatants. Vastus led the way using his powerful venom spear, he incapicitated and destroyed enemies with his volatile enemies, his power was great. His ferociousity strong and his tactics excellent but would they win this battle?

After even a few minutes of war, lots of warriors layed in nature they were dead, their armor completly destroyed and a barren shell holding once powerful warriors. Skrall however were dominating the battle but Vastus had a preparation incase of battle and with that he whispered commands to the Spikit Riders who drove their War Machines into the Danger Zone. Warriors sat in the back seat firing their Thornax Weapons decimating the Skrall Legion. Eventually only Stronius and a couple of Skrall remained. The two Armies had varied from 125 down to 6 each. Vastus and the remaining Soldiers fought until eventually the two armies withdrawed from their battle as they spotted an Ice Caravan heading south to Lein's Drift.

"This battle isn't over insect!" shouted Stronius
"Yes Brute this battle is over but another one is about to take place!" answered Vastus

They headed of to Lein's Drift for another battle, however another battle was taking place in the Great Jungle. The Field of Mist is yet another location of war!

Core War: Dead or Alive

Malum struck first at the Ice Warrior Strakk, Tarix quickly intervened and used his weapons to push them both away. Malum regained his approach and charged at Tarix and Strakk who were caught in their battle. Yaga jumped down from the roof and blocked his attack. Ackar helped Malum in taking out Yaga, who was knocked unconscious. Vastus and Leko fired their Launchers and struck at the two fire warriors in cohesion. After the warriors were caught in battle and shortly taken out by Gelu and his precision targeting. Strakk quickly got up and prepared to kill Tarix until Kirbraz jumped in the way and tackled the seemingly large Glatorian. Tarix defended the Agori and the battle quickly resumed!

"Enough of this!" groaned the Element Lord of Ice

After he got Strakk, Gelu, Surel and the others and quicly froze the opposing tribes. 'That should do it' he thought to himself. Unfortunatly Ackar and Malum broke free as did the others. Luckily the Agori managed to grab a sample and retreated. Surel opened fire as the other tribes all ran in diffrent directions. The Skrall remained and fought tremendously against the Element Lord. Kurahk had other ideas and broke the Skrall's armor until nothing remained but deceased corpses.

They laughed at the Skrall's resistance. Then Kirbold noticed a fraction of the sample gone. The Tribes had all taken a sample of the energy. He showed it to the Element Lord of Ice.

"Take a look at this my Lord!" exclaimed Kirbold
"So they have managed to take some for themselves, I knew my 'brothers' would take this hastily so I have gathered a legion of my own, We will crush all resistance if we must. We will WAGE WAR!"

And so it begins a War created by a situation so stupid. Instead of thinking the Agori and Glatorian species decided to jump feet-first into hell. This would cost them, not just lives, not just buildings, but the entire planet would be lost...

Core War: Investigation

A few days ago, a handful of the Fire Tribe ventured out into Iconox to find out more about a recent discovery, what information they would find was a mystery but they know it is a source of energy unlike what has been previously discovered on Spherus Magna. But would they get to it anway?

"So we're en route to a location in the Ice Regions!" groaned Crotesius
"Yes Agori we are travelling to the Ice Fortress, we have to find out more about this ENERGIZED PROTODERMIS!" muttered Ackar
"Those fools dare to control the Item alone, they wouldn't know what to do with a sandwich let alone what to do with a really powerful source of energy," sneered Malum "We could control it and we could dominate it and benefit the whole of the PLANET!"
"Easy Malum, we don't know exactly what they are doing, maybe once they've analysed it they will find out how it can work best for the entire planet rather than keeping it for themselves!" replied Kyry

Meanwhile...
At the Ice Village, the Element Lord of Ice was discussing with the Agori Ice Leader on the current situation. They decided that it would be for the best purpose if the Protodermis was kept to further examine but the other Lords did not take that idea and had also sent Units to take the source for themselves. The Roof started cracking and broke-the glass hurting a single Agori- someone had arrived.

"Who could this possibly be?" grunted the Element Lord
"Intruders definetly, ready your weapons soldiers, they have probably found out about the source!" answered Surel

Surel's suspicions was confirmed when he saw Malum, Tarix, Vastus, Yaga and an Elite Skrall. The Battle had come to them. The First Battle in a great and ravaging War! Who would claim the source.

Storyline?

Hey guys, my friend and i were thinking of a story line that is a pre-quel to the Bara Magna stuff. Remember the maze? And the cube? Well a great being was dispatched to place the cube back in the maze and re-activate the guardians. He successfully places the cube, but when he brings back the guardians, something goes wrong. They become dark and twisted, and run away from the maze towards the agori settlements. They call themselves the Skrall (This would explain why they have the mazes on their shields, and why they suddenly appear out of nowhere. What say you?

Another 2.0 Review

Breez 2.0 Review

Core War: A Strange Discovery

The cold winter rushed past Iconox, Village Home to the Ice Tribe, as several Ice Workers drilles through the heavy snow layers. The Ice Elemental Lord watched over them. After a few minutes a light shined in the shadow of darkness. They had found something, something very powerful. Could this be the start of a war?

"I think we've found something!" exclaimed an Ice Driller
The Element Lord went to analyse for a closer look.
"Indeed, hm what power is this?" replied the Element Lord
"Surel, take a unit out to bring this back to our Fortress in Iconox!" ordered the Element Lord

Surel did as commanded and led a Glatorian and 3 Agori to bring the Item-known as Energized Protodermis- back to the Village. Surel stared into the vast area, apparently looking for enemies. None, he did find. Unfortunatly Perditus was spying on the Ice Mines and now he had located the Proterdermis. He later told the Information to Ackar and the Element Lord of Fire.

"So the Lord of Ice has found this Source of Energy and hasn't told the other villages about this recent discovery!" shouted the Fire Lord
"Yes Sir!" answered Perditus
"Gather a Squad and investigate!" ordered the Fire Lord

They did as commanded and Malum, Crotesius, Ackar and Kyry would deploy to the Southern area of Iconox to locate the Ice Fortress. After two days word spread about the new source of energy to each village, their Lords gathered their Elemental Legions ready for a full-scale all-out War!

Hero Factory 2.0 Reviews

Hero Factory 2.0 Reviews:
The people at BZPower got there hands on some of the 2011 Hero Factory Sets (2.0)
Anywho there are tons of pictures and teasers, so here are the links to the sets...
Evo Review
Furno 2.0 Review

Regards
-Biomaniac

2: The Stolen Mask, Part:2

Tahu, Gresh and Kiina, along with Karni the chronicler, left the lush green jungle that now covers Bara Magna and went into one of the few remaining deserts on the planet.

"So were are we going?" Tahu asked.

"Roxtus" Gresh replied. "With Makuta gone, Tuma and the Skrall are the only other ones I can think of who hate Mata Nui that much."

"What about that Agori traitor... Metus" Tahu asked.

"Well he might of stole it but if he did then the mask is long gone. That low-life could be anywhere on this planet."

"Or right here." Said a all to familiar voice. It was Metus still the snake that Mata Nui had transformed him into when he stopped his plan to destroy the Agori and Glatorian.

Kiina sprang into action. "Were is it! Were is the mask."

"I do not have it." Metus replied calmly even though he had Kiina's aqua trident dangerously close to his throat. "But I wouldn't waste your time in Roxtus. The Skrall will have no use for it any more."And with that Metus dispersed into the sands from which he came.

"What did he mean by we would be wasting our time in Roxtus." Gresh wondered.

"I don't know." Kiina said. "But he is obviously lying."

"Or is he." Tahu said. "I heard not fear in his words."

"Yeah." Kiina said. "He's good at that."

"But what would Metus want with the mask of life." Gresh said.

"If he has it." Kiina reminded Gresh.

"I don't know." Tahu said. "But I don't like it."

"Well lets just continue on to Roxtus." Kiina said. "If we trust our instincts then we will find the Mask and its thief."

To Be Continued...

Demolition Chapter 3

"Is that Takanuva?" said Gelu completley astonished
"The Cavalry has arrived!" replied Takanuva

In a sheer burst of force he destroyed all of the enemy soldiers with a powerful, pure light of energy. Kurahk jumped from the blast and struck back. Using his Magnetic Elemental Power he seperated the Power Lance from Takanuva's grip. Kurahk then attacked fearlessly and ferociously at the surprised Toa. Kurahk overpowered Takanuva's blocks and counter-attacks and kicked him away. Takanuva got up and charged with a concentrated glare.

Kurahk then thought "Is Death the only thing inevitable in this world. This is a standoff that will not end. Time to turn the Tide..."

Kurahk gathered all his strength and punched Takanuva back causing a massive explosion in the battlefield. Kurahk grabbed Gresh and got out his Force Rifle. He threatned to kill Gresh unless Takanuva surrendered. Takanuva got on his knees and surrendered as two Dropships landed in the cold, frozen snow. As Kurahk let go, Takanuva attacked unleashing his Force Blaster and demolishing the Two Dropships. Unfortunatly the Soldiers had waked up from their unconscious nightmare and started Hammering away at the Toa and Glatorian. Takanuva bravely fought...

"Everyone retreat, I'll hold them off, get to the extraction zone outside of the Echo Command Base where all surving soldiers are being evacuated, I'll draw their fire." exclaimed Takanuva.
Everyone Else nodded and ran to their APC Extraction Convoy.

Takanuva battled valiantly until all that could be seen was a groaning, enormus bottle of wind crashing through the Battlefield. Gelu, Tarix, Gresh, Ackar, Weaseye and all the other Glatorian had survived today but Hell had arrived in Iconox and the last APC was en route to the Facility in North Tesara.

As they arrived in the Tesara Facility they were taken to an Underground Bunker. Gresh realized the situation was serious when he saw Vakama. The former Toa Metru were speaking about a raid and about casualties. Raanu and Tarduk also were attending the meeting.

"This is a bad situation my friends, Stronious and his Skrall are forming up to lead an entire legion from the south of Roxtus. Thrall are also sending Typhoon Class Strike Teams to bomb the centre area. Even worse, Kurahk has now completly taken Iconox and M-56 Battle Tanks are now driving to launch fire on our Strongholds!" explained Whenua

"Well if we have Spec-Ops Units deployed into the Tanks Docks we can sabotage the vehicles or destroy them!" replied Onewa

"It does not matter, even If we destroy the Tanks; Megazarak and his forces still come from the south to bomb the area and Stronious will lay siege to Vulcanus. They have the entire border of Vulcanus completly surrounded." answered Matau

"If we place an E.P-E.M.P from the Spire we can disable all machinery in the 200mile Radius." said Nuju

"Right we block all aircraft and Ground Hostiles but the Foot Skrall Warrior will still lay waste to the land" exclaimed Nokama

"Glatorian and Toa Warfare Teams will have to defend from the Skrall then no questions asked!" shouted Raanu

Eventually the Plan was worked out but would there be enouth to defend from the Skrall, 40 Toa alive- more than 1/2 are in operations and only around 12 Glatorian. Can they defend from the shadow that lurks in the night...

Remember

Hi,

I've just been on You Tube looking and listening to old Bionicle song from the years. I am making this post because, for me, listening to Bionicle Music really takes you back and makes you remember the good old days, with Bionicle. Here are some songs to search for:

Gravity Hurts

Closer to the Truth

Blow me Away

Bye Bye Babylon

Bring me to Life

Those are a few of many Bionicle songs through the years that make you remember all that has happened over the last Decade and maybe what's to come if Bionicle returns. Please share your thoughts,

matanui,

Demolition Chapter 2

Sokore slashed and slashed with his Spear until Leko could take no more and took the next transport to deploy into the fiery pit of Spherus Magna. General Kurahk and his S.C.Y.T.H.E Soldiers blasted with their Assault Rifle at Nuva and his Squad. Gelu and Gresh jumped onto the scene and managed to mortally wound a hefty number of Soldiers while Tarix performed Medical Attention to Weaseye, Ackar and Leko. Bruticus later charged at the opposing enemy forces knocking a couple out. Kurahk was enraged and swung his merciless hand at Bruticus.

"Bruticus!" exclaimed Gresh

Gresh tirelessly attacked until Kurahk located the weak spot and kicked him. Gelu was unimpressed and froze Kurahk. Unfortunatly PHANTOM Elite Soldiers broke Kurahk free. Gelu was overwhelmed and outmached. Then on the comms:
"This is Turaga Vakama, I am ordering all Soldiers to fall back to the rendezous zone, I repeat Fall back to the Rendezous Zone." ordered Turaga Vakama

Unfortunatly Iconox's command base had been breached by Tuma and The Skrall Chieftain Stronious. Nuju and the other Ice Representitives were forced to evacuate. Too bad Gelu and the others were completley surrounded. Then a bright shine of light burned the enemy soldiers and blinded Kurahk. Takanuva to the Rescue...

Design

I have added a few new changes and designs for our blog. I have added a special blogger template. If you can find any blogger bionicle templates please add it. Also now you can track posts from november to august.

1: The Stolen Mask, Part:1

Berix ran as fast as he could. He was running so fast that he didn't look were he was going and ran into Ackar.

"Berix!" Ackar said, slightly annoyed. "What are you doing?"

"The Mask!" Berix stuttered. "The mask of Life's been stolen."

"Impossible!" Ackar said. "The shrine is armed by our best Glatorian. No one can get through." 

"Well someone has." Berix explained. "I went to the shrine and found the Glatorian dead."

"Call a meeting with the elders." Ackar said. "We need to do something about this."

Raanu was surprised to hear that the mask had been stolen. He and Mata Nui weren't the best of friends but he respected him for all that he gave them. He, Vakama and Nokama lead the council of the elders. The meeting took place in the New Atero Arena since the old on was destroyed. Several chroniclers were present including Berix and Raanu's Matoran friend: Karni.

"Let the meting of the elders begin." Vakama said.

"The mask of life has been stolen and we must find it." Gresh said, "Not just for Mata Nui but because in the wrong hands it can cause dangerous destruction, enough to rip the planet apart again!"

"May I suggest sending a group of Toa and Glatorian to find the mask." Raanu said.

"A chronicler can join them to record the density of these heroes." Karni said.

"I suppose you mean you, don't you Karni." Nokama said.

"Yes, Turaga." Karni replied.

"Very well then." Nokama said. "And what of the Toa and Glatorian."

"I shall go!" Gresh said. "I'm not going to let this planet die again!"

"I will go as well!" Kiina said. "I Mata Nui ever returns he will need that mask to do so."

"Your not going without me." Tahu said. "Unity is the first of the three virtuals.

"And Duty is the second." Ackar said. "That is why I wish to remain here to defend the villagers. I promised Mata Nui that I would protect us all, and I will do this by remaining here to defend everyone."

"I have no obligations." Vakama said. "Tahu, Gresh and Kiina will find the mask of life and Karni will be there chronicler."

The team left the village and began their quest to find the Mask of Life...

To Be Continued...

Demolition Chapter 1

Strike team lets move, Weaseye, Bruticus move up." exclaimed Ackar
Sure thing Commander." repiled the two soldiers.

Ackar and his Squad had been deployed to a shattered warzone in Iconox. All seemed fine after Mata Nui combined the three chunks of Spherus Magna and his sacrifice allowed Spherus Magna to flourish once more, sadly that wasn't the case...
A new evil had arived after the death of Makuta Teridax and that evil had come with an army of mass destruction. That evil was called Sokore...
Now a full-scale war had launched and they were in the middle of it. Luckily reinforcements had arrived in the form of Toa and Matoran.

Shots were fired, grenades were thrown and death occured. Weaseye moved up with Bruticus, sniping from a hill and taking out enemy forces moving up to the Command Base in Iconox. Ackar and Leko rolled into the scene firing and killing enemy soldiers. Unfortunatly Sokore's command Dropship launshed missiles at the barriers defending the elite strike team. The granite started crumbling down. Luckily they managed to evade out of the way but now they had no cover. Sokore's Elite troops jumped down and fired their Grenade launchers wounding Weaseye.
Weaseye's down Ackar!" shouted Bruticus
Cover him, I'll draw their fire!" replied Ackar as he readied his new weapons.
Ackar unleashed his new flame weapons and slaughtered two enemy soldiers. However, the Elite forces were much better equipped and managed to hold off his powerful blades. Eventually Ackar overpowered him with his newfound elemental powers. Then a dark shadow loomed over Ackar and STRUCK at him brutally stabbing him until Ackar was unconscious. Leko jumped up and bravely fought Sokore with his Spear but it was hopeless...

Bionicle Glatorian Champions: Gresh

Hi,
Here are some photos of  my new MoC: Champion Gresh. I got the idea from Tellurius (Skopio Pilot). I've given a size comparison with Hero Factory's Preston Stormer. Please share your thoughts,
matanui,

Hero Factory

Hey now that Bionicle is over I decided to look up Hero Factory and found that they have made a mini-series consisting of 4 Episodes. If you want to see them here are the links but Bionicle is still better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onF8xqeERZA E1 P1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nqFexL7tG8&feature=related E1 P2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtdsTPQ359s&feature=related E2 P1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6qY8lZjmH8&feature=related E2 P2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Of5rtwwxvo&feature=related E3 P1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8H0jfPn3dc&feature=related E3 P2

I'll start looking for episode 4. But Anyway here are the parts.
-Shadow

My new MoCs Series: Glatorian Chapmions

Hi,

Sorry for not posting lately on this blog. I have been updating on my HeroFactory blog, click here to see it. Anyway,  as you can guess from the title I have a series of MoC's that I'm making called Glatorian Champions. So far I have made Gresh and Perditus (Sorry if the spelling is incorrect) and I have many more on the way. The pictures will be coming soon. Finally, I apologise for the massive delay in the Bionicle Classic Reviews but I may have to cancel them because a lot of the pieces are on my MoC's. Please share your thoughts,

matanui,

I miss Bionicle

Lego really messed up with Hero Factory :P they really did!

The Yesterday Quest, Chapter 2...

The team had been traveling for several days when Toa Chiara finally asked Toa Orde the question that had been on her mind. Being a Toa of Psionics, he already knew the question was coming and could have answered it days ago. But he preferred to wait until she came to him.

“So,” Chiara said casually, “why aren’t you female?”

Orde had heard this question more than a few times in his long life and usually didn’t bother to answer. But he knew Chiara wouldn’t leave the issue alone until her curiosity was satisfied.

“I know, I know,” he replied. “All Psionics Matoran, Toa and Turaga are female, and I’m male. Simple answer is, I’m the reason they’re all female.”

Seeing the puzzlement in Chiara’s eyes, Orde smiled.

“I was the first Psionics Toa, and one of the first Toa ever created,” he continued. “But I was, let’s say, a little too … aggressive in using my powers. I had a temper then. A short fuse plus psionics leads to bad things … sometimes very bad things.”

“Like what?” asked Chiara, intrigued.

“You know the Zyglak? Those savage, brutal monstrosities that hate everything to do with Mata Nui and think everyone looks better with a dagger in them? Well, they didn’t used to be that bad. Oh, they were nasty and violent, but … see, my first job was to calm them down a bit. And, well, it didn’t quite work out that way.”

“Oh, no …” said Chiara.

“What can I say? I got annoyed and pushed when I should have pulled.”

“That still doesn’t explain why --”

“After that, someone decided that maybe a gentler touch was needed for Psionics … so all the subsequent Psionics types were made female.”

“Right,” said Chiara. She shot a bolt of electricity from her finger, frying a lizard that had been sunning itself on a rock. “We females are so gentle, after all.”

At the head of the column, Gelu glanced back, annoyed. He had warned the Toa about unnecessary talking as they crossed the border into Bota Magna. There was no telling how much this region had changed in the years since the Shattering or what dangers might be waiting. Bad enough to be saddled with a fool’s errand – finding the Great Beings, indeed, might as well try to find a sweet-natured Skrall – but the Toa seemed to be in no hurry to take his advice.

They were riding into a narrow valley bordered by deep woods. It was lush and green and the cool breeze felt good after so many years in the Bara Magna desert. Most travelers would focus on the fruit-bearing trees or the grasses waving in the wind. All Gelu could see was a perfect spot for an ambush.

“Orde, are you picking anything up?” he asked.

The Toa of Psionics nodded. “I thought I did … a lot of minds, all buzzing at once … but then something blanked it out. Either my power isn’t working right here, or else there’s a really powerful mind in the region that’s interfering with reception.”

“Zaria, Chiara, take the flanks,” Gelu ordered. “Be ready.”

The four adventurers rode in silence down a well-worn path covered with all manner of animal tracks. Gelu guessed they were not far from a water source. The local wildlife must have made the trip many times. The proximity of fresh water was the good news. The bad news was that predators would frequent an area like this, looking for any prey that might be heading for a drink.

There was a sudden flash of lightning off to the right. Gelu, weapon drawn, turned to see it was not a natural phenomenon. Chiara had hurled her electric power at something in the woods, but only succeeded in blasting a tree to splinters.

“I saw something,” she insisted. “But then it was gone.”

Orde shrugged. “I still have nothing.”

Gelu gave Chiara a look that said he didn’t doubt her word. He was getting the familiar feeling of being shadowed. He wished they could get off the path, where they were so exposed, but the woods were too thick for the mounts to make it through. They would have to take their chances.

Something exploded behind Orde’s sand stalker. The beast reared, almost throwing the Toa, then charged forward. Then there were more explosions all around and all the mounts panicked. The three Toa struggled to control their galloping animals, and Gelu found he wasn’t doing much better. The sand stalkers’ flight carried the riders almost to the other end of the valley. Too late, Gelu spotted the net rising up off the ground in front of them.

“Watch out!” he shouted.

The mounts charged into the net, which gave but held. Jolted by the sudden stop, the riders fell, getting tangled up with the net and their animals. The net was pulled roughly backwards and closed around them. Gelu looked back to see who was dragging them across the valley floor and was shocked to see it was Vorox.

“What in Mata Nui’s name are those?” asked Toa Zaria.

“They’re not much better than beasts,” Gelu answered. “We had them in Bara Magna. They live in packs, hunting for fresh meat under the command of the strongest male in the tribe. The Skrall treated them like wild animals, and that’s not far wrong. But this net doesn’t seem like something they would think to use …”

That was when Gelu took a second look at their captors. They weren’t carrying the crude weapons Bara Magnan Vorox sometimes did. Instead, each one wielded a sophisticated ranged weapon of a kind Gelu had not seen since the Core War. It fired spheres of explosive force, and despite the age of the equipment, it obviously still worked well. The tech level should have been well beyond the backwards Vorox, yet here they were using them like professional soldiers.

A single Vorox, taller and stronger than the rest, approached the net. This would be the alpha male, thought Gelu. If he decides we’re a possible meal, he’ll signal and the rest will fall on us before we can make a move. So let’s hope we don’t look appetizing.

The Vorox leader bent over and sniffed the air. Then he shifted position and did it a few more times. Finally, he rose, looked at Gelu, and did something remarkable – he spoke, in perfect Agori, saying, “Your kind, I know. These others are … unfamiliar.”

“You … you can talk?” asked Gelu.

“Naturally,” said the Vorox. “How do you think we communicate, grunts and screeches? You are confusing us with our southern brethren.”

Seeing the question on Gelu’s face, the Vorox continued. “Yes, we know all about the Vorox of Bara Magna and their fall from glory. But we are Bota Magna Vorox. When the Shattering happened, we found ourselves trapped here, in what turned out to be a paradise. There was plentiful food and water and we wanted for very little. Thus we never faced the challenges the desert Vorox did, nor did we fail at them so spectacularly. I am Kabrua, by the way, the leader of this society.”

Chiara had heard enough. She nodded to Zaria. On a whispered count of three, she used her electrical powers to burn through the net, even as Zaria triggered his control over metal to try to seize the weapons of the Vorox. As soon as the first Vorox felt his weapon being pulled from his hand by the Toa’s power, the scorpion-tailed creature opened fire. Both Toa were knocked off their feet by the explosive force. Chiara was knocked unconscious and Zaria lost a chunk of his shoulder armor.

Orde started to rise, struggling against the net. Gelu saw a dozen weapons swing toward him. “Orde, stop!” he yelled. “Just … stop.”

“Very wise,” said Kabrua. “My people are suspicious of strangers at the best of times. Strangers with the ability to create lightning or make objects move -- the world would be a far safer place if such beings were dead.”

“Congratulations on speaking complete sentences,” said Orde. “Sounds like you’re just as bad as your barbarian cousins.”

Gelu wasn’t listening to the argument. He was busy thinking. Bota Magna had only rejoined Bara Magna a short while ago, so how did Kabrua know about the state of the Bara Magna Vorox? And where had his people gotten those weapons? They were rare even during the war. Information they shouldn’t know plus tech they shouldn’t have added up to one thing – these Vorox might be in contact with a Great Being or at least have found one of their lairs.

“What do you intend to do with us?” asked Gelu. He was hoping Kabrua planned to keep them alive, so he could get some answers from the Vorox leader.

“I know something of how the Vorox were treated in the desert these past years,” Kabrua answered. “Hunted, hounded, treated like monsters … all by the so-called intelligent races. Perhaps it might be a good idea for you and your companions to experience some of what they experienced … it could prove to be a valuable lesson, if inevitably your last one.”

Kabrua turned to his tribesmen. “Take them to the city. Tonight, we feast …” The Vorox leader eyed Gelu and the Toa with a gleam in his eye that said he was not so very far from the savagery of his brothers after all. “And tomorrow … tomorrow, we hunt.”