Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

--The Present; Oregon, U.S.A.--

    "Do you believe in aliens?"

    It was the same question he had been hearing for years. It had been amusing at first, but over time, it started to get on his nerves. At some point it had come to a stop, only for it to start again just at the end of the school year.

    Spike Witwicky sighed as he slumped down on a sofa. "Not this again, Hunter."

    "Hear me out," his tall, red-headed friend said, placing a laptop on the coffee table in front of them. "I was out biking yesterday and--"

    "Don't tell me," Spike interrupted. "You found a 'UFO.' This is the same story you tricked me with when we were seven. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice--"

    "I'm serious this time," Hunter insisted. "Just... just look."

    He turned on the laptop and instantly brought up a grainy photo of two sports cars: one black and red, the other white. Spike leaned forward and scrutinized the photo only to find absolutely nothing unusual about them.

    "What am I supposed to be looking at?" he asked Hunter.

    "They're driving down a highway."

    "So?"

    "And they don't have any drivers."

    Spike's eyes went wide as he looked at the picture again, realizing the absence of drivers. "That's... bizarre. Wouldn't anyone else on the highway notice that?"

    "It was pretty late at night," Hunter said. "And they weaved though traffic pretty quickly like they were in a hurry."

    Spike slowly nodded before saying, "Wait, what were you doing by the highway?"

    "Visiting Jimmy at his garage. It's just off the road." Closing the laptop, Hunter looked around in a conspiratorial manner before saying quietly, "He says that he sees them drive by at least once everyday. Every. Single. Day."

    "Think it might mean something?"

    "Of course it means something! It's too bizarre for it not to. Anyway, Jimmy wants us to 'help him out' at the garage tomorrow and, you know, catch these cars in action. Would that be all right with your folks?"

    "Sure, I'll ask them. My dad is friends with Jimmy's, so I'm sure he'd be cool with it."

    As he got up from the sofa, he suddenly paused and then looked at Hunter questioningly. "Wait, what does this have to do with aliens?"

    "Everything."

*  *  *

    The bus rocked softly as it crossed the border between California and Oregon, heading into the latter. Dawn was just beginning to break as the sun emerged from beyond the horizon.

    Sitting near the driver, Verity Carlo anxiously waited for the bus to come to her stop. She did not like being in one place for a long time, even if it was a moving transport; she preferred being constantly on the move.

    Sighing quietly, she looked down at the small device she held in her hand. "Borrowed" from a shady-looking businessman a couple of days ago, she had been attracted to it by its unique, M-shaped symbol, the letter itself being surrounded by a gear shape. She had no idea what the device was or how to work it, but was determined to figure out its meaning.

    As the bus prepared to enter a highway, Verity pulled the pull cord over her head, forcing the bus to stop. After tipping the driver, she stepped off the bus and began trekking the off road, her eyes set on a car garage in the distance. For the most part, she ignored the loud roar of cars going down the highway, only sparing them brief glances.

    However, she let her gaze linger on a pair of sports cars- identical in model, but not color scheme- that zoomed right past her.

    Both of them lacked drivers.

    Her heart raced. Unsure if she had simply imagined it, Verity nonetheless quickened her pace.

*  *  *

    "There they go again," Jimmy Pink commented as two sports cars- the same ones Hunter had shown Spike- drove past the auto garage. "Every day is the same; they speed down the highway, slow down a bit as they pass here, and then speed off."

    Spike yawned as Jimmy said this; not out of boredom, but because Jimmy had asked them to arrive super early in the morning to help open up shop.

    "How long has it been like this?" he asked.

    Jimmy scratched the back of his head. "Um... since last month, actually. Right after Pop got me my car."

    Leaning against an old pickup truck under repair, Hunter's eyes went wide. "No way. You've got your own car? Where is it? What model is it?"

    "It's that old yellow Beetle out front," Jimmy said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. "Got it for cheap at a used car lot."

    "Think those sports cars are, like, connected to it or something?" Spike asked.

    Jimmy snorted. "Doubt it. Who'd be interested in an old, beat-up hatchba-"

    He was cut off when the doors to the shop swung open and a seventeen-year old girl rushed in, panting heavily as if she had just escaped from something.

    Smiling, Jimmy walked over to lean against the front counter. "Well, well, if it isn't Verity Carlo. What brings you all the way over here?" He grinned roguishly. "Was it my good looks? My charming personality?"

    Verity glared at him as she slapped down a gray object onto the counter. "This."

    Raising an eyebrow, Jimmy picked up the device- a handheld computer of sorts- and admired it, specifically eying the unique symbol on its cover. "What is this?"

    "I was hoping you'd tell me," Verity said. "You are an expert on more than just cars, right?"

    "Right," Jimmy murmured. He looked over the device before lifting his gaze to Verity. "Why were you in such a rush?"

    She glanced out the window before saying quietly, "I just saw these two sports cars driving down the highway. Neither of them had drivers."

    Jimmy smirked. "You too, huh? They've been driving by here everyday for a month now."

    "What do you think it could mean?"

    He shrugged. "They could be remote controlled and set on a predestined course. But it still doesn't explain--"

    "Uh, guys?" Hunter said, sounding alarmed. "I think we should run."

    Jimmy, Verity, and Spike all turned to look out the window... and saw the two driverless cars heading straight for the garage at full speed. All four kids dove for cover as the vehicles crashed through....

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Prologue & Chapter One

PROLOGUE

--The Ark, 113 Years Ago--

    "Systems failing! Our engines are losing power!"

    "Divert energy from the shields and stabilize them!"

    "But that'll leave us vulnerable--"

    "Just do as I say!"

    He could hear the frantic cries of his crew. All around him, the Ark was in chaos as Decepticons swarmed in. Everything was falling apart.

    Brandishing his axe, Optimus Prime charged into the front lines, wildly swinging his weapon and cutting down Decepticon troopers. Regardless of how much damage had already been done, he would do what he could to ensure his teammates' safety.

    "Such heroic nonsense."

    He froze at the sound of the voice. Whirling around, he saw a gray and black figure striding towards him, armed with a mace and a primed fusion cannon. Scarlet optics flaring, Megatron sneered at his age-old nemesis.

    "Why do you continue fighting? Why do you insist on living?"

    Optimus narrowed his eyes at him. "Because I have something worth living for, Megatron. Can you say the same?"

    With a snarl, the Decepticon leader lunged.

--Earth, September 2013--

    The black SUV drove over rocks and pebbles as it cautiously approached the volcano. Sitting shotgun, Joshua Red felt tempted to rebuke the driver of the vehicle for venturing this close to a volcano, but decided against it, considering the volcano was not due to erupt for another six months.

    Bringing the SUV to a stop, Alexander Powers quickly undid his seat belt. "You have to believe me, Agent Red. If it was a prank, I would never take you all the way to Oregon to fall for it."

    "Your reputation says otherwise," Joshua said bitterly.

    Alexander rolled his eyes as he got out of the car. "Yes, but I've matured since then. Just come on...."

    Exiting the SUV as well, Joshua followed Alexander around the base of the mountain. The sun was shining bright and he could tell that something embedded into the volcano was gleaming in the sunlight. As they reached the other side of the mountain, he saw what it was:

    A massive starship, its orange hull worn with rust, jutting out stern-first.

    As he stared wide-eyes at Alexander's discovery, Joshua's fellow agent turned to him and smirked. "Does this make up for the incident in Lincoln?"

    Ignoring him, Joshua said, "Contact High Commander. We're going to need--"

    Suddenly, the ground rumbled. Both men looked up to see the mountain sharking, smoke coiling out of its crater.

    "What the-?" Alexander was astonished. "I thought Arkeville said--"

    "Even the best of us are wrong," Joshua said, rushing back to the SUV. "If your discovery here gets destroyed by the eruption, then this never happened, correct?"

    His fellow agent was too panicked to respond.

CHAPTER ONE

--The Ark, 113 Years Ago--

    "We've lost the engines!"

    Shooting at Vehicons from behind a fallen-over chair on the Ark's bridge, Jazz turned to Sideswipe incredulously. "What do you mean we've lost the engines?"

    The red Autobot glared at him from the Ark's controls. "They're gone. They're not working. I can't control them. I can't phrase it any other way, Jazz."

    As he fired a shot at a Vehicon over his shoulder, Jazz cursed under his breath. "Could we get Huffer and his pals to fix 'em?"

    "I doubt it," Sideswipe said grimly. "They're busted. Totally."

    Jazz grimaced. "Then I guess we soon will be as well."

--The Nemesis--

    "We've penetrated the Ark's shields at one hundred percent," Soundwave reported from his station on the Nemesis' bridge. "Their engines are--"

    "Don't bore me with the details, Soundwave," Starscream snapped. "Just keep firing on their ship until it's nothing but scrap."

    "But Megatron's still on it," Skywarp protested. "Shouldn't we wait for him to return?"

    "Oh, of course," the Air Commander said dryly. "Let us wait for our glorious leader while the Autobots get away."

    "I highly doubt they're in any condition to do so," Barricade noted. "I'm sure we have plenty of time."

    Starscream's eyes narrowed. "Regardless, press on the assault. I'm sure Lord Megatron will make it out in time."

--The Ark--

    "Weak!" Megatron roared as he threw a powerful punch into Optimus' face, shattering a piece of his mouthplate. "Nine centuries of war and you still don't know how to properly fight!"

    As Megatron threw another fist at him, Optimus dodged and shoved himself into the Decepticon leader, sending him into a wall. Megatron retaliated by grabbing either side of Optimus' head and smashing it with his own. As the Prime staggered back, Megatron raised his right arm and fired his mounted fusion cannon, hitting his nemesis square in the chest.

    "In our previous conflicts, you've always relied on your fellow Autobots to save you," the Decepticon tyrant growled as he stormed towards Optimus. "But where are they now? They're throwing away their lives for a lost cause- your cause, Prime. Their deaths are on your shoulders."

    He then sneered. "You say that you have something worth living for. But how can you live with yourself?"

    The reaction he received was exactly the one he wanted. Optimus cried out in a rage and lunged at his former brother. They collided and went tumbling to the floor in a tussle, Optimus pounding his fists into Megatron's face. The latter simply laughed.

    "Yes, brutality! Excellent, Prime! You would have made a fine Decepticon!"

    "No!" Optimus shouted, lifting Megatron's head up from the floor. "How dare you say that! I will never be one of you!"

    He then slammed the Decepticon's head back into the floor, though this did not stop the tyrant from laughing even more.

    "Oh, come now! We both had similar outlooks on life: we were both tired of the Functionists' system, we both wanted to forge a better world." He grinned like a madman. "There's little difference between you and me, brother."

    "Liar!" Optimus cried, punching Megatron in the face again. "I'm nothing like you! And you don't deserve to call me 'brother' ever again!"

    Just as he was about to finish off the Decepticon leader, the Ark suddenly shuddered violently and everyone on board was sent toppling over. Snapping out of the blind fury he had fallen into, Optimus broke away from Megatron and spoke into his comlink.

    "Bridge control, what's going on?"

    "We've been hit by an asteroid!" Sideswipe frantically replied. "We're on a direct crash course for some uncharted planet!"

    Overhearing this, Megatron laughed sadistically. "Looks like you've failed again, Prime! Now the deaths of a hundred Autobots are all on you!"

    Optimus felt his anger boil again, but he kept it in check. Turning to face his nemesis, he said, "What did they do to you, Optronix? When you reappeared after vanishing at Straxus' domain, you were completely changed. What did they do?"

    "They changed me for the better," Megatron snarled, rising to his feet. "They tore me apart and rebuilt me, better and stronger."

    Optimus sighed. "Then I was right. Optronix truly did die all those years ago."

    Megatron sneered. "If you miss him so much, then prepare to join him!"

    With that, he lunged and collided into Optimus again, even as the Ark trembled. 

--The Nemesis--

    "The Autobot ship is going down."

    His gaze glued to the Nemesis' viewport, Starscream watched as the Ark slowly went down in flames, spiraling on a gravitational pull towards a blue-green world up ahead. As he watched, a single thought ran through his head: Is Megatron still alive?

    What followed were visions of grandeur, born of his ambitions.

    Quickly breaking out of his reverie, Starscream calmly said, "Soundwave, try to make contact with Lord Megatron."

    The communications officer did so. All he received was static and then silence.

    Starscream masked his glee with a solemn expression. "Then I fear we must accept the truth: Megatron has perished."

    "Impossible!" Lugnut bellowed, storming forward. "Megatron is invincible! Unstoppable!"

    "Vehicons, please restrain him," Starscream ordered. "You know how he gets."

    As five Vehicons moved in to restrain the Decepticon brute, Starscream nodded to Brawl, the ship's chief gunner. "Fire at will."

    The Nemesis' cannons were ablaze, pounding the Ark with their firepower. Flames erupted everywhere on the Autobot ship and its plummet went out of control. Eventually, Starscream signaled Brawl to cease fire. All of the Decepticons then watched the Ark hurtle towards the planet as a fireball before vanishing from view.

    Breaking the heavy silence, Starscream said, "Fellow Decepticons, today is without a doubt a dark day. Our magnificent leader, Megatron, has perished. With him, however, went Optimus Prime and over a hundred Autobots. Thus, our victory in this war is assured."

    He then turned to face the others. "Nonetheless, it is with a heavy spark that I assume the mantle of Decepticon leader, if only to ensure that Megatron's vision of a prospering empire does not waver."

    He then turned his back on them again, allowing himself a rueful smirk to cross his face. "All hail Starscream."

PLANETFALL

Part 1: Down to Earth

Star Wars Destiny short story: A Delayed Invasion

    A short story I wrote to explain why the Yuuzhan Vong never attacked the galaxy in my universe.

    EDITED 8/10/2021 Changed title from "Cancelled Apocalypse" to "A Delayed Invasion"; never really liked the original one.

A DELAYED INVASION

--Adumar, 24 ABY--

    The darkness of night easily concealed the black-cloaked figure who roamed the deserted streets of Yedagon City, illuminated only by two moons. At the sound of footsteps, he turned to see a similarly-dressed figure, eyes barely visible beneath the rim of his hood.

    The first stranger slowly turned to face the second. "You are Nom Anor?"

    "Yes. And you are Darth Vorath."

    The Sith Lord nodded. "I could not sense you through the Force."

    Nom Anor did not reply to this. Vorath decided it was not a subject worth pursuing. 

    "I have known of the invasion your people have planned for quite some time now," the Dark Lord said. "It is something I cannot allow."

    "It's a pity then," Nom Anor said coldly, "that you cannot do anything about it."

    "I beg to differ," Vorath said. "While it's true that I lack an army large enough to counter yours, perhaps my words could dissuade you."

    Nom Anor shook his head. "I have no full control over the army. The one you want to dissuade- not that you would succeed- is the Supreme Overlord."

    "Would it be difficult to speak with him?"

    Wordlessly, Nom Anor held up a bizarre organic object. When Vorath's gaze fell upon it, it began to shift in shape, inverting into a hideous, disembodied head.

    "So, this is the interloper," the Supreme Overlord of the Yuuzhan Vong said with a sneer. "First, he delays our attempts to infiltrate the major governments of this galaxy. Now, he expects us to halt our invasion altogether."

    "I see that my reputation precedes me."

    "It certainly does. You have become too much of a nuisance for us."

    Vorath caught the subtext of the Overlord's words. "I see. So this was never intended to be a meeting, but an assassination."

    "It's not an assassination if no one but the murderer knows of it," the Overlord said darkly. "Dol'gara, execute him."

    Although he could not sense the Yuuzhan Vong, Vorath knew the attack was coming. He moved swiftly, performing a backflip as the warrior lunged at him from behind. While in mid-air, he ignited his lightsaber and moved it to stab Dol'gara in the back. To the Sith's mild surprise, the blade merely brushed off the Vong's armor.

    Grinning savagely, Dol'gara turned around to face him again, brandishing his amphistaff. He then froze when he found nothing but thin air greeting him.

    "Where is the Jeedai?" the warrior snarled.

    "I am not a Jedi." Vorath's voice came from all directions. "I am the thing of nightmares. I am born of the darkness."

    "We do not fear the darkness," Dol'gara growled. "Do your worst."

    "If you insist."

    Suddenly, the warrior fell to his knees, screaming. He clutched his head, begging for the agony to end. Nom Anor shifted in consternation; it was not like a Yuuzhan Vong to react this way towards pain or suffering. 

    Dol'gara eventually ceased his cries, becoming a pathetic wreck on the ground. Darth Vorath then emerged from the shadows, his arms folded across his chest in a confident manner.

    "Tell me, Supreme Overlord," he said to the disembodied head in Nom Anor's arms. "Was this one of your better warriors?"

    "Yes," the Overlord muttered. "One of the Warmaster's greatest."

    "Interesting. Anyway, what I did to him was only a fraction of the power I wield. If you insist on standing in my way, I may unleash the entirety of that power."

    "No need," the ruler of the Yuuzhan Vong said. "Your argument is sound."

    With that, the Supreme Overlord's visage receded back into the villip. Nom Anor then glared at the Sith Lord.

    "We shall halt our invasion then," said the Executor. "But when you are out of the picture, there's no telling what the Supreme Overlord will decide then."

    With those cryptic words, Nom Anor vanished into the shadows.

    While Vorath looked down upon the broken Dol'gara in satisfaction, a raspy voice spoke into the Sith's ear.

    "Your power? You only wish."

    Darth Vorath shrugged nonchalantly as he turned and walked away, the ghost of his master following him.

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Ten & Epilogue

CHAPTER TEN

    The morning screech of a Lava Hawk heralded the return of Garan and his company. Matoran villagers rushed out of their homes and cheered as their leader and friends strode into the village. Elrisa was the first to greet them, beaming broadly.

    "Thank Mata Nui you're back!" the Vo-Matoran exclaimed. "We'd feared the worst. Where have you been?"

    Garan smiled. "It's a long story. I'll--"

    "Where's Dasan?"

    All of the euphoria was sapped away by those words, spoken by the Bo-Matoran Oren. All eyes fell on Garan as his expression darkened.

    "He's been exiled," he murmured.

    "Why?" asked Zaedra.

    The Onu-Matoran sighed. "Like I said, it's a long story. Follow me to the village center; all will be explained."

*  *  *

    "You keep saying that but I still don't think you're telling me everything."

    The once and former King Mathus stared defiantly into the eyes of his interrogator, Trinuma. "What more do you want to know?"

    The Tirivon's eyes narrowed behind his crimson mask. "Why has the Hand of Artakha been reformed? Were you behind it?"

    "I was," the Turaga said. "I had met up with a few former members such as Drandora and Fortaan and we all agreed to reform the Hand. We started out on one of the Southern Islands, away from your Order's notice."

    "When was this?"

    "Around the time of the Great Disruption, during the Matoran Civil War."

    Trinuma crossed his arms. "And Mallake? You knew he was going to return?"

    Mathus nodded. "I had a vision in which he did."

    "A vision." Trinuma sounded disbelieving. "I see. So where were the Hand planning to go when they acquired the Kanohi Olmak?"

    "The initial plan was to transport our castle to anywhere in the universe, but it seems to me that Mallake has had a change in plans."

    "So where are they now?"

    "I do not know for sure." A small smile crossed the Turaga's ebony mask. "But I have my theories."

    Trinuma leaned forward menacingly. "I'm all ears."

    "Think about it. The Hand of Artakha. Where would the ideal place to go be?"

    Trinuma's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "Impossible. Anyone who knew the Great Refuge's location was... eliminated, and all of the maps destroyed."

    Mathus sneered at him. "Barbarians, the whole lot of you. But Mallake knows, I'm sure."

    "Impossible," Trinuma repeated. "If he had known, we would have executed him as well."

    "But how would you have known?" the Turaga cooed. "Are you as omnipresent as the Great Spirit himself? Do you have eyes on every last Matoran, Toa, Turaga, and Makuta in the universe? I don't imagine so."

    Trinuma stared at him, eyes blazing as different emotions warred within him. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and left the interrogation room, leaving the Turaga alone in the dark.

*  *  *

    Balta walked along the Voya Nui Bay, watching the waves crash as the sun set behind the horizon. Garan's "story session" had taken longer than expected, with nearly everyone spouting questions. Things then began to escalate when Kazi tried to beat up Oren for "selling" him and the others out. It took nearly five Matoran to restrain him.

    In the end, however, things were back to normal. Garan had purposely left out some of the darker details so as to not frighten the villagers, as well as any specific details relating to Axonn and his comrades. If anything, his tale would become little more than a myth that would either be recounted for years to come, or simply fade into obscurity.

    "Balta!"

    Broken from his thoughts, the Ta-Matoran turned to see Dalu running up to him, a broad smile on her face. It was rather rare to see the Ga-Matoran this happy, given how her time in Karzahni and Voya Nui had hardened her.

    "Oh, hey," Balta said when she reached him. "What's going on?"

    "Not much. I just stopped Kazi from attacking Oren again. That Ko-Matoran's got quite the temper today."

    Balta chuckled. "And they say my kind is temperamental." He then looked around, seeing that everything was still and quiet, with no one around. Moments like these were rare on Voya Nui.

    Rubbing the back of his head, he said, "Um, is there something you need?"

    She smiled. "I never got the chance to thank you for saving my life."

    Balta blinked. "Um, sure you did. You even hugged me."

    "I know, but...." Dalu looked down at her feet as she shifted them. "I feel that I should give you a better reward."

    "'Better reward?' What are you--" The Ta-Matoran ceased speaking when Dalu stepped closer to him and kissed him quickly on the cheek.

    He stepped away from her, gazing at the Ga-Matoran in wonder. She simply smiled at him before turning around and skipping back to the village.

    As Balta stood there in bemusement, he noticed movement in the corner of his eye. He turned around to see Velika standing there, a wistful look on his mask as always.

    Balta cleared his throat. "How... long have you been standing there?"

    "Not very," the Po-Matoran replied.

    Balta glanced in the direction Dalu had went. "Did you see...?"

    Velika chuckled. "Your secret shall be hidden from even the Great Spirit's eyes."

    Balta smiled. "Thanks."

    He then trotted off after Dalu. Had he looked back, he would have seen Velika writing something down on a small slab of stone....

EPILOGUE

    "We're home."

    Stepping out of the dimensional gate, the members of the Hand of Artakha took in their new surroundings. They stood on a mountaintop with a scenic view of the Silver Sea. However, the terrain below was anything but panoramic: razor-sharp crystals littered the mountain slopes; lava erupted from nearby volcanoes; acid cascaded like waterfalls in the distance.

    After taking in the chaotic view, Banteras said, "Where are we?"

    "The Tren Krom Peninsula," Mallake said. "This shall be the site of our new headquarters."

    "Why here?" growled a black-clad Skakdi. "Zakaz or even Xia would have been a better location."

    Mallake directed everyone's attention westward, where lightning struck on the horizon. "Several kios from here is the island known as Artakha, the Great Refuge."

    "So?" Fortaan muttered. "What of it?"

    The tiniest hint of a smile appeared on Mallake's rusted mask. "Once we have amassed a large enough army, we are going to send them to Artakha and take over the island."

    Murmurs of surprise and excitement broke out among his followers. Only Banteras remained stoic. "And where are we going to find such an army?"

    "My accomplice can answer that."

    Suddenly, materializing before the Hand members was a tall, lanky figure. Clad in black and white armor with scarlet accents, he carried a pair of double-edged blades, as razor-like as the crystals down below. Red eyes glowed behind his narrow mask.

    "This is Makuta Krika," Mallake introduced the newcomer to his followers. "If you wish to see our victory through to the end, then you shall obey his orders. If you wish to live long enough to enjoy that victory, then you shall respect him as you do me."

    Pride and greed burned in the ancient being's eyes.

    "Now then, let's get to work. We have an empire to build."

TO BE CONTINUED

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

    "What?!" Tansari exclaimed, staring at Mallake incredulously. "Are you asking us to murder eight innocent Matoran?"

    "Innocent?" Mallake spoke the word with spite. "Any innocence they had was lost when Mata Nui fell. Besides, hardly anyone will notice their absence; they are already lost to the rest of the world."

    The female warrior glared at him, unsheathing her blade. "I won't let you kill them."

    Unfazed by her defiance, Mallake looked back at Mathus, who stood hunched over behind him. "Another failure of yours, 'King.' You recruited a compassionate person."

    "You claim to follow the will of Mata Nui," Tansari snapped, "yet you defy him by endangering those he asks you to protect!"

    "Eight Matoran out of thousands hardly makes a difference. Besides, they're no closer to bringing back the Great Spirit than we are." Mallake then lunged forward and seized Tansari by the neck before throwing her into a wall. Helryx and her agents moved to confront him but were instantly pinned down as Banteras used his Mask of Gravity on the Toa while Fortaan and three others tackled Botar and the rest.

    With the Order agents down, Mallake returned his attention to the Matoran. A blade extended from his arm, sparking with energy.

    "It truly pains me to do this," the ancient being said in a tone that was not at all reassuring. "But I'm afraid this needs to be done."

    Dalu broke away from Drandora's hold on her and readied her Chargers. "If you think we're going without a fight, then you've got another thing coming!"

    "Ah. A Matoran standing up for herself. How amusing... and pathetic."

    A bolt of energy fired from the blade. Before it could hit Dalu, Balta jumped in the way and took the blow. The Ta-Matoran was sent sprawling to the floor, unmoving.

    Before Mallake could comprehend what had just happened, Axonn lunged and slammed his body into his. Mallake retaliated by seizing the Ankorian's head and hoisting him up in the air before throwing him into a wall.

    As Mallake prepared to finish off Axonn, Botar suddenly appeared between them. The feral warrior swung a bladed arm, striking Mallake in the face and sending his mask flying off. The ancient being quickly recovered the Kanohi before attacking with his blade. 

    When he lunged, Botar quickly grabbed the tip of the blade and used it to pull Mallake towards him. At the same time, the Saevta extended an arm blade of his own and impaled it into Mallake's abdomen.

    Only, his entire arm went straight through his opponent's body.

    Botar's eyes widened as he looked up at his adversary. "How--? Your mask if not one of Intangibility."

    "No," Mallake said as he suddenly began to fade, becoming like a shadow. "It's better."

    Before Botar knew it, Mallake vanished from view only to appear behind him, emerging from the Saevta's own shadow. Another bolt of energy from his blade sent Botar flying, landing next to Balta's unconscious form.

    Mallake then turned to face his followers. "Bring me the Olmak."

    A Skakdi came forward with the golden mask and handed it to his leader. Mallake replaced his own rusted mask with the Kanohi Olmak and a large dimensional gate appeared in the chamber.

    "We needn't waste our time here any further. Let them live so that they may spread the word: the Hand of Artakha lives on."

    He then stepped into the portal. One by one, his followers entered it as well, with Banteras and Drandora being the first. Mathus and Dasan tried to follow them but were swatted away by Fortaan. Once the last member of the Hand had went through, the gate closed, vanishing into thin air. Only Mathus, Dasan, and Tansari remained with the Order agents and Matoran.

    Axonn was the first to rise to his feet and he quickly rushed over to where Balta and Botar laid. The latter had already recovered but the Ta-Matoran was still unmoving. Axonn gently scooped him up into his arms and began to use his healing powers on him, a task made a bit more difficult with the loss of his mask.

    The other Matoran watched him in anticipation, Dalu appearing the most anxious. Botar looked down at his fellow agent with a curious expression.

    "Does this Matoran mean something to you?"

    Axonn shook his head. "I've only just met him." He glanced at the other seven Matoran. "But I know how important he is to others."

    A few minutes passed before Balta's eyes started flickering open. He took in a deep breath before gazing up at Axonn. "What... what happened?"

    "You took the blast meant for me," Dalu murmured, walking up to her friend as he was helped to his feet. "You saved my life."

    Balta smiled sheepishly. "It was the least I could do."

    "Even so." Dalu rushed towards him and pulled into a crushing hug. "Thank you."

    "No... problem...." Balta managed to say under the Ga-Matoran's strong embrace.

    Helryx walked up and cleared her throat, bringing the moment to an abrupt end. "In case anyone's forgotten, we still have a few loose ends," she said, throwing an icy glare in the direction of Mathus and the other remaining Hand members.

    The Turaga raised a hand as Viraka and Brutaka stormed up to him. "I can assure you that all will be explained--"

    "I'm sure it will," Brutaka muttered, lifting him up by his robes.

    While Orkosan detained Tansari, it was Kazi who accosted Dasan. The Ko-Matoran strode up to the Matoran of Sonics and jabbed a finger angry into his chest.

    "What in Karzahni was that all about?" he bellowed. "You teleporting us here, you kneeling before Mallake... what are you on about?!"

    Dasan backed away from him fearfully. "Please, Kazi, I can explain--"

    "Fine. Do that while I punch your lights out." Kazi raised his fist to hit the De-Matoran but was stopped when Garan grabbed his arm. 

    "Don't," the Onu-Matoran said sternly. "Violence solves nothing."

    Kazi scowled as he wrenched his arm free. "He was about to have us killed!"

    "I didn't think Mallake was going to do that!" Dasan protested. "I thought he would just--"

    "Make us slaves," Ceras said, folding her arms in a disapproving manner.

    Orkosan came forward and seized Dasan. "We shall handle him," he said to the other Matoran. "Return to your village; you are safe for now."

    "'For now,'" Dezalk repeated, his shoulders sagging. "That's certainly reassuring."

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Weakened from his battle with the two mysterious warriors, as well as the loss of his mask, Brutaka staggered through the jungle, headed for the mountains which Axonn dwelt in. He wasn't sure if his comrade and mentor had also been attacked, but he had to warn someone. Unfortunately, his legs were not willing to work with him....

    "Brutaka?"

    Startled by the voice, the Morcian fell to his knees. Turning around, he saw his leader, Toa Helryx, standing before him, along with fellow Order agents Botar, Viraka, and Orkosan.

    "Helryx," he gasped. "Thank... goodness...."

    The Toa of Water rushed over to him. "What happened? Where is your mask?"

    "Taken," Brutaka muttered. "By two beings, neither whom I recognized. They were a Morcian and an Ankorian."

    "Did you see where they went?" Viraka asked.

    Brutaka shook his head. "Both of them teleported away. I was headed to find Axonn until you appeared."

    "Teleportation is a rare ability," Helryx said, frowning in consternation. "Did either of them wear a Mask of Quick Travel?"

    "No. The Morcian wore a Mask of Gravity and the Ankorian had a Sanok--"

    "Sanok," Orkosan echoed, his voice booming. "I know of an Ankorian with such a mask: Fortaan."

    "That's right," Helryx muttered. "He was a member of the Hand of Artakha with you and I."

    "What is he doing here then?" Viraka wondered aloud.

    "They could be after the Mask of Life," Botar growled.

    "No." All eyes fell on Orkosan, who was looking off towards the distance. "They are here for something else."

    "And what would that be?" Helryx asked.

    "Think about it," the four-armed warrior said. "Where was the Hand of Artakha located at, prior to its disbandment?"

    Helryx took a moment to recall. "Here, on the Southern Continent...."

    "They stole Brutaka's Kanohi Olmak." Orkosan gestured at the Morcian as he said this. "My thinking is that Fortaan and his new friends are planning a move."

    "But Castle Artakha was destroyed when the Hand was disbanded."

    "Castles can be rebuilt. And organizations can be reorganized." Orkosan turned to Botar. "Can you take us there?"

    "Only if it does indeed still exist," the Saevta said as he linked hands with the Order agents. "Otherwise, we might be taking a swim."

*  *  *

    Kazi watched with wide eyes as the five beings vanished in a flash of light. He and the other Matoran had just borne witness to their encounter and conversation. All these terms and phrases- Kanohi Olmak, Hand of Artakha, Mask of Life- were alien to him and made his head spin worse than Velika's riddles.  

    "What do we do?" Dezalk whispered to him.

    The Ko-Matoran shook his head. "I don't know. They could have gone anywhere."

    "One of them mentioned a Castle Artakha, here on Voya Nui," Ceras said. "Should we go find it?"

    "You are not going anywhere."

    The four Matoran turned, readying their tools. Standing before them, arms behind his back, was Dasan.

    Kazi glared at the De-Matoran. "How did you know we had left the village?"

    "Elrisa noticed your absence, and Oren told me that you had offered to stand in for him." A nasty smile crossed the Matoran of Sonics' mask. "If you wish to flee from a predator, you should always cover your tracks."

    "Dasan, our friends are in danger," Ceras said angrily. "Do you expect us to just leave them to their fates?"

    "No, I expect you to follow my orders," Dasan retorted. "I suppose that's too much to ask for these days."

    "Well, you have no way of stopping us," Dezalk said. "You're just one Matoran, without any tools or powers, against four of us. Unless you've got a Toa hiding behind you, I don't see how you can stop us from doing what needs to be done."

    Dasan glared at the Ta-Matoran, his blue eyes boring into his. Finally, the De-Matoran said, "You're right, I can't stop you. In fact, I might even be able to help you."

    Kazi eyed him warily. "What do you mean?"

    Dasan grinned wickedly. "You say you want to go to Castle Artakha. Why don't I take you there?"

    Before the four rebel Matoran could stop him, Dasan lunged at them and in a flash of light, they were gone.

*  *  *

    "Hail, Lord Mallake!"

    The collective voices of the Hand of Artakha members- numbering at least twenty- rang through the main hall as the tall, ebony being strode down, gleaming in the majestic light that illuminated the entire castle.

    Axonn and his newfound Matoran allies stood by as spectators, restrained and watched over by Drandora and a Skakdi member. At the end of the hall was, doubtlessly, King Mathus, still obstructed by the blinding light.

    Mallake came to a stop just outside the light's reach. Letting out a grating growl, the ancient being said, "Your reign has come to an end, 'King.'"

    "Rightfully so," Mathus replied. "How wonderful it is to be in your presence, oh, great Mallake."

    "Spare me your pleasantries," Mallake snarled. "Step out of the light so that I may see your unsightly visage."

    Silence at first. Then, hobbling into view was a short Turaga, clad in black and gray armor with a pristine Mask of Shielding on his face and silver robes draped across his hunched-over form. In his hand was a pronged golden staff, almost longer than himself. As he stood before the nine-foot-tall Mallake, the vast difference in size between them was apparent and almost comical. However, no one present was in a joking mood.

    "A Turaga?" Mallake almost spat out the word. "A hundred thousand years in the Pit and this is what replaced me?" 

    His crimson gaze fell on everyone in the room, making even the resistant Fortaan and stoic Banteras cower before him.

    "You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Turaga are meant for leading and guiding weak, defenseless Matoran, not those dedicated to the will and protection of Mata Nui."

    Mathus smirked. "Considering we were able to accomplish everything required for your return, I'd say I was successful."

    Without warning, Mallake swooped down and seized the Turaga by the neck, hoisting him up in the air. 

    "Successful?!" the ancient being roared. "Mata Nui has fallen! An event which could have been prevented had I been in command! A hundred thousand years work put to waste!"

    "I doubt even you could have prevented the Great Spirit's fall, Mallake," Axonn spoke up. "Only Mata Nui himself could have foreseen--"

    "Axonn." The mere mention of the Ankorian's name immediately silenced Axonn. "Have you sneaked out of Helryx's shadow for this special occasion?"

    Axonn glowered at him. "If it were up to me, I'd be as far away from here as possible."

    "My, such animosity. If only Hydraxon, Orkosan, and the others were here to make this a proper reunion."

    "Seems to me that you're halfway there."

    All eyes turned to see Helryx, Botar, Brutaka, Viraka, and Orkosan materialize in the middle of the chamber, weapons brandished.

    "Helryx. Orkosan." Mallake regarded the newcomers with malice. "And three of your blind followers. Hmm, not my idea of a good reunion."

    Helryx gestured threateningly with her spiked mace. "Explain yourself, Mallake. How did you get out of the Pit? What do you have planned here?"

    "Those are questions for another time," Mallake said, "as I see that we have even more guests."

    Again, everyone looked in time to see five Matoran appear in the chamber. One of them, a gray-armored Matoran of Sonics, walked up confidently to Mallake and knelt before him.

    "My liege, your humble servant has returned."

    "Dasan. And just what have you brought here?"

    The De-Matoran gestured at the four other villagers. "These Matoran--"

    "What use have I for Matoran?" Mallake said darkly.

    Dasan blanched behind his mask. "I- I thought they would make ideal servants--"

    "No." Mallake released his hold on Mathus and stormed up to the De-Matoran. "The need for slave and servants is no more. We need to lighten our load."

    He gestured his followers to the eight Matoran and six Order members.

    "Execute them."

Bionicle Alternatives: Empire of Makuta II, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

    "Velika, do you have the time?"

    The Po-Matoran turned his wistful gaze to Dezalk, who stood in the entrance to his hut. "Time is something which we always have but can never keep."

    Dezalk sighed exasperatedly. "Is that a yes?"

    Velika only smiled.

    "Okay, whatever." The Ta-Matoran stepped into the hut, looking behind him to make sure no one was close enough to hear what he had to say. "I'm worried about Garan and the others."

    "We all are," Velika murmured. Dezalk was almost startled by him speaking in something that wasn't a riddle, but decided not to dwell on the matter.

    "I just spoke with Dasan," the Matoran of Fire went on. "I suggested that we commence a search party, but he refused, saying that he didn't want to lose any more villagers. In fact, he's forbidding anyone from leaving."

    Velika nodded solemnly. "Subdue the Muaka and you save your life. Tighten a leash around it, and you endanger the Muaka's life."

    "You're right, that's exactly what's going on. We're going to need food and supplied from elsewhere on the island eventually; we might as well search for Garan and the others while we're at it."

    "Will it be easy to leave the village?" Velika asked.

    Dezalk shook his head. "I doubt it. Dasan isn't stupid; he will have placed sentries all around the village."

    The Po-Matoran smiled again. "Even a Kane-Ra needs to sleep. And even a Kikanalo can move as quiet as night."

    Dezalk smirked. "I like your optimism, but we have to think realistically. I know some Matoran being able to go all night without needing to sleep."

    Velika's smile broadened. "Then find the odd Bula berry out of the batch."

*  *  *

    Oren stifled a yawn as he stood on the outskirts of the Matoran Cliff Village. Night had fallen over Voya Nui and most of the villagers had gone to bed, save for him and seven others chosen by Dasan to serve as sentries. He was really starting to envy those who were in their comfortable cots, listening to the crickets chirping....

    "Stay focused, Oren."

    Snapped out of the doze he was falling into, Oren glanced at his Ga-Matoran partner, ever vigilant.

    "I am focused," he said indignantly.

    "That's not what your mask is showing," Ceras said curtly. "By the way, it's crooked."

    Mumbling to himself, Oren straightened his teal Kanohi Miru... and stopped when he saw something moving up ahead. He squinted his eyes but could not make out what it was. He pointed this out to Ceras, who frowned in consternation.

    "I'll go check it out," she said. "You stay here, and don't fall asleep."

    Oren rolled his eyes while the Ga-Matoran left her position. Not long after, a Ko-Matoran came up next to him.

    "Kazi? Why are you up?"

    The Matoran of Ice shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Go ahead and get some shut-eye yourself, I'll fill in for you."

    The Bo-Matoran beamed as he gave Kazi his spear. "Thanks. I owe you one."

    He could have sworn he saw the hint of a smile on the usually-stoic Matoran's face, but he shrugged it off, figuring the night was making him see things.

    Once Oren was gone, Kazi turned to see Ceras returning.

    "Dezalk and Velika are ready," she said. "Shall we head off?"

    Kazi nodded. "Yes. And thank you, Ceras, for agreeing to help us."

    She smiled. "Hey, anything for a fellow villager. Or six."

*  *  *

    Helryx grimaced as she watched the giant waterfall pour from the sky and into the chasm where  a good portion of the Southern Continent had once been. In her career as a Toa and leader of the Order of Mata Nui, she had encountered several strange things... but nothing like this.

    Standing with her were Order agents Viraka, Botar, and Orkosan; all three of them looked equally bemused by the sight. Hovering a few feet over the ground, flapping her wings, Viraka looked up towards the sky.

    "Do you think the piece of land was destroyed?"

    Helryx shook her head. "The Mask of Life was on that piece of land. If it was destroyed, we wouldn't be here."

    "Where could it be then?" Orkosan asked.

    "Only one way to find out." Helryx turned to look up at Botar, who instantly knew what to do. The Saevta joined hands with the other three and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

*  *  *

    Banteras, Fortaan, and Tansari stood outside the invisible Castle Artakha, looking out towards the Voya Nui Bay. In it, a whirlpool was beginning to form, spinning more violently each minute.

    "Just like King Mathus foretold," Fortaan said gruffly. "I hope he'll be happy to see us. Who know what delusions he's formed while in the Pit."

    "A hundred thousand years is a long time," Tansari said. "Who can say?"

    Suddenly, as the whirlpool grew even more violent, a shape shot out of the ocean, bringing with it an eruption of water. It then gracefully landed on the ground and the three beings immediately knelt before him.

    Covered in black and gunmetal gray armor, Mallake loomed over them at nine feet tall. Red eyes glowed behind a rusted mask and the pair of horns on the back of his head gleamed in the sunlight. When he spoke, his voice grated with the wisdom and age of a hundred millennia. 

    "Rise, my friends."

    "My liege," Tansari murmured. "We have been waiting so long for your return. King Mathus foretold that--"

    "King, you say?" Venom dripped in Mallake's tone. "Not for long. Where can I find him?"

    "At Castle Artakha," Banteras said. "We have the Kanohi Olmak. Everything is ready."

    "Not yet," Mallake hissed. "Not until the throne is mine again."

    "Of course, my liege," Tansari said quietly. "I'm sure Mathus will gladly relinquish it to you."

   "He will regardless. For there can only be one."

    And in an instant, Mallake and his three followers were on their back to the invisible castle....