Timeless Heroes

Timeless Heroes is a story written by that takes place in an alternate version of the events of Generation 2 where the Protectors replace the Toa as the main protagonists.

The Legend
This was a story told to me by my father and to him his father. Whether or not it be true, all of us still believe in it. As a parable to learn from.

Many years ago, it was a time of relative peace. The island of Okoto was home to many wonders. The most famous of them were the Masks of Power. Artifacts that granted the power of the elements themselves to the wearer. After an event lost to time, only seven exist. The six Masks that allowed control over Fire, Water, Jungle, Earth, Ice, and Stone. The other two belonged to the Mask Makers.

The twin brothers Ekimu and Makuta wore the Mask of Creation and the Mask of Control respectively. What power the Masks granted were a mystery, but nonetheless the two were responsible for the existence of such powerful items on Okoto. We accepted them as one of our own, but it was clear that the twins were different. Their armor and flesh were dissimilar to our own. The plates that cover their body were golden, shining, untouched by filth. Not even the ashes of their legendary forge sullied them. The body beneath the armor appeared to be made up of energy. Ekimu seemed to be made of lapis lazuli, bright blue and crystal. Makuta's was violet, like amethyst.

For the longest time, they were responsible for forging the weapons and equipment Okoto's defenders required for their duties. These Protectors defended their tribes and villages from threats from a horrific dimension known as the Shadow Realm. We know not of its origins, but all accounts tell us that the Shadow Realm coexists with Okoto, sitting on the same plane as us, and yet somewhere else entirely. Every once in a while, the borders between our worlds would open, and nightmarish creatures would come through these openings to disrupt our peace. The Mask Makers and the Protectors worked together to fend off these monstrosities. One such threat were the Skull Raiders, undead abominable perversions of our ancestors.

But our way of life was soon to be changed. The revered twins began shifting in equality. Ekimu became the favorite of the Okotans. His creations were prefered. Makuta grew jealous, even though we still looked up to him as much as we did his brother. The reason behind what happened next, we are not certain. Perhaps he did it of his own free will, blinded by envy and an arrogance he was known for. Maybe he was spurred by the darkness of the Shadow Realm, influencing him to question his bond with his own twin. Whichever the case, Makuta broke a sacred rule: he used all the Elements of the island to create the Mask of Ultimate Power. The very Mask that our precursors declared was too much for one being to have, as it would disrupt our unity.

Makuta placed the Mask upon his face, and was transformed. He turned into a twisted version of himself, malformed and giant. The Elements of the island went haywire. Okoto was being torn apart by Makuta's failure to keep the Mask of Ultimate Power under control. Despite Ekimu's pleas, Makuta refused to take the Mask off. We often ask if he could in the first place or whether he self-centeredly believed he would eventually have full command over it. Before this question could be answered, Ekimu worked quickly.

Swinging his mighty hammer, he struck the Mask of Ultimate Power off of his brother's face. The blow unleashed a powerful shockwave across the island. When the dust settled, Makuta was gone, and Ekimu was sent into a deep slumber. The Mask Maker was not dead, but he might as well be in the eyes of the Okotans. No one knew how to continue the twins' work, and no one believed they were worthy enough to try.

An age of sorrow began that day. We try to this day to keep our spirits up. But danger grows.

And who knows how much time we have left before something just as cataclysmic happens again?

Chapter 1
"You think Ekimu might come back someday? Maybe he'll fix everything," said young Bitone.

Narmoto sighed. He sunk back into his chair, as if trying to relax before laborous work came crashing into his home. "I'm not so sure, son," the Protector of Fire said. "It was a long time ago, you know? So long that I'm not even sure which of your grandfather it was. We've lost count of how many 'greats' he's supposed to have."

Bitone laid back on his bed. Narmoto looked at his seven year old son, his young face illuminated by the small fireplace at the corner of his room. Narmoto always told him the story of Ekimu and Makuta, ever since he was born. By the time Bitone had learned how to comprehend stories, the tale became his favorite.

Narmoto watched as his son closed his eyes and went limp, indicating that he was going to sleep. "Good night, dad," Bitone said. The Protector grunted as though to indicate "likewise, son."

He waved his hand over the fireplace. The flames dissapated, leaving behind burnt logs and embers. He got off of his chair and carried it into the main room of his hut. He placed it back where it should be and went outside. On top of his duties as a father, he also had to deal with being both the leader and the primary defender of the Region of Fire. Hard to believe that it has only been about five months since his father had passed away from old age. In his final moments he had bestowed upon his son the Mask of Fire. With it, he became empowered with the entirety of the island's heat and flame. With a simple command he could shoot fire out of his pointed finger. Not that he had to, he could. Along with the mask, he received his family's twin Flame Swords and Elemental Fire Blaster.

His father could not have passed to the next life at a worse time either. When he died, it had only been a year since Narmoto's wife had died. He never knew how, just that his father had approached him with the saddest expression on his mask one day to tell him about how the mother of his child had been found in the Region's jungles, lifeless. Narmoto had no time to grieve for both his wife and father. As if his age hadn't already been a factor in how taxing such events would be on him. The loss of a spouse, a father, the duties of a Protector, and the duties of raising a child by himself.

His fellow villagers had offered to babysit for him, but he refused. In hindsight, Narmoto saw this as a terrible decision. The way he declined was in a way that seemed to portray his choice as final. Yet another result of all the stress stacked upon him.

The Protector of Fire took a walk through his village. The layout and hut designs were similar to the Region of Fire's district in the City of Mask Makers. A generation that had never seen such a place is still hoping to return to it one day.

Narmoto left the village grounds as soon as he decided he was tired of looking at its huts. As he left, he nodded to the guards. He had an appointment somewhere and he was going to leave the Village of Fire in their capable hands. He entered the dark jungle, the near-deafening silence save for some insect chirping felt like it was enough to drive anybody into paranoia.

Even though he had walked through such a place since his childhood, the recent reports of the potential return of the Skull Raiders worried him. What if he was ambushed and killed? What would his village think? What would Bitone think? His boy was still young, and it distressed him to wonder if Protectors can be as young as his son. Most of the tales he heard of his predecessors were that they were usually fully grown adults. Some of the youngest would be around their late teens.

Narmoto let out a sigh of relief as he saw his destination in the distance. Its natural glow illuminated the night sky. The Temple of Time. The most sacred place on the entire island of Okoto. Within it was rumored to hold the fabled Mask of Time. Nobody was ever able to make sure. The last time Narmoto remembered someone attempted it, that person lost all sense of time, and flip flopped consciousness between the past, the present, and the future. Some of his fellow Protectors suggested that they listen to such victims, but the others, including him, argued that madness was sure to be a factor of such a predicament and the motion was vetoed.

The Protector of Fire climbed the stairs up the Temple of Time, traveling through its labyrinths of corridors until he reached the center of the structure. A clearing with a glowing well at the center, projecting the light anyone could see from a distance. Surrounding the well were Narmoto's fellow Protectors.

"There he is," said Izotor, Protector of Ice and the pretty much the most rude person Narmoto knew. "Bed wetting from the boy make you late?"

"Izotor," said Korgot, Protector of Earth firmly. "Narmoto, we understand if Bitone is causing delays, no need to be concerned."

Narmoto nodded, without a word. But Izotor's words reminded him that when he gets back he'll probably have to deal with Bitone's bed wetting again.

"Shall we get to business?" asked Narmoto.

"Who was it that suggested this, anyways?" asked Izotor.

"Not one of us, if I recall," replied Vizuna, Protector of Jungle. At the base of his spine, his unusual tail wagged, as though to show that the Protector was secretly and excitedly itching to get what they were planning over with. "We just discussed these 'Skull Spiders' and the talk just devolved into talk about the Prophecy. I told you all so that this was going to happen."

"Yeah, we know. Your tail tell you anything else? What am I about to say?" asked Izotor.

"You're about to stammer in confusion when I tell you about how you're going to team up with an ape-rhino."

"Wh-wait, wh-what? A-what did..." stammered Izotor in confusion.

"Guys, are we going to get through with this or not?" asked Kivoda, Protector of Water. "The more time we waste, the more those spiders or whatever those things are get the chance to tear Okoto apart. I've heard whispers of things happening over at the City of Mask Makers."

All of the Protectors turned their attention to their friend.

"What's happened?" questioned Narmoto.

"I'm not sure," Kivoda said in a worried tone. "Some of my villagers, they were wandering near the grounds of the City and reported to me that they saw...people wandering around. Marching along the walls and borders as if watching guard. They said the way they moved wasn't normal."

"Not normal in what way?" asked Izotor.

"Like their limbs were stuck. Something in their joints forcing them to struggle in simply moving. Now can we please speak the Prophecy? I don't like the idea of strangers near our old home."

"Could it be the Skull Raiders?" asked Korgot.

"Couldn't be," said Nilkuu, Protector of Stone. "The Skull Raiders were sent back to the Shadow Realm. How was never properly explained, but they are definitely gone from this world."

Narmoto looked up at the night sky. Hovering just above their world were six celestial objects. Each had a color corresponding with the six Elements.

"What do you think will happen if we do this?" Narmoto asked.

Everyone looked at him.

"What do you mean?" asked Vizuna.

"We were told of this 'Prophecy' ever since we were kids. It was hammered into our minds until we could recite it in our sleep. But Dad never told me exactly what it'll do."

"My father said it'll solve our problems, but only the dire ones," said Nilkuu.

The other nodded in agreement or murmured.

A brief silence filled the Temple as the Protectors stared at the well between them.

"Why are we just standing here again?" asked Izotor, an eyebrow raised.

"I think we're stalling for some reason," said Kivoda.

"Why?"

"I have no idea."

"Look, let's just..." sighed Narmoto. "Let's just say it and see what happens, alright?"

Everyone nodded. If there was anybody's judgement to trust, it was Narmoto's.

They all cleared their throats and spoke in unison:

"When times are dark all hope seems lost, the Protectors must unite, one from each tribe. Evoke the power of the past and future, and look to the skies for the answer. When the stars align, six comets will bring timeless heroes to claim the Masks of Power and find the Mask Maker. United, the elements hold the power to defeat evil. United, but not one."

As soon as they finished, the Protectors looked up at the sky in anticipation.

Nothing happened.

"So..." said Izotor. "What are we expect--"

Suddenly, from the well burst a beam of blue light. It seemed like a signal sent to the heavens, a beacon for help. A hum emerged from the base of the beam, filling the Protectors' ears. A wave of energy washed over them, causing them to squint. It felt as though a powerful wind was right in their faces.

"What's happening?" asked Kivoda over the noise.

Narmoto looked up to the sky. His eyes widened. "'Look to the skies for the answer...'" he recited.

The Protectors followed his command, they gasped at what they saw.

From the six moons came six comets. Each of them were the colors of the Elements as well. They fell towards Okoto, splitting away from each other.

"Where are they going to land?!" shouted Izotor.

Narmoto followed the red comet, which he assumed was for his own element of Fire. He watched as it headed straight for a volcano in the Region of Fire. It entered its opening, and Narmoto could feel a crash from within. "They're landing in our Regions. Like the elements themselves are going home."

"Timeless heroes," muttered Korgot as she watched the purple comet land in the direction of the Region of Earth. "Could it be that they...those are the Toa?"

"Oh, I hope they didn't hear us take their names in vain..." said Kivoda, a worried expression on his face.

"You better get to the volcano, Narmoto," said Vizuna, who had just finished watching the green comet land in the Region of Jungle. "Something's going to lead you there."

"Somethin--?" Narmoto snapped towards the northwest. His attention caught like a fish in a net.

"Narmoto, what is it?" asked Korgot, staring at her friend with concern.

Narmoto didn't say anything. He felt a presence. It was drawing him, some aura was pulling at his interest and beckoning him to follow. He finally spoke, "There's something in the jungle outside."

"What?" Izotor grunted. He looked at Vizuna. "Do you see anything with that thing of yours?"

For once, Vizuna looked confused as well. "No, my tail's not picking up anything. Maybe it's that something that'll lead Narmoto."

"It's invisible to your tail?" asked Nikluu. His hands were slightly raised, as though he was ready to grab his Sandstorm Blaster from the back and ready it for combat.

Before anything else could be said, Narmoto began running towards the alluring presence. He didn't say a word, like he was hypnotized by whatever was calling him. His fellow Protectors called for him to wait before they gave chase after him.

"The volcano!" shouted Vizuna, who was working his way up a tree. "Head towards the volcano! That's where he's going!"

Chapter 2
To be added