Dark Realities

Dark Realities is a story serial written by users Chicken Bond, Varkanax39, and Jareroden97. It focuses on the struggle between a resistance of freedom fighters and the combined forces of Eostra Nihiltian, the "Dark Lord," and Millennium, who have conquered the recently reformed Spherus Magna in an alternate universe.

Prologue
A cloaked figure moved through the darkened skies of the night. She strode through the land with confidence and strength, not fearing the dangerous creatures that stalked these parts. They held no threat towards her, no significance, and if they dared attack her; well, their life wouldn't last as long as they had hoped.

It was for this reason none of the local wildlife within the Black Spike Mountains dared attack Eostra Nihiltian, for although she did not look like a particularly threatening opponent, her appearance disguised the raw power at her disposal that was nearly totally unmatched.

The Elemental Prince of Annihilation strode into the assigned meeting place, and growled in frustration. As she had predicted, no being had been at this meeting place. She knew she shouldn't be here. It had only been, perhaps, a day since Teridax's death at the hands of Mata Nui and the reformation of the planet Spherus Magna, and Eostra had already begun assembling the legions of the Shadowy Ones following their mass migration to the new world.

She was certain that if she attacked now, whilst the new society of the Matoran and Agori was being built, she could conquer all of Spherus Magna in several years, at maximum, a decade. However, a mysterious telepathic message had been sent to her shortly after her arrival on Spherus Magna, distracting her from her planning. The message was extremely cryptic, simply saying meet within the mountains.

Whilst she knew from her own experiences throughout her life that it could merely be a trap prepared by one of her enemies, something about the message told her it wasn't; and she couldn't help but remain curious as to what this "meeting" was about.

Eostra turned to leave the clearing, when she heard the sound of heavy, armored footsteps trudging towards her. She turned in the direction where the noises were coming from, and raised her mighty trident as she took an offensive stance.

She waited a total of five seconds.

Then, out from darkness of the forest, came the rough outline of a tall and bulky, yet surprising lean, figure. Although no definitive aspects of this being's appearance could give away it's identity, the moment Eostra's eyes locked with the that of the entity's, she knew immediately who it was.

"So... the legendary "Dark Lord" of the mighty Empire of Shadows has summoned me," said Eostra bitterly.

The "Dark Lord" was a being of great power, so great that his strength perhaps rivaled her own. She didn't like beings who were on equal terms with her own advanced levels of power.

The "Dark Lord" didn't move from the darkness, almost making it seem like the shadows themselves were clinging to his body. All Eostra could truly make out were those piercing red eyes, eyes that had struck fear into the hearts of thousands who had met his gaze. Eostra was not one of them.

"I did not summon you," spoke the "Dark Lord" in a chilling tone. This confused Eostra, though did not surprise her, and she quickly realized the situation.

"The your here for the same reason I am."

Had she been able to see him, the "Dark Lord" would have been nodding.

"Indeed you are," spoke a new voice.

Eostra and the "Dark Lord" turned their heads, and before them stood tall being of vast power wielding a menacing axe. This time, the arrival of this being did take Eostra by surprise.

The being chuckled. "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is..."

"Millennium," spoke the "Dark Lord" in disbelief, "leader of the Shadow of Ages... but you cannot possibly exist. Everybody knows that the tales of Millennium are a myth, stories told to the Matoran in order to scare them into working harder."

"So it would seem," spoke Eostra. "Though why do you summon us here. If the legends surrounding you are true, you possess a mighty army, and following the recent circumstances of Teridax's death, we all need to rebuild our empires."

Millennium simply smiled; a truly ugly expression. "That is why I summoned you here. This world is weak, whilst we stand strong and proud. I'm more than aware that once we reform our legions we will all attempt to claim this world as our own domain. However, our three mighty factions shall clash, no doubt, in an effort to claim ultimate power."

"Then let it stay that way," cried the "Dark Lord," the tone of his voice forcing the nearby rocks to crack. "Let the strongest empire stand over the others, and rule the world."

"True," spoke Millennium. "But a war between our armies would result in huge casualties on all sides that would cripple our forces to the point where the Matoran and Agori could stage an uprising; and actually succeed."

Eostra spoke. "What are you proposing then? What solution do you suggest to this problem?"

Millennium laughed hard, prompting Eostra to launch her fearsome powers of Annihilation at the Shadow of Ages leader. This was followed by another blast of power from the "Dark Lord," who attacked Millennium merely out of cruelty, as was his nature.

Millennium shrugged off the blast, and bombarded Eostra's mind with a powerful mental blast that shattered her concentration. The smile that had decorated Millennium's face had vanished, and this time, he spoke in a much more menacing tone.

"The 'solution' I refer to is an alliance between our empires. We are all equals, and neither of us could truly triumph over each other in a battle, without killing ourselves off all at once in the process. No, If we join forces, we could cause the rise and falls of civilizations on a whim, we could shatter entire mountains effortlessly, and we could even, should we unite, conquer all those celestial bodies that exist beyond this world."

Silence followed Millennium's speech before the "Dark Lord" spoke up.

"Very well. I hereby commit the vast armies of the Empire of Shadows to this alliance, with the single goal of conquering creation itself. Once this is done, we shall rule together as the universe's true, and just masters."

"Excellent!" cried Millennium. "And I therefore commit the devotion and power of the Shadow of Ages to this cause with you, "Dark Lord," and together, we will ensure the conquest of all reality itself!"

The two entities turned to face Eostra, who was remaining silent whilst making her final decision in the depths of her twisted mind. ''This alliance is unstable, though it may suit my purposes until the time our conquests are complete. Once that is done, I have no need of them, and the art of betrayal shall be required.''

"I wouldn't try that if I were you," said the "Dark Lord."

Millennium continued the dark being's speech. "We are all powerful in our own right, and betraying each other would only critically weaken our alliance to the point of collapse. Face it, Eostra, you need us, whether you like it or not."

"And therefore, we're the only beings you can trust," the "Dark Lord" added finally.

Eostra then raised her head, and stared at Millennium, and then at the "Dark Lord," who's crimson eyes never gestured away from her. She then chuckled.

"Very well then. I, Eostra Nihiltian, ally the might of the seven Shadowy Ones to the cause of this union. And I now decree that Spherus Magna, and the worlds beyond it, shall fall!"

The "Dark Lord" spoke. "Very well. Now let us part ways for the time being, we must gather our legions, and ready them for battle."

"Indeed," finished Millennium. "And once that is done, we shall come to this place one final time before our conquest, and once we have cemented our alliance, Spherus Magna shall submit before us. Because from this point onwards, we are no longer three different factions fighing over domination, but a sole indestructable force of power. For we our now, and forever more... the Dark Empire! Now come my... "friends." The time has come for us to, in more than one way, rewrite the course of history itself..."

Chapter 1
Leviathos walked through a dust-covered hall, in a city that had once been called Atero, the location of the partially destroyed Arena Magna. So much had changed on their world since Millennium, Eostra, and the "Dark Lord" and their Dark Empire had taken over most of the planet in the past 100 years. All the inhabitants of the planet, regardless whether they were native to Spherus Magna or the Matoran Universe, lived in fear of death from day-to-day, forced to hide out in the most remote places to stay alive. In response to the takeover, Leviathos and several other beings had formed a resistance against the conquerors, and had made their base in the ruins of Atero, where no one would look for them. After all, who was going to look in an old arena, laid waste by an army of Skrall, for a group of rebels?

After arriving in the city, Leviathos and his allies had partially rebuilt Atero, and managed to stabilize the old building's structure. They had added a number of extra chambers to the original architecture and constructed a number of underground tunnels as emergency escape routes out of the city.

He walked into a room, where five other beings sat around a circular table. Leviathos knew these beings as the resistance's leaders. Decorating the walls surrounding them were the carvings of several great Glatorian; Ackar, Tarix, Vastus, and Certavus to name all but a few. The room was famous, and was referred to by the Agori as the Wall of Champions.

One of the beings seated, a Ko-Matoran named Ixtil, rose up from his seat. "Hello Leviathos, please have a seat."

Leviathos sat down on a rickety and dust-covered chair, and looked to a battered, hulking, white and gray figure, who carried a large staff. "Conqueror, any word from our outpost in the Tesara region?"

Conqueror sighed. "Yes, but not anything good."

Leviathos looked intently at him. "Let me guess: they were overrun, and no one survived?"

Conqueror leaned back. "Absolutely correct."

"What of the attack on the "Dark Lord's" fortresses on borderline of the Northern Frost," spoke Leviathos.

"We managed to catch four of his fortresses by surprise, and used the sheer power of our numbers to claim three more," said the figure that Leviathos recognized as Shardak. "We've gained a foothold in the Northern Frost, though our scouts have seen large reinforcements lead by Makuta Treix on the march to recapture their bases."

"I calculate we have an approximate chance of 64.3% of surviving the assault, with a 46% chance that Triex's armies will force us to retreat," added Ixtil.

"Excellent," cried Toa Jareroden. "That means we'll be able to loot their fortresses of anything valuable, resupply, and be prepared enough to tackle Treix's forces with devastating results. Once that's done, and with Treix's forces exhausted, I'll be able to lead my army through the White Quartz Mountains and to the borderlines of the Black Spike Mountains, where we have chance of capturing that weapons manufacturing outpost."

Many would have considered Jareroden unfit to be one of the resistance's leaders, despite being experienced warrior. Perhaps this was mainly because the leading council was made up of only the most seasoned, cunning, and powerful warriors still fighting the dark powers that ruled over everything that mattered to them.

However, the war with the "Dark Lord" and his allies had changed Jareroden. He had evolved from a simple Toa into a hardened veteran of combat. As such, he was considered a worthy leader, and following his success during the fourth occupation of the Vulcanus region, he was believed to be capable of leading the resistance.

Leviathos turned to face the last resistance leader, who had yet to give a report.

"And what do you have to share, Freztrak? Did you and your forces manage to smuggle those Water Stones out from Eostra's kingdom in the Great Jungle."

The former Skakdi warlord remained quite for minutes that felt like hours before finally speaking.

"We only managed to steal eighteen stones. We originally left with at least fifty, though our caravan was ambushed by a bounty hunter named Nightwatcher. He took thirty of our Water Stones, and the lives of over a dozen of our warriors. We... we lost Mersery in the conflict that followed. He distracted Nightwatcher from killing us all by battling him, sacrificing his life to give us the time to return to Atero. Mersery knew what he was going against. He didn't stand a chance."

All the seated beings bowed their heads in respect for their fallen comrade.

Eventually, Leviathos broke the silence. "Jareroden, get your army ready to leave, it's a long way to the Northern Frost, and our troops up there will need all the help they can get."

The Toa nodded, and left the room in silence.

Leviathos turned back to the rest of the leaders. "The times are darkening. The armies of our enemies are growing."

Shardak looked at Leviathos, and spoke the same words that a Glatorian named Gresh had spoke over a hundred years before. "Leviathos, do you think we can win?"

Leviathos sighed, and spoke the same words Tarix had spoke a hundred years ago. "No, Shardak, I don't think we can, all I know is that we have to win, or else... or else all is lost to the shadows..."

With that, the resistance leaders raised from the table, nodded to each other, and went their separate ways, each with their own matters to attend to. Had they had the hearing of a De-Matoran, perhaps they would have heard, thousands of miles away, the sound of the dark laughter belonging to the three entities who ruled the world.

Two Corpsians stood guard outside of one of their outposts in the Great Jungle. It had been a relatively boring day, no one had come, save a few scouts and messengers from other areas of the world. No fighting had been waged in that area of the vast forest, some troops were thankful that they didn't have to risk their necks in the front, while others, such as the two Corpsian guards, longed to be out in the fighting. But, they had been stationed there following an "accident" with one of the "Dark Lord's" machines.

One Corpsian pointed a clawed finger into the morning mist. "Look, someone's coming."

The two black-armored beings crossed their spears, barring anyone from entering.

A voice then pierced the fog, carrying more than a hint of insanity. "Don't worry troops, it's just me."

The being stepped into view, and one of the guards spat out his name with distaste. "Merodos."

The insane Skakdi/Makuta nodded. "Bingo."

One of the Corpsians pointed to something Merodos was dragging behind him. "What's that?"

Merodos held out the slumped figure of a black and green Skrall. "Oh, this? This is one of the resistance lackeys I captured. His name is Korzor."

The Corpsians drew back their weapons. "You may pass."

Without another word, Merodos walked into the shadowed doorway. Once he reached a designated prison cell, he flung his captive non-ceremoniously inside. Once he was out of the room, Korzor raised his head, and activated a hidden comlink, just like the ones all the other resistance members used. "Alright, I'm in."

A muscular black and gray armored Toa walked down a long, narrow corridor. His name was one ushered with fear and terror in every village and every hidden rebel base. He was known to rain death and destruction down on entire settlements without a single regret. He was known for butchering anyone who dared to stand in his path. And, finally, he was known for his lack of any social ties, any connections to any empires or factions.

It was for this reason the bounty hunter Nightwatcher had such a profitable job. Bounty hunting was dangerous work on this planet, even for him, but it ensured the highest pay. As the centuries had past, more and more bounty hunters had perished, leaving only the most ruthless, merciless, and skilled bounty hunters to reap the rewards of the missions offered.

Nightwatcher entered a large chamber. The room was circular, and was nearly pitch black. All that lit the room were small Lightstones embedded in the ceiling, generating only enough light to see the ground. However, as Nightwatcher walked before a flight of stairs that ascended to a high platform with a massive throne mounted on it, Nightwatcher could make out the rough form of Eostra Nihiltian.

She activated her Mask of Dread, hoping to humble the war-hardened killer before her vast and incomprehensible power. The mask had no effect on the fearsome bounty hunter. Eostra projected her mask's power to it's full level, which would be enough to drive even the shielded mind of a member of the Order of Mata Nui insane.

Nightwatcher spoke calmly. "Give it a break, Eostra, your mask has no effect on me."

Eostra shrugged. "May I question you, as to how?"

"No," said Nightwatcher with a chuckle. "Call it... my little secret."

This was a statement new to Eostra. No one would ever dare to reject anything Eostra asked for, out of fear of suffering pain greater than death, though Nightwatcher was a different subject entirely. For now, she tolerated the bounty hunter.

"Did you succeed?" She inquired

Nightwatcher nodded, hurling thirty Water Stones out of a small bag.

"What of the rebels who dared steal them? Did you... deal with them?"

Nightwatcher didn't reply. Instead, he snapped his fingers and two Corpsians entered the room, and threw the body of Mersery onto the ground.

"I decided to keep this one's body intact as a trophy for you. I killed several other rebels too. Zyglak, Skakdi, Matoran, Agori. Their bodies were... in too many pieces to bring before you."

Eostra chuckled. "So... one of the key figures of the resistance is dead. Millennium will be most pleased that his old nemesis is dead."

"Well that's nice to know. Now how about you stop rambling, and start paying. Seven thousand I remember I was promised, and I want it now."

"In time, my murdering ally," said Eostra. "But first, I want you to complete another assignment."

"Which is?"

"A group of rebels were spotted walking through the village that connects my kingdom with that of the "Dark Lord's." Also, three days ago, a group of organized rebels infiltrated my archives, and stole valuable information that is essential to my plans. I believe those resistance fighters are the ones that have the information."

"Who'd I be going against," asked Nightwatcher.

"A small band of rebel warriors. My spies name them Nalek, Crystallus, Galika, Tryx, Shika, and a few others... all of which are lead by Toa Hydros."

Nightwatcher thought for a time. Not exactly an easy hunt, but profit could be made from it.

"I'll accept on the condition you increase my fee by double."

"I'll increase your reward by a triple, though only if you bring all the rebels back to my fortress... dead preferably."

Nigtwatcher smiled, and finished their conversation with four words that could possibly seal the fates of six individuals.

"You've got a deal."

Chapter 2
All was quiet as darkness shrouded Spherus Magna in a half-light. Nothing could be seen or heard, save the footsteps of a tall being.

His name was Tetrack, and he was once a ruler himself.

After Millennium's self-proclaimed takeover, Tetrack and a small group of his most loyal aids had survived and joined a small group of rebels. Now he was following their leader, a Toa known as Blast. He, Tetrack, and two other Toa were attempting to find a passageway into the Eostra's fortress.

"No Corpsian guards." Blast muttered under his breath. "Odd."

Tetrack was seriously considering crushing Blast to bits and taking the consequences for such an act of betrayal. It was extremely annoying for him, following a small, weak Toa into battle. Although Tetrack knew he needed Blast and his allies, at least for know, Tetrack knew that a fight between them was near.

The dark being motioned to one of his servants, a Makuta known as Kaluu.

"This way." He snarled. "Blast has found a way in." Tetrack took a long breath, savoring every moment of conquest. Soon, every Toa who stands in my way will die, and I alone shall rule the universe.

Neocrax and Tenork crouched on a hill, watching as an assorted army of Empire of Shadows and Shadow of Ages soldiers marched alongside a riverbed.

Tenork turned to Neocrax, and asked him the same question the sixth time in as many minutes. "Are you sure you know the plan?"

The Rahkshi-headed Makuta sighed. "Yes Tenork, all the times you've asked me I think I should."

The Torshurrr pointed to a depression in the rocky land. "Good, once they get to there, our forces hidden in the riverbed can ambush them, and drive them back."

Neocrax tightened his grip on his daggers as the enemy approached the depression.

Rando, Gurren, Algor, and about twenty other Toa hid in the shadow of the riverbed, waiting for the army of the enemy to pass.

Gurren nervously toyed with his hand-gun. "How much longer?"

Rando whispered between clenched teeth. "Not long. Be patient, or do you want to run headlong to your death?"

All fell silent as heavy trodding sounded directly above them, and great shadows were cast along the ditch as the opposing army marched not three feet above them. Eventually, the time to strike came.

Rando leapt out of the ditch, yelling. "NOW! ATTACK!"

The many Toa leapt out of the riverbed, followed by Algor.

Meanwhile, Neocrax and Tenork raced down the hill, and joined the battle.

Neocrax launched a blast of laser vision, killing several Imperials and Shadow of Ages members. Tenork flung his torch, setting an empire soldier ablaze.

Gurren watched in horror as Algor was felled by a Shadow of Ages soldier's blade. "Algor! No!"

The Ko-Matoran fell to the hard ground, his lifeless body making a soft thud against it. Enraged, Gurren unleashed his entire arsenal on the enemy, utilizing his handgun, his shoulder-mounted laser, his beam rifle, his Thornax Launcher, his shield, and his two swords. The enemy fell in waves before him.

Meanwhile, Rando flipped about, slashing with his blade. He had numerous cuts and dents in his armor, but he ignored it, caught up in the rush of the fighting.

Eventually, the enemy was demolished, save their leader, a Makuta named Vicoran.

Rando walked to the slain body of Algor, and picked it up, and called to the remainder of the squad. "Come on, we need to get back to Atero."

Before they got ten feet from the battleground, a tall, quadrupedal, black and silver being appeared in front of them.

Neocrax twirled his daggers. "Skorpix..."

The Elemental Prince chuckled. "I'm glad my name is known in your resistance. Now, you will all perish."

Chapter 3
Shardak strode into the main arena of Atero. Following his council meeting, Shardak had been informed by a Toa known only as 95 of the completion of the resistance's large scale recruitment operation. New people made Shardak uneasy. Some were innocent beings who simply desired the chance for adventure and excitement, and lacked any real skills in combat. Some were shady characters plucked from the darkest corners of Spherus Magna, who couldn't be trusted, yet their powers and capabilities made them useful to Shardak's allies.

No matter, these new fighters were usually the first to have their heads removed, which wasn't Shardak's favorite thought to think about. He strode into the Arena Magna, standing atop of a podium in order to oversee the vast crowd before him. Shardak sighed before speaking.

"My name is Shardak. I'm one of the leaders of this faction. You, on the other hand, have no rank, no experience, and no idea as to what we're going against."

A Toa named Chronuva gulped hard.

"It is the resistance's best interest to defeat our powerful enemies, yet their will be casualties, my friends," continued Shardak. "Battle shall never come too soon. Many of you may die fighting for this cause, whilst others may die in regret and guilt."

Shardak descended from the podium, and walked towards a vast training course that covered, at least, one quarter of the arena.

"This training course will decide if you have the skill, power, and guts to survive the hardships ahead. The course won't kill you, though I can't grantee you'll all leave it in one piece."

A Skakdi warrior named Serhaktem sneered, looking at a Zyglak who looked all too eager for bloodshed. Another figure, Thornax, twisted a smile across his face, confident he could triumph over this practice course.

Shardak sighed. "Very well then. Take your marks. Three... two... one... GO!"

The warriors charged into the course. Several practice dummies emerged from the ground as several other strange devices retracted from the ground. Shardak walked back onto the podium. Beings of every kind were fighting to get in.

Zyglak, Matoran, Toa, Agori, and even a few Skrall as well. However, despite the fearsome conflicts that were taking place ahead, Shardak knew only a small collection of those warriors would make it through. It didn't exactly give the resistance a powerful boost of reinforcements, but it gave them the most determined and skilled warriors capable of fighting.

Far to the west of Atero, a patrol of dark soldiers strode through the rebuilt city of Tajun. Following Millennium, Eostra, and the "Dark Lord's" domination, they had authorized the reconstruction of the pillaged and ruined village of Tajun, which had been lost during a raid by a combined Skrall and Bone Hunter army during some war no one was bothered to remember.

Following the reconstruction of the city, it had served as one of Millennium's lairs and personal retreats during the early years of his rule. However, when Millennium began to favor his base in the Valley of the Maze over his one in Tajun, he began to pay less attention to the water village. Eventually it fell into anarchy, becoming a haven for murderers, exiles, bounty hunters, and thieves alike, resulting in it quickly transforming into a grimey crime underworld after a number Vortixx black-smiths and rogue Nynrah Ghosts established a series of weapon factories in the city.

The leader of the patrol now wandering through these treacherous streets was known as Purberax, and his name was certainly something to be feared amongst the ranks of the resistance. After all, who wouldn't be terrified of, or at least unnerved by, a Toa of Shadow who specialized in the killing of his own kind.

He was accompanied by a much larger warrior named Raptrix, a warlord originally from the Southern Continent. Although they weren't the best pair, they were effective nonetheless. They stopped at their destination, a dark, thin corridor which led to a long set of stairs which, in turn, led to a door. After dismissing the rest of the patrol, Purberax and Raptrix headed to the top of the stairs, looking at the door as a dimly lit Lightstone flickered above.

With great hesitation, Purberax knocked on the door. Raptrix grumbled behind, and Purberax could understand why. Their assignment was both dangerous, and costly. After a few seconds a voice could be heard from behind the door.

"Who is it? Name yourself and your business."

"My name..." Purberax began, "Is not important. Though we identify ourselves as warriors of the three that rule this world."

"You mean your lackeys of the "Dark Lord," Millennium and Eostra? What brings you to these parts? Soldiers like you are more likely to be shot and stabbed than be welcomed in these streets."

Raptrix spoke up. "We come here with a... proposition for you. Our masters require your talents."

"I see... though what for? Or do you already know the nature of my job."

"We require you services for a special assignment," continued Raptrix. "One that requires the natural skill of one such as yourself."

"I see," said the being behind the door. "Then you know the prices I charge for such missions. My line of work is treacherous, risky, and dangerous all at once, and as such, I always expect to be well rewarded for completing my assignments."

Purberax spoke again. "Our masters offer you a total of fifty thousand. No greater, no less."

The being chuckled. "That's funny. If you truly wanted my abilities on the battlefield, you would be paying me eighty thousand, I accept no less than what I ask for."

"Are you crazy?" roared Raptrix in disbelief. "Eighty thousand is what a single merchant can make 200,000 years! You're pushing your luck too far. Our masters will make sure you..."

"That's... enough, Raptrix," said Purberax, calm as ever. "Let me rephrase my earlier offer. How about I give you seventy three thousand for your services, and you fulfill our leaders' missions."

The being muttered something incomprehensible for a few seconds, as if considering it.

"I stick with my earlier price: eighty thousand. The lowest I'll go is seventy nine thousand."

"Seventy six."

"Seventy eight."

Purberax growled. "I offer you a total and final fee of seventy seven thousand for your services, in addition to a decrease on the price on your head."

"What makes you think I want a price deducted from my death?" Asked the being from behind the door.

"I like the idea that I'm considered a danger to all, and besides, I like decent challengers to come and fight me every now and then. Keeps my skills sharp, and my mind alert. Whatever made you think I want things to change?"

"Because if you don't," began Purberax. "We're going to increase that price on you by 75%, and I'm sure my masters wouldn't mind me hiring the best bounty hunters on the planet to kill you. Face it, you either settle on what you've got, or you loose your life."

There was a long pause.

Then, the sound of several lock mechanisms behind the door could be heard unlocking. Once the clipping and snapping sounds of the defense devices had vanished, the door opened, and out came the tall and powerful form of the famous hunter Janneus, adorned in his pitted and scarred emerald armor.

"Well what are we waiting for," asked the bounty hunter. "I've got a mission to complete, and a reward to collect."

"In due time," added Raptrix. "But first, your making a trip with us to the Valley of the Maze."

"For what purpose?" Asked Janneus.

"Why, for our masters to explain your mission to you, as well as to allow you to meet your new... partners."

"Partners?" Inquired Janneus in a confused tone.

"Indeed," added Purberax. "We've got a lot to talk about, my friend."

Chapter 4
Varkanax strode confidently across the razed village of Tesara, his jet-black armor gleaming as the huge warrior watched soldiers of the Corpse Empire root out surviving Agori and Matoran and brutally slaughter them. The villagers had stood absolutely no chance against the armies of Varkanax, who had led his legions on a surprise attack around the back of the village, while the main Shadow of Ages force had cut down the defenders.

After the resistance was formed against Eostra and the other two entities who ruled alongside her, Tesara had become a base for multiple resistance fighters. Tesara had been given a chance to surrender to the Shadow of Ages, and refused. However, a small group of Agori had escaped the razed city, and taken many of the resistance fighters with them.

Varkanax was not looking forward to telling Eostra Nihiltian he had failed. He had secured Tesera, but failed to capture most of the resistance fighters. Only two Resistance members had been captured, and neither of them were very powerful. One was an Agori, a minor soldier. Varkanax had crushed him, watching as shattered bits of his armor scattered across the ground. The other was a weak Toa, who killed himself rather then let Varkanax read his thoughts. Varkanax let out a malevolent hiss. The resistance may have been suicidal, but it was brave to the point of insanity.

An Aspect of Corpse walked over to Varkanax.

"We have rounded up all the Agori and disposed of them." It said in the nasal, emotionless tone common of Corpsians. "They knew nothing."

"Of course not." Varkanax said, switching to the same tongue. It was said that only Elemental Demons and Corpsians could truly utter those words correctly, as the tongues of other beings were not designed to speak such words of pure evil. The only two exceptions were Eostra and the Shadowy One known as Skorpix, who together had created the Corpsian race.

"The resistance is not stupid. They knew we would come for them eventually." Varkanax turned, and issued orders to a small, elite group of Corpsians, mostly Aspects, but with a few Annihilator of Corpse as well.

"We will pursue them. They could not have gone far." turning, the hulking elemental demon led the aspects and annihilators away from the destroyed village of Tesara, where hundreds of Matoran and Agori had died because they would not submit to the might of Eostra and Millennium.

Galika, Tryx, Shika, Nalek, and Crystallus were journeying along a narrow chasm, trying to hide from the Corpsian armies. After the razing of Tesara, the remainder of the resistence fighters were forced to flee, realizing that they would be killed if the Shadow of Ages soldiers captured them. Two resistance fighters, Agori villager Invek and Toa warrior Crodak had been captured and killed after the surrender of Tesara.

"Shadow of Ages soldiers approaching." hissed Galika quietly. "Hundreds. Varkanax and a small force of Corpse Soldiers are coming this way."

Nalek cursed. "So Millennium is coming after us. He obviously doesn't want any of the resistance alive to warn the leadership of the resistance about the destruction of Tesera, or the planned attack on Vulcanus. With the fall of Tesara, Vulcanus was the only place in all of Spherus Magna where the resistance could roam freely. They had spies in Tajun, however, the crime-ridden half-destroyed village was hardly a safe haven. The Valley of the Maze, the Great Jungle, and Roxtus were ruled viciously by Millennium, Eostra Nihiltian, and the "Dark Lord", respectively, and places no one could turn for help.

During the group's journey to Vulcanus, Nalek and the rest of the team had been led by the famed Toa Hydros following a successful raid on Eostra's libraries of secret knowledge. However, during their escape into the wastelands, they had stumbled into a small desert outpost, forcing Hydros, Nalek, and the rest of the team to kill the guards at the camp in order to prevent them from alerting the "Dark Lord."

Knowing that warriors of the Empire of Shadows would be on their way to investigate, Hydros proposed to split up, with himself and two other Toa heading off to the west, intending to circle round and arrive at Vulcanus, whilst Nalek and the rest of the team had agreed to head off in the intended direction. The plan was to leave two sets of separate trails behind in order to confuse the "Dark Lord's" soldiers, forcing them to split up into smaller, much more manageable groups in order to track them down. As Nalek had anticipated, Hydros and the other two must have already reached Vulcanus at this point.

Tryx and Shika took up defensive positions, while Nalek prepared for the attack with his glowing sword raised. Shika and Galika readied twin Midak Skyblasters that they had taken from the corpses of Shadow of Ages gunmen.

A Copy of Corpse was the first to spot them. He barked a single nasal word to a tall, black-robed aspect, then fell dead to the ground with a wound from a Midak Skyblaster to his head.

"Idiot!" hissed Nalek at Galika. "You've given away our position!" Corpsians turned as one and saw Nalek's glowing golden armor amid the rocks.

Another aspect barked an order to a group of Shadow of Ages soldiers. The soldiers began to charge up the cliffs, ready to crush the forces that were trapped at the chasm. But Nalek's forces had one great advantage over those of the Shadow of Ages. They had ranged weapons, while the Shadow of Ages's soldiers were virtually unarmed, save typical spears. A few carried swords made of iron, and there were no ranged weapons in their force.

"All right." said Nalek, turning to his forces. "We go down, but we'll take as many as we can with us. Shika, Galika, and Crystallus, you all wield ranged weapons. As they charge, kill as many as you can before we all perish."

The Shadow of Ages soldiers charged, yelling battle cries that reverberated through the air as the Midak bullets, coupled with Cordak ammo, struck the soldiers dead on, flinging their corpses from the cliffs into the chasms below. "Fire!" Crystallus called as more Shadow of Ages warriors reached the slope's edge. Bullets found their mark as Shadow of Ages warriors fell screaming to their deaths.

But still more came, charging up the slopes. Crystallus turned, then was struck by a Corpsian's scythe. As he cried out when the Shredsteel pierced his body, Tryx flung himself at the Copy of Corpse, decapitating it in seconds and flinging its mangled body into the abyss below. Another Corpsian disarmed Shika, and a Shadow of Ages soldier turned and grabbed Galika from the throng. With Crystallus injured and Galika and Shika captured, the rest of the Shadow of Ages were able to climb up the slopes without fear of being shot down by Cordak bullets or Midak ammunition.

"Charge." Ordered Nalek grimly. This was their last chance. At least one of them needed to survive to warn Hydros of the attack on Tesara. And without Galika and Shika. their task would be doubly as dangerous. Nalek and the remainder of his team charged into the fray, Tryx cutting down Shadow of Ages soldiers like they were bothersome insectoid Rahi. Nalek dodged a blow from a Corpsian, then cut down another Shadow of Ages warrior. The Corpse lord who held Shika was inches away, and Nalek dodged a blow from his scythe and cut down another Shadow warrior before whipping around and facing the black-robed Corpsian. Blocking a blow, he grabbed Shika from his grasp and pulled her over the edge of the chasm. As he fell, the Corpsian lashed out with his scythe, cutting a deep wound in his side. Nalek winced as he impacted on a ledge far below the one he and Tryx had been trapped on. He and Shika clung on desperately, but he could not support them both and they fell into the chasm below until they landed on the ground below.

"Run!" He yelled to Shika. "Tryx, Crystallus, and Galika will hold them off! We need to warn Hydros!"

But as they ran, a thought nagged at him. Galika had seen another being with the Shadow warriors and the Copies of Corpse.

Where was Varkanax?

Nightwatcher peered through the Shadows, watching as Shika and Nalek turned and fled from the Shadow of Ages warriors.

He had been tracking the Toa until they had split up. He had followed the group led by Nalek, realizing that he was walking into a Shadow of Ages trap. He had watched the battle and seen the capture of Galika and Shika, and Nalek's and Shika's desperate escape from the Corpse lord Now, he saw another being, Varkanax, following the beings, and Nightwatcher pitied them.

''I'll watch Varkanax crush these Toa, and if he fails, I'll finish them off. If he succeds, I'll be off to Vulcanus.''

Nightwatcher absolutely did not care who lived or died in this conflict.

''Let the Toa fight the Dark Empire, and the Dark Empire fight the Toa. I alone will survive unscathed, and with a considerably larger amount of widgets.''

Nightwatcher followed them like a shadow, proving his name was well-earned.

And far, far more power than anyone has ever dreamed of.

Chapter 5
Tryx, Crystallus, and Galika formed a triangle, trying to hold of the oncoming Corpsians and Shadow of Ages soldiers, but it was becoming evident that they were fighting a losing battle, as they were gradually getting surrounded.

Crystallus yelled over the sounds of the conflict. "I don't think we can hold out much longer!"

Galika ducked under a blade swipe from a Corpsian, and slashed him across his face. "We have to randeviouz with Hydros!"

About five bio away, a Shadow of Ages soldier stood on a rock, armed with a Plasma Launcher. He looked through the scope, and aimed at Tryx, who was demolishing several Corpsians. The Makuta punched a hole in the chest armor of a Shadow of Ages soldier, and at the same time, he flung a Corpsian into a very sharp rock. He turned around to see a bolt of plasma hurtling toward him, but it was too late. The Makuta screamed in agony as the plasma hit, almost immediately incinerating his armor. When the smoke cleared, there was no sign Tryx had ever stood there.

Crystallus tried creating Ice barriers, but each time he did, they were shattered by Corpsians, or Shadow of Ages soldiers' weapons.

The Toa of Ice swung his blade, decapitating a Corpsian. "Galika, I can't hold them off much longer, get out of here! Save yourself!"

But, the message fell deaf on the Toa of Water's ears, as she had already been overwhelmed by Dark Empire soldiers, and knocked unconscious.

Crystallus kicked a Corpsian off of him, and sighed. "Well, I guess it's up to me then — AUGH!"

He doubled over in pain, after a Shadow of Ages soldier slashed him across his stomach, and crumpled to the ground. He braced himself for a hit, and when it came, unconsciousness was a blessing.

Two Shadow of Ages soldiers, each bearing the unconscious forms of Galika and Crystallus, trudged through the sand of the Wastelands surrounding Roxtus, the "Dark Lord's" current base of operations.

The soldier carrying Galika peered through the mist. "Going to this place always gives me the creeps."

The soldier carrying Crystallus muttered to himself. "Me too, what's up with all the mist?"

The other soldier shrugged, almost dropping Galika. "How would I know?"

Eventually, they reached the skull-like structure of the city, and it's shadowy entrance held no welcome. They walked in, and took a moment to look around. Apparently, the "Dark Lord" had done major renovating inside the massive city, as there was no sign Skrall had ever resided there. The skeletal forms of the Empire of Shadows' soldiers could be seen scurrying here and there, either creating new war machines, or gathering for a siege. The city was extremely advanced, as alien technology could be seen everywhere, while on the other hand, it was barbaric, as Masks and other trophies of conquest could be seen adorning the walls.

They continued walking, and eventually reached large, Protosteel doors, with the symbol of the Dark Empire on it, and guards stood on either side of it.

They crossed their weapons, barring the two Shadow of Ages soldiers from entering. "Halt, who dares enter the realm of the "Dark Lord"?"

The Shadow of Ages soldiers promptly answered. "We are soldiers of Millennium, and we have two Toa captives.

They showed the guards the unconscious forms of Galika and Crystallus.

The guards lowered their weapons. "Alright, you may enter."

The metallic door opened, and a dark room illuminated by dark red Lightstones could be seen. The two soldiers walked in, dragging the Toa behind them. Their hearts froze with fear, as two bloodred eyes opened.

"What is your business in my realm?"

One of the soldiers gulped audibly. "W-we have two captive T-Toa, my lord."

The ghost of a smile appeared on the "Dark Lord's" lips. "Excellent, now, I have no further use for you..."

Before they had time to react, they felt their heart lights shutting down, and in seconds, they were dead.

He called to two Imperial soldiers. "Clean this up, I cannot abide a mess in my throne room. Also, take these two Toa to the prison cells."

The soldiers nodded, and went to their tasks, quickly, as they knew that failure to do so would be seen as incompetence, and incompetence would be met with great punishment. Once they were finished, they nodded to their master, and left.

Once they were out, the "Dark Lord" leaned back in his black throne.

''Millennium and Eostra think they have power, but they are wrong, I am ultimate power. Soon I will have no further use for them, and they will be dealt with, and I alone shall rule...''

Far away to the south in the village of Vulcanus, Raanu strode down one of the empty streets of his tribe's settlement. Alongside him stood the powerful form of Toa Hydros, his armor pitted and scarred from numerous battles. Raanu knew who he was, though that didn't mean he was happy to see him.

"Why should I let your kind take root here, Toa? Why should I put my people in danger by letting you give Vulcanus unwanted attention? We're under enough pressure as it is."

Hydros sighed. He was never the best at negotiating, and Raanu was a remarkably stubborn person when it came to decisions. Because of that, it required extra effort and patience to sway him. However, he could understand why the Fire Agori was worried. After the Dark Empire had taken over, the Fire Tribe had become an important factor in the mass production of weapons and other tools, due to the skill the Agori of Raanu's tribe expressed in the business.

Several of the best mask makers, crafters, and weapons producers had been forced to travel to Vulcanus in order to aid in the work there. Trade with Iconox had been left open, and convoys carrying a combination of Exsidian and Protosteel would enter the village regularly. Raanu himself had retained command over the Fire Tribe, though everyone knew that he lacked any real control over Vulcanus, as his decisions were often "recommended" to him by members of the Dark Empire.

Nonetheless, he remained the village's elder, and he would lead the Agori and Matoran as best he could.

Hydros finally spoke again. "I know... It's not easy being a leader. Trust me, I've had my fair share of experiences of leading groups against power-hungry tyrants, though that's all the past, and this is the present. The resistance would really appreciate it if you lent us any form of shelter here, we would be most grateful. We..."

"You expect me to give into a few charming words," snapped Raanu. "You are greatly misguided. My people are already at risk by you and your two companions being here in the first place," he said as he point to Hydros' two Toa companions, Lesovikk and Boomanga. Raanu turned and slowly started walking away.

Hydros was losing his patience. If his discussions with Raanu did not reach a conclusion by the time Nalek and the others got here, then by the Great Beings, he prayed that the Dark Empire would not find them here.

Suddenly a thought came to Hydros' mind, a thought that could possibly turn the tables in the debate. "Wait," Hydros called out to Raanu.

The Agori stopped dead in his tracks and turned his head.

"What if we organize residence in the underground tunnels of Iron Canyon? I'm sure the resistance can expand them enough for us to make a base. And from that point on, during the periods that the Dark Empire convoys aren't occupying Vulcanus, my warriors can walk freely inside the village until our scouts report enemies headed this way."

Raanu turned to face Hydros, took three strides towards him and looked the Toa dead in the eye.

"Very well," he said in a cold tone. "I will approve of this... little arrangement, though be warned, Hydros. If the Empire's forces find you here, It will be your people who suffer, not mine."

Hydros knew this would be a tricky situation to live with, but he knew it wasn't going to get any better. With a heavy heart, he voiced his final three words on the matter. "It's a deal."

"Good," said Raanu. "Now when are your other warriors going to arrive?"

"Oh, you mean Nalek and the others," inquired Hydros. "They'll be here before dawn. I doubt they'll have ran into too much trouble on a mission as easy as this."

Chapter 6
Korzor sat in a damp cell. For any resistance fighter who lacked a plan, this would be a dreadful situation. Though Korzor was sharper than most warriors of his kind, and as a result, was always prepared. He was a member of the Elite Warrior class, and therefore he was one of the most powerful Skrall within their ranks, and because of that, one of the most respected Skrall still alive.

Korzor looked at his Corpsian guard, who was staring at him from the other side of his cell, emotions having been deprived from his face. Korzor was going to have to change this.

"What are you looking at?!" He asked.

The Corpsian didn't reply.

"Answer me, and turn that hollow shell of a head you wear away from me, the sheer greatness of it's ugliness is driving me mad!"

Like before, the Corpsian didn't reply.

Korzor chuckled before he changed his mood.

"You know, I once knew an Agori just like you. He was from Iconox I believe, and he ended up in a cell in Roxtus one day, where he betrayed his whole species just to save his backside. He expected the world to go round the way he wanted, when he never knew how the future would play out for him, which is why..."

Korzor said, as he slowly opened a small compartment in armor around his waste; pulling out a small, coin-sized disc. He lunged at his guard, the disc skidding through the gap in between the cell bars. It collided with the Corpsian's foot, prompting him to stare down and look at it.

To his surprise a small bulb, built into the device, was flashing; and before the Corpsian could realize what was going, the disc detonated, melting the cell door and sending the Corpsian reeling.

Korzor leapt out of his cell, wrestled the guard's sword from his grip. "You have to die."

He lowered the blade, and in that one instant, ensured his jailer would never rise again. He sprinted down the corridor, ignoring the pleas of fellow cell mates to free them. All that mattered was what was in the lower depths of this base, in it's dark basement. Finally, he reached a large, bolted door. Korzor eyed it for a second, and recognized it required a series of codes to be unlocked. He began tampering with the lock, even as the footsteps of Corpsian guards grew closer all the while.

Korzor knew he had to be careful. This lock was one of the finest in existence, having originally been discovered by the "Dark Lord" in a hidden laboratory of the Great Beings near Tajun. If Korzor made one mistake in trying to unlock the device, he knew all the gears and mechanisms would melt within in the lock, preventing all entry into the chamber.

The footsteps grew louder.

Korzor tampered with the gears for a few more seconds until...

"Yes," he whispered to himself.

The lock unlocked, and the door opened, and Korzor dashed inside. He closed the door behind him, and the lock immediately reactivated itself and generated a random new code as Corpsian warriors hammered their claws on the door.

Korzor turned around, and his jaw dropped in shock. There, right in front of him, was a massive, uncompleted, replica of the robotic head of the gigantic robot that had challenged Mata Nui 100 years ago, suspended above a huge bottomless pit. The leaders of the resistance called the robot "Teridax."

The upper half of the head was uncompleted, allowing Korzor to stare at the head's inner contents. All he saw was a series of gears and mechanisms connecting to a large, circular, dome. Korzor assumed that the device would act as the Core Processor of the robot. Suddenly, Korzor heard two voices echo throughout the massive chamber, prompting Korzor to retreat into the shadows.

Two figures strode past him, one an engineer of the Shadowy Ones, the other none other than Merodos.

"The processor's motor functions still appear to be acting up," said the engineer. "If we attach the head to the rest of it's the behemoth of a body, it will suffer severe malfunctions to the point of total collapse."

"We still have a schedule," said Merodos calmly. "We need to finish this project BEFORE the "Dark Lord" will come to retrieves it and shut us down. We're running out of time."

"Then get some more," snapped the engineer, "If the robot is fully activated, and the motors in it's cranium fail, it may rebel and gain independence. So I suggest you go to your master and ask him to expand our time slot."

Merodos didn't speak. Instead, he responded by grabbing the engineer by the neck, slamming him against the nearby wall, and suspended him over the platform they were standing on.

"Now you really shouldn't talk like that," chuckled Merodos. "Otherwise, I may just accidentally loose my grip on your neck, and accidentally watch you fall to your death. Now, this is what your gonna do: Your going to fix this "motor function" problem, your going to finish this sad-looking face, and then your going to watch it kill everything. Is that too much to ask of you?"

"N-no Sir. I will increase our working efforts by double of what it is now. The robot will then be completed on time to not only conquer Spherus Magna, but the rest of the universe!"

"Good," said Merodos coldy. "Now, get back to work!"

Merodos lifted the engineer high in the air, and threw him hard onto the ground. The engineer got up, and ran off to return to work on his project.

Merodos sighed. "I really do love my job," he said as he walked off while his insane laughter echoed through the chamber, leaving a worried Korzor to ponder on what Merodos and his masters had in store for the rest of Spherus Magna.

Jareroden trudged through a blizzard in the Northern Frost, with about a hundred or so resistance soldiers behind him. He had ran through his plan at least seven times in his head: they were to intercept Treix's forces while they assaulted a Dark Empire base captured by the resistance, then head off into the Black Spike Mountains.

He climbed over a large hill, and surveyed the scene before him: hundreds of Dark Empire soldiers, with assorted war machines, assaulting a fortress about the size of Vulcanus, with resistance fighters fighting bravely against them.

The Toa had hoped they could arrive at the fortress before Treix, so they could rest, and resupply, but apparently, his hopes were denied.

Jareroden turned to the resistance soldiers. "Alright, soldiers, we have to get down there, fast, or else our forces down in that fortress are doomed. Now, for victory, for freedom!"

All the resistance soldiers gave a hearty cheer, raised their weapons, and charged down the hill. Jareroden's forces raced down the hill, eventually reaching the foot of it.

Jareroden cut the line of a catapult, making it collapse on itself, killing several of the skeletal Empire of Shadows soldiers.

The Toa spotted Treix through the mist, and raced at him, alsot slashing him, had the Makuta not leapt back just in time.

The Makuta chuckled. "Well, well, well, Toa Jareroden, one of the leaders of the resistance, this was most...unexpected, but, you must die either way."

Treix activated his chainsaw, and with a roar of rage, charged at Jareroden. He leapt up over Treix, and kicked him in the back, sending his enemy stumbling forward.

The Makuta immediately regained his composure, and slapped Jareroden across his face, hard. "You fool, you seriously expect to win the is battle? This war? Well, you are sadly mistaken."

Jareroden dodged away just in time before Treix bludgeoned him. "You're wrong, Makuta, we will win, and freedom will be restored to this world, and your Dark Empire will be destroyed."

Treix grabbed Jareroden's foot, and slung him into a nearby rock, almost splitting the rock in two. Jareroden slumped to the icy ground, half conscious. He blinked, and looked up, to see Treix looming over him, saw raised. "Now, Toa, your annoyance will end, permanently."

Jareroden's eyes widened, as time seemed to slow down, as the saw descended. The Toa flung his blade upward, and heard the sound of ripping armor when it hit. Jareroden opened one eye, and saw his blade, sticking right through Treix's stomach area. Jareroden pressed a button on the hilt, and electricity flowed through the blade. Treix screamed in agony, and fell back.

Jareroden smiled. "Over twenty thousand years, and this blade is as good as ever."

Treix extracted himself from the snow, cluthcing his abdomen so the Antidermis wouldn't flow out. "Toa, so foolish to attack a Makuta..."

Treix spread his wings, and flew through the air, shooting laser vision at Jareroden. Jareroden dodged most of them, and activated his Mask power, sending one bast slamming back into Treix's chest. The Makuta spiraled through the air, crashing into the snow covered ground. He got up, and and smiled ruefully at his scorched chest plate. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, so persistent. Let's take this to the next level, shall we?"

Treix launched a blast of chain lightning at Jareroden, who did a back flip, causing the bolt to miss, and electrify several Corpsians. The Makuta snarled in anger, and shot his Nynrah Ghost Blaster at Jareroden, who barely evaded. The Toa of Psionics turned his head, and used telekinesis to lift a catapult, and hurl it at Treix. The wooden structure slammed into the Makuta, dissorienting him.

Jareroden chuckled, and started to circle Treix. "What's wrong, scum, getting rusty?" Treix growled. "Don't push your luck, Toa."

Jareroden leapt above Treix's head, and slashed his wings, rendering them useless. Treix spun, and dug his claws into Jareroden's chest. The Toa of Psionics gave and agonized yelp, and fell face-first into the snow.

Treix put his foot on Jareroden's back. "What's the matter, Jareroden? No clever retorts? No rambling on about how your resistance will win? Very well, I suppose you must die then. It will be enjoyable taking the pleasure away from Benjarmin."

At the mere mention of his hated enemy's name, Jareroden gave a muffled yell of rage, and unleashed a telekinetic blast, sending Treix flying several kio into the air. When he eventually slammed into the snow covered ground, he found Jareroden's Blade at his neck.

Jareroden's former mood had deserted him, and his face was stone cold. "That's impossible, he's dead."

Treix chuckled. "Oh no, your far from correct, he's as alive as your are"

The Toa pressed his blade to Treix's throat, partially piercing it. "Where is he?"

Treix looked into Jareroden's eyes, cunningly. "Now, why exactly would I tell you?"

Jareroden pressed even harder on Treix's throat. "Tell me, or you might lose your head."

Treix's eyes narrowed. "Fine, he's in a Dark Empire base, in the Black Spike Mountains. Now..."

Treix launched a blast of shadow he was charging up, sending Jareroden flying through an ice wall, and skidding to the edge of a cliff.

The Makuta walked up to his prone enemy, and picked him up by the throat. "I have had just about enough of you!"

Jareroden kicked Treix in the stomach, making the Makuta slacken his grip on him just enough so that he could squeeze out. Jareroden clashed his blade against Treix's, causing a clang to ring through the air, and for sparks to fly through the air. Jareroden use telekinesis to crush Treix's right arm and chainsaw. He yelled out in pain, and fell backward, and almost off the cliff.

He spat at Jareroden. "I thought Toa don't kill."

Jareroden held his blade to Treix's forehead. "The old rules don't apply anymore, Makuta. Now, it's kill to survive."

Treix leapt up, and slammed his fist into Jareroden's jaw. Jareroden gave a groan, and stumbled back, as Treix pounced. In a wild desperation, the Toa swung his blade, knocking Treix away, and to the edge of the cliff. Jareroden would never know why he reached out for Treix. Mabye he wanted to save him, or maybe he just wanted to make sure he was dead, but either way, he was too late. Treix tumbled into the abyss, but he couldn't fly out, as Jareroden had cut his wings of, and he was too weary to regenerate them.

Treix gave a final wail of dismay as he tumbled into the darkness. Jareroden stood there for some time, watching. Eventually, he turned away, and arrived back at the battle field, to see the resistance had won. Jareroden walked to the commander of the fortress, a Toa of Iron named Zercks.

Zercks clanked his fist against Jareroden's. "Good work, Jareroden, after you defeated Treix, their forces surrendered, and we were easily ably to slay all of them."

Jareroden put his hands behind his back. "Good, now, I must go off into the Black Spike Mountains."

Zercks looked at him, confused. "Why?"

Jareroden answered quickly. "Treix told me Benjarmin was in a fortress in the mountains."

Zercks sighed. He, along with almost everyone else in the resistance, knew Jareroden had a bitter rivalry with Benjarmin. After the destruction of the Matoran Universe, everyone assumed the Makuta was killed. With Treix's revelation though, it seemed he survived, and had allied himself with the Dark Empire.

Zercks clasped his hand to his head. "Jareroden, you have a commitment to the resistance, you can't go chaising rumors."

Jareroden clasped his blade even tighter. "I have to try. I promised myself tens of thousands of years ago I'd kill him."

The Toa of Iron sighed once again. "Fine. If your so intent on killing him, I can't stop you."

Jareroden signaled to the remainder of his squad. "Alright, were to head to the Black Spike Mountains immediately."

He then spoke to himself under his breath. "I have a score to settle with Benjarmin"

Zercks watched them march off, and thought to himself.

''He's so intent on killing Benjarmin. How can he know if he tries, it could be his downfall?''

Chapter 7
Janneus stood inside a small room connected to a door. Behind him were Purberax and Raptrix, warriors of the Dark Empire.

"Can we get on with this already?" Asked the bounty hunter.

Raptrix growled nastily at Janneus. He had experienced just about enough of him during their journey to the Valley of the Maze, and now his patience was wearing thin.

Purberax spoke up. "We can, once our masters have finished negotiating with their new ally."

Janneus let a laugh escape his lips, despite the lack of any comical meaning in Purberax's words. "They may be your masters, but they're not mine. My patience is wearing off, and people usually end up dead when that happens."

With that, Janneus stormed passed Purberax and Raptrix and walked through the nearby door, prompting the two warriors to follow him in protest. As soon as Janneus entered the room, he stopped dead in his tracks. He now stood in the central chamber of the Valley of the Maze, the Great Beings' laboratory, but that didn't matter.

What mattered was the towering behemoth of a being that now stood in the center of the chamber, surrounded by Millennium, Eostra, and the "Dark Lord." They turned to face Janneus, and after a second, disregarded him and returned to their discussions as if the hunter was nothing more than a lonely Ussal Crab.

"We insist you combine your forces with ours," said Millennium. "With your power and resources at hand, the rebellion will fall before us, allowing our order to be restored."

The being whispered something incomprehensible before laughing. "I care nothing for the resistance. They pose no threat to me, as they are little more than insects scuttling around my feet."

The "Dark Lord" spoke in his chillingly dark voice. "But they will become a problem for you. You've been sending your warriors, or whatever you prefer to call those creatures that serve you, on missions to attack the resistance's hideouts mrely for fun. Because of that, they will target you, and they will kill you."

"Then I'll marshal my forces for battle," said the entity.

"That being an even better reason for you joining us," said Eostra.

"Face it, you either with us, or against us," added Millennium. "If you refuse this opportunity, well... I'm sure you wouldn't mind us leaking information of the strengths and weaknesses of your fortress to the resistance."

The being stared at the three rulers for only a few seconds before he made his mind up. "Very well, I'm with you... not to say that I'm happy about it."

"Good," said Millennium. "Before you go, take these design plans with you, they may prove useful if you wish to create these war machines."

The being snatched the parchment and eyed it for a second. "Odina Drones?" He inquired.

"Yes, my friend. Robotic warriors of great power. We found the schematics for them in the ruins of an abandoned Dark Hunter base, indicating The Shadowed One planned to use them to combat us. That is, of course, before we wiped them out entirely," said the "Dark Lord" in an cold tone.

The being looked at the three again, grunted, and walked out of the chamber, passing Janneus, Puberax, and Raptrix on the way out.

"What in the name of Mata Nui was that colossus?!" Asked Janneus.

"The Element Lord of Technology," said Purberax. "A being we've been trying to get onto our side for a very long time. So, my masters, it would seem your negotiations were successful?"

Millennium shot a fear-inspiring glance at Purberax, before walking up a flight of stairs and sitting down on a large throne, the Valley of the Maze being his personal fortress.

"Indeed," he said before looking at Janneus.

"Is this the bounty hunter we asked for?" inquired the "Dark Lord."

"Yes, your greatness," said Raptrix. "We found him in Tajun as you said we would."

"Excellent," said Eostra. "Millennium, I think it is time we bring in Janneus' companions for his assignment."

Millennium nodded, and with a wave of his hand, dismissed Purberax and Raptrix. He then slammed his fist down on the arm of his throne, and suddenly, a door opened, and four beings walked through it. Each was well armed, pitted with numerous battle scars, and utterly terrifying. Janneus knew them as his chief rivals in the bounty hunting world, and they were each in their own right considered the greatest killers on all of Spherus Magna.

He knew their names too. The first one Janneus had seen enter the room was the fearsome reptilian creature known as Proto-Beast, an ex-Dark Hunter who had mysteriously disappeared for a few centuries, before reappearing during the madness of Teridax's reign, after entering the bounty hunting business.

The next being who came forward was the warrior codenamed Lethal, another former Dark Hunter of great ruthlessness and power, who had his gained his universal reputation as the leader of the renowned mercenary band known as the Hunter's Brigade.

After him came the famous hunter Raduke, an honorable and experienced warrior of the nearly extinct Lepidian species, a fact which only served to add to his already compelling aura of mystery.

The last being to pass through the door was the treacherous Zeverek Skorr, a bounty hunter renowned for his double-crossing nature and for his reliance on his state of the art weaponry.

The bounty hunters walked into the center of the chamber, expressing no fear towards the leaders of the Dark Empire. Seeing that he had been teamed with them, Janneus joined the warriors in the center of the room, if a little reluctantly. Millennium scanned them for a second before noting a problem.

"Where's Nightwatcher, Eostra? You promised to have him as the leader of our bounty hunter team."

"There was a... complication," she added. "Important information was stolen from my archives by a group of rebels led by Toa Nalek and Hydros. I sent Nightwatcher to aid my forces in recovering that information after they burned Tesara."

Millennium frowned. "Did you have Varkanax among this legion of yours?"

"I believe so. He was the leader of our strike force against the jungle village."

"Then I believe there is no need for Nightwatcher to be among them. His services are more valuable here."

"It's too late now, Nightwatcher has already gone to aid Varkanax and retrieve his reward. He may be return and be up for hire again in maybe a week or so, you know what he's like... so calculating. I..."

Eostra's words were interrupted by a blast of lightening focused up at the ceiling of the chamber, sparks and flares dancing across it's smooth surface. When the beam of energy stopped, Proto-Beast lowered his clawed arm to his side.

Lethal spoke up. "If we can get back to business, what would you like us to do?"

The "Dark Lord" strode to the center of the chamber to face the hunters, his dark cape never exposing his true form.

"The resistance has proven to have become a great annoyance to our plans. The time has come for them to be eradicated. They've been very secretive when it comes to tracking them, and very scrap of information is valuable. Even those wild rumors whispered by the Bone Hunters are useful to us."

"What's the pay?" Asked Raduke.

"The Empire will pay a total of forty thousand widgets for your collective services, which will be split fairly amongst you once and only you have completed the mission. Essentially, if you succeed, you will be paid eight thousand each."

Janneus smiled. If Purberax and Raptrix kept their mouths shut, he knew he would be getting an extra seventy seven thousand reward, which they had originally offered to him. No doubt they would forget the whole payment ordeal until Janneus himself reminded them.

"You all will be teamed together for your mission, and we would prefer it if you don't kill each other. Since Nightwatcher is not present to lead your group, I have selected Lethal to lead your group."

Skorr groaned in annoyance. He and Lethal were old rivals due to their past associations with the Hunter's Brigade, meaning that this mission would be a particularly painful one if he had to submit to Lethal's orders. Still, the payment was too great to refuse, so Skorr decided to play along.

The "Dark Lord" continued his speech. "In addition, myself and my fellow rulers have assigned you an extra warrior to aid you, who will represent the Dark Empire. His name is Shadowhawk."

At that point, a figure of power emerged from the shadows; and walked to stand beside the "Dark Lord."

Proto-Beast laughed. "You've failed to answer one question, though. What exactly is our mission? You don't expect us to go running around killing people, as fun as it sounds, without any goals, do you?"

The "Dark Lord" chuckled, and when he spoke, his words vaguely echoed back to the ones Trinuma had said to Vezon. "No. No I do not. Your mission is to attack and cripple the resistance itself at it's weakest point, and this is how you're going to do it."

Chapter 8
This chapter was written by Varkanax39, Jareroden97, and Chicken Bond

Gurren jumped away from Skorpix's shadow hand, and stabbed out at the Elemental Prince. Skorpix reared up on two legs, and slashed his sword across Gurren's side. Gurren winced in pain and blocked Skorpix's next strike. Skorpix saw a green blur out of the corner of his eye and whirled around. Rando landed on top of the Elemental Prince and smashed his blade down hard on Skorpix's head. Gurren lept at Skorpix again, spearing the dark one through his wing. Skorpix roared in pain and smashed his undamaged wing against Gurren, flinging the Toa to the ground. Gurren blocked his next blow, and the Elemental snarled in frustration. Rando stabbed his sword through Skorpix's side. Skorpix whipped around, his eyes blazing in pain and fury, and Rando knew he had made a potentially fatal mistake. Skorpix's savage teeth tore him apart, and Rando fell, dying, to the ground. Gurren stabbed outward wildly, but was unable to hit the Elemental. Skorpix flicked his blade from his hands the way a Makuta would swat a bothersome Rahi, and speared the Toa through the shoulder. Gurren raised his other hand, but Skorpix raised his other blade and skewered Gurren's arm to the end of the sword. Gurren winced in horror and pain, and Skorpix smiled darkly.

"I could kill you both, right now." Skorpix said. "But I think it would be more satisfying to let you live, wounded horribly. It will show how futile the power of the resistance is compared to the might of our Empire."

"You'll...never...win..." Gurren managed to get out, but his words were hestitant and faltering.

Skorpix smiled again. "Is that so, little toa? There will be battles, there will be wars, and there will be cataclysms, but when the apocalypse is over, the Dark Empire will still be standing, and your puny, insignificant little resistance will be nothing but a small, half-remembered blight on our history! Remember that."

Gurren tried to stand, but Skorpix slapped him across his face and he slipped into unconsiousness. Tenork flung himself at Skorpix, and the Elemental Prince cut him down with a single strike from his blade. It was not a fatal wound, but it was still serious. Neocrax whirled around and speared the Elemental through the side, where Rando had injured him. Skorpix stared at Neocrax hard, and a Shadow Hand flung him to the ground.

Neocrax stood up, twilrling his daggers. "Your powers of shadow have no effect on me." Skorpix hissed evilly and tore a deep gouge in Neocrax's armor. The Makuta whipped around and saw Skorpix's sword stabbed through his hand.

"So many ways to kill, but only one Makuta." Skorpix mused, raising his second sword above his head. Neocrax suddenly unleashed a large blast of power, flinging directly into Skorpix's face. The Elemental snarled, in rage more than pain, and stabbed his sword out at Neocrax, but the Makuta had vanished. Skorpix saw Tenork, his body covered in scars, grab the wounded Makuta and race away into the undergrowth.

Skorpix let them go. They would never make it alive to the resistance's base alive in Atero, and he still had Rando and Gurren to return to Eostra Nihiltian.

Soon. Skorpix thought. ''Soon we will attack Atero. And their insignificant resistance shall crumble before our might.''

Galika opened her eyes. She was in a cell, with Crystallus and a particularly foul smelling corpse of a Skrall. She tried to syand up, only to find that her leg had been injured in the previous battle, preventing her from standing up.

She crawled over to Crystallus, and shook him awake. "Pssst! Crystallus, wake up!"

Her voice was barely more than a whisper, as she didn't want to alert the guards, but appearently it was loud enough to wake Crystallus. "Ugh, my aching head."

Galika's voice was urgent. "Shhh, keep your voice down, there are Empire gaurds right down the hall."

Crystallus nodded grimly. "Do you think we could use our elemental powers to break free?"

Galika frowned. "That might be a problem."

Crystallus tilted his head, confused. "How?"

Galika pointed to bracelets around their wrists. "These bracelets have elemental inhibiters, making it impossible to access our powers while their on."

Crystallus sighed. "Let me guess: they confiscated our weapons too?"

Galika nodded. "Correct."

The Toa of Ice sat down miserabley. "So, now what?"

Galika sat down next to him. "Until help arrives, we wait."

Crystallus sat bolt upright. "What?"

The Toa of Water sighed. "Look, there is thousands of Imperial soldiers in this city, there's no way we could defeat them all. So, until someone rescues us, we're stuck here."

Just then, a gaurd opened the door, and grabbed Crystallus by the arm. "You two, come with us."

Crystallus squirmed in the guard's grip. "Hey! Where are you taking us!?"

The guard smiled wickedly. "Interrogation."

Sovnoron strode across the deck of a protosteel warship, with the banner of the Dark Empire flying at the mast. He had been told by the "Dark Lord" that there was a resistance base on a small island in the Great Ocean, and he had told Sovnoron to destroy it. He had, of corse, accepted, knowing that esrning the "Dark Lord's" wrath for disobeying would be quiete...undesireable.

He turned the being at the wheel, a tall, jet-black Corpsian. "Helmsman, how far from the island?"

The Corpsian kept his unblinking eyes set towards the eastern horrizon. "My estimate, seventeen nautical miles."

Sovnoron chuckled. "Good, we should get there within the hour."

He turned to two Empire of Shadows soldiers, and barked out orders. "You two, alert the soldiers below deck to prepair the cannons."

The two soldiers nodded, and went to their duties. Sovnoron turned away, and walked to his cabin. He shut the metal doors behind him, and activated a holo-projector.

The "Dark Lord's" image appeared on the screen. "Ah, Sovnoron, what news?"

Sovnoron cleared his throat. "Master, we are right on scedual. We most likely should arrive within the hour."

The "Dark Lord" clasped his hands. " Good, good, I expect another report once the battle is over. Ending transmission."

The image fizzled out, and was cut off. Sovnoron reclined in his chair, and closed his eyes, he would wait until the time came.

About half an hour later, a knock sounded on his door. "Lord Sovnoron, it is time."

Sovnoron stood up, grabbed his machete, and walked out the door, without speaking a word to the servant. He walked out into the gathering night, and looked to his left and right, and saw his two other ships along side him. Even above deck, he could hear the clamour of the entire army prepairing for an all out assault. He saw the approaching coast of a small island that was mainly covered by a dense jungle.

He turned around, and climbed to the crow's nest of the ship, pushing the soldier inside of it to a fatal fall.

"Now, PREPAIR FOR BATTLE!"

Meanwhile, in the wastelands of Spherus Magna, a band of bounty hunters strode through the region of Sandray Canyon. After their meeting with the leaders of the Dark Empire, the group had journeyed to Tajun to resupply before continuing their journey.

The leader of the group, Lethal, strode with confidence through the canyon. After he and his companions had accepted the mission at hand, Eostra had revealed in hushed tones the location of the resistance's headquarters, Atero. Under normal circumstances, no one would have known the location of the resistance's base, though through the information passed on by a spy within the resistance's ranks, the Dark Empire had learned of the location of their base.

With a little help of an battered, old Skrall warrior named Branar, Lethal and his team now knew the location Atero. Suddenly, Proto-Beast reared his head up, his senses on full alert.

"What's that smell?" He inquired.

Lethal and the others took a moment to inhale the aurora of the canyon, and they knew they didn't need Proto-Beast's keen senses to smell that horrid smell.

"Ugh, that disgusting," roared Janneus.

"Smells like a corpse to me," added Raduke. "Proto-Beast, can you sense in which direction the scent is coming from?"

Proto-Beast nodded, and inhaled the air. After a minute, he raised his clawed arm, and point to left wall of the canyon.

"Over there, I believe," he said.

"Someone should take a look," said Lethal. "We..."

Before Lethal could finish his sentence, Skorr soared into the air, and passed the warriors at an stunning speed. Using his powerful wing blades, he flew towards the direction Proto-Beast had indicated. After a moment he called back.

"I think you may want to take a look at this."

The mercenaries charged forward, expecting to see something revolting or utterly disgusting to be in front of Skorr. When they reached Zeverek, they saw what they had imagined, but not in the way they had expected. Because there, lying in an large cave carved in the face of Sandray Canyon, was a dead Skopio, it's organic body already decaying whilst it's powerful legs lay spread out across the sand.

"A Skopio?" Inquired Janneus. "What is it doing here, and how did anything have the power to kill it?"

Lethal and Raduke strode forward, standing right in front of its jagged mouth.

"It would appear it was entering it's old age," said Raduke. "Though it wounds don't match the way a creature would die naturally."

"You haven't answered the question," said Skorr. "How did it die?"

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed throughout the canyon, a roar that matched the one made by the feared Tahtorak dragons.

"I think that gives us our answer," said Lethal. "That Tahtorak must've killed the Skopio living here and taken over it's territory. Judging from the Skopio's wounds, the old beast didn't go down without a fight."

The Tahtorak roared again.

"Well that's nice to know. How about we leave before the beast eats us too," proposed Janneus.

"I completely agree," said Proto-Beast. "Let's go"

And so, the bounty hunters set off again, carefully making sure they didn't attract the Tahtorak's attention. After several hours of walking, the group reached their target's base, and smiled as the morning sun rose over the clearing and shimmered on the ruined city of Atero.

Lethal chuckled, and two words escaped his lips that indicated the start of a great battle yet to come.

"It begins."