The Hydros Chronicles: Mission of Memories

Mission of Memories is a spin-off of The Hydros Chronicles. It is written by the creator of The Hydros Chronicles, user Toa Hydros. It tells the tale of Toa Hydros' first encounter with "Proto-Beast", as well as reveal many parts of Hydros' mysterious past.

Introduction
Toa Hydros walked through a dark, damp tunnel as he made his way to the location of his next mission. Just hours before he had been on the island of Daxia, base of the secretive group known as the Order of Mata Nui, prepareing for a trip to the Universe Core. While this was certianly one of his most dangerous missions yet, danger was something Hydros had grown used to. For as long as he could remember he had been on some of the most dangerous missions one could imagine. Everything from spying on the mighty Brotherhood of Makuta to defeating treacherous Dark Hunters, he had done it all. He had been on so many missions it was hard to remember them all.

There was, however, one paticular mission Hydros will never forget. It was a mission that began normally enough, but ended with great pain and suffering. As he walked, Hydros thought back and remembered.

Chapter One
2,500 years ago...

Hydros walked down a dimmly lite corridore. As he walked, faint whispers filled the air, seemingly following the Toa wherever he went. Even as Hydros pondered the reason for being here a bright light flashed up ahead, forceing the Toa to shield his eyes. Once the light subsided, Hydros looked in the direction it had come from. Where there was once endless hallway, there was now a door. Puzzled, Hydros stepped forward and reached for the handle.

As soon as he touched it another burst of light temporaraly blinded Hydros. It took several moments, but his vision finally cleared. He looked around to see an astonishing sight. The long, unending hallway was gone, relpaced by a lush forest. Wondering how this was possible, the Toa looked around with confused eyes. While he had no memories of this place, it was somehow familiar to him. While he was pondering this, a loud crashing noise sounded from the forest behind him. Hydros turned just in time to see two Matoran, a Ta-Matoran and a Ga-Matoran, rushing through the forest in his direction, eyes wide with fear. Before he could call out to them, however, they ran right into him... and then straight through him. The two Matoran had past through the Toa as if he weren't there. The Matoran then continued running as Hydros starred after them in shock.

"What in Mata Nui's name is going on here?!" said the shocked Toa.

Before he could figure out how this was possible, another series of crashing noises came from the forest. He looked in the direction the Matoran had come from just in time to see a massive Muaka cat charge straight for him. But instead of ripping into the Toa, the Rahi cat passed through him just like the Matoran. The Rahi cat then continued its charge, evidently chaseing the Matoran. Determined to get answers, Hydros chased after them.

He didn't need to travel far. The path the Matoran and Muaka took ended at a cliff overlooking the sea. The two Matoran were huddled close together as the carnivorous Rahi slowly approched them. Hydros wanted to help but knew he would be unable to touch the Matoran if they couldn't touch him. Suddenly, the Muaka charged. At the last second the Ta-Matoran shoved the Ga-Matoran out of the way, letting the Rahi tackel him. However, before the Muaka could devour the Matoran, the portion of the cliff they were standing on crumbled, sending the Ta-Matoran and the Rahi tumbleing into the sea.

At that moment Hydros screamed and awoke from his sleep. Breathing franticly, he sat up in his bed looked around. Yes, he was in his home agian. However, that did little to calm him down. This was the fourth night in a row he has had this dream, and it was getting worse each time.

What is with these dreams? thought Hydros as he composed himself.

At that moment, Hydros remembered the two Matoran from his dream. He had never met them, but they somehow seemed familiar. He decided to push the thoughts aside for now.

After all, thought Hydros, ''they are jut dreams. Aren't they?''

Suddenly, there was a knocking at his door. A moment later the familiar figure of Guardna, memeber of the Order of Mata Nui, opened and stepped through the door. He looked at Hydros.

"Hydros" he said. "Get up. You are needed for another mission."

A short time later, Hydros and Guardna made their way to the main fortress on the island of Daxia. Once inside, they were greeted by another Order memeber. He was tall, lean, clad in blue, gold, and red armor, and possessed large jaws with equally large teeth.

"Hello Hydros" said Botar, the Order of Mata Nui's gatherer of the fallen. "I trust you are ready for your next asignment." He then produced a small stone tablet. Hydros took it from Botar and looked it over. It had a carving that dipicted a fearsome being. He had a feirce, skull-like face, four arms equiped with razor-sharp claws, and a long bladed tail. Beneath the carving were a series of Matoran letter that read "Proto-Beast".

"Who is this?" asked Hydros as he handed the tablet back to Botar.

"He is a Dark Hunter" said Botar. "And a paticularly feirce one at that. His last mission sent him to an island in the south. He was told to kidnap a single Matoran. After arriving, he killed all of the island's Matoran, with the exeption of the one he was after. A being like this is far to dangerous to be allowed to continue such damage. You find him and bring him down. I will handle the rest."

Hydros nodded. "So where is this 'Proto-Beast' now?"

Guardna answered this time. "He has recently been spotted in Metru Nui. We believe he is looking for something hidden in the Onu-Metru Archives. Exactly what he is looking for is unknown."

Botar nodded and signled for Hydros to follow him. As they walked, Botar explained Hydros' mission to him: Once he reached the island city of Metru Nui he would need to convince the local Toa to help look for Proto-Beast. Once Proto-Beast was found, they would have to disable him. Hydros would then need to distrct Lhikan and the others long enough for Botar to take the Dark Hunter into custody.

As they walked, Hydros suddenly got a splitting headache. A moment later, a series of images flashed through the Toa's mind. He could see the Ta-Matoran from his dream floating in the middle of a huge ocean. The Matoran eventually washed up on a beach. Suddenly, a large, shadowy figure approched the unconciouse Matoran and starred down at him. At that moment the vision ended, leaving Hydros shocked and drained. He was about to call out to Botar to tell him of the vision but he thought agianst it. With that, Hydros composed himself and caught up with Botar so he could prepare for his next mission.

Chapter Two
Metru Nui, 2 days later...

Lhikan, Toa of Fire, ducked and rolled to avoid yet another spear. Just like before, the spear destroyed the portion of the ground it struck.

"Those Zyglak really know how to make weapons." muttered the Toa of Fire.

At that moment, another Zyglak pounced on Lhikan, only to be repelled by his Mask of Shielding. This tribe of Zyglak had only recently arrived on Metru Nui but were rapidly making themselves known. Zyglak were reptilian beings that were accidentaly created eons ago by the Great Beings. Shunned by their creators and hated by all others, the Zyglak hated anything associated with the Great Spirit, Mata Nui. Paticularly Toa.

As Lhikan batted away the spears and knives of one Zyglak with his Fire Greatswords, Toa Gravna, Toa of Earth and Toa Sayra, Toa of Water, battled the other Zyglak. As he fought, Lhikan found himself wishing the other members of his team were there to help, but they were away on another mission. Suddenly, the call of another Zyglak snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see two Zyglak trapped in a colunm of earth, curtosy of Toa Gravna, and three others trapped in a huge vortex of water, curtosy of Sayra.

Now it was Lhikan's turn. The Toa of Fire released a burst of fire to create a firey cage around the last Zyglak. Instead of trying to avoid them, however, the Zyglak simply shrugged of the flames, unfaized.

"Well, if fire won't work..." said Lhikan. He then threw one his of his swords just over the reptile's head. It then doubled back and tripped the Zyglak as it passed beneth it. Lhikan wasted no time. He super-heating the pavement beneth the Zyglak, transforming it from a solid surface to a sticky tar pit. The reptilian being struggled viciously as it sank up to its shoulders. Dispite its best efforts, however, the Zyglak just couldn't break free of the sticky liquid. Lhikan sighed in relief.

"Good job guys." said Lhikan to the other two Toa.

"Thanks Lhikan, but didn't we cut it a little close?" said Gravna. "I mean, we won this time, but what if there are more Zyglak on Metru Nui."

"He speaks with wisdom Lhikan." said Sayra, trying not to look at the repulsive Zyglak. She had hated and feared Zyglak ever since a terrifying encounter with one when she was a Matoran.

Lhikan thought for a moment. He then turned to the others. "I suppoes it wouldn't hurt to increase our patrols of the city until the others get back."

Suddenly, all thoughts of patrol duty were forrgotten. The Toa watched as a strange object streeked across the sky and land in the Silver Sea just a short distance from the Ga-Metru shore. Confident that the Vahki could deal with the trapped Zyglak, Lhikan, Sayra, and Gravna ran toward the shore to get a better look. By the time the Toa arrived, the object had pushed itself onto shore. It was a canister. A Toa Canister.

"Do you think someone is in there?" Gravna asked no one in paticular.

Before anyone could answer, the lid of the canister slowly opened. Lhikan and the others drew their weapons, just in case the canister's contents were unfriendly. Then, the canister's occupant climbed out and stood up. After clearing his head he looked at Lhikan and the others. Lhikan took in the stranger's appearance. He was obviosly a Toa... but not like any Toa he had ever seen. He was slightly taller than the average Toa, wore a strange mask that vaugly resembled a Hau, and was covered in red, green, grey, and black armor. If anything, this stranger looked like he would be more at home in the ocean than on land.

"Who are you?" asked Lhikan. The strange Toa looked at him.

"I am Toa Hydros." said the Toa. "It is an honor to meet you Lhikan."

"Your a Toa?" said Gravna. "You don't look like any Toa I have ever met."

"Let's just say I'm not like the average Toa." replied Hydros.

"Well... Hydros, allow me to introduce you to these two." said Lhikan, gestureing to his team mates. "This is Gravna.And this is Sayra."

When Hydros's eyes settled on the Toa of Water he found he couldn't take his eyes off of her. It wasn't only becaues she was beautiful. There was something familiar about her...

At that moment, a vision flashed in Hydros's mind. He could see the Ta-Matoran and the Ga-Matoran from his dreams, appearently before their run-in with the Muaka. They were siting on a rock overlooking the sea. They were watching a spectacular sunset. For some reason, Hydros felt a great sense of happiness and peace. Then, as suddenly it began, the vision ended. When Hydro came to he noticed Lhikan and the others looking at him.

"Uh... sorry. Anyway, it is nice to meet all of you, but I must discuss my being here with Turaga Dume." said Hydros.

"Sorry, but Turaga Dume is currently away." said Sayra. "He and the other members of our team have travled to an island to the south to have discusscusion with that island's Turaga."

"Yes and he has left me in charge until he gets back." said Lhikan.

"Well, then I guess I had better talk with you then." said Hydros. "I am currently on a mission to track down a Dark Hunter called Proto-Beast. My... supieriors have told me he was most recently spotted here on Metru Nui."

"Your supieriors are right." Gravna said grimly. "We have been chaseing that Dark Hunter all over the city for days, but he always manages to slip away."

Sayra nodded. "The Matoran are so frightend they won't go out at night." She then turned to Lhikan. "Maybe we should accept his help."

Lhikan thought about this for a moment. He then smiled and clanked his fist agianst Hydros'.

"Welcome to the team." said the Toa of Fire.

Chapter Three
A few days later...

Toa Hydros was in the most frightening situation he could imagine. Even after fighting Dark Hunters and Rahi, he couldn't think of a more stressful moment than the one he was living now: He was walking side-by-side with Sayra, Toa of Water, down the streets of Ga-Metru.

After Hydros was made a temporary member of the team, it was decided that Lhikan and the others would help track down "Protot-Beast". In exchange, Hydros would help them out with their daily patrols of the city. While Sayra seemed fine with this, Lhikan and Gravna were not as trusting. After the incident with Nidhiki centuries ago, Lhikan had become more cautious of new Toa, esspecially one as strange as Hydros. Because of this, Lhikan decided that at least one Toa would accompany Hydros until he could fully trust him.

Hydros was fine with this, but didn't expect Sayra to volunteer to accompany him first. It wasn't because he didn't like her, though. In fact, it was the opposite reason that was behind Hydros' nervousness. In all of his years he had never met someone that made him feel this awkward. Because of this, Hydros kept mostly silent as Sayra gave him a tour of Ga-Metru.

"And there is the Great Temple, the most important building in Ga-Metru and possibly the whole city." said Sayra, pointing to the sacred temple.

When Hydros didn't respond Sayra looked at him. He was starring straight ahead with a nervous look on his face. He didn't even seem to notice Sayra's words.

"What's wrong Hydros?" asked Sayra.

Still, no responce.

"Uh, hello? Anybody home?" said the Toa of Water, waving a hand in front of her companion's face.

"Huh? Oh, sorry." said Hydros, looking embarraced. "What did you say?"

"I asked you if something was wrong. You seem a little distracted."

Distracted?, thought Hydros. More like a wreak. "Uh, nothing is wrong Sayra." said Hydros.

"Good." replied Sayra. After an uncomfortible silence Sayra looked at Hydros agian. "So, where do you come from? With all that has been going on you haven't really had a chance to tell me about yourself."

Hydros didn't know how to answer this question because he didn't really know himself. Botar had told him years ago that a member of the Order of Mata Nui had found Hydros unconciouse on a beach centuries ago. When they manged to awake Hydros he could remember nothing other than his name. Luckily for Hydros, however, he won't get a chance to answer Sayra's question.

"Hydros! Sayra!" shouted someone from above. The two Toa looked up to see Lhikan floating in the air atop his joined Fire Greatswords, using them as a hoverboard. "Meet me in Onu-Metru. Gravana has found something in the Archives." With that, Lhikan began flying toward Onu-Metru.

About an hour later, Hydros and Sayra arrived at one of the entrances to the Onu-Metru Archives. Lhikan and Gravna were already there talking to some worried-looking Onu-Matoran.

"So what did you find?" asked Sayra.

The Toa of Earth looked up at the other two. "Come." said Gravna. "I will need to show you what I found." He then walked through the entrance, followed by Lhikan and the others.

After what seemed like hours of walking Gravna stopped at a turn in the tunnel. He then looked at the others. "What I'm about to show you maybe a little shocking. So prepare yourselves." He then lead the others around the bend of the tunnel. All but Gravna gasped in shock. It was a gruesome sight.

Scattered all around the tunnel were the bodies of at least a dozen Zyglak.

"What happend here?" asked Sayra, clearly unnerved by the sight.

"Something or someone fought these Zyglak, but it wasn't the Vahki or even a rouge Rahi." said Gravna. "A couple of archivists heard loud noises comeing from this tunnel and came to investigate. When they got here it was already over."

After the shock of the sight passed the Toa began looking over the Zyglak's bodies, looking for some sign of what did this. Appearently, the Zyglak were killed by a number of cause. Some had the same scorch marks that lightning would inflict. Others had deep wounds from some type of sharp tool, and still others seemed to have been crushed by some tremendous force. When he was done, Hydros knew only one being could be responceible.

"Proto-Beast" muttered Hydros.

"What did you say?" asked Lhikan.

"My supiriors told me of Proto-Beast's powers and these injuries seem to be a match." replied Hydros.

There was a long silence that was finally broken by the Toa of Earth. "If Proto-Beast can do this to an entire tribe of Zyglak, what hope do four Toa have?"

No one answered, for no one wanted to think about it.

As the Toa left for the surface, they were unaware that the slayer of the Zyglak was watching them from the shadows. And he was confident that, before long, he would have four more Kanohi to claim as trophies of a successful mission.

Chapter Four
The creature walked slowly throught the Archives, all of its senses on the altert. As he walked, he caught the sent of his companions up ahead. When the Zyglak known as Scar rounded a corner, he expected to see the other members of his tribe waiting for him. Instead, he saw a sight that made his eyes widen with shock:

His Zyglak companions were lying on the floor of the tunnel. All of them dead.

Scar rushed forward. As he looked over the bodies of his brethren Scar was unable to comprehend what could have had the power to wipe out an entire tribe of Zyglak. Then the answer slithered into his mind like a serpent.

Toa, thought Scar. ''It has always been Toa. First they humiliate us by running us down into the Archives. Then they have the nerve to actually slay us!''

Even as he thought this, however, he had his doubts. He had battled Toa for centuries. No matter what, they always seemed to avoid killing their opponents. The thought of a proud Toa like Lhikan actually killing someone when an entire city full of Vahki could simply capture them was to hard to believe.

"Believe it." said a voice.

Scar turned this way and that, trying to get a glimce of whoever spoke to him.

"Who is there?" asked Scar. "Show yourself!"

"As you wish." said the voice from behind the Zyglak. Scar turned around to see a tall, vicious-looking being. He had a head equiped with large jaws and razor-sharp teeth. He had four arms that ended in huge talons. To top it off, he had a long tail equiped with a large balde at the end. Scar backed away a few teps.

"Who are you?" demanded Scar.

The stranger chuckled. "You can call me 'Proto-Beast'."

"What do you want with me?" asked the Zyglak. "Are you the one respocible for the death of my fellow Zyglak?! If you are then so help me --"

"Relax, relax. I didn't kill your little friends." lied the Dark Hunter. "But I know who did."

"Then tell me before I show you a pain beyond anything you have every felt!"

Proto-Beast chuckled agian. "I think you already know." said the Dark Hunter. "You were thinking it just a few moments ago."

The Zyglak's eyes widend. "The Toa did do this!" said Scar in an infurriated voice.

He then took another look at the dead members of his clan. How dare those Toa strike down his companions. He knew he would have to get even. He knew he would have to get revenge.

"Those Toa will pay for this." said Scar in a voice darker than even the lowest levels of the Archives. "They will pay with their very lives. This I promise."

"And that is a promise I can help you keep." said Proto-Beast.

Scar turned around and looked at the Dark Hunter. "What do you mean?" asked the Zyglak.

Proto-Beast stepped toward Scar. "I have come to this city of Metru Nui on a mission." said Proto-Beast. "Part of that mission includes stealing something of value and smuggleing it off of the island. I've done the first part, but I need someone to deliver this treasure to some... friends of mine who are waiting offshore. If you can do this for me, I can help you exact your revenge on the Toa that killed your friends."

Scar's eyes narrowed. "How do I know I can trust you?" asked the Zyglak.

Proto-Beast put a clawed hand on Scar's shoulder. He then flashed a smile that revealed all of his razor-sharp teeth. "Oh come now Scar." said Proto-Beast. "Does this look like the face of someone who would decieve you?"

Chapter Five
Hydros jumped and dodged twin blasts of laser vision even as he returned fire with a mini-cyclone. Suddenly, a water blast strck him dead-on and sent him flying. He landed hard on the floor of the Coliseum's arena. Hydros painfully pulled himself into a sitting position and looked at his opponent: Toa Sayra.

After the Toa's disturbing encounter with the Zyglak in the Archives, Lhikan and Hydros decided that they and the other Toa should practice their battle skills on each other. Lhikan and Gravan fought first, with Gravna barely managing to beat Lhikan with a combination of his Mask of Growth and his elelmental earth power. Next up were Hydros and Sayra... and Hydros was rapidly learning how expirianced the Toa of Water was in combat.

Hydros quickly got to his feet and charged, sword in hand. Sayra also ran forward, Aqua Sythe at the ready. Their weapons clashed agian and agian. Suddenly, a small cyclone, curtosy of Hydros, appeared between them, forceing the two Toa back. Hydros then fired a fire bolt at Sayra. Even as he did this, however, a vision flashed through his mind. He could see the Ga-Matoran from his dreams being held by the neck by a Zyglak, with the Ta-Matoran trapped beneith its clawed foot. Hydros was so destracted by the vision, his fire bolt spiraled off course and blasted a portion of the arena wall to rubble. Gravna, who was observing the battle from the sidelines with Lhikan, had to shield his face from bits of rock.

"Hey!" yelled the Toa of Earth. "Watch where you aim those things!"

Hydros snapped out of his vision and looked at Gravna.

"Uh, sorry!" said Hydros. "Guess I wasn't paying attention."

Suddenly, a blast of electricity sent the Toa flying. After recovering his senses, Hydros shot a look at Sayra. Her hands were crackling with electricity, her Kanohi mask glowing all the while. She had appearently activated her Kanohi Faxon, which allowed her to copy the powers of virtually any Rahi beast. She had evidentally chosen a beast that could throw lightning bolts to defend itself from attack.

"I was hopeing for a challange. Want to give up now and avoid humiliation?" mocked the smileing Toa of Water.

Hydros slowly got to his feet. He wore the same smile she did.

So, she wants a real battle does she? thought Hydros. Well, I had better give her what she wants. "I never back down from a fight." said the Toa. "Give me your best shot."

"Well, don't say I didn't give you a chance to surrender." said Sayra with a chuckle.

The Toa of Water raised her hands in the air. Then, using her control of water, she commanded moisture from the air to collect into a large water sphere. The sphere got bigger and bigger until it was easily four times the size of a Toa. It the transformed from a sphere into a vortex. She then unleashed it onto the field. The tornado of water slammed into Hydros, pulling him inside. As the other Toa watched, Hydros spun around around at an amazing speed. Hydros struggled in vain to get out of the vortex. It wasn't the danger of drowning that worried him, however. He could breath underwater just as easily as if he were on land. It was the danger of passing out and loosing the fight that worried him.

I'm in trouble. thought Hydros. How can I get out of this? Suddenly, he found the answer. The vortex couldn't exist without water.

Outside the vortex Sayra and the others watched as Hydros countinued to struggle agianst the water.

Lhikan decided it was enough. "Sayra." said the Toa of Fire. "That's enough. Let him out."

Sayra shrugged. She was about to deactiveate the water vortex when she noticed a bright, reddish glow coming from it. Before she could ponder what could be responcible for the glow, the water that made up the vortex suddenly disappeared, replaced by a cloud of steam. Hydros suddenly landed on the ground and commanded a strong wind to blow the steam cloud in Sayra's direction, blocking her vision. She was so distracted, she never heard the small eartquake until it was to late. The tremor knocked her off of her feet and to the ground. When the steam finally cleard she could see Hydros standing over her, a mocking grin on his face.

"Finished?" asked the Toa, offering her a hand up.

Sayra took his hand. Then, with blinding speed, she pulled him to the ground and pounced on top of him, pinning him to the ground. The Toa of Water looked at the stunned Hydros and smiled.

"No." said Sayra. "Now I'm finished."

Hydros was still looking at Sayra when he heard Lhkian and Gravna approach.

"All right you two. That's enough training for today." said Lhikan.

Sayra got up and helped Hydros to his feet.

"You okay?" asked Sayra, hopeing she didn't injure Hydros.

Hydros was still starring at her. He then smiled.

"Your good." said the Toa. "Where did you learn those moves?"

"A friend of mine back on my home island taught me my hand-to-hand moves." said the Toa of Water.

Hydros was about to reply when he heard a shout from behind.

"Toa! Toa! You are needed!"

Hydros looked to one of the doorways that lead from the arena to the inside of the Coliseum to see a Matoran running toward them. It was a Po-Matoran Gravna knew.

"Ahkmou." said the Toa of Earth. "What is it? Why are we needed?"

The carver known as Ahkmou ran up to the Toa and took a moment to catch his breath.

"Attacks. There have been attacks on Matoran." said the Po-Matoran.

"What attacked them?" asked Lhikan.

The Matoran quickly discribed the attacks. There were at least two creatures in two different Metru. A number of Ga-Matoran were attacked in Ga-Metru by a Zyglak, while the Po-Matoran of Po-Metru were being terrorized by a being that fit the discription of the Dark Hunter "Proto-Beast".

"Was anyone injured?" asked Lhikan.

Ahkmou nodded. "At leat two Ga-Matoran were seriously wounded. At least four Po-Matoran are dead."

The four Toa looked a each other with worried eyes.

"Alright." said Lhikan. "We need to split up. Gravna. You come with me to Ga-Metru. Sayra. I want you to take Hydros to Po-Metru to handle Proto-Beast. Now lets go."

The Toa quickly ran off, leaving a worried-looking Ahkmou behind. The Po-Matoran dropped to his knees and let out a great sigh of relief.

Okay. said the Po-Matoran to someone in his mind. ''I've done what you asked. Now please leave me alone!''

Ahkmou could hear a chilling chuckle inside his head.

You have served me well indeed Matoran. said the voice. ''Very well. I will break my mental link with you. But remember, if you tell anyone you have done buissness with me, I will tell all of your little friends that you where the one who told me were to find that special artifact in the Archives. Think about it. You would go down in history as the most selfish and greedy Matoran ever!''

Fine!, thought Ahkmou. ''I won't tell anyone! Just leave me alone!''

The voice chuckled and faded away, replaced with Ahkmous' own thoughts.

Somewhere in the remote desert of Po-Metru the Dark Hunter known as "Proto-Beast" smiled as he deactivated his telepathic link with Ahkmou. He then relaxed as he waited for his Toa prey to wonder into his trap.

Chapter Six
Hydros and Sayra walked through one of Po-Metru's many assembler's villages, watching for any sign of Proto-Beast. However, the two Toa were seeing no sign of the Dark Hunter. In fact, they were seeing no sign that the Matoran had seen Proto-Beast. Sayra walked up to a Matoran carver and tapped him on the shoulder. The Matoran Sayra knew as Onewa turned around.

"Yes?" asked Onewa.

"Have you seen anything strange around here lately?" asked Sayra. "We have been hearing reports of a Dark Hunter called 'Proto-Beast' was in the area. We were told he was harming Matoran."

Onewa shook his head. "No Toa Sayra. I have heard this Proto-Beast was in Metru Nui, yes, but I haven't seen him in Po-Metru."

"Thank you Onewa." said Sayra, turning back to Hydros. "It must have been a prank of some sort. It isn't uncommon for some Matoran to report such things as a joke."

Hydros nodded. "Maybe. But just to be safe, maybe we should potral Po-Metru a little longer just to be sure."

"Alright." said the Toa of Water. "Then while we are here I might as well show you around. Po-Metru might not be as nice as Ga-Metru, but you haven't lived until you have seen the Sculpture Fields."

For the next several hours Hydros and Sayra wondered around Po-Metru, taking in the sights as they did. Though, it seemed Hydros was more interested in looking at Sayra than anything else. She wasn't like any Toa he had ever met before. Strong, skilled, smart, ... and beautiful.

Suddenly, several images of the Ga-Matoran from Hydros' visions flashed through his mind. The vision finally ended after a few moments. Why was this Matoran always on Hydros' mind?

After Hydros cleared his head he could once agian hear Sayra pointing out the many Po-Metru land marks. Something suddenly moved out of the corner of Hydros' eye. He turned around and saw nothing. He couldn't be certian, but Hydros couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. He decided not to dwell on it.

Eventually the pair ended up sitting atop of a large statue overlooking the Sculpture Fields. The twin suns were about to go dark fore the night, bathing the city in a beautiful reddish and orange glow. As they took in the sight Sayra noticed a group of Kikanalo making their way across the desert, the glow of the fadeing suns reflecting off of their metalic hides.

"There is something about this city at sunset that brings back memories about my home-island." said Sayra.

"Really?" asked Hydros. "What island do you come from?"

Sayra shrugged. "Oh, it's no any place you would know. Besides. I don't really like to disscuse my past with anyone"

"Don't be so sure. I've been many places over the years. Come on. You can trust me."

Sayra looked at Hydros. While she had never met him until only a few days ago, she felt like she could trust Hydros more than anyone she had ever known.

"Alright" said the Toa of Water with a smile. "But as long a you don't tell anyone."

"Like I said...", replied Hydros. "you can trust me."

Sayra took a deep breath. "Nynrah. My home island is Nynrah."

Hydros couldn't help but be slightly shocked by what he had heard. Nynrah was a mysterious land, and was known as the home of the secretive Matoran craftsmen known as the Nynrah Ghosts. To actually be in the presence of a native of Nynrah was quit astounishing.

"You're from Nynrah?", asked Hydros. "Then that would mean you are a Nynrah Ghost."

"Was." corrected Sayra. "I have't been a crafter in years."

"Why is that?"

Sayra gave a slight sigh and looked away.

"It's alright Sayra.", said Hydros, putting a hand on her shoulder. "If you don't wish to talk about it anymore we don't have to."

"No.", said Sayra, trying to compose herself. "It's just... I lost a very good friend when I was still a Matoran. He was one of the islands greatest crafters. We were very good friends. But one day he fell into the sea and was never seen agian. After that I just couldn't go on with crafting. I left Nynrah in an attempt to escape the memories of that place."

"Oh.", said Hydros. "I'm sorry. What was your friend's name?"

Sayra looked at Hydros. "Nobody you would know. A Ta-Matoran named Pyros."

As soon as she said the name a flood of images and forgotten memories filled Hydros' mind. He could see the Ta-Matoran from his visions, as well as the Ga-Matoran. He witnessed events he had never experianced, but somehow he knew they were his own memories.

As the memories flashed through his mind, the dreams and visions he had experianced all of his life finally made since. He had been a Matoran on the island of Nynrah. He had been best friends with Sayra... Exept his name had been Pyros. At times Pyros wished he and Sayra could have been more than friends, but he had always been to nervous to talk to her about it. He had suspected she felt the same way about him, but could not be shure. As it turns out, Pyros would never get a chance to talk to her about it. A Muaka had chased them until Pyros fell off of a cliff, disappearing beneath the waves. He would drifted in the ocean for several days until he washed up on an island, barely any of his memory intacted.

As suddenly as the vision began, it ended. Once he came to he could see Sayra stareing at him.

"Hydros?" asked Sayra. "What's wrong?"

"I - I don't know how to tell you this Sayra.... ,but I..." Hydros' voice trailed off.

"What is it Hydros?" asked Sayra in a concerned voice.

Hydros took a deep breath. "Sayra. I - I think I am your old friend. I am Pyros."

Sayra's eyes widend with shock. They then narrowed with anger."That's not funny Hydros. That's sick." The Toa of Water got up to her feet. She then looked at Hydros. "And you're a liar." She turned to walk toward the latter that led down to the ground.

Hydros got to his feet. "If I am a liar then how could I know that your favorite hobby as a Matoran was collecting the sea shells you found on the beaches of Nynrah?"

Sayra stopped dead in her tracks.

"And how could I know the reason you hate Zyglak is because you were attacked by one years ago?" asked Hydros ."I tried to help you but the Zyglak over-powered us. Had our friend not shown up we would have been killed."

Sayra turned around, her eyes filled with shock. Nothing in Hydros' tone told her he was lieing.

"And how could know that the afternoon before I fell into the sea, we sat on a rock over looking the ocean and watched the sunset, just as we did today?"

Sayra took a few steps toward Hydros. He had the same firey eyes as her old friend. And though he didn't look like Pyros, he had the same personality.

"I know this must be alot to take in..." said Hydros. "so I will give you some time alone."

He turned to leave, only to fell a hand grasp his shoulder. He turned around to see Sayra stareing into his eyes, as if she were looking into his very mind, heart, and soul. After a few long moments she smiled, tears forming in her eyes at the same time.

"Pyros." she said softly. "It is you."

Hydros smiled. For all his time spent in this world he had no life outside of serving the Order of Mata Nui. But now he has remembered his life from before the Order. And the most important person from that life was now here in front of him. He, for the firt time ever, had a history beyond that the Order provided.

The two Toa leaned in closer to each other slowly. Then, they finally kissed. They both wished this moment could last forever.

Unfourtunatly, that wouldn't be the case...

Suddenly a soft laugh came from somwhere near by. "How sweet." said a voice.

The two broke off the kiss. They looked this way and that, but could not see anything. Suddenly a pair of glowing, red eyes appeared out of nowhere. The Toa were suddenly blasted by a massive burst of laser vision, causing them to be flung over the edge of the statue. Hydros waisted no time. He caught Sayra in his arms and activated his power over air, creating a cyclone that cushined their fall until they were gently lowered to the ground.

As Hydros placed Sayra on her feet they both heard a loud thud come from somewhere nearby.

"Who is there?!" demanded Hydros.

There was no responce. Sayra activated her Kanohi Faxon, granting her the power of a Rahi that could see in infared. She looked in the direction the sound had come from. She saw the body heat of a large, multi-armed being.

I'll tell you who is there."said Sayra. "Show yourself Proto-Beast!"

The Toa could hear a chilling chuckle.

"Very clever Toa." said the voice. Suddenly, the Dark Hunter known as 'Proto-Beast' appeared before their eyes. "Very clever indeed."

"What do you want with us monster?" asked Sayra

"I thought you were here to steal from the Archives." added Hydros. "So why attack us?"

Proto-Beast chuckled. "Yes it is true that part of my mission was to steal an item of importance from the Archives. That part of my mission ia over. And you will be happy to know that The Shadowed One will take good care of the Staff of Artakha."

"And the other part of your mission?" asked Sayra.

Proto-Beast grinned. "Since you are about to die anyway, I see no harm in telling you. The second half of my mission isa to kill all of the Toa present in the city."

"What?!" said Hydros.

"With only four Toa present in the city, it will be a simple matter of eliminating all of you." said the Dark Hunter. "With the other members of your team away there will be no one left to oppose the Dark Hunters. Our forces will storm Metru Nui. By the time the other Toa return, the city will be filled with Dark Hunters."

"I don't think so monster!" said Hydros.

"You may beat us", said Sayra. "but you will never defeat Lhikan and Gravna!"

Proto-Beast simply chuckled. "Actually, I have already found someone to take care of those two. And I'd say he is tearing them apart at this very moment."

To be continued...

Characters

 * Hydros
 * Sayra
 * A Muaka
 * Guardna
 * Botar
 * Lhikan
 * Gravna
 * Several Zyglak
 * A number of Zyglak that were defeated by Lhikan, Sayra, and Gravna.
 * A dozen Zyglak that were killed by Proto-Beast.
 * Scar
 * "Proto-Beast"
 * A group of unnamed Onu-Matoran
 * Ahkmou
 * Onewa