Shadowlands

Shadowlands is a story set in the Shattered Peace Continuum, with most of the action taking place in Ga-Metru. It was written by DeltaStriker.

Preface
Teridax looked out at the island once known as Voya Nui. Its scarred landscape told tales of great battles, battles which had caused this island so much pain.

He turned from the window, disgusted at the sight. His newly conquered lands had already been compromised, and more trouble was on its way. His spies in the so-called ‘Order of Mata Nui’ had reported that its armies were on the move, and Ga-Metru was their target. The Brotherhood’s armies were ready to defend their land. The war that would ensue would be bloody, and many beings would fall. But Teridax knew the outcome would be the same as before, and Ga-Metru would remain his.

Teridax smiled. Everything would go as planned.

And then, thought Teridax, I will be unstoppable.

Chapter 1
The stars shined bright in the sky, lighting the way for the matoran. He was battered and bruised from weeks stranded in the desert, but he was determined to complete his mission. Glancing at the stars, he found he had only a few miles left in his journey.

As he walked, the matoran thought of his home. At least, his home before it had been destroyed. All that remained was burnt ruins.

A slight movement to his right distracted the matoran from his thoughts. He peered into the shadows, but saw nothing. Shrugging his shoulders, he began to walk again. As he walked, he became so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the sound of footsteps behind him.

The thing struck without warning, stabbing his blade through the matoran’s chest. Blood spewed from the wound, staining the sand red. The matoran stared at the wound, to shocked to do anything. Then he felt the pain. The feeling was so strong that it knocked the matoran off his feet, his body crumpling to the ground. The thing that had stabbed the matoran retrieved his blade, pulling it fiercely from his torso. Blood began to gush from the wound, turning the sand and even darker red. As the attacker lifted his blade for the killing blow, he heard a shout.

“WHO ARE YOU?”

The attacker looked up and saw a toa walking towards it. Without warning, it slipped into the shadows and was gone.

The toa squinted, trying to see in the pitch-blackness of night. Then she saw the matoran, lying on the ground. She gasped, and hurried towards him. When she reached the matoran, he looked up at her. He opened his mouth as if he was trying to speak, but no words were formed. “Don’t speak,” the toa said. “Save your energy.”

The matoran persisted, and managed to speak. “A-a-av Metru-u has f-fallen,” he said. He laid back his head, and his heartlight blinked out. He was dead.

The toa picked up his body and carried him over to a dune. She used her power to dig a hole in the sand, and placed the corpse into it. She covered the grave and placed a stone to mark it. Then she ran to her village. The matoran’s message needed to be delivered.

Chapter 2
Tahu strode purposefully down the corridor, heading towards the war room. His generals were already there, waiting for him. As he entered the door, they snapped to attention.

“At ease,” he ordered. “General Lewa, report.”

A green toa the same size as Tahu stepped forward. “The Senate has not yet approved a third invasion of Ga-Metru,” he said. “Also, the vote for a new leader has not yet been held.”

“Bureaucrats,” grumbled Tahu. “They can never get anything done.” This statement earned a few chuckles from his generals.

A white toa stepped forward.

“General Kopaka,” asked Tahu. “Do you have something to report?”

“Yes, General,” answered Kopaka. “Since the failed assault on Destral, the Order of Mata Nui has begun to raid our borders. It may not be wise to devote the majority of our army on an invasion that has failed twice before. It takes time to train new warriors, and during battle they die faster than they train.”

“Are you saying we should let the Ga-Metru resistance be destroyed?” Tahu countered. “The only reason they have survived this long is because Teridax’s attention has been focused on defending his lands. The second he feels that he is safe, he send half his army to crush the resistance. I can’t let that happen.”

Vakama, a toa of fire, who was older than the others in the room, stepped towards the map of Sepherus Nui. “I agree with both of you,” he said. “We can’t just leave our own lands defenseless, but we can not leave the residents of Ga-Metru to die. To do so would be un-honorable. Therefore, I propose that we send a small strike force to evacuate the resistance, allowing us to save them while protecting our own territory.”

Tahu pondered the idea. “But if we did send a squad, who would lead it?” he asked.

Vakama smiled. “I know the perfect person for the job.” ***

Garan walked down the streets of Onu-Metru. The sky was clear, and the sun was bright. He was enjoying his shore-leave. He was headed to nowhere in particular, and he felt as free as a gukko bird. As he walked, Garan remembered the times before war, before violence. Everything seemed so simple back then. Curse Teridax, he thought. Curse him and his treacherous Brotherhood.

Garan continued to walk, ignoring the sounds around him and becoming lost in his own thoughts. He became so caught up that he didn’t noticed the turaga walking towards him until it was too late.

He walked into the turaga, causing both of them to crash to the ground and bringing Garan back to reality. He stood up and held out a hand to help the turaga up.

“Sorry about that,” Garan told the turaga as he pulled him to his feet.

“It’s alright,” responded the turaga. “My name is Callis. I’m from Ty-Metru and I haven’t quite adjusted to my new surroundings yet.”

Garan nodded, and began to walk away. “Wait!” called Callis.

Garan turned, and looked at the turaga, who walked up to him. “Take this,” he said, handing the matoran a scroll. “I wrote it a while back, and now I know it was meant for you.”

Garan took the scroll and placed it in his pouch. “Thank you,” he said, and he walked away.

Chapter 3
TBW

Characters
(In order of appearance)
 * Teridax
 * Unidentified Matoran
 * Tuyet
 * Tahu
 * Lewa
 * Kopaka
 * Vakama
 * Garan
 * Callis