Remembrance

Prologue
Vakama glared down at Matau, contempt in his green-tinged eyes. The Toa Hordika of Air was clinging desperately to a ledge, trying to reason with the Fire Toa. Below, the remaining Toa Hordika battled thousands of Visorak, firing Rhotuka Spinner after Rhotuka Spinner into the horde. They were losing. In the distance, a loud clang sounded as a monstrous yellow Rahi climbed slowly but steadily up a tall tower, making his way towards the Vortixx know as Roodaka and her ally: Sidorak, King of the Visorak. Vakama drank in the sights and sounds of battle as his former friend clung to the ledge for dear life, glancing over his shoulder at the long, deadly drop below.

"Brother," Matau pleaded, his voice full of fear. "Please."

"'Brother'?" Vakama laughed bitterly.

He smiled cruelly as he brought his weapon down towards Matau's hands.

"Hardly."

Matau stared up at his old ally. No cry, no plead for mercy, came from his mouth. Below, the battle had grown silent. Even the redundant banging of Keetongu's weapon on stone had ceased. Vakama frowned, looking around for an explanation.

"What have you done?" Vakama demanded, stunned by the silence.

"Matau can't hear you."

Vakama whirled, powering up his Rhotuka Spinner. He recognised the voice.

"Makuta," he whispered.

"No."

A dark figure stepped out of the shadows, carrying a sword and radiating evil, the likes of which Vakama had not encountered since his battle with Teridax himself.

"I am not Teridax," the figure said. "Merely a passing resemblance."

"What have you done?" Vakama snarled, readying himself for a battle.

"I have frozen time. You see, I have come here to feed, and your friend Roodaka may not be very pleased about what I am about to do."

"Feed? Feed on what? Who are you?"

The shadowy figure stepped into the light, his black and silver armor gleaming. "My name is not important." The being seemed amused by Vakama's inquisitions. "I am here to feed."

"Feed on what?" Vakama repeated, although he suspected he already knew the answer.

"Not what," the dark figure said. "Whom."

Moving forward faster than Vakama's eyes could follow, the being grabbed Vakama's mutated Kanohi Huna with a clawed hand. The mask eminated a dark aura, which the being quickly absorbed into his hand. Stepping away, the figure smiled.

"As you were," he said, and stepped back into the shadows.

Vakama blinked, his eyes returning to their regular yellow color. He spun around, just in time to see Matau release his hold on the ledge.

"Matau!"

The Fire Toa took to quick steps and threw himself over the ledge, after the Air Toa.

In the shadows, the dark figure smiled, and disappeared.