It took a matter of weeks to cross the island from Okoto’s vast jungles, to the smoldering lava flows of the fire region. Finally into the treacherous terrain and jagged black rocks of the earth region. The cold rocks and crystals jutting out from the ground threatening the team as they went, now and then Mizu would struggle against the elements, summoning up enough water from under the ground to help hydrate his teammates.
Finally the seven Toa could see their destination ahead of them, a flat black plain in the land of earth. The smooth black rocks almost reflecting the sun and clouds. Coming closer and closer, they could make out a large black and white figure. They had arrived, at Zaltor’s landing.
The figure glanced over it’s shoulder, it’s body moving as if it were laughing, but the haunting chuckle could be heard right beside them.
“That...That is Zaltor…” Alpha said, stuttering at the sight.
“Who?” Kasai asked, flicking his wrists, two red and silver swords extending out from two silver handles.
“Zaltor, an ancient phantom who was separated from his mask and locked away in the shadow realm.”
“His mask?” Scraps questioned.
“The Mask of Imitation...He escaped… and… and took it back…” Alpha shook his head, zooming away. “No! No! No! Handle this on your own Toa!”
Strider watched him fly away, rolling his eyes and hissing. “Coward.”
“No matter, we can handle this ourselves.” Mizu said, pulling out his shield.
“I don’t like our odds.” Siri said, readying her twin axes.
“Hush.” Mirishiki interrupted them, pointing ahead to the figure, who was now facing them. “He’s ready…” She said slowly, slipping away into a vortex.
“Right.” Kasai nodded, bracing himself. “Siri, Taiga, Scraps, take the left side. Strider, charge him from the front. Mizu, Miri, and I will take the right.” He said, glancing behind him. “Miri? Mirishiki?” He looked around.
“Too late for a plan.” Taiga said, a black and white flash slamming down in between them, flinging the six Toa in separate directions. Strider flew back, spinning in the air and slamming his claw into the ground, charging toward Zaltor with a wave of earth pushing him even faster.
He flung his saw shield around, his claws glowing with purple energy as he seemingly paused right in front of Zaltor, slamming his forehead into the Mask of Imitation, all his energy transferring to the phantom, the enemy’s body pulsating as he slammed both fists into Strider’s stomach, returning his energy.
Strider gasped, flying backwards. The Toa of water stood, dashing towards the phantom, his shield raised, slamming it’s edge into the mask. But something stopped it inches away from the mask, stopped in the air as if the shield hit an invisible wall. Zaltor raised a hand, flicking Mizu away as if he were a mere ant.
“What happened..?” Siri questioned, a body hurling through the air and flying over her head. “Mizu!” She called out, running to her friend
“Come here you bastard!” Strider yelled, dropping from the sky, pushing both hands down towards Zaltor, a massive pillar of earth raising up from the ground, blacking out the sun as it turned down to the shadowy figure, crashing into the ground with a force so incredible that it shook the ground. Strider looked down at the rubble and smoke, a grin of satisfaction across his face as he fell towards the ground.
In what seemed like an instant, something shot out from the smoke, Zaltor paused in mid air, grabbing Strider and spinning him through the air, throwing him to the ground.
Kasai came to his feet in time to watch his fearsome Toa of earth explode as he hit the ground.
“Strider!” Kasai called out. As the smoke cleared, he could see his friend’s now limp body, lying in a crater.
“Kasai!” Mizu shouted, standing up with Siri supporting him. “We need to work together, otherwise we don’t have a chance!”
“Right!” Kasai nodded, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “Now!” He shouted, sprinting forward, Mizu doing the same. His hands began to glow a bright orange, his swords projecting beams of fire, burning the black rock as he ran.
“Fools.” Zaltor chuckled, swinging both arms out, sending blasts of energy to both Toa. A vortex formed in the air, a black and purple armored figure dropping out, her hair flowing as she fell, a long weapon in both her hands, she squinted in Zaltor’s direction, a violent crack lashing out as a small shard of shadowy metal flung itself into the phantom’s chest, a roar erupting from thin air. Mirishiki fell, another portal catching her, and she vanished again.
“Insolent fools!” The voice cried out as the point of Mizu’s shield, and the blades of Kasai’s swords clashed with the Mask of Imitation, the attacks both gliding through the mask as if it were water.
Zaltor swung to his left, grabbing Mizu’s mask and head, kicking Kasai back. “I will show you why I was so feared.” He growled, squeezing Mizu, his mask cracking under the pressure.
“Mizu!” Siri called out, the Toa of ice standing at her side, they glanced to one another, Siri clenching her fists, struggling to summon some form of plant life, but her efforts did nothing. Taiga shook her head, jumping up and shooting out a ramp of ice, sliding to Zaltor at an incredible speed. The monster before them threw Mizu aside, quickly reaching out and grabbing Taiga by the neck as she passed, lifting her up and slamming her into the ground.
YOU ARE READING
Bionicle: The Mask of Imitation
AksiyonThousands of years ago, on the mythical island of Okoto. Two mask makers, Ekimu and his brother, Makuta, forged great masks for the residents of Okoto. That was before Makuta's betrayal. His envy towards his brother drove him to a lust for recogniti...
