Bionicle: The Mask of Imitation

Chapter 17: The Okotan Guardians

The three of them ran as quickly as they could, running through Mirishiki’s portals to transport them many yards farther, cutting their travel time incredibly. By the time they got to the jungle, they could see the smoke, driving them to move faster. 

As they broke through the brush, ahead of them they could see an army of strange beasts. Several blue beasts were making their way across the bridge towards the city of the mask makers. Before they could make it halfway, a gold and orange bird swooped in, hitting the creatures with its wings, causing them to burst into flames. Just then two villagers rushed forward, swinging their fists and knocking the beasts over the edges of the bridge.

“Wow.” Kasai smirked, flicking his wrists, his swords extending as he charged forward, Mirishiki and Siri rushing behind him to join the fight.

“Toa Kasai!” Called out the voice of a golden armored figure standing atop the gate arch.

“Takeru!” Kasai answered, slashing through a few of the beasts.

“Break the masks Toa! Break the masks!” Takeru called out, climbing onto a wall mounted turret.

“The masks, got it!” Kasai said, nodding to Miri. “Let’s go.” He smirked, her nodding in agreement as the two of them reaching out their arms, resting the knuckles of their fist against one another, fire spreading down to Kasai’s hand, shadows coursing down to Mirishiki’s, as the flames and the darkness mixed, they opened their hands, holding onto a ball of black fire. “Go.” Kasai said. Simultaneously the two of them slammed the ball into the ground, the black flames shooting out, seemingly tracking the beasts and exploding as it reached them.

As the commotion started to settle, the remaining Toa made their way into the city. “Kasai!” Narmoto shouted, running towards the Toa.

“Narmoto, good to see you.” Kasai smiled, retracting his swords.

“Good to see you’re all right.” The protector of fire said, smiling under his mask.

“Yeah...the same can’t be said for half our team...or the city.” Kasai said, letting out a sigh. 

“Right…” Narmoto nodded, crossing his arms.

“What happened here?”

“Umarak the hunter, he summoned up an army to attack the city, Ekimu and the Toa went to face him.” 

“I’m guessing they went to the giant purple light?” Mirishiki asked, pointing to the beam.

“Most likely.” Narmoto replied, looking around at the damages and the panicked Okotans. “What happened to the rest of your team?” Narmoto asked, turning back to them.
“They...they were destroyed, by the phantom that we were sent to defeat…” Kasai sighed.

“Oh...I’m sorry.” The protector of fire said, looking down. Mirishiki snapped, opening a vortex over head, Scrap’s mechanical remains, and four masks falling out.

“Siri.” Mirishiki said, looking over her shoulder at the Toa of jungle.

“Yeah..?” She questioned, looking up.

“Take Scraps and his mask to someone who has experience with mechanics.” Mirshiki said, stepping aside.

“Korgot, the protector of earth, she has experience in that department.” Narmoto said, looking at the two of them. “I can have Izotor show you the way.”

“Yes please.” Siri nodded.

“Izotor!” Narmoto shouted, turning around as a white armored villager ran forward, his armor similar t0 Takeru’s. “Take Toa Siri, of jungle, to Korgot.”

“Alright.” Izotor nodded, motioning for Siri to follow him. After picking up Scraps’ parts, she did, trailing behind the protector.

“I’ll take these masks to Ekimu’s forge.” Mirishiki said, kneeling down and picking up the three remaining masks on the ground.

“Alright Miri.” Kasai nodded, watching her walk off. “Narmoto.”

“Yes?”

“What were those animals we saw helping to defend the city?” Kasai asked, looking out to the gate.

“Ahh, those were the elemental creatures, the embodiments of the elements, the pieces that keep Okoto’s six regions in harmony.”

“Really? Why were they here?”

“The Toa had to unite with them to find Makuta’s mask, when the attack started, the Toa couldn’t stay to help fight, they had to find Umarak, so the creatures stayed behind to help us defend the city.”

“I see.” Kasai nodded, crossing his arms.

“Thankfully you came just in time. The creatures were becoming weary, and it was starting to seem like a losing battle.” Narmoto said, placing his hands behind his back.

“Good thing then” Kasai replied.

“Narmoto! Three final beasts outside the gate!” A villager called from on top of the wall. 

“Understood!” Narmoto shouted, running forward. “Hurry Toa!”

As Kasai watched Narmoto, he shook his head. “We don’t deserve the title of Toa...I don’t deserve the title of Toa…” Kasai pulled out his swords, closing his eyes. “No...But we will be something else. The Okotan Guardians.” He nodded to himself, opening his eyes and running forward.

To be continued in Chronicles of Darkness...