Bionicle G2: New Legends, New Heroes

Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm

"Hear now, my son, what the prophecy says. When times are dark and all hope seems lost, the Protectors must unite, one from each tribe. Evoke the power of past and future, and look to the skies for an answer. When the stars align, six comets will bring timeless heroes... United, the elements hold the power to defeat evil. United, but not one."

- Narmoto, Protector of Fire, telling his son the Prophecy of Heroes five hundred years ago.

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The Temple of Time had seen better days. Once the most revered place in all of Okoto, it turned into a giant block of stone. As Torren walked up the stairs, blue cloak billowing, he had a closer look at the damage. In the five centuries after the death of Ekimu the Mask Maker, snow, wind, and rain cracked the sturdy rocks, so much so the stairway appeared to have veins. If an army went up the steps, the entire thing would crumble and join the stubs of obelisks below.

Torren's lonesome self reached the top, where five other figures waited under the arches of the Temple's doorway and donned their distinct and respective cloaks around their bodies. Their oh-so colorful masks, and their moods, turned from each other to the latest arrival. The first to speak was Ferra, the Protector of the Stone Tribe. "Punctual as ever, Torren," she said sardonically, her eyes sneering behind her brown mask.

Torren, Protector of the Water Tribe, held a hand over his heartlight and humbly bowed his blue mask. "I do apologize," he told her, and the others. "I was delayed back home."

"Trouble with the boys?" Ruka, Protector of the Jungle Tribe, said lightly like her green color.

"Yes, Waya and Mizu are quite a handful. It took me forever to just keep them still. Plus, the walk through the frost took time," Torren chuckled at his lie. In truth, his sons were placed under guard, and his journey had been short. The Temple of Time was between the Region of Jungle and his home in the Water Region, but Torren delayed himself to see if any of the Protectors would answer his call.

Protector Ignar of the Fire Tribe, the tallest and most notable in his red mask, shivered under his fine cloak and growled. "Alright, we're all here, Torren, as we agreed. Now, let's hurry inside."

Now, Ferra narrowed her gaze on Ignar. "What's the rush? Afraid you'll be a block of ice?"

Ignar turned to the black-clad Protector hunched beside Ferra. "Hanu, tell your friend here to shut up!"

As always, Hanu of the Earth Tribe was steady and silent under his rugged cape. The unanswered Ignar growled again. "If they don't shut up, we'll all freeze to death!"

"Not all of us will," the deep, chilly voice of Hunarr, Protector of Ice, said from his isolated corner.

"Quiet you!" Ignar snapped, shooting a red glare at his white, icy counterpart.

"Maybe not freeze to death. Maybe catch a cold an' burn up!" Ruka exclaimed with a 'tee hee.'

"Protectors, please, please!" Torren cut in. "We're all here for the same purpose! Please, just this once, let us do this without fighting!"

Silence fell over the others quickly, and those with sneering or joking expressions stared stoically at Torren's impassioned blue mask. At last, Hunarr said, "Very well."

"Just this once," Ignar begrudgingly agreed, and so did everyone else, to Torren's relief.

One by one, the Protectors entered the ancient structure. As they walked on the ancient floor, the cold breeze touched their masks' curved extensions. No one noticed, their glowing eyes focused on the elevated platform in the center. It remained in the dark as ever, since the temple no longer radiated as it used to. The Protectors knew that would change, if only for a moment.