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Chapter 1: Text

CHAPTER 1

The Stranger

The sun hung in the cloudless sky directly above New Atero, bathing the metropolis in light and making the distant knowledge towers shine like great monolithic gemstones dotted throughout the skyline. Matoran and Agori alike went about their business, enjoying relative peace in spite of the crowds and traffic surrounding the district's marketplace. For some, this tranquility was abruptly cut short, as a fleeing Glatorian barged through the crowded street, knocking over multiple shoppers that were examining a Po-Matoran sculptor's wares.

"He went that way!" One of the city guards shouted, chasing after them with his compatriots in tow, before another guard, the leader of the group, motioned him to stop.

"Stay here, Korii. See to the civilians and talk to any witnesses, me and Deza will pursue the suspect-"  The guard was cut off mid-sentence by his exasperated underling.
"Not a chance, Nuhrii. I'd have caught them by now if you two weren't dragging your feet!" Korii yelled in response, finding the idea of staying still for that long an alien concept. "That's an order, Korii!" Nuhrii barked in response, his green eyes visibly glaring at Korii through the visor of his silvered Kanohi Kaukau. "I'm not having this argument with you again. Deza, with me!" The Agori guard with them nodded in agreement as they chased after the thief.

"Unbelievable, what was the point in allowing me to enlist if all they make me do is hang back and do the grunt-work?" Korii grumbled to himself, sheathing his stun baton and crouching down to help up a younger Agori who was knocked to the ground. "Did you see them, kid? I'll make sure they learn to watch where they're going for you." He smiled, helping the child to his feet. "He was blue! One of the Water ones I think, I thought the Gato...G- the big ones were supposed to be nice!" Korii simply smiled at the child's innocence. Even after all this time among organics, he found children fascinating. Imagine being born and having to learn everything from the ground up, that must be strange, he thought. "Don't worry, little one. That's why we're after him, to teach him some manners. Wouldn't want him encouraging that kind of behaviour, would we?" Korii gave the Agori a handful of berries, after being satisfied that she wasn't harmed. "Thank you, Mister Guard!" "You're welcome, call me Korii. Did you see where he went-" The Ta-Matoran's sentence trailed off as he saw the target trying to blend into a distant crowd of shoppers, seemingly oblivious to all the commotion.

"Stop right there!" Korii yelled, quickly running off to try and beat Nuhrii and Deza to the target. 

"Mister Korii, watch out!" The Agori child called out, too late to stop the impatient Matoran colliding with somebody and falling flat on his back, knocking his Kakama off of his face. Korii scrambled to retrieve his mask and stood upright. "Watch where you're going, citizen! I'm on official business-" The cloaked figure he bumped into looked up at him, their face covered by a gray hood, only their bright yellow eyes visible underneath. Korii looked at the stranger in confusion; they stood at the same height as most Agori, but were hunched over, using a crude cane adorned with a battered, non-functioning lightstone to support themselves. The surprise that he didn't knock the stranger over merely added to the confusion; this stranger resembled a Turaga, but none of them ever went anywhere without an escort, let alone wandered the streets looking like a vagrant. Korii felt unnerved as the mysterious figure looked him up and down, as if trying to size him up.

"I can tell, Korii. Reckless and irresponsible as you may be, you see the importance in one's duty. You would do well to listen to your superior, unity is just as crucial." The stranger responded, with a voice that seemed innocent, almost friendly, yet commanded respect in a way that couldn't quite be explained. Korii wasn't sure whether or not to be confused or intimidated, until something dawned on him. "How do you know my name? Who are you?" Korii responded loudly, rapidly losing his grasp on what was going on. "Am I your suspect? You spend valuable time asking me questions, when you could be pursuing the thief. You need not worry about who I am, that information is irrelevant. Your duty calls, Matoran." the stranger responded, pointing with a weathered red hand towards the suspect, who was looking out from his hiding spot to see if the opportunity to escape had presented itself.

"I'll be back, vagrant. You owe me an explanation." Korri responded sternly, charging off to try and catch his Glatorian mark unawares. The stranger simply smiled to himself, taking a moment to watch the impulsive Matoran run off in pursuit before walking away, quickly disappearing into the growing crowd of gawkers. 

Using a nearby bench as a platform, Korii leapt towards the suspect, jumping clear over several onlookers, his eyes widening as he saw Nuhrii approaching, colliding with his fellow guard instead of the intended target. Startled by the crash and turning to see two guards on the floor, the blue Glatorian smirked and ran away from the two, looking back to assure they weren't yet following. Taking the opportunity to apprehend them while distracted, Deza threw a restraint coil towards the fleeing perpetrator, binding their legs together and sending them tumbling to the ground. 

"Maybe you should look where you're going next time, thief. You could trip on something." Deza smiled nonchalantly, drawing his spear and pointing it towards the downed victim until Nuhrii arrived to restrain their wrists.

"Take him to the cells, I'll be right behind you. Nuhrii ordered, before turning to face Korii, glaring at him once again. "What in Karzahni do you think you were doing?! He could have escaped!"
"My job, Nuhrii! I didn't enlist to stand around all day with my thumb up my-"
"We had this under control, Korii! We followed him here and planned out that ambush, what was your plan if Deza didn't take him down after you screwed it up?" Nuhrii barked, his patience wearing thin.
"Only reason I didn't nail that landing was because you sauntered in my way. I'd have knocked him to the ground, leaving him open for you and Deza to restrain him!" Korii yelled in response, their arguing once more attracting the crowd's attention.
"I'm sick of having to clean up after you, Korii! We have to work together to protect this city, or were you built thinking the first great virtue was 'Arrogance'?" Nuhrii sternly replied.
"We aren't Toa, Nuhrii. I'm willing to work with you, but I'm sick of playing second fiddle to a bunch of stuck up Kohlii-heads!" Korii yelled, throwing his spear to the ground at Nuhrii's feet and walking away.
"Where are you going, Korii?" Nuhrii shouted after him.
"Home. To Karzahni with this."

Later that day, as the sun was beginning to set, Korii had arrived in Ta-Tero, also known as the Fire district. throwing his guard's armor aside, he slumped in his chair and rubbed his temples, still aggravated by his argument with Nuhrii. Hoping he hadn't missed the end of the evening's fight at the New Arena Magna, he switched on his telescreen and flicked channels, hoping to catch the end. Not long after finding the channel and settling in, there was a knock at his door. Sighing in annoyance, Korii got up and opened the door to find nobody there. Kids, he thought to himself. As he moved to close the door he noticed a small object on his doorstep, roughly bundled in cloth. 

"What's this?" Korii muttered to nobody, picking up the package and unwrapping the cloth to find a crystal inside, glowing the exact shade of blue as his eyes and heartlight. Korii examined the stone with confusion, as it began to shine brighter in response.

Chapter 1: Text

"We're definitely lost, Chronicler."

Kopeke simply looked back at Onepu in response, seeming to dismiss him in spite of his own building anxiety. He and the Chronicler's Company had been wandering the jungles surrounding Bota Metru for what seemed like days, but the treetops and canopies obscuring the sky made it impossible to tell. 

"We'll be there soon. I'm sure the Turaga are willing to be patient." Kopeke muttered bluntly.

"It's getting dark, Kopeke. We should stop and set up camp for the night, before any Rahi catch us off-guard." Orkahm interjected. Despite this being their homeland, he and Tamaru had spent a majority of their time on Spherus Magna wandering the planet with the Chronicler, protecting him from any possible dangers.

"Orkahm's got a point, Kopeke. We're deep in Nui-Rama territory, take it from a Matoran who knows what he's talking about, we aren't equipped to fight off a whole swarm of the monsters." Onepu added. "As little as I care for his bragging, he has a point. We won't make it to Bota Metru whatsoever if we accidentally stumble into one of their nests. We should wait until morning to keep moving." Orkahm responded in agreement, motioning Pewku to stop.

Without a word, the others did the same and set up a camp for the night. While many of the group slept, a handful stayed awake, keeping an eye out for any curious visitors.
"It's kinda nice to be heading home again, I've missed sleeping on an actual bed." Orkahm chuckled. Onepu nodded while tending to their sleeping Ussal Crabs. "Hopefully we can head to Roxtus next, I can't remember the last time I was back. I need to make sure nobody breaks my record on the Ussal circuits. What about you, Tamaru? Happy to be back in familiar territory?"
"Kinda. You know how I am with big-heights, all these towers and balconies stretching into the skies make me feel nauseous. I'll probably just build a hut on the outskirts of the jungle, like I used to have way-back on Mata Nui." Tamaru replied with a nervous shudder. "You're makin' me nostalgic, airhead. I miss the caves, living near the Vuata Maca trees was a better sight in the morning than a pile of lightstones ever will be. But hey, we've got the expedition to Five Peaks coming up, I wouldn't miss that for the world!" Taipu cheerly added.
"Can't believe we lived in that giant thing all along. A machine so large we built cities on it's fingertips." Orkahm responded still in disbelief.
"That's nothing, Taipu. One of its feet is sticking out of the Great Desert, the Ice and Earth coalitions have just set up a joint observatory on top of it. Imagine the knowledge towers in New Atero without the light pollution, an archivist's dream!" Onepu whispered to Taipu, taking an opportunity to mess with his old friend.

"Really?! I need to see this!" Taipu exclaimed loudly, as Onepu chucked at his gullibility.
"You're such a Kohlii-head, Taipu-" Onepu's sentence trailed off as his bright green eyes widened in shock. "Get down!"

The four Matoran dropped to the ground as three Nui-Rama swooped in, ready to attack. Onepu and Orkahm imitated their buzzing in an attempt to distract them, while Tamaru scrambled to wake the others and Taipu readied his sword. As he swung it towards the nearest Rahi, a glowing bolt shot out from the trees and struck the Nui-Rama in the heart, killing it instantly. "What in Karzahni?!" Taipu exclaimed, as a second bolt downed another, this time only catching a wing and bringing it to the ground. As Taipu threw his sword to Orkahm to finish it off, the mystery archer leapt out from the trees, gliding an impressive distance and grabbing onto the final Nui-Rama, wrestling it to the ground and plunging a dagger into it's back, bringing it crashing down into a vacant tent before tearing off it's masks and drawing his bow, putting the creature out of its misery with a final bolt.

As the awakened Matoran exited their tents upon hearing the commotion, the shrouded figure turned to face them. Orkahm bowed in gratitude.

"Thank you, Glatorian. We would have had trouble with-"

"The deep-wood is no place to be napping, little ones. Doesn't get much bad-worse than trying to get some shuteye with those pests fly-buzzing around." The archer said sternly, cutting Orkahm off mid-sentence. He then strapped his bow to his back and pointed east.
"You're headed the wrong way, Bota Metru is that way, due northeast. Good thing I stumbled across your camp, you'd have been out here until Leaf-dawn otherwise. Head east and be rapid-quick; Nui-Rama are easy prey compared to the other wildlife that roams the jungles."

"Thanks, stranger. I don't suppose you'd accompany us? The way you fight, you'd be unstoppable in the Agori's arenas!" Taipu said excitedly, as the archer simply shook his head.

"I'm quiet-sneakin' around out here for a reason, I had some hard-luck back in the cities, so I'm layin' low for a while. I'd be full of happy-cheer if you'd neglect to mention our meeting." As the stranger turned to leave, he noticed the hunched green figure of a Turaga emerging from one of the tents.

"What's all the commotion out here?" The elder muttered before locking eyes with their guest. Both were silent before the archer took his leave, leaping into the treetops as abruptly as he arrived.

"We had a little trouble with some Nui-Rama, Turaga Lesovikk. That Glatorian came out of nowhere and saved our hides." Kopeke mumbled, gripping his Chronicler's staff nervously.
"So I heard. Seems like our unexpected guest won't be staying for dinner. Curious.." Lesovikk pondered to himself, scratching the chin of his mask.
"Curious, wise one?" Tamaru asked.

"When was the last time you heard a Glatorian use treespeak?"

Chapter 1: Text

"I can't take this anymore!"

Topuhi smirked as he heard Weku's exasperated yelling from down the hallway. No doubt the fool had just found out what he had done to his chair. Just wait until he sees what I left in his locker, Topuhi thought to himself with a mischievous chuckle. Spending his days cooped up in the Great Tower of Iconox was by no means the life of adventure and chaos that he thought he'd be living, but making his colleagues' lives that little bit more difficult was satisfying enough for now. As he leaned back in his chair with a relaxed sigh, his peace was shattered by Weku barging into his chamber.

"Do you ever tire from disrupting our work, Topuhi?" Weku yelled, his blue-trimmed Kanohi Hau still crooked from the fall. Topuhi contained a chuckle and responded plainly. "Is everything okay, Weku? You look a little flustered."
"We are doing very important work, Topuhi. The Turaga need the data we are supposed to be collecting for the upcoming expedition, and yet any time I try to operate the telescopes I find the consoles have been disconnected, drawings are scrawled over my notes, or my damned chair mysteriously collapses! Now I have to get my eyepiece fixed before I can continue!" Weku continued to exclaim, with Topuhi gradually giving up concealing his amusement.

"Wow, sounds like you're having a horrendous day, Weku. Maybe you should take the day off? They tend to do me absolute wonders. I hear the ice fields look lovely this time of year. They're everywhere, but they're pretty to look at." Topuhi smirked.

"You confuse me, Topuhi. We're up here, working in the most advanced knowledge tower on the planet, living more comfortably than some Turaga, and somehow you seem to prioritise irritating everyone you come across over what you're fed, housed and paid handsomely to do! If I wanted to spend my time holed up with an immature slacker, I'd move to Bota Metru and share a treehouse with a Le-Matoran drummer! If I didn't know better, I'd think you were painted white instead of green when you were built, if not just flat-out sent from Karzahni purely to hinder our progress! By the Great Spirit, if you weren't constantly distracting everyone you come across, we'd have colonies set up all over Solis Magna by now!" Weku paused his rant, to find Topuhi's chair empty. Past experience taught him that the unusually humorous Ko-Matoran had probably left as soon as Weku had begun to speak.

Returning to his desk, Weku found a replacement eyepiece, along with a note.

As much as I enjoyed rigging your chair, I'm genuinely sorry that my joke at your expense broke your eyepiece. Feel free to use mine while yours is out for repairs. -T.

Weku smiled faintly, briefly impressed with the act of generosity. He pondered to himself quietly as he reassembled his chair, affixed the new eyepiece and got back to work.

His heartlight's in the right place, I guess that has to count for something. I just hope he gets his act together... wait, what's that bright light?

Topuhi didn't bother to hide his laughter upon hearing Weku scream as he gathered his things from his locker. Knowing he was almost certainly not long for this career, he'd decided to leave early. He removed his scarf and cowl from the locker, and found a package he didn't remember having; a sheet of rough fabric, containing a stone that glowed orange.

Chapter 1: Text

Bionicle: Tales from Spherus Magna is a fan work, and is in no way affiliated or endorsed by the LEGO Group.

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