> Bionicle: The Masks of Harmony > by Helblade Master > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Skull Spiders > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sun beat down on a beach on the far end of Okoto where we see the Toa resting after a long journey south. The beach spreads far and is litered with the remains of rocks and old buildings. Only hours ago these ruins were a small town made by outcasts of their cities. Now it was the remains of a long battle with Skull Spiders. Creatures with four legs that attach themselves to the face of whomever they choose, after they remove the mask you posses. They vary in color and are under the influence of their king, The Lord of Skull Spiders. Our heroes also vary in color but they fight for the greater good. They had arrived minutes to late to prevent the village from being destroyed and its people taken away to the home of all Skull Spiders. Our heroes are called Toa for their ability to control the elements. Tahu is master of fire, Gali is master of water, Lewa is master of jungle, Pohatu is master of stone, Kopaka is master of ice, and Onua is master of earth. Each colored according to their elements. Tahu is red, Gali is blue, Lewa is green, Pohatu is brown, Kopaka is white, and Onua is Black. Tahu is from the volcanic part of Okoto, while Gali came from the underwater cities of the north, Lewa comes from the jungles, Kopaka comes from the ice villages, while Pohatu and Unoa come from the cities carved in stone. Their job is to protect the island of Okoto from danger. "So it seems we have failed to save the village and are once again left in the ruins. How long has it been since we actually succeeded in defeating the Skull Spiders," Tahu asked sourly as he kicked a rock across the sand. "Little is known about the whereabouts of them. Until we have an idea of where to check we can only hope they are not harmed," Gali replied, she was fiddling with her trident in the water. "Yes brother and sister. We are meant to protect. If we cannot then we are of little use. Please do not toil yourself over matters such as these," Lewa said kindly. Tahu mumbled under his breath before joining Pohatu near a large stone. The noises of the jungle were soothing after a long fight. "I do not see why we must sit and wait for news. We are this islands protectors and we are failing to protect it. We need to get moving or fail to save more inhabitants of the island," Pohatu said as he broke a piece of wood and threw it onto the water. He then picked up a rock and threw it at the piece of wood floating mere feat away. The wood shattered and a splinters of wood and brown dust flew up from the water. "And risk the safety of our own? We must travel together to stand against these menaces. They're stealing Okotorans by the dozens but that does not mean we shall not save them. Just because they are gone doesn't mean they are gone forever," Onua said," we must stay aware of these monsters at all costs." Suddenly the noises of the jungle became quiet and all that could be heard was the crashing of the waves. Tahu jumped to his feet instinctively and grabbed his swords, Gali lifted herself from her sitting position and readied her staff, Kopaka dropped another piece of frozen wood and removed his staff from its resting place, Pohatu scrambled for his boomerangs, while Lewa lept from his stance on a tree and pulled out his swords. Onua grabbed his large shoulder pads and connected them to his staff making a large hammer. They all stood ready and alert for any sign of struggle. "I've got a bad feeling about this," Lewa said as he felt the wind change. From the north a storm was approaching and would be over them soon. That would mean any creature could easily defeat them. Without warning the trees began to part as a large spider crawled out of the dense jungle. It hissed at the six of them as smaller spiders crawled out of the jungle and the trees. "Well Tahu looks like we might have a chance to defeat them after all," Pohatu said as he tensed his hands around the bases of his bommerangs. The spiders advanced upon them getting ever so closer. Then they began to pounce and our heroes began to fight them off. Striking left and right at the advancing hordes. The larger spider began to approach as thunder drowned out the sound of metal striking metal. The winds picked up and our heroes and the large spider fought against the strength of the winds while the smaller ones were blown away. Another roaring sound began as the winds grew stronger yet. Without warning a wall of water crashed down on our heroes as the large spider fled. Tahu caught a glimpse of it before he lost conscience. > Ponyville > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tahu could feel the breeze of the wind against his mask as he regained consciousness. He sat up and looked around. He was on a beach but he didn't recognize it as a beach on Okoto. Now he was confused he had been on Okoto when the tidal wave had taken them out to sea there weren't supposed to be any islands other than Okoto. Around him were his fellow Toa, faces buried in the sand. Tahu, dizzily, got up on his feet and took a few steps forward. The sand felt softer than that of Okoto's and there were creatures beneath the sand. As Tahu walked the creatures would stir underneath the sand and settle once more. There was no jungle at the end of the beach instead there was a large mountain stretching higher than that of Okoto's. On its left and right spread tall grass Tahu studied this and thought of the possibilities of Skull Spiders hidden in the grass. To test this, he pulled out his golden swords and slashed at the nearest patch. From the patch many more creatures hopped away and in the middle a decapitated creature lied, its head showing horror. Tahu staggered at the realization he had killed an innocent. He lifted the body into his hand and dug a hole just big enough for the dead creature's body. He then placed it inside the hole and placed the dirt over the creature. "So your paranoia has finally gotten the better of you," said Kopaka," I told you not everything has a Skull Spider behind it." "I was merely checking to ensure this beach is safe. I don't recognize it as anywhere from Okoto," Tahu said as he wiped his hand on the sand. "That is not coolant or any liquid i've seen," Kopaka said as the sand turned red. He picked up a hand full and looked at it carefully. Then he let the sand drop from his hands. "I don't know what it is but i'm sure there are plenty of Bionicle to ask about it on this island," Tahu said as he began walking further inland. "Where do you think you are going? Come back here and help me wake our brothers and sister," Kopaka said as he grabbed Tahu's shoulder. "Wake them up yourself. I'm going to find out what is on this island." Tahu jerked his shoulder out of Kopaka's grip and continued inland. "And then he walked inland. I don't know where he is but we need to go after him," Kopaka said as he finished telling the others about the conversation he had with Tahu. "It would be unwise to allow him to go alone. Why did you listen to him," Gali asked. "I found you more important than chasing a hot headed Toa," Kopaka replied. "Then we must go after him," Pohatu said as started running into the field of tall grass. "Pohatu! Pohatu get back here," Gali yelled as she chased after him. The others shook their heads and followed them. Tahu was aware of a presence, another creature was staring at him and he was most likely more surprised of it than it was of him. A small four legged being with a mark on its rear end was staring, in awe, at Tahu. "What are you?," Tahu asked the creature. The creature stuttered as it tried to talk. Above its head was multicolored along with a multicolored tail. It was sky blue and had wings stuck straight up while the creature continued to stutter. "Alright i'll give you my name first. I am Tahu," Tahu said impatiently. "Y-y-you are a...... a robot," the creature stuttered. "Yes, I am. And you are a what exactly?" "I-I-I- I'm a pony." "And your name is?" "Rainbow, Rainbow Dash." "Now that we've gotten past the surprise can you tell me where I am?" "Sure. That's easy, you're in Equestria." "Do you have towns? Cities? Bionicle?" "Yes, yes and what are those?" "In short I am a Bionicle." "Oh well then no. Not at all." "So this island is not protected?" "Oh yeah it's protected alright. I'll show you," the pony said as it took to the skies in a flash of rainbows. Tahu stared in awe as a streak of rainbow flew further inland before he began to follow it. "You said he was going inland. Well I don't see him. All we have to follow are his tracks and even they seem to go onward forever," Pohatu said impatiently. "Well he couldn't be far now look," Lewa said pointing to deeper imprints in the ground," he was standing there for quite some time. About two maybe three minutes at the most." "Then we must pick up the pace," Pohatu said as he ran off once more. The others looked at each other and followed after Pohatu. "It's right over this hill," the pony said as she landed at the foot of the hill. Tahu followed her up the hill and saw a small town about the size of the village back in Okoto. The pony continued down the hill while Tahu continued to follow. As they approached he saw hundreds of other ponies all different colors and sizes. The doors to the houses were just tall enough for Tahu to fit under. Some of the other ponies stared at him. Others continued to walk by as if strange things in this town happened often. On occasion one would stop and ask a question. Tahu would reply with a grumble and continue to follow the rainbow colored horse. Eventually they arrived at a large tree made of crystal. In the crystal windows were carved patterns. A large star stuck up from the top of the tree and glimmered in the sunlight. The pony approached the front door and opened it. Inside was a hallway of even more crystal. At the end of the hall was another large door. The pony moved down the hall and opened the next door. Inside was a large courtroom with seven chairs and a large circular table. On the table was a map that showed, what must have been, all of Equestria. The room was empty besides them. "Is this where the protectors live," Tahu asked. "Well not exactly live but this is where we usually go to plan things," the pony said. On the top of each chair was a different mark, each different from the rest. "Are these their elements?" "No that's our cutie marks." "Strange I don't usually see things like you . What did you say your name was again?" "Dash, Rainbow Dash." "I don't usually see things like you Rainbow Dash." "Well I don't usually see robots in Equestria." "We are not called robots where I come from. We are known as Toa. Or if you are referring to the inhabitants, Okotorans." "That's cool." Rainbow Dash sat on one of the chairs with a lightning bolt with three colors in it striking out from a cloud above it. The room went silent while Tahu examined the rest of it. On the ceiling root like crystals intertwined to form patterns near pillars. The windows looked like they were new. Same went for the rest of the room and possible any other rooms there. From another hallway more walking could be heard as another pony entered. She bore not only wings, but a horn as well. above he head was black with purple highlights along with her tail. Her body was a lavender color and on her rear end was multiple stars. She looked kind and understanding but Tahu new better than to trust image over a Okotoran's, or in this case, pony's personality. The pony stopped in her tracks as she saw Tahu her mouth falling open at the sight of him. "What is, who, when did," the pony stuttered. "Oh hey Twilight. Look at what I found, a Bionicicle," Rainbow Dash said as she flew out of her seat. "But how," Twilight asked. "I seemed to have washed up on a nearby shore along with my fellow Toa," Tahu replied," I meant merely to see what this island was like and ran into this Rainbow Dash character." "Yeah isn't he awesome," Rainbow asked. "He is very new to me. A robot? Those don't even come close to what he is. A cyborg? No they are usually made of organic and robotic parts," Twilight said trying to classify Tahu. "We are known as Toa, or Okotorans where I come from," Tahu said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. These ponies were starting to get on his nerves. "Well, welcome to Ponyville, I guess it would be more fitting to say Equestria. Welcome to Equestria, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I can see you already met Rainbow Dash." "My name is Tahu. I come from an island known as Okoto. My fellow Toa and I were washed out to sea in a battle with the Skull Spiders and wound up on your island. I intended to find residents that might help me build a boat to return home," Tahu said as he sat down on one of the chairs. "We'd be more than happy to oblige," Twilight said as she turned around. She walked to the door that Tahu had used to enter and opened it without using a foot. Tahu got up and followed. As he got closer he noticed an aura surrounding the doors as Twilight continued to walk. Then the aura fizzled and went out as the doors slammed shut behind him. The other Toa found themselves looking down at the town below. The creatures they saw surprised them because they were not of any. The town was small and had a large crystal tree at the far end. Pohatu ran down the hill looking for Tahu. The others walked down looking around, carefully, for Tahu. The creatures looked at them without any surprise as if they'd seen them before. As they approached the crystalline tree doors opened at its base as another creature walked out. It had a horn and wings along with a tail and what seemed to be some sort of armor on its head. From the doorway also walked Tahu. Gali felt like going up to him and speaking her mind but this was not the place to do that. The others stood still for a few seconds as Tahu and the creature got closer. "Friends of yours," asked the creature. "Yes, they are my fellow Toa," Tahu said," Gali, Kopaka, Lewa, Onua, and Pohatu." Tahu spoke their names as he pointed to them. "My friends this is the pony known as Twilight Sparkle. She will be helping us get back home." The others remained silent as they crossed their arms. "What were you thinking brother," Lewa asked. "Like I told Kopaka. Investigating the island," Tahu said angrily. "Well next time please wait for us," Gali said. They all went silent before Tahu spoke up again. "Now, weren't we heading to make a boat to return home?" "Yes we were," Kopaka said. Twilight Sparkle began to walk off towards another set of trees as the Toa followed.