Saga Guides/The Dark Time

From BIONICLEsector01

The Matoran Universe was grievously damaged after the Great Cataclysm, and with the sleep of the Great Spirit Mata Nui, the world began to fall into chaos.

The terrible conflict of the Dark Hunter/Brotherhood of Makuta War also began in the Matoran Universe during the Dark Time and lasted throughout its entire duration, stretching even after the conclusion of the Dark Time.

One hundred years into the Dark Time, the Matoran villagers of Voya Nui built a village on a newly formed portion of their island from a molten Protodermis leak. It was named Mahri Nui, and it brought joy into the arduous life of the island's inhabitants. However, five hundred years later, the landmass containing Mahri Nui sank beneath the waves. The city collided with the Barraki fortress near the Pit, and destroyed it.

The massive impact released air bubbles from the nearby Airweed fields and encased the city, allowing the Matoran of Mahri Nui to survive beneath the sea. During the brief time that the Matoran were exposed to the mutagen in the waters, their bodies became bigger and stronger, undoing much of the Karzahni's work. After the catastrophe, the Mahri Nui Matoran soon forgot their life on the surface and began their new life underwater, as they tamed Hydruka beasts for air harvesting. They also formed their first Matoran Council.

One Thousand Years Ago

The Dark Time was the nine hundred and ninety nine year period following the Toa Hordika's triumph in the Great Rescue, but situated before the arrival of the Toa Mata on Mata Nui. Also of note during this time was the rescue of the Po-Matoran Ahkmou, due to the Metru's losing his Matoran Sphere in the tunnels beneath Mata Nui. Ahkmou was rescued from the labyrinths of the Great Barrier and was deceived by Makuta Teridax. He later came to live a life of trickery and ill-will among his Matoran brothers during the period acting as a double agent.

Each of the villages of Mata Nui were successfully built from the six Airships and the Matoran Spheres during the earlier years of the Dark Time, and the patrol forces were established. Teridax agreed to allow one year of peace for the Matoran of Metru Nui (only because of Vakama threatening to destroy the Vahi even when he was on Mata Nui if Teridax tried anything). Exactly one year after the confrontation for the Vahi, Teridax captured many of the island's Rahi and fitted them with Infected Kanohi. For the duration of the millennium period, he tormented, isolated, and provoked fear in the Turaga's settlements, this attempt was also to influence the Matoran and Turaga into staying away from Metru Nui. For a time, he initiated the Shadow Plague thus exposing them to influencing Kraata. Making Kraata took time and energy though, and Teridax soon stopped sending them.

Five Hundred Years Ago

The Dweller Report

The six Rahaga, Keetongu and Turaga Dume remained on Metru Nui, following the Great Rescue, keeping guard and attempting to rebuild some of the city. Dweller, who was assigned to Metru Nui to make sure no one was on the island so the Dark Hunters could invade it, once gave Norik a nightmare of Visorak conquering the island using his power to scan minds and induce dreams. Norik awoke, only to realize it was a dream, and he took watch duty to rid his mind of the vision. At the time, a band of rogue twenty Visorak, that were separated from the rest of the horde, arrived on Metru Nui in an attempt to conquer it, mutating several Rahi. In the Coliseum Keetongu abruptly rose, growled something, and jumped off. Norik translated his speech into the word Visorak and informed the others. Dume and the Rahaga followed Keetongu immediately.

Dweller followed the group, expecting to see that all eight would be killed, meaning Metru Nui would be free for the taking. In his hiding spot, Dweller witnessed the Visorak conquering Keetongu. A Keelerak then saw the Rahaga and Dume running up to help, but it stopped them quickly. Dume, who was carrying a disk launcher, loaded a Poison Removal disk into it and fired. It did not unleash its power, but it tore out a huge piece of pavement. He warned the Keelerak not to take a step closer, unless it wanted to be mutated. The Keelerak made a gesture meaning it understood, but immediately fired a projectile of its own, missing Dume by inches.

Gaaki tried to convince the horde that Vakama had liberated the Visorak, but they did not listen, shooting Rhotuka and firing at Pouks' feet, although that shot missed. Dume and Pouks then made a plan. Pouks lassoed the Keelerak with his Rhotuka in the hole Dume had previously made and Dume used his mask's power to trap it. Dume then proceed to fire his disk at it, changing the Keelerak into a blob without legs or a mouth.

Kualus used his staff to call some Ice Bats to distract the Visorak while the others helped Keetongu up. He charged up his Rhotuka and knocked ten out, and the other nine were captured by Norik's Snare spinner. They then went back to the Coliseum while Dweller returned to his hiding place in the archives.

Tentacles

Kai, Amaya, Macku, Marka and two other Ga-Matoran were all rowing in a large, three Bio boat. Amaya was hesitant because she was not a sailor, and was not used to sailing. Suddenly, the boat jerked. A tentacle shot up and grabbed Marka. Amaya yanked the oar out of its oarlock and started whacking the tentacle, which they realized belonged to a squid. As the remaining Ga-Matoran began attacking, it released Marka and swam to Ga-Koro, but not before stealing Marka's Hau.

The squid tore up huts and equipment, but did not hit any Matoran. Amaya carried Marka to shore and placed her on a lily pad, took a rope, and launched herself at the squid, tying its legs up while the Ga-Matoran continued fighting the Rahi. But the Rahi attacked her, and when she was unable to hold her breath any longer, she fell unconscious.

Amaya woke up in Nokama's hut. Marka had her Hau, retrieved by Macku, and the squid was gone. The Matoran discussed the attack briefly and subsequently rebuilt the destroyed items.

Hope

After making an entry detailing life on Voya Nui, Kazi was looking for Garan, and Dalu told him he was in his hut. On his way there, he saw Garan with a Ta-Matoran. Garan told Kazi to come with them.

Looking over a cliff, the three could see a hurricane was massing, as predicted by the old Ta-Matoran. They knew they had to get the population safe. They called a meeting immediately.

They told the Matoran of the storm approaching and the need to evacuate, but they protested, saying that they had faced far worse than a storm and that there would be not safe place. But Dalu spoke up and said that unity was a virtue, and that they would only survive the storm if they stayed united. The Matoran also realized this, and--encouraged by Dalu--knew they had to take shelter, despite being loathe to leave their village.

While the population traveled eastward to cave area, Piruk informed Kazi of Dalu, who had run out to see the storm. Fearing for her life, Kazi frantically began a search for Dalu before finally locating her on a cliff overlooking the sea. As he confronted her and attempted to pull her back, a tree suddenly collapsed, and began to fall right on Dalu. Kazi grabbed her and pulled her away in time, but the impact from the tree hitting the ground threw Kazi over the cliff. Though he attempted to grab hold of the edge, Kazi fell and was left unconscious when he landed.

Axonn saved the Matoran and secretly returned him to the top of the cliff, a short distance from Dalu, and was prepared to help the island’s inhabitances again if necessary. Kazi would later awake in the woods, to the great joy of Dalu. He questioned her about his almost impossible survival, but she dismissed the question with the answer that it was "a gift from Mata Nui." Kazi returned with Dalu to join the Matoran who were going back to the village, which had been badly damaged and flooded. Though despairing over its condition, Kazi was encouraged by Dalu to have hope. The Matoran then began the hard work of repairing the village.

Five Years Ago

Brothers In Arms

Vultraz heard that a rare lava gem was in a Matoran village, and killed the whole village to obtain it, which caught the attention of Vultraz's old friend, a Ko-Matoran named Mazeka, who was searching for the Ta-Matoran who had killed his mentor and stolen their research tablets. Mazeka was disgusted with Vultraz, and fought him. After exchanging some blows, Vultraz took his acid blade and slashed at the rock Mazeka was standing upon, dissolving it. Underneath the cliff was razor sharp crystals, and Mazeka was hanging over the cliff's edge. Mazeka swung himself up and used his momentum to shoot himself to land and kick Vultraz downwards, causing his apparent death. A blue warrior, who had watched the fight, commented on how well Mazeka did. She watched Mazeka go as she shapeshifted back into Gorast. She had several Rahi save the Ta-Matoran while Mazeka spread the news of his 'death'.

Vultraz woke up in Gorast's lair, and realized she had mutated him, altering his appearance completely. She explained what had happened to him, frightening the Matoran, and then ordering him to find a Matoran of Sonics called Krakua.

Mazeka returned to his village, telling everyone of how he killed Vultraz, feeling disappointed with his inability to retrieve the tablets Vultraz had stolen. That night, someone rapped on his door. He opened it, and no one was there. Annoyed, he returned inside. Then he noticed his chair had moved. He tried to move it back, but could not. Suddenly, a voice appeared out of nowhere, warning him against persisting. Mazeka armed himself and learned that an Order of Mata Nui agent named Jerbraz who was invisible had come to recruit him, introducing himself and offering him a position in the Order because of his actions regarding Vultraz. Jerbraz told him that he needed to track down a Matoran named Krakua and protect him.

The pair then went to a village of De-Matoran on the Tren Krom Peninsula and found Krakua, as Jerbraz explained the nature of De-Matoran. Krakua was humming to himself, to the annoyance of the others, and Mazeka beckoned him. As Mazeka began to explain why Krakua should come with him, Vultraz utilized a sonic device that knocked out the Matoran of Sonics, except for Krakua, who had had his audio receptors covered by Mazeka's hands. The two Matoran retreated into the forest, only for Vultraz, unrecognized, to notice and attack them. Mazeka confronted Vultraz again, realizing and surprised of his enemy’s identity, and was easily defeated. Vultraz prepared to stab his acid blade into Mazeka, but hesitatingly stopped. The Shadow Matoran would allow Mazeka live with the fact that he had saved his life by not killing him, and abruptly ran off. Jerbraz, who had carried the confused Krakua to safety, stopped Mazeka from pursuing Vultraz. Mazeka, thirsting for revenge, then requested Order of Mata Nui training which he was granted.

One Year Ago

Takua's Quest

Because Takua was discontent with remaining in Ta-Koro and working, he was banished, and subsequently left the city-village. At his departure, Jaller told him that Turaga Whenua had a special task for him. Making his way to Onu-Koro, he found that Whenua had been abducted, and his Badge of Office, the Drill of Onua, stolen. Takua entered the caves where the Rahi lived, and there he was able to save Whenua from a hostile Vatuka. In his exploration, he also found the Toa Stone of Earth, and retrieved two purification crystals for Onu-Koro's Vuata Maca. Whenua warned Takua that the threat of the Rahi had grown, and goaded him into assess the status of the other villages. He traveled to Ga-Koro.

In the floating village of Water, Takua discovered that Nokama, Turaga of Ga-Koro, had also gone missing. He went to the local lair of the Makika, and escaped with Nokama. He also acquired the Toa Stone of Water. After healing Ga-Koro's Vuata Maca tree, Takua wandered away from the village and north, to the desert settlement of Po-Koro.

He met Onewa, and later on in his occupation of the region, he found the Toa Stone of Stone. He eventually took his leave of Po-Koro after curing the village's Vuata Maca tree and establishing his name in the village game of Kolhii, and journeyed far south into Le-Wahi.

Takua arrived in the realm of Le-Wahi, but could not gain access as the village was spread above him in the jungle canopy. After gaining the knowledge how to enter the Koro, he learned that the Le-Matoran's Turaga, Matau, had been taken by an eagle. Takua then set out to find the eagle's nest. He discovered it in Le-Wahi, as well as the Turaga. Takua earned Matau's Kau Kau Staff because of his staunch bravery, found two purification crystals and later came in possession of the Toa Stone of Air.

In Ko-Koro, Takua found that Turaga Nuju was missing and went to find him. He found Nuju lost in the Drifts. He later recovered two Vuata Maca Crystals and Toa Stone of Ice. Then, only one of the elemental artifacts remained. He left the mountains of Ko-Koro and headed at last back to his home, to Ta-Koro.

When Takua arrived in the village of Fire, Turaga Vakama was unsure if he could believe Takua's talk of great adventure, and decided to test him by requesting the retrieval of an antidote to a poison which was present in the village's water supply. A little later, Vakama was kidnapped. Takua found the antidote, then discovered the Turaga a prisoner of a group of Fire Mahi and freed him. Vakama apologized for doubting him and Takua set off for to find the Toa Stone of Fire, the completion of the six. Takua climbed to the very pinnacle of the Mangai Volcano, where he found the last Stone. After collecting the object and two more crystals, he returned to the village and gave the crystals. Going back to the volcano to investigate a strange contraption, he ending up descending the mountain through the daring use of an active lava tube, and reaching the Kini-Nui, where the six Turaga congratulated him on completing his quest.

In truth, the Turaga did not know what would happen when the Toa Stones were placed at Kini-Nui. When Takua placed each stone in its place at the temple, it caused a great burst of energy that ultimately rendered Takua airborne. Takua landed at the beach of Ta-Wahi, and was knocked out. At first unknown to all, the energy had summoned the six Toa Canisters that held the Toa Mata to the shores of Mata Nui. The legendary Toa Mata had finally arrived, heralding the end of the Dark Time.

Saga Guides
History of Spherus Magna	History of Spherus Magna | Decadence
History of the Matoran Universe	History of the Matoran Universe | The Many Deaths of Toa Tuyet | Birth of a Dark Hunter
Legends of Metru Nui	Legends of Metru Nui | The Great Rescue | Protection
Island of Mata Nui	The Dark Time | The Dweller Report | Tentacles | Hope | Coming of the Toa | The Bohrok Swarms | The Bohrok-Kal Strike | The Mask of Light
Quest for the Mask of Life	Voya Nui | Mahri Nui | Dreams of Destruction | Into the Darkness | Brothers In Arms | Toa Nuva Blog | The Mutran Chronicles | The Kingdom | Dark Mirror | Federation of Fear | Destiny War | Dwellers In Darkness | Karda Nui | Takanuva's Blog
Teridax's Reign	Teridax's Reign | Reign of Shadows
Bara Magna	Bara Magna | Empire of the Skrall | The Crossing | Riddle of the Great Beings | Mata Nui Saga | Sahmad's Tale
Spherus Magna	The Yesterday Quest | The Powers That Be

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