User:Maxim21/Sandbox

A few hundred years after losing the fortress battle, Zaktan, Reidak, Hakann, Vezok, Thok, and Avak defected from the organization, calling themselves "Piraka". Acting upon rumors that Teridax had been defeated and killed, they journeyed to his lair to find evidence that would prove the rumors true. In the lair they discovered the shattered remains of Teridax's armor, along with evidence of a battle. Reidak attempted to pick up his mask, but was blasted by dark energies emitting from the mask. Unable to make them stop, he threw the mask into the ocean.

Looking through the chambers for anything useful to salvage, Hakann discovered the Spear of Fusion. He accidentally triggered it in reverse on Vezok; the resulting being, a crazed, silver-armored Skakdi, was dubbed Vezon by the rogues. Teridax, whose essence was still present, used his powers to implant the concept of a "Mask of Life" into their heads. The group was attacked by Mana Ko, and Vezon escaped with the Spear of Fusion. The rest of the Piraka managed to elude the beasts, and soon emerged on the surface of the island Mata Nui. Disgusted by its paradisaical nature, they quickly gathered up Toa Canisters and set a course for Voya Nui, the location of the Mask of Life.

Upon arriving at the island, the Piraka managed to trick the local Matoran into believing that they were Toa, convincing the residents to obey their commands. Zaktan built a vat which collected Antidermis from the air, as Avak constructed a launcher capable of firing spheres of the gaseous material. Eventually, the Piraka began to sense the distrust of the Matoran, and used the Antidermis to enslave most of the population. The Piraka were soon confronted by a team of Toa, the Toa Nuva, who had also come seeking the Mask of Life. Zaktan defeated Tahu Nuva in a sword fight; the other Nuva were also quickly overcome. He ordered the weapons and armor of the defeated Toa seized and the Toa thrown into the volcano. However, the volcano erupted suddenly, forcing the Piraka to flee, leaving the Toa in the path of the oncoming lava.

Zaktan later encountered Brutaka, and promised him Antidermis spheres in return for his services, giving him some in advance. A little later, at the Piraka Stronghold, Avak imprisoned Zaktan in a cage, convinced the Piraka leader was tricking them about the location of the Mask of Life. The cage produced a sonic hum every time Zaktan tried to escape by splitting into Protodites. The effect began to slowly drive him mad. The other Piraka arrived and as Thok prepared to claim Zaktan's title of leader, Reidak, realizing Hakann was behind the scheme, threw him at Avak, unintentionally freeing Zaktan in the process. The Toa Nuva, rescued by the remaining free Matoran, arrived with their allies and confronted the Piraka. The five Piraka refused to fight, hoping the Toa Nuva would defeat Zaktan for them. However, Brutaka dispatched the Toa Nuva and Voya Nui Resistance Team, upon Zaktan's request. Zaktan and Hakann later recaptured the escaping Dalu and began fighting when they returned, blaming each other for her escape. Zaktan defeated Hakann, though he left him alive.

During one of many struggles against the new Toa Inika after they arrived on Voya Nui, Zaktan was carried by Nuparu into the sea with his Kadin and Hakann and Thok managed to steal Brutaka's power with a special Zamor sphere, forcing the remaining Piraka to ally with the Inika. At their request, Zaktan constructed a Zamor Sphere to reverse the effects of Hakann's sphere. This was later used successfully by Hewkii, though everyone was knocked out in the ensuing battle, except Zaktan. The Piraka awoke first and, finding the entrance to the 777 Stairs leading to the Chamber of Life, they descended into the darkness. Arriving in the Zone of Nightmares, the Piraka were confronted by their greatest fear, a legendary being known as Irnakk. All the Piraka were incapacitated by Irnakk's Zamor Spheres, while Zaktan was absorbed into his mind. Here, Zaktan learned that the titan was an illusion created by the Ignika out of their fear. Irnakk eventually dispelled Zaktan from his mind, whereupon Zaktan proclaimed that he would kill all the Piraka, including himself, thus destroying Irnakk. Irnakk laughed at the idea, however Zaktan used his past experiences and horrors to convince the monstrosity that he was not lying. Irnakk, admitting his own fear of death, allowed the Piraka to pass.

In one chamber, the Piraka were trapped in canisters and forced to work together. However, Reidak betrayed them and the group fell into water filled with mutagen, out of which Vezok found a way. They proceeded to the Chamber of Life after another fight with the Toa Inika and an encounter with an underground chamber and a number of traps; in the Chamber, they were confronted by Vezon and Fenrakk, the newest guardians of the Ignika. Vezon fused two of their number into a hulking monster, which in turn defeated the other Piraka. After defusing and incapacitating the beast, Vezon was bested by the Toa Inika in an attempt to claim the Mask. Zaktan and the Piraka, having recovered, then attacked the Inika in an attempt to get the mask for themselves. After reemerging from underground, having failed to catch up with the Inika, the Piraka were about to attack when the Inika reunited with the Nuva and Axonn, as well as Botar carrying a defeated Brutaka over his shoulder. The Piraka decided not to strike, instead biding their time in hope of a more opportune moment.