Beginning Editor's Note: I do not claim to own the Bionicle characters or the majority of these plot points. The material here is simply an edited and compiled version of original Bionicle material. Comics and video games etc. have been transcribed in novel form and fully integrated into one chronological read. The poetic liberties of novelization and editing are all I can claim.

Feel free to use forum I made to discuss any questions and feedback on this project, and be sure to keep following/favoriting so you know when a new story or chapter is posted. Reviews are always welcome for reactions, questions, concerns, or general feedback.

These five parts constitute material from the story year of 2005, constituting what I've called "Phase 04: Deliverance." Please enjoy.

Sequel to "Bionicle - Phase 04: Deliverance - Part III: The Beast Within"

Two days later, such a night suited such storytelling needs, and the assembly of Turaga, Toa, and Chronicler was gathered.

Turaga Vakama carefully placed stones in the sandpit known as the Amaja Circle. The Turaga of Mata Nui had used this spot for hundreds of years to tell stories of the past or share visions of the future. But never before had any of the elders had to share so dark a tale.

He looked at the face of each Toa Nuva in turn, all of them assembled to hear his story. Then he glanced at Takanuva, the Toa of Light, who seemed as if he wished he were anywhere else. Next to him sat Hahli, the Matoran who acted as Chronicler. Vakama realized he had delayed long enough—it was time to begin.

"Gathered friends, listen to our concluding legend," he began, moving the stones into their proper places for the beginning of the tale. "In the Time Before Time, six Matoran were called by the Great Spirit and transformed, made mighty Toa. These Toa Metru—myself, Nokama, Matau, Whenua, Onewa, and Nuju—risked all to vanquish our sworn enemy, Makuta."

Vakama positioned the six stones that represented the Toa so that they formed a circle in the sandpit. "We succeeded. Makuta was imprisoned, encased in impenetrable protodermis and sealed there by the combined force of the Toa's elemental powers. With Makuta vanquished, we journeyed to a new and wondrous home—the island of Mata Nui—a place where it seemed the Matoran could one day live in peace. All seemed well in the world. But such a victory is not won without cost…"

The Turaga of Fire hurled the black Makuta stone into the center of the pit, letting its shadow fall upon the other stones. "Many Matoran were left behind, held in sway by the dark power of Makuta. We, the Toa, united in dutiful pledge, knew we would one day return to their old home, and rescue those we could not before."

Vakama glanced up at the Toa Nuva. Though he was now a Turaga, far removed from the events he was relating, Vakama let on that in his mind he was back on Metru Nui once more. "That day came all too quickly," he said, sounding like the Toa he had been. "But the journey would not be an easy one for the Toa Metru—for Makuta did not leave the slumbering Matoran unprotected."

Gali Nuva suppressed a shudder as Vakama continued. "Their resting place was guarded by creatures of the night, hordes of the shadows, those that would poison and deceive any traveler true of heart. Their name alone was enough to strike fear: Visorak."

The Toa Nuva's eyes were drawn to the pit. The Makuta stone had pierced the rock below the sand, and now a spiderweb of cracks had formed, threatening to topple the Toa stones. Vakama smiled grimly at the sight, and resumed his tale…

X X X

1,000 years ago…

It was that same night after the battle at the Tower of Toa that the Toa Hordika struggled even more as a team.

They had just succeeded in gathering parts that would help them evacuate the rest of the sleeping Matoran. That they would succeed in rescuing the Matoran, no one doubted—at least, no one willing to speak up and say so. But that had still left the problem of how to get them out of the city and to the island above. The Lhikan II was wrecked, and even if it hadn't been, it wasn't big enough to carry 1,000+ Matoran. In the end, it was Matau who suggested they gather the materials to build airships and fly the Matoran to safety.

A city overrun by Visorak and rampaging Rahi made this easier said than done. After a number of harrowing adventures, the Toa Metru did finally succeed in getting the items they needed and began constructing and hiding ships. Once the Matoran had been saved, there would be no need to delay making an escape from the city.

But there was never a break, for the adventures never stopped.

Toa Hordika Vakama ran quickly over chasms and protodermis pipes, using his tools as forelegs to run even faster and more wildly. In the reddened light of fire and the shadow that hung over the city since the Great Cataclysm, he ran over two obstacles, off a wall and onto a ledge to continue his flight.

He arrived at his destination to find Rahaga Gaaki and Rahaga Norik surrounded by three Visorak—a Vohtarak, a Boggarak, and a Suukorak. They snapped their mandibles, excited and ready for the extermination of these long-time foes.

Norik held up his staff, ready to defend himself. But before the Visorak could make an aggressive move, Vakama jumped down from his ledge and kicked the Suukorak with such force it slid several bio away and dropped off a cliff. The Toa Hordika of Fire turned to face the remaining blue and red Visorak.

Vakama charged and launched a fire Rhotuka spinner at the Vohtarak, sending it away in a blast of flame. His attention to it gave the Boggarak an opening, though, and it jumped forward and grabbed him in its jaws. Struggling against the pain, Vakama spun, eventually gaining such rotational momentum that the Visorak's legs were lifted off the ground. He dropped his blazer claws onto the ground. Continuing to spin, he grabbed the appendages and managed to shake their grip on his body. Once he had a firm grip, he threw the Visorak away.

Swinging a tool with finality, Vakama turned back to the Rahaga.

"Thank you, Vakama," Gaaki expressed graciously.

Vakama half nodded, and put away his blazer claws for the time being. He crouched to speak eye-level with the Rahaga. "What were you two doing out here? Those Visorak seem particularly interested in you," he said, with just a hint of a sneer. "The Toa are ready for our next fight with the Visorak."

Norik felt somewhat uncomfortable around Vakama. The Visorak seemed to particularly hit an emotional spot for him, and hearing from a Toa Hordika that he was ready to fight bore a different message than if it had come from a Toa Metru. "The battle will come in its own time, Vakama. First, there is something else that needs our attention."

"We already decided to put the Matoran before us," Vakama said, his tone slipping into growls. "What else is there now!?"

"The Visorak want to steal the secret to a great object of power from us," replied Norik.

Gaaki reached behind her and pulled out two stone tablets. "These tablets contain information on an incredible Mask of Power…" She handed them to Vakama, who looked at the first of the two. On it was the outline of a Great Kanohi with two four-sided shapes for eye holes, three ridges protruding from the top of the mask, and three ridges on either side. "…the Kanohi Avohkii—the Great Mask of Light!" Gaaki finished.

Norik was a little off put that Vakama shifted from a humanoid crouching position to an animalistic sitting position, but didn't dare change subjects. They had his attention right now, and the conversation's topic was important. "We brought it to Metru Nui and have hidden it to keep it safe from Roodaka and the Visorak!" he said. He pointed at the other tablet Gaaki handed the Toa Hordika. "To unlock its hiding place, you must find the six Makoki Stones that we have hidden throughout Metru Nui."

Vakama looked over the second tablet to see that it bore outlines of six odd shapes, presumably the Makoki Stones. On the back of the tablet was a map of Metru Nui detailing the position of each Makoki Stone.

"You and the other Toa Hordika must hurry!" Gaaki insisted. "Keep that map safe, and out of the clutches of the Visorak!"

Vakama stood up. "Yes, Rahaga—we will find the stones and retrieve the mask!"

He jumped away then, but heard Norik call after him amidst the broken equipment and damaged Metru, "If the Visorak find the mask first, all hope for the future is lost!"

X X X

~RAHI BEASTS: Introduction~

I am Rahaga Norik. I have been asked by my partners to write a brief introduction to our guide to the Rahi beasts of Metru Nui. As I carve these words into stone, many of the creatures in this book are loose in the City of Legends. A massive earthquake shattered the Onu-Metru Archives, setting them free to stalk the eternal night.

The Rahi discovered that the city was now a more dangerous place. Hordes of Visorak, spider-like creatures from another land, have invaded Metru Nui. They hunt anything that lives, wrapping Rahi up in web cocoons and often using venom to mutate the Rahi into even more monstrous beings.

In the many, many years since we became Rahaga, my friends—Gaaki, Pouks, Bomonga, Iruini, and Kualus—have joined with me to dedicate our lives to protecting wild creatures from the Visorak. It has been both a difficult and dangerous task, but one vitally important to the future of our world.

If we succeed, then those who read these words will know better how to live with these creatures. If we fail, this may be the only record that these creatures ever existed.

~RAHI BEASTS: What are the Rahi?~

Rahi is a Matoran word that can be roughly translated to mean "wildlife." The term encompasses creatures of the land, air, and sea. Rahi come in all different sizes, shapes, and danger levels. Some are not very bright and rely solely on instinct. Others, like the Frost Beetles, are almost frighteningly intelligent. The first thing anyone who seeks to trap Rahi must know is that you cannot assume all of these creatures think and act the same.

Many Rahi are aggressive and skilled hunters. You may think you are stalking a Muaka, when in fact it is stalking you. Some Rahi hunt for food, others will attack to protect their territory, and a few species consider every other living thing to be their enemy.

Respect the power of Rahi. Understand that the smallest creatures may be the most dangerous, while the largest may simply wish to be left alone. If your goal is simply to avoid being attacked, use common sense. Stay away from Rahi nests and lairs, do not attempt to frighten or harm them in any way, and most of all, be aware of what sort of creatures may be in the area. A wanderer in Ko-Metru will face far different threats than one in Po-Metru. Be prepared!

~RAHI BEASTS: The history of the Rahi~

Little is truly known about the origins of Rahi, where they first appeared, or why. It appears that the first Rahi may have been ancient sea creatures of tremendous size. Some of these specimens made their way to the ocean surrounding Metru Nui years ago. They were captured and placed in the Archives for research purposes. Later, when the project was about to be cancelled, an Onu-Matoran named Mavrah smuggled the creatures out of the city. It was later learned that he had taken them to a tunnel network between Metru Nui and the island above, where they were living in relative peace.

That tranquility would be shattered by the arrival of the Toa Metru, who were journeying by water to find a new home for the Matoran. Suspecting they were there to harm the creatures, Mavrah ordered the Rahi to attack them. The Matoran realized his mistake in the end, but apparently perished when he was swept into the water during the battle. The fate of the creatures is unknown.

The city of Metru Nui was never intended to accommodate large numbers of Rahi. Indeed, there were virtually no creatures present at its founding. Over time, however, more and more wild things began to make appearances there. It was later theorized that they were driven from their homelands by the Visorak and fled by air, sea, and through long-abandoned chutes to Metru Nui.

Their arrival posed a huge problem for the Matoran, who were unprepared for the sudden onslaught of fierce Rahi. They first responded by building Kralhi, and later Vahki, to protect the city and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, Onu-Matoran began construction of the Archives as a place to hold captured Rahi.

A procedure was soon in place: Rahi who were deemed a threat to the population, along with at least one specimen of every species, were captured by the Vahki. They were then placed in stasis tubes in the Archives, which kept them alive but in suspended animation. There, the Matoran were able to monitor the Rahi and the archivists could study them. Any Rahi too large for the stasis tubes were locked up in the sub-levels.

It was not a perfect system. Some Rahi were known to escape from the tubes, while others made homes in the lowest levels or in the maintenance tunnels. It rapidly became too dangerous for even Vahki to go into some of those places, so they became wild areas.

Not all Rahi were considered to be dangerous menaces, of course. Some, like Ussal Crabs, were tamed and put to use in Matoran society. Others were considered to be harmless, or at worst, pests. It seemed that a balance had been struck between Matoran and the wildlife in their city.

It wouldn't last.

~RAHI BEASTS: Rahi today~

A strange double eclipse that struck Metru Nui and an ensuing earthquake signaled a new chapter in the story of Rahi. Hundreds of stasis tubes were cracked open by tremors, freeing their contents. Predators and prey escaped from the Archives, only to find the city above largely in ruins. Frightened, hungry, and hunted by Visorak, Rahi have made this new City of Shadows an even more dangerous place.

And so, I, my brothers, and my sister shall collectively compile a series of informative tablets on the Rahi, for posterity's knowledge and possible safety.

-Rahaga Norik, an ally of the Toa Hordika-