Author's Note: It's been years since I started posting this story here, and even longer since I actually started writing it. My skills have, I hope, improved since then, and I've decided to fix up the whole story. I know Quest for the Masks is not even finished yet, but I wanted to do this. I'll be fixing up a few chapters a week, and maybe I'll be inspired enough to get a move on with those last chapters. Your reviews are well loved. Enjoy.

One thing I have changed is the use of the word Tohunga. While I was editing, I noticed I kept flip-flopping between Tohunga and Matoran. I'm just going to use Matoran, even though they didn't get that name until after the Bohrok invasion.

Edit: 07/31/14

'italics'=thoughts, or emphasis

Chapter 1: Enter Kopaka

(Chapter Sources: Bionicle Comic #1)

He had no way of knowing how long he had been in the metal cylinder. He could not remember anything other than his name, vague impressions, and dark dreams that were fading. His name was Kopaka. From his vague impressions, he gathered that it was not normal to be in a million pieces. His dark dreams made him feel it was urgent to reassemble himself.

While piecing back together his white, black, and grey parts, he was able to see much more of his surroundings. There was an ocean. He remembered the canister rocking in the waves before it emptied him here. He was on a small beach surrounded by cliffs. Everything, except for the sand which seemed to retain heat, was covered in snow and ice. Everything pulsed with the cold, and he did not mind this at all.

'I have slept for so long my dreams have been dark ones. But now I am awakened. Now the scattered elements of my being are joined. Now I am whole,' he mused to himself as he finished connecting his legs, the last part needing assembly. He stood up, lifting the sword and shield he found with his parts. He was designed for battle, for fighting. There was power inside him, a power connected to the frigidness around him. 'And the darkness cannot stand before me. The evil on this island is about to learn that justice can be very…cold.'

He tightened his grip on his only possessions and followed the only path out of the enclosed beach. The icy cliffs continued to spread out before him. More paths opened up the farther inland he went. No life of any kind appeared after many minutes of travel, but he kept his guard up. He could remember feelings of peace and quiet, but this was an unsettling silence. Kopaka could sense an evil presence that did not want to welcome him.

He began to feel vulnerable with the surrounding rock blocking his view. At the thought, he could suddenly see straight through all his surroundings, both rock and ice, and he stopped in surprise. This felt familiar and made him think of the circular mask he put on earlier. 'My mask lets me see pathways I could not before – patterns of heat – even through the rock,' he realized. He continued walking, feeling more at ease now that he knew nothing could sneak up on him easily.

As he took in his surroundings using his newfound power, he found that he was not actually alone. There was a shorter being resembling himself on a smaller scale hiding behind some rocks to the side. It became obvious that it was trying to sneak glances at him. When Kopaka turned in the newcomer's direction, it ducked out of view, or at least it thought it did. Kopaka did not like being stalked, by a stranger, in a strange land.

"Come out, little one, before you catch a chill."

The shorter being ran away, skillfully climbing a steep slope.

'My new friend tries to flee,' he thought with a frown. Running away was suspicious behavior. This being needed to present an acceptable reason for this sort of behavior. Acting on instinct, he touched his sword to the ground. Ice quickly formed a path from his sword to the fleeing figure.

Without his handholds, the little one slid down to Kopaka's feet where the ice trapped its legs.

"Stay," Kopaka commanded, trying not to be distracted by the discovery of his power's manifestation. 'Interesting. The power is in me. The sword is but the focus.'.

"We have things to discuss," Kopaka said coldly. He did not feel that this being was a threat, but he still kept his sword out. "Who are you? And why were you watching me?"

"I...I am Matoro, a Matoran," he stammered tonelessly. Kopaka noted that excitement shone in his cerulean eyes, not guilt or anything that would indicate that his previous action spawned from bad intentions. "I saw you come ashore. I've been waiting for you. All of us in Mata Nui have been waiting for you. You and the others. Now if you can find the Masks of Power - "

"What others? What Masks?" Kopaka interrupted irritably. He did not like having so much information thrown at him when he did not understand any of it.

Matoro began telling Kopaka the legend of Mata Nui. He told Kopaka that once, a long time ago, there was a Great Being named Mata Nui who had brought all of the Matoran to this island and had taught them the three virtues: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. In return for the Great Being's kindness the Matoran named the island after him. They had peace for quite some time but Mata Nui's dark and evil brother Makuta followed him and was jealous of all the worship that Mata Nui received. The Makuta put a spell on Mata Nui that made him sleep and then he took over the island, spreading his evil. Matoro finished his tale by telling Kopaka that Makuta had brought the wild Rahi under his control and continued to harass the villagers with them.

'His tale is broken, incomplete,' Kopaka realized as he listened. There were parts that did not fit together, but the Matoran did not seem to realize it. 'There are incongruities. But it is the tale told in my dreams, or close to it. I and five other Toa have been summoned to challenge a mighty evil.'

With a few pointed questions, Kopaka learned that there were six Great Masks and six Noble Masks, but only the Great Masks were necessary to collect in order to defeat the Makuta. Kopaka stood up and began melting the ice around Matoro.

"Tell me where to find these Masks."

Matoro shook his head. "They are lost. Scattered. Hidden all over Mata Nui. Some are guarded by nightmare creatures...others hidden where no Matoran could reach. Turaga Nuju, the village elder, spoke of a Mask of Shielding, hidden in the place of far-seeing."

Kopaka turned around and began walking away, mulling over this new information. Matoro followed him. "'Place of far-seeing'? Your Turaga speaks in riddles," Kopaka muttered. The Matoran did not respond and the two journeyed in silence. He was pleased that this Matoro was as taciturn as he was.

He wearied of carrying his sword. Though it wasn't very heavy, it seemed to get heavier the longer he held it. He placed it on his back without thinking and found it fit perfectly in a niche he did not remember. Like the Mask and the ice he created, this discovery was another frustrating incident for Kopaka. He did not like not remembering.

"I hate riddles," Kopaka whispered to no one in particular.

Eventually, the path led to a wide gorge. With no way to cross, it occurred to Kopaka that this "path" might just be a natural depression in the rock. He looked down at his look-alike, wondering if Matoro was just following him as he wandered.

"My people are planning an ice bridge to span this chasm - in your honor," Matoro said proudly, the first emotion he expressed since Kopaka met him.

He was relieved that he had been following a real road and not just looking foolish to this Matoran, who probably knew his way around much better than the Toa. Kopaka grabbed his sword off his back. "Until then, I will make one of my own. I – " He was interrupted by a loud buzzing sound. Both turned and saw a large insect speedily flying toward them.

"Kopaka! Watch out!" Matoro yelled in warning.

The ice meant for a bridge became a trap for the massive bug, but not before it knocked Matoro off into the deep canyon. Ignoring his captive, Kopaka leapt after the Matoran and grabbed a hold of him. Matoro began wriggling and shaking in fear as the ground continued to come closer.

"Don't struggle! You're safe now!" Kopaka snapped. He pointed his sword at the ground and created an ice column that slowed their fall to a safe stop.

"Now I know you are the Toa - the one who will save us!" Matoro gasped in wonder, hopping out of the Toa's arms.

"There are easier ways for you to find out," Kopaka said coolly. He looked up but could not hear anything from the top. "What was that creature? A Rahi?"

"We call them Nui-Rama," Matoro replied.

Suddenly there was a burst of clicks, whistling, and an assortment of other sounds. Still on edge, Kopaka pointed his sword in the direction of the noises. He saw a being slightly taller than Matoro was the source of the animalistic sounds. His Mask was different from his and Matoro's. It was more square with pointed tips like ears.

"When they wear infected Masks, they are servants of Makuta..." Matoro spoke monotonously. He paused and listened as the newcomer continued making strange noises and gestures. "...And only one of the dangers you will face." Kopaka realized that Matoro was translating for this being.

"Turaga! He's come!" The Matoran's voice changed pitch slightly, his own words this time. "This is - "

The one he called a Turaga, probably the Turaga Nuju he spoke of before, cut him off with more gestures and whistling. "I know who he is, Matoro." They both turned to the Toa. "You are Kopaka, who wields the power of winter itself. You saved one of your own people, with no thought to your own safety. You are the one we have waited for."

Kopaka looked back at Nuju. He realized that he had been looking at Matoro even though technically the elder was the one talking. "And do you have the answers I seek?"

Nuju did not give a direct answer. "This island, Mata Nui - and these mountains - are your home. You can ride the ice and snow - unleash the avalanche - freeze with just a touch..."

Kopaka nodded in agreement. "But that is not enough...is it?"

This time he got a direct answer. "No." Nuju picked up a rock and began spinning it in his hands, roughing out the edges until it was a perfect sphere. "Our world - our people were once as pure and strong as the ice. Then..." Nuju smashed the rock in his hand, sending pieces flying. "...Makuta came, bringing evil to this island. To defeat Makuta and restore out land, you will need the Great Masks of Power. You'll find the first at - "

"I know - the 'place of far-seeing'." Kopaka finished, tired of hearing the same thing over again. He sighed and began walking away. He guessed that this Turaga would not give him any more information on the matter. Presently, he needed to search for this Kanohi, not chat with someone who spoke in…riddles.

'I hate riddles.'