After flying across deserts for several days we reached a forest filled with tall pine trees, my team of six were currently camped out in a small clearing with Aurora, Garnet, Ruby, Skohka, Jack Harkness and Miserix.

“Are you truly immortal?” Miserix asked Jack Harkness, who sighed before pulling out his pistol and shooting himself in the head. Only to jump back up a few seconds later.

“Tada” Jack said sarcastically “Seriously, the novelty wears of pretty quickly”

“And yet you were part of a sideshow at one point” I said, stroking my chin in thought “one called the ‘Night Travellers’ if recall, the ring leader ended up escaping from an old film reel and walking around stealing the ‘last breath’ i.e. souls, of victims” the campsite fell silent and everyone except for Minion cast wary glances between me and Jack Harkness.

“I hate you sometimes” Jack said, glaring at me.

“Two things” Vinyl said “one; that’s really creepy. Two; how do you know that?”

“Myself and the other Humans come from a universe where everything in this universe is the subject of various Television shows or franchises” I said, giving a shrug “there’s probably even a show about talking ponies as well, but that’s not my sort of thing so I can’t know for sure” the colour from Vinyl’s face drained.

“Am I the only one that feels violated at the possibility that someone could be watching us right now?” Vinyl asked, after a few seconds Minion began imitating the theme for the Twilight Zone, breaking the tension that had built up. Vinyl slapped him on the arm “I was being serious”

“Who said I wasn’t?” he asked, smirking. At that point we heard a rustling from the tree line and I quick drew my pistol. I could just see a pair of red eyes

“Who’s there?” I asked “Show yourself!” I heard a hissing and a brown and green armoured Rahkshi, similar in build to a Turahk sans tail, stepped out. All of the Toa, plus anyone else with a weapon aimed at the Rahkshi, who…cowered?

“Please” it said in a soft voice “don’t shoot, I mean you no harm”

“You’re a Rahkshi!” I spat, pointing my sword at it “and the last two nests we came across have been nothing but trouble, give me one reason not to reduce you to molten slag”

“I’m a Rahkshi of plant control” it said “my kind and others like us have sworn to protect this forest” at that point a song bird landed on its hand for a few seconds before flying off.

“A ‘hippy’ Rahkshi?” Minion said, rolling his eyes “now I’ve seen everything” Miserix stepped forward and the Rahkshi bowed.

“His motives are honest” Miserix said, sounding surprised, he then turned to the Rahkshi “What do you mean ‘others’ like you”

“the ones that control a different aspect of nature” ‘he’ said, he then began listing off “Weather control, Rahi control, Insect control and Plant control are all sworn protectors of this forest, there are a few others as well”

“Show us where there are others like you” I said.

The Rahkshi soon led us to a settlement of some sort, where several Rahkshi with staffs stood guard outside, they stiffened when they saw us.

“Brother Botrahk” a gold one said in a female voice “why have you brought these…outsiders to our settlement”

“I am merely showing them that we mean no harm, Sister Merahk” the ‘Botrahk’ said, at that point I was barrelled over and pinned by something. The air rippled before revealing a red Rahkshi with gold limbs and nasty scar across one, dead eye, pinning me to the ground and holding a bladed forearm against my throat.

“Why have you come here!?” the Rahkshi hissed “we have lived in piece, the last thing we need is Toa interfering”

“Brother!” the Merahk said “enough, they aren’t here to cause trouble” the red and gold one looked at her in confusion.

“But…Sister…” the red and gold one said, but stopped when he saw her expression “yes, sister” he then stepped away before disappearing.

“What’s his problem?” I asked, standing up

“Brother Charahk had a run in with true-Toa a long time ago” the Merahk said, walking towards me and leaning on her staff

“How do you know we aren’t true-Toa?” I asked, surprised.

“The fact that some of you look more like Rahi than Toa is a big giveaway” Merahk said, glancing at the rest of the Neu-Toa, who were casting wary looks towards to approaching Rahkshi.

“When did you encounter the true Toa?” I asked “we’ve been searching for them”

“A few hundred years ago” she said, shrugging “after a brief conflict we managed to prove we meant no harm, they stayed for a few days before moving southwards. They mentioned something about Dark Hunters but I can’t recall exactly what they said” I frowned.

“Dark Hunters, that can’t be good” I mused, I turned to the Merahk “err, do you mind if I have my ship moor up nearby? We’ll be here for a few days at most” the gold Rahkshi thought for a few moments before nodding.

“I will speak with the rest of the counsel but as far as I’m concerned you’re free to stay as long as you wish” she said.

We soon got the okay to stay near the village, things were a little tense at first but eventually everyone warmed up to the Rahkshi, most of whom were rather friendly towards my crew. Those that weren’t just avoided us, like that Charahk, most times I saw him he was sitting on a cliff overlooking the village. Against my better judgement I decided to go up there and talk to him.

“Hey, Charahk” I said, he scowled.

“Why are you here?” he said.

“Exploring mostly” I said “we come from way up north, where the land is inhabited by…”

“Equestrians” he said, cutting me off. He chuckled “I’m aware of the northern lands, your ruler visited these lands long ago. Plus your accent is similar” I raised an eyebrow.

“I do not have a bloody Equestrian accent” I said.

“I said similar” he retorted, I snorted.

“Vorpissen” I muttered.

“ich kann noch verstehen” he said, chuckling.

“How the hell do you speak Germane?” I asked.

“One of the other Rahkshi tribes speaks it” he said “I don’t know why, they just do”

“What do you have against us Toa?” I asked.

“Last time your kind came here I ended up with this” he pointed to his dead eye.

“Can you blame them?” I asked “after all, you are the son of Terida…” the charged towards me and pinned me against a tree with a blade to my throat.

“Mention him again, and I’ll kill you where you stand” he snarled, before taking a step back.

“How come I haven’t seen any more of your type around here?” I asked.

“My Kin don’t exactly share my opinion” he said bitterly “so I got out when I had the chance. These guardians found me half-dead after a muaka attacked me, fixed me up and accepted me as one of their own. But I’m an outcast amongst them, I’m too aggressive to help them protect the forest and I can’t help them any other way”

“Why not join us?” I asked, he looked at me like I’d gone mad “I’m serious, we could use someone with your ability on scouting missions”

“What would be in it for me?” he asked.

“You get a place to stay” I suggested “plus a chance to really hone your abilities”

“What about the rest of the crew?” he asked “I don’t think they would take kindly to a Rahkshi living on their ship”

“My ship” I corrected “if they have any problems they can go shove it, I don’t tolerate discrimination”

“I’ll consider it” he said.

*one week later*

We were getting ready to set off, the other Toa were slightly wary about Charahk joining us.

“Are you sure this is a good idea Brother Fire-spitter?” Boris asked, watching Charahk say goodbye to his fellow Rahkshi.

“He’s an outcast amongst his own kind” I said “I’m giving him an opportunity to put his powers to good use”

“I still don’t like it, Brother Fire-spitter” Boris said, before walking inside. Charahk walked over with another Rahkshi, this one was black with red limbs and carried a staff.

“This is Krarahk” Charahk said “Rahkshi of darkness, the guardians felt it would be best if he came with us”

“Fair enough” I said, I then held my hand out to Krarahk “welcome aboard the Jörmungandr” he nodded and we shook hands.

“Thank you” he said, they both followed me inside and the door shut behind us. I felt the ship shift as we took off.

“Right” I said “I’m gonna say this now, if anyone gives you trouble, tell me and I’ll sort them out. You maybe Rahkshi, but you’re a part of the crew just as much as anyone else, got it?” they both nodded.

Charahk and Krarahk were eventually accepted as part of the crew, although they mostly suck around with Miserix. Sumerki seemed to take a liking to Krarahk and they soon became close friends. We eventually reached a mountain range and the climate began to get much colder, I was sat in the bridge when Ruby rushed in.

“Dad, you might want to see this” she said, I followed her outside and I saw her look around before her robotic eye zoomed in on something in the distance, I switched to the mask of accuracy and zoomed in as far as I could. I was surprised to see an Ironclad of some kind (that’s an airship built like the Jörmungandr i.e. covered in armour and with all the flotation devices hidden away), it was also armed to the teeth with cannons and headed for us from the left of the ship.

“Thanks for telling me, Ruby” I said, leaning down and patting her on the shoulder. I walked back onto the bridge “Blazewing”

“Aye cap’in?” he asked.

“Stop the ship” I said “and ready the guns, just in case” he nodded and began relaying my orders. After a few minutes the ship drew closer and sounded off its horn, we replied in-kind. Our much lauder horn silenced the crew on the other ship. I looked over to see Spherus Magnans, mostly Bone Hunters and Skakdi.

“What do you think, Vuur?” Vapaa asked.

“I’m getting a major pirate vibe” I said, I turned to Blazewing “what do you think?” he got out a telescope.

“Ah ‘ave to agree with ya” he said “even the Bone ‘unters an’ Skakdi say tha’ if you see a ship full of them, they’re probably pirates” I nodded before walking onto the bridge and over to the tannoy system.

“Alright everyone!” I said “to stations, we have an ironclad warship full of Skakdi and Bone Hunters and I don’t want to take any chances” I soon heard the crew clamouring to get ready, eventually the ship drew alongside us and a walkway extended across, a blue Skakdi with a scythe-like blade walked across with several others.

“Who would you name as captain?” he said, eyeing my crew with interest, I stepped forward.

“That would be me” I said, they took one look at me and drew their weapons.

“You are in the territory of the Shadowed One, Toa” he spat “turn back now”

“Look, I don’t know what quarrel you have with the Toa” I said “But I’m not from around here, ergo I’m not a part of it” he laughed.

“You think I’m a fool?” he said “oh sure, you aren’t usually the type to use warships, but I wouldn’t put it past you” he then stepped forward and pointed the tip of his blade against my chest plate, I scowled.

“I would think very, very carefully about your next move” I said and myself and my crew all drew our weapons “you obviously have no idea who you are dealing with, I am Vuur Koning, Captain of the Jörmungandr and leader of the Wolfpack team of Neu-Toa, I have a crew of 70’000 and an Ice-drake on my side, who are you to threaten me” the Skakdi chuckled.

“I am Nektann” he said “Skakdi warlord and general in the Shadowed One’s army, you are nothing compared to me, Boy”

“Is that all” I said, laughing before pointing my sword at his neck “I have ended wars with mere words, I have destroyed entire Rahkshi nests. I have witnessed the horrors of Auschwitz and walked through the void between worlds. I come from a land where the ruler is a god who moves the very Sun. I am the Huntmaster, the Weidman. The Fire King, I command the very last of the Makuta; Miserix. You sir, are nothing in my eyes” at that point Miserix landed on the deck and banged his staff on the deck to drive home the point.

“You wouldn’t kill me” Nektann said “you’re a Toa” I tittered.

“I’m a Neu-Toa and unlike ordinary Toa we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty” I then got out my pistol and pointed it at his head “you go crawling back to your Shadowed One and you tell him that he has me to worry about now” Nektann snorted.

“He has an army of 2 million” Nektann said.

“I have a Rail gun that fires a projectile at 7 times the speed of sound” I said “ I could aim it at his base and it would hit before he even knew I’d fired it” Nektann snorted before backing off and walking back on his ship, once the ship was gone Miserix stepped forward.

“Might I ask what you are playing at?” he asked “do you have any idea who the Shadowed One is?”

“Yes I do” I said “he’s the former leader of the Dark Hunters, as for what I just did; it’s called diplomacy”

“Who are the Dark Hunters?” Garnet asked

“Kind of like mercenaries” I said “Warriors for hire” Miserix snorted.

“He will unleash his armies upon you until there is nothing left” he said.

“Then I’ll Nova blast him” I said, Miserix’s eyes widened.

“Why Mata Nui decided to make you a Toa, I’ll never understand” he said.

*A few weeks later*

I was stood on the bow, watching Frostfang pull the ship when Minion walked up and lit his pip.

“Hey, brother” I said, Minion nodded whilst taking a drag.

“Any sign of the Shadowed One?” he asked, blowing away some Tabaco smoke. I shook my head.

“Either we’re out of his territory or my tactic actually worked” I said, I went to continue but I heard a quiet-but-rapid ‘thwump-thwump-thwump-thwump-thwump’ of propeller blades, and they were getting louder. Apparently Minion could hear it too and he looked into the distance and saw something.

“Is that a…helicopter!?” he asked, I looked where he was looking and my eyes widened.

“Shit!” I exclaimed “GET DOWN!” I pulled Minion to the deck just as something orange and grey slammed into the deck, kicking up a cloud of sand.

the names for the following breeds of Rahkshi I came up with myself, the actual breeds are official types:
Forest guardians:

their general appearance follows this (with size comparison next to Toa):

Botrahk (Pronounced Bowt-rack): Rahkshi of plant control (green body & brown limbs). 'Bot' is derived from botany; the study of plants. the official Matoran prefix for plant life is 'Bo', and is also derived from Botany. the reason I didn't call it 'Borahk' is because I didn't want people getting it mixed up with Bohrok

Merahk (Pronounced Mee-rack): Rahkshi of Weather control (gold body & gold limbs). 'Me' is derived from Meteorology; the study of weather.

Arrahk (Pronounced Ar-rack): Rahkshi of insect control (orange body & orange limbs). 'Ar' is derived from Arthropod; invertebrates with an exoskeleton like spiders, insects, crustaceans, etc.

Faurahk (Pronounced For-rack): Rahkshi of Rahi/animal control (magenta body & limbs). 'Fau' is derived from fauna; the collective term for animals.

other Rahkshi:

Charahk (Pronounced Ka-rahk): Rahkshi of chameleon abilities (can totally blend in with its environment, the only give away is when it's moving you can see a slight ripple in the air) (red body & gold limbs). 'Cha' is derived from Chameleon; the little reptiles found in tropical countries that change colour (kind of obvious).

a guy on Deviant art was doing free Rahkshi art on request, I requested the Chameleon Rahkshi and he can out with this masterpiece:

Krarahk (Pronounced Krah-rack): Rahkshi of darkness (black body & red limbs). 'Kra' is derived from Kraahkan; Kenohi mask of shadows