The battle started when Tapio and his friends arrived at Alex's Fortress. They were attacked by the Griddler and Minion Dog armies. Matoran Hordika, Iruini and Pewka stood back to fight them while Tapio, Henkka and Aino snuck inside the fortress. They arrived to a room with some experimental Energized Protodermis. Alex ambushed them and pushed Aino into the EP below. Tapio thought that she would die but instead she transformed into a Toa of Sand. Even though she could've easily beaten Alex, Henkka insisted that he would face Alex himself while the others would find Inwirn. That happened.