So, this is a story I wrote back in 2014. It’s the first installment of a five-part series, with the fifth and currently last installment being finished back in 2020. I’ve been wanting to return to it lately and, while all five installments are currently all published on the Custom Bionicle Wiki, I want to publish them here so that, if I do return to it, people here at TTV can also follow along.
For context, this series takes place in an alternate universe in which Lhikan chose the six Great Disk Matoran (Nuhrii, Ahkmou, etc.) to be the Toa Metru instead of Vakama and company. As a result, the Great Cataclysm still happened, but the Toa were able to prevent the Matoran from being put in their spheres. However, they were still defeated and Makuta succeeded in taking over Metru Nui, enslaving the population while the Toa and Lhikan went into hiding.
Anyway, without further ado, here we go!
CHAPTER ONE
Dawn was breaking over Metru Nui, though it was quite difficult to tell. Ever since the Great Cataclysm ravaged the City of Legends, the Twin Suns that had provided the land with light had become obstructed and nearly plunged the city into darkness. In the six months following, a few traces of light had managed to seep through, at least enough for the Matoran to see.
Standing on a balcony built into the Coliseum- located in the very heart of Metru Nui- Makuta Teridax looked upon the city that was the starting point of his empire. Most of the island was still damaged by the Great Cataclysm, but the Matoran and Vahki had been put hard at work to restore it to its former glory.
It wasn’t quite a full-fledged “empire of Makuta” yet- he still had other lands to conquer. But it was a good enough start.
The sound of small feet prompted the Makuta to turn around. Standing there was a black-armored Matoran of Earth, wringing his hands nervously. When he spoke, he did not make eye contact with his ruler.
“Makuta Icarax has arrived, master,” the Onu-Matoran said meekly.
Teridax smiled mirthlessly. “Thank you, Midak. However, from now on, I want you to make eye contact when speaking to me. That should not be too hard, yes?”
Reluctantly, Midak raised his gaze to meet the Makuta’s… and froze in terror.
Teridax’s grin broadened. “That’s more like it.”
Leaving the Matoran in his stupor, the Makuta of Metru Nui left the balcony and entered the throne room. Awaiting him there was a tall being in black and red armor, two pairs of wings folded up behind his back. Noticing Teridax’s approach, Makuta Icarax glared at him.
“You’d better had a good reason for summoning me,” he growled. “I have pressing matters to attend to.”
“Please,” Teridax scoffed. “I know what you’ve been doing in the past several months in my absence; sitting on my throne at Destral, acting as if you lead the Brotherhood.”
Icarax sneered. “I might as well since no one else is up for the job; not even you. I’m sure I’ve been making more progress than you have.”
Teridax flashed him a dangerous smile, one that made the Makuta of Karzahni move his feet ever so slightly, no doubt regretting his words instantly.
“I beg to differ,” the Makuta of Metru Nui hissed. “Take a look outside, if you would please.”
At his beckoning, Icarax stepped out onto the balcony and took in the view of Metru Nui, watching the Matoran and Vahki as they worked on the damage. The Hau-shaped entrance to the Coliseum had been torn down and replaced by one in the shape of Teridax’s Mask of Shadows. Where statues of Lhikan and the Toa Mangai had once stood were now replaced by those of Makuta. The entire city was being reshaped to represent its new rulers.
“As you can see,” Teridax said, coming up to stand beside Icarax, “I have managed to not only bring the Great Spirit down, but conquer the capital city of the universe itself.”
Icarax scoffed. “You embellish yourself. Conquering and enslaving a bunch of defenseless Matoran with no fight in them is hardly a difficult task. When you conquer the Skakdi or the Vortixx, then I might be impressed.”
Teridax continued to smile mirthlessly as he narrowed his eyes at his fellow Makuta. “Are you challenging me, Icarax?”
The Makuta of Karzahni met his gaze and the two of them entered in a stare-down. After a few minutes, the former backed off, his shoulders sagging.
“No, my lord,” he muttered. “I may be bold at times, but I’m not stupid. I realize why you’re the leader of the Brotherhood instead of Miserix.”
Teridax nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Now then, down to business.”
Moving away from the balcony, the Makuta of Metru Nui stepped towards his throne and seated himself.
“As you may know, a certain part of conquest was… foiled by the so-called Toa Metru.”
Icarax nodded. “The Matoran Spheres. I was wondering why they weren’t spouting words of endless praise towards you.”
“Indeed. As such, some of the Matoran may be prone to… rebellious natures. They may not be formidable opponents to us, but I nonetheless require a way to ensure their complete obedience.”
“Can you not unleash a swarm of Kraata to infect their masks?”
“I could,” Teridax said. “But creating numerous Kraata at once would severely weaken me. I require a more efficient method.”
Icarax mused on the subject before saying, “Well, Mutran and Chirox are working on the Shadow Leeches, which can drain an entire being’s inner Light energy. But you ordered to save them for use on the Av-Matoran of Karda Nui.”
“Perhaps now is the perfect chance to to test them.” Teridax then leaned back in his seat, realizing something. “Av-Matoran… the Mask of Light’s whereabouts are still unknown.”
“Yes, ever since the rebellion your Toa Hagah commenced,” Icarax muttered. “It would be a dear shame if someone intending to overthrow you were to come across it.”
Teridax scowled. “I cannot allow that. Tell our brothers and sisters to scour the universe for the Mask of Light. I shall send out my Rahkshi to search Metru Nui.”
Icarax gave him a mock bow. “As you wish, my lord. Will that be all?”
“For now, yes.”
The Makuta of Karzahni grinned wickedly. “Then we haven’t a moment to lose.”
What either of the two Makuta failed to hear was the sound of a spinning propeller as a small, black-armored creature took off from his hiding pace. He was not sure if one or both of them had detected his presence and simply disregarded him, but he did not care to find out.
Flying through the breaking dawn, he eventually reached Onu-Metru and made his way towards the Archives. The Onu-Matoran were just beginning to wake up and being sent to work by the Vahki Rorzakh, so he was able to move in under their notice.
Upon reaching the hideout, he saw that the only other occupant was a diminutive serpent-headed creature, much like himself except with blue armor instead of black. Noticing her fellow Rahaga’s arrival, she looked up from the tablet she had been reading.
“Bomonga,” she said. “Have you found out anything?”
“Yes, and none of it good, I’m afraid,” Bomonga said. “Makuta is searching for the Mask of Light, Gaaki, and he will be sending out his Rahkshi to find it.”
Gaaki frowned. “That’s not good. But they won’t be able to get to it without the Makoki Stone keys… right?”
Bomonga shook his head. “I don’t know, but we should summon Norik and the others and inform them of this. If Makuta were to get his hands on the Kanohi Avohkii… it would mean the end of all hope.”
