ooh cool it’ll be interesting to see what happens next
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very cool
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The Krakha takes the form of Toa Mata Nui and pounds Makuta, of course!
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it would be interesting to see Krahka try to become Makuta
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Ooohh! That would be neat!
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CHAPTER EIGHT
Nuhrii dodged as a Rahkshi Zirahk fired beams of heat vision at him. The Toa of Fire then conjured a ball of flame and hurled it as the yellow-armored Rahkshi. It collided into the Zirahk’s head, incinerating it and the Kraata slug within.
One down, a dozen more to go, Nuhrii thought grimly. A sudden cry from Ehrye prompted him to turn around and then look up.
Standing there on the Coliseum was Makuta. Shooting out from his chest was a massive hand of Shadow, which pursued an equally-large Nui-Kopen.
“This rebellion is certainly taking a turn for the strange,” Nuhrii muttered to himself.
“Sure is,” Tehutti said, dispatching a Rahkshi of Plasma before joining his teammate. “So, tactical leader, how do you propose we take him out?”
Nuhrii frowned. “I don’t know. We were all counting on the Matoran’s plan to work. The Kikanalo were just for us to break through the Coliseum’s gate.” His shoulders sagged. “We’ve failed again.”
“Don’t say that,” Tehutti said sharply. “We’ve just started here.”
The Toa of Earth then moved through the battlefield, taking down Rahkshi as he went. He eventually reached Orkahm, who was locked in combat with a Rahkshi of Cyclone. Tehutti came to his brother’s rescue by bringing his fists down onto the ground, creating a seismic quake that knocked the black-and-white Rahkshi off its feet. Orkahm then activated his Mask of Telekinesis to lift the Rahkshi up and tear it apart piece by piece, leaving it still alive but useless.
Tehutti smirked at him. “Nice mask power. Mind putting it to some more use?”
“Like what?”
Tehutti jerked his head to the Coliseum, where Makuta was still standing.
Orkahm shook his head. “No. No way. You’ll die.”
“Possibly,” the Toa of Earth said with a shrug. “But maybe I can take him with me.”
“If you think it’ll be that easy, why couldn’t we take him out six months ago?” Orkahm snapped. “What can you do now that we couldn’t back then?”
Tehutti scowled. “Most Toa Teams don’t argue with their leaders.”
“Because most Toa Teams don’t have stupid leaders like you.”
Tehutti glared at Orkahm, almost oblivious to the battle around them. Finally, the former growled, “Just lift me up there.”
The Toa of Air shrugged. “Fine. Your loss, not mine.”
His emerald Kanohi Matatu glowed and in seconds, Tehutti was floating up towards the Coliseum, towards Makuta.
Towards his doom.
Makuta Teridax growled in frustration as he retracted his Shadow Hand back into his chest. The shape-shifting creature had evaded him once again. He knew now that this was no ordinary Rahi, but rather one with a taste for vengeance. Not unlike the Toa fighting down below.
“Makuta!”
Teridax looked down to see one of those Toa- one of Earth- shooting up towards him, aided by the telekinetic propulsion of another Toa’s Kanohi Matatu. The Makuta of Metru Nui sneered as the Toa of Earth landed on a ledge just below him.
“How bold,” Teridax growled. “Just like any other Toa. You throw away your lives so recklessly for a lost cause. How can you possibly hope to win?”
The Toa responded by lunging at him.
Teridax sighed. Ask a tired question. He gestured with his hand, channeling his Gravity power, to force the Toa back down, landing hard on the ground. The Makuta then jumped off of the Coliseum and landed gracefully where the Toa lay.
The battle came to an abrupt halt. The other five Toa stared in terror at the presence of their sworn enemy, memories of their first, failed conflict with him resurfacing. Teridax reveled in their fear as a menacing grin crossed his mask.
“Shouldn’t you all know the old saying by now?” the Makuta of Metru Nui hissed. “Two wrongs do not make a right. You failed to defeat me once. What makes you think you’ll be able to now, when I have built up an empire?”
He let out a mirthless chuckle. “And even if you were to somehow defeat me, you still have my brothers and sisters to face.”
One of the Toa- Vhisola- let out a gasp. “You mean… there are more of you?”
Teridax laughed. “Of course! We were made to be the protectors of the Matoran… and we shall do just that.”
“Liar!” The Toa of Fire Nuhrii stormed forward, brandishing dual blades. “You threatened to place the Matoran in those accursed spheres of yours!”
“They were not threatened by my spheres,” Teridax said coldly. “All they would have done to the Matoran would give them a… soft reboot, so that they would more efficiently and obediently serve the Great Spirit.”
“You mean serve you,” Nuhrii snarled. “There is no Great Spirit, thanks to you.”
The Makuta stepped forward, looming menacingly over the Toa of Fire. “That is a sharp tongue you have there, fire-spitter,” Teridax said, venom in his voice. “It is not wise to use it on someone like me.”
Nuhrii stared up into the Makuta’s crimson eyes even as the Mask of Shadows which they shone through began to glow, inducing fear into the Toa of Fire. The red-armored Toa started to tremble. Terror flickered in his eyes as his greatest fears ran through his mind. Yet still he stared into the Makuta’s eyes, even as his knees began to fail him.
It is useless to resist, Teridax spoke into Nuhrii’s mind. The only way for you to survive is to bow to my will.
Focused as he was on bending the Toa’s mind, Teridax almost did not notice the ground shaking until someone uttered a cry. The Makuta looked in the direction of Ta-Metru and saw a massive shape emerging in the distance.
It stood at least forty feet tall. Green armor covered its hide while it flexes a pair of black claws. Red eyes glowed from its five-horned head.
A Tahtorak, Teridax realized. One of Miserix’s creations. But what is one doing here on Metru Nui?
“The answer!” the dragon-like Rahi bellowed. “Give me the answer!”
With that, the Tahtorak charged in the direction of the Coliseum, eyes full of rage…
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very good!
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Ooh the Tahtorak’s here. This’ll be interesting
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CHAPTER NINE
Hovering around in the form of a Gukko bird, Krahka felt a sense of glee as the Tahtorak charged towards the Coliseum. She had known of the dragon’s existence ever since she found it slumbering in the Fikou Web, thrashing in its sleep while it demanded “the answer” from someone or something in its dreams.
When she realized that there was little chance of her confronting Makuta without that cursed Shadow Hand of his chasing her, Krahka decided to awaken Tahtorak and unleash him upon the Makuta, telling the massive Rahi that Makuta had “the answer” and wouldn’t give it to him.
From what she could tell, her plan seemed to be working. Destroying whatever was left of the gate, the Tahtorak rammed into the side of the Coliseum, intending to strike Makuta. The self-proclaimed ruler of Metru Nui moved away in time and ended up hovering over the Rahi.
“Give me the answer!” the Tahtorak roared as he ashed his claws out at Makuta in a futile attempt to grab him.
Makuta nonchalantly responded by reaching out with his hand. Suddenly, Tahtorak ceased his rampage and remained frozen in place.
Krahka grimaced- or would have, had she not been an expressionless bird. Makuta clearly had the power of Rahi Control, not unlike some of the Rahkshi she sometimes encountered in the Fikou Web. Luckily, however, seeing this gave her an idea. Remaining in her Gukko form, Krahka zipped away from the scene.
“Nuhrii?” Vhisola shook the dazed Toa of Fire, who stood motionlessly. “Nuhrii, come on. Let’s get out of here before Makuta remembers we’re here.”
The red Toa did not respond. Vhisola frowned; had Makuta broken his mind?
“Just leave him here,” Ahkmou said as he climbed back onto his Kikanalo steed. “This was his plan and it failed. Let him suffer for it.”
Infuriated by the Toa of Stone’s heartless statement, Vhisola spun around and released a powerful jet of water, which knocked Ahkmou off of the Kikanalo.
“How dare you say that!” she said angrily. “Toa never abandon their comrades!”
“Toa also never flee from battle.”
The five conscious Toa Metru turned to see six strange creatures hovering towards them. They looked like Turaga with their hunched over statures, but had heads resembling Rahkshi and carried propeller-like spinners on their backs.
“What the Karzahni are you?” Ehrye exclaimed.
“No time for that now,” said the leader of the creatures, armored in red. “You have your chance to defeat Makuta. Take it before you are robbed of it.”
“And just how do you expect us to do that?” Orkahm asked.
“Do you think Mata Nui gave you a head just so you can ask stupid questions with your mouth?” a green-armored creature said sharply. “Remember the Three Virtues he has given you; unite as one, perform your duty, and achieve your destiny.”
“He’s right,” Tehutti murmured, rubbing his head. “I was wrong to think I could take on Makuta myself. Turaga Lhikan selected us six for many reasons, and working as a team is one of them.”
“Whatever,” Ahkmou grumbled, sputtering out water. “Just don’t drench me again.”
“But what about Nuhrii?” Vhisola asked. “He’s in no condition to fight.”
“We shall watch over him,” a blue-colored creature assured her. “Now go.”
Teridax saw the five Toa Metru- minus their Toa of Fire- approaching him. Landing on the ground beside the subdued Tahtorak, he sneered at them.
“When do you Toa ever learn? I have just brought down a dragon of a Rahi with a mere gesture. I can defeat you with the blink of an eye.”
Tehutti snorted. “If that’s true, then why are we still standing here, if you could’ve killed us ages ago? Hyperbole isn’t going to save you here, Makuta.”
“And bravado isn’t going to save you,” Teridax replied, just as he unleashed a Shadow Hand from his chest.
The Toa dove for cover, narrowly evading the Shadow Hand’s grasp. As it retracted back into the Makuta, Toa Vhisola sent a steam of water right at his face. However, it went right through him as Teridax altered his density to become intangible.
The Makuta of Metru Nui let out a sharp laugh… then stopped when the ground rumbled. He looked around and realized that the Toa of Earth Tehutti was nowhere to be seen. Too late did he notice this when the ground beneath his feet split open. Spreading out his vast wings, Teridax took off to avoid falling into the newly-made chasm. He then saw Tehutti himself appear out of nowhere, having used his Mask of Concealment to turn invisible.
The Makuta snorted. “If you think trickery will save you-”
“We don’t.”
Suddenly, a large boulder created by Ahkmou hurtled towards Teridax. He threw his fist at it and it exploded into several pieces. Before he could recover from the attack, Teridax then saw a dozen ice sickles flying towards him. He evaded the first few, but the rest tore through his wings. Loosing control of them, he plummeted towards the ground and landed roughly.
Anger welling within him, Teridax returned to his feet and once again released his Shadow Hand. The Toa were divided, so he decided to go at them one at a time, staring with Tehutti. Just as the hand was about to seize the Toa of Earth, Tehutti dodged in time and the hand seized a piece of rubble from the ruins of the Coliseum’s gate. Instantly, the Shadow Hand began to retract and Teridax destroyed the stone with his fist before it could collide into him.
As soon as the dust had settled, Teridax heard a voice cry out, “Makuta!”
The ruler of Metru Nui whirled around to see a magenta-colored Rahkshi- one of Rahi Control- standing on the motionless Tahtorak’s back.
“Never underestimate us Rahi, Makuta,” Krahka said coldly. “Infuriate one of us, and you infuriate us all.”
Teridax sneered and opened his mouth to retort when the Rahkshi poser raised her staff and let out some sort of rallying cry.
Then, from all directions at once, came legions of Rahi, headed straight towards their oppressor.
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Oh cool another chapter. nice job
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very cool
power to Vhisola
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Last chapter for this installment, and it’s a longer one. Glad everyone’s been enjoying it!
CHAPTER TEN
“By the Great Spirit,” Norik murmured in wonder as he watched dozens of Rahi beasts, led by Krahka, converged on Makuta’s position. “I would never think an event such as this could happen.”
“It helps that Makuta forcibly removed them from their territories,” Bomonga said. “Now they can reclaim their lost homes.”
Iruini chuckled. “It’s like the Matoran say: ‘Payback bites worse than a Muaka.’”
Just as the Rahaga prepared to watch the brewing action, Kualus said, “Where’s the Toa of Fire?”
The others frowned as they looked. Toa Nuhrii was nowhere to be seen.
“I have ended wars,” Teridax growled as he zapped a bolt of lightning at a charging Kane-Ra bull. “I have topple warlords and empires.”
A Nui-Jaga lashed out its stinger tail, which the Makuta grabbed and used to heave the scorpion around, crashing it into a Nui-Rama.
“Many a Toa have trembled in my presence.” A Power Scream shattered the ears of a flock of Gukko birds and they came crashing to the ground. “I dwell in the nightmares of Matoran villagers. My name is whispered in fear when Turaga elders tell of my accomplishments.”
A chain of lightning burnt a pair of Stone Apes. A blast of plasma saw to the end of a Manas crab. Poison began to corrode a Kraawa’s systems.
“The Barraki couldn’t stop me. Makuta Miserix couldn’t stop me. Even Mata Nui couldn’t stop me.” Teridax spread his arms widely. “What makes you think you mere animals can stop me?”
Now in the form of a multi-armed warrior, Krahka brandished a multitude of weapons as she glared at the Makuta. “Because, unlike you, we don’t have a thousand-strong army at our disposal, or a wide range of powers that we can use with a mere flick of the wrist.”
She took a step forward. “Unlike you, we actually work. We toil away to feed ourselves, to scare away unwanted visitors, and to make ourselves comfortable. We don’t crave power; we crave to live.”
And with that, she attacked.
“Wow,” Ehrye murmured, watching the Rahi’s battle with Makuta from the sidelines. “I would never think a Rahi could come up with a powerful speech.”
“They’re buying us time,” Vhisola said. “Quick, we need a plan to finish off Makuta.”
“Well, I am the tactical leader,” Nuhrii said, suddenly joining them. “Maybe I can cook something up.”
Ahkmou sneered at him. “Had a nice nap, fire-spitter?”
“Shut it, rock-head,” Tehutti snapped. “What do you suggest, Nuhrii?”
“I heard what those creatures were saying,” the Toa of Fire said. “About unity. What if we used our powers together against him?”
“It’s worth a shot,” Orkahm said. “At this point, it’s got to work.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Ehrye asked. “Let’s-”
The Toa of Ice was cut off when Krahka’s battered form went flying over their heads. The six Toa Metru then turned to see Makuta storming towards them, his mask contorted in rage.
“This is your last chance,” he growled. “Surrender or be destroyed.”
Nuhrii was the first to respond, sending out a jet of flame at the Makuta of Metru Nui. The attack did little more than scorch his armor, but the Toa of Fire pressed on.
Ehrye and Vhisola joined him, sending out their Ice and Water powers respectively. While the Makuta had been able to endure the fire, the additional two assaults made him stagger. When Tehutti made the earth shake with his Elemental Power, it was enough to bring Makuta to his knees, as he struggled to muster a counter-attack.
A boulder courtesy of Ahkmou, propelled by a gust of wind from Orkahm, ensured that he did not.
The Toa Metru ceased their attack. Cautiously, Nuhrii approached the defeated Makuta. The dethroned ruler was still alive, his red eyes flaring through his Mask of Shadows. However, his armor was cracked and dented in various places. Nuhrii unsheathed one of his two blades and aimed it at Makuta’s neck.
“Concede,” the Toa of Fire said sternly. “At least while you still have some dignity.”
Makuta snorted. “I shall admit defeat. But if you think I’m going to give you the satisfaction of imprisoning me…”
The former ruler of Metru Nui did not finish his sentence, for in an instance, he had vanished from the Toa’s sights.
Nuhrii put away his blade. “Whatever works.”
In the few days that followed Makuta’s defeat and departure from Metru Nui, Nuparu would have thought that things would be more lively and peaceful like they were before the Great Cataclysm. While he was correct on the latter part, the former had not changed. Matoran still worked and moved about with glum expressions like before.
He knew that this was because Mata Nui was still asleep, but he had thought that everyone would be filled with new found hope. Then again, even he was struggling to feel such an emotion.
As he tinkered with abandoned Vahki and Rahkshi parts to create something that would help in the repair of the Coliseum and the rest of the city, he noticed someone standing in the corner of his eye. He turned around to see Macku.
“Oh. Hey,” Nuparu muttered. “Do you need anything?”
Macku shook her head. “No, it’s just… I’ve been worried about you.”
“About me? Why?”
“Well…” The Ga-Matoran shuffled her feet. “When Makuta… absorbed your Kralik, I looked at you and… you were in complete distraught. You wanted to redeem yourself for the Vahki and the Kralhi, and your third attempt had just failed.”
Nuparu returned to his work, not facing her. “And? Come on, Macku, where are you going with this?”
Macku sighed. “Honestly, I was afraid you were going to snap.”
Nuparu turned around again and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “To be honest with you, Macku, I thought so, too. I thought I was going to lose it. But then I realized…”
The Onu-Matoran paused for a moment, considering his next words. “I realized that everyone makes mistakes, sometimes several ones. But in the end, you either just give up and move on or figure what it was you did wrong.”
“And in your case?” Macku asked.
Nuparu turned back to his project. “Right now, I’m staring from a clean slate. Instead of making something like a Vahki- a brutal enforcer- I’m making the opposite.”
“Which would be…?”
He showed her his work-in-progress: a small robot that was as high as a Matoran’s knee. “I call it the Auxium. If things go right, it’ll be able to fix the Coliseum faster than those Po-Matoran out there.”
Macku shushed him before giggling. “Don’t let Hewkii hear that.”
Nuparu snorted. “What’s the worst he can do, chuck a rock at me?” He then blanched. “Though it would depend on the size of the rock, wouldn’t it?”
The two Matoran’s laughter went well into the night.
EPILOGUE
Very little light lived in the Makuta Fortress of Destral. The only sources of light were torches lined up on the stone walls, but even those burned faintly. Water dripped from unattended pipes, the sound amplified by the hollowness of the fortress. Sound rarely traveled through here; on some days, one could hear the rattling of chains and the cries of prisoners, but those were usually silenced in short order.
Makuta Icarax was used to all of these things on a daily basis. As he rested comfortably on the obsidian throne of the Brotherhood, the Makuta of Karzahni admired the several Kanohi masks, Toa Tools, and Rahi heads that adorned the throne room’s walls. But what gave him the most pleasure whenever he laid his eyes on it was the large container placed in a corner near the entrance. Sculpted by Po-Matoran prisoners, it was made to serve a very special purpose, which Icarax anticipated the day for with bated breath.
That day had finally arrived.
Barging through the doors, staggering with each step, was Makuta Teridax. His armor was cracked and dented, Antidermis energies threatening to leak out. Icarax quickly stood up from the throne just as the leader of the Makuta crumpled to the ground.
“Lord Teridax, what happened?” Icarax asked, rushing to his fellow Makuta’s side.
Teridax groaned as he struggled to get up. “Toa… defeated me. Metru Nui… is lost.”
Icarax frowned, though on the inside he was grinning like the arrogant maniac he was. “Dear me, what an upsetting setback.”
“A setback, yes,” Teridax muttered. “But one we shall prevail over.”
Icarax nodded. “Indeed. Would you like me to find you a new body to transfer your essence to?”
“No. Just get some Nynrah Ghosts over here to fix mine.”
“I’m afraid that won’t do you much good. If mere Toa were able to do this to you, then someone stronger than them would be able to do much worse.”
Teridax scowled. “What would you have me do then? Inhabit some weak Exo-Toa suit?”
“Of course not.” Icarax hefted the Makuta of Metru Nui to his feet and slowly led him to the container in the corner of the room. “I’ll have the Nynrah Ghosts build you a better, stronger suit of armor.”
“That will take too long,” Teridax growled. “By then my body will fail me and my essence will leak out.”
Icarax grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ve made the necessary precautions.”
Moving swiftly, he grabbed each side of Teridax’s Kanohi Kraahkan and tore the Mask of Shadows from his face. He then shoved the Makuta of Metru Nui towards an open hatch in the container, letting his Antidermis pour out into it. Too weak to move, Teridax remained where he was.
While the container filled up, Icarax admired the mask in his hands. “Do not worry,” he said nonchalantly. “This vat will keep your essence alive for at least a few months. That should be more than enough time for the Ghosts to make you a new body.”
He grinned as he replaced his own Mask of Scavenging with the Kraahkan. “In the meantime, I shall oversee our empire’s further conquest of the universe. And who knows… I just might prove myself to be a better ruler.”
As the Makuta of Karzahni let out a harsh cackle, the essence of Makuta Teridax let out a silent scream of rage, though it fell upon deaf ears.
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Very nice! I really liked the twist at the end with Icarax.
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