Apex Dozen

A group of twelve powerful Makuta who worked to bring about the rebirth of Teridax in an alternate universe, and to destroy the Toa.

History
There is little common knowledge about the Apex Dozen in circulation amongst the Matoran and Toa; their origin remains a mystery to all but Teridax and similarly powerful or knowledgeable beings, and even who exactly comprises the Dozen is based on hearsay and rumours at best. What is known is that they are an underground organisation who have been working to revive Teridax and give him new life following his defeat by the combined forces of the Toa Nuva (Spherus Imperus), Toa Titan, and Toa Gripas at the Battle of Midnight Ridge.

It is thought that each of the dozen is, in some way, representative of a strength or characteristic of Teridax, although this is mostly superstition supported by circumstantial evidence. The Dozen came into being over time, with the few surviving members of the Brotherhood of Makuta forming a new organisation to quell uprisings in Makuta territory. They were, originally, addressed as the "Apex Conglomeration", consisting of more than double their number; however, the continuation of open warfare against the forces of the Nuva yielded little success, besides the death of Pohatu, and their numbers dwindled, until the existing members went into hiding.

Since then, they have gathered their strength and fought a number of guerrilla engagements against the Nuva's empire. For the most part, their machinations have been successful, with many Toa having been killed by them, whilst avoiding any open conflicts which could result in their defeat. Bolder attacks include the temporary destruction of Onu-Koro, as well as the retaking of Midnight Ridge.

Some members of the group possess weaker overall power and constitution but possess the ability to breed armies for the Dozen's usage; Bartherious, as the previous overlord of the undead Skull Swarms, has made it his business to re-establish his once colossal and fearsome armies, and Kortarex, as the Dozen most closely linked with Teridax's original powers, possesses a limited ability to produce Rahkshi.

At current, they are thought to be in search of the three Creation Orbs, which they believe will not only resurrect Teridax, but allow him to ascend to the level of a Great Being, thus ensuring the dominance over the entire Universe for the Makuta-kind to be unchallenged.

Members
Based on eyewitness accounts, the twelve Apex Dozen, along with their nicknames based on their general method of operation, are as follows:
 * Vek'Bel'Zzak, the Nightmare
 * Bartherious, the Skull Dominator
 * Zak'Kalamas, the Hive Tyrant
 * Skarthion, the Skull Taker (sometimes referred to as the Headless One)
 * Visstass, the Leech
 * Kortarex, the Prime Progeny
 * Cazzadath, the Breathing Weapon
 * Herl'Be'Zaatch, the Hydralisk (sometimes referred to as the Sand Serpent)
 * Narthion, the Merciful One (sometimes referred to as the False Demon)
 * Fechus, the Anarchist
 * Zenzil, the Plague Master (sometimes referred to as the Virulent Father)
 * M'Gilrma, the Shadow King (sometimes referred to as the Fallen Angel)

Powers and Abilities
Individually, their abilities varied from member to member; however, as a group, the twelve could combine their powers to accomplish impossibly powerful feats. These twelve, prior to the establishment of the Dozen as an underground organisation, were responsible for the death of Pohatu, who, at the time, was acting as the avatar of a Great Being of stone; essentially allowing them to slay Gods when their powers are combined.

They were also known to have created the Plaguespreader Virus which was responsible for the death of millions of Matoran, and one of the most successful accomplishments of the Dozen.