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This article was written by Matoro58. Please do not add to it without the writer's permission.
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| Into the Nothing | |
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Into the Nothing is the first story in Matoro58's Downfall Arc
Story[]
Book One: Genesis[]
Prologue[]
Hills and piles of bones were stretched out across the southern continent. It had happened in a nuclear attack: Three weeks before, the citizens of the matoran universe evacuated to Metru Nui.
At the time, however the Brotherhood of Makuta, now led by Makuta Vesper, had struck. Then Toa Matoro stepped up, and with the power of the Ignika, put an unbreakable seal of Ice, which also served as a barrier for Makuta, which meant they could not enter.
Furiously, to dispose of the thousands of Toa left on the southern continent, they tampered with Rexidian bombs, and as they set them off for a 10 minute countdown, they realized that if it detonated, they would be killed themselves.
A number of Makuta teleported to Spherus Magna, while the rest, led by Makuta Gorast, Vesper's lieutenant, to disable the bombs. And they had destroyed any sign of life in the matoran universe except in Metru Nui.
However, Makuta Verahk and his army hid underground, as well as a number of Toa. It lasted for three days. Once over, Verahk and the remaining Toa drew battle lines. Let the second war begin!
A squadron of Exo-Toa had orders to scout the Perimeter of Verahk's battlefield and to kill any Toa they saw.
However, nothing in the book said anything about surprise attacks.
As two Toa let a pile of bones fall, one Exo-Toa was crushed underneath. Their leader was a Toa of Fire named Hydros, and he led this surprise attack. "Toa, forwards!" He cried.
Two toa of ice then flash-froze an Exo-Toa, then one of them shattered it with his Codrak blaster. However, a quarter of a dozen Suukorak appeared and fired their Rhotuka, hitting the two toa of Ice and the lower half of the Exo Toa, crushing them.
Hydros had taken notice and let out a plume of fire at them, scattering them. However, at the moment, a Toa of Earth got hit by an Exo-Toa's missile, killing him. A toa of water appeared. "We have to retreat, Hydros!' She cried.
"Arrea, this battle has just started! There's no way we can retreat!" Hydros replied.
A Toa of Plasma appeared. "She's right, Hydros. We can't stay here fighting. We're overwhelmed!" He yelled.
Hydros looked. "Fine! Arrea, go back to base and prepare our covert operation! Serax, stay here and help the Toa retreat!" Hydros replied.
The two nodded and turned around, Arrea ran back the way they came, while Serax told everyone else to retreat. Hydros was the last to go, but before he did, he burned some words into a bone and threw it in the opposite direction. Then he too vanished into the night, fleeing the battlefield.
Verahk glanced at the battlefield. Signs of a hasty exit.
Some toa of earth body was limp on the ground. As far he was concerned, he didn't give a damn for who Onua was.
He kicked a skull and behind him, his two Rahaga servants, Prozuke and Vormahk, shuffled behind him. He saw the bone Toa Hydros had thrown. He picked it up and saw some writing on it.
"We'll be back." He read. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him.
"Reading bones again, Verahk?" Said a voice.
"Vesper." Verahk turned around. "Why are you here?" Verahk asked.
"None of the Makuta know we command telepathically. Antroz and Vamprah are trying to breach the entrance. Since they don't have access to Teleportation in and out of this universe, they are making their slaves do their dirty work for them, while Tridax goes hunting those Skrall, Mutran and Chirox are experimenting with these creatures called Zesk and Vorox. The rest are preparing for my master plan, which will ultimatly rival what Teridax originally thought. These Toa should not be nuisance to deal with." Vesper said.
"Well, my lord, they are. Especially Hydros. He is the f-" Verahk was cut off.
"We will destroy those Toa. Soon, this hellhole will learn fear. The Universe will learn it. And then..." Vesper picked up a skull and crushed it in his hand."...we will finish them."
Chapter 1: The Three Offers []
Nidihki closed his eyes as he heard the dying screams of a Po-Matoran called Horun. When he opened them, the molten metal had dissolved the Po-Matoran's left leg as well as his right arm. An explosion sounded as his teammate Matau went flying back. He crashed into a set of pipes and swore.
"Damn this hard-metal stack-pile of pipes!" he yelled. Then he got up and charged back. The deal was simple: the Toa had responded to a call from a Po-Matoran caravan that was heading to Ta-Metru to sell a drill bit prototype.
However, some Zyglak gangs thought that it would be nice to steal the drill bit and attacked the caravan, boxing them in near a facility corner. The Toa Metru had sent Nihdiki, Aliyra, Matau, and Bomonga to hopefully make the Zyglak go away.
Luck just wasn't on their side today.
Nidhiki made a mini cyclone at the moment and directed it at some Zyglak. However, all it did was throw him off balance. The Zyglak cast a dirty look at Nidhiki and shot him in the kneecap. Nidhiki then dropped to the ground and screamed. Bomonga heard him and stuck his Seismic spear into the ground, releasing a localized tremor that shook the ground. Unfortunately, for Nidhiki, a splash of molten metal fell right above him. He closed his eyes, knowing that at least, he'll be in hell.
However, Aliyra dragged him out right before it hit him. She glared at him. "Get up," she hissed.
"Who died and made you leader?" he sneered back.
"Um, I'm leading this squadron!"
"Good. If you haven't noticed, I've been shot in the knee."
"Don't let your guard down next time."
"There won't be next time."
"Oh, good. It's about time we'll get more Toa."
"No. I meant I'll be going to hell soon."
Aliyra was then thrown back by a Zyglak. Matau and Bomonga then stood back to back with them, the Zyglak surrounding the four Toa.
"Well, it's been nice knowing you guy," Bomonga said.
Only then, a laser shot a Zyglak in the shoulder, downing him. The Toa ran, only to be cornered again. However, then five more lasers shot the remaining Zyglak. Their rescuer jumped in front of them, but when he turned around, Nidhiki forgot to speak.
He thought their rescuer was Hahli or Nuju but it was the last being he expected to save his life.
Toa Varkon.
Toa of Fire.
One of the universe’s most deadly assassins.
And he was staring at the infected Hau Nuva wearer in the eyes.
Varkon didn’t mind that he just walked in on a fight with the Toa and some Zyglak criminals. He was a criminal. A criminal for about… 60,000 years now. Over that course of time, he'd assassinated millions. Matoran, Skakdi, Vortixx, Steltians, Dark Hunters, even the Makuta of Stelt, whom he tortured then, incinerated the Makuta’s true form. He took the Makuta’s mask and kept as a victory trophy.
A hunter’s best kill in Varkon’s words.
He easily became one of the universe’s most wanted mercenaries. But during the war, he suffered when a rahkshi of poison nearly destroyed his Hau nuva. So he had to lie low. Slow the killing down. He was able to get to Metru Nui on the alias of Sarda and created an alibi of Krakua. He usually wore a Kakama, but on some occasions, he wore his Hau Nuva, to give some homeless resident a fright.
But he made a mistake of showing his face to four experienced Toa.
He scanned their faces.
First was Bomonga. The Toa of Earth served as a Toa Hagah for Teridax, but after the Hagah rebellion, went into hiding on his homeland, which was on one of the southern islands. During the war, he injured his leg against a Rahkshi of Poison and fled to Metru Nui.
Next was Nihdiki. He first came to Metru Nui to defeat the Kanohi Dragon, and also served in the Toa-Dark hunter war. At the end, which was at the Toa Hagah rebellion, they realized the Brotherhood was growing too powerful, and the two sides signed a treaty. Nihdiki also stayed during the war, and mentored Matau and Nuju after their teammates died.
Matau was the youngest of the squad, but he also had seen some death and was experienced, but not enough to be considered a veteran.
Aliyra was last. The Toa of lightning was the oldest of the four. She had been on Varkon’s original Toa team, and was the reason he was an outcast. It was simple. 75,000 years before, Varkon and Aliyra were sent on a mission to wipe out a colony of Visorak on their home island of Jarna-Nui. What they didn’t know however, was that a Makuta was there.
Both fought their way through platoons of Visorak, but Varkon got to the Makuta and both had fought. And when it seemed like the Makuta would absorb Varkon, Varkon killed the Makuta. Aliyra had seen this, and told the island’s turaga, Ledan.
Varkon was then forced to leave, and his first kill was the death of a Skakdi warlord called Nektann.
Then he killed more, including Toa Piruk, Toa Chiara, and Toa Kotu. He killed Sidorak and the Dark Hunter “Eliminator, the latter being a Toa killer itself.
But he hadn’t become one of the universe’s most dangerous assassins overnight. He got information from…well, any tavern he went to or stayed, he’d usually ask the barman information, and they would give him all they had.
Because there was no messing with him.
He looked at the four toa. He needed a calm approach.
He raised both his hands to his head.
“Look. I’m not here to kill you. I was just in town.” He said.
They didn’t reply.
He smiled inwardly. He needed them. For now.
He took a deep breath. “Take me to your leaders," he finished.
The warehouse in Le-Metru was obviously abandoned.
Because Skorr knew nobody would meet with him in public.
He adjusted his highly-modified plasma launcher so it would look like he would shoot. He also had his wing blades, as well as his Protosteel Iron sword, which was slung across his back, and his battle gauntlets on his wrists.
Well, he did need to look fierce; an advantage of being one of the universe’s most deadly and most dangerous bounty hunters.
Then he saw movement, and a matoran came in. A Ba-Matoran wearing a Mask of Adaption had stepped out of the shadows, and that would’ve been impressive, if the Ba-Matoran wasn’t shaking. The Matoran took a deep breath. “On the behalf of my employers, I thank you for coming, Skorr," he said fearfully.
Skorr cast a bored glance. “And what’s in it for me?” he asked.
“We will pay you lots, mark my words. But they need help eliminating the local Toa," the disgraceful Matoran replied.
Skorr smiled, and as quick as a doom viper lunging to bite, he unsheathed his sword.
The Ba-matoran ran backwards and crashed into a few protodermis barrels. Luckily, they were empty.
“Are you telling me,” Skorr began, “that your employers are having trouble getting rid of a few Toa? I’ve slain a Makuta, and you’re telling me that a few pesky Toa can’t be taken care of. The skakdi gangs didn’t kill Toa Vican, I did. But that was just freelance. I plan on making millions, maybe even billions on killing. I don’t tend on going into retirement in the next ten millennia.” He finished.
The Ba-Matoran nodded weakly.
Skorr grinned. “I’ll do it. I’ll go and tell them, because I know where they are. And as for you…”
The Zeverek lifted the sword that once belonged to a Toa of Iron, and brought it down on the unfortunate Matoran. He smiled.
One less being in this universe.
On Bara Magna, most Agori thought being a Glatorian was the hardest job.
But now, leading a band of rogue Skrall was the hardest.
Dorvox knew better. It had all started when this large robot had landed on the planet, but fell down soon after. Then beings called Makuta started conquering the villages, enslaving the Glatorian and Agori. The Vorox and Zesk were quickly abducted and captured, while their master, Malum fled underground.
The Skrall were next. Spider-like beings had stormed the city of Roxtus, followed by serpent-like creatures on legs. They quickly killed Tuma, and most of the Skrall had fled, only for some groups to fall to those creatures, while others went mad and ate each other, and the remaining ones had died of starvation.
Dorvox’s group had been lucky. They took most of the animals, Zesk, and Vorox in Roxtus and used them for food. They hardly ate one meal a week, and didn’t drink at all.
Now they had eaten the last of their animals. And they had been trying to find anything; Thornax, herbs, even rotting carcasses. But it seemed as their good luck had ran out.
Dorvox crawled out of his tent. He had left two guards just in case any lucky wild animal tried to eat them. But he saw that one was dead, and the other was missing.
No, he would not shed any tear for them, but the situation of this was frightening:
A dead Skrall, and a missing one.
He immediately concluded it was the Baterra. But as he went to inspect the damage, he noticed scattered white and light blue pieces on the ground, and it didn’t take a Zesk to know that this was work of no Battera, but one of those creatures.
He blew the horn, and the other Skrall came out, grumbling and rubbing their eyes. But when they saw the Skrall, they immediately shut up. For what seemed 100,000 years, no one spoke a word. Then the silence was broken.
“It could be totally unrelated to the creatures," one said slowly.
“Right. And I could just be Angonce, only shorter and in different armor," another grunted
“Maybe an iron wolf destroyed the Baterra.”
“Are you kidding me? They can spot one ten Skopio-lengths away.”
“Maybe it was a Skopio.”
Dorvox had enough of this. “Look at the way the armor is shattered on the batterra. It came clean off. It would be crushed if a Skopio destroyed it.”
A Skrall opened his mouth to reply, only to fall down in a heap. In his back was a blue knife.
Dorvox didn’t need to open his mouth to give the order; the Skrall were already fleeing. He quickly fired a Thornax at a tent, and then ran away down the slope. He carefully watched his footing, hoping he wouldn’t trip and fall down the side of the mountain. When he was a few feet from the bottom, an explosion blew behind him and he fell.
He turned over and saw one of those serpent-like creatures. A brown one. That was hovering in midair. He closed his eyes, ready to accept death, but not before a dark blue beam hit it in midair and it disintegrated. He looked and saw that in front of him, a being had materialized. A tall, black and silver one that made Tuma look like a sand stalker.
“Do you see why you should accept my offer?” Makuta Vesper asked. “We can give you food, water, and a shelter. If not, you can be mixed in with the dust.”
Dorvox thought for a moment. Vesper had asked him to join his army, but he turned it down and left. Now however, he could be part of something bigger than the Skrall. Bigger than anything.
An empire that could conquer and rule the universe itself.
He took a deep breath. He hoped that this was something promising and not something that would get him killed.
Then again. It was always good to have a plan B.
“I accept.”
Chapter 2: The Council[]
Varkon was led though the arena in the Coliseum, knowing that his severe consequences would be execution, or if he was lucky, he’d be imprisoned in the prison below the ground. A cold place to be in and somewhere he didn’t want to be. He heared like with most prisons these days, all criminals are stuffed in one large cell. Skakdi, Zyglak, former Dark hunters, Brotherhood operatives, Bounty hunters, assassins, mercenaries, Vortixx that crafted illegal weapons, and other criminals, though he doubted it stored Skorr.
A personal hell. Except it wasn’t personal.
None of the Toa had said a damn word, and they didn’t try to bound him. Good enough, because he didn’t plan on escape. He wanted a word with the Turaga. And he wanted to make a peace offering.
Who gave a damn?
Three beings stood in a dark parking lot silently. Their mission: Kidnap the correct Le-Matoran.
One of them, a Skakdi raised a smoke tube to his mouth, inhaled, and let out a plume of smoke. It hit another one of them, him coming from a species of underwater dwellers. He cursed fiercely, and angrily. The Skakdi chuckled. “It’s been a long time since you cursed. And said it loudly. You’ll alert every Matoran for 100 kio around.” The skakdi said.
The other being turned his head, glared at him, and performed a rude gesture at the skakdi. “Honestly, you’ve been doing that lot of times lately. I bet someone on the southern continent can smell it…if there’s anyone.”
The skakdi hissed. “Says the one with a low-grade Xian stun laser. I saw where you found it; you made a good meal of the Vortixx you ‘got’ it from.”
“And who says I won’t use it on you and find it’s a high-grade one?”
“I know it is a low grade. When me and few other Skakdi went to Xia for negotiations, we saw the factory the weapons were made in. It was smaller than the great furnace…or what’s left of both.”
“Listen, we’ve got a mission to accomplish. So unless if you want me to rip out insides and shove it up your rear, you shut that burnt mouth of yours on your fake face.”
“That’s racist. And’s criminals- no wait- master criminals are racist. And we’re master criminals. All of us.” The main reason the Skakdi had said that was to get the third member of their party, a quiet but lethal and dangerous individual, to talk. But he remained silent, watching for a lone Le-Matoran like a starving Doom Viper waiting to pounce on some crawling prey.
And even with one eye, the other two were able to see vengeance reflected in the third being’s eye.
His one eye.
The platform was connected to three cables. Two to balance it, and one to move it. The platform itself looked like a cage. Varkon was able to make that all out through his eyes.
He pointed at the platform. “That’s not going to hold five Toa. Three? Yes. Four? Maybe. Five? No. It will fall and make a mess at bottom…if there’s a bottom.” He said.
Bomonga glared at him. “I’m just explaining. When I was a Matoran, I worked with these mechanics.” He said calmly. “We don’t need you to explain, assassin.” Nidihki snarled. Varkon chuckled. “I came here under means of peace.” He went on. “Why would I let myself get captured?”
Matau glanced at the Toa of fire. “He’s got a smart-point. Why else would he be quick to let us quick-capture him?” He said. Varkon smiled sinisterly. “Finally, someone who agrees with me. And he does have a point. Anyone with half a mask and a Dermis turtle would be able to make that point.” He said. The other Toa grumbled. Clearly, they saw his point, but didn’t agree.
“Matau? Is that you?” Said a voice. They turned around. Coming were two Toa. One was blue and teal, the other was white. Varkon recognized them as Nuju and Hahli, two of the other Toa. Hahli was a novice, while Nuju was a Toa as long as Matau was. Nuju hurried towards the. “Thank the Great Spirit you’re okay. We thought you were-“ He stopped as he saw Varkon. “Is that- is that-“ The Toa of Ice stopped. Hahli had also seen this, and she was frowning.
Matau quickly cut the silence. “He’s not here for violence. We’re escorting him because he wants a word with the turaga.” The Toa of air said.
Nuju slowly nodded. It was clear he didn’t trust Varkon.
The toa of fire smirked. If all was to go right, today would be the best day of his life. Damn Metru Nui.
Skorr walked along the sidewalk of Ga-Metru. He was told to meet two agents here. He didn’t have a clue of who they were, but he just wanted this to be over with.
He heard laughter. Turning around, he saw a street gang vandalizing the walls of a building. He walked over. He was just going to have some fun first. He took a deep breath. “Fascinating, how there’s so much crime in Metru Nui these days. But it’s nothing compared to what I’ve done.” He said. The street gang turned. They were all Vortixx.
The leader, a wiry and rodent-looking Vortixx took out a smoke tube, lit it, and inhaled on it, and released a plume of smoke in Skorr’s face. He coughed and closed his eyes. The smoke stung. He heard the Vortixx laugh.
“The Zeverek bounty hunter is getting beaten by smoke!” They chanted. Skorr then stood, and tried to grab one, but fell down. He opened his eyes, and the Vortixx stomped on Skorr’s head, pressing the Zeverek’s face in a puddle.
“Try to kill me now, Zeverek.” The Vortixx sneered. The others howled with laughter.
Skorr then stood and violently glared at the Vortixx. “Hell to you.” He snarled.
The Vortixx mocked him. “The Zeverek sweared at me. Oh no!” He said sarcastically.
Skorr knew it was a mistake. They were brave, and stupid. Suddenly he heard footsteps. “The Zeverek is with us. My suggestion to you is to run away.” He heard a female voice. Turning around, he saw two figures. One was a slender female figure, the other one a bulky male. Skorr recognized both of them.
The Vortixx then started running away. Skorr snarled. He didn’t need help. But the two were here because of his employment in their group of villains. He glanced at them. “Indiva. I didn’t expect to see you here since the battle at the Tren Krom Peninsula. And Groku. How’s it been since the bar fight at that bar in Zakaz?” The Zeverek sneered.
The female slipped out of the shadows with grace. She wore a Kanohi Iden, white and blue armor, and carried a crossbow.
The other being stepped out the shadows, revealing the bulky shape of a Steltian Laborer. He carried a massive launcher which Skorr recognized as a Molecule destroyer, an illegal weapon developed on Xia. But he doubted these two would end in prison for this.
“Not much. I met our leader, he told me all about this, I joined, went to Metru-Nui, and started building a base along with everyone else.”
“Well, don’t lie to me. I wounded you; you were left for dead, got captured by the Brotherhood, and was forced into your little syndicate.”
“For your information, it’s a confederacy, and I was forgotten.”
“Fine! Females like you don’t shut up, but I could make you. Very soon.” Skorr snapped, lifting his plasma launcher.
Indiva smiled. It was a smile that could make males come and press their lips against the female’s, and then end up with a knife in the male’s heart.
However, Skorr, being the mercenary he was, could resist these taunts.
Indiva then moved closer, and put her arms around him, and as she was about to kiss him, a sound rang. Indiva then quickly let go, and produced a tablet with a screen that said incoming message. She typed in accept and the face of a Skakdi of Fire stared at the Toa of lightning.
Indiva sighed. “Hynrek. What is it?” She snapped.
The skakdi’s grin grew broader. “Oh nothing so important, and that operation The Viper’s Nest is clear to go. Oh and if you can switch that Iden with a Faxon, I’d be happy to propose to you and have a little-“ Hynrek was cut off.
Indiva raised her voice.“What the hell are you saying? And by the way, I refuse! You filthy, lowlife sexist of a Skakdi! You can just go-“
“Indiva.” Said another voice. The talker changed and Skorr nearly gasped when he saw what was on the screen. It was a Zeverek with a missing eye.
One of his fellow specimens, who have been decimated and driven to extinction during the war. How this one has survived, he didn’t know. But he hated to think of who this was, if he was correct.
“Hello ‘Ripper’. What was Hynrek talking about? If the little sexist wasn’t making sense, I doubt Nerhek would be so-“ The next thing Skorr heard, a scream came from the backround sounds of the message. “What was that?!” Indiva screeched.
‘Ripper’ looked at her with a horrible grin.“We have the ‘bait’. A Le-Matoran, to be exact. He is currently in a sack, gagged and bound. But Nerhek is driving, and he’s purposely taking every turn as hard as he can, hitting the brakes every once in a while, and swerving left and right.” ‘Ripper’ explained gleefully.
“And is it necessary?” Indiva grumbled.
“No, but he’s a prisoner and we have rights to torture him-“ However, at the moment, the message cut off and the screen turned black.
Indiva wasn’t satisfied. “Honestly, I don’t know what our leader was thinking when he recruited them.” She muttered. She then looked at Skorr. “You’ll meet with them in Le-Metru, while the rest of us…do something else.” She smiled at him, then slipped into the shadows. Groku followed, but made lots of noise and didn’t slip away as gracefully.
Skorr stared at the spot where they seemingly vanished. He knew what he got himself into, and he knew how dangerous it was.
He then activated his Wing Blades and his cloaking device. To fly over the city was risky, but at night, the city was lit by two moons.
He could see everything, but he couldn’t be seen.
He never went during the day.
Nidihki was the first to stop in front of a large door. The other toa followed his act. Varkon also did, but only because of the negotiations he hoped to discuss.
Bomonga then did a rhythmic four knocks. The door then opened and the Toa then went in, with Varkon following.
The room was painted with a shade of pale blue and a singular oval, black table in the middle. A single window was on the west part of the room, overlooking Metru-Nui. It was daybreak, around 16:00, so skyscrapers were seen easily.
There were nine other figures in the room. Three were Varkon’s allies: Hazan, who was a former Nynrah Ghost, Gibrax, whom species were Upper-Class Steltians. The last was Ebrok, a Skakdi of Water who varkon encountered on Zakaz. Ebrok grinned at Varkon, who winked at him.
One of the other figures was a red and brown matoran; a Su-Matoran, who Varkon had heard of as Rassin; leader of the Coliseum security system.
The five remaining figures were Turaga: Sirro, Jovan, Romus, Takanuva, and Ledan, who were Turaga of Air, Magnetism, Earth, Light, and Stone respectively.
Sirro was a Turaga who succeeded Turaga Dume only three weeks before, when he sacrificed his power to Toa Vican, Toa Taipu, and Toa Idris. Whom all died in those three weeks.
Romus sacrificed his power during the war, and he migrated to Metru-Nui once he became a Turaga. According to what Varkon had heard, Romus was a strong Turaga who was helping Sirro in running the city.
Takanuva came to Metru-Nui some time before Romus, but he hadn’t said who he gave his power to. He was wise and spoke out for all species, trying to pass policies for equal rights.
Jovan was the oldest of the five. He was the former leader of a team who first retrieved the Mask of Life 79,000 years before the death of Makuta Teridax.
Ledan was last. Varkon fought beside Ledan at the Downfall of the League of the six Kingdoms, and after it, Varkon took Ledan to Jarna-Nui, where he sacrificed his powers to four matoran, including Aliyra. He exiled Varkon after Varkon murdered a Makuta, which led Varkon to swear a vendetta on the island.
For a few moments, nobody spoke. Then Romus opened his mouth. “It appears we have a…guest, in our leader council.” The Turaga grunted
Varkon chuckled. “I noticed that you’ve redecorated you throne room. I prefer the old one.” He said.
Takanuva frowned. “We don’t call it a throne room anymore. We’ve decided to…modernize.” He explained.
Varkon rolled his eyes. “I prefer the old one. I don’t do war councils.”
Ledan glared at Varkon. “I don’t trust him. Why don’t we have him executed? And his allies as well.” The Turaga suggested.
Varkon smirked. “Then you’ll be no better than me. You haven’t even heard me out.” He laughed.
Sirro sighed. “Tell us what you want.” It was clear the Turaga had days like this every day.
Varkon cleared his throat. “I am offering you my help.” He explained.
“Your help?!” Ledan’s eyes had widened. “You actually expect us to trust you? And give us your help?!” The Turaga spat.
Varkon’s eyes gleamed. “I am not asking you for my trust. I am asking you for my help. Don’t deny anything. Three weeks ago, you had five more toa: Idris, Vican, Balta, Taipu, and Orde. They’re all dead now.” He said.
“Something only like a killer like you would know.” Ledan hissed.
“I do know. And that’s because I talk with others. I know for a fact that Vican was killed by none other than the mercenary known as Skorr.” Varkon said. “He was the first to be killed, and that gave you a chance to blame the Skakdi on the street. Idris was next; She was sent to a Vortixx factory, and she didn’t fall in the molten metal because the warning sign was written in Xian.
“Balta. Got hit by a transporter. And it wasn’t so rainy that day; I could see he got deliberately hit. Taipu drowned the next day, but as far as I know, he wasn’t near any source of water, because he was out in Po-Metru. And Orde?” He stopped and looked around the room, waiting for an answer.
“Slipped on an icy patch.” Ledan grunted.
“But he was decapitated. And I found his head ten bio away.” Varkon went on.
“And it wasn’t just the Toa; Last week, an archivist was found chained to a wall in the deep archives, multiple stab wounds across his body. And they were cross-shaped. But interestingly, when I got a chance to get closer, he wasn’t chained, but fused with the wall.
“All these prove one thing: You’re all weak. You make cover stories, and by the time you put it out, another being dies. You’re spending so much time trying to keep this city happy, you keep giving advantages to street gangs and killers. Don’t deny it; I’ve seen the looks you give each other. You’re powerless. I know for a fact that half of the city isn’t sleeping because five Toa have died, and you have no idea of what to do.
“Skakdi gangs are patrolling the alleyways while more and more Zyglak are showing their faces in public. And yet you are taking small steps, while you really need to jump giant leaps, like a young Kikalano. I’ve seen this team. Half of you are going into years as Turaga, while the other half are inexperienced. None of you fought in the war, you’ve been slacking around here in Metru-Nui.
“I’ve seen the war. I was at the Fall of Destral. Makuta were running around, water geysers were springing from the water, Rahkshi were screeching, Toa and Matoran were screaming, trying to flee the island, and fires were raging all across. I saw all this through the power of a Kanohi Iden. One moment Destral was there, and the next, it sunk beneath the waves.
“What you’re doing here in Metru-Nui is nothing compared to the thousands of Toa that have died during the war. You need my help. I’ve seen worse than this. I’ve killed a Makuta, while you can’t fight one Zyglak.” Varkon finished, looking across the room.
Ledan opened his mouth. “Since when would we trust bounty hunters and murderers? Toa are noble, courageous, figures, who always come out on top.” Ledan said pompously.
“The word being always. And you haven’t been doing so well. These deaths weren’t a coincidence. Someone has been doing their dirty work. They’re succeeding, but I heard since Orde’s death, not one Toa was murdered. You went a step further. The Toa aren’t being set out, the Metru-Nui Navy is. The Toa rarely come out, and today proved that whoever’s out there wants the Toa Metru dead.
“This means whoever’s out there isn’t just stopping, they’re going a step further as well. The Zyglak weren’t just out to steal, they were hired thugs. Paid for killing. Zyglak wouldn’t kill, just hurt beings at this time. They were brutally attacking the Toa, attacks I’ve seen only when they’re hunting.
“And you know that you need help. So I’m giving you two choices: Let me help you and find out who’s doing what, or do this independently, and lose your six Toa. It’s your funeral if you chose the latter.” Varkon offered.
The room was silent. No one spoke, no one moved, no one made a single sound.
Bomonga and Nidhiki were looking at each other, probably debating whether to trust Varkon or not. Hahli held Nuju’s hand, while Matau glanced outside at the skyscrapers, and Aliyra was staring at the floor.
The Turaga were whispering to each other, deep in disscucion, debating over Varkon. If he had a Suletu, this would be easier.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the Turaga turned, and Sirro cleared his throat. “We have made a decision. We have voted and debated, and this was a mostly unanimous-“ Sirro glared at Ledan. “-vote, that we have decided to allow Varkon and his allies to help us. This doesn’t mean we trust him, though. He will have to earn our trust through deeds and heroic gestures. I hope this is clear to everyone that you can trust him, but we, the Turaga, don’t trust him fully.” Sirro finished.
Varkon grinned. “And that was a wise move, because I wouldn’t have trusted you too.”
He looked around. Aliyra and Nuju were glowering at him as if they didn’t trust him, while Nidhiki and Bomonga looked solemn. Hahli and Matau seemed to trust him, though Varkon knew to lower his expectations.
“Alright then. What do I do first?” He chuckled.
Chapter 3: The Long Game[]
Today was not a good day for Seryai.
He exited the chute station to find his transporter had a flat tire, and when he bent down to inspect it, he was gagged, had his ankles and wrists tied, shoved into a sack, thrown in the back of his transporter, and has been driven across every pothole in Le-Metru.
Worse still, he captives were some green sea eel who walked on two feet, a Skakdi of fire, and a Zeverek missing one eye and had a robotic hand where his left one should be. He was able to hear them, too.
"There's another pothole-"
The transporter lurched forwards, and he screamed.
"Oh, well will that worthless Le-Matoran shut up?!" Shouted a voice.
"Quiet, Nerhek! We'll have some fun with him first. Then we'll be serious!" Said a voice.
"Well, I'm bumping my my head at every pothole, Hynrek, you worthless little piece of sh-“
"Quiet, both of you!" Said a third. "If you two had any decency, you'd be dead by now. But no; Vesper had plans for you two."
"Yeah, you're as worthless as us."
"Hynrek, if you want me to electrocute you, I can do you a favor. 50,000 volts aren't as horrible as you think."
"Didn't you kill a Toa of Iron with that amount of Voltage?"
"Yeah, and the apart from the fact he was horribly wounded? What the hell was his name? Zaria or something?"
"Some Huna-wearing freak he was."
"We've arrived. Now I'm going to slam on the brakes and..."
The car lurched forwards and Seryai screamed again.
"Sorry. We didn't know you were hurt." Said a voice as his sack was untied. Seryai then was about to scream again until he realized he was looking into the eyes of a Skakdi. Then his gag was ripped out and he was pulled out and had his ankles untied. He then kicked the Skakdi in the face. He was pulled out and thrown on the pavement outside the car.
But before he could make a run for it he was yanked back and the skakdi was whispering. "Listen now, we're being nice. So unless if you got anything to live for, we're gunna-"
"LET ME GO OR I'LL SCREAM BLOODY MURDER!!!" He screamed.
Then an eel-like face appeared in front of him. "If scream or say that, there will be lots of bloody murder." The eel sneered.
"Quiet." Said a third voice. They looked. The Zeverek had climbed out, and he was holding something.
"Extend your arm." He said. Trembling, Seryai extended it. Almost at once, the Zeverek injected something using a needle. Then he took it out.
"What was that?" Seryai gasped
"Tiny tracking devices. That way, we can keep track of you. By the way, the Skakdi's Hynrek, the sea filth is Nerhek, and even though I do have a real name, you can call me "Ripper"." The Zeverek said. "Now we're going to play nice with you, so obey us. Like we said before, if you have anything to live for, then do our bidding unless if you want there to be bloody murder." The Zeverek said.
Seryai nodded reluctantly. "Good. Now here's what you have to do..." “Ripper” started…
Varkon had spent more exciting days while traveling. His first assignment was to read through the walls of history in Coliseum to know about Metru-Nui during the war.
So far, he was reading about a bunch of Ba-Matoran and Fa-Matoran who invented a vehicle called a Matoran Transporter, something that happened during the war, obviously.
The story of how the war began was one everyone in Metru-Nui knew. After the Toa-Dark Hunter War, Makuta Teridax invaded Metru-Nui and went to the Coliseum. He managed to kill Toa Naho, Toa Onewa, Toa Whenua, and Turaga Lhikan.
Then Makuta Vesper appeared, and absorbed Teridax and Toa Nokama. Toa Vakama then used a nova blast and killed himself trying to stop Vesper. However, Vesper managed to escape alive, but critically injured.
The Great Spirit robot then landed on a planet called Spherus Magna, which led to half the Brotherhood of Makuta invading the planet, the other half staying inside the robot to fight the Toa, which started the war.
Varkon yawned. He hadn’t even read the history of Metru-Nui and he was already bored. Time to get this history lesson over with.
He then chose a portion of the wall and started reading.
As the Toa continue their investigations over Toa Vican’s unfortunate death, the body of Toa Idris was found at a Vortixx factory at the same time Toa Balta got killed. The circumstances of the latter two’s deaths are unknown, though it’s heavily implied they were accidents. Furthermore, this led Turaga Sirro to decree that streets are to be patrolled by the Metru-Nui Navy, as well as-
Varkon frowned. He said, back at the War Council, that Toa Vican was killed by Skorr, Toa Idris had fallen into Molten Metal, Toa Balta was hit by a transporter, and Toa Orde was decapitated. He knew nothing of how Toa Taipu died, and intended to know. He had witnessed Batla’s death, and saw Orde’s head. Toa Vican and Idris he wasn’t sure about. But it said that Balta died of unknown circumstances, and Idris and Vican’s methods of death weren’t mentioned at all.
He looked around. Gibrax and Hazan were arguing over a section of the wall, while Ebrok was reading through an older section.
Varkon then saw a Po-Matoran recording some events on the wall. The Toa of Fire then headed to the Matoran. “Excuse me.” Varkon said. The Po-Matoran looked at Varkon. “Are you Kodan?”
The Po-Matoran nodded. “They told me you guys would be comin’” He grunted.
“I got a question for you,” Varkon pointed at the section of the wall he was reading. “The Turaga know that Toa Vican, Idris, and Balta were murdered, but here it says the deaths were accidents.”
The Po-Matoran grunted. “I wasn’t given all the details. You can ask The Recorder if you want.” Kodan replied.
Varkon narrowed his eyes. “Just tell me what you know.” He ordered.
Kodan sighed. “All I know is that they were murdered by unknown means. I didn’t see the bodies.”
“Anything else?” Varkon inquired.
Kodan shrugged. “Look, I wasn’t given permission to record what they know. The Recorder as well. None of it apart from the fact they were murdered, but the Turaga aren’t allowing it recorded.”
“Well then, tell me why the Turaga are doing this.” Varkon replied.
Kodan grunted. “Look, I don’t know anything. If you want my opinion, it’s just because they don’t want the public to know. Now keep reading. I got work to do, Varkon.” He said frustrated.
Varkon looked at the Po-Matoran one more time and went back to reading the wall. The Turaga weren’t making sense at all. What else did they know?
It wasn’t a remotely pleasant sight to see three Toa marching through a Le-Metru street, ever since Toa Nuju came to arrest a couple of crime dealers three days before.
Unlike most of Metru-Nui, Le-Metru held little faith in Toa, due to most of the Toa getting injured there. Any Le-Metru resident would know a Toa marching through the Metru meant bad news.
The three Toa were Aliyra, Bomonga, and Nidhiki, the most experienced of the Toa Metru. But right now, they weren’t taking a small stroll down a sidewalk. They were summoned by a Le-Matoran named Seryai, whom they hadn’t had good experiences with. He often called the Coliseum, but he ended up calling for nothing every time.
They told him the last he called, that if he called again they would arrest him. However, this time, he sounded quite frantic. He told them to meet them at an abandoned warehouse, which they didn’t have trouble finding.
As they approached the warehouse, Nidhiki saw Seryai waiting close to the doorway, a fearful expression on his Kanohi Kakama. The Toa of Air clutched his Scythe, knowing that something bad was bound to happen.
Once they were in front of Seryai, Nidhiki opened his. “Speak up. And don’t- repeat, don’t- lie to us. We’ve had a long day, and we hope you’re telling us the damn truth.” He said strictly.
Seryai sighed. “I’m not in on what I’m about tell you, okay? I’m doing this because I don’t want to die. Simple as that.
“So I was walking out to my transporter when suddenly, I got kidnapped. I got gagged and stuffed in a sack. Then I got driven here, where they told me to call you.” Seryai explained.
Bomonga glowered at him. “Who’s “they”?” He asked cautiously. Seryai gulped. “A-a Sk-sk-skakdi, an eel on legs, and a Z-z-zeverek.” He stuttered. “A Zeverek? They’re all dead, apart from Skorr. Was it Skorr that you saw?” Aliyra asked.
“N-no. This one had a robotic hand and a missing eye.” Seryai stammered.
“Well then, that’s not possible. And eels don’t have legs, last time I checked.”
Aliyra was getting tired of this stupid Matoran who wasn’t making sense.
She turned. “Let’s go. He’s not making much sense, and I doubt he will anytime in the future, if he’s not a f-“ Before she could finsh the scentence, she was hit by something and went flying.
Bomonga and Nidhiki clutched their weapons hard. They saw a bolt of lightning come from inside the warehouse. “Who’s there?” Nidhiki called. A dark laugh came from inside. “Well, well. Three Toa. It’s much easier to keep you all here than hunt you all down individually.” Said a male voice. It was deep, and dark.
“Why don’t you show yourself, you coward!” Nidhiki yelled back.
Seryai was trembling. “D-d-don’t. Y-y-you’ll make h-h-him m-m-mad.” He stammered. Another voice sounded. “Oh, that’s not making us mad. It’s just amusing us. You petty, little, foolish Toa. Always thinking you’ll win. Let’s just show you the truth…and ourselves.” Nidhiki was speechless. If he was correct, he just heard Skorr’s voice.
Skorr then walked out. He was holding his Plasma Launcher, his Protosteel Iron Sword strapped to his back. His battle gauntlets were attached to wrists, and his wing blades were sticking out behind him.
In other words, he looked more intimidating than anything the two toa had seen. Then a green being sauntered out, and Nidhiki then knew what Seryai meant by an eel on legs. This being looked a hell lot like the warlord Ehlek, who came from a species of water dwellers.
Then the last being came out and Nidhiki now knew the Le-Matoran wasn’t lying. A Zeverek, with a Robotic hand, an odd-looking weapon, and a missing eye.
“Well, I don’t want to be rude, so I’ll make this quick. The sea slime is Nerhek, you already know who Skorr is, and since I prefer not to use my name, you can call me ‘Ripper’.” The one-eyed Zeverek said. His voice was like a doom viper’s, which went well with his appearance.
Aliyra had gotten up and came to stand with Bomonga and Nidhiki. “I didn’t think we’d have these kind of playmates today.” She muttered sarcastically
“Not that we’d ever want to play with them. Their definition of “play”, being “kill”.” Nidhiki replied.
Bomonga didn’t say anything. Nidhiki wondered if age had gotten to him yet; Bomonga being the oldest and probably the smartest on the team.
Skorr laughed. “You got that right, Toa. We’re looking forwards to killing you, which shouldn’t take long, as you’re all the oldest Toa on the team.”
Aliyra scowled. “And why say that to a female?” She sneered.
Skorr mocked her. “Oh, was I being too hurtful? Shame.” He pointed his Plasma launcher. “You’ll make great rug.” He pulled the trigger, and the shot was directed at Aliyra.
She didn’t move.
Normally, the directions to avoiding a direct shot at you would be to duck, move away, or block.
But Aliyra was standing in place, and wouldn’t move.
As the Plasma blast was coming closer and closer, Bomonga realized Aliyra would need to move, but by force. Without thinking, he stuck his Seismic Spear in the ground. Immediately tremors shook the Toa of their feet, and the Plasma Blast passed above Aliyra’s head.
However, the tremors not only knocked down the Toa, but some of the warehouse came raining down on top of Skorr, ‘Ripper, and Nerhek.
When Aliyra and the other Toa got up, they saw the three criminals getting out of the wreckage, cursing and yelling.
Nidhiki didn’t waste a second. He ran and swung his Scythe at ‘Ripper’. The Zeverek howled in pain as the Scythe stabbed his waist and started bleeding continuously. Aliyra and Bomonga then ran at Nerhek and Skorr respectively, and no one noticed Seryai climbing into his transporter and driving away. Once he was away, he laughed. Let the Toa do the dirty work. He was alive.
Then he frowned as the transporter suddenly stopped. He came out, and checked his flat tire; it was ripped and coming apart. He would just have to drive to the nearest station.
Then, as fast as lightning, two bikers crashed into him, his bones and organs being smashed as he was crushed by the motorbikes and the car.
The bikers quickly back out and drove away. Seryai then fell, gasping for breath. He started seeing blurr-eyed, and he vomited out blood.
Then as simple as that, he died. Seryai died in a freak accident.
An hour later, a Ga-Matoran saw him and shrieked. She quickly called the paramedics, and they announced he was dead.
He was then shoved in a body bag, zipped up, and taken away, as the twin suns set, over the horizon.
Bomonga ducked as the Sword came over his head. Skorr was an excellent swordsman, but Bomonga wasn’t going to die easily. The Toa of Earth still had some youth left in him, and he was going to use it wisely.
He then triggered his Mask of Growth, and grew Skorr’s size. It only made the Zeverek chuckle, but Bomonga faced many of these kind of enemies.
He wouldn’t want to lose his touch.
Close by, Aliyra and Nerhek were dueling admirably, with no victor so far.
Aliyra ducked as Nerhek swung his blade above her head. “Ah, it feels good with a sword. A had a blaster, but I got rid of it in favor of this.” He purred.
Aliyra ducked again. “Oh yeah? Should’ve kept it, because you don’t know how dangerous melee fighting can be.” She then triggered her Sanok, grabbed her spear upside down, and poked Nerhek in the stomach. He collapsed, cursing on the way down. Then she hit him on the head with it, and he passed out.
She smirked, but then something hit her and she flew back into a wall. She saw Skorr’s plasma Launcher smoking from a distance. When she hit the wall, she glanced up and saw the brick coming down on her.
Then she screamed as they buried her, eventually knocked unconscious by one brick, and was buried completely.
Time: 83,000 BGC
The Toa of Fire used his Kakama to run. He recieved a message from a caravan, saying they needed him as a guard, on an island in the Southern Chains.
But nothing could've prepared him for what came next.
He then saw bodies of Matoran, blood spilling out. And even though it was dark, he knew that the blood was staining the sand.
He knew who did this and knew that he wasn't far.
"Hello Varkon."
Varkon turned around and saw a Skakdi standing in the rain, close to the cliff's edge.
"I should've known." Varkon said bitterly. "You. Out of all beings, would kill these Matoran. But you accomplish nothing doing this."
"Oh, but I can accomplish something: Our master is forming a group to do his bidding, and he's thinking of you to be it's leader." The Skakdi replied.
"And what else? Upsurp Miserix or Teridax? Make the sky burn? As long as there's a matoran who can be reanimated, then I will." Varkon said.
"Then I'm sorry to do this, but I have to kill you. Good bye, Toa Varkon." A bolt of Lightning then came out of the Skakdi's hand and started striking Varkon.
He struggled. The power was too much to handle. He felt himself slipping away, his soul leaving his body, his consciousness fading...
Then he stood up, and charged at the Skakdi. Even though he was running, it still felt slow.
Then he raised his lance, and did the unforgivable: He struck the Skakdi in the neck.
The Skakdi then curved his smile into an even bigger grin, then started toppling. But as Varkon watched, he was frozen in place, and couldn't extend his arm his grab the Skakdi.
Then then Skakdi of Lightning fell into the open ocean. Varkon walked over and stuck his head over the edge, but wasn't able to see anything.
He turned around and walked away in the other direction.
This would be the future assassin's first kill, but it would also the one that would haunt him the most.
Chapter 4: The Chase[]
Location: Ga-Metru, Toa Amaya Laboratories
Kamen never understood science. He only applied as a security guard just because he needed the money.
He would work better in the sculpture fields of Metru-Nui, but during the war, it became occupied with Skakdi and Steltian Laborers.
He lit up a smoke tube. He had no idea what was going on inside the laboratories, but he didn’t care. For all he knew, they were inventing new transporters and he’d still get paid.
He inhaled on the tube, and blew out some smoke. He was on the night shift today, so he needed his energy.
Oh, how he longed for some Xian Wheat or Steltian Ale. But they didn’t allow alcohol anywhere in a 10 kio radius around the lab. Something about it being flammable.
Then, when he wouldn’t be expecting it, an explosion sounded from above. He quickly got inside the building, wondering what kind of an imbecile would bring alcohol in the Labs.
“Oi! You!” He heard a voice. He turned around and saw two beings looking at him. The first was a Shadow Matoran with wings and long claws and talons. The second was a Ba-Matoran wearing a Blue Miru.
“Who the hell are you two? Last time I remember, we didn’t have Rahi working here.” Kamen yelled.
The Shadow Matoran laughed. “Oh, hardly intimidating. Just amusing. You Po-Matoran are so thick and stubborn, you don’t know what’s going on; this is a hostage situation. We’re taking all scientists and their liquids, experiments, and test subjects for…classified information.” He sneered.
“I asked, who the hell are you?” Kamen yelled rudely.
The Shadow Matoran smirked. “Of course. I am Sidrix, and the Ba-Matoran is Durpak.” He replied.
“And why are you telling me this?” Kamen replied.
The Shadow Matoran grinned horribly. “Because I can personally guarantee you won’t be living soon.” And with that, Sidrix lunged at Kamen, and the next thing the latter saw, was a flurry of teeth, claws, and blood, all at once. Then the Po-Matoran died, leaving a bloody mess behind
Sidrix got up. Ah, the taste of blood now gave him an appetite for that. He licked his lips, like a rahi, knowing that Durpak would probably have nightmares about this.
The Po-Matoran’s body was opened, with some of the organs visible inside. Body acids and blood were spilling out, with his head hanging limp on his body.
Durpak grunted. “Shouldn’t we get moving?” He grunted.
Sidrix smiled cruelly. “Ah, yes of course we should.” He said. “I was just getting…carried away.”
“Sidrix.” Said a voice. The Shadow Matoran turned his head around. In the empty doorway, stood a tall and black being. He carried a scythe in one hand, and a launcher in the other.
Behind him, stood a Female Ice Glatorian, a Toa of Lightning, a Steltian Laboror, a male Skakdi of Iron, and an Upper-Class Steltian.
“Urodox,” Sidrix started. “You got in.”
“The Toa of Shadow grunted. “Groku’s Molecule destroyer. Shot the debris while you two made a…meal out of the Po-Matoran.”
Sidrix bristled. “Yes. That would be correct.” He replied.
Urodox smirked. “I sure hope so.” He faced the Upper-Class Steltian. “Golroth, get outside and keep the door closed.” The Upper-Class Steltian nodded.
“Sidrix and Durpak, get inside the control room and keep an eye on everyone.” Urodox ordered. The two Matoran quickly went down the hallway, and took a left.
“The rest of you, come with me.” Urodox then went down the hallway, and took a right instead, with Groku, Indiva, Kidrak; the Skakdi of Iron, and Mekara; the Glatorian of Ice, followed.
When they reached the staircase, Urodox turned to Kidrak. “Stay here and make sure no one follows.” He ordered.
The Skakdi of Iron grudgingly obeyed, grumbling as he sat down on a step.
“Everyone else, follow me.” Urodox said. He then went, up, with Mekara next to him and Indiva and Groku behind them.
When they got to the second level, there was a door with a screen on it. Urodox then lifted his scythe, and struck the door. It then shattered with an explosive force, that the Five members had to hold on to each other.
Inside the Laboratories, the matoran stared in shock at the broken doorway, where all they could was smoke.
Then it occurred to them, it wasn’t smoke, but shadows.
Then, as on cue, a clawed foot came out, followed by another. Then the being came out, revealing a twisted form of a black toa, with an opening on his torso, revealing pumping organs and veins. His eyes were blood red, and his Mask was throbbing, like it was alive.
Three beings came out behind him, and they stood beside him.
Urodox smiled. “You Matoran were always meant to be controlled. Doing the will, of the so-called Mata Nui. There’s another being who needs your work. His name is Vesper. Join us, and you will be free.” Urodox said.
Suddenly, a Fa-Matoran stood up, shaking. “Not to beings like you.” He said. Urodox chuckled. “There are no beings like me.”
The Fa-Matoran shook his head. “There are always beings like you.” He replied.
Urodox smirked. “Listen to him. He’s a fine example of what will happen if you disobey.” He took his launcher and shot a black ball.
Suddenly, a blur of white dropped down and held something that defended the Matoran. Then he rose, and the form of Toa Nuju was then seen glaring at Urodox.
“Last time someone tried to conquer Metru-Nui, we ended up disagreeing. He ended up dead.” Nuju sneered.
Urodox scowled. “Toa Nuju. How did were you able get here so quick?” Urodox snarled back.
Nuju shrugged. “We were here all along. Look up to see for yourself.” He said.
Urodox looked up. High above them, hanging on to some bars on the ceiling, were Toa Hahli and Toa Matau. They let go, and landed in front of Urodox.
India quickly took out her crossbow and shot at Hahli. The blast hit Hahli, and she went down, paralyzed.
Nuju then ran at Urodox, but Mekara quickly jumped in front and used her Ice Claw to hit the Toa of air away. Matau hit the wall, and groaned.
Nuju then started running, but Urodox then took out his launcher and fired at the Toa of Ice. It hit Nuju, and he went down, screaming.
Urodox chuckled. This was all too easy. He then saw the Matoran staring fearfully at him. Urodox took a deep breath. It was time to get to work.
As the lift came to a stop, Varkon stepped out. “I think I’ll be going. My room’s farther away from yours’.” He told the others.
Ebrok nodded. “Got it. So see ya.” The Skakdi of water replied.
Varkon nodded to them, then went down the hall, and took a right. He had to go past the War Archive, which held spoils of the war. Then he’d go to his room, which formerly belonged to Toa Vican.
As he went down, he couldn’t help but think of what the Turaga would be hiding from the public. There were Skakdi, Vortixx, Matoran, and others, but he knew they would react badly to whatever the Turaga hid from them. They were what the Turaga considered the public.
He turned around the corner. The Archive was ahead, and just beyond that, were a set of rooms, his being one.
He then bumped into something, wondering what it could be. Then it occurred to him, it was the vault door. He didn’t know who would be in there at this time. Someone was going to die tonight.
He took a deep breath and went in.
The first thing he saw was that the lights were on. Then he saw a body on the ground. It was a Blue Skakdi, with a nametag identifying him as Vezok. He had a stab would over his heart.
He climbed over the body. As he went down the Archive hall, he saw several Kanohi on pedestals: A Chrome Hau, an Orange Kakama Nuva, a Black Suletu, a red Huna, a noble light grey Komau, and an Avohkii-shaped Mask. He saw other masks, such as a Votilak, a Rode, a Miru, and even a cracked Olmak. Varkon wondered what fool would place an Olmak here. Probably someone like Ledan.
He continued on, seeing several weapons titled Spear of Fusion, Chronal Staff, and Nova Blaze Sword.
He went on, seeing even odder things, such as a Muaka Head, a Kane-Ra claw, and a Tahtorak tooth. He wondered if these were spoils of the war, or just scavenged stuff. He then turned left and saw an open door. He quickly but silently hurried towards it and saw a Plaque on the wall left of the doorway. It read Vault to the Mask of Life.
The intruders -whoever they were- were after the Kanohi ignika. Wouldn’t it be obvious?
He got onto the ground and silently crawled in. He placed his back behind a desk, able to pick up parts of a conversation.
“…need the mask…”
“...knows as well…”
“…days from now...”
“…won’t be pleased…”
Varkon could barely make out what they were saying, but he was ure they were still we’re here to steel the ignika. He raised his head over the desk, to get good glimpse. Then he took his head down quickly, his eyes widened in fear.
He’d just seen a ghost.
Sort of.
The figures were Skakdi, and he knew because he saw their spines.
The first one was a red and silver Skakdi of fire, who he didn’t recognize. The second, however, was white and blue, but he was able to easily identify who.
He saw the face flash in his mind; at that night, when Varkon committed his first kill. Or so it seemed.
He stood up, and turned around. “Freeze.” He ordered.
The two Skakdi turned. It was just as Varkon predicted; his worst fear had come true. “Rylux.” Varkon said coldly.
The Skakdi of Lightning grinned. “Varkon.” Rylux replied.
Both glared at each other.
“How’d you survive?” Varkon asked.
Rylux chuckled. “Vesper. Teleported me away from the fall. Integrated me into his group of pawns, The Vesper Confederacy. He kept me separated from you, all this time. The closest encounter we had with each other when Vesper was spying on you on Zakaz. I was with him.” Rylux explained.
Varkon glared at Rylux. “When?”
Rylux’s Skakdi smile curved into a frown. “At the fall of The Winter Soldier.” He said. “I was assigned to kill the owner of a Tavern, but instead, I found Hynrek here.” Rylux gestured at the Skakdi of Fire. “We integrated him into the Vesper Confederacy.
“While ‘Ripper’, Nerhek, and Skorr are out killing Nidhiki, Bomonga, and Aliyra, the rest of the group is raiding the Toa Amaya Laboratories. Theother three Toa are there, no doubt captured. These were distractions to let us steal the Ignika. We got the mask, but didn’t expect to see you here.” Rylux paused, expecting a reaction. “Why are you here, wasting your time?”
“I came here under peaceful negotiations, where as you were breaking and entering. That’s a difference.” Varkon shot back
“Yet you still are a killer, for killing that those victims during you’re career as a mercenary.” Rylux sneered.
“Don’t act like you’re any different; you killed those matoran, am I right?”
“That depends what you mean by kill, you little-“
“Uh, Rylux?” Hynrek was tapping Rylux’s shoulder. “We need to go. Urodox is expecting us at the Toa Amaya laboratories.”
Rylux whipped his head around. “Imbecile! Now that abortion of a Toa knows where we need to go!”
Rylux then took off, running down the halls. Hynrek then glared at Varkon. A red glow suddenly surrounded the Skakdi, and the next moment, there were two clones in front of Varkon, the original taking off.
Varkon held both by their wrists, and incinerated them in less than a second. Then he took off after them, running down and breaking the various Masks in a hall.
He ran out of the Archive, and saw a flash of red turn left to his right.
The Lift, he suddenly thought. He ran, not stopping. After he turned left, he saw Hynrek boarding the running towards it, with Rylux standing inside.
The lift started moving just as he was two bio from it. When he reached the edge, he jumped, without thinking. He then closed his eyes and extended his hands.
Then, all of a sudden, he gripped on to something. Opening his eyes, he saw Rylux’s horrible Skakdi grin staring down at him. He stared under and saw the ground approaching. He just needed to hang on longer.
Rylux stomped on his hands, and the assassin felt an urge to let go. Then he reminded himself that if he fell, he probably would die on the bottom…if there was a bottom. He held on tighter. Rylux stomped harder.
Come on, please make it. He desperately pleaded in his mind.
Suddenly, the platform stopped. Hynrek and Rylux immediately got off, leaving Varkon to climb upwards. He got onto the platform and ran after them, out onto the Coliseum vehicle lot.
He saw them open the doors of a transporter and get. They managed to start it, and started moving towards the exit.
Varkon then jumped onto the pavement. He looked desperately to find a vehicle, one that was fast.
Then he saw it.
A motorbike.
A black, grey, and sleek motorbike. One that could go fast.
He wasted no second; he immediately climbed on to it and saw a navigation screen.
He typed in Toa Amaya Laboratories, and it showed a route.
He pulled back, turned left and went out of the exit.
As he started speeding up the bike, he couldn’t help feel the speed of it. He knew he was going to catch up to the two skakdi in no time.
When he exited the Coliseum, he could see the black night outside, the starry night and city lights below; the Coliseum was built on a cylinder slab at least 900 bio higher than the rest of Metru Nui.
It was an amazing view from Varkon’s perspective, which hardly saw anything that amazing.
There was a slanted part pf the road, and he then went down, and he was able to see the transporter at least 450 bio away from him. He went faster, catching up.
Eventually, he reached the bottom and was about 30 bio away from the transporter. This part of the road then gave away to a small bridge over the liquid protodermis, and when it reached the other shore, the bridge slowly escalated.
Varkon unstrapped his sniper and aimed at the transporter. He pulled the trigger, and immediately, a laser came out, hitting the back of the transporter.
Inside it, Rylux and Hynrek felt a large bump as the laser hit the transporter. “Please tell me it can’t be him already.” Hynrek grumbled.
Rylux kept on driving, not looking at his partner. “Get your Codrak Blaster and have some fun with him.” He said.
Hynrek then got his blaster from the back, squeezed himself out the window, aimed at Varkon, and fired.
Varkon was able to see the bullets come towards him and triggered his Hau nuva just in time as the bullets hit. The shield protected him, and he kept it on, not taking any chances.
Hynrek kept shooting while Varkon kept his Hau Nuva on. However, it was draining his energy; he was losing focus of the road.
Then, all of a sudden, his shield flickered. He cursed; Ever since his Hau Nuva got infected, it didn’t stay on for as long as he needed it. This meant he was vulnerable to those damn bullets.
Hynrek however, was confused. He didn’t know the side effects of Varkon’s Hau Nuva. Then Hynrek shook his head, and started shooting.
Varkon swerved away from the bullets, knowing that this bridge was damaged and would endanger lives of Metru-Nui residents. Oh well, better his life than theirs.
Inside the truck, Rylux was hitting the pedal as fast as he could, bypassing the speed limit. He smiled as he heard Hynrek firing harder.
Rylux checked the navigation map and smiled when the next exit was to the Toa Amaya Laboratories
He pulled Hynrek in. “Stop shooting. We’re almost there.” Rylux explained. Hynrek smiled and laughed. Rylux then laughed as well.
Outside, Varkon saw the truck turn left to an exit. He wasted no moment and followed. The exit path was narrow, but thankfully, Varkon was a bike. The Two Skakdi were in a truck. Which means right now, he might finally have the upper hand.
Or not.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t noticed that the truck had gotten ahead and onto a street.
He saw them turn and swerve, no doubt trying to shake him off. Eventually, Varkon wasn’t able to see them.
But that didn’t mean he was completely lost.
He still had directions on his navigation screen, and he knew where to go. He certainly had the upper hand now.
He took off in the directions, and in no time, he saw the laboratories. One of the buildings had smoke rising from it, and it wouldn’t have taken a genius to know that was Rylux and Hynrek’s destination.
At about 30 bio, Varkon stopped his bike. Then he climbed off, put on a Votilak he took just in case, and walked calmly towards the laboratories.
About 10 bio from the entrance, Varkon saw an Upper-Class Steltian at the door, guarding it.
That was something Varkon always expected; and he enjoyed taking down those weaklings. He approached the Steltian calmly, the latter whom had his eyes on Varkon. Finally, Varkon stopped about 1 bio away from the Steltian, and open his mouth. “I’m here with a message for your leader.” Varkon started.
The Steltian grunted. “Go away, and don’t come back.” He said.
“Fine. I’m sure your leader would want to kill you for turning back an important messenger.” Varkon sneered.
“Well, he didn’t alert me about no messenger. Now go away unless if you want a knife stuck in your back.” The Steltian grunted.
“I’m here to tell him I’ve been checking on Skorr’s progress; Toa Bomonga, Toa Aliyra, and Toa Nidhiki are all dead, killed by Skorr, Nerhek and ‘Ripper’.” Varkon lied . The Upper-class Steltian squinted. “Is that so?” He asked suspiciously. “Yes. And I’m afraid if you don’t let me in, I’ll force you.” Varkon growled.
The Steltian laughed. “How? With your Votilak? Please. I’ve seen Ussal that could more damage than-“ Varkon then punched the Steltian in the stomach. The latter crumpled down, moaning.
“With my wits. And my strength and toughness.” Varkon sneered. Then he kicked the Steltian in the stomach, and stomped him on the back of his head. The Steltian then passed out, with severe injuries.
Varkon wasted no moment. Wlked to the entance and opened the door. Or rather broke it down by kicking it. He then activated his Votilak, because he was sure there would be more of Rylux and Hynrek’s group inside.
He then turned left and saw a Skakdi of Iron staring right at him. But Varkon had one advantage over the Skakdi: Varkon was virtually undectable, while the Skakdi couldn’t see him. Varkon walked until he was front of the Skakdi, then kicked the Skakdi in the jaw. The Skakdi went down, blood pouring from his jaw. Then Varkon stomped the Skakdi on the side of his head. The jaw was hanging lose from one side. Varkon must’ve disfigured the Skakdi, judging on the latter’s head.
Varkon then went up the Staircase the Skakdi was lying on, and when he got to the second level, he saw a doorway, but with no door. It was obvious Rylux and Hynrek went in here.
Varkon took a deep breath and slipped in. He knew he did worse.
Maybe not.
There were six beings in the room, including Hynrek and Rylux, he was sure that were the criminals. And that was because he saw Toa Hahli, Toa Nuju, and Toa Matau lying down on the ground, maskless and weaponless.
The Matoran scientists were huddled in a group in a corner of the room. They were trembling with fear and were surrounded by bars made of…shadow?
That was fitting. Because the being who seemed like the leader of the group was a Toa of Shadow, with an Avohkii-shaped maskthat seemed to pulse and throb, like it was sentient.
Next to the Toa of Shadow was a Glatorian in blue and white armor, with some kind of a trident, and a long claw.
A Toa of Lightning and a Steltian laboror were standing guard on both sides of the door. In front of the Toa of Shadow, was Hynrek and Rylux. The latter was explaining to the Toa of Shadow what had happened, but in a different version of the story.
“…we did manage to get the Ignika, and with no interferences involved. The mission was quick and complete.” Rylux finished as he put a small bag in front of the Toa.
The Toa turned the bag upside down and coming out of it, was the Kanohi Ignika. But when the Toa bent to pick it up, a boom sounded and Varkon was thrown backwards and crashed onto a table on it’s side.
Varkon then slumped onto his side, moaning quietly.
Fortunantely, no one had seen what happened to him. The Toa of Shadow then picked up the Ignika with ease.
Varkon immediately understood what happened; The Toa of Shadow was cursed, meaning that now he had a burden he couldn’t get rid of. But now he was able to pick up the Ignika, which was an advantage.
The Toa of Shadow smiled. “Incredible. Not only I might’ve been given a new ‘Ability’, I can also pick up this mask without nearly killing anybody.” He said with a sinister smile on his face.
The Glatorian purred. “Now you really are a Toa of Shaow, Urodox.” Vakon lost his breath: The Glatorian was a female, and the Toa of Shadow is named Urodox.
Still, he needed to get behind the table, or risk his presence revealed to these idiots.
He crawled behind the table, and turned off his Votilak. He exhaled calmly.
Meanwhile, Urodox was looking outside the broken window. “Golroth is down. I saw him lying down there, unconscious.” He growled. Urodox then walked to the door and out. Then after a short time, he came back in. “Kibrak is probably disfigured, and definitely unconscious.” He said quietly, but sinisterly.
Urodox took out a transmitter and dialed a number. “Sidrix, why didn’t you tell me?” He yelled in the transmitter.
Then a voice came from the transmitter. “Tell you what?” Said someone from the other line.
“That Golroth is lying outside and that Kidrak is unconscious on the staircase, which means that there might be someone that is infiltrating this building.” Urodox snapped.
There was a long moment of silence before his ‘Sidrix’ spoke again. “Thanks to you breaking through that door, you knocked out the security line; the line that connects to security cameras.” He yelled back.
“Well, why didn’t you tell me or any of us, for example? I don’t know what Vesper thought putting Matoran in this group. His own group!” Urodox snarled.
“And what is that racism supposed to mean?”
“Listen here: I am your superior, whilst you are an underling. I am the leader of this group; you are my servant. If you have anything you’d like to say, say to me, leader of The Vesper Confederacy!” And with that, Urodox smashed to transmitter to bits in his hands.
Varkon slumped against the table, but just then it made a bump, which made his blood freeze.
Urodox turned his head in Varkon’s direction. “It seems tonight that we have an…unexpected guest.” Urodox then walked over to the Toa Metru and held some kind of blaster over them. “Why don’t you show yourself, or it’ the end of the line for these Toa.”
Chapter 5: Battle Lines[]
Fighting was easy. Fighting Skorr wasn’t.
Bomonga had seen Toa Gaaki, Toa Norik, Toa Pouks, and Toa Kualus slaughtered in front of his own eyes by Rahkshi, one of his original teammates fall into an abyss, and stared into the eyes of Makuta Vesper himself.
But he was aging, growing old. He was the oldest Toa on the team, the most experienced. Even Aliyra, who wasn’t so younger than him, seemed lively.
Bomonga ducked as Skorr shot again. The Plasma ball went sizzling by and hit something, though Bomonga wasn’t sure what- or who, as he heard a yell.
Turning around, Bomonga saw Nidhiki crumple down in pain, with “Ripper”, standing gleefully over him.
Skorr laughed. “Two of us, and one of you left, Toa. Let us win and play fair.” The Zeverek sneered.
Bomonga glared at him. “I may be old, I may be outnumbered, and I may be killed soon, but I’m still a Toa, through and through. I’m still alive. I’ve survived many millennia, another day wouldn’t hurt.” He snarled.
“Ripper” then smiled. “That is, if you’ll be able to live through it. I’ve seen Kikalano who looked healthier than you, you little-“
“Ripper” then screamed as a blade hit his waist, then crumpled down unconscious. Bomonga then saw Nidhiki get up, removing the scythe blade from “Ripper”’s hip.
“Please. Your Plasma launcher doesn’t really, hurt. I’ve faced Frostelus who were deadlier than that, Zeverek.” Nidhiki sneered.
Skorr then hissed. “And I can take on two Toa at the same time. We’re evenly matched.”
The two Toa glared at Skorr, while Skorr did the same.
Then Bomonga turned his Seismic Spear upside down, stuck it the ground, and the next thing all three beings felt were large tremors. Bomonga then felt himself draining, his consciousness slipping, his eyes closing…
Then a gust of wind knocked him to the ground and made him lose focus. The tremors then grew, weaker, and eventually stopped.
Bomonga stood up and glared at Nidhiki. “Why did you do that?!” He yelled.
Nidhiki pointed behind Bomonga. “Look.” The Toa of Air said.
Bomonga then turned and nearly stopped breathing. He saw buildings crumbling and heard sirens wailing throughout the district.
Bomonga sighed. “I…I nearly destroyed Le-Metru.” He said.
Nidhiki shook his head. “No. It wasn’t your fault. You were trying to stop Skorr.” The Toa of Air pleaded with Bomonga.
“I was ready to sacrifice an entire damn Metru just to kill one Bounty Hunter.” Bomonga growled. “That’s sick.”
“Well you trying to stop Skorr…in which you failed.” Nidhiki said.
Bomonga turned around. Skorr wasn’t there.
Bomonga turned back. “How isn’t he there?! He was just there, and all of a sudden, he’s gone?!” Bomonga couldn’t believe his own eyes.
“He took off. Those blades that were sticking out of his back…they were glowing. It’s like they were a Miru, but ones you can attach to your back.” Nidhiki explained.
Bomonga stared wide-eyed. “So he flew away?! That doesn’t explain how “Ripper” fled.” He said.
Nidhiki then glanced behind himself, and then turned back, an expression of intense fear on his Mask. “But I saw Skorr…he flew away! How is that possible-“
“I believe you Nidhiki.” Bomonga cut off the Toa of Air. “I’ve seen those kind of wings before…they were carved from the Teleport and Weaken Kanoka disks.” The Toa of Earth explained.
“Yes, but that doesn’t explain how “Ripper” got away.” Nidhiki said.
“Or Nerhek.” Said a voice. The two Toa turned around, and found Aliyra getting up from the rubble. “I was listening to your conversation while you two were talking. And the tremors were enough to wake me up, not kill me.” She said.
“Bomonga never meant it purposely. He was just trying to stop Skorr.” Nidhiki sneered.
“Maybe he shouldn’t have tried so hard to stop him, you excuse for a Toa of Air-“
“Look, if you two want to stay and argue, do it. But I won’t” Bomonga said as he cut off Aliyra. He then let go of his spear, and let it fall to the ground.
“Where are you going?” Nidhiki asked.
“For a walk. A long walk.” The Toa of Earth said as he walked towards the Skyscrapers, with quizzical expressions on his teammates’ masks.
At night, Le-Metru was brightly lit. It buildings and facilities were lit so bright, it could be mistaken for day.
Yet there was one being in Le-Metru who wasn’t enjoying it.
Bomonga walked past dozens of pedestrians, not acknowledging them as he walked by, his head deep in thought. To him, there were signs misleading to nowhere, but no one really seemed to care.
To the younger Toa, like Hahli or Nuju, he seemed like a role model, a Toa of the finest class, and a hero. But deep inside, he knew he was just a survivor, because his teammates had died where he had succeeded.
He remembered the last moments of Norik, Gaaki, Kualus, and Pouks, something he knew would haunt him for all of his lifetime.
And he walked this line of remembering, a hundred or more times. Out of all the Toa, he was the only one who was- and felt- alone. Even Nidhiki, who had seen the Toa Mangai suffer, was supported by the younger Toa.
Bomonga took a left turn into an alleyway, away from the city lights, into the nothing. He needed time to think, time to relax. Time to grieve.
“Damn!” He swore, causing a homeless Steltian Laboror to look at him strangely.
“Stay away!” Bomonga snapped, with the Steltian eyeing him angrily.
Bomonga sighed. Earlier that day, he was threatened by the Zyglak. If it wasn’t for Varkon, he would be dead, same for Nidhiki, Aliyra, and Matau.
He then saw something move in the shadows, and knew immediately who it was. “Come out.” He called. “There’s no use in hiding, Niscylla.” The being came out, revealing herself to be a Vortixx, thin, weary, but strong.
“I see you haven’t changed a bit, Bomonga. Still as keen and brave as any other Toa.” Niscylla purred.
“That’s what I do. But I’m getting older which each step, each bite of food, every moment of sleep. My time is ending; New Toa will rise soon.” Bomonga sighed. Niscylla was an old friend of his, but he wasn’t interested with her, since she had a husband, Darex.
“But you still respond to a challenge, still try. That makes you the same as each toa.” She said.
“It doesn’t. A few years ago, I could capture Skorr with ease. Now, I caused an earthquake that damaged nearly most of Le-Metru. And who knows who would’ve died.” Bomonga grunted.
“But you’re the only Toa on the team who knows of The Vesper Confederacy and-“
“Shhh!” Bomonga whispered. “This is a public area. Who knows who could be listening? Why, Skorr could be above us for all we know.” Niscylla grinned. “He isn’t. He and the other two retreated.” She purred.
“To where?” Bomonga inquired.
Niscylla thought for a moment. “To be honest, I have no idea.” She said.
“So what now? We throw rocks in the sky? Shoot anyone suspicious we see? We are getting nowhere.” Bomonga said in disgust.
“Fine. Suit yourself. I need to tell my boss what I’ve seen today.” Niscylla turned around and slipped into the shadows of the alleyway. Then she was gone.
Bomonga sighed. Old age was catching up quick, and he assumed he’d soon be sacrificing his powers.
He turned around and went in the direction of the Coliseum. Time to report to the Turaga.
He hoped he had the time of his life.
Varkon would always walk away if someone’s life was threatened. He was an assassin, a high-ranking mercenary, and very rich. So now he had the Turaga’s trust and the Toa’s life at stake.
He wondered what he got himself into. At this moment, if he hadn’t saved the Toa, he would still be a feared assassin, dangerous, manipulative, and destructive.
But he needed to keep the trust he hardly got, so today, he was going to save someone. Or three.
He took off his Votilak and placed his Hau Nuva on. Then he stood up with his back turned at everyone else in the room. He then turned around and met Urodox in the eye.
For what seemed like a long time, no one was speaking. Then Urodox opened his mouth.
“The Toa’s savior…is Varkon, one of the most feared assassins in Metru-Nui.” The Toa of Shadows chuckled.
Rylux’s face was grinning in gee, with the rest of The Vesper Confederacy laughing at Varkon.
Then, as quick as a Doom Viper, Varkon lunged and caught Hynrek in a choke, then threw the Skakdi out the door, screaming as he crashed down the stairs.
Varkon then snarled. “Rule number one: Don’t get an assassin angry.” He said.
Urodox glared back. “Kill him.” Urodox ordered.
Varkon then gave a crippling uppercut to the Steltian Laboror, sending him down. Then the assassin choked the Ice Glatorian and sent her into unconsciousness.
The Toa of Lightning charged at Varkon, only for him to duck and let the Toa of Lightning fly into a table, breaking it and knocking her out in the process.
Rylux then swung his scythe at Varkon, but he grabbed it and flipped Rylux over.
Urodox screeched and tried to strike Varkon, but Varkon dodged it and increased the heat of Urodox’s armor. Urodox then howled in pain, before kicking Varkon in the mask, making the Toa of Fire lose his focus.
Varkon then quickly got up, and grabbed Urodox. He then punched Urodox in the face as hard as he could, startling the Toa of Shadows. Varkon took advantage of this, by dragging Urodox to the broken window, and prepared to throw Urodox out. But as Varkon threw out Urodox, the Toa of Shadows grabbed onto Varkon’s ankle, pulling Varkon out. Both then fell and hit the pavement, resulting in severe pain and injuries.
Varkon then got up; He had faced worse dangers and pain before.
He looked at Urodox with disgust. Varkon had expected a bigger challenge.
He then walked over to the Toa of Shadows, and stomped on his face. Blood then gushed out of Urodox’s mouth, streaming down his mask and neck.
“Pathetic. If this is all your group has to offer me, then you’re basically nothing compared to me.” Varkon turned away and headed to the door, kicking the body of Golroth as he passed by.
Then, as in out of nowhere, something hit him in the back. He then fell face-first, crunching a few teeth in the process. He looked back and saw Urodox smiling evilly, his launcher smoking.
Varkon then ran as another blast came, activating his Hau Nuva at the last second, protecting him from the blast.
Urodox kept on shooting, with Varkon’ Hau Nuva consistently on. However, one of these blasts made it through the shield when the Hau Nuva momentarily turned off, hitting Varkon and sending him back into the rubble.
Urodox then walked over and placed his launcher to Varkon neck. “Now listen Toa: I am going to kill you. Oh yes, on this rock pile. Not so dramatic, but before you die, you will tell me exactly what you know of Vesper.” Urodox threatened.
Varkon chuckled. “You know, you’re not in the slightest bit intimidating. Not all, unlike Vesper, who is very intimidating, am I warm?” He said.
“Searing. I can’t even make eye contact with Vesper without feeling an ounce of fear. You know him so well, perhaps you could tell me what you now about him?” Urodox went on.
“Why would I do that, Muaka scum?” Varkon asked.
“Because we -you and I- could work together against Vesper, take his position and power, then become rulers of a new empire shaped in our image. We shall take to the stars, be rulers of an empire that’ll last for eternity.” Urodox cackled.
“No thanks, I’m better off dead.” Varkon sneered back.
Urodox had an expression of shock on his face, then took out his blaster. “Well then, I hope the hounds of hell make good work of you.” The Toa of shadow said as the blaster crackled with energy.
Then, all of a sudden, something large and green collided with Urodox. For a moment, Varkon thought Matau or Nidhiki had saved him. But then he saw the being, and he knew it wasn’t them.
The being was a Toa of air, but with a large and muscular body style that made Varkon look thin. A cape billowed behind the stranger, and for a moment, Varkon was reminded of the Winter Soldier, from so long ago.
The Toa of Air wore a gray Kanohi Hau, which had strange markings and runes Varkon never saw before. He held a scythe, which Varkon was sure could slice his head off in one clean stroke.
“If I move, I’m dead. If I stay, I’m dead.” Varkon thought to himself.
He decided that he should get up. At least if he died, it would end his life with a dramatic fall.
Fortunately, the two Toa didn’t notice him. They were glaring at each other, with unbearable hate.
Finally, Urodox opened his mouth. “So. You finally decided to come out of the dark.” He snarled.
The green Toa glared back. “This has gone too far. You have too much, and even I couldn’t believe it.” He rumbled.
“It was your fault. You made me angrier as time went on. You kept holding me back. Who else could I go to?” Urodox shot back.
“It was all your fault. You are held for your actions, you are in justice for them. Your actions had consequences, and you took your anger on someone who didn’t deserve to die.” The green Toa argued.
“DON’T – MENTION – HER!! She died because…because…” Urodox was speechless.
Varkon hardly had an idea about what they were talking about, so he decided to listen longer in case they said something important.
“I didn’t want her to die. She died because YOU angered me. You killed her! I swore I would never forgive you for that, Movark!” Urodox then uttered the Toa of air’s name, causing Movark to analyze Urodox with curiosity.
“Is this remorse? No…this is love.” Movark said, with him trying to understand Urodox.
“You wouldn’t know! You never had someone like that! She died - as easy as she could’ve lived! You made me kill her, so my revenge happens TONIGHT!” And with that, Urodox shot two coils of shadow at Movark, and imprisoned the Toa in midair, bound and gagged by shadow.
Varkon knew he had to act. He had been so absorbed in that shouting match that he forgot why he was here for.
Acting quick, Varkon shot a bolt of fire from his palm at Urodox, and threw down the Toa of Shadow.
Urodox then looked at Varkon. “Varkon, he was responsible for something I couldn’t forgive him for. Join me, and we can kill all who we hate in revenge. You will know how revenge feels like, and it’s the best feeling you can feel.” Urodox extended a hand to Varkon, as if he was asking for Varkon to become his ally.
But the mercenary knew what to say.
“I’ve seen your kind of scum crawling and slithering in the murky shadows of this wretched universe for years. You can’t expect me to actually join your side, or imagine I haven’t had these offers before. It’s a no, and it’s not because I don’t want to join the wrong side.
“I’m a veteran compared to you. Something tells me this is all new to you. Your friend here says you lost someone. You killed them - No, her – because you were angry, mad, furious, frustrated, and more.
“If you can’t bear to kill someone, you can’t be compared to me. You probably had your henchmen kill those Toa, and others. You probably killed only one person, which makes it unbearable for you to kill someone.
“But here’s why I won’t join you: You and your scum are always wrong. Always taking the wrong steps, always killing the wrong being.
"You’re convincing yourself that you’re doing the right thing, which is making your whole day a mistake. By the time the two suns sets, you’ve wasted another day, and you start making your next day alive a mistake.
“Your whole life is a mistake; you don’t even belong here. You should’ve died long ago, and you’re a shameful waste and example of a being.
“My job in this damn universe is to clean that kind of filth. Soak my hands in blood, tear off head, then drag the body behind me. And that’s what fate I have planned for you now, Urodox.”
Varkon then raised his hand, and ignited a ball of fire.
Then he stopped and extinguished the fire.
“No. I’m going to show a rare act of compassion that you should appreciate, but probably won’t: I’m going to let you live. I will let you continue to crawl in the dark and slither in the dark corners of Metru-Nui until the next time we meet.” Varkon said as Urodox got up.
Urodox looked at him, confused.
“You’re going to let me live. But you’re a killer.” Urodox said.
“Sometimes, a killer spares their victim. Maybe it’s because the wind’s blowing in the right direction, or the sky’s a certain shade of blue and the twin suns are shining perfectly, or maybe it’s because the killer is in a good mood and the got up on the right side of the bed that morning.
“But for me, it’s different. It’s to give false hope; You let a victim live to tell the tale, and others will have hope you won’t kill them. Otherwise, all you can expect is knives and torches waved at you, and that won’t make a good hunt. I intend to let every one in 500 victims live, and get killed later.
“It’s what I call killer instinct, meaning it’s instincts that tell you when to kill, or when to let someone live. There are many survivors that have stared in the face of death and escaped unharmed. There are many here on Metru-Nui. They’ll all die one day, as well as you, me, your group, and the Toa.”
“Get out. Run away. I’ll save your death for a better day, when the sky is burning and when Matoran are crying in streets for the dead, I’ll kill you. And mark my words, because that day will come. Sooner than you think, Urodox.” Varkon finished.
Urodox stared at him for a moment before getting up. “You speak of a great challenge, Toa, yet those are empty words, because Vesper will win, and we will rise. You will be killed, and I will do so to prove your words wrong.” Urodox said as the bonds holding Movark disappeared and the enormous Toa of Air fell to the ground, groaning.
Urodox glared at Varkon. “The battle lines have been drawn, mercenary, and the next time we meet, we will be enemies ready to fight to the death.
“You have one week. One week to gather all the information you possibly could before Metru-Nui crumbles down from buildings to dust. Do not underestimate us, because that day is the day hell will open up from the ground, and you, Varkon, will be the first to fall in.” Urodox finished as Movark got up.
Varkon glared back at Urodox. “But we’ll be ready. Do your worst, because then we’ll see who dies.” The Toa of Fire shot back.
After what seemed like a long time, Urodox raised his spear. “We’ll be back. Sooner than you think.” And with that, the Toa of Shadows was engulfed in a bubble of Shadow, and disappeared.
Varkon turned around just to see a bubble engulf Golroth, and the edge of one from inside engulfing either Hynrek or Kidrak.
No doubt the others upstairs were engulfed in some bubbles, because a few minutes after, a Rode-wearing Ko-Matoran ran out of the building, panting. “Toa Varkon! Those criminals have disappeared. In black bubbles! Please come and help us-“
“I’ll come. And so will that Toa behind me,” Varkon cut off the Ko-Matoran as he gestured to Movark.
“Th-Th-Thank you!” The Ko-Matoran stuttered, and walked alongside Varkon and ahead of Movark, who was limping behind.
“What’s your name, Ko-Matoran?” Varkon asked calmly.
“R-Ro-Rosan.” The Ko-Matoran stuttered again. Varkon nodded, but was inside his head at the moment.
Early that morning, he had saved four Toa. The night, he had made a new enemy.
But if this was how his life would be from now on, then he was ready. And he would make sure the others were too.
The War Council was hardly used in these modern times. In fact, it was only used once every two months. There were hardly any arguments, debates, or treaties signed in that room. In fact, it would be sensible to call it a quiet room.
But now, each Turaga was in the room, and each were yelling at the top of their lungs.
Considerably, Sirro had enough of this. He activated his Pakri, raised his staff, and brought it down with a loud thud. “SILENCE!” He shouted. The other Turaga quickly stopped yelling and looked at him.
“Now, if we are going to keep bickering like Gukko birds over a fruit, then we should stop it before the Gukko birds start fighting!” He started.
“Well, how do you expect us to work together leading Metru-Nui while we can’t cooperate over a simple assassin trying to help us, one we can’t trust?” Ledan retorted.
“Look at it. The Eighty-Six States of Metru-Nui are demanding better protection, and while doing so, they also can’t cooperate because they want a Toa in each of their states when there’s a crisis, only problem is that there are dozens of crisis’s each week, and some take a month to get over. One more Toa isn’t going to affect everything.” Sirro explained.
“It’s not just the Toa, it’s also about how the other species of Metru-Nui- Skakdi, Vortixx, Steltians, even Zyglak -have been hostile towards our help, and whenever a Toa doesn’t cooperate with them, the Toa gets injured and spends a day in recovery! If they see an assassin working for us, they will stage a rebellion!” Ledan yelled, his mask with shades of red at its sides.
“You have been pushing too many campaigns to have them placed in Labor Camps in Po-Metru, Ledan! If you were more diverse, they wouldn’t be so hostile. Remember, they think we’re getting along fine, and that’s what the public needs to think, in order to stop a rebellion!” Sirro countered, his eyes narrowed.
“Well, maybe the public needs to know the truth.” This time, the remark didn’t come from Ledan or Sirro, but Jovan. The two Turaga turned their heads towards Jovan, both with questioning looks on their faces. “What did you say, Jovan?” Sirro asked.
Jovan was the oldest of the Turaga. As a Toa, he had some experience in leading a group of Toa to find the Kanohi Ignika in Mount Valmai, which is what he known for. Now, he was a Turaga, frail and aged, but still had a determined look in his eyes.
“The public needs to know the truth: We Turaga can’t get along, and that Metru-Nui’s future is not in safe hands.” Jovan rumbled.
“That’s the exact kind of thing we want to avoid, Jovan; The Truth being spilled out will cause an uprising.” Sirro replied.
“The public has been feeding on lies for too long. Look what happened to them because of that, which is why we should question ourselves, are we lying to each other? We don’t want and don’t need a dictatorship, anything like that will cause a war.” Jovan explained.
“Why shouldn’t we continue lying? It’s not like we have a choice.” Sirro asked.
“We do have a choice. And all of you well know by now that lies corrupt and cause hostility. Maybe the truth will help.” Jovan said.
For a long time, no one spoke. Then Sirro opened his mouth. “This meeting is over.” He said. “Romus, stay here with me. The rest of you, leave.”
Ledan looked like he was about to protest, but sighed and walked out the door, with Takanuva and Jovan following. Once Jovan closed the door, Sirro looked at Romus. “Do you think we should tell them the truth?” Sirro asked Romus.
Romus had no idea what to say. It was hard, considering how the public was hostile to them, but grasped for the truth.
“Which way works better? We tell the truth at the risk of an uprising, or we keep lying and risk the lives of our Toa, and maybe even ours.” Romus said, his voice grave.
Sirro looked out the window at the lights of Metru-Nui. “I haven’t been a Turaga for long. Dume did nothing to stop the many lies, and he expected me to do the same. That’s why I appointed you as my adviser, Romus. Jovan and Takanuva may be wise, but both are older. And Ledan may have had leading experience in the past, but him with such power as my adviser is…risky.” Sirro admitted.
“What about Varkon? Does he have anything to do with this?” Romus inquired.
“Yes and no. We can’t exactly tell the public we’ve recruited an assassin, but we need him to help the Toa…which means he may be useless any way.” Sirro said, not looking back at Romus.
“But how can we find a solution for this? If we don’t, Varkon will just go back to killing.” Romus said.
This time, Sirro did not speak. Instead, he reached inside his armor, and brought out a book. The title was Gone With the Le.
“I wrote this book in my youth, as a Matoran. It was well known across some islands, and beings who loved the book came to me and asked for more. It inspired me, because I was their hero, to become a Toa. And as the old poem says, Nothing Av Can Stay.” “Sorry?” Romus asked.
“Nothing Av Can Stay is a poem I once heard. I forgot most of the word, but I can remember the line Nothing Av Can Stay.” Sirro explained.
“But how is that relevant to what we talked about?” Romus asked.
“The end of Metru-Nui’s golden age was inevitable, meaning that anything Gold, Light, or things like that couldn’t stay forever.” Sirro said.
“I see.” Romus said, now able to make the connection.
“Don’t worry Romus. We will get Metru-Nui out of this mess, even if we aren’t alive when it happens.” Sirro said, his voice filled with hope. “Now go and get some rest. It was a long day, and it would be nice if these old Turaga could have some rest. Oh and Romus?” Sirro called to Romus as he opened the door. Romus turned his head around, and there was a faint smile on Sirro’s mask.
“You are a good ally and friend. Any Turaga would be lucky to have you as their advisor.” Sirro said.
And with that, Romus exited the room, and went to his room, desiring nothing more than a peaceful sleep in his mind
Chapter 6: Investigation[]
To be written
Chapter 7: The Third Player[]
To be written
Book Two: Rememberance[]
Chapter 8: The Blockade[]
To be written
Chapter 9: The Time of the Toa[]
To be written
Chapter 10: Arrival of Hell[]
To be written
Chapter 11: Survival[]
To be written
Chapter 12: The Parting of Ways[]
To be written
Chapter 13: Old Endings and New Beginnings[]
To be written
Epilogue[]
To be written
Characters[]
- Toa
- Brotherhood of Makuta
- Vesper
- Verahk
- Chirox (Mentioned)
- Mutran (Mentioned)
- Gorast (Mentioned)
- Antroz (Mentioned)
- Vamprah (Mentioned)
- Matoran
- Rosan
- Hodun (Deceased)
- Unknown Mask of Adaption-wearing Ba-Matoran (Deceased)
- Seryai (Deceased)
- Rassin
- Hazan
- Kodan
- Kamen (Deceased)
- Several Unknown Matoran scientists at the Toa Amaya Laboratories
- An Unknown Fa-Matoran
- Spherus Magna Residents
- Skrall
- Dorvox
- Several unknown Skrall
- Skrall
- The Vesper Confederacy
- Turaga
- Ledan
- Romus
- Sirro
- Takanuva
- Jovan
- Others
- Skorr
- Sidorak (Mentioned)
- "Eliminator" (Mentioned)
- Ebrok
- Gibrax
- Several Unknown Vortixx
- The Recorder (Mentioned)
Trivia[]
- Toa Hydros and Makuta Verahk were created by Toa Hydros, and Arrea and Skorr was created by Chicken Bond.
- The story's theme songs are the song with the same name and I Will Not Bow, both by Breaking Benjamin
- Into the Nothing is the 75th longest page on the Wiki.
Story Notes[]
- While in the War Archives, Varkon saw a number of Kanohi. Those Kanohi were minor refernces to Self-MOCs of Various Users, in in the order of Jareroden97, Ids5621, BobTheDoctor27, Jman98, Vorred, and Chicken Bond.
- Additionally, he also saw the Chronal Staff and the Nova Blaze Sword. These weapons belong the Chicken Bond and Toa Hydros.
- In Chapter 5, two Matoran Universe works of writing are shown and referenced, being Gone With The Le and Nothing Av Can Stay, paroding the real-life book Gone With The Wind and the real-life poem Nothing Gold Can Stay respectively. While this technique was first used by BobTheDoctor27 in Frozen Calling and serves as a reference to him, since Matoro58 is a long time admirer of his stories, it also serves as a reference to the real-life novel The Outsiders, when one of the main characters read Gone With The Wind and quotes Nothing Gold Can Stay.