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This article was written by Vagra Nui Tales. Please do not add to it without the writer's permission.
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Killcount is the story of the Killcount, which takes place in the City of the Great Beings pocket dimension. It tells of how the Great Beings, seeing a potential threat to their rule, pluck beings from all times and dimensions to eliminate the corrupted Baterra.
Rewritten chapters manual[]
Currently, VNT has been rewriting the older chapters. As these can be quite confusing, there are sub-headings marking the rewrites. The rewrites will stay being a sub-section until about a week after release. These rewrites will contain somewhat different content as others. As soon as a rewrite has been made official, you can see the original, which will not be as much as a pleasure as the new ones, via a link at the bottom of the page.
Story[]
Prologue[]
The Toa of Air and Earth Rando slowly walked through the street, colored orange by the sundawn. It looked like an never-ending, completely abandoned street to most. But Rando knew better, he knew the true story about the City of the Great Beings. Everywhere, on every corner, Baterra were hiding, ready to strike. The most intrigruing aspect of the city would be its weak buildings. Every single step of Rando made buildings collapse. And there he was. The being he had been searching for over days.
"Skorr," he spat. "You can no longer hide in the darkness of this city. I, Toa Rando, will make sure this day will be your last sight of daylight!"
Skorr smiled. His Plasma Launcher rested on his back. In a flash, Skorr took it in his hand, and hit the astonished Rando in the body. As he groaned and screamed out of pain and fear, Skorr penetrated his head with his gun. A tiny hole formed on impact. When Rando hit the pavement, the buildings around him crushed his body. Until he had returned to the lobby of The Killcount.
Chapter 1: The lobby[]
Millennium growled loudly. His irritation could be felt within metres around him. Skorr had been too quick. He had lured the leader of the Shadow of Ages in a trap with two Baterra Fusions recently. After then, he found himself in the lobby of The Killcount, the competition he was chosen for to compete with others. When looking around, to find some of his team, his eye fell on Rando. The Toa who was the last survivor.
But that was not of importance right now. After he lost Dredzek in the battle with Iruka and Kawa, he was searching for him all day. His only helper in the battles against the Baterra should be somewhere in the lobby, or one of the related rooms.
He kept looking, until an elevator came down. Inside it was Kroz, the host of the Killcount. Millennium`s claw flashed around Kroz`s neck, and his face pulled its most frightening grimace ever. Even though he knew it would not have effect, and he knew Kroz did know that either, he still held the Great Being in a tight grip. Kroz took a smile, and smashed Millennium inside a chair; his eyes told Millennium to keep calm, while only they, the wielders of higher knowledge, could understand that. And they both told their problems, only via rough contact, they seemed to know exactly what the other was demanding. And then, Kroz talked.
"We do understand your anger completely. But Skorr is a qualified Bounty Hunter and he approached us, not the other way around, as you may think," he started. "I will tell you, Skorr is not an immortal enemy. He will, once defeated, also go to this lobby. But if you are not strong enough to beat him, you should avoid him. It is the only way of surviving."
"Now, to the subject my visit is about. The Baterra have aquired the Wall of Creation. This wall, technically a machine build inside a wall, will build new Baterra. We suggest one of you will try defeating it. We also encourage you to team up with others. Thank you for your attention, you have one day for preparations."
The Baterra Master watched the dimly lit corridor closely, waiting for the bounty hunter he had been hiring for the past weeks. The Zeverek, wielding a vast array of weapons, all intended for the hunting on the prey, was reported to have came inside the old shopping mall already minutes ago.
Slowly, a shadow appeared before his throne, being the one of Skorr. He arrived in full weaponry, just as the Baterra Master expected from the exiled being, originating from Mevock. His Plasma Launcher, as the quite disturbed Baterra Master examined it, was ready to fire in any case of treason. It was sure Skorr was still sceptic about the big rewards which had been promised.
"Well, my higher might," Skorr said, trying to bring the Baterra Master out of concentration. "Where is my promised reward for eliminating these warriors?"
"To be honest, I am not sure you already want to leave, with so many more rewards available," the Baterra Master smiled deceptive. His morality was doubted by Skorr already, and this words even made him question the cloaked, clawed being even more.
"I do not completely understand. I suppose I`m finished, as I put lethal scars on every competitor. So, if you would now give my my promised widgets?"
"Skorr, listen. I am not who you think you are. I am a being more powerful than Mata Nui himself, I am even more powerful than a cell door made of hardened energized protodermis. Not to mention I also am not the mere fighter you think I am." The Baterra Master`s words made Skorr ready his weapon, in advance of the attack he felt coming. "No, Skorr, I am no warrior wanting to win a prize. I am a dark being, only feeding on the energies of others. I am also not your higher might. We may be somewhat equal even. But, I do not harm you. I am just offering you the chance of more money." The Baterra Master smiled, and pointed to a window. "This streets are still not clean, you see. And that means you still can earn more, if you will make you deserve it. Kill the next wave of heroes, villains, Toa, Glatorian, and gain more money than you would ever expect."
There they were, all of them. They all were planted in the field by the Great Being Kroz, who only had gave them vague information. Slowly, their numbers decreased. Even Maserix and Millennium were killed. All at the hands of robots, and their servants. Mersery saw all misfortune and his fights. His scars had been healed already, but there were the memories. Of the battles, the kills, the relinquished Toa and other heroes. And of the misery of the brave Glatorian he teamed with, Flardrek. His death was not caused by any Baterra or their servants. It was the merciless, evil Zeverek bounty hunter, going by the name of Skorr. His evil grin still haunted Mersery`s mind, even with Flardrek sitting beside him.
"What are you thinking about, pal?" Flardrek asked when Mersery looked at his face in a sad expression.
"This... This rotten, noxious game called Killcount," Mersery grumbled. "The last few weeks, I`ve been calling Kroz 'the root of all misery', you know. He is so cold and ruthless. I really, really hate him. The first I do after this has been over, is trapping him in some kind of field. He won`t come out alive."
Chapter 2: Early encounters[]
Maserix cleaved the wall in half in a single slash. His newfound Killcount Blade had already made itself useful against an invasion in the building. Sabre`s new Killcount Pulse Sniper helped them through the building, now Maserix as the one to shine. The razor-sharp blade made itself a good weapon for the Great Being.
Outside, a new group of patrolling Baterra showed up against the group of four, who moved back in. Sabre, using the sniper, took out two from the window, while Rellier, using his fluent control over plasma, melted three others. When the group moved on, another battle awaited them, this time with a lean, agile Makuta.
Upon entering the room the Makuta fled to, Jericho was quickly torn to the ground by the battleaxe the Makuta wielded. Seeing the smile on his face, Maserix cut through the axe, and the Makuta`s armor, leaving a puddle of Antidermis behind, which quickly changed gaseous, and moved away to the sky.
Mersery and Flardrek slowly walked through the dark, fearsome tunnel underneath the buildings. Their mood was grim, their thoughts were haunted by the game they competed in. Killcount was told to be a mere game, but their pain was for from just a game. Their pain was real, just as their need to kill. Mersery`s powers over time, despite being locked by energies of the Killcount Metropolis, felt no time lapse around them. The Chronal Staff he carried did not react on any of the Mersions powers, also. The theory he made was strange, but it seemed to be true. The time just wasn`t there. But Mersery put it aside, as his theory wasn`t the priority right now. His main priority now was...
"Skorr!"
Flardrek blasted a Thornax behind Mersery, who quickly gave Skorr another blow with his Chronal Staff. Skorr charged his Plasma Launcher, but was put to he ground by Mersery`s claw, and hit in the face with his fist. The annoyed Zeverek slashed Mersery away with a cackle, and fired at Flardrek, who quickly dodged. The Glatorian blasted, with a bitter expression, another Thornax at Skorr, who punched it away, and lept at Flardrek, slamming his sword in his chest. Flardrek growled at Skorr when he jumped on him, and aimed his Launcher at the Glatorian. Mersery, just gotten up, smashed Skorr to the wall. When the Zeverek Bounty Hunter fell to the ground, they thought it all was over. But, upon gazing to the ceiling, they knew it was far from over...
The Baterra who just turned around could see him. The bladed, green and silver armored Kyojin stood before him. His distorted voice whispered a final sentence: "You are slain by the Kazekyoruan." And this repeated for seconds. The flash of a silver blade, accompanied by those words. Seconds became minutes when more Baterra came. But Iruka had counted on that. His partner Kawa quickly hit several Baterra in the range of Iruka`s blade, and killed a few herself also. Then, they bowed before a four-armed, Skrall-like being.
"Good. You can now join the forces of the Baterra Katana. I, Zwardmorder, will train you, and you will train me. Together, we will form a wall of evil." Zwardmorder said, smiling deceptive.
"We will honor you and your forces, if they do the same to us." Iruka grumbled
"You know that will happen. I am not a liar."
"Just in case..."
Millennium smiled arrogant and devious to Rando, the Toa of Air. Around the Toa`s neck, Millenniums claw clamped the throat closed. Air was unable to reach the body of Rando, as long as the few minutes he had left. The Toa tried to cry out of pain, but a little more breath was all what was coming out. In a desperate try to survive, he pierced Millennium`s leg with his sword. The tip of the Axe of Eternity was torn in Rando`s leg by the wielder of the axe, and Rando`s time was almost over. His body already started to feel weak, his legs were hanging as lifeless towels. In all resistance, Rando escaped the grip, and fell to the street. His body felt weak and half dead, his mind was nothing but one thought: Breath! Rando`s body still was lying there, delivered to Millenniums mercy. The mercy Millennium did not have. He took Rando on his shoulder, and carried him away as a dead beast. Even [[Dredzek did not know of his intentions, when Millennium entered their shelter and told him to put the Toa asleep.
Chapter 3: Plots and Secrets[]
A dark being overlooked he sky, the clouds moving through the air slowly and peacefully. It looked like each cloud was an obstacle. Because they all hid the air from what he wanted it to look like. When he turned his head down, he saw Sabre, the mutant Toa they had hired to defeat him. Him and his brotherhood of the Corrupted Baterra. But he knew they would fail once again. Just like the other brigades of warriors which had passed by for months now. Slay him, he sent telepathically.
Out of his meditation, Iruka slowly opened his eyes. The world was bright, but his senses did not even need light. His nose, his ears, and his whole body were in sync with the world. But, that was not of importance to him, his master called him. A powerful overlord with more guts than Mata Nui, out of his experiences. He was not in sync with the world, but with the energy around it. Any fluctuation in time and space was already known by him.
When he stepped out of the building, his luck did not run out as last time with Leviathos. No, this time, his prey was standing with his back faced to him. One small slash of his sword would force the being to the ground merciless, just as his master was. But Iruka was not like that. He was calculating, and he knew his foes like he knew himself. Especially since, when a competitor is killed, he will return, but when he would die, he would truly be dead. With this knowledge, he knew Sabre does already know he was there.
Upon entering the range of Sabre`s claws, Iruka felt a sharp pain in his chest. He found the claws of Sabre pulling out a mechanical part of his body, and replied to the attack with a firm slash of his blade. He continued cutting Sabre`s body, until his healing factor could not kee up to it anymore.
"You are as good as dead, beast." Iruka boomed through the streets. "Now, close your eyes and let me count to zero, count the seconds you still live... They will be no more than five."
"Get off! I ain`t did nothin' to ya'! Just get out, in Karzahni!"
"Five... Four... Three..." At the third, he raised his blade. "Two... One... And Zero!" His last word boomed over the neighbourhood when he brought down his Babylon Axe on Sabre`s battered body.
In a last honor, he bowed down at his corpse, mumbling a few words of praise to his fighting. Even Iruka could respect a being like Sabre.
But Iruka was not finished. Via a link with his master, he got new information. Zaeron and Zlatrix seemed to roam around the shopping mall around the corner. I am lucky... They will fall like mice in a trap...
Kawa! he mentally said to his companion. Come and aid me. Only together, we clutch the mental strength and power to defeat these Fikou.
Metal scraps flew over the battlefield. The battered armor of a warrior rose up from the ground, and at last stood on his feet with pride. His staff slowly lifted up, the large warrior was only a mere shadow in the lowering sun of evening. Yet, while evening fell, this warrior did not fall. He stood brave with his fierce sidekick upon the square of the old neighbourhood of Killcount Metropolis. The shapes the fallen Baterra CS-Six took could be frightening to the weak minded. But these warriors, having won a prideful title already, did not fear them. No, fear did not reach their hearts. Not from Mersery and Flardrek. The friendship they had gotten over years of fighting was considered delightful in the dark times.
But, while knowing them for long, their names were also spoken by their other new friendships, Jarodin and Galika. These two beings were just as brave and unstoppable as they were. After a long battle, their friendship and ambition to stop the game they called Killcount, was the survivor.
Only, they knew it was far from over. Few days ago, they were in the Killcount lobby. Tales got around there, and one of the tales was one they would not forget in their quest: The tale of the shades of Killcount. Rando and others of the last battles told of a shade, constantly appearing around them nearing the end. Now, they had not seen it by themself, but Millennium, one of the last, had been seeking for someone or something in the room of the Great Beings.
The only they were thinking about after the few minutes of joy, was that they were not alone...
Chapter 4: For Conquest![]
Sabre stood before the entrance. His team had killed all guards at the front gate. He cracked his knuckles. "Okay, guys, ready for action? Let's do this. For conquest!"
They stormed inside the fortress. Two Baterra showed up from behind walls. They beeped as they communicated. Their wings blazed with stored energy. Blades sprouted out of the demonic fortress' walls. The Baterra gained longswords. they charged at Jericho.
The Toa used his blade to blast one of them. The other grew powerful horns and claws. Dark energies surrounded him. He boosted at the Toa of air as a menacing demon. Jericho dodged and cut through him. The two pieces fell on the ground.
They continued, as a large chamber opened before their eyes. The walls disappeared and sprouted spikes.
"Sabre, you lead us into a demon fortress," Maserix said, slaying one of the five Baterra surrounding them. Sabre cut through another's chest. The three left formed a powerful, bestial form. Horned, glowing black, its eyes gleaming a white, shining light. Dark forces surrounded his body, forming new Baterra. The new robots captured Jericho and Sabre. It was all up to Maserix.
The dark Baterra pulled a blazing sword. Maserix took a halberd off one of the walls. Equal in size, they leaped at each other, clashing in the air. Maserix growled. He blasted the monster away. The robot reacted with a dark blast, right from his chest. He hit Maserix, instantly paralyzing him.
As the robot bowed over the being, ready to kill him, Maserix blasted a beam equaling a nova blast, blowing the robot into the wall. Its mechanical parts cracked from the impact. Maserix raised the halberd, and struck at the Baterra. It sliced his arm off. The robotic demon blasted with his doom beams, almost killing Maserix. He rose up, and readied himself for a cruel kill.
Maserix growled loudly as the being's sword almost became pure energy. The Great Being glowed as hatred and anger formed a powerful gleam of power around him. He charged at the robot and broke through him. The sensors cracked and beeped as the Baterra demon fell to his knees. His clawed hands cracked as he held himself with them. His arms broke off slowly. He fell down slowly. The new Baterra broke apart, and the three moved on.
Krakanus' blade cut through the main circuit of the Baterra fusion. The monstrous being, almost looking like a shadowy Nui-Jaga, slowly broke through his battered and pitted legs of the Makuta`s endless attacks. Half a day. Half a day, it had taken unimaginable power to defeat the scorpion creature.
Night had fallen during their struggle, and as the light of the sensors and searchlights faded away, they could see the moon rising on the horizon. The city looked peaceful. Baterra hid in their shelters as the world started to move. The sounds of bestial predators were to be heard, as wolf howls.
Though everything else had calmed down, Krakanus did not. He and Neocrax separated from Kaluu and Chameleo, while Krakanus was on the winning hand. The dark forces around the Baterra still fascinated Krakanus. His power was strong, but this dark power just... was different. And still, still it was familiar. He used his power of absorption to take a little bit of it.
He felt madness coming through him. The power flew through his body as a rocket through a high-speed chute of Le-Metru. His power grew bigger and bigger. His weapons crumbled as he channeled it. His armor broke as muscles emerged from his devolving body. His antidermis became more solid every second. He grew with power and felt shadow through his body.
The darkness took hold of him more and more. His eyes changed into hollow holes. His vision got cluttered up by pure blood-red sight. Neocrax, not having absorbed the energy, stood before the hulking monster, now broken through his armor in fully organic state. Krakanus screamed a sound so horrendous, even Leviathos, fighting the cloaked being, could hear it.
He stood on his four limbs, and fangs emerged from his long, razor-sharp teeth. He grabbed Neocrax with his clawed, beastly hand, and put him on his back. Krakanus started to run. He forced himself through buildings. As Neocrax screamed, he slowly was absorbed by the flesh. He cried out of pain and fear, as all of his power was forcefully given to his master.
As he cried out his last scream for help, his mouth was flooded by the antidermis of the beast. As the monstrosity rushed through the buildings, he hit one particular tower: the tower Leviathos was on.
About half a day ago...
Leviathos jumped at the cloaked being. He raised his weapon, ready to slam it. The being took his hands out of the cloak. He turned around, and grabbed Leviathos`s neck. Not preventing his breathing, he showed his mask. It was not clear for Leviathos what it was, but a shiny glow came from a stone of crystal on top. The glow increased as the being tightened his grip.
Leviathos`s breath was gone. He cried for help with his last breath. The being lost his grip. Leviathos hung, as if dead. As he was dropped, he moved.
"What? Madness! You should have been dead."
Leviathos hit the being at his legs. They were clearly visible. It carried a hooked staff. He grabbed the mutated Leviathan, and dropped him off the building. He smiled wide. Cries for help were clearly audible. Clanging sounds were heard. As he trurned back, he heard the thing he would never forget:
"You can put me with Takea, Zyglak, even the most ancient Rahi... But no one drops me!"
Laviathos smashed his blade into the mask. The being stumbled back in pain. Leviathos grabbed his cloak. As he pulled it off, he screamed of the vision. It was the thing he feared most since his first encounter with him.
"You! I thought you were killed!" He looked into the face of one of the most hated enemies of all. Minutes they stood there, watching each other.
The being pulled out a sword. Leviathos pulled out his deep sea blade. They stormed at each other.
Their weapons hit. It was an even battle. No being ever was so determined as these. They wanted to kill each other. The body of the dark being glowed as the stone increased in power. His strength increased. Leviathos was slowly pushed backwards. He looked down. He was standing at the rail of the roof.
He touched the stone. Power flowed through him. He slowly pushed his opponent away. Slowly, he gained power. His absorbing abilities granted him power to beat his old enemy. The power he used flowed through his weapon. The being was slowly stumbling back of pain. He smashed Leviathos away. Without any fear, Leviathos attacked the stone on his mask. The power flow through both bodies disappeared slowly.
Chapter 5: The Beast Emerges[]
Leviathos hit the dark warrior. He stormed at the stone as a powerful claw of shadow grabbed it and put it in the being's hand. His armor started to glow once more. Leviathos could feel fear through his body. The power that stone gave was amazing. If someone like him got it, it could mean the end of all.
In madness, he stormed at the warrior, blazing with power. He smashed his deep sea blade into the glowing armor. The target grabbed the blade and melted it with plasma powers. The heat made Leviathos scream. His body now only stayed alive through willpower. Willpower to defeat the mad being responsible for attacks on Noctia.
The power of jungle granted him a blade of thorns and spikes. It fused itself to the wielder, made him fuse with plantlife. Thorns sprouted over his body. He was forced to attack, as his opponent watched how he gained power. He attacked the being with great power. His thorned blade blazed through the air.
The darkness inside Leviathos comes out slowly, the being thought. He dodged the attack and grabbed the blade. The power of the stone on his mask imbued the Noctian with power also. But different.
Leviathos fell to his knees. His eyes turned red. His sight became a blur. Powers surrounded his body, when the vines burned away to ashes of the power. His body glowed with light, as his armor turned black from the energy it was exposed to. The glow, formerly yellow, turned dark purple as Leviathos' hidden ability of space-time gained control. The Noctian's body glowed, and transformed into energy. Glowing from pure power, he raged at the once-cloaked being. His eyes blue of energy, his body purple, Leviathos crushed the armor of the being completely.
However, the dark creature regenerated himself once more. As wounds healed and scars disappeared, Leviathos formed his body out of the swirling mass of energy again. Slowly, the energy faded off. Leviathos fell to his knees, losing energy quickly. As the being who had put on his cloak again wanted to deliver the final blow, a being crashed into the building. The cloaked warrior wielding a great axe fell off balance, while Leviathos could hear screaming, stopped by the sound of slow growling. As the Noctian jumped off the crumbled building, off the the horizon, screams of pain were to be heard out of the mouth of the cloaked being, now getting crushed beneath rocks.
Krakanus woke up slowly. His vision still a blur, he could feel he still was a Makuta. However, he was not in control of his doings. He could only think. Think of what happened. He had taken the energy of the Baterra fusion. Then, all a big blurry mass of visions. He saw dark forces gathering over the city. A creature with a power unimaginable. And then, he saw the sun, consuming the city, and all they were on. And, after that? Nothing.
As he rode up, he saw what happened to his outside. The power he took created a beast. Krakanus' antidermis had became more solid as he slept. He could feel a thick hide. Then he realized something. With the body he had, he could kill off all Baterra. And Leviathos.
Jarodin waked up slowly. The smooth voice of Galika pierced through his dreams. He lay on the ground. As he stood up, he saw a glowing stone on the ground. When he took it, the whole chamber moved. Objects soared through the air, above his eyes.
Galika stood before him. She seemed not to see it. As he watched her mouth move, he couldn't hear anything. As a bolt shot through her head, Galika grabbed her head and fell to her knees. Jarodin tried to help her, but he couldn't come to her. An invisible wall blocked him.
Galika cried, "What are you doing? Stop! Aaaaah!"
Jarodin talked. At least, he tried to. Nothing came out of his mouth. The world flashed before his eyes.
"Jarodin, finally." The friendly face of Galika was watching him. "You were screaming to me. What was it? You said: 'What's happening, what am I doing? Let me help you!' Galika`s face changed from friendly to questioning, almost afraid and worried.
"Nothing... Just a bad dream..."
"Alright, then. We shall get going. Remember? We have to wake Sedriss and Sovnoron. We are going to look for Mersery and Flardrek today, to team up. We doubt they will say no."
"Oh, yes. And, what happened to Benjarmin? He was with us too."
"He ran off. He was going to look for 'Real help, not weak Toa,' as he said."
"Well, that clears up the mess. Let's get going now that the Baterra aren't that active yet."
Zaeron's blade blazed with energy. The power he gained from the city was something even he couldn't believe.The charges given by the blade he used now broke the armor of the Baterra with ease. Its helper, a Bestial Predator Baterra, was quickly slain by Zlatrix.
The Baterra cracked as they were thrown on each other. Defeated. The three warriors had already slain many Baterra. They only hadn't encountered the eliminators yet.
They heard a clank behind them. As they turned around, they could see a being following the description of Iruka. Together with him was Kawa, the one who killed Malok the last time. Zaeron readied himself once more. His teammates did the same. Pulling their weapons out, they laughed. Zaeron's eyes gleamed in the burning sun. Malok charged at Kawa, who quickly blocked with her Mizutoku shield. Her blade smashed Malok away a few bio, and her shield pushed Malok away.
Malok hit Kawa with his staff. His sword collected all light from the area, covering it in darkness. The only thing to see was the blade. He smashed Kawa away, and kicked her to the ground. He held his blade before his face. Kawa saw an evil smile on his face. He pulled it up, and smashed it down. Kawa barely dodged, and hooked him off balance with her legs.
She put her blade at Malok`s neck. She looked evil in the light of the blade. Kawa took away the blade. She readied herself to smash. She never got the chance, as Zlatrix kicked her away. He bowed over her, and smashed her unconscious.
Iruka smashed Zaeron away. His laser beams made holes in the battlefield. Zaeron dodged one once more. I should attack. I can't win, he thought, dodging another beam. He jumped at Iruka.
The Toa raised his sword. He charged his energy in the blade. The energy pulsed in a glow. He smashed Iruka away with a nice blow of his sword. His blade pierced through one of the walls. Iruka dodged blows easily. He blasted Zaeron away with his blade. He smashed him against a wall.
"Now you are lost." He pushed his blade against his throat. As he cut through, Zaeron breathed heavily. His air slowly faded away. His head got heavier and heavier. He slowly fell down.
"Painful deaths are so much fun," he said calmly.
He walked back to Kawa. Zlatrix tried to stop him, but has simply thrown away by Iruka. As Iruka took Kawa off the ground, he laughed quietly. "My work here is done. Happy burial."
As he walked away, Kawa in his hands, he looked back one time again, only to see a dark power around Zaeron. Slowly, the Toa got up. His blade in his hand, his other hand in a fist. His face evil and angry, he walked to Iruka slowly. Going faster, faster, and running, he jumped at the member of the Fallen Six.
Slowly, he gained more energy. His power raised visible. He hit Iruka several times, until he pulled out his Kazekyoruan. He blew Zaeron away. Zaeron landed on his feet and ran off again. His anger ruled him now. He blasted energy at Iruka, who stumbled back. Seeing Zaeron could beat him, he walked up a staircase. Zaeron, determined to kill, followed him, only to find a bladed being, blazing with force, at the top. It was Iruka, but not the same. He blasted Zaeron away.
As a wonder, Zaeron landed on his feet, and survived. He quickly, with his team, ran away. He still was alive. Iruka laughed on top.
"Exactly following our plans..."
Mersery aged the Baterra slowly. As the Bestial Predator came to him, it slowly broke down. As it collapsed, another Baterra hit Mersery in his back. He fell on the ground, the Baterra standing over him. The robot raised its blade slowly. Mersery couldn't look. And with Flardrek unconscious, the Baterra had free play.
However, Mersery could hear the Baterra cracking and squeaking slowly. Slowly, but louder and louder. As he opened his eyes, he saw the longsword of the Baterra above him. It was almost slashing open his head. However, it had stopped. Brown places of rust were to be seen on the arm. As he slowly regained his complete attention, he could hear a female voice giggle. As he got away from the sharp weapon, he saw Galika. The Toa of Water had apparently rusted the Baterra to the point that his movements were totally prevented.
"What are you doing here? You should be killing Baterra. Not saving people."
"Do you tell us you would like to be dead? I wouldn't want to have to kill you. Or, better said, see you die."
"But, you don't want to win?"
"Why? It is fun, but we'll all come back. I don't have to win."
Mersery stood up slowly. He raised his hand and shook Galika's. "Where is Jarodin? He was with you, I heard."
A voice came from Flardrek's position. "No, I'm not Jarodin. I'm not even here, trying to heal Flardrek!" It was the Toa of psionics.
They all laughed. As Flardrek slowly groaned, they all came to look. "Ugh... I will never use any mechanical weapon anymore..."
"Flardrek!" they all shouted. "You're alive!"
Interesting... So my old teammates have got with Mr. Headache. But where are Millennium and the others? They should be eliminated. Quick! Skorr thought. He had been watching the battle with the Baterra from the beginning. I shall find that axed menace, and slay him once and for all. Then nothing stops me from slaying the others. And gaining my reward again...
Chapter 6: Meeting evil[]
Pondering, the Baterra Master pushed a button. Iruka, damaged from his battle with Zaeron, came in.
"This is not what I expect from you, Iruka. If I say 'kill Zaeron,' then he should stay dead," he spoke. "But I am willing to give you another chance. If you do it well, you may see the light of day once more. Kill the bounty hunter named Skorr, and bring his corpse to me."
"I will not fail, sir," Iruka said, bowing.
As the member of the Fallen Six walked out, the Baterra Master cackled. "Exactly as planned. With Skorr in my claws, I can make him a slave of my empire also. And none will escape the reign of the Baterra."
Millennium cut off the head of the Baterra fusion, formed out of two Baterra. The beast had taken an hour to finish off.
"Ah, the power of time," he laughed. "Such an helpful weapon when used correctly. Benjarmin, now, to say you had control over those other three single Baterra..."
"I would advise you not to insult me, Millennium. You may be a better robot slayer, I can still cut off your head if you want."
"Show me," he smiled.
Benjarmin slashed his blade through Millennium's neck. As he fell down, Benjarmin felt a strong pain in his back. "When I use my axe of eternity, you can't win. As soon as you turn around, I am a mere illusion again."
"This round is yours, woodcutter. But when I have to, I'll cut you in small pieces."
His name was Flardrek, Glatorian of fire. He used a powerful Thornax launcher, and a magma blaze sword. At least, he used to. Now, he only had possession of two daggers.
Slowly coming through the city's jungle, he cut the vines away. Slowly but steadily, he stealthily moved through the never-ending forest. Mersery was right behind him. Jarodin got his own way, securing the outer sides of the forest. Together, they could win. Being friends since they met, Jarodin and Mersery were always sharing opinion. Independent of each other, they were perfect in fight, in which they already had shown potential.
Mersery felt something falling on his head. He wiped it off, and looked at his hand. It were small ashes, combined with Plasma. "Skorr..." he growled. "Flardrek, go... quick. This is too dangerous."
As the Glatorian walked away, he slowly took his blade. Not showing any fear, he raised it. "Skorr! Do not hide as a coward! Show the power you got! I know you want it!"
Maserix took the last of the Baterra out. The two halves of the robot fell to the ground. Jericho had finally opened the door, as a realm opened before them. The walls slowly disappeared, and changed in shadow. An instant later, Jericho found himself flying, hanging in air. Nothing was to be seen. Only the beings inside the realm, and the eternal darkness of the void they were in.
"Ah, I see some brave adventurers have opened the gate to the void between time and space. You shall know this is the place nothing has ever escaped from, not even the Time-Space Dragon. Nonetheless, they never entered the room like you did."
"What do you mean? What is this 'void between time and space'? Who are you?"
"Well, as far as I can tell you, I am the... employer of some beings you know well." The voice boomed over the place. "I am also ruler of this dimension, the founder of the Baterra group you encountered, and the only one who knows how to escape from here. And the one who can help you win Killcount."
"Alright, all good and such, but what you told us does not change our opinions about thrusting a voice coming from nowhere." Maserix said, slightly laughing. "So, show yourself, and we'll consider it."
"Good. I will come to you. But do not be afraid; I do only harm the ones interfering with my plans." A dark, purple glowing cloak rose from the shadow. Slowly, two orange eyes opened. As Jericho looked in them, he shook.
"My name, as of right now, is not of importance. What is important is my power and capabilities to free you, and, most important, the price to be paid."
"The... price? Don't you just offer us a way out?"
"I won't bother answering questions as obvious and almost rhetorical as yours. I will answer only the unspoken question which you all want to know. The price. I ask... A life. A life of one of yours. If you accept, I, but only I, may choose the life I want. This means you will lose one again. Do not fear, your life will not be wasted. I will take good care of it."
"Alright. You may take one life of us three. No more, only less."
"As you want." Jericho's armor slowly turned black. He dropped his weapons as his armor slowly fell off, into the shadow beneath the group of beings. A dark black, biomechanical body was revealed. Gears on it still turned as the body fell down.
The cloaked being took a pot of protodermis in his hand. "Come, Jericho. Here is a safe place." A glowing energy slowly entered the pot. When he closed the pot, the being took the pot away, and his face slowly disappeared. His cloak fell down slowly.
The Baterra Master cackled in his chair. The throne, decorated with horns of dark metal, held his weapon.
Slowly, door opened. From the sky above it, an armed, dark gray being came, wearing a Kanohi Raxuss. "Jericho, my dear warrior... You look so beautiful in your new suit. Especially, the metal designed for your Kanohi is very good on you. Now you can take on the appearance of a true warrior of mine." He cackled even louder. "Now, your first objective: Bring me Toa Zaeron."
Chapter 7: Eternal Hunt[]
Krakanus walked. His legs smashed Baterra quickly. But he had to find Leviathos. His greatest enemy ever was now the only being able to help him.
His howl made Baterra break, bio away. But that was not important. He had heard of Leviathos, a day ago, and his trophy on the dark being.
Where is that Noctian? He'll help me, and as a reward, I'll let him live one day more...
Zaeron walked up the street. As he passed a few kio, he slowed his pace. His eyes moved from side to side. At last, he stopped.
Tap, tap, tap, tap. Footsteps were flooding the street. Massive mechanical legions walked up the horizon, smashing anything on their path. Their protosteel feet woke up the whole city.
Malok growled as he was called away by Zaeron. The Toa of twilight did not fear anything; he would try to slay them with pleasure. But his mind said different. The rows of Baterra passed by, not even noticing the three beings.
"What is this? A march of Baterra? What are they doing here? This should be safe, since that green idiot passed by with his enormous (and smelly) feet." Malok sniffed his nose. "Still not clean."
"It indeed is a march of Baterra, though I am not sure what its meanings are. Probably, they are moving the dead bodies to their master." Zaeron said.
"But, then again, why here? I don`t remember this being a hot spot for enemies, as we have been here the whole day."
"They are maybe... searching for something." Zaeron whispered. "But what is there in a shopping street worth of worth to robots?"
In the middle of the march, two Baterra slowly crawled inside a tunnel. As they softened their landing in the cave beneath it, a dark voice spoke from the blackness, covered in darkness.
"Why are you so late?" he asked. As the robots stayed quiet, he asked it again. "Why are you so late... my master?"
"Ah, Zwardmorder. Your respect is... delightful, at times like this. But, onto the case. Have you seen my new warrior and Zaeron?"
"Not yet. The Baterra Katana have searched every place in the city, but they haven`t found your warrior," the Skrall replied. "Are you sure it is completely in function? It should have been picked up."
"What should have been picked up? It is just a suit. It has no signal or anything," the being spoke, angered. "You are not very worthy when mechanics come to you, are you?"
"I come from a place called 'Great Barren'. What do you expect to be there?"
"I expected you have had your share of the technology the Matoran universe brought. Especially because of your unnaturally high stealing rate." The cloaked being smiled, with an unsatisfied face.
"Well, I'll order my Baterra to search it again. But would you like to actually track him down, Baterra Master?"
The Baterra Master's only reply was a slow nod, while he disappeared into nothing.
This has taken too long already. I should finish it now, Millennium thought.
He slowly got up from the ground, and smashed Krakanus a few buildings away. His axe of eternity was torn from his hand as the Makuta fighting him cut through his newly found armor. Krakanus stood over him, towering above him as he was a Matoran. Slowly, Millennium got up again.
"Sorry, Makuta, but I`m not in the mood for playing."
Millennium smashed Krakanus away. He landed inside a shop, flying through the glass. He laughed. "You are no more than an insect."
Krakanus blasted Millennium away. He ran on all fours and grabbed his body. He threw him away. Millennium got up. Barely getting the upper hand, he slammed Krakanus on the ground in a swordfight. He smashed his axe at the Makuta, laughing.
Slowly, Krakanus' mind faded away. Until the Makuta was blown up. He glowed with shadow. Even Millennium felt power trough his body. The Makuta walked to him. His dark energy was felt over the battlefield. Shadows gained above Millennium. Powerful lightning crackled in the air. Krakanus didn't bother.
"You are no more than a pawn. A pawn in my plans. A pawn, fighting a tower. I am that tower. Now I shall remove you from the playing board."
Krakanus laughed in madness. He launched a rain of power at Millennium. Slowly, the leader of the Shadow of Ages fell unconscious.
Krakanus laughed. His powerful screams brought fear into Dredzek's body. He knew one thing. Millennium was not to be seen soon.
Mersery leapt over the branches. He smashed Skorr away. Skorr's blade cut through another piece of wood, wrecking a tree in the process. After gaining the upper hand, Skorr hit Mersery several times, wounding the Mersion's leg in the process.
"Skorr! Do not hide yourself behind your weapons, and fight. Like a real warrior."
"I'm no warrior? Fool! You'll regret saying that after I pierce your body with this." He pulled out his blade, storming at Mersery. The Mersion dodged, and blasted Skorr with his Midak Skyblaster. He smashed the Zeverek away into a tree.
Still dizzy from the attack, Skorr could only barely dodge from Mersery`s claws. Finally having opportunity, the Bounty hunter hit Mersery to the ground. He stood over the warrior, ready to cut his mask in halves. Mersery growled. At last, he smashed Skorr in the face. Stumbling back, Skorr got hit by Mersery`s sword. A bolt of Light stung his back, and Mersery's claws grabbed his neck.
"Give me one reason why not to kill you here and now."
"Well, you are too honorable to kill me so easily. You hate killing. You will never kill me just where I stand. Especially not here, where you say we need everything and everyone."
"You always were a deceptive little bug. You are right. But this shouldn't be tolerated, should it?"
"I am just saving my hide. It's killing or be killed, and I'm in between that."
"Filthy little insect. I wish you could get trampled by Kikanalo." Mersery loosened his grip. "Now go, before I change my mind."
Chapter 8: Time and Space collides[]
The foul smells of the Ash Bears penetrated Skorr`s nose. Slowly, he came up from his fight with the Nui-Rama swarm. His hurting back stretched itself slowly, making the bounty hunter cry out of pain. He started stepping through the muddy, greenish swamp, while trying to see any ability to rest. The vines and plants around him seemed to take shapes of shades surrounding him. While he climbed up, he heard a portal opening. Beneath him, a purple-blue gate to a black void opened frighteningly slow. It was one of the signes to know something bigger was trying to get out. Something bigger than the portal being as big as Skorr now. Inside the light coming through, gleaming teeth of terrifying proportions were to be seen emerging. While the creature`s eye looked at Skorr, it roared an ominous roar, yet Skorr seemed the only one able to witness the happening. As large, bladed wings came out, Skorr had reached the top of the vines, and now climbed away of the creature coming out of his lair. But soon after, the creature broke out of the plantlife around him, and flew over the city. The Baterra Master cackled in his lair.
"Now, the game of Killcount is completely ready for my plan..."
Black swamps surrounded Mersery and Flardrek. Their armor, usually shining bright, was pitch black of the mud they tried to walk through slowly. But their hearts still shined brighter than the sun itself. Filled with hope and intense power, it helped them through the swamp. Until they encountered their destination, the Tower of Baterra. The sight of the protosteel tower, surrounded by walls and Baterra hovering around, stopped their hearts for a second. The gruesome look of the Toa going by the name of Breaker, hanging dead on a tight rope on the wall, was stunning their hope completely. His limbs were heavily bruised of the abominable attacks he had undergone. The feeling was strengthened more by the sight of the crying Galika, being calmed down desperately by Jarodin, through windows in the cells of the building. Flardrek cursed out of anger and, mostly, his fear for their lives. Mersery could only look with a distorted, bitter face of extreme anger to the Baterra.
With a agonizing scream of frustration, the Mersion stormed at the fortress. His friend Flardrek followed him obliging, yet realizing it was their doom. His only reason was that if Mersery died, he had no hope of survival and friendship also.
With infuriated eyes, Mersery lept over the wall, brutishly hitting two Baterra into each other, and smashing a hole in the tower with their long, saw-like blades. He entered the tower by stepping the stairs, until he had passed a gate, decorated with a pitch black Mask of Corruption, hanging on the skull of a Great Being.
Behind that gate, the Mersion saw the most horrendous sight he had ever seen. A being covered with a grey cloak, decorated with the same Jutlin masks as on the door, was slowly cutting scars in Galika`s mask. Her Nelslo was glowing dimmed, giving away she was trying activating her mask power, yet it seemingly did not work due to the damage already done. Somewhat further away, Mersery sighted Jarodin, trying to get past an invisible wall of energy. He slammed the wall, and tried to penetrate it with his powers, yet he could not harm the wall in any way.
Then, the being looked over slowly, showing his grim, sinister, orange-red eyes, through two eyeholes in his facial protection. His breath became louder over the seconds, especially when Mersery striked a menacing, defending pose aimed on him. When his lips came apart, a dark, terrifying cackle made Galika get in an unconcious, nightmarish state. Even the brave Mersion and his Glatorian partner spotted fear inside each others eyes.
- "I am the shadow moving through the night. I am the evil for which you hide."
- "I am the darkness you fear. I am the blades, which slices you can hear."
- "If you are hunted, it is by me. If you are slain, you were destined to be."
When the being slowly took his cloak off, the frightening face of a Skrall could be seen. This Skrall introduced himself as the Sword Murderer. His face still did not move a muscle, and no emotion could be seen in his eyes other than being pleased for finally having opponents anymore.
The eyes of Mersery and the Sword Murderer gleamed of anger, as they stared at each other for minutes. Then, the Mersion slowly raised his glowing blade. The Sword Murderer did the same, and after the second he did, he charged with unmeasurable speed at Mersery, who could barely dodge the flashes the blades had become. The Sword Murderer, on his turn, could not avoid the blade of Mersery, which slowly pierced his armor. The Murderer growled lightly, and stabbed Mersery, who cried out of the horrendous pain. Mersery did slowly recover from his attack, only to find the Sword Murderer on his back, who put his blade against his neck. Mersery stopped moving in an instant, and stayed so for seconds. Until Flardrek lept over them, and grabbed the Sword Murderer off of Mersery, who fell to the ground from stress before his relieve. Flardrek put the Skrall of the ground, and hit him in the face several times. Then, the Glatorian was hit himself by the Sword Murderer`s flashing fist, throwing him several miles away. When he recovered, he saw the Sword Murderer launch one of his Thornax Launchers at Galika. Without thinking, he jumped before, and let Mersery grab the Skrall in his surprise. The Skrall did only scream out of anger. His blades swirled around, hitting everything but Mersery.
Slowly, the Sword Murderer faded away in the nothing. His blades disappeared out of his hands, and his arms followed. The last sign of life was the growl, or rather the cackle around the battlefield.
And that was the end, with only a few minutes of battle, the Sword Murderer gave dozens of scars; especially mental scars. Galika had been in a nightmare realm for all the time, while Jarodin could only watch her punisher go away. But the most wounded had been the noble, protective Flardrek. His sacrifice was honored by the others, but they had to go. But now, the real scars came up quickly, and as anxious as they were for others, they were twice as deadly for themselves. Galika was slowly awakening, while screaming and crying. She had been gone through most suffering of all of them, while she did not even see any of it.
And then, they moaned for Flardrek. As he lied on the floor, Mersery whispered a message inn the name of Mata Nui, the Great Spirit. But it was far from over, and they knew that probably, no one would survive, when that being was roaming in the so quiet and deceptive city.
Minutes later, Flardrek opened his eyes slowly. His body ached as if mad Battera had trampled him. But he knew it was worse, far worse from that. But the thing which keeped bugging him were the lives of his friends, who were out there, with that maniac.
Chapter 9: Hunting the murderer[]
Flardrek past the buildings with a fair speed. This 'Sword Murderer' had to be stopped for once and all. Before him, he could only see the flashes of Baterra. Until he found Millennium, lying on the pavement as if he was dead. But Millennium was far from dead. He could witness every thing in the nearby area. He only did not give any sign he could, or even did. But Flardrek knew better than to believe Millennium was dead. With his blade ready, the Glatorian slowly approached the thousands of years old being, who now was in his most deceptive plotting ever. Even Dredzek was not with him. Dredzek had been seperated from him in a fight. His first sign of life was something not seen by Flardrek, at the time when he lifted his Axe of Eternity a small bit up.
When Flardrek came by close enough, Millennium brutishly slashed his Axe on the legs of Flardrek, who jumped shouting of surprise. The ancient warrior got up quickly, and smashed a few times at Flardrek, who, with screams of anger, parried them all. Millennium and Flardrek stood face to face, when Millennium spat out: "I`ll break your puny weak bones as if they were the toothpicks of my Fikou!" And with saying that, he put enough strength on his blade to blow Flardrek inside a wall. Flardrek could barely go up, while Millennium already came by, with a fearsome smile on his face. His tooth blinked in the sun, and his armor shined of the sunbeams reflecting on the silver plating it was made of. Flardrek could barely dodge when he threw his Axe in he wall where the Glatorian had been only the second before. His smile turned into a grim expresson, and his eyes told Flardrek everything he had to know of his intentions. He used his Magma Blaze Sword to blow fire in Millenniums face, who responded to his attack with a sole wave of the Axe he carried. When the blaze around him had stopped, only Flardreks footsteps in the burned asphalt were left of him, but they stopped after a few metres also.
The depressed mood of Mersery and his friends dominated their battles. The style of every being had become more gross and dirty, especially when a Baterra mentioned the name of Flardrek. These Baterra Katana had been controlling the fortress of sand and rock completely. Their long blades and armored, yet flexible limbs, gave the group a tough fight.
Opening the next door, they were confronted by a being they remembered well, the Sword Murderer. His Baterra Katana formed two big swordfighting warriors, being almost two heads bigger than Mersery. He send the Katana to battle the warriors who had just entered.
One of them headed directly to Mersery, who parried its blow elegant. His face turned grim when he stabbed its body with a roar. When the Baterra fell down, Mersery headed for the Sword Murderer. Jarodin, who already had slain the other Baterra, followed Galika to protect the gate.
The Sword Murderer smiled deceptive and evily, and his eyes were blinking. The black armor covering his body seemed thicker than the last encounter. Mersery`s eyes shot fire of anger. The armor he wore swelled of the muscles of its wearer. They both knew one would not survive. The Sword Murderer pushed a button with his sword, and behind him, a door opened. Hidden behind it was the Wall of Creation.
"Defeat me, and you have the liberty to destruct it..."
Chapter 10: Swords of Fury[]
The Sword Murderer blasted Jarodin away with a Thornax, and dived at Mersery. The Mersion dodged, but was struck with the Sword Murderer`s tribal blades. With a deceptive grin, the Skrall threw Mersery away, and jumped above him. But Mersery put his staff in the air, piercing through the Sword Murderer`s armor. Jarodin and Galika got the upper hand over the Baterra quickly, and the Murderer was losing. But in a last resort, he lept at Mersery, and drilled through his already battered chest. The wounded Mersion sank to the black floor, groaning loudly.
Jarodin couldn`t believe it. An instant ago, his friend Mersery was standing fiercely before the outmatched Sword Murderer. Now, the Skrall had overwhelmed him with violence. The body of Mersery, losing its body fluids, was there before him. But he was not dead... His eyes gleamed as never before, and all knew Mersery was alive. But not for too long. While the Mersion was living, his body was dying, and his mind would soon follow if not given any help.
But Galika, just as Jarodin in tears, walked over to Mersery, and put her hands on the Kanohi of her friend. She took it off, and switched it with hers. She put her own mask on Mersery, where it rested quietly for minutes on the face of the unconcious Mersery. Until, as if it was done by Mata Nui himself, the Nelslo she gave to him glowed. Mersery`s wounds closed as if they never had been there. His body, his whole body, gave off a dimmed light. But they all knew Mersery already had suffered much. And they all knew it could be too late...
There he was, in all of his glory. Flardrek, the noble Glatorian, and the thought-dead competitor, had finally managed to kick up to the fortress of Millennium. Well, fortress? It looked more like an abandoned library. But then again, where could someone find a high-class fortress here? The thoughts of the fierce warrior of the Fire Tribe were exactly right. A library, full of books on the lifestyle of the Great Beings. But, he knew Millennium had nothing to do with the Great Beings`s lifestyle, only with their weaknesses. The short time he worked with him, he had shown great interest in slaying the Great Beings once seeing them one-on-one. Only, the journey of Flardrek did not have anything to do with stopping Millennium and his lust for vengeance. It all had to do with his powers. The powers of the Axe of Eternity, his physical strength, and his eternally powerful mind. Because Flardrek was not dumb; the Sword Murderer was no match for the time-warping being. That was the reason he wanted Millennium to work with him. Only him, no one else. A temporary alliance between two different parties, two different methods, and two different virtues of life. The evil and the good were to be united against an enemy who was capable of bringing dwon both. Now, Flardrek did only want to know: Would Millennium accept?
Zwardmorder was his name. His name, granted to him by the very citizens of Bara Magna themselves, was an ancient Skarll word meaning 'Murderer with swords'. And it did fit him. He had slain so many before the eyes of their closest friends, in such horrific, terrifying ways, his personality got connected to it. His only way of getting pleasure is bringing gruesome deaths to beings, under the eye of the ones who love them. And he did it again. The only thing was, the victim didn`t die. Mersery was full of life once again. To Mersery`s friends, he was the Sword Murderer, until now. Because he had lost. And his true name was now revealed to them. His name describing only a fragment of his lunatic and homicidal personality.
After Mersery was healed, Jarodin had been shook awake of his nightmare becoming reality. And he was furious, more than he ever was, or ever would be again. He had unleashed his power in one concentrated brainwave, shaking the fortress apart. Zwardmorder, the only being standing between Jarodin and the Wall of Creation at that point, had been fragmentated by it, and scattered over the area. But it was far from over with him. The mutilated body of the Skrall had not been scattered. No, it was worse. It was his mind what was scattered. His mind had been torn apart, and now, there only was left a twisted and warped thought in his head. Killing. It was the only fragment, rooted in the deepest corner of his mind, what was left. And it still worked completely. With a rasping voice, he swore revenge on the being burying him. With a roar, the fortress rebuilt to a black, demonic gate, leading to the ruins of the Great Beings. There, they would find him, and all of his victims.
Characters[]
Not available as of now
Original (unfinished)[]
- First version: [1]
Trivia[]
- This was slightly inspired by all other FttD Contests made until now.
- Several weapons of the Corrupted Baterra were invented by Baterra1202, and the non-player MOCs Kawa and Iruka were created by Scorpion665. All other characters are of Vagra Nui Tales', or competitors entered by other users.