Shadowed is a story written by NujuRocks, and NujuRocks' first story. It will be at least six chapters long upon completion.
Chapter 1[]
Lightning flashed, illuminating the shape of a twisted, black figure in the sky. Solek breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. He hoped desperately that Chirox couldn't see him in his hiding place; a small cave formerly inhabited by a Klakk. He could hear Raidak screaming. Bitil had caught him almost immediatly after the chase had begun, and was now torturing the Matoran in order to goad his friends out of hiding. Trying to ignore his friend's cries of agony, Solek focused on the task at hand: staying hidden. He sheathed his blades- they wouldn't do him much good against Makuta- and ignited his jetpack, taking to the skies.
"Come out, little Matoran!" Bitil called.
Cautiosly, Solek flew low in an attempt to avoid Chirox's keen eyes. He knew that, if he didn't find a good hiding spot, he was dead or worse. Another of Raidak's wails filled the air.
"I'll kill him if you don't surrender," Bitil said, glee obvious in his voice.
Solek opened his mouth to reply, but stopped himself. He didn't want to give away his position. Unfortunately, one of his friends didn't share his restraint.
"You expect us to believe you'll spare him?" Photok shouted.
Solek winced as Photok's screams joined Raidak's.
No!
Solek accelerated, heading towards the direction of Photok's cry.
"Solek!"
Solek flipped onto his back just in time to see Gavla plumeting out of the sky towards him. She landed on his chest, forcing him to the ground. Another flash of lightning iluminated her face, deeply worried beneath her Kanohi Rau.
"Do you want to get yourself killed?" she demanded, her voice breaking.
"They have Photok. We can't just-"
"Shut up!" Gavla ordered in a hushed tone.
Solek immediatly quieted. Gavla was known for her sharp hearing, so it was possible that she heard something that he didn't.
Or maybe she just has more common sense, Solek thought.
The Solek yelped as Chirox appeared in front of him, blocking their line of flight.
"Hello, little Matoran," he said ominously. "Time to join your friends."
Then he attacked. Solek dodged, using his power over light to create a hard-light wall in between the Matoran and the Makuta. Fortunately, it bought Solek and Gavla time to take flight. Unfortunately, it didn't buy them enough time to escape. Chirox blasted the wall to pieces, and took flight after the two fleeing Av-Matoran.
"Fly low!" Gavla said. "I've got an idea, but we need to loose the Makuta!"
Solek nodded, diving down towards the marshy ground. Gavla was close behind, focusing her energies. The second Chirox was out of sight, she used her ability to create holograms to form duplicates of herself and Solek and sent them off to the east, towards their village.
"Stay down!" she hissed. "Turn off your jetpack."
Solek drained his pack's power, landing on a rocky bluff next to a small creek. Gavla, on the other hand, landed in the water, all but submerging herself in it. Only her head remained above water.
"Get in!" she ordered.
"But the Swamp Mutagen-" Solek began.
"Swamp Mutagen. Not Creek Mutagen."
Solek gulped and dove into the water. Seconds later, a shadow passed over them, hovering a few yards over the stream. Solek and Gavla held their breath, hoping that Gavla's theory was correct and that they wouldn't exit the water as mutated freaks.
After what seemed like ages, Chirox flew off after the two Av-Matoran holograms. Gavla and Solek resurfaced, gasping for air.
"Well, that-" Solek broke off, coughing out some water.
"Worked?" Gavla grinned, breathing heavily.
"I was going to say, 'almost got us killed', but still..."
Gavla's grin melted off her face.
"Photok and Raidak," she said.
"What about them?"
"I don't hear them anymore," she murmured. "We were heading right for them. That can only mean-"
Gavla's voice petered out.
They're dead, Solek thought. Both of them.
"Come on," he said sadly.
The two Av-Matoran took off, heading deeper into the swamp. They flew in silence. If they spoke, they could be heard. If they were heard, they could be found. If they were found, they were dead. Accelerating slightly, Solek took the lead, creating a small sphere of light to act as a lamp in the dark night.
Finally, Gavla ventured to speak.
"Where do you think Kirop and Tanma are?" she asked.
"I don't know. Probably hiding," Solek replied.
Or dead. We need to get as deep into this swamp as possible before daybreak. If the Makuta have light to track us, we'll be found in a heartbeat.
"It'll be morning in a few hours," Gavla observed, voicing Solek's thoughts. "We need to hide before then."
"I've got an idea," Solek said. "It'll be difficult to get there, bu-AAH!"
A laser of Shadow struck Solek, sending him spinning into the swamp waters. Solek resurfaced a few seconds later, groaning. He looked skyward. Chirox and Antroz flew above him, their eyes glowing with malice. Solek dove deep just in time to avoid being hit by another Shadow bolt. When he came up again, he heard Gavla splash into the water beside him.
"Goodbye, Matoran," Antroz shouted from on high.
Solek tried to activate his jet pack, but the Swamp's water had short-circuited the piece of machinery. He was up to his neck in water win Antroz's bolt of lightning struck the liquid, sending Solek into oblivion.
Chapter 2[]
Pain is a very... broad... word. It can be used in many ways. It comes in all shapes and forms, with varying degrees of discomfort.
Gavla was experiencing them all. Her entire body felt like it was being ripped apart and put back together, again and again... and again... and again. All she wanted was some form of release from the awful agony running along her small Matoran form. She couldn't think, she couldn't breath, she couldn't do anything but wait as that terrible pain covered her. She screamed, but, being submerged in the Swamp's mutagenic waters, no one heard her. Hours passed, with no sign of the feeling diminishing. Then, finally, the pain let up ever so slightly. It wasn't much, but it was something. Gavla focused on that feeling of goodness. She tried to expand it and, to her surprise and delight, she succeeded. The pain lessened and lessened, until Gavla felt all but normal.
No, she thought. Better than normal. I feel great.
Looking down, Gavla was astounded by the changes in her body. The Swamp's Mutagen, supercharged by Antroz's bold of lightning, had somehow turned her into a Toa! Her coloring, however, surprised her. Usually, under the kind of strain she had been in a few minutes ago, her control over her color would have abandoned her, leaving her armor white. Instead, her new Toa armor was varying shades of blue.
The Mutagen must have changed my coloring permanently, Gavla realised. Not that it matters- blue is my color anyway.
Standing, Gavla searched around for her Twin Spikes, but where they had been just a few minutes ago lay two long, blue, curved blades. She picked them up, testing their balance.
Perfect.
She stored them on their back, finding that they fit perfectly into two grooves on her shoulders. The weight felt almost... familiar.
I could get used to this.
Solek felt a grim satisfaction as his target, a huge swamp tree, toppled to the ground in front of him. His control over light was incredible.
I could get used to this, he thought. I'd like to see the Makuta come for me now, he thought, stowing his blades on his back. I would actually stand a chance.
Doing his best to avoid the swampy waters, Solek maneuvered through the trees back towards the freshwater creek in which he and Gavla had first hidden. He found it without to much difficulty, and climbed down into the waters. The chilled liquid ran over his muddy armor, washing away a day's worth of grime and filth. Looking down, he focused and employed his Kanohi Akaku to search the surrounded area. This new ability pleased him almost as much as his transformation into a Toa; as an Av-Matoran, he could always feel the power in his mask, although he had absolutely no control over it. Grinning widely, Solek shut off his Kanohi power and started to climb back into a tree. He wasn't sure how his newly mutated form would deal with the Swamp Mutagen, but he didn't want to risk being killed or worse. He was halfway into the short swamp tree when he heard voices:
"...and Gorast tells me that the blue one, Gavla, survived as well."
"Very good. The knowledge that this swamp, when energized, can transform Matoran is... profitable. At least if we can ca-"
"Silence, Mutran. Can't you feel that?"
"Ah, yes," Mutran replied. "Light. Bitil, my dear friend, I believe we may have found our Toa."
Solek dove smoothly into the creek, hoping against hope that they couldn't see him. Oddly, however, the two Makuta flew over his head, their forms distorted in Solek's eyes by the water. All he saw was two shadowy objects pass between himself and the heavy rainclouds.
What are they doing? Solek wondered, his lungs straining. Wait, they were just talking about-
Solek broke the surface, gasping, "-Gavla!"
Choosing to risk mutation in the swamp rather than let one of his best friends die, Solek sprinted through the marsh, his legs plunging into the dangerous mud deeper with every step. After a few minutes of running in this fashion, Solek was already beginning to tire. He took a rest as he entered a large valley, one of the few places in the swamp not entirely covered in mud.
How do I know I'm even going in the right direction? he wondered. I could barely see the Makuta when they passed overhead, I might be wrong about which way they were going.
Then, as if triggered by the thought, a huge explosion of Light appeared accross the valley.
That's my cue, Solek thought.
He sprinted down the steep, rocky side of the gulch, readying his swords. Panting, Solek focused his powers, preparing for his first fight as a Toa. He flinched as a Shadow passed over him, and released a wide lazer of Light in the direction he thought the shadow had come from. Turning around, Solek saw Bitil plunge out of the sky, unconscious.
Who- or what- could have done that?
Approaching the center of the valley, Solek found himself at the banks of a huge lake. On the opposite shore, a huge battle was taking place between four Makuta and a tall golden being, who radiated power like nothing Solek had seen before. He saw a green Makuta- either Gorast of Mutran, he couldn't tell which- was sent flying into the lake by a blast of Light. Then the entire battlefield rippled, as if reality were bending in upon itself, and the four remaining contestants disappeared.
What in the name of-
Solek didn't have time to finish the thought before the Makuta and the golden stranger all appeared twenty feet to his left.
"Care to join us?" the golden being asked, twirling his huge, silver and black staff.
Getting over his surprise, Solek rushed towards Chirox, the Makuta nearest him. With a yell, he swung his dual swords at the black figure, tearing a deep gash in his armor. Chirox shrieked, his Antidermis spilling from his breached limb. Whirling, the Makuta blasted Solek with an inferno of shadow, engulfing him in total darkness. Solek panicked, finding himself unable to draw a breath.
Help me! he thought. Anyone, ANYTHING! HELP ME!
Then, suddenly, the darkness disappeared, and Solek fell to his knees gasping. Chirox, Antroz, Gorast, and Vamprah lay around him, still as death. The golden stranger approached the new Toa of Light, his expression worried.
"Are you alright, Solek?" he asked.
"You-" Solek coughed, his lungs demanding more air.
"Yes, I know your name. I'm Tornak. You probably would like it if I-" Tornak gestured with his left hand, and Solek found himself able to breath regularly.
"Thanks," Solek said. "I think I owe you my life, Tornak."
"Don't mention it. Anyway, back to introductions. I am Tornak, Champion of the Great Beings, Wielder of the Staff of Divinity, at your service."
Solek took a minute to process that information, then asked the first question that came to mind.
"How did you manage to become Champion of the Great Beings?"
"To make a long story short, I am a Great Being. The youngest, in fact, making me automatically the Champion."
"So you're saying that your older brothers make you do their dirty work?" Solek grinned, his words slurring.
Something's wrong with me, Solek thought. I'm being oddly... rude.
Tornak, too, seemed surprised by Solek's casual manner.
"You're more... impertinant that I remember," he said as he held out his staff, which shrunk into a small rod of Protodermis.
"I'm sorry," Solek said. "But I'm kind of..."
The Toa of Light collapsed, unconscious.
"Oh," Tornack murmured. "In shock. Ah, well. That complicates things."
Chapter 3[]
Gavla was on the run, ducking through the swamp of Karda Nui under a thick cloud cover. Just a few minutes ago, she had been toying with her new Light powers, when a a white-armored Makuta known as Krika appeared before her, covered in swamp mud. She had immediately attacked, but, as she was inexperienced with her new Toa abilities, her first three blasts of Light missed. Fortunately, they temporarily blinded the Makuta, giving Gavla time to run for cover. Now Krika was around thirty feet behind her firing blasts of Shadow at the fleeing Toa of Light.
"You can't hide from us, Toa," Krika called. "The Shadows belong to me!"
Gavla ignored him, continuing on her way. Just as the sky began to rain, she sheathed her swords and ducked down a game path, praying that it would lead her out of the Swamp and into the huge cave she called home.
I used'' to call home, she thought. There won't be much of a home now, not without Raidak and the others...
Trying her best to ignore the thoughts of her most likely dead friends, she redoubled her speed, breaking into a wide, open clearing. A huge valley lay ahead of her, with a gigantic lake in the middle. Gavla sprinted towards the canyon, searching for the best way down into its heart.
"Yes, Toa," Krika jeered. "Now I have you just where I wan-"
The Makuta broke off his pursuit, staring open-mouthed at the canyon. Six bodies were strewn about on the shores of the beach, with two Toa-shaped beings standing over them, one white and black, the other gold and silver. Gavla rushed to the edge of the canyon, looking down at the two beings. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the golden one was much taller that the white. But she didn't have much time to think about that. Krika came up behind her and rammed into her back, sending her flying off of the cliff. Gavla felt herself panic, and immediatly tried to mentally ignite her jet pack, before she remembered:
I'm not wearing a jet pack.
Yet, oddly, she found herself gliding through the air, slowly flying towards the ground. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that her two Wingblades were acting as actual wings, allowing her to glide through the air with ease.
This gig keeps getting better.
She angled herself towards the two beings on the shore of the lake. The white one, who seemed fine the moment before, collapsed unconscious. Gavla landed silently behind the golden being, just in time to hear him say, "Oh. In shock. Ah, well. That complicates things."
The Toa of Light drew her blades.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The golden being whirled, raising a small rod in his right hand. Behind his golden Kanohi Hau, his eyes narrowed.
"Gavla."
"Um, what?" Gavla asked, confused.
The being relaxed, lowering the stick. "I am Tornak. I would give you my speech, but I just delivered it to your friend there."
Tornak gestured at the unconscious Toa.
"Who is he?" Gavla said, keeping her swords ready.
"One would think you would recognise Solek."
Gavla flinched at the sound of her friend's name.
"Solek? What's wrong with him?"
She rushed over to the unconscious Toa of Light, re-sheathing her blades.
"I'm not sure," Tornak replied. "It's possible that one of the Makuta drained him of his powers before falling unconscious, leaving him catatonic."
"What!?"
"Calm down," Tornak ordered, shaking his head. "I have a bad habit of always telling the worst-case scenario first. It's more likely that he's just in shock from the thirty-odd seconds he spent without air."
Gavla stepped over to Solek, rolling him onto his back. He was breathing, fortunately, and seemed to be perfectly fine.
Other than the fact that he's unconscious.
"If you would care to move, I will fix him completely," Tornak offered.
Gavla glared up at him. Tornak seemed altogether too comfortable with the present situation.
"Why should I trust you?" she said. "I met you less that five minutes ago."
"Because I was sent here to deal with them-" Tornak pointed at the unconscious Makuta- "and their fellow Makuta, one of whom I believe just attempted to kill you."
Gavla frowned, but moved aside. Tornak knelt down on the sand beside Solek, holding a hand over the unconscious Toa's chest. He whispered something in a language Gavla didn't understand, and a beam of light passed from his hand into Solek's heartstone. Solek's eyes opened slowly, as if he was coming out of a long rest.
"What happened?" he asked.
"We're not sure," Tornak answered. "You're most likely in shock."
"I felt strange, just before I blacked out," Solek sat up, searching the surroundings for any Makuta that could have woken and attacked him from behind.
"Are you okay?" Gavla asked, touching Solek's shoulder.
Solek jumped, noticing his friend for the first time.
"Wha- Gavla! What happened to you!"
"Nothing important. But you seem to have become a Toa."
Solek grinned. "I figured the same would happen to you, since we both got hit by the same bolt of lightning.'
"Likewise," Gavla replied.
Tornak stood, holding out his small stick. Gavla's eyes widened as the rod grew from both sides, lengthening into a long, black and silver staff.
"I have buisness here in Karda Nui," he said. "You are welcome to join me if you would like; I would appreciate the company."
Solek's grin widened. "I'll take that offer. Where are we going, exactly?"
"An ancient place called the Codrex. There is a signal that needs to be sent to my elder brothers, the Great Beings. Mata Nui must return to his body. If he doesn't..."
"Then what?" Gavla asked.
"If he does not return, I will be forced to destroy this universe, in order to prevent Teridax from siezing total control and destroying reality as we know it."
Chapter 4[]
The assassin's eyes narrowed. His target, a mid-sized Toa of Light, was his fifth this month. He had been hired by the Brotherhood of Makuta to kill twelve Toa, all of the same element, before they realised what was happening and banded together into an Order. So far, he had been successful, but this one was different. His name was Lize. The assassin had been following him for a week, searching for weaknesses, but so far he had found nothing. The yellow-and-white Toa was totally self-sufficient, not relying on anyone buy himself to perform tasks.
I may be forced to meet him in open battle, the red-hued mercenary thought. I hate open battle.
Frowning, the Dark Hunter turned and stalked towards Ga-Metru, where his current hideout was situated.
There will be hell in Metru Nui tonight.
Lize drew his two black broadswords, twirling them in a complicated motion. He backflipped away from his imaginary foe, swinging one of his blades at the imaginary head. Landing smoothly, he sheathed his blades.
"I saw you two minutes ago, just before you cloaked yourself," Lize said. "So now the Shadowed One wants me dead, does he?"
The tall red figure flickered into view, holding a spiked mace.
"Not him," the Dark Hunter said. "The Brotherhood of Makuta."
Lize flinched.
"The Brotherhood? I thought they were in hiding, what with Teridax in control of the Universe."
The Dark Hunter grinned. "Teridax is happy with the power he has. He is in total control of this entire reality. He is currently attempting to conquer several worlds with the abilities of this... body."
"So the Brotherhood is simply running wild, with the acceptance of the Great Spirit?" Lize shook his head. "That's ridiculous."
"Not my department. I just kill who I'm paid to kill."
"I assume you're the one who killed the other Toa of Light?" Lize said calmly.
"So you know about Takanuva?"
"And the others. You're not very inconspicuous."
"Be that as it may," the Dark Hunter said, "I still fulfill my contracts. And you, my friend, are next."
The mercenary charged, swinging his mace in a powerful arc at the Toa. Lize rolled out of the way, re-drawing his blades. Focusing, the Toa of Light caused a bright flash of light to materialize directly in front of the assassin. With a growl, the crimson Hunter stumbled backwards, his eyes temporarily blinded. Lize siezed the chance to leap forward, tackling the assassin. The Dark Hunter felt himself thrown to the ground, his mace flying out of his hand. The mercenary attempted to rise to his feet, but froze as he felt cold steel under his chin.
"I will kill you," Lize said, his voice still calm. "I don't want to, but I will."
"Liar," the Dark Hunter sneered. "Toa don't kill."
"Have you ever heard of Orde?" Lize asked.
The Dark Hunter didn't answer.
"He's a good friend of mine. We meet at least once a week, to discuss the... fate... of scum like you. Now, do you want to come quietly, or-" Lize slowly dragged his sword across the assassin's throat, not pressing hard enough to draw blood, but enough to cause mild discomfort, "-should I make an appointment for you, with my good friend Orde?"
The Dark Hunter held his breath. He'd heard of Orde, the one male Toa of Psionics, who was rumored to hunt down his enemies and brutally massacre them. And if Lize was telling the truth, killing the Toa of Light, or even trying to kill the Toa, would definately land him on Orde's 'enemies' list.
"I'll come quietly," the Dark Hunter whispered.
"What's that?" Lize said. "Speak up."
"I'll come quietly!"
"Good," Lize muttered.
The Toa sheathed one of his blades, formed a fist, and punched the Hunter in the jaw. The mercenary slumped, unconscious. Lize stood, sheathing his other sword. He had work to do tonight.
Makuta Mutran stirred slowly, his head spinning. He stood, ignoring the aches and pains in his mechanical body.
One would assume, he thought, that when we became pure Antidermis, we would no longer feel pain. I have yet to discover why these foul suits of armor still transmit feelings to my mind.
Mutran recovered his sword, gazing around at his moonlit surroundings. The golden being he and his brothers had fought had disappeared. Chirox and the others lay unconscious around him, their weapons strewn across the battlefield. Growling, Mutran prepared to take flight. Before he took to the skies, however, a movement in his peripheral vision caught his eye. Turning, he saw a red figure stalking towards Bitil, the Makuta farthest from the lake.
Who is this? Mutran wondered. Some foolish Av-Matoran, believing he might scavange something from a wounded Makuta?
Not that Mutran cared about Bitil. Mutran simply did not want a Makuta- any Makuta- to be treated with disrespect. If one Matoran got away with it, it might start an epidemic. So the green Makuta strode towards the red figure, sword at the ready.
"Who goes there!" he demanded.
The red figure turned, but didn't reply. It simply turned back away, walking back towards the trees.
"Halt!" Mutran commanded, breaking into a run.
The figure ignored him, continuing to stroll in the opposite direction. Mutran caught up to him in a few short strides, and grabbed at the red figure. He froze as his hand touched the shoulder... and sank straight through it. The figure turned to face the Makuta. It wore no Kanohi mask, nor did it have a true face; its head was a semi-transparent mass of ruby-red liquid. Mutran felt cold fear as he realised:
The figure was made of blood.
"What are you?" he whispered, backing away from the blood creature.
The being didn't reply. It simply stared at him for a moment, before losing its form and running into the ground. Mutran felt a sense of relief, but why, he didn't know. But it didn't last long.
"That, my friend," a voice said from behind Mutran, "would be known as a 'distraction'."
Mutran felt pain explode behind his eyes as the hilt of a weapon struck the back of his head.
For the second time that day, he was unconscious.
Solek was shocked. How could someone- especially someone as noble as Tornak- plan on destroying an entire Universe? He shot a glance at Gavla, who stared straight ahead, her face obscured by darkness. She was clearly thinking the same, her eyes hooded. Tornak walked a few feet in front of them, silent. He was leading them deep into the Swamp, towards some place called the 'Codrex'.
"Why can't we try and solve the Makuta problem before we go straight to the 'Destroy the World' option?" Gavla said, breaking the silence.
Tornak turned around.
"Because," the Great Being replied, "time is of the essence. And, in case you haven't noticed, we are being followed."
Gavla whirled around, drawing her Wingblades.
"And now he knows we are aware of his presence," Tornak sighed, drew his spear, and created a bright sphere of light that hovered in between trees. "Step into the light!"
A ruby-red figure stepped forward, the light rippling across its surface. Solek drew his blades, stepping forward.
"Don't bother," Tornak said. "It's just an illusion. It doesn't have a mind."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the figure lost its form, flowing into the mud.
"Odd," Tornak muttered. "It has no mind, and yet it occupies space. So it's not an illusion. And if it's not an illusion..." His eyes widened as he shouted, "Solek, duck!"
Solek responded immediatly, diving to his left. A dart made of red material flew in the air above his head, exactly where he had been standing a second before. It flew straight through a tree, leaving a narrow hole in its trunk, and disappeared.
"You're smarter than your average Makuta, my friend."
Tornak turned to face the source of the sound. A ruby-red Toa stood behind them, a wickedly sharp blade in his hand.
"Who're you?" Gavla said. "And why in Mata Nui's name are you following us?"
The figure smiled.
"That hardly matters."
Then he attacked.
Chapter 5[]
Lize cursed, wishing that he had brought his swords. Unfortunately, they were leaning up against the wall of the Great Temple, four miles away. So he was at a disadvantage as the lime-green and black assassin known as Ragon swung his short black blade at the Toa of Light. Lize barely avoided the sword, ducking at the last possible moment, and jumped backwards onto the low roof of a Matoran house. The Toa of Light searched his surroundings for a weapon, but in this abandoned section of Po-Metru, every object of value had been excavated years before. Ragon stalked forward, staring up at Lize.
"How surprising," the killer called, his voice gutteral. "A great and powerful Toa, running from a fight."
Lize didn't respond. Instead, he summoned his power over light and sent a lazer in Ragon's direction. The assassin howled as the beam struck his hand, leaving a small burn. More importantly, the blow forced Ragon to release his blade, which fell from his hand and landed on the sandy ground. As the assassin leaned down to reclaim his weapon, Lize hurled himself from the roof, landing on Ragon's back. The unexpected weight of the Toa forced caused Ragon's knees to buckle, and the killer fell to the ground. As Lize took up the black blade, Ragon rose to his feet, growling.
"I'll kill you for that."
"Try me."
Ragon dove at the Toa, but missed as Lize jumped high into the air, flipped over, and landed behind him.
I should have known the Dark Hunter had a partner, Lize mentally berated himself. They almost never travel alone.
The Light warrior swung Ragon's sword experimentally through the air, testing its balance as its original owner regained his feet.
"I'll give you the option of surrender," Lize called.
"I would never surrender to the likes of you," Ragon laughed. "But my plan has succeeded."
"What plan?" Lize felt a grin playing on the edges of his lips. "I could kill you if I wanted."
The Dark Hunter shook his head, the eyes behind his Mask of Night Vision malicious.
"I didn't come here to kill you."
Ragon stepped backwards, into the shadow of a small hut.
Then he disappeared.
Tornak twirled the Staff of Divinity, firing a brilliant pulse of Light at the opposing Toa. The red warrior caught the beam on his sword. Tornak frowned. The Hau-wearer had never met a Toa like this. Judging by color, the Great Being would have assumed he was a Toa of Fire, but the powers he sensed in this being were somehow darker. But he did not seem to be a Shadow Toa, either.
What are you, Toa? Tornak thought. I have never met one like you.
The Great Being dodged the Toa's wickedly sharp blade, which glinted in the dawning morning light. Anger burned in Tornak's soul; this Toa could be responsible for the destruction of uncounted worlds, simply because he was delaying Tornak's plan. He looked around, hoping to see Solek and Gavla, but both were battling to red figures who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
"Who are you?" Tornak demanded, trading more blows with his foe. "I have never met you, and I had a personal part in the creation of the Matoran race. There are only a few I have never met, and those have been described to me by my elders."
The red Toa grinned behind his Mask of Charisma, "I'm not surprised they didn't tell you about me. You probably would have killed me."
Tornak shook his head. This Toa made no sense.
I'm going to have to kill him now, the Hau-wearer realised.
Fully aware that he would probably be wounded while preparing for his powerful attack, Tornack began to charge up his remaining power for a blast of light so powerful it would vaporize both the Toa and his small red creations. The Toa stabbed him in the gut.
Tornak howled as he felt pain- indescribable, infinite pain- as the sword absorbed part of his life force.
The Great Being collapsed, his charged power disappating. The warrior stood above him, glowing with power.
"I won't kill you," the Toa said. "But you cannot succeed in your plan. I'm sorry it has to be this way."
The Toa slammed the hilt of his sword into Tornak's mask, and the Great Being knew no more.
Toa Altrin stared down at his victim. He didn't want to fight Tornak, but unfortunate circumstances forced his hands. He stared at the two Toa of Light, both of whom were deep in battle with his creations. Sighing, Altrin released the creatures, allowing their substance to flow into the ground. Sheathing his blade, Bloodseeker, Altrin walked towards the Toa. Calling on his Mask of Charisma, he approached them.
"I don't want to hurt you," he spoke, his Kanohi subtly influencing their minds.
The white-armored Toa, the one Tornak had called Solek, laughed, stowing his blades on his back. "And why should we believe that?"
The blue-hued female nodded in agreement.
"Because I could have killed your friend over there, and I didn't," Altrin said. "If that's not proof, I'm not sure what proof is."
Solek frowned. Altrin's Kanohi was clearly affecting his mind, but he still wasn't convinced.
"Maybe-" he began, speaking slowly.
"Maybe what?" Altrin demanded. "You know I'm doing the right thing! He wanted to destroy the entire Universe!"
With a sigh of exasperation, the blue-armored Toa of Light stabbed her Wingblades into the mud. She appeared to be deep in thought, but whatever she was thinking, she kept it to herself.
"Listen to me," Altrin commanded. "Tornak is not who he says he is, he's-"
The Toa froze, a chill wind blowing through the Marsh.
"Do you hear that?" Altrin asked.
"Hear what?" Solek demanded, his eyes searching their surroundings.
How did he find me? Altrin thought. The one being in the entire damned Universe who knows who I am, and he just so happens to show up here?
"Nothing," Altrin began, but someone else interrupted.
"Don't hear-listen to him!" a new voice joined the Toa.
Altrin cursed, re-drawing Bloodseeker. A Toa of Air dropped from a tree behind Gavla and Solek, his scythe in hand. The two Toa of Light whirled around, reaching for their blades.
"Friends of yours, Blood-Toa?" Siclonus asked, readying his Cyclone Scythe.
"No," Solek said, "not yet. Do you know this guy?" Solek gestured at Altrin.
"Know him?" Siclonus laughed. "Yes, I have speak-talked to him. After that, he tried to stab-kill me with that shadowblade of his."
Altrin cursed again, reaching for the Cordak Blaster strapped to his back.
This could get messy.
Gavla looked back and forth from the newfound Toa of Air back to the other mysterious Toa who had been trying to kill them a few minutes ago. Although the others didn't know it, she was still feeling extreme guilt for her fellow Av-Matorans' deaths. Solek had managed to move on already, concentrating more on the task at hand that dwelling on the past. Of course, she, too, had forgotten all about Tanma's and the others' deaths for a few hours when she had become a Toa, but now that she was more or less used to the idea, depression was sinking in. She had barely said a word in hours. And now she was faced with a choice, one that could either kill or save her and her only remaining friend, Solek:
Should I trust this Toa who almost killed Solek, but spared Tornak, or should I trust this new Toa, who I've never seen before in my life?
The green Toa stalked forward, glaring at his red-colored enemy.
"Altrin. I wish I could true-say it was good to sight-see you."
The red Toa, Altrin, shook his head. "I'm sorry for what I did to you, Siclonus. You forced my hand."
"Whatever you say-tell, Blood Warrior, you still tried to kill me," Siclonus snarled, brushing past Solek and Gavla.
Wincing, Altrin nodded, saying, "I regret that, but you have to understand, I never meant-"
"Don't use you damn Mask Power on me, Toa of Blood," Siclonus said, swinging his Cyclone Scythe.
Gavla rushed forward, catching Siclonus' blow on her sword.
"Wait!" she shouted. "Can someone please explain what in Karzhani is going on here!?"
The three Toa glared at each other for a moment, before all relaxed slightly. An silent truce was established:
No fighting until we've talked.
Gavla sheathed her Wingblades; Siclonus stabbed the butt of his Scythe into the ground. Altrin dropped both of his weapons into the mud in a sign of goodwill.
"Alright, then," Altrin began, but yet again he was cut off by Siclonus.
"First, let's have your swear-word that you won't use you Mask," the Air warrior said.
"Fine," Altrin responded.
"Good."
Gavla shot a look at Solek, who still stood off to the side. Both of his Wingblades were at the ready, in case violence resumed. He clearly wanted to say something, but restrained himself.
"Now that we've exchanged 'pleasantries'," Gavla said, her voice sarcastic, "would someone tell me what's going on here?"
Altrin nodded, as did Siclonus.
"It start-began like this," Siclonus said, his eyes clouded. "I was on my island-home of Artakha, when this... abomination... appeared-came. He say-told us, the Artakhans, that he needed transport to here, Karda Nui. We believed he had true-good intentions, why wouldn't we? But then we were attacked by a Kane-Ra Bull-Rahi. This Blood Toa showed his true colors then, when he stabbed-killed-"
"Wait," Aldrin fumed. "I think I have the right to explain who I am, not you."
Siclonus frowned, but fell silent.
"It's true, I am, as he calls it, a 'Blood Toa'," Altrin said. "The only one, in fact. However, my intentions were 'true-good' when I asked for transportation. I needed a ship so I could stop him-" the Toa gestured towards where Tornak lay in the mud- "from destroying the Universe. And when Siclonus here tried to stop me from leaving Artakha, I attacked. I had to stop Tornak; I'm the only one who can."
Gavla shook her head. This didn't make sense.
"So you're a Toa of Blood?" Solek asked, surprising them all. A mixture of fear and disgust could be clearly seen on his Kanohi Akaku.
Atrin nodded, his eyes dark. "You got a problem with it?"
Solek shuddered, not wanting to think of what that title implied. "No problem, other that the fact that the only beings I know of who can control that element are either Makuta or worse."
Altrin sighed. He clearly ran into this problem a lot.
Gavla decided to speak up. "Okay, we all clearly have a common goal here, right?"
Altrin muttered his agreement, Siclonus nodded, although he seemed unsure of exactly what that goal was.
"Good. Then let's stop the bickering and get some work done, alright?"
Tornak groaned from where he lay in the mud; Altrin's wound had clearly taken its toll on him.
"I can heal him," Altrin said.
Solek gestured towards the Great Being, as if to say, Be my guest. Gavla stepped forward, putting her hand on the Toa of Blood's shoulder.
"If you hurt him," she warned, "Our friend there-" she pointed at Siclonus- "will be the least of you worries."
"You can trust me," Altrin replied. "Even if you don't know it. And after I do this, we need to get him to my ship. He'll be unconscious for a couple hours, and it might be best if he woke up far away from Karda Nui."
Gavla voiced her agreement.
The farther he is from this 'Codrex' he was talkng about, Gavla realised. Just as long as he can't destroy the Universe as we know it.
Altrin passed her and knelt next to the Great Being, summoning his powers.
Gavla looked at him suspiciously.
If he's being honest, then we've just gained a powerful ally, she thought. If he's not, then we'd all better watch our backs. I don't know much about the element of Blood, but whatever it is, it can't be good.
And if he steps out of line, he'll be more dangerous than the rest of us combined.
Chapter 6[]
Makuta Mutran rolled onto his back, groaning.
I really need to stop waking up like this.
The green Makuta climbed slowly to his feet. His brothers were gone; that was not a surprise. Makuta rarely cared for one another. Reclaiming his sword- again- Mutran hurled himself into the air, his powerful wings easily supporting his lithe body. Surveying the ground under him for signs of his mysterious enemy, Mutran began to fly accross the swamp. The bright morning light burned his eyes, but he ignored it, forcing himself to focus on tracking his foe. He saw nothing, other than pale grey and brown trees and mud.
I hate this place, Mutran realised. Maybe if it had a little more shadow, then it would be acceptable.
Shaking his head, Mutran began to fly towards the Stalactite Village. Then a movement on the ground below him caught his eye. Sending out a mental summons to his fellow Makuta, he angled himself towards the ground.
Let us show these weaklings the Shadow of the Makuta.
"Did you sight-see that?"
Solek whirled, his Wingblades ready in his hands. "See what?"
Siclonus touched his arm pad, which morphed into a spinning shield.
"Something sky-flew over our heads," he said, drawing his Cyclone Scythe. "To big for a bird."
Closing his eyes, the Miru-wearer concentrated, using his power over air to sense the wind currents, and where they were disrupted by objects. The task was exceedingly difficult, and had taken years for him to master. Most of the disruptions in the Air current were caused by trees, but two in particular caught his attention. Smiling, he pointed upwards. "We have company. Makuta shape-sized company."
Fear ballooned in Solek's chest; he wasn't sure if he was ready for a fight with the Makuta. He was a new Toa, and his only real combat experience had been when he wounded Makuta Chirox. He hadn't forgotten how the Makuta created a shadow-vacuum around his head, nearly causing him to suffocate.
"You'll do fine," Altrin's voice said from behind the Toa of Light.
Solek turned and nodded at the Toa of Blood, who was, with considerable difficulty, carrying Tornak on his back. He wasn't sure if he liked Altrin, as their newfound ally had attempted to kill him a few short hours ago, but he seemed kind enough now that they were all on speaking terms. And, in a way, he had attoned for that bying healing Tornak, as the Great Being had saved his life the day before.
"Thanks," he said. "It's just nerves."
Altrin nodded. He propped Tornak up against a tree, drawing his blade, which he called 'Bloodseeker', and his Cordak Blaster. "I remember my first big brawl," the Blood Warrior said. "I'll have to tell you about it. And while I'm thinking about it, don't poke an angry Shadow Scorpian on the backside with a spear. It upsets them."
In spite of himself, Solek cracked a smile. He looked to his left, where Gavla stood, stone still. The female Toa had barely spoken a word since the encounter earlier. Her demeaner worried him. While he had been able to focus on getting to Tornak's 'Codrex', she still seemed to be thinking about their friends' deaths.
We still don't even know if they really are dead, Solek realised, although he knew that it was unlikely that their friends had survived.
"Here they come," Siclonus muttered, opening his eyes. "Right about... now!"
The Toa of Air jumped high into the air, summoning his willpower to control the air around him. Using both his Kanohi Miru and his elemental abilities, he flew through the air towards the incoming Makuta.
Mutran struck first, with a bolt of Plasma that sent the Toa of Air flying into a tree. The other Makuta, Vamprah, came next, diving towards the ther Toa, Altrin in particular.
"Ah," the Toa of Blood said calmly. "It seems you remember me from our encounter in the Tren Krom Penninsula?"
"Yesss, Vaprah remembers," the Avsa-wearing Makuta screeched, swinging his hooked claws at Altrin. "You caused Vamprah great pain. Vamprah will repay in kind."
Altrin winced as a blast of Shadow struck his blade, but ignored the pain, swinging Bloodseeker at Vamprah. The Makuta let out a brutal cry of agony as some of his life force was absorbed by the powerful blade. But, unlike Tornak, Vamprah didn't fall into a coma. As he was a creature of Shadow, Altrin's sword didn't effect him the same as it would a creature of life.
"You're blade hurts Vamprah," the Makuta hissed. "Let me show you what Vamprah's claws to you, Toa of Blood."
Altrin ducked Vamprah's hooked claw, firing his Cordac Blaster. The explosion sent Vamprah flying backwards into the mud. Altrin watched suspiciously as the Makuta sank below the surface of the mud, knowing that the blue creature was probably preparing an attack.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are..." Altrin muttered.
The Blood Warrior grinned, an idea coming to mind. He summoned his powers, causing puddles of blood to appear in the mud around him. Focusing his will, he manipulated the ruby liquid, causing it to take his own shape. He walked the Blood Wraith forward, towards where he last saw the Makuta. But as he prepared to send the Wraith into the mud after the Makuta, an unexplicable weakness overtook the Toa, who staggered, dropping his weapons. Vamprah rose slowly from the mud, covered in the disgusting mutagenic fluid. His Kanohi Avsa glowed, his eyes dark red behind it.
"Vamprah wears the Kanohi Avsa," the blue Makuta said, his mask twisting into a cruel smile. "He uses it to weaken his prey, before he kills them."
Altrin gasped, sinking to his knees. Cold fear squirmed into his gut as the Makuta approached, but the Toa of Blood wasn't ready to give up yet. He forced himself to stand, ignoring his screaming muscles.
"You won't kill this Toa," Altrin said. "Not today."
"And who will stop Vamprah?" the Makuta cackled. "A one-winged Guko Bird could defeat you now."
Altrin knew that Vamprah was right, he couldn't win. But he hadn't forgotten his one hope: The other Toa. Siclonus lay on the ground, a ten or fifteen yards behind Vamprah. The Toa of Air stirred, pain wracking his chest, and summoned his Kanohi Miru yet again, and floated into the air. When he saw Altrin's situation he hesitated.
If Vamprah death-kills the Blood Warrior, he could save us a lot of bad-trouble.
But he knew he couldn't let a Toa, not even an abomination like Altrin, die, not without trying to help. So the Toa of Air called on the winds, sending a powerful updraft towards the Avsa-wearing Makuta. Vamprah cried out in shock as he was blown into the sky without explanation. Then, as Siclonus cut off his power, the Makuta plummeted strait back into the ground, landing in the swamp with a meaty Smack!. Siclonus sighed.
It would have been much more simple-easy to simply let the Makuta stab-kill the Toa.
Altrin looked at the Toa of Air, surprise in his eyes. "You saved me."
"Don't make me sad-regret it."
Altrin nodded. "Don't worry. As much as you don't trust me, I am on your side."
"Then lets go save-help the others," Siclonus said. "Because, if my eyes are good-working, then they're in bad-trouble!"
The Air Toa readied his Scythe and shield, landing on the ground and running towards where he had seen the battle between the other Toa and Mutran. Altrin grabbed his sword and Cordac Blaster, still wobbling unsteadily from the effects of Vamprah's mask. He unsteadily took off after Siclonus.
Let's hope they're still alive.
Lize frowned as he surveyed the extremely dead Dark Hunter. His captive had been silenced with a stab to the throat, presumably to prevent him from leaking the secrets of the Dark Hunters.
Ah, Ragon, Lize thought. You really are a sickening peice of Muaka dung.
The Toa of Light shook his head, drawing his swords. He hated death, which was pretty standard for any Toa, especially a Toa of Light. His Kanohi Kiril twisted into a glare as a female Vortixx entered the small dungeon under the Coliseum. He wouldn't have minded, except for the fact that she wasn't wearing hand cuffs. On the contrary, she carried a Morningstar and a longsword, both of which she held with the familiarity of an experienced warrior. The Toa of Light disliked every single Vortixx he'd ever met, and assumed this female would be no exception..
"Hello, Toa," the Vortixx smiled, her voice smooth.
"What do you want?" Lize asked in a clipped tone.
"I like to keep up on the news," the Vortixx replied. "And a dead Dark Hunter... that's news indeed."
Lize grunted. Studying the gash on the crimson Dark Hunter, he found it was about the right size to have been caused by Ragon's black blade, but it wasn't nearly deep enough to be fatal.
"Aren't you wondering who I am?" the Vortixx inquired, sounding slightly disappointed.
"No."
The Vortixx harrumphed, stowing her weapons in her pack. "There's no need to be rude, Toa. I'm here to help."
Again, the Toa's only answer was a grunt. The Vortixx was clearly getting frustrated, but Lize didn't particularly care. He was still fuming over the fact that Ragon had managed to lure him into Po-Metru- coincidentally his least favorite city in Metru Nui- without him suspecting a trap.
"Poison," Lize muttered, but the Vortixx casually ignored this.
"I know who sent your new friends," she said.
That piqued Lize's attention. "Who?"
"A Makuta known as Mutran. And, luckily for you, I know exactly where he is..."
Solek winced as Mutran's blade nicked his chest, leaving a small wound. The Toa of Light swung his left-hand sword, but he missed by a few inches. He saw Gavla drop to the ground as Mutran's sword sliced off her arm. A fatal wound. Growling, Solek summoned his powers and blasted Mutran with a lazer of light. Howling, Mutran retaliated by sending a Shadow Hand in Solek's general direction. The Akaku-wearing Toa of Light dodged easily, and held his right-hand Wingblade high, preparing for a deadly downward strike. Before he could start the strike, however, a bolt of chain-lightning came from behind him, sending the Akaku-wearer flying into a tree! Groaning, Solek opened his eyes, his vision blurred. A red-and-white colored spot appeared on the edge of his line of sight: Makuta Krika.
"You're friend, the Great Being, isn't here to help you this time, is he?" Krika asked.
Solek scowled, preparing to attack, but found that he had dropped his sword when the Makuta had hit him.
"Ah, Toa," Krika sneered. "You are a disgrace to your kind. Mutran, claim your prey."
The Toa of Light felt a fear fill him, followed by a dull sense of resignation.
I'm going to die, he thought.
Mutran approached slowly, savoring his victory. With a shudder, Solek realised Mutran's blade was still drenched in Gavla's blood, which swirled slowly around the blade...
"What the-?" Mutran looked at his blade, disturbed. The blood was moving gradually towards him, reconfiguring itself into a ruby blade. Mutran prepared to blast the blood-dagger, but he never got the chance. The dagger flew into his throat, cleaving open his armor, allowing Mutran's Antidermis to spill out into the swamp. Solek watched in horror as the glowing green substance dissolved with a screech, apparently killing the Makuta. As the shadow-user fell to the ground, Altrin approached, sword in hand.
"You just killed him!" Solek roared.
Altrin shrugged. "Considering your current possition, you should be thanking me, regardless of the Toa Code, which, actually, I follow whenever possible."
Solek shook his head, rage building in his chest. "You little..."
"I think that you're not mad at me for killing this idiotic scrap of shadow," Altrin sighed. "I honestly think you're so angry because I didn't arrive sooner."
Solek turned and looked at Gavla, who was clearly dead, his anger leaving him as quickly as it came. He retrieved his swords, storing them on his back. A deep sadness filled him as he approached his fellow Toa.
I should have stopped him, Solek thought. If I'd just been a better fighter.
If he were to be honest, he would admit that he was happy that it was Gavla that had been killed here, rather than any of his other friends. He had always disliked the Av-Matoran. Most Karda Nui natives did; Gavla was the least sociable Matoran he had ever met. He felt less guilty about Gavla than he did about Tanma, his former best friend.
I still don't know he's dead, Solek thought, but without much conviction.
"You're right," the Toa of Light nodded, feeling guilty because he didn't feel guilty.
Altrin frowned, examining Solek. He usually prided himself with his ability to read people's emotions, but this Toa was... different. Maybe it was because he had lost so many friends lately, but he almost seemed relieved that Gavla was gone.
"Are you alright?" the Toa of Blood asked. "You seem..."
"Seem what?" Solek looked up from Gavla's dead body.
"Unfazed."
Solek turned and began to walk away.
It's that obvious?
A voice came from the distance: "Altrin! Solek! Some aid-help?"
Solek whirled to see that Siclonus was still fighting, with Makuta Krika. He drew both of his blades, sprinting towards the battle.
"ENOUGH!"
Krika, Solek, Siclonus, and Altrin all spun to face the voice, weapons ready. Tornak stalked forward, his Staff of Divinity in hand. The Great Being pointed the weapon at Altrin, rage burning in his eyes.
"You. Me. Now."
Chapter 7[]
Altrin gulped, backing away from the gold being. Krika had teleported away, but no one seemed to care. Solek had tried to reason with the Great Being, but Tornak ignored him. Siclonus stood off to the side, clutching a wound on his left hip. The Toa of Air had an oddly divided look on his Kanohi, which, under normal circumstances, would have been almost comical.
"You wounded me, Toa," Tornak growled. "You damaged my honor."
Altrin frowned. This was most definately not the same Great Being that he fought under an hour ago. This version would kill him without thought.
"Only because you were planning on destroying the universe," Altrin pointed out.
Suddenly, without replying, Tornak attacked, light blasting from his Staff. Altrin barely managed to dodge the laser, backflipping over the beam. The Blood Toa roled behind a tree. Fear beginning to blossom in his chest, Altrin decided that offense was the best defense. Pointing Bloodseeker, the Toa concentrated, causing blood to materialize in the air in front of him, forming it into two daggers. With a yell, the Toa threw himself out from behind his cover. He hurled the two daggers towards the Great Being, who activated his Kanohi Hau, which stopped the daggers in their tracks. Altrin cursed, cautiously approaching Tornak.
"You won't beat me again," Tornak said. "Not now that I know your powers."
He's probably right, Altrin thought bleakly. I'm outclassed.
Tornak twirled his Staff, and slammed it with all of his might into the ground. Immediatly, the earth beneath Altrin's feet began to shake.
"Goodbye, Toa," Tornak smiled.
A crack appeared beneath Altrin. Then another. Altrin tried to get out of the way, but found himself totally unable to move. The wind stirred slightly, as if unsure of itself. Then the earth totally fell away from under the Toa of Blood, sending him falling to his imminent doom.
Siclonus flicked his wrist, summoning the winds to his aid. He used them to catch the Blood Toa and send him flying high into the air. Tornak turned on him, golden eyes narrowing.
"I don't like killing," the Air Toa said, his voice hard. "However, I don't happy-like our friend up their either."
Tornak looked up. A red blur fell from the sky, landing in the mud with a painful-sounding crunch.
"Happy?"
After a moment of thought, Tornak shrank his spear. The anger went out of his face.
"Yes."
Siclonus began to turn away, but a movement over Tornak's shoulder caught his eye. A flash of black and white, and the Great Being collapsed, his staff falling out of his hand.
"Sorry, Tornak," Solek said.
"What- What was that?" Siclonus demanded. "We just made good-peace!"
Solek rolled his eyes. "He was going to destroy the Universe, remember?"
"Oh. Oh, right."
Siclonus walked slowly towards where Altrin lay, unconscious. He slapped the Toa hard against the Kanohi.
"Wha-"
"Wake up," Siclonus ordered. "And where's your damn flight-ship?"
Fourteen hours later...
"You still haven't even asked my name," the female Vortixx pouted. She was seriously getting on Lize's nerves. "Aren't you even curious who I am?"
"No," Lize replied, his voice purely emotionless.
"I'm getting tired of your company, Toa," the Vortixx said. "I might leave, and you don't even know where we're going."
Lize sighed, looking at their surroundings: a huge cave opening lay in the distance; they were currently walking through a grassy savannah.
"Karda Nui," he guessed.
The Vortixx stopped walking. Then she continued walking. Her colorless eyes glared at him, annoyed.
"Fine. But you might need me."
"I doubt it."
The Vortixx fought the urge to smile. Her contract had been fulfilled: She had led Toa Lize to Karda Nui.
Makuta Mutran would be pleased.
Ten minutes later, Lize glanced up. The Vortixx was gone, but that didn't particularly surprise him. He prided himself with his ability to spot a con, and so he was oddly pleased that he was being led into a trap.
When will Makuta stop using Vortixx to do their dirty work? Lize wondered. No one trusts them, so why hire a race of backstabbing assassins instead of using a few brainwashed Matoran?
Lize paused; laughing slightly. "Probably because Vortixx have an annoying reputation of knowing everything."
The Toa drew his blades and approached the giant cave. He would go where the Vortixx intended, but not in the same way that she thought.
A fool uses the front door, he thought. Any Toa with half a brain makes his own path.
Prefferably one that involves an extremeley large explosion.
"How much time until they are all gathered in Karda Nui?" the voice inquired.
"Four hours, six at most."
"Good. You have been most usefull, Mutran. With your help, sixteen Toa, including the all of the remaining Toa of Light in the known Universe, eight Av-Matoran, and even that insufferable Tornak will be wiped from existance," the voice paused. "Sadly, six of our brothers will have to die today, but that is a sacrifice worth making," the red figure didn't seem particularly brokenhearted. "You have done well."
Mutran bowed.
"Thank you, Great Miserix. Is there any other way I can be of assistance?"
"No."
Mutran bowed again, this time much more deeply. "Then I will return to the Universe Core and start the Energy Storm. The Toa, the Matoran, and even Tornak will all be destroyed, leaving you perfectly poised to strike at Makuta Teridax's mind, in Metru Nui."
"Good," the current leader of the Brotherhood of Makuta sounded pleased. "Remember, fly on the Sentraax V-12. The other vehicles won't be fast enough to escape the storm."
"Of course. Farewell, my lord." Mutran turned and left the cave, ignoring the discomfort in his temporary body. The modified Exo-Toa armor was not nearly as comfortable as his Makuta Armor.
Today will be a glorious day.
"So what exactly is the Codrex?" Solek asked, breaking the long, uncomfortable silence.
Altrin looked up, mentally preparing to summon his ship. "It's the literal Core of the Universe. It's said the six powerful warriors, the greatest of their kind, dwell inside."
"So is it a building, or an energy ball, or what?" Solek cursed as he tripped over a root.
"You'll see in a couple hours," Altrin replied.
Yeah, sure, Solek thought. At the rate we're going, it'll be more like twelve. I wish I'd gone with Siclonus to scout.
The Toa of Light winced as vibrations began to fill the air; a roaring sound filled his ears.
"What are the chances of Tornak waking up in this?" Solek shouted.
"Not high! You banged him on his head pretty hard!" Altrin called back. "Here she comes!"
Solek gasped as a huge aircraft flew out of the fog. It was easily hundred feet long, and half as wide. Engines quieting, the ship slowly floated down to the ground. A hatch opened in the bottom of the plane, with a ramp lowering for access.
"Let's stick him on board, find Siclonus, and go to the Codrex."
Siclonus glanced around as a slight hum caught his attention. It came from behind him, but he couldn't see its source.
That's where Solek and Altrin are wait-staying, the Air Toa thought. They could be in trouble-bad. But maybe...
The hum got louder, turning slowly into a roar. After a few minutes, it disappeared.
"Odd-strange," the Toa muttered.
The Toa of Air frowned. He hadn't seen any signs of a Makuta in the three hours he'd been searching. He turned around and started to head back towards Altrin and Siclonus, but somethin else caught his eye. A thin laser of light passed over his head, slowly growing into a wide beam. Searching his surroundings, the Toa of Air found that he couldn't see where it originated. Then a loud BOOM! sounded in the distance.
Seems like something worth investigating, Siclonus thought. I may find some Makuta after all.
Lize grinned, twirling his blade. Looking at the tunnel he had just created, he felt extremely proud. Very few Toa could do what he had just done.
I actually managed to blow a whole in the side of Karda Nui!
Ignoring the fatigue brought on by using so much power, Lize dragged himself into the tunnel. The half-mile-long track was barely wide and tall enough to hold him.
Karda Nui, here I come.
It took him a little over fifteen minutes to pass through the tunnel, which gave his depleted powers time to recharge. While he wasn't at full power- not by a longshot- he was ready for a fight, if needs be. As the Kiril-wearing Toa reached the end of his path, he cursed. There was a fifty foot drop to the floor of the cave in front of him, and he had no way down.
Great, Lize thought, turning around. Just great. I just wasted all of my power on a tunnel that would only work for an Air Toa, and since all of the Toa I know are in either Metru Nui or Artakha, I'll have to enter through the front door.
"Wait!"
Lize whirled. That voice was familiar, somehow. He flinched as a green figure shot fell out of the sky, landing in the mouth of his tunnel.
"Lize? What are you doing here?"
"Siclonus? What are you doing here?" he asked, relieved.
"I could ask you the same question," Siclonus pointed out.
"I asked first."
"True. I'm look-scouting for Makuta. They're in the area."
"I'm doing the same," Lize said. "I'm searching for one who goes by the name of Mutran."
"Our new Toa-brother Solek took care of him. He's dead."
Lize frowned. This was an unexpected turn of events.
"What's the situation here?" he inquired.
"Come-follow me," the Air Toa said. "I'll say-tell you as we go. We need to meet-find Solek and Altrin. It's a long story-tale.
Lize nodded.
Looks like there's still some work to do here.
Miserix sighed. He was worried. Even if his plan worked, he would probably only prolong the inevitable. Mata Nui would return, and when he did, there was little he, or any of the Makuta, could do to stop him from taking back control of his body. They could delay him, yes, but never truly stop him. He could, however, deal with Teridax. The foolish Makuta was even more dangerous, and stupid, than the Great Spirit. The Makuta virus he planned on creating in the wake of the Energy Storm would give Miserix and his fellow Makuta more than enough power to make absolutely sure of that.
Unless Mutran fails, the powerful Makuta thought.
But no- Mutran could not fail. Not after everything Miserix had gone through to give the Brotherhood of Makuta a chance at success.
Once the Elements have been tainted, we will strike at Metru Nui and seize control. The Universe will be ours.
Miserix sighed again. But this time, the sigh was one of contentment.
Chapter 8[]
The Codrex, 29 hours later...
Solek furtively glanced at the others around the Codrex. Altrin, Siclonus, and the new Toa, Lize, were all staring at it. All three were obviously disappointed. The dome-shaped structure was seemingly impenetrable, resisting all of their attempts to breach its structure. Lize was the only Toa who had yet to try his hand at breaking through the barriers, stating that he was still low on power.
He's probably the only one of us who has a chance at getting through, Solek thought. If what Siclonus said is true, and he can break through half a mile of solid rock, he can probably get through a few feet of... whatever the Codrex is made of. What is this thing made of, anyway?
Summoning his Kanohi Akaku, Solek looked towards the Codrex, searching for any indication of what it might be constructed of. However, he was sttill not used to his powers, and his gaze passed through the walls of the structure, allowing him to see inside. Solek gasped, cutting off his power.
"Guys! We've got a problem!" he shouted.
"What's bad-wrong, Solek?" Siclonus said, hurrying towards him with Lize and Altrin.
"There are six Toa in there, all dead. There's also a Makuta, and I don't recognise him from any carvings I've ever seen. He's doing something to the core of the building, and the Toa, but I'm not sure what."
"What does it see-look like he's doing?" the Miru-wearing Toa of Air asked.
Reactivating his mask, Solek stared once again through the walls of the Codrex.
"He's moving them near some huge, crystal pillars." Solek's eyes widened. "One of them isn't dead. He looks like a Toa of Ice. He's standing up and-" Solek winced, shutting off his Akaku.
"What's wrong?" Altrin asked.
"The Makuta saw him. He's dead." Once again, Solek called upon his Mask Power. "Okay, we need to move. Lize, if we combine our powers, I think we can break through the Codrex. I've identified a structural weak point on the other side."
"Got it," the white and yellow Toa of Light replied.
The two Toa rushed around to the other side of the dome, preparing their elemental powers.
"There," Solek said, pointing at a large, brown, Toa-shaped indentation on the Codrex's surface. "We need to break through that."
"It looks like it's supposed to hold something," Lize muttered. "It's like some sort of lock."
"Are you ready?" Solek asked.
"I'm almost back to full power. Let's do this."
Solek breathed deeply, nodded.
"Go."
Mutran grinned evilly at the headless corpse of Kopaka. His new armor was proving quite satisfactory. With its help, he had easily defeated the Toa Mata.
And now... Now it is time to start the energy storm.
The Makuta glanced around the room. There were six crystal pilars before him, aranged in a circle. Each Toa was lying dead in a next to the crystal representing their element, ready to be drained of a of their power. He stalked forward, towards the center of the circle, and knelt there. a small chunk of protodermis, known as the Nui Stone, was in his hand. He placed it in the exact center, and backed away. The Nui Stone flared to life, sending a bolt of energy towards each dead Toa. It absorbed their powers, and, and sent them into the crystals.
"Time for me to go," Mutran said.
An explosion shook the Codrex, sending Mutran stumbling into a wall. Four Toa rushed inside, preparing to attack.
"You're to late!" Mutran cackled. "The Storm has begun!"
"What Storm?" Altrin demanded.
Mutran laughed, drawing his blade. He sent a bolt of Shadow towards the Toa, sending them diving away from the newly created entrance. The Makuta flew out of the hole, and into the sky.
Our time- the time of the Makuta- has come. Miserix will be pleased.
While Siclonus and Altrin stared out at the Makuta's receeding figure, Lize was hurrying into the Codrex, with Solek close behind him. In the central chamber, a ball of electric energy was forming above the crystal circle. It was small, but growing quickly.
"Wait!" Solek shouted.
"There's no time to talk! You heard the Makuta, the Storm's already started!"
"What Storm?" Solek demanded. "Hold on- You know what he was talking about?"
"Yes! Go get the others, there's an underground area below here somewhere where we can stay; it's our only chance at survival."
Fortunately, Solek obeyed without asking another question. Lize rushed to a control panel several feet to his left.
"I hope this works," he muttered to himself, flipping every single switch on the panel.
Several things happened at once: The dome around the Codrex began to receed, the crystals began to rise, and a tunnel appeared several feet to his left.
"Solek! Get in here!"
Solek, Altrin, and Siclonus rushed in, and followed as Lize entered the tunnel. The Storm was growing faster, now about twelve feet in diameter.
"Find the lever to close off the tunnel!" Lize ordered.
"There!" Solek pointed at a small stone rod protruding out the ground, which Lize promptly pushed. A huge, thick slab of solid stone covered the entrance, leaving the Toa in complete darkness. Even from their safe haven, they could hear as the Storm exploded outward above them.
"That was close," Lize muttered, calling upon his powers to light the tunnel.
"What's going on up there?" Solek demanded.
"The Energy Storm," Lize replied, closing his eyes. "That Makuta, he started it. It should only have happened if the Universe was dying, which it isn't. That means that the Brotherhood is using it for something else. And whatever that is, it isn't good."
"How did you think-know how to get away from it?" Siclonus asked.
"I've been here before," Lize replied. "Those Toa, the Toa Mata, were my friends, once upon a time. They told me there was a hidden underground chamber here that was totally untouchable from the outside world. It's literally the safest place in the Universe."
"And that's where we are?" Solek said.
"Yes. We're at the center of our Universe: the Heart of Mata Nui."
Miserix blinked as a green figure sprinted into his dimly lit throne room.
"It worked," Mutran crowed. "All of our hard work finally payed off!"
"Silence, Mutran," Miserix replied, climbing down from his throne. Mutran quieted, muttering his apology. "Do you have the virus?"
"Of course, Lord Miserix," Mutran said, producing a small vial.
The leader of the Makuta smiled genuinely for the first time in a long time, reaching out for the small vial of sparking purple gas.
"And it will multiply, as planned?" Miserix asked, taking the container.
"Of course," Mutran said. "I managed, with some difficulty, to drain the power of the Energy Storm into a Tridak Pod, allowing its nearly unlimited energy to latch onto the Shadow Leeches inside. The Leeches were, needless to say, vaporized by the power in the pod. I collected the vapor in that-" Mutran pointed to the vial, "-and mixed in my own customised virus, forming the gas into a force that taints anything it touches."
Still smiling broadly, Miserix popped the cork off the bottle.
"Go, my friend," he said to the semi-sentient gas. "Do your work well."
Miserix breathed deeply as a new range of powers exploded within him. As the virus moved through the air, it twisted its nature ever so slightly, blending it with Shadow. Every time the virus encountered an element, the element was tainted by Shadow, allowing the Makuta species, and all of those who controled the Shadows, control of the element in question. The virus had already given the Makuta control of Stone, Earth, and Air.
And the virus was spreading.
"So now we wait," Lize muttered.
"For what?" Altrin asked, speaking for the first time in a long while.
"The Storm to stop. We've got maybe seven more hours until- wait, do you hear that?" Lize said urgently.
"I don't hear anything," Altrin shrugged. "Why?"
"That's the point. Even though we're a mile underground, we should be able to hear some sign of the Storm. Either we're going deaf, or..."
"Or what?" Altrin said.
"Or something, or someone, just stopped the Storm. Which shouldn't be possible."
Altrin nodded.
"Well, then," he said. "Let's go take a look. Solek! Siclonus!" He waited as the two Toa approached from the other side of the tunnel. "We're going up there to see if the Storm's stopped. We'll call you if we find any news."
Solek voiced his affirmative, but Siclonus had his own opinion.
"Shouldn't we stay-wait down here, just to be sure?"
"What's the point?" Lize said. "Even if we find that the Storm is still going, nothing will happen."
"I don't happy-like your idea. We should all wait a while before going anywhere."
"You wait then, Siclonus," Altrin rolled his eyes. "If you're so afraid, then stay here with Solek and we'll call you later, like we said."
Siclonus drew a breath to say something, but he caught himself.
"What?" Altrin demanded.
"It's your funeral."
Rolling his eyes a second time, Altrin gestured for Lize to follow him.
"Come on."
The two Toa walked at a steady pace up the tunnel, not rushing by any means, but they didn't waste any time in reaching the top.
"The Storm is definately over," Altrin said. "Pull the lever."
Lize nodded, and opened the passageway. The Toa walked into the place where the Codrex had formerly resided. They stopped dead, stunned by what they saw.
The Codrex, and everything around them, it was all gone. Nothing but flat, dead earth could be seen in any direction. Karda Nui was empty, except for one feature: The crystal pillars. Lize walked slowly towards them, his face blank. He looked down at all of his friends: Once great heroes, the Toa Mata had been brought to shame by the Makuta.
"You'll have time to mourn later," Altrin told the Toa of Light, putting a hand on Lize's armored shoulder. "But right now, we need to find a way to get out of Karda Nui as quickly as possible."
Lize nodded. "I'll signal the others."
The Toa of Light sent a beam of focused light down into the tunnel. As it entered Solek and Siclonus's line of sight it formed into four words:
THE STORM IS OVER.
Five minutes later, all four Toa were above ground. Solek was the first to speak.
"We should bury them," he said. "If the legends are true, and they are, well, were, the greatest Toa, they deserve a proper burial."
Lize nodded numbly. "Do it."
"We don't have time for this!" Altrin exclaimed in protest. "We need to get out of here, before who or what stopped the Storm comes back!"
"Why would they return?" Solek laughed bitterly. "Karda Nui, my home, is gone. It's a barren wasteland. That Makuta who did this probably thinks we're all dead."
"We should still go."
"We have enough time to give fallen Toa a burial," Solek insisted. He brushed past the crimson Toa of Blood, but then he stopped. "Do we have any tools to dig with?"
"No, but I have an idea-thought," Siclonus spoke up. "Let's leave them in the cave-tunnel and fill-pack it with sand."
"We'll do that," Lize ordered. "They'd like it. Or, at least, Onua and Pohatu would. The others wouldn't care."
Solek walked towards the nearest Toa, whose armor was hued a dark bronze color. Hefting the Toa over his shoulder, the Toa of Light slowly placed him into the tunnel. He was followed by Siclonus, who carried a Toa of Fire, and Lize, who held the headless body of a Toa of Ice.
"We should take their weapons and Kanohi, at least," Altrin said when the three Toa resurfaced.
"No." Lize's tone was final. "They would have wanted to be buried with their weapons."
"But-"
"No."
"Fine."
After the remaining three Toa were placed in the tunnel, Siclonus ordered the others to leave.
"I'll start a sand-twister," he said. "I'll leave it going, and it will fill-pack the cave-tunnel for us. But it will be safe-better if you all were far away."
Altrin and Solek agreed; Lize remained silent, but followed when they departed.
I will kill the Makuta who did this, Lize promised himself. I don't give a damn if it breaks the Toa Code. That Makuta, whoever he is, is dead.
Glancing behind him, he saw that the Siclonus had started his tornado. The bodies of Lize' old friends would soon be buried, never to be seen again. They didn't even have materials to make a memorial. Shaking his head, Lize returned his gaze to the Toa in front of him.
"Where should we go?" Solek asked him.
"How should I know?" Lize demanded angrily.
Solek jumped slightly at the Toa of Light's sudden outburst. A second ago, Lize had been staring at the ground, eyes vacant. Now he looked like he was ready to bite Solek's head off.
"Never m-" Solek stopped, coming to a halt. He swayed slightly before sinking to his knees, grasping his mask. "Something's wrong..." he murmured, before passing out.
Lize rushed to catch Solek before the new Toa slammed into the sandy ground. Altrin rushed to his side, worry in his eyes.
"What happened?" the Blood Toa asked.
"I'm not sure," Lize responded. "He just collapsed."
"Well, what does that mean?" Altrin said.
Lize shrugged, flipping Solek onto his back. "No idea."
Looking back up at Altrin, Lize saw that he, too, looked a little off.
"Something's not right," Altrin muttered, his eyes sliding out of focus.
"What?"
Alarmed, Lize began to reach for Altrin's shoulder. His hand was halfway there when an immense feeling of weakness overcame him.
He was out cold before he hit the ground.
Epilogue[]
Tornak's eyes opened. He blinked repeatedly, familiarizing himself with his surroundings. He was in a cockpit of some kind, flying through the sky at a high speed. He remembered making peace with Siclonus, but after that, he couldn't recall anything but a pain in the back of his head.
"Damn," he cursed.
Solek must have changed his mind about going along with my plan, Tornak thought. Damn it, I'm probably too late.
Tornak was just rising to his feet as he felt a... disturbance... in the elements. Shadow... it was getting stronger. The other elements were loosing their power, becoming less potent. Darkness was overcoming all, tainting the other elements, bending them, combining them with the Shadows. It was worse, much worse, than Tornak had expected. He wasn't ready for this.
The Makuta had just gained unimaginable power, Tornak realised.
And there was nothing he could do to stop them from taking over the Universe.
Steadying himself, Tornak drew his staff. The foolish Toa had left him his weapon, and with it, he could teleport out of this mess, and back to Karda Nui, if not into the Codrex itself. He raised the Staff of Divinity, tapping into its transportation powers, and smiled as he felt the air ripple around him. He closed his eyes.
When they opened, he was standing in a huge, barren desert.
This is wrong, the Great Being realised. Oh, no. I'm to late.
He cursed under his breath, sheathing his staff. Glancing around, he could see nothing of interest. No animals, no vegetation, nothing. He was just about to teleport away when he saw it: a huge tornado of sand building in the distance. He smiled, focusing on his staff again,and disappeared, coming to rest next to the twister. A Toa of Air was fueling the tornado, the face behind his mask grim.
"Siclonus?" Tornak said, shocked. "What're you doing here?"
The Air Toa glanced at him, surprised. "Hmph. You got off the flight-ship."
"Yes, but..."
Siclonus' eyes narrowed as the Great Being clutched his mask.
"Something's going on here..." Tornak shook his head, eyes clouded.
That was when the Makuta struck. Four of them, each armed to the teeth with blades and blasters. Siclonus frowned, directing the tornado towards the intruders. Tornak sprang forward, but he was acting almost sluggish. Three of the Makuta attacked him, carrying chains. The Great Being swayed as a terrible feeling of weakness came over him. He was defenseless as the three dark-colored warriors chained his arms and legs, before seizing his Staff.
"Let's go," one of the Makuta shouted.
The fourth Makuta, deep in battle with Siclonus, struck the Air Toa in the head with a spiked fist. Siclonus fell to the sandy earth, unconscious.
They were caught.