CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kopaka, Kualus, and Lerus landed their aerial steeds on the outskirts of Ta-Koro- or rather what what Kopaka recognized as Ta-Koro. Patrolling the fiery region were numerous Rahkshi and Exo-Toa, the latter being piloted by Toa of Shadows. Guarding the gate to the mighty fortress built near the Mangai Volcano were two tall beings in black and red armor.
While Kopaka surveyed the situation, Lerus said, "Having second thoughts about this mission, are you?"
"Far from it," the Toa Mata of Ice replied. "Think your Nivawk friend could-"
"No," the Matoran interrupted. "Taking on other Rahi is one thing, but I don't think Ruri could stand her ground against those Exo-Toa."
There was a moment's pause before Lerus spoke again. "However, there is one thing."
"What?" Kopaka asked.
The Matatu-wearer wrung his hands. "It's... pretty hard to explain. Look, just make me angry."
Both the Toa and the Rahaga gave him a bemused look. "How?"
"Just think of something to infuriate me."
Kopaka and Kualus exchanged looks before the latter said, "Your mask reeks of Mahi dung."
Lerus rolled his eyes. "Come on, you can do better than that."
"Well, we're both Toa- former Toa, in my case. Insulting ugly Makuta is one things, but not-so-ugly Matoran is another."
Lerus smirked. "Fine. I'll just go ask the experts."
Before either Kopaka or Kualus could stop him, the Matoran climbed over the rock they were hiding behind and casually strolled into Ta-Koro, coming onto clear view of the Rahkshi and Exo-Toa.
"Hey, guys," he said cheerfully. "How's it going?"
The Rahkshi hissed as they took aim with their staffs while the Exo-Toa trained their Electro-Rockets on the Matoran. Despite the unfriendly welcome, Lerus smiled.
"Is this a private club or can anyone join?"
In response, a Rahkshi Panrahk fired a bolt from its staff, causing the ground before the Matoran to explode.
"Sorry, but that's not what I want. Haven't you got any better?"
A Rahkshi of Chain Lightning screeched as it raised its staff up high and charged towards Lerus. The Matoran nonchalantly stepped to the side and stuck out a leg, which the silver Rahkshi clumsily tripped over.
"No, you're not the one I'm looking for." He then set his eyes on a Rahkshi Kurahk and grinned. "Hey, white and ugly! How are things going for you?"
The white Rahkshi's eyes flared with ire and it fired its Staff of Anger. It would be the worst mistake it had ever made.
And its last.
* * *
Makuta Nathuz paused as he approached his Matoran test subjects when he heard the sound of thunder. He tightened his grip around the Spear of Fusion he held, nearly snapping it into two. Twice now had he been prevented from performing his assigned task. He would make sure it would be the last.
Setting down the spear, he flashed a sneer at the awaiting Matoran subjects and said, "Don't expect to be so lucky next time."
With that, the Makuta strode out of his lab and towards the fortress' front gate. Not bothering to have the guards lower the drawbridge, he used his Density Control powers to phase through it instead and stepped out into Ta-Koro. It was then that he saw the strangest thing he had ever encountered in his life.
An Onu-Matoran- as tall as a Toa and as wide as a Steltian laborer- was tearing apart an army of Rahkshi and Exo-Toa. In spite of this horrific scene, Nathuz couldn't help but smile slightly. Never before had he been so proud of an experiment. It was thus a pity that he had no choice but to euthanize it.
Bringing out a pair of long, bladed staffs, the Makuta used his Mask of Repulsion to propel himself from the ground and dive into the battle.
* * *
For the time being, Lerus was no more. There was only Notar.
The Onu-Matoran tore through Ta-Koro, ripping Kraata from their Rahkshi shells and prying Toa from their Exo-Toa suits. Bolts of energy shot past his head, not none inflicted any damage on him; they only served to vex him further.
Then, as if he was angry enough, the cause for everything that he was landed in front of him: Makuta Nathuz.
Notar let out a cry of rage and lunged at the Makuta. Nathuz blinked out of existence the moment he came within arms' reach, only to reappear behind the large Onu-Matoran.
"At the very least, I am pleased that you have become the very instrument of destruction I wanted you to be," Nathuz said coldly. "Thankfully, I was wise in building in a failsafe."
The Makuta clicked his fingers and Notar roared in agony. He clutched his head and dropped to his knees, pounding his fist onto the ground. In the midst of his pain, he barely noticed Nathuz standing over him.
"I have one last task for you to perform," the Makuta said in a soft hiss. He raised a pointed talon towards the spot where Toa Kopaka and Kualus were hiding. "Kill them."
Notar looked up at him, his eyes nearly bulging out of his twisted mask. "No," he managed to snarl.
"Are you sure?" Nathuz said coldly as the pain intensified.
The Onu-Matoran let out an anguished cry but refused to bow to the Makuta's will. Seeing the refusal in his eyes, Nathuz frowned.
"A pity."
With that, he raised his spiked staffs, ready to plunge them into Notar's back. The Onu-Matoran closed his eyes, bracing himself for the end.
Suddenly, a blast of light radiated from the top of the Makuta's fortress. Nathuz and the remaining Rahkshi screeched out as they shielded their eyes from the blinding ray. It then dimmed down, revealing a silver figure standing on the crest of the fortress.
"I am Takanuva," it bellowed. "Toa of Light... and Shadows. Bow to the will of Makuta Necrosis... or forever be cast into darkness."
EPILOGUE
Velika quietly hummed to himself as he moved through the sands of Bara Magna. He was quite pleased with the deal he had made with the Shadowed One and his building army. True, he would be forced to eliminate the Shadowed One when all was said and done, but if Slayer performed the job to his satisfaction, then it would not matter.
He cast his wandering gaze to a group of beings heading for the temporary site of New Atero. Led by six Matoran, he could see the Great Creator Artakha, Toa Helryx, the warriors Axonn and Brutaka, and Toa Lewa Nuva. This could be his opportunity to eliminate those who posed a threat to Spherus Magna's prosperity... but he would not take it. The risks were too high.
Directing his eyes to the shining gem that was Solis Magna, Velika smiled. The day that his brothers and sisters- Arctur, Heremus, Angonce, Xera, Ilrion, and the rest- would return to Spherus Magna and retake their place as rulers was fast approaching.
And he would see to its occurrence personally.
TO BE CONTINUED
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