CHAPTER FOUR
"Rahi subject #17,106, AKA Pokawi, detained."
Whenua sighed out of boredom as he lowered his platform further down the Archives. He often wondered- practically every day- why Makuta insisted that the Onu-Matoran Archivists continue working, even though nearly every single Rahi on Metru Nui had been captured and detained here, leaving little room for anymore exhibits.
Then again, he certainly was never going to question their so-called "supreme" leader.
"Rahi subject #16,764, AKA Mukau, detained."
Whenua cringed at the name. The bovine Rahi's proper designation was actually Mata Nui Cow, but Makuta had ordered it changed because of the Great Spirit's name having been a part of it.
"Rahi subject-"
Suddenly, he froze, catching movement in the corner of his eye. Fearing that it was an escaped exhibit, Whenua turned around and saw a small, white Rahkshi hovering next to him.
He screamed and began to lose his balance. He flailed his arms but it did little to stop him from going over the edge of his platform. As he fell, he could only see darkness awaiting him at the bottom....
Something collided into him and before he knew it, he was back on his platform. This time, a black-colored mini-Rahkshi was hovering over him. Whenua opened his mouth to scream again but the creature shushed him.
"Relax, little one," it said. "We mean you no harm. We're simply looking for directions."
Whenua blinked. "Directions?"
"Yes," the white creature said. "Do you know of a shape-shifting Rahi called Krahka?"
The archivist thought for a moment before saying, "There have been... rumors of a shape-shifter who lurks deep in the Archives. But the last time anyone ventured down there... they never returned."
"Intriguing," the black mini-Rahkshi said. "Very well then. Thank you for your assistance."
The two creatures turned to leave, but Whenua called out to stop them.
"Wait," the Onu-Matoran said. "What... what are you?"
The white creature turned to him and smiled. "Just tourists passing by. Have a nice day."
With that, the two Rahkshi-like creatures vanished into the darkness of the Archives, leaving Whenua in shocked wonder.
* * *
"Deep in the Archives?" A look of dread crossed the featured of the red Rahaga known as Norik. "I have overheard tales from the Onu-Matoran of what lurks down there, in what they call the Fikou Web. None of it sounds pretty."
Iruini, a green-colored Rahaga, snorted in derision. "Matoran do tend to exaggerate on things, especially those going by second-hand accounts."
"But the Archivist Kualus and I spoke with said that no one has ever gone down there and returned," said Bomonga. "I am willing to take his word for it...."
Norik was silent for a moment as he mulled over the situation. In all the years the Rahaga had been residing in the Archives, well away from the Onu-Matoran's notice, they had never dared venture into the unlit realm of the Fikou Web, aware that there had to be untold dangers of some kind down there.
Finally, he said, "Iruini, Pouks, and I shall go down there and seek out Krahka. The rest of you shall stay here and await our return."
"And if you don't make it back?" Gaaki asked worriedly.
Norik met her concerned gaze. "Then carry out the original mission."
With those words, he activated his Rhotuka propeller and left the hideout, with Iruini and Pouks following him.
* * *
The hideout of the Toa Metru, located in the lonely Canyon of Unending Whispers, was not an ideal place for rebels to hide at. It was dangerously close to the prison where enemies of Makuta were taken to be held for the rest of their lives, deprived of food and water. As such, the canyon was frequently patrolled by Vahki Zadakh.
Peering out of the hideout's entry way, Toa Vhisola frowned as dozens- perhaps even a hundred- Zadakh marched past. She doubted there was enough Toa in the universe to get through their defenses.
Moving away from the entry way, she turned to face the other Toa Metru- Nuhrii, Tehutti, Ehrye, Orkahm, and Ahkmou- and Turaga Lhikan, all of them either sitting or leaning against the wall.
"I still don't think this plan's going to work," she murmured. "What if Nuparu's invention fails to take out Makuta? Then we'd all be doomed."
"I know Nuparu and I have faith in him," said Tehutti. "Besides, we have a backup plan... right, Nuhrii?"
The Toa of Fire glanced at him. "I thought that was your job."
Tehutti frowned. "You are our tactical leader."
"Yeah, but you're the team leader. Aren't we supposed to be following your judgment?"
The Toa of Earth scowled. "It's not my fault everyone chose me, fire-spitter. If you want a shot at being leader, by my guest. Fire always leads."
Orkahm sighed. "See, this is why we fail as Toa; we can't even work as a team. What good are we if we fail at the very first of the Three Virtues?"
"All teams have their failings," Turaga Lhikan said. "My team was no different at first until we made ourselves work together." He rolled his Firestaff in his hands. "You still have a chance."
"He's right," Ehrye said. "We still have a chance to atone for our mistakes. We can make things right."
Ahkmou snorted. "Since when are Toa of Ice optimistic?"
"Enough bickering," Tehutti said, standing up. "Let's come up with a backup plan. If Nuparu's invention fails to take Makuta out, the Coliseum won't be vulnerable for us to storm. What will we do then?"
The other Toa Metru mused over the question. Several minutes passed; no one had spoken.
Vhisola looked at Tehutti pointedly. "Well, there's your answer."
"I have an idea," Orkahm muttered.
The others turned to the Toa of Air expectantly. "Well?" Nuhrii said impatiently. "Tell us."
Orkahm shook his head. "Forget it. It's a stupid idea."
"Sometimes, stupid works," Tehutti said. "What is it?"
Orkahm sighed. "We're going to need Ahkmou's mask power... and a herd of Kikanalo."
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