CHAPTER SIX
"I thought all of the Kikanalo were captured with the rest of the Rahi," Toa Vhisola said as she and Ahkmou followed Orkahm through the Po-Metru desert.
"Kikanalo are pretty hard to round up," Orkahm muttered. "They can crush a few Vahki just by laying on them. I guess Makuta eventually didn't think it was worth the effort to capture them."
Vhisola looked skeptical at this but did not inquire further. The three of them moved swiftly, evading the sensors of the Vahki Zadakh that patrolled the area. They eventually reached an abandoned field, littered with abandoned tools and parts. In the distance, a small herd of Kikanalo could be spotted.
Orkahm stopped and pushed Ahkmou forward. "Go for it."
The Toa of Stone glared at him. "Oh, sure, have me talk with the giant Rahi. Remind me to repay you one day."
"Hey, you're the one with the Mask of Translation."
Ahkmou scowled at him before slowly approaching the Kikanalo herd. One of the large Rahi noticed him and stormed forward to confront the Toa of Stone. Ahkmou raised his hand in a calming gesture while his Kanohi Rau glowed.
We. Come. In. Peace, he said, his speech stilted as he tried to get the hang of speaking Kikanalo. We. Seek your... assistance. Will. You. Help. Us?
The chief of the herd growled. What do you require of us? And why should we help you?
We are... trying... to overthrow... Makuta, Ahkmou said. We... already have a plan... underway. But... if it fails... we will need... your help to... storm the... Coliseum.
Makuta? The Kikanalo snorted with disdain. He has captured many of our kin.
Right. So if... you help us... defeat Makuta, we will... free your captured... brothers. Deal?
The chief grunted as it nodded its head. Deal.
Allowing himself a smirk, Ahkmou turned to the other two Toa and gave them a nod. They had their Plan B.
* * *
Several of the Rahkshi had returned from their mission. None of them had found the Mask of Light.
Makuta Teridax tapped his fingers impatiently on the armrest of his throne. It would be simple enough for him to search for the mask himself, but his Rahkshi were some of the best trackers in existence; if they couldn't find the mask on Metru Nui... then it simply wasn't on the island, or it was more heavily protected than he thought.
Suddenly, the doors to his throne room swung open and the Onu-Matoran Midak ran in. He stopped a few feet away from Teridax and bowed deeply.
"Lord Makuta," he murmured. "The inventor Nuparu wishes to present you with an invention of his."
"And why should I waste my time to see his invention?" the Makuta of Metru Nui said bitterly.
"He promises that it will be better than the Vahki."
Teridax stirred slightly at that statement. He knew that this Nuparu person had created the Vahki, which were certainly useful in his conquest of Metru Nui and were a vast improvement of their predecessors, the Kralhi. Perhaps this next model could prove to have some use- maybe even find the Mask of Light.
"Very well," he said. "Bring him in."
Midak nodded and left. Shortly after, an Onu-Matoran with an orange mask entered the throne room. Behind him was Ga-Matoran pushing a cart; in it was a large object concealed by a drape.
The inventor known as Nuparu stopped before Teridax and bowed. "All hail," he murmured. "I am here to present you with something that will ensure your further conquest of the universe, Lord Makuta."
Teridax gestured impatiently with his hand. "Have at it, then."
Nuparu nodded at the Ga-Matoran and she shucked the drape off the object, revealing a tall and heavily armored machine. It had centaur-like proportions, with a torso fused to a six-legged body. Its two hands each carried a three-pronged spear, made from the six different types of Vahki staffs. Its head was like that of a normal Vahki, but modified to included two Kanoka disk launchers.
Rising from his seat, Teridax scratched his chin in intrigue while he looked the invention up and down. "Color me impressed," he murmured with a slight smile. "How efficient is it at capturing Matoran?"
"Um, very efficient." There was hesitation in Nuparu's voice.
The Makuta grinned broadly. "Prove it, then." He pointed a finger at the Ga-Matoran. "Demonstrate it."
The Ga-Matoran's eyes widened in shock while Nuparu hesitantly nodded. "Um, of course, my liege. Let me just get it started up."
He brought out a remote control and pressed a button. The robot's eyes came to life, glowing a bright green.
"Kralik Unit One, awaiting orders," it said in a flat monotone.
Nuparu took a deep breath. "Initiate sequence zero-zero-one."
The Kralik was still for a moment. Then, it raised its twin staffs, energy sparking at their tips, and pivoted to aim them at the Ga-Matoran.
"Nuparu, please," she begged.
The Onu-Matoran sighed. "Forgive me, Macku," he said as he pressed another button on the remote.
Suddenly, the Kralik swiveled back around and fired its staffs at Teridax. The Makuta easily deflected the energy bolts and unleashed a massive Shadow Hand from his chest. It seized the robot and pulled it towards himself, absorbing it into his body. As a result, the armor of his Shadow Titan form grew slightly in bulk.
The two Matoran stood stunned. A mirthless grin crossed Teridax's Mask of Shadows as he loomed over them, rage rattling within him like a caged beast.
"You have made a terrible mistake, little ones," the Makuta of Metru Nui growled. "I applaud your acting skills, but you should never try to deceive someone with mind reading abilities."
Nuparu and Macku turned to flee from him only to find a group of Rahkshi barging into the throne room.
"You will only regret it in the last moments of your life."
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