CHAPTER SEVEN
"Where is the ka-boom? Wasn't there supposed to be a ka-boom?"
Vakama glanced at Hewkii. The two of them, along with Matau, Nokama, and Nuju, were pretending to be Nuparu's escort. Although they had gotten the inventor and Macku into the Coliseum, Vakama wasn't sure if they would be leaving peacefully. Glares from the two elite Kranua that were standing guard did not assuage his feelings.
"Maybe the presentation is taking longer than usual," the Ta-Matoran murmured. "Or maybe-"
"The doors are opening!" Nokama hissed. "Everyone, be quiet!"
The Coliseum's gates opened and Midak stepped out, a solemn look on his mask.
"I am sorry to inform you that your companions will not be returning from their presentation to Lord Makuta," the all-black Matoran said. "Thus, you do not need to wait for them. Off with you."
Vakama's mouth hinged open. "What? What do you mean?"
"You've got Madu fruit in your ears?" Midak snapped. "Your friends will not be returning. Please leave."
The two Kranua stepped forward menacingly, their staffs glowing with energy. Vakama's mind raced, looking to the others for help. Seeing from their expressions that they were just as clueless on what to do, he acted on instinct and brought out his Kanoka Launcher.
He was robbed of the chance of using it by an earth-shaking cry. All of the Matoran turned to see a storm of dust cropping up in the distance through the clouds, Vakama could see a herd of Kikanalo charging towards the Coliseum.
"Is that what the Toa were intending to do in case Nuparu's plan worked?" Hewkii asked. "Or are the Kikanalo just very, very mad?"
"Who cares?" Matau said. "If they're here to crash-wreck Makuta's party, I'm all for it."
* * *
Nuparu knew that death was seconds away. As Makuta approached him and Macku, the ruler of Metru Nui's hands crackled with Shadow energy. Fear rushing through him, the Onu-Matoran closed his eyes and prepared for the end.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. Makuta froze where he was before turning to a window by his throne. Nuparu opened his eyes and followed the Makuta's gaze to a cloud of dust forming on the outskirts of Metru Nui's central sector. Judging by the direction, whatever was creating the dust storm was coming from Po-Metru.
"Kikanalo," Makuta murmured. Turning to the Rahkshi by the entrance, he said, "Deal with them, will you?"
The Rahkshi hissed in acknowledgment... all save for one. A Panrahk, the brown-colored Rahkshi merely clutched its Staff of Fragmentation as it glared at its creator. Makuta did not seem to notice this until all of the Rahkshi except the single Panrahk had left the throne room. His red eyes flared behind his Kanohi Mask of Shadows.
"Is something wrong?" the Makuta of Metru Nui said coldly. "Why have you not gone with your brothers?"
The Panrahk did something completely unexpected of its kind: it spoke. "Because I am not here to follow orders, Makuta. I am here to destroy you."
The brown Rahkshi then aimed its staff and fired a bolt of energy. Makuta easily deflected it, looking angry all the same. Not wishing to be embroiled with the brewing conflict, Nuparu grabbed Macku by the arm and the two Matoran fled from the chamber. They had nearly reached the exit when something black and brown collided into them and they were flying out the Coliseum.
* * *
"Look out!" Toa Vhisola cried over the sound of trampling Kikanalo feet. "I see five- no, six Matoran up ahead!"
Seated on the back of the chief Kikanalo, Nuhrii cursed under his breath. "Orkahm, make a gust of wind to blow them away!"
The Toa of Air frowned. "It'll be heard to concentrate-"
"Just do it!"
Taking a deep breath, Orkahm sat up on his steed's back and raised his hands. A strong rush of wind was released from them and headed straight for the Matoran. He then manipulated the air into a small cyclone, sending the Matoran in random directions, far away enough to create a clearing for the charging herd.
"I hope they don't break anything when they land," Orkahm muttered.
"Well, one thing's for sure," Ehrye said as the Coliseum's Kraahkan-shaped gate came closer and closer. "We're going to break this."
* * *
Perched on a ledge outside the Coliseum, three of the Rahaga- Gaaki, Kualus, and Iruini- watched as the gates to Makuta's ruling place instantly became rubble as the Kikanalo crashed through it. Their Toa Metru riders then dismounted and readied their Toa tools.
"I suppose it's fitting, in a bitter sense of irony," Kualus muttered. "Makuta caused great destruction when he cast Mata Nui into a slumber; now we are destroying what he has built upon that."
Gaaki watched the chaos down below before asking, "Do you think Krahka will be able to defeat Makuta?"
Kualus shook his head. "Not really, but she may be able to give the Toa the advantage they need."
At that moment, the other Rahaga- Norik, Bomonga, and Pouks- emerged from an open window. The latter two carried the Matoran Nuparu and Macku, who looked rather fearful of their Rahkshi-like saviors.
"What in the name of the Great Spirit is going on?" Nuparu exclaimed. "Talking Rahkshi, talking Mini-Rahkshi, angry Kikanalo... what do you call all of this?"
"An uprising," Norik said. "Makuta has been in charge of Metru Nui for long enough- too long, in fact. A change in leadership is needed."
"This is crazy," Macku said, shaking her head. "What are you guys supposed to be? Shrunken Rahkshi?"
Bomonga smiled. "Not exactly Rahkshi. But it's a long story that will have to wait."
"So what do we do now?" Iruini asked. "Just wait for something bad to happen? What will we do if something does?"
Before Norik or any of the others could answer him, the wall behind them suddenly exploded as a massive Stone Ape crashed through it. Quickly activating their propellers, the Rahaga swooped in and retrieved the two plummeting Matoran.
They then watched as the Stone Ape morphed into a Nui-Kopen and circled back around to face Makuta, who stood in the hole it had made. Eyes gleaming with malicious glee, the Makuta of Metru Nui unleashed a Shadow Hand from his chest....
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