CHAPTER EIGHT
Nuhrii dodged as a Rahkshi Zirahk fired beams of heat vision at him. The Toa of Fire then conjured a ball of flame and hurled it as the yellow-armored Rahkshi. It collided into the Zirahk's head, incinerating it and the Kraata slug within.
One down, a dozen more to go, Nuhrii thought grimly. A sudden cry from Ehrye prompted him to turn around and then look up.
Standing there on the Coliseum was Makuta. Shooting out from his chest was a massive hand of Shadow, which pursued an equally-large Nui-Kopen.
"This rebellion is certainly taking a turn for the strange," Nuhrii muttered to himself.
"Sure is," Tehutti said, dispatching a Rahkshi of Plasma before joining his teammate. "So, tactical leader, how do you propose we take him out?"
Nuhrii frowned. "I don't know. We were all counting on the Matoran's plan to work. The Kikanalo were just for us to break through the Coliseum's gate." His shoulders sagged. "We've failed again."
"Don't say that," Tehutti said sharply. "We've just started here."
The Toa of Earth then moved through the battlefield, taking down Rahkshi as he went. He eventually reached Orkahm, who was locked in combat with a Rahkshi of Cyclone. Tehutti came to his brother's rescue by bringing his fists down onto the ground, creating a seismic quake that knocked the black-and-white Rahkshi off its feet. Orkahm then activated his Mask of Telekinesis to lift the Rahkshi up and tear it apart piece by piece, leaving it still alive but useless.
Tehutti smirked at him. "Nice mask power. Mind putting it to some more use?"
"Like what?"
Tehutti jerked his head to the Coliseum, where Makuta was still standing.
Orkahm shook his head. "No. No way. You'll die."
"Possibly," the Toa of Earth said with a shrug. "But maybe I can take him with me."
"If you think it'll be that easy, why couldn't we take him out six months ago?" Orkahm snapped. "What can you do now that we couldn't back then?"
Tehutti scowled. "Most Toa Teams don't argue with their leaders."
"Because most Toa Teams don't have stupid leaders like you."
Tehutti glared at Orkahm, almost oblivious to the battle around them. Finally, the former growled, "Just lift me up there."
The Toa of Air shrugged. "Fine. Your loss, not mine."
His emerald Kanohi Matatu glowed and in seconds, Tehutti was floating up towards the Coliseum, towards Makuta.
Towards his doom.
* * *
Makuta Teridax growled in frustration as he retracted his Shadow Hand back into his chest. The shape-shifting creature had evaded him once again. He knew now that this was no ordinary Rahi, but rather one with a taste for vengeance. Not unlike the Toa fighting down below.
"Makuta!"
Teridax looked down to see one of those Toa- one of Earth- shooting up towards him, aided by the telekinetic propulsion of another Toa's Kanohi Matatu. The Makuta of Metru Nui sneered as the Toa of Earth landed on a ledge just below him.
"How bold," Teridax growled. "Just like any other Toa. You throw away your lives so recklessly for a lost cause. How can you possibly hope to win?"
The Toa responded by lunging at him.
Teridax sighed. Ask a tired question. He gestured with his hand, channeling his Gravity power, to force the Toa back down, landing hard on the ground. The Makuta then jumped off of the Coliseum and landed gracefully where the Toa lay.
The battle came to an abrupt halt. The other five Toa stared in terror at the presence of their sworn enemy, memories of their first, failed conflict with him resurfacing. Teridax reveled in their fear as a menacing grin crossed his mask.
"Shouldn't you all know the old saying by now?" the Makuta of Metru Nui hissed. "Two wrongs do not make a right. You failed to defeat me once. What makes you think you'll be able to now, when I have built up an empire?"
He let out a mirthless chuckle. "And even if you were to somehow defeat me, you still have my brothers and sisters to face."
One of the Toa- Vhisola- let out a gasp. "You mean... there are more of you?"
Teridax laughed. "Of course! We were made to be the protectors of the Matoran... and we shall do just that."
"Liar!" The Toa of Fire Nuhrii stormed forward, brandishing dual blades. "You threatened to place the Matoran in those accursed spheres of yours!"
"They were not threatened by my spheres," Teridax said coldly. "All they would have done to the Matoran would give them a... soft reboot, so that they would more efficiently and obediently serve the Great Spirit."
"You mean serve you," Nuhrii snarled. "There is no Great Spirit, thanks to you."
The Makuta stepped forward, looming menacingly over the Toa of Fire. "That is a sharp tongue you have there, fire-spitter," Teridax said, venom in his voice. "It is not wise to use it on someone like me."
Nuhrii stared up into the Makuta's crimson eyes even as the Mask of Shadows which they shone through began to glow, inducing fear into the Toa of Fire. The red-armored Toa started to tremble. Terror flickered in his eyes as his greatest fears ran through his mind. Yet still he stared into the Makuta's eyes, even as his knees began to fail him.
It is useless to resist, Teridax spoke into Nuhrii's mind. The only way for you to survive is to bow to my will.
Focused as he was on bending the Toa's mind, Teridax almost did not notice the ground shaking until someone uttered a cry. The Makuta looked in the direction of Ta-Metru and saw a massive shape emerging in the distance.
It stood at least forty feet tall. Green armor covered its hide while it flexes a pair of black claws. Red eyes glowed from its five-horned head.
A Tahtorak, Teridax realized. One of Miserix's creations. But what is one doing here on Metru Nui?
"The answer!" the dragon-like Rahi bellowed. "Give me the answer!"
With that, the Tahtorak charged in the direction of the Coliseum, eyes full of rage....
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