CHAPTER NINE
Hovering around in the form of a Gukko bird, Krahka felt a sense of glee as the Tahtorak charged towards the Coliseum. She had known of the dragon's existence ever since she found it slumbering in the Fikou Web, thrashing in its sleep while it demanded "the answer" from someone or something in its dreams.
When she realized that there was little chance of her confronting Makuta without that cursed Shadow Hand of his chasing her, Krahka decided to awaken Tahtorak and unleash him upon the Makuta, telling the massive Rahi that Makuta had "the answer" and wouldn't give it to him.
From what she could tell, her plan seemed to be working. Destroying whatever was left of the gate, the Tahtorak rammed into the side of the Coliseum, intending to strike Makuta. The self-proclaimed ruler of Metru Nui moved away in time and ended up hovering over the Rahi.
"Give me the answer!" the Tahtorak roared as he ashed his claws out at Makuta in a futile attempt to grab him.
Makuta nonchalantly responded by reaching out with his hand. Suddenly, Tahtorak ceased his rampage and remained frozen in place.
Krahka grimaced- or would have, had she not been an expressionless bird. Makuta clearly had the power of Rahi Control, not unlike some of the Rahkshi she sometimes encountered in the Fikou Web. Luckily, however, seeing this gave her an idea. Remaining in her Gukko form, Krahka zipped away from the scene.
* * *
"Nuhrii?" Vhisola shook the dazed Toa of Fire, who stood motionlessly. "Nuhrii, come on. Let's get out of here before Makuta remembers we're here."
The red Toa did not respond. Vhisola frowned; had Makuta broken his mind?
"Just leave him here," Ahkmou said as he climbed back onto his Kikanalo steed. "This was his plan and it failed. Let him suffer for it."
Infuriated by the Toa of Stone's heartless statement, Vhisola spun around and released a powerful jet of water, which knocked Ahkmou off of the Kikanalo.
"How dare you say that!" she said angrily. "Toa never abandon their comrades!"
"Toa also never flee from battle."
The five conscious Toa Metru turned to see six strange creatures hovering towards them. They looked like Turaga with their hunched over statures, but had heads resembling Rahkshi and carried propeller-like spinners on their backs.
"What the Karzahni are you?" Ehrye exclaimed.
"No time for that now," said the leader of the creatures, armored in red. "You have your chance to defeat Makuta. Take it before you are robbed of it."
"And just how do you expect us to do that?" Orkahm asked.
"Do you think Mata Nui gave you a head just so you can ask stupid questions with your mouth?" a green-armored creature said sharply. "Remember the Three Virtues he has given you; unite as one, perform your duty, and achieve your destiny."
"He's right," Tehutti murmured, rubbing his head. "I was wrong to think I could take on Makuta myself. Turaga Lhikan selected us six for many reasons, and working as a team is one of them."
"Whatever," Ahkmou grumbled, sputtering out water. "Just don't drench me again."
"But what about Nuhrii?" Vhisola asked. "He's in no condition to fight."
"We shall watch over him," a blue-colored creature assured her. "Now go."
* * *
Teridax saw the five Toa Metru- minus their Toa of Fire- approaching him. Landing on the ground beside the subdued Tahtorak, he sneered at them.
"When do you Toa ever learn? I have just brought down a dragon of a Rahi with a mere gesture. I can defeat you with the blink of an eye."
Tehutti snorted. "If that's true, then why are we still standing here, if you could've killed us ages ago? Hyperbole isn't going to save you here, Makuta."
"And bravado isn't going to save you," Teridax replied, just as he unleashed a Shadow Hand from his chest.
The Toa dove for cover, narrowly evading the Shadow Hand's grasp. As it retracted back into the Makuta, Toa Vhisola sent a steam of water right at his face. However, it went right through him as Teridax altered his density to become intangible.
The Makuta of Metru Nui let out a sharp laugh... then stopped when the ground rumbled. He looked around and realized that the Toa of Earth Tehutti was nowhere to be seen. Too late did he notice this when the ground beneath his feet split open. Spreading out his vast wings, Teridax took off to avoid falling into the newly-made chasm. He then saw Tehutti himself appear out of nowhere, having used his Mask of Concealment to turn invisible.
The Makuta snorted. "If you think trickery will save you-"
"We don't."
Suddenly, a large boulder created by Ahkmou hurtled towards Teridax. He threw his fist at it and it exploded into several pieces. Before he could recover from the attack, Teridax then saw a dozen ice sickles flying towards him. He evaded the first few, but the rest tore through his wings. Loosing control of them, he plummeted towards the ground and landed roughly.
Anger welling within him, Teridax returned to his feet and once again released his Shadow Hand. The Toa were divided, so he decided to go at them one at a time, staring with Tehutti. Just as the hand was about to seize the Toa of Earth, Tehutti dodged in time and the hand seized a piece of rubble from the ruins of the Coliseum's gate. Instantly, the Shadow Hand began to retract and Teridax destroyed the stone with his fist before it could collide into him.
As soon as the dust had settled, Teridax heard a voice cry out, "Makuta!"
The ruler of Metru Nui whirled around to see a magenta-colored Rahkshi- one of Rahi Control- standing on the motionless Tahtorak's back.
"Never underestimate us Rahi, Makuta," Krahka said coldly. "Infuriate one of us, and you infuriate us all."
Teridax sneered and opened his mouth to retort when the Rahkshi poser raised her staff and let out some sort of rallying cry.
Then, from all directions at once, came legions of Rahi, headed straight towards their oppressor.
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