CHAPTER TWO
The Onu-Matoran moved quickly and stealthily through the night. The city of Metru Nui had long been clouded by dark clouds, but the Matoran of Earth's nocturnal vision allowed him to see in the dark better than most Matoran.
It had not been easy for him to leave the district of Onu-Metru, what with the Vahki Rorzakh patrolling the streets, but he knew of a secret passageway that they didn't and used it to get past their sensors. He eventually made it to the local chute stating, which was watched over by a slumbering attendant. Moving quietly, the Onu-Matoran stepped towards the open portal of a chute.
"What are you doing, Nuparu?"
He froze. His heartlight racing, Nuparu glanced at the Onu-Matoran attendant, his green eyes now opened behind his violet mask.
Gulping, Nuparu said, "I... had an errand that I forgot to run. A Ga-Matoran I know has info on a Rahi that the Chief Archivist might find interesting."
"Can't it wait until afternoon? You should be at work."
Nuparu opened his mouth to utter another excuse, but the other Onu-Matoran cut him off. "Nuparu, I know where you've been going off to and why... but you're going to get yourself in trouble sooner or later."
Nuparu sighed. "I know, Akamu, and I'm sorry you had to risk your job to cover my back... but I need you to do so again. I'll pay you back, I promise."
Akamu's mask portrayed a look of disapproval, but he shrugged nonetheless. "Just make it quick. The Rorzakh are going to notice eventually."
Nuparu nodded and boarded the chute, which sent him on a fast course for Ga-Metru. In a matter of minutes, he reached the Water district and dropped off at another chute station, which was overseen by a Huna-wearing Ga-Matoran.
"About time you got here," Macku muttered, grabbing Nuparu by the arm. "Come on, the others are waiting."
Ignoring his protests about being grabbed by the arm, the Matoran of Water dragged her friend out of the chute station and towards the Ga-Metru Schools. They were one of the few establishments to be open all day and night, so that unruly Matoran could be properly disciplined in detention, no matter how long it took.
Narrowly avoiding the Vahki Bordakh patrols, Macku quickly ushered Nuparu into a school building and closed the door behind them. Inside the classroom were four other Matoran: a Ga-Matoran teacher, a Ko-Matoran scholar, a Po-Matoran athlete, and a Le-Matoran test driver.
Noticing Macku and Nuparu's arrival, the teacher said, "Is that everyone?"
Macku shook her head. "No, Nokama, but I don't think Vakama's going to make it. We'll have to start without him."
"Good," the Ko-Matoran muttered. "If we spend any more time waiting, I'll be late for my studies and the Vahki Keerakh will kill me."
Nuparu eyed the Matoran of Ice skeptically before turning to Macku. "Who's he? I thought Matoro would be joining us."
"This is Nuju, one of Matoro's fellow scholars," Macku said. "Matoro wasn't able to make it, so he convinced Nuju to come instead."
The unique eye lens on Nuju's mask narrowed as he crossed his arms. "Can we get this out of the way already?"
"Of course," Nokama said, taking a seat at her desk. "Now then... six months ago. Can anyone tell me what happened six months ago?"
The Le-Matoran groaned as he rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Nokama. Everyone and their pet Ussal crab knows what happened."
Nokama gave the Matoran of Air a stern look. "In that case, Matau, would you please tell us what happened six months ago?"
Matau glared at her for a moment before speaking. "Right. Six months ago, everything was happy-cheer even though Turaga Dume was acting ever-strange. Then Toa Lhikan disappeared and six new Toa-heroes appeared in his place. Problem was that they were the worst Toa-heroes ever.
"Oh, sure, they defeated the Morbuzakh, but it was a near-close victory. And when Turaga Dume turned out to be the Makuta and started making ever-nasty storms and earthquakes, they utterly failed to stop him and now we're all slaves of Makuta."
"It could have been much worse," Macku noted. "Makuta was trying to herd us into these spheres that would have erased our memories. Had it not been for the Toa, we would have been worse than slaves; we'd be mindless drones."
The Po-Matoran snorted. "That would actually have been an improvement."
Macku's mouth fell open as she stared at the Matoran of Stone incredulously. "How could you say that, Hewkii? Are you saying you would rather be a mindless slave with no will?"
"Like Karzahni I would want it," Hewkii retorted. "But at least we wouldn't be suffering like we are now."
"But then a rebellion like this would never have been possible."
All six Matoran turned to see a hunched-over being in red gold armor step out of the shadows of the classroom, old, fiery eyes set behind a gold Kanohi Hau.
"Turaga Lhikan," Nokama murmured. "You shouldn't be here, so far from Ta-Metru. If the Bordakh spot you, then-"
"I am well aware of the risk I'm taking," Turaga Lhikan said, raising an assuring hand. "Besides, I have a trust-worthy accomplice covering my back."
"Who would that be?" Nuparu asked.
Lhikan smiled. "Someone who, despite his ill reputation, I believe will be useful in this endeavor of ours."
Stepping out of the shadows behind the Turaga was a tall being in red and silver armor. The Matoran frowned in disapproval at his presence. It was Nokama who spoke the being's name, with a hint of disdain.
"Toa Nuhrii."
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