EPILOGUE
--Okoto--
Botar once again stood on the shores of Okoto. The six Matoran Protectors were still standing where he had left them, looking nonplussed by everything that had just transpired. Not wasting any time, Botar fixed his gaze on the Protector of Fire.
"The mask. Where is it?"
Narmoto frowned at him. "You know that I cannot--"
"The entire universe is at stake," Botar snarled. "If the Makuta get their hands on it, then--"
"They already have."
Eyes widening, Botar turned around just in time for a bolt of lightning to strike him square in the chest. The six Matoran scattered as the titan fell to the ground, a smoking wound marring his chest.
The land shook as Makuta Teridax stepped forward, the star reflecting off his new black and gold armor. Beside him stood Shikaiju, her teeth bared in a savage grin as she stared upon her fallen brother.
"Now then," Makuta said, turning his gaze to the Protectors. "Where is the mask?"
"We will never tell!" declared Protector Nilkuu, raising his Elemental Staff. "We shall take our knowledge to the grave!"
"Then so you shall." Makuta raised his hand towards the Po-Matoran, ready to incinerate him, when a spindly figure suddenly materialized out of the shadows.
"I know where it is!" Amath cried. "I know where the mask is!"
Makuta glanced at the former Dark Hunter, regarding him with the utmost indifference. "And why, pray tell, should I listen to you?"
"He's with me," said Shikaiju. "He helped me break the seal."
"Ah. Is that right?" Makuta lowered his hand, his attention now fully on Amath. "Very well then. Out with it."
Amath hesitated, his eyes darting from Makuta to Botar. He then looked to Shikaiji, who still stood by Teridax's side. The former Dark Hunter began to frown.
"You tricked me," he whispered. "It was never about defeating the Makuta, was it?"
"Very perceptive," Shikaiju growled. "Now, the mask."
"I once devoted my life to protecting the Matoran," Amath went on. "Now I have been tricked into putting their lives in danger. No wonder the Hand of Artakha disbanded; we were never fit to do what was right."
"You are trying my patience," Makuta rumbled. "Give me the mask."
"You mean this mask?" Out of thin air, Amath produced a golden mask of ornate design, with an intimidating and bestial visage. The six Protectors gasped in shock while Botar's eyes went wide in horror.
"No," he croaked.
Makuta stepped forward, eyes glowing with hunger. "Is that...?"
"The Mask of Ultimate Power," Amath said. "Or, as the Great Beings call it, the Kanohi Nui."
Makuta held out a clawed hand. "Give it to me. Now."
Amath smirked. "For a dark overlord, you sure do act like a petulant child. You didn't even say the magic word."
With a roar, Makuta lunged for the mask. Amath vanished in the blink of an eye, disappearing into the shadows. Makuta's eyes flashed as he proceeded to rear back and unleash a shadow hand from his chest. Reaching into the darkness, he immediately fished out Amath and began to pull the former Dark Hunter back towards him, causing the mask to fall from his hands.
"No!" Amath cried as he was pulled towards Makuta. "Shikaiju, you can't let him--"
But Shadow Stealer's screams were silenced as he was absorbed into the Makuta's body. After taking a moment to recuperate, Teridax stepped over to the Mask of Ultimate Power and picked it up. Immediately, the Protectors began to fire upon him. Makuta flicked his wrist and placed all six Matoran within a stasis field.
As Makuta moved to remove his Kanohi Kraahkan, Botar began to stir. "The Order will stop you," the Saevta growled.
"Will they? You sound so sure."
"The will of Mata Nui shall prevail in the end."
Makuta laughed as he moved his hand towards the titan. "The end is a long time coming. I think I'll manage."
He then closed his hand and Botar screamed in agony as the Makuta's magnetic force compressed his armor, crushing his insides from within. The last thing Botar heard was Shikaiju's shrill laughter as he felt his consciousness slowly drift into non-existence....
TO BE CONTINUED
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