ULTIMATE BIONICLE 2
Disclaimer: I do no own Bionicle, but I do own this story.
Prologue: Metru Nui, an island city, miles off the western coast of Mata Nui, visible only on the horizon.
Black clouds infected the sky like a veil, darkening the sun's light. The once prosperous city, which used to be noisy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, was quiet and still. Few buildings were not at least a little damaged, and wreckage and debris littered the streets. War had rained down upon this city for a year and still raged on.
After the Toa of Light had defeated Makuta, he was thought to have been gone for good. However, thanks to his secret creation Vorak, a deceptive and merciless Shadow Rahkshi with the ability to absorb Kanohi mask powers, his energy form was transferred into the recently deceased body of Panrahk. He slowly took over the body and reshaped it into a new, monstrous form. He later found his way to Metru Nui and killed the evil Turaga Dume, and claimed the Coliseum for himself.
Vorak, along with Grievous, a Shadow/Ice Rahkshi and 'brother' of Vorak, and the two former Dark Hunters Nidhiki and Krekka, led Makuta's army of Vahki, Bohrok and Rahkshi, leaving a scourge of torment and pain wherever they went. They spared no one that got in the way their master's takeover.
The only thing that could stand against Makuta and his army, and unite the Matoran was the Legion of Toa. It consisted of two primary teams of Toa: The seven in the group of Toa Nuva: Takanuva, Tahu, Gali, Kopaka, Lewa, Onua and Pohatu, and the five Toa Hordika: Vakama, Whenua, Onewa, Matau and Nokama.
Those Matoran who could not fight, were sent to take refuge on Mata Nui, while the many small defence forces from the island's various villages were called upon to help defend Metru Nui. Due to the lack of numbers though, even after that, they had to stick to guerrilla tactics most of the time, instead of full on assaults.
Many wished for the old days of routine and order to return, however, they were lost in this world of disorderly chaos. The only thing that kept them going was the constant reminder that if they ever wanted the old days to return, they would have to fight for it.
Chapter 1: The Object of Power
Armed with a katana and a black shield, Tehutti crept down the long dark hallway, along with five other Matoran, including Jala and Vhisola. Jala was directly behind, leading alongside him. Tehutti, Vhisola and Jala had all become good friends over the course of the war, and the trio was often seen together on and in between missions. They were currently in the middle of a mission to rescue some P.O.W. (prisoners of war) somewhere within a building in Onu-Metru.
Matoran were not allowed to perform missions without the aid of at least one Toa. Therefore, Toa Hordika Whenua was there as well. However, he was not with the group. He had his own personal mission to achieve within the complex.
Whenua and Tehutti were good friends, which is why Whenua had been training him personally. The result made Tehutti significantly stronger and much more skillful, but also very headstrong.
Tehutti stopped at the corner of the hall. He raised his hand, gesturing for the others to stop as well. "What is it?" Vhisola whispered from the centre of the group.
Tehutti put a finger over his mouth, telling her to keep quiet and then gestured for her and the other three to come closer. She whispered again, "What is it?"
"I think there's a group of Vahki around this corner. I'm going to try and take them out." Tehutti murmured with a grin.
"Are you insane?" Vhisola whispered arguably. "Whenua told us to find the others as discreetly as possible. Do you have any idea how mad he's going to be at you if you stir up trouble again?"
Tehutti grumbled, "I'm not going to let him have all the fun. There's probably not that many anyways. We can take them out no problem." He said confidently.
Tehutti counted down from five with his fingers, staring at the shifting shadows that projected past the corner. They all turned the corner quickly and ten Vorzakh stood there waiting. Tehutti was immediately struck with the end of one of their staffs. He had blocked with his shield just in time, but it still knocked him back into a wall.
At the same time one of the clamps at the end of another Vorzakh's staff, clasped onto the neck of one of the Matoran. It crushed his throat and he went limp as the Vorzakh tossed him aside.
Vhisola shot her Kanoka launcher, hitting it in the head; smashing it to pieces. Jala, with his two buzz-saws on each hand began to cut away at the mechanical enemies in front of him. Tehutti was now in the fray again as well, hiding behind his shield to block attacks, and striking when an opening showed itself.
One of the Vorzakh fired a Kanoka blast from within the crowd and it struck another Matoran in the face, splitting his mask in half and striking him in the head. The Matoran fell back, dead. "They got Motari!" Vhisola yelled.
Tehutti jumped up and hit one of the Vahki in the face with his shield. As it stumbled back he stabbed it in the mouth and through the back of its head. Tehutti landed on the ground again, grinning arrogantly as the Vahki fell back. The four Matoran continued to fight back against the eight remaining Vahki, though they were having trouble taking them down in such a narrow area.
"We should retreat!" Vhisola shouted. Tehutti shook his head, slashing away a Vahki's staff. "We will never run! Only cowards run!" He said valiantly.
Suddenly a Vorzakh staff clamped down onto Tehutti's right shoulder. He let out a cry of pain as the Vorzakh hoisted him into the air. "Tehutti!" Jala yelled.
Tehutti dropped his shield and grasped the end of the staff, trying desperately to pry it off. "Damn you!" He yelled at the Vahki angrily. In the blink of an eye, Whenua came from behind the Vahki, grasping onto the end of the staff with his large right arm. "W-Whenua." Tehutti said with awe.
Whenua gave Tehutti a cross glance, before tightening his grip and destroying the end of the staff, freeing Tehutti. He then pulled back his left fist and drove it into the Vorzakh's head. Whenua pulled out his Jackhammers and started smashing his way through the remaining Vahki.
The Matoran watched, awestruck as the last pieces of a Vahki fell among the rest of the scrap. Whenua then looked over at Tehutti angrily. He stormed over to him, backing Tehutti into a wall. "I told you not to attract any attention to yourselves. Do you think just because I'm training you, you can lead them anywhere you want?" Whenua scolded. "Two Matoran are dead because of your rash decision. Use your head for once!" He said, pointing at the bodies.
Tehutti stared at the ground guiltily. Whenua growled lowly as he turned back around. "Matoran limbs can't grow back you know," Whenua said to him, "So if you lost your arm there, it would've been gone for good. Now go and find the prisoners while I take care of what I need to here." Whenua ordered.
"Yes sensei." Tehutti responded lowly. He and the other Matoran continued on their way, as Whenua continued further into the complex.
&&&&&&&&
It was a dimly lit room, very messy with papers and strange objects strewn about all over. The papers were covered with detailed notes and diagrams. Digging through the pile, was the mysterious being known as Atukam, an agent who had worked under Makuta's leadership for centuries.
He closely resembled a Toa, though he wasn't one at all. His black armoured body was concealed under a large black cloak. His eyes were a deep dark red and he wore a sliver coloured Kualsi, Mask of Quick Travel.
"Damn it! It's not here!" He said angrily. "Makuta isn't going to like this. He isn't going to like this at all! Without that map we can't find it. Why isn't that damn map here?!" He yelled with frustration.
"So, we meet once again, Atukam." A voice said behind him. Atukam quickly turned around. Whenua stood in the doorway, only his green eyes visible in the shadows.
Atukam scowled. "I thought I was rid of you last time." He said with annoyance.
Whenua laughed slightly, "It takes a lot more than a stab wound to the chest to get rid of me. Though I guess I was lucky that you missed my heart, wasn't I?" He taunted.
Atukam pulled out three blades in between his fingers. "This time I won't miss!" He yelled. He threw the blades at Whenua. Whenua quickly ducked and ran to the side. He then rushed at Atukam and smashed into him, driving him into the wall. He then grasped his mask and ripped it off, throwing it to the ground. "Guess you're not going anywhere now are you?" Whenua said.
He grasped the collar of Atukam's cloak with his left hand and pinned him to the wall. "If you expect me to talk, I'm afraid that's not gonna happen." Atukam said with a smirk.
"Who said anything about talking?" Whenua said with a growl. He then started to repeatedly punch Atukam in the face, slowly driving his head into the wall. Whenua's knuckle became bloody as he rained blow upon blow onto Atukam's face. He delivered one final punch before letting go of his collar. Atukam slid to the floor.
He spit blood, "Not very righteous for a Toa are you?" Whenua crouched in front of him and glowered. "In case you didn't notice," Whenua responded, "I'm not an ordinary Toa."
Atukam scoffed, "Don't make me laugh. You Toa are all the same. You're nothing but the tools of an insignificant spirit, who readily follow his rules. Bound by morals all any of you do is wait for destiny to cast you aside when it's finished with you. Your existence is meaningless." He said with contempt.
"You really are blind aren't you, Atukam." Whenua responded with a harsh tone. "You are the one who is the tool. Mata Nui is a guide, who points us in the right direction. He does not force us to do anything. You on the other hand, are bound with a leash to your master, with nothing to do but wait for a command. So allow me to set you free with the sweet release of death."
Atukam laughed mockingly. "Do you really expect me to take you seriously?"
"Let's get down to business shall we?" Whenua said, ignoring Atukam's comment. He pulled out one of his Jackhammers and pulled the end in tightly. Atukam watched as the tip began to glow with light green energy, getting more intense as the pressure grew.
Whenua pointed it right under Atukam's chin, "I do have a duty, so I can't kill you just yet." He said to him. Whenua then picked up one of the sheets of paper. It had a drawing of an orb with swirling energy around it. "What is this, and why does Makuta want it?"
&&&&&&&&
Tehutti ran through the hallways swiftly, following the trail of destroyed Vahki and Bohrok that Whenua had left behind. The other Matoran had found the prisoners and were waiting in front. Tehutti however was too eager to wait for Whenua to get back, so foolishly he decided to go in after him.
Tehutti skidded to a halt as everything started to shake. Green energy suddenly erupted through the left hand wall, only a few feet away. Urgently, Tehutti ran around the corner and pushed open the door.
He looked with shock and horror as he saw Whenua standing over Atukam's dead body. His body lay limp on the ground, his head nearly destroyed. Whenua's right hand was covered in blood, and splashes were on his face and other parts of his body. "Tehutti?" Whenua said staring at him. "You were supposed to wait outside." He said to him very seriously.
Tehutti was shaking as he stood in the doorway. "Y-y-you killed him…" He said lowly. "You're a Piraka…"
Whenua stepped towards him, "Tehutti you have to understand-." He tried to explain.
"Get away from me!" Tehutti yelled angrily. He turned around quickly and ran away, not looking back.
Whenua stared down at his blood-soaked hand, clenching it tightly. "Damn it, Tehutti," He said with a groaning sigh, "You weren't supposed to know about this…no one was…"
&&&&&&&&
Dusk was settling on Metru Nui, the sun barely making an impression through the black clouds.
The Legion of Toa had no home base or main headquarters. Instead they had a series of small encampments throughout Metru Nui. One such camp was situated in the 'Canyon of Unending Whispers' in Po-Metru. It was this place a year ago that the Legion of Toa was established.
Toa often jumped from camp to camp, usually not staying in the same place for longer than a few weeks. At this time, three Toa were staying at this base. They were Nokama, Onua and Onewa. Nokama and Onua had a very strong romantic relationship, which had developed rather quickly, despite Whenua's complete disapproval due to his own feelings, which Nokama seemed strangely oblivious of.
All three Toa stood in an overhang of durable cloth, around a table with a big map of Metru Nui and its districts on it. "So how has the progress in Ta-Metru been?" Nokama asked Onewa.
"Well," Onewa said, pointing with his finger, "I've heard from Vakama that they managed to push back the enemy forces here, here and here." He explained, circling different parts of Ta-Metru with a chalk like writing tool. "However, they've been having trouble defending this quadrant here."
Onua stroked his chin, "So what do you propose they do about it?" He asked.
"Vakama was hoping I could answer that." Onewa said. "So my solution is, if he takes the molten protodermis from these foundries here and here," He said, circling two large buildings, "and diverts their flow to here, he might just be able to create a stronger blockade."
"That's a really good idea," Nokama complimented, "But how long would that take?" She wondered.
Onewa sighed, "That's the only problem. It might take too long for that to work, which could lead to the loss of that district." He said.
They all stared down at the map, pondering on what course of action should be taken. "Hmm?" Nokama said suddenly, taking her gaze away from the map. "Someone's here." She said, walking out of the overhang. Onua followed after her. "Who's here?" He asked.
Nokama had always had natural telepathic abilities, though she is not sure how she got them. Before she did not have much control over it, but after she became a Toa Hordika her abilities increased greatly, letting her read minds, sense emotions and even project her thoughts into others.
Onua's question was answered as soon as he looked off into the distance. Approaching through the twilight, on the back of a Kikanalo, was Whenua. Alongside him were the remaining Matoran in the troop, riding Ussal Crabs. As they arrived they all dismounted from their Rahi. Whenua landed in front of Onua and Nokama. Nokama immediately had a cold shiver run up her spine as she made eye contact with Whenua.
Whenua looked up at his Kikanalo. He made a few clicks and growls and the Kikanalo snorted in response, stomping away.
"Welcome back, Whenua!" Onewa yelled, now coming out of the shelter as well. Whenua smiled slightly as he hit fists with Onewa. "Was your mission successful?" He asked.
"More or less." Whenua answered plainly. He glanced over to Tehutti for a second, who was walking by with Jala and Vhisola. Tehutti gave Whenua a cold stare, before turning away and continuing on.
Nokama gasped slightly, having noticed the strange bitterness between the two friends. "Where can I get some water?" Whenua asked.
"In that tent over there." Onewa answered, pointing. Whenua responded with thanks, before walking away.
Nokama stared at him worriedly. She then followed after him. Onua quickly grabbed her hand, "What is it?" He asked. He had noticed that she seemed bothered as soon as Whenua had arrived.
"I have a bad feeling," Nokama responded uneasily. "I think Whenua did something horrible."
Onua grumbled, "You're not thinking of confronting him about it are you?" He asked her.
"Yes I am," Nokama answered, "I don't want what happened to Nuju to happen again."
"Then let someone else do it," Onua said with disapproval. "I don't trust him. I fear if you confront him about this his aggression might surface again. He's dangerous Nokama, ever since he became a Toa Hordika. I just don't want you to get hurt like last time."
Nokama leaned forward and kissed Onua softly, "Don't worry about me. He won't do anything to me. You don't understand how bad he felt about what he did a year ago. I know he won't do anything again." She said reassuringly.
"Just…be careful." Onua said to her with concern. Nokama smiled back, "I will." She answered. Nokama turned around; leaving Onua behind her and heading towards the tent Whenua had entered.
She walked in; Whenua's back was turned to her. He was hunched over a bowl of water washing his hands and face. "What do you want?" He asked gruffly.
"I wanted to see if everything was okay." Nokama responded innocently.
Whenua glanced back at her for a second; water dripping from his face. He then turned back. "Why would you ask a question I'm almost certain you know the answer to?" He asked.
"Of course," Nokama said, realizing how obvious it was that she had sensed it, "So, why did Tehutti look at you like that? I assume that would be a more appropriate question."
"I'm going to be completely honest with you," Whenua said, "I killed Atukam. Unfortunately, Tehutti was there to witness it. I never intended for him or anyone to find out though. This was supposed to be my business alone."
Nokama's eyes were filled with disbelief. "How could you go against the Toa code and murder someone?" She shook her head in astonishment, "I'm not sure what disturbs me more; the fact that you killed him, or the fact that I can't sense any remorse in you whatsoever."
Whenua dried his hands and face, leaving the bowl murky with blood. He then turned to Nokama. "It was something I felt had to be done. I could no longer let him do the things he did, therefore, I decided to act."
"But that's not your decision to make!" Nokama argued angrily. "Everyone deserves a second chance, Whenua. It is up to Mata Nui to decide if someone has gone beyond redemption. What you have done isn't righteous or noble; all you've done is lower yourself to their level. You're just making yourself no better than them."
"That's enough!" Whenua shouted angrily. He grasped Nokama's shoulders tightly. His eyes were furious as they stared into Nokama's. She was startled, but not afraid. Whenua realised his state of rage and released Nokama. "Sorry…" He said lowly.
"I'm not asking you to agree with my decision, but don't you dare even try to compare me to them." Whenua said very seriously. "I may love fighting just as much, if not more, than any of them. But when it gets down to it, I enjoy the fight much more than the kill. The only feeling I get from the kill is satisfaction."
"And what satisfaction could you possibly receive from being barbaric and ruthless?" Nokama retorted.
"The feeling I get is from knowing that I have done my duty." Whenua answered. "That I have kept my honour as a Toa and protected those I am entitled to, and those that I care for. In times such as these there is no such thing as mercy. The only mercy I will grant my enemies is a quick death."
Nokama stared back at Whenua, her anger replaced with curiosity. "Why do you insist on taking a different path than the one that has been laid down for you?" Nokama asked.
"Because I make my own decisions and I make my own destiny. I may follow the code's direction, but I choose my own path to take." Whenua explained. "However, I'm not preaching my beliefs, I am merely stating them. I made this choice myself, and I'm sure you've made your own choices as well. If you can't trust in my own decisions then I guess that's too bad." Whenua said with a hard tone.
Nokama stood still as Whenua walked past her. As he was about to exit the tent, he felt a hand placed softly on his shoulder. He glanced back at her questioningly. "That still doesn't give you the right to murder." She said, looking sullen.
Whenua made a small laugh. "You know," He said with a smile, "You're cute when you're angry." He turned forward again and left the tent.
A light blue blush appeared across Nokama's face for a second. "Hey! Wait a minute!" She yelled, following after him. "Did you at least get any information?" She asked, walking quickly to catch up with him. Whenua was heading towards his Kikanalo.
"As a matter of fact, I did." He answered. He reached into a pouch that was slung over his Kikanalo, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He handed it to Nokama. She curiously unfolded it. On it was a picture of an orb with swirling energy around it. "What is it?" She asked.
"Atukam told me that it was an object of great power, something that could exponentially increase and alter the powers of a being, a weapon or even a mask." Whenua explained, "The only problem is he refused to tell me what Makuta wanted it for. He said even if I tortured him, he would never tell me."
Nokama stared down at the picture with wonder, "Where were you when you found this?" She asked.
"I was in some old records building in Onu-Metru." Whenua said.
"We should show this to the others as soon as possible." Nokama said, looking back up at Whenua.
"I agree," Whenua said tiredly, "But for now I think it would be best if we got some rest."
Author's Notes: Well, that ends the first chapter of Ultimate Bionicle 2. Hope you liked it. I had to rewrite it a number of times but I'm happy with the result. Please review.
There is a picture of Tehutti on my Brickshelf account. To view just click the homepage link in my profile.