AN: I wrote this a long time ago, around '08, I think. It wasn't really so popular on the Lego site, but I thought I'd try my hand at it here. Hopefully it works out better. Warning: VamprahXOC
Early dusk had finally settled on the Makuta base of Destral. The sun's light had given way to cold darkness, waves of heat rising from the stone walls of the Brotherhood fortress. To many, this heat might seem as an annoyance due to the Makuta's obsession with freezing shadow, but to a few it was welcome. One of those few now walked the shadowy halls, gazing at the bland stone walls as she went. To the Makuta that strode beside her, they might have thought she was only looking at the many trophies of conquest decorating the side walls, but those who knew Vanapirah well knew that to be false. The Makuta known as Vanapirah bore a unique mask, the Kanohi Ranth. With the help of this mask, she could easily see the glowing heat of anything, something a few Makuta would go crawling to Mutran to obtain. Most of the wiser Makuta would consider this to be useful on a mission and best be saved for such reasons, but that never appealed to Vanapirah. The slight glow of her mask told of its current use. Smiling fondly, Vanapirah looked through the powers of her mask at the comforting ruby glow of the heat in the rock walls, bathing all in a glorious red light. So caught up was she in the red of the walls, that she almost missed a turnoff into another corridor. Shaking her head slightly, Vanapirah stopped and turned towards the corridor. After Krika passed, Vanapirah jogged down the corridor, bat wings gliding loosely in her wake. She rushed past branching chambers filled with the sounds of Makuta training, performing experiments, or just trying to keep themselves occupied. Counting off the doors as she went, Vanapirah slowed her stride to a walk when she arrived at a wooden door half cracked open. Giving it two loud knocks, she pushed it open. The red, white, and black Makuta stood in the doorframe of Vamprah's quarters, watching the blue Makuta sleep. Pursing one side of her lip, she banged hard on his wall, causing him to stir.
"Vamprah," she said. Vamprah twisted his head to hear her. "Teridax has called a meeting and needs everyone immediately, so get up." Vamprah flopped back down on his cot and shook his head lazily. His attitude soon changed when he heard the familiar sound of nails scraping against nail. "You're not going to make me ask again, are you?" Vanapirah warned softly.
Faster than the eye could follow, Vamprah sprang from his cot and straightened himself as best he could. Vanapirah smiled at him. Vamprah glared. Sighing, he walked past her and out of his room, only to promptly stop in the hall. Looking back at the emerald-eyed Makuta, he cocked his head towards the corridor and held out a clawed hand. Vanapirah smiled again as she joined her friend, Vamprah rolled his eyes.
The two walked in silence, the blue one rubbing the sleep from his eyes. More than once, Vanapirah tried to strike up a conversation, but Vamprah was in no mood to talk. A few minutes later found the two in the conference chamber with the other Makuta, Teridax, and the aged Miserix. Vamprah took to one side of the table while Vanapirah took the other, both ended up across from one another. All attention turned to Teridax and Miserix, every soul present wondering what this was about. Teridax walked to the north side of the table and laid his hands against its polished exterior.
"You are all probably wondering why I have called you here." Teridax asked. Many heads nodded. "It is relatively simple - we are to strike down the Great Spirit Mata Nui!" Almost immediately, uproar began. Many stood and shouted their opinions to the crazed Teridax, while others lay back, seemingly interested.
"Madness!" Chirox screeched at him. "If we even considered such a thing we would put ourselves en route to disaster!"
"More than madness," Vanapirah agreed. "Sheer ludacrisouy! Only a fool would be willing to gamble with the Great Spirit's wrath!" None other than Mutran seemed to notice Teridax's attentiveness towards these comments.
"More than ludicrously," Miserix grunted, rising from his seat. "Outright stupidity! Succeed in your plan and you risk the life of the universe itself!"
"A risk," Teridax said softly, a smile crossing his features, "I am willing to take." What followed was a battle between the two. Teridax was upon Miserix in no time, slamming him into the walls and throwing him to the floor, pinning the staff at his throat. Miserix responded with lightning shot through the staff and into Teridax.
"Insolent rat!" Miserix spat, rising, "You would lead the Brotherhood to condemnation and shame?!"
"No," Teridax replied, rubble sliding off his back. "I will lead it to supremacy." Standing at full height, Teridax addressed the other members, all of which shocked beyond compare. "I leave the decision to you," Teridax said aloud. Then added, "My brothers." Instantly, Gorast and Bitil moved to his side. Vamprah followed a short while after, leaving Vanapirah and few others by Miserix's side. Then, they too joined Teridax. Miserix shook his head.
"You are all fools. Follow Teridax and you follow the road to your deaths. But mark my words, you will regret it." With that, Miserix was led away by Krika and Spiriah, leaving all to ponder his warning.
In light of Teridax's rule, a grand feast was prepared. All Makuta gathered in the great hall, chattering about the current events. Three-branched candles were placed at every adjoining part of the tables and the dusty chandelier was lit, showering all in a dim light. Vanapirah sat next to Vamprah, who bit off a piece of seabird and chewed thoughtfully. Vanapirah didn't touch her food, having her focus on Miserix's warning and wondering if the Brotherhood had made a wise choice.
She was about to ask Vamprah about it when Teridax called for her. Vamprah watched her go and eyed Teridax warily.
Vamprah observed the new Brotherhood leader and the multi-colored female Makuta in deep conversation. He too had been reluctant to join Teridax's side and knew the potential risk they were about to take. Yet, he also seemed to grasp an understanding of how the Plan could indeed work, but the consequences to such an operation would be too great to comprehend.
A slight snarl tightened on his mask as he watched Vanapirah give a slight smile to Teridax. In return, Teridax performed a formal bow and took his leave. Vamprah tossed aside his half-eaten meal and stalked out in the cool night air.
Vanapirah climbed over the grassy hills on the outskirts of the Brotherhood fortress, scanning the moonlit fields for her friend. When she had gone back to join Vamprah, she found he had already gone. A word from Kojol suggested he was among the grasslands, probably out for a breath of fresh air. Vanapirah took his word and went on her way but saw no sign of him.
Crestfallen, she was about to turn back inside, when she caught a figure out of the corner of her eye. She turned and saw him sitting over the rise of a hill, wreathed in silver, gazing at the crashing waves of the ocean.
From his spot, Vamprah could see Vanapirah approaching. Adopting a sour look, he turned away from her.
"What is the matter with you?" Vanapirah questioned, sitting beside him. It took a while for her to come to a possible explanation to his attitude. "Teridax only called me for a mission, one that starts tomorrow morning." She smiled slyly at him. "Nothing to be jealous about."
Vamprah turned his head sharply, giver her confused expression. He pointed at himself then shook his head madly.
"Vamprah, I've known you for centuries and know you have a habit of being envious of someone." Vamprah's temperature rose in anger at himself. He knew she was right; he was prone to such sudden spikes of jealousy and envy. He cursed fate for making it so. He turned at the sound of a sigh and saw her lying down, gazing at the moon. He had to admit, the night was quite beautiful. A blue had settled over the many black rocks that dotted the fine beige sands. Waves crashed against the rocks, showering them in a spray of White Sea breeze. Foam washed up against the shore, creating a mirror against the sand. A sudden wind rippled blades of grass; a chain reaction of green waves rolled. Vamprah took in a breath of the crisp, salty air, basking in the only feeling Makuta were thought to be deserted of: the feeling of peace.
A soft tickling interrupted his musings. Looking down, the blue Makuta saw a patch of red, star-pedaled flowers stroking his hand.
Amaranth, Vamprah thought. The word meant "eternal" in Matoran for that was exactly what they were - the flower that never fades. Looking over to Vanapirah, he was surprised to see her half-asleep beside him. Smiling fondly, Vamprah shook her shoulder slightly, waking her.
Vanapirah yawned and sat up. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she looked at Vamprah who held an Amaranth out to her. Vanapirah looked at him, bewildered. Vamprah only smiled, well aware of the slight blush on his mask. Vanapirah smiled and accepted the flower.
"Amaranth," she said. Vamprah nodded. "The flower never to fade, like our friendship." The male Makuta smiled and nodded. Getting to her feet, Vanapirah stifled a yawn. "I had better rest," she said to him, "I leave tomorrow. See you when I get back?"
Vamprah nodded and watched her go. Settling down in the grass, he rolled onto his side and drifted to sleep.
Frantically, Vamprah raced down through the snaking corridors of the Brotherhood base, focus fixed on finding Teridax. Vanapirah had been gone for weeks without word. Prior, he was tried to catch her before she left, but was a little too late. He waited for her return for weeks, yet no notice ever came. That's when he became worried. Miserix's warning now became clear and he did deeply regret it.
Vamprah swerved around a startled Antroz and continued his search. Pausing for breath, he rounded a corner and barged in on a conversation between Teridax and Mutran. Vamprah glared at Teridax, of who looked bewildered, but not surprised. He looked from Vamprah to Mutran and gave a slight bow of his head. Mutran returned the gesture and edged close to the door, doing everything in his power to keep clear of the blue Makuta. Mutran exited the room and closed the door behind him, leaving the two Makuta in silence.
Teridax stared at Vamprah, a bored expression on his mask of shadows; Vamprah's visible fury never wavered. Suddenly, Teridax smiled a vicious smile that sent a chill up Vamprah's spine.
"I can only guess what you are here for," Teridax purred quietly. Steeling himself, Vamprah stalked over the table in the middle of the room. Displayed were various maps of different islands and one that Vamprah had never seen before. The lesser Makuta slammed a clawed hand on the collection of maps and locked eyes with his leader.
Teridax held his gaze and broke off, smirking. "Where I send my minions, is of my own accord, not of anyone else."
Vamprah gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and growled. It took all his will power to not attack Teridax on the spot.
Finally, Vamprah visibly relaxed. He caught Teridax's shadowed eye, his own filled with unmatched determination. Vamprah pushed himself roughly from the table, scattering the maps into the air. He walked, head bowed, towards the door, Teridax watching his retreating back. Vamprah stopped and opened the wooden door. Before he stepped through, he glanced over his shoulder, scanning the shadowed gray room with only a lightstone as a source of illumination - but most of all, he stared at Teridax.
"Watch your back," Vamprah whispered then slammed the door.