Chapter II
Teridax looked out over the universe that he now controlled, content. The Matoran were scattered, the Toa would soon break against the might of his Rahkshi, and all was well. He turned his gaze to Metru Nui, where he had appointed Akhmou as king in return for the Matoran's aid over the years. Teridax felt he owed him something, and Akhmou's small mind was satisfied with ruling that city.
Akhmou was in Dume's old chamber, recieving reports periodically from Exo-Toa as to how the Matoran projects were progressing. His first action had been to put his citizens to work so as to prevent any organized revolt. Still, some Matoran would escape into the archives from time to time, and he was constantly ordering the soldiers of Makuta to retrieve them.
Matoran were crafty, and the dull minds of the Exo-Toa met with varying success at recapturing the fugitives, but at least it gave Akhmou something to do.
Teridax, having a much better sight of the city, knew where every individual was at any given time. For example, he saw a group of Matoran traveling through the Archives to the Ga-Metru docks, probably planning to leave the city. Teridax wondered at their intent, and elected to let them continue. If they were killed, there would be no huge loss, and if they tried to fight him, he would eliminate them with a thought.
Exo-Toa, for all their firepower, were even less creative than the Vahki. They had originally been designed to be driven by the Toa as simple suits of armor, but the Makuta had soon started using them on their own as enforcers, mainly on Destral and the nearby islands.
Now, the mechanical suits of armor patrolled throughout the known universe, and nowhere were they more important than Metru Nui. Akhmou used them as a police force in place of the Rahkshi, due to a traumatic experience with a Tuhrak on the island above.
If the Exo-Toa had had emotions, they would have been unpleasantly surprised as three Matoran and what looked like a Toa smashed their way out of one of the barred Archive entrances.
Tuyet subdued the robots with blasts of water that were concentrated enough to punch through the hide of a Blade Burrower. The Matoran sprinted by while the machines were temporarily subtracted.
The Toa watched them until they had disappeared behind a building, then activated the power of her Kanohi mask, turning herself intangible. The Exo-Toa had recovered and launched missile blasts in her direction, but they simply passed through the figure to explode against the tunnel walls behind her.
Tuyet deactivated her mask just as she passed the suits of armor, solidifying watery knives inside their armor, then quickly removed her hands. She caught up with the Matoran just as the machines sparked and fell to the ground.
"It's good to be back." Tuyet said with a sharp grin.
Takadox reflected on his victory over the Toa Mahri as he sat atop his throne of butchered Rahi. It had been so simple yet so gratifying, and now he was the undisputed king of a small tribe of Matoran on one of the Southern Islands. As soon as his boat had hit the shore, he had walked straight into the village, hypnotizing the guards, and slain the Turaga in one fell slice. The Matoran had mostly stayed in line after that, but he reminded them of who held the power by regularly hypnotizing random villagers to fall upon their own tools.
His one fear was the Makuta that he had once served, now ruler of the entire universe. It would be easy for that being to have utterly destroyed him, yet the dreaded moment had never arrived. Takadox had theorized that the new Great Spirit had more important issues to deal with.
A call echoed from the gates of his village, and the former Barraki stood up to greet the frantic Vo-Matoran who had sprinted to her ruler.
"Lord Takadox, there's someone at the gate asking to enter. What should we tell him?"
Takadox frowned. "Lead me to him."
When they reached the gate, Takadox drew himself up to his full height. Frightening Matoran was one thing, but he would take no chances with an unknown variable.
Facing him stood a Toa of Ice wearing a Kanohi Akaku. The Toa quickly analyzed the warlord, then spoke, "My name is Kopaka Nuva, I believe that you are the Barraki and traitor known as Takadox."
Takadox didn't question how the Toa new who he was. Behind him, he noticed the Matoran gazing in curiosity and hope that their former ruler had finally met his match. A fight it will be then.
Pridak looked out across his army, larger than any the universe had ever known. It had been extremely easy to rally the troops, as so many denizens of the universe wanted to take down the Makuta of Metru Nui who now ruled over them all.
Only four Barraki remained to lead the soldiers. Rumor had it that Carapar was dead, while Takadox' whereabouts were unknown. Pridak was still angered by the thought of his old ally's betrayal, and he had promised himself that Takadox would one day taste the edge of his blade.
The Shadowed One had also allied with the Barraki, and Pridak sensed that he would prove valuable in the coming war.
And quite a war it will be. The warlord smiled as he imagined the carnage that they would wreak.
And when the dust settles, we will once again be the ultimate power in the universe.
As if on cue, a war cry went up from the legions and they began to march, presumably on orders from one of the other Barraki. Pridak grinned, baring his shark-like teeth. Quite a war indeed...
