Chapter Two: Dark Reflection
Shortly before the events of Federation of Fear...
Roodaka simply could not believe how bad her luck had been in the last 1,000 years. She was once Roodaka, viceroy of the Brotherhood of Makuta's Visorak hordes. A millennium ago, she had finally seen Sidorak, King of the Hordes, destroyed, leaving her with full command of the spider army.
That is when things began going downhill. Just as she prepared to assume her new role, a group of novice Toa disbanded the hordes and defeated her. She was eventually reduced to selling Brotherhood of Makuta information to the Dark Hunters, and vise versa. Not long ago, however, both the Brotherhood and the Dark Hunters discovered her treachery. Now the two mighty factions wanted her dead, forcing her to return to her home island of Xia.
Fate, however, still won't let up. Shortly after the sudden (and most unwelcome) appearance of a Tahtorak on Xia, a group of six Toa, the Toa Nuva, captured her. And to top it all off, she had been forced to transform the six Rahaga, the beings she hated above all others, back into their powerful Toa selves. The Toa Nuva then left the Vortixx in the Toa Hagah's custody. Where was the justice?
Now she was sitting in a holding sell in a warehouse on the outskirts of Xia, far away from the center of the city, where the Tahtorak was now battling the monstrous Kanohi Dragon as well as the Toa Hagah. Only Toa Kualus stayed behind to watch over the treacherous Vortixx. Roodaka had since given up on creating an escape plan. Even if she escaped her prison, where would she go? Xia was now a battlefield, and no other place would ever be safe for her with the Brotherhood of Makuta and Dark Hunters searching for her.
Soon, however, even this prison would not be safe for her.
Suddenly, Kualus heard the door open and shut, followed by the sound of footsteps. He expected it to be one of the other Toa Hagah, or maybe a Vortixx trying to escape the chaos outside. He was destined to be disappointed. The being who stepped from the shadows certainlly was not one of his fellow Toa, or a Vortixx for that matter. He was a tall reptilian being, clad in green, grey, and silver armor. His back was lined with long spikes, and his right arm ended in huge claws. His left arm, however, was completely mechanical. He eyed the Toa and Vortixx as if they were nothing more than insects.
"Who are you?" demanded Kualus, readying his Sub-Zero Spear and shield for battle.
"Name's Kevtho." replied the newcomer.
"What do you want here?" asked Kualus. A sphere of pure ice energy swirled around the tip of the Toa's spear. "You have ten seconds to tell me before I turn you into a living ice sculpture."
Kevtho chuckled. "You can put your little toys away Toa. I do not wish to reduce you to a pile of shattered armor this day."
"Then what do you want with me?"
"Oh, I don't want anything from you." replied Kevtho. He then pointed a mechanicl finger toward the caged Roodaka. "It's her I want."
"Me?" asked Roodaka.
"Her?" asked Kualus. He then frowned. "I bet you are a Brotherhood operative, or maybe a Dark Hunter. Well, while I would love to see what your superiors would do to her, I still have to ask you leave before things get ugly."
"I am not with the Dark Hunters or the Brotherhood of Makuta," replied Kevtho. "But I still need Roodaka. Now step aside or --"
The rest of Kevtho's sentence was cut off by Kualus unleashing an ice bolt. The projectile struck home, incasing Kevtho inside six inches of ice. The Toa barely had enough time to smile before he heard the sound of ice cracking. A moment later, Kevtho shattered his icy prison.
"Very well, Toa." Kevtho growled, raising his mechanicl hand. "I didn't want to do this, but you leave me with no choice." A moment later, Kevtho unleashed a flurry of shockwaves from his hand. They slammed into the Toa with amazing force, sending him flying. The Toa hit the back wall and slumped to the ground. Roodaka looked at the prone form of Kualus, wondering if the former Rahaga was finally dead.
"Is he...?" she began.
"Dead?" Kevtho finished for her. He then walked over and picked the Toa up. "You wish. I made sure to only knock him out." Kevtho then took the Toa placed him in another holding cell. He then turned his attention back to Roodaka. "Now, you are coming with me, Vortixx."
"Actually, she will be coming with me." said a mysterious voice.
Kevtho looked in the direction it had com from. He was surprised to see what stepped from the shadows: Another of his own species. He, however, wasn't covered in green or grey armor. Instead, he was clad in black, grey, and silver armor.
"Great." Roodaka said sarcastically. "Another one."
"Who are you?" asked Kevtho, ignoring the Vortixx.
The intruder chuckled. "My name is Ohtvek, and I am here on official Brotherhood of Makuta buisiness." Ohtvek took in Kevtho's appearance. "Let me guess," he said. "You're Kevtho, right?"
"How do you know my name?" Kevtho asked as he unlimbered his Protosteel Blade Staff.
"I am a very trusted Brotherhood operative." said Ohtvek. "The Makuta tell me about those they want dead, an I do the fun work. Imagine my luck finding two of the Brotherhood's most wanted in one place."
"If by 'luck' you mean 'In deep trouble', then I guess you are lucky." replied Kevtho. "Now, run back to Destral before you no longer have legs to run with."
"Stand aside Kevtho." warned Ohtvek. "I do not wish to slaughter a fellow Saursapien."
Kevtho was now out of patience. He lifted his staff and fired an energy blast. An energy field suddenly appeared around Ohtvek, shielding him from the blast.
"Is that the best you can do?" Ohtvek taunted, deactivating his energy shield.
"No." replied Kevtho. He then placed a clawed hand on the metal bars that lined Roodaka's cell. Almost instantly, the surface of the Saursapien's body transformed; taking on the properties of the metal he was touching. Once he was finished, he clenched a metallic fist. "Now I'll show you my best."
Kevtho rushed forward and landed a punch that sent Ohtvek through a wall, and outside. Kevtho waited as the dust settled. Once it did, Ohtvek was nowhere to be seen.
Before Kevtho could ponder where his opponent had gone, he felt the ground beneath his feet tremble. Suddenly, Ohtvek erupted from the ground and landed a blow that sent Kevtho sprawling. He then began firing blasts of what appeared to be Shadow energy. The bolts blasted away much of the metal that covered Kevtho's body. Once he was finished, Kevtho sagged back to the ground, unmoving.
With his opponent taken care of, Ohtvek turned his attention back to his objective. He grabbed the bars of Roodaka's cell and used a fraction of his strength to rip the door off of its hinges.
"You are coming with me, Xian" Ohtvek said as he stepped into the cell.
"I don't think so." she hissed. Roodaka then unleashed a flurry of shadow bolts. They all struck home... only to be harmlessly absorbed into Ohtvek's body. Roodaka tried agian, this time with a shadow bolt strong enough to bring down a Kanohi Dragon. Still, there was no effect. If anything, the blast seemed to be making Ohtvek stronger.
"Are you done?" Ohtvek asked sarcastically.
"She is, but I'm not!"
Before Ohtvek could see where Kevtho's voice had come from, he felt someone grab his tail. He was then pulled off of his feet and thrown into the air with enough force to send him flying through the wall again. Kevtho then turned his gaze to Roodaka, his eyes glowing from orange to yellow. Instantly, Roodaka found herself trapped inside an energy field, preventing her from escaping. Kevtho began running toward the newly created hole in the wall, pausing just long enough to pick up a small metallic crafting tool. As he ran, Kevtho used his absorbing abilities to take on the properties of the tool. He then ran outside to see Ohtvek getting to his feet.
Noticing Kevtho's approach, Ohtvek placed his hands on the ground, using his own absorbing powers to transmute his body into stone. He then charged, ready to put an end to this annoyance. The two Saursapiens began trading blows, unleashing energy blasts, and slamming each other into buildings. They were so caught up in the heat of battle they barely had time to notice a massive chunk of a Xian foundry come flying out of nowhere. Only their quick reflexes allowed them to dodge it in time.
Ohtvek forced himself to stand. He looked at Kevtho who was doing the same. This could not go on. He and Kevtho were simply to evenly matched. There was only one way Ohtvek knew he could gain an advantage.
"You know, Kevtho, we are not that different from one another." Ohtvek said breathlessly.
Kevtho frowned. He didn't have time for this. He needed to have Roodaka ready for transport before Brutaka made his move. But Kevtho needed to keep his opponent busy and talking while his energies recharged. "We may be members of the same species,..." sneered Kevtho. "But we are nothing alike."
Ohtvek chuckled. "You don't know how wrong you are Kevtho."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you seriously think it is mere luck we are so similar, Kevtho?" asked Ohtvek. "That our personalities and abilities are virtually identical? No, Kevtho. It is not that simple."
Kevtho could tell he wasn't going to like the next thing he heard.
"The reason we are so similar, you and I, is because I am, in a way, you."
"What?" Kevtho asked in a shocked and confused tone.
"Remember a few centuries back when you still served the Brotherhood?" asked Ohtvek. "You had a little... dispute... with that bumbling fool Icarax. You won the battle, though it cost you your left arm."
Kevtho's eyes narrowed.
"Makuta Orriki later found your discarded limb." continued Ohtvek. "And from that, he made me."
Kevtho's eyes widened. If what Ohtvek was saying was true, he wasn't simply a fellow Saursapien;... he was Kevtho!
So caught up in his thoughts was he, Kevtho never saw Ohtvek's attack coming. A bolt of pure darkness forced Kevtho to his knees. He hit the ground where he lay still. This was the chance Ohtvek had been waiting for. With Kevtho out cold, the energy field he made around Roodaka would disappear. He rushed inside the building she was in, preparing to seize the Vortixx. Once inside, however, he noticed something odd. The energy field was still active, with Roodaka still inside. Ohtvek looked over his shoulder. Yes, Kevtho was still out cold. So how could his energy field still be up? Ohtvek decided to try and dissipate the field somehow. He lumbered over and began firing shadow bolts, only to see them bounce off harmlessly.
Outside, Kevtho was barely awake. He could hear the distant cries of Vortixx in distress, as well as the horrific roars of the Tahtorak and Kanohi Dragon. He forced himself to lift his head. He could make out the distant forms of the two monsters clashing through the city. Suddenly, the Tahtorak's sweeping tail struck a half-leveled building, sending a huge chunk of it hurtling across the city... and straight in Kevtho's direction!
Kevtho could see the danger, but could not act. He was simply to weak. The veteran Order of Mata Nui member closed his eyes and waited for the end to come. Several seconds went by, and still no impact. After a full minute Kevtho opened his eyes. What he saw was amazing:
The chunk of building was suspended in the air just a few feet above him. Suddenly, the chunk fractured, crumbled, and turned to dust before his eyes.
That's it,..., Kevtho thought. I must be either dead or insane.
"Actually..." said a mysterious voice. "None of the above."
Kevtho pushed himslef into a kneeling position. He looked up to see a Toa standing a short distance away. He, however, was not one of the Toa Hagah. He seemed far more ancient, while at the same time young. He was covered in bright orange and dark grey armor and wore a Kanohi whose shape was vaguely familiar. Clutched in one hand was a spear or lance of some kind.
"Who are you?" asked Kevtho.
The Toa smiled. "There is no time for introductions Kevtho." he said. "When you passed out, I used my power to keep your energy field around Roodaka active. Now, you must go and finish your mission. Brutaka will be making his move within the next minute or so."
Kevtho looked down for a moment to see if his left arm was operational. When he looked back up the Toa was nowhere to be seen. While he wished to find answers, he knew he had to act now. Kevtho rushed into the building where Ohtvek was standing over an unconscious Roodaka.
"Hey Ohtvek!" Kevtho shouted. Ohtvek turned just in time to see Kevtho's fist rush toward him. His "brother" landed a punch that sent Ohtvek sprawling.
Brutaka should act right... about... now!
As if on cue, a portal blinked into existence in the center of the room. Kevtho managed to awaken Roodaka and take her by the arm. He then began leading her toward the portal.
"What are you doing?! What is that thing?!" she demanded as she tried to shake off Kevtho's grip.
"It's your ticket out of here." replied Kevtho, taking a glance at Ohtvek, who was beginning to stir. Kevtho half-dragged Roodaka to the portal and forced her inside. Taking one last look at Ohtvek, Kevtho passed through the portal.
As the hole in time and space vanished, Ohtvek pulled himself into a sitting position. He had no idea where Kevtho had taken Roodaka, but he vowed he would find them both one day. And he would finish the mission given to him,... even if it was the last thing he ever did.
Hours later...
Kevtho and Brutaka walked down a hallway deep in conversation. They had just put Roodaka in a holding cell with three other prisoners: Two Barraki warlords and a rogue Makuta. While Brutaka waited for the fourth and final "recrute", he was explaining Kevtho's next assignment.
Helryx had stated one of the Order's opperatives, Toa Hydros, will need help with his mission in Karda Nui. Kevtho is to take a vehicle called the "Skydrax K2" to a Toa named Krataka and give him the instructions he needs. He will then need to fight off an invasion of the Brotherhood of Makuta's infected Rahi.
"You will also need this." said Brutaka. He then produced a small stone that was glowing with energy.
"What is it?" asked Kevtho, taking the strange stone.
"It is a Toa Stone. Helryx told me to give it to you. Once Krataka leaves for Karda Nui, you are to give this to a Fe-Matoran named Oksaki."
Kevtho nodded. "Very well." He then climbed aboard the Skydrax K2. Brutaka activated his Kanohi Olmak, opening a portal that lead to an island south of Metru Nui. "Farewell, Brutaka." He then piloted the Skydrax through the portal.
Brutaka deactivated his Olmak. Just then the door to the chamber opened. A very tall and menacing figure walked in.
"Have you sent Kevtho off on his latest mission?" asked Botar, the Order of Mata Nui's gatherer of the fallen.
Brutaka nodded. He then turned to face Botar. "Did you bring him?"
Botar nodded. "Yes. Vezon is in the holding cell with the others. They are now waiting for you."
Brutaka gave slight chuckle as he headed for the door.
"Is something funny, Brutaka?" asked Botar.
"Two Barraki warlords, a disgraced Makuta, a former Queen of Visorak, and a crazed half-Skakdi." said Brutaka as he opened the door. "Throw me into the mix, and we have a real Federation of Fear in the making."
To be continued in Kevtho's Story #7: A New Mission and Federation of Fear.