Part II: Friends and Foes

"It's only a matter of time…" Sigrho boomed. With his Kanohi Miru activated, there was no way Azron could hit him without using his Kanohi Kualsi, in which case Sigrho would reactivate his Kanohi Hau and deflect his blows. With no swords or projectiles to throw, he could just wait for Toa Azron to reappear and tire himself out.

Sigrho realized if Azron picked up his weapons he could still win. Throwing a blast of elemental power at the floor, a wall of electricity sprang up from the floor. The rules of this battle said that he could not use his powers against the opponent. It said nothing about blocking the opponent. While it took most of his concentration to keep the wall up, it was worth it. Azron had no chance of beating him now.

Torgon smiled from the sidelines. Both Toa were expert fighters, and both could make great leaders. While it seemed that Azron had no chance at winning, Torgon knew better and he could see Toa who had known Azron for centuries smiling at the strategy they thought Azron might use to win. "There isn't always a way to win," he thought, "But there certainly is one way Azron could finish and win this battle in a flare of style."

Hyaf stood off in the half-shadow, unable to keep a half-smile off his face. Azron might not even know it, but he had this duel in the bag. If Hyaf knew him, Azron would just be thinking of the obvious way he could win. "The key," he thought, "Is that Azron realizes how to win before he does something rash." If one knew everything Azron carried with him, it was really quite simple to know how Azron could win his fight.

Azron was not so confident. He and nearly been fried by Sigrho's electricity, something he knew bothered Sigrho not at all. He knew all too well that Sigrho knew he couldn't reach him without his Kualsi, which would end his sneak attack. He didn't have anything to throw. Azron looked wistfully at his swords behind the electric shield.

"Unless..." Azron's next few thoughts were of a brilliant but risky plan. If it failed, Azron would have no surprises left and would almost certainly lose. He weighed the odds of his plan working. They were slim, but he had no other choice. He circled behind his enemy and got as near to the electric field as he dared. Azron reached and removed something from his back. "You're in for a shock, Sigrho," he thought as he threw his last tool he had.

Sigrho heard something wizzing toward him. He spun quickly, but not fast enough. Azron's shield hit him in the chest right as he saw it. Too shocked to change masks, he fell to the floor, stunned. As he was still falling, Azron sprinted toward his swords, simultaneously changing Kanohi masks. By the time he had reached his swords, his Kanohi Kualsi was active. Smiling, he grabbed his swords and vanished.

Sigrho began shifting to his Kanohi Hau as soon as he was able to react. He wasn't nearly fast enough. Azron suddenly appeared on top of Sigrho and crossed his blades over the Toa of Electricity's throat. "I win," Azron said as he mimed cutting Sigrho's throat. The Toa audience roared in approval of Azron's spectacular reversal of fates in the battle. As Azron helped Sigrho up and shook hands again, he could see energy crackling in Sigrho's eyes. Eyes that entertained revenge for humiliation and taunted for a rematch. Azron strode up to the podium as Sigrho walked over to his companion Kuvan, a Toa of Acid.

"Don't worry," she said. Her calm, neutral words sharply contrasted here blue and green armor and acidic powers. "You'll get more chances to put that Toa of Plasma in his place." Sigrho nodded, only half-listening. He admitted to being curious what Azron would do first as the new Toa commander.

Azron felt the atmosphere of the stage and decided he liked it. As Torgon approached him, both were smiling. Torgon looked out at the Toa assembled and said, "Well! What an exciting match. Both of you fought as true champions of justice fight. Both of you deserve another round of applause."

The applause of his comrades washed over both Azron and Sigrho, and both basked in their glory, but Sigrho knew his recognition was temporary. Sigrho's defeat would be remembered for centuries as one of the most exciting leadership duels ever. As Torgon took off his medal of leadership, Sigrho clenched his fists in fists of jealousy and silent rage.

Torgon continued, raising his own golden medal above his head. Azron knelt on one knee as Torgon gave him his oath.

"Do you swear to combat the forces of evil, regardless of who they might be?"

"I will."

"Do you swear all to serve all Matoran everywhere, regardless of what they think of you?"

"I will."

"Will you treat all beings with respect, so long as they deserve it?"

"I will."

"Will you let a Toa be left behind in battle?"

"I will not." Azron was deeply surprised and a little disturbed by the ferocity of his voice when he answered this question.

"Should it be in our organization's best interests, will you leave office?"

"I will."

"As a Turaga, will you continue to serve the Matoran with wisdom and help them be all they can be?"

"I will."

"Will you create your legacy to be one that inspires hope and light amongst the Matoran, and not despair and shadow?"

An incredibly strong feeling swelled up in Azron as he answered this one. "I will."

Torgon smiled, knowing that Azron would make a fine leader. "Then by the power invested by me by all Toa united across our world and by the virtues of the Great Spirit Mata Nui, whom we are sworn to serve, revere, honor, and die for, I grant you, Toa Azron, Master of Plasma, the prestigious title of Supreme Toa Commander."

Torgon placed the medal on Azron's chest, which firmly clamped down on contact. The room erupted with applause, everyone cheering except Sigrho and Kuvan in the back of the chamber for the new leader of the greatest force of good-doers ever assembled.

Azron waited until the thunderous applause ended and grinned. "Thank you, thank you," the new Toa leader said. "As my first act as Toa leader, I am creating a special operations division consisting of no more than fifty Toa. The only Toa aware of who they are shall be myself and those fifty. I offer Toa Sigrho, Master of Electricity, leadership of this fledgling wing of our noble organization."

As Toa turned to look at Sigrho, Sigrho brooded in silence. This was very generous of Azron to give to the loser of battle, especially one that had shown the new leader so much contempt. He decided to accept. He looked up at Azron and said, "I accept the title with gratitude, brother. I shall begin recruiting when this meeting ends."

Azron nodded as Torgon approached the podium and spoke. "I must now teach our new leader the ropes and secrets of the office. Care to do the honors, fearless leader?"

Azron smiled and said in a loud voice, "Dismissed!" The Toa gave a large shout and began filing out of the chamber. Torgon pulled him aside before he could get involved in conversation and led him up the long, spiraling stair to his office. Toa similed and gave Azron newfound respect and recognition that had existed for centuries. When they reached the door to Azron's new office, Azron could hear someone in the room beyond. He started to say something, but Torgon cut him off.

"The secret I am about to show you is a complete secret you cannot share with anyone, not even Hyaf. Do you understand?" Azron nodded. Torgon grinned and said, "This is probably the last thing you'd ever expect." He swung the door open.

To Be Continued…