ULTIMATE BIONICLE
Chapter 30: The Shadow Revealed
Vakama looked at Matau's lifeless body, stunned with disbelief. What had driven Nuju to this? "What have you done, Nuju?" Vakama asked. Vakama observed the black spikes sticking out of Nuju's arms and legs. Something had happened to him, there's no way Gali's 'death' drove him to this.
"How does it feel, 'brother'?" Nuju asked. "How does it feel to know that your own friend is responsible for another friend's death, hmm? Welcome to my world!" Nuju ran at Vakama and hit him across the face with a Crystal Spike, and then kicked him in the chest; sending Vakama to the ground. Nuju then landed his knee on the side of Vakama's head; knocking him unconscious. "However, my business here does not concern you." Nuju said, looking up at Dume.
Nuju used his telekinesis to levitate himself up to the ledge that Dume stood on. "Someone wants a word with you, Dume." Nuju said fiendishly. Dume stepped back fearfully. "That's an impressive transformation." Dume said. "Why don't you join me?" Nuju started laughing. "Me? Join you? You're crazier than you look, Turaga." Nuju said contemptuously. "I serve a new master now; the one who gave me this great power!"
Suddenly, Vorak tackled Nuju out of the air; saving Dume. "Where the hell are Nidhiki and Krekka?" Dume wondered to himself in frustration.
As the numbers of Vahki started to diminish, more and more of the Toa started to realize what had happened to Matau. They all stood there speechless and confused; stunned by Nuju's actions. Nokama and gone to help Vakama. "What should we do?" Pohatu asked Tahu. Tahu sighed deeply, "I don't know. Nuju killed Matau, but he's not attacking us anymore. Perhaps we should try and talk him out of it when this is all over. I just don't know…" Tahu said with exasperation.
Onewa crouched next to Whenua. "Whenua? Are you alive?" He asked with concern. Whenua coughed out blood, and then slowly started to try and get up. "What do you think you're doing?" Onewa asked. Whenua looked at him. "Give me a Bulla Berry." Whenua said.
Onewa widened his eyes in surprise, "Are you insane? You're in no condition to fight!" Onewa said, trying to convince him. "I said: Give me a damn Bulla Berry!" Whenua said more insistently. "You're not thinking of fighting again are you?" Onewa asked. Whenua looked at Onewa insistently.
"What about everything you promised yourself in the cell? 'Live to fight another day', and stuff huh?" Whenua looked at Onewa with a cross expression. "Forget what I said in the cell! They were empty promises that I made to myself under extreme circumstances!" Whenua yelled through his pain. "But aren't those guidelines necessary in order to survive?" Onewa asked.
"Sure," Whenua responded, "Of course they are. One thing I said was; 'if I know in my heart I can't win then try to run and live to fight another day', but I knew full well that I couldn't beat Vorak. There are much more important things to me than living, Onewa. I've already lost one of them and now all I've got left is my pride and my honour and I'm not going to give them up for anything! I don't care if you consider those feelings to be foolish, because I'd rather be a fool than a coward!" Whenua said passionately.
Onewa chuckled. "You are a living contradiction, you know that? But I'm not going to try and stop you." Onewa handed him a Bulla Berry. As Whenua chewed it he felt the pain start to recede. Whenua then started groaning in pain as he quickly regenerated his left arm. "Wow, you've got a lot of energy left." Onewa said in surprise.
As Onewa helped Whenua to his feet, someone smashed through the gate of the Coliseum; catching the attention of everyone, including Vorak, Nuju and Dume. They all watched eagerly and confused as the dust settled. When the dust cleared, standing there was Panrahk. The Toa all stood there in wide-eyed surprise. Panrahk looked back and forth at all the Toa. "Out of my way, Toa." Panrahk said dismissively. He then started stomping forward. "I have a score to settle." He continued.
Takanuva stepped in Panrahk's path, examining him closely. Panrahk stopped and looked at Takanuva. "I'm not here to settle my score with you, Takanuva. I'm saving that for a more appropriate time." Panrahk said to him. Takanuva looked confused. "Who are you really?" Takanuva asked. All the other Toa were just as confused as Takanuva was.
"Don't you recognize my voice, Takanuva? I bet you don't recognize me but you should recognize my voice…" Panrahk said, with a fiendish smile. "Allow me to help you remember." Panrahk said.
Panrahk tensed up his body and groaned in pain as he body started to change. His arms and legs formed more armour; two disk-like spikes came out of his back, along with two more large spikes. Another single talon grew out of his other hand. Then his face started to morph and deform. The Toa Nuva all looked in shock and horror as Panrahk's face morphed into an extremely recognizable shape.
"Y-you! But how?" Takanuva yelled in surprise. "That's right, Takanuva! That's right!" Panrahk yelled. Panrahk's face had morphed into the Kanohi Kraakhan; the Mask of Shadows. "I am not the mindless monster Panrahk. I am the Master of Shadows, Makuta!"
"I defeated you once before! And I can do it again!" Takanuva yelled, running at Makuta. Takanuva pulled his spear behind his head and slashed it at Makuta. Makuta stopped the blade with the two large claws on his right hand. Takanuva leapt backwards, and swiped his spear; creating a wave of light energy. The blast hit Makuta and dispersed on contact; delivering no damage. "What!" Takanuva yelled in surprise.
Makuta started laughing. "Thanks to my new body, which is infused with the element of stone, light barely even fazes me. However, I still retain all of my infinite power!" Takanuva groaned angrily. He then struck the ground with his spear and started building up energy inside of it. "I defeated you with this last time! And it will do it again!" Takanuva yelled. The light energy swirled and slowly built up inside Takanuva's spear, until the spear was glowing brilliantly with energy. Takanuva pulled his spear behind his head. "FINAL FLASH!" He yelled, swinging his spear downward.
The enormous blast struck Makuta, creating a bright flash. As the flash receded Takanuva was stunned to see Makuta standing there. He had merely used his hand to stop the blast that had once killed him. "Are we finished now, Takanuva?" Makuta asked tauntingly. Takanuva dropped to his knees in defeat and stared blankly at the floor; struck with disbelief. Makuta simply walked past him.
Makuta suddenly stopped. "I suggest you leave while you can, Toa. Take care of you wounded with what time you have. Otherwise when I'm finished with my business here I may be inclined to go after you all next." Makuta told them, not turning around.
The Legion of Toa all stood there silently, but then finally grabbed Matau and Vakama and left. Makuta looked over at Vorak and Nuju, who were fighting once more. "Leave Vorak alone." Makuta ordered Nuju. "Go get Dume and bring him to me."
Nuju nodded reluctantly, and went after Dume, who had run a while ago. Makuta brought Vorak forward; levitating him in the air. Makuta carefully examined him, "What has Dume done to you my son?" Makuta energized the tip of his claw with shadow energy, and tapped the top of Vorak's head; destroying the chip inside of it.
He let Vorak drop to his feet. Vorak had a look of disorientation and confusion. Vorak then snapped back into realization and look up at Makuta. "Who are you?" He asked.
"I am the one who created you. In a sense I am your father. You were created for the purpose bringing me back, in the event that I may die. You have done better than I had ever anticipated." Makuta explained, with a proud smile.
"But I never did anything." Vorak responded. Makuta shook his head. "You did exactly what you were supposed to do. I'll explain later. Right now we have business with Turaga Dume." Makuta said.
Vorak thought about everything for a second. "Alright then 'father', I shall live to serve only you." Vorak said, kneeling before Makuta. "Rise my son," Makuta said. "You are far more than just a mere pawn." Vorak rose, and examined his arms. "How the hell did I get these?"
"They were given to you by Dume. Do what you wish with them." Makuta said. Vorak tensed his body and slowly and painfully absorbed both arms into his body, and then grew back his previously clawed arm on the left and the robotic clawed arm on his right. "I like this one." Vorak said with a grin.
Suddenly their attention was turned to the balcony. Stand there was Nuju; holding Dume by the shoulders with both hands. On Nuju's left and right were Nidhiki and Krekka; both trapped in powerful telekinetic barriers. Nuju jumped down to where Makuta and Vorak stood. "What's he doing here?" Vorak scoffed. Makuta chuckled. "He is out new Ex-Toa. Say hello to Shadow Nuju." Nuju grinned arrogantly in response.
Makuta then looked at Dume; who was struggling to get free. "You are pesky little vermin aren't you?" Makuta said contemptuously. "And like all vermin, you should be properly disposed of."
Dume smiled at Makuta defiantly. "You haven't seen the last of me, Makuta. Mark my words you haven't seen the last of me!" Makuta looked down at Dume angrily, and plunged his two large claws through his chest. Dume coughed up blood as Makuta lifted him into the air; still impaled on his claws. Makuta then swung his arm; tossing the Turaga off the claws and smashing into a wall.
"Now, what about you two?" Makuta said, looking at Nidhiki and Krekka. Nidhiki closed his eyes in consideration. "Since we no longer work for the Shadowed One and Dume is now dead, we have no choice but to join with you. We now live to serve you." Nidhiki said.
"Good," Makuta replied. "Believe me when I say this: You made the right decision." Nuju released them of their telekinetic prisons. Just then, two robotic Nuurakh came and grabbed Dume's corpse and left with it out the gate. "Where are they taking his body?" Vorak asked.
"They are taking the body to Dume's tomb, which is located in Po-Metru. For some reason he had insisted on it being built." Nidhiki explained.
"It doesn't matter." Makuta said. "Turaga Dume's death marks the dawn of a new era of destruction in Metru Nui. With him gone, his army of Vahki is at my disposal. And when the Bahrag arrive, the Bohrok shall be added to that army. Our numbers shall be gargantuan! The denizens of Metru Nui will have no choice but to surrender or die! Not even this 'Legion of Toa' will stand in our way!" They then made their way further into the Coliseum, to claim their new fortress.
Author's Notes: There will be a picture of Vorak's new form shortly on my Brickshelf account. Remember, to access it just click the homepage link in my profile. Unfortunately, I still don't have a picture of 'Monster Panrahk' or Makuta's new form, but I will try and get one as soon as I can.