ULTIMATE BIONICLE
The Final Chapter
Chapter 36: A Fiery Showdown: Vakama vs. Nuju
Outside of a large foundry, Nokama, Matau, Tahu, Takanuva and Lewa battled against a horde of Vahki and Bohrok; Grievous was among the fray as well. The sides of buildings crumbled and smashed as the epic battle in the district of fire raged on.
Inside the foundry, Vakama hid behind a large vat full of molten Protodermis. He was breathing so hard his chest felt like it was on fire. He was beaten and bleeding, his Blazer Claws in each hand. The battle outside sounded distant, but that is not what he was listening for. Somewhere inside the building with him was Nuju. They hadn't been fighting long, but already the fight had been fierce.
Nuju was strangely a Toa Hordika now as well, though he had not explained to Vakama how he came to be that way.
Vakama slowly crept around the corner of the vat, looking carefully for where Nuju might be. Vakama's hearing was acute, but Nuju was doing a good job of keeping himself hidden. The smoke produced from the molten Protodermis also made it impossible for Vakama to get a scent. All he could use was his eyes.
As he looked around the vat, a ball of ice was fired and Vakama quickly dodged it before in struck him directly in the face. He then heard Nuju's taunting laugh echo through the foundry. "You're getting really jumpy aren't you, Vakama?"
Vakama was panting and gritted his teeth angrily. "Why are you doing this, Nuju? We're your friends!" Nuju suddenly landed behind Vakama and kicked him in the back, knocking him forward to the ground. "You're no friend of mine." Nuju said with a hateful expression.
"You fool!" Vakama yelled. "Gali is alive! We've known that even before you killed Matau at the Coliseum!" Nuju's eyes widened, though he did not say anything. He then slowly put away his Hordika Teeth, staring at the ground.
Vakama sighed with relief and got to his knees, putting his Blazer Claws on his back as well. "I'm glad to see you've finally come to your-." Nuju kicked upward into Vakama's face, sending him flipping backwards and landing on metal stairs. Nuju walked up to Vakama and picked him up by the neck with his larger arm.
Nuju smashed Vakama's back into a wall. "You're more naïve than you look, Vakama. Do you honestly believe that I care about any of you anymore?" Nuju taunted. Vakama's expression became angry. He kicked Nuju in the stomach, causing him to stagger backwards and gasp for breath.
Vakama landed back on his feet and pulled out his weapons once more. "Don't make me do this, Nuju" Vakama pleaded.
Nuju caught his breath again and pulled out his weapons as well. "Do what? Do you honestly believe you have it in you to kill me? What would Lhikan think of that huh? That wouldn't be very 'Toa-like' of you would it?" Nuju said mockingly.
Vakama glared at him, "Even if I do kill you…I'll still be more of a Toa than you ever will!" The blades of Vakama's Blazer Claws ignited as he ran towards Nuju.
Nuju ran towards him as well and their blades clashed together. They both pushed back and then leapt backwards and ran at each other again, clashing their swords together once more.
They both swung their blades furiously, but they proved to be evenly matched. They leapt back again and repeated. As Vakama ran at Nuju with his blades held behind his head, Nuju quickly ducked, and slashed at Vakama's stomach. The spikes on Nuju's Hordika Teeth cut deeply into Vakama's torso.
Vakama kicked Nuju away with his right leg. Nuju went spinning and crashed into the side of the vat. Vakama winced in pain as he held his slash wound. He looked back up and Nuju slashed one of his blades down at Vakama. Vakama quickly dodged to the side and Nuju continued to swipe furiously. Vakama shifted from side to side and ducked, struggling to dodge the assault.
Vakama jumped backwards, high into the air and onto a metal walkway suspended from the ceiling. He stood panting on the walkway's railing. Nuju made an angry face, "Get down here!" Nuju yelled, firing an Ice Rhotuka. Vakama jumped backwards off the railing to dodge the spinner. It struck the metal walkway instead; coating it in ice. As Vakama tried to run he realized it had frozen his feet to it. "Grrrrrrrr! Damn it!" Vakama said as he struggled to break free.
Nuju ran forward and stopped underneath the walkway. He crouched down and leapt high into the air, heading right for the walkway. He pulled down one of his blades and slashed upwards as he reached the frozen metal. Nuju burst through it, right where Vakama was standing. He slashed Vakama up the chest, knocking him onto his back.
Nuju landed on the walkway and leapt high into the air again and over the hole. He landed heavily onto Vakama's chest, and they both smashed down through the metal.
Vakama hit the ground with a painful crash, Nuju still pinning him down. Nuju then stepped off of his chest. Vakama was no longer moving. "What's the matter?" Nuju asked sarcastically. "Done already?"
Nuju smirked deviously and turned around and began to walk away, putting his Hordika Teeth back onto his back. Without warning, Nuju was struck in the back by Vakama's shoulder, sending him stumbling forward.
Nuju turned around and was slashed across the arm and chest by a Blazer Claw. Vakama then spun and slashed Nuju deeply across the chest in the other direction. Nuju stumbled back in pain. Vakama pulled his Blazer Claws behind his head and slashed them down upon Nuju's shoulders, sending him to his knees. Vakama then delivered a hard kick to Nuju's face, sending him flying into the air and crashing against a stone ledge. Vakama shot a Fire Rhotuka at Nuju, hitting him directly in the chest. Nuju burst into flames and writhed in pain as he fell to the ground.
Nuju hit the ground and the flames went out, and he was no longer moving. Vakama approached Nuju cautiously and crouched down to examine him. "HA!" Nuju yelled suddenly, looking up and shooting a blast of ice into Vakama's face. Vakama staggered backwards, temporarily blinded and trying to pry the ice off.
Nuju got to his feet and encased his fists in thick layers of ice. He delivered a devastating punch to Vakama's stomach with his right hand and then struck him across the face with his left. Vakama fell to the ground, but slowly started to get back up. Nuju approached him and lifted him to his feet. He then picked Vakama up over his head and tossed him diagonally into the air.
Nuju jumped after him until he was on Vakama's left side. He then spun his body to the right and kicked Vakama in the side of the head, sending him plummeting to the ground.
As Vakama reached the ground he stopped the impact with his arms and launched himself back into the air towards Nuju. With a powerful double kick, Vakama rocketed up and smashed Nuju in the face. He then turned back towards the ground and stabbed downwards to Nuju. The Blazer Claws stabbed into Nuju's shoulders. They hit the ground and Vakama's Blazer Claws stabbed fully through Nuju's shoulders and into the ground.
Nuju let out a cry of pain as blood ran out of his wounds. Vakama stood over his former comrade. "Are we done, Nuju?" Vakama asked with impatience.
Nuju reached over to the handle of each Blazer Claw. With a painful cry, Nuju ripped them out of his shoulders. Vakama stepped back with amazement as Nuju began to stand back up.
Nuju let the Blazer Claws go and stopped them in midair with telekinesis. He then propelled them across the room. He gave Vakama a sharp look, and then knocked him back with a powerful mental blast.
Vakama smashed into a wall, and was then brought rocketing back towards Nuju. Vakama came in at a high speed and Nuju lifted his leg and gave a stomping kick to the Fire Toa Hordika's face. Vakama was pinned to the ground so hard that it cracked and dented inwards.
Nuju took his foot off Vakama's face and started to walk away. He reached into a pouch that was on his waist with what little mobility he had left in his arms, and grabbed a Bulla Berry. He then used his telekinesis to lift the berry into his mouth. As he chewed and swallowed it he felt the mobility returning to his arms as his shoulders began to heal.
Suddenly, Nuju was hit flying back by a blow to the face. He sat up and looked, but saw no one there. He then felt something grasp his leg, though he still didn't see anything. It lifted him up and began to spin him around furiously. It let go and Nuju was sent crashing in the side of a terminal. He then felt something hard strike him in the stomach. Nuju gagged from the blow.
As Nuju stared at what he could not see, he noticed a shadow. He grinned with realization, and used the shadow to grasp the being by the neck. He stepped forward, holding it by the neck with his right arm. Vakama no longer concealed himself.
"That's a dirty trick." Nuju said angrily. Vakama laughed slightly as he gasped for breath. "Look…who's…talking…" Vakama retorted.
Suddenly and alarm started sounding off. Nuju looked around with confusion. Taking advantage of the distraction, Vakama kicked Nuju away. He then ran and the Ice Toa Hordika and began rapidly punching him in the chest with both hands.
Vakama then put both hands together and pulled them back and smashed Nuju across the face and down to the floor. Vakama panted, standing over Nuju as he slowly started to get back up. "That alarm means that the magma flow is unstable." Vakama explained. "It's gonna overflow soon. Guess I messed it up when I smashed you into the terminal."
Nuju got to his feet laughing. "Don't think you can use that as an excuse to end this fight early." Nuju said arrogantly. "This epic battle has just begun."
"You're insane, you know that Nuju?" Vakama said with exasperation. He then looked to the ground and noticed his Blazer Claws were a few feet away. He walked over and picked them up, without any objection from Nuju.
Vakama turned, and Nuju landed a punch to Vakama's face with his larger arm. He then jumped up and kicked Vakama back. Vakama went flying and then landed and skidded across the ground. As he got back up he saw Nuju running towards him. When Nuju got close enough Vakama did a back-flip, kicking Nuju in the chin.
Nuju staggered backwards as Vakama landed back onto his feet. He pulled out his Hordika Teeth once more. They furiously clashed their weapons as they each tried to hit each other. They were unaware, however, of the magma that was slowly creeping towards them, having overflowed inside its channel.
They clashed their weapons again and pushed back with their blades. "I can't let it end like this." Vakama thought to himself as he grunted from the strain. "What did Makuta do to you? I know that those black spikes that protrude from your body are not natural for a Toa."
Nuju made a sinister grin. "All Makuta did was make me stronger, and make me an offer I couldn't refuse." Nuju said, pushing his blades harder against Vakama's Blazer Claws.
Vakama snarled from strain and anger and pushed back as well, "And what was that? What could you possibly want from him?" Vakama asked.
"I would agree to serve him, and in exchange I would be granted great power, and the privilege of killing you and the rest of the Legion of Toa." Nuju said, making a harsh laugh.
A feral look appeared in Vakama's eyes and he pushed back angrily. The flames on his Blazer Claws grew exponentially as his rage intensified. Vakama shoved Nuju back with his blades and then pushed back so hard he sent him flying. Nuju got up slowly with a groan and stared at Vakama.
Vakama was panting angrily. "I will never let you lay a hand on any of them ever again!" He ran at Nuju angrily, pulling back his Blazer Claws. He slashed at Nuju, but he leapt backwards onto a boulder, which was floating in the molten protodermis.
Vakama looked up and down the large flow of magma. The canal had completely filled and was more rapidly making its way towards him. He jumped forward and landed on the same boulder Nuju had, which was about three five metres wide and five metres long.
As they continued their battle, the wall at the far end of the foundry was beginning to melt away from all the magma.
&&&&&&&&
Nokama hooked one of her Fin Barbs into the head of a Vahki, and then jumped and spun around; kicking the Vahki away. Tahu and Lewa were nearby, fighting off other sections of the horde. Takanuva was facing off against Grievous. Matau then landed next to Nokama, stabbing a Lehvak through its face-plate and into its Krana. He looked at her and gave a heroic look. Nokama laughed slightly.
Suddenly there was a loud rumbling. Everything stopped and they turned towards the large foundry that was nearby. "What do you think that is?" Matau asked uneasily.
A strong feeling of urgency struck Nokama suddenly, like an invisible brick. "We need to get to higher ground now!" She yelled at Matau. He turned around and raised a confused eyebrow. However, he could see the sincerity in her eyes. "Okay." Matau responded, lifting off into the air. Matau's Hordika form had given him folds of skin under his arms, which he could use along with his powers of air to fly.
Nokama then concentrated and projected her thoughts into the minds of the others. "We need to get to higher ground fast!" Nokama saw Tahu, Lewa and Takanuva nod from within the crowd and ran towards the buildings. She saw that Grievous knew something was wrong, and fled as well.
Suddenly, the side of the foundry gave way, and magma spewed forth from inside. Nokama watch with awe as the magma flowed towards her, washing over Bohrok and Vahki; destroying them in its fiery wake. She then noticed Vakama and Nuju fighting on top of a boulder, which was riding across the top of the wave of lava. Nokama then came to her senses and quickly leapt to safety before the magma devoured her as well.
Nuju had Vakama on the ground, swinging his Hordika Teeth down at him. Vakama was blocking each blow with his Blazer Claws. Vakama leaned back, and did a kick-up into Nuju's face. He then flipped and landed on the other side of Nuju. He charged his spinner and fired it point blank into Nuju's back.
Nuju went flying off the boulder and towards a section of broken building which had been high enough not to get melted by the lava. He used a telekinetic pull to grab Vakama and bring him along with him.
Vakama and Nuju both hit the small island of rubble, Vakama landing on the higher part, while Nuju landed closer to the magma. They both got back up and immediately continued to combat each other.
Nokama and the other four stood atop a building, looking down at the battle before them. They could hear the clashing of their blades as they battled fiercely with each other. "Look at them go…" Matau said with wide-eyed amazement.
"I know," Tahu said, feeling the same astonishment. "Neither is willing to give up. It's like they won't stop till the other is dead."
Nokama stared down at Vakama with great concern. "Please…don't do it Vakama…" She pleaded lowly to herself. She looked over to the section of buildings on the other side of the molten river. Onewa, Pohatu, Kopaka and Gali stood there, looking down at the battle as well. Nokama could sense the anguish Gali was feeling as she stared down at the battle.
"We should bring them over here." Lewa said. He and Matau flew over to the other Toa, and started to fly them back over.
Vakama rolled to the side and swiped his blades at Nuju. But Nuju crossed his swords, blocking each attack. Nuju slashed his left and right blades outward, hitting Vakama's weapons out of the way. He then stabbed his right blade forward; the serrated edge digging into Vakama's left shoulder.
Vakama stumbled backwards, wincing from the pain. Nuju jumped and kneed Vakama in the face, causing him to fall back. Nuju pulled him forward again with telekinesis and stabbed his left sword into Vakama's right shoulder. "GAAAAAAAAAH!" Vakama cried out painfully, falling to his knees.
"Vakama!" Matau yelled, flying towards Vakama and Nuju as fast as he could.
"No Matau, stop! Don't even think about helping me!" Vakama yelled through his pain. Nuju turned around and looked at Matau. "What the…?" Nuju said lowly.
"What! Why the heck not!" Matau yelled, stopping in midair. Vakama yelled back, "This is something I have to face alone! Do not interfere!" He pleaded.
"…okay." Matau said reluctantly. He landed atop a pillar that was not far from where Nuju and Vakama were standing and continued to watch.
Gali was finding it hard to bear watching what was going on down below, but at the same time she found it hard to turn away. "You won't do it Nuju…" She said to herself. "I know you can't…I just know it."
Unknown to the other Toa, Whenua was standing atop a building on the other side of the river of lava, and his spear wounds still fresh and Onua still resting over his right shoulder. "Come on, Vakama. Pull through. We all know you can do this." Whenua said lowly.
Vakama was in crippling pain, Nuju's sword sticking out of his shoulder. Nuju crouched in front of him. "Looks like this is the end for you my friend." Nuju said with a devilish smile. "And look. Everyone else is here to witness you die! Too bad they won't enjoy this as much as I will!" Nuju yelled, rising to his feet.
Nuju rested the blade of his right sword on Vakama's neck. Vakama stared up at him blankly, weariness in his eyes. Nuju pulled the blade back, "See you in hell 'brother'!" He yelled. He swung the blade down towards Vakama's neck.
The Toa were all dead silent as there the sound of a strike and a spray of blood in the air. Gali fell to her knees in anguish.
"No…it can't be…" Nokama said with disbelief. All the other Toa were stuck in a frozen state of shock and distress.
Whenua closed his eyes heavily. "I suppose it had to be done…" He said.
Down below, Vakama looked up at Nuju angrily. Nuju gasped and choked in horrid pain, both Blazer Claws stabbed into his gut. Vakama twisted the blades, causing Nuju to cry out in agony. "It didn't have to be this way!" Vakama yelled with angry sorrow. He then pulled the blades out and slashed at Nuju's legs, cutting them in half at the knees.
Nuju fell back and slid down towards the lava and stopped just at the edge. Vakama swung his swords, flicking the blood off of them. He then put them back behind his back. He looked down at Nuju sadly. "You were our brother Nuju! Why do you bear so much hatred towards us? Now I have been forced to do the unthinkable!" Vakama yelled, filled with grief.
"I hate you!" Nuju managed to choke out. Vakama closed his eyes and turned away. "I'm sorry, Nuju. But I have to do this." Vakama said, raising his hand. He then used his power, and burst Nuju into flames. Nuju writhed in mortal pain as inferno surrounded his body.
Vakama lowered his hand and stared back down at the Ice Toa Hordika. The flames were slowly dieing away and Nuju was no longer moving. Matau suddenly landed next to Vakama with a thud. He placed a hand on Vakama's stabbed shoulder. Vakama cringed with pain on contact. Matau pulled his hand back quickly. "Sorry…" He said; feeling a little embarrassed.
Vakama painfully ripped Nuju's serrated blade out of his right shoulder. "C'mon, I'll bring you to the others." Matau said, grabbing Vakama by the underarms and flying towards the rest of the Toa.
As Vakama's feet touched the roof of the building he immediately collapsed with exhaustion. Nokama crouched next to him to give him aid. She rolled Vakama onto his back carefully and fed him a Bulla Berry. Nokama suddenly looked up to see Whenua climbing up over the edge of the building and onto the roof, holding Onua over his shoulder. Her eyes were fixated on Onua. "Is he okay?" She asked with worry.
Whenua walked up to Nokama and knelt next to her, laying Onua on his back next to Vakama. "He should be fine." Whenua said lowly, but just loud enough for her to hear him.
Nokama caressed the cheek of Onua's mask. She then looked over at Whenua. "Did you see what Vakama-?" Whenua nodded in response before she could finish. She looked down at the ground sadly. "I wish Vakama hadn't done that. We should've tried to help him." Nokama said.
"It had to be done." Whenua said. "There seemed to be no hope left for Nuju. The only person that could've convinced him to change at that point was himself. And if Vakama hadn't done what he did, we'd have two dead Toa."
Nokama looked at Whenua with confusion, "What do you mean 'two'?" She asked.
"If Nuju had killed Vakama, I would've taken Vakama's place in the battle, and finished what he started." Whenua said gruffly.
Nokama was about to argue, but then dismissed the idea. It was hardly the time for arguing. Her eyes trailed to the multiple spear wounds throughout Whenua's body. She gasped slightly, "Are you okay?" She asked with concern.
Whenua rose to his feet, his eyes focused on Gali. "It's nothing." He said as he walked away. Gali was sitting with her legs hanging over the side of the building, staring down at Nuju's body. Whenua sat next to her. Catching her by surprise she quickly wiped away fresh tears.
"It's strange isn't it?" Whenua said to her. She looked over at him, wondering what he meant. Whenua's eyes stayed fixed on Nuju. "It is often said how great love can be, but all I've ever seen and experienced is the pain it causes. He was a good friend, and loved you more than anything. But as soon as he thought you had been murdered, hatred woke up in him that was so great that he loathed everyone around him, and betrayed everyone he cared about." Whenua stated with wonder. "I find it hard to believe that hatred that great could just manifest on its own."
Gali sighed heavily as she looked back down at Nuju. Whenua suddenly stood up. "If you stay here it's just going to cause you more pain. Let's go." He said, extending his hand to her. Gali reluctantly took hold of his hand and rose as well, and they both turned their backs on the river of lava and Nuju.
As they walked away, a large shadowy hand appeared next to Nuju. It grabbed hold of him and then vanished, taking Nuju with it.
The entire Legion of Toa rested together tiredly on the roof of the building. Vakama was now healed and sitting up, though he was still exhausted. Onua had woken up as well and was sitting with Nokama.
"Now that it's all over, what do we do now?" Lewa asked, sitting cross-legged. "Do we go defeat Makuta again and then go back home to Mata Nui after we help you guys fix things here?"
Vakama shook his head, "Do not think it is over yet, Lewa." He said. "What happened today was merely an example of what's in store for us and Metru Nui." Vakama said, staring at the thick black clouds that infected the sky. "It's time for all the denizens of Metru Nui to unite or fall. The Great Shadow has been cast on our city, and the dark times have only just begun."
Author's Notes: Thus concludes the first instalment of Ultimate Bionicle. Originally, I was not going to end it now. However, the reason I chose to was simply because this is a very long story, and there would be far too many chapters crammed altogether (possibly double the chapters there are now). So, after much consideration, I have decided to divide the adventure into two fanfictions. I would like to give my thanks to all of those who reviewed. Thank you so much for your input and for those who didn't review, I hope you enjoyed reading my story.
I would like to point out as a little side note, that this chapter paid a little homage to Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith at certain points throughout the fight between Vakama and Nuju. For those who know the movie, you will no doubt recognize it.
Anyways, keep an eye out for Ultimate Bionicle 2: The Dark Times, coming soon to FanFiction . Net!