Chapter Twelve: The End of Creation

The butler puffed. "How… how much longer're we supposed to go on, sir?"

The eyepatched fellow sighed and took the map from his cohort, putting it on the dashboard to keep one eye on the road. "We just passed the three-fourths mark, it seems. Don't tire yourself out. Richard will be sure to stop in a bit."

"In a bit?" Eyepatch swiftly found a stern hand on his shoulder, Butler obviously quite incensed. "I believe he's been at this for two thousand miles!" He slumped back into his seat and sighed again, popping open a can of soda. "Forgive me for pestering you, sir, but as far as I'm concerned, Mister Grayson will never quit. Why are we following him, again?"

Eyepatch smiled. "You haven't guessed yet?"

"No, I've not a clue. I know we're chasing him, but… what do we want with him?"

"Good question." The bearded man unlatched the worn-out glovebox, allowing scores of crumpled and torn papers to fall out. Most were insignificant, but among the pile was a picture of the Boy Wonder, a team shot of the Justice League, and, shockingly enough, an autopsy report.

"Gaze your eyes upon this, Wintergreen. It's a collection of papers on or relating to our current… er… case. Possibly my finest set of Robin memorabilia to date."

Wintergreen looked at the mess and frowned. "What's so significant about all this, then? You mean to assassinate him?"

Eyepatch facepalmed in ire. "No, you fool! What I mean to say," he continued, calming himself down, "is that these are for our new… project. So yes. In a way, you're right. We're hunting Robin down, but we're not killing him."

"And why not, sir? Surely the murder of Dick Grayson will do much for your status in the community? He is a ward of Bruce Wayne, you know."

Sun's reflection beginning to annoy him, Eyepatch quickly put his mirror down. He would be able to see fairly well with his good eye, anyway. "That is… true. Understand, though. This is Dick Grayson we're talking about. It would stir up much media attention to have him killed, sure, but you have to remember that we'll eventually have to deal with Wayne…" He glowered, expecting his butler to get the hint. "He's Batman, okay?"

Wintergreen gasped. "Batman? Oh, right. That seems a trite risky. How were you able to find their identities, anyway?"

"I have connections," Eyepatch grinned. "And if you're wondering, I don't have much of a desire for Barbara Gordon. Too feisty, if you ask me."

"Is that not a good thing, sir?"

The man hummed. "Yes… I suppose so. She wouldn't make good apprentice material, though. Probably fight me off before agreeing so that she can keep her daddy off of her. It's actually quite charming."

"An apprentice? Is that what this is about?" The butler growled, one eye trained on his master. "Bloody hell, Wilson! I'm mite sure Grant was enough!"

"Grant is dead, Wintergreen."

"Well… yes, but… no! I thought we'd agreed it was too dangerous to retry!"

Wilson reached over, grabbing the autopsy report and handing it to Wintergreen to look over. "It's been a while. We won't succeed if we don't try again."

The butler perused the faxed paper. "What is this for, anyway? To show us how the boy was tragically murdered?"

He was given the picture of Robin and sighed. "This is Robin. Nothing interesting here, sir." Silence reigned for a bit; then, the print of the Justice League. "And this is the Justice League… say, why haven't they gone after the lad, sir? Isn't this a top priority situation?"

Wilson chuckled. "There's a new prodigy in their ranks. Doesn't matter anyway," he scoffed. "The idiots have left the Watchtower. Apparently destiny means they won't be stopping an alien invasion."

Wintergreen paled. "Oh, my…" He froze. "Wait, a new prodigy… Justice Legue… Grant's death… BLIMEY! You don't think…"

"Ah. So you are still as smart as you made yourself out to be." Wilson too grabbed a can of soda, popping it open and quickly chugging it down. "Yes, Wintergreen, I do. Grayson is smart, yes, but very flawed. Too aggressive, for a start. Doesn't know when to back off." Finishing the can, he nonchalantly threw it in the back. "If we can manipulate things properly, moulding the situation to my advantage, he'll be ours!"

"This is insane, sir. I don't… I don't know. Do you really think you can pull this off? Remember, he is still Dick Grayson…"

Wilson nodded. "I can, remember? I'm the Terminator." Looking into the distance, he frowned. "It's Robin for right now. Quickly, hide the papers."

"What's the matter, sir? Need to pull over and re…" Before he could finish his sentence, the Toyota quickly swerved before stopping near a large communications tower. To the duo's surprise, Robin himself pulled over, got off his motorbike, and harshly knocked on Wintergreen's window. The butler hesitated a moment before seeing the Boy Wonder's scowl and rapidly pulling the glass down.

He chuckled. "What… what seems to be the matter, m'boy? Robin?"

"I heard you two fighting pretty loudly a while ago. Anything wrong?"

"Oh, so you did hear us fighting about the appren… the court case over the stolen haggis! Hehehehe-"

"I'll take it from here, Wintergreen," Wilson said, muffling his cohort. "Nothing out of the ordinary, officer. No need to worry."

"You were about to mention an apprenticeship," Robin mused. "Then you shifted the topic. Something up?" Noticing their lack of expression, he glowered. "Don't play coy with me. I know you were mentioning something criminal!"

Wilson gaped. "Apprenticeships are criminal now?"

"Only if they're not licensed. Which I hope you are."

"Well…" He grinned cheekily. "We don't exactly have one running up at the moment, but we were hoping to get started within the next week. Just as soon as we get to Jump, anyway."

"You're heading to Jump too? Just for that?"

The man nodded. "That's what I have in mind. Although," he smiled, moving a bit closer to the hero, "I do hope you'll keep us in memory. I think you'd make a great apprentice."

Robin smiled. "Sorry, I'm trying not to be tied to anyone… really? What for?"

"Er… I don't know exactly how to put it, but it'd be kind of like servitude. Running errands for me. You probably wouldn't be interested."

"No, I wouldn't. Need to make a name for myself, and not under somebody else." The Boy Wonder began walking back to his cycle. "Well, I guess I'll see you later, then. Good luck in Jump!" And with that, he was off. Wilson took his hand off Wintergreen's mouth and started off as well.

The wind raced through Robin's hair, the Boy Wonder taking the time to think. It was nice that people like Wintergreen and his friend were moving to Jump, but… for an apprenticeship? Why? Those things, the training sessions to become blacksmiths and plumbers and the like, were pretty mundane and not very lucrative; in fact, when it came down to it, even he was in one! Nobody would want to take three years out of their life to learn a useless habit, and they should have known that. Knowing such made the two seem pretty suspicious… Hmm. He would have to investigate them further.

Noticing the man's smile, the butler sighed. "Wasn't that a bit… much to tell him, sir?"

The assassin smirked. "You know Robin. He is very malleable. If we tell him what he wants to know, he will…"

"Want to know more. And… then you can lure him in!" Wintergreen clapped, bouncing up and down. "That's brilliant, sir!"

"I'm brilliant," Wilson advised. He leaned back in his seat and grinned slyly. "Just you wait, Wintergreen. Soon, the Boy Wonder himself will be in our grasp… and Deathstroke the Terminator will become a household same. Think of it! No longer will brainless children parrot the names Superman or Batman… it will be mine! Slade Wilson! Because I will rule the city! It's glorious!"

Wintergreen beamed. "Yes, sir, very glorious." He looked at his master and smiled, the man smiling right back at him. The two laughed maniacally, driving into the distance as the sun set.

The Nova Blast wasn't as vehement as Gali's had been. Lewa's elemental energy violently exploded backwards, sure, but aside from the bystanders being bathed in a sticky green fluid, the blast itself was surprisingly peaceful. Air rushed through the cavern, slightly rustling the stalactites and threatening to tip Akhmou over, and… nothing happened.

Nothing happened. A few rocks fell down here and there, but they caused no damage. The majority of the cave hadn't fallen down at all. The prisoners looked rattled, but due to their captors' surprisingly strong feet, they had not moved a muscle… Oh well. At least some of his energy had spurted out of the entrance, probably splattered on the ground below…

And at least the Toa had been completely drained of his powers, unable to even budge. The Nova Blast hadn't done a thing to help them. What a ripoff.

"And what was that supposed to be, Glatorian?"

Lewa frowned. "It was supposed to be a Nova Blast… doesn't seem to've affected you at all. I'd thought…"

"Thought what?" H'ssiah hissed.

"That it… might be able to get us out of here…"

Tro'gaar sighed. "Alas and alack, my friend. You may be an all-powerful elemental being, but we are Gordanians… and we have powers you do not even know, same with us to you. I am sure none of my men thought a windstorm was going to fell us… did you?"

None of the men affirmed his question.

"Ah." He walked up to the Toa and propped his chin up, collecting some of the energy fluid on his fingers. "A shame it did not work the way you'd hoped. Quite a marvelous spectacle." He rubbed his hands together, took a little taste, and smiled. "Yes, such an ability genuinely surprises me. Is this something you do often?"

"No… sir…"

"Ah. Disappointing." Calling his men to the forefront, the Gordanian Lord turned to leave. "It has been an interesting experience on your planet, Lewa," the alien mused. "After the rutan'gah and your friends have been taken care of, I am sure I will come again."

"Don't…"

"Farewell!"

"Friend!"

"LEWA!"

The troops walked out of the cave, leaving Lewa and H'ssiah alone.

"No… you can't…" Lewa sighed and slumped over. "That wasn't… supposed to happen…"

The Lieutenant quickly propped him over. "Don't you die on me. I still need to see what's up with that Proto-liquid."

"Proto… dermis…"

"Right. Come on."

Violently pulling the Toa along, the Gordanian quickly trudged his way through Jone'z' opening. Lewa attempted to free himself one last time, but quit when he realized he couldn't. The Nova Blast had taken everything out of him. In a final action, he reached out to grab his axe, lying innocently on the ground… and wasn't able to. Tahu was right. He was useless.

To loud cheers and the stench of smoke, the Gordanian army emerged from one of the openings to the inside of Gamarrus Ridge.

"People of Gordania!" Lord Tro'gaar called. "I apologize for the persistent delay, but in our haste, the men have managed to capture…" He quickly pulled out Tanika, causing the assembled audience to gasp. "The rutan'gah!"

Audible murmurs could be heard. Many were questioning the legitimacy of this find, and whether waiting so long was worth it. Others asked why some weird robots had been collected, and quite a few wondered why Lieutenant H'ssiah was among the troops.

"Yes, I understand your concern. The rutan'gah? Now?" He chuckled. "That is quite valid! It would seem her escape was accomplished primarily through the failures of one H'ssiah…" The crowd booed. "Oh, hush! Quiet! You knew H'ssiah for a long time. He was old and daft. Surely he was meant to screw up sooner or later."

"But why now?" someone asked.

"Hmm… Good question! I do not know the answer myself… he seemed to be a ticking time bomb, really. Just waiting to go off. A real Kas'tern Toubea'm, as it stands! Nighty night!" The Gordanians quickly cheered. "Please, please! I have yet to announce plans! Yes, they are necessary. We do not want a repeat of these events, after all."

Silence quickly fell over Tro'gaar's subjects. Nobody wanted to earn his ire.

"What do you think he's gonna do?" Kiina whispered.

Tanika bit her lip. "I do not know for sure, but I assure you it will be… the deadly…"

"H'ssiah's command was obviously a large reason of why the operation failed. I feel he is no longer needed. Henceforth, the position of Captain shall be taken by me." Everyone gasped again. "It is a necessary endeavor, I am afraid… do not worry. Life on board the Stormfront will not change.

Secondly, I have to congratulate the rutan'gah for the cleverness of her absconding," he continued, holding the girl up. "It was known her powers were very strong, but to get as strong as to tear through the hull of the ship? Pah! Not possible!" He quickly darkened. "I will have you know, girl, that such things are not tolerated among us… try again and you will be killed. Full stop, no takebacks." Turning to his subjects again, he lightened up. "That said, I will be making a few… changes… to her get up… namely, she must be restrained. Better. She will not be breaking out."

"This isn't happening!"

"Of course it is, Glatorian," Akhmou scoffed. "Best you deal with it."

Tanika squeaked in surprise.

"Finally, on the issue of these… aliens…" Tro'gaar sighed. "It is a fairly complex story. You see, when the rutan'gah left the ship she came into the company of these robotic folk… Glatorian, as I am told." Everyone gasped, this time the loudest of all. "Yes, we have encountered spawn of the Great Beings again! Big surprise!

The event would be merrier, but unfortunately… they took her in. Willingly. Knowing that she was our slave. This is obviously unacceptable." The troops nodded. "As described under the Gordanian Criminal Code, Section 5 C-10, 'those who harbor official property of Gordania without permission must be gravely punished…' and so we will. I have not determined the exacts yet, but it seems imprisonment in the Palace will be acceptable… all in favour?"

"They need more than that!"

"I say we make 'em all rutan'gahs!"

"Kill them all off!"

Malum paled. "I can't believe this. I was only supposed to take Akhmou to my Vorox… why did I even leave them?"

Jone'z helpfully patted him on the back. "Don't worry, man. Youse'll be fine."

Tro'gaar frowned. "Kill them all off? Are you stupid?" The indicated Gordanian froze and knelt down. "Thank you. I knew that idea was too good to be true.

Yes, it appears we will be making them rutan'gah after all… quite anticlimactic, but that is how all speeches go, really." He grinned. "Now then! We must head back to our ship, as I am sure the Citadel waits patiently for our arrival… Come, my subjects!"

The Gordanians all began to filter out of the area and into the Stormfront. The prisoners were all in various states of fear: Akhmou apathetic, Gresh and Malum scared, Kiina downright mortified, and Tanika actually angry. Her eyes glowed, air growing painfully hot.

"This should NOT have the happened!"

Akhmou sighed. "You asked a Toa for help. What'd you expect?"

She grabbed the Matoran and stared at him, eyes boring deep into his own. "I expected to be safe, welch! Surely, we were the unprepared, but I made the binding promise… it was NOT fulfilled! I DEMAND the justice! I DEMAND revenge! I DEMAND- Uhnnnn…" Her rant stayed unfinished, as she quickly fell unconscious. Trog'aar smiled at her state and clipped a pair of handcuffs on her wrists.

"Hey!" Kiina growled. "What was that for?"

"Inhibitor cuffs. She will be unable to use her powers. Safety issues, really."

"But she wasn't doing anything!"

"She was nigh near killing that poor soul… sorry to say, Glatorian, but you deserve a lot more rights than her. It is just the way things work."

Gresh frowned. "But to cuff her? Seems like a poor choice of judgement."

"If we keep her out of commission, it is likely she will not bother us until we reach the citadel…" Tro'gaar glowered. "You know what? I think you will be a huge bother as well. What say you, Admiral?"

"I unno, Chief… they seems pretty alrights to me."

"Knock them out," Sm'ist hissed.

"A bit dramatic, but… you are right." He turned to his bounty with a sad look on his face. "Sorry, friends, but I cannot have you ruin our reputation… the escape of the rutan'gah was bad enough, but the uncouthness of our prisoners will be even worse. It appears I will have to make you unconscious."

Malum froze. "You can't!"

Tro'gaar grinned. "Oh, but I can, Glatorian. It is in the Constitution."

"Constituion, Shmonstitution… You are not capturing me! No way, no why, no how!"

"Yes, I will. Sm'ist, see to it." The Gordanian walked off to meet with his lady.

The prisoners yelled in tandem. "No! Don't! Please!"

"Sorry," ist smirked, "but those are the rules. Goodnight."

He activated the collars, causing them to cry out in anguish. The screeching was a pain on everyone's ears, but thankfully, it ended quickly, as they quickly turned on and knocked them out.

"Looks like we should get going," the Corparal hissed.

The Admiral pouted. "Yeah…" He turned to his friend. "Hey, Sm'ist, do youse really thinks we should takes these twos withs us?"

"Why so?"

"They haven'ts done anything wrongs… Just tolds the rutan'gah to goes theres, is all. I don't sees anything wrongs with that."

Sm' jabbed him in the ribs. "Of course you do not. You're a fat old fool."

Jone'z froze. "I'ms a… what?"

"You heard me. A fat old fool, too kindly and generous to let anybody actually die."

z growled and quickly rolled up his sleeves. "Why I oughta… COME HERES, YOUSE!"

"Hah. I doubt-"

PUNCH.

Sm'ist fell to the floor, audibly and visually unconscious. Jone'z grinned to himself. He still had it in him after all these years. Grabbing Malum and Akhmou, he quickly ran towards the faint image of the ridge.

"Let go of me!"

"No… you stay put!"

They had been trudging through the Gordanian's tunnel, H'ssiah quickly grousing about how annoying the Glatorian was. He was a in a situation where his friends were in danger and he could very well die, and yet he still blabbered on about not wanting to go with him and having a desire to be with the others. What a pest! The Lieutenant would be glad to get rid of him.

"I'm not going in there!"

"You are and THAT IS FINAL!"

Lewa pouted. "No, I'm…" He paled when he saw the Gordanian's furious face. "Oh, all right. I'll stop. Just… please. Don't do this. I could be killed."

"And just as well," H' mused. About to make another comment, he gaped when he saw the room the two had entered.

"Oh… my…"

"No way! Is that… a Great Being's room?"

ssiah hissed. "How should I know?"

"Well… those fight-troops of yours seemed to know…"

"I wouldn't be surprised if they were told of it. Jone'z will believe anything 'sincere' he hears."

Must've been Akhmou," Lewa mused. "Guy ally-worked with Makuta. He knew everything."

"OKAY!" the Gordanian screeched. "Take me to this… this Protodermis… now… before I kill all your friends!"

"You wouldn't! And I already told you, I can't… it's too dangerous!"

"That's why you're the experiment!"

"But I already went in it!" Lewa cried. It was true. The protodermis had already turned him into a Toa Nuva. Ta…hu had once told him he wanted to try using it again, to see if it would make him a Nuva after the Kanohi Ignika had devolved him, but he had apparently heard it was too much of a gamble to try. Seems this reptile didn't take it to heart.

H'ssiah growled, holding up a claw threateningly. "I'm serious, Glatorian. Take me there or they die."

Should he trust him not to kill them? They were his friends, after all… Lewa didn't want them to be murdered. However, if he followed the man's orders, he would be dunked into protodermis and possibly killed… he couldn't have that…

Wait… Would it really matter? No matter what happened, his Toa-brothers and sister would still berate him for being useless, and the Glatorian and Tanika would take pity on him, or possibly worse for the alien. He'd seen a glimmer of fear, of betrayal in her eyes. The trio didn't know the full spectrum of her powers yet, but if the light show she gave them was any indication…

He really was useless.

"Okay," the Toa sighed. "It's the thick-silver liquid. Should be foaming about in an odd-pool. You can't miss it."

The Gordanian walked up to a circular indentation, small walls giving way to bubbles that popped to reveal rainbow sprinkles. "Is this it?"

Lewa looked around him, trying to get a good grip of the room's aesthetics. The room was tall, with big walls- okay. Murals seemed to show the building of the Great Spirit Robot- cool. A small counter with ruined bottles lay by a wall- interesting. An altar with an engraved stone stood elevated in the centre, apparently attributed to Velika-

Velika. Of course. Of course the scheming little Karzahni-spawn would lead to his destruction- he'd foretold of it when fighting him in Marendar. Of course the guy would attract the aliens' interest- he was an alien himself! Of course he would still have some protodermis left over from before the war-

Because he knew.

He knew everything.

He knew this was supposed to happen.

If Lewa'd had the chance, he would've strangled him. Too late now…

The Toa exhaled, trying to control the pulsing of his heartlight. "Yes… this is it. Are you- are you sure you want to do this?"

H'ssiah held him over the pool. "I'm not sure at all. This is all Lord Tro'gaar's doing, not mine."

"But- don't you think you could ignore him? For now? For our sake?"

The Lieutenant held the wriggling body in place with his clawed hands. "No, pest. I already ignored him once. Look where that got me."

"I- you can stay here," Lewa sobbed. "Stay with the Toa, Turaga, and Matoran. We'd help you- care for you- you don't have to do this-"

H'ssiah screamed. "Are you really that dense? I am sorry, Glatorian, but I must obey my Lord. No matter what the cost. If it means… killing you off, so be it." He began to let go of his cargo, the Toa slowly dropping from his grip.

"But- I don't want to die!"

"Sorry, Glatorian, but that's life. Deal." He scowled. "Any… last words?"

Lewa frowned. There were hundreds of things he could say- thanks for the memories, it's been a wild ride, sorry for being useless

He thought back to his talk with Onua, back in his hut. Hadn't he told himself to buck up? Yeah… he had! It wouldn't be like him to choke out a final response- he had to say something valid, something that wouldn't ruin his friends' chances-

Something that the Gordanian would actually acknowledge.

"I'm a Toa," he finally spat out. "Toa Lewa. And it's been fun. Thanks for the wild ride."

The Gordanian froze, then… smiled. He actually smiled.

"I am Lieutenant H'ssiah. And thank you, Toa Lewa. I think I shall."

Then he froze, scowled again, and finally let go.

SPLASH!

Lewa was dropped into the Energized Protodermis for the second time.

It tore at him. Ripped him apart. The pain was too much to bear, but he somehow managed to glimpse above him, on the surface. The faint reflection of the alien smiled and walked off. Just like that. Lewa would've cried, but his tearducts were probably gone by now.

Most of him was gone, as it were. His feet and hands, then his arms and legs, then his body… vaporized. Lost to the sinful liquid. He didn't want it to end like this…

His head, the last thing left, began to go. Wait, what was he thinking? Onua had told him that this might have been his destiny. To go where no Bionicle had gone before, meet new people and make new friends. To kick butt in new areas, and actually be away from the Toa… It probably wouldn't happen, but then again, Lewa believed anything his earthly brother said…

His eyes were the only remaining body part now. They shone in sadness and fear. He was going to die… in the protodermis… dead and alone…

no…

He shouldn't have let Kopaka in.

I don't wanna die!

The liquid briefly stopped… and then it was at him. Bubbles pecked at his eyes, and Toa Lewa could see no more. His body decomposed in the goop, the warrior's subconscious began to float downwards into the abyss, free from its struggles. The water grew blacker and blacker…

sorry for being useless…

and then he was

f

a

l

l

i

n

g…

END OF PART ONE

Welp. That's it. For now. Muahaha.

Final comments for this part:

1. Okay yeah I pretty much told you who that guy was and why he wants Robin. Foooreshadowing. If it's still not clear I might need to send him to you. *shrug*

2. Poor Lewa. I can't imagine he'd be pretty happy about messing up the Nova Blast like that (and I'm not sure why I wrote it like that too. Oh well. C'est la vie.)

3. Both groups are heading to Earth (which is the Teen Titans world, even though it and Spherus Magna aren't supposed to coexist. Whatever.) Starfire's gonna be piiiiissed.

4. Don't worry, Lewa doesn't stay like that for long...

... and you'll find out why in Part Two! Read and review!