Folding her wings, Antroz landed atop her tower and immediately drew her sword. She reached out, sensing Emsar within the building, and climbed through the nearest window before descending to the floor where she waited. The Vortixx had a dagger in each hand, standing perfectly still as she watched the Makuta without making any attempt to hide.

"Emsar," Antroz said, "I—"

Emsar hurled one of the daggers before she could finish, drawing another to replace it as she charged. Antroz stepped to the side, letting the knife hit the wall behind her; it ricocheted, hitting another wall before angling back towards Antroz. She ducked, and the blade now flew at Emsar, who kicked it towards the ceiling and lunged, swinging carefully to avoid being in the path of the rebounding dagger as it bounced from ceiling to floor and back, slowly closing in on Antroz again.

Her Kanoka Blade daggers, Antroz thought as she wove around Emsar's attacks. She's truly serious…

She activated her Dodge powers, focusing entirely on avoiding contact for the time being. Emsar pressed on nonetheless.

"Listen to me, Emsar!" Antroz said. "You are on the wrong side of this fight! I understand you are shocked—it was baffling to me as well! But the Great Beings are not worth defending!"

Emsar simply continued attacking.

"…You will not even hear my words? Must I force you to heed me?"

Antroz snatched the rebounding dagger from the air and swung it forward. Emsar dodged, and the knife ended up stuck in the floor. Antroz next swung her sword in a horizontal arc: it was blocked by one of Emsar's weapons, and suddenly it shrunk, the once fearsome sword turning into little more than a needle. As this happened, Emsar kicked upward, missing, and another dagger slipped free from a sheath on her ankle. Before Antroz could react, Emsar brought her foot back down, driving the weapon directly into Antroz's shoulder; she then flipped backward to put more space between them, and…

Antroz shook her head. She tried focusing on Emsar, but now she could only vaguely sense where she was, some other psychic energy now pressing against her mind and disorienting her. Ripping the dagger from her shoulder, she tried again only to receive the same result—and to her surprise, a small but intense burst of heat and light sailed past her head, incinerating the tiny bit of antidermis that had escaped from her wound.

"A Firework Revolver?" she said as she recoiled. "I thought you didn't like firearms."

She heard Emsar's voice, faint yet easy to understand: There's nothing about this I like.

Emsar charged. Not wanting to risk her sword further, Antroz picked up the rebounding dagger in the floor to parry Emsar's first strike.

Yes…

A faint glow surrounded the dagger. It was ripped from Antroz's hand by some unknown force, and that force then threw it against the wall to begin ricocheting once again.

Left shoulder!

The words came with an urgency that made Antroz react in reflex, guarding her shoulder. Emsar instead dove for her right ankle. Her dagger passed through the Makuta's leg, but did not tear her armor—instead, it emerged with a small cloud of antidermis clinging to it. Antroz swung her claw, and Emsar met her blow with the handle of her revolver, fending her off long enough to fire and incinerate the recently-freed gas. Anger swelled in Antroz's mind, and Emsar suddenly leapt back.

"…I see," Antroz said, continuing to dodge the rebounding blade. "A risky move, don't you think?"

She heard Emsar's laugh all around her. I can't exactly fight you normally, Makuta. This is the closest thing to stealth I can use.

"I wasn't aware you owned a Suletu dagger. Seems you did manage to surprise me."

Another dagger flew out. Antroz dodged it, but it began to rebound as well. Just as she moved to deal with the two bouncing blades, she became aware of Emsar right before her, making another successful cut. This one did leave a gash in her armor; the rebounding blades nicked Antroz, prolonging her distraction, and the psychic interference began to lessen as she felt some kind of stress upon her newest wound. The armor held where it was thanks to Alize's earlier treatment, so Antroz swiped her claw—but Emsar realized the attack's ineffectiveness just in time, and the strike missed. The interference returned as Emsar fired her revolver, but Antroz moved forward nonetheless, holding her sword back to conceal the fact that it was steadily returning to its normal size. When she felt she was close, Antroz made a sweeping slash, the interference fading as Emsar focused entirely upon ducking just under the edge and allowing her to level a Light blast at the Vortixx, knocking her into the wall.

"I have no desire to harm you, Emsar," Antroz said as her foe recovered. "This fight will accomplish nothing!"

Appearances are everything.

Emsar was back on her feet. Antroz plucked the two rebounding daggers from the air and threw them at her. With a swift movement, Emsar deflected them both, placing them in a telekinetic grip as she pressed against Antroz's mind to disappear from her perception.

What do you mean? Antroz asked, pushing back. You linked our minds, Emsar—at least explain the thoughts you have made known to me.

Emsar dropped down from above. Antroz reached up to catch her, but all she grabbed was empty space; Emsar had visualized herself wielding the dagger she held psychically, producing a mental decoy to keep Antroz busy as the two blades dug into her armor. The real Emsar came at Antroz from the side, using one of her daggers to cut away another chunk of antidermis so that she could dispose of it from a safer distance.

You put me in a bad spot, Makuta. I'm just doing what I have to.

Antroz focused her Light power outward, producing a blinding flash. Emsar shut her eyes just in time, and as she retreated further, she realized Antroz was making some sort of clicking sound.

Before she could figure out what was going on, the Makuta asked, Why do you believe that? We gave you an opportunity to surrender peacefully. For what reason must you turn our offer down?

An image came to Antroz's mind: an image of the Great Beings. It was lost in the psychic tides a second later, but it was enough to help Antroz understand.

If you don't do your best to stop me…

I will be labeled a traitor.

Emsar's throwing knives came at her again. Again, Antroz caught them.

Appearances are everything. I need to look committed, no matter how I might actually feel. And, Makuta…

A vase hit the floor, shattering loudly. Antroz winced.

You need to be more subtle for echolocation to be effective!

Emsar got in under Antroz's guard, executing a double slash across her chest that caused a huge cloud of antidermis to spill forth, as well as shocking her into dropping the rebounding blades. Antroz reacted in time to knock the daggers from Emsar's hands, and then landed a punch that sent her tumbling back. She moved forward in an attempt to pin her foe, but Emsar already had another blade drawn; she cut Antroz's mask this time, causing it to shrink instantly, and rolled away in the confusion. Now with the interior of the "head" of her armor exposed, Antroz kept a hand over it, and was more careful than ever to avoid the fireworks Emsar was shooting her way. The throwing knives began to rebound again. Emsar increased the amount of interference she produced, and Antroz remained perfectly still.

Emsar. Were it possible, I would take as long as is necessary to convince you to lay down your arms.

More fireworks came at her. The rebounding blades moved in as well, but stopped short.

But you would kill me long before we reach that point.

The rebounding knives were sent up into the ceiling, and Emsar, who was halfway across the room, suddenly stopped and leapt back.

Ah, you magnetized them earlier. Clever.

Antroz tapped into her power of Sleep, releasing it throughout the room rather than focusing on any individual point.

You know I've trained to shield my mind…what are you planning?

Antroz revealed nothing. Emsar edged forward tentatively, not making a single sound as she touched two of her daggers together. Bestowing a telekinetic grip upon one, she willed it to float up and aim at the hole in Antroz's chest, spinning to make it harder to stop before shooting out like a bullet. Just before it hit, Antroz disappeared. Emsar could still feel her mind, and so remained on alert, becoming aware just in time to feel the Makuta's claws closing around the back of her neck.

What?!

The Vortixx tried to retaliate, but gravity multiplied around her, and in a fraction of a second she was facedown on the floor, too heavy to move a single muscle. Antroz breathed a sigh of relief.

How did you know where I was? The interference…unless…

"You've become so adept at shielding your mind that you block mental attacks reflexively," Antroz said. "I had to use that against you."

You attacked with Sleep…I automatically guarded my mind, and in drawing in my mental power to do so, I wasn't able to jam your senses any longer. Curses, I didn't even realize…

"It's over, Emsar. You tried your best—appearances were kept. But now, Xia will belong to me once more."

"…I suppose so," Emsar murmured. "Hardly surprising, really."

Antroz gave a small smile. "You feel somewhat relieved, old friend."

"Do I, now?"

Antroz gently placed one finger against the back of Emsar's head. "I suppose it doesn't matter. For now, why don't you rest?"

Slowly, Emsar's mental shields peeled away, and Antroz's powers cast her into a deep slumber. Antroz stood up and, after mending her armor a bit, carried Emsar over to the stairs and headed down. As she walked, however, she sensed a great deal of distress hanging over the city, and reached out to sense how the battle was progressing. What she felt made her stop dead in her tracks.


A Rahkshi of Teleportation deposited Zaekura on top of the wall before vanishing again. The Glatorian stared at the oncoming horde of Vorox, still in shock. Bitil approached her, saying, "Most everyone else is dealt with, so we should be able to martial our defenses well enough. However…we've no idea what to expect from them now. I know you told the Sand Lord none of them would be killed, but…given their disposition, subduing them may prove exceptionally difficult."

Zaekura swallowed hard.

"We will do everything we can. That is all I can promise."

Bitil leapt down to the base of the wall, where a large squad of Rahkshi had already gathered. He gave a shout, and they charged into battle, and Zaekura dug her fingers into the brick as she wracked her brain for an answer.

The first attack came from the Vorox. One in the lead had a Rhotuka launcher incorporated into their tail, and launched a wheel of energy at the sand immediately in the Rahkshi's path. Bitil hovered to avoid the terrain as it shifted suddenly, a wide patch of it turning to quicksand; a handful of Rahkshi were unable to react in time, finding themselves waist-deep upon taking a single step into the muck. Weak blasts were hurled at the Vorox to break their front line, and the two forces finally met. Gantra wrestled with one, his foe thrashing about wildly and sinking their fangs into his arm; he managed to secure their tail, at least, so he fought with all his might to maintain his hold. Bitil flew overhead and used his Sleep power, causing a handful of the Vorox to simply collapse. However, one suddenly leapt up at him, stinger stabbing repeatedly, forcing him to pull back. From just behind the patch of quicksand, a Rahkshi of Darkness stood with their hands forward, moving them as if to section of an area of space. Nodding, they pulled their hands back and clapped twice—immediately, the area ahead of them went completely dark, causing the Vorox within to growl in frustration. More Rahkshi advanced to the edge of the darkness, ready to surprise their foes. However, they noticed too late that the Vorox's eyes could still be seen burning in the shadows, and they pounced upon the Rahkshi before they had a chance to retreat.

"Come on, come on!" Zaekura said, now pounding her fist against the wall. "There's got to be something!"

"What are you getting so worked up about?"

She turned to find Ehrye, the Toa of Ice bound and sat against a section of wall guarded by a couple of Rahkshi.

"Sure they're vicious, but your army should easily be able to wipe them out."

Zaekura grunted. "We're not going to wipe them out! What we need is a way to stop them without causing any real harm!"

Ehrye tilted his head. "Huh? Why?"

"Because we're not going to let anyone else die! Now shut up so I can think!"

Below, Erad tranquilized as many Vorox as they could. However, they eventually ran out of ammunition, and it was then that a Vorox with three tails leapt upon them. With so many stingers pelting them at once, Erad was unable to hold the assault off entirely. Azin appeared and kicked the Vorox onto their side so he could help his sibling up.

"Is that why you've rounded us all up?" Ehrye asked. "I did think it was weird you didn't just level the place when you got in."

Zaekura turned the other way to shake her head, and in doing so caught sight of a partially destroyed catapult. After a short pause, she said, "Maybe…Charla!"

Lady Zaekura?

"Contact Burfis, see if you can get her to the wall! I've got something for her to fix!"

Right away!

Zaekura ran over to the catapult, quickly examining how the mechanism worked. Once Burfis arrived, the Rahkshi joined her, setting her hands on the catapult and using her powers of Regeneration to begin repairing it.

"Great!" Zaekura said. "Charla, I'm going to launch some of these Eccentric Boulders at the Vorox—tell everyone down there what to expect, and that if they get the chance, I want them to split the rocks before they hit to lessen the chance of hurting the Vorox."

I understand. It shall be done!

Once the catapult was functional, Burfis and Zaekura rolled a boulder onto it and moved it into position. The first shot was fired, sailing over the sand until a bullet from Erad broke it open; protodermis spilled out onto a group of Vorox below, forming a cage around them, freeing up several Rahkshi to deal with the rest of the pack.

"And…?"

The Vorox flailed against their bars. Soon, pieces of the cage began to chip away.

"Great."

Bitil flew over to the cage then, using his Sleep powers upon the imprisoned Vorox before they could break out.

"Well, I guess it's our best bet right now…"

As she went for another boulder, a Rhotuka hit Bitil while his back was turned. He teleported next to his attacker and knocked them out with a powerful punch, but upon landing, the ground beneath his feet instantly turned to quicksand. Caught off-guard for a moment, Bitil was unable to defend against a blow from another Vorox. Quickly, he teleported out and gave his foe a mild shock to incapacitate them, before tossing a plasma bolt up to shatter an incoming boulder. Bitil looked over his shoulder to take stock of the situation. His Rahkshi were holding most of the Vorox at bay, but he could see a great number of them slipping past and continuing towards Xia.

"We can't hold them all," he said. "Charla, tell the forces inside the city to be prepared: they're about to make contact!"

A portion of the wall transmuted into quicksand. As she pushed the catapult out of harm's way, Zaekura said, "Darn it! This isn't going to be enough!"

A shrieking sound reached her ears. Soon, a Vorox climbed up over the edge of the wall, setting their feral gaze directly upon Zaekura. Burfis moved forward as she scrambled back—the Vorox lunged, but before they got very far, they stopped in mid-air. Zaekura glanced aside to see a hastily-patched Krika headed their way.

"Goodness," he said, "all this just when we thought we'd won? Can't anything be easy?"

Zaekura let out a long breath. "Krika…do you have any ideas? We can subdue some of them, but it's slow going, and everyone's already tired from securing the city."

Krika faced the Vorox he had caught, gently spinning them with his magnetic powers. "Truth be told, Lady Zaekura…we may have no choice but to use lethal force."

Glaring at him, Zaekura leapt to her feet. "No way! Why are you so hung up on that?"

"Please listen. I am aware we promised the Sand Lord to spare Xia's Vorox, but this unforeseen complication changes things. We are not prepared to deal with these animals. Given the circumstances, I am sure the Sand Lord can be made to understand."

Zaekura turned back to the catapult, setting it up to fire again. After loading the boulder, she stopped suddenly, and set her gaze upon the Vorox.

"They are like animals, aren't they?" she said. "Whatever happened to them, it made them more like Rahi than Glatorian. So, maybe…"

Krika straightened the Vorox and set them down, saying, "Oh, a last-minute deduction. Always a treat."

"Charla, where is Rusp?"

Rusp? Let me see…he's out fighting the Vorox right now. Do you have orders for him?

Zaekura leaned over the wall. Sure enough, down below she could spot a magenta Rahkshi riding atop a Kane-Ra, doing his best to catch the nearest Vorox with the lasso he carried. Grinning, Zaekura said, "Perfect! Tell him to try using his power on the Vorox!"

In the distance, Rusp looked up for a moment. Then, tossing the lasso over his shoulder, he held both hands out towards the Vorox he was facing. First, they stopped in their tracks, and then, slowly, they crumpled to the ground. Zaekura spun towards Krika.

"Yes, yes, I see now," Krika said, snapping his fingers. "Let's test your theory."

The captured Vorox's struggle almost immediately ceased as Krika's Rahi Control powers washed over them. Blinking, they groaned as if in agony, and Krika gradually lessened his magnetic hold on them. The Vorox fell to their knees, clutching their head, and continued to moan, and Zaekura cautiously approached them.

"Urrgh…wh…what…?" the Vorox grumbled. "What…is this?"

"How curious," Krika mused. "I intended to place them fully under my thrall, but this isn't quite what I was going for."

The Vorox's eyes met Zaekura's—she could see clarity in them. Coming still closer, she said, "I see. Their minds aren't gone completely! You were able to quell this Rahi influence, and that let their original self resurface!"

Looking down at their claws, the Vorox said, "I can think again…is it over? Am I free?"

They turned to Krika. With a dissatisfied hum, the Makuta said, "No. I can still feel the Rahi within you fighting my power. Once I release it, it will no doubt consume you again."

The Vorox's gaze fell. "…Oh."

Zaekura looked back over the wall. The Vorox in front of Rusp was crying into their palms as the Rahkshi knelt beside them.

"Please," the Vorox said, "just kill me."

Snapping back to attention, Zaekura said, "What?!"

"You don't know how awful this is! Having no control, just being ruled by savage instinct…I can't stand the thought of going back to that! I'd rather die than keeping living like a mindless animal!"

Krika sighed. "Truly dreadful. You have my pity, Vorox."

Zaekura just stared at them, her expression blank.

"You heard them, Lady Zaekura. This mutation is a fate worse than death. If we free them from it, I am certain the Sand Lord will bear us no ill will."

She clenched her fists.

"And, even if she does, her alliance is not a deciding—"

"Shut up!" Zaekura shouted, her voice cracking over the words. "Shut up, you idiot! Screw alliances and agreements, that garbage isn't what's important!"

Krika grew silent. The Vorox watched her in confusion.

Tears started to form in Zaekura's eyes. "It's not…we can't just think of them like bargaining chips! These are people! Innocent people who have had their lives ruined by the Great Beings, just like the rest of us! I won't kill them just for being victims!"

"That's very noble of you," Krika said. "However, this Vorox specifically asked to be killed."

Zaekura came up to the Vorox, crouching down and setting her hands on their shoulders. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry this happened to you. And I'm sorry we can't fix it right now…but I'll find a way. Whatever it takes, I'll find a way to undo what they did! You and all the others will be back to normal, and free to live your lives however you want!"

The Vorox was too stunned to reply. Zaekura wrapped them in an embrace.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know how long it'll take…I can't imagine what that time will be like for you. But I'm going to make sure its temporary! Please…maybe it's not right to ask, but please…"

The Vorox leaned into Zaekura's shoulder. After a long pause, they gave a muffled, "Alright…I…I'll trust you. Please…help me."

"Wonderful," Krika said. "For the time being, I suppose we'll have to place them in stasis. Lady Zaekura?"

Zaekura stood and took a step back. "…What's your name?"

"Stidem," the Vorox said.

"I promise I'll cure you, Stidem. I'll put everything I have into making it happen. You're going to be free."

Stidem nodded. Krika stepped forward then, generating a stasis field around them. Zaekura wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked out to Rusp, who had an unconscious Vorox slung over his Kane-Ra steed.

"…Charla?"

Yes, Lady Zaekura?

"Tell Bitil and Antroz. Their Rahi Control powers will help them subdue the Vorox, but they won't be enough on their own."

Of course.

Zaekura returned to the catapult. "We have a plan to handle this, and without killing anyone. It may not happen fast, but this is the final push: once we've captured all the Vorox, Xia will be ours. See if that'll boost morale."

I'm certain it will!

Zaekura fired the catapult. From not far away, Ehrye sat with wide eyes, constantly looking between her and the incapacitated Vorox. He opened his mouth to speak, but realized he had nothing to say. So he sat in silence, watching as Zaekura solemnly kept fighting.


From atop the tower, Zaekura looked out over the now-quiet streets of Xia. Luckily, the city had sustained relatively little damage during the battle, and luckier still, they had successfully managed to avoid there being casualties on either side. The first step on their road to victory had been taken. Still, she found herself having no reaction to that thought whatsoever. It simply was, and Zaekura was too numb to have any other opinion on the matter.

Antroz stood next to her, adjusting her mask quietly. Zaekura asked, "So?"

"…It's an odd feeling," Antroz said. "I can't deny there's an element of nostalgia in being back here. I know we must look forward, not back…but there's still so much uncertainty."

"Yeah. I thought I had at least half an idea of where we were going, but now I think it's a bit less than that. Huh…"

Zaekura turned to Charla. Tired but still trying to be cheery, the Rahkshi said, "I am ready whenever you are, Lady Zaekura."

She nodded. "Guess we'd better do it before I get cold feet…"

She took a moment to prepare herself as Charla reached out, brushing against the minds of everyone in Xia. Soon she let Zaekura in—the Glatorian reeled a moment, the feeling of so many other minds connected to hers feeling unspeakably alien, but she quickly recomposed herself.

"People of Xia," she announced. "My name is Zaekura. The battle is over, and my forces are now in control of this city."

Waves of anxiety from the populace battered her. She held firm against them.

"I understand that some of you may be concerned, but you have nothing to fear. While you are free to remain here, you are also under no obligation to stay."

The anxiety lessened somewhat.

"We aim to overthrow the Great Beings. I am under no illusions as to how terrifying that prospect is, and I won't force any of you to be a part of it. Should you wish to leave Xia, no one will stop you—if you are concerned about the journey, we can even arrange an escort to ensure you arrive safely. I do not demand allegiance from any of you. Where you stand in this conflict, if anywhere, is something only you have the right to decide."

The thoughts she felt began to churn, not entirely without fear but far closer now to reason.

"Take all the time you need to be sure of your decision. I intend to have the city repaired and running as normal as soon as possible, so hopefully we won't intrude inconvenience you much further."

Zaekura paused. She felt there was something else she needed to say, but she wasn't quite sure what it was. Then, Antroz stepped forward. Zaekura thought a moment, then nodded.

"My people," Antroz said. "I know your opinion of me is not what it once was, but please, listen to what I have to say."

Some minds pulled back, but only slightly.

"These are confusing times we live in. My whole life until now, I have taught you that loyalty to the Great Beings is sacred—that we must follow their commands without fail. However…more important than loyalty and obedience, what matters most is that we each must strive to do what we feel is right. Perhaps I failed to teach you that, thinking it would naturally fall into step with the will of the Great Beings. I am sorry. The truth is that the Great Beings are also fallible, and they are now, and have previously been, engaged in practices I can only deem repulsive. Innocent people have been abruptly hauled away from their lives, never to be seen again, only for the circumstances of their birth. Our leaders are working to suppress the truth, interested only in their own vision and those who align with it. I thought they cared for the well-being of Spherus Magna's people…but now they have shown they only desire subjects to rule over. People such as these, people who think themselves above morals and demonize any who dissent, are not fit to lead. If they are allowed to keep their power, they will only continue to abuse it. I feel a certain responsibility to do what I can to prevent that from occurring."

A tense quiet answered her.

"I have implored the Great Beings numerous times to mend their ways and resolve this matter peacefully. They have consistently responded with anger and violence. I detest that it has come to this…but again, I am compelled to do whatever I can. So I cannot turn my back upon this matter, not until the Great Beings' power is stripped from them or I am vaporized into naught but ether. I do not seek to make this decision for you, only to explain the reasons why I have made mine. You deserve to know the truth. And now, you do. That is all."

Antroz stepped back. Charla checked with Zaekura once more before shutting off her power. Zaekura opened her mouth to speak, but a sharp pain suddenly cut through her head, forcing her to stop for a moment.

"Are you alright, Lady Zaekura?" Charla said.

"Yeah," she said. "I mean…not really, but, you know. I'm sure this isn't anything to worry about. Already over!"

Charla stared at her.

"Honest. Anyway, thanks Fangs—I was at a real loss and that was a pretty good closer."

"Of course," Antroz said. "How shall we proceed, then?"

"Let's see…the Rahkshi are already cleaning up what they can, but it's going to be dark soon. Might be best if we save the big decisions for tomorrow."

"I agree," Charla said, "rest would serve you well."

Antroz nodded, electing to stay behind as Zaekura and Charla went inside. Reflexively, she swept the city telepathically, verifying that the perimeter was secure and taking stock of the general atmosphere. It was difficult for her to place exactly what she sensed: something between dread and relief. She turned her head to the west as her own dread swelled. But, setting that aside, she then turned north, and focused again on her goal. Planting her still-sheathed sword, Antroz dropped to one knee and bowed her head. Despite the uncertainty they all faced, Xia slept peacefully through the night.


ADDENDUM:

-Of all the cool Xian weapons, Kanoka Blades are probably my favorite. It's a lot of fun to think of how the different Kanohi powers could be weaponized, reworked into abilities that function based on making contact with the blade—especially since the easiest ones to envision are the "immoral" powers I can't use here, forcing me to think a little deeper. Emsar uses: two with the powers of the Mask of Rebounding (causes projectiles to bounce back to you, making it ideal for throwing knives); a Pehkui dagger, which shrinks what it hits; a Suletu dagger, which allows the user to read the mind of whoever they stab with it; a Matatu dagger, letting her telekinetically control whatever she hits with it; and an Iden dagger, which when used against a Makuta, allows her to "cut" their essence right out of their physical body. Of course, none of those are able to destroy antidermis, so the Firework Revolver was added so that Emsar could actually make progress in the fight. It may not be especially powerful, but I figure it's enough to dissipate small bits of a substance we usually see getting incinerated.

-New Rahkshi: the unnamed Darkness Rahkshi has an internal focal point for their power, and activates it by clapping because I wanted to reference the good old clap-activated light switch (just be glad I ditched the idea to have one using a lamp-shaped staff); Burfis is a Rahkshi of Regeneration, name derived from "refurbish"; and Rusp is a Rahkshi of Rahi Control whose staff is a lasso, Kane-Ra are his favorite Rahi, I was envisioning a bull rider aesthetic so his name is derived from "spurs".

-"Stidem" comes from "sediment".

-It's weird to think of any part of a Bionicle fanfic as social commentary, but mainly from how screwed up it is that things are so bad that a plot about corrupt, self-absorbed leaders hauling off innocent citizens can even be qualified as social commentary. Anyway my anxiety's flaring up and this is how I'm coping.