Posted Oct 15 2011 - 09:25 PM
Darkness. Simple, pitch black, terrifying darkness. It was suffocating, and had long since chocked the life out of the one being who lay prone of the floor of a small cell. His eyes were dim, their normal orange tint dulled to a bleak yellow. So many months had passed in the Matoran’s bleak existence, while life went ton for most, this Matoran’s mind was fixed in his past. Who would have thought that a simple meeting could have thrown and entire life out of balance... Funny, but in a world ruled by Teridax, not surprising. The room brightened suddenly as two blood red eyes appeared on the wall. “Why hello there Teruky.” A deep voice rumbled through the room as though the very walls were speaking. Lie awake in bed at nightAnd think about your lifeDo you want to be different? “Hello Teridax” The Matoran muttered softly, breathe puffing out a small cloud of steam as he did so. The darkness again deepened as the eyes faded. “Do you remember when I brought you here?” Teridax asked. The Matoran nodded his head meekly in agreement. Teridax smiled as Teruky did so. “Then you will not mind if I show you.” Teruky began to struggle, trying to get up and run away from what was about to happen, the memory of it still freshly burned into his mind by Teridax. Teridax laughed as he reached out and tapped the Matoran, who quickly fell over, as his eyes locked open, glazed over from the images being poured into his mind. Then suddenly, it stopped. The red eyes, the laughter, the very idea of a cell under the ground with a single being within it, was gone. And so was Teruky, replaced with the hustle and bustle of a Po-Metru Marketplace. In his mind’s eye, he was perfectly at ease, but the reality was that he was sobbing pathetically on the ground. Try to let go of the truththe battles of our youth‘cause this is just a game As time passed, even his dim awareness of that fact drifted, leaving only a fleeting memory of the true reality, one that was soon swallowed up by the memories he relived. * * * Teruky walked slowly through the bazaar, inspecting the goods of various vendors on the way to his destination. Said destination was a hut some fifty feet from him. As he walked inside, a few chimes rand loudly, signalling the owner of his visitor. However, what greeted him inside came as a shock. Three Vahki law enforcement officers who were previously rummaging through the hut now turned, blue optics flaring as the registered the newcomer. It’s a beautiful lieIt’s a perfect denialSuch a beautiful lie to believe inSo beautiful, beautiful lie makes me “Identification: Teruky, Threat Level: none.” Their metallic voices resounded in unison, “Matoran Teruky, an investigation is currently in progress concerning the Onu-Matoran Dieb.” Another chimed in, “Matoran Teruky, please leave. You are in a restricted area.” Teruky weighed all his options. He could run, but Vahki were fast. Or, he could fight, but stun staffs were very... effective, to say the least. Teruky made no start to move, prompting the Vahki to advance a few steps. One Vahki was so close; the Matoran could see the multiple lines of text and data streaming up its optics. A shadow passed quickly through Teruky’s vision, prompting him to visibly steady. “Threat Assessment,” the Vahki squad leader droned, “Minimal. Subdue with caution and return to Ta-Metru.” It’s time to forget about the pastTo wash away what happened lastHide behind an empty faceDon’t ask too much the same‘Cause this is just a game Green lights began charging on the Vahki’s staffs, brightening to an almost unbearable glow. “Down!” barked a black shape from just outside Teruky’s vision. He did so, even as the Vahki fired their staffs, and one Vahki fell to the ground, an ornate dagger wedged into its processors. The other two died without a sound. Teruky’s saviour stood amongst both the wreckage of the Vahki... and his own home. “Dieb...” Teruky whispered. The Onu Matoran raised a hand, asking for silence. He turned around, revealing his monstrous appearance. His mask was adorned with three long scars below the right eye, his armour pitted and scarred. Line green light peeked out from under the master thief’s cloak, and he brushed aside part of a Vahki, with the long tail that extended from behind him. “Teruky,” Dieb replied after a long minute of silence, “Thank you for distracting the Vahki. If you hadn’t, they may’ve found the vault... not even that, but you’ve helped me get more spare parts. These will be worth much.” “Dieb,” Teruky repeated, “You called me here?” “Ah, yes, that.” Dieb replied, sombrely, “Follow me.” Dieb walked over to a section of the wall covered with an enormous map of Metru Nui, hundreds of pins marked the places Dieb had struck, there were literally hundreds. The only place without a single pin, was the ultimate prize; The Coliseum. Dieb stepped onto a small block on the ground, activating the mechanism that opened the way to his vault. The master thief led the way through winding tunnels made of hastily tunnelled stone – it was doubtful that the thief would leave it as such for long. It’s a beautiful lieIt’s a perfect denialSuch a beautiful lie to believe inSo beautiful, beautiful lie makes meLie, beautiful, oh After a time, they reached the vault, a gigantic cavern filled with various rare and expensive treasures, all “borrowed” from their owners by Dieb. Golden masks, medals, trophies, even the occasional painting were piled up along the walls. The master thief had been able to keep it all for so long, due to the fact that only one person in the known universe had even caught him. The story of Teruky and Dieb’s meeting is an awkward one. After casing Teruky’s house, Dieb had decided to break in and steal an amulet that had recently been given to the Ta-Matoran by his new love, Zorah. Dieb had broken in, but Teruky had forgotten something, and came rushing back into his house to catch the thief, red handed, with the amulet in his hand. After a brief struggle, some awkward introductions, and a very long argument over whether or not to call the Vahki, the two became fast friends, often trading off with each other. Some days, Teruky would watch someone’s house for Dieb, while others Dieb would watch Zorah and decide upon something from his vault to give to Teruky... The Ta-Matoran had attained a sizeable selection of gifts before they deemed it necessary to stop. But this Dieb was different, a far cry from the normally jovial and adventure seeking Thief that, on brief visits, had told grand tales of far off lands. No, this Dieb was much grimmer, as though something was troubling him. The Matoran stopped suddenly, causing Teruky to nearly bowl over him in the process. “Remember how I said I was trying to get into the coliseum?” Dieb asked, his face drawn with already apparent concern. “Yeah,” Teruky replied, “But why do you ask?” “I found a way in, finally... though what i’ve found isn’t good.” Everyone’s looking at meI’m running ‘round in circlesPlagued with a quiet desparations getting higherI’ve got to remember this is just a game Dieb understated the point, as Teruky’s eyes widened and the full scale of where they were was revealed. “This is—this is some sort of lair... but for what?” Dieb didn’t stop there, gesturing for the Ta Matoran to follow him. “If you think that was bad, just wait.” They came upon a round sphere, humming with energy. As they approached closer, the hum became louder until they could actually see inside the sphere. “Mata Nui!” Teruky gasped, unable to believe his eyes. Turaga Dume, the very same turaga that had been running Metru Nui, was locked within this sphere, without his mask... which meant that- “The Dume we know is an impostor.” Dieb stated matter-of-factly, both following and finishing Teruky’s exact train of thought. “But who could possibly do that?” Teruky asked voice shaky from the revelation. “The one who owns this lair... the one, that i sense, is near...” Dieb replied, pushing his body up against the wall, blending almost instantly with the dark rock. Looking over, the master theif saw Teruky’s red armour splashed bright against the wall. He threw his black cloak over Teruky, and just in time too, as they heard voices coming down from a path off to their right. So beautiful, beautiful “I grow tired of these games, Teridax... how long will it take for you to realize that getting this mixed up with the Matoran could be damaging to the plan?” The first voice choked off after saying that, and a second, much deeper voice responded, “How long will it take for you, Chirox, to realize that this is all part of the plan?” Teridax threatened. A large slam was heard as a black shape flew by the two stunned Matoran, their breath caught as the being shakily stood up, then bowed his head. The ground shook loudly as the other being stepped into the dim light of the cavern, voice grating and hoarse, as the Noble Kiril of Turage Dume skidded across the floor. “I would have thought, that you of all Makuta, would understand the plan. I grow tired of these games, Chirox, give me something i can use!” It’s a beautiful lie “Of course, Teridax, i am working as fast as i can... if you would only attempt at creating a beast taht could do what you wish, instead of sitting here as the leader of Metru Nui...” Teridax whipped around, putting a blade to Chirox’ throat and slicing. Chirox’ armour split open, and a gaseous form slipped out of the crack. The form coalesced into a cloud like entity, that which immediately screamed with an unearthy howl. “You little-” the entity was cut off as Teridax once again sliced, the blade he was using bursting into flames as he did so. “Say another word and i’ll destroy you!” Teridax growled. Chirox backed off, staring past Teridax’ shoulder when he re-entered his body. His eyes squinted, before he drew his sword, while pointing at the exact spot Teruky stood, “Spies, Matoran!” Dieb drew his sword without a moment’s hesitation as Chirox summoned a shadow bolt to fly from his hands, straight at the Ta-Matoran. He flipped the sword around in his hands, the flat of it absorbing the Shadow Bolt. Dieb stood up, tail swishing as he balanced himself, sword crackling with dark energy as his red eyes turned towards the Makuta. “I am no Matoran.” He said simply, slashing downward with his sword and sending the bolt of energy back at Chirox, twice as powerful. Teruky simply stood, awed by the remarkable display of power from both powerful Makuta, and Hordika Matoran. So beautiful, beautifulThe bolt impacted the Makuta’s chest, but did no damage. Chirox laughed, long and slow, before finally speaking. “I am Chirox, Makuta of the island of Visorak, creator of the poisonous scourge! You are but a sand mite in comparison to me!” The Makuta’s hands flew towards eachother, palms inward. The collided, and a massive explosion of elemental shadow rocked the chamber. Dieb was sent flying against the wall, as Teruky scrambled to escape. Chirox advanced, blade held high for the killing blow, but suddenly Teridax moved with incredible speed and grabbed Chirox’ arm. “Let them go,” The giant boomed, “Let them tell of what they have seen.” Chirox began to protest loudly, but was cut off as Teridax continued, “After all, who in Metru Nui will believe two crazy Matoran?” As Teridax began to walk away, Chirox following rather glumly, Teruky exploded out of his cover and tried to grab Dieb and drag him to safety. With a groan, the Hordika Matoran rose slowly and limped towards they tunnels they had came through. Teruky smiled slightly as he heard Dieb whisper to himself, “Never again.” No matter what you do, some things will never change, and Teruky laughed at the irony. He and Dieb had just uncovered the single greatest conspiracy known to Metru Nui, and yet at the same time, no one would know. It’s a beautiful lie And so it was that they crawled back up into the world of sunlight, hearts heavy from their discovery of truth. And so it was that both suffered the next day. * * * Teruky awoke the next morning in pain. It wasn’t a muscles sore type pain, nor was it a stressed pain, but raw, unfathomable pain. As his brain regained the use of its higher cognitive functions, his nerves suddenly cried out in pain as he screamed at the top of his lungs. But he didn’t stop, couldn’t stop. The pain just kept going, never even lessening in the slightest. Even the door blowing off its hinges didn’t faze him, or reach him within the blanket of pain. It wasn’t until he was shaken violently that his mind, and thus his body, cleared. So beautiful, beautifulIt’s a beautiful lie “What... what happened?” Teruky asked, staring into the concerned eyes of his friend Vuran. Vuran’s eyes softened beyond the Miru that adorned his face. “You were screaming so loud I would bet my lifes wage that half of the metru heard you. When i heard it, i called the two closest Vahki and rushed here.As Teruky stood, shaking slightly, he steadied himself on Vuran. He kept lying to himself, telling himself that what had just happened had nothing to do with what he had witnessed the other day, but he knew, in his heart, that it did. Slowly they made their way to work under the eyes of the ever vigilant Vahki. If Teruky shimply didn’t have the heart to move, the knowledge that the being, the Makuta controlled their very lives, was too much. And so, as he walked into the foundry where he worked, it was with a heavy heart a slow hand that he began to craft the masks – masks he knew would be used by the Makuta. * * * A bell rang, and just like every day, it tortured the ears of Teruky, who grimaced with pain as the end-of-shift bell sounded. Walking outside, long since separated with Vuran, Teruky noticed something just outside of the foundry... A crowd of people, and a large squad of Vahki arrayed in a haphazard circle around a single point... a single, blue, point. Teruky rushed forward, intent on discovering what the commotion was about. As he neared the line of Vahki, due in large part to some pushing and shoving, he cried out in pain and shock. So beautiful, beautiful Lying on the ground in a pool of blood was the Ga Matoran Kiria. Or, as Teruky preffered it, Kiri... his vhalentain. His heart wept to see her there, formerly glistening blue armour now so black with ash and burnt, it was all he could do to keep his stomach in check. But suddenly, the haze of that reality had fallen away, replaced once more with the dark cave and the realization that he truely did not remember that event, and the understanding that, thought his memories could not be changed, they could be manipulated by Makuta. He also noticed the extra set of red eyes in the room, red eyes that just happened to blink and then appear to nod. Before he could process that, however, the vision overtook him once more as Makuta hissed and pressed his attack, his invasion upon the poor matoran’s mind. He fought back, now remembering fully the events in his memory. “Teridax, Teridax, Teridax. For a master of shadows, your lies are not deceiving. I took the gout of flame you sent for Kiri, my armour melting on me even as i told her to run. It was, after all, how i ended up here.” It’s a beautiful lieSuddenly finding the strength to stand, resisted even more, his own thoughts invading Teridax as the Makuta attempted another attack. The Matoran send the feeling of the pain that he had endured, and though the Makuta had no form aside from the cursed antidermis, the great titan suddered. That was when it happened. Even though Teruky had expected it, the dagger flying out of the shadows and into his hand was a surprise. Even moreso was the familiar shape of Dieb standing before the Makuta. “Teruky, i have given you this chance. I bid the run, because i will not last against him!” Teruky didn’t need a seconds more time. It was ironic he thought, that after the Makuta had trapped him, broken his spirit, that he had more courage to actually run... unlike last time where he simply froze. And yet, as he heard the clash of steel on steel, he endured the grunts, and eventual shouts and gasps of pain. But worse yet, was the voice of Teridax in his head. I let you leave Matoran, you are no longer of use to me. But be warned, the next time you meet your friend he may not greet you with the same... hospitality, as he has before. And with that, the door of Makuta’s lair slammed shut, the final sound that escaped was a cry of terror, and then nothing but silence. It’s a beautiful lieIt’s a perfect denialSuch a beautiful lie to believe inSo beautiful, beautiful, lie makes me ~~~~~~ So... Okay, this is a story i posted... about a year ago. It didn't get very much reception (like most of my stories ><) so i figured i'd repost it now with the Reboot and see if i can't get a few more readers when there're only sixteen stories in the subforum. =P Anyways, hope you like it, it's probably one of the better stories i've ever written... and yeah.