Axonn throws his axe right at Makuta's face, while Botar warps above him and tries to kick him again. This time just in the face instead of against his mask.
Matoro and Hahli finally change things up and shoot some Zamor Spheres at Makuta, figuring that, since they destroy Antidermis, they might deal a ton of damage now that Makuta isn't fully clad in armor anymore.
Helryx forms a spear out of water and chucks it right at Makuta's neck, while Lesovikk attempts to blast the poison away from all combatants.
Trinuma, lastly, switches to his Nynrah Ghost blasters and opens fire on Makuta.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
The bombardment of pain makes Makuta thrash around, struggling to free himself, but Mata Nui refuses to let go.
He's not turning Makuta into a physical lifeform again, like some well-versed in the lore might have thought.
Fallen branches, leaves, flower petals, blades of grass... every floral lifeform in the vicinity is stripped away to a cluster of specks. They all swirl around Mata Nui's body like a power-up updraft.
Yasha gasps as his chest suddenly opens up, revealing the cybernetics and energy reactor within, as some of his own energy is inadvertently pulled into the mass.
It all coalesces into a sphere around the Great Spirit, condensing further and further inward until, in a cascade of light, he assumes his very own Titan form!
BURST
Toa Mata Nui rears up and suplexes Makuta!
"GYAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"
As Mata Nui releases Teridax, leaving him down on all fours, he whirls around and plants a foot on the Makuta's head. "Yield, and I may yet show mercy."
Yasha gasps again. He forces his chest to close itself, then sits down to nurse his poisoned leg.
"He's gearing up for war."
The Order stares yet again. However, judging by Botar nodding, he seems to approve a lot.
They then wait to see what'll happen, though are ready to attack again at a moment's notice.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
"You must be... a whole new level of stupid," Makuta spits, "If you think I'll ever surrender to you!"
"Very well." Mata Nui flips his similarly-enlarged sword down and stabs downward at Makuta's head... only for a giant clawed hand to catch it.
"IN FACT... IF I AM TO DIE, IT WILL BE WITH TOA BLOOD ON MY HANDS AND THE TASTE OF BRUTALITY IN MY MOUTH. NOT GROVELING AT THE GREAT SPIRIT'S FEET LIKE A WEAKLING."
Yasha comments, "Well, he has resolve, if nothing else redeeming."
Makuta rises back up, pushing Toa Mata Nui back, his fleshy armor warping, twisting, and extending, as he takes the form of Ultimate Dume.
He cracks a malevolent grin at Botar.
Makuta Teridax's Last Stand (Divinity - Asura's Wrath OST)
Ultimate Dume balls up his big claw-hand into a fist and throws a punch. Toa Mata Nui sidesteps, but his arm extends and keeps going in the direction of Hahli. He then sweeps to the side, trying to throw the rest of the Order off their feet.
"He's gearing up for war."
Botar looks unfazed by the grin, simply spinning his blade as he gets ready.
Trinuma flies in to sweep Hahli off of her feet, letting her dodge the attack. Matoro manages to duck under it, and Helryx performs an impressive dodge by leaping right over the punch and landing on one hand and both feet. Lesovikk is safe on principle by being up in the air, blasting at Makuta with powerful wind punches.
Axonn, however, is too big to dodge in any way like his allies have, and gets knocked down by the sweeping punch.
Botar, surprisingly, doesn't attempt to dodge. Instead he holds out his arms and tries to catch Makuta's hand. If successful, he'll attempt to keep it trapped and stand his ground to limit Makuta's movements.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
Teridax is caught, but he simply turns himself impenetrably dense once again, becoming as still as a statue.
Yasha manifests a halo behind himself
as his aura of blue light surges forth once more. "Together now! Strike as one!" He leaps into the air and launches at Makuta with a flying kick!
Brutaka heeds his words and attacks alongside Yasha with a brutal electrically-charged overhead slash to Ultimate Dume's outstretched shoulder!
Mata Nui contributes a mighty horizontal sweep at the midsection!
Edited by KiriK on Dec 14th 2019 at 11:23:52 AM
"He's gearing up for war."
Botar keeps holding on with a grin. Sure, Makuta may have made himself incredibly dense, but considering the strength of this new warrior, it's looking likely that they can whittle down his stamina with attacks regardless, so as long as he can keep Makuta in place, he won't be able to defend himself.
Call it a dirty plan, but Botar sees no reason to play fair against their worst enemy.
Lesovikk, Hahli and Matoro perform a combination attack, with Lesovikk creating spinning blades of wind, Hahli letting an electric-boosted water attack run through one, and Matoro letting an electric-boosted snow attack run through the other, with the purpose of having the blasts hit potential pressure points to weaken Makuta's dense armored body. Lesovikk then throws them right at Makuta, one of them going for the shoulder that Yasha and Brutaka are attacking.
Helryx raises her mace, creating a bubble of water around it, then swings to sling it at Makuta's head. If it hits, it won't disperse, but instead stay in place in an attempt to either rob the titan of air, or, if that doesn't work, at least obstruct his vision due to the water muddling what his eyes will be able to see.
Trinuma lands and aims both his cannons and his Nynrah Ghost Blasters at Makuta before firing his full arsenal. Axonn gets back up, rubs his head for a moment, then grabs his axe and slams it down hard on the ground, creating a slight tremor that makes its way towards Makuta, making the ground rumble beneath him and sending debris up to try to hit him.
Edited by DevilPsyco on Dec 14th 2019 at 9:35:55 PM
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
The attacks stop dead against the body of Ultimate Dume. Makuta starts to laugh.
Yasha remains airborne, his foot still pressed against Teridax's face. "Keep pushing! Do not let up! Focus on what you feel most intensely at this moment... and turn it... into POWER!"
Brutaka thinks about his self-loathing. Self-loathing from his negligence in keeping Mata Nui safe, his failure to coordinate with others, and his inability to remain trustworthy to those he considers allies. In this moment, he turns that feeling of doubt into a vow to improve!
BURST
He roars as he lets go of his blade before slamming it against Makuta's shoulder with both fists!
Mata Nui thinks about his sense of duty. His ultimate mission is to fulfill his duty as the caretaker, and the world, of his people - and to vanquish Makuta Teridax, the greatest obstacle in that path. He takes on the intent to see it through, no matter what.
BURST
His feet slide back, carving into the dirt, as he puts his full weight behind his sword!
Makuta begins to shudder and get pushed slightly. The blades start to dig into his armor...
"He's gearing up for war."
Matoro and Hahli think of their fallen comrades, who've given their lives to save the Matoran who were in danger because they failed to stop Vezon from escaping their world. The guilt that the both of them feel at having lost their friends because of their biggest mistake.
But despite the time that's passed, they both remember why they kept going, even as their friends kept falling. They take their guilt and unite their powers, form their guilt into their determination to fulfill their duty, and accept the new destiny that has formed by the fall of their former world.
BURST BURST
They put their blades together and launch a powerful, mixed, electrically-charged attack towards Makuta.
Lesovikk thinks of his fallen comrades, the one that perished against the Zyglak because of his hesitance to give a single command. The sin that has plagued him for over ten thousand years. As well as the disappearance of his two Matoran friends, whom he never saw again. With the destruction of their world, the both of them must have...
Lesovikk balls his fists, remembering the promise he made to his friends. This isn't the time to doubt himself, but the time to push forward and make their deaths mean something for everyone's survival.
BURST
Glowing for a moment, he creates a powerful wind sword, after which he flies down towards Makuta and attempts to impale his armor as well, using all of his elemental energy to keep the blade from dispersing.
Axonn thinks of his final confrontation with Brutaka, in one of the caverns that lead down to the Mask of Life's chamber. The room where Axonn had managed to destroy the vat of Antidermis stationed there. Botar had come in to take Brutaka away to the Pit, despite Axonn's protests. Soon after that, the Toa Inika returned, telling him that Vezon got away with the Mask of Life, and he was informed that Vezon disappeared completely. Their world was doomed, and his friend was lost to him forever.
He never saw Brutaka again, never got a chance to try to get through to him at least one more time. But he knows that, if the real Brutaka had still been in there, that he wouldn't have wanted Axonn to fall to the Makuta.
He channels his regret at failing to save his best friend, and turns it into determination to slay the source of the Antidermis that corrupted Brutaka.
BURST
He spins his axe above him in his hands, then tries to deliver a powerful slam down on Makuta's head.
Trinuma doesn't really have any moments of great failure to draw energy from for a Burst. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't feel regret at the Order's inability to save Mata Nui's life back in their world. It may not be enough for a Burst, but he still chooses to do everything he can to help by ceasing his fire and flies behind Mata Nui. He starts pushing against his back to give him more grip on the ground, making it easier for Mata Nui to keep his attack going. Trinuma couldn't help the Great Spirit once, but this time, he would. He would be one of the pillars that Mata Nui can rely on, just like the Order always tried to be.
Botar thinks back on his inability to do anything while the world was crumbling around him. His inability to find Vezon in time to save Mata Nui, even though the places he can go to with his powers are limitless. His inability to immediately trust allies, and his inability to perform well on his own. He needed that criminal Tuyet's help after Galeem attacked, and that is a shame he hasn't been able to get over yet.
However, despite his inabilities, he is still devoted to the job he'd been assigned thousands of years ago, and would remain devoted until the end of his life. His will would never bend, and that is what empowers him.
BURST
Botar keeps holding on. However, he starts pushing back now, attempting to summon as much strength as possible to break Makuta's dense armor and outright crush his arm and he's trying to push it against his shoulder.
Lastly, Helryx.
She thinks of her inactivity, her decision to have the Order act from the shadows while the Toa fight out in the open. A decision that has caused many lives, and what did it accomplish? The world and god she swore to protect, as the very first Toa ever born, were gone, because of a threat none of them took seriously. A powerless Skakdi had caused the end of everything, had forced them to flee their world and find a new one. And she could have stopped him, had she put more guards in the caverns. Just Umbra would never have been enough, and she had counted on the Order's presence being enough to deter anyone with a shred of sanity.
That is exactly why Vezon succeeded, and why she had failed. For Vezon never had any sanity to begin with.
All these things she did wrong still haunt her to this very day. However, she has now met another Mata Nui, one who hasn't judged her for her mistakes. Her allies are still with her despite the Order's failure. She has been able to make new allies in Pseudo Porky and his friends, and together they found a new world. She may even be able to end the ongoing war between the Order and the Dark Hunters one day, if negotiations keep going the way they have, and together they would be able to protect the surviving Matoran from all further harm.
From her failures, other opportunities and chances sprung forth, and if she were to give up on those now, she would truly be the worst Toa in history.
No, she'll take her failures and move forward, marching on until life can go on in peace once again!
BURST
She spreads her arms and slightly rises up in the air, pushed up by a stream of water, before sending spear after spear after spear at Makuta in a seemingly endless onslaught, trying to pressure his body until its armor breaks and Makuta's essence flows out for them to destroy.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
Finally, Yasha thinks about his own despair. He stood by and watched as his allies murdered his sister and took his niece for their cause. For twelve thousand, five hundred years, he failed to find a way to save mortalkind without the sacrifice of trillions of souls. When Asura finally returned and showed him the light, there was nothing he could do against Deus. And now that he is in this strange world, he has already come upon a similarly powerful being that refuses to give up and back down.
No. He will not stand for this.
BURST
"WH-WHAT IS THIS... POWER?!"
Ripples travel up Makuta's right arm (the punching one) as Botar applies force, causing it to crack and burst in shards before Brutaka cleaves off what's left of it!
Axonn splits open a gash in his head, allowing Yasha's kick to push through and tear off a huge chunk of it, exposing the greenish-black substance underneath!
Finally, Lesovikk's stab softens up his torso, allowing Matoro and Hahli's combination attack to break off his armor piece by piece, along with Helryx's spears, before at last Mata Nui slices through with Trinuma's help, splitting Makuta Teridax in half!
"UWAAAAAAAARAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Makuta undergoes a Shapeshifter Swan Song, desperately trying to keep his antidermis inside himself, morphing back into his bestial form and then into his Shadow Titan form.
"This is... impossible... I am... I... AM... MAKUTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The antidermis releases a ghastly howl as Makuta staggers, falls to his knees, and breaks apart into streams of screaming energy, which swarm all around the Order (and Yasha), a brilliant cascading shower, before they all disperse into the aether.
Yasha huffs and pants as his aura dies down and his halo disappears.
Mata Nui reverts to his normal-sized form.
Edited by KiriK on Dec 14th 2019 at 2:40:07 PM
"He's gearing up for war."
Once Makuta's essence is gone, Lesovikk, Matoro and Hahli fall to one knee, Trinuma sits down, and the rest, while looking just as exhausted, manage to stay on their feet. Axonn even approaches Brutaka, despite the fact that it currently hurts to move.
"..."
Botar warps over to Mata Nui, as that'll cause him much less strain than walking right now, and looks concerned.
"Are you alright, Great Spirit?"
Lastly, Helryx turns to Yasha and shows an appreciative smile.
"If it hadn't been for you, we wouldn't have made it through this. You have our gratitude, great warrior."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
Brutaka silently looks back at Axonn.
"..."
Mata Nui drops his sword and shield, having become too exhausted to carry them any longer while still standing upright.
"I am... I am well. A great weight has been lifted today. This may not have been the same Teridax who exiled me... but he was equally as dangerous nonetheless."
Yasha looks at Helryx. He silently extends his hand for a fist-bump. "Even so, I clearly could not have handled him alone. I must thank you as well. My name is Yasha, could you tell me yours?"
"He's gearing up for war."
It remains silent for a bit until Axonn lets his axe rest against his shoulder and seems to smile.
"I never thought I'd get the opportunity to say this again. But I'm glad to see you, old friend. Regardless of the difference in worlds."
Trinuma, unless Mata Nui objects to it, attempts to pick up his weapons for him so that he can take them back once he feels a bit more rested.
"No matter how many Makuta appear to challenge you, we'll always be there to help you combat them.", Trinuma says, and Botar nods.
"I could not have said it better myself."
Helryx looks surprised, and unsure of how to respond to the gesture. She looks at Matoro and Hahli, who seems to encourage her to do so.
"It's what Toa do.", Hahli says as she remembers simpler times, back on the island of Mata Nui. Helryx turns back to Yasha and, while it still feels a bit weird to her, she gives him a fist bump back.
"I am Toa Helryx, leader of the Order of Mata Nui. We serve and protect, well, him-", she says, pointing at Mata Nui. "As well as his subjects."
Lesovikk, meanwhile, turns to look at Umbra. Umbra may have been... well, useless, but he still doesn't really like the notion of an ally dying. Luckily they are in the Arena, so there is a good chance Umbra will respawn eventually.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
"It has been far too long, Axonn. The feeling remains mutual." Brutaka half-smiles.
Mata Nui simply nods to Trinuma. "I am forever grateful."
Yasha looks down at his feet. "... I, too, once had someone I swore to serve and protect. My Emperor... I can only hope that your Order does not go down the same path of corruption."
"He's gearing up for war."
Axonn's smile becomes more clear, and he raises his hand for a handshake, to affirm that, regardless of the events that have transpired in both worlds, they can be friends.
Trinuma nods, looking pretty honored to hear Mata Nui say that to him.
"Should we escort you back to a safer location in the Arena to rest?"
Helryx looks serious, but honest.
"I will never allow that. And should it be me who strays from my path, I have ordered certain members who I know can be trusted to put an end to my life. I would rather die than be the cause of suffering."
Edited by DevilPsyco on Dec 14th 2019 at 8:25:03 PM
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
Brutaka shakes Axonn's hand.
"That would... be welcome," Mata Nui replies.
"If only..." Yasha stares off wistfully.
"Would you allow me to accompany you to wherever you bring him? There are questions I have about this world, and about you, but obviously it is not safe out here."
Edited by KiriK on Dec 14th 2019 at 1:26:37 PM
"He's gearing up for war."
"You can, but then we cannot bring Mata Nui to Pseudo's base. He doesn't know you, and tends to be extremely wary. I cannot really blame him though.", Helryx says.
"Then, in that case, we'll take you to an abandoned house in one of the many towns. There, we may be able to rest and inform you about this world and the people in it."
"Everyone ready to go?", Botar asks as his head starts glowing.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
"Works for me." Yasha folds his arms.
"Agreed."
"I will accompany you as well."
"He's gearing up for war."
"Very well, then we're off.", Botar says, teleporting everyone away. Including Umbra's body. Regardless of what they might think of him, they're not so callous to just leave him behind.
Edited by DevilPsyco on Dec 14th 2019 at 9:36:10 PM
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
King of the Monsters
Lakeview Manor
Awkeff bursts into the estate, clutching a Black Book in her left hand. She falls to her knees, panting, out of breath.
"I HAVE A LEAD!" she yells in excitement.
"He's gearing up for war."
Falkreath, Lakeview Manor
Viserys immediately hurries to Awkeff's side and crouches beside her, his face splitting into a grin once he lays eyes upon the Black Book.
"By Talos... I never imagined I'd be so happy to see one of Mora's cursed books again!"
King of the Monsters
Awkeff hauls herself over to the nearest table and sets down the book.
"I found this in Septimus Signus' outpost, where the Oghma Infinium was in our worlds. Completely unmarked, devoid of history... this is our best shot."
She opens it.
"He's gearing up for war."
"I never doubted you for a second, Fahliil Lokaliin."
Viserys heads over to the table and gazes upon the now-open tome's pages. This brought back memories...
King of the Monsters
Nothing happens.
"That's odd, it seems to be taking a s-"
The Summit of Apocrypha
"-e...cond..."
All of a sudden, Viserys and Awkeff are at the summit where Miraak was fought and finally defeated.
And of course, the Daedra of the hour, Hermaeus Mora,
is already right in front of them.
All eyes focus on Awkeff.
"Ah, my champion. It is good to see you once more."
"Er-"
"You." One of the tendrils reaches out to caress Awkeff's cheek. She dodges like her life depends on it.
"I would think that, having shunned me and stated clear your hatred of me, you would never wish to come here again. I had almost believed you had forgotten about me."
Awkeff sighs. "I wish it was that easy to forget."
Mora's tone suddenly turns threatening and malevolent as its eyes snap towards Viserys. "And... who is... your... guest? This one, too, is Dragonborn..."
Edited by KiriK on Dec 15th 2019 at 2:01:28 PM
"He's gearing up for war."
Makuta stumbles back, roaring in fury.
"Show no leeway!"
"FAT CHANCE!" Like Eternatus just a short time ago, poison begins to spew from every square inch of Teridax's body, making it extremely hazardous to touch him. Thankfully unlike Eternatus, this poison does not explode out of the ground in destructive geysers.
Brutaka takes the risk and stabs at Makuta with the tip of his blade to try and avoid getting the poison on himself.
Yasha gets his foot coated in poison when he tries to kick Makuta, but instead of bothering to treat it he just jumps away, launching more Razor Wind.
Mata Nui, whose mask obviously protects him from such things, wraps his arms around Makuta's waist and yells as his mask begins to glow. What could he be planning...?
Edited by KiriK on Dec 13th 2019 at 10:34:46 AM
"He's gearing up for war."