Bionicle Mara's Story, Ch: 26

Bionicle Mara’s Story
Chapter 26


(Destral)

"I am Marethyu."

"And what are you doing here?" Mazeka demanded.

Hearing the commotion Kongu had ran up to the group with the Agori to see what had happened.

The tall being calling himself Marethyu regarded them for a moment before shrugging and turning to the ruins of the massive fortress. "Waiting, guarding, that's among a few reasons."

"Is that suppose to be a answer?!" Kiina growled.

"Why did you stay in the Spirit Robot," Takanuva spoke up. "You do know everyone settled on the planet outside the Spirit Robot."

"I have heard but I decided to remain," Marethyu answered.

"Why?" Mara asked.

"To make sure nothing of Teridax's legacy's survives."

"That's why you stayed?"  

"Yes, I'll always stand against my father's legacy," he hissed.

"Father?" Tarduk said confused, "I thought you were talking about Teri. . ."

"You. . . Your saying. . . Your. . . the son of Teridax!" Takanuva exclaimed horrified.

"Yes." Marethyu.

Everyone was silent for a long moment, then the Toa and Glatorian jumped back and raised their weapons in a defensive manner.

"Don't move!" Takanuva growled even though Marethyu had made no move against them.

"Wait!" Mara called jumping in front of them.

"What are you doing?" Takanuva cried, "Get behind us!"

"He hasn't tried to hurt us," she argued not moving.

Gresh slowly lowered his weapon, "She's right."

"It doesn't matter," Mazeka argued, "He's the son of Teridax! One of the most evil beings ever!"

Mara glanced at the tall dark figure, "You could hurt us if you wanted to, can't you?"

He gave her a nod.

"Maybe we should give him the benefit of a doubt," Gresh said.

"Are you serious?!" Kiina snapped.

"It just feels like the right thing to do," he countered.

Everyone looked at Lewa, he was the most experience Toa among them and had dealt with Teridax the most.

Being the most immature member of a group he was use to, being the laidback one was fine, the jokester he lived for. But being looked at as a leader. . . he really wished Tahu or Kopaka was here. "Um. . ." he glanced from the group to Mara to Marethyu and sighed, "Maybe their right, we can't-shouldn't jump to conclusions."

"WHAT! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" Mazeka cried.

Takanuva reluctantly sided with Lewa, glancing at Marethyu he spoke, "Will give you a chance." He raised his staff in a warning, "But, if you give any kind of threat to anyone I. Will. End. You!"

Marethyu just nodded. The group continued towards the lab while keeping an eye on their unwanted addition who moved alongside them like a shadow. "What are you searching for?" His voice startled them.

Takanuva frowned, he didn't want this being knowing to much but Mara answered. "Were looking for Tridax's hidden lab."

"Tridax," Marethyu said surprised. "What has he created for you to return to this desolate place?"

"Not something he created," Takanuva growled.

At Marethyu's questioning look the group stopped. Mara continued, "We recently learned that Tridax had kidnapped several verisons," she gestured to Takanuva, "Light Toa's from other dimensions. Were here to rescue them."

"That's. . . noble of you."

Mara turned to Marethyu, "Have you seen that lab?"

"There were many hidden labs. Many were destroyed." He looked away like he was lost in thought, "Many hideous things happened in those labs. You don't want to know what happened in some of them." Everyone was quiet as they continued their journey.

But Tarduk always curious tried to start a conversation. "So. . . Teridax's son." Not the best start.

Marethyu glanced at the Matoran-like being. "Yes," he answered softly.

"Wh-What was that like?"

"He wasn't exactly the best father," was the cut reply.

"Umm. . . right."

"To be honest the best day of my life was learning that he died."

"Not many would disagree," Takanuva muttered.

"Well. . ." Tarduk started awkwardly, "At. . . at least he didn't have other kids. . . Right?" Marethyu didn't say anything. "Right?"

Takanuva glanced back, did Teridax have more children? And if so were they still alive, hidden among Spherus Magna's people?

"Were here," Mazeka announced.

"No wonder it wasn't found," Kiina muttered glancing around. The stairway to the lab was completely covered by rubble.

Takanuva sighed, "Looks like we got some digging to do."

"Joy," Kiina muttered in reply.


*****


Two hours later Takanuva called for a break, much to everyone's joy. The group had decided to move the rocks by hand so as not to damage anything in the lab below. Even if it was taking forever.

Mara stretched her soar limbs and took a short walk. She stopped at the shore and gazed around. "What are you looking at?" A voice asked behind her.

"Nothing, I'm just thinking," she replied without turning.

Takanuva gazed at her before looking away, "Mara, I got to know. . . why do you trust that Marethyu?"

"I. . . I don't trust him. . . It's just. . ." She shook her head. "I don't know."  

"Well I think we should be on our guard," Takanuva replied crossing his arms over his chest.

"Because of who his father was," was the reply.

The Light Toa turned to her shocked, "Of course! You've heard of what he's done!"

"But that was Teridax."

"Still Marethyu's his son, who knows what Teridax did to him."

"Why should someone be judged by who their father is," Mara whispered softly.

Takanuva froze at that, of course, her children were the result of rape. But she still loved them and she didn't want them judged because of their father. "I. . ." he sighed, "Alright, I'll give him a chance. . . but I still don't trust him."

"I know," she answered.

While Takanuva and Mara talked the others were finishing up. "Well, this has been fun," Gresh tried to lighten the mood. It didn't work.

"I'll just be glad when it's over," Mazeka.

"Expect there's still a Shadow Toa back home," Berix reminded them.

"Ah, I'm sure they'll have that fixed fast-soon," Kongu replied with a shrug.

Mara and Takanuva returned and the group resumed their work. After the last of the rocks had been cleared away the group made their way inside. Luckily the stairs were pretty much intact. When they reached the bottom they found themselves in a large dark room. Takanuva lit up the lab and everyone gasped at the sight. Several stasis tubes each containing a Takanuva, most already having been drained of their light. Four of the tubes were empty.

"Look at this stuff," Berix exclaimed picking up a tablet from one of the tables. "This is like a hidden treasure trove."

"Focus!" Kiina snapped giving him a light slap on the back of the head.

"Hey!"

As the two started bickering Gresh picked up some broken glass, "Look, these two were smashed. I'd say from falling debris."

"Let's check the other tubes and make sure nothing's wrong. . . we don't need any more Shadow Toa," Takanuva took charge.

That put everyone on edge as they checked but luckily the remaining tubes were intact. Mara noticed Marethyu had stayed by the doorway, then he turned and went back outside. She quickly followed him. Outside he walked to one of the island's shores, even with most of the Protodermis sea having drained from the Spirit Robot there was still plenty left. Mara walked up and stopped besides him.

"You didn't need to follow me, I wasn't going to try anything," he assured her without turning.

"I know, but sneaking off can give the wrong impression."

"It's. . . just been awhile since I've been around other people."

"Why did you stay?" Marethyu glanced at her so she continued. "There's a whole world out there were just starting to explore, I'm sure there's a place for you out there to. You should come back with us when we finish."

"I. . . don't know if there's a place for me."

Mara bit her bottom lip, she could relate to that. Not being able to find a place where you belonged. She reached into a bag she had tied to her belt and rooted for something. Finding it Mara held something towards him and curious Marethyu picked it up. It was a small figure shaped like the Spirit Robot. He glanced at her surprised and she smiled. "Keep it, it might bring you luck."

For the first time since they meet he smiled back, "Thank you."

Not far from them hidden by a partly destroyed wall Takanuva watched them. When he had noticed the two gone from the lab he had gone on edge and went looking for them. He had been about to charge forward when he heard their conversation. He guessed she was safe, but he still didn't like it.


(Spheres Magna)
(New Atero)

Meanwhile back in New Atero in a office in the council building Tahu was showing the newest reports of the Shadow Toa to Ackar. The fire Glatorian looked it over before tossing it aside and rubbing a hand over his face. "Still no sign of him?"

Tahu shook his head, "He's slippery."

Another fire Toa joined them in the office. "Jaller," Ackar greeted, "Please tell me you have better news."

The younger Toa shook his head. "We've checked every sighting but nothing." Jaller shrugged, "It's like we've just been chasing shadows."

"It's strange," Ackar's eyes got a distant look as he thought this over, "It's not like him. He hides in the shadows but he always let us know he was around. Now it's like he's gone." He picked up a list of sightings when something caught his attention. Another report of a Swamp Strider-like vehicle prototype that had been stolen a few days ago. Ackar got a bad feeling this was connected. "Maybe he is gone!"

"But where would he go. . ." Tahu quickly turned in the direction of the Spirit Robot. ". . . No!"