Aridike's Tale: Ch. 7-9

When Aridike had finally learned the history and happenings on this new world, Spherus Magna, he was quite excited; a whole new world for him to explore. He decided to ask Artakha about the Vahi.  He told him of his predicament, being an Artificial Toa, and the paradox involved.

Artakha told him that the Mask of Time, and other powerful masks, were kept in a secret vault in Onu-Maras that only Order members and Toa on the Council could access. He apologized to Aridike, and told him that there was no way he was getting the Vahi.

Aridike pleaded with Artakha, as there had to be some way, or else he wouldn't have become a Toa in the first place. Artakha saw his logic, but still could do nothing.  He suggested that Aridike make his plea to the Order.  They may allow him to use the Vahi, but it was a slim chance.

"The Order and other Councils only meet once a year, for a whole week, discussing the issues at hand.  They are scattered throughout the Maras in the time in-between. They just met a week ago, so you have a whole year to wait."

Aridike began to object, but Artakha gestured for silence.

"Until then, Aridike, I permit you to live here under my surveillance, out of the respect the 7th had for you." Artakha became stern, "He thought highly of you, Aridike, and did not take kindly to your tricking him in your illness."

"It was a time of weakness, fear, for me. Escape was the my only hope."

Artakha turned away in thought, "He was not alone in his thoughts; I, too, see great potential in you, Aridike, but you must make that potential real." He turned back to Aridike, "That reminds me, what is your Toa Element, Aridike?"

"Gravity."

"I see. Yes, yes…I see indeed. I recommend you learn to adequately control your powers, Aridike. Gravity is a very powerful thing to control."

"Well, I've got enough time to."

"Indeed."

Aridike thanked Artakha for his kind words and generosity.  Artakha beckoned for a Matoran to come up, and the Matoran, a Po-Matoran, led Aridike to his quarters.  It was a modest room, above the degree of Spartan, but had plenty of space and a balcony with room to move around.  On the bed were his disk and pouch, along with the computer he had made, now fixed.  

He reattached his computer to his arm and started the reboot. He would have to update the software and work out some kinks, but that was for a later date.

He walked to the  balcony and saw the scene of Suva-Maras before him. The market he first walked through was one of several, presumably the business sector of the city. To his left were many smaller buildings, some with smoke coming out of them; the industrial sector. Looming over these buildings was a great building, obviously a coliseum, marking the entertainment sector of the city. His view swung to his right and he saw several interconnected towers that he presumed was where the library and knowledge towers were located.  

He decided he should get some sleep before exploring the city, specifically the Coliseum and the industrial center. Aridike awoke the next day with food waiting for him at his bedside.  He ate and stretched a little on the balcony, admiring the city. He turned back, preparing to go out into the world, when a large package behind the nightstand caught his eye.

It was a large, round, parcel, covered in cloth. There was a note as well, it read:

A gift. Use it wisely. ~Artakha

Intrigued, Aridike pulled off the cloth and rope bindings to uncover this 'gift.' There lay a beauteous metal disk, with three sharp protrusions covered in inward spikes. It was almost light as air, and with Aridike's gravity powers, it was. He grasped it and felt an immediate connection to it: This was his Toa weapon.

CHAPTER 8:

Aridike was giddy and eager to try out his Gravity Disk, as he dubbed it. He went out onto the balcony and flung the shining disk into the air, making sure to control its movements so as not to lose his new toy. He was soon able to make complicated maneuvers with it, swirling it through the wind like a leaf, a leaf in a tornado, that is. He raised his arm to catch it, and did so with ease.

Aridike almost immediately ran out the door to sign into the Coliseum, but then had a better idea. He backed up, got a running start and leaped into the air towards the Coliseum, jumping from building to building, reaching it in four great bounds.

There was a line of Toa going around the side, and quickly followed suit, although keeping in mind what happened last time he was in a line like this. He was soon at the front and an extremely theatrical Onu-Matoran gave him a wonderful speech on the glories of the Coliseum:

"Ah! A newcomer! I can tell from the look on your face; the look of awe from the almighty Coliseum! Have no fear, I, Bariole shall assist you! Please, what is your name?"

Aridike chuckled a bit at his enthusiasm, "Aridike."

"Well, Aridike, I can tell exactly what you're here for: a good brawl!" Bariole started to playfully act out a fisticuffs gesture, "Ain't that right?"

"Absolutely!" Aridike couldn't help but get energized by the Matoran.

"Alrighty, then! Aridike, I know you'll be a winner here!" he looked down at his papers, "Your match begins soon! Good luck, my friend!"

Aridike walked to the innards of the Coliseum, following a line of Toa and, presumably, Glatorian fighters.  He sat down in a waiting area and waited for his turn. While waiting he saw a large sign that elaborated the rules:

NO Purposeful Destruction of the Arena

NO Direct Elemental Powers against those with none

NO Full Body Mechanical Armor or Vehicles

NO Severe Dismemberment

NO Unapproved Death-matches

Level 2 and below Kanohi Allowed

Aridike didn't know what the last one meant specifically, but he assumed a Noble Ruru was allowed. Eventually it was his turn, and the announcer got the crowd pumped.

"Alright, everybody! Here's a new contestant entering the stage! Aridike!"

The crowd cheered as Aridike walked onto the Arena.  He reached onto his back and took his Gravity Disk in hand.

"And his opponent! You know him! You love him! Give a cheer for! Bayzon!"

Aridike almost dropped his disk in surprise. Bayzon? Could it really be? And surely it was as the hulking Toa came out from the other side of the Arena. Aridike yelled to him. When he saw Aridike, he gave a wink and mouthed; "After the match."

Aridike smiled, and took a battle stance. Bayzon, a Toa of Light now, made apparent by his white and yellow armor, did similarly. Bayzon charged at Aridike, his long Light Chain dragging behind him.  Aridike let him come at him, and with his left arm grabbed his face to propel himself over him, leaving Bayzon to crash into the wall behind him.

It didn't even seem to faze him, as he turned right around, this time swinging his Light Chain around on either side of him.  Aridike rested his Gravity Disk on his palm and made his gravity powers spin it at high speeds.

Bayzon lashed his chain at Aridike, who easily dodged it. Aridike flung his disk low at Bayzon's feet, who leaped high into the air, surprising for his bulk. Bayzon then aimed his fall right on Aridike. Aridike quickly caught his blade and used his gravity powers to instead make Bayzon fall deep into the ground, creating a huge pit.

Bayzon, battered but not out, picked himself out of the hole, getting shakily to his feet. Aridike was on him in a flash, his blade spinning like a saw. Bayzon grabbed his chain taunt with both hands and deflected Aridike's hit. Aridike and Bayzon exchanged blows like this several times.  Neither seemed to be waning.

The two separated and prepared for another round of blows.  Aridike shouted out to Bayzon:

"Well, looks like you've put into practice what I taught you, plus a bit more."

"Seems like you got yourself a few new tricks of your own."

"Oh, you ain't seen nothing, yet."

Aridike grinned and hurled his disk at Bayzon, who again tried to jump up and dodge it, but this time, Aridike was ready. When Bayzon leaped into the air, his attention focused on Aridike's disk, Aridike jumped up right along with him, his gravity powers helping his ascent.

As Bayzon saw that the suns had been blotted out by a shadow, he looked up and saw Aridike posed to end this.  He took aim with his improved prosthetic, increasing its momentum with his powers, and took a smashing punch into Bayzon, sending him hurtling into the ground.

While Bayzon crashed, Aridike landed, catching his Gravity Disk as he did so.  By knocking Bayzon unconscious, Aridike won the match, earning him a great deal of applause and cheering.  Bariole came out and congratulated Aridike, and sent a few Matoran to take Bayzon to the infirmary.  Aridike went with them. When he awoke, Bayzon explained what had happened after Aridike left.  

CHAPTER 9:

When Aridike had 'left' the Knights, after his funeral, that is, Bayzon had to take over as the new BARON.  He was forced to rewrite his previous existence and fully take over as the leader of this organization.  Despite his best efforts, Bayzon was unable to fully take in the life as a crime lord.  He always had a weakness: his kind heart.  He didn't have the strength to simply take and cause pain, not without severe moral consequences.

His inability to fulfill his duties brought widespread concern, especially from one individual.  Hrunek, the revolutionary called the DUKE, returned and overthrew Bayzon. He had evidently survived Aridike's previous attempt to kill him, and now with Aridike out of the picture, he returned to take his 'rightful' throne. Bayzon left Koromar, or rather, was kicked out, literally, into the ocean. He ended up on Polaiz. Shamefully, he led a quite life as an arena fighter, until Makuta's takeover.  

As Makuta rose to power, Artakha went out in search of all the Av-Matoran he could find, in hopes that he could create a Toa Team completely made up of Toa of Light.  He was hoping they could perhaps make a blast of power from their combined Light Nova Blasts could take out Makuta. Bayzon was chosen as one of these Toa, one of seven. Artakha made the eight Toa Stones, but Hrunek ordered that one be stolen for his own purposes.  

"Unfortunately, he succeeded in his theft and became a Toa, a Toa of Stone, and a very powerful one at that.  He supposedly escaped with all of the others after Mata Nui defeated Makuta. There's a rumor that he's been hiding in Po-Maras, keeping the Knights under his control."

"Well, what are we waiting for?"

Aridike, who had been sitting with Bayzon outside the Coliseum as he told his story, got up and started walking to toward the city gate. Bayzon ran up to stop him:

"I've tried, my friend. I haven't been able to find his lair. I too seek revenge."

"I'm sure I may be able to find some information…Give me a day. Meet me back here tomorrow."

"But, where will you go? What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to go and meet my native species: thieves."

And with that, Aridike left Bayzon to wander the industrial sector of Suva-Maras.