Silently, a cloaked figure glided along the alleyway, the torn fabric around his feet billowing behind him in an unseen wind. Ignoring the filth and decay that surrounded him, he didn't stop until he reached a section coated in graffiti. Swirling in stylized, often messy depictions Matoran words, almost every painting was overlapped by another in a mess of vandalistic art. The vibrant colors had long faded, the paint peeling off the metal walls, leaving it an ugly stain on an even uglier part of the city.
With a whoosh, the cloak parted as a metal arm revealed itself. Futuristic in design, it was covered in a smooth, metal armor that covered his entire forearm. On it, a glowing, blue screen illuminated the dark alley. Another hand rose from his cloak, typing a few words on a digital keyboard imbedded in the small monitor. With every press, a soft beep echoed around, varying in pitch depending on where he pressed. When he finished, he looked back at the wall, his arms falling back under the grubby garment.
Upon command, the entire wall broke in two with a snap, flooding the alleyway with light and sending a fine layer of dust into the air. With a mechanical whir, the two halves separated, grinding away from each-other with a soft rumble until they were a few feet apart. Inside stood a small room, embedded seamlessly into the derelict building's basement.
Immaculately clean, the hidden laboratory was chocked full of machinery and scientific equipment. Vials full of colorful liquid hung from the walls. Suits of futuristic, metal armor stood in glass stands, shining brightly. In the corner, a messy bed sat unmade, the covers strewn all over its body.
With a sigh, the figure took a step towards the room, but stopped when a small figure approached him from behind.
"Well then, this is probably the last place I'd ever expect to find you, Eviice. Squatting in the middle of these slums? I thought you had better standards than that," Deviox stepped out of the shadows, hands in his pockets. A sad smile spread over his face, his eyes heavy.
The figure's head drooped, an audible sigh escaping him, "I should've known I hadn't heard the last of you. You have a lot of nerve coming back here, Deviox, especially after the mountain."
Eviice dropped the hood that obscured his head, revealing the unmistakable, oblong head of a Skakdi, and turned to look at him, "So, what do you want?"
Slowly, Deviox pulled his hand out of his pocket. In it sat a small, metallic cube, about the size of a golf ball.
Sincerely, he replied, "Your help."
. . .
A few minutes later, the two of them at a table, Eviice eyeing Deviox suspiciously. Arms crossed, the stereotypical Skakdi smile was gone from his face- replaced instead with a grimace. After an uncomfortable silence, Deviox sighed and slid the cube across the table, into Eviice's grasp. After raising it up to the light to inspect it, Eviice wondered, "And what is this? One of your master's?"
"I don't have a master. Not anymore."
"Of course you don't," he added sarcastically, "He's your 'father' now, right? That's what the rest of his freaks are calling him now, isn't it? I must say, Deviox, I never thought of you as Zurakia's lapdog."
Suddenly angry, Deviox slammed his fists on the table, yelling, "Look, I get it. You don't like me! And, after all I've done, I probably deserve it!"
Making eye contact, he added with a hiss, "But, this is about more than just our petty rivalry! Someone's life is on the line, and I don't have anyone else to turn to who can save him! So, I ask you- I beg of you- will you help me?"
Taken aback by the outburst, Eviice raised an eyebrow, "Alright, if you're actually being serious... where is this patient of your's?"
Deviox motioned towards the cube now in Eviice's hand who, with a shrug, tossed it back to him.
Carefully, he placed it back on the table. Instantly, it began glowing- brighter and brighter until it was completely white. With a hiss, it separated into two shapes- each beginning to grow larger and larger. It soon became clear that one was growing quite larger than the other, slowly morphing into a humanoid shape while the other became a small sphere. When the transformation was complete, the light faded, leaving Voidarix's lifeless body on the table.
Eviice whistled, his eyes wide.
"So, can you help him?"
Rubbing his chin, Eviice took a close look at the cyborg, "I might, I don't know. I've never seen something so complex. Do I even need to ask who designed this?"
"Zurakia."
"As expected. Any details that might be helpful?"
"Um, sure. Let's see, he used to be a Makuta- he was powered by the antidermis in that ball until Ol' Z tore it out of him. Uh, he had a lot of Zurakian Energy flowing through his veins, and I have no idea how to manufacture that. Other than that, it's just your usual mechanics, as far as I know."
"Woah, wait, what? Zurakia did this to him? What, are you guys, like, rebelling against him or something?"
"You could say that."
Eviice nodded, his eyes suddenly glowing red. Twin sheets of energy suddenly leapt from them, overlaying Voidarix's body and moving up and down his still form. After his entirety had been scanned, the lights disappeared. Carefully, Eviice leaned over, inspecting the gaping hole in his chest carefully. After what felt like hours, he suddenly straightened, nodding at Deviox.
"Unfortunately, I have no idea how to synthesize this 'Zurakian Energy,' but it looks like his body naturally produces it. Other than that, I think I know how to fix him. It'll take quite some time though, and I may need your assistance," Eviice stated, leaving momentarily to grab a tray filled with row after row of strange, metal tools.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
"Alright," Eviice nodded, suddenly in command. He ordered, "The first step is to repair these cables. I'll need you to hold this here while I... do this..."
The two went to work, slaving tirelessly over Voidarix for hours, not stopping until later that night when the job was complete.
. . .
"Now... the moment of truth," Eviice took a deep breath, pulling a lever. Snakes of energy crackled around it, flowing down a cable attached to Voidarix's back. Spontaneously, purple light began spewing from his chest, spreading quickly over his entire body. Once light poured from every pore of his being, he began spazzing, his entire body arcing and twisting uncontrollably.
"Quickly!" Eviice shouted, rushing to his side, "Hold him down!"
Deviox grabbed Voidarix's other side, pressing him into the table with all his might. Through clenched teeth, he growled, "C'mon, buddy! Don't give up on me yet!"
Unhindered by their efforts, the spasms grew more and more violent. His head smashed repeatedly into the table, a bang ringing out every time. A roar leapt from his throat, primal and dark. After a few minutes, he began to slow down, quickly returning to stillness.
Breathing heavily, Eviice turned to look at the machinery hooked up to him, sighing in relief, "Oh, thank Mata Nui. He's stabilizing."
Startled, Voidarix gasped, opening his eyes. Muttering something under his breath about Zurakia, he tried to get to his feet. Eviice was at his side instantly, holding him in place, "Woah, slow down there, son. What's your name?"
"Uh, Voidarix," he muttered groggily, grunting in pain.
"Voidarix? Alright, Voidarix, I need you to stay with me. I'm a doctor- you were hurt pretty badly. You need to rest for now, regain your strength," hurriedly, yet calmly, he replied. Gently, he laid Voidarix back onto the slab.
"But... Zurakia..." Voidarix slurred, already fading. He was already passed out by the time he hit the table.
The two watched the sleeping Makuta with a mixture of exhaustion and pride.
"Y'know, he's usually not like thais. I mean, he's always been quiet like that, but-"
"Oh, I understand. I mean, we just brought him back from the dead, I'd be more surprise if he wasn't in shock."
"Thanks," Deviox sighed, a soft smile spreading over his face, "I couldn't have done it without you."
"You have a lot left to redeem yourself, Deviox," Eviice added flatly, "But not enough to justify letting an innocent person die. Even a Makuta. Though, if it's not too much trouble, can I ask you for a favor in return?"
A quizzical frown forming on his face, Deviox shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, I owe you that much."
Sighing, Eviice looked up at the ceiling, declaring, "I have recently taken notice of a rebellion overtaken this city. I know from experience it'll do nothing but cause countless, pointless deaths for a cause so small-scale. Afterwards, nothing will change, and the vicious cycle begins anew. Even worse, this revolution is aimed at Toa! The Matoran and Agori are digging their own graves! I would like to prevent that if at all possible."
"Sooo... you want me to assassinate this rebellion's head?" Deviox mused.
"No! Mata Nui, no! I said I wanted to avoid pointless deaths! I just need you to help me convince them to stop this war- probably with force if necessary, but with no casualties!" Eviice blurted, his eyes narrowing.
In response, Deviox sighed, "Fine. We'll do it the 'not-fun' way."