Comic 20: Struggle in the Sky

"I am a Dark Hunter. My friends call me Nidhiki...or they would, if I had any friends. The hulking figure next to me is Krekka. Not the brightest lightstone in Metru Nui, but strong enough to crumble a Knowledge Tower with one blow. We came to Metru Nui for our favorite sport: Toa Hunting."

- Nidhiki's inner monologue

Struggle in the Sky is the twentieth issue in the original BIONICLE comic series and the fourth issue in the BIONICLE: Metru Nui sub-series, as well as part four in the City of Legends storyline.

Opening
''Hunted as imposters and suspected in Toa Lhikan's disappearance, the Toa Metru are forced to flee for their lives. Stowing away aboard a Le-Metru airship they mistakenly believe themselves to be beyond the reach of Vahki order enforcement squads.''

''Meanwhile, a far more dangerous threat is looming in the shape of Nidhiki and Krekka, the Dark Hunters. Dispatched by Turaga Dume to capture the outlaws, they are determined to bring the Toa in alive--if not necessarily undamaged.''

''For the Toa, capture would mean both Lhikan and the city itself would be lost forever. But can they hope to survive against beings that live to hunt Toa?''

Plot
Nidhiki and Krekka skulk through Metru Nui, looking for prey. While Toa Lhikan was easy enough to capture, the two Dark Hunters are experiencing difficulty with the Toa Metru. Nidhika notices the airship above and deduces that the Toa have hidden there. In the airship's cargo hold, Vakama strategizes with the others. Unfortunately, the Vahki have tracked them down and attack. Matau draws their fire, while Nokama blindsides them with her Toa Tools. Vakama tries to reason with the robotic enforcers, but Matau crushes the law-bots with a metal crate. Nidhiki interrupts and taunts the Toa of Fire. Vakama attempts to attack the Dark Hunter, but Krekka freezes him with a Kanoka. Matau catches his fallen teammate, but must absorb the brunt of an energy blast to keep Vakama safe. Elsewhere, Turaga Dume waits at the Coliseum for an update from his personal Rahi Nivawk.
 * Undergoing construction. Please be patient.

Credits

 * Greg Farshtey - Writer
 * Randy Elliott - Artist
 * Pete Pantazis - Colorist
 * Ken Lopez - Letterer
 * Jaye Gardner - Editor
 * Toby Dutkiewicz - Layout & Design

Characters

 * Dume
 * Krekka
 * Lhikan - Mentioned only
 * Matau
 * Nidhiki
 * Nivawk
 * Nokama
 * Nuurakh
 * Vakama
 * Zadakh

Locations

 * Metru Nui
 * Archives - Mentioned only

Objects

 * Airship
 * Chute
 * Disk Launchers
 * Kanohi
 * Great Huna
 * Great Mahiki
 * Great Rau
 * Kanoka
 * Freeze disk
 * Teleportation disk
 * Knowledge Tower - Mentioned only
 * Lightstone - Mentioned only
 * Toa Tools
 * Aero Slicers
 * Disk Launcher (Vakama)
 * Hydro Blades
 * Vahki Staffs
 * Staff of Command

Organizations

 * Dark Hunters
 * Matoran
 * Rahi - Mentioned only
 * Lava Eel - Mentioned only
 * Toa
 * Toa of Air
 * Toa of Fire
 * Toa of Water
 * Toa Metru/Toa Hordika
 * Turaga
 * Vahki

Miscellanea

 * Chutespeak
 * Destiny
 * Elements/Elemental Powers
 * Air
 * Fire

Extra Features

 * Comic middle: Two-page spread encouraging fan to build their own fight scene between the Dark Hunters and Toa Metru using their sets.
 * Comic end: An interview with the illustrators and designers behind BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui, New BIONICLE Legends are Born section discusses the Toa Lhikan & Kikanalo set, updates to the BIONICLE.com website.
 * Rear cover: Advertisement for the BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui movie.

Quotes
"The time is drawing near, and still three Toa plague me with their interference. They cannot be allowed to block the destiny of the Matoran. You know what to do. They will attempt to free their friends. They must not succeed."

- Turaga Dume

"You kidnap a Toa, threaten Matoran, and try to harm us--and you dare talk about what's "fair"? Take a trip, Dark Hunter!"

- Vakama